Species New to Science

Begonia oyuniae M.Taram & N.Krishna

in Taram, Borah, Krishna, ... et Hughes, 2020.

Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 72(1); 109-115.

Researchgate.net/publication/342352978

Abstract

The new species Begonia oyuniae M.Taram & N.Krishna is described from Arunachal Pradesh. It belongs to Begonia sect. Monophyllon A.DC., which is a new sectional record for India. Begonia oyuniae shares the ability to produce plantlets at the leaf tip with B. vagans Craib (Begonia sect. Alicida C.B.Clarke) and B. elisabethae Kiew (Begonia sect. Parvibegonia A.DC.), but differs from the former in having glabrous tepals (versus densely glandular hairy) and 2-locular ovaries (versus 3-locular), and from the latter in having an asymmetric androecium (not globose). It differs from the two other species in Begonia sect. Monophyllon in having leaves which have sinuate to lobed margins (not entire), and which produce plantlets around the margin.

Keywords: Begonia paleacea, Begonia prolifera, Begonia sect. Parvibegonia, Namdapha National Park, Sikem, taxonomy

Fig. 1. Begonia oyuniae M.Taram & N.Krishna.
A. Habit in situ (inset showing a leaf with more pronounced lobes) (scale bars 5 cm). B. Leaf tip with bulbils and plantlets, each with further bulbils (scale bar 1 cm). C. Staminate flower (scale bar 1 cm). D. Pistillate flower (scale bar 1 cm). E. Fruit cross section showing two locules and two placental lamellae per locule (scale bar 5 mm). F. Style and stigma (scale bar 2 mm). G. Ovary and flower bud (scale bar 1 cm). H. Androecium (scale bar 5 mm). I. Ovary with one smaller wing removed (scale bar 1 cm). J. Ovary with ripe seeds visible through the membraneous flaps in the splash cup (scale bar 1 cm). K. Inflorescence (scale bar 3 cm).

A-D, I & K from M. Taram 301; E-H & J from N. Krishna 159649.

(Photos: A-D, I & K,.M. Taram; E-H & J, N. Krishna)

Begonia oyuniae M.Taram & N.Krishna, sp. nov.§ Monophyllon

Begonia oyuniae belongs in Begonia sect. Monophyllon as it is a small tuberous herb with two lunate stigmas, two-locular fruit and an asymmetric androecium. Begonia oyuniae shares the ability to produce plantlets at the leaf tip with B. vagans Craib (Begonia sect. Alicida C.B.Clarke) and B. elisabethae Kiew (Begonia sect. Parvibegonia), but differs from the former in having glabrous tepals (versus densely glandular hairy) and 2-locular ovaries (versus 3-locular), and from the latter in having an asymmetric androecium (not globose). It differs from the two other species in Begonia sect. Monophyllon in having leaves which are sinuate to lobed (not entire), and which produce plantlets around the margin.

Etymology. Named after the mother of the first author, Mrs Oyun Taram for her untiring support.

M. Taram, D. Borah, N. Krishna, A.K. Pradeep, A. Amrutha and M. Hughes. 2020. Begonia oyuniae (Begonia sect. Monophyllon, Begoniaceae), A Remarkable New Species from Northeast India. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 72(1); 109-115.

Researchgate.net/publication/342352978_Begonia_oyuniae_a_remarkable_new_species_from_Northeast_India

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Amphisbaena elbakyanae

Torres-Ramírez, Angarita-Sierra & Vargas-Ramírez, 2021

DOI: 10.3897/vertebrate-zoology.71.e59461

Abstract

In northern South America, amphisbaenians are rarely seen among the herpetofauna.Thus, general knowledge about them is very poor. During a herpetological survey in 2012 at Casanare, Colombia, we found two specimens of an unusual Amphisbaena. A third specimen sharing the same morphotype labeled Amphisbaena sp. from Vichada department was found deposided in an Colombian reptile collection. Based on morphological analyses together with phylogenetic analyses of 1029 base pairs of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), we describe a new species of Amphisbaena that inhabits in the Orinoquian region of Colombia. The new species is part of a phylogenetic clade together with A. mertensii and A. cunhai (central-southern Brazil), exhibiting a great genetic distance (26.1–28.9%) between the newly identified lineage versus those taxa, and versus the sympatric taxa A. alba and A. fuliginosa. Morphologically, this new Amphisbaena can be distinguished from their congeners by characters combination of number of preocloacal pores, absence of malar scale, postgenial scales and body and caudal annuli counts. Amphisbaena gracilis is on morphology grounds the most similar species. However, the new species can be distinguished from it by having higher body annuli counts, angulus ories aliegned with the edges of the ocular scales and center of frontal scales, less number of large middorsal segments of the first and second body annulus, and rostral scale visible from above. The description of this new Amphisbaena species points out the urgent need to increase the knowledge of worm lizards in Colombia

Keywords: burrowing habits, cryptic species, fossorial, integrative taxonomy, mtDNA, worm lizard, South America

Figure 4. Color in life of Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov.
(A) Holotype of A. elbakyanae sp. nov., recently euthanized (MLS 1901, male).
(B) Specimen in life of A. elbakyanae sp. nov. from paratype locality: Bojonawi Natural Reserve, Fundación Omacha, municipality of Puerto Carreño, Vichada Department, Colombia (N 6.097997222, W - 67.48321667; elevation 54 m. a.s.l.). Photo by Beiker Castañeda.

Figure 2. Holotype Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov. in preservation (MLS 1901, male).
(A) Doral view of the head; (B) Lateral view of the head; (C) Ventral view of the head; (D) Ventral view of the tail (tail is autotomized).

Figure 3. Comparison of the head scuttelation between the holotypes of Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov. and A. gracilis.
(A, C, E) Dorsal, lateral and ventral view of the head ofA. elbakyanae sp. nov. (B, D, F) Dorsal, lateral and ventral view of the head of A. gracilis. (G) Lateral view of the caudal scuttelation ofA. elbakyanae sp. nov.
Scales: 1 = nasals, 2 = prefrontals, 3 = frontals, 4 = oculars, 5 = rostral, 6 = supralabials, 7 = posoclulars, 8 = temporals, 9 = parietals, 10 = middorsals segments of the body annulus, 11 = first, second and third body annulus, 12 = infralabials, 13 = mental, 14 = postmentals, 15 = postgenials, 16 = postmalars, 17 = precloacal annulus, 18 = cloacal annuli, 19 = postcloacal annulus, 20 = autotomus annulus, 21 = postclocal lip, 22 = precloacal lip.

Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov.

Chresonymy: Amphisbaena sp. (ICN-TAS 700): Pedroza-Banda et al. (2014).

Generic placement: Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov. belong to the genus Amphisbaena Linnaeus, 1758 (sensu Mertens 1925; Vanzolini 1951; Gans and Alexander 1962) by having the following characters: (1) Snout rounded, flattened or slightly convexed above; (2) upper head scales paired; (3) rostral scale short, subtriangular, ventrally expanded and posteriorly without contact with prefrontal scales; (4) nasal scales in broad contact; (5) six premaxillary teeth; (6) ten maxillary teeth.

