Species New to Science

Uranoberotha chariessa

Nakamine, Yamamoto & Takahashi, 2020

DOI: 10.1017/S0016756820000205

Abstract

Thorny lacewings (Rhachiberothidae) are currently distributed only within Africa, whereas they are prevalent in the fossil record of various Cretaceous ambers across the Northern Hemisphere, with a handful of the fossil records from some Eocene European ambers. Four rhachiberothid species in four extinct genera are known from the mid-Cretaceous amber of northern Myanmar. Here, we report further examples of the remarkable palaeodiversity of this group from the same amber deposit, adding the four new fossil genera and seven new species: Acanthoberotha cuspis gen. et sp. nov., Astioberotha falcipes gen. et sp. nov., Stygioberotha siculifera gen. et sp. nov., Uranoberotha chariessa gen. et sp. nov., Creagroparaberotha cuneata sp. nov., Micromantispa galeata sp. nov. and M. spicata sp. nov. Based on a series of well-preserved specimens, we discuss the fine details of the raptorial forelegs and genital segments, which may be important for elucidating the phylogenetic relationships among genera. Our findings reveal an unexpectedly diverse assemblage of thorny lacewings in the Cretaceous System, highlighting the morphologically diverse rhachiberothids in Burmese amber. The discovery of seven additional rhachiberothid species in Myanmar amber suggests the potential for much higher diversity and abundance of the Cretaceous rhachiberothids than previously documented. Furthermore, morphological variation in the raptorial forelegs was found to be extremely diverse among the Burmese amber paraberothines, especially in terms of the size, number and shape of spines (or spine-like setae) on the inner edges of protibia, and the morphological structure of the probasitarsus.

Keywords: Mantispoidea, Rhachiberothidae, Paraberothinae, Myanmar, Cenomanian

Uranoberotha chariessa gen. et sp. nov.

Stygioberotha siculifera gen. et sp. nov.

Hiroshi Nakamine, Shûhei Yamamoto and Yui Takahashi. 2020. Hidden Diversity of Small Predators: New Thorny Lacewings from mid-Cretaceous Amber from northern Myanmar (Neuroptera: Rhachiberothidae: Paraberothinae). Geological Magazine. First View. DOI: 10.1017/S0016756820000205

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Roa haraguchiae

Uejo, Senou & Motomura, 2020

DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00735-9

photo by A. Mishiku.

Abstract

A new butterflyfish, Roa haraguchiae, is described on the basis of eight specimens (63.2–92.8 mm standard length: SL) collected from Japan and the Philippines. The new species is most similar to Roa rumsfeldi Rocha, Pinheiro, Wandell, Rocha and Shepherd 2017, known only from the holotype from the Philippines. Both species are distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: long snout (12.6–14.1% of SL), lesser head depth (46.2–54.9%), short postorbital area (12.1–14.1%) and pectoral fin (27.9–32.4%), and second and third bands on the body without blackish edges. The new species is however easily distinguished from R. rumsfeldi (based on the original description and an additional Philippine specimen) in having 5–8 non-pored lateral-line scales (vs. 13 scales in the latter), 11 or 12 scale rows above the lateral line (vs. 8), 22–28 scale rows below the lateral line (vs. 19), 10–12 scale rows under the longer axis of a black blotch on the dorsal-fin soft-rayed portion (vs. 8), the anterior margin of the second body band not reaching anteroventrally to the pelvic-fin spine base, and the pelvic-fin spine and first soft ray white (vs. black).

Keywords: Taxonomy, Roa rumsfeldi, East China Sea, Morphology, Description

Underwater photographs of Roa haraguchiae sp. nov. from Japan.
KPM-NR 79633B, ca. 2.5 cm SL, 67 m depth (right side, reversed), Suruga Bay, Shizuoka

(photo by A. Mishiku - Specimen not collected).

Underwater photographs of Roa haraguchiae sp. nov. from Japan.
KAUM–II. 76, ca. 8.0 cm TL, 70 m depth, off Sakurajima, Kagoshima Bay, Kagoshima

(photo by S. Dewa - Specimen not collected).

Roa haraguchiae sp. nov.

(New English name: White-spine Butterflyfish;

new standard Japanese name: Panda-genrokudai)

Chaetodon modestus (not of Temminck and Schlegel 1844): Ida 2009: 389, unnumbered uppermost middle fig. (Izu Peninsula, Japan)

Roa sp.: Uejo and Motomura 2017: 169, unnumbered fig. (off Iloilo, Panay Island, Philippines)

Distribution: Currently known from off Iloilo, Panay Island, the Philippines, and the East China Sea, Japan (146–162 m depth).

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Mrs. Yuriko Haraguchi, who has kindly supported our ichthyological research and fish collection management at the Kagoshima University Museum as a volunteer over 15 years.

Takuya Uejo, Hiroshi Senou and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2020. Roa haraguchiae, A New Species of Butterflyfish (Teleostei: Perciformes: Chaetodontidae) from Japan and the Philippines. Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-020-00735-9

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Capparis lianosa Fici & Souvannakhoummane

in Fici & Souvannakhoummane, 2020.

DOI: 10.5252/adansonia2020v42a5

Abstract

A new species of Capparis L., Capparis lianosa Fici & Souvannakhoummane, is described and illustrated from limestones of the Muang Ngoi District, Luang Prabang Province, in northern Lao PDR. The new species, belonging to Capparis sect. Monostichocalyx Radlk., is related to C. zeylanica L., differing in several characters as the shorter stipular thorns, the leaves with apex acuminate, the shorter, glabrous or glabrescent gynophore and the flattened stigma.

KEY WORDS: Capparaceae, Capparis, Lao PDR, sect. Monostichocalyx, new species

Fig. 2. — Capparis lianosa Fici & Souvannakhoummane, sp. nov.:
A, vegetative branch; B, leaf base with stipular thorn; C, flower; D, dissected flower showing sepals, petals, gynophore and ovary. (All from the holotype). Drawn by S. Fici. Scale bars: A, 1 cm; B, 4 mm; C, D, 3 mm.

Fig. 3. — Capparis lianosa Fici & Souvannakhoummane, sp. nov.:
A, habitat; B, view of the vegetation in the type locality; C, base of stem bearing knobs with thorns; D, vegetative branch; E, base of young leaf with stipular thorn; F, leaf; G, flower. Photos by S. Fici.

Capparis lianosa Fici & Souvannakhoummane, sp. nov.

A C. zeylanica L. spinis stipularibus minoribus, foliis cum apice acuminato, petalis brevioribus, gynophoro breviore glabro vel glabrescente, stigmate plano praecipue differt.

Fig. 1. — Known distribution of Capparis lianosa Fici & Souvannakhoummane, sp. nov.

Distribution and ecology. — The new species is only known from the type locality (Fig. 1), where few scattered individuals were observed in the evergreen forest at the top of a Permo-Carboniferous limestone formation, with Dracaena cambodiana Pierre ex Gagnep., Euphorbia antiquorum L., Ficus sp., Schefflera pueckleri (K. Koch) Frodin, Platycerium holttumii Joncheere & Hennipman, Asplenium nidus L. var. nidus (Fig. 3); 410-510 m a.s.l.

Silvio Fici and Keooudone Souvannakhoummane. 2020. Studies on the Genus Capparis L. (Capparaceae) in Lao PDR. V: A New Species from Limestones of the Luang Prabang Province. Adansonia. 42(5); 113-118. DOI: 10.5252/adansonia2020v42a5

Researchgate.net/publication/339947701_A_new_species_of_Capparis_from_limestones_of_the_Luang_Prabang_Province

RÉSUMÉ: Une nouvelle espèce de Capparis (Capparaceae) des calcaires de la province de Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. Une nouvelle espèce de Capparis L., Capparis lianosaFici & Souvannakhoummane, est décrite et illustrée des calcaires du district de Muang Ngoi, province de Luang Prabang, nord du Laos PDR. La nouvelle espèce appartient à Capparis sect. Monostichocalyx Radlk., et ressemble à C. zeylanica L., dont elle se distingue par plusieurs caractères comme les épines stipulaires plus courtes, les feuilles à sommet acuminé, le gynophore plus court, glabre ou glabrescent et le stigmate plat.

