[Botany • 2015] Lysimachia huangsangensis • A New Species (Primulaceae) from Hunan, China

December 21, 2016, 1:39 am

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Lysimachia huangsangensis  J.J. Zhou, X.L. Yu & Y.F. Deng   DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132713

Abstract

A new species, Lysimachia huangsangensis (Primulaceae), from Hunan, China is described and illustrated. The new species is closely related to L. carinata because of the crested calyx, but differs in the leaf blades that are ovate to elliptic and (3–)4.5–9 × 2–3.4 cm, 2–5-flowered racemes, and the calyx lobes that are ovate-lanceolate and 5–6 × 3–4 mm. The systematic placement and conservation status are also discussed.

Fig 2. Lysimachia huangsangensis. A. Flowering branch; B. Fruiting branch; C. Calyx and pistile; D. Flower; E. Equatorial view of pollen grain; F. Polar view of pollen grain; G. Seed; H. Ornamentation of seed surface. IL inner layer of the seed coat; OL outer layer of the seed coat. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132713

Diagnosis: The new species is similar to Lysimachia carinata Y.I. Fang & C.Z. Zheng, but differs in ovate to elliptic and (3–)4.5–9 × 2–3.4 cm (versus broadly ovate to ovate and 1.5–2.5 × 1–2 cm), the 2–5-flowered racemes (versus 1–2-flowered) and the calyx lobes that are ovate-lanceolate and 5–6 ×3–4 mm (versus linear-lanceolate and ca. 4 × 1 mm).

Etymology: The epithet “huangsangensis” is derived from the type locality, Huangsang Natural Reserve, Suining Xian, Hunan Province, China.

Jian-Jun Zhou, Xun-Lin Yu, Yun-Fei Deng, Hai-Fei Yan and Zhe-Li Lin.  2015. Lysimachia huangsangensis (Primulaceae), A New Species from Hunan, China. 

PLoS ONE. 10(7); e0132713. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132713

      

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[Herpetology • 2016] Redescription and Range Extension of Microhyla sholigari Dutta & Ray (Anura: Microhylidae) from South West India

December 21, 2016, 7:42 am

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male  Microhyla sholigari from Bisle DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4208.6.3

Abstract

Microhyla sholigari is an endangered frog described in the year 2000. The original description was based on non-adult types and lacked information on several morphological characters, call structure, genetic material and photographs of the animal in life. The absence of such information posed challenges in field identification of this species. Since the original description, there is one other reported sighting of this species from Kerala in 2001. We encountered specimens that we confer to this species based on morphological similarity to the subadult holotype, from several new localities within and outside the Western Ghats of Karnataka. We here redescribe the species based on additional adult vouchers, provide molecular data, describe the advertisement call and report a range extension. Based on its current distribution, we assess the threat status of the species and suggest listing it as Least Concern according to IUCN Red List criteria. Our paper bridges an important gap in the knowledge of the genus Microhyla in India and highlights the importance of systematic surveys in documenting and understanding amphibian diversity in the region.

Keywords: Amphibia, IUCN Red List; range extension; Western Ghats, acoustics; morphology, integrative taxonomy

Seshadri, K. S., H. Priti, G. Ravikanth, M. K. Vidisha, K. K. Vineeth, Ramit Singal, R. R. Sarma, N. A. Aravind and Kotambylu V. Gururaja. 2016. Redescription and Range Extension of Microhyla sholigari Dutta & Ray (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from South West India.
 Zootaxa. 4208(6); 547–560.  DOI:   10.11646/zootaxa.4208.6.3

[Ichthyology • 2016] Tosanoides obama • A New Basslet (Perciformes, Percoidei, Serranidae) from Deep Coral Reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

December 21, 2016, 8:10 am

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Tosanoides obama  Pyle, Greene & Kosaki, 2016   DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.641.11500

Abstract

The new species Tosanoides obama is described from two specimens collected at a depth of 90–92 m off Kure Atoll and Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. It differs from the other two species of this genus in life color and in certain morphological characters, such as number of pored lateral-line scales, pectoral-fin rays, snout length, anterior three dorsal-fin spine lengths, dorsal-fin profile, and other characters. There are also substantial genetic differences from the other two species of Tosanoides (d ≈ 0.10 in mtDNA cytochrome oxidase I). The species is presently known only from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands within the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

Keywords:  Mesophotic Coral Ecosystem, Closed-Circuit Rebreather, Endemic, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, President Obama

Figure 1. Holotype of Tosanoides obama (BPBM 41315), collected at a depth of 90 m off Kure Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Photo by R. L. Pyle.

Diagnosis:  A species of Tosanoides (sensu Katayama & Masuda, 1980) distinguished by the following combination of characters: fourth or fifth dorsal spine the longest, dorsal-fin soft rays 17; anal-fin soft rays 8; pored lateral-line scales 33 or 34; head 2.9–3.0 in SL; body depth 2.8–2.9 in SL; color in life pink or yellowish pink on head and body, slightly darker dorsally fading ventrally; snout and region immediately dorsal to eye bright yellow, with a thin bright yellow band extending dorsally on either side of nape; a thin bright yellow horizontal stripe extending horizontally from posterior middle edge of eye posteriorly across most of operculum, continuing as a series of irregular oblong spots on midline of body from just posterior to gill opening to a point approximately one-fourth to one-half of pectoral fin; a second thin bright yellow stripe extending posteriorly from lower jaw across maxilla just ventral to eye and continuing horizontally across operculum and base of pectoral fin; dorsal fin pink or yellowish pink with darker pink regions on membranes, and a bright magenta margin extending from tip of first dorsal fin posteriorly on anterior half of soft dorsal fin; males with a large circular ocellate spot covering posterior one-third of soft dorsal fin, bluish magenta on perimeter and dark red with faint yellow stripes centrally; anal and pelvic fins magenta or yellow; caudal fin translucent yellow, more pale and translucent medially and distally, with bright magenta margins extending along margins of both lobes.

Figure 4. Holotype of Tosanoides obama (upper left) alongside presumed female (lower right, not collected) immediately prior to collection of the holotype, at a depth of 90 m off Kure Atoll, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Both fish retreated into the same hole moments after this image was captured. Cropped frame from video by R. L. Pyle.

Etymology:  We name this species obama (a noun in apposition) in honor of Barack H. Obama, 44th President of the United States, in recognition of his efforts to protect and preserve the natural environment, particularly through his decision to expand the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument several weeks after the discovery of this new species.

Discussion

Tosanoides obama is another example of several new fish species that have been discovered on deep coral reefs over the past several decades, mostly involving the use of modern mixed-gas closed-circuit rebreather diving technology (Pyle 1996, 2000). In recent years there has been increased attention focused on mesophotic coral ecosystems (MCEs), coral-reef habitat at depths of approximately 30–150 m in tropical regions worldwide (Hinderstein et al. 2010, Baker et al. 2016). Many more new species of fishes and other reef-associated marine organisms are likely to be discovered as a result of continued exploratory work in this poorly documented environment.

The fish subfamily Anthiinae (Anthiadides Poey, 1861, type genus Anthias Bloch, 1792, stem Anthi-), is a homonym of the beetle subfamily Anthiinae (Anthies Bonelli, 1813, type genus Anthia Weber, 1801, stem Anthi-). According to Article 55.3 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999), homonymous family-group names in current use based on similar (but not identical) genus-group names must be referred to the Commission for a ruling to remove homonymy. A case is currently in preparation to formally resolve this homonymy through application to the ICZN. Until an Opinion is issued, we follow van der Laan et al. (2014, 2016) and Carvalho-Filho (2016) in using the spelling “Anthiadinae” to represent the subfamily for this new species, instead of the more commonly used (but homonymous) spelling “Anthiinae”.