Diagnosis: Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov., can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) three supralabial scales; (2) three infralabial scales; (3) second supralabial scale longer than first and third supralabial scales, contacting first and third supralabial, temporal, ocular and prefrontal scales; (4) angulus oris lies in transverse plane passing through the posterior edges of the ocular scales and the center of the frontal scales; (5) second infralabial scale in contact with postmental scales; (6) six premaxillar teeth; (7) ten maxillar teeth; (8) one temporal scale; (9) absence of malar scale; (10) a single postgenial scale row with four segments; (11) postmalar scale rows with six to seven segments; (12) first body annulus includes one large segment on each side lying immediately posterior to inner parietal scales, abutting onto posterolateral edge of the outer parietal scales; (13) middorsal segments of second and third body annulus non-enlarged; (14) 245–257 body annuli; (15) 13–15 dorsal segments per annulus at midbody; (16) 16–18 ventral segments per annulus at midbody; (17) four precloacal pores; (18) autotomy sites located on sixth to eighth caudal annuli, (19) 20–24 caudal annuli, (20) rostral scale visible from above, (21) dorsal and ventral surfaces homogeneusly dark brown or dark brown-reddish, (22), and small body size 211–237 mm (Fig. 3).

Etymology: We dedicate this species to the Kazakhstani scientist Alexandra Asanovna Elbakyan (Russian: Алекса́ндра Аса́новна Элбакя́н), creator of the web site Sci-Hub, for her colossal contributions for reducing the barriers in the way of science, as well as her reclamation that “everyone has the right to participate and share in scientific advancement and its benefits, freely and without economic constraints”.

Distribution and natural history: The known localities of Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov., are distributed in the flooded savanna ecosystem of the Orocué and Ariporo River basin, as well as in the drained savanna ecosystem of the Bita River basin in the department of Vichada (Fig. 5). Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov. seems to be highly associated with the leaf litter of the savanna flood forest dominated by moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa), which are commonly known as “morichales” or “cananguchales” in Colombia (Fig. 6). The new species was found in sympatry with A. alba and A. fuliginosa.

Figure 6. Habitat of Amphisbaena elbakyanae sp. nov.
(A) Panoramic view of savanna flood forest dominated by moriche palm at the Bita River, Department of Vichada, Colombia. (B) Microhabitats inside of moriche palm’s forest. (C) Moriche palm (Mauritia flexuosa).

Juan José Torres-Ramírez, Teddy Angarita-Sierra and Mario Vargas-Ramírez. 2021. A New Species of Amphisbaena (Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) from the Orinoquian Region of Colombia. Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 55-74. DOI: 10.3897/vertebrate-zoology.71.e59461

Ankylopteryx (Ankylopteryx) diffluens

Ma & Liu, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.3.7

Abstract

Two new species of the green lacewing subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer are described from southern Yunnan, China, namely Ankylopteryx (A.) diffluens sp. nov. and Ankylopteryx (A.) rubrocincta sp. nov.. An updated key to the species of this subgenus is provided.

Keywords: Neuroptera, new species, green lacewing, key

Yunlong Ma and Xingyue Liu. 2021. Two New Species of the Green Lacewing Subgenus Ankylopteryx Brauer, 1864 (s. str.) (Neuroptera, Chrysopidae) from China. Zootaxa. 4941(3); 425–433. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.3.7

Raorchestes dulongensis

Wu, Liu, Gao, Wang, Li, Zhou, Yuan & Che, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.2.5

twitter.com/AmphSpecWorld

Abstract

Approximately half of the species in speciose genus Raorchestes were described during the past 10 years, yet only 11 species are known from Southeast Asia and southern China (SEA-SC), adjacent Himalayas, and northeastern India. Field work in northwestern Yunnan province, China resulted in the discovery of one new species in the genus based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species is diagnosed by small size with 15.0–19.0 mm SVL in adult males (n=3); tongue pyriform, notched posteriorly; rudimentary webbing between toes; fingers and toes with narrow lateral dermal fringes; tibiotarsal articulation reaching anterior of the eye when hindlimb is stretched along the side of the body; relative finger lengths: I < II < IV < III, relative toe lengths: I < II < V < III < IV; inner metatarsal tubercle oval, outer metatarsal tubercle absent; finger discs and toe discs greyish or orange; flank near the crotch with a distinct black region between two creamy white patches, and the thigh having a similar black patch near the groin, proximal to another creamy white patch; a distinct “) (”-shaped dark marking on the back; male with external single subgular vocal sac; nuptial pad absent. A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed based on the mitochondrial genes for 16S rRNA and ND1. The results indicated that these individuals form a monophyletic group, and show high genetic divergence to their closest relatives within the genus (uncorrected p-distances > 3.2%) by distance of 16S comparable to the divergence between recognized Raorchestes species. This study further enriches the diversity of rhacophorids, especially in northwestern Yunnan.

Keywords: Amphibia, Rhacophoridae, Raorchestes, northwestern Yunnan, new species, Raorchestes dulongensis sp. nov.

Raorchestes dulongensis sp. nov.

Yun-He Wu, Xiao-Long Liu, Wei Gao, Yu-Fan Wang, Ying-Chun Li, Wei-Wei Zhou, Zhi-Yong Yuan and Jing Che. 2021. Description of A New Species of Bush Frog (Anura: Rhacophoridae: Raorchestes) from northwestern Yunnan, China. Zootaxa. 4941(2); 239–258. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.2.5

twitter.com/AmphSpecWorld/status/1368910767349698560/

Premna caridantha

in Tan, Min, Ding, ... et Li, 2021.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.490.1.10

Abstract

A distinct new species of Premna, P. caridantha which was discovered from Putao District, Kachin State, northern Myanmar, is described and illustrated here. It is characterized by having large and intricate paniculiform inflorescences which branch three times with the terminal branch formed by a spike-like thyrse, zygomorphic corolla with a short-incurved tube, and a bright yellowish spot on the middle lob of the lower corolla lip. The species is most similar to P. grandipaniculata but clearly differs in leaf shape and corolla characters. Premna caridantha is the fourth species having spike-like thyrses in Premna and the third new Premna species recently discovered from northern Myanmar.

Keywords: morphology, spike-like inflorescence, tropical montane forests, woody climber, Eudicots

Yun-Hong Tan, Dao-Zhang Min, Hong-Bo Ding, Bin Yang, Mya Bhone Maw and Bo Li. 2021. Premna caridantha (Lamiaceae: Permnoideae), A Distinct New Species from Kachin State, northern Myanmar. Phytotaxa. 490(1); 107–113. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.490.1.10

Litoblatta argentina Rocha e Silva & Aguiar, 1975

in Valverde & Crespo, 2021.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.4.5

Abstract

New diagnostic characters were used to study the genus Litoblatta Hebard: paraprocts, styles due to their shape and distribution of spines, and sclerites of the genitalia of the male with emphasis on the right complex. Male and female genitalia are described in detail. Four new species of cockroaches are described, Litoblatta elisae, Litoblatta lutea, Litoblatta misionerae, and Litoblatta tucumanae. The number of species recorded for Argentina rises to 7 and a key for male determination is provided. The geographic distribution of the studied species of cockroaches is extended.

