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[Botany • 2020] Thismia ornata & T. coronata (Thismiaceae) • Two New Species from Sarawak, Borneo

March 10, 2020, 9:44 am
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Thismia ornata Dančák, Hroneš& Sochor

in Dančák, Hroneš & Sochor, 2020.

 Abstract 
Thismia ornata and T. coronata (Thismiaceae), two new species from Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) are described and illustrated.Thismia ornatabelongs to T. sect. Thismia subsect. Odoardoa and occurs at several localities in western Sarawak around the city of Kuching. This species has been misidentified as T. aseroe until now, although the two species differ considerably. The species is assigned a preliminary conservation status of VU according to IUCN criteria. Thismia coronata belongs to T. sect. Sarcosiphon and has been found at only one site near the village of Long Tuyo in Lawas district of northern Sarawak. It is related to T. goodii and T. kelabitiana. The species is assigned a preliminary conservation status of CR.

KEYWORDS:Borneo, Malesia, mycoheterotrophy, new species, Sarawak, Thismia, Thismia aseroe, Thismiaceae, Tropical rain forest

Fig. 1. Thismia ornata – A: habit of flowering plant; B: flower bud; C: detail of flower, apical view; D: stigma; E: inner view of stamens,; F: seed; G: outer view of stamens and inside of floral tube.
– From Sochor & al. BOR 51/19 (A, C–E, G), BOR54/19 (B), BOR 56/19 (F). 
– Drawn by Kateřina Janošíková. 

Fig. 3. Distribution of Thismia ornata (yellow circles) and T. coronata (red circle).

Fig. 2. Thismia ornata – A, B: overall appearance; C: detail of flower, apical view; D: ovary, stigma and inner surface of floral tube (background grid spacing = 1 mm); E: seeds; F: inner view of stamens; G: lateral view of connective after cutting off neighbouring connective; H: outer view of stamen.
– From Sochor & al. BOR53/19 (A), BOR51/19 (B–D, F–H) and BOR56/19 (E).



Thismia ornata Dančák, Hroneš & Sochor, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis — Thismia ornata differs from the most similar known species, T. filiformis Chantanaorr., by flower size (to c. 10 cm in diam. vs to c. 3 cm including tepal appendages), inner surface of floral tube (with very fine bright orange reticulum inside vs lacking any reticulum), length of tepal appendages (to 35 mm vs to 8 mm), appendages on apical margin of connective (five of three different shapes vs three of two different shapes) and shape of lateral appendage (with small horn-shaped projection arising from each side of the lateral appendage vs lacking any horn-shaped projections).


 Distribution — Thismia ornata occurs in western Sarawak in a number of locations surrounding Kuching, including Kubah National Park, Santubong National Park, Dered Krian National Park and Fairy Cave Nature Reserve (Fig. 3).

Habitat — Thismia ornata inhabits a wide range of tropical lowland rain forest habitats with an altitudinal range from 40 m to c. 300 m a.s.l. It is known from rather dry limestone outcrops, lowland mixed dipterocarp forests, riverine forests including forests with some anthropogenic disturbance.

Conservation status — Thismia ornata is endemic to Borneo. Most, if not all, known populations occur within national parks and other protected areas. While the extent of occurrence (EOO) is c. 270 km2, its minimal area of occupancy (AOO) could be estimated to be 30 km2. It is known from several populations, which represent three locations (sensu IUCN 2012). Thismia ornata is therefore assigned a preliminary conservation status of VU (D1+2) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN 2012).

Etymology — The specific epithet is the feminine form of the Latin adjective ornatus (ornate or decorated), which-reflects the colourful flowers and very fine bright orange reticulum inside the floral tube that resembles lace.


Fig. 5. Thismia coronata – A: lateral view of flower; B: apical view of flower; C: habit of flowering plant; D: stigma; E: outer view of stamens; F: inner view of stamens.
– From Sochor & al. BOR11/19 (A–H). – Drawn by Kateřina Janošíková. 

Fig. 6. Thismia coronata – A: flower prior to anthesis; B, C, D: overall appearance; E: apical view of flower; F: stigma; G: roots; H: outer bottom view of stamen.
– Finest grid spacing in D and G = 1 mm. 
– From Sochor & al. BOR11/19 (A–H).


Thismia coronata Hroneš, Dančák & Sochor, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis — Thismia coronata differs from T. kelabitiana by the shape of outer tepals (entire with a single tooth in the middle vs deeply divided into several acute lobes), mitre apex (without tetrahedral depressions on upper surface vs with tetrahedral depressions on upper surface), smaller size of flower (1.8–2.3 cm vs 2.6–2.8 cm long) and flower colour (dark yellow to orange across whole flower vs white floral tube and bright yellow upper parts).


Distribution — Thismia coronata is known only from the type locality and its close surroundings in the Paya Maga mountain range in northern Sarawak (Fig. 3). At least 40 individuals were recorded at the locality.

Habitat — Thismia coronata occurs in lower montane primary tropical rainforest at an altitude around 1300 m a.s.l. It was found in relatively humid forest with dense understorey (Fig 7C). A variety of other mycoheterotrophic species were abundant at the type locality and surroundings, including Burmannia lutescens Becc. agg. (Burmanniaceae), Cystorchis aphylla Ridl. (Orchidaceae), Epirixanthes kinabaluensis T. Wendt, E. pallida T. Wendt (both Polygalaceae), Exacum tenue (Blume) Klack. (Gentianaceae), Lecanorchis multiflora J. J. Sm. (Orchidaceae), Sciaphila arfakiana Becc., Sciaphila sp. (both Triuridaceae) and Thismia viridistriata Sochor, Hroneš & Dančák. Herbaceous vegetation was otherwise sparse.

Conservation status —Thismia coronata is endemic to Borneo and the only known population occurs outside national parks and other protected areas. The number of mature individuals observed is fewer than 50. The extent of occurrence cannot be estimated because the species is known only from the type locality and its area of occupancy (AOO) is estimated to be only 4 km2. Thismia coronata is therefore assigned a preliminary status of CR (B2ab(iii); D) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria (IUCN 2012).

Etymology — The specific epithet is the feminine form of the Latin adjective coronatus (crowned), which reflects the shape and colour of the tepals resembling a royal crown.


Martin Dančák, Michal Hroneš and Michal Sochor. 2020. Thismia ornata and T. coronata (Thismiaceae), Two New Species from Sarawak, Borneo. Willdenowia. 50(1); 65–76. DOI: 10.3372/wi.50.50106
Researchgate.net/publication/339816290_Thismia_ornata_and_T_coronata_two_new_species_from_Sarawak_Borneo

    

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[Herpetology • 2020] Protobothrops kelomohy | งูเกอลออมก๋อย • the Second Known Species of Lance-Headed Pit Viper (Squamata: Viperidae) from northern Thailand

March 11, 2020, 12:10 am
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Protobothrops kelomohy 
Sumontha, Vasaruchapong, Chomngam, Suntrarachun, Pawangkhanant, Sompan, Smits and Kunya, Chanhome, 2020

Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper | งูเกอลออมก๋อย ||  tci-thaijo.org

Abstract
Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. is described from dry evergreen forest in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, based on morphology and a molecular phylogeny. It differs from congeners by the following combination of characters: 1) relatively large body size (total length up to 1,310 mm); 2) dorsal scale rows 23–23–17, all keeled; 3) ventral scales 231–234; 4) subcaudal scales 80–84, paired; 5) supralabials 8–9; 6) infralabials 12–13; 7) typical lance-pattern on upper head surface; 8) three bold vertical facial stripes; and 9) dorsal and tail brown, each scale with dark reddish-brown transverse blotches, edged in black, somewhat fused together as a median zigzag line on dorsum, a row of large ventrolateral blotches on each side, each darker marking edged by a narrow yellow line. The new discovery and other recent findings suggest that further herpetological research is required in the montane forest of northern Thailand and adjacent Myanmar and Laos. Data on the natural history of the new species and an updated key to the species of Protobothrops are provided. This is the second species of Lance-headed Pit Viper recorded from Thailand after P. mucrosquamatus.

