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[Botany • 2018] Aspidistra laongamensis (Asparagaceae) • A New Species from Salavan Province, southern Laos

November 8, 2018, 6:01 am
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Aspidistra laongamensis  C. R. Lin & X. Y. Huang 

in Huang, Sosoulthanee, Ke, Xu, Sydara, et al., 2018.

Abstract
Aspidistra laongamensis C. R. Lin & X. Y. Huang, a new species of the Asparagaceae from Saravan Region, Laos, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to A. lubae Aver. et Tillich in the perianth shape, but differs by the creeping rhizome, externally yellowish white perianths with internall yellow lobes, and the flat, glabrous stigma.The new species is also similar to A. nankunshanensis Yan Liu & C. R. Lin in the ovate-triangular, internally yellow perianth lobes, but differs by its urceolate perianth with an internally purplish red tube, and stamens inserted in the middle of the perianth tube, and mushroom-shaped pistil. Aspidistra laongamensis is currently known only from Laongam city, southern Laos.

Keyword: Aspidistra, Laos, New species, Taxonomy



Fig. 1. Aspidistra laongamensis sp. nov. A, Habit; B, Stigmas, adaxial view; C, Flower 8-merous, dissected to show stamens and pistil; D, Flower 6-merous, perianth dissected to show stamens. 
Drawn by Wen-Hong Lin from the holotype.

Fig. 2. Aspidistra laongamensis sp. nov. (A-F): A, Flowers; B, Habit; C, Flower 8-merous, dissected to show stamens and pistil; D, Flower 6-merous, dissected to show stamens and pistil; E, Flower, side view; F, buds.
Aspidistra nankunshanensis Yan Liu & C. R. Lin (G-H): G, Flower, apical view; H, Flower, side view.

Aspidistra laongamensis C. R. Lin & X. Y. Huang, sp. nov

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the City where this new species was found.

Distribution and ecology: This new species is currently known only from Laongam City, southern Laos. It grows in a primary broad-leaved evergreen forest at 160–250 m a.s.l.  


Xue-Yan Huang, Kosonh Sosoulthanee, Fan Ke, Wei-Bin Xu, Kongmany Sydara, Khamphanh Thepkaysone, Ren-Chuan Hu and Chun-Rui Lin. 2018. Aspidistra laongamensis (Asparagaceae), A New Species from Laos. Taiwania. 63(4); 393-396. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.393  

     

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[Crustacea • 2018] Teretamon kempi • A New Species of Freshwater Crab of the Genus Teretamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India

November 8, 2018, 6:34 am
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Teretamon kempi
Mitra, Payra & Chandra, 2018


Abstract
A new species of potamid crab of the genus Teretamon Yeo & Ng, 2007, is described from Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The new species, Teretamon kempi n. sp., can be distinguished from its congeners by a distinct combination of carapace and gonopod characters: a relatively high carapace with a bilobed frontal margin; subquadrate sixth abdominal somite with nearly parallel lateral margins; and a relatively small G1 terminal segment with a semicircular to bluntly triangular dorsal flap. All known Teretamon species are compared with the new species, and a key for this genus is provided.

Keywords: Crustacea, taxonomy, Teretamon kempi, Namdapha Tiger Reserve



Family Potamidae Ortmann, 1896 
Subfamily Potamiscinae Bott, 1970

Genus Teretamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 

Teretamon kempi n. sp

Etymology. The new species is named after Stanley W. Kemp (1882–1945), former Superintendent of the Zoological Survey of India, for his valuable work on Indian carcinology, particularly that of Arunachal Pradesh, formerly known as Abor country (Kemp, 1913). 


 Santanu Mitra, Arajush Payra and Kailash Chandra. 2018. A New Species of Freshwater Crab of the Genus Teretamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. Zootaxa.  4500(4); 587–595.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.8



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[Entomology • 2018] Isophya horon • Bioacoustics and Morphology of A New Bush-cricket Species of the Genus Isophya (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae) from Turkey

November 8, 2018, 8:33 pm
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 Isophya horon Sevgili, 2018


Abstract
A new interesting species of the genus Isophya, Isophya horon sp. n., is described from Northeastern part of Turkey. The new species can clearly be distinguished from the closely related species by the calling song of male, and morphology. Morphologically, the shapes of the pronotum, tegmina, male cerci and ovipositor are distrinctive. The morphology, song structure and distribution clearly indicate that this new species is a member of the I. zernovi species-group. Additionally, some preliminary data on the male calling songs of closely related species (I. zernovi, I. karadenizensis and I. autumnalis) are also given. In addition, the preliminary data related to spermatophore characteristics (spermatophylax and ampulla weights) and sperm number of the new species are provided.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Isophya horon sp. n., Orthoptera, Phaneropterinae, bioacoustics, spermatophore, sperm number, new species, Turkey, Karadeniz


Male Isophya horon sp. n.

Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: 
Phaneropterinae: Barbitistini 

Isophya Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878

Isophya horon sp. n. 

 Etymology:“horon” in Turkish (in Greek: “khoron”), is a famous dance which refers to a group of a circle folk dances from the Eastern Black sea region of Turkey


Hasan Sevgili. 2018. Bioacoustics and Morphology of A New Bush-cricket Species of the Genus Isophya (Orthoptera: Phaneropterinae) from Turkey. Zootaxa. 4514(4); 451–472.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4514.4.1


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[Botany • 2018] The Identity of Stemodia lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and Its Occurrence in Brazil

November 8, 2018, 9:17 pm
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 Stemodia lanceolata Benth.

in Scatigna, Mercedes Sosa, Souza & Simões, 2018. 

Abstract
In this contribution, we reassess the identity of Stemodia lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and confirm its occurrence in Brazilian territory. We present a detailed and updated description, a fine illustration, and photographs of this species, along with comments on its distribution, habitat and phenology, and notes on taxonomic affinities. Stemodia lanceolata is characterized by its stiffy erect terminal inflorescence with filamentous aspect due to the long, linear-triangular, frequently out-curved floral bracts. Finally, we propose second-step lectotypifications for three names subordinated to S. lanceolata.

Keywords: Chaco, Gratioleae, Pantanal, Eudicots




André Vito Scatigna, María de las Mercedes Sosa, Vinicius Castro Souza and André Olmos Simões. 2018. The Identity of Stemodia lanceolata (Plantaginaceae) and Its Occurrence in Brazil. Phytotaxa. 375(1); 121–129. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.375.1.9


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[Chilopoda • 2018] Australobius tracheoperspicuus • the First Subterranean Species of Centipede (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae) from southern China

November 9, 2018, 1:14 am
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Australobius tracheoperspicuus 
 Li, Pei, Guo, Ma & Chen, 2018


Abstract
Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. (Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae) was recently discovered from the Cave of the brickyard of Gaofeng village, in the Guizhou Province, southwest China, and it is described here. Morphologically the new species is similar to A. magnus (Trozina>, 1894) from north-western China. The new species can be easily distinguished from those by the trachea connected to the valve of the TIII clearly visible from the dorsal side, the absence of ocelli on each side of the cephalic plate, the DaC spine being only present on the XIIIth–XVth legs. Numbers of examined specimens, distribution and the main morphological characters and an identification key to the known Chinese species of genus Australobius based on adult specimens is given.

Keywords: Australobius, cave Lithobiomorpha, China, new species


11 Posterior segments and gonopods in male, ventral view 
12 Living specimen of Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. 13 Cave of the brickyard of Gaofeng village.

Figures 1–12. Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. 
(holotype male 1–5, 7–9, 11–12 paratype female 6 and 10) 
1 Habitus, dorsal view 2 Tömösváry’s organ, lateral view 3 Cephalic plate, dorsal view 4 Cephalic plate, ventral view 5 Forcipular coxosternite, ventral view 6 T III of female 7 T III of male 8 SS I–V 9 SS VI and VII 10 Posterior segments and gonopods of female, ventral view 11 Posterior segments and gonopods in male, ventral view 12 Living specimen of Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. 13 Cave of the brickyard of Gaofeng village.

Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n.

Diagnosis: Antennae with 26 articles, no ocelli, anterior margin of the coxosternite with 5+5 teeth, more or less developed, porodonts slender, between fourth and fifth outer teeth. Tergites without posterior triangular projections, trachea connected to the valve of the T III clearly visible from the dorsal side. Coxal pores 4–6. Tarsal articulation well defined on legs I–XV. No secondary sexual modifications on legs XIV and XV of male. Female gonopods with simple claw, 2+2 spurs. Male gonopods short and small blunt cone bulge, apically slightly sclerotized.


Etymology: The specific name refers to the trachea connected to the valve of the T III that is clearly visible from the dorsal side.

Habitat: The specimens were collected on the limestone walls and bedrock floor of the cave.