Keywords: Blattaria, Litoblatta elisae sp. nov., Litoblatta lutea sp. nov., Litoblatta misionerae sp. nov., Litoblatta tucumanae sp. nov., geographic distribution, genitalia

Alejandra del Carmen Valverde and Francisco A. Crespo. 2021. Four New Species of Litoblatta from Argentina with A Key to Species based on Males (Blattaria: Ectobiidae: Blattellinae). Zootaxa. 4941(4); 553–568. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.4.5

Luciola singapura Jusoh & Ballantyne

in Jusoh, Ballantyne, Chan, et al., 2021.

DOI: 10.3390/ani11030687

LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg

twitter.com/WanFAJusoh

Abstract

The firefly genus Luciola sensu McDermott contains 282 species that are distributed across major parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific islands. Due to phenotypic similarities, species identification using external morphological characters can be unreliable for this group. Consequently, decades of piecemeal taxonomic treatments have resulted in numerous erroneous and contentious classifications. Furthermore, our understanding of the group’s evolutionary history is limited due to the lack of a robust phylogenetic framework that has also impeded efforts to stabilize its taxonomy. Here, we constructed molecular phylogenies of Luciola and its allies based on combined mitogenomes and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) sequences including a newly sequenced mitogenome of an unidentified taxon from Singapore. Our results showed that this taxon represents a distinct and hitherto undescribed evolutionary lineage that forms a clade with L. filiformis from Japan and L. curtithorax from China. Additionally, the Singaporean lineage can be differentiated from other congeners through several external and internal diagnostic morphological characters, and is thus described herein as a new species. Our phylogeny also strongly supported the paraphyly of Luciola with regard to L. cruciata and L. owadai, which were inferred to be more closely related to the genus Aquatica as opposed to other members of Luciola sensu stricto. The genus Hotaria was inferred as a derived clade within Luciola (sister to L. italica), supporting its status as a subgenus of Luciola instead of a distinct genus. This is the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore, highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied and highly developed countries, such as Singapore.

Keywords: Hotaria; Luciola cruciata; Luciola owadai; Nee Soon Swamp Forest; taxonomy; phylogenetics; conservation

Map of Singapore showing the location of Luciola singapura Jusoh & Ballantyne sp. nov. in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest (NSSF) (inset). Numbered dots represent type localities of Luciola species in Asia and the Pacific islands that were examined and/or analysed in this study.

Males of Luciola singapura sp. nov.
Habitus (A, B), head and pronotum (C); Tergite 8 after dissection (D). A. Holotype male, from recent collection preserved in ethanol, light organ (LO) located on ventrite 6 (V6) and ventrite 7 (V7), presence of fat body along apex of suture, arrowed; (B). Habitus of paratype male. Coloration of paratype male collected 30 years ago preserved as dry specimen, arrow indicated presence of fat body along suture, tergite 8 (T8) from dorsal view and pronotum (inset); (C). Top: Head and pronotum of paratype male, below: Mouthpart and some parts of antenna; (D). Dissection parts of holotype male: tergites 7‐8 indicated with aedeagus and aedeagal sheath.

Luciola singapura Jusoh and Ballantyne sp. nov.

English name: Singapore firefly

Malay name: Kunang‐kunang Singapura

Diagnosis: A small species (less than 5 mm long) with distinctive dorsal coloration of black head, orange to yellowish brown with dark markings on pronotum, and orange to yellowish brown elytra which have diffuse darker brown to black markings towards the apex, with paler basal markings restricted to basal area near suture and an accumulation of whitish fat body along apex of suture and round elytral apex. Metasternum with median dark marking.

Etymology: The specific epithet, singapura, is the Malay name for the country Singapore, which is the type locality of the new species.

Distribution: Known only from the type locality of NSSF, Central Catchment Nature Reserve in Singapore but may also occur in other parts of the island where habitat is suitable.

Conclusions:

The discovery of a new species of firefly from the last remaining freshwater swamp forest in Singapore—one of the most developed and urbanized countries in the world— highlights the importance of continued biodiversity research in the region. This study also underscores the utility of molecular approaches to resolve taxonomic problems and better understand the evolutionary history of fireflies.

Wan F. A. Jusoh, Lesley Ballantyne, Su Hooi Chan, Tuan Wah Wong, Darren Yeo, B. Nada and Kin Onn Chan. 2021. Molecular Systematics of the Firefly Genus Luciola (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) with the Description of a New Species from Singapore. Animals. 11(3), 687. DOI: 10.3390/ani11030687

Researchers from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, have discovered a new species of firefly from the last remaining freshwater swamp forest in Singapore. This is the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore—highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied, and highly developed countries such as Singapore.

LKCNHM.nus.edu.sg/singapore-firefly

twitter.com/WanFAJusoh/status/1367668664950878208

twitter.com/LKCNHM/status/1368728173924413441

Simple Summary: Fireflies have a scattered distribution in Singapore but are not as uncommon as many would generally assume. A nationwide survey of fireflies in 2009 across Singapore documented 11 species, including “Luciola sp. 2”, which is particularly noteworthy because the specimens were collected from a freshwater swamp forest in the central catchment area of Singapore and did not fit the descriptions of any known Luciola species. Ten years later, we revisited the same locality to collect new specimens and genetic material of Luciola sp. 2. Subsequently, the mitochondrial genome of that population was sequenced and specimens were subjected to rigorous morphological examinations. We then collated published mitogenomes and shorter mitochondrial markers from closely related taxa to infer a phylogeny for the subfamily Luciolinae. Our results reveal that Luciola sp. 2 is both genetically and morphologically distinct from other congeners and is thus described herein as a new species Luciola singapura sp. nov. This marks the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore, highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied and highly developed countries such as Singapore that can still harbor undescribed biodiversity.

Changiola sp.

Tan, Muhammad & Robillard, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.1.6

twitter.com/ISYEBsp

Abstract

The taxonomy of the little-known cricket genus Changiola from the subfamily Pteroplistinae is reviewed here. This genus consisted of three species, two from Malay Peninsula and one from Indochina. Here, we describe a new species from Borneo, the first from the island: Changiolasarawakensis n. sp. We also provide a key to the species, although it is likely that more species will be added to this genus with more sampling in the region.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Gryllidae, key to species, Sarawak, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Ming Kai Tan, Amira Aqilah Muhammad and Tony Robillard. 2021. A Review of the Genus Changiola (Orthoptera: Grylloidea: Pteroplistinae) and Description of the First Species from Borneo. Zootaxa. 4941(1); 101–114. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4941.1.6

twitter.com/ISYEBsp/status/1367858577336111107

Meriania penningtonii Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang.

in Fernandez‐Hilario, Goldenberg & Michelangeli, 2021.

DOI: 10.1111/njb.02969

twitter.com/pedoconnective

Abstract

Two new species of Meriania (Melastomataceae, Merianieae) and two new records from northern Peru are described and illustrated here. Meriania penningtonii is clearly different from all other species of Meriania by its quadrangular and 4‐winged internodes, calyx with whitish callose dorsal projections and spreading reddish‐purple corollas; Meriania dazae differs from the other species by the combination of the calyx with claw‐shaped dorsal projections, campanulate reddish‐orange corollas and petals 19.5–24.0 mm long. The two new species are endemic to the department of Amazonas. Meriania drakei, from Ecuador and Colombia, and Meriania franciscana, from Ecuador, are recorded for the first time for the Andean forests of the departments of Amazonas and Cajamarca, respectively. We also propose the second step lectotypification for Meriania drakei.

