Species New to Science

Melanosphecia paolo Skowron Volponi

in Skowron Volponi, 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4695.3.4

Abstract

A metallic blue, new species of clearwing moth from Thailand is described and shown on video. With its spectacular colouration, long hind legs and an incredible illusion of a wasp-waist, complemented by behavioural imitations, this sesiid is a striking spider wasp mimic. Notes on possible mimicry models, behaviour and conditions of occurrence are given. COI DNA barcode sequence is provided. This is the first country record of Melanosphecia Le Cerf 1916 for Thailand and the first representative of this genus to be filmed in its natural habitat.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, clearwing moth, mimicry, behaviour, mud-puddling, Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Southeast Asia, barcoding

Melanosphecia paolo Skowron Volponi sp. nov.

Etymology. I dedicate this species to my husband, Paolo Volponi, a brilliant filmmaker and clearwing moth enthusiast, whose help and assistance in the field have been crucial in the studies of this and many other Sesiidae species.

Marta A. Skowron Volponi. 2019. A New Species of Spectacular Spider Wasp Mimic Moth from Thailand is the First Representative of the Genus Melanosphecia Le Cerf 1916 (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae: Osminiini) to be filmed in the Wild. Zootaxa. 4695(3); 295–300. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4695.3.4

in Golestani, Crocetta, Padula, ...et Valdés, 2019.

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz028

twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc

Abstract

The widespread sea hare species Aplysia parvula includes four genetically distinct lineages, containing a total of ten different species. While the four lineages can be differentiated by their external characteristics, species in each clade are often morphologically indistinguishable. A review of literature and type material revealed that several available names exist for species recognized herein: Aplysia parvula is retained for a species from the north-eastern Atlantic; A. atromarginata, A. elongata, A. nigrocincta and A. japonica are resurrected for species from the western Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Islands, the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, and Japan and Korea, respectively. Two new species names are introduced for animals from the eastern Pacific, and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Mitochondrial sequences from Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic specimens identified as A. parvula, resulted to be A. punctata. However, two specimens were heterozygotes of histone H3 alleles of A. punctata and of a new Atlantic species described herein, suggesting they could be hybrids. These results contradict the hypothesis that the Mediterranean was colonized by A. parvula. If an invasion occurred, it was a limited introgression of nDNA from an Atlantic species into native A. punctata populations.

Keywords: biogeography, Mediterranean, molecular systematic, morphology, natural hybridization

Aplysia parvula Guilding in Mørch, 1863

Haleh Golestani, Fabio Crocetta, Vinicius Padula, Yolanda Camacho-García, Joachim Langeneck, Dimitris Poursanidis, Marta Pola, M Baki yokeş, Juan Lucas Cervera, Dae-Wui Jung, Terrence M Gosliner, Juan Francisco Araya, Yuri Hooker, Michael schrödl and Ángel Valdés. 2019. The Little Aplysia Coming of Age: From One Species to A Complex of Species Complexes in Aplysia parvula (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Heterobranchia). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 187(2); 279–330. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz028

twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc/status/1189092646951645184

Imparfinis munduruku

Castro & Wosiacki, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.6

Abstract

Imparfinis comprises 20 valid species in the Heptapteridae, being the most diverse taxonomic group of catfishes of the Nemuroglanis subclade. The genus has one of the widest geographical distributions in the neotropical region, found on both sides of the Andes, from Costa Rica to the Paraná and Uruguay river basins in Argentina. A new species of Imparfinis is described from streams of the upper Rio Tapajós and its tributary Teles Pires in northern Brazil. The new species is diagnosed from all congeners by the presence of a vertical dark brown band W-shaped at the base of the caudal-fin rays, a thick dark brown lateral stripe from the snout to the end of the caudal peduncle, dark brown head, long maxillary barbel surpassing the distal margin of the pectoral fin, and presence of 39 or 40 total vertebrae.

Keywords: Pisces, Color pattern, freshwater, Neotropical region, taxonomy

Íthalo Da Silva Castro and Wolmar Benjamin Wosiacki. 2019. A New Species of Imparfinis Eigenmann & Norris, 1900 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae) from the Tapajós Basin, Brazil. Zootaxa. 4701(5); 461–472. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.6

Salamandra algira atlantica

Hernandez & Escoriza, 2019

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.893.46649

Abstract

A new subspecies within the Salamandraalgira species complex from north-western Africa is described. Previous molecular analysis showed that the populations of S. algira splendens from north-western Morocco consisted of two well supported clades: clade 1 distributed in the Rif Mountains, from Chefchaouen (type locality) to Al Hoceima, and clade 2, located southern from clade 1 being isolated in the northern and central Middle Atlas Mountains. Clade 2 is herein described as a distinct subspecies:Salamandra algira atlantica ssp. nov. based on morphological data, allopatric range and molecular divergence. This new subspecies shows an uncorrected pairwise distance of 0.0265 from clade 1 based on cytochrome b DNA sequences. Salamandraalgiraatlantica ssp. nov. is a slender and large sized salamander with a highly variable colouration pattern. It can be distinguished from S. algira splendens by the greater proportion of coral red in the background colouration, being the only known subspecies of S. algira in which coral red can exceed the proportion of black. Variable number (0–5) of yellow to golden yellow dorsal blotches, but usually in lower numbers than the nominotypical subspecies. Salamandraalgiraatlantica ssp. nov. inhabits subhumid to humid forests and karstic systems at mid to high elevations. We briefly discuss the phylogenetic and taxonomic issues among the genus Salamandra which encompasses more valid species than currently recognised.

Keywords: Amphibia, mitochondrial DNA, Salamandra algira atlantica ssp. nov., taxonomy, threatened species

Figure 2. Holotype of Salamandra algira atlantica ssp. nov. (MNCN 50499) in life.

Figure 4. Larva of Salamandraalgiraatlantica ssp. nov.

Photographs by Daniel Escoriza.

Figure 3. Variation in the colouration pattern of Salamandra algira atlantica ssp. nov.:
A adult male from Jbel Sidi Ali, Midelt Province B adult female from Grotte de Chaâra, Taza Province C, D adult males from Grotte de Chaâra. Photographs by Axel Hernandez.

Salamandra algira atlantica ssp. nov.

Atlas fire salamander

Etymology: The new taxon is named after the word ‘Atlas’ from Greek Aτλας in reference to the Atlas Mountains (Morocco), where this subspecies is found.

Figure 5. Map showing the distribution of the subspecies of Salamandra algira (red circles) and the localities included in the phylogenetic analyses (yellow crosses) in northern Morocco and Algeria.

Figure 6. A Habitat of Salamandra algira atlantica ssp. nov. at the type locality, Taza Province, Middle Atlas Mountains, northern Morocco B Cave habitat at Grotte de Chaâra. Photographs by Axel Hernandez.

Distribution: Salamandra algira atlantica ssp. nov. is endemic to the northern and central Middle Atlas Mountains, northern Morocco: Tazekka National Park, Bou Iblane Massif and Jbel Sidi Ali (Fig. 5).

Naturalhistory: The new subspecies is found from 600–2455 m a.s.l. near springs and streams in humid mesothermal forests of conifers (Abies pinsapo, Cedrus atlantica, Pinus halepensis) and oaks (Quercusilex, Q. canariensis, Q. suber; Fig. 6 A). There are also troglophile populations at Grotte de Chaâra, Grotte d’Izora. and Gouffre du Friouato which reproduce inside the caves at 400 m from the entrance (Fig. 6B). It is a crepuscular and nocturnal species having a surface activity from autumn to spring.

