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[Botany • 2020] A Revision of the florbella group of Miconia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae) with Description of Three New Species: Miconia cava, M. florbella & M. valenzuelana

September 10, 2020, 5:36 am
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Miconia valenzuelana Michelang. & R.Goldenb. 

in Michelangeli & Goldenberg, 2020. 

Abstract
The florbella group of Miconia is composed of four species from the central Andes that are characterized by hollow stems inhabited by ants, and pleiostemonous flowers with a calyptrate calyx. The four species are M. inusitata, and the newly described here M. cava, M. florbella, and M. valenzuelana. The combination of pleistemonous flowers and calyptrate calyces suggests that these species could be placed in the former Conostegia, but at least three of the four species discussed here (M. florbella, M. inusitata and M. valenzuelana) do not belong in that clade and are more closely related to other species of Andean Miconia. All four species grow in undisturbed areas in low- to middle-elevation forests in the Andes.

Keywords: Calyptrate calyx, Conostegia, Florbella, Ecuador, mymercophyly, Peru, pleiostemony


Fig. 1: Miconia cava.
A. Fertile branch. B. Details of stem with ant holes. C. Detail of inflorescence. D. Flower bud with calyptra removed and calyptra with longitudinal section of the apex. E. Detail of flower apex in bud with the calyptra and proximal petals removed showing inflexed anthers and stigma. F. Flower bud in longitudinal section with the calyptra removed and ovary in cross section. G. Anthers in lateral and top views. (All from Gentry 80,167, NY.)

Miconia cavaMichelang. & R. Goldenb., sp. nov. 

Etymology.—The specific epithet refers to the hollow nature of the young terminal branches.


Fig. 3: Miconia florbella.
A. Fertile branch. B. Inflorescence peduncle and first internode, both with ant holes and broad, hollow axes; detail of stigma on the left. C. Flower bud, lateral view. D. Flower bud, with the calyptra cut in longitudinal section (L) and fully detached (R). E. Petals (L) and flower bud with the calyptra and proximal petals removed. F. Stamens in lateral, ventral and dorsal views. G. immature fruit in longitudinal section. H. Fruit in cross section. I. Detail of fruiting branch. (A–G, from Perea 110, NY; H, from Rojas 8961, NY; I, from Foster 8646, MO.) 

Fig. 4: Miconia florbella in the field.
 A. Flowers at anthesis. B. Immature fruits (note flattened anthopodium) and leaves, adaxial surface. C. Immature fruit in cross section. D. Stem with ant opening. E. Hollow stem in longitudinal section and Myrmelachista ant. F. Leaf, abaxial surface.
(A, from Foster 10,920, photo by R. Foster; B–F, from Michelangeli 2823, photos by F. A. Michelangeli.)

Miconia florbella Schnell ex Michelang. & R.Goldenb., sp. nov. 

Etymology.—The specific epithet is taken from the generic name that Schnell (1996) planned to give this species in his unpublished thesis. Florbella is a combination of the Spanish words for flower (flor) and beautiful (bella).


Fig. 10: Miconia valenzuelana in the field.
 A. Stem with ant orifice (notice longitudinal ridges on the internodes). B. Hollow stem in longitudinal section with Myrmelachista ant. C. Flowering branch with young inflorescence. D. Inflorescence. E. Flower bud showing dehiscing calyptra. F. Flower at anthesis. G. Flower at anthesis. H. Immature fruits
(A–B, from Michelangeli 2825, photos by F. A. Michelangeli, C–H, from uncollected plants, photos by G. Gerlach.)

Miconia valenzuelana Michelang. & R. Goldenb., sp. nov. 

Etymology.—This species is dedicated to Peruvian Botanist Luis Valenzuela Gamarra, whose plant collections, including one of the paratypes of this species, have greatly augmented knowledge of the flora of Peru.


Fabián A. Michelangeli and Renato Goldenberg. 2020. A Revision of the florbella group of Miconia (Melastomataceae, Miconieae) with Description of Three New Species.  Brittonia. DOI: 10.1007/s12228-020-09633-w


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[Paleontology • 2020] Genomic and Fossil windows into the Secret Lives of the Most Ancient Fungi

September 11, 2020, 3:09 am
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Early Devonian Rhynie environment and Rhynie chert fossils from 407Ma. Leafless plants surrounded silica-rich hot springs in Rhynie, Scotland.

in Berbee, Strullu-Derrien, Delaux, et al., 2020. 
to the Secret Lives of the Most Ancient Fungi. Nature Reviews .  

Artwork by Victor Leshyk (Victor Leshyk Illustration) twitter.com/VictorLeshyk

Abstract
Fungi have crucial roles in modern ecosystems as decomposers and pathogens, and they engage in various mutualistic associations with other organisms, especially plants. They have a lengthy geological history, and there is an emerging understanding of their impact on the evolution of Earth systems on a large scale. In this Review, we focus on the roles of fungi in the establishment and early evolution of land and freshwater ecosystems. Today, questions of evolution over deep time are informed by discoveries of new fossils and evolutionary analysis of new genomes. Inferences can be drawn from evolutionary analysis by comparing the genes and genomes of fungi with the biochemistry and development of their plant and algal hosts. We then contrast this emerging picture against evidence from the fossil record to develop a new, integrated perspective on the origin and early evolution of fungi.

Environmental microbiology, Fungal ecology, Fungal evolution, Fungal genomics



 
Mary L. Berbee, Christine Strullu-Derrien, Pierre-Marc Delaux, Paul K. Strother, Paul Kenrick, Marc-André Selosse and John W. Taylor. 2020. Genomic and Fossil windows into the Secret Lives of the Most Ancient Fungi. Nature Reviews Microbiology.  DOI: 10.1038/s41579-020-0426-8
  twitter.com/VictorLeshyk/status/1304139597320867840
twitter.com/VictorLeshyk/status/1088481605008510976

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[Mollusca • 2020] The Genus Leufroyia Monterosato, 1884 [Revision of Mediterranean and NE Atlantic Raphitomidae (Gastropoda, Conoidea) 8]

September 11, 2020, 3:27 am
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Leufroyia leufroyi (Michaud, 1828)

in Giannuzzi-Savelli, Pusateri, Prkić, ... et Oliverio, 2020. 
 Photos: Dominique Horst.
 
Abstract
The four recent species of the genus Leufroyia Monterosato, 1884 are revised based on an integrative taxonomy approach: L. leufroyi (Michaud, 1828), L. concinna (Scacchi, 1836), L. erronea Monterosato, 1884 and L. villaria (Pusateri & Giannuzzi-Savelli, 2008).


Underwater photographs of three living animals of Leufroyia leufroyi (Michaud, 1828). A-C, France, Cap d’Antibes, 13-17 m.
 Photos: Dominique Horst.
 
Family RAPHITOMIDAE Bellardi, 1875 

Genus Leufroyia Monterosato, 1884 

TYPE SPECIES. — Pleurotoma leufroyi Michaud, 1828, 
by subsequent designation (Crosse 1885).

