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[PaleoMammalogy • 2018] Neoglyptatelus uruguayensis • A New Species of Neoglyptatelus (Xenarthra, Cingulata) from the Late Miocene of Uruguay Provides New Insights on the Evolution of the Dorsal Armor in Cingulates

August 27, 2018, 3:58 am
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Neoglyptatelus uruguayensis 
Fernicola, Rinderknecht, Jones, Vizcaíno & Porpino, 2018

DOI: 10.5710/AMGH.02.12.2017.3150 
 twitter.com/Ameghiniana

Abstract
The genus Neoglyptatelus Carlini, Vizcaíno and Scillato-Yané has been considered a member of Glyptatelinae, a group encompassing the purportedly basal-most glyptodonts. It is up to now represented by two species from Colombia: Neoglyptatelus originalis Carlini, Vizcaíno and Scillato-Yané, from the middle Miocene (a carapace fragment, isolated osteoderms and postcranial bones), and Neoglyptatelus sincelejanus Villarroel and Clavijo, from the middle or late Miocene (a partial carapace and a caudal armor). More scarce material assigned to this genus was recovered from the late Miocene of Uruguay and Brazil. In this article, we describe a new species, Neoglyptatelus uruguayensis, from the late Miocene Camacho Formation, Uruguay, based on an almost complete carapace and several postcranial bones. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis based on 167 morphological characters (23 new ones and 144 from previous analysis) scored for 19 taxa, encompassing some of the best known glyptodontid genera, one pampathere and four armadillos (including the enigmatic genus Pachyarmatherium Downing and White). In the most parsimonious tree that was obtained, Neoglyptatelus forms a clade with Pachyarmatherium (Pachyarmatheriidae), which is the sister group of the glyptodonts + pampatheres clade; consequently, it is not a glyptodont, as previously believed. This result, together with the known stratigraphic and geographic distribution of Neoglyptatelus and Pachyarmatherium, suggests that this new cingulate clade originated in South America and that Pachyarmatherium reached North America during the Plio—Pleistocene. The carapace of Neoglyptatelus and Pachyarmatherium comprises pelvic and scapular shields overlapping each other without separate intervening transverse mobile bands, an arrangement that differentiates both genera from the remaining cingulates.

Keywords: Carapace, Movement, Pachyarmatheriidae, Glyptatelinae, Phylogeny, Caparazón, Movimiento, Pachyarmatheriidae, Glyptatelinae, Filogenia


Figure 2. Complete specimen of the holotype of Neoglyptatelus uruguayensis (MHNM 1642).
1, dorsal view; 2, lateral view; 3, life reconstruction.
Scale bar= 50 mm.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY 
Order CINGULATA Illiger, 1811


Family PACHYARMATHERIIDAE new rank 
Type genus. Pachyarmatherium Downing and White, 1995.

Genus NEOGLYPTATELUS Carlini, Vizcaíno, and Scillato-Yané, 1997
Type species. Neoglyptatelus originalis Carlini, Vizcaíno, and ScillatoYané, 1997

Neoglyptatelus uruguayensis sp. nov.

Derivation of name. uruguayensis; from Uruguay, to emphasize its geographic provenance.


 Juan C. Fernicola, Andrés Rinderknecht, Washington Jones, Sergio F. Vizcaíno and Kleberson Porpino. 2018. A New Species of Neoglyptatelus (Mammalia, Xenarthra, Cingulata) from the Late Miocene of Uruguay Provides New Insights on the Evolution of the Dorsal Armor in Cingulates [UNA NUEVA ESPECIE DE NEOGLYPTATELUS (MAMMALIA, XENARTHRA, CINGULATA) DEL MIOCENO TARDÍO DE URUGUAY PROPORCIONA NUEVAS PERSPECTIVAS SOBRE LA EVOLUCIÓN DEL CAPARAZÓN DORSAL EN LOS CINGULADOS]. Ameghiniana. 55(3):233-252. DOI: 10.5710/AMGH.02.12.2017.3150

Resumen: El género Neoglyptatelus Carlini, Vizcaíno and Scillato-Yané ha sido considerado un miembro de los Glyptatelinae, un grupo que supuestamente incluye a los gliptodontes basales. Actualmente, está representado por dos especies halladas en Colombia: Neoglyptatelus originalis Carlini, Vizcaíno and Scillato-Yané, del Mioceno medio (fragmento de caparazón, osteodermos aislados y elementos postcraneanos) y Neoglyptatelus sincelejanus Villarroel y Clavijo del Mioceno medio o tardío (parte de un caparazón y coraza caudal). Osteodermos aislados asignados a este género fueron recuperados en el Mioceno tardío de Uruguay y Brasil. En este trabajo, nosotros describimos una nueva especie, Neoglyptatelus uruguayensis, del Mioceno tardío de la Formación Camacho, Uruguay, a base de una coraza casi completa y distintos elementos postcraneanos. Nuestro estudio filogenético se sustenta en 167 caracteres óseos (23 nuevos y 144 utilizados previamente) relevados en 19 taxones, que incluyen los géneros de gliptodontes mejor conocidos, un pampaterio y cuatro armadillos, incluyendo Pachyarmatherium Downing y White. En el árbol más parsimonioso obtenido Neoglyptatelus forma con Pachyarmatherium un clado (Pachyarmatheriidae) hermano del grupo formado por pampaterios + gliptodontes, por lo cual no es un gliptodonte como se sostenía previamente. Este resultado, junto al conocimiento estratigráfico y geográfico de Neoglyptatelus y Pachyarmatherium, sugiere que los Pachyarmatheriidae se habrían originado en América del Sur y que durante el Plio—Pleistoceno Pachyarmatherium arribó a América del Norte. El caparazón de Neoglyptatelus y Pachyarmatherium contiene un escudo escapular y otro pélvico que solapan directamente entre sí, sin mediar bandas movibles transversas; este arreglo morfológico es único entre los cingulados.

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[Crustacea • 2018] Eurindicus bhugarbha • The Discovery of Euryrhynchidae (Decapoda) in India, with the Description of A New Genus and Species

August 28, 2018, 2:37 am
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 Eurindicus bhugarbha
de Grave, Arjun & Raghavan, 2018


Abstract 
A new genus and species of Euryrhynchidae is described from Kerala, India. This freshwater shrimp family was previously only known from northern South America and West Africa. Although the inclusion of the genus in Euryrhynchidae is unequivocal (e.g. shape of the accessory ramus of the antennular flagellum, frontal margin of the carapace, telson ornamentation), the presence of a number of unique characters makes the relative placement of the genus within the family unclear, but likely basal to the other genera. The new genus can be easily distinguished from all others within the family by these characters, e.g. the upper antennular flagellum and its accessory ramus being joined over three divisions, the presence of a reduced carpo-propodal brush and a well-developed branchiostegal groove.

Keywords: Crustacea, Euryrhynchidae, systematics, subterranean, India, new genus


Order Decapoda Latreille, 1802
Infraorder Caridea Dana, 1852
Family Euryrhynchidae Holthuis, 1950

Eurindicus bhugarbha gen nov., sp. nov. Holotype, male (pocl 3.2 mm), BNHS CAR 1. 
 whole animal shortly after capture.

Eurindicus gen. nov. 

Type species. Eurindicus bhugarbha sp. nov., by present designation and monotypy.

Etymology. Eurindicus is an arbitrary combination of ‘Eur-’ the first three letters of the family Euryrhynchidae, and ‘-indicus’, from India, based on the geographic distribution of the genus, this being the first record of the family in India; gender masculine.

Eurindicus bhugarbha sp. nov.

Etymology. The species name ‘bhugarbha’ means underground in Malayalam, the native language spoken in the State of Kerala in southern India, used as a noun in apposition.


 Sammy De Grave, Charambilly Purushothaman Arjun and Rajeev Raghavan. 2018. The Discovery of Euryrhynchidae (Crustacea: Decapoda) in India, with the Description of A New Genus and Species. Zootaxa. 4462(3); 367–378.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4462.3.4

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[Herpetology • 2018] Telescopus pulcher • New Records of One of the Least Known Snakes (Squamata: Colubridae) from the Horn of Africa

August 28, 2018, 8:42 pm
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Telescopus pulcher (Scortecci, 1935)

in Mazuch, Šmíd, Price, Frýdlová, Awale, et al., 2018. 

Abstract
Telescopus pulcher is an enigmatic colubrid snake only known from the holotype and paratype specimens described from ‘Migiurtinia’ in Puntland (Somalia) in 1935. Herein we recorded the third and fourth-ever known specimens of this species from the Toon village, Woqooyi Galbeed Region, and 15 km southeast of Sheikh, Saahil Region, Somaliland. The species is endemic to Somaliland and adjoining parts of Ethiopia and Puntland. Data on morphology and natural history, as well as the first photographs of live specimens are provided. We also provide a detailed description of the paratype. The coloration of the species resembles that of the vipers of the genus Echis and we hypothesize that T. pulcher mimics these common and sympatric vipers in the Horn of Africa.

 Keywords: Reptilia, Distribution, Somaliland, Migiurtinophis, Somalia, Tarbophis, Migiurtinia, Echis, Batesian mimicry


Photograph of live Telescopuspulcher. the juvenile (NMP 75609) from 15 km southeast of Sheikh, Somaliland.  


 Tomáš Mazuch, Jiří Šmíd, Thomas Price, Petra Frýdlová, Ahmed I. Awale, Hassan S. A. Elmi and Daniel Frynta. 2018. New Records of One of the Least Known Snakes, Telescopus pulcher (Squamata: Colubridae) from the Horn of Africa. Zootaxa. 4462(4); 483–496. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4462.4.2

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[Botany • 2018] Aphyllorchis maliauensis (Orchidaceae) • A New Species from the Maliau Basin, Sabah, Borneo

August 29, 2018, 9:24 pm
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Aphyllorchis maliauensis Suetsugu, M. Suleiman & Tsukaya

in Suetsugu, Suleiman, Anthony & Tsukaya, 2018.

Aphyllorchis Blume (1825: 16) comprises approximately 30 species distributed from Sri Lanka, the western Himalayas, and China through Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and the Philippines eastward to New Guinea and Australia (Hsieh et al. 2013, Tian et al. 2013). Aphyllorchis species are leafless and mycoheterotrophic, with erect, unbranched stems, racemose inflorescences, multiple resupinate flowers, petals similar to sepals but shorter and narrower and lips divided into hypochile and epichile (Tian et al. 2013). As in most other mycoheterotrophs (Suetsugu 2017, Suetsugu & Nishioka 2017, Suetsugu et al. 2017), the diversity of Aphyllorchis species could be underestimated since the short flowering season and inconspicuous habit make them easily overlooked in the wild (Hsieh et al. 2013).

