Species New to Science

Acanthosaura murphyi

Nguyen, Do, Hoang, Nguyen, McCormack, Nguyen, Orlov, Nguyen & Nguyen, 2018

RJH.folium.ru

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Abstract

We describe a new agamid species of the genus Acanthosaura from Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces, central Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data. The new species, Acanthosaura murphyi sp. nov., most closely resembles the Indochinese horned lizard (A. capra) and the Natalia horned lizard (A. nataliae), however, it can be differentiated from other congeners by the following characters: a large-sized species (snout-vent length = 103.7 – 127.3 mm in adult males, 123.0 mm in the adult female); cylindrical spine above posterior margin of eye present; spine on occiput between tympanum and nuchal crest absent; two scale rows between rostral scute and nostril; small slightly keeled scales on flank randomly intermixed with keeled medium and large scales; nuchal crests strongly developed; dorsal crests developed and separate from nuchal crests by a diastema; coloration in life of body varies from gray in adult to brown or emerald green in subadult, and brown to whitish gray ventral skin; and tail brown or greenish with indistinct light bands. Genetically, uncorrected sequence divergences of COI between the new species and its closest species, A. capra, is 6.5%. To date, the new species has been found in evergreen forest between 84 – 1060 m in Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa provinces only.

Keywords: Acanthosaura capra species complex; Acanthosauramurphyi sp. nov.; COI; Langbian Plateau

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Luan Thanh Nguyen, Dang Trong Do, Ha Van Hoang, Thang Tai Nguyen, Timothy E. M. McCormack, Truong Quang Nguyen, Nikolai L. Orlov, Vu Dang Hoang Nguyen and Sang Ngoc Nguyen. 2018. A New Species of the Genus Acanthosaura Gray, 1831 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from Central Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 25(4): 259-274. RJH.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/1411

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Gravesia serratifolia Almeda & H. Ranariv.

in Almeda & Ranarivelo, 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.391.2.4

Photo: Éric Mathieu

Abstract

Gravesia serratifolia, a new species from upper elevations of Marojejy National Park in northeastern Madagascar, is herein described, illustrated, mapped, and compared with similar species. It is readily characterized by its sparingly branched habit, leaf blades coarsely serrate with a moderate to sparse lepidote indumentum on both surfaces, inflorescence of few-flowered dichasia, calyx obsolete or evident as depressed truncate undulations with prominent calyx teeth that are laterally compressed when fresh, filaments with rusty-brown glandlike indumentum, and dorso-basal staminal appendages linear-oblong and widely spreading to coiled. A conservation assessment of Vulnerable is recommended for this species based on IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: Sonerileae, conservation, new species, paleotropics, Madagascar

Gravesia serratifolia Almeda & H. Ranariv., sp. nov.

Diagnosis:Distinguished from all Gravesia species by a combination of small (1−3.3 × 0.7−2.7 cm) coarsely serrate leaf blades that are moderately lepidote on both surfaces like young vegetative buds, calyx tube well-developed and flangelike, 1.5 mm long; calyx lobes obsolete or evident as depressed truncate undulations, calyx teeth 5, 0.75−1 × 0.5−0.75 mm, prominent and prolonged beyond calyx tube, laterally compressed when fresh but appearing knobby and callose-thickened when dry; filaments sparsely to moderately beset with rufescent simple (rarely branched) glandlike trichomes mostly less than 0.25 mm long that are commonly clustered or fascicled, and anther connective conspicuously prolonged dorso-basally ca. 0.5 mm above the junction with the filament into a linear-oblong widely spreading or coiled appendage 0.5−0.75 mm long.

Figure 2. Gravesia serratifolia showing habit, leaves, inflorescence, and flower.

(Photo: Éric Mathieu)

Figure 1. Gravesia serratifolia. A. Habit. B. Representative leaf (abaxial surface) C. Representative leaf (adaxial surface). D. Enlargement of a portion of abaxial leaf surface showing serrate margin and scattered lepidote indumentum. E. Enlargement of abaxial leaf base showing acarodomatia where secondary veins diverge from primary vein. F. Petal (adaxial surface) G. Stamen (profile view). H. Enlargement of filament showing fascicled glandlike trichomes. I. Enlargement of filament showing solitary and branched glandlike trichomes. J. Hypanthium and style (at anthesis) with petals and stamens removed. K. Simple dichasium showing bracts and bracteoles.

Drawn from Ranarivelo & Ravelonarivo RHS 857.

Etymology:— The epithet for this species, serratifolia, highlights the conspicuous serrate foliar margins that extend for most of the length of each mature leaf blade.

Frank Almeda and Heritiana Ranarivelo. 2019. Gravesia serratifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), A New Species from Marojejy National Park, Madagascar. Phytotaxa. 391(2); 115–121. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.391.2.4

Résumé: Gravesia serratifolia, une nouvelle espèce originaire des hautes altitudes du Parc National de Marojejy, au Nord-Est de Madagascar, est décrite, illustrée, cartographiée, et comparée à des espèces qui lui ressemblent. Elle est caractérisée par son port peu ramifié; ses feuilles très serrulatées dont le recouvrement de l’indument en lépidote des deux côtés de leur surface varie de moderé à éparse; son inflorescence pauciflore et dichasiale; son calice floral essentiellement non-lobé mais fortement denté, les dents étant comprimées à l’état frais; l’indument de ses filaments pourvu de sorte de glandes roux-sombres; ses appendices staminaux au niveau de la base dorsale, oblongues, et qui varient de largement diffus à enroulés. Le statut de conservation «Vulnerable» est recommandé pour cette espèce, suivant les Catégories et les Critères de la Liste Rouge de l’UICN.

Amiga Nakahara, Willmott & Espeland

[upper] Amiga arnaca indianacristoi ssp. n. in nature, Altos de Pipe, Miranda, Venezuela

[lower]

i A. arnaca adela from Costa Rica, male; j A. arnaca adela from Costa Rica, female;

k A. arnaca adela from W Ecuador, holotype male; l A. arnaca adela from W Ecuador, female;

m A. arnaca sericeella, male from Mexico; n A. arnaca sericeella from Mexico, female;

o A. arnaca indianacristoi from NW Venezuela, paratype male; p A. arnaca indianacristoi from N Venezuela, paratype female.

in Nakahara, Lamas, Tyler, Marín, Huertas, et al., 2019.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.821.31782

Abstract

We here propose a new, monotypic genus, Amiga Nakahara, Willmott & Espeland, gen. n., to harbor a common Neotropical butterfly, described as Papilio arnaca Fabricius, 1776, and hitherto placed in the genus Chloreuptychia Forster, 1964. Recent and ongoing molecular phylogenetic research has shown Chloreuptychia to be polyphyletic, with C. arnaca proving to be unrelated to remaining species and not readily placed in any other described genus. Amiga arnaca gen. n. et comb. n. as treated here is a widely distributed and very common species ranging from southern Mexico to southern Brazil. A neotype is designated for the names Papilio arnaca and its junior synonym, Papilio ebusa Cramer, 1780, resulting in the treatment of the latter name as a junior objective synonym of the former. A lectotype is designated for Euptychia sericeella Bates, 1865, which is treated as a subspecies, Amiga arnaca sericeella (Bates, 1865), comb. n. et stat. n., based on molecular and morphological evidence. We also describe two new taxa, Amiga arnaca adela Nakahara & Espeland, ssp. n. and Amiga arnaca indianacristoi Nakahara & Marín, ssp. n., new subspecies from the western Andes and eastern Central America, and northern Venezuela, respectively.

