Species New to Science

in García‐Vázquez, Nieto‐Montes de Oca, Bryson, et al. 2018.

DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13241

Abstract

Aim:

Multiple geological and climatic events have created geographical or ecological barriers associated with speciation events, playing a role in biological diversification in Mexico. Here, we evaluate the influence of Neogene geological events and of Pleistocene climate change in the diversification of the genus Gerrhonotus using molecular dating and ancestral area reconstruction.

Location: Mexico and south‐central United States.

Methods:

A multilocus sequence dataset was generated for 86 individuals of Gerrhonotus from most Mexican biogeographical provinces and belonging to five of the seven currently recognized species, as well as two putative undescribed species. Phylogeographical structure was explored using Poisson‐Tree‐Processes molecular species delimitation. Divergence events were estimated based on the fossil record using a relaxed uncorrelated lognormal clock. Ancestral areas were estimated at divergence events across the tree using a probabilistic Bayesian approach.

Results:

Extensive geographical structure was evident within three well‐supported clades. These clades probably diverged from each other in the early to mid‐Miocene, and their divergence was followed by six divergences in the late Miocene and eight divergences in the Pliocene. The ancestral origin of Gerrhonotus with keeled dorsal scales (keeled‐scale Gerrhonotus) was reconstructed to be across the Pacific Coast Province. Our phylogenetic analyses did not support the monophyly of Gerrhonotus.

Main conclusions:

Miocene and Pliocene geomorphology, perhaps in conjunction with climate change, appears to have induced allopatric divergence on a relatively small spatial scale in this genus. The late Miocene–Pliocene reduction in the highlands along the Tehuantepec fault probably created a large marine embayment that led to an early divergence in a clade of Gerrhonotus. Our analysis suggests uplifting of the Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt during this same time period resulted in additional diversification. This was followed by more recent, independent colonization events in the Pliocene from the Mexican Plateau to the Sierra Madre Oriental, Sierra Madre Occidental, Tamaulipas and Edwards Plateau provinces. A genus Gerrhonotus with the keeled‐scale species in addition to Coloptychon rhombifer (= G. rhombifer) is strongly supported. Inclusion of the smooth dorsal‐scale species in the genus is uncertain and maintained only tentatively.

Keywords: ancestral area reconstruction, Coloptychon, divergence dating, diversification, Gerrhonotus, Isthmus of Tehuantepec, Mexican Plateau, Trans‐Mexican Volcanic Belt

CONCLUSIONS:

Biogeographical studies seek to explain the distributions of species in terms of historical factors and contemporary ecology. The genus Gerrhonotus has proven to be an insightful model for studying these factors in a widely distributed group. Extreme climatic oscillations during the Pleistocene, a key driver of diversification between lineages in some taxa (León‐Paniagua et al., 2007), do not appear to have substantially affected diversification in Gerrhonotus. Instead, Miocene and Pliocene geomorphology, perhaps in conjunction with climate change, appears to have induced allopatric divergence on a relatively small spatial scale in this genus. There is strong support for a genus Gerrhonotus composed of the keeled‐scale species in the genus in addition to Coloptychon rhombifer (= G. rhombifer), whereas inclusion of the smooth‐scale Gerrhonotus into the genus should be regarded as tentative. Gerrhonotus infernalis, G. liocephalus and G. ophiurus may each be composed of multiple evolutionary independent lineages.

Uri O. García‐Vázquez, Adrián Nieto‐Montes de Oca, Robert W. Bryson Jr., Walter Schmidt‐Ballardo and Carlos J. Pavón‐Vázquez. 2018. Molecular Systematics and Historical Biogeography of the Genus Gerrhonotus (Squamata: Anguidae). Journal of Biogeography. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13241

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Hypostomus renestoi Zawadzki, da Silva & Troy, 2018

Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904)

DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1079

Hypostomus latirostris was originally described by Regan (1904) from “River Jungada [= rio Jangada], Matto Grosso and Goyaz”; however, the species is rarely mentioned in taxonomic works on Hypostomus from Paraguay. Herein, the two syntypes of Plecostomus latirostris were examined showing critical differences between them. After the analysis of a large sample of recently collected specimens from the upper rio Paraguay basin we concluded that the two syntypes from the rio Jangada indeed belong to different species. Hypostomus latirostris is redescribed and a lectotype is designated herein. The other syntype (now a paralectotype of H. latirostris) is designated as paratype of Hypostomus renestoi, new species. Hypostomus renestoi can be differentiated from H. latirostris by having robust teeth (vs. slender); by having 28-77 teeth on the premaxilla (vs. 79-111) and 25-64 on the dentary (vs. 79-109); by having small and more conspicuous dark spots (vs. larger and less conspicuous dark spots); by having dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking hypertrophied odontodes on lateral series of plates); and usually by attaining a smaller size.

Fig. 7. Hypostomus renestoi, MCP 49767, holotype, 121.8 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso State: rio Diamantino, upper rio Paraguay basin. Photographed alive.
Fig. 2. Hypostomus latirostris, NUP 3975, 127.0 mm SL; Brazil: Mato Grosso State: rio Jangada, upper rio Paraguay basin. Photographed alive.

Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904)

Plecostomus pantherinus (not Kner, 1854): Boulenger, 1892: 9.

Plecostomus latirostris Regan, 1904: 213, Pl. 11, Fig. 1. Type locality: Rio Jungada [= Jangada], Matto Grosso and Goyaz [Brazil]. Syntypes: BMNH 1892.4.20.26-27 (2); Gosline, 1947: 115 (brief comments).

Hypostomus latirostris – Burgess, 1989: 431 (checklist); Isbrücker, 1980: 25 (checklist); Montoya-Burgos et al., 2002: 374 (Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny); Montoya-Burgos, 2003: 1859, Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny); Weber, 2003: 359 (checklist); Ferraris, 2007: 255 (checklist); Cardoso et al., 2012: 74 (Fig. 2; molecular phylogeny).

Hypostomus sp. – Werner et al., 2005: 197 (L224, photo 3; neighborhood rio Cuiabá) and 302 (L388, photo 1; waters flowing to rio Cuiabá near Cuiabá).

Hypostomus sp. 2 – Veríssimo et al., 2007: 6 (checklist, Manso Reservoir, upper rio Paraguay basin, Brazil).

Hypostomus cf. latirostris - Renesto et al., 2007: 870 (allozymes).

Distribution and habitat. Hypostomus latirostris is known from several localities along the rio Cuiabá basin (Fig. 4). Regan (1904) pointed out the rio Jangada as the type locality. Records of H. latirostris were made in all the extension of the rio Manso and also in the rio Cuiabá basin. The rio Manso and the rio Cuiabazinho are the formers to rio Cuiabá. The rio Cuiabá basin is mainly located upstream the Brazilian Pantanal. Most specimens were collected before and after the construction of the Manso Reservoir. The rio Cuiabá basin has clear water, with rocky and sandy substrate, and variable remnant riparian vegetation. The individuals were collected whether in rapids or in lentic environments. Juveniles were usually collected in oxbow lakes in the rio Cuiabá basin and streams. Specimens of H. latirostris were collected co-occurring with H. boulengeri, H. cochliodon, H. khimaera, H. latifrons, H. piratatu, H. regani, H. ternetzi, H. peckoltoides, and H. mutucae.

Hypostomus renestoi, new species

Plecostomus latirostris Regan, 1904: 213 (partim). Type locality: Rio Jungada, Matto Grosso [Brazil]. Syntypes: BMNH 1892.4.20.26-27 (2).

Hypostomus sp.: Werner et al., 2005: 302 (L389, photo 2; waters flowing to rio Cuiabá near Cuiabá).

Hypostomus sp. 3 – Renesto et al., 2007: 870 [allozymes].

Hypostomus sp. 4 – Veríssimo et al., 2007: 6 (checklist, Manso Reservoir, upper rio Paraguay basin, Brazil).

Diagnosis. Hypostomus renestoi is distinguished from the species of the H. cochliodon group (sensu Zawadzki & Hollanda Carvalho, 2015) by having viliform teeth and angle between dentaries usually larger than 80° (vs. spoon- or shovel-shaped teeth and angle between dentaries about 80°); from H. affinis, H. ancistroides, H. arecuta, H. argus, H. aspilogaster, H. borellii, H. boulengeri, H. carinatus, H. careopinnatus, H. carvalhoi, H. commersoni, H. crassicauda, H. delimai, H. derbyi, H. dlouhyi, H. faveolus, H. formosae, H. hemiurus, H. interruptus, H. itacua, H. laplatae, H. niceforoi, H. nigrolineatus, H. nigropunctatus, H. paucimaculatus, H. piratatu, H. plecostomus, H. pantherinus, H. punctatus, H. pusarum, H. scabryceps, H. seminudus, H. subcarinatus, H. tapijara, H. variostictus, H. velhochico, and H. watwata by lacking keels on median lateral series of plates (vs. having moderate or strong keels along lateral series of plates); from H. alatus, H. albopunctatus, H. chrysostiktos, H. fluviatilis, H. francisci, H. margaritifer, H. luteomaculatus, H. lexi, H. luteus, H. margaritifer, H. meleagris, H. microstomus, H. multidens, H. myersi, H. niger, H. regani, H. roseopunctatus, H. scaphyceps, H. sertanejo, H. strigaticeps, H. tietensis, and H. variipictus by having dark spots on a clearer background (vs. pale spots or vermiculations on a darker background); from H. asperatus, H. brevicauda, H. goyazensis, H. heraldoi, H. hermanni, H. iheringii, H. kuarup, H. lima, H. luetkeni, H. macrops, H. mutucae, H. nigromaculatus, H. paulinus, H. topavae, H. unae, and H. wuchereri by having dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking conspicuous odontodes on lateral series of plates); from H. angipinnatus, H. agna, H. isbrueckeri, H. laplatae, H. latifrons, H. nigropunctatus, H. uruguayensis, and H. vaillanti by having one plate bordering supraoccipital (vs. three to seven); from H. bolivianus, H. fonchii, and H. perdido by having bicuspid teeth (vs. unicuspid teeth); from H. peckoltoides by having dark large spots on body and fins (vs. wide dark transverse bars on body and bands on fins); from H. ternetzi by having ventral unbranched caudal-fin ray length smaller to equal to predorsal length (vs. unbranched caudal-fin ray length clearly larger than predorsal length); from H. latirostris by having: robust teeth (vs. slender); by having 28-77 teeth on premaxilla (vs. 79-111) and 25-64 on dentary (vs. 79-109); small and more conspicuous dark spots (vs. larger and less conspicuous dark spots); dorsal and mid-dorsal series of plates with moderate hypertrophied odontodes (vs. lacking conspicuous odontodes on lateral series of plates); and usually by attaining a smaller size.