Figure 1. Aphyllorchis maliauensis (from the holotype). A. Flowering plant. B. Flower.
Photographed by Kenji Suetsugu.

Aphyllorchis maliauensis (from the holotype).
Figure 2. A. Flowering plant. 
Bar = 3cm.

Figure 3. A. Flower and ovary. B. Flower. C. Lip and column. D. Dorsal sepal. E. Lateral sepal. F. Lateral petal. G. Lip. H. Column. I. Anther cap. 

A–B. Scale bar = 1 cm. C–H = 5 mm. I = 1 mm. 
Drawings by Kumi Hamasaki.


Aphyllorchis maliauensis Suetsugu, M. Suleiman & Tsukaya, sp. nov.  

Aphyllorchis maliauensis is similar to A. montana Reichenbach (1876: 57) but differs in having larger narrowly ovate to lanceolate sepals and larger lanceolate lateral petals.

Distribution, phenology, and conservation status:— Fewer than 10 individuals of Aphyllorchis maliauensis were observed at two locations in the wet understory of a kerangas forest in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, which is dominated by Agathis species and dipterocarps. In addition, only one individual of A. maliauensis was observed in the Imbak Canyon Conservation Area, Sabah, under a lowland dipterocarp forest. Aphyllorchis maliauensis flowers in mid-August in both populations. Furthermore, it is likely that A. maliauensis is distributed more widely because it seems to have sometimes been misidentified as the more widespread species, A. montana, which has similar gross morphology. For example, the Aphyllorchis sp. recorded as A. montana by Beaman et al. (2001; Sarawak, Borneo) and Wood (2003; Sabah, Borneo) appears identical to A. maliauensis, judging from their photographs.

However, the original descriptions and subsequent literature clearly indicate that there is little morphological variation in A. montanasensu Reichenbach (1876), despite its extensive distribution, which includes Sri Lanka, Assam, southern India, the Philippines, Borneo, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan and Indonesia (Reichenbach 1886, Hooker 1890, Schlechter 1906, Ames 1908, Hayata 1911, Downie 1925, Fukuyama 1934, Roy et al. 2009, Aravindhan et al. 2013, Rao & Kumar 2015, Fig. 4). Because the morphological differences between A. maliauensis and A. montana are clear and stable, A. maliauensis should be treated as an independent species rather than as an infraspecific taxon of A. montana. Conducting additional surveys for A. maliauensis during the flowering season would reveal its precise distribution.


Kenji Suetsugu, Monica Suleiman, Florina Anthony and Hirokazu Tsukaya. 2018. Aphyllorchis maliauensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species from the Maliau Basin, Sabah, Borneo. Phytotaxa. 367(1); 85–90. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.367.1.10


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[Botany • 2018] Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae) • A New Species of Polygala endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil

August 31, 2018, 9:17 am
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Polygala veadeiroensis  J. F. B. Pastore

in Pastore, 2018. 

Summary
 A new species, Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae) subgenus Polygala section Timutua DC. series Timoutoideae, is described from Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás State, Brazil. The infrageneric placement and its conservation status are assessed and its habitat and phenology are included. The new species is compared with its morphologically allied species, P. carphoides and P. cuspidata. Illustrations, photos of floral parts under magnification, and a distribution map are also provided.

Key Words: endemic species, subgenus Polygala, taxonomy 

Fig. 1. Polygala veadeiroensis. A habit; B raceme; C bract; D bracteole; E two upper outer sepals; F lower outer sepal; G androecium and lateral petals; H gynoecium; J fruit with persistent calyx; K, L seed.
From Pastore & Suganuma 417 (the type). 
Drawn by Carla Texeira de Lima.

Polygala veadeiroensis J. F. B. Pastore sp. nov. 
Type: Brazil, Goiás, Chapada dos Veadeiros, Cavalcante, estrada [Rodovia GO-118], entre Cavalcante e Santa Teresina de Goiás, 14°03'27"S 47º30'16"W, 6 March 2003, Pastore & Suganuma 417 (holotype CTBS!; isotype CEN!).

recognition:The crested keel places Polygala veadeiroensis within Polygala subgenus Polygala, in addition the spiciform raceme, yellowish spots on floral parts, sepals with acuminate apex, winged stems, and verticillate leaves at proximal nodes are all associated with species belonging to Polygala section Timutua series Timoutoideae Chodat. Polygala veadeiroensis is morphologically most similar to P. carphoides Chodat, from which it is readily separable by its leaves 2.5 – 4 × 1.1 – 1.9 cm, racemes 2 – 3 × 0.8 cm, and linear bracts 2.3 – 2.5 mm long (vs leaves 0.4 – 0.9 × 0.1 – 0.3 cm, racemes 0.5 – 1.5 × 0.35 – 0.5 cm, and lanceolate bracts 0.7 – 1.5 mm long in P. carphoides). On the other hand P. veadeiroensis can be easily recognised by the short bracts when compared with P. cuspidata (2.3 – 2.5 cm vs 4.8 – 9 cm in P. cuspidata).

Fig. 2. Polygala veadeiroensis. A bract; B bracteoles; C flower; D two upper outer sepals; E lower outer sepal; F one of the two inner sepals (wings); G keel; H androecium and lateral petals; J gynoecium; K style; L fruit with persistent calyx; M capsule; N seed; P appendage.
All from Pastore & Suganuma 417. photos: J. Floriano B. Pastore.

Fig. 3 Polygala veadeiroensis and its habitat.
A and D habit; B raceme; C flower in a young raceme; E habitat.
All from Pastore & Mota 5308 (CTBS). photos: J. Floriano B. Pastore.

Distribution: Most of the analysed specimens of Polygala veadeiroensis (except Pastore & Suganuma 648 and Cardoso et al. 2531) are likely to be derived from the same stretch of c. 20 km along the GO-118 road between Alto Paraíso de Goiás and Teresina de Goiás, on the borders of the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (CVNP). However, other populations are likely to occur inside the CVNP (Map 1).

Habitat: Polygala veadeiroensis occurs in rocky field areas, called campo limpo rupestre, in sandy soil; altitudes between c. 1,200 – 1,500 m. Fig. 3E.

Conservation status: Although Polygala veadeiroensis is likely to have a wider occurrence inside the area of CVNP (beyond the area estimated here), using the available data to determine the conservation status suggests the criterion VU (2B: a, b3) of IUCN (2012). The known area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 2,000 km2 (c. 228 km2) and because the only known habitat is quite near the interstate roads GO-118 and GO-239, a continued decline of habitat quality and quantity is anticipated.

Etymology: Polygala veadeiroensis refers to the Chapada Veadeirosregion in the northeast of the Goiás State in Brazil.


J. F. B. Pastore. 2018. Polygala veadeiroensis (Polygalaceae), A New Species of Polygala endemic to Chapada dos Veadeiros, Goiás, Brazil. Kew Bulletin. 73:37.  DOI: 10.1007/s12225-018-9759-0


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[PaleoIchthyology • 2018] Bluefieldius mercerensis • A New Lower Actinopterygian Fish from the Upper Mississippian Bluefield Formation of West Virginia, USA

September 1, 2018, 2:35 am
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Bluefieldius mercerensis  Mickle​, 2018

 DOI:  10.7717/peerj.5533 

Abstract
The Upper Mississippian Bluefield Formation of the Mauch Chunk Group in southeastern West Virginia is known for its preservation of a variety of invertebrate taxa and early tetrapod trackways, but no lower actinopterygian remains have been formally described from these Carboniferous rocks. Here, the first lower actinopterygian fish is described from the Bluefield Formation of West Virginia. This fish is represented by a nearly complete articulated specimen with a three-dimensional snout and an unobstructed view of the gular and branchiostegal region. This new taxon is defined by a unique set of characters, which include features of the snout, circumorbital series, cheek, and operculo-gular region. These features make this fish different and distinct from previously described Carboniferous fishes. Some of the morphological features of note include the presence of a distinct lacrimal, premaxillary, ventral rostral and dorsal rostral bones, a narrow infraorbital ventral to the orbit, and a large crescent shaped infraorbital that contacts a single dermosphenotic. There is an anteriorly inclined hatchet-shaped preoperculum and six small suborbital bones anterior to the expanded region of this bone that filling the space between the preoperculum, dermosphenotic, and infraorbital. Posterior to the preoperculum, there is a single wedge-shaped dermohyal and a series of three rectangular anteopercular bones. The anteopercular bones extend halfway down the anterior border of the rectangular operculum. A median gular, two pairs of lateral gulars, and at least eight branchiostegal rays are present. The heterocercal caudal fin is deeply cleft and inequilobate. The scales have pectinated posterior margins and bear diagonal ridges of ganoine. The description of this new taxon represents the first actinopterygian and the first vertebrate body fossil described from the Bluefield Formation and the second actinopterygian taxon described from the Mauch Chunk Group in West Virginia.


Figure 3: Photographs of the type specimen of Bluefieldius mercerensis n. gen. n. sp., KUVP 15584.
 (A) Lateral view of head. Specimen is shadowed with magnesium oxide. (B) Entire specimen in lateral view.

Scale bars equal 5 mm. 
Photographs were taken by K Mickle.

Figure 5: Full body illustration of Bluefieldius mercerensis n. gen. n. sp. based on the type specimen KUVP 155843. Dark grey infilling represents areas of disturbance and uncertainty.

Abbreviations: A, anal fin; C, cleithrum; Cl, clavicle; Ff +Tvp, fringing fulcra and tips of procurrent rays; Op, operculum; P, propterygium; P1, pectoral fin; P2, pelvic fins; Sop, suboperculum; Vbf, ventral basal fulcrum; Vsc, ventral scutes. 
Remaining cranial features identified in Fig. 4. Dotted lines are areas scale rows have been reconstructed. Scale bar equals 5 mm.

Figure 7: The caudal fin of the type specimen of Bluefieldius mercerensis n. gen. n. sp. (A) Photograph of KUVP 155843 shadowed with magnesium oxide. (B) illustration of KUVP 155843 detailing scutes, procurrent fin rays, last principal fin ray, and segmentation and bifurcation of principal fins rays.

