Species New to Science

Brasilotyphlus dubium

Correia, Nunes, Gamble, Maciel, Marques-Souza, et al., 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.2

Abstract

A third species of Brasilotyphlus, a siphonopid caecilian, is described based on six specimens from two twin mountains in Roraima state, northern Brazil.Brasilotyphlus dubium sp. nov. differs from all other congeners in having a combination of 123–129 primary annuli and 9–16 secondary annular grooves. The first molecular data were generated and analyzed for Brasilotyphlus, and the genus was recovered as monophyletic and nested within a paraphyletic Microcaecilia. The extent of genetic and taxonomic sampling, and moderate phylogenetic support are not considered sufficient enough to place Brasilotyphlus in the synonymy of Microcaecilia.

Key words: Brazil, caecilians, phylogeny, taxonomy

Brasilotyphlus dubium sp. nov. Specimen from the type series in life in dorsal view.

Brasilotyphlus dubium sp. nov.

Etymology. The epithet dubium means “dubious”, reflecting our doubt whether or not Brasilotyphlus should be considered a synonym of Microcaecilia. For nomenclatural purposes, the species epithet is considered a noun in apposition.

Larissa L. Correia, Pedro M. S. Nunes, Tony Gamble, Adriano O. Maciel, Sergio Marques-Souza, Antoine Fouquet, Miguel T. Rodrigues and Tami Mott. 2018. A New Species of Brasilotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) and A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Relationship Between Microcaecilia and Brasilotyphlus. Zootaxa. 4527(2); 186–196. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.2.2

twitter.com/AdrianoOMaciel1/status/1070148052508438528

twitter.com/ccostah/status/1070115779255959552

Cenaspis aenigma

Campbell, Smith & Hall, 2018

DOI: 10.1670/18-042

twitter.com/am_durso

Abstract

A new genus and species of colubroid snake is described from the isolated highlands of western Chiapas. This enigmatic little snake possesses a unique suite of characters that defies placing it in any known genus and clearly distinguishes it from all known genera. Several of the most unusual features include subcaudals undivided throughout the length of the tail and a simple hemipenis completely adorned with calyces and having a sulcus spermaticus that remains unbifurcated until the apical portion of the organ. Neither of these characteristics is known for any other colubroid of the Western Hemisphere. Consideration of morphology places the new snake in the Dipsadidae and suggests that Adelphicos, Atractus, Geophis, and Chapinophis are among its closest relatives.

FIG. 1. Cenaspis aenigma (holotype, UTA R-10544, 258 mm total length),
drawing reconstructing species in life.

Cenaspis, new genus

Etymology.— The generic name is derived from the Latin cena, meaning dinner, and aspis, meaning a kind of snake, in reference to predation on the single known individual of this snake. The name taken literally means ‘‘dinner snake.’’

Cenaspis aenigma, new species

Etymology.— From the Latin aenigma meaning a riddle or mystery.

Jonathan A. Campbell, Eric N. Smith and Alexander S. Hall. 2018. Caudals and Calyces: The Curious Case of a Consumed Chiapan Colubroid. Journal of Herpetology. 52(4); 459-472. DOI: 10.1670/18-042

twitter.com/am_durso/status/1070252471249977344

Resumen: Se describe un nuevo género y especie de serpiente colubrina de las montañas aisladas del oeste de Chiapas. Esta enigmática y pequeña serpiente posee un conjunto único de caracteres que impide su asignación a cualquier otro género y claramente la distingue de cualquier género conocido. Varios de las características inusuales incluyen subcaudales no divididas a lo largo de toda la cola y un hemipene simple, completamente cubierto de cálices, y con un surco espermático que permanece no bifurcado hasta el ápice del órgano. Ninguna de estas características es conocida de cualquier colúbrido en el hemisferio occidental. Examen de morfología sugiere que la nueva serpiente pertenece a la familia Dipsadidae y su afinidad esta con Adelphicos, Atractus, Geophis, y Chapinophis.

Scinax strussmannae

Ferrão, Moravec, Kaefer, Fraga & Lima, 2018

DOI: 10.1670/17-165 twitter.com/FerraoMiqueias

Abstract

We describe a new small species of Scinax from the rain forests on the interfluve between Purus and Madeira Rivers, Brazilian Amazonia. The new species is diagnosed by snout–vent length 20.2−22.5 mm in males; a yellowish-bronze dorsum showing small spots along the body and limbs; a red stripe horizontally extended on the medial portion of the iris; posterior surface of thigh brown, in both live and preserved specimens. The advertisement call consists of two types: type A represents a series of multipulsed notes (note duration 0.097−0.115 sec, dominant frequency 2,541−3,015 Hz); type B consists of a single tonal note (note duration 0.015–0.019 sec, dominant frequency 2,584–2,950 Hz).

Holotype of Scinax strussmannae sp. nov. (INPA-H 34688, SVL = 20.2 mm), Nascentes do Lago Jari National Park, Tapauá, Amazonas, Brazil.

Photo: Rafael de Fraga.

Scinax strussmannae sp. nov.

Etymology.— The specific epithet honors Christine Strüssmann for her friendship and outstanding contribution to Brazilian herpetology.

Suggested Common English Name.— Strüssmann’s Snouted Treefrogs.

Miquéias Ferrão, Jiří Moravec, Igor Luis Kaefer, Rafael de Fraga and Albertina Pimentel Lima. 2018. New Species of Scinax (Anura: Hylidae) with Red-Striped Eyes from Brazilian Amazonia. Journal of Herpetology. 52(4); 473–486. DOI: 10.1670/17-165

twitter.com/FerraoMiqueias/status/1067883453180518402

Apostolepis adhara

França, Barbo, Silva-Júnior, Silva & Zaher, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.3

twitter.com/herpgirls twitter.com/DaniMoojeni

Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Apostolepis found near São Salvador Hydroelectric Power Plant, municipality of São Salvador do Tocantins, in the central Cerrado ecoregion. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characters: presence of eleven dorsolateral stripes, five infralabial scales and the lack of preoculars scales. The new species shares some external characteristics mainly with A. arenaria, A. gaboi and A. nelsonjorgei, with which it is compared.

Keywords: Reptilia, Apostolepis arenaria, A. gaboi, A. nelsonjorgei, Color pattern, Pholidosis, Skull osteology, Taxonomy

FIGURE 1. Dorsal (A) and ventral (B) views of the body; ventral (C), dorsal (D) and (E) lateral views of the head; dorsal (F), lateral (G) and middle views of the body; and dorsal (H) and ventral (I) views of the holotype (CEPB 6554) of Apostolepis adhara. Scale bar = 5 mm.