Rhicnogryllus paetensis

Kai, Baroga-Barbecho, Japir, Chung, Wahab & Yap, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4763.2.5

Abstract

Rhicnogryllus Chopard, 1925 is a small and relatively unknown group of Sword-tailed Cricket of the subfamily Trigonidiinae. This genus currently comprises 12 species from Asia, Africa (including Madagascar), South America and the Pacific. Species have been recognised by the presence of parallel and elevated veins in both males (which lack stridulatory organs) and females. However, this approach to classifying Trigonidiinae may be outdated and examination of male genitalia can offer better insights into the generic status of these species and how they are related or unrelated. By comparing male genitalia of new materials and old specimens, we describe a new species from the Philippines: Rhicnogryllus? paetensis n. sp., which is similar to the type species. Our hypothesis is that Rhicnogryllus is a non-monophyletic and artificial genus, and that the genus should comprise only Southeast Asian members (since the type species Rhicnogryllus fascipes Chopard, 1925 is known from the Philippines). We are cautiously against describing new genus to avoid adding more confusion until a comprehensive revision to the subfamily and Rhicnogryllus has been undertaken.

Keywords: Orthoptera, diagnosis, genitalia, new species, revision, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Tan Ming Kai, Jessica B. Baroga-Barbecho, Razy Japir, Arthur Y. C. Chung, Rodzay bin Haji Abdul Wahab and Sheryl A. Yap. 2020. A Taxonomic Study on the Bornean and Philippines Sword-tailed Crickets in the Genus Rhicnogryllus Chopard, 1925 (Orthoptera: Trigonidiidae; Trigonidiinae). Zootaxa. 4763(2); 217–230. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4763.2.5

Elessaurus gondwanoccidens

De-Oliveira, Pinheiro, Stock Da-Rosa, Dias-Da-Silva & Kerber, 2020

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230890

Artwork by Márcio L. Castro.

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Abstract

After the Permo-Triassic mass extinction, the archosauromorph fossil record is comparatively abundant and ecologically diverse. Among early archosauromorphs, tanystropheids gained considerable attention due to the presence of extreme skeletal adaptations in response to sometimes overspecialized lifestyles. The origin and early radiation of Tanystropheidae, however, remains elusive. Here, a new Early Triassic archosauromorph is described and phylogenetically recovered as the sister-taxon of Tanystropheidae. The new specimen, considered a new genus and species, comprises a complete posterior limb articulated with pelvic elements. It was recovered from the Sanga do Cabral Formation (Sanga do Cabral Supersequence, Lower Triassic of the Paraná Basin, Southern Brazil), which has already yielded a typical Early Triassic vertebrate assemblage of temnospondyls, procolophonoids, and scarce archosauromorph remains. This new taxon provides insights on the early diversification of tanystropheids and represents further evidence for a premature wide geographical distribution of this clade. The morphology of the new specimen is consistent with a terrestrial lifestyle, suggesting that this condition was plesiomorphic for Tanystropheidae.

Systematic paleontology

DIAPSIDA OSBORN, 1903 (SENSU LAURIN 1991)

ARCHOSAUROMORPHA HUENE, 1946 (SENSU GAUTHIER ET AL. 1988)

ELESSAURUS GONDWANOCCIDENS GEN. ET SP. NOV.

Holotype: UFSM 11471 –A partially articulated hind limb associated with axial elements, composed of femur, tibia, fibula, pelvic girdle bones, sacral and caudal vertebrae, as well as an almost complete pes.

Etymology: Genus named after Elessar, meaning ‘elf-stone’ in the fictional language Quenya, created by J. R. R. Tolkien. In Tolkien’s Middle Earth universe, Elessar Telcontar is the name chosen by king Aragorn II, who, by his turn, is also known as Strider or ‘longshanks’. The comparatively long zeugopodium of UFSM 11471 makes it a long-shanked animal, justifying the name. Termination -saurus from Greek, meaning ‘lizard’. Species name derived from the supercontinent Gondwana and the Latin adjective occidens, ‘from west’, in a reference to the locality from where the new species was recovered.

Fig 1. Type locality of Elessaurus gondwanoccidens (UFSM 11471).
A. Geographic map evidencing the type-locality of Elessaurus gondwanoccidens, (São Francisco de Assis, Brazil); B. Simplified stratigraphic profile of the outcrop, showing the level where UFSM 11471 was found. Map was modified from Zerfass et al. [2003] and stratigraphic profile modified from Da-Rosa et al. [2009] and Pinheiro et al. [2016]; silhouette adapted from Rieppel [1989], showing bones preserved of UFSM 11471 in dark gray color. Reprinted from Da-Rosa et al. [2009] under a CC BY license, with permission from Átila Stock Da-Rosa, original copyright 2009.

Fig 2. Elessaurus gondwanoccidens (UFSM 11471) from the Sanga do Cabral Formation (Lower Triassic), Brazil. Photograph and explanatory drawing respectively. Abbreviations: fe, femur; ti, tibia; gr, groove; fi, fibula; il, ilium; sv, sacral vertebra; cv, caudal vertebrae.

Diagnosis: Elessaurus gondwanoccidens differs from all other archosauromorphs based upon a unique combination of characters: second sacral vertebral rib elongated and distally bifurcated, with a robust articular surface; transverse processes of the caudal vertebrae inclined posterodorsally; strongly sigmoidal femur; tibia and fibula longer than femur; metatarsals increase in size from the first to the fourth toe; fifth metatarsal short, with a proximal hook-shaped end; presence of a calcaneal tuber.

Locality and horizon: The specimen was collected at the locality known as Bica São Tomé, Sanga do Cabral Formation (Sanga do Cabral Supersequence, Paraná Basin), municipality of São Francisco de Assis, Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil (Fig 1). Elessaurus gondwanoccidens was collected in one of the five outcrops comprising the Bica São Tomé (outcrop 5 of Da-Rosa et al. [2009]). An Induan-Olenekian age (251–247 Ma) [Cohen et al 2013.] is inferred for this formation based on the presence of the parareptile Procolophon trigoniceps Owen, 1876, and comparisons with the Lystrosaurus Assemblage Zone of the South African Karoo Basin. Elessaurus gondwanoccidens represents the most complete postcranial skeleton so far recovered from this unit, as Sanga do Cabral fossils are often fragmentary, with rare occurrences of associated elements.

Description and comparison:

Elessaurus gondwanoccidens holotype is composed of an almost complete hindlimb associated with pelvic girdle bones and partially articulated sacral and caudal vertebrae (Fig 2). Although some elements show signs of compression (e.g. femur, tibia), all bones are close to a natural position, except for a slight displacement of some tarsal elements and distal phalanges missing in most digits. As will be discussed, the specimen is morphologically compatible with basal archosauromorphs, especially with Tanystropheidae.

....

Fig 5. A- Archosauromorph phylogeny showing the recovered position of Elessaurus gondwanoccidens (UFSM 11471), from the matrix of Pritchard et al. [6] and the geographic distribution maps for Tanystropheidae through time (green circles) and the Brazilian fossil record (red star) (data from the Paleobiology Database, https://paleobiodb.org/#/) (B, Early Triassic; C, Middle Triassic; D, Late Triassic).