Conclusions:

This study increases the current known number of subspecies of S. algira found in northern Morocco, from three (S. algira tingitana, S. algiraspelaea, S. algira splendens) to four subspecies in describing S. algira atlantica ssp. nov. It also supports this region as having the highest intraspecific diversity of S. algira. The taxonomic separation of a single widespread species into multiple small-ranged taxa in turn have important implications for the conservation status of the original species. We therefore recommend a re-assessment of the outdated Vulnerable status (VU) of S. algira (IUCN 2009) to reflect the current taxonomic revisions and the increasing threats from the international pet trade and habitat loss which have taken place over the last decade.

Axel Hernandez and Daniel Escoriza. 2019. A New Subspecies of African Fire Salamander Salamandraalgira (Urodela, Salamandridae) from the Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco. ZooKeys. 893: 143-158. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.893.46649

Myxilla (Myxilla) austini

Ott, Reiswig, et al., 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.1.1

Abstract
Collections of sponges by the late Dr. William C. Austin and the authors (N. McDaniel, R. Harbo and B. Ott) provided material for descriptions of new species from two genera of Poecilosclerida for shallow waters of Southern British Columbia, Canada and Northern Washington, USA: Lissodendoryx and Myxilla. There have been no new species of these two genera described for the Northeast Pacific since Laubenfels’ work in central California (Laubenfels 1930, 1932) and Lambe’s reports in 1893 to 1895 for Geological Survey of Canada sponge collections from British Columbia, Canada to the Bering Sea. We describe three new species of Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Coelosphaeridae) and one new species of Myxilla (Myxilla) (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Myxillidae): L. (L.) barkleyensis n. sp., L. (L.) littoralis n. sp., L. (L.) toxaraphida n. sp. and M. (M.) austini n. sp. Lissodendoryx (L.) barkleyensis n. sp. is cave-dwelling, has acanthostyles 112–260 µm, tornotes 107–177 µm, arcuate isochelas 8–28 µm and two sizes of sigmas 18–29, 26–55 µm. Lissodendoryx (L.) littoralis n. sp. fistulate habitus is adapted to muddy substrates similar to some Polymastia species also found commonly in the Northeast Pacific. It has subtylostyles 185–336 µm, tylotes 112–229 µm, arcuate isochelas 11–23 µm, and sigmas 30–75 µm. Lissodendoryx (L.) toxaraphida n. sp. is the only described Lissodendoryx species with raphides shaped like toxas. It has acanthostyles 140–286 µm, tornotes 143–195µm, arcuate isochelas 18–34 µm and toxiform raphides 65–156 µm. Myxilla (M.) austini n. sp. has a fistulate habitus and both tornote and tylote megascleres. It appears to be tolerant of low oxygen environments. Myxilla (M.) austini n. sp. has smooth to sparsely spined styles 193–353 µm, tylotes 153–221 µm, tornotes 174–260 µm, two sizes of anchorate isochelas 13–27, 42–81 µm, and two sizes of sigmas 13–47, 33–78 µm. All specimens were collected from shallow water (intertidal to 25 m).

Keywords: Porifera, biodiversity, morphology, Northern Washington, Porifera, shallow water, Southern British Columbia, taxonomy

Class Demospongiae Sollas, 1885
Order Poecilosclerida Topsent, 1928
Family Coelosphaeridae Dendy, 1922

Genus Lissodendoryx Topsent, 1892
Subgenus Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) Topsent, 1892

Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx)barkleyensis n. sp.

Etymology. The sponge is named after the location, Barkley Sound, BC.

Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) littoralis n. sp.

Etymology. The species name derives from the intertidal habitat of the sponge.

Lissodendoryx (Lissodendoryx) toxaraphida n. sp.

Etymology. The species name refers to the presence of toxa-shaped raphides.

Myxilla (Myxilla) austini n. sp. The holotype in situ.

Family Myxillidae Dendy, 1922

Genus Myxilla Schmidt, 1862
Subgenus Myxilla Schmidt, 1862,

sensu Desqueyroux-Faúndez & Van Soest, 1996

Myxilla (Myxilla) austini n. sp.
Etymology. The sponge is named in honour of the late Dr. William C. Austin. Bill was a highly regarded marine biologist, environmentalist and educator who studied and documented marine life of the Pacific Coast of North America for close to 60 years.

B. Ott, H. M. Reiswig, N. McDaniel and R. Harbo. 2019. New Species of Lissodendoryx Topsent, 1892 (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Coelosphaeridae) and Myxilla Schmidt, 1862 (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Myxillidae) from the Northeast Pacific. Zootaxa. 4700(1); 1–29. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.1.1

Sturisomatichthys guaitipan

Londoño-Burbano & Reis, 2019

DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-226

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Abstract

A taxonomic revision of Sturisomatichthys is presented. A total of 383 specimens including both type and non-type specimens of all valid species were examined. Sturisomatichthys was found to encompass ten valid species: Sturisomatichthys aureus, S. caquetae, S. citurensis, S. dariensis, S. festivus, S. frenatus, S. kneri, S. leightoni, S. panamensis, and S. tamanae. In addition, three new species are described: Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species, from the Baudó River, in northwestern Colombia, belonging to the Caribbean slope of the continent; Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species, from the upper and middle Magdalena River basin, Colombia; and Sturisomatichthys varii, new species, from the San Juan River basin in western Colombia, on the Pacific slope. Sturisomatichthys caquetae, from the Morelia River, upper Amazon, is transferred back from Sturisoma, and S. leightoni was found to be distributed, besides the Magdalena-Cauca basin, in the Orinoco basin; thus, Sturisomatichthys is shown to be distributed in both trans- and cis-Andean drainages. A neotype is designated for S. aureus from the lower Magdalena basin. New records of localities in the northwestern region of South America, as well as the redescription and taxonomic comments on all valid species, are provided. Maps with the species distributions and a key for identification of the species are provided.

Sturisomatichthys Isbrücker and Nijssen, 1979

Sturisomatichthys Isbrucker and Nijssen, in Isbrücker , 1979:91

(type species: Oxyloricaria leightoni Regan, 1912,

by original designation; gender: masculine).

Included taxa.— Sturisomatichthys aureus; S. caquetae; S. citurensis; S. dariensis; S. festivus; S. frenatus; S. kneri; S. leightoni; S. panamensis; S. tamanae; Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species; Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species; Sturisomatichthys varii, new species.

Placement in Loricariinae.—Sturisomatichthys belongs to the Farlowellina, along with Aposturisoma; Farlowella (type genus); Lamontichthys; Pterosturisoma; and Sturisoma.

Sturisomatichthys aureus (Steindachner, 1900)

Sturisomatichthys caquetae (Fowler, 1945)

Sturisomatichthys citurensis (Meek and Hildebrand, 1913)

Sturisomatichthys dariensis (Meek and Hildebrand, 1913)

Sturisomatichthys festivus (Myers, 1942)

Sturisomatichthys frenatus (Boulenger, 1902)

Sturisomatichthys kneri (Ghazzi, 2005)

Sturisomatichthys leightoni (Regan, 1912)

Sturisomatichthys panamensis (Eigenmann and Eigenmann, 1889)

Sturisomatichthys tamanae (Regan, 1912)

Sturisomatichthys reinae, new species

Etymology.—The specific name honors Mrs. Ruth Gisela Reina, late curator of fishes at STRI, for her contributions to the knowledge of fishes and invaluable help and assistance for several ichthyologists around the world during her time at the STRI.

Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species, holotype, ICNMHN 24055, 90.7 mm SL, Colombia, Cundinamarca, Apulo, Magdalena River basin, Calandaima River.

Photo by Henry Agudelo (ICNMHN).
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Sturisomatichthys guaitipan, new species

Etymology.—The specific epithet guaitipan honors Gaitana, an indigenous heroine from the 16th century, cacique of the Timaná tribe, who occupied the Colombian Andes in the upper Magdalena valley in the Meta department. Gaitana, or Guaitipan as she was also known, fought against the Spanish invasion that occurred in South America between 1539 and 1540, ending in her defeat due to treason by the cacique Matambo, who warned the Spanish army of the rebellion led by Gaitana. Finally in 1626, joining forces with the Pijaos, Panaes, and Pamaos, they obtained victory by expelling the Spanish from their region.

Sturisomatichthys varii, new species

Etymology.—The specific name honors Richard P. Vari for his important and numerous contributions to the knowledge of Neotropical fishes, and for his interest in helping young ichthyologists pursue careers in science to continue to explore the diversity of such Neotropical fishes. Richard left an important legacy which, with no doubt, will help present and future ichthyologists in their research. The conclusion of this study would not have being possible without the selfless and extensive help received from Richard.

Alejandro Londoño-Burbano and Roberto E. Reis. 2019. A Taxonomic Revision of SturisomatichthysIsbrücker and Nijssen, 1979 (Loricariidae: Loricariinae), with Descriptions of Three New Species. Copeia. 107(4); 764-806. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-226

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Liolaemus tajzara Aguilar-Kirigin

in Abdala, Aguilar-Kirigin, Semhan, ... et Aparicio, 2019.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225815

Abstract

The Liolaemusmontanus group is a diverse group of lizards that ranges from central Peru to southwestern Mendoza, Argentina, including much of the Plurinational State of Bolivia (“Bolivia”) and Chile. The species of this group mainly inhabit high elevation areas with cold temperatures. In the last years, several species of this group have been described, mostly in Argentina and Chile. In Bolivia, there are at least thirteen valid species belonging to the L. montanus group. In this study, we describe a new species of the L. montanus group with a marked endemism in the Cordillera de Sama of the Tarija Department, Bolivia, and a combination of unique character states that allows its formal description as a new species. The phylogenetic relationships based on analysis of 159 morphological characters suggest that it belongs to the L. montanus group, and that it is closest to Liolaemus pulcherrimus, which is found allopatrically in a small area of the Jujuy Province, Argentina. The multivariate analyses of 66 morphological characters support the phylogenetic relationships. Statistical analyses of inter-species comparisons of morphological characters are not considered the only methods due to the non-independence of some characters states among species; thus, a phylogenetic analysis is recommended. The detailed revision of specimens of the L. montanus group held in the collections of Bolivia is filling major geographic gaps and improving our understanding of the phylogenetic and biogeographic relationships of this widely distributed group of South American lizards.

Fig 4. Holotype of Liolaemus tajzara sp. nov., dorsolateral view. Photograph: C.S. Abdala.

Fig 5. Holotype of Liolaemus tajzara sp. nov., ventral view. Photograph: C.S. Abdala.

Liolaemus tajzara Aguilar-Kirigin sp. nov.

Liolaemus islugensis

Liolaemus aff. signifer

Liolaemus sp. 2 “Sama”

Liolaemus sp. 2 “Torohuaico”

Fig 6. Male specimen of Liolaemus tajzara sp. nov., from the type locality. Photograph: C.S. Abdala.

Fig 7. Female specimen of Liolaemus tajzara sp. nov., from the type locality. Photograph: C.S. Abdala.

Etymology: The scientific name for this new species was assigned in reference to the type locality: the surroundings of the Tajzara Basin lagoons in the Reserva Biológica Cordillera de Sama of the Tarija Department, Plurinational State of Bolivia.

Diagnosis:

Liolaemus tajzara sp. nov. belongs to the L. montanus group because it presents a bladelike process on the tibia, associated with the hypertrophy of the tibialis anticus muscle [20, 67]. The L. montanus group species differ from those of the L. boulengeri group [9, 68] by the complete absence of patches of enlarged scales in the posterior part of the thigh (versus presence of such patches, at least in adult males). Within the L. montanus group, our new species is distinguished from Liolaemus audituvelatus, L. famatinae, L. griseus, Liolaemus insolitus, Liolaemus manueli, Liolaemus omorfi, Liolaemus poconchilensis, Liolaemus reichei, Liolaemus stolzmanni and Liolaemus torresi by their smaller size, with a maximum SVL of less than 65 mm compared to at least 71.9 mm in L. tajzara sp. nov. and, it is distinguished from Liolaemus annectens, Liolaemus aymararum, L. chlorostictus, L. dorbignyi, Liolaemus duellmani, Liolaemus fabiani, Liolaemus filiorum, L. forsteri, Liolaemus foxi, Liolaemus huayra, L. huacahuasicus, Liolaemus igneus, Liolaemus inti, L. jamesi, Liolaemus juanortizi, Liolaemus melanogaster, Liolaemus nigriceps, L. orientalis, L. pantherinus, L. pachecoi, Liolaemus patriciaiturrae, L. pleopholis, Liolaemus polystictus, L. puritamensis, Liolaemus robustus, Liolaemus scrocchii, L. signifer, Liolaemus tacora, Liolaemus vulcanus and, Liolaemus williamsi by their larger size with maximum SVL exceeding 75 mm (often greater than 90 mm) versus the observed maximum of 71.9 mm in L. tajzara sp. nov.

....

Distribution: All known specimens and observations of L. tajzara sp. nov. are from the Reserva Biológica Cordillera de Sama, Yunchara Municipality, Avilez Province, Tarija Department, Plurinational State of Bolivia, mainly in the semi-humid Puna phytogeographic region, at altitudes higher than 3500 m (Figs 11 and 12).

Cristian Simón Abdala, Alvaro J. Aguilar-Kirigin, Romina Valeria Semhan, Ana Lucia Bulacios Arroyo, Julián Valdes, Marcos Maximiliano Paz, Roberto Gutiérrez Poblete, Pablo Valladares Faundez, Robert Langstroth and James Aparicio. 2019. Description and Phylogeny of A New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) Endemic to the south of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. PLoS ONE. 14(12): e0225815. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225815

Paratachycines (Hemitachycines) xiai Zhang, Liu & Bi, 2009

in Qin, Liu & Li, 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.3.8

Abstract

One species Paratachycines (Paratachycines) ussuriensis Storozhenko, 1990 from China is described and illustrated with photographs. Two other known species of Paratachycines reported by Zhang et al., (2009) from China are also mentioned. A key to four subgenera of Paratachycines and keys to species of two subgenera: Paratachycines s. str., Hemitachycines Storozhenko, 1990 worldwide are all provided.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae, Aemodogryllini, Paratachycines, taxonomy, key, China

Yanyan Qin, Xianwei Liu and Kai Li. 2019. Review of Genus Paratachycines Storozhenko, 1990 (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae: Aemodogryllinae) with A New Recorded Species from China. Zootaxa. 4700(3); 394–400. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.3.8

Tonkinaphaenops yinquanicus

Huang, Vương, ... et Faille, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.1.3

Abstract

Cavernicolous trechine beetles of the genus Tonkinaphaenops Deuve, 2013, known so far only from Vietnam, are reported for the first time from southern China, and new data are also provided regarding this genus from northern Vietnam. Two new Chinese species, T. yinquanicus sp. nov. from cave Yinquan Dong and T. jingxicus sp. nov. from cave Nianluo Dong in Jingxi County, southwesternmost Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, are described and illustrated, together with the descriptions of two new Vietnamese species: T. anthonyi sp. nov. from the cave Hang Dõi and T. impunctatus sp. nov. from the cave Hang Rắn in Cao Bằng province. A key to all known species of Tonkinaphaenops is also provided.

