Species New to Science

Eodortoka morellana

Illustration by Carlos De Miguel Chaves

Highlights

• A new turtle taxa, Eodortoka morellana gen. et sp. nov. is proposed here.

• The new taxon comes from the Aptian of the Spanish Arcillas de Morella Formation.

• It is the only nominated dortokid prior to the uppermost Cretaceous.

• It shows several primitive characters not shared with the so far described dortokids.

Abstract

Dortokidae is a relatively poorly-known clade of Pan-Pleurodira, exclusively recognized in Europe. It is the only clade of Laurasiatic pan-pleurodirans known in the post-Jurassic record. Its presence has been recognized in several locations and ages. However, only two nominated valid taxa have been described so far: the western European Upper Cretaceous Dortoka vasconica, and the Romanian late Paleocene Ronella botanica. A new dortokid is studied here, Eodortoka morellana gen. et sp. nov. This new taxon is the oldest nominated dortokid, coming from the lower Aptian (Lower Cretaceous) of the Spanish town of Morella. It shows several primitive characters not shared with the so far described dortokids, such as the presence of mesoplastra and the absence of overlap of the second pair of pleural scutes onto the first pair of costal plates. The comparison of Eodortoka morellana gen. et sp. nov. with other specimens allows us to recognize the presence of two members of Dortokidae in the Iberian Lower Cretaceous record. This study shed light on the early evolution of Dortokidae, as well as on the systematic and paleobiogeography of this clade.

Keywords: Pan-Pleurodira; Dortokidae; Early Cretaceous; Europe; Morella

New mesozoic turtle Eodortoka morellana found in Morella, Castelló, Maestrazgo Basin, Iberian Range, Spain.

Illustration by Carlos De Miguel Chaves

Systematic paleontology

Testudinata Klein [in Behn], 1760
Testudines Treviranus, 1802
Pan-Pleurodira Joyce, Parham and Gauthier, 2004

Dortokidae Lapparent de Broin and Murelaga, 1996
Eodortoka morellana, gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. The generic name is composed by the terms Eo-, Greek for dawn, representing the oldest named genus of Dortokidae; and -dortoka, basque for turtle, the name of the type genus of this clade. The specific name refers to Morella, the town where the Mas de la Parreta quarry is located.

Referencia: Pérez-García, A.; Gasulla, J.M.; Ortega, F. 2014. Eodortoka morellana gen. et sp. nov., the first pan-pleurodiran turtle (Dortokidae) defined in the Early Cretaceous of Europe. Cretaceous Research. 48;130–138. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2013.12.004

http://godzillin.blogspot.com.es/2014/01/un-nueva-tortuga-mesozoica-en-morella.html

http://scientificillustration.tumblr.com/post/76509996959/paleoillustration-new-mesozoic-turtle-eodortoka

Fig. 2. Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni photographed in Sharavathi Wildlife Sanctuary, Karnataka, India, in November 2011

Photo: Harshal Bhosale

Abstract

Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni is a small carnivore endemic to the Western Ghats, India. It occurs throughout the south-ern Western Ghats, from Achankovil Reserved Forest (Kerala) to the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa), but until now was not recorded in the northern Western Ghats, north of the state of Goa. Two records from the state of Maharashtra extend its known range north by about 200 km: a photograph near Amboli, and a sighting even further north in Chandoli National Park. The forest of Amboli is structurally connected to the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa, but connectivity with Chandoli National Park is now severely limited for this forest-dwelling small carnivore (see p. 39 for a record from 75 km further north).

Keywords: Amboli, Chandoli National Park, extension of known range, northernmost records

H. S. BHOSALE, G. A. PUNJABI and R. BARDAPURKAR. 2013. Photographic Documentation of Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni in Maharashtra, India, north of its known range. Small Carnivore Conservation. 49: 37–39.

academia.edu/6218713/Photographic_documentation_of_Brown_Palm_Civet_Paradoxurus_jerdoni_in_Maharashtra_India_north_of_its_known_range

Fig. 3. Some teeth extracted from the excavation of Tam Hang south in 2003:
Bos cf. sauveli (a) left P3 (TH455), (b) left d4 (TH544); Panthera tigris ssp., (c) right p4 (TH133); Arctonyx collaris cf. rostratus, (d) right M1 (TH119), (e) right M1 (TH120); Sus scrofa, (f) left M3 (TH417); Sus cf. barbatus, (g) right M3 (TH414).