Keywords: Protobothrops, Crotalinae, new species, montane forest, Thailand


FIGURE 2. Holotype male of Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. (QSMI 1557) in life (photo by M. Sumontha).


FIGURE 4. Living juvenile of Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov.A) PMU04 in situ , not preserved (photo by M. Sumontha); B) in situ, from Tha Song Yang district, Tak Province (photo by T. Smits)

Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov.

Diagnosis. – Protobothrops  kelomohy sp. nov. differs from other species of the genus by  the  combination  of  the  following characters: 1) relative larger body size (TL up to 1310 mm); 2) dorsal scale rows 23–23–17, all keeled; 3) ventral scales 231-234; 4) high number of subcaudals (80-84 pairs); 5) 8-9 supralabials; 6) 12-13 infralabials; 7) typical  lance-head  pattern  on  upper  head surface; 8) three bold vertical facial stripes, (first from internasal, second from facial pit, third from eye) and a bold postocular stripe extending obliquely downwards on temporal region then curved down immediately at the end of the last supralabial; 9) dorsal body and  tail  reddish-brown,  each  scale  with black edges; transverse blotches, somewhat fused together as a zigzag median line on dorsum  and  a  row  of  large  ventrolateral blotches on each side, each darker marking edged with a narrow yellow line.

Etymology. – The specific epithet "kelomohy" is taken from the romanized nouns “kə̀lɔ” meaning “fire or thunder” and “môhɨ” meaning “mothers that lay eggs and stays and look after them during incubation time until hatching”. The first noun is drawn from the vernacular name of the new species in the Northern Pwo Karen language, a language of Karen subfamily, Sino-Tibetan family, and probably refers to the snake bite’s inducing an immediate sharp, burning pain. The second noun refers to the maternal reproductive behavior of the genus Protobothrops, assumed to be the same for the new species. Suggested common names are Omkoi Lance-headed Pit Viper (English), Ngoo Kelo Omkoi - งูเกอลออมก๋อย (Thai),  and Yum Kelo Mo Hy (Karen). เกอลอมอฮือ 

Distribution and natural history. – All specimens  of Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. in this report were found in Sop Khong Subdistrict,  Omkoi  District,  Chiangmai Province, Thailand, a mountainous area that has an  estimated  elevation  range  between 600–1,200 m a.s.l. (red solid circle in Fig. 5). The holotype male (QSMI 1557) and referred juvenile (PMU04) (Fig. 4A) were found on the ground near a rock and a shrub respectively at night in dry evergreen forest, in the vicinity of human dwellings (Fig. 6). This  snake  is  also  known  by  locals  from adjacent  mountainous area for which we found evidence through two other specimens, a juvenile and an adult, that were found in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province, Thailand (red hollow circle in Fig. 5). The adult, from Tha Song Yang, was found on a road late at night, 2:30 AM, still alive, but fatally injured by a vehicle. The juvenile, from Tha Song Yang, was found nearby at night in ambush position on a limestone rock on a forested slope (Fig. 4B). The Tha Song Yang specimens were not examined as referred specimens, because the adult specimen carcass was badly damaged by a vehicle and the juvenile specimen was photographed, but not collected because it was found near a wildlife protection area. Other snakes found in the same habitat at the type locality during the survey included Ovophis monticola (Günther),  Trimeresurus [Popeia] popeiorum (Smith) (Viperidae), Pareas hamptoni (Boulenger), P. margaritophorus (Jan) (Pareatidae), Rhabdophis chrysargos (Schlegel), Xenochrophis piscator (Schneider) (Natricidae), Boiga cyanea (Duméril, Bibron and Duméril), B.multomaculata (Boie), Lycodon laoensis (Günther), L. septentrionalis (Günther), Oligodon cf. fasciolatus (Günther), Ptyas korros (Schlegel) (Colubridae), and lizards included Cyrtodactylus inthanon (Gekkonidae), Acanthosaura sp., Calotes emma alticristata (Schmidt), Draco blanfordii  (Blanford)  and D.  taeniopterus (Günther) (Agamidae).


Montri Sumontha, Taksa Vasaruchapong, Niruth Chomngam, Sunutcha Suntrarachun, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Weerasak Sompan, Ton Smits, Kirati Kunya and Lawan Chanhome. 2020. Protobothrops kelomohy sp. nov. (Squamata: Viperidae), the Second Known Species of Lance-Headed Pit Viper from Thailand. Tropical Natural History. 20(1); 43-59. 

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[Botany • 2020] Impatiens capillipes (Balsaminaceae), A New Record for Thailand

March 11, 2020, 3:20 am
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Impatiens capillipes  Hook.f. & Thomson

in Ruchisansakun, Triboun & Suksathan, 2020
เทียนปีศาจน้อย || DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2020.48.1.08

ABSTRACT
Impatiens capillipes was found for the first time in Thailand. The population in Thailand has slightly larger leaves and flowers than the population in Myanmar. An expanded description of this species and colour photographs are provided.

Keywords: Balsam, Impatiens, Lithophytic, Myanmar, Thailand

Figure 2. Impatiens capillipes Hook.f. & Thomson:
A & B. young flowers; C–F. lateral united petals and lower sepals; G & H. lateral sepals; I–L. lower sepals; M–O. dorsal petals; P & Q. lateral united petals; R. pedicel and stamens; S. fruit.

Figure 1. Impatiens capillipes Hook.f. & Thomson:
A. front view of flowers and leaves; B. lateral view of flower; C. natural habitat; D. pollinator.

Impatiens capillipes Hook.f. & Thomson, 
J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 4: 135. 1860

Habitat and ecology.— Growing on limestone in mixed deciduous forest, alt. 10–100 m (Fig. 1C). The population in Thailand co-occurs with Impatiens patula Craib and Curcuma roscoeana Wall. and flowers during the same period. 

Common name.— Thian Pisat Noi - เทียนปีศาจน้อย (Little monster balsam).

Note.— The population of Impatiens capillipes in Thailand has slightly larger leaves and flowers than the population in Myanmar. In addition, the stem and petiole is green, not purple as in the Myanmar populations, and the colour of the flowers is slightly paler than those in the Myanmar populations.


Saroj Ruchisansakun, Pramote Triboun and Piyakaset Suksathan. 2020. Impatiens capillipes (Balsaminaceae), A New Record for Thailand.  Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany). 48(1); 48–51. DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2020.48.1.08


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[Botany • 2020] Begonia oleosa (Begoniaceae) • the First Species with Glandular Hairs in the Section Casparya

March 12, 2020, 1:30 am
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Begonia oleosa Jara
in Jara-Muñoz, 2020.

Abstract
 A new species of Begonia section Casparya from Colombia and Venezuela is described and illustrated. Begonia oleosa is closely related to Begonia toledana var. erubescens but differs mainly by its glandular trichomes. 

Keywords: Cucurbitales, northern Andes, taxonomy.

FIG. 2. Begonia oleosa.
A. Habitat. B. Branch with fruits. C. Pistillate flowers. D. Staminate flower.
 (Images from the type collection.)

Begonia oleosa Jara, sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: This species can be distinguished from Begonia toledana var. erubescens L.B. Sm. & B.G. Schub. by the presence of glandular hairs, larger leaves (7.9−14.9 × 2.2−5.0 vs. 2.5−6.9 × 0.8−1.9 cm), and entire placentae (vs. bilamellated).

Distribution and habitat.— This species has been found in the north of the Colombian Eastern Cordillera and the Venezuelan Cordillera de Mérida (States of Mérida and Táchira), at 2400–2900 m. It has been observed growing in semi-open and shaded areas on the side of routes and streams, sometimes on saturated soils, but also in dry and clayey soils, where the plants are smaller. The forests where Begonia oleosa grows are dominated by the genera Miconia, Palicourea, Clusia, and Schefflera, as well as the families Lauraceae, Ericaceae, Solanaceae and Asteraceae (e.g., Alvear et al., 2010; Galindo et al., 2003; Fig. 2A).