Keywords: Amazonas, Andean forests, Cajamarca, Merianieae, Neotropics taxonomy

Meriania penningtonii sp. nov.
(A) Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence, and details of bullate surface of the leaves and winged internodes, (B) inflorescence branch, (C) flower at anthesis, (D) hypanthium and calyx, (E) petal, (F) style and ovary (left) and longitudinal section of flower with petals and stamens removed (right), (G) transversal section of the ovary, (H) stamen, lateral view, with detail of pore orientation.

From T.D. Pennington et al. 17639 (MOL). Drawing by Leticia Lajo.

Meriania penningtonii sp. nov.
(A) Terminal fertile branch with inflorescence, (B) winged internodes, (C) flower buds, (D) flower at anthesis, apical view.

(A–B) from R. Fernandez‐Hilario et al. 2036, (C) from R. Fernandez‐Hilario et al. 2026, (D) from R. Fernandez‐Hilario et al. 2046.

Photos by Robin Fernandez.

Meriania penningtonii Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang. sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is named in honor of Terence D.‘Terry'Pennington, a British botanist who collected Meriania penningtonii for the first time. For more than 30 years Terry has carried out research in the flora of Peru, making extensive collections, writing monographies for several Neotropical tree genera and families (Inga, Sloanea, Meliaceae and Sapotaceae), and led the publication of 'Trees of Peru' (Pennington et al. 2004).

Meriania dazae Rob.Fern., R.Goldenb. & Michelang. sp. nov.

Etymology: It is an honor to dedicate the name of this species to Aniceto Daza, researcher at the Herbario Forestal (MOL) of Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina for more than 40 years. His collections are an important contribution to the knowledge of the Peruvian tree flora, including the types of several new species. He is a co‐author of the 'Trees of Peru' (Pennington et al. 2004).

Robin Fernandez‐Hilario, Renato Goldenberg and Fabián A. Michelangeli. 2021. Two New Species and Two New Country Records for Meriania (Melastomataceae) from northern Peru. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.02969

twitter.com/pedoconnective/status/1369356915785011202

Austelliscus ferox

Figueroa, Weinschütz & Friedman, 2021

DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0766

twitter.com/RodrigoIchthys

Abstract

Actinopterygians (ray-finned fishes) are the most diverse group of living fishes, but have a sparse Devonian fossil record restricted to low palaeolatitudes. Here we report a new actinopterygian from the Paraná Basin of Brazil, which occupied a circumpolar position in the Palaeozoic. Available geological evidence supports a Middle Devonian or older age for this taxon, which shares features of the mandibular symphysis with the latest Devonian Tegeolepis. A phylogenetic analysis resolves these two as sister taxa. This new record expands the palaeogeographic distribution of Devonian ray-fins and suggests that gaps in their fossil record might be filled by exploring poorly sampled high-latitude localities within the Malvinokaffric Realm.

Keywords: Osteichthyes, Actinopterygii, Malvinokaffric, palaeopolar, Devonian, Brazil

Subjects

Systematic palaeontology

Osteichthyes Huxley, 1880

Actinopterygii Cope, 1887

Austelliscus ferox gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name references the high palaeolatitude locality (austelli, from the Latin meaning ‘the southern portion'), combined with the Latin suffix for ‘fish' (iscus). Species epithet alludes to the large teeth of the specimen (ferox, from the Latin meaning ‘ferocious').

Generic diagnosis: Actinopterygian with robust, conical, anteriorly oriented teeth on the dentary, except for the symphysis where teeth point posteriorly; symphysis reflexed posteriorly; jaw ramus constricted posterior to the symphysis. Differs from Tegeolepis in having: large oval replacement sockets in the lingual tooth row (rather than circular); lingual and labial tooth series converge posteriorly (rather than remaining well separated); more substantial post-symphyseal constriction of the dentary; the external surface of dentary ornamented with rounded tubercles anteroventrally and vermiform ornamentation posteriorly (rather than having only sparse tubercles and ridges).

Holotype: MCT890-P, the mould of an incomplete left dentary in part and counterpart.

Rodrigo Tinoco Figueroa, Luiz Carlos Weinschütz and Matt Friedman. 2021. The Oldest Devonian Circumpolar Ray-finned Fish? Biology Letters. DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2020.0766

twitter.com/RodrigoIchthys/status/1369641295665274882

twitter.com/RSocPublishing/status/1369738609415315459

Rafflesia tiomanensis M.Y. Siti-Munirah, A. Salamah & M.S. Razelan

in Siti-Munirah, Salamah & Razelan, 2021.

www.mnj.my

facebook.com/SitiMunirahMITC

Researchgate.net/publication/349862173

Abstract

A new outstanding species of the parasitic plant, Rafflesia tiomanensis, was discovered on Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia. R. tiomanensis is characterised by small discrete warts on the perigone lobes, the absence of warts on the diaphragm upper surface, lack of processes on the disk, the absence of disk rims, and the irregular shape whose opening aperture is variably lobed. All other species in Peninsular Malaysia have warts on the diaphragm upper surface, processes, and disk rims. This new species is thus entirely unique. The species description, colour plates, and provisional conservation status are provided.

Key words: endemic, morphology, new species, Pulau Tioman, Rafflesia tiomanensis.

Rafflesia tiomanensis M.Y. Siti-Munirah, A. Salamah & M.S. Razelan sp. nov.

Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh, Salamah Ahmad and Razelan Mat Shah. 2021. Rafflesia tiomanensis (Rafflesiaceae), A New Species from Pulau Tioman, Pahang, Malaysia. Malayan Nature Journal. 73(1); 19-26. www.mnj.my

facebook.com/SitiMunirahMITC/posts/10159308276794962 Spesies baru

Researchgate.net/publication/349862173_Rafflesia_tiomanensis_a_new_species_from_Pulau_Tioman_Pahang_Malaysia

Hemiandrus jacinda

Trewick, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4942.2.4

Abstract

A new species of Hemiandrus ground wētā is described from North Island, New Zealand. Hemiandrus jacinda sp. nov. is larger and more brightly coloured than other species in the region, but appears to be scarce and restricted to remnant native forest habitat.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Anostostomatidae, Hemiandrus, ground wētā, new species, North Island, New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern

Hemiandrus jacinda sp. nov. (Holotype NMNZ AI.049808)
Adult female near Crosbies Hut, Coromandel Range,North Island, New Zealand.

(photo: Danilo Hegg)

Living Hemiandrus jacinda sp. nov. photographed in North Island, New Zealand.
B) Adult female (Holotype NMNZ AI.049808) near Crosbies Hut, Coromandel Range, 2020 (© Danilo Hegg).
E) Female (iNaturalist7771552) near Ngamarama/Te Tuhi track, Kaimai Range 2009 (© Peter Sweetapple).

Class: Insecta

Order: Orthoptera

Suborder: Ensifera

Superfamily: Stenopelmatoidea Burmeister, 1838

Family: Anostostomatidae Saussure, 1859

Genus: Hemiandrus Ander, 1938.