Abstract

Tam Hang, located in northeastern Laos, in the Hua Pan province, is a reference site not only for its numerous archaeological and human remains, but also for its two faunal assemblages, whose composition suggests different dating in the Pleistocene. Discovered in 1934 by Jacques Fromaget, a new excavation of the site has been undertaken in 2003. During this campaign, at Tam Hang south, 575 isolated teeth of mammals were extracted from a deep layer of calcareous breccia. This assemblage corresponds to that one described by Arambourg and Fromaget [C. Arambourg, J. Fromaget, Le gisement quaternaire de Tam Nang (Chaîne Annamitique septentrionale). Sa stratigraphie et ses faunes, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 203 (1938) 793–795.], as characterized by the presence of Ursus premalayanus, and the rarity of Pongo pygmaeus. Systematics and analysis of teeth show that this new assemblage is composed of archaic subspecies, characteristic of the Middle Pleistocene. The faunal composition suggests ecological conditions also found in other Pleistocene sites of the South-East-Asia mainland area. Finally, the analysis of the process of preservation and deposition enables a brief description of the taphonomy specific of karstic systems.

Keywords: Tam Hang; Laos; Karstic system; Pleistocene; South-East Asia mainland

Table 1 List of teeth from Tam Hang south

defined at the specific level by Christelle Tougard (CT), Pierre-Olivier Antoine (POA)
and Anne-Marie Bacon (AMB)

Anne-Marie Bacon, Fabrice Demeter, Christelle Tougard, John De Vos, Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, Pierre-Olivier Antoine, Bounheuang Bouasisengpaseuth, Phonephanh Sichanthongtip. 2008. The Discovery of a Pleistocene Fauna in Karstic Fills at Tam Hang in Laos: Preliminary Results. Comptes Rendus Palevol. 7(5); 277–288. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2008.03.009

ABSTRACT

Tam Hang, localisé dans le Nord-Est du Laos, dans la province de Hua Pan, est un site de référence, non seulement pour ses nombreux vestiges archéologiques et humains, mais aussi pour ses deux assemblages fauniques, dont le contenu suggère des âges différents dans le Pléistocène. Découvert en 1934 par Jacques Fromaget, son exploitation a été reprise en 2003. Lors de cette nouvelle campagne, nous avons extrait de l'épaisse couche de brèche calcaire qui affleurait massivement à Tam Hang sud, 575 dents isolées de mammifères. Cet assemblage correspond à celui qu'Arambourg et Fromaget [C. Arambourg, J. Fromaget, Le gisement quaternaire de Tam Nang (Chaîne Annamitique septentrionale). Sa stratigraphie et ses faunes, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 203 (1938) 793–795.] caractérisent par la présence d'Ursus premalayanus et par la rareté de Pongo pygmaeus. La détermination systématique et l'analyse des dents montrent que cet assemblage comprend plusieurs sous-espèces archaïques, typiques du Pléistocène moyen. La composition de la faune suggère des conditions écologiques que l'on retrouve également dans les autres sites pléistocènes d'Asie du Sud-Est continentale. Enfin, l'analyse des processus de conservation et de dépôt permet de rappeler brièvement quels sont les facteurs taphonomiques spécifiques des milieux karstiques.