Richard L. Pyle, Brian D. Greene and Randall K. Kosaki. 2016. Tosanoidesobama, A New Basslet (Perciformes, Percoidei, Serranidae) from Deep Coral Reefs in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. ZooKeys 641: 165-181. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.641.11500

[Entomology • 2016] Pamphagidae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) from the Palaearctic Region: Taxonomy, Classification, Keys to Genera and A Review of the Tribe Nocarodeini I.Bolívar

December 21, 2016, 8:30 pm

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2016] Revision of the Family Chasmocarcinidae Serène, 1964 (Brachyura, Goneplacoidea)

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Nocaracris idrisi  (Karabağ, 1953)    DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4206.1.1

 Abstract

The very rich material of Palaearctic Pamphagidae preserved in the collections including the type specimens of all taxa, the historical unidentified specimens and newly collected material have been studied. 58 genera and 295 species and subspecies are listed. The higher classification of the family is reviewed mainly based on the male phallic complex as well as the traditional and some new external characters. The tribe Haplotropiidini is transferred to the subfamily Thrinchinae. Previously synonymized subfamily Tropidaucheninae is validated as an independent tribe of Pamphaginae. The tribe Nocarodeini is taxonomically reviewed except the genus Bufonocarodes Mistshenko. The male phallic complex is also used as one of the main characters in decisions of the genus group taxa. The following 10 genera are synonymized: Pseudotmethis Bey-Bienko, 1948 and Paratmethis Zheng & He, 1996 (with Filchnerella Karny, 1908), Sinotmethis Bey-Bienko, 1959 and Kanotmethis Yin, 1994 (with Beybienkia Tsyplenkov, 1956), Paktia Pfadt, 1970 (with Mistshenkoella Cejchan, 1969), Pseudosavalania Demirsoy, 1973 (with Paranocarodes I. Bolívar, 1912), Nocaropsis Ramme, 1951 (with Paranothrotes Mistshenko, 1951), Paranocaracris Mistshenko, 1951 and Oronothrotes Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocaracris Uvarov, 1928) and Savalania Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocarodes Fischer von Waldheim, 1846). The genera Mistshenkoella Cejchan and Cryptonothrotes La Greca are proposed as subgenera of Saxetania Mistshenko. The following genera are divided: Eremocharis Saussure into 4 species groups, Paranocarodes I. Bolívar into 2 species groups, Paranothrotes Mistshenko into 4 species groups, Nocaracris Uvarov into 7 species groups and NocarodesFischer von Waldheim into 4 species groups. The following 24 species and subspecies are synonymized: Tmethis cinerascus cyanipes Werner, 1939 [with Eremopeza angusta (Uvarov, 1934)], Iranotmethis cyanipennis cyanipes Bey-Bienko, 1951 [with Iranotmethis cyanipennis iranicus (Werner, 1939)], Eremocharis granulosa roseipes Uvarov, 1943 [with Eremocharis granulosa granulosa (Walker, 1871)], Eremocharis subsulcata minor Cejchan, 1969 (with Eremocharis maior Ramme, 1952), Asiotmethis limbatus motasi Ramme, 1951 [with Asiotmethis limbatus (Charpentier, 1845)], Tropidauchen marginatum Bolívar, 1912 (with Tropidauchen escalerai Bolívar, 1912), Paranocarodes straubei serratus Uvarov, 1949, Paranocarodes straubei insularis Ramme, 1951 and Paranocarodes fieberi mytilenensis Ramme, 1951 [with Paranocarodes fieberi (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882)], Paranocarodes atympanicus Ramme, 1951 (with Paranocarodes tolunayi tolunayi Ramme, 1949), Paranocarodes cilicicus Ramme, 1951 (with Paranocarodes lubricus Mistshenko, 1951), Paranothrotes opacus hakkariana Demirsoy, 1973 [with Paranothrotes opacus opacus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882)], Paranothrotes tenuicornis sordidus Mistshenko, 1951 and Paranothrotes iranicus (Ramme, 1951) (with Paranothrotes tenuicornis Mistshenko, 1951), Paranothrotes elbursianus (Ramme, 1951) [with Paranothrotes demawendi (Ramme, 1951)], Paranocarodes aserbeidshanicus Ramme, 1951 [with Paranothrotes margaritae (Miram, 1938)], Nocaracris burri obscurata Ramme, 1951 [with Nocaracris furvus furvus (Mistshenko, 1951)], Paranocaracris rimansonae ventosus Mistshenko, 1951 [with Nocaracris rimansonae (Uvarov, 1918)], Paranocaracris rigidus Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocaracris tauricolus Ramme, 1951), Nocaracris cyanipes tristis Ramme, 1951 [with Nocaracris cyanipes (Motschulsky, 1846)], Nocarodes armenus Ramme, 1951 (with Nocarodes serricollis Fischer von Waldheim, 1846), Nocarodes specialis Mistshenko, 1951 [with Nocarodes iranicus (Werner, 1939)], Nocarodes gibbosus Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocarodes humerosus Mistshenko, 1951), Nocarodes urmianus carinatus Mistshenko, 1951 (with Nocarodes urmianus Ramme, 1939). 

One new genus in the tribe Nocarodeini, Turkanocaracris Ünal gen. nov., and the following 29 new species and subspecies in four tribes are described: Eremopeza soltanii Ünal, sp. nov., Eremopeza kashmirensis Ünal, sp. nov., Eremocharis subsulcata beccalonii Ünal, ssp. nov., Orchamus massai Ünal, sp. nov., Paracinipe suezensis Ünal & Massa, sp. nov., Saxetania (Mistshenkoella) gorochovi Ünal, sp. nov., Paranocarodes anatoliensis anamas Ünal, ssp. nov., Paranothrotes buzuldagi Ünal, sp. nov., Paranothrotes dentatus Ünal, sp. nov., Paranothrotes eximius bitlis Ünal, ssp. nov., Paranothrotes siirt Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris furvus kazdagi Ünal, ssp. nov., Nocaracris istanbul Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris tunceli Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris tardus Ünal, Bugrov & Jetybayev, sp. nov., Nocaracris emirdagi Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris cejchani Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris judithae Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris minutus Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris karadagi Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris palandoken Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris monticolus Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris van Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris dilekensis Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris karshitoros Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris goektepe Ünal, sp. nov., Nocaracris crassipes Ünal, sp. nov., Turkanocaracris levigatus Ünal, sp. nov., Turkanocaracris davisi Ünal, sp. nov. 

Lectotypes are designated for the following 12 species: Strumiger desertorum desertorum Zubovski, 1896, Ocnerosthenus brunnerianus (Saussure, 1887), Orchamus gracilis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882), Saxetania iranicum (Werner, 1939) [syn. of Saxetania (s.str.) cultricolle (Saussure, 1887)], Paranocarodes straubei (Fieber, 1853), Paranocarodes fieberi (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1882), Paranothrotes shelkovnikovi (Uvarov, 1918), Paranothrotes nigripes (Stshelkanovtzev, 1916), Eunothrotes derjugini Adelung, 1907, Nocaracris rimansonae (Uvarov, 1918), Nocaracris tridentatus (Stshelkanovtzev, 1916) and Araxiana woronowi (Uvarov, 1918). Many species are given in new combinations and new statuses. Some taxa are proposed as reverted combinations, reverted statuses, reverted genera, species and subspecies. Nomenclatural problems are discussed under the relevant taxa. The authorship of 4 species are discussed and changed as follow: Eremopeza festiva (I. Bolívar, 1884), Paranocarodes tolunayi tolunayi Ramme, 1949, Nocaracris rubripes (Motschulsky, 1846), Nocaracris cyanipes (Motschulsky, 1846).