Keywords: DNA barcodes, Euptychiina, species delimitation, subspecies, systematics, taxonomy

Figure 2. Amiga arnaca spp. specimens spanning its range (dorsal on left, ventral on right):
a nominotypical subspecies from Suriname, neotype male (USNM) b nominotypical subspecies from Guyana, female (FLMNH-MGCL 263373) c nominotypical subspecies from E Ecuador, male (FLMNH-MGCL 257121) d nominotypical subspecies from Peru, female (FLMNH-MGCL 262953); e nominotypical subspecies from N Brazil, male (FLMNH-MGCL1036223) f Nominotypical subspecies from N Brazil, female (FLMNH-MGCL 207984) g Nominotypical subspecies from SE Brazil, male (FLMNH-MGCL 1036213); h nominotypical subspecies from SE Brazil, female (FLMNH-MGCL 1036218)

i A. arnaca adela from Costa Rica, male (FLMNH-MGCL 207991) j A. arnaca adela from Costa Rica, female (FLMNH-MGCL 207992) k A. arnaca adela from W Ecuador, holotype male (FLMNH-MGCL 151127) l A. arnaca adela from W Ecuador, female (FLMNH-MGCL 257087) m A. arnaca sericeella, male from Mexico (FLMNH-MGCL 207900) n A. arnaca sericeella from Mexico, female (FLMNH-MGCL 207896) o A. arnaca indianacristoi from NW Venezuela, paratype male (FLMNH-MGCL 263107) p A. arnaca indianacristoi from N Venezuela, paratype female (FLMNH-MGCL 1036235).

Amiga Nakahara, Willmott & Espeland, gen. n.

Papilio arnaca Fabricius, 1776,

by present designation

Systematic placement and diagnosis:

Espeland et al. (2019) recovered Amiga arnaca comb. n. as sister to the “Pareuptychia clade”, whose composition partially corresponded to that found in Peña et al. (2010), with a high support (BS and PP > 0.95). The “Pareuptychia clade” itself was also well supported (BS and PP > 0.95), including Satyrotaygetis satyrina (Bates, 1865), Magneuptychia inani (Staudinger, [1886]), Euptychoides albofasciata (Hewitson, 1869), Neonymphaareolatus (Smith, 1797), Erichthodes antonina (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867), Pareuptychia ocirrhoe (Fabricius, 1776), Megeuptychia antonoe (Cramer, 1775), Splendeuptychia doxes (Godart, [1824]), Nhambikuara mima (Butler, 1867), and Euptychoides eugenia (C. Felder & R. Felder, 1867). Amiga gen. n. is distinguished from all members of the “Pareuptychia clade” by the presence of bluish-lilac coloration on the dorsal hindwing and by the purplish sheen in the tornal half of the VHW. Furthermore, the absence of cornuti and membranous lamella antevaginalis of Amiga gen. n. appear to be unusual character states among the clade. The type species of Chloreuptychia, Papilio chloris Cramer, 1780 (= Chloreuptychia chlorimene) was recovered as sister to a moderately supported (BS and PP > 0. 75 < 0. 95), clade including the “Pareuptychia clade”, “Taygetis clade”, “Splendeuptychia clade” and “Archeuptychia clade”.

Etymology: The new generic name is derived from the feminine Spanish noun “amiga”, meaning “a (female) friend”, alluding to the fact that this is a common, familiar butterfly. The generic name is regarded as feminine.

Distribution: This genus ranges from southern Mexico throughout virtually all of tropical Central and South America, where its southernmost distribution appears to be southern Brazil.

Taxonomy:

Amiga gen. n. is regarded as monotypic, with total of four subspecies recognized, of which two are named and described herein.

Amiga Nakahara, Willmott & Espeland, gen. n.

(– denotes a subspecies,– – denotes a synonym)

Amiga arnaca (Fabricius, 1776) comb. n.

– –ebusa (Cramer, 1780)

– –priamis (D’Almeida, 1922)

Amiga arnaca adela Nakahara & Espeland, ssp. n.

Amiga arnaca sericeella (Bates, 1865) comb. n. et stat. n.

Amiga arnaca indianacristoi Nakahara & Marín, ssp. n.

Figure 7. Amiga arnaca indianacristoi ssp. n. in nature, Altos de Pipe, Miranda, Venezuela

(photographed by Indiana Cristóbal Ríos-Málaver,

on 11 September 2011).

Amiga arnaca indianacristoi Nakahara & Marín, subsp. n.

Etymology: This new species-group name is proposed in recognition of our friend and colleague, Indiana Cristóbal Ríos-Málaver, known as “Indiana Cristo”, who studied the butterflies of the area where this taxon occurs. Indiana Cristo has contributed to Neotropical lepidopterology in various ways, especially through social media, where he is bringing lepidopterology to the public. This species-group name is treated as a latinized masculine noun in the genitive case.

Distribution: This taxon occurs in the Venezuelan Cordillera de la Costa and northwestern Cordillera de Mérida, and possibly also into the Serranía de Perijá.

Shinichi Nakahara, Gerardo Lamas, Stephanie Tyler, Mario Alejandro Marín, Blanca Huertas, Keith R. Willmott, Olaf H. H. Mielke and Marianne Espeland. 2019. A Revision of the New Genus Amiga Nakahara, Willmott & Espeland, gen. n., described for Papilio arnaca Fabricius, 1776 (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae). ZooKeys. 821: 85-152. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.821.31782

Basothorhynchus endroedyi

Borovec, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4550.3.8

Abstract

A new genus, Basothorhynchus gen. n. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Oosomini) is described with one new species from Lesotho, Basothorhynchus endroedyi sp. n. The new genus is well defined by its small glabrous body, the rostrum continuous with the head, all femora with a distinct tooth, the tibiae abruptly enlarged on the inside, the metatibiae lacking a corbel and the free claws.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Entiminae, Oosomini, Basothorhynchus, new genus, new species, taxonomy, Afrotropical region

Roman Borovec. 2019. Basothorhynchus, A New Oosomini Genus from the Highland Plateau of Lesotho (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae). Zootaxa. 4550(3); 416–422. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4550.3.8

in O'Connell, Smart, Sidik, et al., 2019.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.021

Highlights

• Sumatran and Javan bent-toed geckos are most closely related to species from the Thai-Malay Peninsula.

• Cyrtodactylus most likely dispersed to Sumatra three times during the late Oligocene and early Miocene.

• Cyrtodactylus invaded west Java from the Sumatra once in the early Miocene.

• Data support lowland connections over highland land bridges as dispersal pathways.

Abstract

Complex geological processes often drive biotic diversification on islands. The islands of Sumatra and Java have experienced dramatic historical changes, including isolation by marine incursions followed by periodic connectivity with the rest of Sundaland across highland connections. To determine how this geological history influenced island invasions, we investigated the colonization history and diversification of bent-toed geckos (genus Cyrtodactylus) on Sumatra and west Java. We used mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data to explore species boundaries, estimate phylogenetic relationships and divergence times, and to reconstruct ancestral range evolution. We found that Sumatran and Javan Cyrtodactylus were closely related to species from the Thai-Malay Peninsula, rather than from Borneo, and that Cyrtodactylus most likely dispersed to Sumatra three times during the late Oligocene and early Miocene. Similarly, Cyrtodactylus invaded west Java from Sumatra once in the early Miocene. Our results suggest that despite isolation by marine incursions during much of the Miocene, Cyrtodactylus dispersed to and from Sumatra and west Java likely via land bridges, and that in situ diversification occurred several times on Sumatra.