DISTRIBUTION. — Stratigraphic distribution: the genus appears in the Middle Miocene with records from the Langhian of the Loire Basin (France) (Peyrot 1938; Glibert 1954). Th en it is known from the Langhian-Serravallian of the Paratethys, with records from the Vienna Basin, Austria (Hörnes 1854), Poland (Bałuk 2003), Ukraine (Friedberg 1912), the Karaman Basin (Serravallian Proto-Mediterranean), Turkey (Landau et al. 2003). In the Late Miocene it has been revised in the Tortonian of the nothwestern France (Landau et al. 2020), and it is known from the Messinian of the Loire Basin (France) (Brébion 1964). Th en, it is continuously present throughout the Pliocene (e.g. Sacco 1904; Cipolla 1914), and the Pleistocene (e.g. Cerulli-Irelli 1910). Based on the current knowledge, the extant species of the genus are restricted to the North-East Atlantic, from the North Sea (Norway) south to Angola, and the Mediterranean Sea. 


Leufroyia leufroyi (Michaud, 1828)

Leufroyia concinna (Scacchi, 1836)

Leufroyia erronea Monterosato, 1884 

Leufroya villaria (Pusateri & Giannuzzi-Savelli, 2008) 


Riccardo Giannuzzi-Savelli, Francesco Pusateri, Jakov Prkić, Stefano Bartolini, Valeria Russini, Giulia Fassio and Marco Oliverio. 2020. Revision of Mediterranean and NE Atlantic Raphitomidae (Gastropoda, Conoidea) 8: The Genus Leufroyia Monterosato, 1884. Zoosystema. 42(22); 433-473. DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2020v42a22
  sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/42/22 
 twitter.com/Publi_MNHN/status/1298979984703291397


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[Herpetology • 2020] Fifty years After: A Taxonomic Revision of the Amphibian Species from the Ecuadorian Biodiversity Hotspot Abra de Zamora, with Description of Two New Pristimantis Species

September 11, 2020, 4:08 am
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 Pristimantis samaniegoi & Pristimantis matildae
Székely, Eguiguren, Ordóñez-Delgado, Armijos-Ojeda & Székely, 2020 


Abstract
Abra de Zamora is an important biodiversity hotspot in southern Ecuador. Between 1938 and 2010, eleven species of frogs were described from here: Lynchius flavomaculatus, Gastrotheca psychrophila, Pristimantis balionotus, P. colodactylus, P. cryptomelas, P. percultus, P. versicolor, P. vidua, Telmatobius cirrhacelis, P. andinognomus, and Atelopus podocarpus. Unfortunately, many of these species were not re-encountered after their original description, and for the majority DNA samples were not available, making their phylogenetic position unknown. In this study, we assess the current state of the amphibians from Abra de Zamora, by: i. redescribing the species which were first reported from the area, by contributing genetic delimitation (for L. flavomaculatus, P. balionotus, P. colodactylus, P. percultus, and P. vidua), release call (L. flavomaculatus) and advertisement call descriptions (for P. balionotus, P. vidua and P. versicolor); ii. presenting an updated amphibian species list of Abra de Zamora, with the description of two additional Pristimantis species; iii. updating the distribution of these species, including data collected in similar montane habitats from surrounding areas; and iv. amending recommendations regarding their conservation status.


Fig 2. Abra de Zamora.
A. General view of the higher part of Abra de Zamora (2800 m a.s.l.) with subpáramo ecosystem in the foreground. These terrestrial bromeliads are the type of microhabitat where Gastrotheca psychrophila specimens were collected in the ‘60s and '70s. In the background the old road that connected Loja with Zamora (Vía Antigua Loja-Zamora) is visible.
B. Subpáramo ecosystem of the higher part (2750 m a.s.l.), habitat of Pristimantis balionotus, P. colodactylus, P. matildae sp. nov., P. samaniegoi sp. nov., and P. versicolor.
C. Evergreen upper montane forest ecosystem (2600 m a.s.l.), habitat of P. andinognomus, P. atratus, P. cryptomelas, P. samaniegoi sp. nov., and P. versicolor.
D. Evergreen lower montane forest ecosystem (1850 m a.s.l.), habitat of Bolitoglossa sp., Rhinella margaritifera, Gastrotheca testudinea, P. galdi and an undescribed Pristimantis species.

Fig 10. Holotype of Pristimantis samaniegoi sp. nov. (MUTPL 357, adult female), SVL 20.1 mm, in life.
A. Lateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Dorsal view.


Fig 13. Color variation of Pristimantis samaniegoi sp. nov. in life.
A. amplexus: female, holotype (MUTPL 357) and male, paratype (MUTPL 356); B–C females, paratypes: B. MUTPL 676, C. MUTPL 777; D–E males, paratypes: D. MUTPL 358, E. MUTPL 674; F. juvenile, paratype: MUTPL 660. Abra de Zamora (B, C, E, F), Parque Nacional Podocarpus—Cajanuma (A, D).

 Pristimantis samaniegoi sp. nov. Székely, Eguiguren, Ordóñez-Delgado, Armijos-Ojeda, and Székely

Common English name. Samaniego’s Rain Frog
Common Spanish name. Cutín de Samaniego

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case and is a patronym for Dr. Gustavo Samaniego Rodríguez. The name is given as a tribute to his important contribution to the conservation of biodiversity in southern Ecuador. Through a generous donation of an important part of his estate, he contributed to the creation of the administrative and interpretation center in the Cajanuma sector of the Parque Nacional Podocarpus, which is one of the most important Ecuadorian sites of endemism and biodiversity. He was a university professor for over 40 years, and currently still maintains the "Reserva El Cristal" agro-ecological farm as an example of sustainable land management.

Distribution.Pristimantis samaniegoi is known only from the Cajanuma entrance to the Parque Nacional Podocarpus and about 13 km in the north, in Abra de Zamora (Fig 6). We did not encounter this species in any similar habitats located in the vicinity of the type locality, despite fieldwork being carried out regularly since 2016. The species was encountered at an altitudinal range between 2560 and 3300 m a.s.l., in evergreen upper montane forest (Fig 2C), subpáramo (Fig 2B) and shrub páramo ecosystems.


Fig 16. Holotype of Pristimantis matildae sp. nov. (MUTPL 731, adult male), SVL 20.2 mm, in life.
A. Lateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Dorsal view.

Fig 19. Color variation of Pristimantis matildae sp. nov. in life.
A–C females, paratypes: A. MUTPL 361, B. MUTPL 394, C. MUTPL 813; D–E males, paratypes: D. MUTPL 362, E. MUTPL 360; F. juvenile, paratype: MUTPL 733. Abra de Zamora (B, F), Parque Nacional Podocarpus—Cajanuma (A, C, D, E).

Pristimantis matildae sp. nov. Székely, Eguiguren, Ordóñez-Delgado, Armijos-Ojeda, and Székely

Common English name. Matilde’s Rain Frog
Common Spanish name. Cutín de Matilde

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case and is a patronym for Matilde Hidalgo Navarro (1889–1974). She was the first woman to obtain a medical degree in the country, and the first woman in Ecuador (and Latin America) to exercise the right to vote in a national election. A tireless fighter for women’s rights, she laid important foundations for the development of women in academia and science, nationally and in South America. In Ecuador, there are currently many women involved in biological sciences and with this species, in addition to being a tribute to Matilde, we honor their tireless work for the conservation of biological diversity.