Ecological notes. Sometimes very small black dots due to encysted metacercariae on trunk, belly and fins (Figs. 5, 7).

Distribution and habitat. Hypostomus renestoi was mainly collected in the rio Cuiabá and its tributaries (Fig. 8). As a small- to medium-sized species, the specimens were collected in small- and medium-sized streams, with ranges from 1.5 to 6 m wide, as well as records were also from the margins or shallow stretches of the larger Cuiabá and Manso rivers. The area sampled presented varied vegetation of degraded areas by mining practices, recreation, pasture, agriculture, and often a small riparian vegetation. The streams usually had as substrate sand, clay, gravel and rocks. Several specimens were collected in rapids on mouth of the tributaries to the rio Manso. With the construction of Manso Reservoir the lower stretches of some tributaries of the rio Manso are nowadays flooded by the lake reservoir.

Etymology. The specific epithet renestoi is in honor of the professor Erasmo Renesto, Brazilian ichthyologist, due to his contributions to the genetic field of the Neotropical fishes.

Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki, Hugmar Pains da Silva and Waldo Pinheiro Troy. 2018. Redescription of Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904) with the Recognition of A New Species of Hypostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Paraguay Basin, Brazil. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. DOI: 10.23788/IEF-1079

Kinosternon vogti

López-Luna, Cupul-Magaña, Escobedo-Galván, González-Hernández, Centenero-Alcalá, Rangel-Mendoza, Ramírez-Ramírez & Cazares-Hernández, 2018

DOI: 10.2744/CCB-1292.1

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Abstract

The genus Kinosternon in Mexico is represented by 12 species of which only 2 inhabit the lowlands of the central Pacific region (Kinosternon chimalhuaca and Kinosternon integrum). Based on 15 standard morphological attributes and coloration patterns of 9 individuals, we describe a new microendemic mud turtle species from the central Pacific versant of Mexico. The suite of morphological traits exhibited by Kinosternon sp. nov. clearly differentiates it from other species within the genus Kinosternon by a combination of proportions of plastron and carapace scutes, body size, and a large yellow rostral shield in males. The new species inhabits small streams and ponds in and near the city of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. Unfortunately, natural populations are unknown so far. The habitat is damaged by urban growth, and only one female is known. The available information would suggest that Kinosternon vogti sp. nov., is one of the most threatened freshwater turtle species. An urgent conservation program is necessary as well as explorations in the area to find viable populations of the species.

Keywords: Reptilia, Testudines, Kinosternidae, Kinosternon vogti sp. nov., microendemism, endangered species, Jalisco

SYSTEMATICS

Order: Testudines

Suborder: Cryptodira

Family: Kinosternidae

Kinosternon vogti sp. nov.

Vallarta Mud Turtle, Casquito de Vallarta

Etymology. — With great pleasure we name this new species in honor of one of the most important and enthusiastic researchers of freshwater chelonians of the 21st century, Professor Richard Carl Vogt. ‘‘Dick,’’ as his friends know him, has been involved for more than 40 yrs in studies of high scientific impact, mentoring along the way younger scientists in the study of freshwater turtles across the American continents, in the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Marco A. López-Luna, Fabio G. Cupul-Magaña, Armando H. Escobedo-Galván, Adriana J. González-Hernández, Eric Centenero-Alcalá, Judith A. Rangel-Mendoza, Mariana M. Ramírez-Ramírez and Erasmo Cazares-Hernández. 2018. A Distinctive New Species of Mud Turtle from Western México. Chelonian Conservation and Biology. In-Press. DOI: 10.2744/CCB-1292.1

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Resumen: El género Kinosternon en México está representado por 12 especies, de las cuales solo dos habitan las tierras bajas de la región Pacífico central (Kinosternon chimalhuaca y K. integrum). Con base en la evaluación de quince atributos morfológicos y la coloración de nueve individuos, describimos una nueva especie de tortuga lodo micro-endémica del Pacífico central de México. El conjunto de rasgos morfológicos exhibidos por Kinosternon sp. nov., lo diferencia claramente de otras especies dentro del género Kinosternon por una combinación de proporciones de escudos de plastrón y caparazón, tamaño del cuerpo y un escudo rostral de color amarillo en los machos. La nueva especie habita pequeños arroyos y estanques en y cerca de la ciudad de Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. No se conocen poblaciones naturales hasta el momento. El hábitat está dañado por el crecimiento urbano, y solo se conoce una hembra. La información disponible sugeriría que Kinosternon vogti sp. nov., es una de las especies de tortugas de agua dulce más amenazadas. Es necesario un programa de conservación urgente, así como exploraciones en el área para encontrar poblaciones viables de la especie.

Corydoras benattii Espindola, Tencatt, Pupo, Villa-Verde & Britto, 2018

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13602

Photo by Hans Evers

Abstract

A new species of the armoured catfish genus Corydoras is described from the Xingu–Tapajos ecoregion, Brazilian Amazon. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by having the following combination of features: short mesethmoid, with anterior tip poorly developed, smaller than 50% of bone length; posterior margin of pectoral spine with serrations directed towards spine tip or perpendicularly oriented; infraorbital 2 only in contact with sphenotic; ventral laminar expansion of infraorbital 1 poorly or moderately developed; flank midline covered by small dark brown or black saddles with similar size to remaining markings on body; relatively larger, scarcer and more sparsely distributed dark brown or black spots on body; absence of stripe on flank midline; caudal fin with conspicuous dark brown or black spots along its entire surface; slender body; and strongly narrow frontals. A more comprehensive description of poorly‐explored internal character sources, such as the gross morphology of the brain, Weberian apparatus and swimbladder capsule elements is presented.

Keywords: Brazilian Amazon, Corydoradinae, Corydoras sp. C22, gross brain morphology, taxonomy, Xingu–Tapajos ecoregion

Figure 1: Corydoras benattii sp. nov. in (a) aquarium and (b) natural habitat, uncatalogued specimens, both near Altamira, lower Rio Xingu Basin.

Figure 2: Corydoras benattii sp. nov., MZUSP 121671, holotype, 25·4 mm standard length, Brazil, Mato Grosso, Canarana–Gaúcha do Norte, Rio Culuene, tributary to Rio Xingu Basin.

Corydoras benattii, sp. nov.

Corydoras sp. 4. Castilhos & Buckup, 2011: 241 (species list).
Corydoras sp. C22. Evers, 1994: 755, Fig. 2 (species catalogue). Glaser et al., 1996: 92 (photos, species catalogue). Evers & Schäfer, 2004: 11, 12 (photos, species catalogue). Füller & Evers, 2005: 281, 285, 294 (species catalogue).
Corydoras sp. aff. C22. Glaser et al., 1996: 90 (photos, species catalogue).

Geographical distribution: Corydoras benattii occurs in both the Rio Xingu and Rio Tapajós basins, Brazilian Amazon (Fig. 10). In the Rio Xingu basin, it is known in Mato Grosso State from tributaries to the Rio Culuene, a clearwater tributary of the upper Rio Xingu (type locality) and in Pará State from the Rio Fresco sub drainage (Rio Trairão and Igarapé Manguari), middle Rio Xingu and from the lower Rio Xingu basin near Altamira. In the Rio Tapajós basin, it occurs in the Rio Peixoto de Azevedo, a tributary to the Rio Teles Pires, Mato Grosso and from Rio Cururu, a tributary to the Rio São Manuel, Pará.

Habitat notes: Specimens of Corydoras benattii were found in lotic habitats in the Rio Culuene, Rio Xingu basin and Rio Braço Norte, tributary to Rio Peixoto de Azevedo, Rio Tapajós basin (Fig. 11). Both localities have muddy‐brown water with clay and sandy substrata. Most specimens were captured in the small forest streams of black or clearwater, or in marginal ponds.

Etymology: The specific name, benattii, honours the late Laert Benatti for his humanitarian work, providing fresh water from artesian wells to poor communities in Brazil. Case is genitive.