Etymology.—The name is derived from the Latin “oleum”, referring to oil, in this case alluding to the oily nature of the surfaces of the leaves and stems resulting from secretions of the glandular hairs.


Orlando Adolfo Jara-Muñoz. 2020. Begonia oleosa (Begoniaceae), the First Species with Glandular Hairs in the Section Casparya. Brittonia. DOI: 10.1007/s12228-020-09605-0
twitter.com/PeterMoonlight/status/1237074168702595073 @AdolfoJara3 

Resumen: Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Begonia, secciÆn Casparya de Colombia y Venezuela. Begonia oleosa estÄ cercanamente emparentada con Begonia toledana var. erubescens, pero difiere de esta principalmente por sus tricomas glandulares.

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[Entomology • 2020] Chlidonoptera roxanae • A Cryptic New Species of Chlidonoptera Karsch, 1892 (Mantodea, Hymenopodidae) from the south west protected zone of the Central African Republic

March 12, 2020, 3:43 am
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Chlidonoptera roxanae Moulin, 2020 

left: [upper] Male Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. photographed in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (Central African Republic), by Philippe Annoyer 
[lower] female Chlidonoptera vexillum group photographed in the forest surrounding Sanaga Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre, Belabo, East Province (Cameroon), by Sean Brogan. 

Abstract
Between 1998 and 2012, several scientific expeditions in Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve and Dzanga-Ndoki National Park led to the collection of many Mantodea specimens from Central African Republic (CAR). Among these specimens, several males of an undescribed species were discovered. Morphologically, this species most closely resembles to Chlidonoptera vexillum Karsch, 1892 and Chlidonoptera lestoni Roy, 1975. A new lineage was revealed by DNA barcoding. Therefore, a new species is described,Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. Habitus images, genitalia illustrations and descriptions, measurement data, a key to species, natural history information, and locality data are provided. These results add to the evidence that cryptic species can be found in tropical regions, a critical issue in efforts to document global species richness. They also illustrate the value of DNA barcoding, especially when coupled with traditional taxonomic tools, in disclosing hidden diversity.

Keywords: Afrotropical, Chlidonoptera, cryptic species, DNA barcoding, praying mantis, taxonomy



Figure 3. Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov., holotype male, dorsal and ventral habitus. Scale bar: 10.00 mm.

Figure 2. A Male Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. photographed in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park (CAR), by Philippe Annoyer
B female Chlidonoptera vexillum group photographed in the forest surrounding Sanaga Yong Chimpanzee Rescue Centre, Belabo, East Province (Cameroon), by Sean Brogan. 

Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Larger than Chlidonoptera vexillum and Chlidonoptera lestoni. Males: Body length (mm) 26.2–33.6; forewing length 23.6–30.2; hindwing length 24.9–27.3; pronotum length 5.1–6.9; prozone length 2.1–3.5; pronotum width 4.9–6.3; pronotum narrow width 1.6–2.1; head width 5.0–5.9; frons width 1.4–2.0; frons height 0.6–0.9; prothoracic coxae length 6.1–9.0; prothoracic femur length 8.0–10.2; mesothoracic femur length 6.2–8.1; mesothoracic tibia length 5.5–6.9; mesothoracic tarsus length 4.8–6.1; metathoracic femur length 7.2–9.1; metathoracic tibia length 6.5–8.4; metathoracic tarsus length 5.5–6.9; anteroventral femoral spine count 10–12; posteroventral femoral spine count 4; anteroventral tibial spine count 12–15; posteroventral tibial spine count 14–17. The colour patterns on the wings are almost similar (Figures 2–4). There are polymorphisms in the size of the forewings’ patterns in each of the species mentioned. The major difference is in the size of body, of genitalia and of the posterior process of sclerite L4A (ventral phallomere) being larger from one species to another (Figures 5, 6).

Etymology: This species is named in honour of my oldest daughter, Roxane, who was growing in her mother’s womb, while I was deep in the primary forest of the Central African Republic, for field work in February 2012.

Natural history: According to the collection locations of different individuals in the canopy, this species is considered to be arboreal. Both nymph and adult specimens, are presumed to reside on the inflorescences of trees. In tropical forests, these flowers are often located at the top, above the canopy, so that pollinators have access to pollen and nectar. In the present study, is only males were captured with a light trap, and were rarely captured during the day. Females Chlidonoptera specimens that were observed by climbing trees or by beating vegetation (Figure 2).


 Nicolas Moulin. 2020. A Cryptic New Species of Chlidonoptera Karsch, 1892 from the south west protected zone of the Central African Republic (Insecta, Mantodea, Hymenopodidae). ZooKeys. 917: 63-83. 10.3897/zookeys.917.39270

Résumé: Entre 1998 et 2012, plusieurs expéditions scientifiques, dans la Réserve Spéciale de Dzanga-Sangha et dans le Parc National de Dzanga-Ndoki, ont permis de recueillir de nombreux spécimens de Mantodea en République centrafricaine (RCA). Parmi ceux-ci, plusieurs mâles d’une espèce non décrite ont été mis en évidence. Sur le plan morphologique, l’espèce est proche de Chlidonoptera vexillum Karsch, 1892 et de Chlidonoptera lestoni Roy, 1975. Le séquençage ADN a mis en lumière cette espèce. Par conséquent, une nouvelle espèce est décrite, Chlidonoptera roxanae sp. nov. Des images des habitus, des illustrations et descriptions des genitalia, des données de mesure, une clé pour les espèces, des informations d’écologie et des données de localité sont fournies. Les résultats ajoutent à la preuve que les espèces cryptiques peuvent être trouvées dans les régions tropicales, un problème crucial dans les efforts visant à documenter la richesse en espèces de la planète. Ils illustrent également la valeur du séquençage ADN, en particulier lorsqu’il est associé à des outils taxonomiques traditionnels, pour la mise en évidence de la diversité cachée.


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[Botany • 2020] Goniothalamus sericeus (Annonaceae) • A New Species of Goniothalamus from the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

March 14, 2020, 1:10 am
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Goniothalamus sericeus Sujana & Vadhyar

in Sujana & Vadhyar, 2020

Abstract
Goniothalamus sericeus is described as a new species from southern Western Ghats of India. The species shares some common morphological traits between G. keralensis E. S. S. Kumar, Shaju, P. E. Roy & Raj Kumar and G. wightii Hook.f. & Thomson, which are endemic to the southern Western Ghats. The photographs, illustrations and conservation status of the species are provided here for easy identification and to formulate better conservation and management strategies.

Keyword: Annonaceae, Goniothalamus sericeus, India, Kanyakumari wildlife sanctuary, new species, Tamil Nadu

Fig. 1. Goniothalamus sericeus.
A: Flowering branch. B: Lateral view of flower. C: Apical view of flower. D: A sepal E: Abaxial view of an outer petal. F: Adaxial view of an outer petal. G: Abaxial view of an inner petal. H: Adaxial view of an inner petal. I: Receptacle with carpels. J & K: Carpels. L: A stamen. M: Mature monocarps. N: Monocarp. O: Seed. – Drawn by A. T. Durgadas

Fig. 2. Goniothalamus sericeus.
 A: Habit. B: Bark. C: A slash showing inner bark. D: Flowering twig, young innovation (in sight). E: Lateral view of a flower. F: Dorsal view of a flower. G: Receptacle with sepals and carpels. H: Immature carpels. I: Mature carpels. J: Seed.



Goniothalamus sericeus Sujana & Vadhyar, sp. nov. 