Hemiandrus jacinda sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A comparatively large, long-limbed, glossy and predominantly orange-red Hemiandrus. The maxillary palp with 3rd segment naked and 4th segment pilose on distal section. Body with posterior edges of segments darker than anterior, and with longitudinal bands. Fore tibiae with single articulated superior prolateral linear spine. Mid tibiae 1½ times length of pronotum. Hind femura with one prolateral apical spine and one retrolateral alpical spine. Adult female with weakly curved ovipositor ¾ body length and a pair of slerotised cusps on the posterior margin of sternite S6. Male with protruding section of the subgenital plate forming two fingers.

Etymology. This long-limbed, red species is named for New Zealand Prime Minister (2017– ) Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern

Steven A. Trewick. 2021. A New Species of Large Hemiandrus Ground Wētā (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from North Island, New Zealand. Zootaxa. 4942(2); 207–218. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4942.2.4

85. Landouria pakidulan sp. nov., Central Java, Nusa Kambangan Island, nature monument Gligir (holotype, ZMA 417011a).
86. L. dharmai sp. nov., East Java, Tulungagung, Popoh (holotype, MZB 21272).
88. L. menorehensis sp. nov., Yogyakarta, Kulonprogo, Sibolong (holotype, MZB 19201).

Nurinsiyah, Neiber & Hausdorf, 2019

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2019.526

Scale bar: 5 mm.

ABSTRACT

A revision of the land snail genus Landouria Godwin-Austin, 1918 (Camaenidae) from Java reveals that this group represents the most diverse land snail radiation on that island. Only six species of Landouria were recognized from Java in the last revision of the genus based on shell characters. Our investigation, which also considers the genitalia as well as DNA sequences, shows that the diversity in Java is much higher. Based on newly collected specimens as well as museum material, twenty-eight species of Landouria from Java are described and figured. To stabilize the nomenclature, neotypes are designated for L. winteriana (Pfeiffer, 1842) and L. rotatoria (Pfeiffer, 1842). Sixteen species are described as new to science, i.e., L. naggsi sp. nov., L. parahyangensis sp. nov., L.nusakambangensis sp. nov., L. petrukensis sp. nov., L. tholiformis sp. nov., L. madurensis sp. nov., L. abdidalem sp. nov., L. sewuensis sp. nov., L. tonywhitteni sp. nov., L. sukoliloensis sp. nov., L. nodifera sp. nov., L. pacitanensis sp. nov., L. zonifera sp. nov., L. pakidulan sp. nov., L. dharmai sp. nov. and L. menorehensis sp. nov. Landouria conoidea (Leschke, 1914) comb. nov., L. intumescens (Martens, 1867) comb. nov., L. moussoniana (Martens, 1867) comb. nov., L. schepmani (Möllendorff, 1897) comb. nov. and L. leucochila (Gude, 1905) comb. nov. are considered valid species of the genus Landouria for the first time. Plectotropis kraepelini Leschke, 1914 syn. nov. is considered a probable synonym of L. winteriana (Pfeiffer, 1842), P. trichotrochium Möllendorff, 1897 syn. nov. is a synonym of L. epiplatia (Möllendorff, 1897) and the preoccupied name Helix squamulosa Martens, 1867 syn. nov. is a synonym of L. madurensis sp. nov. We estimate that there are actually more than fifty species of Landouria in Java because many shell samples could not be classified and because no material is available from several regions of the island. A molecular phylogeny reveals that the species from Java do not form a monophyletic group, but that at least one species from Timor is nested within Javanese clades. This means that the Oriental Landouria crossed Wallace’s line, the supposed border between the Oriental and Australo-Papuan regions, at least twice and supports the conclusion that Wallace’s line does not represent a more severe barrier for terrestrial organisms than other straits through the archipelago. Within the Javanese clades, species from western and eastern Java are mixed, indicating frequent dispersals also within Java.

Keywords: Camaenidae, Indonesia, Java, Landouria, phylogeny

Figs 85–88. Shells of species of Landouria from Java.
85. L. pakidulan sp. nov., Central Java, Nusa Kambangan Island, nature monument Gligir (holotype, ZMA 417011a).
86. L. dharmai sp. nov., East Java, Tulungagung, Popoh (holotype, MZB 21272).
87. L. davini Dharma, 2015, Central Java, Baturraden, Pancuran Tujuh, Gunung Slamet (holotype, MZB 17063).
88. L. menorehensis sp. nov., Yogyakarta, Kulonprogo, Sibolong (holotype, MZB 19201).

Scale bar: 5 mm.

Ayu Savitri Nurinsiyah, Marco T. Neiber and Bernhard Hausdorf. 2019. Revision of the Land Snail Genus Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 (Gastropoda, Camaenidae) from Java. European Journal of Taxonomy. (526). DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2019.526

Trioceros wolfgangboehmei

Koppetsch, Nečas & Wipfler, 2021

DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.57297

Photos by Petr Nečas.

Abstract

A new species of chameleon,Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov., inhabiting the northern slopes of the Bale Mountains in Ethiopia, is described. It differs from its Ethiopian congeners by a combination of the following features: presence of a prominent dorsal crest with a low number of enlarged conical scales reaching along the anterior half of the tail as a prominent tail crest, a casque raised above the dorsal crest, heterogeneous body scalation, long canthus parietalis, rugose head scalation, high number of flank scales at midbody and unique hemipenial morphology. Based on morphological characteristics, phylogenetic discordances of previous studies and biogeographical patterns, this new species is assigned to the Trioceros affinis (Rüppell, 1845) species complex. An updated comprehensive key to the Trioceros found in Ethiopia is provided.

Key Words: Bale Mountains, biogeography, Ethiopia, Great Rift Valley, key, morphology, new species, systematics, taxonomy, Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov.

Figure 6. Living individual of Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov. from Dinsho, Ethiopia showing a prominent white temporal spot and dorsolateral longitudinal stripe.

Photo by Petr Nečas.

Figure 7. Living individual of Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov. from Goba, Ethiopia, showing a beige ground pattern with slight reddish stripes in the head region around the orbit.

Photo by Petr Nečas.

Trioceros wolfgangboehmei, sp. nov.

Suggested common English name: Wolfgang Böhme’s Ethiopian Chameleon

Diagnosis:

Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov. is a small-sized chameleon of the Trioceros affinis species complex (sensu Ceccarelli et al. 2014). It can be distinguished from all other members of the same species complex by the following combination of characters:

(1) presence of a prominent and well-developed dorsal crest consisting of a relatively low number of significantly pointed and enlarged conical scales, forming a single row and reaching along the anterior half the tail;

(2) top of the casque posteriorly raised above the dorsal crest;

(3) heterogeneous body scalation with both small scattered standard scales and enlarged flattened plate-like scales;

(4) long canthus parietalis formed by 9–12 slightly enlarged scales;

(5) rugose head scalation consisting of enlarged scales forming the cranial crests that fill the area between the lateral and temporal crest and the posterior rim of the orbit;

(6) relatively high number of flank scales at midbody (53–59);

(7) relatively short snout-vent length (up to 66 mm);

(8) a unique hemipenial morphology including shallow calyces with smooth margins on the truncus, four pairs of thick, pointed and thorn-like papillae and two pairs of non-serrated rotulae.

Etymology: The specific epithet honours Wolfgang Böhme, senior herpetologist at the Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig in Bonn, Germany, for his numerous contributions to research on chameleons, for his outstanding and ongoing herpetological research in general, and, last but not least, for his continuously generous support of the first as well as second author and numerous junior zoologists. The species epithet is a noun in the genitive case.