Distribution. Pristimantis matildae is known only from Abra de Zamora and the Cajanuma sector from the Parque Nacional Podocarpus, about 13 km to the south (Fig 6). We were not able to encounter this species in adjacent areas, with similar ecosystems. However, about 35 km south from the type locality, we found another bromeliad specialist from the P. colodactylus subgroup, a genetically and morphologically similar, undescribed species. Pristimantis matildae was encountered at an altitudinal range between 2800 and 3360 m a.s.l. in subpáramo (Fig 2B) and shrub páramo ecosystems.

Natural history. This is a common species and one of the most abundant species encountered inside of bromeliads. All the specimens were encountered in terrestrial or arboreal bromeliads or in their close proximity (perching on the leaves), during the day or night. Similarly to P. colodactylus and P. muranunka, this species displayed the same defensive behavior of rapidly retreating to the water from the bromeliads when threatened. No calling males were heard.



Paul Székely, Juan Sebastián Eguiguren, Leonardo Ordóñez-Delgado, Diego Armijos-Ojeda and Diana Székely. 2020. Fifty years After: A Taxonomic Revision of the Amphibian Species from the Ecuadorian Biodiversity Hotspot Abra de Zamora, with Description of Two New Pristimantis Species. PLoS ONE. 15(9): e0238306. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238306

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[Arachnida • 2020] A Black Sheep in Eresus (Araneae: Eresidae): Taxonomic Notes on the Ladybird Spiders of Iran and Turkey, with A New Species

September 12, 2020, 2:30 am
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Eresus cf. kollari Rossi, 1846

in Zamani, Altin & Szűts, 2020.

Abstract
New taxonomic data are provided on the ladybird spider genus Eresus Walckenaer, 1805 in Turkey and Iran. Eresus adaleari Zamani & Szűts, sp. n. is described as a new species, on the basis of a single male specimen collected in Semnan Province, northeastern Iran, and Eresus lavrosiae Mcheidze, 1997, previously known solely from the original description of the male holotype from Georgia, is re-described on the basis of one newly collected male specimen from Kars Province, eastern Turkey. Both of these species are generally dark-colored, which contrasts with the usual coloration of males of this genus. Finally, a few methods and suggestions that might accelerate and improve taxonomic procedures for studying this group are discussed.

Keywords: Araneae, Caucasus, Middle-East, re-description, taxonomy, velvet spiders


Eresus cf. kollari Rossi, 1846 
  
 
Alireza Zamani, Çağatay Altin and Tamás Szűts. 2020. A Black Sheep in Eresus (Araneae: Eresidae): Taxonomic Notes on the Ladybird Spiders of Iran and Turkey, with A New Species. Zootaxa. 4851(3); 559–572. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4851.3.6

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[Mammalogy • 2020] The Evolution of Flight in Bats: A Novel Hypothesis

September 12, 2020, 6:41 am
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Summary of the interdigital webbing hypothesis, showing the proposed evolutionary trajectories of the Yangochiroptera, Rhinolophoidea and Megachiroptera. 

in Anderson & Ruxton, 2020.

Abstract
Bats (order Chiroptera) are the only mammals capable of powered flight, and this may be an important factor behind their rapid diversification into the over 1400 species that exist today – around a quarter of all mammalian species. Though flight in bats has been extensively studied, the evolutionary history of the ability to fly in the chiropterans remains unclear.
We provide an updated synthesis of current understanding of the mechanics of flight in bats (from skeleton to metabolism), its relation to echolocation, and where previously articulated evolutionary hypotheses for the development of flight in bats stand following recent empirical advances. We consider the gliding model, and the echolocation‐first, flight‐first, tandem development, and diurnal frugivore hypotheses. In the light of the recently published description of the web‐winged dinosaur Ambopteryx longibrachium, we draw together all the current evidence into a novel hypothesis.
We present the interdigital webbing hypothesis: the ancestral bat exhibited interdigital webbing prior to powered flight ability, and the Yangochiroptera, Pteropodidae, and Rhinolophoidea evolved into their current forms along parallel trajectories from this common ancestor. Thus, we suggest that powered flight may have evolved multiple times within the Chiroptera and that similarity in wing morphology in different lineages is driven by convergence from a common ancestor with interdigital webbing.

Keywords: bats, Chiroptera, echolocation, evolution of flight, interdigital webbing, pterosaurs, Scansoriopterygidae


Fig. 1:  Phylogenetic groupings of chiropterans, showing the relevant subdivisions of the Chiroptera into the Megachiroptera/Microchiroptera and the Yinpterochiroptera/Yangochiroptera.

Fig. 2: Summary of the interdigital webbing hypothesis, showing the proposed evolutionary trajectories of the Yangochiroptera, Rhinolophoidea and Megachiroptera.


CONCLUSION: 
The ability of some vertebrates to take flight has been studied in a range of scientific disciplines, and yet the evolutionary journey of chiropterans from small arboreal mammals to the adept flyers we know today has never been laid out definitively. The story is inherently more complex than that of other vertebrate flyers such as birds, thanks to the close coupling of flight and echolocation in many bat species, and the evolution of flight in bats cannot be uncovered without taking this into account. With advances in molecular analyses, the phylogenetic tree of chiropterans is becoming clearer; the Rhinolophoidea is emerging as unique, not only in morphology and behaviour, but also in phylogeny.

Many hypotheses for the evolution of flight in bats remain viable, but we present a novel hypothesis which synthesises current understanding of chiropteran flight, phylogeny and evolution: that the ancestral bat exhibited interdigital webbing, and that the Yangochiroptera, Pteropodidae, and Rhinolophoidea evolved into their current forms along parallel trajectories from this common ancestor. Drawing on comparisons from the vertebrates, and in the light of the recently published description of the membrane‐winged dinosaur Ambopteryx longibrachium, this interdigital webbing hypothesis provides a biologically satisfying narrative for the evolution of flight in bats, from arboreal mammals to the fastest‐flying vertebrates that we know of. In comparison with some previous hypotheses, this novel hypothesis may be less parsimonious, but we feel it offers the best fit to currently available empirical evidence. Further evidence could strengthen support for this hypothesis, or falsify it.

 
Sophia C. Anderson and Graeme D. Ruxton. 2020. The Evolution of Flight in Bats: A Novel Hypothesis. Mammal Review. DOI: 10.1111/mam.12211

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[Herpetology • 2020] Cylindrophis slowinskii • Molecular Phylogeny of Asian Pipesnakes, Genus Cylindrophis Wagler, 1828 (Squamata: Cylindrophiidae), with the Description of A New Species from Myanmar

September 12, 2020, 7:35 am
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[C - E] ★ Cylindrophis slowinskii  
 Bernstein, Bauer, McGuire, Arida, Kaiser, Kieckbusch & Mecke, 2020
 
 Slowinski’s Pipesnake  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4851.3.5