Mots clés: Tam Hang; Laos; Milieu karstique; Pléistocène; Asie du Sud-Est continentale

Anne-Marie Bacon, Fabrice Demeter, Christelle Tougard, John De Vos, Thongsa Sayavongkhamdy, Pierre-Olivier Antoine, Bounheuang Bouasisengpaseuth, Phonephanh Sichanthongtip. 2008. Redécouverte d'une faune pléistocène dans les remplissages karstiques de Tam Hang au Laos : premiers résultats. Comptes Rendus Palevol. 7(5); 277–288. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2008.03.009

Western Pilbara Spiny-tailed Skink Egernia cygnitos, previously E. depressa

@Mt. Mcleod by Henry Cook http://flic.kr/p/9T2AYq

Egernia depressa is an extremely spiny species of scincid lizard that occurs in several populations with highly variable morphology in western Australia. Using a combination of ﬁxed morphological character differences and mitochondrial DNA sequence data, we found evidence for four species level groups within the complex. We restrict E. depressa to the log-inhabiting population from south-western Australia and resdescribe the species, and describe three new species from the aridzone: two from the Pilbara and one from the central ranges. In addition to the genetic differences, thespecies differ in head size, limb length, tail shape, colouration and scalation. Many of the morphological characters appear to be adaptations to log or rock-dwelling, with the log-dwelling E. depressa having brown colouration, large head, limbs and tail and long thin spines on the body and tail. The two Pilbara species are not each other’s closest relatives, yet they resemble each other the closest, probably owingto a suite of characters adapted for living in rock crevices such as yellow to reddish colouration, smaller head and limbs, narrower tail and short strong spines on the body and tail. The central ranges species appears to have a combination of characters from log and rock-dwelling forms and is the most isolated of the four species

KEYWORDS: new species, Egernia, skink, Australia, mitochondrial DNA.

East Pilbara Spiny-tailed Skink Egernia epsisolus, previous E. depressa

by Henry Cook http://flic.kr/p/9xGk5n

Paul Doughty, Luke Kealley and Stephen C. Donnellan. 2011. Revision of the Pygmy Spiny-tailed Skinks (Egernia depressa species-group) from Western Australia, with descriptions of three new species. RECORDS OF THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM. (2011); 115–137

academia.edu/2330640/Revision_of_the_Pygmy_Spiny-tailed_Skinks_Egernia_depressa_species-group_from_Western_Australia_with_descriptions_of_three_new_species

Kovařík. 1995. Review of Scorpionida from Thailand with descriptions of Thaicharmus mahunkai gen. et sp. n. and Lychas krali sp. n. (Buthidae). Acta Soc. Zool. Bohem. 59(3/4); 187-207.

http://www.factorioforums.com/scorpio/pdf/1995-Thailand.pdf

Huanhepterus quingyangensis

illustration: Marco A. Pineda bioimagen.deviantART.com

Abstract

A new pterosaur is described from the Zhidan Group in the Ordos Basin, Huanhepterus quingyangensis gen. et sp. nov. Its characters resemble those of Gnathosaurus from the Late Jurassic of Europe, thereby providing evidence for the age of the Huachihaunhe Fm. in the Zhidan Group.

Etymology: Genus name Huanhe, Pinyin Chinese for the Huanhe River, one of the larger tributaries of the Jinghe River in Eastern Gansu Province. The species name qingyang commemorates the county in which the locality occurs.

Dong, Z.-M. 1982. On a new Pterosauria (Huanhepterus quingyangensis gen.et. sp.nov.) from Ordos, China. Vertebrata Palasiatica. 20(2): 115-121. http://paleoglot.org/files/Dong_82.pdf

Torvosaurus gurneyi Hendrickx & Mateus 2014

illustration: Sergey Krasovskiy atrox1.deviantART.com

Abstract

The Lourinhã Formation (Kimmeridgian-Tithonian) of Central West Portugal is well known for its diversified dinosaur fauna similar to that of the Morrison Formation of North America; both areas share dinosaur taxa including the top predator Torvosaurus, reported in Portugal. The material assigned to the Portuguese T. tanneri, consisting of a right maxilla and an incomplete caudal centrum, was briefly described in the literature and a thorough description of these bones is here given for the first time. A comparison with material referred to Torvosaurus tanneri allows us to highlight some important differences justifying the creation of a distinct Eastern species.Torvosaurus gurneyi n. sp. displays two autapomorphies among Megalosauroidea, a maxilla possessing fewer than eleven teeth and an interdental wall nearly coincidental with the lateral wall of the maxillary body. In addition, it differs from T. tanneri by a reduced number of maxillary teeth, the absence of interdental plates terminating ventrally by broad V-shaped points and falling short relative to the lateral maxillary wall, and the absence of a protuberant ridge on the anterior part of the medial shelf, posterior to the anteromedial process. T. gurneyi is the largest theropod from the Lourinhã Formation of Portugal and the largest land predator discovered in Europe hitherto. This taxon supports the mechanism of vicariance that occurred in the Iberian Meseta during the Late Jurassic when the proto-Atlantic was already well formed. A fragment of maxilla from the Lourinhã Formation referred to Torvosaurus sp. is ascribed to this new species, and several other bones, including a femur, a tibia and embryonic material all from the Kimmeridgian-Tithonian of Portugal, are tentatively assigned to T.gurneyi. A standard terminology and notation of the theropod maxilla is also proposed and a record of the Torvosaurus material from Portugal is given.