 Abbreviations: Ff + Lpr, fringing fulcra on ventral margin of last principal fin ray; Lpr, last principal fin ray; Tvp, tips of ventral procurrent rays; Vbf, ventral basal fulcrum; Vsc, ventral scutes. Black and grey arrows signify the area where fringing fulcra (black arrows) are inserted between tips of ventral procurrent rays (grey arrows). Dashed lines represent extent of lepidotrichia that are not well enough preserved to detail segmentation and reconstructed dorsal body margin. 
Scale bars equal 5 mm. The photograph was taken by K Mickle.

Systematic paleontology
OSTEICHTHYES Huxley, 1880
ACTINOPTERYGII Cope, 1871
Bluefieldius n. gen.

Type and only Species. Bluefieldius mercerensis n. gen. n. sp

Etymology. After the Bluefield Formation where the specimen was recovered from.

Bluefieldius mercerensis n. gen. n. sp. 
 Etymology. mercerensis in reference to Mercer County, West Virginia where the specimen was recovered.

Diagnosis. Based on the unique combination of the following characters: Absence of complex bones in the snout and the presence of distinct and separate lacrimal, premaxillary, and dorsal and ventral rostral bones; narrow rectangular infraorbital ventral to the orbit; large crescent shaped infraorbital posterior and posteroventral to the orbit that contacts a single Y-shaped dermosphenotic dorsally; six small rectangular suborbital bones arranged in two distinct rows; wedge-shaped dermohyal posterior to a hatchet-shaped preoperculum; a row of three rectangular, ganoine-bearing anteopercular bones that extend down half the depth of the operculum; rectangular anteriorly inclined operculum with a diagonal ventral margin, suboperculum that is taller posteriorly than anteriorly and shorter in height but wider in length than the operculum; maxilla with a deep posterior plate, a rounded posteroventral process, and a narrow anterior arm that extends to the anteroventral margin of the orbit; a single median gular, two pairs of lateral gulars, a series of at least eight branchiostegal rays; inequilobate and deeply cleft heterocercal caudal fin with an elongated caudal peduncle; anteriorly placed and mid-body scales with pectinated posterior margins and diagonal ridges of ganoine.

Conclusions: 
A new lower actinopterygian genus and species is described from the Upper Carboniferous Bluefield Formation of West Virginia. This new genus is represented by a well preserved articulated specimen which represents the first vertebrate body fossil from the Bluefield Formation and the first described actinopterygian. Bluefieldius mercerensis n. gen. n. sp. is defined by a unique set of cranial characteristics including morphological characters of the snout, the circumorbital series, suborbital bones, and anteopercular bones. The combination of these specific characteristics separate B. mercerensis n. gen. n. sp. from previously described lower actinopterygian fishes and warrant the description of a new taxon.

Lower actinopterygian fishes are characterized by a great deal of anatomic and taxonomic diversity that is not well understood. We have neither a stable classification scheme nor strongly supported hypotheses of relationships for lower actinopterygian fishes. This lack of understanding has been attributed to the need for more well-preserved fishes to be described or redescribed and a better understanding of morphological characters among lower actinopterygians (Cloutier & Arratia, 2004; Mickle, 2015; Mickle, 2017). Taxonomic work provides opportunities to uncover new morphological characters or to see characters in different light and can lead to reassessments of morphological characters. These taxa and characters are the raw material for phylogenetic analyses and more well described taxa and characters will bring stronger hypotheses of relationships for these important fishes.


Kathryn E. Mickle​. 2018. A New Lower Actinopterygian Fish from the Upper Mississippian Bluefield Formation of West Virginia, USA. PeerJ. 6:e5533.  DOI:  10.7717/peerj.5533

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[Herpetology • 2018] Leptobrachium tenasserimense • A New Species of Leptobrachium (Anura, Megophryidae) from western Thailand

September 1, 2018, 3:06 am
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Leptobrachium tenasserimense 
Pawangkhanant, Poyarkov, Duong, Naiduangchan & Suwannapoom​, 2018


Abstract
We describe a new species of the genus Leptobrachium from the Khao Laem Mountain, Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi Province, Tenasserim Region, western Thailand, based on molecular and morphological evidences. The new species, Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov., can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) adult SVL of 41.4–58.8 mm in males and 54.7–58.6 mm in females; (2) rounded finger and toe tips; (3) relative finger lengths: II<IV<I<III; relative toe lengths: I<II<V<III<IV; (4) toe webbing thick and well developed; (5) inner metatarsal tubercle small; (6) iris bicolored, black ventrally and turquoise dorsally, with light blue sclera; (7) dorsum brown to grey with distinct darker markings edged with brown; (8) belly and limbs ventrally whitish with contrasting confluent black reticulations; (9) tympanum mostly free of dark marking; (10) narrow dark canthal stripe present; (11) lateral row of dark spots absent; (12) limbs dorsally with distinct dark bars; tibia with four to five dark transverse bars; (13) dense dark reticulation or large dark blotch at groin continuing to ventral and posterior sides of thighs; (14) femoral gland in shape of large white blotch; (15) males with single vocal sac, mature males lack lip spinules. Our study provides further evidence for a hidden biodiversity of montane areas of Tenasserim Region on the border of Thailand and Myanmar.


Figure 5: Color variation of Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov. in life.
 (A) Natural habitat at the type locality in Khao Laem Mountain, Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi Province; (B) and (C) dorsolateral views of adult male (not collected) in situ; (D) ventral view of adult male (not collected) in situ.
Photos (A–D) by Parinya Pawangkhanant.

Figure 1: Map of Thailand and adjacent parts of Indochina, showing distribution of Leptobrachiumsmithi species group members (clade L1). Yellow, L. smithi; red, L. rakhinense; blue,Leptobrachium tenasserimensesp. nov. Star denotes type locality of the respective species.
 Locality information abbreviations: Distr., District; Div., Division; F.P., Forest Park; Isl., Island; N.P., National Park; Prov., Province; Res., Reserve; St., State; Twn., Township; W.F., waterfall; W.S., Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Leptobrachium rakhinensisWogan, 2012: 1-Nyaung Gwo, Padaung Twn., Pyi Distr., Bago Div., Myanmar (Wogan, 2012); 2-Rakhine Yoma W.S., Gwa Twn., Rakhine St., Myanmar (type locality) (Wogan, 2012); 3-Khoko Gwe, Rakhine Yoma W.S., Gwa Twn., Rakhine St., Myanmar (type locality) (Wogan, 2012).
Leptobrachium smithi Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999: 4-Ma Gawe Res., Kalaw Twn., Taunggyi Dist., Shan St., Myanmar (Wogan, 2012); 5-Phasua W.F., Mae Hong Son Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 6-Doi Chiang Dao Mt., Chiang Mai Prov., Thailand; 7-Doi Suthep Mt., Chiang Mai Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999) ; 8-Doi Inthanon Mt., Chiang Mai Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 9-Mae Yom N.P., Phrae Prov., Thailand (C Suwannapoom, 2018, unpublished data); 10-Tambol Auan, Amphoe Pua, Nan Prov., Thailand (FMNH 270740); 11-Houay Deng, Xaignabouli, Sayaboury Prov., Laos (Brown et al., 2009); 12-Houey Thao, Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Prov., Laos (Ohler et al., 2011); 13-Ban Sop Khao, Ban Keng Koung, Ban Van Thong, Luang Prabang Prov., Laos (Ohler et al., 2011); 14-Kyaik Hti Yo W.S., Kyaihto Twn., Mon St., Myanmar (Wogan, 2012; Matsui et al., 2010); 15-Taksinmaharat N.P., Tak Prov., Thailand (P Pawangkhanant, 2018, unpublished data); 16-Thung Salaeng Luang N.P., Phetchabun Prov., Thailand (Grosjean et al., 2015); 17-Phu Luang N.P., Loei Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999; Matsui et al., 2010); 18-Nam Nao N.P., Chaiyaphum Prov., Thailand (P Pawangkhanant, 2018, unpublished data); 19-Huai Kha Khaeng W.S., Uthai Thani Prov., Thailand (Niyomwan, Srisom & Pawangkhanant, 2016); 20-Sangkhla Buri Distr., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 21-Erawan and Pilok Distr., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 22-Kaeng Krachan, Phetchaburi Prov., Thailand (Matsui et al., 2010); 23-Pa Lao U, Phetchaburi Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 24-Tanintharyi N.R., Yebyu Twn., Dawei Distr., Tanintharyi Div., Myanmar (Wogan, 2012); 25-Khlong Saen, Surat Thani Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 26-Namtok Raman F.P.; Phang Nga Prov., Thailand (Ohler et al., 2011; Grosjean et al., 2015); 27-Phuket Isl., Phang Nga Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 28-Khao Luang N.P., Nakhon Si Thammarat Prov., Thailand (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999); 29-Kaochong, Trang Prov., Thailand (type locality) (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999; Matsui et al., 2010); 30-Tha Le Ban National Park, Satun Prov., Thailand (P Pawangkhanant, 2018, unpublished data); 31-Langkawi Isl., Perlis, Malaysia (Matsui, Nabhitabhata & Panha, 1999; Matsui et al., 2010; Grismer et al., 2006).
Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp.nov.:32-Pilok Distr., Kanchanaburi Prov., Thailand (Matsui et al., 2010); 33-Khao Laem, Suan Phung Distr., Ratchaburi Prov., Thailand (type locality; sympatric with L. smithi) (this work).

Figure 2: Phylogenetic BI tree of Leptobrachium reconstructed on the base of 2,494 bp (partial 12S rRNA- tRNAval-16S rRNA sequences). Values on the branches correspond to BI PP/ML BS, respectively; black, grey and white circles correspond to well-supported, moderately supported and non-supported nodes, respectively. Color marking of species in L. smithi species group corresponds to Fig. 1. For specimen and locality information see Table 1. Photo by Nikolay A. Poyarkov.

Figure 3: Male holotype of Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov. (AUP-00362) after preservation.
 (A) Ventral view; (B) dorsal view; (C) volar view of left hand; (D) palmar view of right foot.
Photos by Parinya Pawangkhanant.

Figure 4: Female paratype of Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov. (ZMMU A-5918) in life.
 (A) Ventral view; (B) dorsal view; (C) lateral view of head; (D) volar view of left hand; (E) palmar view of left foot.
Photos by Nikolay A. Poyarkov.

Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov.
Chresonymy: “Leptobrachium sp. 4”—Matsui et al., 2010: 263.

Etymology. The specific name is a Latinized toponymic adjective in neutral gender derived from “Tenasserim”—a historical name of the region in the northern part of the Malayan Peninsula in southern Indochina, and for the mountain chain known as “Tenasserim Hills”, where the new species occurs.