Abstract
Cylindrophis is a genus of secretive, semi-fossorial, non-venomous snakes comprising 14 species, characterized by a generally cylindrical body, uniform scales (with barely enlarged ventrals), and vestiges of pelvic and limb bones, the latter terminating in a claw lateral to the vent. We reconstructed a concatenated molecular phylogeny of seven taxa of Cylindrophis taxa based on one nuclear (R35) and two mitochondrial (16S, ND2) genes. Analyses recovered the Sri Lankan endemic C. maculatus as sister to all other sampled Cylindrophis. The mainland Southeast Asian species C. burmanusand C. jodiae form successive sister lineages to a monophyletic Wallacean island group containing C. boulengeri, C. isolepis, and C. yamdena. We also describe a new species of Cylindrophis, morphologically similar to C. burmanus, from Kachin State in northern Myanmar. Cylindrophis slowinskii sp. nov. is distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: 19 dorsal scale rows at midbody, 216–220 ventrals, eight subcaudals, a dark venter with > 60 very narrow diffuse pale blotches, and a pale bar running along the posterior border of the prefrontals. In our phylogeny, the new species is strongly supported as the sister species of C. burmanus. It is the 15th currently recognised species in the genus, and the fourth from mainland Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Reptilia, Chindwin River, Irrawaddy River, phylogenetics, Reptilia, Serpentes, species complex, systematics, taxonomy



Cylindrophis slowinskii sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym to honour the American herpetologist Joseph Bruno “Joe” Slowinski (1962–2001) and his pioneering work on herpetofauna, especially in Myanmar. In 2001, Joe led a multidisciplinary expedition to Kachin State, Myanmar, the type locality of the new species described herein. For biographical details see Donnelly & Crother (2003) and James (2008). 

Suggested common names. Slowinski’s Pipesnake (English), 
Slowinski-Walzenschlange (German), 


Cylindrophis burmanus Smith, 1943 from Myanmar.


 Justin M. Bernstein, Aaron M. Bauer, Jimmy A. McGuire, Evy Arida, Hinrich Kaiser, Max Kieckbusch and Sven Mecke. 2020. Molecular Phylogeny of Asian Pipesnakes, Genus Cylindrophis Wagler, 1828 (Squamata: Cylindrophiidae), with the Description of A New Species from Myanmar. Zootaxa. 4851(3); 535–558. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4851.3.5 
 twitter.com/JustBernstein/status/1304385796217229313


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[Botany • 2020] Argostemma bachmaense (Rubiaceae, Rubioideae, Argostemmateae) • A New Species from central Vietnam

September 13, 2020, 1:36 am
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Argostemma bachmaense T.V.Do

in Do, Zhe & Yang, 2020. 
  
Abstract
Argostemma bachmaense, a new species from central Vietnam, is described and illustrated here. The new species is most similar to A. laoticum and A. vietnamicum but can be distinguished from the latter two by having a well‐developed internode with leaf pairs separately arranged along stem, isophyllous or slightly anisophyllous leaves, an oblanceolate to spatulate lamina with attenuate base and lateral veins with 4–5 pairs prominent on abaxially, a terminal, solitary flower, an absent bract, narrowly ovate or broadly lanceolate, 8.5–10.5 × 2.8–4.2 mm petals, 6.5–7.5 mm long stamen with yellow anther, a 8.5–9.5 mm long, exerted style and a globose stigma. Information on ecology, phenology and preliminary conservation assessment of the proposed new species are provided. In addition, we also provide an identification key to the nine Argostemma species found in Vietnam.

Keywords: Argostemma, new species, Rubiaceae, Vietnam

Figure 2: (A–J) Argostemma bachmaense sp. nov. (A) habitat, (B) branch bearing a terminal, solitary flower without bracts, (C–E) oblanceolate to spatulate lamina with sparsely trichome on both leaf surfaces, (F) front view of open flower showing petals and stamen shape, (G) lateral view of open flower showing petals and stamen shape, (H) dorsal view of open flower showing petals and sepals shape, (I) shape of anther cone and style, (J) close up of an exserted style and globose stigma.
(K–L) view of open flower and leaf shape of A. vietnamicum.
(I) view of open flower and leaf shape of A. laoticum. 
(A–J) photographed by Niu Yang, (K–L) photographed by Bui Hong Quang and (M) photographed by Pranom Chantaranothai.

Argostemma bachmaense sp. nov. 
(A) habitat, (B) branch bearing a terminal, solitary flower without bracts, (C–E) oblanceolate to spatulate lamina with sparsely trichome on both leaf surfaces, (F) front view of open flower showing petals and stamen shape, (G) lateral view of open flower showing petals and stamen shape, (H) dorsal view of open flower showing petals and sepals shape, (I) shape of anther cone and style, (J) close up of an exserted style and globose stigma. 
photographed by Niu Yang.

Argostemma bachmaense T.V.Do, sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the name of the type locality, Bach Ma National Park, Thua Thien Hue province, central Vietnam where the new species was found.
 

Truong Van Do, Chen Zhe and Niu Yang. 2020. Argostemma bachmaense (Rubiaceae, Rubioideae, Argostemmateae), A New Species from central Vietnam. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.02765  

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[Botany • 2020] Nepenthes maximoides (Nepenthaceae) • A New, Critically Endangered (possibly Extinct) Species in Sect. Alatae from Luzon, Philippines showing Striking Pitcher Convergence with N. maxima (Sect. Regiae) of Indonesia

September 13, 2020, 1:51 am
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Nepenthes maximoides Cheek,

in King & Cheek​, 2020. 

Abstract 
Nepenthes maximoides sp. nov. (Sect. Alatae) is described and assessed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) from Luzon, Philippines and appears unrecorded in 110 years. The spectacular, large, narrowly funnel-shaped upper pitchers, lids with recurved basal and filiform apical appendages, unlike any other species in the Philippines, closely resemble those of N. maxima (Sect. Regiae) of Sulawesi–New Guinea, likely due to convergent evolution. Following recent phylogenomic analysis, sect. Alatae is divided into two, Sect. Alatae sensu stricto of Luzon to Sibuyan (including N. maximoides), and Sect. Micramphorae, expanded and recircumscribed to encompass those species of the southern Visayas, and Mindanao. A key is provided to the six species now recognised in the newly narrowly recircumscribed Sect. Alatae. The number of Nepenthes species recorded from Luzon has increased from two in 2001, to eight in 2020, all but one of which are endemic to that island, and four of which appear to be point endemics.


Figure 1: Nepenthes maximoides Cheek.
Photo of the type specimen Curran s.n. (Univ. Pennsylvania sheet 70707), PH. Note that material is mounted pitchers facing downward.
Photo by Martin Cheek.

Figure 2: Nepenthes maximoides Cheek. 
(A) Habit, showing climbing stem with two upper pitchers; (B) exterior of upper pitcher showing junction of peristome, lid and spur.; (C) lower surface of the lid of the upper pitcher showing basal and apical appendages; dotted line indicates outer limit of nectar glands which are absent from the lid margin; (D) detail outermost lid nectar glands on underside lid; (E) detail lid nectar glands near/on basal appendage (same scale as D); (F) detail basal appendage with gland distribution; (G) detail apical appendage; (H) minute branched and stellate hairs of lid margin; (I) peristome near lid, viewed from exterior; (J) inner edge of peristome near lid; (K) peristome of upper pitcher, transverse section, outer surface of pitcher to the right; (L) midrib of leaf blade, adaxial surface, showing simple hairs; (M) sessile depressed-globose glands on abaxial leaf-blade surface; (N) margin of young leaf-blade showing hairs (all: Curran s.n. Univ. Pennsylvania sheet 70707). Drawn by Andrew Brown.


Nepenthes maximoides Cheek, sp. nov. 