Keywords: Dispersal, Diversification, Geckos, Island biogeography, Java, Sumatra

Kyle A. O'Connell, Utpal Smart, Irvan Sidik, Awal Riyanto, Nia Kurniawan and Eric N.Smith. 2019. Diversification of Bent-toed Geckos (Cyrtodactylus) on Sumatra and west Java. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 134; 1-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.021

Coeliccia lecongcoi Phan, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.4.7

Abstract

Coeliccia lecongcoi sp. nov. (holotype ♂, .., Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Kon Tum Province, the Vietnamese Central Highlands) is described and illustrated from both sexes. The new species is allied to Coeliccia duytan Phan, 2017 and Coelicciahayashii Phan & Kompier, 2016 but differs by the synthoracic pattern and structure of the appendages and genital ligula of the male and the posterior pronotal lobe of the prothorax of the female.

Keywords: Odonata, Platycnemididae, Coeliccia lecongcoi sp. nov., Vietnam, new species

Quoc Toan Phan. 2019. Coeliccia lecongcoi sp. nov., A New Damselfly from the Central Highlands of Vietnam (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platycnemididae). Zootaxa. 4551(4); 471–478. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.4.7

(A) Chinchaysuyoa labiata (Boulenger 1898)

(C, D) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai

Marceniuk, Marchena, Oliveira & Betancur-R, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.3.5

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Abstract

In recent years, morphological and molecular studies have improved our understanding about the relationships and classification schemes of the marine catfishes of the family Ariidae. A taxonomic issue that is still contentious concerns the limits and status of the freshwater Neotropical ariid diversity, in particular the species in the genus Potamarius. The delimitation of Potamarius is currently uncertain given the disjunct distribution of the species in Mesoamerica (Potamarius izabalensis, P. nelsoni and P. usumacintae, from Lake Izabal and Usumacinta River basins in Mexico to Guatemala) and Brazil (P. grandoculis, from coastal lakes in southeastern Brazil). The freshwater Arius labiatus and Hexanematichthys henni from the Peripa and Daule rivers in Ecuador that drain to the Eastern Pacific (EP), have also at times been listed as species inquirenda in Potamarius. Here, we redescribe Arius labiatus, redefine the taxonomic status of Hexanematichthys henni, as junior synonym of Arius labiatus, and describe a new species from Peru that is closely related to Arius labiatus. Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence, we also describe a new genus (Chinchaysuyoa) for the two South American species.

Keywords: Pisces, morphological, molecular, relationships and classification, freshwater species

FIGURE 4. Body in lateral view. Chinchaysuyoa labiata, (A) holotype 475 mm SL (MZUT 1540), (B) Hexanematichthys henni, holotype 139 mm SL (CAS 60620),
(C) Chinchaysuyoa ortegai, holotype 256 mm SL (MUSM 63800), and (D) fresh non type specimen, not cataloged, 315 mm SL.

Chinchaysuyoa new genus

Type species. Chinchaysuyoa labiata.

Etymology. Chinchaysuyoa name of the Inca Empire territory that comprised the Ecuador and Peru, gender feminine.

Chinchaysuyoa labiata (Boulenger 1898)

Arius labiatus Boulenger 1898:6 (original description; Río Peripa, Ecuador). ...

Hexanematichthys henni Fisher & Eigenmann 1922:30 (original description; Río Daule, Colimes). ...

Chinchaysuyoa ortegai new species

Hexanematichthys henni (non Fisher & Eigenmann). ...

Alexandre Pires Marceniuk, Jose Marchena, Claudio Oliveira and Ricardo Betancur-R. 2019. Chinchaysuyoa, A New Genus of the Fish Family Ariidae (Siluriformes), with A Redescription of Chinchaysuyoa labiata from Ecuador and A New Species Description from Peru. Zootaxa. 4551(3); 361–378. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.3.5

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Channa lipor

Praveenraj, Uma, Moulitharan & Singh, 2019

DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-079

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Abstract

Channa lipor, a new species of snakehead of the C. gachua species-group, is described based on 11 specimens from Meghalaya, Northeast India. It is distinguished from its congeners by possessing an orange, bronze-brown dorsum and fins, 9–12 black spots or blotches on the dorsal-fin sub-margin appearing parallel along the length of the dorsal-fin base, six oblique brown bars on the upper half on the flank, presence of seven gray to brown zigzag bands on the caudal fin, and fewer anal-fin rays. Channa lipor, new species, morphologically resembles C. aurantipectoralis, but the partial cox1 gene sequences reveal a genetic distance of 12.6–13.1% between them, and Channa lipor, new species, also possesses deep sequence divergence from any known populations of C.gachua. It differs from the topotypic C. gachua by having fewer anal-fin rays (20 vs. 22–24), fewer dorsal-fin rays (29–32 vs. 34–36), and fewer pectoral-fin rays (12–14 vs. 15–17), and in tooth pattern, by having the fifth ceratobranchial curved with four rows of teeth, outer row with 11 thick teeth; palatine with three rows of curved teeth, inner row with 14 large inwardly curved teeth; and dentary with long canine-like teeth in the posterior end.

Channa lipor, holotype, ZSI FF 7660, 89.5 mm SL, prior to preservation.

Channa lipor, paratype, CIARI/FF-44, 71.7 mm SL, Umraling River, Umraling village, Ri-Bhoi district, Meghalaya, India.

Channa lipor, new species

Etymology.—The specific epithet lipor indicates the local vernacular name for the species in Khasi language, a dialect spoken by the Khasi tribes of Meghalaya. It is used as a noun in apposition.

Remarks.— Channa lipor is well known in the aquarium trade as ‘‘Channa sp. lipor’’.

Jayasimhan Praveenraj, Arumugam Uma, Nallathambi Moulitharan, and Sadokpam Gojendro Singh. 2019. A New Species of Dwarf Channa (Teleostei: Channidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Copeia. 107(1); 61–70. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-079

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Bajadasaurus pronuspinax

Gallina, Apesteguía, Canale & Haluza, 2019

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37943-3
Illustration: Jorge A. González

Abstract

Dicraeosaurids are a group of sauropod dinosaurs characterized by a distinctive vertebral column with paired, long, neural spines, present in an extreme fashion in the South American form Amargasaurus cazaui. This distinctive morphology has been interpreted as a support structure for a thermoregulatory sail, a padded crest for display, a dorsal hump acting as fat reservoir, and even as inner cores for dorsal horns. Other inferred functions (if any) of this structure were related to sexual display and/or defense strategies. Here we describe a new dicraeosaurid sauropod, Bajadasaurus pronuspinax gen. et sp. nov., from Patagonia which preserves the most complete skull of the group and has extremely elongate bifid cervical neural spines that point permanently forward, irrespective of the neck position. Although much shorter versions of this neural spine configuration were already recorded for other dicraeosaurid taxa, the long, anteriorly bent spines of this new dinosaur support the hypothesis that these elongate spines of dicraeosaurid sauropods served as passive defense structures.

Figure 1 Skeletal reconstruction of Bajadasaurus pronuspinax gen. et sp. nov. (MMCh-PV 75), location and quarry map.
(A) The neck and skull reconstruction in left lateral view, showing preserved bones in white. The complete anterior cervical vertebra is located tentatively in the fifth position (see Description). The total count of cervical elements, as well as the relative extension of the neural spines, is based in the complete series of the related taxon Amargasaurus, the other dicraeosaurid with extremely elongated bifid neural spines along the neck.

