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[Herpetology • 2014] Echinotriton maxiquadratus • A Missing Geographic Link in the Distribution of the Genus Echinotriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) with Description of A New Species from southern China

December 14, 2014, 12:22 am
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Echinotriton maxiquadratus Hou, Wu, Yang, Zheng, Yuan & Li, 2014


Abstract

Disjunct geographic distribution of a species or a group of species is the product of long-term interaction between organisms and the environment. Filling the distributional gap by discovery of a new population or a species has significant biogeographic implications, because it suggests a much wider past distribution and provides evidence for the route of range expansion/contraction. The salamandrid genus Echinotriton (commonly known as spiny salamanders, spiny newts, or crocodile newts) has two species that are restricted to two widely separated areas, one in eastern Zhejiang province, China and the other in the Ryukyu Archipelago of Japan. It has been hypothesized that Echinotriton was once continuously distributed between the two areas through a historical land bridge that connected mainland China, Taiwan, and the archipelago. Finding fossils or relic populations along the postulated distribution are strong evidence for the hypothesis. Hundred-twenty-two years after the description of E. andersoni and eight-one years after that of E. chinhaiensis, we discover a third species of Echinotriton in southern China, which fills the distributional gap of the former two species. Species status of the new species is confirmed through molecular phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparison. Mitochondrial DNA indicates that the new species is sister to E. chinhaiensis, while nuclear DNA does not support this relationship. The new species has a very large quadrate projection, a single line of lateral warts pierced by distal rib extremities, normally developed 5th toes, and conical skin tubercles. Our discovery supports the hypothesis that there was a continuous distribution of Echinotriton from eastern coastal China to the Ryukyu Archipelago. We suggest that other species of this genus may also be found in Taiwan. Due to the rarity of this new species, we urge all hobbyists to refrain themselves from collecting this salamander or leaking locality information if encountered, and boycott any trading.

Keywords: Amphibians, salamanders, endangered species, East Asia, molecular phylogenetics, statistical species delimitation


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Hou, Mian, Yunke W, Kelin Yang, Sheng Zheng, Zhiyong Yuan & Pipeng Li. 2014. A Missing Geographic Link in the Distribution of the Genus Echinotriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) with Description of A New Species from southern China. Zootaxa. 3895(1): 89–102.

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[Paleontology • 2014] The Danek Edmontosaurus Bonebed: new insights on the Systematics, Biogeography, and Palaeoecology of Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Communities | Le lit d’ossements d’Edmontosaurus de Danek : le point sur la systématique, la biogéographie et la paléoécologie des populations de dinosaures du Crétacé tardif

December 15, 2014, 11:35 am
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A large, mature hadrosaurid Edmontosaurus regalis sporting an unusual head crest, surveys an open clearing within a late Cretaceous taxodiaceous conifer forest.
CJES Special Issue 51(11) cdnsciencepub.com Artwork: Michael W. Skrepnick


Introduction: 
“The bonebed was discovered by Danek Mozdzenski, an amateur fossil collector from Edmonton, on March 31, 1989 (Bell and Campione, 2014) and was initially excavated by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in 1989 and 1991, during which time approximately 80 specimens were collected, including a partial articulated skeleton. The bonebed was reopened by the University of Alberta Laboratory for Vertebrate Palaeontology in 2006, and has since produced over 800 catalogued specimens.”

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The Danek Edmontosaurus Bonebed: new insights on the Systematics, Biogeography, and Palaeoecology of Late Cretaceous Dinosaur Communities. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences.51(11) [November 2014] http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/toc/cjes/51/11


 The Danek Edmontosaurus Bonebed: new insights on the systematics, biogeography, and palaeoecology of Late Cretaceous dinosaur communities / Le lit d’ossements d’Edmontosaurus de Danek : le point sur la systématique, la biogéographie et la paléoécologie des populations de dinosaures du Crétacé tardif. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2014, 51(11): iii, 10.1139/cjes-2014-0148

Michael E. Burns, Clive Coy, Victoria M. Arbour, Philip J. Currie, Eva B. Koppelhus. 2014. The Danek Edmontosaurus Bonebed: new insights on the systematics, biogeography, and palaeoecology of Late Cretaceous dinosaur communities. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2014, 51(11): v-vii, 10.1139/cjes-2014-0217

David A. Eberth, Phil R. Bell. 2014. Stratigraphy of the Danek Bonebed (Upper Cretaceous Horseshoe Canyon Formation, central Alberta) and correlations with strata in the Drumheller and Grande Prairie regions. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2014, 51(11): 975-981, 10.1139/cjes-2014-0069

Angelica Torices, Gregory F. Funston, Shannon T. Kraichy, Philip J. Currie. 2014. The first appearance of Troodon in the Upper Cretaceous site of Danek Bonebed, and a reevaluation of troodontid quantitative tooth morphotypes. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2014, 51(11): 1039-1044, 10.1139/cjes-2014-0071