Differing from Nepenthes graciliflora Elmer in the upper pitchers narrowly infundibulate, widest in the distal half at the peristome (not ovoid-cylindric, widest in the proximal half), the peristome broad, flattened, and lobed on the outer edge (not narrowly cylindrical and entire on the outer edge), the lid with an asymmetrically hooked basal appendage and a filiform apical appendage (not symmetrical non-hooked, and absent, respectively). 
Type: Curran s.n., Herb. Univ. Pennsylvania sheet number 70707, Academy of Natural Sciences Philadelphia sheet number 01113309 (holotype PH; isotype PNH destroyed, not seen), Philippines, Luzon, ‘Tayabas Province’ (deduced to be Mt Banahaw, Quezon Prov.) st. December 1911.

Etymology. Meaning that the species looks like Nepenthes maxima Nees (since it looks so similar to this species that it was confused with it).


Conclusions: 
The dramatic rise in the numbers of Philippine species of Nepenthes in the 21st century (see “Introduction”) is mirrored in other plant groups such as Rafflesia R.Br. (Rafflesiaceae). Before 2002 only two species of Rafflesia were thought to be known from the Philippines (subsequently two additional, long-overlooked species came to light), and, as in Nepenthes, the genus was thought to be most diverse in Borneo and Sumatra. Intensive fieldwork in remaining patches of forest in the Philippines, however, has raised species numbers steadily from two species in 2002 to 13 species in 2019, and Philippines now is the most species-diverse country for Rafflesia globally (Barcelona, Pelser & Cajano, 2007; Barcelona et al., 2009; Pelser et al., 2013, 2019).

The number of flowering plant species known to science is disputed (Nic Lughadha, Bachman & Govaerts, 2017), but a reasonable estimate is 369,000 (Nic Lughadha et al., 2016), while the number of species described as new to science has been at about 2,000 per annum for at least 10 years (Cheek et al., 2020). The conservation status of 21–26% of plant species has been established using evidence-based assessments, and 30–44% of these rate the species assessed as threatened, while only c. 5% of plant species have been assessed using the IUCN (2012) standard (Bachman, Nic Lughadha & Rivers, 2018). Newly discovered species such as Nepenthes maximoides, are likely to be threatened, since widespread species tend to have been already discovered and it is the more localised, rarer species that remain to be found although there are exceptions such as Gouania longipedunculata Cahen, Stenn & Utteridge (2020) which is widespread. This makes it urgent to discover and protect such localised species before they become extinct due to habitat clearance as was the case with Nepenthes extincta Cheek & Jebb (2013a). However, it may be too late for Nepenthes maximoides, which may be extinct already, although efforts to rediscover it should be made in case not.


Charles King and Martin Cheek​. 2020. Nepenthes maximoides (Nepenthaceae) A New, Critically Endangered (possibly Extinct) Species in Sect. Alatae from Luzon, Philippines showing Striking Pitcher Convergence with N. maxima (Sect. Regiae) of Indonesia. PeerJ. 8:e9899. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9899

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[Mammalogy • 2020] A Revision of Pipistrelle-like Bats (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the Description of New Genera and Species {Genera: Neoromicia, Laephotis, Pseudoromicia & Afronycteris}

September 13, 2020, 3:56 am
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Pseudoromicia nyanza Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos  

in Monadjem, Demos, Dalton, Webala, ... et Patterson, 2020. 

Abstract
Vespertilionidae (class Mammalia) constitutes the largest family of bats, with ~500 described species. Nonetheless, the systematic relationships within this family are poorly known, especially among the pipistrelle-like bats of the tribes Vespertilionini and Pipistrellini. Perhaps as a result of their drab pelage and lack of obvious morphological characters, the genus and species limits of pipistrelle-like bats remain poorly resolved, particularly in Africa, where more than one-fifth of all vesper bat species occur. Further exacerbating the problem is the accelerating description of new species within these groups. In this study, we attempt to resolve the systematic relationships among the pipistrelle-like bats of sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar and provide a more stable framework for future systematic efforts. Our systematic inferences are based on extensive genetic and morphological sampling of > 400 individuals covering all named genera and the majority of described African pipistrelle-like bat species, focusing on previously unstudied samples of East African bats. Our study corroborates previous work by identifying three African genera in Pipistrellini (Pipistrellus, Scotoecus and Vansonia), none of which is endemic to Africa. However, the situation is more complex in Vespertilionini. With broad taxonomic sampling, we confirm that the genus Neoromicia is paraphyletic, a situation that we resolve by assigning the species of Neoromicia to four genera. Neoromicia is here restricted to Neoromicia zuluensis and allied taxa. Some erstwhile Neoromicia species are transferred into an expanded Laephotis, which now includes both long-eared and short-eared forms. We also erect two new genera, one comprising a group of mostly forest-associated species (many of which have white wings) and the other for the genetically and morphologically unique banana bat. All four of these genera, as recognized here, are genetically distinct, have distinctive bacular morphologies and can be grouped by cranial morphometrics. We also demonstrate that the genus Nycticeinops, until now considered monospecific, includes both Afropipistrellus and the recently named Parahypsugo, thus representing the fifth African genus in Vespertilionini. A sixth genus, Hypsugo, is mostly extra-limital to sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, we describe three new species of pipistrelle-like bats from Kenya and Uganda, uncovered during the course of systematic bat surveys in the region. Such surveys are greatly needed across tropical Africa to uncover further bat diversity.

Keywords: Africa, alpha taxonomy, genus revision, Mammalia, mitochondrial DNA, new genera, new species

Bacula of the four clades within formerly or traditionally recognized as Neoromicia:
 A, Laephotis kirinyaga (FMNH 234639); B, Neoromicia somalica (FMNH 215614); C, Pseudoromicia kityoi (FMNH 223211); and D, Afronycteris nana (DM 13013). Note the three-pronged tip in Neoromicia, the straight shaft with spatulate tip at an angle of 45° in Laephotis, the long, curved shaft with bilobed tip in Pseudoromicia and the deeply bilobed base and gently curved shaft in Afronycteris. Scale bars: 1 mm.

 
TAXONOMY 
Family Vespertilionidae Gray, 1821 
Tribe Vespertilionini Gray, 1821 

Neoromicia Roberts, 1926

Laephotis Thomas, 1901

Laephotis kirinyaga Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos sp. nov. 
East African serotine 

Etymology: The specific epithet is a Kikuyu word for Mount Kenya and reflects the distribution of the species in the northern highlands of Kenya. It is a noun in apposition.


Pseudoromicia Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos gen. nov.

Type species: Pseudoromicia tenuipinnis (Peters, 1872)
Included species: Pseudoromicia brunnea (Thomas, 1880); Pseudoromicia isabella (Decher, Hutterer & Monadjem, 2015); Pseudoromicia rendalli (Thomas, 1889); Pseudoromicia roseveari (Monadjem et al., 2013); Pseudoromicia tenuipinnis (Peters, 1872); and two newly described species (see below). 

Etymology: This feminine name is derived from the Greek prefix ψευδο-, false, and the genus Romicia Gray, 1838, in turn derived from the Ancient Greek word ρóμιξα, meaning a ‘kind of javelin or huntingspear’. It also hints at the genus Neoromicia, to which members of Pseudoromicia were previously assigned. Members of this new genus resemble and have in the past been confused with Neoromicia species.

