[Invertebrate • 2020] Advhena magnifica • A Collection of Hexactinellids (Porifera) from the deep South Atlantic and North Pacific: New Genus, New Species and New Records

July 9, 2020, 8:16 pm

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Advhena magnifica  Castello-Branco​, Collins & Hajdu, 2020 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9431   fisheries.NOAA.gov

Abstract 

This article describes or redescribes four hexactinellid sponges, namely Poliopogon amadou, Euplectella sanctipauli sp. nov., Bolosoma perezi sp. nov. and Advhenamagnifica gen. et sp. nov. P. amadou, E. sanctipauli sp. nov. and B. perezi sp. nov. represent new findings for the South Atlantic deep-sea fauna, including the first record of Bolosoma for this ocean. Advhena magnifica gen. et sp. nov., on the other hand, was collected by NOAA oceanographic expeditions in the North Pacific (Pigafetta Guyot).

Figure 8: Advhena magnifica gen. et sp. nov. holotype (USNM 1424107). (A‒D) specimen in situ; (E and F) details of specimen in ethanol (1 cm).

Genus Advhena gen. nov.

Type species: Advhena magnifica gen. et sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Bolosominae with a globular body slightly flattened, with big lateral opening and long stalk (at least four times the body size). Choanosomal spicules are diactins. Dermalia and atrialia are hexactins and pentactins. Microscleres are discohexasters, codonhexasters, calycodiscohexasters and graphiocomes.

Etymology: Feminine gender. Modified from the latin, ‘Advena’, meaning stranger, foreigner, alien, newcomer, guest, in reference to the sponge shape, which calls to mind aliens from various movies. An ‘h’ was added in ‘Advena’ (Advhena) to distinguish the name from that of the helicarionid gastropod Advena Gude, 1913, in order to make sure there will be no overlapping with valid names.

Remarks: The new specimen cannot be accommodated in any of the currently accepted genera in the subfamily (Table 2). It is clearly a long stalked Bolosominae individuum, with diactins as the main spicules, plus hexactins and pentactins. It is distinguished from other Bolosominae by the set of microscleres present, namely discasters, discohexasters, codonhexasters and derivatives, calycocomes, and graphiocomes, which render it unique among bolosomines, and justifies the proposal of a new genus.

Advhena magnifica sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Advhena magnifica sp. nov. is the only representative of Bolosominae with microscleres as discasters (480–570 μm diam.), discohexasters (55–60 μm diam.), codonstaurasters (103–160 μm diam.), discohexasters with calycocomes (138–255 μm diam.) and graphiocomes (150 μm (N = 1); 20–33 μm primary rays’ diam.).

DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY. Known from its type locality in the Pigafetta Guyot, east of the Mariana Trench (Pacific Ocean), 2028 m depth. Some video footage of likely Advhena specimens was obtained by NOAA ‘Okeanos’ expedition a year later (25 July 2017) at a locality rich in sponge diversity, dubbed the “Forest of the Weird”, as part of the Laulima O Ka Moana: Exploring Deep Monument Waters Around Johnston Atoll expedition (EX1706; on https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1706/dailyupdates/media/video/dive11-forest/forest.html).

ETYMOLOGY. The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition, and refers to the species’ magnificent, beautiful appearance.

Figure 10: Illustration of Advhena magnifica gen. et sp. nov. microscleres. (A) Codonstauraster; (B) graphiocome (Illustrations by Nicholas Bezio).

Cristiana Castello-Branco​, Allen G. Collins and Eduardo Hajdu. 2020. A Collection of Hexactinellids (Porifera) from the deep South Atlantic and North Pacific: New Genus, New Species and New Records.  PeerJ. 8:e9431 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9431

A Magnificent New Sponge from the Deep Gets a Name

fisheries.NOAA.gov/feature-story/magnificent-new-sponge-deep-gets-name

twitter.com/NOAAFisheries/status/1281314004581986304

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[Botany • 2020] Vanilla armoriquensis (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae) • Living in the Clouds: A New High-elevation Species of Vanilla from Peru

July 9, 2020, 8:39 pm

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2020] Hypomasticus santanai • A New Species of Hypomasticus (Characiformes, Anostomidae) from Eastern Brazil Based on Morphological and Molecular Data

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Vanilla armoriquensis Damian & Mitidieri  in Damian & Mitidieri, 2020.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.451.2.5  Illustration by Robb Niklasson   instagram.com/botanicole_

Abstract

Vanilla armoriquensis, a new species belonging to subgen. Vanilla, is described and illustrated based on living material from Peru. The new species is similar to V. costaricensis but can be easily distinguished by the larger sepals and petals, and a lip with a well-developed triangular apex, bearing a callus with prominent, broad keels, that has an orange coloration at the base and above the middle.

Keywords: Taxonomy; Vanilla costaricensis; V. methonica; V. mexicana; Vanilla subgenus Vanilla; Monocots

Alexander Damian and Nicole Mitidieri. 2020. Living in the Clouds: A New High-elevation Species of Vanilla (Orchidaceae, Vanilloideae) from Perú. Phytotaxa. 451(2); 154–160. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.451.2.5   

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[Ichthyology • 2020] Hypomasticus santanai • A New Species of Hypomasticus (Characiformes, Anostomidae) from Eastern Brazil Based on Morphological and Molecular Data

July 9, 2020, 11:50 pm

≫ Next: [PaleoMammalogy • 2020] Ankylorhiza tiedemani • Convergent Evolution of Swimming Adaptations in Modern Whales Revealed by A Large Macrophagous Dolphin from the Oligocene of South Carolina

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Hypomasticus santanai Birindelli & Melo in Birindelli, Melo, Ribeiro-Silva, et al, 2020.   DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-335   Researchgate.net/publication/342606193  twitter.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

A new species of Hypomasticus is described from the Rio de Contas, a coastal drainage of eastern Brazil, and its phylogenetic position is proposed based on molecular data. The new species is diagnosed among Anostomidae by possessing a downturned mouth with compressed teeth arranged side by side, 37 or 38 lateral-line scales, three scale series between the dorsal-fin origin and the lateral line and between the lateral line and the pelvic-fin origin, and 12 scale rows around the caudal peduncle. Mitochondrial DNA sequences provide evidence that the new species is closely related to H. mormyrops, H. thayeri, H. copelandii, and H. steindachneri, a clade of species endemic to coastal drainages of eastern Brazil. These results combined with a previous phylogeny support the reallocation of the latter two species from Leporinus to Hypomasticus. The new species is herein considered to be Endangered under the IUCN criteria, due to a small Extent of Occurrence, severely fragmented population, and continued decline of area, extent, and quality of habitat.

Hypomasticus santanai, holotype, MZUEL 18604, 208.2 mm SL, Brazil, Bahia, Rio Gongogi, tributary of Rio de Contas.

Hypomasticus santanai Birindelli and Melo, new species

Distribution.— Hypomasticus santanai is only known from the Rio Gongogi and so far endemic to the Rio de Contas basin, a coastal drainage in the eastern portion of the state of Bahia, Brazil (Fig. 3).

Etymology.— The new species is named in honor to Edson Santana, a technician at the MZUEL since 1993, for his help in collecting fishes, preparing vertebrate specimens, and maintaining the collections of the MZUEL. His enthusiasm captivated generations of staff and students of the MZUEL. In addition, Edson Santana was in the expedition that resulted in the discovery of H. santanai.

Fig. 4. Sample sites of Hypomasticus santanai. (A) Rio Gongogi, tributary of Rio de Contas, approximately 2 km above city of Dario Meira, ...; (B) Rio Gongogi, tributary of Rio de Contas, at Zebrinha, ... All in Brazil, Bahia state.

Fig. 5. Maximum likelihood tree of Anostomidae showing the phylogenetic placement of Hypomasticus santanai. Bootstrap support is indicated by black (75-100%) and gray dots (50-75%); nodes with support lower than 50% have no dots. See Data Accessibility for tree file.