Phil R. Bell, Philip J. Currie. 2014. Albertosaurus (Dinosauria: Theropoda) material from an Edmontosaurus bonebed (Horseshoe Canyon Formation) near Edmonton: clarification of palaeogeographic distribution. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 2014, 51(11): 1052-1057, 10.1139/cjes-2014-0050

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[Ornithology • 2014] Morphological and Behavioral Evidence of Batesian Mimicry in Nestlings of a Lowland Amazonian Bird; Laniocera hypopyrra

December 16, 2014, 2:16 am
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Abstract
Because predation is the main cause of avian nest failure, selection should favor strategies that reduce the probability of nest predation. We describe apparent Batesian mimicry in the morphology and behavior of a Laniocera hypopyrra nestling. On hatching, the nestling had a distinctive bright orange color and modified feathers all over its body, and 6 days after hatching, it started to move its head very slowly from side to side (in a “caterpillar” movement) when disturbed. These traits gave it a resemblance to a hairy, aposematic caterpillar. This species has a long nestling period for its size (20 days), perhaps due to slow provisioning rates (about one feeding per hour). We argue that the slow growth rate, combined with high nest predation, favors the evolution of antipredation mechanisms such as the unique morphological and behavioral characteristics of L. hypopyrra nestlings.




Gustavo A. Londoño, Duván A. García and Manuel A. Sánchez Martínez. 2014. Morphological and Behavioral Evidence of Batesian Mimicry in Nestlings of a Lowland Amazonian Bird. The American Naturalist. DOI: 10.1086/679106



Zoologger: The bird that mimics a toxic caterpillar
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[Herpetology • 2014] Platypelis karenae • A New Phytotelmic Species of Platypelis (Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from the Betampona Reserve, eastern Madagascar

December 17, 2014, 10:10 am
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Platypelis karenae
Rosa, Crottini, Noël, Rabibisoa, Raxworthy & Andreone, 2014

  Abstract
We describe a new arboreal and diminutive species of the genus Platypelis from the Réserve Naturelle Intégrale N. 1 de Betampona, one of the last low-altitude rainforest fragments of eastern Madagascar. Platypelis karenae sp. nov. is a phytotelmic species, living among leaves of Pandanus spp. and those of a herbaceous plant of the genus Crinum. Amongst species of comparable size, the new species is most similar to P. tetra, with which it shares a similar life history of occupying leaf axils of phytotelms. Phylogenetically, P. karenae is sister to P. tuberifera yet differentiated by a high level of genetic divergence (>7% p-distance for the analysed fragment of the 16S rRNA gene), its distinctly smaller size, acoustic repertoire, and colour pattern. The mitochondrial, nuclear, bioacoustic, and morphological data all independently support the validity of this new species.

Key words. Amphibia, Anura, new species, miniaturisation, P. karenae sp. n.

Figure 3. Platypelis karenae sp. n. in life:  B) calling male paratype (MRSN A6369) in frontal view inflating its vocal sac; C) Pandanus sp. (another water-retaining plant utilised by P. karenae); D) adult individual of P. karenae sheltering between two leaves of Pandanus sp.; E) juvenile P. karenae in a leaf axil of a Crinum

Gonçalo M. Rosa, Angelica Crottini, Jean Noël, Nirhy Rabibisoa, Christopher J. Raxworthy and Franco Andreone. 2014. A New Phytotelmic Species of Platypelis (Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from the Betampona Reserve, eastern Madagascar. SALAMANDRA.50(4) 201–214

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[PaleoIchthyology • 2014] Natgeosocus sorini • A New Genus of the Family Palaeocentrotidae (Teleostei, Lampridiformes) from the Oligocene of the northern Caucasus and comments on other fossil Veliferoidei

December 18, 2014, 9:48 am
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Natgeosocus sorini Bannikov, 2014

Abstract
A new genus and species of the lampridiform fish Natgeosocus sorini(Palaeocentrotidae) is described based on a single imprint of the skeleton from the Lower Oligocene of the northern Caucasus. To date, the family Palaeocentrotidae has only been known by its monotypic genus from the basal Eocene of Denmark. An overview of fossil records of the suborder Veliferoidei is presented. A separate family is established for the Eocene genus Bajaichthys Sorbini, 1983 from Italy. The diagnosis of the family Palaeocentrotidae is emended.