 Goniothalamus sericeus is morphologically similar to G. wightii, which is also endemic to the southern Western Ghats. But differs from it in having smaller leaves (8–11 × 1.8–2.1 cm), deciduous sepals in fruits, rhomboid inner petals with densely sericeous abaxially and glabrous adaxially. The connective of the anther is papillate, rounded at apex and densely hairy. Ripen carpels are sessile, yellow in color with black strigose hairs basally. The new species is having some affinities with G. keralensis by having sessile monocarps and caducous sepals (Kumar et al., 2013). But G. keralensis differs from the new species by having much longer leaves (up to 28 cm), funnel shaped stigma and orange-brown ripen carpels. The distinguishing characters of G. sericeus from its allied taxa are given in Table 1. 

Distribution: So far known only from Kanyakumari wildlife sanctuary, Tamil Nadu, South India.

Etymology: The specific epithet 'sericeus' refers to the presence of dense sericeous hairs on petals.


   


Kanjiraparambil Arjunan Sujana and Rakesh Gopala Vadhyar. 2020. A New Species of Goniothalamus (Annonaceae) from the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Taiwania. 65(2); 176-180. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2020.65.176 



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[Ichthyology • 2020] Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete • A New Species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin (Characiformes: Characidae) from the western Amazon basin in Colombia and Peru

March 15, 2020, 12:59 am
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Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete
 García‐Alzate, Lima, Taphorn, Mojica, Urbano‐Bonilla & Teixeira, 2020


ABSTRACT
Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete n. sp. is described from the Río Caquetá drainage in Colombia and the Río Ucayali drainage in Peru, western Amazon. The new species is diagnosed from its congeners by having the following combination of characters: a conspicuous narrow midlateral stripe, starting on sides of body behind the opercle near the lateral line; lateral stripe overlapped anteriorly with a vertically elongated humeral blotch; inner premaxillary teeth pentacuspid; margin of anal fin falcate in mature males, with a relatively well‐developed anterior lobe.

Keywords: Río Caquetá drainage, Río Ucayali drainage, Serrania de Chiribiquete, Hyphessobrycon agulha, Neotropical diversity

Live colors of Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete.
 ICN-MHN 21764, paratype, 28.3 mm Ls. Female.

Hyphessobrycon chiribiquete new species

   Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the type locality of this species, in the Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete, and territory of the ancient indigenous Carijonas. It is to be treated as a noun in apposition. Chiribiquete National Natural Park is located in the northwest sector of the Colombian Amazon in the departments of Caquetá and Guaviare. The nearest large town is San Juan de Guaviare. It is the largest national park in Colombia and the largest tropical rainforest national park in the world. It was established on 21 September 1989 and has been expanded twice, first in August 2013 and then in July 2018. The park occupies about 43,000 km2 (17,000 sq mi) and includes the Serranía de Chiribiquete highlands and surrounding lowlands, which are covered by rainforest and savannas. (WWF 2018, Website of Parques Naturales Nacionales de Colombia 2019).


C. A. García‐Alzate, F. C. T. Lima, D. C. Taphorn, J. I. Mojica, A. Urbano‐Bonilla and T. F. Teixeira. 2020. A New Species of Hyphessobrycon Durbin (Characiformes: Characidae) from the western Amazon basin in Colombia and Peru. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14319 


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[Botany • 2019] A Taxonomic Revision of Globba subsect. Nudae (Zingiberaceae) including Three New Species: Globba aranyaniae, G. lithophila & G. macrochila

March 15, 2020, 7:10 am
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A. Globba aranyaniae Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov., B. G. expansa Wall. ex Horan., 
C. G. flagellaris K.Larsen., D. G. insectifera Ridl., 
E. G. lithophila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. and F. G. macrochila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov.


in Sangvirotjanapat, Denduangboriphant & Newman, 2019.
 Photographs: S. Sangvirotjanapat  facebook.com/SunisaSang5

Abstract
Globba subsect. Nudae K.Larsen is revised. Seven species are recognised and three names are lectotypified. A key to the species and descriptions are provided. Three new species are described and illustrated: Globba aranyaniae Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov., G. lithophila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov., and G. macrochila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. Four names based on types from Bangladesh, India and Myanmar remain doubtful. The morphological expression of andromonoecy in this group is described in detail. Provisional IUCN conservation assessments of all species are supplied.

Keywords: Andromonoecy; Globba; Nudae; taxonomic revision; Zingiberaceae

Fig. 2. Globba subsect. Nudae K.Larsen.
A. Globba aranyaniae Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. (S. Sangvirotjanapat 785 leg.). B. G. expansa Wall. ex Horan. (M.F. Newman 2561 leg.). C. G. flagellaris K.Larsen (M.F. Newman and JLS 2048 leg.).
D. G. insectifera Ridl. (S. Sangvirotjanapat s.n. leg.). E. G. lithophila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. (M.F. Newman 2576 leg.). F. G. macrochila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. (S. Sangvirotjanapat 795 leg.).

Photographs: S. Sangvirotjanapat.  facebook.com/SunisaSang5

Class Magnoliopsida Brongn.

Order Zingiberales Griseb.
Family Zingiberaceae Martinov

Genus Globba L.
Section Nudae K.Larsen
Subsection Nudae K.Larsen

General morphology: The main distinguishing characteristics of G. subsect. Nudae are the lax conical inflorescence and flowers with four anther appendages. These differentiate this subsection clearly from G. sect. Globba and G. sect. Sempervirens, which also have four anther appendages, but have dense inflorescences with colourful, persistent bracts.

Habitat The substrate and ecological surroundings are found to relate to plant size. Plants in G. subsect. Nudae are mostly middle-sized, about 50–100 cm tall. Occasionally G. expansa Wall. ex Horan., found in mixed evergreen montane forest, can grow to 1.5 m tall while G. lithophila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov., which grows on limestone, is a miniature plant, only 10 cm tall. The most variable species is G. insectifera Ridl., which is large or small depending on the conditions of the dry or the rainy season which determine the production of inflorescence shoots or leafy shoots.

Rhizome Small, globose, about 3–5 cm in diameter. In one growing season, 5–8 rhizomes can be produced in a moniliform arrangement. The root tubers are spindle-shaped or elongate and function in food storage during the dormant period.

Flower For reliable identification to species, the flower must be seen. Flower colour seems to be a variable character while, on the other hand, the yellow and orange tone of flowers in this subsection is clearly different and useful for classification in many cases. A red or brown spot on the labellum is quite common in other groups of Globba but, in G. subsect. Nudae, G. aranyaniae sp. nov. is unique in having a spot (Fig. 2A).


Globba aranyaniae Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: The main distinguishing character within G. subsect. Nudae is the red or brown spot on the labellum. Laotian and northern Thai populations resemble G. flagellaris and G. macrochila sp. nov. by their condensed cincinni, and orange-toned flowers with rather broad lateral staminodes (> 5 mm). Central and eastern Thai populations resemble G. expansa by their lax cincinni, orange-toned flowers, and ellipsoid fruits.

Etymology The epithet ‘aranyaniae’ derives from ‘Aranyani’ who is a princess in the myth relating to the name of the type locality, Pha Nang Khoy (‘Cave of the Lady who Waits’).

Distribution and habitat: Laos and Thailand, at 100–700 m a.s.l., on limestone in mixed evergreen forest or near streams.


Globba expansa Wall. ex Horan.
Prodromus Monographiae Scitaminearum Additis Nonnullis de Phytographia, de Monocotyleis et Orchideis: 19 (Horaninow 1862).

Synonyms: G. yeatsiana Craib, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 1912: 400 (Craib 1912). – Type: THAILAND • Northern, Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park; 960 m a.s.l.; 12 Jun. 1910; A.F.G. Kerr 1214 leg.; K (lectotype, designated here), E E00097516 (isolectotype).
G. platystachya sensu Gagnepain, Flore Générale de l'Indo-Chine 6 (1): 33 (Gagnepain 1908), non Baker, The Flora of British India 6 (17): 206 (Baker 1890).

Distribution and habitat: Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, 174–1350 m a.s.l., growing in mixed evergreen forest along the trail under semi shade. Usually found as dense clump.