José L. O. Birindelli, Bruno F. Melo, Luís R. Ribeiro-Silva, Debora Diniz and Claudio Oliveira. 2020. A New Species of Hypomasticus from Eastern Brazil Based on Morphological and Molecular Data (Characiformes, Anostomidae). Copeia. 108(2); 416-425. DOI: 10.1643/CI-19-335  

twitter.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1280206834515808256/

Researchgate.net/publication/342606193_A_New_Species_of_Hypomasticus_from_Eastern_Brazil

[PaleoMammalogy • 2020] Ankylorhiza tiedemani • Convergent Evolution of Swimming Adaptations in Modern Whales Revealed by A Large Macrophagous Dolphin from the Oligocene of South Carolina

July 10, 2020, 12:26 am

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Ankylorhiza tiedemani  in Boessenecker, Churchill, Buchholtz, et al., 2020.  DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.012    twitter.com/CofCNatHistory

Highlights

• A large macroraptorial dolphin is reported from the Oligocene of South Carolina

• Well-preserved skeleton reveals stepwise evolution of locomotion in toothed whales

• Convergence in locomotor features is identified between baleen and toothed whales

Summary

Modern whales and dolphins are superbly adapted for marine life, with tail flukes being a key innovation shared by all extant species. Some dolphins can exceed speeds of 50 km/h, a feat accomplished by thrusting the flukes while adjusting attack angle with their flippers. These movements are driven by robust axial musculature anchored to a relatively rigid torso consisting of numerous short vertebrae, and controlled by hydrofoil-like flippers. Eocene skeletons of whales illustrate the transition from semiaquatic to aquatic locomotion, including development of a fusiform body and reduction of hindlimbs, but the rarity of Oligocene whale skeletons has hampered efforts to understand the evolution of fluke-powered, but forelimb-controlled, locomotion. We report a nearly complete skeleton of the extinct large dolphin Ankylorhiza tiedemani comb. n. from the Oligocene of South Carolina, previously known only from a partial rostrum. Its forelimb is intermediate in morphology between stem cetaceans and extant taxa, whereas its axial skeleton displays incipient rigidity at the base of the tail with a flexible lumbar region. The position of Ankylorhiza near the base of the odontocete radiation implies that several postcranial specializations of extant cetaceans, including a shortened humerus, narrow peduncle, and loss of radial tuberosity, evolved convergently in odontocetes and mysticetes. Craniodental morphology, tooth wear, torso vertebral morphology, and body size all suggest that Ankylorhiza was a macrophagous predator that could swim relatively fast, indicating that it was one of the few extinct cetaceans to occupy a niche similar to that of killer whales.

Keywords: Cetacea, Neocetimarine mammal, locomotion, Odontoceti, Cenozoic, apex predator, macrophagous, swimming, hydrofoil

Figure 1: Skull and Skeleton of Ankylorhiza tiedemani, CCNHM 103. (A–M) Skull in lateral view (A); vertex in dorsal view (B); sternum in dorsal view (C); selected vertebrae in anterior view (D); skeletal reconstruction with preserved elements in white and missing elements in red (E); selected teeth in labial view (F); proximal phalanx III in lateral (top) and distal (bottom) views (G); proximal phalanx IV in proximal (top) and lateral (bottom) views (H); metacarpals in lateral view (I); ulna, pisiform, and pyramidal in lateral view (J); and humerus in medial (K), lateral (L), and anterior (M) view. Abbreviations: c, capitulum; dpc, deltopectoral crest; fr, frontal; gt, greater tuberosity; if, infraspinatus fossa; ip, interparietal; lt, lesser tuberosity; mx, maxilla; na, nasal; nc, nuchal crest; of, olecranon facet; op, olecranon process; os, occipital shield; p, parietal; pi, pisiform; pmx, premaxilla; pop, postorbital process; py, pyramidal; rf, radial facet; tf, temporal fossa; tn, trochlear notch; uf, ulnar facet; zp, zygomatic process.

 Systematic Paleontology

Order Cetacea; 

Suborder Odontoceti; 

Ankylorhiza gen. nov.

Etymology. Ankylorhiza. Genus is Greek for “fused roots,” referring to the advanced degree of postcanine tooth root fusion for stem Odontoceti.

Ankylorhiza tiedemani, comb. nov.

Holotype. AMNH 10445, partial rostrum, Ashley Formation, South Carolina [14].

Referred Specimens. CCNHM 103, partial skeleton (Figure 1); Chandler Bridge Formation, late Oligocene (24.7–23.5 Ma), South Carolina; CCNHM 220, partial skull and associated vertebrae; Ashley Formation, early Oligocene (29.0–26.57 Ma), South Carolina (Methods S1).

Diagnosis. Ankylorhiza tiedemani is a large (425 mm bizygomatic width; body length est. 4.8 m) stem odontocete with limited polydonty (10 postcanine teeth) and moderate heterodonty. Ankylorhiza differs from all other odontocetes in the extreme development of nuchal crests and differs from all other stem odontocetes in its larger size and combination of derived (mostly single-rooted teeth; simplified tooth crowns) and plesiomorphic characters (e.g., parietal exposed at vertex, symmetrical skull, prominent intertemporal constriction, and longer humerus with long deltopectoral crest; Methods S1: Supplemental Diagnosis of Ankylorhiza tiedemani). Ankylorhiza differs from all crown Odontoceti in possessing some double-rooted teeth, prominent intertemporal constriction, and widely open mesorostral gutter along the entire length of the rostrum.

Figure 4: Relationships of Ankylorhiza and Convergent Postcranial Evolution in Neoceti Illustrated on a Simplified Cladogram

 Robert W. Boessenecker, Morgan Churchill, Emily A. Buchholtz, Brian L. Beatty and Jonathan H. Geisler. 2020. Convergent Evolution of Swimming Adaptations in Modern Whales Revealed by A Large Macrophagous Dolphin from the Oligocene of South Carolina. Current Biology. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.012  

 twitter.com/CofCNatHistory/status/1281235472799404034

15-foot-long skeleton of extinct dolphin suggests parallel evolution among whales

eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/cp-1so070220.php

         

Trierarchuncus

July 12, 2020, 2:10 am

≫ Next: [Entomology • 2020] Cicindelidia cyanipleura • A New Tiger Beetle (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

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Trierarchuncus prairiensis Fowler, Wilson, Freedman Fowler, Noto, Anduza & Horner, 2020  DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104560   DickinsonMuseumCenter.com

Highlights

• A growth series of hand claws and other fossil material from a new taxon, Trierarchuncus prairiensis, of the unusual theropod family Alvarezsauridae is described.

• One claw is the most complete known for Alvarezsauridae and challenges assumptions about the lack of curvature in derived members of the group and demonstrates that alvarezsaurid claws could be of higher curvature than typically reconstructed.

• The possible growth series suggests that alvarezsaurid manual unguals may have changed morphology through ontogeny, with younger individuals retaining more basal characteristics. This has implications for taxonomy and phylogeny of the group as some taxa are described based on probable juvenile remains.

• Trierarchuncus derives from the uppermost Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation of Montana, and is therefore the youngest known alvarezsaurid and was one of the very last dinosaurs, which went extinct at the K–Pg boundary mass extinction.

Abstract

The enigmatic Alvarezsauria (Dinosauria: Theropoda) are characterized by extremely short forelimbs with a single functional digit bearing a large, robust ungual. Alvarezsauria are first recorded from the Jurassic of China, but are otherwise mostly known from the Cretaceous of South America and Asia, including a number of relatively complete skeletons. North America has yielded only a fragmentary skeleton from the lower Maastrichtian Horseshoe Canyon Formation, Alberta, and a pubis, partial ischium, and metatarsal from the upper Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation, Montana, and Lance Formation, Wyoming. Here we describe new alvarezsaurid material from the Hell Creek Formation, Montana, comprising a metatarsal III, distal end of a radius, and three manual digit (MD)-I unguals, which form a progressive size series. One MD-I ungual is the most complete yet described, and is much more curved than typically depicted for Alvarezsauridae. Manual D-I unguals are of particular interest as they undergo a number of changes within the clade, including enclosure of the ventral blood vessel groove, development of a ventral sulcus, and increased robusticity and rugosity. Comparison among the new specimens suggests that these features also develop ontogenetically, which may have taxonomic implications. Stratigraphic data shows that alvarezsaurids occur through most of the ∼85 m thick Hell Creek Formation, with the uppermost specimen occurring ∼10 m below the upper contact with the Fort Union Formation. As such these are the youngest known alvarezsaurid remains and demonstrate that the clade survived at least until ∼1–200 kyrs before the Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction.

Keywords: Dinosaur, Theropoda, Alvarezsauridae, Mononykus, Hell Creek Formation, Late Cretaceous

 Systematic Paleontology 

Dinosauria Owen, 1842 

Saurischia Seeley, 1888 

Theropoda Marsh, 1881 

Maniraptora Gauthier, 1986 

Alvarezsauridae Bonaparte, 1991 

Trierarchuncus prairiensis gen. et sp. nov. 