Distribution: This genus is widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. However, all but one of the species is associated with equatorial tropical forest and woodland belt. One species, Pse. rendalli, extends far into savanna habitats, ranging from 13°N to 28°S


Pseudoromicia kityoi Monadjem, Kerbis Peterhans, Nalikka, Waswa, Demos & Pattersonsp. nov. 
Kityo’s serotine

Etymology: This species is named in honour of Dr. Robert M. Kityo, mammalogist, mentor and longserving curator at the Museum of Zoology, Makerere University, in recognition of his valuable contributions to bats and small mammal research in the region. His welcoming nature, curiosity, hospitality and support have facilitated numerous and diverse research agendas over the decades for both national and international researchers. 

Pseudoromicia nyanza (FMNH 215626), showing the distinctive white wings and under parts of this species.


Pseudoromicia nyanza Monadjem, Patterson, Webala & Demos sp. nov. 
Nyanza serotine

Etymology: This species is named after the region where it was found, Nyanza, which derives from the Bantu word for ‘large body of water’. Covering nearly 60 000 km2 , Lake Victoria surely qualifies. The name is used as a noun in apposition.


Afronycteris Monadjem, Patterson & Demos gen. nov.

Type species:Afronycteris nana (Peters, 1852).
 Included species: Afronycteris helios (Heller, 1912).

Etymology: From the Greek word νυχτερίδα, bat, and the prefix Afro- referring to the African continent, referring to the wide distribution of the type species A. nana. This species ranges, without obvious breaks in distribution, from Senegal in the west, east to Ethiopia and south to South Africa, being absent only from the more arid desert and semi-desert environments associated with the Sahara, Sahel and Chalbi Desert in the north and the Namib and Kalahari deserts in the south-west (Happold, 2013a).

Distribution: This genus is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa, probably occurring in suitable habitats across its wide range. It occurs throughout the Upper Guinea rainforest zone, extending northward into Sudanian savanna, possibly extending into the Sahel along major rivers and wetlands (Happold, 2013a). It occurs throughout mesic portions of Central and East Africa, but records are sparser in the Horn of Africa (Lanza et al., 2015). It is widespread in the wetter parts of southern Africa, avoiding the dry southwestern region of South Africa, much of Botswana and Namibia (Monadjem et al., 2010).


Ara Monadjem, Terrence C. Demos, Desire L. Dalton, Paul W. Webala, Simon Musila, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans and Bruce D. Patterson. 2020. A Revision of Pipistrelle-like Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in East Africa with the Description of New Genera and Species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlaa087. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa087


Penis bones, echolocation calls, and genes reveal new kinds of bats
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[Botany • 2020] Nepenthes putaiguneung (Nepenthaceae) • A New Species from Highland of Sumatra, Indonesia

September 13, 2020, 8:49 pm
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Nepenthes putaiguneung  
in Metusala, Farishy & Jebb, 2020. 



Abstract
A new species of Nepenthes—Nepenthes putaiguneung—from the highlands of Sumatra (Indonesia) is described and illustrated. This new species is morphologically similar with N. Singalana from which differs in having narrowly spathulate leaves, more gracile upper pitchers with a finely ribbed peristome, lacking teeth on its inner edge, lid with a basal crest and a short tooth-like triangular appendage near the apex on the underside (not lacking such appendages), the lid glands of lower pitcher confined to the midline (not scattered evenly over the whole surface), and pedicel of lower male flowers usually with minutely short bracteole. N. putaiguneung is also similar to N. mikei but differs in having narrowly spathulate leaves with obtuse apex, lower pitcher with slender infundibulate shape below and cylindrical above, peristome of lower pitcher with short and denser distinct ribs, lid of lower and upper pitcher with a prominent glandular crest at the base of midrib, several distinct glands on the lid of lower pitcher that clustered along the midrib; and pedicel of lower male flowers that usually with minutely short bracteole.

Keywords: Eudicots, Nepenthes, Nepenthes mikei, pitcher





Destario Metusala, Dee Dee Al Farishy and Matthew Jebb. 2020. Nepenthes putaiguneung (Nepenthaceae), A New Species from Highland of Sumatra, Indonesia. Phytotaxa. 454(4); 285–292.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.454.4.6
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[Herpetology • 2020] Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis • A New Medium-bodied Rupicolous Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Sirumalai Massif, Tamil Nadu, India

September 14, 2020, 3:24 am
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Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis 
 Khandekar, Thackeray, Pawar & Agarwal, 2020

Sirumalai Rock Gecko ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.1.4

Abstract
We describe a new species of the Hemidactylus acanthopholis clade from Sirumalai, an isolated massif in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu state, India. Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov. can be diagnosed from all members of the prashadi group by its medium body size (SVL <95 mm), the number of dorsal tubercles rows at mid-body, the number of enlarged tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of femoral pores and poreless scales between series of left and right femoral pores on the femoral-precloacal row in males, the number of ventral scales across the belly at mid-body and subtle colour pattern differences. The new species is the fourth member of the acanthopholis clade and 8.5–13.4 % divergent in ND2 sequence data from other members of the clade. We also provide data on additional specimens from a new locality of Hemidactylus kolliensis, previously known only from the male holotype. Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov. is the first endemic and only the other vertebrate species described from Sirumalai massif in the last 133 years. Most rupicolous Hemidactylus species from peninsular India outside the Western Ghats are known only from a few localities and are likely to be geographically restricted in distribution, and large areas of suitable habitat remain unsurveyed, suggesting many more allied species remain to be discovered.

Keywords: Reptilia, cryptic species, granite boulders, Hemidactylus acanthopholis, peninsular India, rock geckos, taxonomy


Hemidactylus kolliensis in life, juvenile, NCBS-BH740.

Hemidactylus kolliensis Agarwal, Bauer, Giri & Khandekar 
Kolli rock gecko


Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov. 
male, holotype, NCBS-BH743

Hemidactylus sirumalaiensis sp. nov.
 Hemidactylus cf. acanthopholis Ganesh et al. 2016 

Suggested Common Name. Sirumalai rock gecko. 

Etymology. The specific epithet is a toponym for the Sirumalai Massif, the only known locality of the species. 