Globba flagellaris K.Larsen
Nordic Journal of Botany. 17: 119 (Larsen 1997).

Distribution and habitat: Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, and Nan provinces, Thailand, 450–1100 m a.s.l. It grows in dense populations in rather moist areas, often near streams.


Globba insectifera Ridl.
Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 49: 42 (Ridley 1908). 

Synonyms: G. kerrii Craib, Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 1912: 398 (Craib 1912). – Type: THAILAND • Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park; 1200 m a.s.l.; 24 Jul. 1910; A.F.G. Kerr 1278 leg; E (lectotype, designated here), BM (isolectotype), E E00097477 (isolectotype), K (isolectotype, 2 sheets). 
G. nuda K.Larsen, Notes from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh 31: 235 (Larsen 1972). – Type: THAILAND • Chiang Mai, Doi Suthep-Pui National Park; 850 m a.s.l.; 13 Apr. 1958; K. Larsen, B. Hansen and T.J. Sørensen 2678 leg.; AAU (holotype), C (isotype), BKF (isotype).

Distribution and habitat: Myanmar and Thailand, 240–1500 m a.s.l. Common in dipterocarp or grass forest in open areas. The plants grow over large areas but not covering the ground densely


Globba lancangensis Y.Y.Qian
 Acta Botanica Austro Sinica 9: 51 (Qian 1994).

Distribution and habitat: China (Yunnan), 1080–1350 m a.s.l.


Globba lithophila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. 

Diagnosis Similar to G. flagellaris and G. macrochila sp. nov. in its condensed cincinni and bright orange flowers, but differing from them by its clearly visible lateral corolla lobes, oblong and patent lateral staminodes, smaller size and ecological requirements, being found only in pockets of soil in cracks in limestone. 

Etymology: From the Greek‘lithos’ (stone) and‘phila’ (loving), reflecting its limestone habitat.

Distribution and habitat: Thailand, 450–800 m a.s.l., only found in small pockets of soil in or very near limestone.

Conservation status: Least Concern. Globba lithophila sp. nov. has a small AOO of 28 km2 and EOO of 2600 km2 , suggesting a status of Endangered but it grows in Lum Nam Pai Wildlife Sanctuary as well as ex situ in Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden so it is of Least Concern. It is a lithophyte which makes it sensitive to environmental factors so good management of protected areas is important to keep it in its natural habitat.

Notes: Globba lithophila sp. nov. has been compared closely to G. flagellaris, with which it is sympatric in north Thailand. Both species were cultivated in the same place at the Zingiberaceae nursery of Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden under controlled conditions. After two years of growth, the vegetative parts of the plants were larger than those of wild plants, while the floral parts and ratios of sizes remained the same. We conclude that these are two separate species and that G. lithophila sp. nov. is not merely a part of the variation of G. flagellaris.


Globba macrochila Sangvir. & M.F.Newman sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Similar to G. flagellaris in its bright orange flowers, but differing by its much longer labellum, 19– 20 mm long (vs short labellum, 10–12 mm long) and growing in dry areas (vs moist areas). 

Etymology: Greek, ‘macros’ (large) and ‘-chila’ (-lipped), referring to its long labellum.

Distribution and habitat: Myanmar and Thailand, 100–350 m a.s.l., in rather dry forest.

Conservation status: Least Concern. Although this species has a small AOO of 32 km2 , the populations in Kanchanaburi province, where this species is commonest, are found in several protected areas. It is also grown in Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden.

 Notes Usually found in somewhat dry areas, such as bamboo forest. The labellum is remarkable, being longer than the lateral staminodes. It always covers the lateral corolla lobes. Plants were cultivated under more humid test conditions in Bangkok to find out the stability of the morphological characters. After growing for one season, the environmental factors affected only vegetative structures, i.e., leafy stem size, inflorescence size but did not influence the ratios of the floral parts.


Doubtful species of Globba subsect. Nudae

Globba pauciflora King ex Baker
Flora of British India 6: 205 (Baker 1890).

Globba rahmanii Yusuf
Journal of Economic and Taxonomic Botany 28: 88 (Yusuf 2004).

Globba subscaposa Collett & Hemsl.
Journal of the Linnean Society. Botany 28: 135 (Collett & Hemsley 1890).


 Sunisa Sangvirotjanapat, Jessada Denduangboriphant and Mark F. Newman. 2019. A Taxonomic Revision of Globba subsect. Nudae (Zingiberaceae).  European Journal of Taxonomy. 503; 1–37. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2019.503

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[Crustacea • 2020] Taxonomic Study of the Freshwater Shrimps Genus Atyoida Randall, 1840 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) in Polynesia with A Revalidation of A. tahitensis Stimpson, 1860

March 15, 2020, 7:33 pm
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Atyoida pilipes (Newport 1847)

in Lorang, de Mazancourt, Marquet & Keith, 2020.

Abstract
Numerous specimens of Atyoida were collected in Polynesia during specific samplings led by the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle (MNHN, Paris) from 1983 to 2017. In the context of an integrative taxonomy, all the Polynesian specimens were morphologically and genetically studied. The molecular study proved that the specimens were split in two different clades separated by 7% genetic distance (16S) and geographically structured that can be considered as two distinct species. In this article, A. tahitensis Stimpson, 1860 from Eastern Polynesia is re-validated as a distinct species from A. pilipes (Newport 1847) from Vanuatu to Marquesas archipelago. The morphological study, besides coloration patterns (Body blackish on its back, ornamented on its flanks with numerous bluish dots and longitudinal stripes for A. tahitensis; orange-yellow back as well as the antennular peduncle, telson and uropods with the flanks whitish ornamented with numerous blue-black patterns of various shapes for A. pilipes), did not allow us to find characters to distinguish easily the two species. Detailed re-descriptions and the geographical distribution of these two species are given and a neotype deposited in the MNHN (Paris) is designated for A. tahitensis.

Keywords: Crustacea, Taxonomic, Atyidae, Atyoida



Camille Lorang, Valentin de Mazancourt, Gérard Marquet and Philippe Keith. 2020. Taxonomic Study of the Freshwater Shrimps Genus Atyoida Randall, 1840 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) in Polynesia with A Revalidation of A. tahitensis Stimpson, 1860. Zootaxa. 4751(1); 55–74. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4751.1.3


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[Herpetology • 2020] Discovering A Population of Tylototriton verrucosus (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Thailand: Implications for Conservation

March 16, 2020, 12:25 am
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กะท่าง || Tylototriton verrucosus Anderson, 1871

in Pomchote, Khonsue, Sapewisut, Eto & Nishikawa, 2020. 
 Tropical Natural History. 20(1); 

 Abstract
The Asian newt genus Tylototriton, is the only urodelan genus currently recorded in Thailand. For a long time in the past, T. verrucosus was the sole known urodelan species found in Thailand, but was recently shown to be comprised of three cryptic species, T. uyenoi, T. anguliceps, and T. panhai.  However, in our molecular study, the newts from Doi Chang, Chiang Rai Province were different from these three recognized Tylototriton species, and nested within the clade of T. verrucosus from China. They also had morphological traits similar to T. verrucosus. These results lead to the confirmation of the existence of T. verrucosus in Thailand. The habitats of T. verrucosus need to be protected by future conservation plans.

Keywords: conservation, cryptic species, newt, Thailand, Tylototriton verrucosus

FIGURE 4. Male Tylototriton verrucosus from Doi Chang, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand.


