Species New to Science

Toothlessness in dinosaurs.

in Yang & Sander, 2018.

DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0090

Abstract

The toothless beak of modern birds was considered as an adaption for feeding ecology; however, several recent studies suggested that developmental factors are also responsible for the toothless beak. Neontological and palaeontological studies have progressively uncovered how birds evolved toothless beaks and suggested that the multiple occurrences of complete edentulism in non-avian dinosaurs were the result of selection for specialized diets. Although developmental biology and ecological factors are not mutually exclusive, the conventional hypothesis that ecological factors account for the toothless beak appears insufficient. A recent study on dinosaur incubation period using embryonic teeth posited that tooth formation rate limits developmental speed, constraining toothed dinosaur incubation to slow reptilian rates. We suggest that selection for tooth loss was a side effect of selection for fast embryo growth and thus shorter incubation. This observation would also explain the multiple occurrences of tooth loss and beaks in non-avian dinosaur taxa crownward of Tyrannosaurus. Whereas our hypothesis is an observation without any experimental supports, more studies of gene regulation of tooth formation in embryos would allow testing for the trade-off between incubation period and tooth development.

Keywords: incubation periods, developmental biology, tooth formation, edentulism

Figure 1. Toothlessness in dinosaurs.
Consensus cladogram of Archosauria shows that edentulism frequently evolved independently in several lineages. All Ornithischia, Therizinosauroidea, Incisivosaurus and toothed Enantiornithes exhibit partial tooth loss. Ontogenetic edentulism has been reported for the theropod Limusaurus from China [Wang et al., 2017]. Complete edentulism is observed in some pterosaurs, Ornithomimosauria, Caenagnathoidea (including Oviraptoridae), some Mesozoic birds such as Confuciusornis and Gobipteryx, and all extant birds (Neornithes).

Silhouettes were taken from public domain images on phylopic.org.

Tzu-Ruei Yang and P. Martin Sander. 2018. The Origin of the Bird's Beak: New Insights from Dinosaur Incubation Periods. Biology Letters. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0090

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Nanodobenus arandai

Velez-Juarbe & Salinas-Márquez, 2018

DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180423

twitter.com/VelezJuarbeJ

Abstract

Here, we describe the odobenidNanodobenus arandai gen. et sp. nov., based on a nearly complete left mandible from the mid to late Miocene Tortugas Formation in Baja California Sur. Nanodobenus is distinguished among odobenids by displaying a unique combination of plesiomorphic and derived characters, such as narrow mandibular symphysis, well-developed genial tuberosity, bilobed canine and p2 roots, bulbous post-canine teeth with the paraconid, protoconid and hypoconid, and smooth lingual cingula. Moreover, it is characterized by its small adult body length, which is estimated at about 1.65 m. Throughout the Miocene–Pliocene odobenids are characterized by an increase in body size, especially after the extinction of desmatophocids in the late Miocene. The small size of Nanodobenus departs from this trend, demonstrating that there was greater size disparity among odobenids in the mid–late Miocene than previously thought. It is hypothesized that Nanodobenus occupied a niche that was later on occupied by similar-sized otariids, such as Thalassoleon mexicanus, which occurs sympatrically with large odobenids in the overlying Almejas Formation.

KEYWORDS: Odobenidae, marine mammals, eastern Pacific, Miocene

Systematic palaeontology

Pinnipedia Illiger, 1811

Odobenidae Allen, 1880

Nanodobenus arandai, gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. The name derives from the combination of ‘nano’, from the Latin ‘nanus’ which translates to dwarf, in reference to the small size of the specimen and estimated body size, combined with Odobenus, the genus of extant walrus, Odobenus rosmarus (Linnaeus, 1758), and the occasionally used suffix in odobenids (e.g. Archaeodobenus). The specific epithet honours Dr Francisco Aranda-Manteca (UABC) in recognition of his mentorship to the junior author and contributions to the knowledge of extinct marine vertebrates of Baja California and Baja California Sur.

Holotype. UABC FCM 0072, nearly complete left mandible, including p2–4. Collected by T. McMillan, c. 1987.

Type locality. Arroyo La Chiva (=Arroyo Tiburón [12–14]), Asunción, Baja California Sur, Mexico (figure 1).

Figure 2. Mandible and lower dentition of Nanodobenus arandai gen. et sp. nov. (UABC FCM 0072).

Mandible in lateral (a), medial (b) and occlusal (c) views. Lower dentition in labial (d), lingual (e) and occlusal (f) views.

Abbreviations: c, lower canine; di, digastric insertion; gt, genial tuberosity; hyd, hypoconid; lc, lingual cingulum; p1–4, lower premolars 1–4; m1–2, lower molars 1–2; maf, masseteric fossa; mf, mental foramina; mnf, mandibular foramen; ms, mandibular sumphysis; pad, paraconid; prd, protoconid; wf, wear facet.

Figure 4. Time-calibrated strict consensus tree of Odobenidae and body size distribution.

Species range from [Velez-Juarbe, 2017; Boessenecker & Churchill, 2018; Boessenecher et al., 2018]; body size estimates from table 3 and outlines modified from Berta et al. [2018] and Lydersen [2018]. Numbers in nodes represent posterior probability (in bold) and bootstrap values.

Jorge Velez-Juarbe and Fernando M. Salinas-Márquez. 2018. A Dwarf Walrus from the Miocene of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Royal Society Open Science. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.180423

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Aliaporcellana spongicola

Hiller & Werding, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.780.26388

Abstract

Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. from the Philippines and Indonesia is described. The new species has been frequently photographed by divers because of its striking coloration, but has not been described yet. Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. is in fact a widespread commensal of barrel sponges of the genus Xestospongia and other sponges. Morphological characters and ecological information of all described species of Aliaporcellana, and of other porcellanids associated with sponges and soft corals, suggest that all members of the genus are commensals, and that similar morphological adaptations to dwelling on these hosts have evolved independently in different evolutionary lines within Porcellanidae.

Keywords: Crustacea, Porcellanidae, Aliaporcellana, new species, Indo-West Pacific, commensalism, adaptation, sponge- and octocoral-dwelling

Systematic account

Family Porcellanidae

Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n.

Description:

Carapace rounded (Figures 1, 2), considerably variable in form and in length-width ratio; larger females with carapace broader than long (ratio < 1), smaller individuals with carapace relatively longer than broad (ratio > 1); dorsal surface convex, glossy, with faint, transverse striae on branchial and intestinal regions; cervical grooves gently depressed. Front (Figures 1, 2) broad, slightly produced beyond eyes, weakly trilobate, somewhat deflexed; frontal lobe visible in dorsal view, grooved, overreaching lateral ones. Distal margin of entire front lined with row of rounded, upwardly directed small spines (Figure 3a), the largest on supraocular edges. Outer orbital angles (Figure 2) forming acute, bifid tooth followed by hepatic spine of similar size. Epibranchial margin rounded, produced outwards, marked with epibranchial spine; cervical groove faintly marked. Mesial branchial margins crested, with row of 5 or 6 strong, anteriorly, upwardly directed spines of increasing size posteriorly. Sidewalls entire.

Eyes moderately large (Figures 1, 2, 3a), retracted, ocular peduncles short. First movable segment of antennal peduncle (Figures 2, 3b) with strong, anteriorly curved distal spine, second with smaller, anterodistal, acute protuberance, third one globular. Basal segment of antennular peduncle (Figure 3c) with anterior surface transversely rugose, surrounded with open ring of strong, conical spines. Third maxilliped (Figure 3d) slightly rugose, ischium sub-quadrate with inner lobe, inner margin of merus semi-circular; exopodite long, pyriform, reaching 2/3 of length of merus.

Figure 2. Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. Female (ovigerous) holotype, UF 43328, Philippines, Oriental Mindoro Province, Mindoro, Puerto Galera, off Pt W of Bayanar Beach. Scale bar: 2 mm.