Diagnosis. A member of the genus Leptobrachium on the basis of head width being larger than tibia length; skin dorsally with a network of ridges; oval and large axillary glands present; extremities of digits rounded; breeding males lacking spines on fingers and breast; and bicolored iris (Yang, Wang & Chan, 2016). The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of morphological characteristics: (1) medium-sized species, with adult SVL of 41.4–58.8 mm in males and 54.7–58.6 mm in females; (2) rounded finger and toe tips; (3) relative finger lengths: II<IV<I<III; relative toe lengths: I<II<V<III<IV; (4) toe webbing thick and well developed; (5) inner metatarsal tubercle comparatively small; (6) iris bicolored, black ventrally and turquoise dorsally, with light blue sclera; (7) dorsum brown to grey with distinct darker markings edged with dark-brown, dark head markings usually distinct; (8) belly and limbs ventrally whitish with dense contrasting confluent black blotches and reticulations; (9) tympanum free of dark marking or dark coloration covering only the uppermost one-third of tympanum; (10) dark canthal stripe present, narrow, not covering loreal region; (11) ventro-lateral row of dark spots or blotches absent; (12) limbs, including fingers and toes, dorsally with distinct dark bars; tibia with four to five dark transverse bars; (13) dense dark reticulations or large dark blotches at groin continuing to ventral and posterior sides of thighs; (14) femoral gland in shape of large white rounded blotch; (15) males with single vocal sac, mature males lack lip spinules.



Figure 5: Color variation of Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov. in life.
(A) Natural habitat at the type locality in Khao Laem Mountain, Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi Province; (B) and (C) dorsolateral views of adult male (not collected) in situ; (D) ventral view of adult male (not collected) in situ; (E) male paratype ZMMU A-5919; (F) female paratype ZMMU A-5918; (G) amplexus in situ.
 Photos (A–D) by Parinya Pawangkhanant; (E–G) by Nikolay A. Poyarkov.

Figure 5: Color variation of Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov. in life.  (E) male paratype ZMMU A-5919; (F) female paratype ZMMU A-5918; (G) amplexus in situ. 
Photos (E–G) by Nikolay A. Poyarkov.



Distribution. Currently known only from two localities in the northern part of Tenasserim: from the type locality in Suan Phung District, Ratchaburi Province (this work), and from Pilok District in Kanchanaburi Province (Matsui et al., 2010) (see Fig. 1). Occurrence in Phetchaburi Province of Thailand and in the adjacent parts of Tanintharyi Division of Myanmar is strongly anticipated.

Ecology and Natural history. Specimens of the new species were recorded along a slow-flowing stream in a montane tropical forest on Khao Laem Mountain at elevations from 700 to 1000 m a.s.l. (see Fig. 5A). The multi-species codominant (polydominant) tropical forest at the type locality had dense vegetation with tangles of the giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper (Schult.) Backer). Frogs were observed in leaf litter or under tree roots; males were calling during our field observations in August, September and November 2017. Amplexus was recorded in November 2017 (see Fig. 5G).

Herpetofauna species recorded sympatrically with the new species at the type locality include: Leptobrachium smithi, Xenophrys cf. major (Boulenger), Leptobrachella melanoleuca (Matsui), Leptobrachella fuliginosa (Matsui), Amolops panhai Matsui & Nabhitabhata, Alcalus tasanae (Smith), Limnonectes jarujini Matsui, Panha, Khonsue & Kuraishi, Limnonectes doriae (Boulenger), Limnonectes macrognathus (Boulenger), Microhyla berdmorei (Blyth), Acanthosaura crucigera Boulenger, Pseudoxenodon macrops (Blyth), Trimeresurus popeiorum Smith, and Rhabdophis chrysargos (Schlegel). At the type locality of the new species in Khao Laem Mountain L. smithi was recorded in the same biotopes as Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov. at elevations around 800 to 1,200 m a.s.l. and the two species shared same streams for reproduction and the breeding season of two species seem to overlap. Additional studies are required to elucidate reproductive biology and ecology of two sympatric Leptobrachium species of Khao Laem Mountain.


Conclusions: 
Our new discovery of Leptobrachium tenasserimense sp. nov. indicates that the montane forests of northern Tenasserim Region on the border of Thailand and Myanmar contain herpetofaunal diversity that is still unrecognized. This comparatively narrow area is known for an exceptionally high number of endemic species of amphibians and reptiles discovered by recent herpetofaunal surveys (Mulcahy et al., 2018), including a new genus and species of microhylid frogs (Suwannapoom et al., 2018), two new species of megophryid frogs (Matsui, 2006), two new species of bufonid frogs (Wilkinson, Sellas & Vindum, 2012; Matsui, Khonsue & Panha, 2018), five endemic gecko species and two endemic species of snakes (see Sumontha et al., 2017). Possible reasons behind such exceptional herpetofaunal endemism are yet unclear; recent studies indicate that the northern part of Tenasserim Region played a key role in the faunal exchange between Sundaland and the mainland Indochina during the Cenozoic (see Chen et al., 2018 for discussion). Our study provides further evidence for the hidden biodiversity of the Tenasserim Region, and suggests that its herpetofauna is still clearly underestimated. Further field surveys are required for facilitating herpetological exploration and elaboration of measured conservation of this hidden diversity.


Parinya Pawangkhanant, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Tang Van Duong, Mali Naiduangchan and Chatmongkon Suwannapoom​. 2018. A New Species of Leptobrachium (Anura, Megophryidae) from western Thailand. PeerJ. 6:e5584.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5584


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[Herpetology • 2018] Cyrtodactylus leegrismeri Chan & Norhayati, 2010 (Sauria: Gekkonidae): A First Country Record for Thailand

September 1, 2018, 6:51 am
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Cyrtodactylus leegrismeri  Chan & Norhayati, 2010

in Nurngsomsri, Chuaynkern, Duengkae, et al., 2018. 
 rdo.psu.ac.th/sjstweb 

Abstract
A new country record of the Bent-toed Gecko, Cyrtodactylus leegrismeriChan and Norhayati, 2010 for Thailand was reported based on three specimens collected from Kra Island, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province (southern Thailand). Previously, the species’ known distribution was from islands in the Gulf of Thailand ranging from Malaysia to Vietnam. The present work reports an additional locality which lies between the northern-most and southern-most ranges of its distribution and is approximately 550 kilometers away from the type locality (Tenggol Island Resort, Pulau Tenggol, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia).

Keywords: Cyrtodactylus condorensis species complex, new record, Kra Island, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Gulf of Thailand.


Figure 2 Living specimens of Cyrtodactylus leegrismeri from Pulau Tenggol of Malaysia (A, LSUDPC 5136; Photograph: L.L. Grismer) compared with specimens from Kra Island of Thailand (B, THNHM 26272, C, THNHM 26270, D, THNHM 26271; Photographs: Y. Chuaynkern). Photographs were taken ex situ.

Pechrkawin Nurngsomsri, Chantip Chuaynkern, Prateep Duengkae, Wachara Sanguansombat, L. Lee Grimser and Yodchaiy Chuaynkern. 2018. Cyrtodactylus leegrismeri Chan and Norhayati, 2010 (Sauria: Gekkonidae): A First Country Record for Thailand. Songklanakarin Journal of Science and Technology. rdo.psu.ac.th/sjstweb/Ar-Press/2018Aug/49.pdf
ตุ๊กกายเกาะกระ, ตุ๊กแกป่าเกาะกระ

    

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[Herpetology • 2018] Eleutherodactylus geitonos • A New Frog of the Eleutherodactylus abbotti Species Group (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) from Hispaniola, with Bioacoustic and Taxonomic Comments on Other Species

September 1, 2018, 7:09 am
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Eleutherodactylus geitonos 
Díaz, Incháustegui, Marte, Köhler, Cádiz & Rodríguez, 2018


ABSTRACT 
A new species of frog, Eleutherodactylus geitonos sp. nov., is described from the southeastern slope of the Cordillera Central, Dominican Republic. The new frog is closely related to E. haitianus and both species share a small size. They differ in some morphological proportions and other external features, coloration, advertisement calls and DNA sequences of the 16S rRNA gene. Morphological and bioacoustic comparisons with other species in the E. abbotti species group are also provided. Our preliminary genetic data suggest that the taxonomic status of E. neodreptus (a synonym of E. audanti) and E. melatrigonum need to be re-evaluated.

Keywords: Amphibia, taxonomy, West Indies, Dominican Republic, subgenus Eleutherodactylus, Terrarana.



Eleutherodactylus geitonos sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A small species (maximum SVL in males 12.8 mm, in females 15.8 mm) of the Eleutherodactylus abbotti species group of the E. auriculatus species series (sensu Hedges et al., 2008; confirmed by Padial et al., 2014) as supported by morphological and genetic data (Figs. 1-3). It requires the closest comparison with E. haitianus but also with E. audanti and related species (E.melatrigonum, E. notidodes, and E. parabates; see Discussion).

From those species, E. geitonos sp. nov. differs in lacking a pectoral fold and by having a small vocal sac that is not distinctively folded when deflated. Eleutherodactylus geitonos sp. nov. and E. haitianus are both very small frogs and the former, on average, has an even smaller size than the latter (see Table I). The new species has more distinctive digital discs than E. haitianus(third finger disc 3.1–4.0% of SVL, x̅=3.4%, vs. 1.8–2.9%, x̅=2.4%, in E. haitianus); a relatively longer snout (15–17% of SVL, vs. 12–15% in E. haitianus), and a pair of incomplete dorsolateral folds (vs. dorsolateral rows of tubercles in E. haitianus, with very prominent ones at the suprascapular level). Eleutherodactylus geitonos sp. nov. lacks the pattern of dark spots that E. haitianus typically has on belly and throat, and yellow coloration is more extended to ventral surfaces of males than in the latter species (Fig. 2). Advertisement calls of E. geitonos sp. nov.are long trains of notes like in E. haitianus (Fig. 6), but in the latter species’ call, the introductory note is long, somewhat frequency modulated, while a distinctive call introductory note is not present in E. geitonos sp. nov. From E. audanti and closely related taxa, the new species also differs in being much smaller (see Table I); in E. audanti toe V is longer than toe III, but in the new species these toes are of similar size or III>V. Eleutherodactylus parabates is also a larger species (up to 24 mm SVL; Schwartz and Henderson, 1991) with stocky body and advertisement calls consisting of long whistles.