Apostolepis adhara sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet “adhara” refers to the name of the star Epsilon Canis Majoris (ε CMa), from the constellation of Canis Major, which means “maidens” or "(the) virgins" in Arabic (Al ʽAdhārā) (Allen 1963). In the Brazilian flag, this star represents the state of Tocantins. Curiously, Adhara is the second brightest star of its constellation, as well as the Cerrado, corresponds to the second largest biome in South America.

We suggest the vernacular name "São Salvador burrow-snake".

Daniella França, Fausto E. Barbo, Nelson J. Silva-Júnior, Helder L. R. Silva and Hussam Zaher. 2018. A New Species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil. Zootaxa. 4521(4); 438–552. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.3

twitter.com/herpgirls/status/1063395807481745409

twitter.com/DaniMoojeni/status/1064969036835028994

Resumo: Descrevemos uma nova espécie do gênero Apostolepis, encontrada próxima à Hidrelétrica de São Salvador, Município de São Salvador do Tocantins, no centro da Ecoregião Cerrado. A nova espécie distingue-se de seus congêneres pelas seguinte combinação de caracteres: presença de onze estrias dorsolaterais, cinco escamas infralabiais e ausência das escamas preoculares. A espécie nova compartilha algumas características externas principalmente com A. arenaria, A. gaboi e A. nelsonjorgei, com as quais é detalhadamente comparada.

Palavras-chave: Apostolepis arenaria, A. gaboi, A. nelsonjorgei, folidose, padrão de coloração, taxonomia

Curculionichthys scaius

Calegari, Gamarra & Reis, 2018

DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-133

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

Curculionichthys scaius, new species, is distinguished from other congeners by having two usually conspicuous, somewhat triangular dark brown speckles lateral to the anal-fin origin, a pointed snout with paired rostral plates, numerous lateral abdominal plates, a single series of large median abdominal plates, numerous dentary and premaxillary teeth, and several morphometric proportions of the body and head, mostly involving prepelvic, prepectoral, and preanal distances, head and cleithral width, caudal peduncle length, and dorsal-fin spine. The new species represents the first record of the genus Curculionichthys in the Madeira River basin and is the most westerly distribution in the Amazon.

Fig. 1. Curculionichthys scaius, holotype, MCP 53800,
female, 21.5 mm SL. Brazil, Mato Grosso, Aripuanã River drainage.

Curculionichthys scaius, new species

Etymology.— The specific epithet scaius, from the Greek Rjaior (skaios), meaning west, westward, in allusion to the westerly distribution in the Brazilian Shield. An adjective.

Bárbara B. Calegari, Suelen P. Gamarra, and Roberto E. Reis. 2018. A New Species of Curculionichthys (Siluriformes: Hypoptopomatinae) from the Western Border of the Brazilian Shield, Madeira River Basin, Brazil. Copeia. 106(4); 663-670. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-133

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1070344832273575936

Curculionichthys scaius, espécies nova, é distinguida dos demais congêneres por possuir um par de pequenas manchas escuras triangulares laterais à origem da nadadeira anal, margem anterior do focinho pontiaguda com uma placa rostral pareada, numerosas placas abdominais laterais, uma série única de grandes placas medianas abdominais, numerosos dentes no dentário e pré-maxila, e diversas proporções morfométricas do corpo e da cabeça, a maioria envolvendo as distâncias pré-pélvica, pré-peitoral, e pré-anal, a largura da cabeça e do cleitro, o comprimento do pedúnculo caudal, e o espinho da nadadeira dorsal. Esta nova espécie representa o primeiro registro do gênero Curculionichthys para a bacia do Rio Madeira, sendo a espécie com distribuição mais a oeste na bacia Amazônica.

Pristimantis gralarias

Guayasamin, Arteaga & Hutter, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.2

twitter.com/JMGuayasamin

Abstract

Reserva Las Gralarias is one of the best-studied localities of the Ecuadorian Andes in terms of its batrachofauna. However, as expected in any community, some species are rare and, therefore, their discovery and description are problematic. Herein, based on a single specimen, we describe Pristimantis gralarias sp nov. Even though we are aware of the problems associated to singleton species (i.e., unknown intraspecific variation, limited ecological information), our efforts to finding additional specimens have been unsuccessful. Thus, given the importance of species descriptions in threatened areas (e.g. Andes), and that the new taxon is supported by both morphological and genetic data, we consider that the description is justified. Pristimantis gralarias sp nov is easily distinguished from all other members of the P. myersi group by its long and slender fingers and toes, with discs that are not expanded laterally (or are only slightly expanded). Furthermore, the new species is characterized by having a black venter with minute white spots and a red groin. A molecular phylogeny corroborates the placement of the new species in the P. myersi group and its distinctiveness in relation to other species. Finally, we discuss on the limitations and advantages associated to species descriptions based on one or few specimens.

Keywords: Amphibia, cloud forest, Taxonomy, Terrarana

FIGURE 1. Pristimantis gralarias sp. nov. in life, holotype, MZUTI 1466.

Pristimantis gralarias sp nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet gralarias is a noun in apposition and refers to the type locality of the new species, Reserva Las Gralarias (reservalasgralarias.com). We take pleasure in dedicating this species to the reserve and the team of people, led by Dr. Jane Lyons, for efforts on the conservation and research of Ecuadorian cloud forests. As the English common name for this species, we suggest Gralarias Rainfrog. As the common name in Spanish, we suggest Cutín de Las Gralarias.

Juan M. Guayasamin, Alejandro Arteaga and Carl R. Hutter. 2018. A New (Singleton) Rainfrog of the Pristimantis myersi Group (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) from the northern Andes of Ecuador. Zootaxa. 4527(3); 323–334. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.2

twitter.com/JMGuayasamin/status/1070444279380746240

Siren reticulata

Graham, Kline, Steen & Kelehear, 2018

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207460

photos: Pierson Hill twitter.com/AlongsideWild

Abstract

The salamander family Sirenidae is represented by four extant species that are restricted to North America. Sirens are abundant throughout the southern United States and are among the world’s largest amphibians, yet the biology, ecology, and phylogeography of this group is poorly-known. In this study we use morphological and genetic evidence to describe a previously unrecognized species from southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle. We name this species the Reticulated Siren, Siren reticulata. Future studies will enable more precise phylogenetic information about S. reticulata and will almost surely reveal additional undescribed species within the family.

Fig 1. (A) Siren reticulata paratype specimen captured in Okaloosa County, Florida.
(B) Location of Siren reticulata captured in 2009 by D. Steen and M. Baragona.
(C) The type locality of Siren reticulata, Walton County, Florida.

Siren reticulata, sp. nov.

