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[Entomology • 2015] Revision of the Sundaland Species of the Genus Dysphaea Selys, 1853 (Odonata: Euphaeidae) using Molecular and Morphological methods, with Notes on Allied Species

July 12, 2016, 2:29 am
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FIGURES 77–82. Dysphaea males in life: 77) D. basitincta Hainan (photo by Mo Shanlian) 78) D. dimidiata Sarawak (photo by Graham T. Reels); 79) D. dimidiata Negeri Sembilan (photo by C.Y. Choong); 80) D. ulu Sarawak (photo by Graham T. Reels); 81) D. vanida Ranong (photo by Matti Hämäläinen); 82) D. vanida Surat Thani (photo by André Günther). 

Abstract

The Sundaland species of the genus Dysphaea were studied using molecular and morphological methods. Four species are recognized: D. dimidiata Selys, D. lugens Selys, Dysphaea ulu spec. nov. (holotype ♂, from Borneo, Sarawak, Miri division, Upper Baram, Sungai Pejelai, Ulu Moh, 24 viii 2014; deposited in RMNH) and Dysphaea vanida spec. nov. (holotype ♂, from Thailand, Ranong province, Khlong Nakha, Khlong Bang Man, 12–13 v 1999; deposited in RMNH). The four species are described and illustrated for both sexes, with keys provided. The type specimens of the four Dysphaea taxa named by E. de Selys Longchamps, i.e. dimidiata, limbata, semilimbata and lugens, were studied and their taxonomic status is discussed. Lectotypes are designated for D. dimidiata and D. limbata. D. dimidiata is recorded from Palawan (the Philippines) for the first time. A molecular analysis using three markers (COI, 16S and 28S) is presented. This includes specimens of three Sundaland species of the genus (D. lugens missing) and two congeners from other regions (D. basitincta and D. gloriosa). Notes and photographs of the male holotype of D. walli Fraser (from Maymyo, Burma) are provided.

Keywords: Odonata, Euphaeidae, Dysphaea, new species, Sundaland, COI, 16S, 28S


FIGURES 9–12. Habitus of male Dysphaea:
 9) D. dimidiata West Java; 10) D. lugens Danum Valley, Sabah; 11) D. ulu holotype (flipped horizontally); 12) D. vanida holotype (flipped horizontally). 

Taxonomy 
•  Dysphaea dimidiata Selys, 1853

•  Dysphaea lugens Selys, 1873

•  Dysphaea ulu spec. nov. 

Etymology. The species epithet is based on the word ‘ulu’, the form generally in use in Borneo of the Bahasa Melayu/Indonesia word ‘hulu’, which means upstream. The species epithet is used as a noun in apposition. The species typically inhabits ‘upstream’ habitats. 

Diagnosis. A narrow-winged Dysphaea species with male wings broadly opaque at basal half and at wing tips. Cerci with lower border nearly straight in lateral view. 


•  Dysphaea vanida spec. nov. 

Etymology. The species epithet is based on the common Thai girl name Vanida. In Thai the name means ‘girl’. The name is a noun in apposition and is not named after any particular person. 

Diagnosis. A narrow winged Dysphaea species, males of which have only a small opaque patch at the wing base. Wing tips narrowly darkened.


Hämäläinen, Matti, Rory A. Dow & Frank R. Stokvis. 2015. Revision of the Sundaland Species of the Genus DysphaeaSelys, 1853 using Molecular and Morphological methods, with Notes on Allied Species (Odonata: Euphaeidae). Zootaxa.3949(4): 451–490.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3949.4.1


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[Ichthyology • 2016] Phylogeny and Phylogeography of Altolamprologus: Ancient Introgression and Recent Divergence in A Rock-Dwelling Lake Tanganyika Cichlid Genus

July 12, 2016, 3:38 am
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Fig. 1 A Typical representatives of Altolamprologus calvus, A. compressiceps and A. sp. “shell”. Photographs courtesy of Wolfgang Gessl (www.pisces.at). B Map of Lake Tanganyika with sampling localities. Numbers in parentheses refer to sample sizes; different colours indicate different species (red, A. calvus; blue, A. compressiceps; green, A. sp. “shell”). The three deepwater basins are indicated by grey shading

Abstract
Stenotopic specialization to a fragmented habitat promotes the evolution of genetic structure. It is not yet clear whether small-scale population structure generally translates into large-scale intraspecific divergence. In the present survey of mitochondrial genetic structure in the Lake Tanganyika endemic Altolamprologus (Teleostei, Cichlidae), a rock-dwelling cichlid genus comprising A. compressiceps and A. calvus, habitat-induced population fragmentation contrasts with weak phylogeographic structure and recent divergence among genetic clades. Low rates of dispersal, perhaps along gastropod shell beds that connect patches of rocky habitat, and periodic secondary contact during lake level fluctuations are apparently sufficient to maintain genetic connectivity within each of the two Altolamprologus species. The picture of genetic cohesion was interrupted by a single highly divergent haplotype clade in A. compressiceps restricted to the northern part of the lake. Comparisons between mitochondrial and nuclear phylogenetic reconstructions suggested that the divergent mitochondrial clade originated from ancient interspecific introgression. Finally, ‘isolation-with-migration’ models indicated that divergence between the two Altolamprologus species was recent (67–142 KYA) and proceeded with little if any gene flow. As in other rock-dwelling cichlids, recent population expansions were inferred in both Altolamprologus species, which may be connected with drastic lake level fluctuations.

Keywords: Cichlidae, Mitochondrial replacement, Phylogeography, Lake level fluctuations, Lamprologini, Hybridization


Conclusions
In numerous studies of lacustrine cichlids, the species’ ecological specialization predicts population genetic differentiation on small geographic scales. The present study shows that population fragmentation and small-scale differentiation do not necessarily translate into distinct lake-wide structure. The discrepancy between population genetic and phylogeographic structures may arise from the different time scales relevant for the evolution of either. In particular, population differentiation—i.e. significant differences in allele and haplotype frequencies between populations—can evolve despite low gene flow within relatively short periods of time. Over longer periods of time, however, even low levels of gene flow can mediate genetic connectivity across substantial geographic distances.



Stephan Koblmüller, Bruno Nevado, Lawrence Makasa, Maarten Van Steenberge, Maarten P. M. Vanhove, Erik Verheyen, Christian Sturmbauer and Kristina M. Sefc. 2016. Phylogeny and Phylogeography of Altolamprologus: Ancient Introgression and Recent Divergence in A Rock-Dwelling Lake Tanganyika Cichlid Genus. Hydrobiologia [ADVANCES IN CICHLID RESEARCH II]. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-016-2896-2

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[Entomology • 2015] Protosticta ponmudiensis • A New Species of Damselfly (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Ponmudi Hills in the Western Ghats of India

July 12, 2016, 4:07 am
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 Protosticta ponmudiensis 
Kiran, Kalesh & Kunte, 2015


Abstract
 The genus Protosticta Selys, 1885 has 10 species reported from the Indian region, of which seven are known from the Western Ghats. Here we report a new species, Protosticta ponmudiensis from the Ponmudi Hills, Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, in the Agasthyamalai region of the southern Western Ghats. The species is distinguished from other Protosticta based on its large size, bright green eyes, the broad dorsal stripe on the base of segment 7, and very distinct anal appendages.

Keywords: Biodiversity hotspots, India, Odonata, Platystictidae, Protosticta, species description, Western Ghats, Zygoptera.




Distinguishing features: The large size, bright green eyes and broad patch on abdominal segment 7 easily distinguishes this species from other sympatric Protosticta (P. gravelyi and P. davenporti) (Table 3). Further, the characteristic shape of the anal appendages distinguishes it from all known
species of Protosticta (Fig. 2). The anal appendages have a construction similar to P. himalaica but differ in the shape of the superior appendage, which is longer than the inferior appendage and curved in P. ponmudiensis, while it is shorter than the inferior appendage and straighter in P. himalaica. The spine on the inferior appendage of P. himalaica is directed straight and medially, while in P. ponmudiensis it is curved inwards medially and directed posteriorly. The prothorax of P. ponmudiensis has two pairs of spines on its posterior lobe (medial and lateral pair), both pairs are of equal length in contrast to long medial spines in P. antelopoides.