Figure 5. Maxilla of Torvosaurus gurneyi (ML 1100) and comparison with T. tanneri.
Incomplete left maxilla of the holotype specimen of Torvosaurus gurneyi (ML 1100) in A, lateral; B, medial; C, ventral; D, dorsal; E, anterior; F, posterior views with details of G, Anterodorsal margin of jugal ramus in dorsomedial view; and H, Posterior part of jugal ramus in dorsal view. I–J, Anterior part of interdental wall of I, T. gurneyi; and J, T. tanneri (BYUVP 9122) in medial view. K–L, Anteromedial process of K, T. gurneyi; and L, T. tanneri (BYUVP 9122) in medial views.

Scale bars = 10 cm (A–H), 5 cm (G–L). doi: journal.pone.0088905.g004

Figure 4. Reconstruction of Torvosaurus gurneyi in lateral view.
A, Skeletal reconstruction of Torvosaurus gurneyi in lateral view illustrating, in red, the elements present in the holotype specimen (ML 1100) and, in blue, the elements tentatively assigned to this species

(artwork by Scott Hartman; drawing of man by Carol Abraczinskas).

B, Skull reconstruction of Torvosaurus gurneyi in lateral view illustrating the incomplete left maxilla (ML 1100) of the holotype specimen

(artwork by Simão Mateus). Scale bars = 1 m (A) and 10 cm (B).
doi: journal.pone.0088905.g004

Christophe Hendrickx and Octávio Mateus. 2014. Torvosaurus gurneyi n. sp., the Largest Terrestrial Predator from Europe, and a Proposed Terminology of the Maxilla Anatomy in Nonavian Theropods. PLoS ONE. 9(3): e88905. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0088905

http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/2014/03/torvosaurus-gurneyi.html

http://lusodinos.blogspot.com/2014/03/nova-especie-de-dinossauro-encontrado.html

Aborichthys waikhomiKosygin 2012

Locality: Namdapha, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Journal:Rec. Zool. Surv. India, 112 (Part-1) : 49-55.

Kosygin, L. 2012. Aborichthys waikhomi, A New Species of Fish (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. 112 (1): 49-55.

Animal Discoveries 2012 - A Summary

http://zsi.gov.in/right_menu/Animal_disc/Animal%20Discovery%202012.pdf

http://zsi.gov.in/archives/2013_e-News_2.pdf

Fig 1: Lateral (a) and ventral (b) views of a freshly preserved specimen of Aborichthys cataracta from Hong Village, Upper Subanshri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India
Fig 3: Type locality of Aborichthyscataracta, Hong Village, Upper Subanshri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT

The genus Aborichthys was described in 1913 from specimens in streams/rivers of Abor hills area of northeastern India during the Abor expedition 43. The type species was described as Aborichthys kempi. Since that time, three additional species have been added to the genus from northeastern India. These include A. garoensis from Darjiling, A. elongatus from Assam, and A. tikaderi from Arunachal Pradesh. Recently, our expeditions in Arunachal Pradesh have yielded many specimens of Aborichthys from the lower and upper Subanshri district that represents two additional new species to the genus. Herein, we describe Aborichthys cataracta and Aborichthys verticauda from this region and provide a taxonomic key for the genus based on the examination of all species known from India.