Reticulated Siren

Etymology: This animal has been colloquially referred to as the Leopard Eel. However, given that the species is neither a leopard nor an eel, we selected Reticulated Siren as a more appropriate formal common name. The specific name, reticulata, is a reference to the reticulated pattern typical of all specimens we examined.

Diagnosis: Like all Sirenids, S. reticulata has an elongate, eel-like body shape, two forelimbs, no eyelids, a lateral line, enlarged external gill fimbriae associated with gill slits, and a horny beak in place of the premaxillary teeth typical of other salamanders. There are only two known genera in the family Sirenidae: Pseudobranchus and Siren. The genus Pseudobranchus (dwarf sirens) includes two species (restricted to Florida, southern Georgia, and South Carolina) and is diagnosed by the presence of only one gill slit and three digits on each limb. The species we describe herein is assigned to the genus Siren based upon its large size, presence of four digits on the forelimbs, and three permanent gill fimbriae with three associated external gill slits. The dorsum of S. reticulata is olive-grey with lighter yellow-green flanks. It has an obvious and striking dark reticulate spotted pattern beginning at the gill arches and continuing to the tail (Fig 1A). Some specimens show a decided boundary where the spotting pattern ends along the flanks, while others show continuous spotting along the flanks that continue onto the ventral surface. The venter is a lighter olive green-yellowish color and in some specimens, it is also sparsely covered with irregular spots.

.....

Fig 3. Bayesian inference consensus tree for sirens and Pseudobranchus axanthus outgroup using five gene sequences: CytB, COI, ND5, 12S and 16S. The tree was generated in MrBayes and run for 5 million generations using a partition scheme determined using Partition Finder 2. The top number is probability generated in MrBayes. The bottom number is the maximum likelihood % from 1,000 bootstraps generated in RAxML. Accession numbers are in Table 2.

Life history and ecology: Due to the difficulty in acquiring specimens and this species’ apparently limited distribution, little is known of S. reticulata life history and ecology. Clearly, research on this topic is an urgent need. Most of what we know of this species is consistent with the general habits of other described species of sirens. The holotype contains hundreds of tiny developing follicles, suggesting that females have high fecundity, a feature also exhibited by S. lacertina. Mating, fertilization mode (e.g., external or internal), nests, and eggs are undescribed. However, we emphasize that this information is scarce even for long-recognized S. lacertina or S. intermedia.

Sean P. Graham, Richard Kline, David A. Steen and Crystal Kelehear. 2018. Description of An Extant Salamander from the Gulf Coastal Plain of North America: The Reticulated Siren, Siren reticulata. PLoS ONE. 13(12): e0207460. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0207460

twitter.com/AlongsideWild/status/1070392572877524993

New species of giant salamander discovered in Florida on.natgeo.com/2E4tI2n via @NatGeo

Begonia incudiformicarpa Ardi & D.C. Thomas, B. iskandariana Ardi & D.C. Thomas,
B. johntania D.C. Thomas & Ardi & B. tumburanoensis Ardi & D.C. Thomas

in Ardi, Chikmawati, Witono & Thomas, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.7

instagram.com/Widnu.H.Ardi

Abstract

Material acquired on a recent expedition to Southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia, presents an opportunity to reassess and provide an overview of the Begonia flora of the region. Eleven species are recognized including four new species described and illustrated here: Begonia incudiformicarpa, B. iskandariana, and B. tumburanoensis (all in Begonia section Jackia); and B. johntania (Begonia section Petermannia). The former three species are the first confirmed records of section Jackia on Sulawesi substantially extending the known eastern range limit of this section. In addition, an illustration and a lectotypification of Begonia flacca are presented, and an identification key to Begonia species in Southeastern Sulawesi is provided.

Keywords: Jackia, Petermannia, Platycentrum, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sultra, taxonomy, Begonia, Eudicots

Wisnu H. Ardi, Tatik Chikmawati, Joko R. Witono and Daniel C. Thomas. 2018. A Synopsis of Begonia (Begoniaceae) of Southeastern Sulawesi including Four New Species. Phytotaxa. 381(1); 27–50. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.7

instagram.com/p/BrF9dm_l0To

Begonia colorata Warb.

in Naive, Alejandro & Hughes, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.16

twitter.com/markhughesis

Abstract

Recent exploration in Mt. Ararat, Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur resulted in a collection initially identified as Begonia bolsteri, a poorly known Philippine endemic species first described over a century ago. Examination of the types of this species and the type of B. colorata led us to the conclusion that these names represent the same taxon, and we place them in synonymy under the earlier name of B. colorata and designate lectotypes for both names. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive description for the species and photographs to facilitate easy identification.

Keywords: Agusan del Sur, Mindanao, taxonomy, tropical botany, typification

FIGURE 1. Begonia colorata Warb. A, Habit; B, Detail of leaf; C, Staminate flower, scale bar 5 mm; D, Pistillate flower, scale bar 5 mm; E, Capsule, scale bar 1 cm.

Photos by MAK Naive.

Begonia colorata Warburg (1904: 51).

Type:—PHILIPPINES. Mindanao, Sibulan, July 1888, Warburg 14633

(lectotype B[B100238148!] designated here) Fig. 1.

= Begonia bolsteri Merr. (1911: 387) syn. nov. Type:—PHILIPPINES. Mindanao, Province of Surigao, in damp shaded places, elev. 75 m, April 1906, Bolster 310 (lectotype B[100238109!], designated here; isolectotypes K[000761015!], PNH [112576-image!], US [00115258-image!]).

Distribution:— PHILIPPINES. Biliran, Mindanao, Luzon, Visayas (Pelser et al. 2011; Hughes et al. 2015–), Fig. 2.

Ecology:— Growing in damp areas under a semi-open to closed canopy in primary and secondary forest at an elevation of 75–700 m asl.

Mark Arcebal K. Naive, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro and Mark Hughes. 2018. Taxonomic Notes on the Philippine Endemic Begonia colorata (Begoniaceae, section Petermannia). Phytotaxa. 381(1); 127–131. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.16

twitter.com/markhughesis/status/1070995585451393025

Volgatitan simbirskiensis

Averianov & Efimov, 2018

DOI: 10.21638/spbu03.2018.301 english.spbu.ru

"Titanosaur" by Olorotitan

andrey-atuchin.blogspot.com deviantart.com/olorotitan

ABSTRACT

Volgatitan simbirskiensis, gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a series of anterior and middle caudal vertebrae from a single individual discovered in the Lower Cretaceous (upper Hauterivian, Speetoniceras versicolor ammonite Zone) marine deposits at Slantsevy Rudnik vertebrate locality near Ulyanovsk City, Russia. The new taxon is characterized by strongly procoelous anterior and middle caudal vertebrae, a long centrum of the first caudal vertebra, a strong ventral ridge in the anterior and middle caudal vertebrae, a neural arch positioned at the anterior half of the centrum, hyposphene-hypantrum articulation in the anterior caudal vertebrae, and somphospondylous bone texture. Phylogenetic analysis places the new taxon as a lithostrotian titanosaur, a basal member of the lineage leading to the Lognkosauria. This lineage previously contained only South American taxa with body mass reaching 60–70 tons. Volgatitan gen. nov. is the first European and the geologically oldest representative of this lineage. Its body mass is estimated as 17.3 tons. Discovery of Volgatitan gen. nov. suggests that the lithostrotian lineage leading to the Lognkosauria had a wider distribution in the Early Cretaceous and became extinct everywhere except South America by the end of the Early Cretaceous.