Etymology: Named after the type locality (Ponmudi), a hill station near Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, where the species was discovered.

Distribution and ecology: Known so far only from the type locality in southern Western Ghats of Kerala. The type specimens were found perched on vegetation overhanging small streams in evergreen forest patches among tea estates in the type locality. They were always found near slow-flowing hill-streams and brooks. This species shares the habitat with other Protosticta (P. gravelyi and P. davenporti), and with other odonates (Caconeura spp., Euphea fraserii, Idionyx saffronata and Heliogomphus promelas).


C.G. Kiran, S. Kalesh and Krushnamegh Kunte. 2015. A New Species of Damselfly, Protosticta ponmudiensis (Odonata: Zygoptera: Platystictidae) from Ponmudi Hills in the Western Ghats of India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 7(5): 7146–7151. DOI: 10.11609/JoTT.o4145.7146-51  
http://biodiversitylab.org/sites/default/files/images/website/KiranEtal_ProtostictaPonmudiensisSpNov_2015.pdf
New Endemic Species of Damselfly Discovered in Ponmudi http://bit.ly/1E8n9kl via @NewIndianXpress

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[Ichthyology • 2012] Trophic Diversity in the Evolution and Community Assembly of Loricariid Catfishes

July 12, 2016, 8:33 am
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Figure 1 Representative morphological diversity within Loricariidae.
Inset: CT reconstructions of upper and lower jaws of (A) Leporacanthicus (an insectivore); (B) Panaque (a wood-eater); and (C) Chaetostoma (a detritivore-algivore). Photos (scaled to approximate relative size): 
(a) Pseudancistrus pectegenitor (Ancistrini), (b) Panaque armbrusteri (Ancistrini), (c) Pseudohemiodon sp. (Loricariini), (d) Hemiancistrus subviridis (Ancistrini), (e) Hypancistrus contradens (Ancistrini), (f) Spatuloricaria sp. (Loricariini), (g) Parotocinclus eppleyi (Hypoptopomatinae), (h) Hemiancistrus pankimpuju (Ancistrini), (i) Oxyropsis acutirostra (Hypoptopomatinae), (j) Chaetostoma sp. (Ancistrini), (k) Farlowella sp. (Farlowellini), (l) Leporacanthicus triactis (Ancistrini).
Fish photos by N. K. Lujan (b,g,h,i,j,k) and M. H. Sabaj Pérez (a,c,d,e,f,l).
 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-124 

Abstract
Background
The Neotropical catfish family Loricariidae contains over 830 species that display extraordinary variation in jaw morphologies but nonetheless reveal little interspecific variation from a generalized diet of detritus and algae. To investigate this paradox, we collected δ13C and δ15N stable isotope signatures from 649 specimens representing 32 loricariid genera and 82 species from 19 local assemblages distributed across South America. We calculated vectors representing the distance and direction of each specimen relative to the δ15N/δ13C centroid for its local assemblage, and then examined the evolutionary diversification of loricariids across assemblage isotope niche space by regressing the mean vector for each genus in each assemblage onto a phylogeny reconstructed from osteological characters.

Results
Loricariids displayed a total range of δ15N assemblage centroid deviation spanning 4.9‰, which is within the tissue–diet discrimination range known for Loricariidae, indicating that they feed at a similar trophic level and that δ15N largely reflects differences in their dietary protein content. Total range of δ13C deviation spanned 7.4‰, which is less than the minimum range reported for neotropical river fish communities, suggesting that loricariids selectively assimilate a restricted subset of the full basal resource spectrum available to fishes. Phylogenetic regression of assemblage centroid-standardized vectors for δ15N and δ13C revealed that loricariid genera with allopatric distributions in disjunct river basins partition basal resources in an evolutionarily conserved manner concordant with patterns of jaw morphological specialization and with evolutionary diversification via ecological radiation.

Conclusions
Trophic partitioning along elemental/nutritional gradients may provide an important mechanism of dietary segregation and evolutionary diversification among loricariids and perhaps other taxonomic groups of apparently generalist detritivores and herbivores. Evolutionary patterns among the Loricariidae show a high degree of trophic niche conservatism, indicating that evolutionary lineage affiliation can be a strong predictor of how basal consumers segregate trophic niche space.

Figure 3 Evolutionary patterns of loricariid trophic diversification revealed by assemblage centroid-standardized isotope vector analysis (ACSIVA) of C and N stable isotope data (Figure3; See Additional file 4 : Figures 3–10 for isotope biplots of all local assemblages examined). Cladograms A and B represent the hypothesized ancestral distributions of lineages along a vertical axis of 15 N-enrichment relative to assemblage centroid (pink to red being 15 N-enriched relative to centroid, light green to green being 15 N-depleted relative to centroid). Cladogram A represents a phylogenetic regression of 649 individual vectors (Figure 3A) grouped by genus irrespective of site (see Additional file 2: Figure S1 for a full size version of this phylogeny), and cladogram B represents a regression of 120 mean genus x site vectors (Figure 3 C). Circle plots illustrate the direction of mean genus x site vectors for each genus and statistical significance of the mean vector is indicated by * (Rayleigh’s Z test: P < 0.05) or † (0.10 > P > 0.05; Tables 1, 2). Cladogram C resulted from the same analysis as B, but is color-coded to reflect hypothesized distributions of ancestral lineages along a horizontal axis of 13 C-enrichment relative to assemblage centroid (see Additional file 3: Figure S2 for a full size version of this phylogeny). Oral disk photos by N. K. Lujan or M. H. Sabaj Pérez. 


Conclusions
Our study introduces the ACSIVA method of visualizing a consumer’s trophic position relative to sympatric taxa in isotope biplot space, and uses this method to integrate isotopic data both spatially across landscapes and evolutionarily across a phylogeny. Our analysis suggests that Loricariidae should be seen not only as a highly diverse phyletic radiation, but also as an ecological radiation that has diversified along trophic niche dimensions that were heretofore cryptic, yet consistent with previously observed jaw morphological diversity. Current understanding of ecological radiation has been heavily influenced by studies of plants and vertebrates that diversified among island archipelagos and lakes, but there are few prominent examples of ecological radiations in river basins or among the detritivores and herbivores that dominate food webs in tropical rivers and virtually all other ecosystems. The frequently amorphous appearance and low taxonomic resolution achievable for gut contents of most herbivores and detritivores may account for our currently poor understanding of niche relationships within this important trophic guild. Detritivores and herbivores appear to select food items based more on chemical and nutritional qualities than taxonomy or morphology. By estimating molecular patterns of food resource assimilation over time, stable isotope, fatty acid signature analysis, and nutritional physiological approaches provide powerful tools for investigating herbivore and detritivore niche diversification and partitioning.


Nathan K. Lujan, Kirk O. Winemiller and Jonathan W. Armbruster. 2012. Trophic Diversity in the Evolution and Community Assembly of Loricariid Catfishes.
BMC Evolutionary Biology. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-12-124

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Hypostomus formosae • A New Catfish Species (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the Paraguay River Basin with Redescription of H. boulengeri

July 12, 2016, 9:16 am
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Fig. 4. Lateral views of life specimens of: a, Hypostomus formosae, MACN Ict 9722, 82.8 mm SL; Argentina: Formosa Province: Bañado La Estrella; b, H. boulengeri, MACN Ict 9723, 57.8 mm SL; Argentina: Paraguay River: Formosa City, right side, reverse.
(Photographs by Yamila P. Cardoso).   pfeil-verlag.de


Hypostomus formosae, new species, is described from the Paraguay River Basin and H. boulengeri is redescribed. Morphological and molecular analyses show that these two species belong to the ‘H. plecostomus species group’. Hypostomus formosae can be distinguished from H. boulengeri by having the tip of the snout completely covered with small plates (vs. naked snout tip) and fewer premaxillary and dentary teeth (13-28 vs. 16-32, and 10-25 vs. 15-31, respectively). The molecular phylogenetic analysis indicates that the sister species of H. formosae is H. plecostomus from the Amazon and the Guyanas, highlighting past inter-basin ichthyofauna exchanges.



