Species New to Science

Magnolia frontinoensis Cogollo, Hoyos-Gómez & Serna

in Cogollo-Pacheco, Hoyos-Gómez & Serna-González, 2019.

DOI: 10.1007/s12228-018-9554-0

Abstract

A new species of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae), from Antioquia Province, Colombia is described. Magnolia frontinoensis, only known from a restricted area of the Western Cordillera, from 1700–1940 m, is recognized by the lamina bases decurrent and revolute, and the fruits small (11.7–29 × 8.4–21.5 mm). Besides the new species, two new records for Colombia are presented: Magnolia gloriensis, initially known to be found in Central America, from Nicaragua to Panama, it is now recorded in the Pacific region of Colombia. Also, M. venezuelensis, only known from the type collection in Venezuela [Lara region], is now recorded in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia. With these new records, the number of Magnolia species in Colombia increases to 38.

Keywords: Dugandiodendron, Panama, National Natural Park Las Orquídeas, Talauma, Venezuela

Magnolia frontinoensis Cogollo, Hoyos-Gómez & Serna, sp nov.

Etymology. — The specific epithet is dedicated to the municipality of Frontino (Antioquia), where this species was collected with flowers for the first time in 1987 and 25 years later, it was found with fruits.

Álvaro Cogollo-Pacheco, Saúl E. Hoyos-Gómez and Marcela Serna-González. 2019. Una nueva especie y otros registros de Magnoliaceae para Colombia [A New Species and Other Records of Magnoliaceae for Colombia]. Brittonia. 71(1); 32–38. DOI: 10.1007/s12228-018-9554-0

Researchgate.net/publication/330251166_Una_nueva_especie_y_otros_registros_de_Magnoliaceae_para_Colombia

Resumen: Se describe e ilustra una nueva especie de Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) del departamento de Antioquia, Colombia.Magnolia frontinoensis, conocida solo de un área restringida de la Cordillera Occidental, entre 1700–2000 m. Se distingue por presentar la base de la lámina foliar decurrente y revoluta, y los frutos pequeños (1.15–3 cm de largo, 0.8–2.15 cm de diámetro). Adicionalmente, se presentan dos nuevos registros para Colombia: Magnolia gloriensis, especie distribuida en Centro América, desde Nicaragua hasta Panamá, ahora registrada para la región del Pacífico colombiano y M. venezuelensis, conocida solo de la colección tipo de Venezuela [región de Lara], colectada en la Cordillera Oriental de Colombia. Con estos nuevos registros, asciende a 38 el número de especies de Magnolia para Colombia.

Palabras claves: Dugandiodendron, Panamá, Parque Nacional Natural Las Orquídeas, Talauma, Venezuela

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar

in Bandara, Priyankara, Atthanagoda, ... et Kumar, 2020.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.436.1.5

Abstract

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum, a new species in the family Orchidaceae, is described and illustrated from a tropical lowland rainforests of Sri Lanka. It is morphologically close to G. spatulata which is endemic to Indonesia owing to the white flower front with yellowish-orange colour on the inner wall of perianth tube and free part of perianth tube reflexed backwards. However, these two species can be very well differentiated on the basis of spathulate to linear petals which are shorter than sepals, fused only at the base and present inside the perianth tube; labellum elongate-elliptic and column broadest in the middle part in G. spatulata, whereas petals as long as sepals with apical 1/3rd part free (rest fused with sepals) and reflexed backwards, labellum rhomboid in shape, column broadest towards the apex in G. gunatillekeorum. Taxonomic account, line drawing, color photographs and conservation assessment are provided for the new species.

Keywords: Conservation, holomycoheterotrophic, potato orchid, Sinharaja MAB reserve, Neoclemensia, Monocots

FIGURE 1. Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar sp. nov.
A. Plant (CB-201804-01-Holotype). B. Flowering plant. C. Front view of flower. D. Lateral view of flower. E. Dorsal view of flower. F. Flower bud with bract. G. Side view of lip and column. H. Ventral view of column. I. Dorsal view of lip. J. Dorsal view of column. K. Ventral view of lip. L. Capsule. M. Tuberous rhizome

(Scale bar = A-F 10 mm; G-K 5 mm; L,M 10 mm).

Photographs by Champika Bandara (A-L) and Anusha G. Atthanagoda (M).

FIGURE 2. Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar sp. nov.
A. A flowering plant. B. Lateral view of flower. C. Dorsal view of flower. D. Front view of flower. E. Side view of lip and column. F. Ventral view of lip. G. Dorsal view of lip. H. Ventral view of column. I. Dorsal view of column. J. Dorsal view of anther cap. K. Ventral view of anther cap. L. Pollinia. M. Plant with fruits. N. Close up of fruit.

Illustrations by Champika Bandara and Pankaj Kumar.

Gastrodia gunatillekeorum Bandara, Priyankara & Kumar, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Gastrodia gunatillekeorum is close to Gastrodia spatulata, in having white coloured free frontal lobes of the perianth tube and yellow-orange colouration on the inner side of the perianth tube however, the former can be distinguished from latter in having perianth tube formed by fusion of both petals and sepals to almost 2/3rd of their length with 1/3rd of the apical lobe broadly ovate and slightly reflexed backwards (against perianth tube made mainly of sepals, with much shorter spathulate to linear petals fused to the sepals only at the base and upper part lying within the perianth tube in latter); labellum rhomboid shaped (against elongate-elliptic); column broadest towards the centre (against broadest towards the apex) and U-shaped stigma (against V-shaped).

Etymology: The species epithet is an eponym in the Latin genitive plural honouring the pioneer forest ecologists of Sri Lanka, Prof. Nimal Gunatilleke and Prof. Savitri Gunatilleke (University of Peradeniya) in appreciation of their dedication and decades of philanthropic work on the forest ecology and conservation in the region.

FIGURE 3. The typical habitat of Gastrodia gunatillekeorum; deep shaded terrain covered with thick leaf litter in Mesua-Shorea community, lowland tropical rain forest, Sinharaja MAB reserve, Sri Lanka.

Photograph by Champika Bandara.

FIGURE 4. Habit of A. & D. Thismia gardneriana B. & E. Burmannia championii C. & F. Aphyllorchis montana.

Photographs by Champika Bandara.

Champika Bandara, Theja Priyankara, Anusha G. Atthanagoda, Tithira Lakkana, Sisira Ediriweera and Pankaj Kumar. 2020. Gastrodia gunatillekeorum (Gastrodieae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae), A New Species from A Lowland Rainforest of Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa. 436(1); 55–62. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.436.1.5

Researchgate.net/publication/339953923_Gastrodia_gunatillekeorum_a_new_species_from_a_lowland_rainforest_of_Sri_Lanka

news.mongabay.com/2020/05/from-a-sri-lankan-rainforest-a-new-species-of-orchid-blooms

Kalasinemys prasarttongosothi

Tong, Naksri, Buffetaut, S. Suteethorn, V. Suteethorn, Chantasit & Claude, 2019

‘กาฬสินธุ์นีมิส ปราสาททองโอสถถิ’ DOI: 10.1017/S0016756818000791

Abstract

A new xinjiangchelyid turtle, Kalasinemys prasarttongosothi n. gen. n. sp., is described on the basis of skull and shell material from the Upper Jurassic Phu Kradung Formation at Phu Noi locality, Kalasin Province, in NE Thailand. This second xinjiangchelyid turtle from Phu Noi is distinct from Phunoichelys thirakhupti by the smooth shell surface, the presence of a cervical notch, and vertebral 1 narrower than nuchal. The skull presents an arterial system characteristic of the Xinjiangchelyidae (basal Eucryptodira), and its outline is similar to that of Annemys spp. known from the Middle–Late Jurassic of China and Mongolia, but distinct from the latter mainly by the wider triturating surface, smaller foramen palatinum posterius and the shape of the prefrontal and frontal, as well as that of the basisphenoid and basioccipital. Based on the turtle assemblages, the correlation with mainland Asia further supports a Late Jurassic age for the lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation where Phu Noi site is located stratigraphically. Our study provides new insight on the evolution of the basal eucryptodiran turtles in Asia.