    


Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray, Swapnil Pawar and Ishan Agarwal. 2020. A New Medium-bodied Rupicolous Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Sirumalai Massif, Tamil Nadu, India. Zootaxa. 4852(1); 83–100. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.1.4

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[Herpetology • 2020] Pseudogekko hungkag • Unexpected Discovery of Another New Species of Philippine False Gecko (Gekkonidae; Pseudogekko) from the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island

September 14, 2020, 8:34 pm
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Pseudogekko hungkag
 Brown, Meneses, Wood, Fernandez, Cuesta, Clores, Tracy, Buehler & Siler, 2020

Bicol Hollow-dwelling Forest Gecko || DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-19-00029.1  

Abstract
Philippine False Geckos (genus Pseudogekko) are secretive, delicate, slender-bodied, arboreal members of an obligate forest specialist clade that is substantially more species diverse than previously assumed. Over the last century, few species were added to this Philippine endemic genus. During the last decade, however, revisionary studies have resulted in the recognition of six new species. Several of these appear to be rare, have restricted geographic ranges, or exhibit patchy, fragmented areas of occurrence. In this study we report on the discovery of a second Luzon Island species in the P. brevipes complex, a clade in which members typically have diminutive bodies. Although the new species is readily diagnosed from all congeners, we estimated its systematic affinities with a phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data and confirm that it is nested within the P. brevipes clade. The new species constitutes an exception to the general appearance of other members of the P. brevipes complex, in that it has a relatively heavy-bodied, robust stature, separating it phenotypically from all members of the group. Our new species constitutes the second Luzon lineage in this group of rainforest species (considered previously to be restricted to the Negros-Panay and Mindanao Pleistocene aggregate island complexes [PAICs] in the central and southern landmasses of the archipelago). Given the lack of available biodiversity information for the major remaining forests of the Bicol Peninsula, which necessarily come from targeted faunal surveys, the new species' conservation status cannot yet be assessed. In light of the highly fragmented nature of forested habitats of southern Luzon, we suspect the new species might be vulnerable to extinction as a result of habitat loss.



Pseudogekko hungkag sp. nov. 




Rafe M. Brown, Camila G. Meneses, Perry L. Wood Jr., Jason B. Fernandez, Michael A. Cuesta, Michael A. Clores, Claire Tracy, Matthew D. Buehler and Cameron D. Siler. 2020. Unexpected Discovery of Another New Species of Philippine False Gecko (Gekkonidae; Pseudogekko) from the Bicol Peninsula of Luzon Island. Herpetologica. 76(3); 315-329. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-19-00029.1   
twitter.com/PerryLeeWoodJr/status/1305180343792697346
PerryLeeWoodJr.com/2020/09/13/unexpected-discovery-of-another-new-species-of-philippine-false-gecko
facebook.com/kierpitogo14/posts/3587409177944896

      

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[Herpetology • 2020] Dixonius dulayaphitakorum จิ้งจกดินระนอง • A New Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from the City of Ranong, southwestern Thailand

September 14, 2020, 11:56 pm
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Dixonius dulayaphitakorum  

Sumontha & Pauwels, 2020
จิ้งจกดินระนอง | Ranong Leaf-toed Gecko || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.2.2 
Photos. by M. Sumontha. 

Abstract
We describe Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov. from Ranong city, Ranong Province, southern peninsular Thailand. The new, ground-dwelling species differs from all currently recognized Dixonius by a combination of morphological characters and pattern: maximal known SVL of 47.8 mm, 22 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 33 to 35 paravertebral scales; 22 longitudinal rows of ventrals across the abdomen; six or seven precloacal pores in males, no pores in females; no distinct canthal stripe; and a spotted dorsal pattern. Based on dorsal pattern, the new species seems related to Dixonius siamensis. This description brings to 11 the number of Dixonius species, and to five the ones endemic to Thailand.

Keywords: Gekkonidae, Gekkota, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov.


 facebook.com/MontriSumontha 

Live male paratypesof Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov. 
 (A: PSUZC-R 729; B: PSUZC-R 730) 
Photos. by M. Sumontha.

Dixonius dulayaphitakorum sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet is a mark of friendship honoring Mr. Santisak and Mrs. Boonneam Dulayaphitak for their support to the herpetological field work of the first author, and who often drew his attention on interesting specimens. We suggest the following common names: Djing-djok din Ranong - จิ้งจกดินระนอง (Thai), Ranong Leaf-toed Gecko (English), Dixonius de Ranong (French), Ranong-Blattfingergecko (German).


Montri Sumontha and Olivier S.G. Pauwels. 2020. A New Leaf-toed Gecko (Gekkonidae: Dixonius) from the City of Ranong, southwestern Thailand. Zootaxa. 4852(2); 166–176. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4852.2.2
  facebook.com/MontriSumontha/posts/4055185851175211

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[Herpetology • 2020] The Phylogeny of Dendropsophini (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae)

September 15, 2020, 2:08 am
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in Orrico, Grant, Faivovich, Rivera‐Correa, ... et Haddad, 2020.
 DOI:  10.1111/cla.12429 
  twitter.com/VictorDill 
 twitter.com/biodiversitario
 
Abstract
The relationships of the hyline tribe Dendropsophini remain poorly studied, with most published analyses dealing with few of the species groups of Dendropsophus. In order to test the monophyly of Dendropsophini, its genera, and the species groups currently recognized in Dendropsophus, we performed a total evidence phylogenetic analysis. The molecular dataset included sequences of three mitochondrial and five nuclear genes from 210 terminals, including 12 outgroup species, the two species of Xenohyla, and 93 of the 108 recognized species of Dendropsophus. The phenomic dataset includes 46 terminals, one per species (34 Dendropsophus, one Xenohyla, and 11 outgroup species). Our results corroborate the monophyly of Dendropsophini and the reciprocal monophyly of Dendropsophus and Xenohyla. Some species groups of Dendropsophus are paraphyletic (the D. microcephalus, D. minimus, and D. parviceps groups, and the D. rubicundulus clade). On the basis of our results, we recognize nine species groups; for three of them (D. leucophyllatus, D. microcephalus, and D. parviceps groups) we recognize some nominal clades to highlight specific morphology or relationships and facilitate species taxonomy. We further discuss the evolution of oviposition site selection, where our results show multiple instances of independent evolution of terrestrial egg clutches during the evolutionary history of Dendropsophus.





    


Victor G.D. Orrico, Taran Grant, Julian Faivovich, Mauricio Rivera‐Correa, Marco A. Rada, Mariana L. Lyra, Carla S. Cassini, Paula H. Valdujo, Walter E. Schargel, Denis J. Machado, Ward C. Wheeler, Cesar Barrio‐Amorós, Daniel Loebmann, Jiří Moravec, Juliana Zina, Mirco Solé, Marcelo J. Sturaro, Pedro L.V. Peloso, Pablo Suarez and Célio F.B. Haddad. 2020. The Phylogeny of Dendropsophini (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae). Cladistics. DOI: 10.1111/cla.12429  

      

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[Herpetology • 2020] Rediscovery of the Enigmatic Andean Frog Telmatobius halli Noble (Anura: Telmatobiidae), Re-description of the Tadpole and Comments on New Adult’s Characters, Type Locality and Conservation Status

September 15, 2020, 8:23 pm
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Telmatobius halli Noble, 1938

in Cuevas, Formas, Alvarado-Rybak, Peñafiel-Ricaurte & Azat, 2020. 

Abstract
We report the rediscovery of Telmatobius halli (Hall’s water frog), which had not been found since its description (over 80 years) since its type locality was not clearly established. “Aguas Calientes” near Ollagüe is hypothesized as the original type locality where Frank Gregory Hall collected the type material in 1935. The tadpole is re-described, and new data on the external and internal morphology of adults is provided. These new morphological data are compared with Telmatobius spp. inhabiting geographically close to T. halli in Chile and Bolivia. In addition, comments on its ecology, conservation, and taxonomic status in relation with other Telmatobius spp. inhabiting nearby areas in Ascotán and Carcote salt pans are provided. No evidence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis and Ranavirus infection was found in T. halli and a sympatric amphibian species. Our work supports the validity of T. halli and suggests this species should be considered as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List assessment until taxonomic issues are resolved.