 Qing Li, Su-Jian Pei, Xuan Guo, Hui-Qin Ma and Hui-Ming Chen. 2018. Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n., the First Subterranean Species of Centipede from southern China (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae).  ZooKeys. 795: 83-91.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.795.28036


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[Ichthyology • 2018] Epinephelus craigi • A New Species of Grouper (Perciformes: Epinephelidae) from the South China Sea

November 11, 2018, 2:05 am
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Epinephelus craigi  
 Frable, Tucker & Walker, 2018

Illustration by Emilie Stump.  twitter.com/Frable

Abstract
A new species of grouper, Epinephelus craigi sp. nov., from the South China Sea is described from 17 specimens (104–250 mm SL). The new species is distinguished from Epinephelus stictus (Randall and Allen 1987) with which it has historically been conflated, based on coloration, meristics, morphology, and genetics. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. has a unique color pattern of irregular squarish, dark brown blotches interrupting lighter brown bars along the lateral midline of the body, and small dots on the dorsal surface of the body. Additionally, E. craigi sp. nov. has a longer upper jaw, shorter snout length, narrower interorbital width, and shorter caudal peduncle than E. stictus. Both E. stictus and the new species are relatively deep-water species, with the new species occurring to at least 93 m. Epinephelus craigi sp. nov. is known from the South China Sea and E. stictus is known from Western Australia and southern Indonesia, suggesting allopatric and anti-equatorial distributions. DNA sequence divergence data of the mitochondrial COI gene further supports the distinction of E. craigi sp. nov. from E. stictus.

Keywords: Epinephelus stictus, Five-bar grouper, Species description, Cytochrome oxidase I 


Composite illustration of Epinephelus craigi, based on multiple specimens and market photographs, approximately 175 mm SL.
Illustration by Emilie Stump. 

Epinephelus craigi sp. nov.
(New English name: Brokenbar Grouper; 
Chinese name in Hong Kong: Cheung-pei-paan) 
....

Etymology. The new species is named in honor of Dr. Matthew T. Craig for his significant contributions to the conservation and scientific understanding of groupers and their relatives.


Benjamin W. Frable, Sarah J. Tucker and H. J. Walker, Jr. 2018. A New Species of Grouper, Epinephelus craigi (Perciformes: Epinephelidae), from the South China Sea. Ichthyological Research.  DOI: 10.1007/s10228-018-0669-9  

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[Entomology • 2018] A Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Sirthenea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) of the Old World

November 11, 2018, 8:20 pm
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Sirthenea kali  Chłond, 2018


Abstract
This paper presents a taxonomic revision of 28 described species of the genus Sirthenea Spinola, 1837 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae: Peiratinae) distributed in the Afrotropical, Oriental, Palearctic, Oceanian and Australian zoogeographical regions. The following new synonymies are proposed: Sirtheneaafricana Distant, 1903 = S. rapax Horváth, 1909, syn. nov. = S. leonina Horváth, 1909, syn. nov. = S. bequaerti Schouteden, 1913, syn. nov. = S. leontovitchi Schouteden, 1931, syn. nov.; Sirthenea picescens Reuter, 1887 = S. atrocyanea Horváth, 1909, syn. nov.; S. rodhaini Schouteden, 1913 = S. collarti Schouteden, 1931, syn. nov. = S. angolana Villiers, 1958, syn. nov.; S. flavipes (Stål, 1855) = S. clavata Miller, 1948, syn. nov. = S. bharati Sucheta & Chopra, 1988, syn. nov. = S. koreana Kerzhner & Lee, 1996 syn. nov. = S. melanota Cai & Lu, 1990, syn. nov. = S. nigripes Murugan & Livingstone, 1990, syn. nov.; S. obscura (Stål, 1866) = S. glabra (Walker, 1873), syn. nov. A neotype is designated for S. picescens Reuter, 1887. Three species, S. erythromelas (Walker 1873), S. fulvipennis (Walker, 1873) and S. sobria (Walker, 1873), are excluded from the genus Sirthenea. Two new species from the Oriental Region, Sirthenea kali sp. nov. (India) and S. setosa sp. nov. (Malaysia) are described. Identification keys are provided for the subgenera and species from each zoogeographical region treated. Drawings of dorsal habitus and genitalic structures, drawings and images of selected morphological characters, and distribution maps of all valid species are presented.

Keywords: Hemiptera, Peiratinae, Sirthenea, Monogmus, new species, new synonym, Old World



Dominik Chłond. 2018. A Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Sirthenea (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Reduviidae) of the Old World. Zootaxa. 4520(1); 1–85.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4520.1.1

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[Botany • 2018] Henckelia pathakii (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species of Henckelia from Arunachal Pradesh, India

November 11, 2018, 11:34 pm
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Henckelia pathakii G. Krishna & Lakshmin. 

in Krishna & Lakshminarasimhan, 2018. 
Photographed by Gopal Krishna

Abstract
Henckelia pathakii G. Krishna & Lakshmin. sp. nov., is described and illustrated here from Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It differs from its closely related species H. adenocalyx and H. grandifolia in having cupular bracts (vs. free and slightly connate at base) and glabrous (vs. densely hairy or sparsely pubescent), eglandular calyx. As it is narrowly confined to Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh in a small population comprising about 20 individuals in a single location. The threat status of this new species is provisionally assessed here as “Critically Endangered” following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria version 3.1 (2012).

Keyword: Arunachal Pradesh, Gesneriaceae, Henckelia pathakii, India


Fig. 1. Henckelia pathakii G. Krishna & Lakshmin. sp. nov. (A) Flowering twig, (B) Inflorescence with cupular bract, (C) Corolla split open (showing stamens and staminodes), (D) Calyx splitted, (E) Pistil with disk
[Drawn by Dineshwar Kumar Sah, (A–E) 
from holotype M.K. Pathak & Gopal Krishna 134270]

Fig. 2. Henckelia pathakii G. Krishna & Lakshmin. sp. nov. (A) Habit, (B) Solitary flower with cupular bract, (C) Inflorescence with cupular bract, (D) Corolla front view (stigma visible) [Photographed by Gopal Krishna]

Henckelia pathakii G. Krishna & Lakshmin. sp. nov. 

The new species can easily be distinguished from H. adenocalyx in glabrous nature of calyx (vs. hairy outside and sessile glands often on both surfaces); corolla glabrous (vs. puberulous corolla), variegated, sparsely adaxially hairy to glabrescent, glabrous beneath except midvein and lateral veins (vs. non-variegated, hairy on both sides) and bracts 2, red-greenish, fused forming a cup, coriaceous, glabrous (vs. bracts 2, greenish, free or adnate at the base, chartaceous, hairy). It differs from its another closely related ally, H. grandifolia by having cupular, glabrous bracts and glabrous corolla (vs. externally pubescent corolla). Comparison of diagnostic characters between the allied species is provided in detail in Table 1. 
....

Etymology: The specific epithet is named in honour of late Dr. M.K. Pathak (Botanist), Botanical Survey of India, for his significant contribution to the Flora of Arunachal Pradesh, India, who passed away suddenly on 7 Feb. 2013. 

Distribution and habitat: Henckelia pathakii is known only from the type locality, Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India growing at an elevation of 1980 m, on outcrops of shaded moist hillslopes in subtropical evergreen forests. (Fig. 3)


Gopal Krishna and Pakshirajan Lakshminarasimhan. 2018. A New Species of Henckelia (Gesneriaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India.  Taiwania. 63(4); 397-401. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.397  

   

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[Botany • 2018] Lebbiea grandiflora (Podostemaceae-Podostemoideae) • A New, Nearly Extinct Genus with Foliose Tepals, in Sierra Leone

November 12, 2018, 12:56 am
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Lebbiea grandiflora Cheek

in Cheek & Lebbie, 2018. 
  kew.org 

Abstract
Lebbiea grandiflora (Podostemaceae), a rheophytic herb from the Sewa River rapids in Sierra Leone, is described as a new species. It is the first new African genus of Podostemaceae published for 30 years. First collected in May 2017, the species is assessed as Critically Endangered using the IUCN 2012 standard. It is on the edge of extinction with a small population at a single site threatened by deposition of gravel and sand from alluvial gold and diamond mining upstream, and a planned hydro-electric dam. The new genus is unique in Podostemaceae in a) its highly developed and robust style-stigma structure in which the bases of the two style-stigmas unite to form a bifurcate funneliform-cylindrical structure, with a reflexed, blade-like apex that extends half-way around the perimeter of the ovary-fruit towards the base of the ovary-fruit, b) a specialised andropodium, with robust, self-supporting capacity, having differentiated thickened central, and angled, thinner marginal areas (in other Podostemaceae the andropodial structures are undifferentiated), c) the pillar-like haptera which completely elevate the crustose root above the substrate. Lebbiea is placed in Podostemoideae, necessitating amplification of the delimitation of that subfamily in which it is additionally unique in having the foliose tepals characteristic of the basal subfamilies Weddellinoideae and Tristichoideae.