 Identification keys for subfamilies, tribes and genera (except the N. African and European genera of Pamphagini) and for each level of the tribe Nocarodeini are prepared. This study is also a review of the Pamphagidae species of Turkey. Therefore all Turkish species are studied in detail except the two genera recently revised by the author, Glyphotmethis Bey-Bienko and Asiotmethis Uvarov. Geographically this paper includes all Pamphagidae species of the following countries and regions: Bulgaria, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Armenia, Georgia, Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Greece (except one species), Lebanon (except two species), Arabian Peninsula (except one species), Afghanistan (except some Saxetania) and Iran (except some Saxetania and Tropidauchen). In addition, 848 original figures including 10 distributional maps are provided.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Pamphagidae, systematics, nomenclature, revision, new genus, new species and subspecies, synonyms, tribes, genera, species groups, Asia, Europe, North Africa, Caucasia, Middle East, Fore Asia, Turkey

 Mustafa Ünal. 2016.  Pamphagidae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea) from the Palaearctic Region: Taxonomy, Classification, Keys to Genera and A Review of the Tribe Nocarodeini I.Bolívar. 

Zootaxa. 4206(1); 1–223. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4206.1.1

[Crustacea • 2016] Revision of the Family Chasmocarcinidae Serène, 1964 (Brachyura, Goneplacoidea)

December 21, 2016, 10:55 pm

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Angustopelta aurita  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4209.1.1

Abstract

The family Chasmocarcinidae Serène, 1964, is revised based on the examination of the type material of many of its species as well as unidentified and previously identified material from around the world. The revised family now consists of three subfamilies comprising 16 genera (including eight described as new) and 51 species (including 19 described as new). 

The subfamily Chasmocarciinae Serène, 1964, consists of Amboplax n. gen. with one species; Angustopelta n. gen. with four species, two of which are new; Camatopsis Alcock & Anderson, 1899, with six species, five of which are new; Chasmocarcinops Alcock, 1900, with one species; Chasmocarcinus Rathbun, 1898, with 11 species, one of which is new; Chinommatia n. gen. with five species, two of which are new; Deltopelta n. gen. with one species; Hephthopelta Alcock, 1899, with two species, one of which is new; Microtopsis Komai, Ng & Yamada, 2012, with two species, one of which is new; Notopelta n. gen. with one species; Statommatia n. gen. with five species, two of which are new; and Tenagopelta n. gen. with three species, two of which are new.

 The subfamily Megaesthesiinae Števčić, 2005, consists of Alainthesius n. gen. with two species, both of which are new; Megaesthesius Rathbun, 1909, with four species, one of which is new. 

The subfamily Trogloplacinae Guinot, 1986, consists of Australocarcinus Davie, 1988, with three species, and Trogloplax Guinot, 1986, with one species. A neotype is selected for Chasmocarcinus cylindricus Rathbun, 1901. Three nominal species were found to be junior subjective synonyms of other species: Chasmocarcinus panamensis Serène, 1964, of C. longipes Garth, 1940; Chasmocarcinus rathbuni Bouvier, 1917, of C. typicus Rathbun, 1898; and Hephthopelta superba Boone, 1927, of Deltopelta obliqua (Rathbun, 1898).

Thirteen chasmocarcinid genera are exclusively found in the Indo-West Pacific region, one (Chasmocarcinus) in both the Western Atlantic and Tropical Eastern Pacific regions, and two (Deltopelta n. gen. and Amboplax n. gen.) exclusively in the Western Atlantic. Chasmocarcinids are remarkable for occurring from depths exceeding 1000 m to shallow water and completely freshwater habitats: chasmocarcinines and megaesthesiines are found from shallow to deep water marine ecosystems, whereas trogloplacines live in freshwater streams, including cave systems.

Keywords: Crustacea, biogeography, ecology, new genera, new species, systematics

Peter K.L. Ng and Peter Castro. 2016. Revision of the Family Chasmocarcinidae Serène, 1964 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Goneplacoidea). Zootaxa. 4209(1); 1–182. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4209.1.1

[Ornithology • 2017] Improved Sampling at the Subspecies Level Solves A Taxonomic Dilemma - A Case Study of Two Enigmatic Chinese Tit Species (Passeriformes, Paridae, Poecile)

December 22, 2016, 12:39 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2016] Syzygium sirindhorniae • A New Species (Myrtaceae) from northern Thailand

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DOI:  10.1016/j.ympev.2016.12.014

Highlights

• Increased density of subspecific taxon sampling and complementary biometric analysis clarifies sister species relationships in tits.

• Our genetic assignment of type specimens proves a sister group relationship between P. weigoldicus and P. montanus.

• We refute the hypothesis of a close relationship between P. montanus and P. hypermelaenus who is sister to P. palustris.

• Haplotype distribution suggests mitochondrial introgression among P. hypermelaenus and Eastern Palearctic P. palustris.

• P. songarus is paraphyletic and treatment as a separate species does not conform to various species concepts.

• Patterns of biometric and genetic differentiation are congruent in P. palustris but not in P. montanus.

Abstract

A recent full species-level phylogeny of tits, titmice and chickadees (Paridae) has placed the Chinese endemic black-bibbed tit (Poecile hypermelaenus) as the sister to the Palearctic willow tit (P. montanus). Because this sister-group relationship is in striking disagreement with the traditional affiliation of P. hypermelaenus close to the marsh tit (P. palustris) we tested this phylogenetic hypothesis in a multi-locus analysis with an extended taxon sampling including sixteen subspecies of willow tits and marsh tits. As a taxonomic reference we included type specimens in our analysis. The molecular genetic study was complemented with an analysis of biometric data obtained from museum specimens. Our phylogenetic reconstructions, including a comparison of all GenBank data available for our target species, clearly show that the genetic lineage previously identified as P. hypermelaenus actually refers to P. weigoldicus because sequences were identical to that of a syntype of this taxon. The close relationship of P. weigoldicus and P. montanus– despite large genetic distances between the two taxa – is in accordance with current taxonomy and systematics. In disagreement with the previous phylogenetic hypothesis but in accordance with most taxonomic authorities, all our P. hypermelaenus specimens fell in the sister clade of all western and eastern Palearctic P. palustris. Though shared haplotypes among the Chinese populations of the two latter species might indicate mitochondrial introgression in this part of the breeding range, further research is needed here due to the limitations of our own sampling.

Keywords: Poecilehypermelaenus; Poecile weigoldicus; multi-locus phylogeny; phylogeography; DNA barcoding

(A) Genetic and morphological diversification in willow tits and allies; distribution of COI barcode haplotypes from the minimum spanning network; colours indicate distinct haplotype clusters; drawings, K. Rehbinder, Mainz

(A) Genetic and morphological diversification in willow tits and allies; distribution of COI barcode haplotypes from the minimum spanning network; colours indicate distinct haplotype clusters; drawings, K. Rehbinder, Mainz; (B) multilocus phylogeny (ND2, myoglobin, ODC) of Poecile tits, colours of willow tit clades according to mtDNA lineages shown in (A); (C) type specimen of Parus weigoldicus Kleinschmidt 1921, toe pad tissue used for genetic analysis.

 Christian Tritsch, Jochen Martens, Yue-Hua Sun, Wieland Heim, Patrick Strutzenberger and Martin Päckert. 2017. Improved Sampling at the Subspecies Level Solves A Taxonomic Dilemma - A Case Study of Two Enigmatic Chinese Tit Species (Aves, Passeriformes, Paridae, Poecile) Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press. DOI:  10.1016/j.ympev.2016.12.014

     

[Botany • 2016] Syzygium sirindhorniae • A New Species (Myrtaceae) from northern Thailand

December 22, 2016, 4:11 pm

≫ Next: [Botany • 2015] Acranthera burmanica • A New Species of Rubiaceae from Kachin State, Myanmar

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Syzygium sirindhorniae  Chantar., Suksathan & M.Wongnak    DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.289.2.10

Abstract

A new species,Syzygium sirindhorniae, from Thailand, is described, illustrated and compared with Syzygium bokoense. This species is known from a restricted locality in northern Thailand which is within a protected area. A conservation status of Near Threatened (NT) is merited.