Hypostomus formosae, new species

Diagnosis. Hypostomus formosae is distinguished from the species of the Hypostomus cochliodon group by having bicuspid teeth (vs. spoon-shaped unicuspid teeth). The color pattern of H. formosae (dark roundish dots on a lighter background) differentiates this species from species that have dorsum dark grey with numerous creamy dots. Hypostomus formosae is distinguished from the rest of its congeners by the combination of high values for abdominal length (19.1-30.3 % SL), pectoral-fin spine length (30.4-35.5 % SL), head depth (54-90.5 % HL), caudal-peduncle depth (9.7-12.5 % SL), cleithral width (31.1-39.3 % SL) and dorsal-fin spine length (26.8-40.5 % SL), and low values for caudal-peduncle length (28.5- 34.8 % SL), inter-dorsal length (12.0-20.1 % SL), median plate series (25-26), number of plates between dorsal and adipose fin (6-8), number of plates between anal and caudal fin (11-14). Also, H. formosae can be distinguished from H. piratatuby the shape of teeth (short vs. long crown) and from H. boulengeri by having the tip of the snout completely covered with small plates (vs. naked snout tip) (Fig. 3) and fewer premaxillary and dentary teeth (13-28 vs. 16-32, and 10-25 vs. 15-31, respectively).


Distribution. Hypostomus formosae is known from the Paraguay River Basin in Argentina and Paraguay.

Ecological notes. Habitat description based on collecting localities of MACN Ict 9720, 9721, 9722 and CFA IC-11972. The specimens were obtained recently at three sites in the Paraguay River Basin: La Estrella, Saladillo Stream and Riacho Porteño, Argentina. The bottom of these streams was mainly composed of sandstone boulders with patches of sand and pebbles. Hypostomus formosae was found in well oxygenated waters (5.9-6.6 mg·l -1 ) with moderate current. Water turbidity was 51.1-98.1 N.T.U., conductivity 67-660 µS· cm-1 , and the pH 6.4-7.3. We do not have habitat information for the others specimens. 

Etymology. The species is named after the Formosa Province, Argentina. A noun in genitive. 


Hypostomus boulengeri (Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903) (Fig. 5) 
Plecostomusboulengeri Eigenmann & Kennedy, 1903. Plecostomus guacari (non La Cepède, 1803): Regan, 1904. Plecostomus plecostomus (non Linnaeus, 1758): Eigenmann et al., 1907.

Diagnosis. Hypostomus boulengeri is distinguished from species of the Hypostomus cochliodon species group by having bicuspid teeth (vs. unicuspid spoon-shaped teeth). The color pattern of H. boulengeri (dark roundish dots on a lighter background) differenciates this species from species that have dorsum dark grey/brown covered by numerous rounded creamy dots. Hypostomus boulengeri is distinguished from the rest of its congeners, with the exception of H. piratatu and H. formosae, by the combination of high values for mandibulary ramus length (9-16 % HL), orbital diameter (13-20 % HL), upper caudal-fin ray length (24.9-42.8 % SL) and lower values for caudal-fin ray length (26.1-46.4 % SL), and by having 25-26 plates in the median plates series. Hypostomus boulengeri can be distinguished from H. piratatu by the shape of teeth (short vs. long crown) and from H. formosae by having the snout tip with a naked zone (vs. completely covered with minute plates) (Fig. 3) and more premaxillar and dentary teeth (16-33 vs. 13-28 and 15-33 vs. 10-25, respectively).

Distribution. Hypostomus boulengeri is known from the Paraguay River Basin in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. 

Ecological notes. Based on the collecting locality of sample MACN Ict 9723. These specimens were found in the margin of the large Paraguay River. The bottom of the river is made of sand and pebbles. The surface of the water was covered by vegetation. The specimens were found in well oxygenated waters (4.97 mg·l -1 ) with slow current. Water turbidity was 193 N.T.U. Conductivity was 163.3 µS· cm-1 . The pH was 6.9. We do not have ecological information for the others specimens.


Yamila P. Cardoso, Florencia Brancolini, Ariel Paracampo, Marta Lizarralde, Raphael Covain and Juan I. Montoya-Burgos. 2016. Hypostomus formosae, A New Catfish Species from the Paraguay River Basin with Redescription of H. boulengeri (Siluriformes: Loricariidae). Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 27(1); 9-23. http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief27_1_02.pdf

  

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[Herpetology • 2015] Description of the Tadpoles of Two Endemic Frogs: the Phu Luang Cascade Frog Odorrana aureola (Anura: Ranidae) and the Isan Big-headed Frog Limnonectes isanensis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from northeastern Thailand

July 13, 2016, 1:59 am
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Phu Luang Cascade Frog Odorrana aureola

Abstract

We describe the external morphology of the tadpoles of two frogs endemic to Thailand: the Phu Luang cascade frog (Odorrana aureola) and the Isan big-headed frog (Limnonectes isanensis) from the type localities in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, Loei Province, northeastern Thailand. Morphological and genetic characters (16S rRNA) were used to identify specimen and match tadpoles to the adults. Detailed descriptions of external morphology and coloration in life are provided for both species. We provide a brief discussion of the ecology of these tadpoles and a comparison to previously published data from tadpoles of closely related taxa. Additionally, we provide evidence for the utility of larval morphology in resolving the taxonomic puzzles presented by cryptic species complexes.

Keywords: Amphibia, amphibian, biodiversity, conservation, morphology, mitochondrial DNA, species complex



Ampai, Natee, Attapol Rujirawan, Jirachai Arkajag, David S. Mcleod & Anchalee Aowphol. 2015. Description of the Tadpoles of Two Endemic Frogs: the Phu Luang Cascade Frog Odorrana aureola (Anura: Ranidae) and the Isan Big-headed Frog Limnonectes isanensis (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from northeastern Thailand. Zootaxa. 3981(4): 508–520. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3981.4.3

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[Herpetology • 2006] Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, as A Refuge for Borneo’s Montane Herpetofauna

July 14, 2016, 8:10 am
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Abstract

Crocker Range National Park in Sabah (East Malaysia), northern Borneo, is an exceptional area for herpetological diversity. Inventories of the Park are incomplete, but show high diversity, as well as regional endemicity shared with the adjacent and more well-known Gunung Kinabalu National Park. The montane ecosystem of the Range offers refuge for a number of rare herpetofaunal taxa, including Stoliczkia borneensis, Rhabdophis murudensis, Oligodon everetti, Philautus bunitus, Ansonia anotis, Sphenomorphus aesculeticola, and undescribed species of squamates of the genera Sphenomorphus and Gongylosoma. The 59 species of amphibians and 45 species of reptiles now recorded from the Range represent 39 and 16.2 per cent of the total Bornean amphibian and reptile fauna, respectively. The high levels of deforestation of the surrounding regions of Borneo, particularly lowland rainforests, highten the importance of protection of primary forests of northern Borneo’s Crocker Range.