Keywords: Palaeocentrotidae, Lampridiformes, new taxa, Oligocene, northern Caucasus


A. F. Bannikov. 2014. A New Genus of the Family Palaeocentrotidae (Teleostei, Lampridiformes) from the Oligocene of the northern Caucasus and comments on other fossil Veliferoidei. Paleontological Journal. 48(6); 624-632. DOI: 10.1134/S0031030114060021

Peculiar Extinct Fish With Spines Named for National Geographic
http://on.natgeo.com/1wmvC4q via @NatGeo

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[Paleontology • 2014] Qianzhousaurus sinensis • A New Clade of Asian Late Cretaceous long-snouted tyrannosaurids

December 19, 2014, 8:08 pm
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two individuals of Qianzhousaurus sinensis and a small feathered dinosaur
illustration: Chuang Zhao

The iconic tyrannosaurids were top predators in Asia and North America during the latest Cretaceous, and most species had deep skulls that allowed them to generate extreme bite forces. Two unusual specimens of Alioramus from Mongolia seem to indicate a divergent long-snouted body plan among some derived tyrannosaurids, but the rarity and juvenile nature of these fossils leaves many questions unanswered. Here, we describe a remarkable new species of long-snouted tyrannosaurid from the Maastrichtian of southeastern China, Qianzhousaurus sinensis. Phylogenetic analysis places Qianzhousaurus with both species of Alioramus in a novel longirostrine clade, which was geographically widespread across latest Cretaceous Asia and formed an important component of terrestrial ecosystems during this time. The new specimen is approximately twice the size as both Alioramus individuals, showing that the long-snouted morphology was not a transient juvenile condition of deep-snouted species, but a characteristic of a major tyrannosaurid subgroup.




Junchang Lü, Laiping Yi, Stephen L. Brusatte, Ling Yang, Hua Li & Liu Chen. 2014. A New Clade of Asian Late Cretaceous long-snouted tyrannosaurids. Nature Communications. 5, 3788 doi: dx.doi.org/10.1038/ncomms4788

"Pinocchio Rex" Found; Dinosaur Sported Long Snout
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/140507-pinocchio-rex-dinosaurs-tyrannosaurus-science-new-species/

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[Crustacea • 2007] The Giant Freshwater Prawns of the Macrobrachium rosenbergii Species Group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae); M. rosenbergii & M. dacqueti

December 20, 2014, 11:46 pm
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ABSTRACT
The present study of the giant freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii species group, examined a large series of wild-caught specimens from most of its known distribution. The results confirm that what has been called M. rosenbergii actually belongs to two separate species, easily-separated by a number of diagnostic adult morphological characters. Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879) sensu stricto occurs in Australia, Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia (east of Huxley’s Line including Bali) and the Philippines (including Palawan). The second species, which is actually the one more widely fished and extensively cultured in America, Asia and Africa, is here identified as M. dacqueti (Sunier, 1925), and occurs throughout South and Southeast Asia, as well as Indochina. This latter species is one of the most commercially important crustaceans in the world.

KEY WORDS: Taxonomy, Crustacea, Caridea, Palaemonidae, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.




Wowor, D. and Ng, P.K.L. 2007. The Giant Freshwater Prawns of the Macrobrachium rosenbergii Species Group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 55: 321-336.

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[Herpetology • 2014] Varanus sparnus | Dampier Peninsula Goanna • A New Diminutive Species of Varanus from the Dampier Peninsula, western Kimberley region, Western Australia

December 21, 2014, 10:18 am
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Varanus sparnus Doughty, Kealley, Fitch & Donnellan, 2014

ABSTRACT  
Varanus lizards in Australia are moderately diverse and include a radiation of small-bodied species that occur in arid or tropical environments. Varanus brevicauda is the smallest species, with an elongate body and short prehensile tail and is associated with spinifex clumps in arid environments. Recently collected unusual specimens at the north-western edge of the range of V. brevicauda on the Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia, had an even more elongate body and also co-occurred with typical V. brevicauda. This led us to conduct a morphological and molecular genetic systematic appraisal of the two morphotypes. We found that the more elongate specimens were highly divergent genetically from both typical V. brevicauda and another related species, V. eremius,
with the three lineages forming a polytomy. Morphologically, the elongate specimens are most similar to V. brevicauda, but possess a more elongate body, less robust head and limbs, distinctive scales on the front of the arms that are large, squarish and lacking surrounding granules and a plainer pattern and colouration. The co-occurrence of both forms on the Dampier Peninsula in combination with the extent and pattern of genetic divergence and presence of key morphologically diagnostic traits unequivocally demonstrates that more elongate form is a new species, which we describe here. The new species may be of conservation concern owing to the small range of the only known specimens and development proposals in the area.

KEYWORDS: Goanna, monitor lizard, Varanus brevicauda, Varanus sparnus sp. nov.



TAXONOMY
Family Varanidae Merrem, 1820
Genus Varanus Merrem, 1820

TYPE SPECIES:  Varanus sparnus sp. nov.
[Dampier Peninsula Goanna]


Paul Doughty, Luke Kealley, Alison Fitch and Stephen C. Donnellan. 2014. A New Diminutive Species of Varanus from the Dampier Peninsula, western Kimberley region, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum. 29 128–140. 