V. C. Espíndola, L. F. C. Tencatt, F. M. Pupo, L. Villa‐Verde and M. R. Britto. 2018. From the Inside Out: A New Species of Armoured Catfish Corydoras with the Description of Poorly‐explored Character Sources (Teleostei, Siluriformes, Callichthyidae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13602

Researchgate.net/publication/324606214_a_new_species_of_armoured_catfish_Corydoras

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Petrocodon asterocalyx F.Wen, Y.G.Wei & R.L.Zhang

in Zhang, Fu, Li, et al., 2018
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.343.3.6
gccc.gxib.cn

Abstract

Petrocodon asterocalyx F.Wen, Y.G.Wei & R.L.Zhang, a new species from the Danxia landform area in Guangxi, South China, is described and illustrated based on molecular and morphological data. The molecular evidence shows that the new species is recovered in a weakly supported clade. Within this clade, the new one is morphologically similar to P. hancei (Hemsl.) A.Weber & Mich.Möller and P. coriaceifolius (Y.G.Wei) Y.G.Wei & Mich.Möller, and it can be distinguished from the former by calyx lobes 20–40 × 2–3 mm, corolla 2.5–3.0 cm long, filaments sparsely erectly pubescent, anthers sparsely pubescent, staminodes 3, and stigmas 2; from latter by leaf blades rhombic-oblong or rhombic, base shallowly cuneate, margin crenulate to serrate, calyx lobes linear, 20–40 × 2–3 cm, and anthers 3.5–3.8 mm long, sparsely pubescent and elliptical.

Keywords: Danxia landform, endemism, flora of Guangxi, new taxon, taxonomy, Eudicots

FIGURE 3 Petrocodon asterocalyx. (A) habitat, (B) habit, (C) cymes, (D) the lateral view of flower and bud, (E) top view of flower, (F)stigma, (G) opened corolla, and (H) anthers and filaments.

Petrocodon asterocalyx F.Wen, Y.G.Wei & R.L.Zhang, sp. nov.

Etymology:— The epithet, “asterocalyx”, means that the calyx lobes of this new species are actinomorphic and the whole calyx looks like a star.

Rui-Li Zhang, Long-Fei Fu, Shu Li, Yi-Gang Wei, Stephen Maciejewski, Michael LoFurno and Fang Wen. 2018. Petrocodon asterocalyx, A New Species of Gesneriaceae from Guangxi, China. Phytotaxa. 343(3); 259–268. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.343.3.6

researchgate.net/publication/323729283_Petrocodon_asterocalyx_a_new_species_from_Guangxi_China

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Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi Welzen, R.W.Bouman & Ent

in Bouman, van Welzen, Sumail, et al., 2018.

DOI: 10.1186/s40529-018-0225-y

Abstract

Background: Nickel hyperaccumulator plants are of much interest for their evolution and unique ecophysiology, and also for potential applications in agromining—a novel technology that uses plants to extract valuable metals from soil. The majority of nickel hyperaccumulators are known from ultramafc soils in tropical regions (Cuba, New Caledonia and Southeast Asia), and one genus, Phyllanthus (Phyllanthaceae), is globally the most represented taxonomic entity. A number of tropical Phyllanthus-species have the potential to be used as ‘metal crops’ in agromining operations mainly because of their ease in cultivation and their ability to attain high nickel concentrations and biomass yields.

Results: One of the most promising species globally for agromining, is the here newly described species Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi. This species can be classifed in subgenus Gomphidium on account of its staminate nectar disc and pistillate entire style and represents the most western species of this diverse group. The fower structure indicates that this species is probably pollinated by Epicephala moths.

Conclusions: Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi is an extremely rare taxon in the wild, restricted to Lompoyou Hill near Kinabalu Park in Sabah, Malaysia. Its utilization in agromining will be a mechanism for conservation of the taxon, and highlights the importance of habitat and germplasm preservation if rare species are to be used in novel green technologies.

Keywords: Epicephala pollination, Nickel hyperaccumulation, Phyllanthaceae, Phyllanthus subgenus Gomphidium, Sabah

Fig. 2 Detail of Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi plants.
a Inflorescences of P. rufuschaneyi, note the difference between main stem and side stem with at the base small structures that signal phyllanthoid branching; b fruit capsules of P. rufuschaneyi. Images by A. van der Ent

Fig. 3 Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi Welzen, R.W.Bouman & Ent:
a a branch with only scars of cataphylls and cataphyllary stipules present at the base of branchlets as these are caducous (drawn from herbarium specimen with leaves glued sideways and staminate flowers sometimes upright instead of hanging); b detail of sidebranch with leaves and staminate flowers in natural position; c staminate flower; d staminate flower with part of sepals removed showing disc glands and androecium; e pistillate flower; f pistillate flower with part of sepals removed showing disc glands and ovary; g fruit

(a, c, d Daim Endau 225; b Lomudin Tadon g257; e, f SNP 32987; g Lomudin Tadon 257; all SNP). Drawing by Esmée Winkel (2017)

Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi Welzen, R.W.Bouman and Ent, sp. nov.

—TYPE: MALAYSIA. Sabah, near Kampong Nalumad, eastern boundary Kinabalu Park, Lompoyou Hill, Antony Van der Ent et al. SNP 32987! (holo SNP; iso L).

Paratype: SNP 22039!, Lompoyou Hill, Sabah, Malaysia (Figs. 2, 3, 4).

This species is most similar to P. securinegoides from the Philippines, from which it can be distinguished by its smaller leaves, staminate fowers with connate flaments and pistillate fowers with connate tubular stigmas

Etymology: The specific epithet “rufuschaneyi” honours Dr. Rufus L. Chaney (b. 1942), an agronomist who is widely credited for inventing phytomining (agromining) (Chaney 1983), leading to the technology being patented (Chaney et al. 1998). Dr. Chaney has worked for 47 years at the USDA Agricultural Research Service (USA) on risk assessment for metals in soils and crops, and the food-chain transfer and bioavailability of soil and crop metals to humans. He published over 490 publications and won the Gordon Award for Lifetime Achievement and Excellence in Phytoremediation Research. The fact that P. rufuschaneyi is the most promising tropical Ni ‘metal crop’ presently known, makes this recognition fitting.

Distribution, habitat and ecology: Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi is known only from two populations; one (very small) population at the foot of Bukit Hampuan, and another larger population on Lompoyou Hill approximately 5 km from the first population. The habitat in both localities is open secondary scrub that has been affected by recurring forest fires (Fig. 1). Lompoyou Hill is close to the villages of Nalumad and Pahu. The hill (400 m asl) has been burnt at least once as a result of an uncontrolled forest fire in 1998. Prior to burning, the site was already disturbed by logging. The area has a short and open scrub community (dominated by shrubs 1–3 m tall) with pioneer species such as Macaranga kinabaluensis Airy Shaw (Euphorbiaceae). In this habitat type several other Ni hyperaccumulator plant species occur, including Phyllanthus balgooyi, Actephila alanbakeri, Mischocarpus sundaicus Blume (Sapindaceae), and Xylosma luzonensis Clos (Salicaceae). The local conditions are xeric, and the soils are shallow and heavily eroded with limited amounts of organic matter. In pot experiments P. rufuschaneyi responded negatively to increasing organic matter amendments (Nkrumah et al. 2017). Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi occurs exclusively on these young eroded soils (hypermagnesian Cambisols) that occur at low elevation (700 m asl) on strongly serpentinised bedrock. These soils have extremely high magnesium (Mg) to calcium (Ca), circum-neutral pH, and high available Ni as a result of the disintegration of phyllosilicates and re-sorption onto secondary iron (Fe)-oxides or high-charge clays (Echevarria 2018). In Sabah, Ni hyperaccumulator plant species are restricted to these soils with a pH > 6.3 and relatively high total soil Ni concentrations > 630 μg g−1 (Van der Ent et al. 2016b).

Roderick Bouman, Peter van Welzen, Sukaibin Sumail , Guillaume Echevarria, Peter D. Erskine and Antony van der Ent. 2018. Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi: A New Nickel Hyperaccumulator from Sabah (Borneo Island) with Potential for Tropical Agromining. Botanical Studies: An International Journal. 59:9. DOI: 10.1186/s40529-018-0225-y

Amphisbaena hoogmoedi

Oliveira, Vaz-Silva, Santos-Jr, Graboski, Teixeira, Dal Vechio & Ribeiro, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4420.4.1

Abstract

A new species of Amphisbaena is described from the Brazilian Amazon, within the area impacted by the Teles Pires hydroelectric power plant, Jacareacanga municipality, State of Pará. Amphisbaena hoogmoedi sp. nov. can be diagnosed from its congeners by the following combination of characters: snout convex in profile view, sligthly compressed not keeled; pectoral scales arranged in regular annuli; conspicuous autotomic site between 7th–8th caudal annuli; 247–252 dorsal half-annuli; 27 caudal annuli; tail length 9.5–10.4% of snoutvent length; four precloacal pores arranged in sequence; three supralabials; a rounded tail; 22–24 dorsal segments in midbody annulus; postmalar row absent; head length 2.1–2.9% of snout-vent length; prefrontals length 46.6–49.5% of head length; prefrontals suture length 38–44.6% of head length; small malar length 10.6–13.4% of ventral length of head ; second infralabial length 33.8–38.5% of head length; ventral length of head 2.7–2.9% of snout-vent length; mouth length 80.2–81.8% of head length; third infralabial length 16.4–19.6% of head length; snout length 62.5–78.6% of head length; ocular length 23.4–26.2% of head length; mental length 23.2–25.4% of ventral length of head; postmental length 27.2–31.3% of ventral length of head; frontals suture length 23.4–32.3% of head length; postocular width 25–31.9% of maximun width of head; first supralabial length 24.9–30.6% of head length; second supralabial length 27.7–30% of head length and second supralabial height 26.9–28.8% of maximun head height. The hemipenis is bilobed, capitate and with lateral lamellae on the lobes; with a centrally-positioned spermatic groove, bifurcated at the base of the lobes, and with each branch extending to the tip of organ.