Derivation of name. The genus name refers to the 'trierarch', specifically a seafaring ship's captain (trirēmē ships of ancient Greece), and 'uncus' meaning hook (Latin). Species name means 'of the prairie', referring to the gentle plains of eastern Montana (in particular the American Prairie Reserve) where the new material was discovered.

  

Denver W. Fowler, John P. Wilson, Elizabeth A. Freedman Fowler, Christopher R. Noto, Daniel Anduza and John R.Horner. 2020. Trierarchuncus prairiensis gen. et sp. nov., the last alvarezsaurid: Hell Creek Formation (uppermost Maastrichtian), Montana. Cretaceous Research. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2020.104560

twitter.com/df9465/status/1281788167842979841

Trierarchuncus prairiensis (“Captain Hook of the prairie”): a new species of bizarre hook-handed alvarezsaurid dinosaur.

DickinsonMuseumCenter.com/badlands_research-2020newalvarezsaurid

[Entomology • 2020] Cicindelidia cyanipleura • A New Tiger Beetle (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae) from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt

July 12, 2020, 2:44 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2020] Limnophis branchi • Kissing Cousins: A Review of the African Genus Limnophis Günther, 1865 (Colubridae: Natricinae), with the Description of A New Species from north-eastern Angola

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Cicindelidia cyanipleura  Duran & Roman, 2020 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4810.2.11   twitter.com/DanDuranBugMan

Abstract

A new tiger beetle species, Cicindelidia cyanipleura Duran and Roman n. sp., of the tribe Cicindelini, is described from the southwestern section of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Superficially, it appears to be most closely related to C. rufiventris (Dejean, 1825) but is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characters and behavior. Given the rock-loving natural history of the species, escape behavior, polished pronotum, and small body size, it may be more closely related to the petrophiles C. laetipennis (Horn, 1913) or C. politula (LeConte, 1875), from which it is distinguished on the basis of multiple morphological characters and biogeography.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Cicindelidia, new species, Jalisco, Mexico, taxonomy

FIGURE 4. Cicindelidia cyanipleura n. sp. Frontal habitus. A) Male. B) Female. Male labrum exhibits a concave margin, medially. Female labrum unidentate, margin not concave medially.

Cicindelidia cyanipleura Duran & Roman, n. sp.

  

Etymology. Cicindelidia cyanipleura n. sp. is named after the blue sides of the elytra and epipleura, derived from Greek: cyan- = blue, -pleura = side.

Daniel P. Duran and Stephen J. Roman. 2020. A New Tiger Beetle from the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Coleoptera, Cicindelidae, Cicindelini). Zootaxa. 4810(2); 375–382. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4810.2.11

  twitter.com/DanDuranBugMan/status/1281621214168055808

[Herpetology • 2020] Limnophis branchi • Kissing Cousins: A Review of the African Genus Limnophis Günther, 1865 (Colubridae: Natricinae), with the Description of A New Species from north-eastern Angola

July 12, 2020, 3:26 am

≫ Next: [Paleontology • 2020] Lusovenator santosi • A New Carcharodontosaurian Theropod from the Lusitanian Basin: Evidence of Allosauroid Sympatry in the European Late Jurassic

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Limnophis branchi Conradie, Deepak, Keates & Gower, 2020 DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2020.1782483   facebook.com/PEMHerp Photo: Bill Branch.

ABSTRACT

The African natricine genus Limnophis is represented by two species: Limnophis bicolor Günther, 1865 and Limnophis bangweolicus (Mertens, 1936). They are stout-bodied, semi-aquatic snakes that mostly feed on fish and amphibians, and occur from Botswana and Namibia in the south throughout most of Zambia and Angola to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the north. We gathered new material from the ranges of both species in Angola and Zambia in order to examine their taxonomic status and identify any overlooked diversity. We constructed a phylogenetic tree, based on three mitochondrial genes (16S, cytb, ND4) and one nuclear gene (cmos), which includes the first DNA sequence data for Limnophis. Three well-supported lineages were identified, each representing separate species. The taxonomic status of the two currently recognised species is validated, and we describe a new species of Limnophis from north-eastern Angola. The new species is distinguished from the others by the combination of distinct ventral and lateral head colouration and patterning, differences in head and ventral scalation, and uncorrected pairwise genetic distances to both L.bicolor and L. bangweolicus of 5.4–8.1% in cytb, 6.1–8.4% in ND4 and 2.7–8.3% in 16S.

KEYWORDS: Africa, cryptic species, geometric morphometrics, integrative taxonomy, Serpentes, swamp snake

Limnophis branchi sp. nov. (paratype – PEM R19466) Photo: Bill Branch.   facebook.com/PEMHerp

Limnophis branchi sp. nov. 

 Branch’s Swamp Snake

Etymology – We name this new snake species in honour of the late William ‘Bill’ Roy Branch (1947–2018), Curator Emeritus of Herpetology at Port Elizabeth Museum, in recognition of his many contributions to African herpetology, especially in Angola during the latter part of his career. The lead author was introduced to reptile systematics and Angolan herpetology by Bill and is grateful for his guidance and mentorship over the years. The name is masculine in gender.

Werner Conradie,V. Deepak, Chad Keates and David J. Gower. 2020. Kissing Cousins: A Review of the African Genus Limnophis Günther, 1865 (Colubridae: Natricinae), with the Description of A New Species from north-eastern Angola. African Journal of Herpetology. DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2020.1782483  

facebook.com/PEMHerp/posts/3320069024746629

twitter.com/DeepakVeerappan/status/1281114378151038976
  

RESUMO: O género africano de natricíneos Limnophis contém duas espécies: Limnophis bicolor Günther, 1865 e Limnophis bangweolicus (Mertens, 1936). Estas cobras semi-aquáticas de corpo robusto alimentam-se principalmente de peixes e anfíbios, e ocorrem no sul de África entre o Botswana e a Namíbia, para norte em grande parte da Zâmbia e Angola até à República Democrática do Congo. Nós colhemos material da área de distribuição de ambas as espécies em Angola e na Zâmbia para examinar o seu estatuto taxonómico, e para identificar se existia alguma diversidade oculta. Construímos uma árvore filogenética baseada em três genes mitocondriais (16S, cytb, ND4) e um gene nuclear (cmos), incluindo os primeiros dados de sequências genéticas para o género Limnophis. Foram identificadas três linhagens bem suportadas, cada uma representando uma espécie distinta. Assim, validámos o estatuto taxonómico das duas espécies já conhecidas, e descrevemos uma nova espécie de Limnophis do nordeste de Angola. Esta nova espécie pode ser distinguida das outras pela combinação de padrões de coloração ventral e lateral da cabeça, e diferenças nas escamas da cabeça e escamas ventrais. As distâncias genéticas não corrigidas entre esta espécie e L. bicolor e L. bangweolicus são de 5.4–8.1% para o gene cytb, 6.1–8.4% para o ND4 e 2.7–8.3% para o 16S.

PALAVRAS-CHAVE: África, morfometria geométrica, taxonomia integrativa, Serpentes, cobra-dos-pântanos

[Paleontology • 2020] Lusovenator santosi • A New Carcharodontosaurian Theropod from the Lusitanian Basin: Evidence of Allosauroid Sympatry in the European Late Jurassic

July 12, 2020, 4:13 am

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2020] Nanoplax thomai & Pseudopanopeus pusillus • A New Crab of the Genus Nanoplax from the Gulf of Mexico, and Assignment of Micropanope pusilla to A New Genus (Brachyura, Pseudorhombilidae)

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Lusovenator santosi Malafaia, Mocho, Escaso & Ortega, 2020   DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2020.1768106   twitter.com/EFMalafaia   twitter.com/PD_Mocho

ABSTRACT

Carcharodontosaurian allosauroids were temporally restricted to the Cretaceous, being known from all land masses with the exception of Antarctica. In addition to Veterupristisaurus from Tanzania, exceptions to this distribution have been reported recently, consisting on fragmentary materials from Upper Jurassic strata of China, Germany, and Portugal. Here, we propose a new Late Jurassic carcharodontosaurian taxon,Lusovenator santosi, gen. et sp. nov. based on the reevaluation of previously described specimens from the Lusitanian Basin, Portugal. The performed phylogenetic analysis recovered Lusovenator santosi as an early branching carcharodontosaurian allosauroid diagnosed by an exclusive combination of characters, including three autapomorphic features: (1) large recesses in neural arch of anterior dorsal vertebrae; (2) well-developed and continuous longitudinal laminae extending from the tip of the prezygapophyses to the distal end of the postzygapophyses in mid-caudal vertebrae; and (3) supraacetabular crest of ilium forming a prominent ventrolaterally projecting shelf. Lusovenator santosi is the oldest carcharodontosaurian allosauroid yet discovered from Laurasia and supports unequivocally the hypothesis of a pre-Cretaceous scenario for the radiation of the clade. The identification of this taxon highlights the high diversity of medium- to large-bodied theropods in the later part of the Late Jurassic of the Iberian Peninsula. Carcharodontosauria is not yet known in correlative levels of the North American Morrison Formation, and the existence of contacts after the late Tithonian between these landmasses could explain the distribution of this clade and other dinosaur groups present in the Iberian Jurassic and in the North American Lower Cretaceous.