 Porrawee Pomchote, Wichase Khonsue, Pitak Sapewisut, Koshiro Eto and Kanto Nishikawa. 2020. Discovering A Population of Tylototritonverrucosus (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Thailand: Implications for Conservation. Tropical Natural History. 20(1); 1-15. tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tnh/article/view/210006


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[Entomology • 2020] Caloxiphus chapulhuacan & C. cuicani • New Species of the Genus Caloxiphus Saussure & Pictet, 1898 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from the Huasteca Region, Hidalgo, Mexico

March 17, 2020, 4:10 am
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Caloxiphus cuicani 
Barrientos-Lozano, Fernández-Azuara, Rocha-Sánchez, Zaldívar-Riverón, Sánchez-Reyes & Almaguer-Sierra, 2020

Abstract
Two new species of the genus Caloxiphus Saussure & Pictet, 1898 (Pseudophyllinae) are described: C. chapulhuacan n. sp., and C. cuicani n. sp., both endemic to the Huasteca Region, State of Hidalgo, Mexico. These two new taxa show morphological affinities to C. championi Saussure & Pictet, 1898. However, they may be separated from the latter species on basis of external and internal (genitalia) morphological characters that are provided and illustrated. Acoustic signals for C. cuicani n. sp., and information on distribution for both new taxa are given.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Ensifera, Pseudophyllinae, taxonomy, biodiversity



Ludivina Barrientos-Lozano, Geovany J. Fernández-Azuara, Aurora Y. Rocha-Sánchez, Alejandro Zaldívar-Riverón, Uriel Jeshua Sánchez-Reyes and Pedro Almaguer Sierra. 2020. New Species of the Genus Caloxiphus Saussure & Pictet, 1898 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from the Huasteca Region, Hidalgo, Mexico. Zootaxa. 4751(2); 333–344. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4751.2.8

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[Herpetology • 2020] Cyrtodactylus evanquahi • A New Potentially Endangered Limestone-associated Bent-toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) Complex from northern Peninsular Malaysia

March 17, 2020, 7:18 pm
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 Cyrtodactylus evanquahi 
Wood, Grismer, Muin, Anuar & Oaks, 2020


Abstract
A survey of a limestone forest at Gunung Baling, Kedah, West Malaysia lead to the discovery of an undescribed species of Bent-toed Gecko from the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus complex. Cyrtodactylus evanquahi sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other species in the C. pulchellus complex by a suite of morphological and color pattern characteristics: prominent tuberculation, higher number of dark body bands, and a smaller maximum SVL. It is further differentiated from all other species as follows; no tubercles on the ventral surface of the forelimbs, gular region, or in the ventrolateral folds; 31–34 paravetebral dorsal tubercles; 18–23 longitudinal rows of tubercles; 29–33 ventral scales; 22–23 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; 32–36 femoroprecloacal pores; a shallow precloacal groove in males; body bands and nuchal loop edged with a thin white line bearing tubercles; no scattered white spots on the dorsum; six or seven dark body bands much thinner than interspaces; 9–11 dark caudal bands on original tail; bands on the original tail separated by immaculate white caudal bands. It is further differentiated by an uncorrected pairwise genetic divergence of 6.50–15.67% from all other congeners in the C. pulchellus complex. It is most closely related to C. pulchellus from Penang Island ∼76 km to the southwest. In addition to the new samples from Gunung Baling, we added four samples of C. bintangrendah from the new locality of Belukar Semang, Perak. The discovery of yet another new species of the C. pulchellus complex from a limestone habitat continues to underscore the high degree of endemism and the importance of these unique habitats for biodiversity, and the continued need for their conservation.

Keywords: Reptilia, Conservation, Gunung Baling, Karst, Kedah, ND2, new species, Southeast Asia



Perry L. Jr. Wood, L. Lee Grismer, Mohd Abdul Muin, Shahrul Anuar and Jamie R. Oaks. 2020. A New Potentially Endangered Limestone-associated Bent-toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) Complex from northern Peninsular Malaysia. Zootaxa. 4751(3); 437–460. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4751.3.2

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[Botany • 2020] Bulbophyllum trongsaense (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Dendrobieae) • A New Species from Bhutan

March 18, 2020, 1:17 am
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Bulbophyllum trongsaense 

in Gyeltshen, Gurung & Kumar, 2020.

Abstract
Bulbophyllum trongsaense is described as a new species from Trongsa district of Bhutan. Detailed morphological description, distribution, phenology, ecology and colour photographs are provided along with comparison with B. amplifolium to which it shows closest affinity.

Keywords: Bulbophyllum amplifolium, B. nodosum, Endangered, Monocots



Phub Gyeltshen, Dhan Bahadur Gurung and Pankaj Kumar. 2020. Bulbophyllum trongsaense (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Dendrobieae), A New Species from Bhutan. Phytotaxa. 436(1); 85–91. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.436.1.9

Bhutan discovers new orchid species  moaf.gov.bt/bhutan-discovers-new-orchid-species/

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[Ichthyology • 2020] Trichomycterus lauryi • Taxonomical Study of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Ribeira de Iguape River Basin reveals A New Species Recorded in the early 20th Century

March 18, 2020, 1:45 am
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 Trichomycterus lauryi 
 Donin, Ferrer & Carvalho, 2020


Abstract
A new species of Trichomycterus endemic to the Ribeira de Iguape River basin, southeastern Brazil, was studied based on morphological and molecular evidence. This species had an outer layer of coloration composed of scattered, round, black or dark‐brown spots smaller or equivalent in size to the circumference of the eye; eight pectoral‐fin rays; 28–29 opercular odontodes; 54–56 interopercular odontodes; and supraorbital line of the laterosensory system not interrupted, with pores s2 absent. Two other species of Trichomycterus from the Ribeira de Iguape River basin are recorded, and their taxonomic status is discussed: Trichomycterus alternatus and Trichomycterus jacupiranga were not differentiated using molecular analysis but may be consistently distinguished based on morphology. The phylogenetic relationships of the co‐occurring species, T. alternatus and Cambeva zonata, were inferred using mitochondrial data, reinforcing the taxonomic status of these recently revised species that have a complex taxonomy. In addition, a new combination for Trichomycterus taroba with its inclusion in the genus Cambeva is recommended.

Keywords: Cambeva zonata, colour pattern, incomplete lineage sorting, Trichomycterinae, Trichomycterus alternatus

Figure 2: Colour variation in live specimens of  Trichomycterus lauryi.
(A) UFRGS 24536, 60.7 mm LS, córrego do Queimado; (C) UFRGS 24537, 77.0 mm LS, rio Betari; (D) UFRGS 24537, 68.9 mm LS, rio Betari; Ribeira de Iguape River basin

 Trichomycterus lauryi sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet “lauryi” was given in honour of Laury João Donin (in memoriam), Laura Donin's father.

Photograph of the specimen provided by Miranda Ribeiro (1908b, 1911) presently identified as Trichomycterus lauryi.


Laura M. Donin, Juliano Ferrer and Tiago P. Carvalho. 2020. Taxonomical Study of Trichomycterus (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Ribeira de Iguape River Basin reveals A New Species Recorded in the early 20th Century. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14278
 twitter.com/Ferrer_Juliano/status/1239946520675397632


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[Botany • 2018] Canavalia llanorum (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) • A New Species of Canavalia subgenus Wenderothia from the Colombian and Venezuelan Llanos

March 18, 2020, 7:48 am
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Canavalia llanorum Snak, Aymard & L. P. Queiroz

in Snak, Aymard& de Queiroz, 2018. 

Abstract
Canavalia llanorum (subgenus Wenderothia) from the northwestern Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela (Orinoquia) is described and illustrated, and its morphological relationship with an allied species is discussed. The new species is morphologically related to C. bicarinata, but it differs mainly by its legumes having only one extra medium rib (vs. two ribs in C. bicarinata), and by its leaflets elliptic-ovate or obovate (vs. ovate). We also discuss the phylogenetic position of C. llanorum and present geographical and ecological information about the new species.

Fig. 3: Watercolor painting of the flowers of Canavalia llanorum.
 Drawn by Gustavo Surlo.

Canavalia llanorum Snak, Aymard & L. P. Queiroz, sp. nov.

Etymology.—The specific epithet llanorum refers to the geographical distribution of the new species in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela.