KEYWORDS: Dinosauria, Sauropoda, Titanosauriformes, Titanosauria, Lithostrotia, Early Cretaceous, Eastern Europe, Russia

Volgatitan simbirskiensis anterior caudal vertebra (holotype),
in right lateral (A), anterior (B), left lateral (C), posterior (D), dorsal (E), and ventral (F) views.

Alexander Averianov and Vladimir Efimov. 2018. The Oldest Titanosaurian Sauropod of the Northern Hemisphere. Biological Communications. 63(3), 145–162. DOI: 10.21638/spbu03.2018.301

Scientists from St Petersburg and Ulyanovsk have described a new giant dinosaur english.spbu.ru/news/2482-scientists-from-st-petersburg-and-ulyanovsk-have-described-a-new-giant-dinosaur

andrey-atuchin.blogspot.com/2011/05/russian-dinosaurs.html

"Titanosaur" by Olorotitan deviantart.com/olorotitan/art/Titanosaur-211260962

Centenaria rupacquiana

P.Gonzáles, A.Cano & H.Rob.

in Gonzáles, Cano & Robinson, 2018.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.113.28242

Abstract

A little herb from central Peru is recognised as a new species of a new genus. Centenaria rupacquiana belongs to the tribe Eupatorieae, subtribe Piqueriinae. It has asymmetrical corollas with two inner lobes smaller, a flat and epaleaceous receptacle and the presence of pappus. In Peru, Centenaria is related to the genera Ferreyrella and Ellenbergia, but Ferreyrella is different by having no pappus and a paleate receptacle; and on the other hand, Ellenbergia is different by having symmetrical corollas.

Keywords: Asteraceae, Ellenbergia, Eupatorieae, Ferreyrella, Rupac

Figure 1. Centenaria rupacquiana. A Plant B leaf (adaxial surface) C mature leaf (abaxial surface) D mature leaf (adaxial surface) E upper leaf F uppermost leaf bracteiform G capitula (upper view) H involucre I inner phyllaries J outer phyllaries K flower (frontal view) L flower (lateral view) M flower tube with glandular trichomes N flower (upper view) O style and stamens P, Q scale of pappus R achene without pappus. Photos by P. Gonzáles.

Centenaria P.Gonzáles, A.Cano & H.Rob., gen. nov.

Description: Small, erect, annual herbs, to 30 cm tall. Leaves opposite, blade ovate to broadly elliptical, coarsely to finely serrate. Inflorescence a diffuse corymbose cyme. Phyllaries 5, distant, biseriate, subequal to equal, persistent, oblong-elliptical to obovate-elliptical, with shortly apiculate apices; receptacle flat, foveolate, glabrous, epaleaceous. Florets 7–14; corollas asymmetrical with the two inner lobes smaller, white, with distinct short constricted basal tube bearing glandular or eglandular hairs; throat short and broad-campanulate; lobes as long as wide or outer lobes of peripheral florets longer, short-papillose on inner surface and margins; lower part of filament glabrous; anther collars rather short; style base not enlarged, glabrous; arms rather short-clavate, densely short-papillose; papillae larger and less dense below clavate tip. Achenes prismatic, 5-ribbed, ribs setuliferous, narrowed and setuliferous above carpopodium; carpopodium inconspicuously, short-cylindrical; pappus 5 long, lanceolate squamellae, densely scabrid on margins, nearly smooth on outer surface, smooth on inner surface.

Centenaria rupacquiana P.Gonzáles, A.Cano & H.Rob., sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A little herb characterised by its asymmetrical corollas with two small inner lobes, flat and epaleaceous receptacle and presence of pappus.

Type: Peru. Dept. Lima: prov. Huaral, Dist. Atavillos Bajo, NE of Pampas, road to Rupac, archaeological monument pre Inca, slopes with loamy clay soil, scrubland, ..., 3033–3509 m a.s.l., 15 Apr 2018, (fl,fr), A. Cano, P. Gonzáles, E. Huamán, S. Riva & S. Rivera 22682 (holotype: USM-3070016!, isotypes: MO!, MOL!, US-3730645!, USM!).

Distribution: Known only from the type locality in Rupac, northeast from Lima Department.

Ecology: Terrestrial plant growing on open area amongst shrubs, in the western Cordillera shrubland, between 3000–3500 m a.s.l. Co-occurring species include Paracalia jungioides (Hook. & Arn.) Cuatrec., Heliopsis buphthalmoides (Jacq.) Dunal, Dasyphyllum ferox (Wedd.) Cabrera and Vulpia megalura (Nutt.) Rydb. Flowering and fruiting between April and May.

Etymology: The genus is dedicated to the centennial of the institutional foundation of the Natural History Museum of National University Mayor of San Marcos (1918–2018), for their hard work on the research, conservation, preservation and diffusion of the biodiversity of the country. All these actions are steadily increasing our knowledge of the flora and fauna of our native land. The specific epithet refers to Rupac, a small village with archaeological remains from the Atavillos culture, where the only two populations of this species are known from this place.

Paúl Gonzáles, Asunción Cano and Harold Robinson. 2018. A New Genus of Compositae (Eupatorieae, Piqueriinae) from Peru, named Centenaria to honour the 100th Anniversary of the Natural History Museum of the National University Mayor of San Marcos. PhytoKeys. 113: 69-77. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.113.28242

Resumen: Una pequeña hierba del centro del Perú es reconocida como una especie nueva en un nuevo género. Centenaria rupacquiana es miembro de la tribu Eupatorieae subtribu Piqueriinae. Tiene corolas asimétricas con dos lóbulos internos más pequeños, receptáculo plano y sin palea, y presencia de papus. En Perú, Centenaria está relacionada a los géneros Ferreyrella y Ellenbergia, Pero Ferreyrella se diferencia por carecer de papus y presentar un receptáculo con paleas; por otro lado, Ellenbergia se diferencia por sus corolas simétricas.