(B) A map of the surrounding area of the Ezequiel Ramos Mexía lake (Neuquén Province, Argentina) showing the type locality of Bajadasaurus (Bajada Colorada) indicated by a white star.

(C) A quarry map showing the association and location of the remains in the field. at, atlas; ax, axis; cv, cervical vertebra; d, dentary; f, frontal; m, maxilla; po, postorbital; pt, pterygoid; qj, quadratojugal.

Illustration: Jorge A. González

Systematic palaeontology

SAUROPODA Marsh 1878

DIPLODOCOIDEA Marsh 1884

FLAGELLICAUDATA Harris & Dodson 2004

DICRAEOSAURIDAE Huene 1927

Bajadasaurus pronuspinax gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: Generic name from Bajada (Spanish for downhill, in reference to the locality Bajada Colorada) and saurus (Greek, lizard). Specific epithet from pronus (Latin, bent over forward) and spinax (Greek, spine), referring to the anteriorly pointed, curved, neural spines of the cervical vertebrae.

Pablo A. Gallina, Sebastián Apesteguía, Juan I. Canale and Alejandro Haluza. 2019. A New Long-spined Dinosaur from Patagonia sheds light on Sauropod Defense System. Scientific Reports. 9: 1392. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37943-3

Spiradiclis karstana L.Wu, X.Li & Q.R.Liu

in Wu, Li, Liu & Liu, 2019.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.28281

Abstract

Spiradiclis karstana, a new species of Spiradiclis (Rubiaceae) collected from Yunnan, China, is described for the first time. It is morphologically close to S. jingxiensis, but differs from the latter mainly by its inflorescences with 5–9 flowers, its 1.5–2.4 mm long peduncles, its stipules shorter than 1 mm and the 5–12 pairs of secondary veins. The conservation status is assessed as “Vulnerable” (VU) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: Spiradiclis, Rubiaceae, taxonomy, karst, China

Figure 1. Spiradiclis karstana sp. nov.

A habit B stipule C inflorescence, side view D long-styled flower E short-styled flower F calyx, frontal view, showing disc G remnant of dehiscent capsule, frontal view.

Drawn by Xin-Yi Zeng.

Figure 2. Spiradiclis karstana sp. nov.

A habitat (The arrows show the places of growth) B habit C variation range of leaves D stipule E inflorescence, side view F long-styled flower, frontal view G disc and calyx H remnant of dehiscent capsule, frontal view I long-styled flower J short-styled flower.

Spiradiclis jingxiensis K habit L stipule M variation range of leaves.

Photos by Lei Wu, Ming-Feng Long and Xin-Xin Zhu.

Spiradiclis karstana L.Wu, X.Li & Q.R.Liu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Similar to S. jingxiensis, but differing from this species by the ovate-triangular stipules less than 1 mm long (vs. stipules linear, 1.5–3.0 mm long), the elliptic to oblong leaf blades (vs. ovate to broadly ovate), the 5–12 pairs of secondary veins (vs. 4–5 pairs) and the inflorescences with 5–9 flowers (vs. inflorescences with 1–2 flowers).

....

Distribution and habitat: Spiradiclis karstana is known only from the crevices of forested cliffs at altitudes ranging from 800 to 1600 m in the karst area of SE Yunnan. This part of Yunnan is covered by evergreen rain forests that are highly similar to those in Indo-Malaysia (Zhu 2013) and are dominated by species from Magnoliaceae, Lauraceae, Dipterocarpaceae and Annonaceae.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the habitat of the new species.

Lei Wu, Xiong Li, Wen-Jian Liu and Quan-Ru Liu. 2019. Spiradiclis karstana (Rubiaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 117: 1-8. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.28281

Channa torsaensis

Dey, Nur, Raychowdhury, Sarkar, Singh & Barat, 2018

DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131

ABSTRACT

A new Channa species described from River Torsa of Brahmaputra river basin, West Bengal, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. a new species of Channa, is distinguished from congeners by a combination of the following characters namely a dorsal, anal and caudal fins being bluish with a broad dark blue border having a tinge of orange border covering the dark blue border; dorsal fin with numerous back spots; caudal fin with 9-10 black bands; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body; lateral line pored scales 46 in number; dorsal fin rays 36-38; anal fin rays 22 - 25; total vertebrae 44- 45 (16+28).

Key words: Taxonomy, Endemic, Brahmaputra basin, new species of Channa.

Channa torsaensis sp. nov.

New English name: Cobalt Blue Channa

Local name (Bengali): Neel Chang

Diagnosis. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of Channa except C. pomanensis and C. quinquefasciataby an unique broad dark blue border on the dorsal, anal and caudal fin and having a tinge of orange border covering; 5-6 oblique greyish-blue bands present on the body. ....

DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131

Fig. 2: Different views of Channa torsaensis sp. nov. Holotype, ZSIFF7913, 211 mm SL, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India.

Fig. 4: A view of River Torsa, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India and type locality of Channa torsaensis Holotype.

Distribution and Habitat At present, known to be distributed from tributary of River Torsa, Dakshin Barajhar forest, Alipurduar district, West Bengal, India (Fig.4). The running river water was transparent, cool, low depth and having various substrata like gravel, pebbles, sand, soil and medium to large boulders.

Etymology. The new species is named after the River Torsa, from where the fish was collected.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the diagnosis, Channa species have been classified into 15 groups from North-East India in the Brahmaputra drainage, India. Channa torsaensis sp. nov. brings the number of Channa species to 16 from in Brahmaputra drainage, North East India. Channa torsaensis is male mouth-brooder and more aggressive in nature than other native Channa species.

Arpita Dey, Ruksa Nur, Basudhara Raychowdhury, Debapriya Sarkar,

Laishram Kosygin Singh and Sudip Barat. 2018. A New Ornamental Species of Snakehead Fish (Teleostei: Channidae) from River Torsa of West Bengal, India. International Journal of Pure & Applied Bioscience (Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. - IJPAB). 6(6); 497-503. DOI: 10.18782/2320-7051.7131

Senyumia granitica Kiew

in Kiew & Lau, 2019.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.31560
(photographs by PT Ong).

Abstract

The genus Senyumia was previously known from a single species, S. minutiflora (Ridl.) Kiew, A.Weber & B.L.Burtt, from a limestone karst, Gunung Senyum, in Pahang, Malaysia. Senyumia granitica Kiew, here described and illustrated, is the second species of the genus. It differs from S. minutiflora, not only in its habitat, but also in its shorter leaves, larger, non-resupinate or only partially resupinate flowers and smaller seeds. It is known from a small, fragmented population from a low range of hills. Therefore, under the IUCN Red List Categories & Criteria, it is assessed as Critically Endangered.

Keywords: New species, Senyumia granitica, Senyumia minutiflora, ecology, conservation

Senyumia Kiew, A. Weber & B.L. Burtt.

Senyumia granitica Kiew, sp. nov. A habit B Inflorescence showing partially resupinate flower C front view of a flower from Bukit Tukau population D front view of a flower from Bukit Reban Kambing population E side view of D; Senyumia minutiflora (Ridl.) Kiew et al. F resupinate flower G side view of flower (upside down for comparison with E) H fruit of S. granitica J Trigona laeviceps on S. minutiflora, note full pollen baskets. (photographs by PT Ong).

Senyumia Kiew, A. Weber & B.L. Burtt.

