[Botany • 2024] Roquea multiserialis (Asteraceae: Vernonieae) • A New Genus of Lychnophorinae from Brazil and its phylogenetic placement

Roquea multiserialis Loeuille & Antar,

in Loeuille, Almeida, Siniscalchi, Lusa et Antar, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.675.2.1 

 

Abstract

Lychnophorinae (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) consists of 21 genera and approximately 150 species, primarily distributed in the Brazilian Central Plateau, with several novelties recently described. With new botanical expeditions conducted in Serra da Formosa, state of Minas Gerais, a set of collections that belong to Lychnophorinae but were not easily assigned to a genus was discovered. After morphological and anatomical analyses and phylogenetic studies, we describe and illustrate Roquea, a new genus of Asteraceae from Brazil, to accommodate the new species Roquea multiserialis. Affinities of the new genus with other genera of Lychnophorinae are discussed along with a preliminary conservation status assessment, and notes on its distribution, ecology and affinities. This new finding contributes to the understanding of the taxonomy and evolution of Lychnophorinae and the campos rupestres and supports the urgent need to preserve Serra da Formosa, currently threatened by human activity.

campo rupestre, Compositae, endemism, Neotropical flora, taxonomy, Eudicots

Roquea multiserialis Loeuille & Antar.
A. Flowering branch. B. Detail of abaxial leaf midrib indumentum composed of stellate trichomes (some indument removed). C. Detail of adaxial leaf midrib indumentum composed of stellate trichomes. D. Capitulum. E. Longitudinal section of capitulum. F. Outer phyllary. G. Inner phyllary. H. Abnormal corolla with 8 lobes. I. Abnormal corolla opened and showing 8 anthers. J. Apex of corolla lobe. K. Anther. L. Style. M. Cypsela with a pappus.

A.–I. Illustration by Margaret Tebbs based on R.B. Almeida et al. 1070 (K).

Roquea Loeuille & Antar, gen. nov. 

Type:—Roquea multiserialis Loeuille & Antar. 

Diagnosis:—Compositarum, tribus Vernonieae, subtribus Lychnophorinae. Frutices vel arbusculae. Indumentum ex pilis variabiliter stellatis nec non eramosis compositum. Folia petiolata, vaginis semiamplexicaulibus instructa. Inflorescentiae in ramis axillaribus, capitula in corymbum disposita. Capitula 130–150-flora; squamae involucri 7–9-seriatae, imbricatae, persistentes. Corollae lilacinae ad subroseas, lobis dense villosis; antherae calcaratae, caudatae; basi stylorum non noduliferi. Cypselae prismaticae, glabrae; carpopodia obsoleta; pappus biseriatus; setae pallidae stramineae, paleaceae, saepe leviter tortiles, seriei exterioris breves, basin leviter connatae, persistentes, seriei interioris caducae. 

Etymology:—The generic name honors Dr. Nadia Roque (1970-2024), a Brazilian professor and researcher at Universidade Federal da Bahia, in Salvador, Brazil. She made outstanding contributions to the knowledge of Asteraceae, especially of Neotropical and Brazilian species. She first started her career working with the tribes Barnadesieae and Mutisieae, but soon expanded her studies to Eupatorieae and Heliantheae. She authored more than 100 scientific papers, contributed to ca. 20 book chapters as well as two books: “Asteraceae. Caracterização e Morfologia Floral” (Roque & Bautista 2008) and “A família Asteraceae no Brasil: classificação e diversidade” (Roque et al. 2017b), which have become important references for new students working in Asteraceae taxonomy in Brazil. She also advised numerous graduate students engaged in the study of Asteraceae and other families and led the treatment of Asteraceae in the collaborative project Flora e Funga do Brasil (Roque et al. 2020). 

Roquea multiserialis Loeuille & Antar.
A. Habitat. B. Habitat and habit. C. Habit. D, E. Branch in flower. F. Capitula detail.

A–F. Photos by R.B. Almeida.

Roquea multiserialis Loeuille & Antar sp. nov., adhuc unica.

Etymology:—The specific epithet refers to the high number of series of phyllaries. The Lychnophorinae taxa typically have fewer than the 7–9 series as in Roquea multiserialis.

Benoît LOEUILLE, Roberto Baptista Pereira ALMEIDA, Carolina M. SINISCALCHI, Makeli G. LUSA, Guilherme Medeiros ANTAR. 2024. Roquea, A New Genus of Lychnophorinae (Vernonieae, Asteraceae) from Brazil and its phylogenetic placement.  Phytotaxa. 675(2); 97-114. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.675.2.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/386378322_Roquea_a_new_genus_of_Asteraceae_from_Brazil 

[Botany • 2020] The non-monophyly of Dasymaschalon dasymaschalum (Annonaceae) revealed by a plastid DNA phylogeny, with Dasymaschalon halabalanum sp. nov. from Thailand and D. argenteum comb. nov.

Dasymaschalon halabalanum  Jongsook & Chaowasku,

in Jongsook, Samerpitak, Damthongdee et Chaowasku, 2020.  