Fig 6. Life restoration of Elessaurus gondwanoccidens, from the Sanga do Cabral Formation (Lower Triassic), Brazil.

Artwork by Márcio L. Castro. facebook.com/MarcioLCastro

Conclusions:

Until recently, the Sanga do Cabral Formation provided only few remains assigned to Archosauromorpha indet. Now, at least two independent lineages were reported for this unit. Although rare, these fossils demonstrate that archosauromorphs had already diversified in the Early Triassic of western Gondwana. Elessaurus gondwanoccidens is here recovered as the sister taxon of Tanystropheidae and was collected from rocks reminiscent of continental environments dominated by ephemerous water bodies. Most representatives of Tanystropheidae (e.g. Tanystropheus) belong to marine environments. The results of the present work suggest that a terrestrial mode of life was plesiomorphic for Tanystropheidae and maintained by some of its representatives (e.g. Macrocnemus). The record of Tanystropheidae-related taxa in Permian and Lower Triassic layers from South America indicates a premature wide distribution of this clade, with a possible Gondwanan origin.

Tiane M. De-Oliveira, Felipe L. Pinheiro, Átila Augusto Stock Da-Rosa, Sérgio Dias-Da-Silva and Leonardo Kerber. 2020. A New Archosauromorph from South America provides insights on the early Diversification of Tanystropheids. PLoS ONE. 15(4): e0230890. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230890

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Reconstruction of the parasitic relationship between the insect-induced gall Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov. and its calamitalean host plant Annularia paisii sp. nov.

Correia, Bashforth, Šimůnek, et al. 2020.

DOI: 10.1086/707105

Artwork: Andrey Atuchin

Abstract

Premise of research. Sphenophytes are a modestly diverse lineage of vascular plants with a persistent record extending from the late Paleozoic to the present. However, patterns of arthropod herbivory on sphenophytes are poorly known because of a scattered literature, which we address in this report.

Methodology. We document the 315-million-year-long record of sphenophyte-arthropod herbivory by focusing on the bookends of that record—namely, the Pennsylvanian and the present day. We add to this milieu a gall association on a newly described sphenophyte from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Portugal.

Pivotal results. Earliest-known sphenophyte herbivory is Early Pennsylvanian, when virtually all interactions involved piercing-and-sucking damage by stylate insect mouthparts and lesions from cutting-and-slicing ovipositors. An exception is a newly discovered calamitalean (Annularia paisii sp. nov.) that harbored a newly discovered insect-induced gall (Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov.) that is similar to a modern fern gall. This discovery suggests that Late Pennsylvanian interactions were more diverse than previously suspected. By the end of the Pennsylvanian, the component community of one whole-plant calamitalean species had 12 damage types (DTs), only one of which was nonpuncturing damage. Shifts to external foliage feeding, mining, and galling are evident during the Late Triassic. A Middle Jurassic renewal of interactions was followed by a decrease in documented DTs present in the Cretaceous and Cenozoic. Fifteen modern species of the genus Equisetum, the sole surviving sphenophyte lineage, exhibit four herbivory patterns. First, almost all documented herbivory is confined to the seven species of Equisetum (horsetails), not subgenus Hippochaete (scouring rushes). Second, there are diversification events of four genera of herbivores—a beetle, two sawflies, and a fly—on subgenus Equisetum. Third, this arthropod herbivory is approximately evenly split among monophagy, oligophagy, and polyphagy. Fourth, the herbivore component community of Equisetum arvense L. (field horsetail) is diverse, representing 10 major feeding modes, comparable to a modern angiosperm species; there are considerably more feeding modes for E. arvense than there are for Pennsylvanian calamitaleans.

Conclusions. Pennsylvanian sphenophytes supported few folivores, and there was a major shift in the modes of sphenophyte herbivory after the Paleozoic. Considerable modern herbivory is localized on E. arvense.

Keywords: Annularia, arthropods, Equisetales, galls, Gzhelian, plant-insect interactions.

Fig. 5 Photographic documentation of Annularia paisii sp. nov. (holotype UP-MHNFCP155167), from the São Pedro da Cova region, Douro Carboniferous Basin (DCB), northwestern Portugal.
A, The entire specimen. B, A branchlet of the central-left area in (A), showing whorls of foliage along a lateral branch immediately distal to the insect-induced gall. C, Enlargement of the gall Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov. and surrounding area, showing details of its attachment to the node.

Fig. 3 An interpretative view drawing of the holotype specimen of Annularia paisii sp. nov. and Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov. (UP-MHNFCP-155167).
A, The entire specimen. B, Selected branch, showing configuration of stem, sheathed node and gall. C, Insect-induced gall (Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov.) on Annularia paisii sp. nov. in grey, showing its relationship to the node, branch and stem of the host plant.

Fig. 6 Annularia paisii sp. nov. (paratype UP-MHNFCP-155168), from the São Pedro da Cova region, Douro Carboniferous Basin, northwestern Portugal.
A, Four individual branches bearing whorls of leaves at nodes. B, Enlargement of branch at left in (A). C, Enlargement of branch at right in (A). D, Enlargement of rectangular box above in (A), showing elongate leaves with a strong medial vein and acuminate tips. E, Enlargement of rectangular box above in (B), displaying the approximately 7–9 leaves per node. F, Detail of foliage from the rectangular box in (C), displaying individual curved-lanceolate leaves with a prominent medial vein and acuminate tips.

Fig. 8 Structure of the insect-induced gall Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov. and its attachment to host Annularia paisii sp. nov.
A, Detail of the gall outer wall, showing outer surface of inner nutritive tissue through an exfoliated area, and thin outer gall wall, perhaps resulting from extensive taphonomic compression. B, Another view of the gall, oriented 180° to that in (A). C, Magnification of gall in (B), revealing details of the striae and pustules on the gall surface.

Scale bars = 3 mm; abbreviations: branch, br; leaf, lf; node, no; pedicel, pe; gall surface, gs; coalified matter, cm.

Fig. 4 Reconstruction of the parasitic relationship between the insect-induced gall Paleogallus carpannularites ichnosp. nov. and its calamitalean host plant Annularia paisii sp. nov. This reconstruction was drawn by scientific illustrator Audrey Atuchin, based on line drawing of holotype specimen and supplementary pictures provided by P. Correia.

Pedro Correia, Arden R. Bashforth, Zbynĕk Šimůnek, Christopher J. Cleal, Artur A. Sá and Conrad C. Labandeira. 2020. The History of Herbivory on Sphenophytes: A New Calamitalean with an Insect Gall from the Upper Pennsylvanian of Portugal and a Review of Arthropod Herbivory on an Ancient Lineage. International Journal of Plant Sciences. DOI: 10.1086/707105

New species of ancient horsetail reveals relationship between plants, parasitoid insects about 300 million years ago sciencex.com/news/2020-04-species-ancient-horsetail-gall-reveals.html via @sciencex_com

Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis

Chainthong, Sartori & Boonsoong, 2020

แมลงปอเสือทองผาภูมิ || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4763.2.6

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Abstract

Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis sp. nov. is described from a type series of specimens reared from larvae (holotype ♂, Huai Khayeng, Thong Pha Phum district, Kanchanaburi Province; ..., 206 m a.s.l., larva collected on 14.XII.2014; adult emerged on 30.IV.2015). All larvae were collected from the same locality in western Thailand. Description of the larva (based on preserved exuviae) is provided as well. The adult of this species can be distinguished from other Stylogomphus Fraser, 1922, by the morphology of the male anal appendages, pterothoracic pattern, abdominal pattern, male genitalia and female valvula vulvae (detail provided in the differential diagnosis below). This is the first species of Stylogomphus to be described from Thailand. This study also reports the first record of Stylogomphus malayanus Sasamoto, 2001, from Thailand.