Key Words: Cypriniformes, Ballitoridae, Aborichthys, New Species, India

Fig 4: Lateral (a) and ventral (b) views of a freshly preserved specimen of Aborichthys verticauda collected 7 km from Hola camp, Lower Subanshri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

Arunachalam, M., Raja, M., Malaiammal, P. & Mayden, R.L. 2014. New species of Aborichthys (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Species. 7 (18): 33-47.

http://www.discovery.org.in/PDF_Files/s_071801.pdf

Figure 3. Distribution and altitudinal ranges of the sordidus and maximiliani species groups and P. fuscus.

doi:dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2007.0613

Abstract

The mechanisms underlying the taxonomic assembly of montane biotas are still poorly understood. Most hypotheses have assumed that the diversification of montane biotas is loosely coupled to Earth history and have emphasized instead the importance of multiple long-distance dispersal events and biotic interactions, particularly competition, for structuring the taxonomic composition and distribution of montane biotic elements. Here we use phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses of species in the parrot genus Pionus to demonstrate that standing diversity within montane lineages is directly attributable to events of Earth history. Phylogenetic relationships confirm three independent biogeographic disjunctions between montane lineages, on one hand, and lowland dry-forest/wet-forest lineages on the other. Temporal estimates of lineage diversification are consistent with the interpretation that the three lineages were transported passively to high elevations by mountain building, and that subsequent diversification within the Andes was driven primarily by Pleistocene climatic oscillations and their large-scale effects on habitat change. These results support a mechanistic link between diversification and Earth history and have general implications for explaining high altitudinal disjuncts and the origin of montane biotas.

Keywords: montane biotas, historical biogeography, speciation, diversification, Andes, Psittacidae

Figure 2. Distribution and altitudinal ranges of the menstruus, chalcopterus and tumultuosus species groups.

Camila C Ribas, Robert G Moyle, Cristina Y Miyaki and Joel Cracraft. 2007. The Assembly of Montane Biotas: Linking Andean Tectonics and Climatic Oscillations to Independent Regimes of Diversification in Pionus Parrots. Proc. R. Soc. B. 274(1624); 2399-2408. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2007.0613

A spotted wren-babbler, Elachura formosa

(previously Spelaeornis formosus) sings its distinctive song.

photo: Ramki Sreenivasan [doi: dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.1067]

Abstract

Analysis of one of the most comprehensive datasets to date of the largest passerine bird clade, Passerida, identified 10 primary well-supported lineages corresponding to Sylvioidea, Muscicapoidea, Certhioidea, Passeroidea, the ‘bombycillids’ (here proposed to be recognized as Bombycilloidea), Paridae/Remizidae (proposed to be recognized as Paroidea), Stenostiridae, Hyliotidae, Regulidae (proposed to be recognized as Reguloidea) and spotted wren-babbler Spelaeornis formosus. The latter was found on a single branch in a strongly supported clade with Muscicapoidea, Certhioidea and Bombycilloidea, although the relationships among these were unresolved. We conclude that the spotted wren-babbler represents a relict basal lineage within Passerida with no close extant relatives, and we support the already used name Elachura formosa and propose the new family name Elachuridae for this single species.

Keywords: Elachura formosa, old species, Passerida, Spelaeornis formosus, systematics

Spotted wren-babbler Elachura formosa (previously Spelaeornis formosus);
Wuyi Shan, Jiangxi, China, April 2013 (IOZ 18251)

doi: dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.1067

Figure 1: Distribution of the spotted wren-babbler, Elachura formosa

(formerly Spelaeornis formosus). Sampling localities indicated by dots. [doi: dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.1067]

Alström P., Hooper D.M., Liu Y., Olsson U., Mohan D., Gelang M., Hung L.M., Zhao J., Lei F. & Price T.D. 2014. Discovery of a Relict Lineage and Monotypic Family of Passerine Birds. Biology Letters. 10 (3) doi: dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2013.1067

What's old is new again: newly discovered songbird family is ancient | http://gu.com/p/3navv/tw via @guardian @GrrlScientist

New bird family discovered in Asia http://bbc.in/1c6SiNN

Adult male Leptobrachium kantonishikawai from Bario, Kelabit Highland of Sarawak, Northwestern Borneo