Keywords: Testudines; Xinjiangchelyidae; Kalasinemys; systematic; Phu Kradung Formation; Late Jurassic; Thailand

Fig. 1. Kalasinemys prasarttongosothi n. gen. n. sp. (KS34-190, holotype) from the Phu Kradung Formation, Phu Noi locality, Kalasin Province, Thailand.
Carapace and skull in dorsal view (a, b); plastron in ventral view (c, d).

Scale bar = 5 cm.

Fig. 2. Kalasinemys prasarttongosothi n. gen. n. sp. (KS34-190, holotype) from the Phu Kradung Formation, Phu Noi locality, Kalasin Province, Thailand.
Skull in dorsal (a, b), ventral (c, d), left lateral (e, f) and right lateral (g, h) views.

Scale bar = 2 cm.

Abbreviations: bo, basioccipital; bpp, basipterygoid process; bs, basisphenoid; cm, condylus mandibularis; co, condylus occipitalis; ex, exoccipital; facci, foramen anterius canalis carotici interni; fpccc, foramen posterius canalis carotici cerebralis; fpcci, foramen posterius canalis carotici interni; fpccp, foramen posterius canalis carotici palatinum; fr, frontal; ju, jugal; ma, maxilla; op, opisthotic; pa, parietal; pal, palatine; pf, prefrontal; pm, premaxilla; po, postorbital; ppe, processus pterygoideus externus; pr, prootic; pt, pterygoid; qj, quadratojugal; qu, quadrate; sc, sulcus caroticus; so, supraoccipital; sq, squamosal; vo, vomer.

Testudines Linnaeus, 1758

Cryptodira Cope, 1868

Xinjiangchelyidae Nessov in Kaznyshkin et al., 1990

Kalasinemys prasarttongosothi gen. and sp. nov.

Etymology: The genus name is from Kalasin Province, where the Phu Noi site is located. The

species name is in honour of Dr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth who supports palaeontological

research and education in Thailand.

Conclusion:

A new genus and new species of Xinjiangchelyidae, Kalasinemys pasarttongosothi n. gen. n. sp., is erected on the basis of skull and shell material from the Phu Kradung Formation of the Khorat Plateau, NE Thailand. The skull presents an arterial system characteristic of the Xinjiangchelyidae (basal Eucryptodira), and its outline is similar to that of Annemys spp. However the skull of Kalasinemys is distinct from that of Annemys in having the more parallel lateral edges; the prefrontals extending posteriorly and forming most of the medial edge of the orbit; the reduced frontals with a long anterior process, short main body and small contribution to the orbital margin; the wider triturating surface; smaller foramen palatinum posterius; a scalene triangular-shaped basipterygoid process and a shorter basioccipital. Kalasinemys is the second taxon of Xinjiangchelyidae from the Phu Noi locality. It was a freshwater turtle as indicated by its morphology and the depositional environment.

The turtle assemblage from Phu Noi has close affinities with those from the Middle–Late Jurassic of China and Central Asia. The correlation based on the turtle faunas supports a Late Jurassic age for the lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation to which the Phu Noi locality belongs. From a palaeobiogeographical point of view, it suggests a marked faunal interchange between SE Asia and more northern parts of Asia (China and Central Asia) at the time of deposition of the lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation. This discovery adds a new element to the still poorly known turtle fauna from the lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation in NE Thailand, and provides new insight on the evolution of the basal eucryptodiran turtles.

Haiyan Tong, Wilailuck Naksri, Eric Buffetaut, Suravech Suteethorn, Varavudh Suteethorn, Phornphen Chantasit and Julien Claude. 2019. Kalasinemys, A New Xinjiangchelyid Turtle from the Late Jurassic of NE Thailand. Geological Magazine. 156(1); 1645-1656. DOI: 10.1017/S0016756818000791

Researchgate.net/publication/330217725_Kalasinemys_a_new_xinjiangchelyid_turtle_from_the_Late_Jurassic_of_NE_Thailand

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Begonia saolaensis Y.M. Shui, T.A. Le & C.T. Vu

in Shui, Vu, Le, Pham, et al., 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.411.1.5

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Abstract

Two new cane-like species of Begonia from central Vietnam, Begonia bachmaensis and B. saolaensis, are described and illustrated. Begonia bachmaensis is similar to B. boisiana and does not fit within any of the current sections. Begonia saolaensis is similar to B. rubrosetosa and is assigned to Begonia sect. Petermannia. Begonia bachmaensis is classified as Data Deficient (DD) and B. saolaensis is assigned in the Endangered (EN) category according to IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Begoniaceae, Begonia sect. Petermannia, central Vietnam, new species, Eudicots

Begonia bachmaensis Y.M. Shui & T.T.D. Pham, sp. nov.

Etymology:— The specific epithet is derived from its type locality, the Bach Ma National Park in Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam.

Habitat:— The new species grows in moist soil along streams, on a shady slope in the subtropical evergreen forest.

Distribution and ecology:— Begonia bachmaensisis is known only from Bach Ma National Park, Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue, central Vietnam (Fig. 1). Populations of this species were observed growing in moist shady areas in association with species of Ophiorrhiza Linnaeus (1753: 150), Mussaenda Linnaeus (1753: 177), Breynia Linnaeus (1753: 503), Distichochlamys citrea Newman (1995: 65), and other taxa.

Begonia saolaensis Y.M. Shui, T.A. Le & C.T. Vu, sp. nov.

Etymology:— The specific epithet is derived from its type locality, the Saola Nature Reserve in Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam.

Habitat:— It grows by the stream banks, in limestone forests.

Distribution and ecology:— Begonia saolaensis is known only from Thuong Quang commune, Nam Dong district, Thua Thien Hue province, central Vietnam (Fig. 1). Populations were observed in the moist shady areas in association with Ophiorrhiza baviensis Drake (1895: 213), Paraphlomis membranacea Wu & Li (1965: 66), Schismatoglottis (1846: 83) sp., and other taxa.