Key words. Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, Malaysia, herpetofauna, conservation




Indraneil Das. 2006. Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, as A Refuge for Borneo’s Montane Herpetofauna. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 4(1):3-11. DOI:  10.1514/journal.arc.0040015  http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_4/ARC_4_3-11_e15.pdf


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[Herpetology • 2004] Kaloula assamensis • A New Species of Kaloula (Anura: Microhylidae) from Assam State, north-eastern India

July 14, 2016, 8:42 am
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Kaloula assamensis  
Das, Sengupta, Ahmed & Dutta, 2004

Abstract

A new species of microhylid of the genus  Kaloula is described from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states, north-east India. Kaloula assamensis new species, is compared with congeners from south and south-east Asia. The new species is diagnosablein showing the following combination of characters: SVL up to 38.0 mm; tympanum notexternally visible; choanae rounded, moderately large, at anterolateral edge of palate,separated by a distance greater than twice their length; postnarial ridges across palatenot curving backwards towards inner edge of choanae; finger tips slightly dilated; subarticular tubercles prominent, rounded; webbing on pes to level of distal subarticular tubercles, except on toe IV, where it is to the medial tubercle, reaching tips of all toes asa narrow sheath; toe tips slightly rounded; supernumerary tubercle at base of each digitof manus; tarsus smooth, lacking folds; supratympanic fold extends from posterior edgeof eye to above insertion of forelimbs; lateral glandular flank ridge absent; abdomen coarsely granular; pale brown dorsally, with a dark-edged bright yellow vertebral stripe,commencing from tip of snout and terminating near vent, where it becomes less distinct;a dark-edged broad dark brown lateral stripes, commencing from the postocular region,and extending to inguinal region; stratified colouration on posterior face of thighs and flanks; and light pericloacal ring present.

Keywords:  Kaloula, new species, Kaloula assamensis, Microhylidae, systematics, new species, India.



Diagnosis.- A small (SVL up to 38.0 mm) species of Kaloula, diagnosable from congeneric species in showing the following combination of characters: tympanum not externally visible; choanae rounded, moderately large, at antero-lateral edge of palate, separated by a distance greater than twice their length; postnarial ridges across palate not curving backwards towards inner edge of choanae; finger tips slightly dilated; subarticular tubercles prominent, rounded; webbing on pes to level of distal subarticular tubercles, except on toe IV, where it is to the medial tubercle, reaching tips of all toes as a narrow sheath; toe tips slightly rounded; supernumerary tubercle at base of each digit of manus; tarsus smooth, lacking folds; supratympanic fold ex-tends from posterior edge of eye to above insertion of forelimbs; lateral glandular flank ridge absent; abdomen coarsely granular; pale brown dorsally, with a dark-edged bright yellow vertebral stripe, commencing from tip of snout and terminating near vent, where it becomes less distinct; a dark-edged broad dark brown lateral stripes, commencing from the postocular region,and extending to inguinal region; stratified colouration on posterior face of thighs and flanks;and light pericloacal ring present.




Natural History Notes 
The holotype of the new species was unearthed in a field of mustard (Brassica juncea). The Nameri paratype was found sitting on an herba-ceous plant, ca. 0.3 m above substrate, at 1830h, within an evergreen forest. Other amphibian species found in sympatry with the new speciesat this site include  Megophrys parva, Rana humeralis, R. leptoglossa, Fejervarya aff. limnocharis, Microhyla ornata and Uperodon globulosum. The Sirajuli paratype was found under herbaceous moist vegetation. The eggs, larvae stages and call of the new species remain un-known. The two Orang paratypes were collected during the post-monsoon season, while sittingon blades of the grass Saccharum spp., ca. 1 mabove ground. Seven other species of anurans (including the type series of Kalophrynus orangensis Dutta et al., 2000) were found at this lo-cality. The Pakhui paratype was collected froma fern within a waterlogged area, while sitting ata height of ca. 0.6 m above substrate, at 1920 h.In sympatry were Chirixalus simus, C. vittatus, Polypedates leucomystax and Rana humeralis.


Das, I., Sengupta, S., Ahmed, M.F. and Dutta, S.K. 2004. A New Species of Kaloula (Anura: Microhylidae) from Assam State, north-eastern India. Hamadryad. 101-109.

Saibal Sengupta, Abhijit Das, Sandeep Das, Balhtiar Hussain, Nripendra Kumar Choudhury and Sushil Kumar Dutta. 2009. Taxonomy and Biogeography of Kaloula Species of Eastern India. The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University. 9(2): 209-222.
http://www.biology.sc.chula.ac.th/TNH/archives/v9_no2/7.209-222%20Sengupta.pdf

Anukul Nath, Firoz Ahmed and Hilloljyoti Singha. 2011. Record of Kaloula assamensis (Das et al., 2004) (Anura: Microhylidae) from Bongagaon District, Assam, India. frog leg [Newsletter of the Amphibian Network of South Asia and Amphibian Specialist Group - South Asia].  17. 

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Squatina david • A New Southern Caribbean Species of Angel Shark (Chondrichthyes, Squaliformes, Squatinidae), Including Phylogeny and Tempo of Diversification of American Species

July 14, 2016, 9:44 am
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Squatina david 
Acero, Tavera, Anguila & Hernández, 2016 
DOI:  10.1643/CI-15-292

A new species of Squatina,S. david, is described from the Colombian Caribbean. The new species differs from all the western North Atlantic angel sharks by lacking a mid-dorsal line of thorns or enlarged dermal denticles, by having an eye-spiracle distance larger than 1.5 times eye diameter, and each nasal flap with two rod-like barbels. Coloration is grayish to brownish yellow, males are dark-spotted, females have abundant whitish spots. Squatina david is nested within the American clade of angel sharks, being the sister species to the Brazilian species.


Arturo Acero P., José J. Tavera, Rafael Anguila and Luis Hernández. 2016. A New Southern Caribbean Species of Angel Shark (Chondrichthyes, Squaliformes, Squatinidae), Including Phylogeny and Tempo of Diversification of American Species.
Copeia. 104(2):577-585.  DOI:  10.1643/CI-15-292

Se describe aSquatina david n. sp. del Caribe colombiano. La nueva especie se distingue de las otras especies de peces ángel del Atlántico noroccidental por carecer de una línea media dorsal de espinas o dentículos dérmicos agrandados y por tener una distancia del ojo al espiráculo mayor que 1.5 el diámetro del ojo en especímenes de más de 60 cm de longitud total, cada pliegue nasal con dos barbillones romos y una coloración amarillo grisoso a marrón, macho con puntos oscuros, hembras con abundantes puntos blancos. La nueva especie se agrupa con el clado americano de peces ángel, siendo hermana del clado de especies brasileras.

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Abyssobrotula hadropercularis • A New Species of Abyssobrotula (Ophidiiformes, Ophidiidae) from the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench

July 15, 2016, 3:23 am
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Abyssobrotula hadropercularis
 Ohashi & Nielsen, 2016  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4132.4.7

Abstract

A new abyssal ophidiid fish, Abyssobrotula hadropercularis, is described on the basis of two specimens caught at two stations at ca. 5000 meters of depth in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. The genus Abyssobrotula Nielsen, 1977 was previously known from the type species, A. galatheae Nielsen, 1977 of which 40–50 specimens now are reported from all oceans at depths greater than 2000 m. One of the specimens from the Puerto Rico Trench captured at 8370 m is still the deepest record for fishes. The new species differs from A. galatheae in having great number of pectoral-fin rays 14–15 (vs 10–11); greater eye diameter (1.2–1.3% SL vs 0.7–0.9% SL); larger prepelvic 14.0–14.5% SL (vs 10.5–12.5% SL) and preanal lengths 42.5% SL (vs 33.0–41.5% SL); opercular spine strongly developed (vs poorly developed); gill rakers on anterior arch robust and close-set (vs rakers thin and well separated). The description of A. hadropercularis makes it necessary to slightly modify the generic diagnosis.

Keywords: Pisces, Abyssal water, Abyssobrotula hadropercularis, Neobythitinae, Western North Pacific




Distribution.— Known from two abyssal (5179–5223 meters) locations in the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench,Western North Pacific Ocean.

Etymology.— The specific name, hadropercularis, derives from hadros (bulky) and opercularis (gill cover) in reference to the robust opercle.