บุหรงฮาลาบาลา  ||  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.449.3.5 

facebook.com: Tanawat Chaowasku

Abstract

An extended molecular phylogeny of the genus Dasymaschalon (Annonaceae) has been reconstructed using up to six plastid DNA regions (matK, ndhF, rbcL exons; trnL intron; psbA-trnH, trnL-trnF intergenic spacers). The results unraveled the non-monophyly of a widely distributed D. dasymaschalum. A lineage of D. dasymaschalum native to Java and cultivated at Bogor Botanical Garden represents the true D. dasymaschalum, whereas the name Pelticalyx argentea is applicable to a distantly related clade of D. dasymaschalum from mainland Asia. Dasymaschalon argenteum comb. nov. is accordingly made. Additionally, the true D. dasymaschalum has been retrieved as the sister group of D. halabalanum, a new species from Narathiwat Province, southern Thailand herein described. Pedicel length, petal size and color, and the number of stamens per flower principally distinguish the new species from its sister group.

Keywords: molecular phylogenetics, morphology, new combination, systematics, taxonomy, Magnoliids

Hathaichanok Jongsook, Kittipan Samerpitak, Anissara Damthongdee and Tanawat Chaowasku. 2020. The non-monophyly of Dasymaschalon dasymaschalum (Annonaceae) revealed by a plastid DNA phylogeny, with D. halabalanum sp. nov. from Thailand and D. argenteum comb. nov. Phytotaxa. 449(3); 265–278. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.449.3.5

 facebook.com/100008389413642/posts/2682120562077565

   twitter.com/aongyong/status/1276512251516555266

 บุหรงธรรมดา ได้ชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์ใหม่  Dasymaschalon argenteum (Griff.) Jongsook & Chaowasku

และ  บุหรงฮาลาบาลา Dasymaschalon halabalanum  Jongsook & Chaowasku เป็นพืชชนิดใหม่ของโลก  

นักวิจัยวิทย์ มช. พบ กระดังงา 5 ชนิดใหม่ของโลก สวยงาม หายาก และใกล้สูญพันธุ์

 science.cmu.ac.th/prsci/news-detail.php?id=4081

[Paleontology • 2024] Melkamter pateko • The Oldest monofenestratan Pterosaur from the Queso Rallado locality (Cañadón Asfalto Formation, Toarcian) of Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina

 Melkamter pateko

 Fernandes, Pol & Rauhut, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241238 

Artistic reconstruction by Pedro Andrade.

 

Abstract

As the first group of tetrapods to achieve powered flight, pterosaurs first appeared in the Late Triassic. They proliferated globally, and by the Late Jurassic through the Cretaceous, the majority of these taxa belonged to the clade Monofenestrata (which includes the well-known Pterodactyloidea as its major subclade), typified by their single undivided fenestra anterior to the orbit. Here, a new taxon Melkamter pateko gen. et sp. nov., represented by the specimen MPEF-PV 11530 (comprising a partial cranium and associated postcranial elements), is reported from the latest Early Jurassic (Toarcian) locality of Queso Rallado (Cañadón Asfalto Formation) and referred to the clade Monofenestrata, increasing our previously known taxonomic and geographic representations, and temporal range for this clade. This occurrence marks the oldest record of Monofenestrata globally and helps to shed critical light on the evolutionary processes undergone during the ‘non-pterodactyloid’-to-pterodactyloid transition within the Pterosauria. In addition, another single isolated tooth from the same locality shows ctenochasmatid affinities. These finds further elucidate the still-poor Gondwanan Jurassic pterosaur fossil record, underscoring that most of our current ideas about the timing and modes of pterosaur evolution during that period are largely based on (and biased by) the pterosaur fossil record of the Northern Hemisphere.

Keywords: Pterosauria, Monofenestrata, Jurassic, Toarcian, Patagonia, Argentina

  Comparison of (a) Darwinopterus linglongensis (IVPP V16049; mirror-imaged for comparison), (b) Melkamter pateko, and the newly- prepared left side of (c) Cuspicephalus scarfi.

Scale bars are 1 cm.

 Systematic palaeontology

PTEROSAURIA Owen, (1842) 

MONOFENESTRATA Lü et al. (2010) sensu Andres et al. (2014)

Genus Melkamter, gen. nov.

 Melkamter pateko, sp. nov.

  Etymology: Genus name ‘Melkamter’ from the native Tehuelche word ‘mel’ meaning (in Spanish/English) ‘ala/wing’ and ‘kamter’ meaning ‘lagarto grande/big lizard’ (after the original translation of ‘pterosaur’ as ‘winged lizard’); the species epithet ‘pateko’ is derived from ‘pate’ meaning ‘rallado/rasped’ and ‘ko’ meaning ‘conjunto de huesos/set of bones’, an ode to both to the site of Queso Rallado, and the fractured preservational state of the fossil (translations from [60]).