Keywords: Reptilia, taxonomy, morphology, hemipenis, osteology, skull

Amphisbaena hoogmoedi sp. nov. (holotype, MZUSP 106219). Dorsal view.

Amphisbaena hoogmoedi sp. nov.

Etymology. Amphisbaena hoogmoedi sp. nov. is named in honor of Dr. Marinus S. Hoogmoed (National Natuurhistorisch Museum, Leiden, the Netherlands, currently at the Goeldi Museum, Belém, Pará, Brazil), for his contribution to the knowledge of the Neotropical herpetofauna especially to the amphisbaenian taxonomy.

Distribution and habitat. Amphisbaena hoogmoedi sp. nov. is known so far only for the type locality in Jacareacanga municipality, on the right bank of the Teles Pires River, State of Pará, Brazil (Figs. 7 and 8). According to WWF (2016), the region covering the area of the Teles Pires hydroelectric power plant consists of Tropical and Subtropical Moist deciduous forests, an eco-region of Tropical Dry Forest with a variety of habitats (alluvial forests and patches of open areas). The new species was collected in the Rain Forest Submontane, Rain Forest Alluvial, and semideciduous forest Submontane.

Elaine C. S. Oliveira, Wilian Vaz-Silva, Alfredo P. Santos-Jr, Roberta Graboski, Rocha Jr. Teixeira, Francisco Dal Vechio and Síria Ribeiro. 2018. A New Four-pored Amphisbaena Linnaeus, 1758 (Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae) from Brazilian Amazon. Zootaxa. 4420(4); 451–474. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4420.4.1

Atractus atlas

Passos, Scanferla, Melo-Sampaio, Brito & Almendariz, 2018

‘Atlas Ground Snake - Culebra Tierrera del Atlas’
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820170976

ABSTRACT

Body-size is significantly correlated with the number of vertebrae (pleomerism) in multiple vertebrate lineages, indicating that somitogenesis process is an important factor dictating evolutionary change associated to phyletic allometry and, consequently, species fitness and diversification. However, the role of the evolution of extreme body sizes (dwarfism and gigantism) remains elusive in snakes, mainly with respect to postnatal ontogeny in dietary preferences associated with evolution of gigantism in many lineages. We described herein a new species in the highly diversified and species-rich genus Atractus on the basis of four specimens from the southeastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes. The new species is morphologically similar and apparently closely related to two other allopatric giant congeners (A. gigas and A. touzeti), from which it can be distinguished by their distinct dorsal and ventral coloration, the number of supralabial and infralabial scales, the number of maxillary teeth, and relative width of the head. In addition, we discuss on the ontogenetic trajectories hypotheses and dietary specializations related to evolution of gigantism in the goo-eaters genus Atractus.

Key words:Atractus gigas; Atractus touzeti; dietary shift; goo-eater snakes; macrostomy; postnatal ontogeny

Figure 1: General view in life of the holotype of Atractus atlas sp. nov. (MEPN 14203). SVL 820 mm, CL 106 mm + N (amputated tail).

Atractus atlas sp. nov.

Atractus sp. ̶ Almendáriz, Simmons, Brito y Vaca-Guerrero. 2014.

Amphibian & Reptile Conservation 8(1): 60.

Diagnosis: Atractus atlas can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) smooth dorsal scale rows 17/17/17; (2) postoculars two; (3) loreal moderately long, contacting second to fourth supralabials; (4) temporal formula usually 1+2; (5) supralabials eight, fourth and fifth contacting eye; (6) infralabials eight, first four contacting chinshields; (7) maxillary teeth eight; (8) gular scale rows usually four; (9) preventrals usually four; (10) ventrals 158–169 in females; (11) subcaudals 28– 33 in females; (12) in preservative, dorsum yellow ocher with a series of alternating black bands (2–3 scales long), connected or not to the opposite band on the vertebral region; (13) ventral surface of body mostly pale buff scattered with conspicuous black marks (blotches, spots and dots); (14) maximum body size moderate in females 820 mm SVL; (15) tail size moderately long in females (12.2–15.0% SVL); (16) midbody diameter in females 18.0–21.4 mm.

....

Etymology: The Latinized specific epithet “atlas” (Άτλας) represents a Titan from the Greek mythology that was condemned by Zeus to support the entire world (or the heaven in some variations of the ancient legend) forever on their shoulders as punishment for attacking the Mount Olympus. The legend is also related to excess of obligations and duties or the huge efforts to complete certain difficult tasks. We employed herein this name alluding to the large body-size of the new species (it is among the five species of the genus that reach the largest body-size; see Passos et al. 2010a), as well as in reference to the tremendous endeavor for attaining the real diversity of Atractus, not only for discovering undescribed species, but also for recognition of a lot of synonymies in the old and even recent literature, or frequent species misidentifications in collections and public repositories (see Passos et al. 2017). We propose the vernacular name of Atractus atlas to be ‘Atlas Ground Snake’ in English and ‘Culebra Tierrera del Atlas’ in Spanish.

Distribution and natural history: Southeastern portions of Ecuadorian Andes, from Zúñac in the province of Morona Santiago, south to Paquisha, Guayzimi Alto and Reserva Biológica Cerro Plateado in the province of Zamora-Chinchipe. Atractus atlas occurs in Mountain rainforest at 1800–2100 m asl (Fig. 5).

The holotype (MEPN 14203) was found resting under leaf litter locally called “bamba” at 10:46 am during thermoregulatory activity with direct incidence of sunlight. The vegetation covering the type-locality is composed by a type of cloud forest denominated “Western Mountain Forest”. This forest formation usually remains cloudy in the early hours of the morning, afternoons, or even all day long, depending on the season, and is comprised by trees of 15–20 m covered with bryophytes, bromeliads and abundant moss. The plant layer sits on a plateau of sandstone, and grows on a substrate of very acid sand soil poor in nutrients.

The paratype (DHMECN 12361) is a roadkill found in the early hours of the morning dead on the Macas–Riobamba road. The vegetal formation in this locality is characterized as a premontane evergreen forest of the southern portion of Cordillera Oriental of the Ecuadorian Andes (Ministerio del Ambiente 2013), in which the trees have abundant orchids and bromeliads and the tree canopy reaches 30 m where the dominant trees species are romerillo (Prumnopitys montana), cedro (Cedrela montana) and royal palm (Dictyocaryum lamarckianum).

Figure 7: General view of an uncollected specimen of Atractus sp. eating an earthworm in the field at Parque Nacional Sangay (1785 m asl), province of Morona Santiago, Ecuador. This specimen had about 750 mm of total length. Black arrow indicates the quadrate-mandibular joint displaced backward during swallowing process. Photo by Hérnan Orellana.

Paulo Passos, Agustín Scanferla, Paulo R. Melo-Sampaio, Jorge Brito and Aan Almendariz. 2018. A Giant on the Ground: Another Large-bodied Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadinae) from Ecuadorian Andes, with Comments on the Dietary Specializations of the Goo-eaters Snakes. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências (An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc. - Annals of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences). DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820170976

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Anomaloglossus meansi

Kok, Nicolaï, Lathrop & MacCulloch, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.759.24742

Abstract

Recent extinctions and drastic population declines have been documented in the Guiana Shield endemic frog genus Anomaloglossus, hence the importance to resolve its alpha-taxonomy. Based on molecular phylogenies, the literature has long reported the occurrence of an undescribed species in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana in the Pantepui region. We here describe this new taxon and demonstrate that in addition to divergence at the molecular level the new species differs from congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters, notably a small size (maximum SVL in males 18.86 mm, maximum SVL in females 21.26 mm), Finger I = Finger II when fingers adpressed, Finger III swollen in breeding males, fringes on fingers absent, toes basally webbed but lacking fringes, in life presence of a thin dorsolateral stripe from tip of snout to tip of urostyle, and a black throat in preserved males (immaculate cream in females). Virtually nothing is known about the ecology of the new species. We suggest the new species to be considered as Data Deficient according to IUCN standards.

Keywords: Aromobatidae, diversity, Guiana Shield, Guyana, Pakaraima Mountains

Anomaloglossus meansi sp. n. in life.
A female paratype ROM 43332, dorsal view B female paratype ROM 43329, dorsolateral view C male paratype CPI 11000, dorsolateral view. Photographs (A, B) by AL; photograph (C) courtesy D. Bruce Means.

Anomaloglossus meansi sp. n.

Anomaloglossus sp. Ayanganna Grant et al. 2006: 120–121, 2017: S66.

Anomaloglossus cf. praderioi Kok 2010: 66.

Anomaloglossus sp. B Kok et al. 2012: supplementary information.