Figure 1. Related frogs of the Eleutherodactylus abbotti species group.
Eleutherodactylus geitonos sp. nov. (A-C) pattern variation in paratypes MNHNSD 23.3456 (A), 23.3440 (B), and 23.3444 (C).
Eleutherodactylus haitianus (D-F), pattern variation in MNHNSD 23.3474 (D), 23.3473 (E), 23.3465 (F), surroundings of La Pirámide, Valle Nuevo, La Vega, Cordillera Central.
Eleutherodactylus audanti (G-L), pattern variation in MNHNSD 23.2579 (G) and 23.2577 (H), Loma del Toro, Sierra de Bahoruco; MNHNSD 23.2515 (I), MNHNSD 23.2496 (J), MNHNSD 23.2512 (K) and 23.2511 (L), Zapoten, Sierra de Bahoruco.
Eleutherodactylus melatrigonum (M), MNHNSD 23.3459, ~6 km S of Constanza (old road), La Vega, Cordillera Central. Eleutherodactylus notidodes (N), road to Pinos del Edén, Sierra de Neiba. Eleutherodactylus audanti (neodreptus?), MNHNSD 23.2568, Cachote, Bahoruco. Photos: Luis M. Díaz.

Distribution. The new species is only known from the type locality (Fig. 7). However, frogs with similar call patterns and habitats have been recorded at Rancho Arriba (Sierra de Ocoa; San José de Ocoa Province), El Valle de Dios (Parque Nacional Loma La Humeadora; San Cristobal Province), and Los Guayuyos (near Parque Nacional Luis Quin; Peravia Province). Additional surveys will confirm the geographic distribution of the new species in those potential localities and nearby areas.

Etymology. The specific epithet is from the ancient Greek γείτων, geitȏn, meaning a neighbor, in allusion to the proximity of the type locality to the city of Santo Domingo.

Figure 2. Ventral views of Eleutherodactylus geitonos sp. nov. (A-B), paratopotypes MNHNSD 23.3454 (A) and MNHNSD 23.3453 (B);
 E. haitianus (C-E), MNHNSD 23.3474 (C), 23.3473 (D), and 23.3465 (E), surroundings of La Pirámide, Valle Nuevo, La Vega; 
E. melatrigonum (F), MNHNSD 23.3459, ~6 km S of Constanza (old road), La Vega, Cordillera Central. 
Photos: Luis M. Díaz.



Luis M. Díaz, Sixto J. Incháustegui, Cristian Marte, Gunther Köhler,Antonio Cádiz and Marcos Rodríguez. 2018. A New Frog of the Eleutherodactylus abbotti Species Group (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) from Hispaniola, with Bioacoustic and Taxonomic Comments on Other Species [Nueva rana del grupo de especies Eleutherodactylus abbotti (Anura: Eleutherodactylidae) de la Hispaniola, con comentarios bioacústicos y taxonómicos de otras especies]. NOVITATES CARIBAEA. 12: 25-42. 
NovitatesCaribaea.do/index.php/novitates/article/view/81

Resumen: Se describe una especie nueva de rana, Eleutherodactylus geitonos sp. nov., de la ladera sureste de la Cordillera Central, República Dominicana. Esta especie está cercanamente emparentada con E. haitianus, con la cual comparte una talla pequeña. Ambas especies se diferencian en algunas características y proporciones morfológicas, llamadas de anuncio, coloración y las secuencias del gen 16S ARNr. Son abordadas las comparaciones morfológicas y bioacústicas con otras especies del grupo E. abbotti. La filogenia obtenida a partir de datos genéticos preliminares sugieren que el estatus taxonómico de E. neodreptus (sinónimo de E. audanti) y E. melatrigonum requiere ser reevaluado.

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[Botany • 2018] Phyllagathis stellata (Sonerileae, Melastomataceae) • A New Species from southwestern Sarawak, Borneo

September 1, 2018, 7:23 am
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 Phyllagathis stellata C.W. Lin

in Lin & Lee, 2018.

Abstract
Reknowned for its high biodiversity and endemism, over one third of the Bornean species of Phyllagathis were discovered in Sarawak over the past two years. In this study, we report an addition of a new species of Phyllagathis, namely  Phyllagathis stellata from southwestern Sarawak. In addition to the taxonomic account, color plates, line drawings, a distribution map, and comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided to aid in identification.

Keywords: Eudicots, Sonerileae, Melastomataceae









Che-Wei Lin and Chi-Hung Lee. 2018. Phyllagathis stellata (Sonerileae, Melastomataceae), A New Species from southwestern Sarawak, Borneo. Phytotaxa. 365(3); 295–300.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.365.3.7 
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212808337826840

  

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[Botany • 2018] Cerasus kumanoensis (Rosaceae) • A New Species from the Southern Kii Peninsula, Japan

September 1, 2018, 7:31 am
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Cerasus kumanoensis  T. Katsuki 

in Katsuki, 2018

A new species, Cerasus kumanoensis T. Katsuki (Rosaceae), sp. nov., is described from the southern Kii Peninsula, Japan. It is similar to C. jamasakura var. jamasakura and C. leveilleana because the corymbose inflorescences and extended peduncle are identical in these three taxa. However, C. kumanoensis is distinguished by several morphological and phenological characteristics, an earlier flowering period, narrowly ovate and smaller leaf blade (4–8 cm long, 1.8–3.6 cm wide) and glabrous petiole and pedicel.

Key words: Cerasus kumanoensis, flowering cherry, flowering period, Japan, Kii Peninsula


Fig. 1. Cerasus kumanoensis, sp. nov. 
A, shape of tree in full bloom (in Kumano on 9 Apr. 2017, TFA HAD-000288); B, hypanthium and calyx lobes [in Kozagawa on 21 Mar. 2017, TI00012970 (holotype)]; C–E, flower (C in Kumano on 9 Apr. 2017, TFA HAD-000295, D in Kushimoto on 21 Mar. 2017, FA HAD-000213, E in Kumano on 14 Mar. 2017, TFA HAD000190); F, mature fruit (in Kumano on 28 May 2017, TFA HAD-000295); G, leaves on short shoot (TI00012971).

Toshio Katsuki. 2018. A New Species, Cerasus kumanoensis from the Southern Kii Peninsula, Japan. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 69(2); 119-126. DOI: 10.18942/apg.201801

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[Mammalogy • 2018] Talpa martinorum • News from the Balkan refugium: Thrace has An Endemic Mole Species (Mammalia: Talpidae)

September 1, 2018, 7:52 am
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 Talpa martinorum
Kryštufek, Nedyalkov, Astrin & Hutterer, 2018

 Bonn zoological Bulletin. 67(1)

Abstract
 We utilized 1084 bp sequences of the cytochrome b gene to assess the taxonomic status of small blind moles from eastern Thrace in Bulgaria and European Turkey. So far, these moles were classified either as Talpa caeca or as T. levantis. Our study showed them to be genetically closer to T. europaea, T. aquitania, and T. occidentalis, albeit not being part of any of these species. We describe them as a new species, Talpa martinorum. n. sp. The new species differs from T. europaea, another mole occupying Thrace, by having a sealed palpebral fissure and a 1st upper molar with no parastyle, and by being smaller. The contemporary distribution range of T. martinorum n. sp. is small and restricted to the Black Sea coast between Burgas (Bulgaria) and Istanbul (Turkey). The species name is an eponym to the married couple Vladimir and Evgeniya Martino, two early students of Balkan mammals.

Key words. Balkans, cytochrome b, cryptic species, species delimitation, Talpa martinorum n. sp. N



Fig. 3. Head (a) in lateral view, tip of nose (b) in dorsal (left) and ventral (right) views, and ventral side of tail in  Talpa martinorum n. sp. Note that the palpebral fissure is covered by transparent skin (a). Museum vouchers PMS 25631 (a), ZFMK 2017.1152 (b) and ZFMK 2017.1151 (c). Not to scale.

Talpa martinorum n. sp. 

Diagnosis. A member of the subgenus Talpa. Medium-sized species with palpebral fissure sealed by a transparent skin (Fig. 3a). First upper molar (M1 ) lacks parastyle (Fig. 6a); the mesostyle is indistinctly bifurcate (Fig. 6a). Pairwise interspecific p-distances (> 9%) are within the range observed between other species of moles (e.g., within Talpa, interspecific distances average ca. 12%).

Etymology.Talpa martinorum n. sp. is an eponym to Vladimir Emmanuilovich Martino (Владимир Эммануилович Мартино, 1888–1961) and Evgeniya Veniaminovna Martino (Евгения Вениаминовнa Мартино, 1894–1979) née Stepanova (Степановa), ethnic Russians who in 1920 escaped the October Revolution by emigrating to the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (Kingdom of Yugoslavia since 1929). In politically insecure and frequently violent Eastern Europe of the 20th century, the Martinos were refugees for more than three decades. In 1949 they moved to Bulgaria and in 1955 returned to Russia (at that time still Soviet Union). Inspired by G. S. Miller’s (1912) “Catalogue of the Mammals of Western Europe” they initiated mammal research in south-eastern Europe and named, among others, two Balkan endemics: Dinaromys bogdanovi (V. Martino & E. Martino, 1922) (Martino & Martino 1922: 413) and Talpa stankovici V. Martino & E. Martino, 1931 (Martino & Martino 1931: 53) (Fig. 8). While Vladimir had a degree in Biology from the University in Novorossiysk (1913), Evgeniya had no formal academic education. Despite this, she attained competency in mammalogy and successfully collaborated with her spouse, both in the field and cabinet. Although they published several joint papers (as V. and E. Martino), the contribution by Evgeniya is mainly ignored and she is nearly anonymous today (cf. Beolens et al. 2009). At least nine subspecific names for mammals with the epithet martinoi (see Appendix 3) were proposed by mammalogists between 1935 and 1971, and all are eponyms to Vladimir Martino. With the name martinorum n. sp. we stress the equal share by Evgeniya in the tandem “V. et E. Martino” and correct the injustice done to her contribution in the past decades. Along with Dorothea Bate (1878–1951) and Gabriele Neuhäuser (1911–1998) Evgeniya was one of the early women who studied the taxonomy of Palaearctic mammals already between the two great wars. In addition to their publications, a renowned legacy of Vladimir and Evgeniya Martino is their meticulously prepared and carefully labelled mammal collection, deposited primarily in the Natural History Museum London and the Zoological Institute and Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences in St. Petersburg. For biographies of Vladimir Martino, see Mezentsev (1961), Paspalev (1962), Pusanov (1962), Zimmermann (1962), Gus’kov (1965), Taranenko (1999), and Boreiko (2001).