Senyumia Kiew, A. Weber & B.L. Burtt.

Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen 70 (1998 [1997]) 400; Weber, Fam. & Gen. Vasc. Pl. 7 (2004) 148.

Type species: Senyumia minutiflora (Ridl.) Kiew, A. Weber & B.L. Burtt.

Distribution: Two species, both endemic in Peninsular Malaysia.

Ecology: Lithophytic, growing in cracks and crevices in light shade either on quartz derived from granite or on limestone rocks.

Senyumia granitica Kiew, sp. nov.
A habit B Inflorescence showing partially resupinate flower C front view of a flower from Bukit Tukau population D front view of a flower from Bukit Reban Kambing population E side view of D.

(photographs by PT Ong).

Senyumia granitica Kiew, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This new taxon resembles Senyumia minutiflora in its wiry, woody stem; tufted leaves with an elliptic lamina with a non-cordate base; small, white flowers and orthocarpic, strongly twisted capsule. However, the new species differs from Senyumia minutiflora in its shorter leaves that are less than 1.5 times longer than wide, flowers that are not resupinate or are partially resupinate, have a longer corolla tube and lobes of the lower lip that are flat and not reflexed and the much smaller seeds (Table 1).

...

Distribution: Peninsular Malaysia, Johor, Ledang District, endemic on Bukit Reban Kambing and Bukit Tukau, on an isolated low range of granite hills from 200–500 m elevation, west of the southern tip of Gunung Ledang (formerly known as Mt Ophir).

Etymology: From its habitat, it grows in cracks in quartz rocks derived from the granite bedrock, in contrast to Senyumia minutiflora that is restricted to growing on limestone rocks.

Ruth Kiew and Kah-Hoo Lau. 2019. Senyumia granitica (Gesneriaceae) from Johor, Malaysia, the Second Species of Senyumia. PhytoKeys. 117: 37-44. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.31560

Microparmarion exquadratus

Schilthuizen, Clavera, Khoo, Bondar, Elder, Bouma, Eddington, Reisinger, Cosentino, Rossato & Delledonne, 2018

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyy052

twitter.com/CharlieElderTH twitter.com/TaxonExped

TaxonExpeditions.com/publications

Abstract

Cybertaxonomy and portable DNA sequencing now make it possible for citizen scientists to be engaged in the discovery and description of new taxa. We here provide a proof of principle. A new semi-slug, Microparmarion exquadratus n. sp. (Ariophantidae) was discovered during a field course in tropical biology in Borneo for citizen scientists. The new species is the first lowland representative of its genus. It differs from other (high-elevation) Microparmarion species by its size, pigmentation on head and tail, and shape of dart sac and receptaculum. As part of the course programme, the participants prepared a taxonomic description and illustrations, and used the mobile genomic laboratory of the course to obtain DNA barcodes. As far as we are aware, this is the first time a new invertebrate species has been described both morphologically and genetically from the field.

External morphology of (presumably) adult Microparmarion exquadratus n. sp., syntype in living state as photographed in the field in Tawau Hills Park, Sabah.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyy052

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Microparmarion exquadratus n. sp.

DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyy052

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Microparmarion exquadratus Schilthuizen et al., new species

Etymology: The name was chosen at a naming and voting session during the taxon expedition and refers to the ‘squad’ of participants that jointly sampled this species during night-time walks in the forest. The taxonomic authority for this species is attributed to all authors of this paper. Following Article 51 C of the Code (ICZN, 1999), the species can be referred to as Microparmarion exquadratus Schilthuizen et al., 2018, provided the full citation of this publication appears in the bibliography or elsewhere in the referring work.

Diagnosis: Among Microparmarion species of Borneo, M.exquadratus is characterized by small size (less than half the size of M. pollonerai and M. simrothi), three dark longitudinal stripes on head (shared with M. simrothi, but lacking in M. pollonerai and M. litteratus), dark dorsal stripe on tail, kink in dart sac (shared with M. pollonerai) and reduced receptaculum.

Remarks: In colour pattern, M. exquadratus is somewhat similar to a Microparmarion species found at an elevation of 1,200 m asl in Long Pa Sia, southwestern Sabah, and also to a species photographed (but not collected) at 1,000 m asl in Penrissen, Sarawak (Schilthuizen, 2017). However, it is unlikely to be conspecific with either, because it differs in colour pattern (the Penrissen specimen has two, rather than three, head stripes, and the Long Pa Sia specimen lacks the black markings on the mantle lobes) and is larger in size. For the time being, therefore, we consider the M. exquadratus to be restricted to Tawau Hills Park. Our phylogenetic reconstruction (Fig. 5), although primarily intended to assess the genetic distinctness of the new species, also suggests that the genus Microparmarion consists of multiple clades that are not fully congruent with named species. We therefore recommend that the genus be subjected to a formal revision.

We must also stress that our work was conducted under several limitations and constraints. It was part of a full 10-day field course schedule, carried out by untrained citizen scientists in a field station with limited equipment and erratic electricity supply. Specimens could not be exported. Consequently, the extent of our work is less than is customary for descriptions of new semi-slug species: we sequenced only three individuals and dissected only one. Also, all individuals were obtained from a very small geographic area. Nonetheless, the genetic and morphological features are sufficient to recognize the species unambiguously.

Menno Schilthuizen, Anna Pazos Clavera, Min Sheng Khoo, Carin A. Bondar, Charles H. S. Elder, Aglaia M. Bouma, Taly D. Eddington, Christian Reisinger, Emanuela Cosentino, Marzia Rossato and Massimo Delledonne. 2018. Bringing the Lab to the Field: A New Lowland Microparmarion Semi-slug (Gastropoda: Ariophantidae) described and DNA-barcoded in the forest. Journal of Molluscan Studies. eyy052. DOI: 10.1093/mollus/eyy052

twitter.com/CharlieElderTH/status/1065214413593092096

twitter.com/TaxonExped/status/1077861291635683328

Cucujus costatus

Zhao & Zhang, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4544.1.10

Abstract

Cucujus costatus Zhao & Zhang, new species is described from Guangdong, China. This new species can be easily recognized by the longitudinal elevated carinae on elytra and its strongly convex eyes. Additional records for C. kempi Grouvelle, 1913 and C. elongatus Lee & Pütz, 2008 are added. A key to the known Chinese species of Cucujus Fabricius is given.

Keywords: Coleoptera, saproxylic beetles, Oriental region, Xizang, Cucujoidea, flat bark beetles

Cucujus costatus new species, male holotype

Cucujus costatus Zhao & Zhang, new species

Etymology. The name refers to the peculiar character of the elevated carinae on the elytra.

Ming-Zhi Zhao and Jin-Kun Zhang. 2019. Contribution to the Knowledge of the Genus Cucujus Fabricius (Coleoptera, Cucujidae) from China. Zootaxa. 4544(1); 144-150. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4544.1.10

Rhododendron meagaii Mambrasar & Hutabarat

in Mambrasar & Hutabarat, 2018.

DOI: 10.14203/reinwardtia.v17i2.3570
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ABSTRACT

Rhododendron meagaii, is described and illustrated as a new species in subgenus Vireya (Ericaceae) from Mount Salju, District of Abenaho, Yalimo Regency, Papua Province, Indonesia. Characters distinguishing this new species from related species are discussed.

Key words: District of Abenaho, New Guinea, new species, Papua Province, Rhododendron meagaii.

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Rhododendron meagaii Mambrasar & Hutabarat spec. nov.