Keywords: Coleoptera, cavernicolous, aphaenopsian, ground beetles, new species, Trechini

Sunbin Huang, Vương Tân Tú, Phạm Văn Phú, Mingyi Tian and Arnaud Faille. 2019. Contributions to the Knowledge of the Genus Tonkinaphaenops Deuve, 2013 from China and Vietnam (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Trechinae). Zootaxa. 4701(1); 35–53. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.1.3

Sibon ayerbeorum

Vera-Pérez, 2019

Ayerbes’ Snail-eater • Caracolera de los Ayerbe || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.4

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Abstract

A new species of the genus Sibon is described based on four specimens from Parque Nacional Natural Munchique, department of Cauca, Colombia. The new species differs from all members of the S. annulatus and S. nebulatus groups because it has an ocellate pattern, which places it into the S. argus species group. It differs from S. argus by having non-protuberant eyes, fewer ventrals, subcaudals, and total segmental counts; and it differs from S. longifrenis by having fewer segmental counts in males and females, only six supralabials and postmentals absent. Additionally, it differs from both species due to its smaller body size.

Keywords: Reptilia, Sibon ayerbeorum sp. nov., snail-eating snakes, Dipsadini, Parque Nacional Natural Munchique, Cauca, endemic species

Coloration in life of adults paratype MHNUC-He-Se-000660 (upper) and holotype MHNUC-He-Se-000659 (lower) of Sibon ayerbeorum.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.4

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Sibon ayerbeorum sp. nov.

Sibon cf. lamari: Ayerbe et al. (2007).

Proposed common name: Ayerbes’ Snail-eater

Proposed common Spainish name: Caracolera de los Ayerbe

Etymology. Named in honor of Santiago Ayerbe González and his sons Fernando and Santiago José (R.I.P). Dr. Ayerbe is a renowned Colombian pediatrician and toxinologist who has devoted most of his life in favor of prevention, treatment and management of snakebites, and has also contributed to the knowledge of the reptiles of the department of Cauca. Fernando is a renowned ornithologist and scientific illustrator, author of the most recent book about the birds of Colombia. Santiago José died in the earthquake which affected the city of Popayán in March, 1983.

Luis Enrique Vera-Pérez. 2019. A New Species of Sibon Fitzinger, 1826 (Squamata: Colubridae) from Southwestern Colombia. Zootaxa. 4701(5); 443–453. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4701.5.4

Researchgate.net/publication/337682198_A_new_species_of_Sibon_from_Southwestern_Colombia

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Resumen: Se describe una nueva especie del género Sibon a partir de cuatro especímenes del Parque Nacional Natural Munchique, departamento del Cauca, Colombia. La nueva especie difiere de todos los miembros de los grupos S. annulatus y S. nebulatus por tener un patrón ocelado, que la coloca dentro del grupo de especies S. argus. Se distingue de S. argus por tener ojos no protuberantes, menos escamas ventrales, subcaudales y conteos de segmentos totales; y difiere de S. longifrenis por tener menos conteos de segmentos en machos y hembras, solo seis supralabiales y ausencia de postmental. Además, difiere de ambas especies por su tamaño corporal menor.

Talarurus plicatospineus Maleev, 1952

in Park, Lee, Currie, ... et Kim, 2020.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104340

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Illustration: Jed Taylor facebook.com: JCT Art Studio

Highlights:

• Three new specimens of Talarurus provide new anatomical information about this taxon.

• A dispersal event of ankylosaurines from Asia to western North America occurred before the Cenomanian.

• Differences of muzzle shape between Talarurus and Tsagantegia suggest a possible niche partitioning among these taxa.

Abstract

Three new additional skull specimens of Talarurus plicatospineus have been recovered from the Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Santonian) Bayanshiree Formation, of Bayan Shiree cliffs, eastern Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The skulls feature unique characters such as an anteriorly protruded single internarial caputegulum, around 20 flat or concave nasal-area caputegulae surrounded by a wide sulcus, a vertically oriented elongate loreal caputegulum with a pitted surface, an elongate lacrimal caputegulum positioned above the posterodorsal border of the maxilla, two longitudinally arranged large frontoparietal caputegulae surrounded by smaller rhomboid caputegulae, small but elongate medial supraorbital caputegulae, a posterior supraorbital caputegulum that is four times larger than the anterior one, up to three transverse parallel grooves on the dorsal surface of the posterior supraorbital caputegulum, postocular caputegulae along the ventral to posterior rim of the orbit that extend almost to the anteroventral margin of the squamosal horn, a longitudinal furrow tapering towards the apex of the squamosal horn, a lateral nuchal caputegulum four to five times larger than other nuchal caputegulae, and a pterygovomerine keel with a ventral margin that is dorsally positioned to the alveolar ridge. The phylogenetic analysis result showed that Talarurus is sister to the clade that includes the derived Asian ankylosaurines (Saichania chulsanensis, Tarchia kielanae, and Zaraapelta nomadis). It also shows that there was dispersal of ankylosaurines from Asia into western North America before the Cenomanian. Moreover, the rostral differences between Talarurus and Tsagantegia, another ankylosaur from the same formation, suggest possible niche partitioning between these taxa.

Keywords: Dinosauria, Ankylosauridae, Ankylosauinae, Talarurus plicatospineus, Bayanshiree Formation, paleobiogeography

Photographs of new skull specimens of Talarurus plicatospineus in left lateral view.

(A) MPC-D 100/1354. (B) MPC-D 100/1355. (C) MPC-D 100/1356.

Skull reconstruction of Talarurus plicatospineus

a hypothesized illustration for the different feeding heights between Tsagantegia longicranialis and Talarurus plicatospineus.

Illustration: Jed Taylor facebook.com: JCT Art Studio

Jin-Young Park, Yuong-Nam Lee, Philip J. Currie, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Eva Koppelhus, Rinchen Barsbold, Octávio Mateus, Sungjin Lee and Su-Hwan Kim. 2020. Additional Skulls of Talarurus plicatospineus (Dinosauria: Ankylosauridae) and Implications for Paleobiogeography and Paleoecology of Armored Dinosaurs. Cretaceous Research. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104340

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새 논문이 나왔습니다! 몽골의 갑옷공룡 탈라루루스(Talarurus)의 머리가 67년 만에 (거의) 완벽하게 복원됐습니다. 용처럼 생겼지만 초식공룡입니다.