Fig 1.  Lebbiea grandiflora.
A. habit, whole plant, in fruit, showing the flat root, a pillar-like ‘haptera’, and a shoot with three inflorescences, B. detail of shoot with three branches, C. view of upper surface of a flattened root, with six short, erect shoots, each with 1–2 1-flowered inflorescences emerging from spathellum remains, D. side view of plant showing, on the lower surface of the flattened root, the pillar-like haptera, branched at base; upper surface of root with spathellum-sheathed inflorescence base, E. plant attached to rock by weft of thread-like root hairs (indicated with arrow) from base of pillar-like haptera; upper surface of flattened root with two shoots, F. side view of flower showing one of two tepals in full frontal view, G. as F. with tepal removed, exposing the gynoecium with, to left, the arched-over androecium, H. side view of flower with androecium in centre, two tepals flanking the gynoecium, I. androecium (leftmost of three anthers missing), J. transverse section of andropodium, K. view of gynoecium from above showing funneliform style-stigma base, L. fruit, dehisced, M. transverse section of bilocular fruit, showing septum and placentae, N. placentae with seeds, divided by septum, O. seeds, P. seed with mucilage outer layer.
Drawn by Andrew Brown from Lebbie A2721.



Lebbiea Cheek gen. nov.

Type: Lebbiea grandiflora Cheek sp.nov.

Diagnosis: differing from all other Podostemaceae in the basally connate style-stigma pair which form a short, bifurcate, funneliform cylinder, the apices of each style-stigma reflexed, forming a keel which encircles the distal perimeter of the ovary (in all other species the stigmas are not divided into basal and distal parts, and if conjoined never form a cylinder, nor have a keel-like distal part); also differing from all other Podostemaceae in the robust, free-standing, concave andropodium, differentiated into thinner marginal and thickened central portions (not depending on hydrostatic pressure to stay erect, not flat or cylindric, undifferentiated); differing from all other Podostemoideae in the ovate, concave, tepals that conceal the ovary (not filiform, inconspicuous) (Fig 1)


Lebbiea grandiflora Cheek sp. nov. [urn:lsid:ipni.org: 77188051-1]

Type: Sierra Leone, Sewa River, between Fomaya (Kenema District) and Ngnawama (Kono District), 257 m alt., fr. 5 May 2017, Lebbie A2721 (holotype K! K000875049; isotypes SL!, US!, ZT!)

Etymology: The generic name Lebbiea commemorates Dr. Aiah Lebbie, Head of The National Herbarium of Sierra Leone, Njala University, Sierra Leone who collected the type and only known material of this genus. The specific epithet refers to the flowers which are the largest known in the family in Africa (4-5 mm long above the pedicel), exceeding even those of Dicraeanthus africanus Engl. (3.5 mm long above the pedicel).

The Koukoutamba falls in Guinea on the Bafing River of Guinea-Conakry.
With 5 species of Podostemaceae, three globally threatened including two new to science (one of which is Lebbiea), it is the richest site known for Podostem species diversity in Guinea.

Distribution: Known only from one site on the Sewa River in the Kono and Kenema districts of Eastern Sierra Leone. The nearest settlement is Nɡnawama, several kilometres drive from Jaiama Sewafe, a large settlement dependent on alluvial diamond mining (Fig 2).

Ecology: Lebbiea grandiflora grows on submerged rocks in river beds, in the wet season, where they have been found in the middle of the river and close to the river bank. At the height of the dry season when falling water levels have exposed the rocks, the plants flower and fruit and die off (they can be easily scraped off the rock at this time). They grow in small isolated patches on rocks, covering the horizontal surfaces in a mat-like appearance with the flattened roots. Two of the observed clumps were growing on rocks in the middle of the river, with the third one close to the edge of the bank where a small rapid was still observable at the height of the dry season. The mass of rock on which it was growing had been partly dissected by the erosive forces of the river current, developing numerous small basins in which water was still present, sand and pebbles from the alluvial diamond mining had also settled. In the cracks in the bedrock and at the edges of the numerous basins can be found tufted water grasses growing in association with hydrophytes such as Hygrophila spp. (Acanthaceae). These plants probably serve to modulate the water current over the rocks in the wet season. Pterocarpus santalinoides L'Hér. ex DC. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) was the only tree growing on these rocks in the middle of the river.


Martin Cheek and Aiah Lebbie. 2018. Lebbiea (Podostemaceae-Podostemoideae), A New, Nearly Extinct Genus with Foliose Tepals, in Sierra Leone.    PLoS ONE. 13(10): e0203603.  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203603   

Kew Scientist discovers new species of aquatic herb on the edge of extinction  kew.org/science/news/kew-scientist-discovers-new-species-of-aquatic-herb-on-the-edge-of-extinction

  

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[Entomology • 2018] Tropidomantis kawaharai • First Record of A Praying Mantis (Mantodea: Iridopterygidae) in the mid‐Pacific Marquesas Archipelago

November 13, 2018, 1:34 am
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Tropidomantis kawaharai  Brannoch

in Brannoch & Svenson, 2018. 

Abstract
Two praying mantis specimens were collected on the island of Hiva Oa of the Marquesas Archipelago, an isolated island chain located approximately in the centre of the Pacific Ocean. While external morphological features agree with the diagnosis of the genus Tropidomantis, the unique combination of character states reveals that they represent a new species. Furthermore, this is the first record of a praying mantis collected in the Marquesas Archipelago. We describe the morphology of the species, illustrated by high resolution habitus images, figures of diagnostic features and measurement data for Tropidomantis kawaharai sp. nov.

Keywords: Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, new record, new species, Tropidomantis kawaharai


Figure 2. Dorsal and ventral habitus images of Tropidomantis kawaharai sp. nov.:
 (a, b) Holotype GSMC006598; (c, d) Paratype GSMC006599.
 Scale bars = 5 mm.  DOI: 10.1111/AEn.12373 

Figure 4  Key morphological features of Tropidomantis kawaharai:
(a) anterior view of head capsule; (b) ventral view of cervical sclerites; (c) dorsal view of pronotum. Dark grey shading = compound eyes and ocelli; light grey shading = cuticular colour markings; crosshatching indicates cuticular depressions; stippling indicates membranous region.

Abbreviations: icar, anterior rim of intercervical sclerite; icpr, posterior rim of intercervical sclerite; ics, intercervical sclerites; job, juxtaocular bulge; lclp, lateral part of lateral cervical sclerites; lcmp, medial part of lateral cervical sclerites; lcs, lateral cervical sclerites; LMP, lateral margin of pronotum; MK, medial keel; vcs, ventral cervical sclerites. 
Scale bars = 5 mm.  DOI: 10.1111/AEn.12373 

Tropidomantis Stål 1877

Tropidomantis kawaharai Brannoch sp. nov.
....

Etymology: This species is named in honour of Dr Akito Kawahara, who collected the specimens, for his enthusiastic commitment to the success of students in the field of entomology and whose mentorship encouraged the author to pursue a career in systematic entomology.


Sydney K. Brannoch and Gavin J. Svenson. 2018. First Record of A Praying Mantis, Tropidomantis kawaharai Brannoch sp. nov. (Mantodea: Iridopterygidae), in the mid‐Pacific Marquesas Archipelago. Austral Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/aen.12373  


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[Entomology • 2018] Paramonovius nightking • A New Genus and Species of An Unusual Australian Winter Bee Fly (Diptera: Bombyliidae) with Discussion on Its Phylogenetic Position

November 13, 2018, 2:07 am
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Paramonovius nightking 
Li & Yeates, 2018
photo by 'Jean and Fred' flickr.com/Jean_Hort

Abstract
A new genus of bee fly (Bombyliinae: Bombyliini) is described to place a unique species Paramonovius nightking gen. et sp. nov. The new species is only collected in winter and is only known from a restricted area in Western Australia. Our morphological phylogeny indicates the new genus is sister to Sisyromyia White, 1916 and is similar to the latter in some external characters such as the one‐segmented antennal flagellum with apical stylus, subapex with 3–5 long hairs, open cell r5 and cell br nearly as long as cell bm. However, Paramonovius gen. nov. has dichoptic male eyes, sparse scales on the median abdominal stripe, enlarged claw and pulvillus, as well as a series of autapomorphies in the genitalia. We present a modified key to the Australian genera of Bombyliini to accommodate this new genus. The unusual flight time of this genus may have contributed to its rarity in collections.

Keywords: morphological phylogeny, Paramonovius, taxonomy


Paramonovius nightking Wandoo National Park, Western Australia

photo by 'Jean and Fred'

female Paramonovius nightking 

photo by 'Jean and Fred' 

Genus Paramonovius gen. nov.

Etymology: This generic name is in honour of Dr. Sergei Jacques Paramonov for his significant contribution to Australian dipterology.


Paramonovius nightking sp. nov. 

Etymology: This species is named after the Night King in the American fantasy drama Game of Thrones, because all the specimens were collected in winter and the fly is mostly covered in thick pale pruinescence. The specific name is treated as a noun in apposition.


Xuankun Li and David K. Yeates. 2018. A New Genus and Species of An Unusual Australian Winter Bee Fly (Diptera: Bombyliidae) with Discussion on Its Phylogenetic position. Austral Entomology.  DOI: 10.1111/aen.12361

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[Arachnida • 2018] A Review of some Neriene Spiders (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from China

November 13, 2018, 2:29 am
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Neriene emphana (Walcknear, 1841) 

in Li, Liu & Chen, 2018. 