 Shinpei Ohashi & Jørgen G.Nielsen. 2016. A New Species of Abyssobrotula (Ophidiiformes, Ophidiidae) from the Kuril-Kamchatka Trench. Zootaxa. 4132(4): 559–566.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4132.4.7

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Verulux solmaculata • A New Cardinalfish (Perciformes: Apogonidae) from Papua New Guinea and Australia

July 15, 2016, 7:16 am
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[upper] Verulux solmaculata Yoshida & Motomura, 2016
[lower] Verulux cypselurus (M. C. W. Weber, 1909)

Fig. 1 a Preserved holotype of Verulux solmaculata sp. nov. (WAM P.31360-011, 37.3 mm SL, Papua New Guinea);  b Fresh specimen of V. cypselurus (KAUM–I. 62903, 35.8 mm SL, Japan) 

Abstract

Verulux solmaculata sp. nov., a new cardinalfish based on 88 specimens collected from Papua New Guinea and Australia, differs from V. cypselurus, the only other known member of the genus, by the following characters: higher modal numbers of pectoral fin-rays (16 vs. 15 in the latter) and developed gill rakers (14 vs. 13), a broader black band extending over 3–5 (mode 4) rays on each lobe of the caudal fin (vs. 1–3, mode 2), and a black blotch on the caudal-fin base (vs. blotch absent).

Keywords: Teleostei, Verulux cypselurus, Taxonomy, Distribution


Diagnosis. A species of Verulux with the following combination of characters: pectoral-fin rays 16 (rarely 15 or 17); developed gill rakers 13–16 (modally 14); gill rakers including rudiments 17–20 (modally 18); distinct black blotch on caudal-fin base; black pigments on 3–5 (modally 4) rays on each caudal fin lobe.

Distribution. Verulux solmaculata sp. nov. is currently known only from Papua New Guinea and northern Western Australia (Fig. 3), at depths of 18–20 m.

Etymology. The specific name “solmaculata” is derived from Latin, meaning “sunspot”, in reference to the distinct blotch on the caudal-fin base.


Tomohiro Yoshida and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2016. A New Cardinalfish, Verulux solmaculata (Perciformes: Apogonidae), from Papua New Guinea and Australia.
 Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-016-0539-2

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[Ichthyology • 2016] Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus • A New Subspecies of Goatfish (Perciformes, Mullidae) from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea

July 15, 2016, 7:45 am
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 Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus 
 Fernandez-Silva & Randall, 2016 
 DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.605.8060

Abstract
The number of goatfish species has increased recently, thanks in part to the application of molecular approaches to the taxonomy of a family with conservative morphology and widespread intraspecific color variation. A new subspecies Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus Fernandez-Silva & Randall is described from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, including Socotra and Gulf of Oman. It is characterized by a yellow caudal fin, 25–28 gill rakers, and 37–38 lateral-line scales and it is differentiated from nominal subspecies M. flavolineatus flavolineatus by 1.7% sequence divergence at the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The morphometric examination of specimens of M. f. flavolineatus revealed variation in head length, eye diameter, and barbel length, in western direction from the Hawaiian Islands, South Pacific, Micronesia, and the East Indies to the Indian Ocean. The population of Mulloidichthys f. flavicaudus subsp. n. in the Gulf of Aqaba differs from that of the remaining Red Sea by shorter barbels, smaller eyes, shorter head, and shorter pelvic fins. We present a list of 26 endemic fishes from the Gulf of Aqaba and discuss the probable basis for the endemism in the light of the geological history of this region.

Keywords: cytb, marine fish, glacial refugia, phylogeography, taxonomy, vicariance


Figure 4. Underwater photographs of Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus subsp. n. from Dahab in the Gulf of Aqaba.
Photo by Sergey V. Bogorodsky. 

Diagnosis: Body elongate, the depth at first dorsal-fin origin 4.1–4.5 in SL; head moderately compressed, the length 3.0–3.3 in SL; snout long, slightly blunt. Barbels usually not reaching a vertical at posterior margin of preopercle, their length 4.1-5.0 in SL. Eye diameter 10.3–13.5 in SL. Pectoral-fin rays 16–18. Gill-raker counts 25–28 (usually 26 or 27); lateral-line scales 37–38. Caudal fin yellowish to yellow. [Diagnosis based on the Red Sea proper population, i.e. excluding the Gulf of Aqaba, see remarks].

Etymology: Mulloidichthys f. flavicaudus subsp. n. is named in reference to the yellow color of the caudal fin, in contrast to the whitish gray color of the caudal fin of M. f. flavolineatus.

Distribution: Mulloidichthys f. flavicaudus subsp. n. is restricted to the NW Indian Ocean biogeographic province, where it ranges from various locations in the Red Sea (including the Gulf of Aqaba), the Gulf of Tadjoura, the Gulf of Aden, and Socotra (Fig. 9). M. f. flavicaudus subsp. n. has extended its range to Oman (Fig. 11) and probably to the Maldives (Fig. 12), where it has encountered the western distribution of M. f. flavolineatus. Underwater photographs of fish with yellow and gray caudal fins suggest overlap and interbreeding by the two subspecies. Carpenter et al. (1997) included M. flavolineatus in their catalog of fishes of the Arabian Gulf. They did not cite any voucher specimens, and the photo they used is from Mauritius.

Figure 7. School of Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus subsp. n. at Eilat, Gulf of Aqaba.
Photo by John E. Randall.  


 Iria Fernandez-Silva, John E. Randall, Daniel Golani and Sergey V. Bogorodsky. 2016. Mulloidichthys flavolineatus flavicaudus Fernandez-Silva & Randall (Perciformes, Mullidae), A New Subspecies of Goatfish from the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. ZooKeys. 605: 131-157. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.605.8060

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[Herpetology • 2016] Bothriechis nubestris • A Cryptic Palm-Pitviper Species (Squamata: Viperidae: Bothriechis) from the Costa Rican Highlands, with Notes on the Variation within B. nigroviridis

July 15, 2016, 9:36 am
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Talamancan Palm-Pitviper |  Bothriechis nubestris 
Doan, Mason, Castoe, Sasa & Parkinson, 2016

Abstract

Middle America is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, harboring an exceptional number of rare and endemic species. This is especially true of Middle American cloud forests, where montane specialists occupy restricted, high-elevation ranges making them attractive candidates for investigating historical biogeography and speciation. One such highland-restricted species, the black speckled palm-pitviper (Bothriechis nigroviridis), occupies the Central, Tilarán, and Talamanca Cordilleras in Costa Rica and Panama. In this study, we investigate the genetic and morphological variation among populations of B. nigroviridis by inferring a multilocus phylogeny (21 individuals) and analyzing meristic scale characters with a principal component analysis (64 individuals). We find B. nigroviridis sensu stricto to be composed of two deeply divergent lineages, one with a restricted range in the northern and central Cordillera Talamanca and the other ranging throughout the Central, Tilarán, and Talamanca Cordilleras. Furthermore, these two lineages are morphologically distinct, with previously unrecognized differences in several characters allowing us to name and diagnose a new species Bothriechis nubestris sp. nov. We also examine the genetic and morphological variation within B. nigroviridis and discuss biogeographic hypotheses that may have led to the diversification of Bothriechis lineages.

Keywords: Reptilia, Bothriechis nubestris, Costa Rica, Middle America, new species, snake, Squamata, taxonomy, Viperidae




Diagnosis. (1) a medium-sized slender arboreal pitviper; (2) dorsum green with heavy black mottling; (3) iris blackish; (4) superciliary scales absent; (5) interrictals 22–29; (6) supraoculars thin, usually kidney-shaped; (7) intersupraoculars 6–10; (8) partial rows or two rows of irregular scales between suboculars and supralabials; (9) infralabials 9–12; (10) first dorsals usually 21 (75.9%); (11) second dorsals usually 21 (58.6%); (12) third dorsals usually 17 (85.7%); (13) ventrals 150–160; (14) subcaudals 52–64; (15) tail prehensile.
Specimens of Bothriechis nubestris differ from B. schlegelii and B. supraciliaris by lacking superciliary scales (present in B. schlegelii and B. supraciliaris). Bothriechis nubestris differs from all other Bothriechis species except B. nigroviridis by having green dorsal coloration with heavy black mottling and a blackish iris. Bothriechis nubestris differs from B. nigroviridis (see Table 1 for summary) by the combination of having 150–160 ventral scales (136–149 in B. nigroviridis), thin, often kidney-shaped supraoculars with a wide intersupraocular space (B. nigroviridis usually have wider supraoculars, never kidney-shaped, with narrow intersupraocular space, and higher average counts of interrictals, dorsals, and subcaudal scales than B. nigroviridis.