Figure 1. Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. Female (ovigerous) paratype, UF 43328 (Photo UF dPHIL 7104), Philippines, Oriental Mindoro Province, Mindoro, Puerto Galera, off Pt W of Bayanar Beach. Scale bar: 3.5 mm.

Figure 5. Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. Live specimen sitting on barrel sponge (photograph UF dPHIL 09927). Same collection data as holotype.

Ecology: Aliaporcellana currently consists of six species. Of all species, A. spongicola sp. n. is by far the most strikingly colorful, and has, therefore, become popular among underwater photographers and marine aquarists. Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. dwells on large barrel sponges of the genus Xestospongia Laubenfels [family Petrosiidae; e.g., X. testudinaria (Lamarck 1815)] and on other types of sponges, like the “large, grey foliose sponge”, on which the crabs from Sulawesi included in this study, were found. The porcellanid lies in the sponge’s folds, where it is most protected from predators (Figure 5).

Distribution: The type specimens come from the central Philippines and northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Etymology: The name spongicola (from the Latin word spongia, meaning sponge, and the Latin suffix -cola, meaning dwelling) refers to the sponge-dwelling habit of the new species.

Remarks: Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. is considerably variable in the shape of carapace and the degree of spination on body and extremities. As in other porcellanid species, the spines are more defined in smaller specimens. The new species is distinguished from A. pygmaea and A. kikuchii by the lack of acute spines on the dactylus of the smaller cheliped (Osawa 2007; Dong et al. 2011), and by its smoother surface of carapace and chelipeds (Lewinsohn 1969; Nakasone and Miyake 1969; Werding and Hiller 2007; Osawa and Chan 2010). Aliaporcellana spongicola sp. n. can be distinguished from A. suluensis, A. telestophila and A. taiwanensis by its regularly denticulated front (Figures 2, 3a), which is smooth in the other species, and by the basis of the antennular peduncle, which is crowned with a ring of spines (Figure 3c) and is at most granulate or faintly serrate in the compared species (see Lewinsohn 1969; Werding and Hiller 2007; Dong et al. 2011 for A. suluensis; Ng and Goh 1969 for A. telestophila; Dong et al. 2011 for A. taiwanensis).

Alexandra Hiller and Bernd Werding. 2018. On A New Commensal Species of Aliaporcellana from the western Pacific (Crustacea, Decapoda, Porcellanidae). ZooKeys. 780: 1-9. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.780.26388

Microhyla mukhlesuri,

M. mymensinghensis (Hasan et al. 2014)

M. nilphamariensis (Howlader et al. 2015)

Microhyla ornata (Duméril & Bibron, 1841)

in Garg, Das, Kamei & Biju, 2018

DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2018.1501286

ABSTRACT

Microhyla ornata, a species originally described from the southwest coast of India in 1841, was long reported to be wide-ranging throughout South, Southeast, and East Asia. Although the name M. ornata is restricted to populations from South Asia, the species is still considered to occur widely in India and its neighboring regions. To clarify the identity and geographical distribution of M. ‘ornata’, we performed DNA barcoding using a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene from 62 newly obtained samples. Our results show that this taxon is restricted to Peninsular India and Sri Lanka, whereas, populations from the other parts represent three different species – M. mukhlesuri, M. mymensinghensis, and M. nilphamariensis, creating new country records for India. Our work reemphasizes the benefits of DNA barcoding for rapidly identifying populations of widespread species and provides insights into the patterns of genetic differentiation in the M. ‘ornata’ species complex of South Asia.

KEYWORDS: 16S; cryptic species; DNA barcoding; haplotype network; species distribution

Figure 1. DNA barcoding based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences ( 540 bp). (A) Maximum Likelihood RAxML tree from total 145 newly sampled and previously available populations of Microhyla mukhlesuri, M. mymensinghensis, M.nilphamariensis, and M. ornata, along with sequences representing 24 other Microhyla species. Kaloula pulchra was used as the outgroup taxon. Bayesian Posterior Probabilities and RAxML bootstrap values >50% are indicated above and below the branches, respectively. Closed circles indicate samples from the present study; open circles indicate GenBank sequences. Geographical distribution of species is shown on the right panel. (B) Frequency distribution of intra- and interspecific sequence divergences for Microhyla mukhlesuri, M. mymensinghensis, M. nilphamariensis, and M. ornata, based on uncorrected and K2P pairwise distances.

Figure 2. Median-Joining haplotype network based on 147 mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences from six closely related Microhyla species. Circle sizes are proportional to the number of haplotype sequences involved, as represented with numbers inside the circles. Black circles represent median vectors. Each branch represents one mutation step; black bars represent additional mutation steps. A schematic representation of species relationships with respect to geographical distribution is shown over the map.

Microhyla mukhlesuri, M. mymensinghensis (Hasan et al. 2014),

M. nilphamariensis (Howlader et al. 2015)

Microhyla ornata (Duméril & Bibron, 1841)

Sonali Garg, Abhijit Das, Rachunliu G. Kamei and S. D. Biju. 2018. Delineating Microhyla ornata (Anura, Microhylidae): Mitochondrial DNA Barcodes Resolve Century-old Taxonomic Misidentification. Mitochondrial DNA Part B. 3:2; 856-861. DOI: 10.1080/23802359.2018.1501286

tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23802359.2018.1501286

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Hasan M, Islam MM, Kuramoto M, Kurabayashi A, Sumida M. 2014. Description of two new species of Microhyla (Anura: Microhylidae) from Bangladesh. Zootaxa. 3755:401–418. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3755.5.1

https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e2ad/d84e79ea7f42982b4ff48de0b598bd5292af.pdf

Mohammad Sajid Ali Howlader, Abhilash Nair, Sujith V. Gopalan and Juha Merilä. 2015. A new species of Microhyla (Anura: Microhylidae) from Nilphamari, Bangladesh. PloS ONE. 10:e0119825. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119825

Ptyas doriae (Boulenger, 1888)

in Meetei, Das, Campbell, Raha & Bag, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4457.4.3

Abstract

Ptyas doriae is a rare snake in northeastern India, Myanmar and southern China. The original description and subsequent accounts of this species were all very brief. We studied most of the available specimens of this species and on this basis we provide a detailed redescription of the species. We give an account of intrapopulational variation in scalation characters and colouration and we also report on a previously undescribed colour morph from Manipur, India. We have examined the holotype of Ptyas hamptoni and found that characters used to distinguish it from P. doriae are inadequate and therefore we herein synonymize the former with the latter species. We also predict the potential distribution of P. doriae by using Maximum Entropy modeling.

Keywords: Cyclophiops, Ptyas, systematics, species distribution modeling, median absolute deviation, synonym, Reptilia

FIGURE 3. Specimen of Ptyas doriae (Regd. No. 40107) collected from Manipur (India) showing a striped colour pattern.

Ptyas doriae (Boulenger, 1888)

Ablabes hamptoni Boulenger, 1900

Asem Bipin Meetei, Sunandan Das, Patrick D. Campbell, Sujoy Raha and Probhat Bag. 2018. A Study on Ptyas doriae (Boulenger, 1888) with Comments on the Status of Ptyas hamptoni (Boulenger, 1900) (Squamata: Colubridae: Colubrinae). Zootaxa. 4457(4); 537–548. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4457.4.3

Poyntonophrynus pachnodes

Ceríaco, Marques, Bandeira, Agarwal, Stanley, Bauer, Heinicke & Blackburn, 2018

“Serra da Neve Pygmy Toad - Sapo Pigmeu da Serra da Neve” DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.780.25859

Photos by Ishan Agarwal and Luis Ceríaco.