Yu-Min Shui, Chinh Tien Vu, Tuan Anh Le, Thi Thanh Dat Pham, Van Dat Nguyen, Thi Minh Hoang Duong and Li-Gong Lei. 2019. Two New Cane-like Species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) from central Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 411(1); 57–64. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.411.1.5

Researchgate.net/publication/334522023_Two_new_species_of_Begonia_from_central_Vietnam

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Ichthyscopus pollicaris

Vilasri, Ho, Kawai & Gomon, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4702.1.10

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Abstract

A new uranoscopid fish, Ichthyscopus pollicaris sp. nov., is described from East Asia waters around Taiwan and Japan. It can be distinguished from other congeners in having the ventral midline of the belly forming 3 prominent prolonged skin flaps, its posterior nostril oval to circular in shape, its pectoral-fin base lacking distinct blotches, and the uppermost pectoral-fin ray and adjacent interspace membrane with 1 or 2 white spots. The biogeography of I. pollicaris is discussed.

Keywords: Pisces, Perciformes, Taxonomy, Biogeography, Uranoscopidae

FIGURE 1. Holotype of Ichthyscopus pollicaris sp. nov., 187 mm SL, NMMB-P24460.
A: lateral view of fresh condition; B: dorsal view of preserved condition.

FIGURE 2. Paratypes of Ichthyscopus pollicaris sp. nov.
A, B (dorsal view): NMMB-P28076, 308 mm SL; C: KAUM–I. 128242, 230 mm SL; D: NMV A31864-001, 216 mm SL (Photos taken by K. Koeda).

Ichthyscopus pollicaris sp. nov.

English name: Oriental Fringe Stargazer;

Japanese name: サツオミシマ (Satsuo-mishima); Taiwan name:東方披肩騰 (Dong-fang-pi-jian-teng)

"ปลาอุบยักษ์แต้มขาว"

Diagnosis. A species of Ichthyscopus with caudal vertebrae 17; upper lip fimbriae 20–27; ventral midline of belly forming three prominent prolonged skin flaps, one midline flap and two sandwiching midline flap; shape of posterior nostril oval to circular; pectoral-fin base uniformly pale brown, lacking distinct blotches; 1 or 2 white spots present on uppermost pectoral-fin ray

FIGURE 5. Lateral view of middle body showing pattern of blotch and spots on pectoral fin. WS, white spot; TB, transverse pale blotch (arrowed).
A: Ichthyscopus pollicaris sp. nov., holotype; B: I. lebeck, THNHM-F12677. Not to scale.

Distribution. Restricted to the coastal waters of East Asia between about Japan Sea and East China Sea from Jeju Province in South Korea through Niigata Prefecture in Japan to the western coast of Kyushu and Pacific Ocean from Suruga Bay to the southern coast of Kyushu (Yamada & Yagishita, 2013) in the north and the northeast region of South China Sea from the northern Taiwan (Shen, 1984a) through Penghu Islands (Chen, 2003) to the southern Taiwan (present study) in the south.

Etymology. The specific name pollicaris from the Latin meaning “thumb” in reference to the distinctive uppermost pectoral fin ray adorned with 1 or 2 white spots characterizing this species

Veera Vilasri, Hsuan-Ching Ho, Toshio Kawai and Martin F. Gomon. 2019. A New Stargazer, Ichthyscopus pollicaris (Perciformes: Uranoscopidae), from East Asia. Zootaxa. 4702(1); 49–59. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4702.1.10

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Krishnamon austenianum (Wood-Mason, 1871)

in Pati, Yeo & Ng, 2020

DOI: 10.1093/jcbiol/ruaa009

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Abstract

Telphusa austeniana Wood-Mason, 1871 is a poorly known potamid crab described from a single female specimen from Meghalaya state, northeastern India, and its position in Tiwaripotamon Bott, 1970 has been questioned. Its systematic position is now clarified based on the examination of the female holotype and a male specimen recently collected from a cave near the type locality. The species is transferred from Tiwaripotamon to a new genus, Krishnamon gen. nov. on the basis of the differences in the structures of the epigastric cristae, male pleon, male sixth pleonal somite, male telson, gonopods, and vulvae. The geographic distributions of the two genera are some 1,000 km apart. The new genus has affinities with Doimon Yeo & Ng, 2007, and Indochinamon Yeo & Ng, 2007, but can be distinguished mainly by its extremely slender and elongated ambulatory legs. While Krishnamon austenianum (Wood-Mason, 1871) comb. nov. is now recorded from limestone caves, it does not, however, possess the troglomorphic features of an obligate troglobite.

Sameer K. Pati, Darren C. J. Yeo and Peter K. L. Ng. 2020. Krishnamon, A New Genus for the Cavernicolous Crab Telphusa austeniana Wood-Mason, 1871 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamidae) from Meghalaya state, northeastern India. Journal of Crustacean Biology. ruaa009, DOI: 10.1093/jcbiol/ruaa009

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Limia mandibularis

Rodriguez-Silva, Torres-Pineda & Josaphat, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.3.6

Abstract

Limia mandibularis, a new livebearing fish of the family Poeciliidae is described from Lake Miragoane in southwestern Haiti on Hispaniola. The new species differs from all other species in the genus Limia by the presence of a well-developed lower jaw, the absence of preorbital and preopercular pores, and preorbital and preopercular canals forming an open groove each. The description of this new Limia species from Lake Miragoane confirms this lake as an important center of endemism for the genus with a total of nine described species so far.

Keywords: Pisces, Caribbean, jaw, morphology, endemism, preopercular canal

FIGURE 6. Female of Limia mandibularis sp. nov. (48.5 mm SL) showing coloration in a live specimen.

Limia mandibularis, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Limia mandibularis sp. nov. is uniquely diagnosed by the presence of a well-developed lower jaw due to the presence of an elongate anguloarticular bone (Fig. 3). The new species can also be identified by the lack of preorbital and preopercular pores and by the presence of single preorbital and preopercular canals forming open grooves (Fig. 4). Limia mandibularis sp. nov. can be further distinguished by the combination of the following characters: dorsal fin with 8 rays and its origin is slightly behind of the origin of the anal fin in females; 13 predorsal scales; caudal fin symmetrical and truncate or slightly convex; no crossbars, spots or blotches on body in both sexes. ...

FIGURE 7. Habitat where Limia mandibularis sp. nov. was collected.

Distribution and ecological notes.Limia mandibularis sp. nov. is only known from the north bight of Lake Miragoane in Haiti. The lake seems very isolated in terms of connectivity with other water bodies as we did not see any tributary river or stream, but only mountain springs that lead to the lake. Our observations agree with the classification of Curtis & Hodell (1993) of the lake as an endorheic drainage. The species herein described was collected in a clear water path with slow current exiting the lake. Water temperature was 29.9 °C and water conductivity was 321 microS/cm on the collecting date (June 5th, 2019). The area is characterized by the presence of muddy bottoms and some semi-submerged and submerged vegetation growing near the banks (Fig. 7). Limia mandibularis was sympatric with Gambusia beebei, five other Limia species (L. miragoanensis, L. immaculata, L. nigrofasciata, L. garnieri and L. islai), Nandopsishaitiensis and two species of African cichlids introduced in the lake (Oreochromis aureus and Tilapia sp.).

Etymology. The specific epithet mandibularis, from the Latin mandibula (jaw), is in reference to the well-developed lower jaw, a character that distinguishes the species.

The vernacular name “Jawed Limia” is proposed for this species, due to the distinct protuberance that can be seen in the lower jaw.