Distribution and natural history. Bothriechis nubestris is known from the northern and central portions of the Cordillera de Talamanca of Costa Rica in the provinces of San José, Cartago, and Limón (see Fig. 6). Three specimens (UCR 15422, 15428, 15429) have locality data that indicate they are from of the Cordillera Central, but they were snakes donated by locals to the Instituto Clodomiro Picado and it is possible that the locality data were recorded in error. We exclude these localities from consideration here, but acknowledge that if these localities are correct, the species also occurs in the Cordillera Central. The species has been recorded from 2400 m on Cerro de la Muerte to over 3000 m in San Gerardo de Dota. Bothriechis nubestris is an arboreal species usually found in the transition zone between cloud forest and montane rainforest.

Etymology. The specific epithet means ‘belonging to the clouds’. It is derived from the Latin noun nubes–, is, meaning cloud, and the Latin suffix –estris, meaning belonging to. This name alludes to the fact that this species inhabits cloud forests. The common name Talamancan Palm-Pitviper refers to its range in the Cordillera de Talamanca. 


Tiffany M. Doan, Andrew J. Mason, Todd A. Castoe, Mahmood Sasa and Christopher L. Parkinson. 2016. A Cryptic Palm-Pitviper Species (Squamata: Viperidae: Bothriechis) from the Costa Rican Highlands, with Notes on the Variation within B. nigroviridis. Zootaxa. 4138(2)  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4138.2.3


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[Herpetology • 2011] Review of the Genus Dopasia Gray, 1853 (Squamata: Anguidae) in the Indochina Subregion

July 15, 2016, 11:03 pm
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Abstract
A review of the genus Dopasia Gray, 1853 in the Indochina subregion is provided with the first country record of D. hainanensis for Vietnam and new distribution records for other species. In addition, we herein confirm the validity of Dopasia ludovici, previously a synonym of D. harti, based on overlooked external morphological differences. 


Key words: China, Vietnam, new record, morphology, taxonomy




  Discussion
Based on morphological features, the members of Dopasia in the Indochina subregion can be divided in two subgroups. The Dopasia gracilis subgroup contains D. gracilis and D. sokolovi, and is diagnosed by the presence of a dark ventrolateral stripe and three scales between nasal and frontonasal. The Dopasia harti subgroup comprises D. harti, D. hainanensis, and D. ludovici, and is diagnosed by the absence of the dark ventrolateral stripe and two scales between the nasal and frontonasal. It may be noted that some characteristics distinguishing the Southeast Asian Dopasia can also be observed among the species of the relatively closely related genus Anguis: males are often heavily blue-spotted in A. colchica and A. graeca and much less so in A. fragilis, while A. cephallonica convergently shows the same serrated borderline between dorsal and flank coloration (see Gvozdik et al. 2010) as also exhibited in juvenile D. harti and juvenile and adult D. ludovici.


Truong Quang Nguyen, Wolfgang Böhme, Tao Thien Nguyen, Quyet Khac Le, Kristian Robert Pahl, Tanja Haus & Thomas Ziegler. 2011. Review of the Genus Dopasia Gray, 1853 (Squamata: Anguidae) in the Indochina subregion. Zootaxa. 2894: 58–68
http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/17149844/1369468038/name/Nguyen

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[Invertebrate • 2016] Sundageophilus gen. nov. • The First Geophilid Centipedes (Chilopoda, Geophilidae) from Malesia: A New Genus with Two New Species from Sumatra

July 15, 2016, 11:27 pm
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Sundageophilus bidentatus 
Bonato, Klarner, Widyastuti & Scheu, 2016

A entire body, dorsal view B forcipular segment, ventral view C ultimate left leg, dorsal view.
LM photos of holotype LIPI macrosoilBO4a13_chilo144 (A, C) and PD5768 (B).

Abstract
A new genus Sundageophilus is here described for two new species of geophilid centipedes (Chilopoda: Geophilidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia. Both Sundageophilus bidentatus sp. n. and S. poriger sp. n. feature a minute body size (less than 1 cm long with 31–35 pairs of legs), a similar structure of the maxillae, elongated forcipules, and few coxal organs. Sundageophilus bidentatus is unique among geophilids because the ultimate article of the forcipule is armed with two conspicuous denticles, one dorsal to the other, instead of a single one or none. The two species of Sundageophilus are the first genuine Geophilidae ever found in Malesia, and among the very few representatives of this family in the entire south-eastern Asia.

Keywords: Chilopoda, forcipules, Geophilidae, Southeast Asia, Sundageophilus


Taxonomy
Sundageophilus gen. n.
http://zoobank.org/11CB8320-AC3E-4657-B217-AB6E30459855

Diagnosis: Relatively small geophilids, less than 1 cm long; cephalic plate distinctly elongate, without frontal line; clypeus with two pairs of setae on the anterior medial part, without a distinct clypeal area; intermediate part of labrum bearing stout tubercles, lateral parts far apart from each other and bearing bristles; first maxillae without lappets; second maxillary coxosternite with anterior margin entire and concave, without anterior projections, neither statuminia nor other distinctly sclerotized parts associated with the metameric pores; second maxillary pretarsus in shape of an elongate claw, more than 3.5 times as long as wide at the basis, sub-conic and slightly bent, with a small sub-basal dorsal bulge; forcipular tergite subtrapezoidal; forcipular coxosternite relatively elongate, the exposed part as wide as or only slightly wider than long, the anterior margin slightly projecting anteriorly, with two very short denticles and a narrow notch inbetween; coxopleural sutures complete, entirely ventral, straight and subparallel for most of their length; chitin-lines absent or hardly distinct; forcipules relatively elongate, the trochanteroprefemur is more than 1.4 times as long as wide, the tarsungulum more than 2.5 times as long as wide; forcipular intermediate articles distinct, without denticles; tarsungulum with at least a distinct basal denticle; trunk metasternites longer than wide, without obvious “carpophagus” pit; whenever present, a single sub-circular, posterior pore-field on all metasternites of the trunk; leg claws with at most a pair of accessory spines, shorter than mid-length of the pretarsus, similar to each other in length; ultimate leg-bearing segment with an entire pleuropretergite, without sulci; ultimate metasternite sub-trapezoid, the setae distributed almost uniformly in the female, unknown in the male; coxopleuron with at least two coxal organs, opening through independent pores on the ventral side; telopodite of the ultimate leg pair approximately 1.8–2.0 times as long as that of the penultimate pair; anal pores distinct.

Etymology: From “Sunda”, the name in use for the south-eastern part of the continental shelf of Asia, including Sumatra and other islands, and “Geophilus”, which is used in many other names of genera of geophilids.

Type species: Sundageophilus bidentatus sp. n.


Figure 1. Sundageophilus bidentatus sp. n.:
A entire body, dorsal view B forcipular segment, ventral view C ultimate left leg, dorsal view.
LM photos of holotype LIPI macrosoilBO4a13_chilo144 (A, C) and PD5768 (B). 

Sundageophilus bidentatus sp. n.
http://zoobank.org/96F28A97-E612-4D89-A8CC-99A8F270A5BC

Diagnosis: A Sundageophilus species with cephalic plate ca. 1.4–1.5 times as long as wide; first maxillary telopodite apparently composed of a single article; a distinct denticle on the distal part of the trochanteroprefemur; tarsungulum with two basal denticles, one dorsal to the other; 33 or 35 pairs of legs; no ventral pore-fields along the trunk; ultimate metasternite 1.7–1.8 times as wide as long, anteriorly ca. 2.0 times as wide as posteriorly, lateral margins slightly convex; two coxal pores on each coxopleuron, along the lateral margin of the metasternite; telopodites of the ultimate pair conspicuously swollen in the female, unknown in the male, apparently composed of only five articles because of the indistinct articulation between trochanter and prefemur; some articles of the ultimate leg pair with disto-ventral bulges covered with denser, longer setae, and a tuft of tiny spines replacing the pretarsus.