Abstract

African pygmy toads of the genus Poyntonophrynus are some of the least known species of African toads. The genus comprises ten recognized species endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, five of which are restricted to southwestern Africa. Recent field research in Angola provided new material for three species of Poyntonophrynus, including a morphologically distinctive population from the Serra da Neve Inselberg. Based on a combination of external morphology, high-resolution computed tomography scanning, and molecular phylogenetic analysis, the Serra da Neve population is described as new species that is nested within the genus. The most striking character that differentiates the newly described species from its congeners is the lack of a tympanic middle ear, a condition common in the family Bufonidae, but so far not known for Poyntonophrynus. The description of this new species from southwestern Angola reinforces the biogeographic importance of the region and further suggests that southwestern Africa is the cradle of diversity for this genus.

Keywords: Africa, Amphibia, columella, osteology, toad

Figure 6. Photograph in life of Poyntonophrynus pachnodes sp. n., paratype UF 184183 (AMB 10191). Photo by Ishan Agarwal.

Poyntonophrynus pachnodes sp. n.

Diagnosis: Poyntonophrynus pachnodes sp. n. is a small-bodied bufonid that lacks tarsal folds, a character that distinguishes it from bufonids in Angola except Mertensophryne and Poyntonophrynus. It differs from all Mertensophryne in having inconspicuous parotoid glands, compared to pronounced parotoid glands that form a shelf in the scapular region of Mertensophryne, and in lacking reduction of the phalanges (Grandison, 1981). The newly described species differs from all other members of the genus Poyntonophrynus in lacking a tympanum and columella.

Figure 7. High-resolution Computed Tomography reconstructions showing the skeleton of the holotype (UF 184184) of Poyntonophrynus pachnodes sp. n. in dorsal view (A), skull in dorsal (B), right lateral (C) and ventral (D) views, pelvis in right lateral view (E), pectoral girdle in ventral view (F), and right foot (G) and right hand (H) in ventral views. Selected skeletal elements are labeled based on discussion in the text. Panel A also highlights the eggs that are visible within the oviducts.

Abbreviations: m – maxilla; np – neopalatine; pt – pterygoid; q – quadrate; sph – sphenethmoid; sq – squamosal; v – vomer. Scale bars in each row equal 2 mm.

Figure 8. Southern view of the base of the Serra da Neve Inselberg (A), and habitat of the type locality at about 1500 m a.s.l. (B). Photos by Luis Ceríaco.

Distribution and ecology: The species is currently only known from the Serra da Neve Inselberg (Figs 2, 8) in northern Namibe Province. Specimens were found on moist soil under rocks and leaf-litter at dusk in a semi-open miombo forest area. Grandvaux-Barbosa (1970) considered that Serra da Neve is characterized by a “sparse Miombo,” dominated by trees of the genera Julbernardia spp. and Brachystegia spp., and shrubs like Combretum spp. or Annona spp., which were observed at the site. The species was found sympatrically with the frogs Sclerophrys gutturalis and Tomopterna tuberculosa, the lizards Agama schacki, Trachylepis sulcata, Chondrodactylus pulitzerae, Hemidactylus benguellensis, Pachydactylus angolensis, and Heliobolus lugubris, and the snake Hemirhagerrhis viperina.

Etymology: The specific name pachnodes (Gr.) means “frosty” and is used as an adjective (Brown 1954). This is a reference to both the cool climate at the higher elevation where this species occurs (1488 m) and that Serra da Neve (Port.) translates to “mountain of snow.”

We suggest “Serra da Neve Pygmy Toad” and “Sapo Pigmeu da Serra da Neve” as the English and Portuguese common names respectively.

Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Mariana P. Marques, Suzana Bandeira, Ishan Agarwal, Edward L. Stanley, Aaron M. Bauer, Mathew P. Heinicke and David C. Blackburn. 2018. A New Earless Species of Poyntonophrynus (Anura, Bufonidae) from the Serra da Neve Inselberg, Namibe Province, Angola. ZooKeys. 780: 109-136. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.780.25859

Vietbocap quinquemilia

Lourenço, Pham, Tran & Tran, 2018

DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.03.002

Abstract

Two new species of scorpion belonging to the family Pseudochactidae and to the genus Vietbocap are described based on specimens collected in the Thien Duong cave, which belongs to the Vom cave system, in the Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. The previously described species from this cave, Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenço & Pham, 2012 was collected in the initial section of the cave (1500 to 1800 m from the cave entrance) and proved to be a true troglobitic element. The diagnosis of this species, only known from males, is completed based on females collected at 750 m from the cave entrance. The two new species described here were collected respectively at 3000 and 5000 m from the cave entrance and are also true troglobitic elements, very similar to V. thienduongensis, but showing some clear morphological differences. This observed situation suggests a possible case of speciation within the cave system, the first one ever reported for scorpions. The population found at 5000 m from the entrance of the cave is a total new record of distance from a cave entrance for scorpions.

Keywords: Scorpion; New species; Troglobitic element; Vietnam; Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park; Thien Duong cave; Intra-cave speciation

Fig. 4. Vietbocap thienduongensis. Male in natural habitat; 800 m from the cave entrance.

Family Pseudochactidae Gromov, 1998

Subfamily Vietbocapinae Lourenço, 2012

Genus Vietbocap Lourenço & Pham, 2010

Type: Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenço & Pham, 2012

Vietbocap aurantiacus sp. n.

Etymology. The specific name is a Latin adjective referring to the orange coloration of the new species (aurantiacus in Latin).

Fig. 9. Vietbocap quinquemilia sp. n. Male in natural habitat; 5000 m from cave entrance.

Vietbocap quinquemilia sp. n.

Etymology. The specific name is a Latin noun in apposition referring to the distance from the cave entrance, 5000 m (quinquemilia in Latin) where the new species was found.

Wilson R. Lourenço, Dinh-Sac Pham, Thi-Hang Tran and Thi-Hang Tran. 2018. The Genus Vietbocap Lourenço & Pham, 2010 in the Thien Duong Cave, Vietnam: A Possible Case of Subterranean Speciation in Scorpions (Scorpiones: Pseudochactidae). [Le genre Vietbocap Lourenço & Pham, 2010 dans la grotte Thien Duong, Vietnam : un cas possible de spéciation souterraine chez les scorpions (Scorpiones : Pseudochactidae)] Comptes Rendus Biologies. 341(4); 264-273. DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.03.002

Résumé: Deux nouvelles espèces de scorpion appartenant à la famille des Pseudochactidae et au genre Vietbocap sont décrites à partir d’exemplaires collectés dans la grotte Thien Duong, laquelle appartient au système des grottes Vom dans le parc national Phong Nha–Ke Bang dans la province de Quang Binh, Vietnam. La seule espèce déjà décrite de cette grotte, Vietbocap thienduongensis Lourenço & Pham, 2012, a été collectée dans la partie initiale de celle-ci (entre 1500 et 1800 mètres de l’entrée) et a été confirmée comme un véritable élément troglobie. La diagnose de cette espèce, connue uniquement à partir des mâles, est complétée à partir de femelles collectées à 750 m de l’entrée de la grotte. Les deux nouvelles espèces décrites à présent ont été collectées respectivement à 3000 et 5000 m de l’entrée de la grotte et sont également des éléments troglobies, plutôt similaires à V. thienduongensis, mais avec des différences morphologiques bien nettes. La situation observée suggère un possible cas de spéciation à l’intérieur de la grotte, le premier signalé chez les scorpions. La population trouvée à 5000 m de l’entrée de la grotte représente un record absolu de distance de l’entrée d’une grotte pour des scorpions.