Diagnosis: The following characteristics pertain to preserved specimens unless otherwise noted. A medium-sized Anomaloglossus differing from other species in the genus by the following combination of characters: (1) mean SVL in males 18.53 mm (18.15–18.86 mm, n = 3), mean SVL in females 19.15 mm (17.66–21.26, n = 5); (2) skin on dorsum shagreened, venter smooth; (3) tympanic annulus visible anteroventrally; (4) Fingers I and II subequal in length, FI = FII when fingers adpressed; (5) tip of Finger IV not surpassing the base of the distal subarticular tubercle on Finger III when fingers adpressed; (6) distal subarticular tubercle on Finger III and IV present; (7) Finger III swollen in males (conspicuous pre- and postaxial swelling in breeding males); (8) fringes on fingers absent; (9) toes basally webbed, fringes on toes absent; (10) tarsal keel well defined, slightly tubercle-like and weakly curved at proximal end; (11) black arm gland absent, glandular supracarpal pad present in both sexes (larger and more glandular in males); (12) cloacal tubercles absent; (13) pale paracloacal mark present; (14) in life, thin dorsolateral stripe present, from tip of snout to tip of urostyle (not visible, or only barely distinguishable in preservative); (15) ventrolateral stripe absent, but presence of irregular white blotches on the lower flank; (16) oblique lateral stripe absent; (17) sexual dichromatism in throat colour pattern: throat heavily pigmented with melanophores in males (dark brown to black in life), immaculate cream in females (yellowish-orange in life); (18) sexual dichromatism in ventral colour pattern: belly pigmented with melanophores in males, immaculate cream in females; (19) in life, iris metallic reddish bronze with fine dark brown reticulation; (20) large intestine extensively pigmented; (21) testes cream, unpigmented; (22) mature oocytes partly pigmented; (23) median lingual process small, longer than wide, tapered; (24) maxillary teeth present, small.

Figure 4. Anomaloglossus meansi sp. n. in life.
A female paratype ROM 43332, dorsal view B female paratype ROM 43329, dorsolateral view C male paratype CPI 11000, dorsolateral view.

Photographs (A, B) by AL; photograph (C) courtesy D. Bruce Means.

Figure 5. Habitat of Anomaloglossus meansi sp. n. on the Wokomung Massif
A photograph (looking NE) of the highest part of the massif; the plateau in the centre of the photo is the tallest part of the entire Wokomung Massif
B cloud forest at about 1385 m elevation, habitat of Anomaloglossus meansi sp. n.

Photographs courtesy D. Bruce Means.

Distribution and natural history: The only localities documented for the new species are depicted in Figure 2. Specimens were collected in cloud forest (Figure 5), on the ground or low vegetation. Most were collected after nightfall, although one adult and one juvenile were collected during daylight. Specimens were collected on mountain flanks, not summits; at 1490 m on Ayanganna, and at 1234 m, 1371 m and 1411 m on Wokomung. The majority of specimens (eight) were collected at 1234 m on Wokomung. Fewer were collected at higher elevations; only one each at 1490 m on Ayanganna, 1371 m and 1411 m on Wokomung. This may have been because of habitat differences; high-canopy open forest at lower elevation and dense, low-canopy vegetation at higher elevations.

Etymology: It is a great pleasure to name this new species after our friend and colleague D. Bruce Means, indefatigable explorer of the “islands in the sky”, and who collected one specimen of the new species and contributed with photographs and data. Thanks to his extensive fieldwork, Bruce Means greatly contributed to our understanding of the distribution, ecology, and taxonomy of Pantepui amphibians and reptiles. The specific epithet should be treated as a noun in the genitive case.

Philippe J.R. Kok, Michaël P.J. Nicolaï, Amy Lathrop and Ross D. MacCulloch. 2018. Anomaloglossus meansi sp. n., A New Pantepui Species of the Anomaloglossus beebei Group (Anura, Aromobatidae). ZooKeys. 759: 99-116. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.759.24742

Drepanosticta adenani Dow & Reels, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.6

twitter.com/Naturalis_Sci

Abstract

Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov. (holotype ♂, from a tributary of Sungai Jela, Nanga Segerak area, Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Sri Aman Division, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, 18 vii 2016, deposited in the Natural History Museum, London) is described from both sexes.

Keywords: Odonata, Zygoptera, Platystictidae, Drepanosticta, adenani, Borneo, Sarawak, Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, new species

FIGURES 1–2. Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov.:
(1) Holotype male, head dorsal-frontal view; (2) paratype female (SAR16_PST12), head dorsal-frontal view.

FIGURES 6–11. Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov., synthorax in lateral view:
(6) holotype male; (7) paratype female (SAR16_PST12). Markings of terminal abdominal segments:
(8) holotype male, lateral view; (9) paratype female (SAR16_PST12), lateral view;
(10) holotype male, dorsal view; (11) paratype female (SAR16_PST12), dorsal view.

Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov.

Etymology. The species epithet adenani, a noun in the genitive case, is a dedication to the late Tan Sri Adenan bin Satem (27 January 1944–11 January 2017), Chief Minister of Sarawak from 2014–2017, in recognition of his support for biodiversity research and conservation in Sarawak, and for starting the Research for Intensified Management of Bio-rich Areas (RIMBA) project, which includes LEWS.

Rory A. Dow and Graham T. Reels. 2018. Drepanosticta adenani sp. nov., from the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary in Sarawak (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae). Zootaxa. 4379(3); 429–435. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.6

researchgate.net/publication/323201539_Drepanosticta_adenani_from_Lanjak_Entimau_Sarawak

twitter.com/Naturalis_Sci/status/973153590129909760

Pseudolithoxus kinja

Bifi, de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Collins, 2018

in Collins, Bifi, de Oliveira, Ribeiro, Lujan, Rapp Py-Daniel & Hrbek, 2018

DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1468362

Abstract

The rapids-dwelling suckermouth catfish genus Pseudolithoxus was previously only known from the Guiana-Shield-draining Orinoco and Casiquiare river systems of Colombia and Venezuela, but new records have expanded this range considerably further into the Amazon basin of Brazil, and include occurrences from rivers draining the northern Brazilian Shield. These highly disjunct records are now placed in an evolutionary and phylogeographic context using a dated species tree constructed from mitochondrial (Cytb) and nuclear (RAG1) gene sequence data. Due to mito-nuclear discordance, we also delimit the putative species using statistical coalescent models and a range of additional metrics. We infer that at least two species of Pseudolithoxus are present in the Amazon basin: P. nicoi, previously only recorded from the río Casiquiare, but now also reported from the upper rio Negro, and a new species, which we describe herein from south-draining Guiana Shield and north-draining Brazilian Shield. Our data reject a simple model of Miocene vicariance in the group following uplift of the Uaupés Arch separating the Orinoco and Amazon systems, and instead suggest more complex dispersal scenarios through palaeo-connections in the Pliocene and also via the contemporary rio Negro and rio Madeira in the late Pleistocene.

Key words: aquatic, biodiversity, ichthyology, Neotropics, phylogeny, rio Negro, taxonomy

Figure 1. Pseudolithoxus kinja, holotype, 148.0 mm SL, INPA 3220; adult male in alcohol, rio Uatum~a, Amazonas, Brazil.

Pseudolithoxus kinja sp. nov.

Bifi, de Oliveira, Rapp Py-Daniel & Collins

....

ETYMOLOGY:‘Kinja’, meaning the ‘true people’, is how the Waimiri-Atroari indigenous people refer to themselves. The Kinja people inhabit areas surrounding the rio Uatum~a and part of the rio Negro in the states of Amazonas and Roraima, Brazil. The ethnic term ‘Waimiri-Atroari’ was adopted in the beginning of the 20th century. The epithet ‘kinja’ pays homage to this brave people who survived three attempts of genocide in the last century, and survive and thrive today in their protected area. Treated as a noun in apposition.

Rupert A. Collins, Alessandro G. Bifi, Renildo R. de Oliveira, Emanuell D. Ribeiro, Nathan K. Lujan, Lúcia H. Rapp Py-Daniel and Tomas Hrbek. 2018. Biogeography and Species Delimitation of the Rheophilic Suckermouth Catfish Genus Pseudolithoxus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the Description of A New Species from the Brazilian Amazon. Systematics and Biodiversity. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2018.1468362

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Cifelliodon wahkarmoosuch

Huttenlocker, Grossnickle, Kirkland, Schultz & Luo, 2018

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0126-y

Illustration: Jorge A. Gonzalez nature.com

Abstract

Haramiyida was a successful clade of mammaliaforms, spanning the Late Triassic period to at least the Late Jurassic period, but their fossils are scant outside Eurasia and Cretaceous records are controversial. Here we report, to our knowledge, the first cranium of a large haramiyidan from the basal Cretaceous of North America. This cranium possesses an amalgam of stem mammaliaform plesiomorphies and crown mammalian apomorphies. Moreover, it shows dental traits that are diagnostic of isolated teeth of supposed multituberculate affinities from the Cretaceous of Morocco, which have been assigned to the enigmatic ‘Hahnodontidae’. Exceptional preservation of this specimen also provides insights into the evolution of the ancestral mammalian brain. We demonstrate the haramiyidan affinities of Gondwanan hahnodontid teeth, removing them from multituberculates, and suggest that hahnodontid mammaliaforms had a much wider, possibly Pangaean distribution during the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition.

The new species Cifelliodon wahkarmoosuch is estimated to have weighed 2.5 pounds and probably grew to be about the size of a small hare.

Illustration: Jorge A. Gonzalez

Mammaliaformes sensu Rowe (1986)

Haramiyida Hahn, Sigogneau-Russell and Wouters (1989)

Hahnodontidae Sigogneau-Russell (1991)

Cifelliodon gen. nov.

Cifelliodon wahkarmoosuch sp. nov.

Etymology.Cifelli’s tooth (Latin: -odon) of the Yellow Cat (Ute language: yellow, wahkar; cat, moosuch). Genus name honours Richard Cifelli for his contributions to Cretaceous mammal research in the American West.