Four species of endemic Leptobrachium are known from Borneo, two lowland species L. kanowitense and L. abbotti, a montane species L. montanum, and a highland species L. gunungense. Of these, both L. montanum and L. abotti were found to contain several cryptic species by recent molecular studies. The population from Bario, Kelabit Highland of Sarawak, is one such cryptic species and was once called Lineage 2 of L. abbotti. Our morphological survey on this population proved that it has characteristics distinct from all other congeners, and therefore, we describe the Bario population as a new species, Leptobrachium kantonishikawai sp. nov. The new species is distinguished from putative topotypes of L. montanum and L. abbotti, as well as from L. gunungense by having a grayish brown abdomen, usually vermiculated, although sometimes spotted or blotched with white, and some unique morphometric characteristics.

Keywords: Leptobrachium abbotti, Leptobrachium montanum, cryptic species, Bario, Borneo

Hamidy A, Matsui M 2014. A New Species of Leptobrachium from the Kelabit Highland, Northwestern Borneo (Anura, Megophryidae). Curr Herpetol. 33(1): 57-67.

http://dx.doi.org/10.5358/hsj.33.57 | http://jstage.jst.go.jp/article/hsj/33/1/33_57

http://antaranews.com/berita/415538/spesies-katak-baru-dari-borneo

Fig. 2. A juvenile (+/- 0.7 m total length) Central African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) on a tree branch. Loango National Park, Gabon.

Abstract

Although arboreality in extinct crocodilians is frequently suggested, the climbing abilities of extant crocodilians have never been discussed in any detail in scientific literature. We present an overview of published and anecdotal information on climbing in extant crocodilians, as well as original observations on four species representing two crocodile genera. These data suggest that climbing behaviour is common among crocodilians and might have multiple functions. The fact that at least some extant crocodilians are capable of climbing arboreal vegetation despite lacking any obvious morphological adaptations for arboreality must be taken into account by paleontologists trying to elucidate behavioural clues from the morphology of fossil taxa.

Keywords: arboreality, Crocodylus, Mecistops, Australian freshwater crocodile, Nile crocodile, American crocodile, slender-snouted crocodile, American alligator

Fig. 1. A sub-adult American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) perching on a tree branch in Pearl River Delta, Mississippi.

Photo by Kristine Gingras

Fig. 2. A juvenile (+/- 0.7 m total length) Central African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) on a tree branch. Loango National Park, Gabon.

Vladimir Dinets, Adam Britton and Matthew Shirley. 2013. Climbing Behaviour in Extant Crocodilians. Herpetology Notes. 7: 3-7

http://www.herpetologynotes.seh-herpetology.org/Volume7_PDFs/Dinets_HerpetologyNotes_volume7_pages3-7.pdf

Abstract

Cyrtodactylus metropolis sp. nov. from Batu Caves massif, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia is differentiated from all congeners by having a unique suite of morphological and color pattern characteristics. Remarkably, this species has been overlooked despite a plethora of field studies at Batu Caves from 1898 to the present and no specimens had ever been examined until now. As with all other limestone forest-adapted Cyrtodactylus in Peninsular Malaysia, C. metropolis sp. nov. is not a cave-adapted species but is far more common on the exterior surfaces of the Batu Caves limestone massif and its surrounding limestone vegetation. We suggest that researchers devote time exploring the exterior surfaces of limestone massifs as well the interiors of their caves.

Keywords: new species, Cyrtodactylus, karst, limestone, conservation, endemic biodiversity, Batu Caves, Peninsular Malaysia

Grismer, Jesse L., JR. Perry L. wood, Chan K. Onn, Shahrul Anuar & MohD. A. Muin. 2014. Cyrts in the City: A New Bent-toed Gecko (Genus Cyrtodactylus) is the Only Endemic Species of Vertebrate from Batu Caves, Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. Zootaxa.3774(4): 381–394.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2014/f/z03774p394f.pdf