Type: Indonesia, Papua Province, Yalimo Regency, Abenaho District, Mount Salju, 23 May 2016, Michael Mambrasar 239 (Holotype: BO! iso: E! K!).

Diagnosis. Distinct in section Hadranthe Schltr. in having the combination of characters: elliptic leaves, long stalked dendroid scales, a glabrous corolla and stamens of irregular lengths.

Etymology. Name in honour of Organes Meaga (†), Kebun Raya Biologi Wamena technician who helped in collecting this species.

Rhododendron meagaii Mambrasar & Hutabarat, spec. nov. Trima kasih Almarhum Organes Meagaii pahlawan botani dari Kebun Biologi Wamena. Jasamu akan selalu dikenang melalui nama ilmiah dari Rhododendron ini........

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Yasper M. Mambrasar and Prima W. K. Hutabarat. 2018. Rhododendron meagaii, A New Species of Rhododendron Subgenus Vireya (Ericaceae) from Papua, Indonesia. Reinwardtia. 17(2); 97‒100. DOI: 10.14203/reinwardtia.v17i2.3570
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ABSTRAK:Rhododendron meagaii, dipertelakan dan digambar sebagai jenis baru pada submarga Vireya (Ericaceae) dari Gunung Salju, Distrik Abenaho, Kabupaten Yalimo, Provinsi Papua, Indonesia. Didiskusikan pula karakter yang membedakan jenis baru ini dengan jenis yang terdekat.

Kata kunci: Distrik Abenaho, jenis baru, Provinsi Papua, Pulau Nugini, Rhododendron meagaii.

Mambrasar, Y. M. & Hutabarat, P. W. K. 2018.Rhododendron meagaii, jenis baru Rhododendron submarga Vireya (Ericaceae) dari Papua, Indonesia. Reinwardtia. 17(2); 97‒100.

Hedychium ziroense V.Gowda & Ashokan

in Ashokan & Gowda. 2019.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.24951

Abstract

We describe Hedychium ziroense sp. nov. from Northeast India (NE India) which was discovered during one of our recent botanical explorations in Arunachal Pradesh. We provide detailed morphological comparison of this species with four other Hedychium species (H. griersonianum R.M.Sm., H. ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm., H. gomezianum Wall. and H. yunnanense Gagnep.), with which it shares some morphological similarities. The new species is characterised by a dense cylindrical spike, pubescent rachis, folded bracts, 2–3 flowers per cincinnus, deeply cleft labellum and a distinctive late monsoonal flowering phenology from August to September.

Keywords: Apatani, Arunachal Pradesh, Hedychium, taxonomy, Ziro

Hedychium ziroense sp. nov. C Inflorescence D Flower E Floral dissection

a Bract b Bracteole c Unopened bud d Calyx e Dorsal corolla lobe f Lateral corolla lobe × 2 g Labellum h Lateral staminode × 2 i Floral tube j Filament k Anther l Stigma m Style n Epigynous nectary × 2 o Ovary.

A, B Shoot and inflorescence of Hedychium ziroense sp. nov.

Hedychium ziroense V.Gowda & Ashokan, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Based on inflorescence shape and floral characters such as flower colour, relative length of filament to the labellum, relative length of corolla lobes to lateral staminodes and labellum, Hedychium ziroense V.Gowda & Ashokan, sp. nov. is morphologically similar to H. griersonianum R.M.Sm., H. ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm., H. gomezianum Wall. and H. yunnanense Gagnep., but it can be easily distinguished from the aforementioned species by lamina length (up to 60 cm long in H. ziroense vs. 40 cm or less in H. griersonianum, H. ellipticum, H. gomezianum and H. yunnanense), bract length (4 cm or more in H. ziroense and less than 4 cm in H. griersonianum, H. ellipticum, H. gomezianum and H. yunnanense), number of flowers per cincinnus (2-3 flowered in H. ziroense vs. 1-flowered in H. griersonianum, H. ellipticum, H. gomezianum and H. yunnanense), relative lengths of bract and calyx (bract always longer than calyx in H. ziroense vs. bract length equal or less compared to calyx in H. griersonianum, H. ellipticum, H. gomezianum and H. yunnanense) and anther colour (orange in H. ziroense vs. crimson in H. griersonianum, orange-red in H. ellipticum, red in both H. gomezianum and H. yunnanense), (Figs 2, 3 and 4; Table 1).

Figure 2. Hedychium ziroense V.Gowda & Ashokan, sp. nov.
A Habitat B Habit C Inflorescence D Flower E Floral dissection a Bract b Bracteole c Unopened bud d Calyx e Dorsal corolla lobe f Lateral corolla lobe × 2 g Labellum h Lateral staminode × 2 i Floral tube j Filament k Anther l Stigma m Style n Epigynous nectary × 2 o Ovary.

Photographed by Ajith Ashokan.

Figure 3. Comparison of Hedychium ziroense and H. griersonianum.

A, B Shoot and inflorescence of H. ziroense sp. nov.

C H. griersonianum D Holotype of H. griersonianum R.M.Sm.

Photo Credits: A, B Ajith Ashokan C Andrew Grierson. © Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2018; D data.rbge.org.uk © Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 2018.

Distribution and habitat: This species is known only from collection along road banks on the Itanagar-Ziro road, Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh at an elevation of more than 1700 m.

Etymology and vernacular name: The specific epithet, “ziroense”, is derived from the type locality ‘Ziro’, the closest town to where the species was found. The town of Ziro is the headquarters of Lower Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh. Ziro is also the name of the native tribal inhabitants of the valley much before the arrival and subsequent colonisation of Apatani tribe (Ngunu Ziro pers. com.). In Apatani language, members of Hedychium are known by the common name “papi” (Bouchery 2016).

Ajith Ashokan and Vinita Gowda. 2019. Hedychium ziroense (Zingiberaceae), A New Species of Ginger Lily from Northeast India. PhytoKeys. 117: 73-84. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.117.24951

Gobiraptor minutus

Lee, Lee, Chinsamy, Lü, Barsbold & Tsogtbaatar, 2019

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210867

Abstract

Recent discoveries of new oviraptorosaurs revealed their high diversity from the Cretaceous Period in Asia and North America. Particularly, at the family level, oviraptorids are among the most diverse theropod dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia and China. A new oviraptorid dinosaur Gobiraptor minutus gen. et sp. nov. from the Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation is described here based on a single holotype specimen that includes incomplete cranial and postcranial elements. The most prominent characters of Gobiraptor are its thickened rostrodorsal end of the mandibular symphysis and a rudimentary lingual shelf on each side of the dentary. Each lingual shelf is lined with small occlusal foramina and demarcated by a weakly developed lingual ridge. This mandibular morphology of Gobiraptor is unique among oviraptorids and likely to be linked to a specialized diet that probably included hard materials, such as seeds or bivalves. The osteohistology of the femur of the holotype specimen indicates that the individual was fairly young at the time of its death. Phylogenetic analysis recovers Gobiraptor as a derived oviraptorid close to three taxa from the Ganzhou region in southern China, but rather distantly related to other Nemegt oviraptorids which, as the results of recent studies, are also not closely related to each other. Gobiraptor increases diversity of oviraptorids in the Nemegt Formation and its presence confirms the successful adaptation of oviraptorids to a mesic environment.