Holotype. An exceptionally preserved skull, UMNH VP 16771 (Natural History Museum of Utah, Vertebrate Paleontology Collection).

Locality and horizon. The holotype is from the ‘Andrew’s Site’ quarry in the Lower Cretaceous Yellow Cat Member, Cedar Mountain Formation, Grand County, Utah, USA15. Radiometric dating places the age between approximately 139 and 124 million years old.

Diagnosis. Medium-to-large Mesozoic mammaliaform with broad, shallow skull and rostrum and a reduced marginal tooth count; dental formula: I2:C1:PC4; ultimate upper molars with high anterobuccal cusp and low, broad posterolingual cusp connected by a low ridge; septomaxilla absent; incisive foramina enlarged and positioned posteriorly on palate behind the level of the last (posterior) incisor pair; massive pterygoid transverse process that extends far ventral to the palatal surface; attenuated lacrimal anterior process with limited nasolacrimal contact; prominent sagittal crest; extensive occipital exposure of parietal and postparietal; plesiomorphic retention of a tabular bone; differs from Hahnodon in its larger size and higher aspect ratio of the rear molar in occlusal view (slightly more triangular than oval, with posterior apex).

The new species Cifelliodon wahkarmoosuch is estimated to have weighed 2.5 pounds and probably grew to be about the size of a small hare.

Illustration: Jorge A. Gonzalez

Adam K. Huttenlocker, David M. Grossnickle, James I. Kirkland, Julia A. Schultz and Zhe-Xi Luo. 2018. Late-surviving Stem Mammal Links the Lowermost Cretaceous of North America and Gondwana. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0126-y

A 3D view of early mammals nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05134-9

Microgomphus farrelli

Makbun & Fleck, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4422.3.10

facebook.com/NoppadonMakbun • ThaiOdonata.blogspot.com

Abstract

The new gomphid species, Microgomphus farrelli sp. nov., is described and illustrated on the basis of male and female adult specimens and larvae collected from Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son province, Northern Thailand. It is compared with other species of the genus. Based on the larvae this species is most closely related to Microgomphus svihleri (Asahina, 1970), comb. nov., which is the senior and valid synonym of Microgomphus thailandicus Asahina, 1981, syn. nov.

Keywords: Odonata, dragonfly, Anisoptera, Gomphidae, Microgomphus, new species, Thailand

Noppadon Makbun and Günther Fleck. 2018. Description of Microgomphus farrelli sp. nov. (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) Based on Adults of Both Sexes and Larvae from Northern Thailand. Zootaxa. 4422(3); 442–450. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4422.3.10

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thaiodonata.blogspot.com/2011/02/microgomphus-thailandica.html

Jasminum ledangense Kiew

Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 70(1)

ABSTRACT

Jasminum ledangense Kiew is a new species restricted to Gunung Ledang, Johor and Jasminum carissoides Kerr and J. nervosum Lour. are new records for Malaysia. Jasminum carissoides is restricted to limestone in Kedah (Langkawi) and Perlis and also occurs in Peninsular Thailand, while a narrow-leaved form of J. nervosum is found on limestone in Kedah (Langkawi). Jasminum insularum Kerr is confirmed as a distinct species. It is extremely rare and known from just three specimens, the type from Peninsular Thailand, one from Kelantan and another from Pahang in Malaysia. Descriptions are provided for these species.

Keywords. Gunung Ledang, small-leaved jasmines, Thailand

Fig. 2. Jasminum ledangense Kiew.
A. Habit. B. Flowering cyme. From Ong et al. FRI 75292.

Photos: Ong P.T.

Jasminum ledangense Kiew, sp. nov.

In its narrowly lanceolate leaves with a pair of veins from the base and forming a submarginal vein with an additional 3–4 lateral veins in the upper half, in the filiform calyx teeth and star-like flowers, it resembles Jasminum nervosum but it is different in its coriaceous leaves (not membranous as in J. nervosum), 3 times longer than wide (not 2.5 times longer than wide), longer petioles 0.5–1 cm long (not 0.2–0.5 cm long), obscure venation except for the midrib prominent beneath (not conspicuous but plane above and beneath), pedicels 6–20 mm long (not 2–5 mm long), corolla tube 2–2.5 times longer than the lobes (not 3–3.5 times longer) with lobes 1.5–2 mm wide (not 2.5–3 mm wide) and fruit lobes 11–12 × 7–8 mm (not c. 6 × 4 mm).

– TYPE: Peninsular Malaysia, Johor, Gunung Ledang, .... February 2012, Ong et al. FRI 75292 (holotype KEP; isotypes K, BKF).

...

Distribution. Endemic in Peninsular Malaysia, known only from Gunung Ledang, Johor (formerly known as Mt Ophir, Malacca).

Ecology. Primary hill or montane forest, from 375 m to the summit at 1140 m elevation. Gunung Ledang is a well-collected mountain peak and the fact that only four collections have been made in the last 120 years indicates that it is a very rare species.

Etymology. Referring to its only known locality, Gunung Ledang, Johor, Peninsular Malaysia.

R. Kiew. 2018. One New Species and Two New Records of Jasminum (Oleaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 70(1); 109–118.

nparks.gov.sg/sbg/research/publications/gardens-bulletin-singapore/-/media/sbg/gardens-bulletin/gbs_70_01_y2018_v70_01/70_01_109_y2018_v70p1_gbs_pg109.pdf

Saxifraga luoxiaoensis W. B. Liao, L. Wang & X. J. Zhang

in Zhang, Liu, Meng, et al., 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.350.3.8

Abstract

Saxifraga luoxiaoensis, a new species of the genus Saxifraga sect. Irregulares (Saxifragaceae) from Hunan and Jiangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is most similar to S. daqiaoensis, which can be easily distinguished from the later by its leaf margin 7- or 9-lobed and winged capsule. The systematic position of this species within Saxifraga sect. Irregulares is assessed based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of the chloroplast regions sequences together with morphological comparisons.

Keywords: China, Hunan and Jiangxi, molecular phylogeny, new species, Saxifraga, Eudicots

FIGURE 2. Saxifraga luoxiaoensis W. B. Liao, L. Wang & X. J. Zhang.
A. Habitat; B. adaxial surface of leaves; C. abaxial surface of leaves; D. plants and inflorescence; E. rhizomes and petiole; F. flowers; G. semiannular disc; H. fruits on dry specimen; I. young fruit.

Saxifraga luoxiaoensis W. B. Liao, L. Wang & X. J. Zhang, sp. nov.

Type:— CHINA. Jiangxi Province, Suichuan County, Daijiapu Town, in wet limestone under of gully, Elev. 1466 m, May 2016, W. Y. Zhao, Q. L. Ding, X. J. Zhang et al., LXP-13-16785 (SYS!).

Diagnosis:— Saxifraga luoxiaoensis is similar to S. daqiaoensis, S. epiphylla and S. mengtzeana. S. epiphylla differs from the new species chiefly in that it produces a foliar embryo in the sinus of the basal leaf blades. The leaf blades of S. mengtzeana has no foliar embryo, but it has blades glabrous adaxially. S. daqiaoensis differs from the new species in its peltate leaves and leaf margin remotely shallowly dentate or subentire. The most distinctive characters of S. luoxiaoensis is the winged capsule.

Distribution and ecology:— The new species Saxifraga luoxiaoensis occurs in the centre of Luoxiao mountain range between Hunan and Jiangxi province, China, and grows on moist rocks nearby valleys, alt. 1200–1900 m.

Etymology:—The specific epithet is derived from Luoxiao mountain range.

Xin-Jian Zhang, Zhong-Cheng Liu, Kai-Kai Meng, Qiao-Ling Ding, Lei Wang and Wen-Bo Liao. 2018. Saxifraga luoxiaoensis (Saxifragaceae), A New Species from Hunan and Jiangxi, China. Phytotaxa. 350(3); 291–296. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.350.3.8

Begonia promethea Ridl.

in Kiew, Julia, Ling, et al., 2018.

Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 70(1)

twitter.com/markhughesis

Abstract

The rediscovery of Begoniapromethea Ridl. for the first time since its description in 1906 led to the discovery that the later described B. beccarii Warb. is synonymous with it and that it belongs in Begonia sect. Petermannia. It is a rare, endangered species known only from three localities, two locations from the Kuching Division, Sarawak, Malaysia and another one from West Kalimantan, Indonesia. A detailed, illustrated description and a distribution map of Begoniapromethea are provided. We suggest an IUCN conservation category of EN B2ab(iii). Lectotypes for both names are designated.

Keywords. Begoniabeccarii, conservation, Sarawak, taxonomy

Fig. 2. Habit of Begonia promethea Ridl. in Bengkayang, West Kalimantan. [WEKBOE 185.]

Photo: A. Randi

Begonia promethea Ridl., J. Straits Branch Roy. Asiat. Soc. 46: 259 (1906).

– TYPE: Borneo, Sarawak, Bau District, Buso, Bukit Tundong, September 1903, ...

Begonia beccarii Warb., syn. nov., ...

....

Etymology. The meaning of the specific epithet is obscure. Prometheus was the Greek god who fashioned clay to create the first people, and who was chained to a rock to have his liver pecked out by an eagle for all eternity as a punishment for stealing fire from the gods and giving it to humanity. Ridley gives no hint as to the connection between him and this begonia, but we speculate it may be due to the isolated sandstone rocks on which the species grows, where Ridley noted he ‘could reach but few plants of it’.