Rodet Rodriguez-Silva, Patricia Torres-Pineda and James Josaphat. 2020. Limia mandibularis, A New Livebearing Fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) from Lake Miragoane, Haiti. Zootaxa. 4768(3); 395–404. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.3.6

Eremias fahimii

Mozaffari, Ahmadzadeh & Saberi-Pirooz, 2020

Fahimi’s Racerunner || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.4.7

Abstract

We describe a new species of Lacertid lizard of the genus Eremias from the border of the northeastern side of Markazi Province to the western side of Tehran Province in Iran. Eremias fahimii sp. nov. is part of the Eremias subgenus (or morphotype) by virtue of lacking lateral fringes on the fourth toe, having movable eyelids, a lower nasal shield that rests on two supralabials, and ventral plates arranged in oblique longitudinal rows. It can be further differentiated from previously described species assigned to this morphotype by the absence of distinctly keeled upper caudal scales, gular scales that do not extend to the second inframaxiallary scales, shape and relative size of frontoparietals, parietal and parietals, scale counts and absence of lateral color ocellus. In addition, the molecular phylogeny of the most common Iranian racerunners including Eremias fahimii sp. nov. was studied using mitochondrial Cytochrome b (Cyt b) and 12S ribosomal RNA (12S) genes. Our results support the validation of the new species which depicts a sister group relationship to E. persica. Of the 20 species of Eremias known from Iran, E. fahimii sp. nov. is the seventh endemic species along with E. andersoni, E. isfahanica, E. lalezharica, E. kavirensis, E. montana and E. papenfussi. Despite the fact that up to now E. fahimii sp. nov. is only known from the type locality, it is highly probable that it also occurs in Tehran, Alborz, Qom, Qazvin and Zanjan Provinces due to topological characteristics and habitat similarities in these areas.

Keywords: Reptilia, Iran, Markazi, Tehran, Endemic, Eremias fahimii sp. nov.

Omid Mozaffari, Faraham Ahmadzadeh and Reihaneh Saberi-Pirooz. 2020. Fahimi’s Racerunner, A New Species of the Genus Eremias Fitzinger, 1834 (Sauria: Lacertidae) from Iran. Zootaxa. 4768(4); 565–578. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.4.7

Burmorussus mirabilis

Zhang, Kopylov, Rasnitsyn, Zheng & Zhang, 2020

DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1312
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Abstract
A new genus and species, Burmorussus mirabilis, is described based on two specimens from the mid‐Cretaceous Burmese amber, and considered to be a specialized parasitic wasp of wood‐living hosts. The new taxon is characterized by an orussid‐like ocellar crown, big eyes, antennae attached well above the clypeus, and antennal grooves or ventral transverse frontal carinae absent. Additionally, all legs carry a prominent lanceolate lobe on the third tarsomere. A similar structure is found, but organized differently, in Recent Orussidae and Stephanidae, serving as part of a vibration analyser. Although sharing some characters with families Karatavitidae, Orussidae and Paroryssidae, this new taxon cannot be assigned to any of these families. We propose a new monotypic family Burmorussidae and assign it to the superfamily Orussoidea. A phylogenetic analysis confirms the monophyly of Orussoidea, which occurs a sister group to Apocrita.

Keywords: Orussoidea, Karatavitoidea, phylogeny, mid‐Cretaceous, Burmese amber

Systematic palaeontology

By Qi Zhang, Dmitry S. Kopylov and A. P. Rasnitsyn

Order HYMENOPTERA Linnaeus, 1758
Superfamily ORUSSOIDEA Newman, 1834

Families included: Orussidae Newman, 1834, Paroryssidae Martynov, 1925, Burmorussidae fam. nov.

Family BURMORUSSIDAE nov.

Type genus: Burmorussus gen. nov.

Genus BURMORUSSUS nov.
Derivation of name: From Burma (former name of Myanmar) and genus Orussus Latreille, 1796.

Burmorussus mirabilis sp. nov.
Derivation of name: From Latin mirabilis, amazing.

Qi Zhang, Dmitry S. Kopylov, Alexandr P. Rasnitsyn, Yan Zheng and Haichun Zhang. 2020. Burmorussidae, A New Family of Parasitic Wasps (Insecta, Hymenoptera) from mid‐Cretaceous Burmese Amber. Papers in Palaeontology. DOI: 10.1002/spp2.1312

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Stellasaurus ancellae

Wilson, Ryan & Evans, 2020

DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200284

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Illustration: Andrey Atuchin

Abstract

Ceratopsids are among the most ubiquitous dinosaur taxa from the Late Cretaceous terrestrial formations of the Western Interior of North America, comprising two subfamilies, Chasmosaurinae and Centrosaurinae. The Two Medicine Formation of northwestern Montana has produced numerous remains of centrosaurine dinosaurs, which represent three taxa previously considered valid: Rubeosaurus ovatus, Einiosaurus procurvicornis and Achelousaurus horneri. Here, we reassess the previous referral of specimens to Rubeousaurus ovatus and demonstrate that this taxon is represented solely by its holotype specimen, which was first diagnosed as Styracosaurus ovatus. One of the specimens previously referred to ‘Rubeosaurus’ ovatus instead represents a new eucentrosauran centrosaurine taxon diagnosed here, Stellasaurus ancellae gen. et sp. nov. Stellasaurus expresses a unique combination of eucentrosauran centrosaurine characters, including an elongate nasal horncore, diminutive supraorbital horncores, and a parietal bearing straight, elongate P3 processes, semi-elongate P4 processes and non-elongate P5, P6 and P7 processes. Within the stratigraphic succession of Eucentrosaura, Stellasaurus occurs intermediate to Styracosaurus albertensis and Einiosaurus, and likewise reflects intermediate morphology. Assessed within the stratigraphic, geographical, taphonomic, ontogenetic and phylogenetic framework of Unified Frames of Reference, we fail to reject the hypothesis that Stellasaurus ancellae represents a transitional taxon within an anagenetic lineage of eucentrosauran centrosaurines.

Keywords: centrosaurine, evolution, ceratopsid, dinosaur, anagenesis, Cretaceous

Figure 4. Left lateral parietal bar of Stellasaurus ancellae holotype MOR 492 in dorsal and ventral views.

EPS, epiparietosquamosal; PSC, parietosquamosal contact. Scale bar 10 cm.

Parietal line drawing modified from Evans & Ryan [2015], Public Library of Science (PLoS), used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Ornithischia Seeley 1887

Ceratopsia Marsh, 1890

Neoceratopsia Sereno, 1986

Ceratopsidae Marsh, 1888

Centrosaurinae Lambe, 1915

Stellasaurus gen. nov.

Stellasaurus ancellae gen et. sp. nov.

Etymology: The genus name Stellasaurus, ‘star lizard', is derived from Stella, Latin for star, and –saurus, Greek for lizard, in reference to the overall star-like appearance of the cranial ornamentation, and in homage to the song ‘Starman' by David Bowie. The species name ancellae honours Museum of the Rockies field palaeontologist and fossil preparator Carrie Ancell, who discovered and prepared MOR 492, the holotype specimen of Stellasaurus ancellae, as well as the holotype of Achelousaurus horneri, and co-discovered the holotype of Einiosaurus procurvicornis, and whose decades of extraordinary fossil preparation have furthered vertebrate palaeontology beyond measure.