Figure 10. Living juvenile of Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov. from Goba, Ethiopia.

Photo by Petr Nečas.

Figure 9. Head of a living Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov. from Goba, Ethiopia.

Photo by Petr Nečas.

Figure 8. Lateral detail of a living Trioceros wolfgangboehmei sp. nov. from Goba, Ethiopia, showing the heterogeneous body scalation with both small scattered tubercles and enlarged flattened plate-like scales. In this individual the dorsolateral stripe is interrupted and forms a Y-shaped pattern on the flanks.

Photo by Petr Nečas.

Thore Koppetsch, Petr Nečas and Benjamin Wipfler. 2021. A New Chameleon of the Trioceros affinis Species Complex (Squamata, Chamaeleonidae) from Ethiopia. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 97(1): 161-179. DOI: 10.3897/zse.97.57297

Ametrodiplosis spp.

Elsayed, Yukawa, Mochizuki, Tokuda & Kawakita, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4942.2.1

twitter.com/Ayman77_77

Abstract

Ametrodiplosis Rübsaamen (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae: Clinodiplosini) is a mostly Holarctic gall midge genus whose species are associated with a wide range of seed plant families, either as gall-inducers or inquilines. In this study, we describe three species of Ametrodiplosis from Japan: Ametrodiplosis adetos n. sp. feeding in the flowers of Tylophora aristolochioides Miq. (Apocynaceae); A. aeroradicis n. sp. inducing aerial root galls on Trachelospermum asiaticum (Sieb. et Zucc.) Nakai and T. gracilipes var. liukiuense (Apocynaceae); and A. stellariae n. sp. forming leaf bud galls on Stellaria uliginosa Murray var. undulata (Thunb.) Ohwi (Caryophyllaceae). A molecular phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial COI and ribosomal 16S genes and nuclear ribosomal 28S gene were conducted for the three new Ametrodiplisis species and other clinodiplosine taxa sequences available in GenBank. The analysis supported the monophyly of Ametrodiplosis despite the variable life history of the three species. In addition, it indicated very low intraspecific genetic divergence among the individuals from different localities and/or host plants. A taxonomic key to the three new Japanese species of Ametrodiplosis is provided.

Keywords: Diptera, Gall midge, Clinodiplosini, Apocynaceae, Caryophyllaceae, DNA barcode

Ayman Khamis Elsayed, Junichi Yukawa, Ko Mochizuki, Makoto Tokuda and Atsushi Kawakita. 2021. Three New Species of Ametrodiplosis (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) from Japan, with A Key to the Japanese Species and A Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis. Zootaxa. 4942(2); 151–172. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4942.2.1

twitter.com/Ayman77_77/status/1370197497038008321

Leptopelis diffidens sp. nov., Harenna Forest (holotype, ZSM 81/2019)

Leptopelis montanus nom. nov., Gaysay Grasslands, Bale Mountains (not collected)

Tiutenko & Zinenko, 2021.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1023.53404

Abstract

A new ground-dwelling species of treefrog in the genus Leptopelis is described from the Harenna Forest in south-eastern Ethiopia. The description is based on morphology and acoustics and is supported by molecular data. The new species has a small body size, and the digital discs on fingers and toes are significantly more conspicuous than in other semi-fossorial members of the L. gramineus complex. It occupies forest habitats at lower altitudes and is separated ecologically and geographically from high-altitude species of the complex. One of them, a parapatric cryptic species from Bale and Arsi Mountains, is resurrected from synonymy of L. gramineus and given a new name, L. montanus. Genetic barcoding of specimens from both populations showed that they belong to two distinct lineages that had been revealed by recent phylogenetic research. To confirm the geographic separation of the studied populations, the collection area of L. gramineus types was verified through analysis of the diary and the final report of the 2nd expedition of V. Bottego, and through matching of the route described in it with modern maps. The type locality of L. gramineus sensu stricto is restricted to Gamo Gofa, Ethiopia. Following the results of recent phylogenetic studies, the range of L. gramineus is limited to west of the Great Rift Valley. An identification key to the named Ethiopian species of the genus is provided.

Keywords: Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, Harenna Forest, Leptopelis diffidens sp. nov., Leptopelis montanus nom. nov., Leptopelis rugosus, Pseudocassina ocellata, Pseudocassina rugosa

Figure 3. Adult females of three species of the Leptopelis gramineus complex in life, shown to the same scale
A Leptopelis diffidens sp. nov., Harenna Forest (holotype, ZSM 81/2019)
B Leptopelis montanus nom. nov., Gaysay Grasslands, Bale Mountains (not collected)
C L. sp. ‘Shewa’, Menz-Guassa (not collected).

Leptopelis diffidens sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Medium-sized (SVL of males ca. 24–29 mm, females ca. 35–40 mm) ground-dwelling and burrowing frog with robust body, relatively wide and short head, and short limbs. Terminal phalanges of toes and fingers expanded to small, but distinct discs. Only base phalanges of toes II–IV with broad web; on toe V the web extends along phalanges 1 and 2. The rest of toe phalanges with feeble fringe. Fingers are free of web or fringe. Light-brown or light olive-green from above; either no dorsal pattern, or three indistinct broad longitudinal bands (one vertebral and two dorsolateral) present that are slightly darker than the ground colour. Males with pectoral glands. Advertisement call: quiet, high-pitched singleton ‘quack’, repeated at intervals of ca. 20 seconds.

Etymology: The Latin adjective diffidens (used here in nominative singular) means diffident, anxious, shy, mistrustful. This name refers to the behaviour of this frog that appears even more cryptic and defensive than L. gramineus from other populations. The vocalisation of a male is so quiet that the animal is very difficult to locate and to spot. When approached, at a distance of only 5 m, it stops calling and remains silent until the disturber has gone away or has not moved for at least 10 minutes. As a vernacular name for this species, we propose ‘Harenna Burrowing Treefrog’.

...

In accordance with Article 50 and Paragraph 3 of Article 60 of ICZN, we establish a substitute name Leptopelis montanus nom. nov. for Leptopelis ocellatus (Ahl, 1924) to resolve its homonymy with Leptopelis ocellatus (Mocquard, 1902).

Etymology: The new specific name montanus (living in mountains, montane) refers to the fact that this species ranges into afromontane areas up to elevation of almost 4000 m a.s.l., thus being a Leptopelis with probably the highest altitudinal distribution. The name is an adjective in nominative singular.

a map showing the distribution of the Leptopelis gramineus species complex members:
L. gramineus (filled circle), L. sp. ‘Shewa’ (empty circle), L. montanus nom. nov. (empty triangle),L.diffidens sp. nov. (filled square), L. sp. ‘Borana/Sidamo’ (empty diamond).
Type localities of the described species are marked with a cross.

Figure 10. Habitats of three species of the Leptopelis gramineus complex
A, B Habitats of Leptopelis diffidens sp. nov. in the Harenna Forest – Segoba glade and Manyate village
C habitat of Leptopelis montanus nom. nov. in the Web Valley, Bale Mountains
D habitat of L. sp. ‘Shewa’ in Menz-Guassa.