 Cristiane Snak, Gerardo A. Aymard C. and Luciano Paganucci de Queiroz. 2018.  A New Species of Canavalia (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) subgenus Wenderothia from the Colombian and Venezuelan Llanos. Brittonia. 70(2); 233–240. DOI: 10.1007/s12228-017-9512-2
Researchgate.net/publication/322778497_A_new_species_of_Canavalia_from_the_Colombian_and_Venezuelan_Llanos

Resumen: Canavalia llanorum (subgénero Wenderothia) de la región Noroeste de los Llanos de Colombia y Venezuela (Orinoquia), es descrita, ilustrada y sus relaciones morfológicas con su especie afín son discutidas. Esta nueva especie presenta similitudes con C. bicarinata, sin embargo, difiere por la legumbre con una sola costilla en el medio (vs. dos costillas en C. bicarinata) y por los folíolos elípticos-ovados hasta obovados (vs. ovados). Se discute la posición sistemática de C. llanorum basada en análisis filogenéticos, y se presenta información acerca de la distribución y ecología de la nueva especie.

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[Paleontology • 2020] Elpistostege and the Origin of the Vertebrate Hand

March 19, 2020, 6:26 am
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Elpistostege watsoni Westoll, 1938
in Cloutier, Clement, Lee, et al., 2020.
Illustration: Ville Sinkkonen twitter.com/VilleSinkkonen

Abstract
The evolution of fishes to tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates) was one of the most important transformations in vertebrate evolution. Hypotheses of tetrapod origins rely heavily on the anatomy of a few tetrapod-like fish fossils from the Middle and Late Devonian period (393–359 million years ago). These taxa—known as elpistostegalians—include Panderichthys, Elpistostege and Tiktaalik, none of which has yet revealed the complete skeletal anatomy of the pectoral fin. Here we report a 1.57-metre-long articulated specimen of Elpistostege watsoni from the Upper Devonian period of Canada, which represents—to our knowledge—the most complete elpistostegalian yet found. High-energy computed tomography reveals that the skeleton of the pectoral fin has four proximodistal rows of radials (two of which include branched carpals) as well as two distal rows that are organized as digits and putative digits. Despite this skeletal pattern (which represents the most tetrapod-like arrangement of bones found in a pectoral fin to date), the fin retains lepidotrichia (fin rays) distal to the radials. We suggest that the vertebrate hand arose primarily from a skeletal pattern buried within the fairly typical aquatic pectoral fin of elpistostegalians. Elpistostege is potentially the sister taxon of all other tetrapods, and its appendages further blur the line between fish and land vertebrates.


Illustration: Ville Sinkkonen twitter.com/VilleSinkkonen




Richard Cloutier, Alice M. Clement, Michael S. Y. Lee, Roxanne Noël, Isabelle Béchard, Vincent Roy and John A. Long. 2020. Elpistostege and the Origin of the Vertebrate Hand. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2100-8 
 twitter.com/DrAliceClement/status/1240366402671751168
twitter.com/incisorial/status/1240327922252046336
twitter.com/VilleSinkkonen/status/1240339287738023936
Ancient fish fossil reveals evolutionary origin of the human hand
phys.org/news/2020-03-ancient-fish-fossil-reveals-evolutionary.html

   

     

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[PaleoOrnithology • 2020] Asteriornis maastrichtensis • Late Cretaceous Neornithine from Europe illuminates the Origins of Crown Birds

March 19, 2020, 6:29 am
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Asteriornis maastrichtensis
Field, Benito, Chen, Jagt & Ksepka, 2020


Abstract
Our understanding of the earliest stages of crown bird evolution is hindered by an exceedingly sparse avian fossil record from the Mesozoic era. The most ancient phylogenetic divergences among crown birds are known to have occurred in the Cretaceous period, but stem-lineage representatives of the deepest subclades of crown birds—Palaeognathae (ostriches and kin), Galloanserae (landfowl and waterfowl) and Neoaves (all other extant birds)—are unknown from the Mesozoic era. As a result, key questions related to the ecology, biogeography and divergence times of ancestral crown birds remain unanswered. Here we report a new Mesozoic fossil that occupies a position close to the last common ancestor of Galloanserae and fills a key phylogenetic gap in the early evolutionary history of crown birds. Asteriornis maastrichtensis, gen. et sp. nov., from the Maastrichtian age of Belgium (66.8–66.7 million years ago), is represented by a nearly complete, three-dimensionally preserved skull and associated postcranial elements. The fossil represents one of the only well-supported crown birds from the Mesozoic era, and is the first Mesozoic crown bird with well-represented cranial remains. Asteriornis maastrichtensis exhibits a previously undocumented combination of galliform (landfowl)-like and anseriform (waterfowl)-like features, and its presence alongside a previously reported Ichthyornis-like taxon from the same locality provides direct evidence of the co-occurrence of crown birds and avialan stem birds. Its occurrence in the Northern Hemisphere challenges biogeographical hypotheses of a Gondwanan origin of crown birds, and its relatively small size and possible littoral ecology may corroborate proposed ecological filters that influenced the persistence of crown birds through the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.



 Digitally segmented skull of Asteriornis maastrichtensis.



Systematic palaeontology

Avialae Gauthier, 1986

Neornithes Gadow, 1892
Neognathae Pycraft, 1900
Pangalloanserae Gauthier and de Queiroz, 2001

Asteriornis maastrichtensis gen. et sp. nov.

Remarks. We use Avialae to refer to theropods crownward of Dromaeosauridae and Troodontidae. Neornithes is equivalent to the bird crown group (Aves sensu Gauthier, 198623). Pangalloanserae defines the most inclusive clade including Anser anser and Gallus gallus but not Passer domesticus (that is, the galloanseran total group). Further phylogenetic definitions are presented in the Supplementary Information.

Etymology. Asteriornis, from the name of the Titan goddess Asteria and the Greek ornis for bird. In Greek mythology Asteria is the goddess of falling stars and transforms herself into a quail—attributes that are reflected by both the impending Cretaceous–Palaeogene (K–Pg) asteroid impact and the galloanseran affinities of Asteriornis. The specific epithet maastrichtensis reflects the provenance of the holotype—the Maastricht Formation (the type locality of the Late Cretaceous Maastrichtian stage).

Holotype. Natuurhistorisch Museum Maastricht (NHMM) 2013 008, a nearly complete, articulated skull including mandibles and associated postcranial remains preserved in four blocks (Fig. 1, Extended Data Figs. 1–7; see Supplementary Information for videos, character information, measurements, additional description and discussion). Preserved elements include the premaxillae, maxillae, nasals, frontals, laterosphenoid, basisphenoid, mesethmoid, left quadrate, left jugal, right palatine and lower jaws. Associated postcranial elements include incomplete femora, tibiotarsi, tarsometatarsus and radius.

   
 Locality and age. CBR-Romontbos Quarry, Eben-Emael, Liège, Belgium. Valkenburg Member (66.8–66.7 million years old), Maastricht Formation, Late Maastrichtian, Cretaceous. Additional details regarding the locality and stratigraphic setting are presented in the Supplementary Information.


Diagnosis. Asteriornis is unique among known taxa in exhibiting caudally pointed nasals that overlie the frontals and meet at the midline of the skull, and a slightly rounded, unhooked tip of the premaxilla. Additional character combinations from phylogenetic analyses that differentiate Asteriornis are presented in the Supplementary Information.