Material examined: Holotype. ♀ with gonopods partially developed, body length 6.9 mm, head width 220 µm; some legs broken and missing, including one of the ultimate pair; originally entire, subsequently divided in three pieces, (i) head, (ii) forcipular segment and leg-bearing segments 1–16, (iii) leg-bearing segments 17–33 and postpedal segments; collected Nov. 2013, by B. Klarner; in ethanol, LIPI macrosoilBO4a13_chilo144.

Other specimens examined. 1 ♀, from Bukit Duabelas, secondary rainforest, research site BF2, 01°58'55"S, 102°45'03"E, ca. 80 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm), same date and collector as holotype, PD5768; 6 ♀♀, from Bukit Duabelas, secondary rainforest, research site BF3, 01°56'34"S, 102°34'53"E, ca. 90 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm), same date and collector as holotype, LIPI macrosoilBF3a13_chilo178–183; 1 ♀, from Harapan, secondary rainforest, research site HF3, 02°10'30"S, 103°19'58"E, ca. 60 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm), same date and collector as holotype, LIPI macrosoilHF3c13_chilo17; 1 specimen, sex unknown because body posterior part missing, from Harapan, jungle rubber agroforest, research site HJ2, 01°49'32"S, 103°17'39"E, ca. 80 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm), same date and collector as holotype, PD5767.

Type locality. Indonesia, Sumatra, Bukit Duabelas, oil palm plantation, research site BO4, 02°03'02"S, 102°45'12"E, ca. 30 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm).

Etymology: “bidentatus” means “with two teeth” and refers to the presence of two distinct basal denticles on each forcipular tarsungulum.


Figure 4. Sundageophilus poriger sp. n.:
 A entire body, dorsal view B forcipular segment, ventral view C ultimate left leg, dorsal view.
LM photos of holotype LIPI macrosoilHJ2c13_chilo165. 

Sundageophilus poriger sp. n.
http://zoobank.org/690B5097-63CA-44FB-9B8B-6EBFFA2EA9AA

Diagnosis: A Sundageophilus species with cephalic plate ca. 1.3 times as long as wide; first maxillary telopodite composed of two articles; no distinct denticles on the trochanteroprefemur; tarsungulum with a single basal denticle; approximately 31 pairs of legs; ventral pore-fields from the first to the penultimate leg-bearing segment; ultimate metasternite ca. 1.5–1.6 times as wide as long, anteriorly ca. 2.6 times as wide as posteriorly, lateral margins almost straight; four coxal pores on each coxopleuron, of which two along the lateral margin of the metasternite; legs of the ultimate pair not swollen in the female, unknown in the male, composed of six articles including distinct trochanter and prefemur, without disto-ventral bulges and without additional dense ventral setae; pretarsus of the ultimate leg pair similar to the other leg claws.

Material examined: Holotype. ♀ with gonopods developed, body length 5.8 mm, head width 190 µm; one leg of the ultimate pair damaged; originally entire, subsequently divided into three pieces, (i) head, (ii) forcipular segment, (iii) leg-bearing segments 1–31 and postpedal segments; collected Nov. 2013 by B. Klarner; in ethanol, LIPI macrosoilHJ2c13_chilo165.

Type locality. Indonesia, Sumatra, Harapan, jungle rubber agroforest, research site HJ2, 01°49'32"S, 103°17'39"E, ca. 80 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm).

Other specimens examined. 1 ♀, from Bukit Duabelas, jungle rubber agroforest, research site BJ3, 02°03'47"S, 102°48'04"E, ca. 90 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm), same date and collector as holotype, PD5771; 1 specimen, sex unknown because both anterior and posterior parts missing, from Bukit Duabelas, jungle rubber agroforest, research site BJ5, 02°08'36"S, 102°51'05"E, ca. 50 m a.s.l., from upper soil layer (0–5 cm), same date and collector as holotype, PD5770.    

Etymology: “poriger” means “bearing pores” and refers to the presence of glandular pore-fields on the ventral side of the trunk.


 Lucio Bonato, Bernhard Klarner, Rahaju Widyastuti and Stefan Scheu. 2016. The First Geophilid Centipedes from Malesia: A New Genus with Two New Species from Sumatra (Chilopoda, Geophilidae). ZooKeys. 605: 53-71. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.605.9338


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[Botany • 2015] Bulbophyllum mengyuanense • A New Species of Bulbophyllum sect. Stachysanthes (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Dendrobiinae) from Xishuangbanna, southeastern Yunnan, China

July 16, 2016, 7:04 am
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Bulbophyllum mengyuanense 
  Q.Liu, J.W.Li & X.H.Jin 
  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.236.3.11

Abstract

Bulbophyllum Thouars (1822: 3) is one of the largest orchid genera, including more than 1900 species widely distributed from tropical America, Africa, Madagascar, and mainland Asia to Australasia (Lindley 1830, Pearce & Cribb 2002, Seidenfaden 1979, 1992, Chen et al. 2009, Pridgeon et al. 2014). The species possess a wide range of vegetative form and floral structure (Bose et al. 1980). There are about 103 species (33 endemic) in 18 sections in China (Chen et al. 2009).

Section Stachysanthes (Blume ) Averynov (1994: 276) is distinguished by inconspicuous pseudobulbs and includes 72 species. There are five species (three endemic) of section Stachysanthes in China (Tsi 1999, Chen et al., 2009). During our fieldwork in Mengla County of Xishuangbanna, southeastern Yunnan, a new species of Bulbophyllum of sect. Stachysanthes was found in the limestone forest and described below.

Keywords: Bulbophyllum, Orchidaceae, Epidendroidea, Dendrobiinae, Monocots, China


FIGURE 2. Bulbophyllum mengyuanense.
A. Habitat. B. Front view of flower. C. Lateral view of flower. D. Plant
  Photo by Q. Liu  

Taxonomy 

Bulbophyllum mengyuanense Q.Liu, J.W.Li & X.H.Jin, sp. nov. (Figs. 1, 2) 

Type:— China. Yunnan: Mengla County, Mengyuan Town, limestone forest, 1000 m, 7 Oct. 2010, Li 1099 (holotype, HITBC!). 

Diagnosis: Bulbophyllum mengyuanense is similar to B. drymoglossum and B. hainanense, but can be distinguished from them by having yellow flowers with purple stripes, lateral sepals connate in their basal third, conspicuous column stelids and a labellum without a callus.


Qiang Liu,  Jian-Wu Li, Xiao-Hua Jin and Jiang-Yun Gao. 2015. A New Species of Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Dendrobiinae) from Yunnan, China.
 Phytotaxa. 236 (3): 287–290.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.236.3.11
http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/gh/lg/201602/P020160221395635641410.pdf

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[Herpetology • 2012] Eupsophus altor • A New Species of Eupsophus (Amphibia: Neobatrachia) from the Valdivian Coastal Range, Southern Chile: An Integrative Taxonomic Approach

July 16, 2016, 7:35 am
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Eupsophus altor  
Nuñez, Rabanal & Formas, 2012 

Abstract
We describe a new species of Eupsophus from the Coastal Range of Southern Chile. The new taxon can be differentiated using an integrative taxonomic approach that includes advertisement call, reproductive mode, tadpoles, and mtDNA D-loop sequences. Based on karyological characters, the new species is assigned to the roseus Group (2N=30), and differs from all described species therein by having early winter breeding season, terrestrial tadpoles and its advertisement call with spectral elements reaching the 20 kHz. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial data place the new species as sister taxon of E. migueli. The discovery of this new species highlights the importance of the multisource approaches to discover cryptic diversity as well as to establish the basis for prioritizing policies and conservation efforts on Chilean batrachofauna.