Ovia macritchie

Lu, Koh, Zhang & Li, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.12

photo: Joseph Koh facebook.com/JosephKoh7161

Abstract

A new species of wolf spiders, Ovia macritchie sp. nov., is discovered in Singapore. It is closely related to O. procurva (Yu & Song, 1988), hitherto the only species of Ovia Sankaran, Malamel & Sebastian, 2017. O. macritchie also resembles Pardosa alboannulata Yin et al., 1997 from China, which is herein transferred to Ovia. All of them share a uniquely hooked terminal apophysis on the male pedipalp. Colour photos, line drawings, SEM photos and detailed descriptions are provided for both the new species O. macritchie and the newly combined species O. alboannulata.

Keywords: Araneae, Pardosa, diversity, taxonomy, copulatory organs

Taxonomy

Family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833

Subfamily Lycosinae Sundevall, 1833

Genus Ovia Sankaran, Malamel & Sebastian, 2017

photo: Joseph Koh facebook.com/JosephKoh7161

Ovia macritchie sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to the type locality, which is commonly known as the “MacRitchie Forest” within the species-rich Central Catchment Nature Reserve in Singapore. The name of this forest is becoming a catch-phrase epitomizing an evolving habit towards constructive engagement, in the spirt of mutual respect, among government agencies, the scientific community and civil society seeking to finetune a balance between safeguarding the shared natural heritage of all Singaporeans and meeting the infrastructure needs in land-scarce Singapore.

Tian Lu, Joseph K. H. Koh, Zhi-Sheng Zhang and Shu-Qiang Li. 2018. A New Ovia Species (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Singapore, with the Transfer of Pardosa alboannulata Yin et al., 1997. Zootaxa. 4527(3); 436–450. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.12

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Cyrtodactylus thuongae

Phung, van Schingen, Ziegler & Nguyen, 2014

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3764.3.5

Abstract

We describe the third new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus from Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam based on a type series consisting of eleven specimens. Cyrtodactylus thuongae sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese Bent-toed Geckos by a combination of the following morphological characters: size medium, with a maximum SVL of 77.6 mm; dorsal pattern consisting of blotches between limbs and on occiput and a sometimes medially opened nuchal loop; dorsal tubercles in 16–18 irregular rows; ventrals in 29–44 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral skin folds present, lacking tubercles; femoral pore series separated from precloacal pore series in males, 0–3 on each side; precloacal pores in males absent or only one; enlarged femoral scales and precloacal scales present, separated by a series of 15–16 smaller scales; postcloacal spurs two or three; subcaudal scales slightly enlarged. This is the 32nd described Cyrtodactylus species from Vietnam.

Keywords: Cyrtodactylus thuongae sp. nov., Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam, morphology, taxonomy

Cyrtodactylus thuongae sp. nov., adult male holotype (IEBR A.2013.23).

Photo T.M. Phung.

Cyrtodactylus thuongae sp. nov.

Etymology. The species name is dedicated to the wife of the first author, Dr. Thuong Thi Lien Nguyen from University of Food Industry, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for support of his field research in Vietnam

Cyrtodactylus thuongae sp. nov.:
A) adult male holotype (IEBR A.2013.23) and B) adult female paratype (ZFMK 94994) in life.

Photos T.M. Phung.

Sympatric occurrence of three Cyrtodactylus species in Ba Den Mountain,
A) Cyrtodactylus thuongae (IEBR A.2013.24), B) C. badenensis, and C) C. nigriocularis.

Photos T.M. Phung.

Distribution. Cyrtodactylus thuongae is currently known only from the type locality in Tay Ninh Province, Vietnam (see Fig. 5).

Natural history notes. Cyrtodactylus thuongae inhabits the same habitat with two other co-occurring cave dwelling species, C. badenensis Nguyen, Orlov & Darevsky, 2006 and C. nigriocularis Nguyen, Orlov & Darevsky, 2006 (Fig. 2). Specimens were collected at night (ca. 22–24:00) on the rocky wall in a small cave, approximately 0.5–2.5 m above the ground. Most of the specimens were found inside the cave (ca. 2–5 m from the entrance) and only one was collected outside (ca. 1.5 m away from the entrance). The surrounding habitat was mixed forest of hardwood and vine, dominated by trees of the families Moraceae, Fabaceae, and Dipterocarpaceae. C. badenensis and C. nigriocularis were also found on rocky cliffs of the cave, usually at heights below 1.5 m above the ground.

Trung My Phung, Mona van Schingen, Thomas Ziegler and Truong Nguyen. 2014. A Third New Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam. Zootaxa. 3764 (3): 347–363. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3764.3.5

ResearchGate.net/publication/261296560_A_third_new_Cyrtodactylus_from_Ba_Den_Mountain_Tay_Ninh_Province_southern_Vietnam

Vietnamese Gecko Species Discovered Near Ho Chi Minh City

thanhniennews.com/youth-science/new-lizard-frog-found-in-vietnams-mountains-25138.html

reptilesmagazine.com/Lizards/Information-News/Vietnamese-Gecko-Species-Discovered-Near-Ho-Chi-Minh-City

Greenwayodendron sp.

in Migliore, Kaymak, Mariac, Couvreur, et al., 2019.

DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13476 twitter.com/TLPCouvreur

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Abstract

Aim:

Palaeoecological records indicate that Pleistocene glaciations affected the African rain forest, probably causing its fragmentation, which could explain phylogeographical breaks documented in many tree species. This refuge hypothesis was further tested through species distribution models, hindcasting persistence during the Last Glacial Maximum. However, previous studies failed to estimate with sufficient precision the divergence time between phylogeographical entities to confirm their Pleistocene origin. Developing genomic tools on a representative tree of mature rain forests, we test if parapatric genetic clusters documented in widespread tree species can be interpreted as the legacy of past population fragmentation during the last glacial period(s).

Location: Tropical Africa, Guineo‐Congolian forests.

Taxon: Greenwayodendron (Annonaceae).

Methods:

To further test the Pleistocene refuge hypothesis by molecular dating, we sequenced the plastome of 145 individuals of the shade‐tolerant rain forest tree Greenwayodendron suaveolens and congeneric species, and genotyped the same samples using nuclear microsatellites to identify genetic clusters.

Results:

Five plastid phylogroups of G. suaveolens occur in parapatry throughout Central Africa, following a spatial pattern generally congruent with genetic clusters. Four of them diverged 3.5–4.5 Ma, whereas the fifth one, located in the Cameroon volcanic line (CVL), diverged 8.3 Ma, in the range of divergence times between Greenwayodendron species, highlighting the key role of the CVL in hosting ancient lineages. Within phylogroups, most nodes were dated from 0.9 to 3.2 Myr and a correlation between haplotype divergence and spatial distance was still perceptible, indicating a slow population dynamic.