Conchoecetes chanty

McLay & Naruse, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4706.1.1

Abstract

The genus Conchoecetes Stimpson, 1858, has long been considered to include three species: C. artificiosus (Fabricius, 1798), C. andamanicus Alcock, 1900, and C. intermedius Lewinsohn, 1984. The type species, C. artificiosus, has been assumed to be widely distributed throughout the Indo-West Pacific and a fourth species, C. conchifera (Haswell, 1882), from Australia, has been regarded as a synonym. The enigmatic and long overlooked “Caphyra pectenicola Adams, in Belcher, 1848” is shown to be a species of Conchoecetes occurring in Java, Singapore and the Gulf of Thailand. We review the status of these species, establish C. conchifera as a valid species, and describe five new species: C. atlas n. sp., C avikele n. sp., C. chanty n. sp., C. investigator n. sp. and C. pembawa n. sp. In this revision we recognize 10 valid species in Conchoecetes. They are distributed from Southern Africa, across the Indian Ocean to Australia and northwards to China. Formerly considered to be cosmopolitan, C. artificiosus is restricted to India, Sri Lanka Pakistan, as well as the Persian Gulf and Madagascar, while C. intermedius, first discovered near Madagascar, is shown to be the most widespread species occurring from Africa to China.

Keywords: Crustacea, Australia, Indo-West Pacific, Podotremata, reproduction, shell carrying, Southeast Asia, sponge crabs

Colin L. McLay and Tohru Naruse. 2019. Revision of the Shell-carrying Crab Genus Conchoecetes Stimpson, 1858 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Dromiidae). Zootaxa. 4706(1); 1–47. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4706.1.1

Yamanasaurus lojaensis

Apesteguía, Soto Luzuriaga, Gallina, Granda & Guamán Jaramillo, 2020

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104345

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Illustration by Jorge Antonio González

Abstract

Yamanasaurus lojaensis gen. et sp. nov. is a new titanosaur (Saurischia, Sauropoda) from the Upper Cretaceous of the Alamor-Lancones Basin, southern Ecuador. The fossil remains were found in rocks of the Río Playas Formation, which is regarded as Campanian-Maastrichtian in age. Remains include a partial sacrum, a partial mid-caudal vertebra, and several associated limb bones. Yamanasaurus is characterized by: (1) anterior to mid-caudal vertebrae with a dorsoventrally compressed condyle, with the posterior tip elevated respect to the midline, no longitudinal ventral ridge, and spongy inner structure with absence of internal cavities (i.e., camellate bone, shared with Neuquensaurus); (2) last sacral centrum as long as tall, with small ovoid, shallow blind fossa on the lateral side; and (3) radius robust with flattened diaphysis and a marked neck or cingulum right under the epiphysis, with an heptagonal concave proximal surface. Morphology, size, and age suggest that Yamanasaurus is closely related to Neuquensaurus, being the northernmost saltasaurine known by far.

Keywords: Titanosauria, South America, Loja, Late Cretaceous, Saltasaurinae

scheme of a Neuquensaurus australis skeleton in order to show the relative size of the specimen and the bones found (in red)

Systematic Paleontology

Saurischia Seeley 1888

Sauropoda Marsh 1878

Titanosauriformes Salgado, Coria and Calvo 1997

Titanosauria Bonaparte and Coria 1993

Saltasaurinae Powell 1992

Yamanasaurus gen. nov.

Type species: Yamanasaurus lojaensis described below.

Etymology: Genus name refers to the provenance locality, Yamana, in the Casanga Valley, southwestern Ecuador.

Yamanasaurus lojaensis sp. nov.

Etymology: Named after the Province of Loja, where the material was found.

Locality: Yamana region, Paltas Cantón, Loja Province, southwestern Ecuador.

Age and horizon: Late Cretaceous, 66.9 My, late Maastrichtian, Río Playas Formation (= Casanga Formation, Jaillard et al. 1999), Alamor-Lancones Basin.

Sebastián Apesteguía, John E. Soto Luzuriaga, Pablo A. Gallina, José Tamay Granda and Galo A. Guamán Jaramillo. 2020. The First Dinosaur Remains from the Cretaceous of Ecuador. Cretaceous Research. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104345

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Zahora ait-atta Lemmel & M.Koch

in Koch & Lemmel, 2019.
Zizaou n’oudad || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.135.46946

Abstract
Zahora ait-atta Lemmel & M.Koch, a new species from the Moroccan Sahara, is described and documented here and constitutes a monotypic new genus. The new taxon belongs to the tribe Brassiceae (Brassicaceae), and cytogenetic and phylogenetic analyses reveal that this diploid species has a remote status of Miocene origin in the northwestern Sahara Desert. We examined the morphological differences between morphologically related genera and provide photographs of the new species. The new genus may play a key role in future Brassica-Raphanus crop research since it is placed phylogenetically at the base of a generically highly diverse clade including Raphanus sativus, and it shows affinities to various Brassica species.

Keywords: Brassiceae, Brassicaceae, flora of the Sahara, Morocco, new genus, Zahora ait-atta

Figure 1. Zahora ait-atta in its natural environment. Border region with Algeria. Near Errachidia.
Oued Bou-Ibourine – type locality a sandy habitat b flowering plant c rosette during winter d lyrate leaf from lower part of the plant e rosette starts building the inflorescence f ripening heteroarthrocarpic fruits g flowers and detailed view on sepals h siliques releasing seeds from dehiscent distal part of fruit.

Images taken by C. Lemmel and Z. Attioui.

Zahora ait-atta Lemmel & M.Koch, gen. et, sp. nov.

Type: Morocco. Meknés-Tafilalet/Drâa-Tafilalet: Border region with Algeria. Near Errachidia. Oued Bou-Ibourine, « Zizaou n´oudad », gps 31.4114, -3.7220, 900 m a.s.l., 11th March 2019, C. Lemmel s.n. (Holotype, HEID 505689; Isotype, G00394714, Conservatoire et jardin botanique de Genève; Paratype, HEID 505749, 505750, ex. cult. Botanical Garden Heidelberg 2019).

Description: Herbs, woody at base, monocarpic, simple trichomes; rhizome fleshy, 2–3 cm in diam. Stems 80–140(-180) cm tall, robust, up to 1.4 cm in diam, erect, simple at base, often alternately branched in lower part. Basal leaves rosulate, fleshy; leaves lyrate, distal lobecordate, (10-)15–25(-40) cm, margin entire to distantly dentate, numerous simple trichomes on lower surface mostly along veins, upper side loosely covered with simple trichomes; cauline leaves similar but apex obtuse to weakly subacute, 10–15 × 5–7 cm. Raceme ebracteate, elongating in fruit, 40–100 cm; often branched. Sepals erect, saccate ca. 8 mm long, with few simple trichomes; petals pale-yellow,1.5–1.7 cm long, 6–7 mm wide, petal claw 8 mm long, obtuse at apex, glabrous. Filaments tetradynamous, ca. 9 mm long; nectar glands 4, rounded, elateral pair larger. Stigma entire. Infructescence with up to 100(-200) siliques, (30-)40–45(-48) mm, petiolate (9–11 mm). Fruits heteroarthrocarpic with a distal indehiscent balloon-like structure with two viable seeds (3.5–5 × 6–8 mm); proximal part dehiscent, terete (30–45 mm); 20–40 ovules; septum complete. Seeds biseriate, mucilaginous, 1.3–1.4 × 1.4–1.5 mm.

Etymology: Zahora means “flower” in Arabic, indicating the attractive and peculiar appearance of the plant. “Aït-atta” are a Berber tribal confederation of south eastern Morocco who locally know the plant under the name «Zizaou n’oudad» (Barbary-sheep’s cabbage).

Habitat: All places are in sandy beds of oueds flowing from the base of the kreb (cliff) of the Hamada du Guir or the Bin el Korbine.

Ecology: Greenhouse and pollination experiments showed that the species is largely self-compatible. At its natural stands the plant is annual and monocarpic. However, in cultivation the plant species can be kept growing when cutting frutescence. There are two different options of seed release, either directly into a local soil seed bank from the dehiscent part of fruit or via the distal indehiscent part carrying two seeds, which may allow distributing effectively with water in the wadi systems at rare and occasional events.