An artist’s reconstruction of the world’s oldest modern bird, Asteriornis maastrichtensis, in its original environment. Parts of Belgium were covered by a shallow sea 66.7 million years ago, and conditions were similar to modern tropical beaches like the Bahamas. Asteriornis had fairly long legs and may have prowled the prehistoric shoreline.
 Illustration: Phillip Krzeminski.
 twitter.com/PMK_illustrator






  

Daniel J. Field, Juan Benito, Albert Chen, John W. M. Jagt and Daniel T. Ksepka. 2020. Late Cretaceous Neornithine from Europe illuminates the Origins of Crown Birds. Nature. 579; 397–401. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2096-0  
twitter.com/Daniel_J_Field/status/1240307676942401538
twitter.com/PMK_illustrator/status/1240383384704212993


    

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[Ichthyology • 2020] Rhodeus cyanorostris & R. nigrodorsalis • Two New Species of Rhodeus (Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae) from the River Yangtze, China

March 21, 2020, 2:30 am
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Rhodeus nigrodorsalis &  

R. cyanorostris 
Li, Liao & Ara,. 2020


Abstract
Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. and R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. are described from two tributaries of the River Yangtze, in Sichuan and Jiangxi Provinces, China, respectively. Both species have a small number of branched dorsal-fin rays (both with a mode of 8) and anal-fin rays (mode of 7-8 and 8, respectively), which makes them easily distinguished from all congeners. Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. differs from R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in having more predorsal scales (14-16 vs. 12-13), fewer pectoral-fin rays (10-11 vs. 12), a shorter major axis of the eggs (2.5-2.8 mm vs. mostly 3.3-3.5 mm), absence of two rows of light spots on the dorsal-fin rays (vs. presence), and absence of a black blotch on the dorsal fin in adult males (vs. presence). The breeding season in winter of the two new species is unique among the Acheilognathinae.

KEYWORDS: bitterling, Breeding season, egg size, lateral line, taxonomy

Fig. 6. Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. in breeding season, collected from its type locality.
 A) male; B) female just before spawning (with ovipositor in maximum length). Specimen not preserved.

Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Differs from all congeners by a combination of characters, including longitudinal scale series 32-35; pored scales absent; transverse scale series 11 (10-12); branched dorsal-fin rays 8 (rarely 7); branched anal-fin rays 7-8; vertebrae 33-34 (rarely 35); light spots on dorsal-fin rays absent; in males with nuptial colouration, snout blue, and iris, belly and all fins yellow.

Distribution and ecology: Known only from the River Bai-Tiao, a tributary of the River Yangtze, in Pidu District, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province, China (Fig. 8). The type locality was a small river with mud and gravel mixed substrate. The water level varied from approximately 0.5 to 1.0 m depth.

Adult R. cyanorostris sp. nov. are small in size. The smallest female found with mature oocytes was 23.6 mm SL. The main spawning season is in winter, from January to March. Females spawn several times during the spawning period and usually releases clutches of 3-8 eggs when squeezed manually. Host mussels are not known.

Etymology: The specific name, cyanorostris, is derived from the Latin terms cyano for blue and rostris for snout, a noun, alluding to the distinctive blue snout in nuptial males.


Fig. 14. Rhodeus nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in breeding season, collected from its type locality. A) male; B) female just before spawning (with ovipositor in maximum length). Specimen not preserved.

Rhodeus nigrodorsalis sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Differs from all congeners by a combination of characters, including longitudinal scale series 33-35; pored scales 2-4 (rarely 0); transverse scale series 10 (rarely 11); branched dorsal-fin rays 8; branched anal-fin rays 8 (rarely 9); vertebrae 34-35 (rarely 33); iris yellowish, belly yellow, dorsal-fin membrane dark black, and a vertical band on the anterior of flank in nuptial males.

Distribution and ecology: Known only from the River Le-An in Wuyuan County, Jiangxi Province (type locality) and the River Lv in Qimen County, Anhui Province both flowing into Lake Poyang in the River Yangtze basin (Fig. 8). The type locality is a large river where R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. occurs mostly in shallow marginal areas with a substrate of mixed sand and mud.

Female R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. starts spawning at just 30 mm SL, but with the maximum length of this species seen in a captive male kept in an aquarium for 17 months of 47.1 mm SL. The main spawning season is during winter, from January to March. Females spawn several times during the spawning period and usually release 2-7 eggs in a clutch when squeezed manually. Host mussels are not known.

Etymology: The specific name, nigrodorsalis, is derived from the Latin terms nigro for black and dorsalis for dorsal fin, a noun, alluding to the diagnostic black dorsal-fin membrane in adult males.

Fig. 15. Dorsal fin of adult males of five Rhodeus species.
A) Rhodeus nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in life, SOU 1903001, 47.1 mm SL; B) R. nigrodorsalis sp. nov. in preservative, SOU 1712002, 37.9 mm SL;
C) Rhodeus cyanorostris sp. nov. in preservative, SOU 1801001, holotype, 32.1 mm SL; D) R. amarus in life, 59.8 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Ballica, Turkey;
E) R. shitaiensis in life, 56.1 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Shitai County, Anhui Province, China; F) R. rheinardti in life, 49.3 mm SL (specimen not preserved), collected from Hue City, Vietnam.


Fan Li, Te-Yu Liao and Ryoichi Arai. 2020. Two New Species of Rhodeus (Teleostei: Cyprinidae: Acheilognathinae) from the River Yangtze, China. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 69(1); 1-17. DOI: 10.25225/jvb.19055

    

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[Herpetology • 2020] Xylophis mosaicus • A New Species of Xylophis Beddome, 1878 (Serpentes: Pareidae: Xylophiinae) from the Western Ghats, India

March 23, 2020, 7:40 pm
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 Xylophis mosaicus
Deepak, Narayanan, Das, Rajkumar, Easa, Sreejith & Gower, 2020



Abstract
We reassessed the systematics of the Indian (semi)fossorial snake Xylophis perroteti (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) based on morphological and DNA sequence data for type, historical, and new specimens. A population from the Anamalai Hills is distinct from broadly topotypic X. perroteti from the Nilgiri Hills (from which they are separated geographically by the lowland Palghat Gap) on the basis of both external morphology and DNA sequence data. We describe the Anamalai form as a new species, Xylophis mosaicus sp. nov. The new species is more closely related to X. perroteti than to X. stenorhynchus and X. captaini. A new key to identify the species of Xylophis is presented.

Keywords: Reptilia, Anamalai, molecular phylogenetics, morphology, Nilgiri, Palghat Gap, taxonomy




 Xylophis mosaicus sp. nov.


V. Deepak, Surya Narayanan, Sandeep Das , K.P. Rajkumar, P.S. Easa, K.A. Sreejith and David J. Gower. 2020. Description of A New Species of Xylophis Beddome, 1878 (Serpentes: Pareidae: Xylophiinae) from the Western Ghats, India. Zootaxa. 4755(2); 231–250. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4755.2.2  
facebook.com/111568573743527/photos/130437205189997

  

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[Ichthyology • 2020] Plectranthias cruentus • A New Species of Anthiadine Perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea

March 23, 2020, 8:44 pm
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Plectranthias cruentus Gill & Roberts. 2020

Plectranthias pelicieri Randall & Shimizu, 1994


Abstract
Plectranthias cruentus new species is described from the holotype and two paratypes collected off Ball’s Pyramid and a paratype from Lord Howe Island. It resembles P. pelicieri Randall & Shimizu 1994 in live coloration and most morphological details, including absence of predorsal scales anterior to the supratemporal commissure, but differs in having the fifth or sixth (versus third) dorsal-fin spine longest, at least some pectoral-fin rays branched (versus all unbranched), and inconspicuous (versus distinct) serrations on the interopercle. It also differs in live coloration details.

Keywords: Pisces, ichthyology, taxonomy, osteology, distributions

Plectranthias cruentus new species, AMS I.42725-007, 57.3 mm SL, freshly dead holotype, off Ball’s Pyramid, Lord Howe Island, Australia.
Photo by Robin McPhee/Kerryn Parkinson, NORFANZ voyage 2003

Plectranthias cruentus new species 
Common name: Bloody Perchlet

Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Latin, meaning stained or spotted with blood, and alludes to the bright red markings in life. 


 Plectranthias pelicieri, aquarium individual from New Caledonia.
Photo by Y.K. Tea.


 Anthony C. Gill and Clive D. Roberts. 2020. Plectranthias cruentus, A New Species of Anthiadine Perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea. Zootaxa. 4750(4); 560–566. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4750.4.6 

The jigsaw: putting together the Bloody Perchlet puzzle

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