Mots clés: Scorpion; Nouvelle espèce; Troglobie; Vietnam; Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park; Grotte Thien Duong

Caelestiventus hanseni

Britt, Dalla Vecchia, Chure, Engelmann, Whiting & Scheetz, 2018

DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0627-y

Illustration: Michael Skrepnick

Abstract

Pterosaurs are the oldest known powered flying vertebrates. Originating in the Late Triassic, they thrived to the end of the Cretaceous. Triassic pterosaurs are extraordinarily rare and all but one specimen come from marine deposits in the Alps. A new comparatively large (wing span >150 cm) pterosaur, Caelestiventus hanseni gen. et sp. nov., from Upper Triassic desert deposits of western North America preserves delicate structural and pneumatic details not previously known in early pterosaurs, and allows a reinterpretation of crushed Triassic specimens. It shows that the earliest pterosaurs were geographically widely distributed and ecologically diverse, even living in harsh desert environments. It is the only record of desert-dwelling non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs and predates all known desert pterosaurs by more than 65 Myr. A phylogenetic analysis shows it is closely allied with Dimorphodonmacronyx from the Early Jurassic of Britain.

Fig. 4: Reconstructions of Caelestiventus hanseni and Dimorphodon macronyx.
a, Schematic silhouette of a dimorphodontid pterosaur in dorsal view. b, Preserved skull and mandible elements of C. hanseni. The left maxillojugal is completed with the premaxillary process from the right maxilla. The right mandibular ramus is mirrored and is completed with the rostral end from the left ramus. Missing teeth have been reconstructed. The right nasal and frontoparietal are mirrored. c, Skull and mandible of the largest D. macronyx reconstructed (from Sangster, 2003) and modified incorporating our observations.

Scale bars: 0.5 m in a and 10 mm in b and c.

a, angular; aof, antorbital fenestra; d, dentary; fr, frontal; j, jugal; l, lacrimal; mx, maxilla; mdf, medially deflected flange; n, nasal; nvf, neurovascular foramen; pa, parital; pmx, premaxilla; sa, surangular; utf, upper temporal fenestra; vf, ventral flange.

DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0627-y

blogs.discovermagazine.com

Systematic palaeontology.

Pterosauria Kaup, 1834

Dimorphodontidae Seeley, 1870

Caelestiventus hanseni gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Caelestiventus hanseni comes from the Latin language: caelestis, ‘heavenly or divine’, and ventus, ‘wind’, referring to the volant nature of pterosaurs, and ‘hanseni’, honouring Robin L. Hansen, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) geologist, who facilitated work at the Saints & Sinners Quarry

....

Illustration: Michael Skrepnick

Conclusion:

Caelestiventus hanseni is the first record of a desert-dwelling, non-pterodactyloid pterosaur, predating by >65Ma all known desert occurrences of pterosaurs. It shows that in the Late Triassic—early in their evolution and diversification—pterosaurs were widely distributed and lived in a broad range of habitats, including inland deserts far (>800 km) from the sea. Despite their morphological similarity, C. hanseni and D. macronyx lived in very different environments. Dimorphodon was an island dweller45 in a humid climate46 and was preserved in the marine Blue Lias (Hettangian–Sinemurian) of southern England (Sangster, 2003). C. hanseni indicates that dimorphodontids originated by the Late Triassic and survived the end-Triassic extinction event

Brooks B. Britt, Fabio M. Dalla Vecchia, Daniel J. Chure, George F. Engelmann, Michael F. Whiting and Rodney D. Scheetz. 2018. Caelestiventus hanseni gen. et sp. nov. Extends the Desert-dwelling Pterosaur Record Back 65 Million Years. Nature Ecology & Evolution. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-018-0627-y

Rare triassic pterosaur discovered by BYU paleontologists news.byu.edu/node/11801 via @@BYU

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Utah Pterosaur Was Desert-Dwelling Badass...Pelican? - Dead Things blogs.discovermagazine.com/deadthings/2018/08/13/utah-pterosaur/

Lactarius nigricans

in Wang, Song, Li, Xia & Qiu, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.364.3.2

Abstract

Two new species of Lactarius from Dinghu Mountain, Guangdong Province in southern China were described based on both morphological characters and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Lactarius verrucosporus sp. nov. is characterized by reddish brown pileus with white and decurved margin, pale cream lamellae, globose to subglobose basidiospores with isolated warts, thin pileipellis composed of globose subterminal cells and inflated terminal elements. Lactariusnigricans sp. nov. is recognized by greyish brown pileus, beige lamellae, amyloid basidiospores with high ridges, subcylindrical to subfusiform caulocystidia, thick pileipellis with long terminal cells. Both molecular and morphological analysis consistently confirm that L. verrucosporus and L. nigricans belong to Lactarius subgenera Russularia and Plinthogalus, respectively, and both species are distinct from all described species of these two subgenera. The morphological differences of these two novel species with their closely related taxa are discussed.

Keywords: Fungi, Lactarius, new taxa, phylogeny, taxonomy

Geng-Shen Wang, Yu Song, Jing-Wei Li, Shi-Yao Xia and Li-Hong Qiu. 2018. Lactarius verrucosporus sp. nov. and L. nigricans sp. nov., Two New Species of Lactarius (Russulaceae) from southern China. Phytotaxa. 364(3); 227–240. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.364.3.2

Vanilla denshikoira Flanagan & Ospina-Calderón

in Flanagan, Ospina-Calderón, Agapito, Mendoza & Mateus, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.364.3.4

Photographs by Nicola Flanagan;

Illustration by Nhora Helena Ospina-Calderón

Abstract

A distinctive species, Vanilla denshikoira, is described from the North West Amazon, in Colombia, within the Guiana Shield region. The species has morphological features similar to those of species in the Vanilla planifolia group. It is an important addition to the vanilla crop wild relatives, bringing the total number of species in the V. planifolia group to 21. Vanilla denshikoira is a narrow endemic, known from only a single locality, and highly vulnerable to anthropological disturbance. Under IUCN criteria it is categorized CR. The species has potential value as a non-timber forest product. We recommend a conservation program that includes support for circa situm actions implemented by the local communities.

FIGURE 1. Vanilla denshikoira Flanagan & Ospina-Calderón. Clockwise from top left,
A. Inflorescence B. Plant habit C. Flower D. Labellum. E. Tuft of tuberculate trichomes on the labellum apical surface F. Transversal view of central canal and a tuberculous keel running from the base to the apex of the labellum.

(Illustration by Nhora Helena Ospina-Calderón).

Figure 2. Vanilla denshikoira Flanagan & Ospina-Calderón in the field.
A. Vegetation physiognomy of plant habitat. B. Vegetative habit of plant. C. Inflorescence of the Vanilla denshikoira with two flowers open simultaneously. D. The whole flower showing the longitudinal keel on outer petal surface, and the concave lip. E. Detail of the lip apex of the Vanilla denshikoira showing the caliptriform nature of the lateral lobes with ondulate margins in the apical zone, and the conspicuously reflexed midlobe apex with an enlarged tuft of tuberculated trichomes covering most of apical surface.

(Photographs by Nicola Flanagan).

Vanilla denshikoira Flanagan & Ospina-Calderón sp.nov.

Diagnosis:—The new species is similar to Vanilla aspericaulis, V. capixaba, and V. cristagalli, sharing with them a concave lip base, a more or less tri-lobed lip, and a conspicuous tuft of trichomes on the recurved lip apex that is connected to the penicillate callus by a central area of tuberculate papillae and trichomes. The new species may be easily distinguished by the external longitudinal canal running from the lip base to the apex of the reflexed midlobe, and the papillae and elongated trichomes on the ventral lip surface covering the tuberculous keel and central veins from the base to the penicillate callus.

Etymology:— The epithet refers to the name of a female figure in the mythology of the Puinave indigenous community, native to the department of Guainía, Colombia. The name ´Denshikoira´ translates in English to “perfumed woman”. Denshikoira, also known as the Princess Inírida, occupies a central position in Puinave culture, with her myth representing the freedom and equality of women. The name was chosen by Lucy Teresita García Agapito, a member of the Puinave Indigenous community of Remanso-Chorrobocón.