FIGURE 1. Lusovenator santosi, gen. et sp. nov., SHN.036, holotype, selected skeletal remains. A, odontoid and atlantal intercentrum in anterior view. B, cervical vertebra in right lateral view. C, D, anterior dorsal vertebra in C, right lateral and D, ventral views. E, sacral neural arch in posterior view. F, neural arch of anterior caudal vertebra in left lateral view. G, H, middle caudal vertebra in G, dorsal and H, left lateral views. I, right ilium in lateral view; J, K, pubes in J, left lateral and K, ventral views. L, silhouette showing preserved elements of SHN.036. A plus sign (+) indicates a diagnostic character and an asterisk (*) indicates an autapomorphy of Lusovenator santosi, gen. et sp. nov. Abbreviations: acdl, anterior centrodiapophyseal lamina; act, acetabulum; at in, atlantal intercentrum; bf, brevis fossa; cpf, cupedicus fossa; isp, ischial peduncle; mec, medial crest; ms, medial symphysis; ncs, neurocentral suture; ns, neural spine; od, odontoid; pcdl, posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina; posdf, postzygapophyseal spinodiapophyseal fossa; poz, postzygapophysis; pp, parapophysis; prz, prezygapophysis; pup, pubic peduncle; spof, spinopostzygapophyseal fossa; tp, transverse process. Scale bars equal 25 mm (A), 50 mm (B–H), 100 mm (I–K), and 1 m (L).

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY 

THEROPODA Marsh, 1881 

TETANURAE Gauthier, 1986 

AVETHEROPODA Paul, 1988

ALLOSAUROIDEA Marsh, 1878 

CARCHARODONTOSAURIA Benson, Carrano, and Brusatte, 2010 

LUSOVENATOR SANTOSI, gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology— The generic name is composed from the Latin words Luso, referring to Lusitania, the province in Roman Hispania related to the current Portugal, and venator, from the Latin word for hunter; the specific name santosi after José Joaquim dos Santos, who found and collected the holotype.

FIGURE 3. Time-calibrated evolutionary tree for Allosauroidea. Agreement subtree produced in TNT, with additional taxa incorporated (Veterupristisaurus milneri) marked with dashed line (see Fig. S1 for the full version of this tree). The pie charts represent relative frequencies of the clades in different paleogeographic areas calculated based on the number of taxa known in each area. Silhouette of dinosaur modified from the drawing of Scott Hartman. Global paleogeographic reconstructions modified from maps in Blakey (2019).

  

         

CONCLUSION:

A new carcharodontosaurian theropod, Lusovenator santosi, gen. et sp. nov., is defined based on a partial skeleton of a juvenile individual, SHN.036, collected in upper Kimmeridgian levels of the Lusitanian Basin. A second specimen, SHN.019, corresponding to some axial and appendicular elements of a large-sized individual, from upper Tithonian strata in the same geographic area, is tentatively proposed as referred material. Also, an isolated femur previously tentatively assigned to Lourinhanosaurus antunesi is interpreted as belonging to a carcharodontosaur. Thus, the fossil record of these allosauroids in the Lusitanian Basin spans from the Kimmeridgian to the upper Tithonian. Lusovenator santosi represents the oldest member of Carcharodontosauria defined in the Upper Jurassic of Laurasia and extends the record of this clade, which was already represented in the Lower Cretaceous of Europe. Despite the great similarity in the theropod faunal composition, the recognition of a carcharodontosaurian allosauroid taxon provides a component of the Upper Jurassic Lusitanian Basin distinct from its contemporaneous Morrison Formation in North America. The development of a terrestrial dispersal route connecting these landmasses after the late Tithonian could explain the absence of Carcharodontosauria in the diverse theropod faunas of the Morrison Formation and, additionally, their presence during the Early and Late Cretaceous of North America. The new carcharodontosaurian theropod provides the first evidence for sympatry among allosauroid theropods in the Late Jurassic of Europe. Additionally, the discovery of L. santosi sheds light on a poorly known period of carcharodontosaurian history and adds important data to the knowledge of the early evolution of these allosauroids.

 Elisabete Malafaia, Pedro Mocho, Fernando Escaso and Francisco Ortega. 2020. A New Carcharodontosaurian Theropod from the Lusitanian Basin: Evidence of Allosauroid Sympatry in the European Late Jurassic. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e1768106.  DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2020.1768106  

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[Crustacea • 2020] Nanoplax thomai & Pseudopanopeus pusillus • A New Crab of the Genus Nanoplax from the Gulf of Mexico, and Assignment of Micropanope pusilla to A New Genus (Brachyura, Pseudorhombilidae)

July 12, 2020, 7:43 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2020] Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Northeast Thailand

≪ Previous: [Paleontology • 2020] Lusovenator santosi • A New Carcharodontosaurian Theropod from the Lusitanian Basin: Evidence of Allosauroid Sympatry in the European Late Jurassic

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Pseudopanopeus pusillus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) in Felder, 2020.   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4810.3.9

Abstract

Nanoplax thomai n. sp. is described from the Gulf of Mexico, representing the second species of the genus. The description is based upon a number of specimens previously misidentified as Micropanope truncatifrons Rathbun, 1898, including one so represented in recent molecular phylogenetic analyses. As restricted, Micropanope truncatifrons remains known with certainty from only the limited type series, which does not include a mature male, and sequence quality tissues are not available for molecular phylogenetic analyses. Its generic placement remains questionable following morphological study of its type materials and comparisons to specimens representing other present and former members of Micropanope Stimpson, 1871. Those comparisons underscore that morphological and molecular distinctions warrant assignment of Micropanope pusilla A. Milne-Edwards, 1880 to a new genus, herein designated asPseudopanopeus n. gen.

Keywords: Crustacea, Pseudorhombilidae, Gulf of Mexico, Nanoplax, new species, generic revision

Nanoplax thomai n. sp. 

Etymology. The species is named for Brent P. Thoma in recognition of his substantial contributions to understanding of xanthoid crab phylogenetic relationships and in gratitude for the many ways in which he has facilitated the present author’s work over the last decade

Pseudopanopeus pusillus n. comb. male, cw 5.6 mm (ULLZ 14362 = USNM 1536353) northeastern Gulf of Mexico;

Pseudopanopeus n. gen. 

Etymology. The prefix “pseudo”, for false, is paired with the suffix “panopeus”, derived from the type genus of Panopeidae Ortmann, 1893. As the gender is masculine, its combination with the type species name becomes Pseudopanopeus pusillus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880). While resembling panopeids in general habitus and long grouped among members of that family, this genus is one of several such that instead fall among Pseudorhombilidae in the phylogenetic analyses of Thoma et al. (2014). 

Pseudopanopeus pusillus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1880) n. comb.

Micropanope pusilla A. Milne-Edwards, 1880

Darryl L. Felder. 2020. A New Crab of the Genus Nanoplax from the Gulf of Mexico, and Assignment of Micropanope pusilla to A New Genus (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pseudorhombilidae). Zootaxa. 4810(3); 531–545. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4810.3.9

[Botany • 2020] Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Northeast Thailand

July 13, 2020, 3:38 am

≫ Next: [Paleontology • 2020] Irisosaurus yimenensis • A New Species of early-diverging Sauropodiformes from the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation of Yunnan Province, China

≪ Previous: [Crustacea • 2020] Nanoplax thomai & Pseudopanopeus pusillus • A New Crab of the Genus Nanoplax from the Gulf of Mexico, and Assignment of Micropanope pusilla to A New Genus (Brachyura, Pseudorhombilidae)

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Amomum foetidum Boonma & Saensouk in Boonma, S. Saensouk & P. Saensouk, 2020.  Taiwania. 65(3).  taiwania.ntu.edu.tw

Abstract

Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Northeast Thailand is here described, illustrated and photographed. The key to three species of Amomum which cited and treated in this paper is provided.

Keyword: Amomum cinnamomeum, Amomum foetidum; New species; Northeast; Thailand; Zingiberaceae

     

Amomum foetidum Boonma & Saensouk, sp. nov.