Boris Kryštufek, Nedko Nedyalkov, Jonas J. Astrin and Rainer Hutterer. 2018. News from the Balkan refugium: Thrace has An Endemic Mole Species (Mammalia: Talpidae).  Bonn zoological Bulletin.67(1); 41–57. 

Нов вид бозайник открит в Странджа  nauka.offnews.bg/news/Biologiia_31/Nov-vid-bozajnik-otkrit-v-Strandzha_113361.html via @naukaoffnews

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[Herpetology • 2018] Pristimantis tiktik • A New Minute Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Andes of southern Ecuador

September 2, 2018, 6:25 am
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Pristimantis tiktik 
 Székely, Eguiguren, Székely, Ordóñez-Delgado, Armijos-Ojeda, Riofrío-Guamán & Cogălniceanu, 2018

in Székely, Eguiguren, Székely, et al., 2018. 

Abstract
We describe a new rainfrog species (Pristimantis), from the wetland complex Oña, Nabón, Saraguro and Yacuambi, in the Andes of southern Ecuador, at altitudes ranging between 3000–3400 m a.s.l. Pristimantis tiktik sp. nov. is a small frog, displaying sexual dimorphism (the males with dorsum of various shades of gray, brown, orange or green and a whitish or pinkish yellow venter; females with brownish gray or gray dorsum and a reticulated white and black venter), with SVL ranging between 19.7–20.4 mm in females (n = 3) and 16.1–18.4 mm in males (n = 6). The skin on dorsum is tuberculated, that on venter is coarsely areolate, dorsolateral folds are absent, tympanic membrane is absent but the tympanic annulus is evident, cranial crests are absent, discs on fingers just slightly expanded, heel is lacking enlarged tubercles, inner edge of tarsus is bearing a long fold, Toe V is slightly longer than Toe III and the iris coloration is bronze with fine black reticulations. The males have a large subgular vocal sac that extends onto the chest and vocal slits but lack nuptial pads. The unique advertisement call consists of long duration series of periodically repeated clicks: “tik”. Molecular analyses place the new species in the recently resurrected P. orestes group, as the sister species of the assemblage that contains P. bambu, P. mazar, P. simonbolivari and an undescribed species.



Fig 2. Holotype of Pristimantis tiktik sp. nov. (MUTPL 239, adult male), SVL 16.7 mm, in life.
 A. Dorsolateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Dorsal view.

Class Amphibia Linnaeus, 1758
Order Anura Fischer von Waldheim, 1813

Superfamily Brachycephaloidea Günther, 1858
Family Strabomantidae Hedges, Duellman, and Heinicke, 2008
Subfamily Pristimantinae Pyron and Wiens, 2011

Genus Pristimantis Jiménez de la Espada, 1870

Pristimantis tiktik sp. nov. 
Székely, Eguiguren, Székely, Ordóñez-Delgado, Armijos-Ojeda, Riofrío-Guamán, and Cogălniceanu.

Fig 6. Color variation in males of Pristimantis tiktik sp. nov. in life.
 Paratype (MUTPL 240), SVL 18.4 mm: A. dorsolateral view; B. ventral view. Paratype (MUTPL 251), SVL 16.1 mm: C. dorsolateral view; D. ventral view. Paratype (MUTPL 277), SVL 17.0 mm: E. dorsolateral view; F. ventral view. 

Fig 7. Color variation in females of Pristimantis tiktik sp. nov. in life.
 Paratype (MUTPL 247), SVL 20.2 mm: A. dorsolateral view; B. ventral view. Paratype (MUTPL 252), SVL 19.7 mm: C. dorsolateral view; D. ventral view. Paratype (MUTPL 276), SVL 20.4 mm: E. dorsolateral view; F. ventral view.

Common English name. Tiktik Rain Frog
Common Spanish name. Cutín tiktik

Etymology. The specific name is the onomatopoeic representation of the frog’s particular call.

Holotype. MUTPL 239, an adult male (Figs 2, 3 and 5A) from Ecuador, Loja province, Saraguro canton, 21 km (by road) E of Urdaneta (3.58612° S, 79.07516° W; datum WGS84), 3300 m above sea level, collected by Paul Székely, Diego Armijos-Ojeda and Dan Cogălniceanu on 8 July 2016.
....

Diagnosis. We assign this species to Pristimantis based on phylogenetic evidence (Fig 1) and on the general morphological similarity to other members of the genus. Pristimantis tiktik is a small species distinguished by the following combination of traits: (1) skin on dorsum tuberculated; skin on venter coarsely areolate; discoidal fold weak, more evident posteriorly; thoracic fold absent; dorsolateral folds absent; low mid dorsal fold present; (2) tympanic membrane absent but tympanic annulus evident, its length about 30% of the length of eye; supratympanic fold present; (3) snout short, subacuminate in dorsal view, rounded in profile; canthus rostralis weakly concave in dorsal view, rounded in profile; (4) upper eyelid bearing several small tubercles, similar in size and shape with the ones from the dorsum, about 80% IOD in females and 70% IOD in males; cranial crests absent; (5) dentigerous processes of vomers inconspicuous, elongated, but each processes bearing 3 to 5 evident teeth; (6) males with a large subgular vocal sac, extended onto the chest; vocal slits present; nuptial pads absent; (7) Finger I shorter than Finger II; discs on fingers just slightly expanded, rounded; circumferential grooves present; (8) fingers bearing narrow lateral fringes; subarticular tubercles prominent; supernumerary palmar tubercles present, rounded, smaller than subarticular tubercles; palmar tubercle inconspicuous, bifurcated; thenar tubercle oval; (9) ulnar tubercles coalesced into low ulnar fold; (10) heel lacking enlarged tubercles; outer edge of tarsus with row of small tubercles; inner edge of tarsus bearing a long fold; (11) inner metatarsal tubercle broadly ovoid, about 3x round outer metatarsal tubercle; supernumerary plantar tubercles present; (12) toes bearing narrow lateral fringes; webbing absent; Toe V slightly longer than Toe III; discs on toes just slightly expanded, rounded, about same size as those on fingers; circumferential grooves present; (13) evident sexual dimorphism: in life, the males with dorsum of various shades of gray, brown, orange or green (brownish gray or gray in females), the flanks, chest, groins and ventral surface of the limbs have usually a reddish mottling and the venter is whitish or pinkish yellow (venter, axillae and groins white with black reticulum in females); iris bronze, with lower half darker, and with fine black reticulations; (14) SVL 19.7–20.4 mm in adult females (20.1 ± 0.36 SD, n = 3) and 16.1–18.4 mm in adult males (16.9 ± 0.79 SD, n = 6).


Fig 10. Habitat of Pristimantis tiktik sp. nov.  in the wetland complex of Oña, Nabón, Saraguro and Yacuambi.
A. One of the many glacial lakes from the wetland complex; B. General view of the herb páramo (montane grassland); C. Microhabitat with grasses and shrubs; D. Grass microhabitat near a stream from the wetland complex.

Distribution. Pristimantis tiktik is known only from the wetland complex of Oña, Nabón, Saraguro and Yacuambi (Fig 9) which spreads over three provinces, Loja, Azuay and Zamora-Chinchipe, in Southern Ecuador. This area has an altitudinal range between 3000 and 3400 m a.s.l. and consists of herb páramo (montane grasslands and shrublands) and a wetland complex of almost 100 glacial lakes (Fig 10). We found this species above 3000 m along the road that crosses this area from Urdaneta to Tutupali, but it is probably widespread in the entire wetland complex.


    

Fig 9. Distribution of Pristimantis tiktik sp. nov.  (red dots) in Ecuador. 

Natural history. All the specimens were encountered during the night on the grassy vegetation, very close to the ground (usually at 5–15 cm above the ground). The distinctive call of the males was heard throughout the year (usually after 18:00), regardless of the weather conditions, i.e. rain or strong winds. All the females were caught in the vicinity of the calling males. This seems to be one of the most common frog species from the wetland complex, along with Pristimantis aff. riveti. Other sympatric frog species include Gastrotheca pseustes and a currently undescribed species of Pristimantis.

Conservation status. Pristimantis tiktik is known only from the wetland complex of Oña, Nabón, Saraguro and Yacuambi, above 3000 m a.s.l., which is estimated to have an area of 192 km2. Even though this is one of the most commonly encountered species in the wetland complex, we consider it to be Endangered following B1ab(i,ii,iii)+2ab(i,ii,iii) IUCN criteria because: (1) its Extent of occurrence (EOO) and Area of occupancy (AOO) are estimated to be less than 200 km2; (2) it is known from only one location; and (3) its habitat is currently affected (or could be severely affected in the near future) by mining activities, invasive species (especially pines from the nearby pine plantations), grazing, wildfires and road constructions.


 Paul Székely, Juan Sebastián Eguiguren, Diana Székely , Leonardo Ordóñez-Delgado, Diego Armijos-Ojeda, María Lorena Riofrío-Guamán and Dan Cogălniceanu. 2018. A New Minute Pristimantis (Amphibia: Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Andes of southern Ecuador.   PLoS ONE. 13(8): e0202332.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202332


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[Herpetology • 2018] Gerrhonotus mccoyi • A New Species of Gerrhonotus (Squamata: Anguidae) from the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin, Coahuila, Mexico

September 2, 2018, 7:11 am
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Gerrhonotus mccoyi 
García-Vázquez, Contreras-Arquieta, Trujano-Ortega & Nieto-Montes de Oca, 2018


ABSTRACT
 A new species of Gerrhonotus, previously confused with G. infernalis, is described from the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin, Coahuila, Mexico. The new species is known from the type locality only and is characterized by the following combination of characters: a cantholoreal scale usually present, a dark mark extending anteriorly from the lower temporal scales through the lower border of the orbit to the preocular or cantholoreal scales, keeled dorsal scales, dorsal body pattern usually composed of cross-bands mostly interrupted or barely discernible on middorsum, usually indiscernible vertical dark bars on the lateral fold (few, faint bars occasionally present), and black flecks scattered on the venter. The new species is geographically closest to G. lugoi and G. infernalis but morphologically most similar to G. infernalis. 

Key words: Alligator lizards; Cryptic species; Gerrhonotinae; Taxonomy


FIG. 1.— Gerrhonotus mccoyi sp. nov. holotype (MZFC 29654). 
Head scales in dorsal (top), left lateral (middle; intentionally mirrored), and ventral (bottom) views. 
Scale bars = 3 mm.
FIG. 2.— Gerrhonotus mccoyi sp. nov. in life. 
(A) Male (paratype, MZFC 29668). (B) Female, not collected. 
Photographs by UOG-V and P. Heimes, respectively.