Keywords: Odonata, Gomphidae, Stylogomphus, Thailand

Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis sp. nov.

Damrong Chainthong, Michel Sartori and Boonsatien Boonsoong. 2020. Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis (Odonata: Anisoptera: Gomphidae), A New Gomphid Dragonfly and the First Record of S. malayanus Sasamoto, 2001 from Thailand. Zootaxa. 4763(2); 231–245. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4763.2.6

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...รายงานในวารสาร Zootaxa ประเทศไทยมีแมลงปอเสือปลายงอน 2 ชนิดคือ แมลงปอเสือปลายงอนทองผาภูมิ (Stylogomphus thongphaphumensis)ที่เป็นชนิดใหม่ และแมลงปอเสือปลายงอนถิ่นใต้ (Stylogomphus malayanus) ที่เป็นรายงานใหม่ของประเทศ (จากเดิมเจอแค่ที่ประเทศมาเลเซีย) นับเป็นการค้นพบที่น่าตื่นเต้นทีเดียว...

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Amystax urara

Kojima & Yôro, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.3.12

Abstract

Amystax urara Kojima and Yôro, sp. nov. is described from the mountainous area of the Yakushima World Natural Heritage island, Kyushu, southwestern Japan. Adult weevils were captured on leaves of Pieris japonica var. yakushimensis and Buxus microphylla var. japonica (Ericaceae and Buxaceae, respectively). This is the second species of this genus known from the island.

Key word: taxonomy, new taxa, Entiminae, Tanymecini, species discovery

FIGURES 1–4. Habitus photos of Amystax urara sp. nov.
1. male (Holotype), 2. female (paratype), 3. male (paratype), 4. female (paratype).

FIGURES 5–10. Habitat, habitus and adult host plants of Amystax urara sp. nov.
5. Habitat in Nageishidaira (ca. 1,700 m a.s.l.), 6. adult, female, 7. ditto, male, 8. ditto, female,
9. Pieris, 10. Buxus microphylla var. japonica.

Amystax urara Kojima and Yôro, sp. nov.

Etymology. “Urara” means beautiful things in Japanese, and is also the name of our close associate on Yakushima Island, Mrs. Urara Ogata of the Riverside Café Bar, St. Pote. The brownish gray to ash green lustrous scales of this species make it the brightest species in the genus Amystax.

Biology. Adults were found on the leaves of Pieris japonica var. yakushimensis T. Yamaz. and Buxus microphylla var. japonica (Müll. Arg. ex Miq.) Rehder et E.H.Wilson from June to the middle of August. They were not found in October at the type locality. Adults are common in July and their feeding scars were observed on leaf margins of the aforementioned shrubs (Figs. 9 & 10). The microhabitat of this weevil seems to be restricted to shrubs on nearly flat or gently sloping areas at the type locality; no adults were found on shrubs on slopes.

The type locality, Nageishidaira, is a relatively flat, rocky site, ca. 1,700 m a.l.s, with low-growing shrubs such as R. yakushimanum, P. japonica var. yakushimensis, Buxus microphylla var. japonica (Tsuge in Japanese; Buxaceae), etc. Weevils appeared to associate with, not only P. j. var. yakushimensis, but also B. m. var. japonica.

Distribution. Japan (Kyushu: mountainous area on Yakushima Island).

Hiroaki Kojima and Takeshi Yôro. 2020. A New Species of Amystax Roelofs, 1873 endemic to the Mountainous Area of the Yakushima World Natural Heritage Site, Kyushu, Japan. Zootaxa. 4732(3); 495–500. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.3.12

Trachyjulus magnus

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Jeratthitikul, Srisonchai, Sutcharit & Panha, 2020

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.925.49953

Abstract

A new, giant species of Trachyjulus from a cave in southern Thailand is described, illustrated, and compared to morphologically closely related taxa. This new species, Trachyjulus magnus sp. nov., is much larger than all other congeners and looks especially similar to the grossly sympatric T. unciger Golovatch, Geoffroy, Mauriès & VandenSpiegel, 2012, which is widespread in southern Thailand. Phylogenetic trees, both rooted and unrooted, based on a concatenated dataset of the COI and 28S genes of nine species of Cambalopsidae (Trachyjulus, Glyphiulus, and Plusioglyphiulus), strongly support the monophyly of Trachyjulus and a clear-cut divergence between T. magnus sp. nov. and T. unciger in revealing very high average p-distances of the COI gene (20.80–23.62%).

Keywords: cave, diplopod, molecular-based phylogeny, morphological character, taxonomy

Figure 1. Trachyjulus magnus sp. nov., habitus, live coloration.
A ♂ holotype B paratypes. Scale bars: 1 cm.

Family Cambalopsidae Cook, 1895

Genus Trachyjulus Peters, 1864

Trachyjulus magnus sp. nov.

Name: To emphasize the largest body size of this species compared to all other species known in the genus.

Diagnosis: This new species differs from all other Trachyjulus spp. by the largest body size (43.5–64.2 mm long, 2.1–2.8 mm wide), and also from the particularly similar and grossly sympatric T. unciger (23–42 mm long, 1.2–2.0 mm wide) in having the tegument of rings 2 and 3 nearly smooth (vs evidently carinate), carinotaxic formulae of typical rings (11–8/11–8+I/i+2/2+m/m vs 8–6/8–6+I/i+2/2+m/m), combined with the number of ommatidia (5–6+5–6 vs 4+4), and the posterior gonopods showing medial coxosternal processes (mcp) subtrapezoid (vs shorter and lobe-shaped).

Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Chirasak Sutcharit and Somsak Panha. 2020. A Remarkable New Species of the Millipede Genus Trachyjulus Peters, 1864 (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Cambalopsidae) from Thailand, Based both on Morphological and Molecular Evidence. ZooKeys. 925: 55-72. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.925.49953

Catonyx tarijensis (Gervais & Ameghino, 1880)

in Boscaini, Iurino, Quispe, et al., 2020.

DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00069

Artwork by Dawid A. Iurino. facebook.com/DawidAdamIurino

Extinct scelidotheriine sloths are among the most peculiar fossil mammals from South America. In recent decades, the external cranial anatomy of Pleistocene scelidotheres such as Scelidotherium, Catonyx, and Valgipes has been the subject of numerous studies, but their endocranial anatomy remains almost completely unknown. Today, computed tomographic (CT) scanning methodologies permit the exploration of previously inaccessible anatomical areas through a completely non-destructive process. For this reason, we undertook an analysis of the external and internal cranial anatomy of Catonyx tarijensis from the late Pleistocene of the Department of Oruro, in southwestern Bolivia. One particularly well-preserved specimen allowed detailed observation of all the main cranial osteological features, including the ear region and an almost complete hyoid apparatus, previously unknown for this taxon. Moreover, CT-scanning and subsequent elaboration of digital models of this specimen allowed observation of the brain cavity and cranial sinuses, and reconstruction of the trajectory of the main cranial nerves for the first time in an extinct scelidotheriine sloth. Additionally, we recovered the first three-dimensional reconstructions of the nasal cavity and the turbinates of an extinct sloth. In contrast to the usual depiction, the combined information from the external and internal anatomy suggests reduced lingual protrusion in Catonyx tarijensis, or at least a consistently more limited protrusion of the tongue in comparison with other mylodontid sloths such as Glossotherium robustum. The new morphological information recovered from this extinct sloth is compared with the available information for both extant and extinct forms, providing insights in the paleobiology of the extinct species. The present study reveals the importance of applying these novel non-destructive techniques to elucidate the evolutionary history of sloths.

Keywords: Xenarthra, scelidotheriine sloth, Catonyx tarijensis, skull, anatomy, endocast, hyoid apparatus

FIGURE 1: Map of the locality in which the remains of Catonyx tarijensis MNHN-Bol V 13364 have been recovered. Circles: cities; Star: fossil locality.