Fig. 2. Amomum foetidum Boonma & Saensouk;  A. dissection (from left): dorsal corolla lobe, lateral corolla lobes, labellum, stigma, stamen, calyx, floral tube with stamen and ovary, flower (side view); B. flower (top and semi-side view); C. flower (top view); D. stigma (front and side view); E. stamen (front, side, and back view); F. ovary with epigynous glands (side and front view).  Photographed by Thawatphong Boonma.

Fig. 1. Amomum foetidum Boonma & Saensouk; A. habit; B. ligule-side view; C. ligule-front view; D. leaf-margin with the prickly hairs at 1/3 of the leaf tip; E. leaf-apex; F. rhizome with fibers; G. inflorescence above the ground; H. inflorescences and underground part. Photographed by Thawatphong Boonma.

Fig. 3. Amomum foetidum Boonma & Saensouk; A. labellum; B. dorsal corolla lobe; C. lateral corolla lobes; D. calyx; E. stigma (front and side view); F. stamen; G. ovary with epigynous glands (side and front view); H. stamen with corolla tube and ovary; I. habitat with inflorescence and the underground parts; J. close up the inflorescence. Drawn by Thawatphong Boonma.

Distribution: So far known from Sakon Nakhon province and mostly cultivated in Northeastern Thailand. 

Etymology: The specific epithet “foetidum” is derived from the Latin word refers to pungent odor which this plant emits the smell similar to the smell of the Stink Bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury) when sniffing near its flower or crushed the part of this plant. 

  Uses: used to substitute the stink bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury) in cooking. 

Notes: all parts of the plant have a pungent odor similar to the smell of stink bugs (Tessaratoma papillosa Drury), bracts and peduncles are white when young or if it in the underground but it will be green if it above the ground.

Thawatphong Boonma, Surapon Saensouk and Piyaporn Saensouk. 2020. Amomum foetidum (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Northeast Thailand. Taiwania. 65(3); 364-370. 

taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=1696

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[Paleontology • 2020] Irisosaurus yimenensis • A New Species of early-diverging Sauropodiformes from the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation of Yunnan Province, China

July 15, 2020, 1:18 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2020] Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae) A New Generic and Species Record for Thailand

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Irisosaurus yimenensis  Peyre de Fabrègues, Bi, Li, Li, Yang & Xu, 2020.   DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67754-4   life reconstruction by Ang Li.

Abstract

Sauropodomorpha were herbivorous saurischian dinosaurs that incorporate Sauropoda and early-diverging sauropodomorphs. The oldest sauropodomorph remains are known from Late Triassic deposits, most of them Gondwanan. The Laurasian record comprises some Triassic forms, but the bulk is Jurassic in age. Among the 14 Jurassic non-sauropodan sauropodomorphs from Laurasia described in the past, 8 are from China. Here we describe a new non-sauropodan sauropodomorph, Irisosaurus yimenensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Early Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation of China. Nearly all of the non-sauropodan sauropodomorph genera currently known from China were first reported from the Lufeng Formation. The Fengjiahe Formation is its Southern equivalent, bringing a fauna similar to that of the Lufeng Formation to light. The new genus is defined based on an incomplete but unique maxilla, with a premaxillary ramus higher than long prior to the nasal process, a large and deep neurovascular foramen within the perinarial fossa, and a deep perinarial fossa defined by a sharp rim. Phylogenetic analysis places Irisosaurus at the very base of Sauropodiformes, as the sister-taxon of the Argentinean genus Mussaurus. This specimen adds to a growing assemblage of Chinese Jurassic non-sauropodan sauropodomorphs that offers new insight into the Laurasian evolution of this clade.

Outline of Irisosaurus yimenensis gen. et sp. nov. displaying the preserved material. The most informative elements are figured. (a) Outline; (b) Tooth; (c) Left maxilla; (d) Middle cervical; (e) Posterior cervical; (f) Anterior dorsal; (g) Middle dorsal neural spine; (h) Right scapula; (i) Right humerus; (j) Right ulna; (k) Right manus. Scale bars = 1 m (a);1 cm (b); 5 cm (c–g); 10 cm (h–k).

Irisosaurus yimenensis life reconstruction, by Ang Li.

Systematic paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Sauropodomorpha von Huene, 1932

Massopoda Yates, 2007

Sauropodiformes Sereno, 2007

Irisosaurus yimenensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic nomen refers to the famous iridescent clouds of Yunnan Province (彩云之南). The specific epithet refers to Yimen County, where the type locality is located.

Horizon and locality: Upper member of the Fengjiahe Formation, Lower Jurassic. The specimen was collected during the summer 2018 at Jiaojiadian area B, near Zhanmatian village, Shijie Township, Yimen County, Yuxi Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China (Fig. 1). The Fengjiahe Formation is the oldest Lower Jurassic unit in the Province13. The fossil-bearing strata is characterized by reddish argillaceous siltstone (Fig. 2).

Diagnosis: A small sauropodiforme distinguished from other non-sauropodan sauropodomorphs based on the following unique combination of character states (autapomorphies marked with a *): scarce and small nutrient foramina on the lateral surface of the maxilla, large and deep neurovascular foramen in the perinarial fossa*, deep perinarial fossa defined by a sharp rim*, premaxillary ramus of the maxilla higher than long prior to the nasal process*, lack of antorbital fossa (associated with the presence of a medial lamina), teeth lacking denticles (convergence with Yunnanosaurus huangi3, 14), strongly asymmetrical proximal half of metacarpal V*.

Geographic position and geology of the Irisosaurus yimenensis gen. et sp. nov. locality. (a) Map of China, showing the Yunnan Province in red; (b) Map of Yunnan Province, showing the location of the Province capital Kunming and Yuxi city relative to the locality position; (c) Geological map of the Zhanmatian area, showing the location of the locality in the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation.  Maps drawn with ADOBE Illustrator 22.0 (https://www.adobe.com/products/illustrator.html).

Field photograph taken near Irisosaurus yimenensis gen. et sp. nov. locality, showing the village of Zhanmatian on the left and the Early Jurassic reddish argillaceous siltstones surrounding it.

   

Claire Peyre de Fabrègues, Shundong Bi, Hongqing Li, Gang Li, Lei Yang and Xing Xu. 2020. 

A New Species of early-diverging Sauropodiformes from the Lower Jurassic Fengjiahe Formation of Yunnan Province, China. Scientific Reports. 10: 10961.  DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-67754-4

      

[Botany • 2020] Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae) A New Generic and Species Record for Thailand

July 15, 2020, 3:29 am

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2020] Urocaridella arabianensis • A New Palaemonid Shrimp (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Lakshadweep Islands, India with Taxonomic Comparison on the Genus Urocaridella Borradaile, 1915

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กำลังช้างพลาย  ||  Psammosilene tunicoides W.C.Wu & C.Y.Wu in Suddee, Phutthai, Tetsana, et al., 2020.  DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2020.48.2.02 A.–B. by W. Kiewbang; C., F. by T. Phutthai; D.–E. by N. Tetsana.n

ABSTRACT

Psammosilene tunicoides, a new generic and species record for Thailand, is reported. The new record was discovered on a degraded calcareous substrate mountain in the western part of Thailand near the Thai-Myanmar border. The species was previously reported to be endemic to SW China. This occurrence in Thailand greatly extends the distribution of the species. A lectotype is designated here.

Keywords: degraded calcareous substrate mountain, Doi Hua Mot, insufficiently known genus, lectotypification, medicinal plant, monotypic genus, taxonomy, Umphang District

Figure 2. Psammosilene tunicoides W.C.Wu & C.Y.Wu: A. Habit; B. Root; C.–D. Inflorescence; E.–F. Flower. A.–B. by W. Kiewbang; C., F. by T. Phutthai; D.–E. by N. Tetsana.