Holotype: MOR 492, an isolated partial skull of a centrosaurine ceratopsid preserving the left lateral parietal bar, proximal portion of the midline parietal bar, near-complete paired and fused nasals, partial left premaxilla, and partial left postorbital and associated supraorbital ornamentation.

Locality, horizon and age: MOR 492 was recovered from Lithofacies 5 of the uppermost Two Medicine Formation, 65 m below the upper contact between the Two Medicine Formation and the overlying Bearpaw Formation. ....

Diagnosis: Centrosaurine ceratopsid exhibiting a unique combination of characters intermediate in distribution between the stratigraphically preceding Styracosaurus albertensis and stratigraphically successive Einiosaurus procurvicornis: elongate, erect and recurved nasal horncore and diminutive supraorbital ornamentation with pointed apex, as in Styracosaurus albertensis; parietal with elongate, straight P3 processes (spikes), partially elongate P4 processes (spikes) less than half as long as P3, and non-elongate P5, P6 and P7 processes, as in Einiosaurus procurvicornis; unique P4 elongation, intermediate between that of Styracosaurus albertensis and the stratigraphically successive lowest bonebed of Einiosaurus. As stated above, elongate, erect nasal horncores are variably present in Centrosaurus apertus, though rarely with the same recurvature and degree of hypertrophy as in both Styracosaurus albertensis and Stellasaurus. Einiosaurus procurvicornis specimens of equivalent maturity (e.g. MOR 456 8-9-6-1; young adult, based on degree of P7 and P6 parietal process imbrication and bone surface texture) express strongly procurved nasal horns and rounded masses of bone as supraorbital ornamentation, differing significantly from the facial ornamentation seen in Stellasaurus.

Figure 11. Stratigraphic and temporal relationship of the centrosaurine taxa hypothesized as representing an anagenetic lineage, with the evolution of their parietal ornamentation, within their respective geological formations. Letters are colour coded by taxon to match transformation of parietal ornamentation listed. (a) Styracosaurus albertensis, (b) Stellasaurus ancellae, (c) and (c') Einiosaurus procurvicornis MOR 373 and MOR 456, respectively, indicating slight stratigraphic separation with associated morphological change of the P4 process, (d) Achelousaurus horneri, (e) Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai. Generalized stratigraphic columns are based on [Fowler, 2017].

Relative taxon placement is based on stratigraphic occurrence of specimens within their respective geological formations and the temporal relationships of host strata based on [Fowler, 2017] (see Material and methods and Discussion). Styracosaurus ovatus is omitted due to its uncertain stratigraphic placement within the Two Medicine Formation. Parietal line drawings used and modified from Evans and Ryan ([2015] fig. 15), Public Library of Science (PLoS), used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

Figure 12. Comparison of the two major evolutionary mode hypotheses for the Two Medicine Formation centrosaurines and the associated lines of evidence supporting or absent. Parietal line drawings modified from Evans & Ryan ([2015] fig. 15), Public Library of Science (PLoS), used under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0.

John P. Wilson, Michael J. Ryan and David C. Evans. 2020. A New, Transitional Centrosaurine Ceratopsid from the Upper Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation of Montana and the Evolution of the ‘Styracosaurus-line' Dinosaurs. Royal Society Open Science. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.200284

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Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) radaka

Female paratype ZSM 97/2016 (MSZC 0080) from Ampotsidy.

Rancilhac, Bruy, Scherz, Pereira, Preick, Straube, Lyra, Ohler, Streicher, Andreone, Crottini, Hutter, Randrianantoandro, Rakotoarison, Glaw, Hofreiter & Vences, 2020.

DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1748243

twitter.com/MarkScherz

ABSTRACT

The subgenus Mantidactylus is a group of frogs endemic to Madagascar, including the largest anuran species on the island. Although these frogs are common and widely distributed, their taxonomy remains unclear. Two species are currently recognised, M. grandidieri and M. guttulatus, with another available name, Rana pigra, considered to be a synonym of M. grandidieri. However, molecular studies have suggested the presence of several cryptic species within the group. Additionally, due to the lack of prominent morphological features, allocating the available names to evolutionary lineages has proven challenging. In the present study, we take a first step towards solving these problems by using fragments of the 16S mitochondrial gene and RAG1 nuclear gene from all over the range of the subgenus to describe its genetic diversity. We also use a newly designed target enrichment laboratory protocol to sequence three mitochondrial fragments from five name-holding museum specimens (as old as 120 years) in order to determine to which lineages the existing names should be applied. The study of the 16S mitochondrial gene revealed 7 geographically separated lineages, distinct enough to be considered candidate species. Out of the five museum specimens analysed, four successfully yielded DNA sequences and could be attributed to one of the aforementioned lineages. Therefore, the name Mantidactylus grandidieri should be applied to the populations from North-Eastern Madagascar, while M. guttulatus refers to populations from inland localities along the Eastern coast of the island. On the other hand, the holotype of Rana pigra did not yield enough genetic material to allow definitive identification. While our data were not sufficient to assess the status of the four lineages distributed along the Eastern coast, the populations from North-Western Madagascar were highly distinct on both the mitochondrial and nuclear markers. We thus describe them as a new species, Mantidactylus radaka sp. nov.

KEYWORDS:Anura, Mantidactylus guttulatus, Mantidactylus grandidieri, Mantidactylus radaka sp. nov, Madagascar, Target enrichment

Systematics:

Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) guttulatus (Boulenger, 1881)

Rana guttulata Boulenger, 1881

Rana pigra Mocquard, 1900.

Holotype: MNHN 1899.410, from ‘forêt d’Ikongo’.

Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) grandidieri Mocquard, 1895

Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) radaka sp. nov.
Male paratype MSZC 0120 (uncatalogued in UADBA) from Ampotsidy.

Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) radaka sp. nov.
Female paratype ZSM 97/2016 (MSZC 0080) from Ampotsidy.

Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) radaka new species

Etymology. The species name is a noun in apposition to the genus name, and is the Malagasy word for large frogs in general (as opposed to ‘sahona’, which usually refers to small frogs), and those of the subgenus Mantidactylus in particular.

Mantidactylus (Mantidactylus) radaka sp. nov. being prepared for human consumption.

Note the ovaries full with hundreds of eggs.