Systematic Paleontology

XENARTHRA (Cope, 1889)

PILOSA (Flower, 1883)

FOLIVORA (Delsuc et al., 2001)

MYLODONTIDAE (Gill, 1872)

SCELIDOTHERIINAE (Ameghino, 1904)

Catonyx (Ameghino, 1891)

Catonyx tarijensis (Gervais and Ameghino, 1880)

Holotype: MNHN.F.TAR1260, skull and mandible from the Pleistocene of Tarija Valley (southern Bolivia).

Distribution: Pleistocene deposits of Bolivia, Argentina and Uruguay (McDonald and Perea, 2002; Corona et al., 2013; MiñoBoilini, 2016).

FIGURE 7: Hypothetical life reconstruction of Catonyx tarijensis showing its inferred feeding behavior. The reconstruction is based on the skull MNHN-Bol V 13364 from the Pleistocene of Oruro (Bolivian Altiplano).

Artwork by Dawid A. Iurino.

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Conclusions:

We report novel data on the external and internal cranial anatomy of the scelidotheriine sloth Catonyx tarijensis, further extending knowledge on the cranial morphology of South American extinct sloths. This discovery, from late Pleistocene deposits of the Department of Oruro (southwestern Bolivia), allowed us to extend the paleobiogeographic range of C. tarijensis to more northern latitudes, as well as to the high altitudes of the Bolivian Altiplano.

The specimen described in the present study, a particularly well-preserved skull with associated mandible and hyoid apparatus, corresponds to a subadult individual of Catonyx tarijensis. Combined information from the external and the internal anatomy, obtained through CT-scanning followed by digital modeling techniques, allowed us to analyze several anatomical regions that were unknown for this taxon.

Among these, the ear region, the nasopharyngeal area and the hyoid elements revealed several phylogenetically and functionally informative features. Digital models permitted observations of the brain cavity, neurovascular grooves and cranial sinuses, and comparisons of these features with other Pleistocene mylodontids.

The information presented in this report confirms previous hypotheses on inferred modes of food intake among extinct scelidotheriine sloths. According to the data now available, C. tarijensis was likely a browsing species, which tore vegetation mainly using its strong lips, rather than the tongue. This habit was probably common among Scelidotheriinae and contrasts with that present in its sister clade, Mylodontinae, whose members were predominantly grazing species with smaller lips and more strongly protruding tongues.

The present study represents a further step in assembling broader morphological comparisons of digital endocranial models among extinct sloths, and emphasizes the importance of applying these new methodologies for understanding the evolution of this mammalian group.

Alberto Boscaini, Dawid A. Iurino, Bernardino Mamani Quispe, Rubén Andrade Flores, Raffaele Sardella, François Pujos and Timothy J. Gaudin. 2020. Cranial Anatomy and Paleoneurology of the Extinct Sloth Catonyx tarijensis (Xenarthra, Mylodontidae) From the Late Pleistocene of Oruro, Southwestern Bolivia. Front. Ecol. Evol. DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00069

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Hanceola suffruticosa Y.P. Chen, A.J. Paton & C.L. Xiang

in Chen, Paton & Xiang, 2020

木茎四轮香 || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.145.49995

Photographs by Ya-Ping Chen

Abstract

Hanceola is a genus of eight herbaceous species previously thought to be endemic to southern China. However, Hanceola suffruticosa, a new species described here from China and Vietnam, differs from all other species of Hanceola by its subshrubby habit. It is also distinct in its shallowly bicrenate laminae and densely purplish glandular puberulent inflorescences. The morphological description, illustrations, and distribution of the new species are presented. A key to all species of Hanceola is also provided.

Keywords: Hanceola, Hanceolinae, new species, Ocimeae, Sino-Vietnamese border

Figure 1. Hanceola suffruticosa.
A Habitat B, C plants D stem E leaves F inflorescences G post-flowering calyces H, I flowers in frontal view J flowers in lateral view (Photographs by Ya-Ping Chen).

Figure 2. Hanceola suffruticosa.
A Flowers B dissected corolla C pistil D dissected calyx and ovary (Photographs by Ya-Ping Chen).

Hanceola suffruticosa Y.P. Chen, A.J. Paton & C.L. Xiang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hanceola suffruticosa differs from other species of Hanceola by being a subshrub with woody rather than herbaceous stems, shallowly bicrenate margin of laminae rather than coarsely dentate, and densely purplish glandular puberulent inflorescences rather than subglabrous or with white glandular or eglandular hairs.

Etymology: The epithet of the new species refers to its suffrutescent habit, which is distinct in the genus.

Common name (assigned here): Mu Jing Si Lun Xiang (木茎四轮香; Chinese name).

Distribution and habitat: Hanceola suffruticosa is now only known at the Sino-Vietnamese border of Malipo County in Yunnan Province, China and Quan Ba District of Ha Giang Province, Vietnam (Fig. 3). It grows in the evergreen mixed forests at an elevation of 1100–1150 m.

Ya-Ping Chen, Alan J. Paton and Chun-Lei Xiang. 2020. Hanceola suffruticosa (Lamiaceae, Nepetoideae), A New Species from the Sino-Vietnamese Border. PhytoKeys. 145: 131-138. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.145.49995

Color pattern variation in Coniophanes lateritius Cope, 1862.

in Palacios-Aguilar & Flores-Villela, 2020.

DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-2-2020-02

A revision of the Coniophanes lateritius and C. piceivittis groups was conducted to evaluate the taxonomic status of their members. The supraspecific groups of Coniophanes can be easily distinguished from each other, but the species within them exhibit wide overlap in scutellation. Apparently, these taxa can be differentiated by color pattern and geographic distribution. However, we report polymorphism in the color pattern of the lateritius group. Maxillary and hemipenial morphology can be useful and informative in the groups studied. The revision of these characters (scutellation, color pattern, maxillary and hemipenial morphology, and geographic distribution) led us to conclude that C. sarae is a junior synonym of C. lateritius, and to resurrect the name C. taeniatus new comb., for the Atlantic versant populations of Mexico previously assigned to C. piceivittis.

Key words: Dipsadidae, hemipenial morphology, maxillary morphology, Mexico, nomenclature.

Fig. 1. Color pattern variation in Coniophanes lateritius.
Specimens from San Antonio-Ciudad Altamirano highway, Guerrero (1A; MZFC 32626); Rancho San Pablo, Sonora (1B, not collected); Cerro La Imagen, Guerrero (1C, MZFC 31980); and Ixtlahuacán, Colima (1D, specimen not located in any collection).

Ricardo Palacios-Aguilar and Oscar Flores-Villela. 2020. Taxonomic Revision and Comments on Two Groups of the Genus Coniophanes (Squamata: Dipsadidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 70(2); 111-124. DOI: 10.26049/VZ70-2-2020-02

Description (es): Se llevó a cabo la revisión de los grupos Coniophanes lateritius y C. piceivittis para evaluar el status taxonómico de sus integrantes. Los grupos supraespecíficos en Coniophanes pueden ser fácilmente diagnosticables entre sí, pero las especies que los conforman muestran amplio sobrelapamiento de caracteres de escutelación y parecen ser diferenciables sólo por patrones de coloración y distribución geográfica. Sin embargo, registramos polimorfismos en el patrón de coloración en el grupo lateritius. La morfología maxilar y hemipenial puede ser informativa y útil en los grupos abordados en este trabajo. La revisión de estos atributos (escutelación, morfología maxilar, hemipenial y distribución geográfica) nos lleva a considerar a C. sarae un sinónimo de C. lateritius y a resucitar el nombre C. taeniatus nueva comb., para las poblaciones de la vertiente del Atlántico de México previamente asignadas a C. piceivittis.