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[Ichthyology • 2007] Akihito vanuatu • A New Genus and New Species of Freshwater Goby (Sicydiinae) from the South Pacific

December 19, 2014, 10:34 pm
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Akihito vanuatu
Watson, Keith & Marquet, 2007

Based on characteristics of fin osteology, subfamily Sicydiinae is divided into two tribes. Sicydiini Gill, 1860 is defined as having a broad based pelvic disc, fused to belly between all 5 rays and Sicyopini, new tribe, is defined as having a short based pelvic disc, fused to belly between fifth rays only. Akihito n. gen., Sicyopini, is described based onmaterial collected in freshwater streams in the island nation of Vanuatu. Akihito n. gen. is differentiated from all other genera in Sicydiinae by a combination of characteristics that include male with only conical and caniniform premaxillary and dentary teeth, female with few caniniform and numerous tricuspid premaxillary teeth and fine horizontal teeth in dentary; tongue free; large broad epural; male with midline scales much greater in height than length; and pelvic disc fused to belly between fifth rays only. Akihito vanuatu n. sp. is characterized by dorsal fins VI-I,10, spines 4, 5 and 6 filamentous in male and not in female; anal fin I,10; pectoral fin usually 16 (15-17); scales in lateral series: male 14-18, female 24-32; predorsal scales: male zero, female 0-2; belly: male naked and female with few cycloid scales close to anus; cephalic sensory pores usually A, B, C, D, F, H, N and O, pores K and L and associated posterior oculoscapular canal not usually present, all pores paired except pore D which is singular.

Key words. - Gobioidei - Sicydiinae - Akihito vanuatu - PSE - Vanuatu - New genus - New species - Freshwater.


Akihito n. gen.

Type species: Akihito vanuatu♂ Watson, Keith & Marquet, 2007.  

Etymology: Akihito: Named for Japanese Emperor Akihito for his many contributions to goby systematics and phylogenetic research. 

Ecology: Akihito vanuatu is found in swift clear streams with rocky bottom. The stream near “Pauls conservation” in Ambae island is not perennial. In July 2002, when a part of the specimen were caught, there was no running water in the river and the species was found in small or large pools grooved in the main rock. This absence of running water during a part of the year involve a real adaptation of the species life cycle. Indeed, all larvae of Sicydiins need to go to the sea to complete their development and then, after few weeks spent in the sea, they need to recolonize rivers for growth and reproduction (Keith, 2003). In this particular case of no perennial stream, the new species needs to use heavy rains to migrate to the sea or to the river. The site where the mature specimens where found is situated at an altitude of 300 m. Feeding habits have not been studied in depth but the few specimens examined seemed to feed on aquatic insects and crustacean.

Distribution: currently known only from the island nation of Vanuatu.


Watson, R.E., P. Keith, & G. Marquet 2007: Akihito vanuatu, A New Genus and New Species of Freshwater Goby (Sicydiinae) from the South Pacific. Cybium. 31(3): 341-349.
http://sfi.mnhn.fr/cybium/numeros/2007/313/06.Watson%20448.pdf

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[Ichthyology • 2008] Akihito futuna• A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Gobioidei: Sicydiinae) from the South Pacific

December 20, 2014, 7:39 am
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Futuna's emperor | Akihito futuna
Keith, Marquet & Watson, 2008
[upper] A: Male, paratype MNHN 2006-0776; Futuna Island, Vanifao River; 15 Oct. 2004;
Keith, Marquet, Sasal, Labrousse coll. (picture by P. Keith).
[lower] Diagrammatic illustration of head in Akihito futuna with pores and sensory papillae. A: Dorsal view; B: Lateral view

ABSTRACT
 Akihito futuna, new species, is described on the basis of material collected from Futuna Island. It is distinguished from A. vanuatu in having less premaxillary teeth in males (4-7 v s 7-17) and tricuspid premaxillary teeth (4-7 vs 30-37) in females; more caniniform premaxillary teeth (2-4 vs 0-1) in females; lower scale counts in lateral scales (19-20 vs 24-32), in transverse forward series (5 vs 8-9), and in transverse back series in females (8-9 vs 9-14).


Ecology: Akihito futuna is found in swift clear streams with rocky bottom. The site where the specimens were found is situated at an altitude of 147 m. In vivo observations have shown that they often swim in open water and are not always on the bottom of the river. Feeding habits have not been studied in depth but the few specimens examined seemed to feed on aquatic insects and crustacean (Atyidae).

Distribution: Akihito futuna is currently known only from Futuna Island.

Etymology: The new species is named for Futuna Island and is defined as a noun in apposition


Keith, P., G. Marquet and R.E. Watson, 2008. Akihito futuna, A New Species of Freshwater Goby from the South Pacific (Gobioidei: Sicydiinae). Cybium. 31(4):471-476.