Keywords: Eudicots, IUCN, endemic, taxonomy

Syzygium sirindhorniae Chantar., Suksathan & M.Wongnak DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.289.2.10

Distribution and ecology:— Endemic to Thailand and known only from the type locality in Chiang Mai. The species is scattered on vertical cliffs in open pine-oak forest at 1,600–1,700 m elev.

 Phenology:— Flowering between December–March. Fruiting between May–June.

 Etymology:— The specific epithet is given in honour of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand who has long been interested in botanical diversity. She has initiated the Plant Genetic Conservation Project [RSPG] under The Royal Initiative of H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

 Vernacular name:— Rat-Cha-Rat (name given by H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn).

Pranom Chantaranothai, Piyakaset Suksathan and Methee Wongnak. 2016. Syzygium sirindhorniae (Myrtaceae), A New Species from Thailand. 

Phytotaxa.   289(2); 193–196. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.289.2.10

[Botany • 2015] Acranthera burmanica • A New Species of Rubiaceae from Kachin State, Myanmar

December 23, 2016, 6:42 am

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Acranthera burmanica  Y. H. Tan & B. Yang  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.238.1.5

Abstract

Acranthera burmanica, a new species of Rubiaceae from Kachin, Myanmar, is here described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to A. sinensis, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by its stem and branches densely strigose throughout; ovate leaves; calyx distinctly shorter than corolla tube, lobes lanceolate, apex attenuate; stipules triangular, apex acute not cuspidate; lower part of filaments connate into a tube.

Keywords: Acranthera, biodiversity, Kachin, morphology, Myanmar, taxonomy, Eudicots

Acranthera burmanicaA. Habit. B. Stipule and Flower branch. C. Peduncle. D, F. Bracts. E. Flower bud. G. Inforescences. H. Corolla (adaxial view). I. Calyx. J. Opened corolla. K–L. Stamens. M. Pistil. N–P. Ovary portion. Photographed by Yun-Hong Tan.  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.238.1.5

Acranthera burmanica Y. H. Tan & B. Yang, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:Acranthera burmanica is similar to A. sinensis C. Y. Wu (1957:295), differing from the latter by its stem and branches densely strigose throughout (vs. glabrescent when aged); ovate to ovate-lanceolate leaves (vs. elliptic or obovate); calyx distinctly shorter than corolla tube (vs. equal to corolla tube), calyx lobes lanceolate (vs. linear-lanceolate), apex attenuate (vs. acuminate); stipules triangular, apex acute not cuspidate (vs. broadly ovate to triangular, glabrescent, cuspidate); lower part of filaments connate into a tube (vs. free).

Distribution:— Acranthera burmanica is endemic to Myanmar and known from Kachin State, Putao, where it grows in the understory in tropical rain forests and tropical mountain forests, at an elevation of ca. 900–1500 m.

Yun-Hong TAN, Bin YANG, Jian-Wu LI, Shi-Shun ZHOU, Shwelone Shwelone, Kyi Kyi Khaing, Ren LI, Jian-Ping HUANG and Hang SUN. 2015. Acranthera burmanica, A New Species of Rubiaceae from Kachin State, Myanmar. Phytotaxa.  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.238.1.5

http://m.extbg.cas.cn/conservationhorticulture/201512/t20151221_157678.html

       

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[Botany • 2016] Kericodon (Campanulaceae s.s.), A New Monotypic Wahlenbergioid Genus from South Africa

December 25, 2016, 7:56 am

≫ Next: [Botany • 2016] Nepenthes krabiensis • A New Species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from Thailand

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Fig. 5: Kericodon crispus in situ on flats near Clanwilliam. photo: Christopher N. Cupido.  DOI: 10.1007/s12225-016-9671-4

Summary

Evidence is presented to support the exclusion of Prismatocarpus crispus from Prismatocarpus and placing it in a new monotypic genus, Kericodon. It is distinct from Prismatocarpus in its annual growth form, three or rarely two or four pairs of style glands, capsule dehiscence via numerous longitudinal segments not corresponding to the calyx lobes, pericarp sclerenchyma arranged in discrete bundles and a rugose-like Type 1E seed coat sculpturing pattern. The closely related P. hildebrandtii is placed in synonymy with Kericodon crispus.

Key Words: New taxon; pericarp anatomy; Prismatocarpus crispus; seed coat; Wahlenbergia; Western Cape

Kericodon Cupido gen. nov. 

Type: Kericodon crispus (L’Hér.) Cupido

Etymology. The name, Kericodon, is derived from Greek, keri = candle and codon = bell. It refers to the general appearance of the flowering plants in the field, resembling candles in a candlestick.

Christopher N. Cupido and Frans M. Weitz. 2016. Kericodon (Campanulaceae s.s.), A New Monotypic Wahlenbergioid Genus from South Africa.
 Kew Bulletin. 71(4); 56. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-016-9671-4

[Botany • 2016] Nepenthes krabiensis • A New Species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from Thailand

December 25, 2016, 8:11 am

≫ Next: [Herpetology • 2016] Species Delimitation Methods Put Into Taxonomic Practice: Two New Madascincus Species, M. miafina & M. pyrurus, formerly allocated to Historical Species Names (Squamata, Scincidae)

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Nepenthes krabiensis    Nuanlaong, Onsanit, Chusangrach & Suraninpong  DOI:  10.20531/tfb.2016.44.2.08

ABSTRACT

This paper describes and illustrates a new species of Nepenthaceae, Nepenthes krabiensis. The new species is closely related to N. rosea which has been found in the same habitat of the wildlife sanctuary of Krabi Province in Southern Thailand.

KEYWORDS: Thailand, Krabi, Peninsular Thailand, taxonomy.

Figure 3. Nepenthes krabiensis. A. habitat and habit, C. lower pitcher; D. upper pitcher.

 Distribution.― Southern Thailand, founded only at Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, Krabi Province, Thailand. 

Ecology.― On summit areas, in sandy or mool soil, often growing in limestone rock crevices, at 600–700 m above sea level. 

Etymology.― The species is named after Krabi Province, to which it is endemic. 

Phenology.― Flowering June to August. 

Proposed IUCN conservation outlook assessment(2012).― Nepenthes krabiensis is assessed as Critically Endangered [CR B2ab (ii)]. It distributed in an area of 500 m2 and only on a single site on the summit of Mt Nor Ju Jee. 

Notes.―Nepenthes krabiensis is similar to N. rosea which grows in the same province and also on limestone mountains. The species share lanceolate, pseudo-petiolate and decurrent leaves, but N. krabiensis differs from N. rosea in the conspicuous coloration of the lower pitchers: being orange with red stripes, with red blotches over the inner surface and absent in the glandular zone, the green to orange or red peristome, the green to red lid upper surface, and the green to yellow or orange lid lower surface. The lower pitchers of N. rosea are green to light pink with dark pink stripes outside, and uniformly green to dark pink over the inner surface.