Palabras clave: Dipsadidae, México, morfología hemipeneal, morfología maxilar, nomenclatura.

Calanthe tsiana Y.Q.Chen, J.W.Zhai & S.R.Lan

in Chen, Zhu, Zhong, et al., 2020.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.428.1.7

Abstract

A new orchid, Calanthe tsiana, is described from southeastern Yunnan, China, based on morphological and DNA evidence. In morphological comparisons, C. tsiana is similar to C. arisanensis, but it differs in having subspatulate petals and falcate-obovate lateral lobes of lip with one ridge on the disk. The phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ribosomal ITS and plastid DNA (rbcL, matK and trnL-trnF) place C. tsiana with C. arisanensis as sister species and support C. tsiana as a new species.

Keywords: Calanthe, Epidendroideae, Orchids of Yunnan, Monocots

FIGURE 3. Calanthe tsiana Y.Q.Chen, J.W.Zhai & S.R.Lan.
A. Flowering plant. B. Rachis. C. Flower front view. D. Flower.

FIGURE 2. Calanthe tsiana Y.Q.Chen, J.W.Zhai & S.R.Lan.
A. Flowering plant. B. Oblique view of the flower. C. Column, spur and ovary, side view. D. Petal. E. Lateral sepal. F. Dorsal sepal. G. Lip and column.

Calanthe tsiana Y.Q.Chen, J.W.Zhai & S.R.Lan, sp. nov.

Etymology:— Honoring Zhan-Huo Tsi, who devoted his life to orchidology.

Yan-Qiong Chen, Ya-Ting Zhu, Hui Zhong, Ze-Xin Li, Zhong-Jian Liu, Jun-Wen Zhai and Si-Ren Lan. 2020. Calanthe tsiana, A New Orchid Species from China (Epidendroideae: Collabieae): Evidence from Morphological and Molecular Analyses. Phytotaxa. 428(1); 67–72. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.428.1.7

Researchgate.net/publication/338411066_Calanthe_tsiana_a_new_orchid_species_from_China

Dimetia brevipetiolata R. J. Wang

in Zhang, Jiang & Wang, 2020.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.428.1.4

Abstract

A new species, Dimetia brevipetiolata R. J. Wang, from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and photographed. Morphologically, it is similar to D. scandens and D. ampliflora with respect to their terete stem, lanceolate and thick papery leaves and compound-cymose inflorescences, but differs in prostrate habit, subsessile leaves, rounded leaf base, nearly glabrous corolla, and indehiscent capsules. The molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that D. brevipetiolata was embedded in the Dimetia clade and closely related to D. auricularia. It is evaluated as Least Concern according to IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Keywords: Dimetia, Hedyotis-Oldenlandia complex, new species, taxonomy, Eudicots

Figure 1: Dimetia brevipetiolata R. J. Wang, sp. nov.
A: Habit, B: Branchlet, C: Inflorescence, D: Long-styled flower, E: short-styled flower, F: Leaf blade, G: Stipule shape, H: Infructescence, I: Capsule, J: Seeds

(Photos by Rui-Jiang Wang & Guo-Bin Jiang).

Ying Zhang, Guo-Bin Jiang and Rui-Jiang Wang. 2020. Dimetia brevipetiolata (Spermacoceae: Rubiaceae): A New Species from Guangxi, China. Phytotaxa. 428(1); 43–50. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.428.1.4

Researchgate.net/publication/338402448_Dimetia_brevipetiolata_A_new_species_from_Guangxi_China

Calanthe sieboldopsis B.Y.Yang & Bo Li

in Yang, Luo, Huang, et al., 2020.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.145.49386

Abstract

Calanthe sieboldopsis, a new species, is here described and illustrated from Luoxiao Mountains, Jiangxi Province, eastern China. It is morphologically similar to C. sieboldii Decne. ex Regel, but differs from the latter in having smaller flowers, longer spurs, rectangular mid-lobes with emarginate apex (vs. elliptic mid-lobes with mucronate apex), disc with 3 ridges and the proximal ends of the lateral 2 ridges enlarged with light reddish spots and minute white hairs (vs. disc with 5 ridges and 2 rows of white short hairs at base) and pollinia equal in size (vs. unequal in size). A preliminary risk-of-extinction assessment, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, is given for the new species.

Keywords: Calanthe sieboldii, Critically Endangered, Jiangxi Province, Jinggangshan Mountain, morphology

Figure 1. Morphological comparison between Calanthe sieboldopsis B.Y.Yang & Bo Li, sp. nov. (A–F) and C. sieboldii Decne. ex Regel (a–f)
A, a habit B, b pollinia C, c flowers D, d column (top view) and base of lips E, e column (lateral view) and spur F, f dissection of a flower.

Figure 2. Line drawing illustration of Calanthe sieboldopsis B.Y.Yang & Bo Li, sp. nov. A habit B flower C column and lip (top view) D lip (bottom view) E ovary, column, lip and spur (lateral view) F dorsal sepal G lateral sepals H petals I column, rostellum and anther cap (uncovered) J anther cap (top view) K pollinia.

Calanthe sieboldopsis B.Y.Yang & Bo Li, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This species is most similar to Calanthe sieboldii in habit, gross morphology and flower colour, but differs from the latter in having smaller flowers (dorsal sepal 15–20 mm in length in C. sieboldopsis vs. 22–30 mm in C. sieboldii, petals 15–17 in length vs. 19–24 mm), longer spurs (12–14 mm vs. 6–8 mm), lip mid-lobe nearly rectangular with emarginate apex (vs. elliptic with mucronate apex), disc with 3 ridges and the proximal ends of the lateral 2 ridges enlarged with light reddish spots and minute white hairs (vs. disc with 5 ridges and 2 rows of white short hairs at base), pollinia equal in size (vs. unequal in size with the lower 4 smaller and the upper 4 larger).

Etymology: The specific epithet “sieboldopsis” is a combination of two phrases “siebold” (which is derived from the specific epithet of the species C. sieboldii) and “opsis” (which means resembling), indicating that C. sieboldopsis is most similar to C. sieboldii.

Bo-Yun Yang, Huo-Lin Luo, Wei-Chang Huang, Dong-Jin Xiong, Shao-Lin Tan and Bo Li. 2020. Calanthe sieboldopsis (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Collabieae), A New Species from Luoxiao Mountains, eastern China. PhytoKeys. 145: 37-45. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.145.49386

[A] Coturnix lignorum, [B] C. alabrevis & [C] C. centensis

Rando, Alcover, Pieper, Olson, Hernández & López-Jurado. 2020.

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz107

twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc

Artwork by Pau Oliver.

Abstract

The original bird fauna of most oceanic islands has been affected by recent extinction processes associated with human arrival and its subsequent impacts. In the volcanic Macaronesian archipelagos (Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canary Islands and Cape Verde), in the North Atlantic, the Late Quaternary fossil record indicates that there was formerly a higher avian diversity, including a high number of now extinct endemic species. This assemblage of extinct birds includes endemic insular quails (Galliformes: Phasianidae). In this study, we describe three newly discovered extinct species of quails, two of which inhabited the archipelago of Madeira (Coturnix lignorum sp. nov. from Madeira Island and Coturnix alabrevis sp. nov. from Porto Santo Island) and one from Cape Verde (Coturnix centensis sp. nov.). The fossil record also indicates the presence of additional species of extinct endemic quails on other Macaronesian islands. These birds plus the extinct Canary Island quail (Coturnix gomerae) indicate a high former endemic diversity of this genus in Macaronesia, a feature unique among oceanic archipelagos. Anatomical traits show that the new taxa were flightless ground dwellers, making them vulnerable to human interference, with their extinction being linked to human arrival and subsequent habitat alterations and the introduction of invasive species.