Main conclusions:

The phylogeographical structures of Central African trees probably established during the Pliocene or early Pleistocene, and while they might have been reinforced during subsequent glacial–interglacial cycles, interglacial phases did not lead to genetic homogenization. Therefore, interpreting phylogeographical patterns of African trees must account for a much deeper past than previously assumed, and cannot be limited to the last glacial period.

Keywords: African rain forests, evolutionary history, Greenwayodendron, High‐throughput sequencing, molecular dating, nuclear microsatellites, phylogeography, plastome captures, Pleistocene glaciations

CONCLUSIONS:

The well‐resolved plastome phylogeny of Greenwayodendron species challenges the accepted view of Central African forest historical dynamics by showing that phylogeographical patterns of mature forest trees can have a very ancient origin, pre‐dating the Pleistocene. Our results call for a reassessment of the reference time‐scale traditionally used to interpret phylogeographical patterns in African rain forest trees, earlier than the last glacial cycle. The long generation time of shade‐tolerant tree species, their limited dispersal capacity and their incapacity to colonize open habitats probably explain their slow spatial dynamics, which in turn induces genetic signatures of very ancient historical or biogeographical events.

Jérémy Migliore, Esra Kaymak, Cédric Mariac, Thomas L. P. Couvreur, Brandet‐Junior Lissambou, Rosalía Piñeiro and Olivier J. Hardy. 2019. Pre‐Pleistocene Origin of Phylogeographical Breaks in African Rain Forest Trees: New Insights from Greenwayodendron (Annonaceae) Phylogenomics. Journal of Biogeography. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13476

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Pseudopaludicola matuta

Andrade, Haga, Lyra, Carvalho, Haddad, Giaretta & Toledo, 2018

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.480

photo: Felipe Andrade facebook.com/FelipeAndrade9083

Abstract

The genus of Neotropical frogs Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 includes 23 species, which occur throughout South America. Herein we describe a new species of Pseudopaludicola from the central region of the state of Minas Gerais (southeastern Brazil). This new species is distinguished by the adult morphology, the advertisement call, and molecular data. It is diagnosed mainly by its small size, terminal phalanges knobbed (lack of any expansion of the digital tips), proportionally short hind limbs, and its advertisement call composed of series of two-pulsed notes, emitted at a high repetition rate. In addition, we report the occurrence of the new species in the southern foothills of the Serra do Cipó National Park, at elevations lower than 800 m above sea level (a.s.l). The sister species of this new taxon is P. mineira Lobo, 1994, which occurs in rupestrian grasslands above 1200 m a.s.l. at the Serra do Cipó National Park and in Serra do Cabral, both in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We also redescribe the advertisement call of P. mineira based on recordings from topotypical males and compare it to calls of related species.

Keywords: advertisement call; integrative taxonomy; Pseudopaludicola matuta sp. nov.; Pseudopaludicola mineira; Serra do Cipó National Park

Fig. 3. Holotype and five paratypes of Pseudopaludicola matuta sp. nov. in life.
A. Specimen ZUEC 24302 (holotype, adult ♂, call voucher; SVL = 13.0 mm). B. Specimen ZUEC 24304 (adult ♂, call and GenBank voucher; SVL = 13.3 mm). C. Specimen ZUEC 24303 (adult ♂, call and GenBank voucher; SVL = 12.8 mm). D. Specimen ZUEC 24305 (adult ♂ and call voucher; SVL = 13.4 mm). E. Specimen ZUEC 24308 (adult ♂, call and GenBank voucher; SVL = 13.5 mm). F. Specimen ZUEC 24307 (adult ♀ and GenBank voucher; SVL = 15.2 mm).

Class Amphibia Linnaeus, 1758

Order Anura Fischer von Waldheim, 1813

Family Leptodactylidae Werner, 1896 (1838)

Subfamily Leiuperinae Bonaparte, 1850

Genus Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926

Pseudopaludicola matuta sp. nov.

Pseudopaludicola sp. – Carvalho (2012): 52, Natural History Section.

Pseudopaludicola mineira from Pampulha, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais – Andrade et al. 2018: 87, Discussion Section.

Diagnosis: Pseudopaludicola matuta sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Pseudopaludicola by having a hypertrophied antebrachial tubercle (see Lynch 1989, Lobo 1995). The new species is characterized by the following combination of characters: (1) small size (SVL 12.8–14.2 mm in adult males); (2) absence of both, enlarged palpebral tubercles and an enlarged conical tubercle on heel; (3) relatively short hind limbs (tibiotarsal articulation only reaching the posterior margin of the eye); and (4) advertisement call composed of regular series of stereotyped two-pulsed notes, with notes having a short duration and emitted at a higher rate (notes per minute).

Etymology: The feminine noun matuta in Brazilian Portuguese means rustic, provincial, related to those who live in the countryside.

Felipe Silva de Andrade, Isabelle Aquemi Haga, Mariana Lúcio Lyra, Thiago Ribeiro de Carvalho, Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad, Ariovaldo Antonio Giaretta and Luís Felipe Toledo. 2018. A New Species of Pseudopaludicola (Anura, Leptodactylidae, Leiuperinae) from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. European Journal of Taxonomy. 480; 1–25. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.480

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Viola pachysoma

in Watson, Flores, Sheader & Sheader, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.382.1.6

Abstract

The species herein, Viola pachysoma, has a long history of confused identity. When recognised as a distinct taxonomic entity it was published as Viola copahuensis. It also acquired a later replacement name, Viola caviahuensis. Each of these in turn has been formally declared nom. illeg. et nom superfl. Consequently, a third epithet for the taxon, V. pachysoma, is coined and presented here. The original protologue lacked a formal diagnosis, so we have added a supplementary version. We also chronicle the species since known to science, including its status as one of the parents of the first recorded hybrid in its section. A discussion and two multi-character tables serve to compare and separate species comprising the poorly understood geographical alliance which incorporates V. pachysoma.

Keywords: ICN Code, misidentification, natural hybrid, nomen illegitimum, nomen superfluum, section Andinium, sempervivoid, volcanic, Eudicots

John M. Watson, Ana R. Flores, Martin Sheader and Anna-Liisa Sheader. 2018. Viola pachysoma (Violaceae), A New Name for A Rosulate Species Endemic to the Andes of Argentinian Patagonia. Phytotaxa. 382(1); 113–124. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.382.1.6

Begonia austrovietnamica C.-I Peng, C.W. Lin, D.D. Nguyen & N.D. Truong

in Peng, Truong, Nguyen & Lin, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.12

Abstract

Begonia austrovietnamica C.-I Peng, C.W. Lin, D.D. Nguyen & N.D. Truong, a new species from Binh Thuan provice, southern Vietnam, is hereby described and illustrated. B. austrovietnamica resembles B. alicida C.B. Clarke in being a tuberous species with a dormant period, having 4-tepaled staminate flowers and 3-locular ovaries. However, the new species differs from B. alicida in being stemless with basal leaves (vs. erect stem), strongly asymmetrical (vs. slightly asymmetrical) lamina, inflorescence axillary (vs. terminal), pistillate flowers 6-tepaled (vs. 5-tepaled), ovary narrowly trigonous-ellipsoid (vs. trigonous-spheroid).