Koumpiodontosuchus aprosdokiti

Sweetman, Pedreira-Segade & Vidovic 2014
illustration: Mark Witton

A substantially complete skull of a small crocodyliform recently found on the foreshore near Yaverland on the south-east coast of the Isle of Wight, southern England is described. The locality, mode of preservation and associated matrix indicate that it is derived from one of the plant debris beds of the Lower Cretaceous Wessex Formation (Barremian, Wealden Group). The dentition, unique among crocodyliforms, serves to confirm that the specimen is referable to the, until now, monotypic family Bernissartiidae Dollo, 1883. Apomorphies, including placement of the choana and disposition of cranial sutures demonstrate that the Isle of Wight skull cannot be referred to Bernissartia fagesii Dollo, 1883, known from contemporaneous strata. Furthermore, these characters indicate that the specimen should not be referred to a new species of Bernissartia. Uniquely among non-eusuchian neosuchian crocodyliforms, the choana appears to be bounded entirely by the pterygoids, although occupying an extreme anterior position within them. The specimen is therefore placed in a new genus and species, Koumpiodontosuchus aprosdokiti. The systematic position of Bernissartiidae, and characters used to diagnose Eusuchia are discussed.

Key words: Eusuchia, Neosuchia, Bernissartiidae, crocodyliform, Barremian, Wealden, Cretaceous, England.

Systematic Palaeontology

Superorder Crocodylomorpha Hay, 1930

Order Crocodyliformes Hay, 1930

Suborder Mesoeucrocodylia Whetstone and Whybrow, 1983

Infraorder Neosuchia Benton and Clark, 1988

Family Bernissartiidae Dollo, 1883

Genus Koumpiodontosuchus nov.

Etymology: From Greek κουμπί, button, οδοντωτός, toothed, in reference to the characteristic button-shaped posterior teeth, ancient Greek σοΰχος, for the Egyptian crocodile-headed god Sobek

Koumpiodontosuchus aprosdokiti sp. nov.

Etymology: From Greek απροσδόκητη, unexpected, in reference to the unexpected fortuity of recovery of the rostral part of the specimen and the unexpected conclusions with regard to its taxonomic status.

Steven C. Sweetman, Ulysse Pedreira-Segade, and Steven Vidovic. 2014. A new bernissartiid crocodyliform from the Lower Cretaceous Wessex Formation (Wealden Group, Barremian) of the Isle of Wight, southern England. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. in press.

doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4202/app.00038.2013

Skull fragments reveal new ancient crocodile species

Two fossilised skull fragments from a 2ft (60cm) crocodile found on the Isle of Wight point to the discovery of a new ancient species, a study has found.

......

http://bbc.com/news/uk-england-26519396

Abstract

It has been hypothesized that the pronounced differences of stegosaur humeral shapes, with large forms having more slender and small forms having more robust humeri, may be explained by a difference in relative centre of mass (COM) placement caused by differing distributions of osteoderms. To test this hypothesis, digital 3-D models of the bones and osteoderms of the Tanzanian stegosaur Kentrosaurus aethiopicus and of the North American stegosaur Stegosaurus armatus were used to create a 3-D computer-aided design life reconstruction. On these models osteoderm placement was varied drastically, recreating both existing and hypothetical forms. These models show that COM position varies somewhat with realistic osteoderm distributions, but insufficiently to explain major differences in humeral shape. The uniform weight distribution between forelimbs and hindlimbs found between the two taxa also casts doubt on the hypothesis that differences in relative COM position caused by other factors than osteoderm distribution can explain differences in humeral robustness.

H. Mallison. 2014. Osteoderm Distribution has Low Impact on the Centre of Mass of stegosaurs. Foss. Rec. 17, 33-39 doi: dx.doi.org/10.5194/fr-17-33-2014 | www.foss-rec.net/17/33/2014

The taxonomy of the South-east Asian catfish genus Acrochordonichthys (Akysidae) is revised.The shapes of the snout, humeral process and adipose fins are diagnostic species characters. Only four out of 11 species and one sub-species described prior to this study are considered valid, namely A. rugosus (Bleeker, 1847), A. ischnosoma Bleeker, 1858, A. chamaeleon (Vaillant, 1902), and A. pachyderma Vaillant, 1902. An additional five new species (A. guttatus, A. septentrionalis, A. mahakamensis, A. strigosus and A. falcifer) are described.