Figure 2. Distribution of known localities (red dots) of Zahora ait-atta documented from 2015 to 2019 (satellite map was taken from image metadata Copernicus/Landsat).

Figure 3. BEAST analysis of tribe Brassiceae based on ITS DNA sequence data (Suppl. material 2). The new genus Zahora is highlighted, and its respective stem group node is indicated (red dot). Divergence times are given as Mya (million years ago). Agronomically important species, Brassica oleracea and Raphanus sativus, are indicated and shown with their respective clades. Brassica nigra and B. carinata are also indicated with an asterisk (orange).

Conclusion:

Zahora ait-atta is described as a new species of a new monotypic genus. Zahora shows a peculiar fruit feature, namely heteroarthrocarpic fruits, and the species might mediate evolutionary between Core Oleracea clade (e.g. Brassica oleracea, Brassica napus) and Raphanus sativus and related genera. Both represent important crop plant groups with seeds playing an enormous agronomical role. The diploid new species might, therefore, serve as important germplasm reservoir to study traits and characters in a number of Brassiceae crop plants.

Marcus A. Koch and Claude Lemmel. 2019. Zahora, A New Monotypic Genus from tribe Brassiceae (Brassicaceae) endemic to the Moroccan Sahara. PhytoKeys. 135: 119-131. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.135.46946

Ternstroemia guineensis Cheek

in Cheek, Haba, Konomou & Van Der Burgt, 2019.

DOI: 10.3372/wi.49.49306

Abstract

Ternstroemia guineensis is described from a sandstone table mountain at Kounounkan, possibly the last in the Fouta Djallon (Guinea Highlands) to remain largely unimpacted by humans and to have mainly intact natural habitats. It occurs about 2400 km westward of the nearest existing record (Nigeria) of the genus in Africa. It is confined to cloud (submontane) forest in galleries along watercourses. Its conservation status is assessed as Endangered using the IUCN 2012 criteria. The species differs from the other two African highland species, T. cameroonensis and T. polypetala, in having hermaphrodite flowers with a long subcylindric style and punctiform stigmas, and petals connate at the base into a tube (not dioecious, with a short style and cone-like stigmas, and free petals) resembling in these features the neotropical Ternstroemia species, as does also the lowland wetland T. africana of Nigeria, Gabon and Angola.

KEYWORDS: amphi-Atlantic, conservation, Guinea, Guinea Highlands, Kounounkan, medicinal, new species, Pentaphylacaceae, relic, Ternstroemia, Ternstroemiaceae, Theaceae, West Africa

Fig. 1. Ternstroemia guineensis – A: habit, flowering leafy stems; B: detail of revolute margin of mature leaf, abaxial view, showing circular scars of fallen marginal setae; C: detail of one seta scar from B; D: detail of margin of immature leaf showing patent setae; E: flower, hydrated, side view; F: connate corolla with staminal ring, as self-detaching after anthesis; G: flower, with pistil exposed by removal of two sepals, two petals and several stamens; H: transverse section of ovary showing intruding placentas in both of two locules; I: side view of stamen, showing inward arching; J: adaxial view of stamen; K: inner view of two adherent petals, with adherent staminal ring; L: petal (flattened), adaxial surface showing slightly lacerate distal margins and longitudinal nerves; M: outer sepal (flattened); N: inner sepal (flattened).

Scale bars: A = 5 cm; B–G, K–N = 5 mm; I, J = 2 mm; H = 1 mm.

All drawn from Pepe Haba 1060 (K) by Andrew Brown.

Fig. 2. Ternstroemia guineensis – A: habitat, submontane gallery forest in sparsely wooded grassland; B: habit; C: flower; D: fruits; E: base of a multi-stemmed shrub; F: bark of a tree, trunk c. 18 cm in diam.

Photos: Republic of Guinea, Kounounkan Massif, Feb 2019, Xander van der Burgt.

Ternstroemia guineensis Cheek, sp. nov.
Holotype: Guinea, Forécariah Préfecture, S part of Kounounkan Plateau, ..., 910 m, fl., 26 Nov 2017, P. M. Haba with X. M. van der Burgt, L. Jennings & G. Konomou 1060 (K K001286639; isotypes: HNG, MO, P, US, WAG).

Diagnosis —Similar to Ternstroemia africana Melch., differing in the smaller leaves (2.5–)3.7–6.1(–6.7) × (1.3–)1.6–2.5(–3) cm, secondary nerves not visible, (not (4–)8–10 × (2–)4–5 cm, secondary nerves visible, c. 7 pairs); petiole margins entire or with 1–2 setae (not densely glandular denticulate); peduncles 1.4–2.4 cm long (not 3–4.5 cm long).

Distribution — Ternstroemia guineensis is currently only known from the southernmost plateau of the Kounounkan Massif in Forécariah Prefecture, an uninhabited sandstone table mountain, where it is known from gallery forests along four streams.

Ecology — The species was found in species-rich submontane gallery (cloud) forest, on rocky soils, at 900–1100 m altitude.

Etymology — The specific epithet guineensis signifies from Guinea (Guinea-Conakry or the Republic of Guinea), which holds the only known global location for this species.

Martin Cheek, Pepe M. Haba, Gbamon Konomou and Xander M. Van Der Burgt. 2019. Ternstroemia guineensis (Ternstroemiaceae), A New Endangered Cloudforest Shrub with Neotropical Affinities from Kounounkan, Guinea, W Africa. Willdenowia. 49(3); 351-360. DOI: 10.3372/wi.49.49306

Boeica clarkei Hareesh, L.Wu, A. Joe & M.Sabu

in Vadakkoot, Lei, Alfred & Mamiyil, 2018.

DOI: 10.1111/njb.01551

Abstract

Boeica clarkei, a new species is described from Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. This novelity resemble B. porosa but differ in having corolla externally pubescent, an inconspicuous disc and transversely dehiscing anthers. From B. multinervia it differs in being pubescent rather than woolly, and in having only 8–12 paired lateral leaf veins, only ca 1 mm long corolla tube, and longer lip lobes. A detailed description along with colour photographs, distribution, conservation status and a key to the Indian species of Boeica are provided.

Keywords: Boeica, Gesneriaceae, northeast India

Boeica clarkei sp. nov.
(A) habit, (B)–(D) inflorescence: (B) front view, (C) side view, (D) back view, (E)–(G) corolla: (E) back view, (F) front view, (G) split opened showing stamens, (H) capsule with calyx, (I) immature infructescence.

Photos by V.S. Hareesh.

Boeica clarkei Hareesh, L.Wu, A. Joe & M.Sabu sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet honours C. B. Clarke, a British botanist that described the genus Boeica and his contribution to the field of plant taxonomy.

Sankaran Hareesh Vadakkoot, Wu Lei, Joe Alfred and Sabu Mamiyil. 2018. Boeica clarkei sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae) from northeastern India. Nordic Journal of Botany. 36(4); njb-01551. DOI: 10.1111/njb.01551

Researchgate.net/publication/324999470_Boeica_clarkei_sp_nov_from_northeastern_India

Ophthalmoblysis ibarrai Garzón-Orduña, 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4706.3.7

Abstract

A new species of Ophthalmoblysis Scoble, 1995 from Mexico is described and illustrated: O. ibarrai Garzón-Orduña, sp.n. The species is known only from Los Tuxtlas (Veracruz, Mexico), and is distinguished by the shape and pattern of the hindwing eyespot. Unlike the eyespot of other species in Ophthalmoblysis, that of O. ibarrai has a smaller and not fully circular inner black disc. In addition, O. ibarrai can be distinguished from a similar, undescribed species from Costa Rica by the presence of a sclerotized extension at the tip of the male valva and by the shape of the cornutus in the vesica. Ophthalmoblysis ibarrai represents the northernmost member of the genus.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Lepidoptera, taxonomy, Veracruz, eyespots, moths, Neotropics

Ophthalmoblysis ibarrai Garzón-Orduña, sp.n.