Psammosilene tunicoides W.C.Wu & C.Y.Wu

Somran Suddee, Thamarat Phutthai, Naiyana Tetsana, Theerawat Thananthaisong, Wittawat Kiewbang. 2020. Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae) A New Generic and Species Record for Thailand. THAI FOREST BULL., BOT. 48(2); 95–100. DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2020.48.2.02

กำลังช้างพลาย Psammosilene tunicoides W. C. Wu & C. Y. Wu พืชสมุนไพรในวงศ์ Caryophyllaceae จากอำเภออุ้มผาง จังหวัดตาก เป็นสกุลและชนิดรายงานการพบใหม่สำหรับประเทศไทย สกุล Psammosilene เป็นสกุล monotypic คือทั้งสกุลมีชนิดเดียว พืชชนิดนี้เคยมีรายงานการพบเฉพาะทางจีนตอนใต้และมีการนำรากมาใช้เป็นสมุนไพรอย่างแพร่หลายจนทำให้ประชากรในธรรมชาติลดลงอย่างมาก การพบในประเทศไทยเป็นการลดความเสี่ยงในการสูญพันธุ์จากธรรมชาติของพืชชนิดนี้ ตีพิมพ์ในวารสารนานาชาติ Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany) 48(2): 95–100. 2020 และได้ทำ lectotypification สำหรับตัวอย่างต้นแบบ

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[Crustacea • 2020] Urocaridella arabianensis • A New Palaemonid Shrimp (Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Lakshadweep Islands, India with Taxonomic Comparison on the Genus Urocaridella Borradaile, 1915

July 16, 2020, 2:29 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2020] Dendrobium veillonii • A New Species of Dendrobium Sw. (Orchidaceae) from New Caledonia and A Key for the Section Kinetochilus Schltr.

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Urocaridella arabianensis   Akash, Purushothaman, Madhavan, Ravi, Hisham, et al., 2020  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4816.1.2

Abstract

A new species of the genus Urocaridella Borradaile, 1915,Urocaridella arabianensis n. sp. is described and illustrated based on fifty-five specimens collected from the reef regions of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, Arabian Sea. Urocaridella arabianensis n. sp. is morphologically close to U. pulchella Yokes & Galil, 2006, reported from the Mediterranean Sea. However, the present specimen is clearly distinguished with its rostrum length, which is 1.7 to 2.1 times as long as carapace, 10 ventral rostral teeth, carpus of 1st pereopod is 2.5 times long as palm, carpus of 2nd pereopod is 1.8 times as long as palm, presence of a spine in latero-middle of the fourth and fifth abdomens and the sixth abdominal segment is 2.3 times long as the fifth segment. Partial segment of the mitochondrial COI, 16S rRNA and nuclear gene 18S rRNA and H3 indicates that the new species is sister to a clade comprising of U. pulchella, U. antonbruunii and U. degravei. The pair wise genetic distance of COI showed great distance with the closest congeneric species.

Keywords: Crustacea, Lakshadweep, Caridean shrimp, Cytochrome oxidase subunit I, Biological features, 18S rRNA

Urocaridella arabianensis n. sp. 

S. Akash, P. Purushothaman, Manu Madhavan, Charan Ravi, T. Jaffer Hisham , M. Sudhakar, T.T. Ajith Kumar and Lal K. Kuldeep. 2020. Urocaridella arabianensis n. sp., A New Palaemonid Shrimp (Crustacea, Decapoda, Palaemonidae) from Lakshadweep Islands, India with Taxonomic Comparison on the Genus Urocaridella Borradaile, 1915. Zootaxa. 4816(1); 49–66. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4816.1.2

[Botany • 2020] Dendrobium veillonii • A New Species of Dendrobium Sw. (Orchidaceae) from New Caledonia and A Key for the Section Kinetochilus Schltr.

July 16, 2020, 3:00 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2020] Hemiphyllodactylus pardalis • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker (Squamata; Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Thailand that converges in Morphology and Color pattern on Pseudogekko smaragdinus (Taylor) from the Philippines

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Dendrobium veillonii M. Pignal in Pignal, Laudereau & Laudereau, 2020.  DOI: 10.5252/adansonia2020v42a9   SciencePress.mnhn.fr   twitter.com/ISYEBsp Photos : C. Laudereau.

ABSTRACT 

 A new species from New Caledonia, Dendrobium veillonii M. Pignal, sp. nov. is described and illustrated. Morphological characters that distinguish the new taxon from the related species, D. pectinatum Finet, D. crassicaule Schltr. and D.cleistogamum Schltr., are outlined, and IUCN conservation status is proposed. An identification key is given for the sect. Kinetochilus Schltr. Lectotypes are designed for D. cleistogamum, D. crassicaule et D. pectinatum. The architecture of the section Kinetochilus Schltr. based on D. veillonii M. Pignal, sp. nov. is analysed.

KEY WORDS: Conservation, New Caledonia, Orchidaceae, plant architecture, lectotypification, new species.

Fig. 5. — Dendrobium veillonii M. Pignal, sp. nov.:  A, B, fleur; A, face, 29.VII.2018; B, profil, 25.VIII.2018; C, gaine fendue laissant passer l’inflorescence, tige, 25.VIII.2018; D, fruit; E, plantule adventive (keiki), 25.VIII.2018; F, tige et feuilles faces adaxiales, 25.VIII.2018; G, inflorescence, 21.VIII.2018; H, tige et feuilles faces abaxiales, 25.VIII.2018; I, feuille face abaxiale, 10.XI.2018; J, fruit détail, 25.VIII.2018. Toutes les photos sont issues d’une culture à Nouméa, provenant de la concession Cornwall à Tiébaghi. Échelles: A, B, longueur du pétale: 5 mm; C, E, F, largeur de la tige: 5 mm; G, H, I, longueur de la feuille: 22 mm; D, J, longueur du fruit: 13 mm.

      

Dendrobium veillonii M. Pignal, sp. nov.

 D.pectinato similis, sed planta lithophytica (versus epiphytica), caulibus foliisque carnosioribus, foliorum inferna pagina atrorubra (vs viridem), paulo flexuosis caulibus (vs manifeste flexuosis), inflorescentia longiore (40-80 mm vs 20 mm), flavescentibus vel albidis tepalis (vs rubrostriata lutea), lanceolatis petalis (vs obovata), angusto, triangulari et rubro labello (vs angustum panduriforme et luteum), praecipue differt.

Fig. 1.— A, C, Dendrobium pectinatum Finet: A, appareil végétatif; C, fleur: 22.V.2011, Kiel; B, Dendrobium veillonii M. Pignal, sp. nov., appareil végétatif, 21.VII.2018, Laudereau & Laudereau 1175 à la concession Cornwall à Tiébaghi ; D, F, I, D. crassicaule Schltr.: D, fleur; F, appareil végétatif; I, inflorescence; E, G, H, D.cleistogamum Schltr.: E, inflorescence; G, fleur; H, tige. Photos : C. Laudereau.

2020. Une espèce nouvelle du genre Dendrobium Sw. (Orchidaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie et une clé pour la section Kinetochilus Schltr. 

Abstract: Une nouvelle espèce de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Dendrobium veillonii M. Pignal, sp. nov. est décrite et illustrée. Les caractères morphologiques distinguant le nouveau taxon des espèces apparentées, D. pectinatum Finet, D. crassicaule Schltr. et D. cleistogamum Schltr., sont présentés. Son statut UICN de conservation est proposé. Une clé d'identification est donnée pour la section Kinetochilus Schltr. Les lectotypes sont désignés pour D. cleistogamum, D. crassicaule et D. pectinatum. L'architecture de la section Kinetochilus Schltr. est analysée sur la base de D. veillonii M. Pignal, sp. nov.

KEYWORDS: conservation, Nouvelle-Calédonie, ORCHIDACEAE, architecture des plantes, Lectotypification, espèce nouvelle

Marc Pignal, Christian Laudereau and Pierre-Louis Laudereau. 2020. Une espèce nouvelle du genre Dendrobium Sw. (Orchidaceae) de Nouvelle-Calédonie et une clé pour la section Kinetochilus Schltr. [A New Species of Dendrobium Sw. (Orchidaceae) from New Caledonia and A Key for the Section Kinetochilus Schltr.]. Adansonia. 42(9); 189-200. DOI: 10.5252/adansonia2020v42a9

  SciencePress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/adansonia/42/9

  twitter.com/ISYEBsp/status/1275741873341169664

[Herpetology • 2020] Hemiphyllodactylus pardalis • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker (Squamata; Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Thailand that converges in Morphology and Color pattern on Pseudogekko smaragdinus (Taylor) from the Philippines

July 16, 2020, 3:49 am

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2020] Fredius ibiapaba • A New Species of Freshwater Crab Genus Fredius Pretzmann, 1967 (Brachyura: Pseudothelphusidae) from A Naturally Isolated Orographic Forest Enclave within the Semiarid Caatinga in Ceará, northeastern Brazil

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Hemiphyllodactylus pardalis  Grismer, Yushchenko, Pawangkhanant, Naiduangchan, Nazarov, Orlova, Suwannapoom & Poyarkov, 2020 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4816.2.2

Abstract

An integrative taxonomic analysis of newly discovered populations of Hemiphyllodactylus from Indochina recovered a new species from Peninsular Thailand and two others from Laos. The new Thai species, Hemiphyllodactylus pardalis sp. nov. described herein, is the sister species to all other species in the newly designated Indochina clade and has a unique spotted contrasting dorsal pattern not seen in any other species of Hemiphyllodactylus. This, along with its elongate and gracile body morphology, renders it remarkably convergent on the Philippine gecko Pseudogekko smaragdinus despite the fact it is deeply nested within Hemiphyllodactylus. The description of this new species underscores the depauperate nature of Hemiphyllodactylus diversity throughout Indochina in general and Thailand in particular compared to neighboring upland areas of Myanmar and Peninsular Malaysia. This especially underscores the need for continued herpetofaunal field surveys in montane areas of western Thailand.