Abstract
The genus Neriene Blackwall, 1833 from China is reviewed. Two new species are described: Neriene lushanensis n. sp., Neriene orthocera n. sp.Ketambea liupanensis (Tang & Song, 1992) n. comb. and Ketambea nigripectoris (Oi, 1960) n. comb. are transferred from the genus Neriene. Nineteen known species are redescribed or diagnosed and discriminated from related species: Neriene aquilirostralis Chen & Zhu, 1989, Neriene birmanica (Thorell, 1887), Neriene calozonata Chen & Zhu, 1989, Neriene cavaleriei (Schenkel, 1963), Neriene clathrata (Sundevall, 1830), Neriene compta Zhu & Sha, 1986, Neriene decormaculata Chen & Zhu, 1988, Neriene emphana (Walcknear, 1841), Neriene hammeni (Van Helsdingen, 1963), Neriene japonica (Oi, 1960), Neriene limbatinella (Bosenberg & Strand, 1906), Neriene longipedella (Bosenberg & Strand, 1960), Neriene macella (Thorell, 1898), Neriene nitens Chen & Zhu, 1991, Neriene oidedicata (Van Helsdingen, 1969), Neriene poculiforma Liu & Chen, 2010, Neriene radiata (Walckenear, 1841), Neriene strandia (Blauvelt, 1936), and Neriene zhui Chen & Li, 1995.

Keywords:  Taxonomy, Linyphiidae, redescription, new species, new combination


Neriene emphana (Walcknear, 1841)


Jian Yong Li, Jie Liu and Jian Chen. 2018. A Review of some Neriene Spiders (Araneae, Linyphiidae) from China. Zootaxa.  4513(1); 1–90. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4513.1.1

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[Botany • 2018] Bulbophyllum chrysolabium (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

November 13, 2018, 10:06 pm
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Bulbophyllum chrysolabium L. Li & D.P. Ye

in Li, Ye & Zeng, 2018. 

Abstract
Bulbophyllum chrysolabium, a new species belonging to section Racemosae from Yunnan, China is described and illustrated. The species is related to B. orientale and B. morphologorum, but differs by having the following set of characters: obliquely broadly-based triangular petals with a long filiform apex; lip densely glandular papillose and conspicuously ciliolate along margins; lip auricles well developed, narrowly falcate, tapering to a long sharp point at the apex; stelidia subulate and twisted inwards, slightly exceeding operculum. The conservation status of B. chrysolabium is assessed and taxonomic notes are provided.

Keywords: Menglian County, new taxa, section Racemosae, taxonomy



Figure 1. Bulbophyllum chrysolabium.
 A Habit B Flower, lateral view C Flower, frontal view D Dorsal sepal, petals and lateral sepals, adaxial view E Lip, lateral view F Lip, ventral view G Pollinia H Operculum, ventral view I Column, ventral view J Column and lip, lateral view.
 Scale bars: 2 cm (A), 2 mm (B–D), 1 mm (E–F, I–J), 0.2 mm (G–H). 
Drawn by Yun-Xiao Liu.


Figure 2. Bulbophyllum chrysolabium.
A Habitat B Inflorescences C Close-up of inflorescence D Flower, lateral view showing floral bract E Flower, frontal view F Dorsal sepal, petal and lateral sepal, abaxial view G Lip, ventral view H Column and lip, lateral view.
Scale bars, 1 mm (G), 2 mm (D–F, H).

Bulbophyllum chrysolabium L. Li & D.P. Ye, sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: Bulbophyllum chrysolabium is distinguished from all known congeners by having the following unique combination of features: obliquely broadly-based triangular petals with a long filiform apex; lip densely glandular papillose on both sides and conspicuously ciliolate along margins; lip auricles well developed, narrowly falcate, tapering to a long sharp point at the apex; stelidia subulate and twisted inwards, slightly exceeding operculum.

Taxonomic notes: Bulbophyllum chrysolabium appears to be related to B. orientale Seidenf. (Seidenfaden 1979: 138), especially in narrowly falcate lip auricles and twisted stelidia, but differs in distinctly longer floral bracts (almost twice as long as the pedicel and ovary); petals with long filiform apices, a rather smaller lip (ca. 2.8 mm long), significantly glandular-papillose and ciliolate at margins; stelidia slightly exceeding operculum and distinctly longer than column. With respect to filiform petals, B. chrysolabium is also superficially similar to B. morphologorum Kräenzl. (1908: 89), however, the latter have a fat, conical protuberance or callus on the front of the column near its base and scape much longer than rachis. In addition, it has subulate, not twisted stelidia, considerably longer than operculum; lip auricles not falcate, but rather obtuse at the apex. A detailed morphological comparison between B. chrysolabium and its allied species is presented in Table 1.

Distribution and habitat: So far known only from Menglian County in southwest Yunnan Province, China, growing as an epiphyte amongst mosses on the tree trunk near the edge of river in rather exposed circumstances in subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest.

Etymology: The specific epithet comes from the Ancient Greek word chryso-“golden” and the Latin derived labium “labellum”, referring to the golden-yellow lip of the type.



 Lin Li, De-Ping Ye and Song-Jun Zeng. 2018. Bulbophyllum chrysolabium (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Malaxideae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 111: 61-68. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.111.28136

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[PaleoOrnithology • 2018] Mirarce eatoni • The Most Complete Enantiornithine (Aves, Ornithothoraces) from North America and A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Avisauridae

November 14, 2018, 12:57 am
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Mirarce eatoni 
Atterholt​, Hutchison & O’Connor, 2018

 Illustration: Brian Engh. 

Abstract
The most complete known North American enantiornithine was collected in 1992 but never formally described. The so-called “Kaiparowits avisaurid” remains one of the most exceptional Late Cretaceous enantiornithine fossils. We recognize this specimen as a new taxon, Mirarce eatoni (gen. et sp. nov.), and provide a complete anatomical description. We maintain that the specimen is referable to the Avisauridae, a clade previously only known in North America from isolated tarsometatarsi. Information from this specimen helps to clarify evolutionary trends within the Enantiornithes. Its large body size supports previously observed trends toward larger body mass in the Late Cretaceous. However, trends toward increased fusion of compound elements across the clade as a whole are weak compared to the Ornithuromorpha. The new specimen reveals for the first time the presence of remige papillae in the enantiornithines, indicating this feature was evolved in parallel to dromaeosaurids and derived ornithuromorphs. Although morphology of the pygostyle and (to a lesser degree) the coracoid and manus appear to remain fairly static during the 65 million years plus of enantiornithine evolution, by the end of the Mesozoic at least some enantiornithine birds had evolved several features convergent with the Neornithes including a deeply keeled sternum, a narrow furcula with a short hypocleidium, and ulnar quill knobs—all features that indicate refinement of the flight apparatus and increased aerial abilities. We conduct the first cladistic analysis to include all purported avisuarid enantiornithines, recovering an Avisauridae consisting of a dichotomy between North and South American taxa. Based on morphological observations and supported by cladistic analysis, we demonstrate Avisaurus to be paraphyletic and erect a new genus for “A. gloriae,” Gettyia gen. nov.


Figure 2:  Mirarce eatoni, A sampling of the best-preserved cervical and thoracic vertebrae, including the axis.
 (A) Axis in lateral view. (B) Axis in dorsal view. (C) Axis in caudal view. (D) Third cervical vertebra in lateral view. (E) Third cervical vertebra in ventral view. (F) Posterior cervical vertebra in lateral view. (G) Posterior cervical vertebra in ventral view. (H) Thoracic vertebra in lateral view. (I) Thoracic vertebra in ventral view. (J) Thoracic vertebra in anterior view.
 Abbreviations: ds, dens; ep, epipophysis; lg, lateral groove; lr, lateral ridge; pap, parapophysis; prz, prezygopophysis; poz, postzygopophysis; ps, posterior shelf; sp, spinous process; vp, ventral process. Scale bar equals one cm. 
Photos: David Strauss.

 Figure 19: A skeletal reconstruction of Mirarce eatoni showing preserved skeletal elements (white).
Illustration: Scott Hartman.

Systematic paleontology
Class AVES Linnaeus, 1758
ORNITHOTHORACES Chiappe, 1995
Subclass ENANTIORNITHES Walker, 1981

Family AVISAURIDAE Brett-Surman and Paul, 1985

Revised diagnosis: Enantiornithine birds with the following unique combination of morphological features: tarsometatarsus with inclined proximal articular surface; strong transverse convexity of the dorsal surface of the mid-shaft of metatarsal III; a distinct plantar projection of the medial rim of the trochlea of metatarsal III (unambiguously supported in our phylogenetic analysis); and a laterally compressed J-shaped metatarsal I (modified from Chiappe (1993)).

Phylogenetic definition: the last common ancestor of Neuquenornis volans and Avisaurus archibaldi plus all its descendants (Chiappe, 1993).

Included genera: Avisaurus (Brett-Surman & Paul, 1985); Soroavisaurus (Chiappe, 1993); Neuquenornis (Chiappe & Calvo, 1994); Intiornis (Novas, Agnolín & Scanferla, 2010); Mirarce (current study); and Gettyia (current study).


MIRARCE GEN. NOV.

Etymology: Named for its spectacular preservation and level of morphological detail (Latin “mirus” for wonderful), and after Arce, winged messenger of the titans in Greek mythology, for the evidence suggesting a refined flight apparatus in this species.