Distribution and habitat:— Vanilla densikoira is known only from the two fertile plants in the Type locality, the first close to the River Inírida, in seasonally-flooded, medium-height (between 10–20 m), open (< 60% canopy cover) forest at 100 m elevation, and the second also in medium-height, open forest on an igneous outcrop, at 265 m elevation. The floristic composition of these sites is notable for the presence of the following tree species: Clusia columnaris Engler in Martius (1888: 432), Casearia javitensis Kunth in Humboldt, von Bonpland & Kunth (1821: 366), Tapirira guianensis Aublet (1775: 188), and Chrysophyllum bombycinum Penn (1990: 588).

Conservation status:— Vanilla denshikoira has an apparent highly restricted distribution, apparent rarity, and both known individuals are highly vulnerable to human activities. Based on the IUCN criteria the species is categorized as Critically Endangered-CR: A3c; B1ab (i,ii,iii,iv).

Nicola S. Flanagan, Nhora Helena Ospina-Calderón, Lucy Teresita García Agapito, Misael Mendoza and Hugo Alonso Mateus. 2018. A New Species of Vanilla (Orchidaceae) from the North West Amazon in Colombia. Phytotaxa. 364(3); 250–258. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.364.3.4

Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva

in Naive & Villanueva, 2018.

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.248

Photos by: M.A.K. Naive.

ABSTRACT

A new species, Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva, from the island of Basilan, Philippines, is herein described and illustrated. It is comparable to C. usteriana, but differs significantly in having lanceolate leaves, acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas and an erect spathe limb. Information on the geographical distribution, ecological data, phenology and conservation status as well as an identification key to the Philippine Crytocoryne species are provided.

KEY WORDS: Aroids, Basilan, Cryptocoryne, Mindanao, New species, Sulu archipelago, Philippines.

Fig. 1. Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva

A. Habit B. Spathe C. Leaf D. Cataphyll E. Kettle F. Tube, limb G. Spadix showing the male and female flowers.

Photos by: M.A.K. Naive.

Scale bar: C, D = 5 cm; E, F = 2 cm; G = 1 cm.

Cryptocoryne joshanii Naive & Villanueva, sp. nov.

Type: PHILIPPINES, Mindanao Region, Sulu Archipelago, Basilan Island, elev. 850 m, May 2013. R.J. Villanueva 001/2017 (holo HNUL, iso USTH) - Full locality data withheld owing to the risk of potential exploitation of wild populations for commercial purposes.

Diagnosis: Somewhat similar to C. usteriana in the spathe, but it differs significantly in having an acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas and an erect smooth limb. The leaves are clearly different by being smooth, light green with markings.

Distribution: This Philippine endemic species has only been observed and documented in Sulu archipelago, particularly on the island of Basilan, Philippines. It is very local and despite of extensive survey along the stream and in other areas, it occurs only on the site where the sample was collected.

Ecology: The population of this species was found growing in a slow flowing montane forest stream in the interior of Basilan Island. The forest is relatively dense with only 40% sunlight reaching the stream bed. The population grows on volcanic rock in the stream several meters from the waterfall at elevations of about 800– 1000 m a.s.l. The roots and rhizomes were noted to penetrate deep into the pebble/sandy substrate rich with decaying leaves. The entire clump was submerged or partly submerged with leaves exposed.

Eponomy: Named after Joshan Vlad A. Villanueva, son of the discoverer/second author.

Notes: Based on overall morphology, Cryptocoryne usteriana, appears to be the closest ally of C. joshanii. However, C. joshanii differs significantly in having these following characters: lanceolate leaves, an erect apex of the limb and in having acicular, outwardly recurved, purplish red stigmas.

Mark Arcebal K. Naive and Reagan Joseph T. Villanueva. 2018. Cryptocoryne joshanii (Araceae), A New Species Serendipitously Discovered in Sulu archipelago, Philippines. Taiwania. 63(3); 248-250. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.248

Rhadinaea nuchalis

García-Vázquez, Pavón-Vázquez, Blancas-Hernández, Blancas-Calva & Centenero-Alcalá, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.780.25593

Abstract

A new species of the Rhadinaea decorata group is described based on two specimens from the Sierra Madre del Sur, Guerrero, Mexico. The new species differs from all other members of the genus Rhadinaea by having: eight supralabials; 149–151 (male) ventrals; 63–77 (male) subcaudals; two large pale nuchal blotches, forming an incomplete collar that occupies two scales laterally and is bissected along the dorsal midline; a postocular pale marking consisting of a well-defined, narrow line beginning behind the upper posterior margin of the eye and extending posteriorly nearly horizontally until connecting with the nuchal blotches; and the dark ground color of the flanks extending to the lateral portion of the ventrals. The large nuchal blotches distinguish the new species from the other members of the R. decorata group, except for R. cuneata and some individuals of R. hesperia (pale nuchal marking one-scale wide in R. marcellae, absent in the other species). The condition of the postocular pale marking distinguishes it from R. cuneata and R. hesperia (postocular pale marking wedge-shaped in R. cuneata, not connected with the pale post-cephalic markings in R. hesperia). Furthermore, the number of subcaudals and the coloration of the lateral portion of the ventrals distinguish it from R. omiltemana and R. taeniata, the remaining congeners found in Guerrero (85–90 in males of R. omiltemana and 91–121 in R. taeniata; dark color of the flanks not reaching ventrals in the former species, occasionally and faintly in R. taeniata). Additionally, a new combination for R. stadelmani is proposed. The new species is the first described in the genus Rhadinaea in more than 40 years.

Keywords: Description, reptile, snake, systematics, taxonomy

Figure 1. Head of Rhadinaea nuchalis sp. n. Holotype (MZFC-HE 22161) in dorsal (A), left lateral (B), and ventral (C) views.

Figure 3. Rhadinaea nuchalis sp. n., holotype (MZFC-HE 22161) in life.

Rhadinaea nuchalis sp. n.

Diagnosis: A colubrid snake of the Rhadinaea decorata group (sensu Myers 1974) that may be distinguished from all other members of the genus Rhadinaea by the following combination of character states: eight supralabials; 149–151 ventrals in males; 63–77 subcaudals in males; presence of two large pale nuchal blotches, forming an incomplete collar that occupies two scales laterally and bissected along the dorsal midline; postocular pale marking consisting of a well-defined and narrow line beginning anteriorly behind the upper posterior margin of the eye and extending posteriorly nearly horizontally until connecting with the nuchal blotches; and ground color of the flanks extending to the lateral portion of the ventrals.

Etymology: The specific name nuchalis comes from the Latin nucha, meaning nape. It makes reference to the large nuchal blotches present in the new species.

Figure 7. Habitat of Rhadinaea nuchalis sp. n. in the type locality.

Uri Omar García-Vázquez, Carlos J. Pavón-Vázquez, Jean Cristian Blancas-Hernández, Epifanio Blancas-Calva and Eric Centenero-Alcalá. 2018. A New Rare Species of the Rhadinaea decorata group from the Sierra Madre del Sur of Guerrero, Mexico (Squamata, Colubridae). ZooKeys. 780: 137-154. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.780.25593

Theloderma petilum (Stuart & Heatwole, 2004)

in Phusaensri, Kaewboribut, Phummisutthigoon, et al., 2018.

Alytes. 36(1-4). alytes-journal.org

ปาดหลังยาวภูสวนทราย || ku.ac.th

We here report the first finding of a specimen of the treefrog Theloderma petilum (Stuart & Heatwole, 2004) in Thailand. To date, only four other individuals of this species were known from Laos and Vietnam. The female specimen of T. petilum collected at Huay Tap Ko Sod of Baan Huay Nam Phak, Na Haeo District, Loei...