Arthur Tiutenko and Oleksandr Zinenko. 2021. A New Species of Leptopelis (Anura, Arthroleptidae) from the south-eastern slope of the Ethiopian Highlands, with Notes on the Leptopelis gramineus Species Complex and the Revalidation of A previously Synonymised Species. ZooKeys 1023: 119-150. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1023.53404

Boeica arunachalensis D. Borah, R.Kr. Singh, M. Taram & A.P. Das

in Borah, Singh, et al., 2020.

facebook.com/DipuBorah2

Researchgate.net/publication/344251684

Indian Forester. 146(9); IndianForester.co.in

Abstract

Boeica arunachalensis, a species new to the science from eastern Himalayan state of India, Arunachal Pradesh is described. Coloured photo plate and micrograph of new species and its allied species B. fulva Clarke are provided. Identity of B. griffithii Clarke is discussed and lectotype are designated here for B. filiformis Clarke, B. fulva Clarke, B. griffithii Clarke, B. hirsuta Clarke and B. porosa Clarke.

Boeica arunachalensis D. Borah, R.Kr. Singh, M. Taram & A.P. Das
A. Upper portion of branch showing leaves and inflorescence, B. Adaxial surface of leaf, C. Abaxial surface of leaf, D. Inflorescence, E. Bracts, F. Front view of flower, G. Side view of flower, H. Back view of flower, I. Split opened corolla showing attachment of stamens, J. Calyx and pistil, K. Capsule.

Boeica arunachalensis D. Borah, R.Kr. Singh, M. Taram and A.P. Das, sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the state of Arunachal Pradesh, from where the species was discovered.

Dipankar Borah, Rajeev Kumar Singh, Momang Taram and A. P. Das. 2020. Boeica arunachalensis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Indian Eastern Himalaya and Typification of Five Names in Boeica. Indian Forester. 146(9); 871-874. DOI: 10.36808/if/2020/v146i9/150712

IndianForester.co.in/index.php/indianforester/article/view/154928

facebook.com/DipuBorah2/posts/3411378468954668

Researchgate.net/publication/344251684_Boeica_arunachalensis _a_new_species_from_Indian_Eastern_Himalaya

Micryletta immaculata

Yang & Poyarkov, 2021

Hainan Paddy Frog | 海南小姬蛙 || zoores.ac.cn

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We report on a new amphibian species of the genus Micryletta from Hainan Island, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Micryletta immaculata sp. nov., is diagnosed by a combination of the following morphological characters: medium-sized within genus (SVL 23.3–24.8 mm in males, n=3; 27.7–30.1 mm in females, n=2); dorsum bronze brown to reddish brown in life; dark brown spots and stripes on dorsum and flank absent; flanks largely pigmented with silver white; throat in adult males dark brown; undersides without dark patterns; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; supratympanic fold distinct; webbing between toes basal and poorly developed; tibiotarsal articulation adpressed limb reaching level of tympanum. The new species is divergent from all other congeners based on 16S rRNA gene sequences (3.0%–7.7%). Data on the natural history and male advertisement calls of the new species are provided. Following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, we propose the new species to be listed as Vulnerable B1ab (iii).

Figure 1 Phylogenetic relationships and distribution of genus Micryletta and holotype of Micryletta immaculata sp. nov. (KFBG 14271) in life
A: Distribution of genus Micryletta (gray shading) and location of examined populations. For locality information see Supplementary Table S1. Dot in center of icon denotes type locality of a species; empty circle denotes locality not included in molecular analysis; star denotes type locality of Micryletta immaculata sp. nov. in Exianling Nature Reserve, Hainan, China.
B: Majority-rule consensus tree from 1 000 ML bootstrap pseudoreplicates of Micryletta derived from analysis of 1 088 bp 16S rRNA sequences. Values at nodes correspond to ML BS/BPP, respectively; black circles represent nodes with ML BS and BPP support of >90 and 0.90, respectively; white circles represent nodes with ML BS>90 only or BPP>0.90 only; nodes lacking circles are unsupported. Values in brackets after specimen IDs correspond to locality numbers.
C: Holotype of Micryletta immaculata sp. nov. (KFBG 14271), adult male, in life in dorsolateral view. D: Same specimen in ventral view.

Photos by J.H. Yang, N.A. Poyarkov, P. Pawangkhanant, Chung-Wei You, and Eki Aprilia Resdiyanti Devung.

Holotype of Micryletta immaculata sp. nov. (KFBG 14271), adult male, in life

Photo by J.H. Yang.

Micryletta immaculata sp. nov.

Chresonymy:Micryletta inornata — Lau & Chan, 2012: 54; Plate 1 (Yinggeling National Nature Reserve, Hainan, China).

Etymology: The specific epithet immaculata (meaning “spotless”, “immaculate”) is a Latin singular feminine adjective in the nominative case and refers to the absence of distinct dark spots or stripes on the dorsum and lateral sides of the body in the new species. We propose “Hainan Paddy Frog” for the common English name and “海南小姬蛙” (Hainan Xiao Ji Wa) for the common Chinese name of the new species.

Diagnosis: The new species is assigned to the genus Micryletta based on its possession of the following morphological characters, which are considered diagnostic for the genus: body size small; vomerine teeth absent; dorsal skin smooth and scattered with flat and small tubercles; forelimbs thin and slender; tympanum roughly distinct; subarticular tubercles on fingers and toes large and very prominent; supernumerary tubercles on palm present and distinct; three metacarpal tubercles; tips of digits round, not expanded into discs, with no peripheral grooves; distinct dermal ridges present under 3rd to 4th toes (Dubois, 1987; Fei et al., 2009).

Micryletta immaculata sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: medium-sized within genus (SVL 23.3–24.8 mm in males, n=3; 27.7–30.1 mm in females, n=2); dorsum bronze brown to reddish brown in life; dark brown spots and stripes on dorsum and flank absent; flanks largely pigmented with silver white; throat in adult males dark brown; undersides without dark patterns; outer metatarsal tubercle absent; supratympanic fold distinct; webbing between toes basal and poorly developed; tibiotarsal articulation adpressed limb reaching level of tympanum.

Micryletta immaculata in the natural habitat in Hainan.

Note one specimen has no eye (C).

Photos by Jianhuan Yang

Breeding microhabitats of Micryletta immaculata in Hainan.
A: a breeding water puddle on the surface of a limestone rock in Exianling Nature Reserve, green circle noted the calling male holotype KFBG 14271;
B: a breeding pond in Zhufeng of Yinggeling National Nature Reserve on 31 May, 2005, inserted small photo noted a pair in amplexus.

Photos by Jianhuan Yang (A) and Bosco P.L. Chan (B).

Different species of Micryletta
A - M. aishani, B - M. dissimulans, C - M. erythropoda, D - M. inornata,
E - M. cf. lineata, F - M. nigromaculata, G, H - M. steinegeri.