Type species: Mirarce eatoni sp. nov. (by monotypy)

Etymology: The type species is named in honor of Dr. Jeffrey Eaton, for his decades of work contributing to our understanding of the Kaiparowits Formation and the fossils recovered from it.


MIRARCE EATONI SP. NOV

Holotype: UCMP 139500, a three-dimensional partial skeleton consisting of several cervical and thoracic vertebrae (including the axis), the pygostyle, almost all phalanges from the left pes and several from the right, a complete humerus, femur, and tarsometatarsus, a partial scapula, coracoid, furcula, and tibiotarsus, as well as fragments of the sternum, radius, ulna, carpometacarpus, and manual phalanges (see Table 1 for measurements of select elements).

Type horizon and locality: UCMP locality V93097, Late Cretaceous (late Campanian 76–74.1 Ma; Roberts, Deino & Chan, 2005) Kaiparowits Formation of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Garfield County, Utah, USA.

Diagnosis. A large, turkey-sized avisaurid (see above diagnosis) enantiornithine (thoracic vertebrae with centrally located parapophyses; pygostyle cranially forked with ventrolateral processes; furcula dorsolaterally excavated; Chiappe & Walker, 2002) with the following autapomorphies: posterior end of sternum weakly flexed caudodorsally, terminating in a small knob; ulnae with remige papillae present; small, deep, circular pit located just craniolateral to the femoral posterior trochanter; small, triangular muscle scar on medial margin of the femoral shaft just distal to the head followed distally by a much larger proximodistally elongate oval; distinct, rugose ridge-like muscle attachment located on the craniomedial margin of the femur a quarter length from the distal end; and tubercle for the m. tibialis cranialis located at the mid-point of the shaft of metatarsal II on the dorsal surface. The new species is further distinguished by the unique combination of the following characters: acrocoracoidal tubercle very weakly developed and medially located; furcula with truncate (untapered) omal tips weakly developed into articular facets and oriented perpendicular to the axis of the rami; ventral projection of the sternal keel proportionately greater than in most other enantiornithines (similar to condition observed in Neuquenornis); acetabulum fully perforate; medial surface of the medial condyle of the tibiotarsus with deep circular excavation; and elongate, slightly raised, flat, oval surface present on the medial edge of the plantar surface of metatarsal II continuous with a weak medial plantar crest.

Figure 20: A reconstruction of living Mirarce eatoni, illustrating the large body size of this taxon.
 Illustration: Brian Engh.
  


Revised Systematic Paleontology
GETTYIA GEN. NOV.

Etymology: Named in honor of Mike Getty, a great friend, technician, and field paleontologist, who is dearly missed.


GETTYIA GLORIAE (Varricchio & Chiappe, 1995) new comb.

Holotype: MOR 553E/6.19.91.64, a three-dimensional tarsometatarsus missing part of metatarsal IV.

Type horizon and locality: Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Two Medicine Formation, MOR locality TM-068, Glacier County, Montana, USA.

Diagnosis: small avisaurid enantiornithine with the following unique combination of features: dorsal surface of the tarsometatarsus strongly inclined; attachment for the m. tibialis cranialis located beyond the midpoint of the tarsometatarsus; and distal vascular foramen completely closed by metatarsal IV.


Jessie Atterholt​, J. Howard Hutchison and Jingmai K. O’Connor. 2018. The Most Complete Enantiornithine from North America and A Phylogenetic Analysis of the Avisauridae. PeerJ. 6:e5910.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5910

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[Botany • 2019] Didymocarpus middletonii (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Area of central Laos [Nam Kading National Protected Area VI]

November 14, 2018, 1:43 am
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Didymocarpus middletonii   Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane

in Souvannakhoummane, Souladeth, Tagane, et al., 2019. 
ດອກລຳໂພງຫີນສີມ່ວງ | twitter.com/LaoBiodiversity

Abstract
Didymocarpus middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Nam Kading National Protected Area, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to Didymocarpus brevicalyx, D. formosus and D. puhoatensis but distinguished from the three by its fewer-flowered inflorescence, longer pedicel, and urceolate and multicellular eglandular hairy calyx. Based on the latest IUCN criteria, Didymocarpus middletonii is proposed to be Critically Endangered (CR). Our record of Didymocarpus represents a new genus record for the flora of Laos.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Didymocarpus brevicalyx, Didymocarpus formosus, Didymocarpus puhoatensis, Indochina, Laos, new taxa, taxonomy.


Fig. 1. Didymocarpus middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane.
 A, Habit; B, abaxial surface of lamina; C, inflorescence with flower (lateral view); D, flower (top view); E, dissected corolla, showing stamens and staminodes; F, multicellular glandular and eglandular hairs on pedicel; G, calyx and pistil; H, fertile stamens. Scale bars: A, 4 cm; B, 3 cm; C–E and G, 1 cm; F and H, 4 mm.
Drawn by K. Souvannakhoummane from Tagane et al. L1198 (FOF).

Fig. 2. Didymocarpus middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane in the type locality.
 A, Habit; B, abaxial surface of lamina; C, flower (front view); D, flower (lateral view). Scale bars: A, 4 cm; B–D, 1 cm.
Photographed by S. Tagane on 29 June 2017.

Didymocarpus middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane, sp. nov. 

Didymocarpus middletonii is similar to Didymocarpus brevicalyx Nangngam & D.J.Middleton, Didymocarpus formosus Nangngam & D.J.Middleton from Thailand and Didymocarpus puhoatensis X.Hong & F.Wen from Vietnam but differs from these three in having an urceolate calyx (versus campanulate) and a smaller corolla (c.3.4 cm long versus longer than 4.5 cm). 

– Type: Laos, Nam Kading National Protected Area, Bolikhamxai Province, ..., 665 m elevation, 29 vi 2017, Tagane, S., Souladeth, P., Okabe, N., Yang, C.-J. L1198 [fl.] (holo FOF; iso E, HNL, P). 


Distribution. Laos, Bolikhamxai Province (so far known only from the type locality). 

Habitat and ecology. Didymocarpus middletonii grows on shaded rocks, along a stream in semi-evergreen forest. Given that most of the individuals seen during our field survey had flower buds, the species should be in full bloom in July. 

Etymology. The specific epithet honours Dr David Middleton (Singapore Botanic Gardens), from whom we received the most generous advice regarding this new species.

Vernacular name. ດອກລຳໂພງຫີນສີມ່ວງ [Dok Lam Phong Hin Si Mouang (meaning: limestone purple funnel flower)].



K. Souvannakhoummane, P. Souladeth, S. Tagane, C.-J. Yang. and T. Yahara. 2019. Nam Kading National Protected Area VI: Didymocarpus middletonii (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Limestone. Edinburgh Journal of Botany.  DOI: 10.1017/S0960428618000264
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[Botany • 2018] Splitting Echinocactus: Morphological and Molecular Evidence support the Recognition of Homalocephala as A Distinct Genus in the Cacteae

November 14, 2018, 6:53 am
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Figure 1. A Echinocactus platyacanthus from Querétaro B E. horizonthalonius from Chihuahua C Homalocephala texensis from Chihuahua D H. parryi from Chihuahua E H. polycephala subsp. polycephala from Sonora F Kroenleinia grusonii from Querétaro. Line bar in fruit photographs is 1 mm.

in Vargas-Luna, Hernández-Ledesma, Majure, et al., 2018.

Abstract
Molecular phylogenetic studies of the six currently accepted species in the genus Echinocactus have partially clarified certain aspects of its phylogeny. Most of the studies lack a complete sampling of Echinocactus and are based only in one source of data. Phylogenetic uncertainties in Echinocactus, such as the recognition of Homalocephala as a different genus from Echinocactus, the exclusion of E. grusonii or the affinities of E. polycephalus, are here resolved. Phylogenetic relationships of Echinocactus were reconstructed with a maximum parsimony, a maximum likelihood and a Bayesian approach including 42 morphological characters, four chloroplast markers (atpB-rbcL, trnH-psbA, trnL-trnF and trnK/matK) and two nuclear genes. The utility of these two nuclear regions related to the betalain cycles (DODA and 5GT) are explored and discussed in relation to their potential as phylogenetic markers. Concatenated analyses with morphological and molecular data sets, plus 13 indels (2847 characters and 26 taxa), show general agreement with previous independent phylogenetic proposals but with strong support in order to propose the recognition of a reduced Echinocactus and the recognition of Homalocephala at the generic level. These results recovered a polyphyletic Echinocactus as currently defined. The here-named HEA clade, recovers the species of Homalocephala, Echinocacuts and Astrophytum as a monophyletic group with strong internal support. The Homalocephala (H. texensis, H. parryi and H. polycephala), was recovered as sister to the Echinocactus clade (E. platyacanthus and E. horizonthalonius), plus the Astrophytum clade. Consequently, we propose here to recognise a monophyletic Echinocactus and a monophyletic Homalocephala as two distinct genera with their own molecular and morphological synapomorphies. The evolution of some morphological characters supporting these clades are discussed, the necessary new taxonomic combinations for Homalocephala are proposed and an identification key for the genera, the species and the subspecies of the HEA clade are presented.