Keywords: anatomy, extinction, fossil birds, island biogeography, morphometrics, Quaternary

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

Galliformes Temminck, 1820

Phasianidae Horsfield, 1821

Coturnix Garsault, 1764

Figure 3. Premaxilla, coracoid, scapula, sternum and synsacrum of Coturnix lignorum from Madeira (A1 –A5), Coturnix alabrevis from Porto Santo (B1 , B2), Coturnix coturnix (C1 –C5), Coturnix gomerae from La Gomera (D2 ), Coturnix sp. A from Bugio (E2 ) and Coturnix sp. C from Graciosa (F2 ).
A1 –C1 , premaxilla dorsal view (top) and left lateral view (bottom). A2 –F2 , coracoid, dorsal view. A3 , C3 , scapula, left lateral view. A4 , C4 , sternum ventral view (top) and left lateral view (bottom) (the high of apex carinae is shown). A5 , C5 , synsacrum ventral view. Scapulas and coracoids are from the left side, except for E2 . A1 , MMF 47329; B1 , MMF 47413; C1 , IMEDEA 106905; F1 , MCMa 2354.018; A2 , MMF 47325; B2 , MMF 47411; C2 , IMEDEA 106904; D2 , DZUL 1830; E2 , MMF 47416; F2 , MCMa FC-1368; A3 , MMF 47330; C3 , IMEDEA 106907; A4 , MMF 47328; C4 , IMEDEA 106905; A5 , MMF 47327; C5 , IMEDEA 106906.

Figure 1. Map of the Macaronesian Islands. Silhouettes indicate specimen records discussed in this paper: (1) Coturnix lignorum; (2) Coturnix alabrevis; (3) Coturnix centensis; (4) C. gomerae; and (5–7) Coturnix sp.

Figure 7. Artistic reconstruction of: A, Coturnix lignorum; B, Coturnix alabrevis; C, Coturnix centensis; and D, the silhouette of the common quail Coturnix coturnix for comparison, based on bone measurements, when available (wing and leg bones of the three species, sternum of C. lignorum, and premaxillae of C. lignorum and Coturnix alabrevis). Colours are speculative. All drawings are depicted at the same scale. Artwork by Pau Oliver.

Coturnix lignorum Rando, Alcover, Pieper, Olson, Hernández & López-Jurado sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific name lignorum is derived from from the Latin genitive plural of lignum, wood, a direct translation of the Portuguese madeira.

Coturnix alabrevis Rando, Alcover, Pieper, Olson, Hernández & López-Jurado sp. nov.

Etymology: From Latin ala, wing, and brevis, short, in reference to the small size of the forelimb (wing) bones.

Coturnix centensis Rando, Alcover, Pieper, Olson, Hernández & López-Jurado sp. nov.

Etymology: In the Portuguese-based creole language spoken in Cape Verde, the island of São Vicente is called ‘Son Cent'. We based our epithet on this, adding the Latin locative suffix -ensis.

Juan C. Rando, Josep A. Alcover, Harald Pieper, Storrs L. Olson, C. Nayra Hernández and L. Felipe López-Jurado. 2020. Unforeseen Diversity of Quails (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Coturnix) in Oceanic Islands provided by the Fossil Record of Macaronesia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 188(4); 1296–1317. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz107

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Yaluwak primus Lujan, Armbruster & Werneke

in Lujan, Armbruster, Werneke, Teixeira & Lovejoy, 2020.

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz090

twitter.com/DrNathanLujan

twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc

Abstract

Numerous rivers, interrupted by large waterfalls and extensive rapids, drain the geologically ancient Guiana Shield Highlands. We describe a new armoured catfish genus and two new species endemic to the upper Ireng and Kuribrong rivers, respective tributaries of the Amazon and Essequibo basins in western Guiana. Corymbophanes ameliae sp. nov. is distinguished by having vermiculations on the abdomen, bands on the caudal fin, the anal fin i,5 and narrow caudal peduncle. Yaluwak primus gen. & sp. nov. is distinguished by having evertible cheek odontodes, a plated snout, a tall caudal peduncle and absence of adipose fin and iris operculum. We present a new molecular phylogenetic analysis inclusive of these and several related genera that suggests that the Corymbophanes clade (Araichthys, Corymbophanes, Cryptancistrus, Guianancistrus, Hopliancistrus and Yaluwak) originated in the Guiana Shield with secondary dispersal to the Brazilian Shield. Within the Guiana Shield, relationships among Corymbophanes and Yaluwak are consistent with geodispersal between drainages via headwater capture, although an uplift-mediated relictual distribution cannot be ruled out. ND2 haplotype structure among C. ameliae populations suggests that ichthyofaunal diversity on the Guiana Shield escarpment is shaped not only by inter-, but also intrafluvial barriers to gene flow.

Keywords: Amaila Falls, Amazonian Craton, Guianas, Ireng River, Kuribrong River, Rio Maú, Potaro River, sexual dimorphism

Figure 5. Corymbophanes ameliae paratype, ROM 89897, 80.8 mm SL, Guiana, Region 8 (Potaro–Siparuni), Kuribrong River at rapids ~15 min upstream of upstream Kuribrong Camp, ..., 454 m a.s.l., 19–20 March 2011.

Photos by Nathan K. Lujan.

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Corymbophanes ameliae Lujan et al., sp. nov.

Etymology: Named for Amelia, a Patamona Amerindian girl who disappeared near Amaila Falls in the late 19th century. The falls are named for her, but her name was misspelled.

Figure 2. Phylogenetic relationships of taxa within the tribe Ancistrini (Loricariidae: Hypostominae), including the new genus and species Yaluwak primus and new species Corymbophanes ameliae. Relationships based on Bayesian analysis of a 4123 bp alignment consisting of three mitochondrial (16S, Cytb, ND2) and two nuclear loci (RAG1, RAG2; Table 2). Node numbers correspond to Bayesian posterior probability (BI) and maximum likelihood (ML) support values in Table 3; numbers in red indicate BI < 0.90, whereas numbers in italics indicate ML < 60. Green, red and blue colours for Corymbophanes ameliae correspond to those in Figure 3. MC = main channel, Trib = tributary

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Figure 1. Distributions of Corymbophanes and Yaluwak specimens examined in this study. OC = Oung Creek.

Figure 8. Holotype of Yaluwak primus, CSBD F1722, 122.9 mm SL, Guiana, Region 8 (Potaro–Siparuni), 5. Sukwabi Creek, East Fork, downstream of Wotowanda Falls, ..., 634 m a.s.l., 13 January 2016.

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Yaluwak Lujan & Armbruster, gen. nov.

Etymology: Yaluwak is the Patamona Amerindian word for this species (and used generally for larger loricariids). The pronunciation of the ‘l’ in Yaluwak is a guttural ‘lr’ sound. Name is treated as masculine.

Included species: Yaluwak contains only the type species

Yaluwak primus Lujan, Armbruster & Werneke, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet primus comes from the same Latin word meaning first, foremost, chief or principal and is in reference to the large body size of the species and the fact that it retains the evertible cheek odontodes, likely inherited from the common ancestor of the Yaluwak/Corymbophanes clade. This species name was also inspired by our indefatigable Patamona guide, Mr Primus Peters, who led the collection effort for this species and assisted in innumerable other ways during our 2016 expedition to the upper Ireng River.