Ivonne J. Garzón-Orduña. 2019. A New Species of Ophthalmoblysis Scoble, 1995 (Geometridae: Ennominae) from México with ‘Sleepy’ Eyespots. Zootaxa. 4706(3); 469–476. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4706.3.7

Volcanosuchus statisticae

Datta, Ray & Bandyopadhyay, 2020

DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1292

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Abstract

Detailed description and phylogenetic assessment of a phytosaur skull collected from the Tiki Formation of the Rewa Gondwana Basin of India and earlier diagnosed as Parasuchus hislopi, show that it pertains to a new genus and species, Volcanosuchus statisticae. The new taxon is characterized by marginal overlapping of the nostrils by the antorbital fenestrae, external nares situated on a bulbous and raised dome, the lateral surface of the jugal ornamented by a prominent ridge defined by multiple tubercles and radiating thread‐like structures, and distinct ornamentation patterns on the rostrum and skull table. Phylogenetic analysis nests Volcanosuchus within Mystriosuchinae, where it forms a sister taxon to (Rutiodon + Leptosuchomorpha) and marks the transition between the basal Parasuchidae and more derived Mystriosuchinae phytosaurs. Evolution of the phytosaur skulls resulted in changes from non‐overlapping nostril and antorbital fenestra to an overlapping state, anteroposterior elongation of the exoccipital–supraoccipital shelf, appearance of a median ridge on the basioccipital, and reduction of the supratemporal fenestra. Considerable faunal overlap of the Tiki Formation is evident with the lower Maleri Formation, which is late Carnian based on the occurrence of Hyperodapedon, Parasuchus and Exaeretodon. The Tiki Formation correlates with the Ischigualasto Formation of Argentina, the upper part of the Santa Maria Formation, and the overlying lower Caturrita Formation of Brazil, the Isalo II Beds of Madagascar, Lossiemouth Sandstone of Scotland, and the lower Tecovas Formation of the Chinle Group of North America, and ranges from late Carnian to early/middle Norian.

Keywords: archosaur, Gondwana, India, Late Triassic, phytosaur, phylogeny

Volcanosuchus statisticae gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, ISIR 44, a partial skull in dorsal view.

Volcanosuchus statisticae gen. et sp. nov. Holotype, ISIR 44, a partial skull in right lateral view.

ARCHOSAURIA Cope, 1869–1870 (sensu Ezcurra 2016)

Order PHYTOSAURIA Jaeger, 1828

Family PARASUCHIDAE Lydekker, 1885 (sensu Kammerer et al. 2016)

Subfamily MYSTRIOSUCHINAE von Huene, 1915 (sensu Kammerer et al. 2016)

Genus VOLCANOSUCHUSnov.

Derivation of name. Generic name, derived from the Latin word ‘volcanus’ referring to the raised dome-like narial prominence, which resembles a high volcanic crater in lateral view, and ‘suchus’ meaning crocodile-like.

Volcanosuchus statisticae sp. nov.

Derivation of name. Specific name is after the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, one of the first institutes in India to promote and establish a school of vertebrate palaeontology.

Debajit Datta, Sanghamitra Ray and Saswati Bandyopadhyay. 2020. Cranial Morphology of A New Phytosaur (Diapsida, Archosauria) from the Upper Triassic of India: Implications for Phytosaur Phylogeny and Biostratigraphy. Papers in Palaeontology. DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1292

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Loxosceles tenochtitlan Valdez-Mondragón & Navarro-Rodríguez

in Valdez-Mondragón, Navarro-Rodríguez, Solís-Catalán, Cortez-Roldán & Juárez-Sánchez, 2019.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.892.39558

Abstract
A new species of the spider genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832, Loxosceles tenochtitlan Valdez-Mondragón & Navarro-Rodríguez, sp. nov., is described based on adult male and female specimens from the states of Mexico City, Estado de Mexico and Tlaxcala. Integrative taxonomy including traditional morphology, geometric and lineal morphology, and molecules (DNA barcodes of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) and internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2)), were used as evidence to delimit the new species. Four methods were used for molecular analyses and species delimitation: 1) corrected p-distances under neighbor joining (NJ), 2) automatic barcode gap discovery (ABGD), 3) general mixed yule coalescent model (GMYC), and 4) poisson tree processes (bPTP). All molecular methods, traditional, geometric and lineal morphology were consistent in delimiting and recognizing the new species. Loxosceles tenochtitlan sp. nov. is closely related to L. misteca based on molecular data. Although both species are morphologically similar, the average p-distance from CO1 data was 13.8% and 4.2% for ITS2 data. The molecular species delimitation methods recovered well-supported monophyletic clusters for samples of L. tenochtitlan sp. nov. from Mexico City + Tlaxcala and for samples of L. misteca from Guerrero. Loxosceles tenochtitlan sp. nov. is considered a unique species for three reasons: (1) it can be distinguished by morphological characters (genitalic and somatic); (2) the four different molecular species delimitation methods were congruent to separate both species; and (3) there is variation in leg I length of males between both species, with the males of L. misteca having longer legs than males of L. tenochtitlan sp. nov., also morphometrically, the shape of tibiae of the palp between males of both species is different.

Keywords: DNA barcodes, ecological niche modeling, Loxosceles tenochtitlan sp. nov., species delimitation, taxonomy

Taxonomy:

Family Sicariidae Keyserling, 1880

Genus Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832

Type species: Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820).

Figures 1–6. Live specimens of Loxosceles tenochtitlan sp. nov. from Street Juárez Norte #214, Huamantla, Municipality Huamantla, Tlaxcala, Mexico
1–3 females 4–6 males.

Photographs by Jared Lacayo-Ramírez (2019).

Loxosceles tenochtitlan Valdez-Mondragón & Navarro-Rodríguez, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is a noun in apposition dedicated to Tenochtitlán (Nahuatl language) city, a large Mexica city-state in what is now Mexico City where the type locality is located. Tenochtitlán was built on an island in what was then Lake Texcoco in the Valley of Mexico, being the capital of the expanding Aztec Empire in the 15th century.

Diagnosis: The male of Loxosceles tenochtitlan sp. nov. morphologically resembles those of Loxosceles misteca Gertsch, 1958 (Figs 29–31, 38–47) from Guerrero; however, in the new species, the curvature of the basal-ventral part of the tibia of the male palp is less pronounced than in L. misteca¸ where it is prominent (Figs 23, 25, 42, 44, 48–55). Both species have a spatula-shaped embolus; in the new species, the embolus is slightly wider than that of L. misteca (Figs 23, 25, 26, 42, 44, 45, 48–55, 62–65). In dorsal view, the embolus basally is wider in L. tenochtitlan sp. nov. than in L. misteca (Figs 26, 45). Leg I length of males of L. tenochtitlan sp. nov. is shorter than legs I of L. misteca (Fig. 81). The seminal receptacles of females of L. tenochtitlan sp. nov. and L. misteca are similar, however in the new species the distance between the base of the receptacles is larger than in L. misteca (Figs 56–61, 66–69), also, the genitalia of L. tenochtitlan sp. nov. has small accessory lobes receptacles on each side (Figs 56–61), which are absent on L. misteca (Figs 66–69).