Keywords: Begonia alicida, Begonia bataiensis, taxonomy, Eudicots

Ching-I Peng, Nguyen-Dong Truong, Danh Duc Nguyen and Che-Wei Lin. 2018. Begonia austrovietnamica (sect. Alicida, Begoniaceae), A Handsome New Species from South Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 381(1); 95–99. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.12

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Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion

Turcati, Serra-Alanis & Malabarba, 2018

DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180118

ABSTRACT

A new mouth breeder species of Gymnogeophagus is described from a tributary of the río Uruguay. It is distinguished from most species of the genus by the presence of hypertrophied lips, and from G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus by the color pattern. The presence of successive allopatric species of the Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys clade inhabiting the tributaries of the río Uruguay is discussed.

Keywords: Distribution; Endemism; Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys clade; New species; Río Uruguay

Fig. 2 Head of Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion (first column), G. pseudolabiatus (second column) and G. mekinos (third column) showing the entirely black hump in males in G.peliochelynion (vs. yellow with black margin), and upper lip not folded dorsally over anterior margin of snout (vs. upper lip folded dorsally in G. pseudolabiatus and undeveloped in G. mekinos).
G. peliochelynion from top to bottom, paratype, ZVC-P 13210, paratype, 76.3 mm SL; ZVC-P 7016, 89.9 mm SL; ZVC-P 13057, 90.2 mm SL.
G. pseudolabiatus from top to bottom, paratype, UFRGS 7754, 102.0 mm SL; MHNM 4010, 88.8 mm SL; MHNM 4010, 95.3 mm SL.
G. mekinos from top to bottom, MHNM 3511, 105.1 mm SL; MHNM 3511, 97.2 mm SL; MHNM 4009, 121.3 mm SL.

Fig. 4 Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion: top, holotype, male, ZVC-P 12493, 101.9 SL; bottom, paratype, female, UFRGS 8076, 77.2 SL. Both from arroyo de las Tunas on road 31, tributary of río Arapey Grande, Salto, Uruguay. Photographs taken just after collection and fixation in formalin.

Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion, new species

Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from the species of the Gymnogeophagus rhabdotus group and from G. balzanii by the shape of the caudal peduncle longer thandeep (vs. deeper than long). It is distinguished from all congeners, except G. labiatus and G. pseudolabiatus, by the possession of thick lips. It differs from G. labiatus and G. lacustris by the lack of an oblique bar from the eye to the dorsal-fin origin (vs. oblique bar present), and by the color pattern of the caudal, dorsal and anal fins with dots (vs. caudal fin and posterior portion of anal fin with longitudinal hyaline stripes). It differs from G. pseudolabiatus and G. mekinos by the hump entirely black in males (Fig. 2; vs. yellow with black margin), and upper lip not folded dorsally over anterior margin of snout (vs. upper lip folded dorsally, usually with a well-developed medial lobe dorsally projected in G. pseudolabiatus).

....

Ecological notes. The new species was collected in rivers with clear water, usually with rocky or muddy bottom and little vegetation.

Etymology. The name peliochelynion is from the Greek pelios, meaning black and blue, and chelyne, meaning lip, in reference to the color of the lips of the new species. A name in apposition.

Fig. 5 Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion: above, paratype, male, ZVC-P 13210, paratype, 76.3 mm SL, río Arapey, Colonia Lavalleja, Paso Elías, Salto, Uruguay; below, female, ZVC-P 13057, 65.3 mm SL, Arroyo Sopas, Paso del Cementerio, Salto, Uruguay. Photographs of live specimens.

Andréia Turcati, Wilson Sebastián Serra-Alanis and Luiz R. Malabarba. 2018. A New Mouth Brooder Species of Gymnogeophagus with Hypertrophied Lips (Cichliformes: Cichlidae). Neotrop. ichthyol. 16(4). DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180118

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RESUMEN: Una nueva especie incubadora bucal de Gymnogeophagus es descripta de un tributario del Río Uruguay. Se distingue de la mayoría de las especies del género por la presencia de labios hipertrofiados, y de G. labiatus y G. pseudolabiatus por su patrón de coloración. Se discute la presencia de sucesivas especies alopátricas del clado Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys habitando los tributarios del Río Uruguay.

Palabras Clave: Distribución; Endemismo; Clado Gymnogeophagus gymnogenys; Especie nueva; Río Uruguay

Medinilla theresae Fernando

in Fernando, Quakenbush, Lillo & Ong, 2018.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.113.30027

Abstract

A new species, Medinilla theresae Fernando, from ultramafic soils on Dinagat and Mindanao Islands, Philippines is described and illustrated. The species is characterized by its terrestrial erect habit, non-setose nodes, 3-plinerved, lanceolate and coriaceous leaves arranged in whorls, cauline or axillary and pendulous inflorescences, rounded flower buds, 4-merous flowers, and straight anthers. It is compared with other similar species in the Medinilla pendula Merr. complex.

Keywords: Dinagat Island, Medinilla, Melastomataceae, Mt Hamiguitan, ultramafic soils

Figure 1. Medinilla theresae Fernando
A Habitat at type locality, dwarf forest on ultramafic soils, c. 840 m elevation, Mt Redondo with Mt Kambinliw in the background B Terrestrial, erect growth habit C Leafy branch showing leaves arranged in a whorl and secondary veins faintly visible on adaxial surface D Dried leaf showing adaxial surface with distinct pair of secondary veins E Abaxial surface of same leaf in D without the distinct pair of secondary veins.

B, D, E from Fernando 3831 (LBC), C from Fernando 4166 (LBC). Scale bars: 10 cm (B); 2 cm (C–E). All photos by Edwino S. Fernando.

Figure 2. Medinilla theresae Fernando
A Pendulous inflorescences arising from nodes near base of main stem and showing flower buds with rounded tips B Inflorescence with buds and open flowers C Close up of open flower. A from Fernando 4166 (LBC) B, C from Fernando 3831 (LBC).

Scale bars: 1 cm (A); 8 mm (B); 2 mm (C). All photos by Edwino S. Fernando.