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[Herpetology / Behaviour • 2014] A Short Note on the Use of Humeral Spines in Combat in Espadarana prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae)

December 22, 2014, 5:46 am
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Figure 1. Two male Espadarana prosoblepon as found grappling from the overhanging branch. Male A is on top, and male B is towards the bottom of the image. The white arrow indicates the blue humeral spine of male A


There are currently about 150 species of glass frogs in the family Centrolenidae, which range throughout tropical rain forests in Central and South America (Frost, 2014). Some species of glass frog are known to engage male-male combat where males dangle by their toes and grapple venter to venter for extended periods of time (Jacobson, 1985; Bolivar et al., 1999; Hutter et al., 2013). Humeral spines, present in the males of some glass frog species, are thought to be involved in this ritualized combat behavior. Here we present photographic evidence that the spines are indeed used in this combat behavior in one species, Esapadarana prosoblepon (Guyasamin et al.,
2009).

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Figure 2. Two Espadarana prosoblepon immediately after separating from the grappling behavior. Male A is at the top of the image; Male B is at the bottom. The arrow indicates the humeral spine of Male A.

Alexander R. Krohn and Jamie Voyles. 2014. A Short Note on the Use of Humeral Spines in Combat in Espadarana prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae). Alytes. 31(3-4); 77-82.
http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Alytes_2014_31_3-4.pdf

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[Herpetology / Behaviour • 2014] Jelly Secretion by a Foam-nesting Tree Frog Chiromantis simus (Anura: Rhacophoridae): An Unreported Behaviour

December 22, 2014, 6:28 am
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Figure 5. Nineteen males of Chiromantis simus (15 are in picture frame and 4 just out side) surrounding a polyandrous foam nest, waiting for the female to join in amplexus. One old foam nest is also visible on the left side.

Chiromantis simus, a foam-nesting rhacophorid frog, previously considered extinct from India, was re-discovered in 1998. Surprisingly it is abundant at the village of Rajpur and its surroundings. This species is a true monsoon breeder and produces foam nests between June and October. Generally, during foam-nesting the female initially lays an egg mass without foam coating (i.e., “uncovered”). Later, she produces a foamy liquid and evenly covers the egg mass with it. I collected an uncovered egg mass before a female went to the water source below to absorb water. After returning, the female waited for 4 hours when she did not find the egg mass near the twig and then, by a process of continuous rubbing of her hind limbs, she secreted a thick jelly-like substance from the cloaca, instead of the foamy substance. Additional observations on the egg laying behaviour showed that uncovered egg masses were always attacked by ants, while those egg masses covered by foam were never attacked. Chiromantis simus foam-nesting is mostly polyandrous but, when a female has to deal with too many males in amplexus, she leaves the egg mass without depositing an additional foam coating, which may be why some clutches can be found uncovered.

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Figure 1. Foam nests of Chiromantis simus:
  A. an uncovered egg mass freshly laid and attached to a leaf; it is irregular in shape and with some eggs exposed;
B. sectional view of a foam nest after additional layering:thickness of the outer foam cover is 3 to 4 mm ‘red outline’.

Ananda Banerjee. 2014. Jelly Secretion by a Foam-nesting Tree Frog Chiromantis simus (Anura: Rhacophoridae): An Unreported Behaviour. Alytes.31(3-4); 77-82.
http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Alytes_2014_31_3-4.pdf

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[Herpetology • 2014] Rana neba • A New Brown Frog of the Genus Rana from Japan (Anura: Ranidae) revealed by Cytological and Bioacoustic Studies

December 22, 2014, 7:01 am
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Rana neba Ryuzaki, Hasegawa & Kuramoto, 2014
Figure 2. Holotype of Rana neba sp. nov. (LABHU F2553): Dorsal view (A) and ventral view (B). SVL 45.1 mm.

The Japanese brown frog from Nagano Prefecture, previously reported as Rana tagoi with 2 n = 28 chromosomes, is described as a new species. The new species differs only slightly in morphology from topotypic R. tagoi tagoi. It has a greater snout-nostril length, smaller fourth finger length, smaller fourth and fifth toe lengths (all relative to snout-vent length) and a narrower web, but is practically indistinguishable from a neighboring R. tagoi tagoi population. However, distinct acoustic differences in their advertisement calls clearly separate the two taxa, and may serve as an effective pre-mating isolation mechanism. Karyotypic difference between the new species and R. tagoi tagoi results in nearly complete hybrid sterility. Because the new species is nested within a clade comprising neighboring R. tagoi populations, the new species must have originated rather recently by chromosome reconstruction, and subsequent acoustic divergence would have facilitated conspecific mating. This species is an example of an anuran sibling species that is unrelated to molecular phylogeny.