Loïs Rancilhac, Teddy Bruy, Mark D. Scherz, Elvis Almeida Pereira, Michaela Preick, Nicolas Straube, Mariana L. Lyra, Annemarie Ohler, Jeffrey W. Streicher, Franco Andreone, Angelica Crottini, Carl R. Hutter, J. Christian Randrianantoandro, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Frank Glaw, Michael Hofreiter and Miguel Vences. 2020. Target-enriched DNA Sequencing from Historical Type Material enables A Partial Revision of the Madagascar Giant Stream Frogs (Genus Mantidactylus). Journal of Natural History. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1748243

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Lanceirosphenodon ferigoloi

Vivar, Martinelli, Hsiou & Soares, 2020

DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2020.1732488

Illustration: Jorge Blanco macnconicet.gob.ar

twitter.com/JournalSystPal

Abstract

We describe a new eusphenodontian, Lanceirosphenodon ferigoloi gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Triassic (Norian) Riograndia Assemblage Zone (AZ) of the Candelária Sequence (Santa Maria Supersequence) of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The new taxon consists of an almost complete left dentary with dentition, which exhibits a mosaic of features considered ‘typical’ of non-eusphenodontian rhynchocephalians, along with others reported for eusphenodontian taxa. It has the typical rhynchocephalian regionalized dentition with 19 teeth and also pleuroacrodont implantation; the additional dentition presents alternation of size and shape, with the last additional teeth resembling a spear in labial view. A well-developed chin is also present. Our phylogenetic analysis places Lanceirosphenodon as one of the most basal eusphenodontians and reinforces the hypothesis that Rhynchocephalia underwent an early diversification, probably in the Early Triassic, followed by an explosion in morphological disparity. Based on the ontogenetic sequence of Sphenodon, Lanceirosphenodon fitted between stages T2 and T3, representing a probable early juvenile individual. In spite of its ontogenetic stage, the set of characters present in Lanceirosphenodon, including two autapomorphies, supports its recognition as a new taxon. This new taxon increases our knowledge of the faunal diversity in the Triassic of Gondwana and more locally for the Riograndia Assemblage Zone of southern Brazil.

Keywords: Rhynchocephalia, Eusphenodontia, Riograndia Assemblage Zone, South America, Triassic

Dentary of Lanceirosphenodon ferigoloi gen. et sp. nov., CAPPA/UFSM 0226.

Systematic palaeontology

Lepidosauria Haeckel, 1866

Rhynchocephalia Günther, 1867 (sensu Gauthier, Estes, & de Queiroz 1988)

Sphenodontia Williston, 1925 (sensu Benton 1985)

Eusphenodontia Herrera-Flores, Stubbs, Elsler, & Benton 2018

Lanceirosphenodon gen. nov.

Type and only species.Lanceirosphenodon ferigoloi sp. nov.

Derivation of name.‘Lanceiros’ in Portuguese means ‘spear’, in reference to the shape of the last additional teeth that are reminiscent of a spearhead and in recognition of the ‘Lanceiros Negros’ (Black Lancers), a group formed by slaves armed with long spears, who fought for freedom during the Farroupilha Revolution in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil (1835–1845), and whose massacre brought about the end of the war. ‘Sphenodon’ refers to the extant genus Sphenodon.

Lanceirosphenodon ferigoloi sp. nov.

Derivation of name. In honour of Dr Jorge Ferigolo, a renowned Brazilian palaeontologist based at the Museu de Ciências Naturais of the Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul (MCN/FZBRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil), who headed the Brazilian Pro-Guaíba Project, in which several localities and new fossils from the Triassic of the Rio Grande do Sul State were discovered, including the first rhynchocephalian materials.

Illustration: Jorge Blanco

Conclusions:

In this contribution, we describe a new genus and species of rhynchocephalian, Lanceirosphenodon ferigoloi, based on a well-preserved lower jaw with dentition. This new taxon represents a basal eusphenodontian, with a mosaic of plesiomorphic and apomorphic features. Ontogenetically, the holotype specimen CAPPA/UFSM 0226 is considered to fall in stage T2–T3 of the ontogenetic series proposed by Robinson (1976) for Sphenodon, which should correspond to an individual that was a few months old. We infer an insectivorous diet for Lanceirosphenodon based on its dental shape. The presence of this new sphenodontian increases the known faunal diversity of the Riograndia AZ in the Brazilian Triassic. Both this taxon and the Linha São Luiz site as a whole are important in our understanding of the early evolution of Rhynchocephalia in western Gondwana. Based on our results, the early diversification of Rhynchocephalia occurred around the Early Triassic, giving rise to the main lineages of the group.

Paulo R. Romo de Vivar, Agustín G. Martinelli, Annie Schmaltz Hsiou and Marina Bento Soares. 2020. A New Rhynchocephalian from the Late Triassic of Southern Brazil Enhances Eusphenodontian Diversity. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2020.1732488

Un nuevo lepidosaurio que vivio hace 227 millones de años en el sur de Brasil macnconicet.gob.ar/un-nuevo-lepidosaurio-que-vivio-hace-227-millones-de-anos-en-el-sur-de-brasil

twitter.com/JournalSystPal/status/1243605726611804160

Habenaria rangatensis

in Prasad & Naik, 2020.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.442.1.4

Abstract

A new species of Habenaria (Orchidaceae), Habenaria rangatensis is described from stunted evergreen forest of Middle Andamans, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. This new species is morphologically similar to Habenaria acuifera but differ in certain characters, which are discussed below. A detailed description and photographs are provided for identification of the present novel species.

Keywords: Middle Andamans, Orchideae, Orchidoideae, White flowers, Monocots

Kothareddy Prasad and Mudavath Chennakesavulu Naik. 2020. Habenaria rangatensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India. Phytotaxa. 442(1); 27–32. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.442.1.4

Characidium chancoense

Agudelo-Zamora, Ortega-Lara & Taphorn, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.2.6

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Abstract

Characidium chancoense new species, is described from the transandean upper Río Cauca drainage in Colombia. It can be distinguished from all congeners by its pigmentation pattern that consists of 7–12 vertical bars, most of which are cuneate-shaped with the vertex ending on or just below the lateral-line scale series, except for the last 1–4, which are dorsoventrally elongate rectangular bars that extend well below the lateral line. Characidium chancoense is sympatric with C. caucanum Eigenmann, C. phoxocephalum Eigenmann, C. cf. zebra Eigenmann and C. cf. boavistae Steindachner. Unlike C.caucanum and C. cf. boavistae, C. chancoense does not appear to be sexually dimorphic.

Keywords: Pisces, Characidiinae, Swimbladder, Trans-Andean basins, Characidium caucanum, Characidium phoxocephalum

FIGURE 1. Characidium chancoense.
a.) IMCN 4528, Holotype 50.5 mm SL; Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Río Chanco, tributary of Río Cauca. Scale bar: 1cm.
b.) Live specimen (uncataloged).

Henry D. Agudelo-Zamora, Armando Ortega-Lara and Donald C. B. Taphorn. 2020. Characidium chancoense, A New Species of South American Darter from the Río Cauca Drainage, Colombia (Characiformes: Crenuchidae). Zootaxa. 4768(2); 249–263 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4768.2.6

Researchgate.net/publication/341068346_Characidium_chancoense_a_new_species_of_South_American_darter_from_the_Rio_Cauca_drainage_Colombia