Medinilla theresae Fernando, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This species is most similar to the Medinilla pendula species complex in its whorled leaves, 4-merous flowers, and pendulous inflorescences. It differs, however, in its secondary veins of leaves being distinct only on the adaxial surface, cauline or axillary inflorescences, and straight anthers.

....

Figure 3. Medinilla theresae Fernando
A Young infructescence showing light green fruits with bright red calyx rim B Mature purplish-black fruits C Seedling showing foliaceus cotyledons and first two pairs of eophylls, c. 20 weeks old, grown in nursery from seed of Fernando 3831.

A from Fernando 4217 (LBC) B from Fernando 3831 (LBC). Scale bars: 1 cm (A, B); 2 mm (C). All photos by Edwino S. Fernando.

Figure 4. Medinilla theresae Fernando
A Habitat on Mt Hamiguitan, forest on ultramafic soils, c. 1200 m elevation B Plant on Mt Hamiguitan with branch showing node with four leaves in a whorl and a pair of pendulous inflorescences.

A photo by Edwino S. Fernando B photo by Leonard L. Co.

Distribution: Thus far, this new species is known only from Mt Redondo on Dinagat Island and Mt Hamiguitan in the Pujada Peninsula on Mindanao Island, Philippines. Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte Province, and the Pujada Peninsula form part of the same belt of the Eastern Philippine Cretaceous ophiolite and ophiolite complexes (Balce et al. 1976; Yumul et al. 2003, 2008; Tamayo etal. 2004) that are now large areas of ultramafic landscapes with metallic ore deposits (e.g., iron, nickel, chromium) and hosting a unique type of forest formation (Fernando et al. 2008).

Etymology: This beautiful new species is named in honor of Dr Theresa Mundita S. Lim, former Director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources of the Philippines, and now Executive Director of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, whose dedication and commitment to protecting Philippine biodiversity is admirable. Director Lim has also been active in the international biodiversity conservation sector.

Edwino S. Fernando, J. Peter Quakenbush, Edgardo P. Lillo and Perry S. Ong. 2018. Medinillatheresae (Melastomataceae), A New Species from Ultramafic Soils in the Philippines. PhytoKeys. 113: 145-155. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.113.30027

Pelmatojulus tectus (Cook, 1897)

in Fiemapong & Enghoff, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.9

Abstract

The giant millipede Pachybolus tectus Cook, 1897, described from Zanzibar, East Africa, and never re-collected till now, is re-described based on newly collected specimens from Cameroon, West Africa. The species is transferred to the genus Pelmatojulus Saussure, 1860, and compared with the most similar congener, P. togoensis (Cook, 1897). The type specimen of P. tectus, which no longer exists, probably was mis-labelled. An overview of the distribution of Pelmatojulus species and records of the genus from Cameroon are given, including P. brachysternus (Cook, 1897) as new to the fauna of Cameroon. Pelmatojulus insignis (Saussure, 1859) and P. togoensis are recorded as new to the fauna of Ghana.

Keywords: Myriapoda, Pachybolus, Pelmatojulus, Cameroon, Ghana, Zanzibar, taxonomy

Armand Richard Nzoko Fiemapong and Henrik Enghoff. 2018. A Giant African Millipede Re-discovered, Re-located and Re-classified After 120 Years (Diplopoda, Spirobolida, Pachybolidae). Zootaxa. 4527(3); 403–413. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.9

[Herpetology • 2018] Brasilotyphlus dubium • A New Species of Brasilotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) from mountains in Roraima state, northern Brazil and A Contribution to the Knowledge of the Relationship Between Microcaecilia and Brasilotyphlus

[Herpetology • 2018] Cenaspis aenigma • Caudals and Calyces: The Curious Case of a Consumed Chiapan Colubroid

[Herpetology • 2018] Scinax strussmannae • A New Species of Scinax (Anura: Hylidae) with Red-Striped Eyes from Brazilian Amazonia

[Herpetology • 2018] Apostolepis adhara • A New Species of Apostolepis (Serpentes, Dipsadidae, Elapomorphini) from the Cerrado of Central Brazil

[Ichthyology • 2018] Curculionichthys scaius • A New Species of Curculionichthys (Siluriformes: Hypoptopomatinae) from the Western Border of the Brazilian Shield, Madeira River Basin, Brazil

[Herpetology • 2018] Pristimantis gralarias • A New (Singleton) Rainfrog of the Pristimantis myersi Group (Amphibia: Craugastoridae) from the northern Andes of Ecuador

[Herpetology • 2018] Siren reticulata • Description of An Extant Salamander (Caudata: Sirenidae) from the Gulf Coastal Plain of North America: The Reticulated Siren

[Botany • 2018] A Synopsis of Begonia (Begoniaceae) of Southeastern Sulawesi including Four New Species; Begonia incudiformicarpa, B. iskandariana, B. johntania & B. tumburanoensis

[Botany • 2018] Taxonomic Notes on the Philippine Endemic Begonia colorata (Begoniaceae, section Petermannia)

[Paleontology • 2018] Volgatitan simbirskiensis • The Oldest Titanosaurian Sauropod of the Northern Hemisphere

[Botany • 2018] Centenaria rupacquiana • A New Genus of Compositae (Eupatorieae, Piqueriinae) from Peru, named Centenaria to honour the 100th Anniversary of the Natural History Museum of the National University Mayor of San Marcos

[Arachnida • 2018] Ovia macritchie • A New Ovia Species (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Singapore, with the Transfer of Pardosa alboannulata Yin et al., 1997

[Herpetology • 2014] Cyrtodactylus thuongae • A Third New Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh Province, southern Vietnam

[Botany • 2019] Pre‐Pleistocene Origin of Phylogeographical Breaks in African Rain Forest Trees: New Insights from Greenwayodendron (Annonaceae) Phylogenomics

[Herpetology • 2018] Pseudopaludicola matuta • A New Species of Pseudopaludicola (Anura, Leptodactylidae, Leiuperinae) from the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil

[Botany • 2018] Viola pachysoma (Violaceae) • A New Name for A Rosulate Species Endemic to the Andes of Argentinian Patagonia

[Botany • 2018] Begonia austrovietnamica (sect. Alicida, Begoniaceae) • A Handsome New Species from South Vietnam

[Ichthyology • 2018] Gymnogeophagus peliochelynion • A New Mouth Brooder Species of Gymnogeophagus with Hypertrophied Lips (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from A Tributary of the río Uruguay

[Botany • 2018] Medinilla theresae (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from Ultramafic Soils in the Philippines

[Diplopoda • 2018] Pelmatojulus tectus • A Giant African Millipede (Spirobolida, Pachybolidae) Re-discovered, Re-located and Re-classified After 120 Years