R. Kiew, S. Julia, C.Y. Ling, A. Randi, D. Girmansyah and M. Hughes. 2018. Taxonomic Status of Begoniapromethea (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae) in Borneo. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 70(1); 155–161.

nparks.gov.sg/sbg/research/publications/gardens-bulletin-singapore/-/media/sbg/gardens-bulletin/gbs_70_01_y2018_v70_01/70_01_155_y2018_v70p1_gbs_pg155.pdf

twitter.com/markhughesis/status/999558571527475200

Two large raging bull gryposaurs fight for supremacy of the herd in violent clash on alluvial plains of Canada, 76 million years ago.

Bertozzo, Dal Sasso, Fabbri, et al., 2017.

Memorie della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali e del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano. 43.

Illustration: Davide Bonadonna.

cienzafacile.it

Abstract

MSNM V345 is a partial skeleton of the North American hadrosaur species Gryposaurus notabilis, Lambe 1914, dis-covered in 1922 in the Dinosaur Park Formation of Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada. It was shipped in several crates to the Museo di Storia Naturale di Milano (MSNM), Italy, where it arrived in October 1958. Careless transportation during its long journey to Milan meant that the skeleton arrived extremely damaged and required heavy restoration work by MSNM staff.

A preliminary study of the specimen was conducted by Vittorio Vialli in 1960 while part of it was still under preparation. That study was followed by a more detailed, although still partial, osteological description by Giovanni Pinna in 1979. On the centennial of the species’ discovery, we decided to examine the specimen in even greater detail in order to improve knowledge on the dinosaur’s skeletal anatomy and help clarify the taxonomy of the genus.

Here, we redescribe the dinosaur’s osteology, focusing on unpublished elements, such as metapodials, phalanges, sacral vertebrae, and some caudal vertebrae, recently discovered to be located at the MSNM. Isolated appendicular elements found at the same quarry and tentatively referable to other individuals of the same taxon or to other dinosaur species are also briefly mentioned. Histological analysis of a core obtained from the femur revealed that it was made of fibrolamellar bone with a high number of Haversian systems. The presence of an external fundamental system indicates that the individual was fully adult at the moment of death.

Of note, the skeletal remains present with traces of at least four pathological conditions: a cavity in the predentary is speculated to be the result of osteomyelitis; the fifth dorsal vertebra is fused to the left rib through a overgrowth of bone, and is interpreted as osteosclerosis subsequent to a fracture; the neural spine of the 26th caudal vertebra is fractured and healed, and the centrum has a strap of bone growing up to the side of the preceding centrum, explainable as idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.

A review of the skeletal reconstructions of the genus is also presented, followed by a summary of the skin remains and remarks on other anatomical traits. Altogether, the new data obtained on MSNM V345 have allowed us to present a more accurate and up-to-date skeletal reconstruction and in vivo restoration of G. notabilis.

Keywords: Hadrosauridae, Cretaceous, osteology, palaeopathology, anatomical illustration.

scienzafacile.it

Two large raging bull gryposaurs fight for supremacy of the herd in violent clash on alluvial plains of Canada, 76 million years ago. Digital painting by Davide Bonadonna.

Nelle piane alluvionali del Canada, 76 milioni di anni fa, due grossi maschi bellicosi di griposauro danno vita a un violentissimo scontro per la supremazia all’interno del branco. Illustrazione digitale e di Davide Bonadonna

scienzafacile.it

Reconstruction of Gryposaurus based on specimen MSNM V345.

drawing: Marco Auditore.

CONCLUSIONS:

Specimen MSNM V345 is a large, robust individual of Gryposaurus notabilis. Our re-examination of all its bones housed at the MSNM has allowed us to revise previous estimates on the completeness of the skeleton, which now reaches 32.68% (39.54% when taking into account the hid-den cranial bones, and 48.37% when duplicating existing counterlateral elements). The skull of MSNM V345 is one of the largest known for Gryposaurus. Our recalculation of the size of the skeleton, which takes into account the spaces occupied in vivo by intervertebral and epiphyseal cartilage, gives us an overall length of 800 cm in a neutral pose and a height at the hip of 315 cm. The osteology of the individual shows features related to other G. notabilis specimens: a dorsoventrally narrow orbit, infratemporal fenestra twice higher than wide, a well-developed nasal arch, wide and irregular ventral embayment of the jugal, a long and narrow quadratojugal, a predentary with nine large denticles placed asymmetrically, and a tall neural spine on the second caudal vertebra.

The advanced ontogenetic age of the skeleton – which likely belonged to a senile individual – is corroborated by palaeohistological analysis showing the presence of EFSs and several generations of Haversian systems in a femur, indicative of a specimen that was fully adult at time of death.

Finally, this individual was affected by several skele-tal disorders. The predentary bears a large, central fora-men located in the caudomedian plane of the bone. The histology of this anomaly reveals the presence of large resorption cavities and a randomised pattern of osteocytes, indicators of osteomyelitis. The transverse process of dorsal vertebra 5 is fused with the proximal region of the rib, affected by an abnormal overgrowth of bone tissue. CT-scanning of this vertebra indicates hyper-trophied osteosclerosis likely consequent to traumatic fracture. The caudal vertebrae 25 and 26 had their cen-tra fused together, with that of vertebra 25 broken into two halves. CT-scanning indicates that this condition might represent skeletal hyperostosis or haemangioma.

Gryposaurus notabilis is one of the first hadrosaurs depicted for the general audience. Nevertheless, it is not as popular as other duck-billed dinosaurs, such as Edmontosaurus, Parasaurolophus, or Corythosaurus. We have proposed new skeletal and in vivo restorations using the anatomical data obtained from our analysis.

Filippo Bertozzo, Cristiano Dal Sasso, Matteo Fabbri, Fabio Manucci and Simone Maganuco. 2017. Redescription of A Remarkably Large Gryposaurus notabilis (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from Alberta, Canada. Memorie della Società Italiana di Scienze Naturali e del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Milano. 43.

Researchgate.net/publication/325061036_Redescription_of_Gryposaurus_notabilis

twitter.com/PaleoAppi/status/958300673019400192

twitter.com/d_bonadonna/status/959059219285708800

scienzafacile.it/2018/02/24/alla-riscoperta-del-griposauro-di-milano/
facebook.com/notes/paleontologia-e-paleoarte/dalle-badlands-canadesi-a-milano-il-lungo-viaggio-di-gryposaurus-e-la-sua-riscop/1724934467559267/

facebook.com/ArchaeologyatQueensBelfast/posts/1025721830900041

a hypothetical surviving bird lineage -- small-bodied and specialized for a ground-dwelling lifestyle -- fleeing a burning forest in the aftermath of the asteroid strike that eliminated non-avian dinosaurs and destroyed global forests.

in Field, Bercovici, Berv, et al., 2018.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.04.062

Illustration: Phillip M. Krzeminski

Highlights

• The end-Cretaceous mass extinction devastated forest habitats globally

• Tree-dwelling birds failed to persist across the end-Cretaceous extinction event

• All bird groups that survived the end-Cretaceous extinction were non-arboreal

• The early ancestors of many modern tree-dwelling bird groups were ground-dwelling

Summary

The fossil record and recent molecular phylogenies support an extraordinary early-Cenozoic radiation of crown birds (Neornithes) after the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction. However, questions remain regarding the mechanisms underlying the survival of the deepest lineages within crown birds across the K-Pg boundary, particularly since this global catastrophe eliminated even the closest stem-group relatives of Neornithes. Here, ancestral state reconstructions of neornithine ecology reveal a strong bias toward taxa exhibiting predominantly non-arboreal lifestyles across the K-Pg, with multiple convergent transitions toward predominantly arboreal ecologies later in the Paleocene and Eocene. By contrast, ecomorphological inferences indicate predominantly arboreal lifestyles among enantiornithines, the most diverse and widespread Mesozoic avialans. Global paleobotanical and palynological data show that the K-Pg Chicxulub impact triggered widespread destruction of forests. We suggest that ecological filtering due to the temporary loss of significant plant cover across the K-Pg boundary selected against any flying dinosaurs (Avialae) committed to arboreal ecologies, resulting in a predominantly non-arboreal post-extinction neornithine avifauna composed of total-clade Palaeognathae, Galloanserae, and terrestrial total-clade Neoaves that rapidly diversified into the broad range of avian ecologies familiar today. The explanation proposed here provides a unifying hypothesis for the K-Pg-associated mass extinction of arboreal stem birds, as well as for the post-K-Pg radiation of arboreal crown birds. It also provides a baseline hypothesis to be further refined pending the discovery of additional neornithine fossils from the Latest Cretaceous and earliest Paleogene.

This illustration shows a hypothetical surviving bird lineage -- small-bodied and specialized for a ground-dwelling lifestyle -- fleeing a burning forest in the aftermath of the asteroid strike that eliminated non-avian dinosaurs and destroyed global forests.