Key words: Amphibia, Neobatrachia, Eupsophus altor sp. nov., integrative taxonomy, Chile


FIGURE 5. A. Holotype of Eupsophus altor sp. nov. (IZUA 3607) from Cerro Oncol (Valdivia Province). B: Terrestrial embryos of Eupsophus altor sp. nov. C: Nest with tadpoles of Eupsophus altor sp. nov. Stage 30. D: Tadpoles at stages 37–41.
Stages according to Gosner (1960). Bar indicates 10 mm. 

Eupsophus altor sp. nov. Nuñez, Rabanal & Formas 
Oncol’s ground frog (English) Rana de hojarasca de Oncol (Spanish)

Diagnosis. The species is assigned to the genus Eupsophus because it has the following osteological cranial pattern (cervical cotylar arrangement type II; palatal shelf of premaxilla relatively deep; palatal shelf of maxilla of moderate width; pterygoid process moderately large; nasals small, widely separated medially; nasals in broad contact with maxillae, not in contact with pterygoids; epiotic eminences prominent; zygomatic ramus of squamosal of moderate length, widely separated from maxilla; otic ramus of squamosal as long as zygomatic ramus, expanded medially into small otic plate; squamosal-maxillary angle 50–55°; palatines broad, widely separated medially, bearing odontoid ridges; sphenethmoid entire, extending anteriorly to anterior edge of nasals parasphenoid alae oriented at right angles to anterior ramus of parasphenoid, broadly overlapped laterally by median rami of pterygoid) as has been described by Lynch (1971) and endotrophic tadpoles (Formas 1985). Eupsophus altor is assigned to the E. roseus Group species by having 2n = 30 chromosomes. Eupsophus altor differs from all species described of the E. roseus group species by having early winter breeding season, terrestrial tadpoles and its advertisement call with spectral elements reaching the 20 kHz, and nine mitochondrial D-loop nucleotide site substitutions from its congeneric species phylogenetically closest.


Distribution and natural history. At present, specimens of Eupsophus altor are known from the type locality and three additional sites [Alepue (39º36’S; 73º14’W), Chan-Chán (39º33’S; 73º12’W) and Curiñanco (39º39’S; 73º18’W)] located the western slopes of the Coastal range, between the mouth of the rivers Lingue (39º26’S; 73º12’W) and Valdivia (39º52’S; 73º23’W), Valdivia province. This area is covered by the typical vegetation of Valdivian rain forest (Veblen 2007) where the following plants were identified: Drymis winteri, Laurelia phyllipiana, Weinmannia trichosperma, Dendroligotrichum dendroides, and Cladonia spp. There, the most common frogs are: Alsodes norae, Batrachyla antartandica, Batrachyla leptopus, Eupsophus vertebralis, Pleurodema thaul, and Rhinoderma darwinii. During January and February (austral summer) specimens of the small lizards Liolaemus pictus and L. cyanogaster were observed. Throughout the year, adult specimens of E. altor were found under rotten trees and at night walking through the vegetation ground. Mating calls (maximum activity at night), males with nuptial pads and gravid females were observed throughout May and August (austral winter). The clutches and tadpoles were always observed during May and June, and tadpoles between May and October in terrestrial nests, under logs or tree holes until 1 m above the ground (Fig 5B, C, D). 

Etymology. The specific name altor is derived from the Latin meaning “one who looks after or brings up its offspring”. This epithet is given in the masculine form of the word (the female form is altex) because we observed that in this species males are the care givers for offspring. 


José J Nuñez, Felipe E Rabanal and J. Ramon Formas. 2012. Description of A New Species of Eupsophus (Amphibia: Neobatrachia) from the Valdivian Coastal Range, Southern Chile: An Integrative Taxonomic Approach.  Zootaxa. 3305; 53- 68.
http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/zt03305p068.pdf

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[Herpetology • 2007] Hydrolaetare caparu • A New Species of Hydrolaetare (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from the eastern lowlands of Bolivia with Some Notes on Its Natural History

July 16, 2016, 8:29 am
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Hydrolaetare caparu 

Jansen, Lvarez & Köhler, 2007 
 DOI:  10.1670/06-289.1  

ABSTRACT
We describe a new species of Hydrolaetare from the eastern lowlands of Bolivia. The new species differs from the other two congeners in (1) Finger II and III with lateral fringes only on the inner side; (2) relative length of first finger; (3) palmar tubercle distinctly larger than thenar tubercle; (4) toes semiwebbed; and (5) coloration. Moreover, the advertisement call of the new species differs from that of its congeners. Some information about its natural history is given.


Martin Jansen, Lucindo Gonzales Álvarez and Gunther Köhler. 2007. New Species of Hydrolaetare (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Bolivia with Some Notes on Its Natural History. Journal of Herpetology. 41(4); 724-732. DOI:  10.1670/06-289.1

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[Herpetology • 2014] On the poorly sampled Amazonian Frogs Genus Hydrolaetare (Anura: Leptodactylidae): Geographic Ranges and Species Identification

July 16, 2016, 9:11 am
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Abstract
We present new geographic records of three species of the genus Hydrolaetare and contribute to the identification of these by providing illustrations and a brief discussion on fixed morphological differences among them. Our records extend the known distribution ranges of Hydrolaetare dantasi and Hydrolaetare schmidti to Amazonas and Roraima states, Brazil, respectively. Hydrolaetare caparuis recorded for the first time in Brazil. The species of Hydrolaetare can be mainly distinguished by the combination of ventral colour pattern and external morphological characters (toe-webbing formula).




 Miquéias Ferrão, Rafael de Fraga, Pedro Ivo Simões and Albertina P. Lima. 2014. On the poorly sampled Amazonian Frogs Genus Hydrolaetare (Anura: Leptodactylidae): Geographic Ranges and Species Identification. Salamandra 50(2):77-84  

  

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[Paleontology • 2016] Fossorial Origin of the Turtle Shell

July 16, 2016, 9:38 am
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An ancient reptile (Eunotosaurus africanus), a precursor to today’s turtles, had a body well-suited to burrowing, as illustrated here. (Another extinct reptile, Bradysaurus, is shown in the background.)
  illustration: Andrey Atuchin 


Highlights
• Recently discovered stem turtles indicate the shell did not evolve for protection
• Adaptation related to digging was the initial impetus in the origin of the shell
• Digging adaptations facilitated the movement of turtles into aquatic environments
• Fossoriality likely helped stem turtles survive the Permian/Triassic extinction

Summary
The turtle shell is a complex structure that currently serves a largely protective function in this iconically slow-moving group. Developmental and fossil data indicate that one of the first steps toward the shelled body plan was broadening of the ribs (approximately 50 my before the completed shell). Broadened ribs alone provide little protection and confer significant locomotory and respiratory costs. They increase thoracic rigidity, which decreases speed of locomotion due to shortened stride length, and they inhibit effective costal ventilation. New fossil material of the oldest hypothesized stem turtle, Eunotosaurus africanus (260 mya) from the Karoo Basin of South Africa, indicates the initiation of rib broadening was an adaptive response to fossoriality. Similar to extant fossorial taxa, the broad ribs of Eunotosaurus provide an intrinsically stable base on which to operate a powerful forelimb digging mechanism. Numerous fossorial correlates are expressed throughout Eunotosaurus’ skeleton. Most of these features are widely distributed along the turtle stem and into the crown clade, indicating the common ancestor of Eunotosaurus and modern turtles possessed a body plan significantly influenced by digging. The adaptations related to fossoriality likely facilitated movement of stem turtles into aquatic environments early in the groups’ evolutionary history, and this ecology may have played an important role in stem turtles surviving the Permian/Triassic extinction event.


An ancient reptile (Eunotosaurus africanus), a precursor to today’s turtles, had a body well-suited to burrowing, as illustrated here. (Another extinct reptile, Bradysaurus, is shown in the background.)
illustration: Andrey Atuchin 

Tyler R. Lyson, Bruce S. Rubidge, Torsten M. Scheyer, Kevin de Queiroz, Emma R. Schachner, Roger M.H. Smith, Jennifer Botha-Brink and G.S. Bever. 2016. Fossorial Origin of the Turtle Shell. Current Biology. 26. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.05.020 


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