Photos by Nick Poyarkov, Parinya Herp Pawangkhanant and Chung-Wei Logan You

Jian-Huan Yang and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2021. A New Species of the Genus Micryletta (Anura, Microhylidae) from Hainan Island, China. Zoological Research. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.333

zoores.ac.cn/cn/article/doi/10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.333

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Researchgate.net/publication/350015674_A_new_species_of_the_genus_Micryletta_from_Hainan_Island_China

Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah

in Siti-Munirah, 2021.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.174.62023

Abstract

Chroesthes is a small genus that includes three species from Peninsular Malaysia: Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah sp. nov., C. lanceolata (T. Anderson) B.Hansen and C. longifolia (Wight) B.Hansen. Chroesthes faizaltahiriana, recently discovered in the State of Kelantan, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to the common species C. longifolia, but is distinguished mainly by its inflorescence type, calyx shape and its flowers being bright orange instead of dark purple internally. Chroesthes lanceolata is a new record for Peninsular Malaysia and has only been collected once. Following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, these three species are assessed (national scale assessment) as Critically Endangered (C. faizaltahiriana and C. lanceolata) and Least Concern (C. longifolia).

Keywords: Conservation status, revision, taxonomy

Taxonomy

Chroesthes Benoist

Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 33: 107. 1927, in Fl. Gen. I.C. 4: 684. 1935;

Hansen, Nordic J. Bot. 3: 209. 1983; Hu, J.C., Deng, Y.F., Daniel, T. & Wood, J.R.I. Acanthaceae. In: Wu, Z.Y., Revan, P. & Hong, D.Y. (Eds.) Flora of China 19: 472. 2011.

Description: Shrubs; cystoliths present. Leaves opposite, petiolate; leaf blade margin entire; subisophyllous or anisophyllous. Inflorescences terminal thyrses (the thyrses are branched (then paniculiform) or unbranched (then racemoid); bracts and bracteoles greenish. Calyx unequally five-lobed: posterior lobe largest, two lateral lobes smaller than two anterior lobes. Corolla tube basally cylindrical, expanded distally into a throat; limb two-lipped, upper lip two-lobed, lower lip three-lobed; lobes quincuncial in bud; four stamens, connate to the corolla, not connate to one another, posterior pair shorter than anterior pair, inserted at the base of the corolla throat; anthers bi-thecous; thecae parallel, inserted at different heights, dorsally pubescent, base of each theca spurred; ovary with two ovules per locule; style basally sparsely pubescent; stigma capitate. Capsule stipe absent or barely present; retinacula present. Seeds compressed, brownish, shortly pubescent.

Distribution: China, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam. Three species in Malaysia.

Ecology: Lowland dipterocarp forest to upper hill dipterocarp forest.

Figure 1. Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah
A habit of the whole plant B inflorescence (front view) C inflorescence (side view) D flower with bracteoles and calyx E perianth lobes (flower from front view) showing the anthers F calyx and bracteoles G bract H bracteoles I calyx (a) anterior, (l) lateral, (p) posterior lobes (photo of a dry specimen) J corolla (inner view) K corolla (outer view) L stamens.

(All photos by Siti-Munirah MY).

Figure 3. Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah
A habit B a flower with bracteoles and calyx front side view C perianth lobes (flower from front view) D bract E bracteole F calyx G corolla (inner view) showing the stamens and pistil H pistil I cross-section of the ovary J stigma K1 anthers front view K2 anthers side view.

All from FRI 91215, drawn by Mohamad Aidil Noordin).

Figure 2. Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah with scale
A inflorescence B one floral unit with calyx and bracteole C corolla lobes

(All photos by Siti-Munirah MY).

Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Chroesthes faizaltahiriana most closely resembles C. longifolia; however, it differs in its inflorescence type, the presence of a terminal raceme not branching (vs. terminal raceme branching) and posterior lobe size ratio 1:4 (vs. 1:2) and corolla length 4.5–5.5 cm (vs. 2–3 cm) and in the corolla tube and lobes being entirely bright yellow to dark orange (vs. entirely dark purple, purplish-red or occasionally white externally) and other significant characters (see Table 1).

...

Figure 4. Habitat of Chroesthes faizaltahiriana Siti-Munirah
A plant in its original habitat B new logging road beside the population C plant found on the bank of an old logging road (white arrow).

(All photos by Siti-Munirah MY).

Distribution: endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, Kelantan. Currently known only from the type collection from Berangkat FR.

Ecology: Chroesthes faizaltahiriana is found in upper hill dipterocarp forests under shade at 822 m elevation. It was found flowering in February in patches of unlogged forest beside a logging road (Fig. 4).

Etymology: Chroesthes faizaltahiriana is dedicated to Mohd Faizal Mat Tahir (known as Faizal Tahir), the husband of Siti-Munirah for his strong support in many ways towards the author’s botanical work.

Siti-Munirah Mat Yunoh. 2021. Chroesthes (Acanthaceae) in Peninsular Malaysia, including A New Species from Kelantan and A New Record from Terengganu. PhytoKeys. 174: 127-146. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.174.62023

Hoya pyrifolia E.F. Huang

in Huang, Yao, Jiang, ... et Zhang, 2021.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.174.60137

Abstract

Hoya pyrifolia, a new species of Apocynaceae from Yunnan Province, China, is described and illustrated. Results from phylogenetic analyses, based on combined DNA fragments of the nuclear ribosomal external transcribed spacer (ETS), intergeneric transcribed spacer (ITS) and three plastid DNA fragments (matK, psbA-trnH and trnT-trnL), showed that the new species was nested within a clade, including Hoya species distributed in the subtropical foothills of the Himalayas and the Tibet-Sichuan Plateau. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from its close relatives by its pyriform and slightly pubescent leaves, as well as the 4-flowered inflorescences.

Keywords: Apocynaceae, Asclepiodoideae, China, Hoya, taxonomy

Figure 3. Hoya pyrifolia E.F. Huang
A habit B leaf C inflorescence D bracteole E calyx lobes F corolla, adaxial side G corolla, abaxial side H corona I corona lobe J pollinarium K fruit L seed. Drawn by Y.J. Chen.

Figure 4. Hoya pyrifolia E.F. Huang
A habit showing inflorescences and mature follicles B branch and inflorescence C corona lobes D corona top view E flower F bracteoles G pollinarium H pedicel and calyx lobes I part of Pedicel J corona side view K leaves L seed.

Inflorescences of Hoya species
G H. chinghungensis (Y. Tsiang & P.T. Li) M.G. Gilbert, P.T. Li & W.D. Stevens;
I H. kingdonwardii P.T. Li; J H. engleriana Hosseus;
K H. lanceolata Wall. ex D. Don; L–N H. longicalyx W. Hui & E.F. Huang

Hoya pyrifolia E.F. Huang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The species is morphologically most similar to H. engleriana, but differs by its leaves which are pyriform and 10–14 mm long (vs. narrowly oblong and 20–25 mm long), its 4-flowered inflorescences (vs. 5–7-flowered), its calyx lobes ca. 4 mm long (vs. 1.5–2 mm long) and the triangular corolla (vs. narrowly oblong to oblong-triangular).

Etymology: Hoya pyrifolia is named for its pyriform leaf, which is a significant feature that can be used to distinguish the species from its close relatives.

Distribution and habitat: The species is endemic to Gaoligong Mountain, distributed in Longling and Yingjiang Counties in Yunnan Province. It is an epiphyte on tree trunks in the mid-montane evergreen forests at an elevation from 1850 m to 2150 m.

Er-Feng Huang, Gang Yao, Ri-Hong Jiang, Lei-Lei Yang, Wang Xi, Zhong-Shuai Zhang and Xian-Chun Zhang. 2021. Hoya pyrifolia (Apocynaceae), A New Species from south-western Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 174: 95-106. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.174.60137

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