 Sanya Nuanlaong, Sarayut Onsanit, Vutthipong Chusangrach, Potjamarn Suraninpong. 2016. A New Species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from Thailand. THAI FOREST BULL., BOT.  44(2); : 128–133. DOI:  10.20531/tfb.2016.44.2.08

[Herpetology • 2016] Species Delimitation Methods Put Into Taxonomic Practice: Two New Madascincus Species, M. miafina & M. pyrurus, formerly allocated to Historical Species Names (Squamata, Scincidae)

December 26, 2016, 6:50 am

≫ Next: [Crustacea • 2016] Potamonautes gorongosa • A New Species of Potamonautid Freshwater Crab (Decapoda, Brachyura) from Mozambique, southeastern Africa

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Madascincus miafina sp. n., a species from dry areas of northern Madagascar, morphologically very similar to M. polleni    Madascincus pyrurus sp. n., a montane species endemic to the central highlands of Madagascar. Phylogenetically, M. pyrurus is the sister species of M. igneocaudatus  Miralles, Köhler, Glaw & Vences, 2016. DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9945

Abstract
In a previous study, Miralles and Vences (2013) compared seven different methods of species delimitation applied to the genus Madascincus. While focusing on methodological aspects their study involved an extensive data set of multilocus DNA sequences and of comparative morphology. On this basis they emphasized the need of revising the taxonomy of Madascincus, and revealed the existence of at least two well-supported candidate species. The present paper provides formal descriptions of these two taxa: (1) Madascincus miafina sp. n., a species from dry areas of northern Madagascar, morphologically very similar to M. polleni (although both species are not retrieved as sister taxa), and (2) Madascincus pyrurus sp. n., a montane species occurring >1500 m above sea level, endemic to the central highlands of Madagascar (Ibity and Itremo Massifs). Phylogenetically, M. pyrurus is the sister species of M. igneocaudatus, a taxon restricted to the dry littoral regions of the south and south-west of Madagascar in lowlands <500 m above sea level. To facilitate future taxonomic work, we furthermore elaborated an identification key for species of Madascincus. Finally, some aspects of the biogeographic patterns characterising the different main clades within the genus Madascincus are provided and discussed for the first time in the light of a robust phylogenetic framework.

Key Words: Madascincus miafina sp. n., Madascincus pyrurus sp. n., Madagascar, phylogeny, morphology, integrative taxonomy, species complex, biogeography

Figure 4.: Photographic plate showing most of the recognized species of Madascincus (picture not available for M. macrolepis), highlighting the chromatic polymorphism (red tail and brown tail morphs) for M. miafina sp. n., M. pyrurus sp. n. and M. igneocaudatus. Picture I depicts the sole specimen known from Kirindy that in Glaw and Vences (2007) was assigned to a candidate species M. sp. “vitreus”, and O depicts a specimen that these authors assigned to a candidate species M. sp. “baeus”. DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9945

Aurélien Miralles, Jörn Köhler, Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences. 2016. Species Delimitation Methods Put Into Taxonomic Practice: Two New Madascincus Species formerly allocated to Historical Species Names (Squamata, Scincidae).
Zoosystematics and Evolution. 92(2); 257-275. DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9945

ResearchGate.net/publication/311455635_Species_delimitation_methods_put_into_taxonomic_practice_two_new_Madascincus_species_formerly_allocated_to_historical_species_names_Squamata_Scincidae

[Crustacea • 2016] Potamonautes gorongosa • A New Species of Potamonautid Freshwater Crab (Decapoda, Brachyura) from Mozambique, southeastern Africa

December 26, 2016, 4:30 pm

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2011] Apogonichthyoides erdmanni • A New Cardinalfish of the Genus Apogonichthyoides (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from Raja Ampat Islands, Western Papua, Indonesia, with A Key to Species

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Potamonautes gorongosa  Cumberlidge, Naskrecki & Daniels, 2016   DOI:  10.1590/2358-2936e2016029

A new species of the freshwater crab genus Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838, is described from Gorongosa National Park in Sofala Province, Mozambique, southern Africa. Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, is morphologically and phylogenetically distinct from the other species of Potamonautes found in Mozambique and nearby countries, and is most closely related to Potamonautes mutareensis Phiri and Daniels, 2013, from eastern Zimbabwe. The new species differs from this species and its other congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters of the first gonopod, the anterior sternum, third maxilliped, and the major cheliped. Illustrations of P. gorongosa new species are provided, and differences with other species found in Mozambique and southeastern Africa are discussed.

Keywords: Afrotropical region; Gorongosa National Park; Potamonautidae; taxonomy.

Taxonomy

Family Potamonautidae Bott, 1970

Genus Potamonautes MacLeay, 1838

Potamonautes gorongosa new species

Potamonautes sp. 2 - Daniels et al., 2015: Pg. 553, Table 1; Pg. 558, Fig. 2.

Etymology. The new species is named for Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, the only place that it is known to occur (so far).

Distribution. Potamonautes gorongosa, new species, is known from one locality in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique. This is a 4,000 km2 park at the southern end of the Rift Valley in central Mozambique, and includes Mount Gorongosa (1,863 m asl) where P. gorongosa was collected. The Gorongosa National Park dominates the Gorongosa District in Sofala Province of Mozambique.

Habitat. The freshwater crabs reported on in the present study were collected by the second author from Sofala Province in Mozambique, in highland and montane fresh waters where the vegetation type is predominantly savanna with fast-flowing mountain streams and rivers. This narrow 450 km long area lies within the Eastern Zimbabwe Highlands ecoregion in southeastern Africa along the eastern border of Zimbabwe with Mozambique and includes the Nyanga and Chimanimani mountains whose rivers drain eastwards through Mozambique (Thieme et al., 2005; Abell et al., 2008). The known locality for P. gorongosa lies in the Zambezian lowveld freshwater ecoregion that comprises most of western and northern Mozambique and extends from south of the Zambezi delta in central Mozambique southwards to the Tugela River system in South Africa (Thieme et al., 2005; Abell et al., 2008). This species was collected with P. obesus a semi-terrestrial burrowing freshwater crab found in the coastal belt of eastern Africa from Kenya to Mozambique (Reed and Cumberlidge, 2004). The report of P. obesus from western Mozambique is a new record for this species in this part of the country.

Neil Cumberlidge, Piotr Naskrecki and Savel R. Daniels. 2016. Potamonautes gorongosa, A New Species of Potamonautid Freshwater Crab (Decapoda, Brachyura) from Mozambique, southeastern Africa. 

Nauplius. 24, e2016029. DOI:  10.1590/2358-2936e2016029.

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/nau/v24/2358-2936-nau-24-e2016029.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2011] Apogonichthyoides erdmanni • A New Cardinalfish of the Genus Apogonichthyoides (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from Raja Ampat Islands, Western Papua, Indonesia, with A Key to Species

December 26, 2016, 2:54 pm

≫ Next: [PaleoMammalogy • 2016] A New Skull of the Fossil Porpoise Numataphocoena yamashitai (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) from the upper part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation (lower Pliocene), Numata Town, Hokkaido, Japan, and Its Phylogenetic Position

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Apogonichthyoides erdmanni  Fraser& Allen, 2011 FIGURE 1. Holotype of Apogonichthyoides erdmanni, 39.2 mm SL, 51.1 mm TL. A. Fresh, pinned from below, left side, by Mark V. Erdmann. B. Post mortem, right side, by Mark V. Erdmann, lined feature in second dorsal and anal an artifact of wet fins on surface. C. Right side, in 70% ethyl alcohol by Thomas H. Fraser. Apogonichthyoides uninotatus. D. Live, Coron I., Calamianes Is., Philippines, by G.R. Allen. E. Postmortem buccal male, USNM 395671, 41 mm SL, Apo Reef, Mindoro Occidental , Philippines, by J.T. Williams.

Abstract

Another deep-water cardinal fish of the genus Apogonichthyoides is described from Fiabacet Island, Western Papua, Indonesia. Collected at 73 m, Apogonichthyoides erdmanni has very distinctive markings on the head and body. It is brown with a dark spot on the body below the anterior lateral line, two slightly darker body bars and darker markings on the head, all similar features to those of the Philippine species Apogonichthyoides uninotatus. The new species has vivid, horizontal dark cheek and post-ocular marks, a small oval spot between the eye and tip of upper preopercular arm, yellowish anal, second dorsal and caudal fins, a narrow basicaudal bar less than 1/3 the length of the caudal peduncle, a vertical bar under the posterior half of the second dorsal-fin base reaching the base of the anal fin, small dark spots on the lower half of the body onto the lower portion of the caudal peduncle and a body spot smaller than the pupil of the eye. Apogonichthyoides uninotatus has a faint diagonal cheek mark, a faint horizontal post-ocular mark, a faint dash between the eye and the tip of the upper preopercular arm, brownish anal, second dorsal and caudal fins, a broad basicaudal bar more than 2/3 the length of the caudal peduncle, a broad body bar as a chevron including all of the second dorsal-fin base reaching the base of the anal fin, no small dark spots on the lower half of body and a body spot larger than the pupil of the eye. A key to twenty-two species of Apogonichthyoides is provided.