Keywords: Cactaceae, HEA clade, morphological character evolution, North American Deserts





Figure 1. A Echinocactus platyacanthus from Querétaro B E. horizonthalonius from Chihuahua C Homalocephala texensis from Chihuahua D H. parryi from Chihuahua E H. polycephala subsp. polycephala from Sonora F Kroenleinia grusonii from Querétaro. Line bar in fruit photographs is 1 mm.

Conclusions: 
This is the first phylogenetic study that has evaluated and combined molecular data from chloroplast and nuclear genomes with morphology to test the monophyly of all species and subspecies of Echinocactus currently accepted. Here we reinforce the proposal of excluding Echinocactus grusonii from the genus. Nevertheless, the recognition of Kroenleinia grusonii must be deeply evaluated since phylogenetic relationships of the Ferocactus clade (including K. grusonii, Leuchtenbergia, Stenocactus, Thelocactus and Glandulicactus) are still unresolved. The well-known HEA clade was recovered as monophyletic with strong support. This clade is morphologically and molecularly well defined, suggesting its taxonomic recognition. Our results also support the proposal that Echinocactus, as currently accepted (excluding K. grusonii), should be considered as two independent lineages, the Homalocephala and the Echinocactus clades, each one with its own molecular and morphological diagnostic characters, and each one representing different genera. In this study, all of the analyses recovered E. polycephalus within the Homalocephala clade, supporting its inclusion in this taxon. Here we present the new taxonomic combinations for the species of Homalocephala and an identification key for the genera of the HEA clade and for all of their species and subspecies.

Homalocephala parryi (Engelm.) Vargas & Bárcenas, comb. nov.
Homalocephala polycephala (Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow) Vargas & Bárcenas, comb. nov.
Homalocephala polycephala subsp. xeranthemoides (J.M. Coult.) Vargas & Bárcenas, comb. nov.


 Mario Daniel Vargas-Luna, Patricia Hernández-Ledesma, Lucas Charles Majure, Raúl Puente-Martínez, Héctor Manuel Hernández Macías and Rolando Tenoch Bárcenas Luna. 2018. Splitting Echinocactus: Morphological and Molecular Evidence support the Recognition of Homalocephala as A Distinct Genus in the Cacteae.  PhytoKeys. 111: 31-59.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.111.26856

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[Botany • 2018] Five New Species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Indochina and Thailand: Syzygium honbaense, S. phamhoangii, S. yersinii, S. phoukhaokhouayense & S. scabrum

November 14, 2018, 7:06 am
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ຫວ້າພູ  ||  Syzygium phoukhaokhouayense Soulad., Tagane & Yahara

in Tagane, Dang, Souladeth, Nagamasu, Toyama, et al., 2018. 
 Photographs: S. Tagane

 Abstract
Five new species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae), Syzygium honbaense, S. phamhoangii and S. yersinii from Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, S. phoukhaokhouayense from Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area, Vientiane Province, Laos, and S. scabrum from Bung Khla, Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, Buengkan Province, Thailand, are described and illustrated. Photographs, vernacular names and preliminary conservation assessments are provided for them.

Keywords: Flora, Laos, Myrtales, new species, Thailand, taxonomy, Vietnam, Eudicots


Syzygium honbaense Tagane, V.S.Dang & Yahara, sp. nov.
TYPE:— VIETNAM. Khanh Hoa Province, Mt. Hon Ba, ...

Syzygium honbaense is distinct from all the other Syzygium species in the region by having terminal inflorescences with 3 to 5 reddish flowers, ca. 1.1 cm long hypanthium and relatively smaller leaves, to 7.2 × 2.7 cm

Distribution:—Vietnam (so far only known from the type locality, Mt. Hon Ba). 
Habitat and Ecology:—Hill evergreen forest, at ca. 1200 m elevation. 

 Etymology:— The new species is named after the type locality, Hon Ba Nature Reserve in Khanh Hoa Province of Vietnam.
 Vernacular name:— Trâm hòn bà.

Note:— Among the Syzygium species having relatively large (hypanthium > 1 cm in diam.) and reddish to purplish flowers in Indochina, S. honbaense is easily distinguished from the other species by a combination of its smallest leaves ((1.7–)2.6–7.2 cm long vs. longer than (6–)12 cm) and terminal inflorescences. 


Syzygium phamhoangii Tagane, V.S.Dang & Yahara, sp. nov. 
TYPE:—VIETNAM. Khanh Hoa Province, Mt. Hon Ba, ...

Syzygium phamhoangii is similar to Syzygium balsameum (Wight 1841: 16) Walpers (1843: 179) in the shape of leaves and axillary inflorescences but distinguished by its obtuse to slightly cordate leaf base (vs. cuneate to long attenuate), shorter petioles ((1–)2–4 mm long vs. 4–15 mm long), larger hypanthium (3.5–4 mm long vs. 2.5–3.5 mm long) and more ovules per locule in ovary (12–16 ovules vs. 3–8 ovules).

Distribution:—Vietnam (so far only known from the type locality, Mt. Hon Ba). 
Habitat and Ecology:—Hill evergreen forest, at ca. 920 m elevation. 

 Etymology:— The specific epithet is chosen in honor of the excellent Vietnamese botanist Prof. Dr. Phạm Hoàng Hộ, who significantly contributed to the study of the flora of Vietnam. 
Vernacular name:— Trâm phạm hoàng hộ.


Syzygium yersinii Tagane, V.S.Dang & Yahara, sp. nov. 
TYPE:— VIETNAM. Khanh Hoa Province, Mt. Hon Ba, ...

Syzygium yersinii is similar to S. chantaranothaianum Soh & Parnell (2012: 558) in ovate-oblong leaf shape, very short petioles and terminal inflorescences but differs in having larger and thicker leaves (thickly coriaceous in S. yersinii vs. subcoriaceous in S. chantaranothaianum), reticulate tertiary vein (vs. scalariform) and larger flowers (hypanthium 1.8 cm long vs. 0.8–1 cm long).

Distribution:— Vietnam (so far only known from the type locality, Mt. Hon Ba). 
Habitat and Ecology:— Hill evergreen forest, at 890–920 m elevation. 

 Etymology:— This species is named after Dr. Alexandre Emile Jean Yersin (1863–1943), a Swiss-French, for his contributions to the exploration of the Hon Ba mountain. 
 Vernacular name:—Trâm yersin.

Note:— Lee et al. (2014: 398) identified this species as Syzygium formosum (Wallich 1831: 108) Mason (1851: 554) but S. yersinii is easily distinguished from S. formosum by its opposite leaves (vs. usually whorled in S. formosum) and terminal inflorescences (vs. in the axils of fallen leaves). The leaf texture and venation when dry is very similar to S. grande (Wight 1841: 17) Walpers (1843: 180), but differs from S. grande in its small habit (4 m tall vs. usually more than 20 m tall), subsessile leaves (vs. petiolate in S. grande) and more or less slightly cordate leaf base (vs. cuneate).


FIGURE 4. Syzygium phoukhaokhouayense Soulad., Tagane & Yahara. 
A) Flowering branch, B) Portion of lower leaf surface, C) Bark, D) Young shoot, E & F) Flowers. 
Photographs: A–F for Yahara et al. L1827,
 taken by S. Tagane on 26 Dec. 2017.
Syzygium phoukhaokhouayense Soulad., Tagane & Yahara, sp. nov. 
 TYPE:—LAOS. Vientiane Province, Thoulakhom district, Ban Pa Paek, Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area, ...

Syzygium phoukhaokhouayense is similar to S. syzygioides (Miquel 1855: 431) Merrill & Perry (1938: 109) but differs in having coriaceous leaves (vs. chartaceous to subcoriaceous in S. syzygioides), longer petiole (7–12 mm long vs. 3–5 mm long), larger and reddish-purple hypanthium (4.1–4.5 mm long vs. ca. 3 mm long, greenish), longer styles (ca. 5 mm long vs. ca. 8.3 mm long) and fewer ovules per locule in ovary (4–5 per locule in S. phoukhaokhouayense vs. 10–14 per locule in S. syzygioides). Also, it is apparently similar to S. lineatum (De Candolle 1828: 287) Merrill & Perry (1938: 109) but easily distinguished by having more secondary veins (28–32 pairs in S. phoukhaokhouayense vs. 16–20 pairs in S. lineatum) and single intramarginal veins (vs. 2).

Distribution:—Laos (so far only known from Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area). 
 Habitat and Ecology:—Open pine forest, at 905 m elevation.  

Etymology:— The species epithet refers to the geographical location of the find, Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area. 
 Vernacular name:— ຫວ້າພູ (Wa Phou). 

Note:— The matK sequence of S. phoukhaokhouayense is identical with S. syzygioides (783/783 bp for GenBank accession no. AB924771 and AB925281, 780 bp for AB924710 and AB924734, 768/768 bp for AB924947). However, S. phoukhaokhouayense is easily distinguished from S. syzygioides by the diagnostic characters mentioned above, such as the differences in leaf thickness, length of petiole and style, and colour of hypanthium.