Fig 4. Postcranial elements of the holotype specimen (MPC-D 102/111) of Gobiraptor minutus gen. et sp. nov.
(A) Skeletal reconstruction in left lateral view (missing and damaged portions of the bones in gray). (B) Left ilium in lateral view. (C) Proximal caudal vertebrae in left lateral view with close-up of the infraprezygapophyses. (D) Chevron in cranial view. (E-F) Right scapula in dorsal (E) and lateral (F) views. (G) Last sacral and the two proximalmost caudals in left lateral view. (H) Right pubis in medial view. (I) Right ischium in lateral view. (J) Right femur in distal view. (K) Left metatarsus and distal tarsals in proximal view. (L) Right femur in cranial view. (M-N) Left metatarsus in lateral (M) and dorsal (N) views.

Abbreviations: acr, acromion process; ant, antitrochanter; ch, chevron; cv, caudal vertebra(e); diprf, dorsal infraprezygapophyseal fossa; dt, distal tarsal(s); fct, cranial trochanter of femur; fh, femoral head; gl, glenoid fossa; idf, infradiapophyseal fossa; lc, lateral condyle; mc, medial condyle; mep, medial epicondyle; miprf, middle infraprezygapophyseal fossa; mt II, metatarsal II; mt IV, metatarsal IV; mt V, metatarsal V; ns, neural spine; obp, obturator process; pra, preacetabular process; pup, pubic peduncle; sprf, supraprezygapophyseal fossa; sv, sacral vertebra; tfc, tibiofibular crest; tp, transverse process; viprf, ventral infraprezygapophyseal fossa. Scale bars equal 10 cm in (A); 1 cm in (B-N).

Systematic paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Theropoda Marsh, 1881

Maniraptora Gauthier, 1986

Oviraptorosauria Barsbold, 1976

Oviraptoridae Barsbold, 1976

Gobiraptor minutus gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name Gobiraptor is a combination of ‘Gobi’ which refers to the Gobi Desert where the holotype specimen was found and ‘raptor’ which is Latin for thief. The specific name ‘minutus’ is Latin for small and refers to the small size of the holotype specimen.

Holotype: The holotype specimen (MPC-D 102/111) (Figs 2–4, S2 and S3 Figs) consists of mostly incomplete cranial and postcranial elements including ventral parts of the premaxillae and maxillae, a tip of the right jugal, fused vomer, parts of articulated pterygoids and ectopterygoids, incomplete right palatine, central part of the left postorbital, partial right quadrate and quadratojugal, incomplete lower jaw, with most of its elements broken, the last sacral vertebra which is articulated with the two proximalmost caudal vertebrae, articulated but incomplete proximal caudal vertebrae, fragments of chevrons, partial right scapula and humerus, incomplete pelvic girdles, nearly complete both femora, complete left metatarsus with distal tarsals 3 and 4, incomplete left pedal digits I, III, and IV, and several unidentified fragments. MPC-D 102/111 was also found with other theropod skeletons including postcranial elements of alvarezsaurids and larger oviraptorids.

Type locality and horizon: Altan Uul III, Ömnögovi Province, Mongolia (Fig 1, S1 Fig). Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation.

Diagnosis: Gobiraptor minutus is an oviraptorid dinosaur diagnosed by the following unique set of characteristics (autapomorphies are marked with an asterisk): a flat articular surface for the quadratojugal on the quadrate*; rostrocaudally elongate dentary rostral to the external mandibular fenestra; extremely thickened rostrodorsal end of the mandibular symphysis with a caudal expansion of its dorsal surface *; a rudimentary lingual triturating shelf on each dentary bearing small occlusal foramina*; a weakly developed lingual ridge on each lingual shelf*; absence of any prominent symphyseal ventral process of the dentary; coronoid bone present; the rostral end of the coronoid bone wedging into the ventral surface of the dorsal ramus of the dentary*; cranial trochanter of the femur separated from the greater trochanter with a distinct furrow between them.

....

Conclusions:

Gobiraptor minutus gen. et sp. nov. is a new derived oviraptorid represented by an incomplete skeleton including both cranial and postcranial elements. Gobiraptor is primarily distinguished from other oviraptorids by its dentary with the extremely thickened rostrodorsal end of the mandibular symphysis, lingual ridges and lingual shelves bearing occlusal foramina. The unique morphology of the mandible of Gobiraptor is probably closely related to a crushing-related feeding style and a specialized diet, which may have incorporated hard seeds or shelled organisms. Although Gobiraptor was recovered from the Nemegt Formation, its phylogenetic position showed a close relationship with three Ganzhou oviraptorids. The distant relationships among the Nemegt oviraptorids on the phylogenetic tree were reaffirmed in this study. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that the evolution of these unusually diverse animals was facilitated by a simple sympatric speciation. The presence of Gobiraptor in the Nemegt Formation, together with occurrences of other oviraptorids, also indicates that abundant oviraptorids lived in mesic environments and they were one of the most diverse and successful groups of dinosaurs in the Nemegt region.

Sungjin Lee, Yuong-Nam Lee , Anusuya Chinsamy, Junchang Lü†, Rinchen Barsbold and Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar. 2019. A New Baby Oviraptorid Dinosaur (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. PLoS ONE. 14(2): e0210867. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210867

New oviraptorosaur species discovered in Mongolia phys.org/news/2019-02-oviraptorosaur-species-mongolia.html via @physorg_com

Ancistrus patronus

De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4552.1.1

Abstract

The Orinoco Andes and northwestern Guiana Shield (Essequibo, Orinoco, Branco, and upper Negro) were found to contain 11 species of Ancistrus, six of which are new. We additionally examine A. brevifilis from the Río Tuy of Venezuela and A. trinitatis from the island of Trinidad. The species in the region can be broken up into dorsoventrally flattened species (Ancistrus leoni new species, A. lithurgicus, and A. macropthalmus), white to yellow-dotted species (Ancistrus kellerae new species, A. nudiceps, and A. patronus new species), wide-jawed species (Ancistrus amaris new species and Ancistrus yutajae new species), and white-spotted species (A. brevifilis, A. leucostictus, A. trinitatis, A. saudades new species, and A. triradiatus). Distributions of Ancistrus support the Proto-Berbice hypothesis as A. saudades is found in the upper reaches of the Ventuari, Caura, and Caroni rivers, which were thought to have once flowed into the Proto-Berbice. In addition, although A. nudiceps does not appear to have split once the Takutu River was captured by the Branco, the progenitor of A. leucostictus and A. saudades did speciate with the populations on either side of the Rupununi Portal differing by 7% sequence divergence of the mitochondrial Cytochrome b gene. Besides the descriptions of the new species, we redescribe the others occurring in the area, and adjacent watersheds. We provide a key for their identification, and a preliminary hypothesis of relationships based on DNA sequences of the few species for which tissue samples are available.

Keywords: Pisces, Ancistrini, Colombia, Guyana, Venezuela, Taxonomy

Ancistrus patronus De Souza, Taphorn & Armbruster, 2019

Ancistrus patronus, named for the genus's paternal care of offspring.

photos: Jonathan W. Armbruster.