Keywords: Apogonichthyoides erdmanni; species key; Apogonidae; cardinalfish

Etymology. Named for Mark Erdmann of Conservation International, Indonesia Marine Program, who collected and photographed the type specimen. Mark has worked closely with the second author for the past six years and is responsible for numerous new discoveries, resulting from his deep scuba collections around the East Indian region. 

Habitat. The specimen was collected at 73m at the base of a sheer drop off exposed to moderate to strong cur-rents. The specimen was sheltering under a large block of dead coral rubble that rested on a moderate, silty sandslope.

Thomas H. Fraser and Gerald R. Allen. 2011. A New Cardinalfish of the Genus Apogonichthyoides (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from Raja Ampat Islands, with A Key to Species. Zootaxa. 3095; 63-68. http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/12166

ResearchGate.net/publication/265946097_A_new_cardinalfish_of_the_genus_Apogonichthyoides_Perciformes_Apogonidae_from_Raja_Ampat_Islands_with_a_key_to_species

[PaleoMammalogy • 2016] A New Skull of the Fossil Porpoise Numataphocoena yamashitai (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) from the upper part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation (lower Pliocene), Numata Town, Hokkaido, Japan, and Its Phylogenetic Position

December 26, 2016, 4:27 pm

≫ Next: [Entomology • 2014] Pycnotarsobrentus inuiae • A New Genus and Species of Myrmecophilous Brentid Beetle (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Inhabiting the Myrmecophytic Epiphytes in the Bornean Rainforest Canopy

≪ Previous: [Ichthyology • 2011] Apogonichthyoides erdmanni • A New Cardinalfish of the Genus Apogonichthyoides (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from Raja Ampat Islands, Western Papua, Indonesia, with A Key to Species

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Numataphocoena yamashitai   Ichishima & Kimura, 2000  Art work by T. Shinmura  Palaeo-Electronica.org

ABSTRACT

An early Pliocene porpoise, Numataphocoena yamashitai from Hokkaido, Japan, is known from the holotype, a fairly well-preserved skeleton with an incomplete skull and a referred earbone. A new skull referred to Numataphocoena yamashitai found from almost the same locality as the holotype is interesting because it expands knowledge of skull morphology and improves the diagnosis of this taxon. Numataphocoena yamashitai differs from other phocoenids in having the characteristic feature in the maxilla associated with the posterior dorsal infraorbital foramen, narrower and sharper anterior part of the internal acoustic meatus, and a robust anterior process of the periotic. A new cladistic analysis places Numataphocoena yamashitai adjacent to Haborophocoena toyoshimai and Haborophocoena minutus, among a clade of early branching phocoenids, all of which are chronologically and geographically close to each other. The new skull is probably a younger individual because it is about 80% the size of that of the holotype and it shows closed but unfused sutures. Our description of this specimen helps to understand the intraspecies variation of the extinct species Numataphocoena yamashitai.

Key words: skull; Phocoenidae; phylogeny; maxillary terrace; ontogeny; intraspecies variation

FIGURE 6. Life restoration of Numataphocoena yamashitai. Art work by Tatsuya Shinmura (Ashoro Museum of Paleontology).

CONCLUSION: 

The new referred skull (NFL 2074) of Numataphocoena yamashitai from the upper part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation (early Pliocene), Numata, Hokkaido, Japan, adds diagnostic characters of the species, recognizes variations among the species and reveals the phylogenetic position among the Phocoenidae. Our cladistic analysis places Numataphocoena yamashitai adjacent to Haborophocoena toyoshimai and Haborophocoena minutus, among a clade of early branching phocoenids, all of which are chronologically and geographically close to each other, being all from Hokkaido. Numataphocoena yamashitai differs from other phocoenids in having a maxillary terrace, narrower and sharper anterior part of the internal acoustic meatus, and a robust anterior process of the periotic. NFL 2074, which is about 80% size of the holotype, NFL 7, is probably younger than the physically mature holotype. NFL 2074 does not have a well-developed nuchal crest like the holotype skull, which is probably the result of intraspecific variation.

 Tanaka, Yoshihiro and Ichishima, Hiroto. 2016. A New Skull of the Fossil Porpoise Numataphocoena yamashitai (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) from the upper part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation (lower Pliocene), Numata Town, Hokkaido, Japan, and Its Phylogenetic Position. Palaeontologia Electronica. 19.3.49A; 1-28.  

Palaeo-Electronica.org/content/2016/1663-a-new-skull-of-numataphocoena

Abstract

A new periotic of Numataphocoena yamashitai from the upper part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation (lower Pliocene), Numata, Hokkaido, Japan shows younger ontogenetic features in comparison to the matured holotype (NFL 7). The referred specimen of N. yamashitai is smaller (approximately 90% in size) than the physically and sexually matured holotype periotic. The holotype (NFL 7) and referred specimen (NFL 2617) show several differences owing to ontogenetic changes, such as: the holotype (NFL 7) has a more strongly swollen medial part of the anterior process, blunt anterior keel, rounded anterodorsal angle, deeper and clearer anterior incisure, more rounded pars cochlearis, deeper and narrower hiatus epitympanicus rather than a flat area, longer posterior process with an extra edge posterolaterally. N. yamashitai differs from other fossil phocoenids in having a narrower and sharper anterior part of the internal acoustic meatus and a robust anterior process. Haborophocoena toyoshimai similarly has a relatively narrow internal acoustic meatus and a robust anterior process, compared with other fossil phocoenids. Between N. yamashitai and H. toyoshimai, N. yamashitai has a narrower internal acoustic meatus and a more robust anterior process. These similarities imply a close relationship between Numataphocoena and Haborophocoena. The new specimen provides diagnostic features and insight into ontogenetic variation of N. yamashitai.

 Keywords: fossil, ontogeny, periotic, Phocoenidae

Yoshihiro Tanaka. 2016. A New and Ontogenetically Younger Specimen of Numataphocoena yamashitai from the Upper Part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation (Lower Pliocene), Numata, Hokkaido, Japan. Paleontological Research. 20(2); 105-115. DOI: 10.2517/2015PR026

H. Ichishima and M. Kimura. 2000. A New Fossil Porpoise (Cetacea; Delphinoidea; Phocoenidae) from the early Pliocene Horokaoshirarika Formation, Hokkaido, Japan. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 20(3); 561-576. DOI: 10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0561:ANFPCD]2.0.CO;2

[Entomology • 2014] Pycnotarsobrentus inuiae • A New Genus and Species of Myrmecophilous Brentid Beetle (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Inhabiting the Myrmecophytic Epiphytes in the Bornean Rainforest Canopy

December 26, 2016, 5:45 pm

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2014] Schistura hypsiura • A New Species of Loach (Cobitoidea: Nemacheilidae) from South-West Myanmar

≪ Previous: [PaleoMammalogy • 2016] A New Skull of the Fossil Porpoise Numataphocoena yamashitai (Cetacea: Phocoenidae) from the upper part of the Horokaoshirarika Formation (lower Pliocene), Numata Town, Hokkaido, Japan, and Its Phylogenetic Position

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Pycnotarsobrentus inuiae  Maruyama & Bartolozzi, 2014    DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3786.1.5

Abstract

Pycnotarsobrentus inuiaeMaruyama & Bartolozzi, gen. nov. and sp. nov. (Brentinae: Eremoxenini) is described from the Lambir Hills National Park, Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia) based on specimens collected from Crematogaster difformis F. Smith, 1857 ant nests in the myrmecophytic epiphytic ferns Platycerium crustacea Copel. and Lecanopteris ridleyi H. Christ. A second species of Pycnotarsobrentus is known from Malaysia but is represented by only one female and consequently not yet described pending discovery of a male. Pycnotarsobrentus belongs to the tribe Eremoxenini and shares some character states with the African genus Pericordus Kolbe, 1883. No species of Eremoxenini with similar morphological modifications are known from the Oriental region.