FIGURE 5. Syzygium scabrum Tagane, Soulad. & Yahara. 
A) Leafy twig, B) Portion of lower leaf surface, C) Inflorescence, D) Flowers and flower buds, E) Young fruit, F) Fruit and seed. 
Photographs: A­ & B for Yahara et al. L1727, taken by S. Tagane on Dec. 2017; 
C & D for Souladeth 86, taken by P. Sutthisaksopon on 24 May 2011; 
E & F for Phonsena et al. 7280 taken by P. Phonsena on 22 Nov. 2015.

Syzygium scabrum Tagane, Soulad. & Yahara, sp. nov. 
TYPE:—THAILAND. Buengkan Province, Bung Khla, Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary, ...

Syzygium scabrum is similar to S. vestitum Merrill & Perry (1938: 110) in having reddish brown hairs on twigs, leaves and hypanthium, but differs in having more or less cordate leaf base (vs. broadly cuneate to rounded in S. vestitum), scabrid on both sides of leaf surfaces (vs. glabrous except on veins on abaxial side, never scabrid on adaxial side), more secondary veins (16–30 pairs vs. 10–16 pair) and longer styles (8–15.5 mm long vs. 6 mm long).

Distribution:— Laos (Vientiane Province: Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area), Thailand (Nakhon Phanom Province: Phu Langka National Park, Buengkan Province: Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary). 
 Habitat and Ecology:—In hill evergreen forest, at altitudes of 690–770 m in Laos, and in dry evergreen forest at an altitude of 150 m in Thailand. 

 Etymology:—The species epithet refer to its nature of roughened (scabrid) surfaces of twigs and leaves caused by dense hairs. 
 Vernacular name:— หว้าขน (Wa Khon) (Thailand); ຫວ້າຂົນ (Wa Khon) (Laos).

Note 1:—This species has been confused with S. vestitum (type: Mt. Bana, Vietnam, J. & M.S. Clemens 3296, K, image!) by Souladeth & Meesawat (2012), Chantaranothai (2014), and Soh & Parnell (2015), but it is clearly distinguished from S. vestitum by the above diagnostic characters. Syzygium vestitum is restricted to northern to central Vietnam and southern China (southeast Yunnan) (Hô 2003, Chen & Craven 2007, from our field observations in SE Asia). The sequence of matK region of S. scabrum (GenBank accession no. LC381853) differs 7 bp of the total 760 bp from the S. vestitum (LC381852: Tagane et al. V2522 (FU!) from Bach Ma National Park, Central Vietnam, ca. 25 km apart from the type locality of S. vestitum), supporting the separation of the two species.


     


Shuichiro Tagane, Van-Son Dang, Phetlasy Souladeth, Hidetoshi Nagamasu, Hironori Toyama, Akiyo Naiki, Kengo Fuse, Hop Tran , Cheng -Jui Yang, Amornrat Prajaksood and Tetsukazu Yahara. 2018.  Five New Species of Syzygium (Myrtaceae) from Indochina and Thailand.  Phytotaxa. 375(4); 247–260.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.375.4.1

   

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[Botany • 2018] The True Tectaria chinensis (Tectariaceae): Morphology, Distribution, and Allied Species

November 15, 2018, 12:24 am
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Tectaria chinensis (Ching & Chu H. Wang) Christenh.
in Dong, Tan, Pham & Phan, 2018. 

Abstract
Tectaria chinensis is a poorly known species from China, with its type being the sole authentic voucher to date. Recent field observations and morphological comparisons reveal its type being an incomplete frond, which resulted in the constant misinterpretation of some morphological characters and the allied species to T. chinensis. In fact, T. chinensis is a very special species restricted in southern China and northern Vietnam and featured by the unique long and erect caudex and the rare combination of partly free venation and vein-dorsal sori. Phylogenetically, T. chinensis was revealed by our previous analyses of five plastid regions to be in the Ctenitopsis group (Clade III or T. subg. Ctenitopsis), forming a sister clade to the lineage of T. fuscipes. A detailed description, explanatory illustrations, as well as distribution and habitat information of T. chinensis are provided.

Keywords: China, morphology, taxonomy, Tectaria, Vietnam, Pteridophytes

FIGURE 2. Tectaria chinensis (Ching & Chu H. Wang) Christenh. 
A & B, habit. C, two long, erect caudices. D, scales on lower stipe. E, part of fragment on upper lamina, showing veins forming costal areoles and sori on anastomosing veins or dorsal on free veins.
 (A from Dong 4343 at IBSC, B–E from Dong 4789 at IBSC).


Tectaria chinensis (Ching & Chu H. Wang) Christenhusz (2010: 58). 
Basionym:— Ctenitopsis chinensis Ching & Chu H. Wang (1981: 124). 
Type:— CHINA. Yunnan: Hekou, in 1955, elev. 100 m, Department of Biology, Yunnan University (DBYU) 512 (holotype PE!)
....

Distribution:—Restricted to southern China and northern Vietnam. In China: southern Yunnan (Hekou, Jinping, Lüchun, Mengla, and Xichou); in Vietnam: Ha Giang (Cao Bo, Vi Xuyen Distr.), Lao Cai (Nam Xe, Van Ban Distr.). This is the first time to confirm T. chinensis in Vietnam. It is also highly expected to find this species in northern Laos.

Note:— The type of Tectaria chinensis, DBYU 512 (PE), is actually an incomplete frond that consists of a broken stipe and a lamina without basal pinnae (Fig. 1). The lowest pinnae seen on the sheet of type specimen was mistakenly regarded as the basal pinnae by Ching & Wang (1981), which leaded them and later authors (Wang 1999, Cheng 2005, Xing et al. 2013) to associate this species with Ctenitopsis subsageniacea sensu Ching (1938: 311) [= T. austrosinensis (Christ 1907: 145) C. Christensen (1934: 177) (Dong 2017)], a species with the basal basiscopic lobes reduced on basal pinnae. Based on the misinterpretation of T. chinensis, we had never associated our new collections featured by long-erect caudices with T. chinensis because in the new collections the basal basiscopic pinnules of basal pinnae are constantly produced (Fig. 2). On the other hand, of all known species in Tectaria from China T. chinensis is the only dubious species which is poorly presented in herbarium; this fact reminded us to connect our new collections featured by remarkable long caudex with T. chinensis. The overall similarity, especially the consistent venation and sori positions between the new collections and the type of T. chinensis makes it sure that our new collections are just the individuals of T. chinensis. Now it is clear that T. chinensis is with the basal basiscopic pinnules being produced on basal pinnae and is not at all similar to T. austrosinensis.
....


Shi-Yong Dong, Shi-Shi Tan, Van The Pham and Ke Loc Phan. 2018. The True Tectaria chinensis (Tectariaceae): Morphology, Distribution, and Allied Species. Phytotaxa. 376(1); 60–67.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.376.1.6


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[Paleontology • 2018] Gordodon kraineri • The Oldest Specialized Tetrapod Herbivore: A New Eupelycosaur from the Permian of New Mexico, USA

November 15, 2018, 6:15 am
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Gordodon kraineri 
Lucas, Rinehart & Celeskey, 2018
  DOI: 10.26879/899 

ABSTRACT
Gordodon kraineri is a new genus and species of edaphosaurid eupelycosaur known from an associated skull, lower jaw and incomplete postcranium found in the early Permian Bursum Formation of Otero County, New Mexico, USA. It has a specialized dental apparatus consisting of large, chisel-like incisors in the front of the jaws separated by a long diastema from relatively short rows of peg-like maxillary and dentary cheek teeth. The dorsal vertebrae of Gordodon have long neural spines that bear numerous, randomly arranged, small, thorn-like tubercles. The tubercles on long neural spines place Gordodon in the Edaphosauridae, and the dental apparatus and distinctive tubercles on the neural spines distinguish it from the other edaphosaurid genera—Edaphosaurus, Glaucosaurus, Lupeosaurus and Ianthasaurus. Gordodon is the oldest known tetrapod herbivore with a dentary diastema, extending the temporal range of that anatomical feature back 95 million years from the Late Triassic. The dental apparatus of Gordodon indicates significantly different modes of ingestion and intraoral transport of vegetable matter than took place in Edaphosaurus and thus represents a marked increase in disparity among edaphosaurids. There were two very early pathways to tetrapod herbivory in edaphosaurid evolution, one toward generalized browsing on high-fiber plant items (Edaphosaurus) and the other (Gordodon) toward more specialized browsing, at least some of it likely on higher nutrient, low fiber plant items. Gordodon shows a surprisingly early specialization of the dental apparatus and indicates how incomplete our knowledge is of edaphosaurid evolution, disparity and diversity.


FIGURE 2. Holotype skull, lower jaw and incomplete postcranium of Gordodon kraineri, NMMNH P-70796, photograph (1) and bone map (2). Scale equals 10 cm.