Rana neba sp. nov.
Synonymy.Rana tagoi (2 n = 28): Ryuzaki et al. (2006)


Masashi Ryuzaki, Yoshinori Hasegawa and Mitsuru Kuramoto. 2014. A New Brown Frog of the Genus Rana from Japan (Anura: Ranidae) revealed by Cytological and Bioacoustic Studies. Alytes. 31(3-4); 49-58.
http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Alytes_2014_31_3-4.pdf

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[Herpetology • 2014] Kurixalus motokawai • A New Cryptic Tree Frog Species Allied to Kurixalus banaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

December 22, 2014, 9:49 am
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Kurixalus motokawai
 Nguyen, Matsui & Eto, 2014

ABSTRACT
 A new species of the genus Kurixalus is described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses. Morphologically,Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov. is most similar to K. banaensis but they are clearly separated from each other in mitochondrial DNA sequences. In phylogenetic analysis the new species clustered in the same clade with Kurixalus banaensis and K. viridescens. However, the new species differs from K. banaensis by having a smaller body size, a higher ratio of forelimb length/SVL in both sexes, a smaller ratio of first toe length/SVL in males, snout tip less markedly pointed, and only weakly developed dermal appendages on the outer edges of fore-and hindlimbs. Kurixalusmotokawai sp. nov. also differs from K. viridescens by having a smaller size in females and a brown dorsum with dark markings.

Keywords: Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov.; mtDNA phylogeny; taxonomy; Central Highlands; Gia Lai Province; Kon Tum Province



Thien Tao Nguyen,Matsui Masafumi and Eto Koshiro. 2014. A New Cryptic Tree Frog Species Allied to Kurixalus banaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology 21(4); 295-302.
http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/917
researchgate.net/publication/269809299_A_NEW_CRYPTIC_TREE_FROG_SPECIES_ALLIED_TO_Kurixalus_banaensis_(ANURA_RHACOPHORIDAE)_FROM_VIETNAM

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[Entomology • 2014] Giant Sticks from Vietnam and China, with Three New Taxa including the Second Longest Insect Known to Date (Phasmatodea, Phasmatidae, Clitumninae, Pharnaciini)

December 23, 2014, 2:09 am
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Phryganistria heusii yentuensis ‘In Copulo’

Abstract
Two new species and one subspecies of Pharnaciini, belonging to two different genera, are described from Vietnam: one species and subspecies of Phryganistria Stål, 1875 and one species of Phobaeticus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907. Two species currently attributed to the genus Ramulus Saussure, 1862, Ramulus magnus(Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) and R. chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907), are transferred to Baculonistria Hennemann & Conle, 2008comb. nov. Phobaeticus longicornis Bi & Wang, 1998 and Phobaeticus yuexiensis Chen & He, 1993 represent the male and female of Baculonistria magnus(Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Baculonistria chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907). The genus Baculonistria now contains three species. Nearchus bachmaensisTa & Hoang, 2004 is transferred to Phryganistria and the new combination Phryganistria bachmaensis (Ta & Hoang, 2004)comb. nov. is proposed. The species is redescribed and the authors’ attribution corrected, the egg is described and figured for the first time. Phryganistriatamdaoensis sp. nov. is described and figured from both sexes and the egg. Females ofP.tamdaoensis sp. nov. are easily recognised by the conspicuously enlarged lanceolate cerci, a character previously unknown in this tribe. The distribution range of Phryganistria heusii heusii(Hennemann & Conle, 1997) is extended to Tam Dao National Park. A new subspecies Phryganistria heusii yentuensis subsp. nov. is described from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve from adult males and females and the eggs. Males can easily be distinguished from the nominal subspecies by their colouration. This huge subspecies represents the second longest insect recorded to date. A key to the species of the genus Phryganistria is provided. Phobaeticus trui sp. nov. is described from central Vietnam. It is the first species of Phobaeticus recorded from Vietnam. Adults of both sexes are illustrated.

  


Joachim Bresseel and Jérôme Constant. 2014. Giant Sticks from Vietnam and China, with Three New Taxa including the Second Longest Insect Known to Date (Phasmatodea, Phasmatidae, Clitumninae, Pharnaciini). European Journal of Taxonomy. 104: 1–38; doi: dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2014.104


Giant Stick Insects from Vietnam | WIRED
wired.com/2014/12/giant-stick-insects-from-vietnam/

World's Second-Longest Insect Discovered in Vietnam: The fascinating creature, a stick-insect, can reach up to 32 cm in body length and 52 cm with forelimbs stretched out. It has reportedly been found in northeast Vietnam.
 Biology | Sci-News.com: sci-news.com/biology/science-phryganistria-heusii-yentuensis-worlds-second-longest-insect-vietnam-02363.html

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[Crustacea • 2014] To “bee” or not to be — on some Caridina Ornamental Shrimp from Guangdong Province, Southern China and Hong Kong SAR, with Descriptions of Three New Species

December 23, 2014, 10:41 am
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Life coloration of (A)Caridina logemanni n. sp. from the type locality. (B–D) Caridina cantonensis (B) female from Lixi Town near Yingde, Guangdong Prov., China; (C) specimen from a stream at Ha Miu Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong; (E–G) Caridina mariae n. sp. (E specimen from the small mountain stream near Lixi Town, Yingde County, Guangdong Prov., China; (G) red colour mutation occuring in an aquarium population originally from the swampy area near Conghua City. (H) female of Caridina conghuensis n. sp..