ปาดหลังยาวภูสวนทราย Theloderma petilum (Stuart & Heatwole, 2004) เพศเมีย

Alytes. 36(1-4). alytes-journal.org

ปาดหลังยาวภูสวนทราย เป็นชนิดสัตว์สะเทินน้ำสะเทินบกที่พบครั้งแรกในประเทศไทย ถือเป็นบันทึกแหล่งการกระจายแหล่งที่ 3 เพิ่มเติมจากที่พบในสาธารณรัฐสังคมนิยมเวียดนาม และสาธารณรัฐประชาธิปไตยประชาชนลาว

ในประเทศไทยถูกค้นพบโดย คณะวิจัยที่มีประกอบด้วย ผศ. ดร. ประทีป ด้วงแค คณะวนศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ ร่วมกับนักวิชาการจากรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช และ มหาวิทยาลัยขอนแก่น ได้รับตีพิมพ์ในวารสาร Alytes 36 (1-4) ระหว่างหน้าที่ 289-299 ในปี พ.ศ. 2561

Samret Phusaensri, Thanawhat Kaewboribut, Sukpaporn Phummisutthigoon, Nithina Kaewtongkum, Montri Youjaruen, Pongsathorn Tongpun, Hathaipat Khongcharoensuk, Pechrkawin Nurngsomsri, Chantip Chuaynkern, Prateep Duengkae and Yodchaiy Chuaynkern. 2018. Theloderma petilum (Anura, Rhacophoridae): A New Country Record for Thailand. Alytes. 36(1-4); 289–299.

alytes-journal.org/alytes/alytes-volume-36/theloderma-petilum-anura-rhacophoridae-new-country-record-thailand

การค้นพบพืชชนิดใหม่ของโลก และชนิดสัตว์สะเทินน้ำสะเทินบกครั้งแรกในประเทศไทย

ระหว่างเดือนมิถุนายน ถึงเดือนสิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2561

ของอาจารย์ภาควิชาชีววิทยาป่าไม้ คณะวนศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์

ku.ac.th/web2012/index.php?c=adms&m=seltab_th&time=20180810094001&page=&page1=&load=tab&lang=thai&ip=10&id=3363&id1=87

forest.ku.ac.th/webdev3/newsuploadfile/921-2018-08-10_114907.pdf

Abstract: A small rhacophorid, Philautus petilus known from only the female holotype, is recorded for the first time outside of the type locality in Laos. Three specimens, containing the first known males of the species, were collected from Muong Nhe Nature Reserve in Dien Bien Province, northwestern Vietnam. The Vietnamese specimens are identified as P. petilus based on morphological similarities with the holotype from Laos. In addition, our molecular data verify the transfer of this species from Philautus to the genus Theloderma.

Keywords: Philautus, Theloderma, New record, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, Muong Nhe Nature Reserve, Dien Bien Province

Tao Thien Nguyen, Dzung Trung Le, Son Hung Lan Nguyen, Masafumi Matsui and Truong Quang Nguyen. 2014. First Record of Philautus petilus Stuart and Heatwole, 2004 (Amphibia: Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam and Its Phylogenetic Position. Current Herpetology. 33(2); 112-120.

researchgate.net/publication/280288741_First_Record_of_Philautus_petilus

DOI: 10.5358/hsj.33.112

repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/216855/1/hsj.33.112.pdf

Bryan L. Stuart and Harold Heatwole. 2004. A New Philautus (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae) from northern Laos. Asiatic Herpetological Research. 10: 17-21.

asiatic-herpetological.org/Archive.htm
researchgate.net/publication/228506727_A_new_Philautus_from_northern_Laos

Skleroprotopus membranipedalis Zhang, 1985

inVagalinski, Meng, Bachvarova & Stoev, 2018.

DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.26.26225

Abstract

We redescribe the poorly known Chinese millipede Skleroprotopus membranipedalis Zhang, 1985 recorded from Shi-Hua (Stone Flower) Cave, Fangshan County, Beijing. The species’ original description is in Chinese in an obscure outlet which significantly hampers its recognition from its congeners. Here, based on newly collected material, we provide the first scanning electron micrographs of important taxonomic traits. In addition to its type locality, we report the species also from Yun-Shui (Cloud Water) Cave, situated in the same county, some 18 km away. We propose the genus Senbutudoiulus Miyosi, 1957 to be a junior subjective synonym of Skleroprotopus Attems, 1901, syn. n., and introduce the following new combination: Skleroprotopus platypodus (Miyosi, 1957), comb. n. (former Senbutudoiulus).

Keywords: China, new record, new synonymy, troglobiomorphism

Figure 2. Living specimens of Skleroprotopus membranipedalis in Shi-Hua Cave.

Genus Skleroprotopus Attems, 1901

Mongoliulus Pocock, 1903

Paraprotopus Verhoeff, 1939

Nesoprotopus Verhoeff, 1939

Senbutudoiulus Miyosi, 1957, syn. n.

Diagnosis: A genus of Mongoliulidae, most similar to the genus Ansiulus Takakuwa, both sharing a number of characters such as: ozopores in all body-rings, an anterior gonopod with an unsegmented telopodite (except for S. schmidti) and a slightly to considerably higher coxite carrying a well-developed flagellum, and a bifid (except for S. simplex) posterior gonopod consisting of a slender solenomerital process and a broader, shield-like, apically setose, caudal process. Differs from Ansiulus mostly by the complete absence of telopodites on posterior gonopods and by the strongly reduced telopodites of male leg-pair 7 (except for S. sidegatakedensis).

Skleroprotopus membranipedalis Zhang, 1985

Skleroprotopus membranipedalis Zhang, 1985: 154–156, figs 1–8.

Diagnosis: Differs from congeners mostly by the flattened, blade-like, basolateral process on the caudal face of the anterior gonopod, and by the completely pigmentless ocelli.

Redescription: Measurements: males 49–51 mm in length, 2.5–2.6 mm in height at mid-body, body ring formula 62+(1–2)+T; females 49–60 mm, 2.4–2.8 mm, and (61–67)+(1–2)+T, respectively.

Colouration in life (Fig. 2): light brown-beige, head whitish; metazonites with darker, narrow, concentric bands, passing just behind the ozopores; repugnatorial glands reddish-brown in living specimens, becoming brown-greyish in ethanol.

....

Boyan Vagalinski, Kaibaryer Meng, Darina Bachvarova and Pavel Stoev. 2018. A Redescription of the Poorly Known Cave Millipede Skleroprotopus membranipedalis Zhang, 1985 (Diplopoda, Julida, Mongoliulidae), with An Overview of the Genus Skleroprotopus Attems, 1901. Subterranean Biology. 26: 55-66. DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.26.26225

Bauhinia proboscidea P. Juárez, R. Flores & M.A. Blanco

in Juárez, Flores & Blanco, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.361.1.2

facebook.com/MarioBlanco

Abstract

Bauhinia proboscidea, a new species from Costa Rica and Panama, is described and illustrated, and compared to the closely related B. pansamalana of southern Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. It is also compared with B. beguinotii, with which has been confused in herbaria. Bauhinia gorgonae, endemic to Gorgona Island in Colombia and which has been classified as a variety of B. beguinotii, is here considered a separate species. A key to the Neotropical species of Bauhinia with three fertile stamens is provided. Some observations on the morphology and reproductive biology of B. proboscidea are presented. Global-level assessments of the conservation status according to IUCN Red List criteria indicate that B. proboscidea and B. beguinotii (which was previously assessed using some misidentified records) should both be considered as species of Least Concern (LC), B. gorgonae should be considered as Endangered (EN), and B. pansamalana should be considered Not Threatened (NT). Country-level conservation assessments are also provided for all four species. The homology of the “intrastipular spines” of Bauhinia is briefly discussed.