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A. Trichogenes beagle de Pinna, Reis & Britski, 2020
B. T. claviger de Pinna, Helmer, Britski & Nunes, 2010
C. T. longipinnis Britski & Ortega, 1983

digitallibrary.AMNH.org

Abstract
A new species of the rare genus Trichogenes is reported on the basis of specimens without locality and other associated data. The obvious distinctiveness, taxonomic relevance, and phylogenetic importance of the new taxon justify its description with material at hand.Trichogenes beagle, new species, differs from all congeners by the presence of tricuspidate teeth on its jaws; by the distribution of opercular odontodes along a wide area of the margin of the opercle; by the pale integumentary pigmentation, composed of few scattered small spots on dorsum and flanks, but lacking large spots near the base of the anal fin; and by the absence of differential concentration of dark chromatophores along the base of the dorsal fin. The new species differs further from each of its two congeners, T. longipinnis and T. claviger, by various additional traits of internal and external morphology and pigmentation. Trichogenes beagle seems to be the closest relative of T. claviger, the two species sharing a number of putatively derived traits not present in T. longipinnis, such as the presence of a large anterodorsal clawlike process on the neural arches of the anterior four free vertebrae. The three species now included in Trichogenes share all synapomorphies previously proposed for the genus, thus strongly supporting generic monophyly. The enigmatic disc-shaped orbital bone in T. beagle and congeners is homologous to a topologically equivalent rodlike structure in other trichomycterids. New comparative information corroborates the hypothesis that the bone is a neomorphic structure, here called the barbular bone. Previous proposals of its homology with the antorbital or supraorbital are refuted. Ontogenetic data demonstrate that the anterior element of the infraorbital series in trichomycterids is a fusion between the lacrimal and antorbital, as postulated--but previously poorly demonstrated--for other catfishes. The structure of the opercle in the new species is intermediate between the highly derived morphology in most trichomycterids and the plesiomorphic condition in other loricarioids, helping to understand the evolution of the opercle of trichomycterids. New information on T. claviger is reported on the basis of additional material.

FIG. 1. Trichogenes beagle, sp. nov., MZUSP 125019, holotype, 35.5 mm SL.
A. Lateral view. B. Dorsal view. C. Ventral view.

FIG. 2. Comparative illustrations of species of Trichogenes.
A. Trichogenes beagle, 35.5 mm SL (MZUSP 125019, holotype). B. T. claviger, 47.7 mm SL (MZUSP 124882). C. T. longipinnis, 56.8 mm SL (MZUSP 111153).

Trichogenes beagle, new species

Etymology: The species epithet honors the Laboratory of Molecular Systematics – Beagle, Department of Animal Biology, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, the lab where the only specimens of the new species were found preserved.

Mário de Pinna, Vinícius Reis and Heraldo Britski. 2020. A New Species of Trichogenes (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae), with A Discussion on the Homologies of the Anterior Orbital Bones in Trichomycterids and Other Loricarioids. American Museum Novitates. 3951; 1-27. DOI: doi.org/10.1206/3951.1

digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/7115

Researchgate.net/publication/340872218_A_New_Species_of_Trichogenes

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F–G. Dendrobium letocartiorum Munzinger & M.Pignal sp. nov.
H. D. butinii M.Pignal & Munzinger sp. nov.

I–J. D. unicarinatum Kores. Cult. Nouméa. K–L. D. crassifolium Schltr. M. D. camaridiorum Rchb.f.

in Pigna & Munzinger, 2020

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.633

F–L, images by Christian Laudereau; M image by Jérôme Munzinger.

Abstract
Morphological characters support the description of two new species of Orchidaceae from New Caledonia: Dendrobium butinii M.Pignal & Munzinger sp. nov. and Dendrobium letocartiorum Munzinger & M.Pignal sp. nov. The lectotypes of Dendrobium camaridiorum Rchb.f. and D. crassifolium Schltr. are designated here. A leaf anatomical study was conducted and provided useful characters to distinguish the five New Caledonian graminoid Dendrobiineae species. Two identification tools are provided: an anatomical key for sterile material of grass-like Dendrobiineae and a morphological key for the New Caledonian graminoid Dendrobium. We propose preliminary conservation assessments with IUCN criteria for the new taxa.

Keywords. Orchidaceae, Grastidium, Dendrobium, Biloba, New Caledonia, taxonomy.

Fig. 1. A–E. Fruits. A. Dendrobium butinii M.Pignal & Munzinger sp. nov., loc. Colnett Mountain, Oua Ina or Wé Ina; image n°PA211592. B. D. unicarinatum Kores, cult. Nouméa (original data: Mandjélia Mount or Tidiélic Mount, 780 m); image n°PA118035. C–D. Dendrobium letocartiorum Munzinger & M.Pignal sp. nov., Mandjélia Mount or Tidiélic Mount, 780 m; image n°PA182815. D. Dehiscent fruit, cult. Nouméa (original data: mt Mandjélia or Tidiélic, 780 m); image n°PC061498. E. D. camaridiorum Rchb.f., Col des Roussettes, Bouirou; 5 Apr. 2015; image n°P4057147.

F–N. Flowers. F–G. Dendrobium letocartiorum Munzinger & M.Pignal sp. nov., cult. Nouméa (original data: Mandjélia Mount or Tidiélic Mount, 780 m; 6 Dec. 2014); image n°PC061503. G. Cult. Nouméa; (original data: Mandjélia Mount or Tidiélic Mount, 780 m; 6 Dec. 2014); image n°PC061504. H. D. butinii M.Pignal & Munzinger sp. nov., Colnett Mount, Ouanebatch We Ina, 300 m; 20 Jan. 2018; image n°P1211262. I–J. D. unicarinatum Kores. I. Cult. Nouméa; 15 Nov. 2015; (original data: Roches de la Ouaieme, 800 m; 23 Oct. 2015); image n°PB157702. J. Teratological flower, cult. Nouméa; 30 Jul. 2015; (original data: Mandjélia Mount or Tidiélic Mount, 780 m; 25 Oct. 2014); image n°P7314192. K–L. D. crassifolium Schltr., cult. Nouméa; 27 Nov. 2015. K. Image n°PB270172. L. Image n°PB2700199. M–N. D. camaridiorum Rchb.f., Bopope, Piémont (versant sud) du Kantalupaik, M. Pignal et al. 5165. N. Cult. Nouméa; 13 Nov. 2014; image n°PB130988.

O–Q, S–T. Habits. O. D. crassifolium Schltr., cult. Nouméa; before 1998; digitized analogue image s.n. P. D. unicarinatum Kores, Koghis Mountains, Bouo Mount, 680 m; 31 Aug. 2003; image n°P8311086. Q. D. camaridiorum Rchb.f., Vallée de la Tchamba; 15 Sep. 2003; image n°P9151456. S. D. butinii M.Pignal & Munzinger sp. nov., Vallée de la Amoa Vaawe; 26 Feb. 2016; image n°P2260576. T. D. letocartiorum Munzinger & M.Pignal sp. nov., Mandjélia Mount ou Tidiélic Mount, 780 m; 24 Oct. 2018; image n°111258.
R. Leaf of D. camaridiorum Rchb.f., J. Munzinger et al. 6358.

A–L, N–S, T images by Christian Laudereau; M image by Jérôme Munzinger; R image by Peter P. Lowry.

Marc Pigna and Jérôme Munzinger. 2020. Morphological and Anatomical Investigation of New Caledonian Graminoid Dendrobium (Orchidaceae) with the Description of Two New Species. European Journal of Taxonomy. 633: 1–26. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.633

the leaf bases of six species of Korthalsia with different ocrea types.
Korthalsia echinometra, inflated ocrea; K. rostrata, inflated ocrea; K. robusta, divergent ocrea;
K. debilis, tightly sheathing ocrea; K. rigida, tightly sheathing ocrea; K. jala, fibrous net-like ocrea.

in Shahimi, Conejero, Prychid, et al., 2019.

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-019-9854-x

Photos: William Baker, Salwa Shahimi & John Dransfield.