 Abstract
Several atyid specimens were collected from hill streams in Guangdong Province, Southern China and Hong Kong during field trips between 2004 and 2013. Some of these species, most of them also sold as ornamental pet shrimp in the international aquarium trade, proved to be new to science by morphological observation and analysis of mtDNA sequences. Three new species, Caridina logemanni n. sp.,Caridina mariae n. sp. andCaridina conghuensis n. sp., all of them members of the so called Caridina serrata species group (Cai & Ng 1999), are described in detail below. Caridinatumida Wang, Liang & Li, 2008 is synonymised with Caridina venustaWang, Liang & Li, 2008. Caridina meridionalis Wang, Liang & Li, 2008 is moved to the genus Paracaridina Liang, Guo & Tang, 1999 and synonymised with Paracaridina zijinica Liang, 2002. New records for Caridina trifasciata Yam & Cai, 2003 and Caridina serrata Stimpson, 1860 are recorded. All species are compared to their morphologically closest congeners and the phylogenetic relationships between atyid shrimps from Southern China are shown. 

Key words: Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridina, new species, China, Guangdong, Hong Kong, bee shrimp


ies with direct larval development (DD) (Benzie & Silva 1983;Dudgeon 1987; Lai & Shy 2009). Weak conica
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Klotz, Werner & Thomas Von Rintelen. 2014. To “bee” or not to be—on some Ornamental Shrimp from Guangdong Province, Southern China and Hong Kong SAR, with Descriptions of Three New Species. Zootaxa. 3889(2): 151–184. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3889.2.1

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[Crustacea • 2014] Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus • A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Big Sandy River basin in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, USA

December 23, 2014, 4:51 pm
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Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus
Thoma, Loughman & Fetzner, 2014
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3900.4.5

Abstract

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus, new species, is a stream-dwelling crayfish endemic to the Big Sandy River basin in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Within the basin, C. callainus occurs in the Levisa, Tug, and Russell fork watersheds. The new species is morphologically and genetically most similar to Cambarus veteranus, which is endemic to the Upper Guyandotte River basin of West Virginia. The new species can be differentiated from C.veteranus by its more lanceolate rostrum (width less than 50% length), slightly more obtuse suborbital angle, and less well-defined lateral impression at the base of the chelae.

Keywords: Cambarus, Decapoda, Big Sandy River, conservation status, new species


Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus, A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Big Sandy River basin in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, USA.
 Zootaxa. 3900(4); 541–554. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3900.4.5
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[Herpetology • 2014] Cyrtodactylus celatus • Hiding in Plain Sight: A New Species of Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) from West Timor, collected by Malcolm Smith in 1924

December 24, 2014, 4:05 pm
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 Holotype ofCyrtodactylus celatus sp. nov. (BMNH 1926.10.30.45).
[upper] (Top) Dorsal view. (Bottom) Ventral view. Units on the scale are in centimeters.
 [lower] (A) Lateral view of the head, to illustrate snout, eye, and ear proportions and labial scales. (B) Palmar view of left hand. (C) Plantar view of left hind foot. (D) Chin shield pattern. (E) Line drawing of chin shields identifying primary (1°) and secondary (*) postmental shields.

Abstract
We describe a new species of bent-toed gecko from a single specimen initially collected in 1924 by Malcolm Smith on Timor Island in the Lesser Sunda Archipelago of Indonesia. Cyrtodactylus celatus sp. nov. is distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: small adult size; without spinose tubercles on the ventrolateral body fold and along the lateral margin of the tail; 16 longitudinal rows of tubercles at midbody; 42 ventral scales between the ventrolateral folds at midbody; no transversely enlarged, median subcaudal scales; 17 subdigital lamellae (seven basal + ten distal) under the fourth toe; no abrupt transition between postfemoral and ventral femoral scale series. The specimen is the earliest confirmed record of the genus Cyrtodactylus for Timor, and it is the first putatively endemic gecko species described from this island.

Keywords: Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus, new species, Lesser Sunda Archipelago, West Timor, Indonesia, description, taxonomy, osteology, Malcolm Smith


Cyrtodactylus celatus sp. nov.
Smith’s Hidden Bent-toed Gecko

Etymology. The species name celatus is a Latin adjective, meaning ‘hidden away.’ We use it to describe this species not only because the specimen remained hidden behind a single line of Smith’s (1927) contribution and on the shelves of the BMNH, but also because it has taken nearly 200 years since the initial herpetological survey work on Timor to describe the first putatively endemic member of this diverse gecko genus from that island.