Keywords: Central America, conservation, intrastipular spines, IUCN Red List categories, taxonomy, reproductive biology, Eudicots

FIGURE 2. Bauhinia proboscidea.
A. Staminate flower. B. Perfect (hermaphrodite) flower. C. Apex of fertile stamens of staminate flower with incurved filaments and open anthers. D. Detail of perfect flower, showing recurved fertile anthers and pistil with incurved style. E. Detail of staminodes (red and yellow, with white abortive anthers), filaments of fertile stamens (dark red) and pistillode (green) in staminate flower. F. Immature fruits. G. Two-flowered inflorescence, with one perfect flower and one staminate flower; the perfect flower (left) has already shed its petals. H. Detail of stem node showing intrastipular spine with liquid secretion.

F from Flores et al. 3835 (PMA) by R. Flores; all other photos from Juárez 1241 (USJ) by P. Juárez.

facebook.com/MarioBlanco

FIGURE 1. Bauhinia proboscidea.
A. Fruiting branch. B. Perfect (hermaphrodite) flower; note recurved fertile stamens and incurved style. C. Staminate flower; note apically incurved fertile stamens. D. Apex of staminodes and bases of free portion of filaments of fertile stamens in staminate flower. E. Apex of fertile stamen filaments and anthers of staminate flower. F. Floral diagram of perfect flower. G. Pair of intrastipular spines at a node (leaf scar on opposite side of stem, not visible), with liquid secretion. A based on type specimen (Juaìrez 420, USJ, CR, MO); B–F based on photographs of Juárez 1241 (USJ).

Drawn by P. Juaìrez. facebook.com/MarioBlanco

Bauhinia proboscidea P. Juárez, R. Flores & M.A. Blanco, sp. nov.

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the prominent staminal tube and the projecting pistil (the latter in hermaphroditic flowers), which together resemble a snout or proboscis of an animal. The recurved fertile stamens of hermaphroditic flowers also bear a superficial resemblance to the tusks of elephants Loxodonta spp., order Proboscidea).

Pedro Juárez, Rodolfo Flores and Mario A. Blanco. 2018. Bauhinia proboscidea (Fabaceae: Cercidoideae), A New Species from Costa Rica and Panama, with notes on B. beguinotii, B. gorgonae and B. pansamalana. Phytotaxa. 361(1); 25-40. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.361.1.2

Researchgate.net/publication/326470197_Bauhinia_proboscidea_a_new_species_from_Costa_Rica_and_Panama

facebook.com/MarioBlanco/posts/10160622632565032

facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2101651306741271&id=100006892651727

twitter.com/AudubonPanama/status/1020109356438892544

instagram.com/p/Bmd9PgTBKQt

Resumen: Se describe e ilustra Bauhinia proboscidea, una nueva especie de Costa Rica y Panamá, y se compara con la cercanamente emparentada B. pansamalana del sur de México, Guatemala y Honduras. También se compara con B. beguinotii, con la cual se ha confundido en los herbarios. Bauhinia gorgonae, endémica de la Isla Gorgona en Colombia, se considera aquí como una especie independiente de B. beguinotii, de la cual se ha clasificado como una variedad. Se brinda una clave para las especies neotropicales de Bauhinia con tres estambres fértiles. Se presentan algunas observaciones sobre la morfología y biología reproductiva de B. proboscidea. Evaluaciones a nivel global del estado de conservación de acuerdo con los criterios de la Lista Roja de UICN, indica que tanto B. proboscidea como B. beguinotii (que había sido previamente evaluada usando algunos registros mal identificados) deben ser consideradas como especies de Preocupación Menor (LC), B. gorgonae debe considerarse como En Peligro (EN), y B. pansamalana debe considerarse como No Amenazada (NT). También se presentan evaluaciones de conservación a nivel de país para las cuatro especies. Se discute brevemente la homología de las “espinas intraestipulares” de Bauhinia.

Parapenthus solitarius (Peyron, 1858)

in Kataev & Wrase, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4459.2.8

Abstract

Two new monotypical genera of the subtribe Ditomina are described: Parapenthus gen. n. for Ditomus solitarius Peyron, 1858 from the Middle East, which was treated previously either within Penthus Chaudoir, 1843 or within Penthophonus Reitter, 1900, and Indocarterus gen. n. for I. inexspectatus sp. n. from the west of the Indian state of Maharashtra (type locality: Wai env., 70 km S of Pune). The possible genesis of Indocarterus gen. n. is discussed because it is the single genus of the subtribe distributed in the Oriental (Indo-Malayan) region in isolation from the other Ditomina which all occur in the West Palaearctic. It is assumed that the ancestor of this genus was isolated in the Indian Peninsula from the Tethyan area probably during the early stages of the diversification of Ditomina. In addition, the enigmatic genus Proditomus Schauberger, 1934 and its single species, P. mirus Schauberger, 1934, known only from the female holotype, are re-described and illustrated. Setation of the parameres and medial lobe in Ditomina is described for the first time. Previously, setae on the aedeagus of Carabidae, mostly on the parameres, were observed only in many basal lineages and, as exception, within Harpalinae, in some Lebiini and Panagaeini. A key to the genera and subgenera of Ditomina is provided.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Carabidae, Harpalini, Ditomina, Parapenthus gen. n., Indocarterus gen. n., Proditomus, setation of aedeagus, India, Middle East, new genus, new species, key to genera and subgenera

Boris M. Kataev and David W. Wrase. 2018. Notes on Ditomina, with Description of Two New Genera and A New Species (Coleoptera, Carabidae) from the Middle East and India. Zootaxa. 4459(2); 350–368. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4459.2.8

Andinia tingomariana A.Diaz & Mark Wilson

in Diaz Hernández, Horna, Godo & Wilson, 2018.
DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.361.2.7

Abstract

A new species of Andinia in subgenus Andinia from Tingo María National Park is described, illustrated and compared to the most similar species pair. Andinia tingomariana is distinguished by unguiculate, reniform, ciliate petals, a longer column without the terminal dilation and a trilobed, ciliate lip in which the narrow, semi-auriculate lateral lobes project upward around the column, adnate in the middle, creating a furrowed surface. The floral morphology of the new species is compared to that of the phylogenetically unrelated Salpistele group of Stelis and possible convergent evolution of pollination syndromes is discussed. Finally, the first confirmed locality of A. schizopogon is reported and a preliminary list of Andinia species in Peru is provided.

Keywords: Andinia, Peruvian orchid flora, Salpistele, Stelis, pleurothallid taxonomy, Monocots

Andinia tingomariana A.Diaz & Mark Wilson, sp. nov.

Etymology:— Named for the type locality in Parque Nacional Tingo María, Huánuco, Peru.

FIGURE 2. Andinia tingomariana; Partial side view, Lateral view and Rear view.

Photographs by Alex Diaz.

FIGURE 3. Andinia tingomariana in situ on a liana.

Photograph by Alex Diaz.

Tingo Maria National Park in the central Amazonian forest of Peru

Alex Gustavo Diaz Hernández, Luis Antonio Ocupa Horna, Luis Enrique Yupanqui Godo and Mark Wilson. 2018. A New Species of Andinia (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae) from Huánuco, Peru, and The First Peruvian Locality for Andinia schizopogon. Phytotaxa. 361(2); 222–232. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.361.2.7

Researchgate.net/publication/326492407_A_new_species_of_Andinia_from_Huanuco_Peru

Esta es la nueva especie de orquídea descubierta en la selva de Huánuco | FOTOS elcomercio.pe/peru/huanuco/descubren-nueva-especie-orquidea-selva-huanuco-fotos-noticia-546525 via @elcomercio_peru

Andinia tingomariana: Una nueva orquídea en la selva de Perú @lavanguardia http://shr.gs/0ABAoxJ

New species of orchid discovered in Peruvian jungle yahoo.com/news/species-orchid-discovered-peruvian-jungle-210102378.html via @YahooNews

Chusquea gouveiensis

in Araújo Vidal, Welker, Castro Oliveira, Mota, Oliveira & Clark. 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.365.1.3