Keywords: Amphibia, Taxonomy, Telmatobius, aquatic frog, type locality, Northern Chile


Type locality of Telmatobius halli, near Ollagüe, Chile.
(C) Close up view of the warm spring. 

Type locality of Telmatobius halli, near Ollagüe, Chile.
“Aguas Calientes”, a warm spring (red circle), where we collected the samples identified as T. halli. Type localities of T. fronteriensis (square) and T. philippii (triangle).



 
C.C. Cuevas, J.R. Formas, M. Alvarado-Rybak, A. Peñafiel-Ricaurte and C. Azat. 2020. Rediscovery of the Enigmatic Andean Frog Telmatobius halli Noble (Anura: Telmatobiidae), Re-description of the Tadpole and Comments on New Adult’s Characters, Type Locality and Conservation Status. Zootaxa. 4834(2); 195–206. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4834.2.2


Redescubrimiento de la enigmática rana de Hall (Telmatobius halli), después de 80 años sin ser observada, cerca de Ollagüe en pleno desierto de Atacama 
 twitter.com/ClaudioAzat/status/1300106526804320256

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[Herpetology • 2020] Adenomera guarayo • Hiding in Plain Sight: A Fourth New Cryptic Species of the Adenomera andreae Clade (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Southwestern Amazonia

September 15, 2020, 8:49 pm
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Adenomera guarayo
Carvalho, Angulo, Barrera, Aguilar-Puntriano & Haddad, 2020


 Abstract  
We describe a new species of Adenomera from southwestern Amazonia. The new species corresponds to one of the acoustic patterns and morphotypes from Tambopata National Reserve (Adenomera “Forest Call II”), which was associated with the candidate species identified via molecular data as Adenomera sp. C in the phylogeny of the genus. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, except A. phonotriccus, by a unique advertisement call: calls are composed of complete pulses, i.e., separated by silent gaps, whereas those of remaining Adenomera species are composed of incomplete pulses (partly fused) or nonpulsed calls. The new species occurs in southeastern Peru and north central Bolivia, with two sympatric records with A. chicomendesi. The taxonomic status of two candidate species (sp. D and sp. T) of the A. andreae clade in southwestern Amazonia still needs to be addressed by the acquisition of additional phenotypic and molecular data.

KEYWORDS: Acoustic diagnosis, bioacoustics, biodiversity, Peruvian Amazon, Tambopata National Reserve



Adenomera guarayo sp. nov.


Thiago R. De Carvalho, Ariadne Angulo, Diego A. Barrera, César Aguilar-Puntriano and Célio F.B. Haddad. 2020. Hiding in Plain Sight: A Fourth New Cryptic Species of the Adenomera andreae Clade (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Southwestern Amazonia. Herpetologica. 76(3); 304-314, (9 September DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-19-00068.1  
  twitter.com/TRCarvalho_Herp/status/1305975746540851202

    

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[Herpetology • 2020] Abronia morenica • A New Species of Abronia (Squamata: Anguidae) from a Protected Area in Chiapas, Mexico

September 15, 2020, 9:07 pm
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Abronia morenica  
Clause, Luna-Reyes & De Oca, 2020

 Abstract  

We describe a new species of the genus Abronia from the La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve in western Chiapas, México. The new species is known only from the vicinity of the type locality in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas. It is readily distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: lack of protuberant or spine-like supra-auricular scales, lack of protuberant or casque-like posterolateral head scales, 30–35 transverse dorsal scale rows, lateralmost row of ventral scales enlarged relative to adjacent medial row, dorsum brown with 8–10 transverse dark crossbands, and dark lateral bar on the neck extending from the shoulder to near the auricular opening. We tentatively assign the new species to the subgenus Lissabronia pending the availability of a robust, comprehensive molecular phylogeny for the genus. We discuss regional Abronia biogeography and comment on the conservation implications of our discovery for the imperiled highland forests of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas, a globally important center of endemism.

KEYWORDS: Alligator lizard, biosphere reserve, conservation, Gerrhonotinae, morphology, Sierra Madre de Chiapas, systematics, taxonomy





Abronia morenica


Adam G. Clause, Roberto Luna-Reyes and Adrián Nieto-Montes De Oca. 2020. A New Species of Abronia (Squamata: Anguidae) from a Protected Area in Chiapas, Mexico. Herpetologica. 76(3); 330-343. DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-19-00047

New ‘tree dragon’ discovered in Mexican forest
 news.uga.edu/tree-dragon-lizard-discovered-mexican-forest/
facebook.com/herpmx/posts/2882509875142950


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[Botany • 2020] Pinda shrirangii (Apiaceae) • A New Elegant Species from the northern Western Ghats, India

September 15, 2020, 9:30 pm
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Pinda shrirangii Gosavi & Chandore 

in Gosavi, Madhav, Borude & Chandore, 2020. 
Photo: K. V. C. Gosavi.  
 
Abstract
A new species, Pinda shrirangii Gosavi & Chandore, is described and illustrated from a high‐elevation region of northern Western Ghats, India. The new species is closely allied to the only other species in the genus, Pinda concanensis (Dalzell) P.K.Mukh. & Constance which was also described from the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra state of India. Coloured photographs and illustrations are provided to facilitate the identification.

Keywords: Apiaceae, endemism, high elevation, Maharashtra, monotypic, Pinda, taxonomy


Comparative habit of (a) Pinda shrirangii sp. nov. and (b) P. concanensis. 

Photographs by K. V. C. Gosavi.



Pinda shrirangii Gosavi & Chandore, sp. nov.


Etymology: The specific epithet is in honor of Emeritus Scientist Prof. (Dr.) Shrirang Ramchandra Yadav working at Department of Botany, Shivaji University, Kolhapur for his extensive contribution in the field of angiosperm taxonomy.


Kumar Vinod Chhotupuri Gosavi, Nilesh Appaso Madhav, Devidas Bhausaheb Borude and Arun Nivrutti Chandore. 2020. Pinda shrirangii, A New Elegant Species of Apiaceae from the northern Western Ghats, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.02771

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[Botany • 2020] Bredia reniformis (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from Guangxi, China

September 16, 2020, 3:45 am
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Bredia reniformis C. M. He, Y. H. Tong & S. J. Zeng

in He, Zeng, Li & Tong, 2020. 

Abstract
Bredia reniformis, a new species of Melastomataceae from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. Bredia reniformis is similar to B. plagiopetala (C. Chen) R. C. Zhou & Ying Liu and B.gracilis (Hand.‐Mazz.) Diels by having axillary inflorescences and flowers with eight isomorphic stamens, but differs from the latter two in having glandular‐puberulous indumentum, reniform calyx lobes and shortly falcate yellowish anthers with obconical dorsal appendages.

Keywords: Bredia, Chinese melastomes, Guangxi


Bredia reniformis C. M. He, Y. H. Tong & S. J. Zeng, sp. nov.


Etymology: The specific epithet reniformis refers to the reniform calyx lobes of the new species.


Chun‐Mei He, Si‐Jin Zeng, Shu‐Wan Li and Yi‐Hua Tong. 2020. Bredia reniformis (Melastomataceae), A New Species from Guangxi, China. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.02525
  facebook.com/NordicJBotany/photos/3291746657607559

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