Kathriner, Andrew, Aaron M. Bauer, Mark O'Shea, Caitlin Sanchez & Hinrich Kaiser. 2014. Hiding in Plain Sight: A New Species of Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) from West Timor, collected by Malcolm Smith in 1924. Zootaxa. 3900(4): 555–568.

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[Herpetology • 2014] New Ichthyophis Species from Indochina (Gymnophiona, Ichthyophiidae): 1. The Unstriped Forms with Descriptions of Three New Species [Ichthyophis cardamomensis, I. catlocensis and I. chaloensis] and the Redescriptions of I. acuminatus Taylor, 1960, I. youngorum Taylor, 1960 and I. laosensis Taylor, 1969

December 25, 2014, 2:25 am
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Abstract
Caecilians of the genus Ichthyophis Fitzinger, 1826 are among the most poorly known amphibian taxa within Southeast Asia. Populations of Ichthyophis from the Indochina region (comprising Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam) have been assigned to five taxa: Ichthyophis acuminatus, Ichthyophis bannanicus, Ichthyophis kohtaoensis, Ichthyophis laosensis, and Ichthyophis nguyenorum. Barcoding of recently collected specimens indicates that Indochinese congeners form a clade that includes several morphologically and genetically distinct but yet undescribed species. Although body coloration is supported by the molecular analyses as a diagnostic character at species level, unstriped forms are paraphyletic with respect to striped Ichthyophis. Based on our morphological and molecular analyses, three distinct unstriped ichthyophiid species,Ichthyophis cardamomensis sp. nov. from western Cambodia,Ichthyophis catlocensis sp. nov. from southern Vietnam, and Ichthyophis chaloensis sp. nov. from central Vietnam are described as new herein, almost doubling the number of Ichthyophis species known from the Indochinese region. All three new species differ from their unstriped congeners in a combination of morphological and molecular traits. In addition, redescriptions of three unstriped Ichthyophis species (Ichthyophis acuminatus, I. laosensis, I. youngorum) from Indochina and adjacent Thailand are provided.

Keywords: Biogeography, Caecilians, Indochina, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, mtDNA, Barcoding, COI, cyt b, Phylogeny, Integrative taxonomy





Peter Geissler, Nikolay A. Poyarkov Jr., Lee Grismer, Truong Q. Nguyen, Hang T. An, Thy Neang, Alexander Kupfer, Thomas Ziegler, Wolfgang Böhme and Hendrik Müller. 2014. New Ichthyophis Species from Indochina (Gymnophiona, Ichthyophiidae): 1. The Unstriped Forms with Descriptions of Three New Species and the Redescriptions of I. acuminatus Taylor, 1960, I. youngorum Taylor, 1960 and I. laosensis Taylor, 1969.
Organisms Diversity & Evolution. DOI: 10.1007/s13127-014-0190-6

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[Herpetology • 2014] Re-examination of Hemidactylus tenkatei van Lidth de Jeude, 1895: Populations from Timor provide insight into the Taxonomy of the H. brookii Gray, 1845 complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

December 25, 2014, 3:05 am
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ABSTRACT 
Recent herpetofaunal investigations in Timor-Leste revealed populations similar to Hemidactylus brookii Gray, 1845 in four of 13 districts. In order to properly identify these populations, we examined their relationships to other H. brookii-complex populations, notably those from nearby Roti Island, Indonesia (to which the name H. tenkatei van Lidth de Jeude, 1895 has been applied) and topotypic Bornean samples. We evaluated both meristic and mensural data from a set of specimens that included the type material of H. brookii and H. tenkatei, and we generated nuclear (RAG1) and mitochondrial (ND2) DNA sequence data for Timor-Leste specimens and a topotypical Bornean specimen presumed to represent H. brookii sensu stricto. Morphologically, Timorese geckos are clearly distinct from H. brookii and identical to H.tenkatei. Our molecular data show that the Bornean specimen thought to be H. brookii is genetically congruent with Timor-Leste specimens, and this specimen is therefore identified as H. tenkatei. Our data also reveal that the Burmese species H. subtriedroides Annandale, 1905 is distinct from both H. tenkatei and H. brookii. While the current data do not allow us to determine with certainty whether H. tenkatei is the oldest available name for these widespread forms, it is the only name that can be reliably applied at this time.

Keywords: Hemidactylus tenkatei, H. brookii, H. subtriedroides, Timor-Leste, Borneo, Roti, taxonomy


 Andrew Kathriner, Mark O'Shea and Hinrich Kaiser. 2014. Re-examination of Hemidactylus tenkatei van Lidth de Jeude, 1895: Populations from Timor provide insight into the Taxonomy of the H. brookii Gray, 1845 complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae).
Zootaxa. 3887(5):583-599. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3887.5.5

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