Abstract

Chusquea gouveiensis is a new species of tropical woody bamboo from Brazil, herein described and illustrated. It is classified within C. subg. Chusquea, mainly based on its scandent habit, triangular central bud with vertical orientation, extra-or infravaginal branching, and lemma margins free at the apex. The new species is most similar to C. gracilis because they share culm leaves with undifferentiated sheaths and blades with a folded or twisted apex, and foliage leaves and spikelets of similar length. However, C. gouveiensis is distinguished from C. gracilis by having branch complements of 40‒90 usually ascending subsidiary branches (vs. 70‒195 mostly horizontally oriented subsidiary branches), synflorescences weakly paniculate to racemose (vs. paniculate), glumes I and II collectively 0.3‒0.7 mm long (vs. 0.1‒0.2 mm long), and glumes III and IV awned and abaxially pilose to pubescent at the apex (vs. mucronate and glabrous). The two species also differ in distribution: C. gouveiensis is only known from the region of Gouveia and Diamantina, in the southern portion of the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais state, Brazil, in forest fragments at 1,200‒1,300 m.a.s.l., whereas C. gracilis occurs in the southern Brazilian states of Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, in mixed ombrophilous forests between 550 and 880 m.a.s.l. Based on nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and plastid DNA sequence data (ndhF and trnD-trnT), a sixth lineage within the Euchusquea clade was identified, herein named clade VI—Chusquea meyeriana clade, comprising a significant portion of the Brazilian species of Chusquea. The new species has phylogenetic affinities with the C. meyeriana informal group and is also distinct from C. gracilis in the phylogeny.

Keywords: Monocots, Chusqueinae, Espinhaço Range, molecular evidence, taxonomy, woody bamboos

Kaio Vinicius de Araújo Vidal, Cassiano A. Dorneles Welker, Iasmin Laiane de Castro Oliveira, Aline Costa da Mota, Reyjane P. Oliveira and Lynn G. Clark. 2018. A New Species of Chusquea subg. Chusquea (Poaceae—Bambusoideae—Bambuseae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil: Morphological Evidence and Phylogenetic Placement within the Euchusquea clade. Phytotaxa. 365(1); 73–88. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.365.1.3

(c) Monanthotaxis couvreurii, flower showing basally fused stamens; (d) Monanthotaxis whytei, cauliflorous flower with nine hardly visible staminodes alternating with nine stamens; (e) flowers of Monanthotaxis poggei showing four petals and eight stamen, each in a single whorl; (f,g) Monanthotaxis diclina, female flower with one petal removed showing many carpels, and fruits showing multiple seeds per monocarp; (h) Monanthotaxis paniculata fruits with single seed per monocarp.

in Hoekstra, Wieringa, Smets & Chatrou, 2018.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30607-2

— Photographs: (c,f–h) Thomas L.P. Couvreur; (d) Lubbert Y.T. Westra; (e) Bart T. Wursten.

Abstract

Simplification by reduction has occurred many times independently in the floral evolution of angiosperms. These reductions have often been attributed to changes in reproductive biology. In the angiosperm plant family Annonaceae, most species have flowers with six petals, and many stamens and carpels. In the genus Monanthotaxis several deviations from this pattern have been observed, including flowers that contain three petals and three stamens only. New DNA sequences were generated for 42 specimens of Monanthotaxis. Five chloroplast markers and two nuclear markers for 72 out of 94 species of Monanthotaxis were used to reconstruct a phylogeny of the genus, which revealed several well-supported, morphologically distinct clades. The evolution of four quantitative and two qualitative floral characters was mapped onto this phylogeny, demonstrating a reduction in flower size and number of flower parts in Monanthotaxis. A large variation in stamen forms and numbers, strong correlations between petal size, stamen and carpel number, combined with a non-gradual mode of evolution and the sympatric co-occurrence of Monanthotaxis species from different clades suggest that the high diversity in the African rainforest of this genus is caused by switches in pollination systems.

Figure 1 Flower morphology of outgroups (a) and flowers and fruits of Monanthotaxis (b–h).
(a) Uvaria scabrida, flower showing many stamens and carpels; (b) Monanthotaxis bidaultii male flower showing three petals and three stamen; (c) Monanthotaxis couvreurii, flower showing basally fused stamens; (d) Monanthotaxis whytei, cauliflorous flower with nine hardly visible staminodes alternating with nine stamens; (e) flowers of Monanthotaxis poggei showing four petals and eight stamen, each in a single whorl; (f,g) Monanthotaxis diclina, female flower with one petal removed showing many carpels, and fruits showing multiple seeds per monocarp; (h) Monanthotaxis paniculata fruits with single seed per monocarp.

— Photographs: (a) Paul H. Hoekstra, (b) Ehoarn Bidault; (c,f–h) Thomas L.P. Couvreur; (d) Lubbert Y.T. Westra; (e) Bart T. Wursten.

Paul H. Hoekstra, Jan J. Wieringa, Erik Smets and Lars W. Chatrou. 2018. Floral Evolution by Simplification in Monanthotaxis (Annonaceae) and Hypotheses for Pollination System Shifts. Scientific Reports. 8(12066). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30607-2 1

researchgate.net/publication/326996266_Floral_evolution_by_simplification_in_Monanthotaxis

'Small is Beautiful': floral evolution in Monanthotaxis, a tiny-flowered yet species-rich African genus of #Annonaceae. Just out in Scientific Reports, https://goo.gl/dc6y7a . @PirieMike @tlpcouvreur @timutteridge @RenskeOnstein @hsauquet_rbgsyd

twitter.com/LarsChatrou/status/1029349650862620672

Billolivia cadamensis Q. D. Nguyen, N. L. Vu & H. T. Luu

in Nguyen, Dinh, Nguyen, Vu & Luu, 2016.

. DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v38n4.8837

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ABSTRACT

A new species, Billolivia cadamensis Q. D. Nguyen, N. L. Vu & H. T. Luu, sp. n. of the family Gesneriaceae is described from Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam. The new taxon is close to B. tichii but differs in shorter stem, abaxially glabrous bracts, calyx divided into 5 lobes to base, outside pubescent apical half of corolla tube, oblong or deltoid corolla lobes, dense hairs on apical 3/4 of the ovary and white corolla lobes. A key to all already known species from Billolivia of Vietnam is given.

Keywords: Gesneriaceae, Billolivia, new species, Vietnam.

Figure 1. Billolivia cadamensis Q. D. Nguyen, N. L. Vu & H. T. Luu, sp. n.

A. Habit. B. Petioles. C. Abaxial lamina. D. Adaxial lamina. E. Inflorescence. F. Corolla lobes. G. Calyx. H: Longisection of corolla. I. Disc, ovary and style. J. Cross section of ovary. K. Fruit. L. Cross section of fruit.

Photos: Nguyen Quoc Dat and Nguyen Hieu Cuong.

Design: Luu Hong Truong.

Billolivia cadamensis Q. D. Nguyen, N. L. Vu & H. T. Luu, sp. n.

Allied to B. tichii in general appearance but different in having much shorter stem, glabrous bracts, calyx divided into 5 lobes to base, outside pubescent apical half of corolla tube, oblong or deltoid corolla lobes, dense hairs on apical 3/4 of the ovary and white corolla lobes.

Etymology: Named after the location (Ca Dam Mountain) where the new species was found.
Proposed Vietnamese name: Lưu hoa cà đam.

Nguyen Quoc Dat, Dinh Nhat Lam, Nguyen Hieu Cuong, Vu Ngoc Long and Luu Hong Truong. 2016. Billolivia cadamensis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from central Vietnam. Tap chi Sinh hoc. 38(4); 492-496. DOI: 10.15625/0866-7160/v38n4.8837

Researchgate.net/publication/312169149_Billolivia_cadamensis_a_new_species_from_Central_Vietnam

facebook.com/SouthernInstituteEcology/photos/1325178647564436

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