Gerrhonotus mccoyi sp. nov.  
Gerrhonotus infernalis Baird 1859: Good (1994), in part.

Etymology.— The species epithet is a noun in the genitive case and a patronym for the late Clarence Jack McCoy in recognition of his many and significant contributions to the knowledge of the amphibians and reptiles from the Cuatro Cienegas Basin.



FIG. 1.— Gerrhonotus mccoyi sp. nov. holotype (MZFC 29654). Head scales in dorsal (top), left lateral (middle; intentionally mirrored), and ventral (bottom) views. Scale bars = 3 mm.

FIG. 2.— Gerrhonotus mccoyi sp. nov. in life. (A) Male (paratype, MZFC 29668). (B) Female, not collected. Photographs by UOG-V and P. Heimes, respectively.

Uri Omar García-Vázquez, Arturo Contreras-Arquieta, Marysol Trujano-Ortega and Adrián Nieto-Montes de Oca. 2018. A New Species of Gerrhonotus (Squamata: Anguidae) from the Cuatro Ciénegas Basin, Coahuila, Mexico. Herpetologica. 74(3); 269–278.  DOI: 10.1655/HERPETOLOGICA-D-17-00013  
facebook.com/HerpMX/photos/1933340180059929


Resumen: Se describe una especie nueva de Gerrhonotus, previamente confundida con G. infernalis, de la Cuenca de Cuatro Ciénegas, Coahuila, México. La especie nueva se conoce sólo de la localidad tipo y se caracteriza por la siguiente combinación de caracteres: escama cantoloreal usualmente presente, una marca oscura que se extiende anteriormente desde las escamas temporales inferiores a través del borde inferior de la órbita hasta la escama preocular o cantoloreal, escamas dorsales aquilladas, patrón de coloración dorsal del cuerpo usualmente compuesto de bandas transversales típicamente interrumpidas o apenas visibles en la parte media del dorso, barras oscuras verticales en el pliegue lateral usualmente no discernibles (algunas barras tenues ocasionalmente presentes), y manchas negras pequeñas dispersas en el vientre. La especie nueva es geográficamente más cercana a G. lugoi y G. infernalis, pero morfológicamente más similar a G. infernalis.

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[Herpetology • 2018] Calamaria albiventer (Gray, 1835) • Identification and A New Record from Penang Island of the Rare Redbellied Reed Snake (Serpentes: Calamariinae)

September 3, 2018, 2:46 am
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Calamaria albiventer (Gray, 1835)

in Quah, Lim, Leong & Anuar, 2018
 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66 

Abstract
 Calamaria albiventer (Gray, 1835) is rediscovered at its type locality on Penang Hill on Penang Island, Malaysia after a six-decade absence of recorded sightings in the country. The species is known from only six locations in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and Sumatra. A description of the new specimen is provided along with the first ever illustrations of the species in life and observations of its natural history. An updated taxonomic key to the Calamaria species of Peninsular Malaysia is included. 

Key words: Squamata, Colubridae, historical, taxonomy, systematics, herpetofauna, taxonomic key



Fig. 1. Calamaria albiventer (USMHC 2390) in life from Penang Hill, Penang Island.
A, Dorsal view; B, Ventral view.
 Photographs by Evan Quah [A–B].

Natural history. Almost nothing is known about the natural history of this species across its range (David & Vogel, 1996). In Peninsular Malaysia, C. albiventer is found in the lowlands as well as at higher elevations. Batchelor’s (1958) specimen from Asahan, Malacca, was collected in secondary forest near a reservoir. Flower (1899) collected a specimen on Penang Hill at 2,000 ft in the month of March 1898. The new specimen was found in hill dipterocarp forest (Fig. 2A) and it was crawling on the forest floor among the leaf litter at approximately 1700 hours, three hours before sunset. Conditions were damp from rains the night before. At the time of collection, USMHC 2390 had captured an earthworm, but it released the prey when it became startled when approached. This vermivorous diet is similar to that of other Calamaria species such as C. lumbricoidea, C. pavimentata, and C. schlegeli that have been observed feeding on earthworms as well (Malkmus et al., 2002; Tan & Yeo, 2013; Baker, 2014; Stuebing et al., 2014; Evan S.H. Quah, pers. obs.). Calamaria albiventer is expected to behave similarly to other species of Calamaria in being a secretive, terrestrial snake that hides beneath surface objects and leaf litter during the day and predominantly active at night (Malkmus et al., 2002; Stuebing et al., 2014). Nothing is known about the breeding biology of this species but it likely lays eggs like other members of the genus (Malkmus et al., 2002; Stuebing et al., 2014). On Penang Hill it occurs in sympatry with C. lumbricoidea, C. pavimentata, C. schlegeli, and Pseudorabdion longiceps (Evan S.H. Quah, pers. obs.). Based on a published checklist, this species would also occur with those same three Calamaria species on Bukit Larut along with other fossorial snakes including Collorhabdium williamsoni, P. longiceps, and Macrocalamus chanardi (Grismer et al., 2010).


Evan S. H. Quah, Kelvin K.P. Lim, Eric H.H. Leong and Shahrul Anuar M.S. 2018. Identification and A New Record from Penang Island of the Rare Redbellied Reed Snake (Calamaria albiventer) (Gray, 1835) (Serpentes: Calamariinae). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66;  486–493.
 lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2018/01/66rbz486-493.pdf
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156329720724713

  

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[Entomology • 2018] Damselflies of the Genus Argia (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from Ecuador with Descriptions of Five New Species

September 3, 2018, 2:58 am
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Argia tennesseni  Garrison & von Ellenrieder, 2018


Abstract 
A total of 31 species of Argia are reported as present in Ecuador, of which two, A. huanacina Förster and A. jocosa Hagen, constitute first records for the country, and five are new to science and are described here: Argia acridens n. sp. (Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Manabí Prov., 79 km west of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 260 m, 7 May 1975, Paul J. Spangler et al. leg., in USNM), Argiacuspidata n. sp. (Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Prov.: 19 km east of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 740 m, 7 May 1975, A. Langley & J. Cohen leg., in USNM), Argia philipi n. sp. (Holotype ♂: BOLIVIA, Cochabamba Dept., Chapare Prov.: stream 5 km south of Villa Tunari, noon, 350 m, 4 November 2001, Jerrell J. Daigle leg., in FSCA), Argia selysi n. sp. (Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Napo Prov.: Jatun Yacu, Napo River watershed, 700 m, 18 April 1935, William Clarke-Macintyre leg., in UMMZ) and Argia tennesseni n. sp. (Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Orellana Prov.: stream 8.5 km east of Loreto, 360 m, 14 September 1997, Kenneth J. Tennessen leg., in FSCA). The new species are illustrated and diagnosed from their congeners and their known distribution areas are mapped. To aid in identification, illustrations needed for diagnosis and / or distribution maps of closely related species are also provided, including: A. adamsi Calvert, A. difficilis Selys, A. dives Förster, A. huanacina Förster, A. fulgida Navás, A. infrequentula Fraser, A. jocosa Hagen in Selys, A. joergenseni Ris, A.limitata Navás, A. medullaris Selys, A. orichalcea Hagen in Selys and A. ulmeca Calvert. Argia columbiana Navás and A. rectangula Navás are treated as subjective junior synonyms of Argia medullaris Selys. A key to the eight known metallic red Argia species from South America is provided. 

Key words: Damselfly, Neotropics, Ecuador, keys, diagnoses, distribution maps


 Argia acridens n. sp. 
(Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Manabí Prov., 79 km west of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, approximately 0°20' S, 79°46' W, 260 m, 7 May 1975, Paul J. Spangler et al. leg., in USNM), 

Argia cuspidata n. sp. 
(Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas Prov.: 19 km east of Santo Domingo de los Colorados, approximately 0°18'49'' S, 79°1'44'' W, 740 m, 7 May 1975, A. Langley & J. Cohen leg., in USNM), 

Argia philipi n. sp. 
(Holotype ♂: BOLIVIA, Cochabamba Dept., Chapare Prov.: stream 5 km south of Villa Tunari, noon, 16°59'49" S, 65°24'28" W, 350 m, 4 November 2001, Jerrell J. Daigle leg., in FSCA), 

Argia selysi n. sp. 
(Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Napo Prov.: Jatun Yacu, Napo River watershed, approximately 1°1' S, 77°50' W, 700 m, 18 April 1935, William Clarke-Macintyre leg., in UMMZ) 

Male of Argia tennesseni at a small forest stream about 12 km NE of Loreto in Ecuador, Orellana Province, photographed by Kenneth J. Tennessen on 26 October 2013.

 'This forest was being cut down, and the little streams that back then held up to 10 species of Argia, may no longer be a suitable habitat for some of these species that require forest shade and bank protection'
(Kenneth J. Tennessen pers. comm.).  

Argia tennesseni Garrison & von Ellenrieder, n. sp. 
(Holotype ♂: ECUADOR, Orellana Prov.: stream 8.5 km east of Loreto, 0°37' 6" S, 77°17' 42" W, 360 m, 14 September 1997, Kenneth J. Tennessen leg., in FSCA).

Etymology. Named tennesseni (Latinized name) in honor of our friend and colleague Kenneth J. Tennessen who first brought this interesting species to our attention.