Nathan K. Lujan, Jonathan W. Armbruster, David C. Werneke, Túlio Franco Teixeira and Nathan R. Lovejoy. 2020. Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Brazilian–Guiana Shield Endemic Corymbophanes Clade of Armoured Catfishes (Loricariidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 188(4); 1213–1235. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz090

twitter.com/DrNathanLujan/status/1186411701584969729

twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc/status/1248234603548151808

Xingtianosaurus ganqi

Qiu, Wang, Wang, Li, Zhang & Ma, 2019

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42547-6

Illustration: Dmitry Tokalchik

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Abstract

Caudipteridae is a basal clade of Oviraptorosauria, all known species from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota of northeastern China. They were one of the first feathered dinosaur groups discovered, and possessed avian-like pennaceous remiges and rectrices. Their discovery provided significant information on early oviraptorosaurian evolution and the origins of birds and feathers. Here we describe a new caudipterid species Xingtianosaurus ganqi gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, China. This new taxon differs from other caudipterids by a small pleurocoel close to the dorsal edge of the lateral surface of the dorsal vertebrate centrum, a humerus longer than the scapula, a proportionally long ulna, a relatively small radiale angle, and a relatively short metacarpal I. The phylogenetic results shows X. ganqi is an early diverging caudipterid. It exhibits a mosaic morphology, providing new morphological information on early manual evolution of Oviraptorosauria, and giving new light on the evolution of radiale angle among Coelurosauria.

Figure 1: The holotype of Xingtianosaurus ganqi gen. et sp. nov. (IVPP V13390).
(a) Photograph. (b) line drawing.

Scale bar: 100 mm. cdv, caudal vertebrate; dv, dorsal vertebrate; fe.l left femur; fe.r, right femur; fi.l left fibula; fi.r, right fibula; gas, gastralia; hu.l left humerus; hu.r, right humerus; il.l, left ilium; is.l left ischium; mcI.l left metacarpal I; mcI.r, right metacarpal I; mcII.l left metacarpal II; mcII.r, right metacarpal II; mcIII.l left metacarpal III; mcIII.r, right metacarpal III; mtI.l left metatarsal I; mtI.r, right metatarsal I; mtII.l left metatarsal II; mtII.r, right metatarsal II; mtIII.l left metatarsal III; mtIII.r, right metatarsal III; mtIV.l left metatarsal IV; mtIV.r, right metatarsal IV; mtV.l left metatarsal V; ph3d32.r, right phalanx II-3; ph3d3.r, right phalanx III-3; ph3d4.r, right phalanx III-4; pu, pubis; ra.l left radius; ra.r, right radius; sca.l, left scapula; st, sternum; ti.l left tibia; ti.r, right tibia; ul.l left ulna; ul.r, right ulna.

(Photograph by Gao Wei, drawing by R.Q).

Systematic palaeontology

Oviraptorosauria Barsbold, 1976

Caudipteridae Zhou et Wang, 2000

Xingtianosaurus gen. nov

Etymology: XingTian, a Chinese deity recorded in Shanhaijing who continued to fight even after his head had been cut off, in reference to the skull-less holotype; saurus, Greek for lizard.

Type species: Xingtianosaurus ganqi

Diagnosis: A caudipterid dinosaur distinguished from other caudipterid taxa by the following combination of characters: small pleurocoel close to the dorsal edge of the lateral surface of the dorsal vertebral centrum, humerus longer than the scapula, proportionally long ulna (as long as humerus), relatively small radiale angle (39°, compared to >48° in other oviraptorosaurs with known radiale angle), extremely short metacarpal I (<40% length of the metacarpal II), small ligament pits on the manual phalanges.

Xingtianosaurus ganqi sp. nov.

Etymology: Ganqi, the weapon of Xingtian recorded in Shanhaijing.

Holotype: IVPP (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology) V13390 (Fig. 1). A partial skeleton, missing the skull, cervical vertebrae, anterior dorsal vertebrae and coracoids.

Locality and horizon: Wangjiagou, Yixian County, Liaoning Province. The Dakangpu Bed (same horizon to Dawangzhangzi Bed) of Yixian Formation, Lower Cretaceous (Fig. 2).

Rui Qiu, Xiaolin Wang, Qiang Wang, Ning Li, Jialiang Zhang and Yiyun Ma. 2019. A New Caudipterid from the Lower Cretaceous of China with Information on the Evolution of the Manus of Oviraptorosauria. Scientific Reports. 9, 6431. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42547-6

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https://pikabu.ru/story/novyie_drevnosti__dinozavryi_otkryityie_v_2019_godu_ch_2_7337751

Occitanopodus gandi

Moreau, Trincal, Fara, et al., 2020

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2019.1728286

ABSTRACT

Although the deep galleries of natural underground cavities are difficult to access and are sometimes dangerous, they have the potential to preserve trace fossils. Here, we report on the first occurrence of sauropod dinosaur tracks inside a karstic cave. Three trackways are preserved on the roof of the Castelbouc cave 500 m under the surface of the Causse Méjean plateau, southern France. The tracks are Bathonian in age (ca. 168–166 Ma), a crucial but still poorly known time interval in sauropod evolution. The three trackways yield sauropod tracks that are up to 1.25 m long and are therefore amongst the largest known dinosaur footprints worldwide. The trackmakers are hypothesized to be titanosauriforms. Some of the tracks are extremely well preserved and show impressions of digits, digital pads, and claws. We erect the new ichnogenus and ichnospecies Occitanopodus gandi, igen. et isp. nov. In order to characterize depositional environments, we conducted sedimentological, petrographic, and mineralogical analyses. The tracks from Castelbouc attest the presence of sauropods in proximal littoral environments during the Middle Jurassic. This discovery demonstrates the great potential of prospecting in deep karst caves that can occasionally offer larger and better-preserved surfaces than outdoor outcrops.

FIGURE 1. The Tunnel gallery in the Castelbouc No. 4 Cave (Lozère, southern France), view from the east.

Photograph by Rémi Flament.

OCCITANOPODUS GANDI, igen. et isp. nov.

Etymology— The ichnogenus is derived from the ‘Occitanie’ region and Greek ‘podus’ for foot. The ichnospecies is dedicated to French paleoichnologist Prof. Georges Gand.

Jean-David Moreau, Vincent Trincal, Emmanuel Fara, Louis Baret, Alain Jacquet, Claude Barbini, Remi Flament, Michel Wienin, Benjamin Bourel and Amandine Jean. 2020. Middle Jurassic Tracks of Sauropod Dinosaurs in A Deep Karst Cave in France. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e1728286. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2019.1728286

Marisora sp.

McCranie, Matthews & Hedges, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4763.3.1

Abstract

The skink genus Marisora ranges from Mexico to northern South America and occurs on some islands in the Caribbean Sea. We conducted a revision of the genus Marisora from Mexico and Central America, using new morphological and molecular data, and find support for the five previously described species (Marisora alliacea, M.aurulae, M. brachypoda, M. magnacornae, and M. roatanae) and describe four new species: Marisora lineola sp. nov., M. aquilonaria sp. nov., M. syntoma sp. nov., and M. urtica sp. nov. We show that two species previously known only from Central American islands, M. magnacornae and M. roatanae, also occur on the adjacent mainland and that two species recently placed in Alinea belong to this evolutionary clade: Marisora berengerae n. comb. and Marisora pergravis n. comb. Together with M. falconensis and M. unimarginata, these 13 species of Marisora arose mostly in the Pliocene and are largely allopatric but are sympatric and nearly sympatric at several locations in Central America where they maintain their morphological and genetic distinctiveness.

Keywords: Reptilia, reptile, skink, evolution, systematics, taxonomy, classification, ecology, conservation, reproduction, biogeography, Middle America

James R. McCranie, Amy J. Matthews and S. Blair Hedges. 2020. A Morphological and Molecular Revision of Lizards of the Genus Marisora Hedges & Conn (Squamata: Mabuyidae) from Central America and Mexico, with Descriptions of Four New Species. Zootaxa. 4763(3); 301–353. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4763.3.1

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