FIGURE 3. The skull and lower jaw, as preserved, of the holotype of Gordodon kraineri, NMMNH P-70796, in right lateral view, photograph (1) and line drawing (2). 
Anatomical abbreviations are: an = angular; ar = articular; d = dentary; ep = epipterygoid; f = frontal; l = lacrimal; m = maxilla; mtp = mandibular tooth plate; n = nasal; p = parietal; pf = postfrontal; pm = premaxilla; pr = prearticular; prf = prefrontal; pt = pterygoid; q = quadrate; qj = quadratojugal; sa = surangular; sm = septomaxilla; spl = splenial; sq = squamosal; st = supratemporal; t = tabular; v = vomer. Scale equals 1 cm.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

SYNAPSIDA Osborn, 1903
EUPELYCOSAURIA Kemp, 1982
EDAPHOSAURIDAE Cope, 1882

Gordodon gen. nov.

Etymology.Gordo, Spanish for “fat,” and Greek odon, “tooth,” in reference to the large (“fat”) teeth at the anterior end of the snout of the holotype. Gordo also is a reference to the city of Alamogordo, near the type locality.

Diagnosis. Gordodon is a medium-sized edaphosaur (presacral length ~1 m) distinguished from the other edaphosaurid genera by: an unique dental apparatus consisting of large chisel-like incisors in the premaxilla and dentary (dentary incisors inferred from empty alveolus) separated by a long diastema from a relatively short row of peg-like maxillary and dentary cheek teeth and tooth plates with small (<1 mm) teeth on the interior surface of the mandible; preorbital skull length subequal to postorbital skull length; a relatively short nasal-maxilla suture; cervical and anterior dorsal vertebrae with relatively gracile centra that are double-keeled ventrally; and cervical and dorsal vertebrae have long neural spines that bear up to 12 small, thorn-like lateral tubercles randomly distributed on each side.


Gordodon kraineri sp. nov.

 Etymology. To honor Karl Krainer for his many contributions to our knowledge of the late Paleozoic geology and paleontology of New Mexico.

Holotype. NMMNH P-70796, incomplete skeleton consisting of the skull, lower jaws, all or parts of 21 vertebrae (five cervical vertebrae, four complete dorsal vertebrae, the neural spines in varying states of completeness of 12 additional dorsal vertebrae), parts of five cervical and five dorsal rib pairs, parts of the right and left clavicles and scapulae and parts of two digits of the manus(?) (Figure 2).

Holotype locality. NMMNH locality 8967, Otero County, New Mexico, USA (Figure 1).

Stratigraphic horizon and age. Lower part of Bursum Formation, early Wolfcampian (early Permian).

....

 Life restoration of Gordodon kraineri.


Spencer G. Lucas, Larry F. Rinehart and Matthew D. Celeskey. 2018. The Oldest Specialized Tetrapod Herbivore: A New Eupelycosaur from the Permian of New Mexico, USA.   Palaeontologia Electronica. 21.3.39A; 1-42.  DOI: 10.26879/899  
palaeo-electronica.org/content/2018/2343-new-eupelycosaur

Plain Language Abstract: Gordodon kraineri is a new kind of sail-backed reptile based on an incomplete skeleton found in ~300 million year old rocks in southeastern New Mexico. Gordodon belongs to a family of early herbivorous reptiles, the Edaphosauridae, and has a surprisingly specialized skull and dentition. These skeletal specializations indicate it was a selective browser on plants.

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[Herpetology • 2018] Odorrana kweichowensis • A New Species of the Odorous Frog Genus Odorrana (Anura, Ranidae) from southwestern China

November 15, 2018, 7:40 pm
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Odorrana kweichowensis  
Li, Xu, Lv, Jiang, Wei​ & Wang,. 2018

Guizhou Odorous Frog  || DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5695 

Abstract
The genus Odorrana is widely distributed in the mountains of East and Southeastern Asia. An increasing number of new species in the genus have been recognized especially in the last decade. Phylogenetic studies of the O. schmackeri species complex with wide distributional range also revealed several cryptic species. Here, we describe a new species in the species complex from Guizhou Province of China. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA indicated the new species as a monophyly clustered into the Odorrana clade and sister to O. schmackeri, and nuclear DNA also indicated it as an independent lineage separated from its related species. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its congeners based on a combination of the following characters: (1) having smaller body size in males (snout-vent length (SVL) <43.3 mm); (2) head longer than wide; (3) dorsolateral folds absent; (4) tympanum of males large and distinct, tympanum diameter twice as long as width of distal phalanx of finger III; (5) two metacarpal tubercles; (6) relative finger lengths: II < I < IV < III; (7) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the level between eye to nostril when leg stretched forward; (8) disks on digits with circum-marginal grooves; (9) toes fully webbed to disks; (10) the first subarticular tubercle on fingers weak; (11) having white pectoral spinules, paired subgular vocal sacs located at corners of throat, light yellow nuptial pad on the first finger in males.

Figure 6: Living Odorrana kweichowensis sp. nov. from its type locality, Lengshihe Nature Reserve in Jinsha County, Guizhou Province, China.
 (A & B) Dorsolateral view and ventral view of an adult male (voucher number: CIBjs20150803002), respectively. (C & D) Dorsolateral view and ventral view of an adult female (voucher number: CIBjs20150803006), respectively. Photographs by S. Z. Li.

Figure 7: Color variations in Odorrana kweichowensis sp. nov.
(A) and (B) Dorsolateral view and ventral view of an adult female from Jinsha County, Guizhou Province, China, respectively. (C) Dorsolateral view of a female from Meitan County, Guizhou Province, China. (D) Dorsolateral view of a female from Zheng’an County, Guizhou Province, China. Photographs by S. Z. Li.

Odorrana kweichowensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Odorrana kweichowensis sp. nov. is assigned to genus Odorrana based upon molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following morphological characters: dorsum is green; tips of digits dilated, tapering, disks with circum-marginal grooves, and vertical diameter longer than horizontal diameter in the disks; supernumerary tubercle below the base of fingers III and IV; feet fully webbed to disks, without tarsal fold; the first finger thick and nuptial pad distinct.

Odorrana kweichowensis sp. nov. could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) having smaller body size in males (SVL <43.3 vs. SVL >48 mm in many other species); (2) head longer than wider; (3) dorsolateral folds absent; (4) tympanum of males large and distinct, tympanum diameter in males twice as long as width of distal phalanx of finger III; (5) two metacarpal tubercles; (6) relative finger lengths: II < I < IV < III; (7) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the level between eye to nostril when leg stretched forward; (8) disks on digits with circum-marginal grooves; (9) toes fully webbed to disks; (10) the first subarticular tubercle on fingers weak; (11) having white pectoral spinules, paired subgular vocal sacs located at corners of throat, light yellow nuptial pad on the first finger in males.


Figure 10: Habitats of Odorrana kweichowensis sp. nov.
(A) Habitats in the type locality, Lengshuihe Nature Reserve, Jinsha County, Guizhou Province, China; insert is the photo for one pair of amplexed male (smaller) and female (larger) found on the stone in the stream. (B) Habitats in Xieba Town, Zheng’an County, Guizhou Province, China. (C) Habitats in Shilian Town, Meitan County, Guizhou Province, China. Photographs by S. Z. Li.

Ecology: To present, Odorrana kweichowensis sp. nov. has been found in three localities: Lengshuihe Nature Reserve in Jinsha Co., Meitan Co. and Zheng’an Co. in Guizhou Prov. of China. Geographical distances between these localities were from 89 to 173 km. Population from the Lengshuihe Nature Reserve inhabited broad streams, and near the riparian areas, surrounded by evergreen broadleaved forests (Fig. 10A). Populations from Meitan Co. and Zheng’an Co. inhabited broad slow-flowing rivers surrounded by paddy field (Figs. 10B and 10C). All of the localities were at elevations 717–766 m. All adult individuals that we found appear on the stones in the streams at night (07:30–12:00 pm) with water pH 6.8–7.1 and water temperature 15–23 °C. Tadpoles could be found at daytime and night. Amplexed individuals could be found in the streams in the type locality (Fig. 10A). Three sympatric amphibian species Fejervarya multistriata, Rana zhenhaiensis, and Polypedates megacephalus were found in Meitan Co. and Zheng’an Co., but only one sympatric amphibian species Amolops chunganensis was found in the Lengshuihe Nature Reserve in the type locality.


Etymology: The specific epithet “kweichowensis” refers to the distribution of this species, Guizhou Prov., China. The “kweichow” is an old spelling and a transliteration for “Guizhou.” We propose the common English name “Guizhou Odorous Frog” for this species.


Conclusion: 
We described a new species of the odorous frog genus Odorrana (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from Guizhou Prov. of China, and provide evidence for its phylogenetic allocations. O. kweichowensis sp. nov. was only known from a narrow range in the northwestern part of Guizhou Prov. of China, and occurred from mountain streams at mid and low elevations similar to most odorous frogs. In our fieldwork, the new species was found to be seriously threatened by local villagers and construction of dams and roads. Thus, further more detailed investigations on the species are urgent to ascertain its distributional range and population status. With our description, we contributed to a better knowledge of the diversity of the genus Odorrana in the southwestern China, and thus suggested that more comprehensive phylogeographic studies would highlight radiation patterns of the group.




Shize Li, Ning Xu, Jingcai Lv, Jianping Jiang, Gang Wei​ and Bin Wang​. 2018. A New Species of the Odorous Frog Genus Odorrana (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from southwestern China. PeerJ 6:e5695.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5695

        

      

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