Keywords: Reptilia, Phylogenetic systematics, Indochina, Thai-Malay Peninsula, taxonomy, convergent evolution

 Hemiphyllodactylus pardalis sp. nov. 

L. Lee Grismer, Platon V. Yushchenko, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Mali Naiduangchan, Roman A. Nazarov, Valentina F. Orlova, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2020. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker (Squamata; Gekkonidae) from Peninsular Thailand that converges in Morphology and Color pattern on Pseudogekko smaragdinus (Taylor) from the Philippines. Zootaxa. 4816(2); 171–190. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4816.2.2

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[Crustacea • 2020] Fredius ibiapaba • A New Species of Freshwater Crab Genus Fredius Pretzmann, 1967 (Brachyura: Pseudothelphusidae) from A Naturally Isolated Orographic Forest Enclave within the Semiarid Caatinga in Ceará, northeastern Brazil

July 17, 2020, 1:37 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2020] Mammillaria breviplumosa (Cactaceae, Cacteae) • A New Species from Mexico

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Fredius ibiapaba Santos, Tavares, Silva, Cervini, Pinheiro​ & Santana, 2020   DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9370

Abstract 

A new species of freshwater crab, Fredius ibiapaba, is described and illustrated from a mid-altitude forested patch in Ipú (Ibiapaba plateau, Ceará, northeastern Brazil), between 635 to 782 m. The new species can be separated from its congeners by the morphology of its first gonopod: proximal half remarkably swollen, sloping abruptly downwards distally to a nearly right-angular shoulder; mesial lobe much smaller than cephalic spine; cephalic lobe moderately developed; auxiliary lobe lip, delimiting field of apical spines, protruded all the way to distal margin of auxiliary lobe. Comparative 16S rDNA sequencing used to infer the phylogenetic placement of Fredius ibiapaba n. sp. revealed that it is the sister taxon of F. reflexifrons, a species which occurs allopatrically in the Amazon and Atlantic basin’s lowlands (<100 m). Fredius ibiapaba n. sp. and F. reflexifrons are highly dependent upon humidity and most probably were once part of an ancestral population living in a wide humid territory. Shrinking humid forests during several dry periods of the Tertiary and Quaternary likely have resulted in the fragmentation of the ancestral humid area and hence of the ancestral crab population. Fredius reflexifrons evolved and spread in a lowland, humid river basin (Amazon and Atlantic basins), whilst F. ibiapaba n. sp. evolved isolated on the top of a humid plateau. The two species are now separated by a vast intervening area occupied by the semiarid Caatinga

Figure 3: Fredius ibiapaba n. sp., male cl 36 mm, cw 53 mm (MZUSP 39710). (A–B) Habitus, dorso and ventral views, respectively. (C) Cephalothorax, frontal view. (D–E) Right and left chelipeds in lateral view, respectively. Scales: A–E, 10 mm.

Family Pseudothelphusidae Ortmann, 1893

Genus Fredius Pretzmann, 1967

Fredius ibiapaba n. sp. 

Fredius reflexifrons – Magalhães et al., 2005: 94, fig 1 –Santos et al., 2020: 3.

Diagnosis. G1 robust, proximal half remarkably swollen, sloping abruptly downwards anteriorly to a nearly right-angular shoulder (Figs. 4B, 4C); mesial lobe much smaller than cephalic spine (Figs. 4B, 4C; 5C, 5D; 7A, 7C, 7E); cephalic lobe somewhat broad, rounded apically (Fig. 4A); auxiliary lobe lip, delimiting field of apical spines, protruded all the way to distal margin of auxiliary lobe (Figs. 4A, 4B; 6B; 7D).

Distribution. Currently known from Ipú, Ibiapaba plateau, Ceará, northeastern Brazil, in mid-altitude forests between 665 to 798 m.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition taken from the Tupi language word for plateau, “yby’ababa”, ibiapaba.

Figure 1: Sítio Caranguejo, Ipú, Ceará, 729 m high, type locality of Fredius ibiapaba n. sp.  (A–E) Mid-altitude, naturally isolated, humid forested patch nested within the vast semiarid Caatinga domain. Note in (E) burrow (arrow) of Fredius ibiapaba n. sp. among the leaf litter.  (E–F) Lowland, surrounding semiarid Caatinga forest. (E) View from above from Ipú. (F) Detail of a dry-stream channel.

Livanio C. Santos, Marcos Tavares, José R.F. Silva, Marcelo Cervini, Allysson P. Pinheiro​ and William Santana. 2020. A New Species of Freshwater Crab Genus Fredius Pretzmann, 1967 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pseudothelphusidae) from A Naturally Isolated Orographic Forest Enclave within the Semiarid Caatinga in Ceará, northeastern Brazil. PeerJ. 8:e9370. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9370

[Botany • 2020] Mammillaria breviplumosa (Cactaceae, Cacteae) • A New Species from Mexico

July 17, 2020, 1:55 am

≫ Next: [Invertebrate • 2020] Desmacella hyalina • A New Cryptic Demosponge (Porifera, Desmacellidae) in Glass Sponge Reefs from the western coast of Canada

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Mammillaria breviplumosa  in García-Morales, Ramírez-Chaparro, et al., 2020.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.452.3.6   facebook.com/RicardoRamirezChaparro5

Abstract

A new species of Mammillaria, named Mammillaria breviplumosa, is described from Mexico (Durango, Municipality of Mapimí). It is morphologically very similar to M. sanchez-mejoradae. Diagnostic features of the proposed new species are the cylindrical and apically truncate tubercles, the embedded fruits, the white-magenta striped perianth segments, the small feather-like spines and the helicoidal arrangement of the tubercles on the stem. A diagnostic key for the closest species of Mammillaria occurring in northern Mexico is proposed.

Keywords: Chihuahuan Desert, Durango, Mammillaria ser. Lasiacanthae, taxonomy, Eudicots

    

 Mammillaria breviplumosa 

   

   

Leccinum J. García-Morales, Ricardo Ramírez-Chaparro, Alejandro Sigala-Chávez and Duilio Iamonico. 2020. Mammillaria breviplumosa (Cactaceae, Cacteae), A New Species from Mexico. Phytotaxa. 452(3); 231–235. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.452.3.6

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[Invertebrate • 2020] Desmacella hyalina • A New Cryptic Demosponge (Porifera, Desmacellidae) in Glass Sponge Reefs from the western coast of Canada

July 17, 2020, 2:56 am

≫ Next: [Ornithology • 2020] Taxonomic Evaluation of the Grallaria rufula (Rufous Antpitta) Complex (Passeriformes: Grallariidae) distinguishes Sixteen Species

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Desmacella hyalina   Law, Reiswig, Ott, McDaniel, Kahn, Guillas, Dinn & Leys, 2020  DOI: 10.1007/s12526-020-01076-6

 Abstract

Glass sponges (Porifera, Hexactinellida) form globally unique reefs that support deep-sea biodiversity in the Canadian northeast Pacific. In February 2017, the largest known reefs were protected within the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area (HSQCS-MPA). Many studies that have established baseline biodiversity data for the MPA have focused on describing the crustaceans and fish living in the reefs, but the relationship between glass sponges and sponge epibionts has often been overlooked. We studied one of the more conspicuous sponge epibionts of the genus Desmacella Schmidt, 1870, a demosponge that encrusts the surface of reef-forming glass sponges. Using a remotely operated vehicle, samples of an encrusting sponge with three color morphotypes (yellow, white, and mauve) were collected from the northern reef complex of the HSQCS-MPA. Spicule and DNA analyses of COI sequences revealed the white morphotype to be distinct from the previously described species, D. austini Lehnert, Conway, Barrie & Krautter, 2005. Comparisons with other Desmacella samples collected from other regions in British Columbia waters since 1976 confirmed this to be a new species, which we describe here as Desmacella hyalina sp. nov. We also mapped the spatial distribution of the color morphotypes on the reefs and found that Desmacella spp. formed nearly 20% of live sponge cover at some sampling sites indicating its potential importance in the reefs. Our results expand on knowledge of the diversity of sponge epibionts in glass sponge reefs and highlight the importance of understanding cryptic species diversity especially for future monitoring in marine protected areas.