Keywords: Akysidae; Acrochordonichthys; South-east Asia; taxonomy

Ng, H. H.; Ng, P. K. L. 2001. A Revision of the akysid Catfish genus Acrochordonichthys Bleeker. Journal of Fish Biology 58 (2): 386–418. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.2001.tb02260.x

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/75446/j.1095-8649.2001.tb02260.x.pdf

ขยุยยักษ์พรหมพิราม
Acrochordonichthys gyrinus Vidthayanon & Ng, 2003

photo: siamensis.org

Acrochordonichthys gyrinus, a new species of akysid catfish belonging to the A. ischnosoma species group, is described from the Chao Phraya River drainage in Thailand. It can be distinguished from congeners by a concave posterior margin of the pectoral fin and the unique combination of the following characteristics: head depth 9.8–11.4% SL; dorsal to adipose distance 7.4–8.6% SL; body depth at anus 8.3–10.5% SL; maximum width of humeral process 16.3% its length; and anterior margin of anal fin and posterior margin of adipose fin straight. This species represents the northernmost distribution of the genus.

Key words: Akysidae, catfish, Yom River, Chao Phraya drainage

Vidthayanon, Chavalit; Ng, Heok Hee. 2003. Acrochordonichthys gyrinus, A New Species of akysid Catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Thailand. Zootaxa 183: 1–7.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2003f/z00183f.pdf

http://www.fisheries.go.th/it-database/fish/product.php?CatID=16

Parakysis notialis

Ng & Kottelat 2003

Abstract

Parakysis notialis sp. nov. is described from the Barito River drainage in southern Borneo. It can be distinguished from congeners in having a unique combination of the following characters: head length 26.5–27.0% SL, conical head, presence of median concavity on margin of lower lip, presence of laterosensory canal pore between inner and outer mandibular barbels, branched outer mandibular barbels, branches of inner mandibular barbels separated, deeply forked caudal ﬁn with pointed lobes, 5 pectoral ﬁn rays, 10 branched principal caudal ﬁn rays, sparsely pigmented caudal ﬁn, and absence of light brown saddle from base of posteriormost dorsal ﬁn ray to caudal peduncle.

Key words:Parakysis · Akysidae · New species · Borneo

Ng, Heok Hee; Kottelat, Maurice. 2003. Parakysis notialis, A New Species of akysid Catfish from Borneo (Siluriformes: Akysidae). Ichthyol. Res. 50: 48–51. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1007/s102280300006

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/42446/30500048.pdf

Abstract

The smooth-backed parachute gecko, Ptychozoon lionotum is reported from the mainland India for the ﬁrst time. The nearest known previous record was from Pegu, Myanmar, about 700 km southeast of the previous location. The species was collected in Langtlai and seen in the Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary, both in south Mizoram. The collected individual was kept in captivity for four and a half months. during this time, opportunistic observations on activity pattern, food habits, escape and parachuting behavior were made. Both individuals showed slow, deliberate pre-escape movement previously unrecorded for Ptychozoon. Information on morphological characters and morphometric measurements is presented. Explanations for the disjunct distribution are discussed.

Key words: Reptilia, Gekkonidae, Ptychozoon, parachute gecko, Northeast India, Myanmar, distribution,

biogeography, behavior

Pawar, Samraat S. and Sayantan Biswas. 2001. First Record of the Smooth-Backed Parachute Gecko Ptychozoon lionotum Annandale 1905 from the Indian Mainland. Asiatic Herpetological Research. 9; 101–106.

http://home.uchicago.edu/~samraat/pubs/1084.First_Record.pdf

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[Ichthyology • 2001] A Revision of the akysid Catfish genus Acrochordonichthys Bleeker (Teleostei: Siluriformes) of the South-east Asia

[Ichthyology • 2003] ปลาขยุยยักษ์พรหมพิราม Acrochordonichthys gyrinus • A New Species of akysid Catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes) from Yom River, Chao Phraya drainage, Thailand

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[Herpetology • 2001] First Record of the Smooth-Backed Parachute Gecko Ptychozoon lionotum Annandale 1905 from the Indian Mainland