Keywords: Myrmecophily, Crematogaster difformis, Eremoxenini, Malaysia

Pycnotarsobrentus Maruyama & Bartolozzi, gen. nov. 

Type species. Pycnotarsobrentus inuiaeMaruyama & Bartolozzi, sp. nov., by present designation.

Differential diagnosis. This genus is close to the African genus Pericordus Kolbe, 1883, in the head and rostrum lacking depression or carinae, short antennae, laterally compressed femora and tibiae, and rather thick and short tarsi, but clearly distinguished from it by the antennal segments being cylindrical, rugose and rather compressed, with the apical segment rounded at apex, by the mesorostrum being not convex, by the tarsi being shorter, with parallel-sided segments and extremely short tarsal segment IV. 

Etymology. The generic name is derived from Greek words meaning “stout tarsi-bearing brentid” for one its important character states: the thick, short tarsi. Gender masculine. 

Pycnotarsobrentus inuiae Maruyama & Bartolozzi, sp. nov. 

Differential diagnosis. No species of Eremoxenini with similar morphological modifications are known from the Oriental region and the new taxon is easily distinguishable from all other Asian Eremoxenini by the generic diagnosis. 

Etymology. Dedicated to Dr. Yoko Inui, one of the collectors, for her invaluable contribution to the knowledge of tree canopy ant communities.

 Bionomics. The beetles were found exclusively inside the nests of C. difformis in the domatia of the epiphytic ferns (Figs. 8, 9). They were observed to walk slowly when the nests were excavated (Fig. 10, 11), and the ants did not pay any attention to them. Ecological studies on the communities of the myrmecophiles in the nests of C. difformis are in progress by the Japanese authors. 

Maruyama, Munetoshi, Luca Bartolozzi, Yoko Inui, Hiroshi O. Tanaka, Fujio Hyodo, Usun Shimizu-Kaya, Yoko Takematsu, Takuo Hishi and Takao Itioka. 2014. A New Genus and Species of Myrmecophilous Brentid Beetle (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Inhabiting the Myrmecophytic Epiphytes in the Bornean Rainforest Canopy.
  Zootaxa. 3786(1); 73–78.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3786.1.5

ResearchGate.net/publication/261570186_A_new_genus_and_species_of_myrmecophilous_brentid_beetle_Coleoptera_Brentidae_inhabiting_the_myrmecophytic_epiphytes_in_the_Bornean_rainforest_canopy

  

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[Ichthyology • 2014] Schistura hypsiura • A New Species of Loach (Cobitoidea: Nemacheilidae) from South-West Myanmar

December 26, 2016, 6:20 pm

≫ Next: [Arachnida • 2016] Revision of the Australian Union-Jack Wolf Spiders, Genus Tasmanicosa (Araneae, Lycosidae, Lycosinae)

≪ Previous: [Entomology • 2014] Pycnotarsobrentus inuiae • A New Genus and Species of Myrmecophilous Brentid Beetle (Coleoptera: Brentidae) Inhabiting the Myrmecophytic Epiphytes in the Bornean Rainforest Canopy

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Schistura hypsiura  Bohlen, Šlechtová& Udomritthiruj, 2014

Abstract

 Schistura hypsiura, a new species, is described from the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma, Myanmar. It is distinguished from all congeners by having a very deep caudal peduncle without dorsal and ventral skin crests, a deeply forked caudal fin, a suborbital flap in adult males, and a well-developed suborbital groove in adult females.

Key words. Rakhine State, Burma, caudal peduncle, sexual dimorphism

Etymology. From the Greek hypsos, meaning high, and oura meaning tail; referring to the high caudal peduncle. An adjective.

Jörg Bohlen, Vendula Šlechtová and Kamphol Udomritthiruj. 2014. Schistura hypsiura, A New Species of Loach (Cobitoidea: Nemacheilidae) from South-West Myanmar.
 The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 62: 21-27.

ResearchGate.net/publication/287954941_Schistura_hypsiura_a_new_species_of_loach_Cobitoidea_Nemacheilidae_from_South-West_Myanmar

[Arachnida • 2016] Revision of the Australian Union-Jack Wolf Spiders, Genus Tasmanicosa (Araneae, Lycosidae, Lycosinae)

December 26, 2016, 7:22 pm

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Australian wolf spider Tasmanicosa sp.  Framenau & Baehr, 2016.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4213.1.1

Abstract

The Australian wolf spider (Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833) genus Tasmanicosa Roewer, 1959 with Lycosa tasmanica Hogg, 1905 as type species is revised to include 14 species: T. godeffroyi (L. Koch, 1865), comb. nov.(= Lycosa tasmanica Hogg, 1905, syn. nov.; = Lycosa zualella Strand, 1907, syn. nov.; = Lycosa woodwardi Simon, 1909, syn. nov.); T. fulgor sp. nov.; T. gilberta (Hogg, 1905) comb. nov.; T. harmsi sp. nov.;T. hughjackmanisp. nov.;T. kochorum sp. nov.; T. leuckartii (Thorell, 1870), comb. nov.(= Lycosa molyneuxi Hogg, 1905, syn. nov.); T. musgravei (McKay, 1974) comb. nov.; T. phyllis (Hogg, 1905) comb. nov.(= Lycosa stirlingae Hogg, 1905, syn. nov.); T. ramosa (L. Koch, 1877), comb. nov.; T. salmo sp. nov.; T. semicincta (L. Koch, 1877) comb. nov.; T. stella sp. nov.; and T. subrufa (Karsch, 1878) comb. nov.   

Within the Australian wolf spider fauna, the genus Tasmanicosa can be diagnosed by the distinct pattern of radiating light and dark lines forming a “Union-Jack” pattern on the carapace. Male pedipalp morphology identifies the genus as part of the subfamily Lycosinae Sundevall, 1833 due to the presence of a transverse tegular apophysis with dorsal groove guiding the embolus during copulation. However, genital morphology is variable and a synapomorphy based on male pedipalp or female epigyne morphology could not be identified. Members of Tasmanicosa are comparatively large spiders (body length ca. 12–30 mm), that build a shallow burrow, which is sometimes covered with a flimsy trapdoor. Species of Tasmanicosa are largely a Bassian faunal element with preference for open woodlands and/or floodplains, although some species can be found into the semi-arid Australian interior. Two Australian wolf spider species may represent Tasmanicosa based on their original descriptions, but due to immature types in combination with the somatic similarities of all Tasmanicosa species, cannot be identified with certainty. They are therefore considered nomina dubia: Lycosa excusor L. Koch, 1867 and Lycosa infensa L. Koch, 1877. The type species of Orthocosa Roewer, 1960 is transferred to Tasmanicosa; however, in order to prevent some non-Australian wolf spiders in the genus Orthocosa to be transferred into Tasmanicosa, which is considered endemic to Australia, we here place these species into more appropriate genera based on their original descriptions pending a future revision of these species: Arctosa ambigua Denis, 1947 comb. reval.; Alopecosa orophila (Thorell, 1887) comb. nov.; Hygrolycosa tokinagai Saito, 1936 comb. reval. Orthocosa sternomaculata (Mello-Leitão, 1943) is considered a junior synonym of Hogna birabeni (Mello-Leitão, 1943) comb. nov.