Alejandro Valdez-Mondragón, Claudia I. Navarro-Rodríguez, Karen P. Solís-Catalán, Mayra R. Cortez-Roldán and Alma R. Juárez-Sánchez. 2019. Under An Integrative Taxonomic Approach: the Description of A New Species of the Genus Loxosceles (Araneae, Sicariidae) from Mexico City. ZooKeys. 892: 93-133. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.892.39558

Asfaltovenator vialidadi

Rauhut & Pol, 2019

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53672-7

Illustration: Gabriel Lío

Abstract
Tetanurae, the most successful clade of theropod dinosaurs, including modern birds, split into three major clades early in their evolutionary history: Megalosauroidea, Coelurosauria, and Allosauroidea. The oldest tetanurans occur in the earliest Middle Jurassic, but the early fossil record of the clade is still poor. Here we report one of the oldest known and most complete pre-Late Jurassic tetanuran, the probable allosauroid Asfaltovenator vialidadi gen. et sp. nov., which has an unusual character combination, uniting features currently considered to be apomorphic of different tetanuran lineages. A phylogenetic analysis resulted in a monophyletic Carnosauria (Allosauroidea + Megalosauroidea), and the inclusion of the new taxon significantly changes topology within carnosaurs. The analysis shows concentrated homoplasy in proximal nodes at the base of Tetanurae, and a temporal peak at the Pliensbachian-Toarcian extinction event, recently identified as a potential driver of tetanuran radiation. These results highlight the complex morphological evolution in the early radiation of tetanuran theropods, in which convergences and parallelisms were extremely common. This pattern seems to be a common feature in rapid radiation events of major clades of vertebrates and might explain the common difficulties to unravel phylogenetic relationships of important lineages at the base of major clades.

Figure 1: Cranial anatomy of Asfaltovenator vialidadi, MPEF PV 3440.
(A) composite reconstruction of the skull and lower jaws, based on disarticulated cranial elements. (B), graphic reconstruction of articulated skull. (C), braincase in occipital view. (D,E) posterior end of left mandible in dorsal view; (D) photo; (E) outline drawing.

Abbreviations: a, angular; aa, antarticular; ao, antorbital fenestra; aof, antorbital fossa; ar, articular; bsr, basisphenoid recess; bt, basal tubera; cp, cornual process; d, dentary; en, external nares; eor, exoccipital ridge; fm, foramen magnum; g, groove; itf, infratemporal fenestra; j, jugal; jf, jugal foramen; l, lacrimal; lf, lacrimal fenestrae; m, maxilla; mf, maxillary fenestra; n, nasal; nf, nasal foramina; o, orbit; oc, occipital condyle; pap, paroccipital process; pcf, posterior exit of mid-cerebral vein; pm, premaxilla; po, postorbital; pra, prearticular; ptf, posttemporal foramen; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; sa, surangular; snf, supranarial fossa; soc, supraoccipital; sq, squamosal; stf, supratemporal fenestra. Scale bars are 10 cm (A–C) and 5 cm (D,E).

Figure 2: Selected skeletal elements of Asfaltovenator vialidadi, MPEF PV 3440.
(A) left nasal in lateral view. (B), right maxilla in lateral view. (C) anterior end of left maxilla in lateral view. (D) left ectopterygoid in ventral view. (E) jugal process of left ectopterygoid in lateral view. (F) left dentary in lateral view. (G) last two cervical vertebrae and centrum of first dorsal vertebra in left lateral view.

Abbreviations: aof, antorbital fenestra; avp, anteroventral process; en, external nares; epi, epipophysis; fao, antorbital fossa; j, facet for articulation with the jugal; l, facet for articulation with lacrimal; mf, maxillary fenestra; nc, nasal crest; ns, neural spine; pap, parapophysis; pf, pneumatic foramen; pl, pleurocoel; prz, prezygapophysis; r, ridge that forms the ventral border of the antorbital fossa; snf, supranarial fossa; vf, ventral fossa. Scale bars are 5 cm.

Systematic Palaeontology:

Theropoda Marsh, 1881,

Tetanurae Gauthier, 1986,

Allosauroidea (Marsh, 1878),

Asfaltovenator vialidadi gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: Generic name for the Cañadón Asfalto Formation and venator, Greek for hunter. The species epithet honours the Administración de Vialidad Provincial of Chubut and the Dirección Nacional de Vialidad, for their aid to paleontological expeditions of the Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio.

Figure 3: Skeletal reconstruction and postcranial anatomy of Asfaltovenator vialidadi, MPEF PV 3440. Centre: body outline with preserved elements indicated. (A) articulated cervical vertebrae three to five. (B) cervical vertebra 7. (C) articulated dorsal vertebrae four to seven (better preserved right side, reversed). (D) right humerus in anterior view. (E) right radius and ulna, medial view. (F) right manus, metacarpus in dorsal and digits in lateral view. (G) articulated proximal ends of right tibia and fibula in lateral and proximal views.

Abbreviations: ag, anterior groove; cc, cnemial crest; cr, cervical rib; dc, distal carpal; di, diapophysis; dpc, deltpectoral crest; ec, ectepicondyle; ent, entepicondyle; epi, epipophysis; fi, fibula; fic, fibular condyle; hy, hyposphene; im, intermedium; it, internal tuberosity; lr, lateral ridge; mc, metacarpal; ns, neural spine; ol, olecranon; pa, parapophysis; pl, pleurocoel; poz, postzygapophysis; ppdl, paradiapophyseal lamina; prz, prezygapophysis; ra, radial. Scale bars are 100 cm (skeletal reconstruction), 5 cm (A–C) and 10 cm (D–G).

Locality and Horizon: Ca. 1.6 km NE of the village of Cerro Cóndor, lacustrine layers of the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, late Toarcian to Bajocian9.

Diagnosis: Large basal tetanuran diagnosed by the following character combination (autapomorphies are marked with*): premaxillary teeth with well-developed distal, but only minute mesial serrations*; postorbital with small cornual dorsal process; exoccipital with pronounced horizontal ridges between paroccipital processes and foramen magnum*; ossified antarticular in the mandible; platycoelous cervical vertebrae; neural spines of cervical vertebrae three and four triangular and backswept*; anterior cervical epipophyses tab-like and elongated; mid-cervical vertebrae with median pit between parapophyses ventrally; ventral keel absent in posterior cervical and poorly developed in anterior dorsal vertebrae; well-developed paradiapohyseal lamina in middle and posterior dorsal vertebrae; dorsals 11 and 12 with small additional anterior centrodiapophyseal lamina*; articulated metacarpus broader than long; manual digit III significantly more slender and shorter than digits II and III.

Oliver W. M. Rauhut and Diego Pol. 2019. Probable Basal Allosauroid from the early Middle Jurassic Cañadón Asfalto Formation of Argentina Highlights Phylogenetic Uncertainty in Tetanuran Theropod Dinosaurs. Scientific Reports. 9: 18826. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53672-7

Hallan uno de los más antiguos y completos dinosaurios carnívoros del Jurásico

agenciasinc.es/Noticias/Hallan-uno-de-los-mas-antiguos-y-completos-dinosaurios-carnivoros-del-Jurasico

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