Keywords: Glass sponges, Porifera, Cryptic diversity, Marine protected areas, Desmacella, Epibionts, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound, Hexactinellida

Class Demospongiae Sollas, 1885

Order Desmacellida Morrow & Cárdenas, 2015

Family Desmacellidae Ridley & Dendy, 1886

Genus Desmacella Schmidt, 1870

Desmacella hyalina sp. nov.

Type locality: Hecate Strait, British Columbia, Canada

Etymology: The name is derived from the word hyalinus, borrowed from the Ancient Greek word huálinos meaning “of crystal or glass.” This species name refers to its growth on glass sponges.

Lauren K. Law, Henry M. Reiswig, Bruce S. Ott, Neil McDaniel, Amanda S. Kahn, Keenan C. Guillas, Curtis Dinn and Sally P. Leys. 2020. Description and Distribution of Desmacella hyalina sp. nov. (Porifera, Desmacellidae), A New Cryptic Demosponge in Glass Sponge Reefs from the western coast of Canada. Marine Biodiversity. 50; 55. DOI: 10.1007/s12526-020-01076-6

Scientists identify new species of sea sponge off coast of British Columbia

phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-species-sea-sponge-coast.html

[Ornithology • 2020] Taxonomic Evaluation of the Grallaria rufula (Rufous Antpitta) Complex (Passeriformes: Grallariidae) distinguishes Sixteen Species

July 20, 2020, 11:07 pm

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2020] Zhangixalus franki • A New Species of the Genus Zhangixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam

≪ Previous: [Invertebrate • 2020] Desmacella hyalina • A New Cryptic Demosponge (Porifera, Desmacellidae) in Glass Sponge Reefs from the western coast of Canada

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Grallaria alvarezi Cuervo, Cadena, Isler, & Chesser in Isler, Chesser, Robbins, et al., 2020. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4817.1.1  (photo: Eddie Alvarez) twitter.com/AMCuervo

Abstract

Populations in the Rufous Antpitta (Grallaria rufula) complex occupy humid montane forests of the Andes from northern Colombia and adjacent Venezuela to central Bolivia. Their tawny to cinnamon-colored plumages are generally uniform, featuring subtle variation in hue and saturation across this range. In contrast to their conservative plumage, substantial vocal differences occur among geographically isolated or parapatric populations. Working within the framework of a comprehensive molecular phylogeny, we reexamined species limits in the G. rufula complex, basing taxonomic recommendations on diagnostic differences in vocalizations and considering identifiable differences in plumage where pertinent. We identified 16 populations for species designation, including seven populations previously described as subspecies and, remarkably, six new species described herein. Within one of these species, we identified less robust vocal differences between populations that we designate as subspecies. Geographic variation exists within another species, but its critical evaluation requires additional material. Taxonomic revisions of groups consisting of cryptic species, like the Grallaria rufula complex, are imperative for their conservation. Rather than widespread species as currently defined, these complexes can comprise many range-restricted taxa at higher risk of extinction given the continuing human pressures on their habitats.

Keywords: Andes, systematics, species limits, Grallariidae, Grallaria rufula, Grallaria blakei, Grallaria rufocinerea, Aves

 

 Grallaria alvarezi Cuervo, Cadena, Isler, & Chesser, new species

 Chamí Antpitta

Grallaria obscura Berlepsch & Stolzmann, 1896, 

subspecies elevated to species

 Junín Antpitta

Morton L. Isler, R. Terry Chesser, Mark B. Robbins, Andrés M. Cuervo, Carlos Daniel Cadena and Peter A. Hosner. 2020.  Taxonomic Evaluation of the Grallaria rufula (Rufous Antpitta) Complex (Aves: Passeriformes: Grallariidae) distinguishes Sixteen Species. Zootaxa. 4817(1); 1-74. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4817.1.1  

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[Herpetology • 2020] Zhangixalus franki • A New Species of the Genus Zhangixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam

July 21, 2020, 4:39 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2020] Paraboea dolomitica (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Guizhou, China

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Zhangixalus franki  Ninh, Nguyen, Orlov, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2020 DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.688

Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Zhangixalus Li, Jiang, Ren & Jiang, 2019 from Ha Giang Province, Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data. In the molecular phylogenetic analyses, the new species is nested in the Zhangixalus duboisi (Ohler, Marquis, Swan & Grosjean, 2000) group, where it is sister to Z. duboisi with a genetic distance of 2.51%. The new species, Zhangixalus franki sp. nov., differs from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: size large, SVL 77.9–85.8 mm in males; finger webbing formula I1-1II0-1III½-0IV; dorsal surface of head and body green with dark brown spots; ventral surface grey or dark grey, white stripe along edge of jaw, insertion of limbs, and along lateral ridges of fore and hind limbs and flank, separating upper green part from lower grey part. The new species occurs in evergreen montane tropical forests at an elevation of ca 1300 m a.s.l. The new discovery brings the total number of known species in the genus Zhangixalus to 38 and the species number reported from Vietnam to nine.

Keywords: New species; Zhangixalus franki sp. nov.; molecular phylogeny; taxonomy; Vietnam

Fig. 2. Zhangixalus franki sp. nov. from Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam.A–B. Dorsal and lateral views. C. Drawing of ventral view of left hand and right foot of the adult male holotype (VNMN 011682).

Class Amphibia Gray, 1825 

Order Anura Fischer von Waldheim, 1813 

Family Rhacophoridae Hoffman, 1932 

Genus Zhangixalus Li, Jiang, Ren & Jiang, 2019 

Zhangixalus franki sp. nov.

Diagnosis The new species can be assigned to the genus Zhangixalus based on the following morphological characters: snout pointed; presence of intercalary cartilage between terminal and penultimate phalanges of digits, distal end of terminal phalanx in Y-shape; tips of digits expanded into large disks, bearing circum-marginal grooves; fingers webbed; presence of supra-cloacal dermal ridge; and pupil horizontal (Jiang et al. 2019). In addition, the new species is unambiguously nested in the genus Zhangixalus by molecular phylogenetic evidence. It is closely related to Z. duboisi and Z. omeimontis and nested in the same clade with Zhangixalus dugritei (David, 1872), 

the type species of this genus. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: 1) size large (SVL 77.9–85.8 mm for the males); 2) head slightly wider than long; 3) snout pointed; 4) dorsal skin smooth; 5) finger webbing formula I1-1II0-1III½-0IV; 6) dorsal surface of head and body green with dark brown spots; 7) lower jaw region greyish, throat, chest and belly white; 8) white stripe along edge of jaw, insertion of limbs, and along lateral ridges of fore limbs, hind limbs and flank, separating upper green part from lower grey part. 

Etymology We name this new species in honor of Dr Frank Mutschmann, late amphibian veterinarian and conservationist from Berlin, Germany, in recognition of his support of our amphibian research and conservation projects in Vietnam. As common names we suggest Frank’s Tree Frog (English), Ếch cây frank (Vietnamese) and Franks Ruderfrosch (German).

Fig. 3. Map showing the type locality of Zhangixalus franki sp. nov. (●) in Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam and distribution of Z. burmanus (Andersson, 1939) (◊), Z. duboisi (Ohler, Marquis, Swan & Grosjean, 2000) (▲) and Z. omeimontis (Stejneger, 1924) (☆ orange star).

Distribution Zhangixalus franki sp. nov. is currently known only from the type locality in Ha Giang Province, northern Vietnam (Fig. 3). The species was recorded at elevations between 1320 and 1360 m a.s.l.

 Natural history Specimens of the new species were collected from 19:00 to 24:00 on trees, close to small ponds in undisturbed evergreen forest (Fig. 4). Other tree frogs that were found at the same site were Polypedates sp. (of the P. leucomystax species complex), Z. duboisi and Kurixalus sp. Females, larval stages and eggs of the new species are unknown.

Fig. 4. Habitat of Zhangixalus franki sp. nov. at the type locality in Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province, Vietnam.

Hoa Thi Ninh, Tao Thien Nguyen, Nikolai Orlov, Truong Quang Nguyen and Thomas Ziegler. 2020. A New Species of the Genus Zhangixalus (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam.  European Journal of Taxonomy. 688; 1-18. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.688