Illustration: Phillip M. Krzeminski

Daniel J. Field, Antoine Bercovici, Jacob S. Berv, Regan Dunn, David E. Fastovsky, Tyler R. Lyson, Vivi Vajda and Jacques A. Gauthier. 2018. Early Evolution of Modern Birds Structured by Global Forest Collapse at the End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction. Current Biology. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.04.062

twitter.com/daniel_j_field/status/999668885359071233

What the asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs meant for birds eurekalert.org/e/8gbw via @CellPressNews @EurekAlert

When the dinosaurs died, so did forests—and tree-dwelling birds phys.org/news/2018-05-dinosaurs-died-forestsand-tree-dwelling-birds.html via @physorg_com

Charinus kakum Harms, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.2.24505

Abstract

The fauna of whip spiders (Amblypygi) in Western Africa is poorly known but probably diverse. Here, I describe the new species Charinus kakum sp. n. based on female morphology, and accompanied by DNA sequence data. The species is small and differs from other African species of Charinus in the low number of pseudosegments on leg IV, female genital features, spination patterns of the pedipalp, and small body size. It was collected from wet tropical rainforest in Kakum National Park, Ghana and is only the fourth species of Charinus to be recorded from the highly diverse Western African biodiversity hotspot. With a total body length of not even 6 mm it is also one of the smallest whip spiders in the world.

Key Words: Amblypygid, Arachnida, Kakum National Park, new species, taxonomy

Figure 2. Female holotype ofCharinus kakum sp. n.: A, habitus dorsal; B, genital operculum in ventral view. Arrow indicates the position of the ventral sac covers; C, opisthosoma in dorsal view; D, eggs carried by the female (removed from the genital operculum for imaging).

Figure 3. Female holotype of Charinus kakum sp. n.: A, details of habitus in dorsal view; B, details of habitus in ventral view; C, carapace in dorsal view; D, prosomal sternites in ventral view.

Charinidae Quintero, 1986

Charinus Simon, 1892

Type species: Phrynus australianus L. Koch, 1867, by original designation.

Taxonomic remarks: Weygoldt (2000a) defined Charinus based on the armature of the pedipalp: with three large dorsal spines on the tibia of which the first one is the largest and the others decrease proximally in length; spine 1 sometimes followed distally by one to three spinelets, pedipalp basitarsus with two spines of which the distal spine is largest. Charinus also differs from the closely related Sarax in lacking ventral sac covers (Rahmadi and Kojima 2010). The genus currently includes more than 70 species (Vasconcelos and Ferreira 2017) but is in need of revision (Weygoldt 2000a, b). Nonetheless, the new species aligns well with the current genus diagnosis and is placed here until such revision has been carried out.

Charinus kakum sp. n.

Diagnosis: Charinus kakum sp. n. differs from the cave-inhabiting species C. milloti Fage, 1939 and C. fagei Weygoldt, 1972 in low number of tibial segments on leg IV (5 in C. millotei and C. fagei vs. 3 in C. kakum), trichobothria patterns of leg IV (compare with Weygoldt 1972, 2000a), small body size (prosoma length 2.6 in C. kakum), and shorter legs; from the island species C. africanus Hansen 1921 through the female genital operculum which has a steep ventral flexure at about two third of its length in C. africanus (Weygoldt 1972; Miranda et al. 2016b) but is uniform in C. kakum, and body size (ca. 8.0–8.5 mm in C. africanus and 5.8 in C. kakum; Hansen 1921).

....

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the type locality, Kakum National Park in Ghana.

Distribution: Only known from the type locality by a single female individual. The wider distribution remains unknown and unfortunately no other specimens could be collected, despite targeted searches in the vicinity of the type locality.

Danilo Harms. 2018. A New Species of Charinus (Amblypygi: Charinidae) from Ghana, with Notes on West African Whip Spiders. Evolutionary Systematics. 2: 45-53. DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.2.24505

Head (frontal)
a Oodera ahoma (Mani & Kaul) b O. circularicollis sp. n. c O. felix sp. n.
d O. fidelis sp. n. e O. florea sp. n. f O. formosa (Giraud)
a O. gracilis Westwood b O. heikewernerae sp. n. c O. hoggarensis Hedqvist

in Werner & Peters, 2018.

[Scale bars: 1 mm.] DOI: 10.3897/jhr.63.12754

Abstract

The world species of Oodera Westwood, 1874 (Chalcidoidea: Pteromalidae: Cleonyminae: Ooderini) are revised. We examined 115 specimens of this rarely collected genus and based on morphological characters assign 110 specimens to 20 recognised species, of which the following ten are described as new:Oodera circularicollis sp. n. (Morocco), O. felix sp. n. (Central African Republic), O. fidelis sp. n. (Vietnam), O. florea sp. n. (Thailand), O. heikewernerae sp. n. (Botswana and South Africa), O. leibnizi sp. n. (Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and Phillippines),O. mkomaziensis sp. n. (Tanzania), O.namibiensis sp. n. (Namibia), O. niehuisorum sp. n. (Egypt and Israel), andO. srilankiensis sp. n. (Sri Lanka). Oodera monstrum Nikol’skaya, 1952, syn. n., is synonymised under O. formosa (Giraud, 1863). Five specimens could not be assigned to species and are treated as Oodera sp. Redescriptions are provided for all previously described valid species. Oodera albopilosa Crosby, 1909 is excluded from Oodera and transferred to Eupelmus Dalman, 1820 (Eupelmidae) as E. albopilosa (Crosby, 1909) n. comb. Oodera rufimana Westwood, 1874 and O. obscura Westwood, 1874 are treated as nomina dubia because we were unable to locate type specimens and the original descriptions are not sufficiently informative to clarify the taxonomic status of these names. Several specimens from North America are identified as introduced specimens of the European species O. formosa. We provide images and diagnostic characters for all 20 included species and an identification key to species.

Keywords: Taxonomy, parasitoid wasps, identification key, new species

Figure 5. Head (frontal) I aOodera ahoma (Mani & Kaul) (imaged specimen: OAh01, holotype) bO. circularicollis sp. n. (OCi01, holotype) cO. felix sp. n. (OFe01, holotype)
dO. fidelis sp. n. (OFi01, holotype) e O. florea sp. n. (OFl01, holotype) fO. formosa (Giraud) (OFo03).

Figure 6. Head (frontal) II aO. gracilis Westwood (imaged specimen: OGr01) bO. heikewernerae sp. n. (OHe01, holotype) cO. hoggarensis Hedqvist (OHo02, paratype)
d O. leibnizi sp. n. (OLe03, paratype) e O. longicollis (Cameron) (OLo01) fO. madegassa Bouček (OMad01, holotype).

Scale bars: 1 mm.

Figure 17. Geographic distribution of the genus Oodera. Countries from which Oodera was recorded are highlighted in dark grey. Stars indicate record localities. Record localities of O. pumilae Yang and O. regiae Yang are not exact but placed in the centre of the respective Chinese province from which the species was recorded.

Jennifer Werner and Ralph S. Peters. 2018. Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Oodera Westwood, 1874 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae, Cleonyminae), with Description of Ten New Species. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 63: 73-123. DOI: 10.3897/jhr.63.12754

[Herpetology • 2018] Molecular Systematics and Historical Biogeography of the Genus Gerrhonotus (Squamata: Anguidae)

[Ichthyology • 2018] Hypostomus renestoi • Redescription of Hypostomus latirostris (Regan, 1904) with the Recognition of A New Species of Hypostomus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper rio Paraguay Basin, Brazil

[Herpetology • 2018] Kinosternon vogti • A Distinctive New Species of Mud Turtle from Western México

[Ichthyology • 2018] Corydoras benattii • From the Inside Out: A New Species of Armoured Catfish Corydoras (Siluriformes, Callichthyidae) with the Description of Poorly‐explored Character Sources

[Botany • 2018] Petrocodon asterocalyx (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Guangxi, China

[Botany • 2018] Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi (Phyllanthaceae) • A New Nickel Hyperaccumulator from Sabah (Borneo Island) with Potential for Tropical Agromining

[Herpetology • 2018] Amphisbaena hoogmoedi • A New Four-pored Amphisbaena Linnaeus, 1758 (Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae) from Brazilian Amazon

[Herpetology • 2018] Atractus atlas • A Giant on the Ground: Another Large-bodied Atractus (Serpentes: Colubridae: Dipsadinae) from Ecuadorian Andes, with Comments on the Dietary Specializations of the Goo-eaters Snakes

[Herpetology • 2018] Anomaloglossus meansi • A New Pantepui Species of the Anomaloglossus beebei Group (Anura, Aromobatidae)

[Entomology • 2018] Drepanosticta adenani • A New Species (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

[Ichthyology • 2018] Pseudolithoxus kinja • Biogeography and Species Delimitation of the Rheophilic Suckermouth Catfish Genus Pseudolithoxus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the Description of A New Species from the Brazilian Amazon

[PaleoMammalogy • 2018] Cifelliodon wahkarmoosuch • Late-surviving Stem Mammal Links the Lowermost Cretaceous of North America and Gondwana

[Entomology • 2018] Microgomphus farrelli • A New Species of Dragonfly (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae) Based on Adults of Both Sexes and Larvae from Northern Thailand

[Botany • 2018] Jasminum ledangense • One New Species and Two New Records of Jasminum (Oleaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia

[Botany • 2018] Saxifraga luoxiaoensis (Saxifragaceae) • A New Species from Hunan and Jiangxi, China

[Botany • 2018] Taxonomic Status of Begonia promethea (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae) in Borneo

[Paleontology • 2017] Redescription of A Remarkably Large Gryposaurus notabilis (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from Alberta, Canada

[Paleontology • 2018] Early Evolution of Modern Birds Structured by Global Forest Collapse at the End-Cretaceous Mass Extinction

[Arachnida • 2018] Charinus kakum • A New Species of Charinus (Amblypygi: Charinidae) from Ghana, with Notes on West African Whip Spiders

[Entomology • 2018] Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Oodera Westwood, 1874 (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea, Pteromalidae, Cleonyminae), with Description of Ten New Species