Summary

The rattan genus Korthalsia Blume (Arecaceae: Calamoideae: Calameae) is widespread in the Malesian region. Among the 28 accepted species are 10 species that form intimate associations with ants. The ants inhabit the conspicuous ocreas that are produced by these species, using them as domatia to care for their young and aphids. As a foundation for future work, we present here a taxonomic treatment of the myrmecophilous Korthalsia species, based on extensive research pursued both in the herbarium and the field. In addition, we conduct detailed morphological characterisation of the structure and development of ocrea using light and scanning electron microscopy. Descriptions, illustrations, keys and distribution maps are presented for all 10 species, along with microscopic images of ocrea morphology and development for selected species.

Keywords: Ant-plant mutualism, Calamoideae, domatia, Malesia, morphology, myrmecophily, ocrea

taxonomy

Distribution map of the genus Korthalsia in the Malesian region (black line).
The distribution of the myrmecophilous species is shown with a red line.

Fig. 1: Images taken in the field of the leaf bases of six species of Korthalsia with different ocrea types.
A Korthalsia echinometra, inflated ocrea; B K. rostrata, inflated ocrea; C K. robusta, divergent ocrea; D K. debilis, tightly sheathing ocrea; E K. rigida, tightly sheathing ocrea; F K. jala, fibrous net-like ocrea.

Photos: A, B William Baker, C – E Salwa Shahimi, F John Dransfield.

Salwa Shahimi, Maria Conejero, Christina J. Prychid, Paula J. Rudall, Julie A. Hawkins and William J. Baker. 2019. A Taxonomic Revision of the Myrmecophilous Species of the Rattan Genus Korthalsia (Arecaceae). Kew Bulletin. 74, 69. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-019-9854-x

Rhododendron pudingense X.Y. Dai, C.H. Yang & Y.P. Ma

in Dai, Yang, Yang, et al., 2020.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.146.51342

Abstract
A new species of the Rhododendron (Ericaceae) in subgen. Tsutsusi sect. Tsutsusi from Puding county of Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. The new species, Rhododendron pudingense X.Y. Dai, C.H. Yang & Y.P. Ma, is similar to R. myrsinifolium Ching ex Fang et M. Y. He and R. minutiflorum Hu, but it can be easily distinguished by its length and being pubescent on inner surface of corolla tube, sparse hairs below the middle of filament and the glabrous style.

Keywords: China, Ericaceae, Guizhou, Rhododendron, R. pudingense, Tsutsusi

Figure 1. Rhododendron pudingense X.Y. Dai & C.H. Yang, sp. nov.
A fruiting branch B flowering branch C leaf abaxial D flowers E side view of flower F stigma and ovary G stamen H capsule.

Figure 2. Rhododendron pudingense X.Y. Dai & C.H. Yang, sp. nov.
A habitat B one flowering plant C inflorescence D flower viewed from different angles as well as stigma and filaments E fruit branch.

Rhododendron pudingense X.Y. Dai, C.H. Yang & Y.P. Ma., sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet is named after the type locality Puding County, in which this plant was first discovered.

Vernacular name: Chinese mandarin: pǔ dìng dù juān (普定杜鹃)

Distribution and habitat: So far, this species is only known from the type locality (Pudding County) and from the Wangmo County, Guizhou Province, southwest China. At these locations Rhododendron pudingense grows in evergreen and deciduous broad leaved mixed open forests within the rock cracks of limestone hills, at an elevation of 1300 m to 1400 m.

Xiao-Yong Dai, Cheng-Hua Yang, Bing Yang, Pu Chen and Yong-Peng Ma. 2020. A New Species of Rhododendron (Ericaceae) from Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys. 146: 53-59. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.146.51342

Jasminum parceflorum Kai Zhang & D.X. Zhang

in Zhang, Wu, Pan, Zhou & Zhang, 2020.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.146.49625

Abstract

Jasminum parceflorum (Oleaceae), a new species from tropical limestone habitats in Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. The new species is similar to J. pierreanum and J. rarum, but can be distinguished by its linear calyx lobes, dry calyces without ridges, terminal 1 (or 3)-flowered cymes and axillary solitary flowers.

Keywords: Jasminum, limestone forest, Xishuangbanna

Figure 1. Jasminum parceflorum.
A flowering branch B branchlet C leaves (adaxial view and abaxial view) D vein axils with hair tufts (abaxial view) E stamens F pin flower G thrum flower H peduncle with bracts I calyx J pistil of pin flower K pistil of thrum flower L stigma. Drawn by Yunxiao Liu.

Figure 2. Jasminum parceflorum.
A habitat B habit C branch with a thrum flower D branchlet E dissected corolla tubes, thrum flower (upper) and pin flower (lower) F fruiting branch G branches with pin flowers H calyx.

Scale bars: 0.5 mm (D), 1 cm (E, F), 1 mm (H). Photos by Kai Zhang.

Jasminum parceflorum Kai Zhang & D.X. Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Jasminum parceflorum is morphologically similar to J. pierreanum Gagnep. and J. rarum Kerr, but can be distinguished by its linear calyx lobes, dry calyces without ridges, terminal 1 (or 3)-flowered cymes and axillary solitary flowers.

Distribution and habitat: Jasminum parceflorum is currently found in Mengla County and Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (Fig. 3). It grows in tropical evergreen forests on slopes of limestone mountains, never occurring in open areas such as mountain ridges and forest edges.

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the fact that its mature individual has fewer flowers in comparison with most other jasmine species.

Figure 3. A Distribution of Jasminum parceflorum in Yunnan Province, China
B view of Yinchang Mountain.

Kai Zhang, Mingsong Wu, Bo Pan, Lianxuan Zhou and Dianxiang Zhang. 2020. Jasminum parceflorum (Oleaceae), A New Species from southern Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys 146: 109-115. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.146.49625

Triacanthoneus blanca Anker, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.3.2

Abstract

The recently described alpheid genus Triacanthoneus Anker, 2010 is reassessed based on new material from the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama, and the southern Gulf of Mexico. Salmoneus armatus Anker, 2010 is tentatively transferred to Triacanthoneus and the latter genus is redefined. A new eastern Pacific species of Triacanthoneus is described based on a single specimen collected by scuba diving off Coiba Island on the Pacific coast of Panama. Triacanthoneus blanca sp. nov. is closely related to its only eastern Pacific congener, T. pacificus Anker, 2010, which is reported for the first time from the Las Perlas Islands in the Gulf of Panama. Morphological variation in T. toro Anker, 2010 is discussed on the basis of new topotypical material from Bocas del Toro, Panama, and a single specimen tentatively reported as T. cf. toro from Sisal, Mexico. An identification key to the seven currently known species of Triacanthoneus, with updated distributional and ecological information, as well as high-resolution colour photographs of four species are also provided.

Keywords: Malacostraca, Triacanthoneus, Salmoneus, Alpheidae, Caridea, genus redefinition, new species, new combination, new records, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Panama, Gulf of Mexico

Triacanthoneus blanca sp. nov.

Arthur Anker. 2020. Taxonomic Remarks on the Alpheid Shrimp Genus Triacanthoneus Anker, 2010, with Description of A Second eastern Pacific Species (Malacostraca: Decapoda). Zootaxa. 4772(3); 450–468. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4772.3.2

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Triacanthoneus blanca