Lesley S De Souza, Donald C. Taphorn and Jonathan W. Armbruster. 2019. Review of Ancistrus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the northwestern Guiana Shield, Orinoco Andes, and Adjacent Basins with Description of Six New Species. Zootaxa. 4552(1); 1-67. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4552.1.1

Six new species of hideously adorable tentacle-nosed catfish discovered in Amazon phys.org/news/2019-02-species-hideously-adorable-tentacle-nosed-catfish.html via @physorg_com

Cyrtodactylus laangensis

Murdoch, Grismer, Wood, Neang, Poyarkov, Ngo, Nazarov, Aowphol, Pauwels, Nguyen & Grismer, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4554.1.1

Abstract

An integrative taxonomic analysis using color pattern, morphology, and 1449 base pairs of the ND2 mitochondrial gene and its five flanking tRNAs demonstrated that eight species-level lineages occur within the Cyrtodactylus intermedius complex (Cyrtodactylus intermedius sensu stricto, C. phuquocensis and related populations) of the Cardamom mountains and associated highlands that have a sequence divergence ranging 3.4–8.9%. Additionally, each lineage is discretely diagnosable from one another based on morphology and color pattern and most occur in specific geographic regions (upland areas, karst formations or islands) that prevent or greatly restrict interpopulation gene flow. Six of these lineages were masquerading under the nomen C. intermedius and are described as the following: Cyrtodactylus auralensis sp. nov. endemic to Phnom Aural, the highest mountain in Cambodia; C. bokorensis sp. nov. endemic to the Bokor Plateau, Cambodia; C. cardamomensis sp. nov. from the main block of the Cardamom mountains; C. thylacodactylus sp. nov. endemic to Phnom Dalai the northernmost peak of the Cardamom mountains; C. laangensis sp. nov. endemic to the Phnom Laang karst formation, Cambodia; and C. septimontium sp. nov. from the Bảy Núi Hills of southwest Vietnam.

Keywords: Reptilia, Cyrtodactylus, systematics, taxonomy, new species, Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam

Matthew L. Murdoch, L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Jr. Wood, Thy Neang, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Ngo Van Tri, Roman A. Nazarov, Anchalee Aowphol, Olivier S.G. Pauwels, Hung Ngoc Nguyen and Jesse L. Grismer. 2019. Six New Species of the Cyrtodactylus intermedius complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Cardamom Mountains and associated Highlands of Southeast Asia. Zootaxa. 4554(1); 1–62. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4554.1.1

Graphium (Pazala) wenlingae Hu, Cotton & Monastyrskii

in Hu, Condamine, Monastyrskii & Cotton, 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4554.1.10

Abstract

The Graphium (Pazala) mandarinus group was recently defined and the status of taxa as well as the number of species was revised. We report here the discovery of a new species from Kon Tum plateau of the Truong Son (Annamite) Range of Central Vietnam, which we describe based on morphological and molecular evidence. Molecular phylogeny shows that the new taxon, Graphium (Pazala) wenlingae Hu, Cotton & Monastyrskii sp. nov., is sister to G. (P.) daiyuanae Hu, Zhang & Cotton, 2018 plus G. (P.) confucius Hu, Duan & Cotton, 2018. Molecular dating analysis further suggests that this new species diverged from its sister clade in the Pliocene (~3.5 million years ago). The new taxon constitutes the eighth and southernmost species of the mandarinus group.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, Pazala, mandarinus-group, new species, Vietnam, Leptocircini

FIGURE 3. Graphium (Pazala) wenlingae Hu, Cotton & Monastyrskii sp. nov.;
red dot: holotype, yellow dots: paratypes; upperside on the first row, underside on the second row;
A–B: ♂, Ngoc Linh, Kon Tum, C. Vietnam; C: ♀, Tay Giang, Quang Nam, C. Vietnam;

scale bar = 10 mm.

Graphium (Pazala) wenlingae Hu, Cotton & Monastyrskii sp. nov.

Pazala glycerion: Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2000: 473. C. Vietnam (Ngoc Linh)

Graphium (Pazala) mandarinus [partim]: Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2003: 12. C. Vietnam (to Lam Dong).

Graphium (Pazala) mandarinus [partim]: Monastyrskii, 2007: 96. C. Vietnam (to Lam Dong)

Graphium (Pazala) mandarinus [partim]: Monastyrskii & Devyatkin, 2015: 15. C. Vietnam (to Kon Tum).

Differential Diagnosis: The new species resembles G. (P.) daiyuanae Hu, Zhang & Cotton, 2018, G. (P.) mandarinus kimurai Murayama, 1982, G. (P.) mandarinus fangana (K. Okano, 1986), and G. (P.) mandarinus stilwelli Cotton & Hu, 2018 (Figure 6), but can be distinguished by careful examination of the following characters: 1) size smaller than daiyuanae and mandarinus stilwelli, similar to that of mandarinus kimurai and mandarinus fangana; 2) forewing termen not oblique outwardly from apex to tornus as in daiyuanae and female mandarinus kimurai and mandarinus fangana (a); 3) upperside hindwing rather paler, the basal, lower half of sub-basal, and discal bands completely absent in both sexes (while commonly present in other taxa) (b); 4) both rings of the discal bands on the hindwing underside mostly white, except a very thin line of creamy yellow in the upper ring (c) (the upper ring typically yellow in other taxa); 5) the interspaces between coupled submarginal bands at cells M3 and M2 more irrigated with whitish scales than in other taxa (d).

Distribution: The new species is currently known only from Kon Tum plateau of Truong Son (Annamite) Range in C. Vietnam (Quang Nam and Kon Tum Provinces). We can also expect to discover this species in adjacent Gia Lai Province (e.g. Kon Ka Kinh National Park) and in Lam Dong Province (e.g. Bi Doup Nui Ba and Chu Yang Sin National Parks).

Host plant: Unknown, presumably a plant species belonging to family Lauraceae representatives of which (e.g. genera Neolitsea, Machilus, Cinnamomum, and Persea) are host plants of such relatives as Graphium (Pazala) eurous and G. (P.) mullah (Igarashi & Fukuda 2000).

Derivatio nominis: The specific name of this elusive new taxon was dedicated to Dr. Wen-Ling Wang, a very close friend of the first author. The species name is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

FIGURE 6. Differential diagnoses of Graphium (Pazala) wenlingae Hu, Cotton & Monastyrskii sp. nov. (A: ♂, B: ♀) and similar taxa, upperside on the left half, underside on the right half;

C: G. (P.) daiyuanae Hu, Zhang & Cotton, 2018, ♂; D: ditto, ♀; E: G. (P.) mandarinus kimurai Murayama, 1982, ♂; F: ditto, ♀; G: G. (P.) mandarinus fangana (K. Okano, 1986), ♂; H: ditto, ♀; I: G. (P.) mandarinus stilwelli Cotton & Hu, 2018, ♂; J: ditto, ♀

scale bar = 10 mm.

FIGURE 6. Differential diagnoses of Graphium (Pazala) wenlingae Hu, Cotton & Monastyrskii sp. nov. (A: ♂, B: ♀) and similar taxa, upperside on the left half, underside on the right half; C: G. (P.) daiyuanae Hu, Zhang & Cotton, 2018, ♂; D: ditto, ♀; E: G. (P.) mandarinus kimurai Murayama, 1982, ♂; F: ditto, ♀; G: G. (P.) mandarinus fangana (K. Okano, 1986), ♂; H: ditto, ♀; I: G. (P.) mandarinus stilwelli Cotton & Hu, 2018, ♂; J: ditto, ♀

FIGURE 7. Distribution map of the Graphium (Pazala) mandarinus group, with the distribution of Graphium (Pazala) wenlingae sp. nov. highlighted in a red box.

Shao-Ji Hu, Fabien L. Condamine, Alexander L. Monastyrskii andAdam M. Cotton. 2019. A New Species of the Graphium (Pazala) mandarinus Group from Central Vietnam (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Zootaxa. 4554(1); 286–300. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4554.1.10

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