 Rosser W. Garrison and Natalia von Ellenrieder. 2018. Damselflies of the Genus Argia (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from Ecuador with Descriptions of Five New Species. Zootaxa. 4470(1); 1–69.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4470.1.1

Resumen: Treinta y una especies de Argia son registradas de Ecuador, de las cuales dos, A. huanacina Förster y A. jocosa Hagen, constituyen nuevos registros para el país, y cinco son nuevas para la ciencia y son descriptas aquí: Argia acridens n. sp. (Holotipo ♂: ECUADOR, Prov. Manabí, 79 km al oeste de Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 0°20' S, 79°46' O, 260 m, 7 Mayo 1975, Paul J. Spangler et al. leg., en USNM), Argia cuspidata n. sp. (Holotipo ♂: ECUADOR, Prov. Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas: 19 km al este de Santo Domingo de los Colorados, 0°18'49'' S, 79°1'44'' O, 740 m, 7 Mayo 1975, A. Langley & J. Cohen leg., en USNM), A. philipi n. sp. (Holotipo ♂: BOLIVIA, Dept. Cochabamba, Prov. Chapare: arroyo 5 km al sur de Villa Tunari, mediodía, 16°59'49" S, 65°24'28" O, 350 m, 4 Noviembre 2001, Jerrell J. Daigle leg., en FSCA), Argia selysi n. sp. (Holotipo ♂: ECUADOR, Prov. Napo: Jatun Yacu, Cuenca del Río Napo, 1°1' S, 77°50' O, 700 m, 18 Abril 1935, William Clarke-Macintyre leg., en UMMZ) y A. tennesseni n. sp. (Holotipo ♂: ECUADOR, Prov. Orellana: arroyo 8.5 km al este de Loreto, 0°37' 6" S, 77°17' 42" O, 360 m, 14 Septiembre 1997, Kenneth J. Tennessen leg., en FSCA). Las nuevas especies son ilustradas y diagnosticadas de sus congéneres, y sus áreas de distribución conocidas son mapeadas. Para ayudar en su identificación, se proveen también ilustraciones y /o mapas de distribución de especies relacionadas, incluyendo a: A. adamsi Calvert, A. difficilis Selys, A. dives Förster, A. huanacina Förster, A. fulgida Navás, A. infrequentula Fraser, A. jocosa Hagen en Selys, A. joergenseni Ris, A. limitata Navás, A. medullaris Selys, A. orichalcea Hagen en Selys y A. ulmeca Calvert. Argia columbiana Navás y A. rectangula Navás son tratadas como sinónimos junior subjetivos de Argia medullaris Selys. Se proporciona una clave para las ocho especies conocidas metálicas rojas de Argia de América del Sur. 
Palabras clave: Libélulas, Neotrópico, claves, diagnosis, mapas de distribución

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[Herpetology • 2018] A Molecular Phylogenetic Hypothesis for the Asian Agamid Lizard Genus Phrynocephalus Reveals Discrete Biogeographic Clades Implicated by Plate Tectonics

September 3, 2018, 3:16 am
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Phrynocephalus mystaceus (Pallas, 1776)

in Macey, Schulte, Ananjeva, Dyke, Wang, et al., 2018. 

Abstract 
Phylogenetic relationships of the agamid lizard genus Phrynocephalus are described in the context of plate tectonics. A near comprehensive taxon sampling reports three data sets: (1) mitochondrial DNA from ND1 to COI (3’ end of ND1, tRNAGln, tRNAIle, tRNAMet, ND2, tRNATrp, tRNAAla, tRNAAsn, tRNACys, tRNATyr, and the 5’ end of COI) with 1761 aligned positional sites (1595 included, 839 informative), (2) nuclear RAG-1 DNA with 2760 aligned positional sites (342 informative), and (3) 25 informative allozyme loci with 213 alleles (107 informative when coded as presence/absence). It is hypothesized that Phrynocephalus phyletic patterns and speciation reflect fault lines of ancient plates now in Asia rejuvenated by the more recent Indian and Arabian plate collisions. Molecular estimates of lineage splits are highly congruent with geologic dates from the literature. A southern origin for the genus in Southwest Asia is resolved in phylogenetic estimates and a northern origin is statistically rejected. On the basis of monophyly and molecular evidence several taxa previously recognized as subspecies are recognized as species: P. hongyuanensis, P. sogdianus, and P. strauchi as “Current Status”; Phrynocephalus bannikovi, Phrynocephalus longicaudatus, Phrynocephalus turcomanus, and Phrynocephalus vindumi are formally “New Status”. Phylogenetic evaluation indicates a soft substrate habitat of sand for the shared ancestor of modern Phrynocephalus. Size diversity maximally overlaps in the Caspian Basin and northwestern Iranian Plateau. The greatest species numbers of six in sympatry and regional allopatry are found in the southern Caspian Basin and southern Helmand Basin, both from numerous phylogenetic lineages in close proximity attributed to tectonic induced events.

 Key words: Reptilia, Squamata, Agamidae, Phrynocephalus, Asia, biogeography, evolution, phylogenetics, tectonics, mitochondrial DNA, RAG-1, allozyme


Phrynocephalus mystaceus illustrating false enlarged mouth with red capillary-beds. 


 J. Robert Macey, James A. Schulte, II, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Erik T. V. Dyke, Yuezhao Wang, Nikolai L. Orlov, Soheila Shafiei, Michael D. Robinson, Tatjana Dujsebayeva, Gabriel S. Freund, Clayton M. Fischer, David Liu and Theodore J. Papenfuss. 2018. A Molecular Phylogenetic Hypothesis for the Asian Agamid Lizard Genus Phrynocephalus Reveals Discrete Biogeographic Clades Implicated by Plate Tectonics. Zootaxa. 4467(1); 1–81.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4467.1.1

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[Botany • 2018] Linaria qartobensis (Plantaginaceae) • A New Linaria Species from the southern Iberian Peninsula

September 4, 2018, 2:50 am
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Linaria qartobensis  
Blanca, Cueto, J. Fuentes, L. Sáez & R. Tarifa


in Blanca, Cueto, Fuentes, et al., 2018. 
 DOI:  10.1111/njb.01914 

Linaria qartobensis, from southern Iberian Peninsula, is here newly described, illustrated and compared with its morphologically closest relatives from L. sect. Supinae: L. ricardoi and L. orbensis. The new species is characterized by longer calyx lobes, corolla and spur, violet corolla with yellow-orangish palate, big and globose capsule, and seeds with black and prominently white-tuberculate disc and subentire wing. Linaria qartobensis is an endemic species growing on marly deposits from the Guadalquivir river basin, in the Córdoba province (Andalusia, Spain).

 Keywords: Antirrhineae, endemic plants, Iberian Peninsula, taxonomy


Linaria qartobensis Blanca, Cueto, J. Fuentes, L. Sáez & R. Tarifa sp. nov.

Etymology The specific epithet refers to the original iberian or phoenician name for the city of Córdoba (Qart-Oba), much predating the roman name Corduba, the homonym of the province where the species is found.


Gabriel Blanca, Miguel Cueto, Julián Fuentes, Llorenç Sáez and Rubén Tarifa. 2018. Linaria qartobensis sp. nov. (Plantaginaceae) from the southern Iberian Peninsula. Nordic Journal of Botany.  36(8) DOI:  10.1111/njb.01914  
twitter.com/NordicJBotany/status/1036903952607010817


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[Herpetology • 2018] Boana caiapo • A New Species of the Boana albopunctata Group (Anura: Hylidae) from the Cerrado of Brazil

September 4, 2018, 4:13 am
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Boana caiapo
Pinheiro, Cintra, Valdujo, Silva, Martins, Silva & Garcia, 2018


Abstract
We describe a new species of Boana endemic to the Araguaia-Tocantins Basin in the center of the Brazilian Cerrado that was previously confused with species of the B. pulchella group. The new species is tentatively included in the B. albopunctata group on the basis of morphological and bioacoustics traits. The new species is characterized by a rounded head in dorsal view, dorsal color pattern consisting of three longitudinal beige stripes separated by two dark-brown stripes, posterior surfaces of thighs purple with dark-brown spots, and absence of a calcar appendage. Males have a pulsed advertisement call, with the end of the first note possessing an uncountable number of pulses. The new species differs from species of the B. pulchella group by the presence of a slip of the m. depressor mandibulae of scapular origin, presence of anterolateral processes of the hyoid, and curved dentigerous processes of vomers.

Keywords: Amphibia, Bioacoustics, Neotropics, Systematics, Taxonomy


Boana caiapo sp. nov.  Holotype (MZUSP 138987) 

Figure 4. (A) Dorsal and (B) ventral views of the holotype of Boana caiapo sp. nov. (MZUSP 138987). 
Scale bar = 10 mm.

Boana caiapo sp. nov. 
Hypsiboas aff. leucocheilus—Valdujo et al. (2012).

Etymology The holotype and topotypic paratypes were collected in lakes and backwaters of small rivulets in the Caiapó River Basin. The Caiapó River originates in the municipality of Caiapônia, Goiás, Brazil, and flows into the Araguaia River between the municipalities of Aragarças and Montes Claros de Goiás. Caiapônia was founded between 1940 and 1950, when the Kayapó Indians inhabited the region. Probably both the city and the river have the origin of their names based on the presence of this tribe in the region. Kayapó is a Tupi Guarani term that means man similar to monkey. Like the name of the tribe, it is probably related to some of their rituals, in which men dance using monkey masks. The name “caiapo” is used as a noun in apposition.


Paulo D. P. Pinheiro, Carlos E. D. Cintra, Paula H. Valdujo, Hélder L. R. Silva, Itamar A. Martins, Nelson Jorge da Silva Jr. and Paulo C. A. Garcia. 2018. A New Species of the Boana albopunctata Group (Anura: Hylidae) from the Cerrado of Brazil. South American Journal of Herpetology. 13(2); 170-182. DOI: 10.2994/SAJH-D-17-00040.1

Resumo: Descrevemos aqui uma nova espécie de Boana endêmica da Bacia do Araguaia-Tocantins, no Cerrado Central brasileiro, e previamente confundida com espécies do grupo de B. pulchella. A nova espécie é tentativamente incluída no grupo de B. albopunctata com base em caracteres morfológicos e de canto. É caracterizada por ter cabeça arredondada em vista dorsal; padrão de coloração dorsal composto por três faixas longitudinais de cor bege intercaladas por outras duas de tom marrom-escuro; superfície posterior das coxas roxa, com pontos marrom-escuro; apêndice calcâneo ausente. Machos apresentam o canto pulsado, cujos pulsos da porção final da primeira nota são incontáveis. A nova espécie se separa do grupo de B. pulchella pela presença da origem ao nível escapular do m. depressor mandibulae, presença do processo antero-lateral do hióide e processos dentígeros dos vômeres maiores e curvados.

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[Entomology • 2018] Cephalaeschna yanagisawai • A New Species of Cephalaeschna (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) from northern Vietnam

September 4, 2018, 7:53 pm
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 Cephalaeschna yanagisawai 
Sasamoto & Lien, 2018


Abstract
A new aeshnid species, Cephalaeschna yanagisawai sp. nov. from northern Vietnam (Hoang Lien National Park, Lai Chau Province, ..., 1900~2000 m a.l.s.), is described and illustrated. This species can be differentiated from the other species of the genus by body maculation, the morphology of the male anal appendages, and female postero-ventral S10 tergite projecting posteriorly, which is a rare feature in the genus.

Keywords: Odonata, Cephalaeschna yanagisawai, Hoang Lien, Lai Chau Province




Akihiko Sasamoto and Van Vu Lien. 2018. Description of A New Species of Cephalaeschna (Odonata: Anisoptera: Aeshnidae) from northern Vietnam. Zootaxa. 4471(2); 334–340. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4471.2.5

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