Keywords: Araneae, taxonomy, systematics, Orthocosa, synonymy

Framenau, Volker W. and Barbara C. Baehr. 2016. Revision of the Australian Union-Jack Wolf Spiders, Genus Tasmanicosa (Araneae, Lycosidae, Lycosinae).

 Zootaxa. 4213(1); 1–82.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4213.1.1

[Herpetology • 2016] Cordylus namakuiyus • A Review of Cordylus machadoi (Squamata: Cordylidae) in southwestern Angola, with the Description of A New Species from the Pro-Namib Desert

December 27, 2016, 9:47 am

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Cordylus namakuiyus   Stanley, Ceríaco, Bandeira, Valerio, Bates & Branch, 2016 Kaokoveld Girdled Lizard   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4061.3.1

Abstract

The girdled lizard genus Cordylus is represented in Angola by two species, Cordylus angolensis and C. machadoi, separated from their nearest congeners by over 700 km. Here we describe a new species, Cordylus namakuiyus sp. nov., endemic to the arid lowlands west of the southern Angolan escarpment. Phylogenetic analysis using three mitochondrial and eight nuclear genes shows that the low-elevation forms and the proximate, high-elevation species C. machadoi are genetically divergent and reciprocally monophyletic, and together form the earliest diverging lineage of the northern Cordylus clade. Morphological data, collected using computed tomography and traditional techniques (scalation and morphology), identify consistent phenotypic differences between these high- and low-elevation species and allows for a detailed description of the osteology and osteodermal arrangements of the new species. A series of 50 specimens, collected during the 1925 Vernay expedition to southwestern Angola and housed at the American Museum of Natural History, are assigned to the new species, although the identity of Cordylus from northern Namibia remains ambiguous and requires further investigation.

Keywords: Reptilia, computed tomography, girdled lizard, Kaokoveld, molecular phylogeny, ontogeny, osteoderms, osteology

Etymology. The specific epithet “namakuiyus” is the masculine latinised form of namakuiya, which means “thorny” in the Herero language, referring to the sharp spines on the limbs and tail of this species. Suggested common name: Kaokoveld Girdled Lizard.

Distribution. Currently, the new species is known only from the south and central parts of Namibe Province, Angola, southwest of the Leba escarpment, at elevations of 215–509 m a.s.l.


Habitat and natural history notes. This species is found in gently sloping crevices of granite outcrops in the arid Kaokoveld. When approached, specimens retreat into their fissure as far as possible, wedging themselves head-first and protecting their head and flanks with their spiny tails. As with all other cordylines, Cordylus namakuiyus sp. nov. is viviparous; the holotype contained two large fetuses (SVL 49.5% of the holotype). The fetuses appear to be approaching full-term, suggesting a spring/early summer parturition period. Although these fetuses lack any body osteoderms, the slightly larger neonates (SVL 55.6–56.4% of the holotype) possess significant dermal ossification, suggesting that the young rapidly accumulate osteodermal armour following parturition. One of the Pico Azevedo specimens was found occupying the same rock crack as an adult Chondrodactylus pulitzerae (Schmidt), and PEM R18005 from Iona National Park inhabited the same crack as an adult Chondrodactylus fitzsimonsi (Loveridge).

Stanley, Edward L., Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Suzana Bandeira, Hilaria Valerio, Michael F. Bates and William R. Branch. 2016. A Review of Cordylus machadoi (Squamata: Cordylidae) in southwestern Angola, with the Description of A New Species from the Pro-Namib Desert.
Zootaxa. 4061(3): 201–226.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4061.3.1

https://indicator.ru/article/2016/12/24/novye-vidy-i-gde-oni-obitayut/

http://www.radiomundial.com.ve/article/descubren-nueva-especie-de-lagarto-en-sur-de-angola

http://www.calacademy.org/press/releases/133-new-species-described-by-the-california-academy-of-sciences-in-2016

     

[Botany • 2014] Four New Species of Ursinia (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) from South Africa, with An Updated Key to the Genus in Namaqualand

December 29, 2016, 8:57 pm

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Abstract

Recent field and herbarium studies of the southern African genus Ursinia (Anthemideae, Asteraceae) in Namaqualand, South Africa, have revealed greater morphological variability than currently accommodated and a high percentage of misidentified specimens. In an attempt to remedy this we herein describe four new species (Ursinia arida, U. glandulosa, U. kamiesbergensis and U. laciniata) and provide a key to the species in the region, together with illustrations of their involucral bracts and paleae. The species can be distinguished by a combination of their life history, vestiture, presence or absence of appendages on the paleae, and shape of the involucral bracts and their scarious apices.

Keywords: Compositae, Gariep Center of Endemism, Greater Cape Floristic Region, Kamiesberg Center of Endemism

 Anthony Richard Magee, James Boatwright and Ladislav Mucina. 2014. Four New Species of Ursinia (Asteraceae, Anthemideae) from South Africa, with An Updated Key to the Genus in Namaqualand. Phytotaxa. 177(3); 137-145. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.177.3.1

ResearchGate.net/publication/287463261_Four_new_species_of_Ursinia_Asteraceae_Anthemideae_from_South_Africa_with_an_updated_key_to_the_genus_in_Namaqualand

  

[Herpetology • 2016] Redescription of Cyrtodactylus fumosus (Müller, 1895) (Squamata: Gekkonidae), with A Revised Identification Key to the Bent-toed Geckos of Sulawesi

January 2, 2017, 8:13 pm

≫ Next: [Ichthyology • 2016] Urogymnus acanthobothrium • A New Euryhaline Whipray (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from Australia and Papua New Guinea

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Fig. 1. Dorsal views of the known specimens of Cyrtodactylus fumosus: (A) NMB-REPT 2662 (holotype, adult female); (B) NMBREPT 2663 (subadult male); (C) BMNH 1895.2.27.7 (adult female); (D) BMNH 1896.12.9.3 (adult male). Photographs by Sven Mecke. BMNH 1895.2.27.7 is also figured (in dorsal view) in Boulenger (1897: Plate VII, Fig. 2).  Mecke, Hartmann, Mader, et al. 2016. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-17874

Abstract

The binominal Cyrtodactylus fumosus has frequently been used for populations of bent-toed geckos occurring on some Indonesian islands, including Java, Bali, Sulawesi, and Halmahera. Unfortunately, incorrect usage of this name for different geographic lineages has resulted in confusion about the true identity of C. fumosus. Examination of the type specimen and additional specimens from Rurukan and Mount Masarang, North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, revealed that this population is distinct from other forms heretofore called ‘fumosus’ by a combination of unique morphological characters. In order to stabilize the taxonomy of C. fumosus sensu stricto, and to prevent further confusion, we provide a comprehensive redescription of this species, whose distribution we herein restrict to North Sulawesi. Cyrtodactylus fumosus is one of the most distinctive species among the six bent-toed geckos recorded from Sulawesi, and it differs from Sulawesi congeners by the presence of (1) precloacofemoral scales, including three pore-bearing scales on each thigh, separated from 10 or 11 pore-bearing scales in the precloacal region by 9-11 interscales in males, (2) a precloacal groove in adult males, (3) flat dorsal tubercles in 4-7 irregularly arranged longitudinal rows at midbody, and (4) a distinct lateral fold lacking tubercles. We also provide a revised identification key to the bent-toed gecko species of Sulawesi.

Keywords. Cyrtodactylus fumosus, Cyrtodactylus marmoratus, Lacertilia, bent-toed geckos, reptiles, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, morphology.

Sven Mecke, Lukas Hartmann, Felix Mader, Max Kieckbusch and Hinrich Kaiser. 2016. Redescription of Cyrtodactylus fumosus (Müller, 1895) (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae), with A Revised Identification Key to the Bent-toed Geckos of Sulawesi.
Acta Herpetologica. 11(2); 151-160. DOI: 10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-17874

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