Holotype: MPEF-PV 11530 (Museo Paleontólogico Egidio Feruglio, Trelew, Argentina), consisting of at least a partial cranium (with counterslab) and two associated teeth, four dorsal vertebrae, one metacarpal (either I, II or III) and other bone fragments.

 Type locality and Horizon: Locality Queso Rallado, close to Cerro Cóndor, northern central Chubut Province, Argentina. Lower section of the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, latest Early Jurassic, Toarcian.

 Diagnosis: Non-pterodactyloid monofenestratan with a confluent naris and anteorbital fenestra and quadrate inclined at about 120°. Autapomorphies include: the presence of a small vestigial ascending process in the maxilla that does not reach the nasal or lacrimal dorsally; a maxillary body anterior to the vestigial ascending process that is higher than a posterior portion, with both portions divided by the vestigial ascending process delimited by a marked step; lacrimal and posterior processes of the jugal offset at about 55° angle. The taxon can furthermore be diagnosed by a combination of characters, including the marked dorsal deflection of the dorsal margin of the skull at the beginning of the nasoantorbital fenestra, resulting in a concave rather than straight outline of the dorsal skull margin in this region in lateral view, and the pointed anterior process of the quadratojugal that separates the posterior ends of the jugal and the maxilla.

 Artistic reconstruction of  Melkamter pateko 

by Pedro Andrade.

Alexandra E. Fernandes, Diego Pol and Oliver W. M. Rauhut. 2024. The Oldest monofenestratan Pterosaur from the Queso Rallado locality (Cañadón Asfalto Formation, Toarcian) of Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina. R. Soc. Open Sci.11: 241238. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.241238 

https://nachrichten.idw-online.de/2024/12/11/a-new-species-of-flying-reptiles-reshuffles-the-timeline-of-pterosaur-evolution

[Botany • 2024] Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) • A New Species from Colombia

Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis Sierra-Ariza,

in Sierra-Ariza, 2024.  

DOI: doi.org/10.15517/lank.v24i3.61038 

 facebook.com/RenzoGarciaP 

Abstract

A new species, Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis, belonging to Pleurothallis subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae, from the Central Andes of Colombia, is described and illustrated. This new species is compared with Pleurothallis matudana and Pleurothallis tandapiensis, the most morphologically similar species. Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis primarily differs from these species in having a lip with erose margins, more pronounced basal lobes, a rounded, apiculate apex, and a sulcate blade with a lanceolate, strongly vesiculate concavity.  

Keywords: Andean Orchids, COP 16, Epidendreae, Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae, Pleurothallis matudana, Pleurothallis tandapiensis, Tolima, COP16

Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis Sierra-Ariza.
A. Habit. B. Flower. C. Dissected perianth. D. Lip and column lateral view. E. Lip. LCDP by Sierra-Ariza based on type.

Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis Sierra-Ariza sp. nov.

TYPE: COLOMBIA. Tolima: Municipio de Cajamarca, vereda Bolívar, 2690 m, 

13 April 2022, M. A. Sierra-Ariza & J.C. Pavas 429 (holotype: TOLI). 

Diagnois: Species similar to Pleurothallis matudana C.Schweinf., but distinguished by the lip with erose margins, more pronounced basal lobes, rounded apex, and longitudinally sulcate with a lanceolate, strongly vesiculose basal concavity.

Mario Alexei Sierra-Ariza. 2024. Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis (Pleurothallidinae), A New Species from Colombia. LANKESTERIANA. 24(3); 259–265. DOI: doi.org/10.15517/lank.v24i3.61038

  

🌍 ¡Increíbles noticias desde la COP16!🌿 🌱✨

- 🌟 Pleurothallis petroana, en honor a nuestro presidente Gustavo Petro

- 🌟 Pleurothallis franciana, en homenaje a nuestra vicepresidenta Francia Márquez

- 🌟 Malaxis susanae, en reconocimiento a nuestra Ministra de Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, Susana Muhamad 

Además, la cuarta especie, Pleurothallis cop-biodiversitatis,  fue nombrada en conmemoración de la histórica #COP16 celebrada en Cali en 2024. 📅✨

  facebook.com/RenzoGarciaP/posts/1096989772426916

[Ichthyology • 2019] Farlowella azpelicuetae • A New Species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina

 

  Farlowella azpelicuetae  

 Terán, Ballen, Alonso, Aguilera & Mirande, 2019

 DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-20180114 

 Researchgate.net/publication/334060121

 

ABSTRACT

A new species of Farlowella is described from the Bermejo River basin, in Salta and Jujuy provinces, northwestern Argentina. The new species belongs to the Farlowella nattereri species group. The new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: marbled rostrum, five rows of lateral plates series, relatively short snout (snout-mouth length less than 50.0% of head length), complete half-moon shaped spot on caudal fin, and short predorsal distance (37.8-41.8% of standard length).

Keywords: Armored catfish; Chaco Ecoregion; Endemic species; Loricariinae; Taxonomy

  Farlowella azpelicuetae 

Argentina, Salta, Bermejo River, La Plata River basin. 

 holotype, CI-FML 7277, 142.4 mm SL, a. lateral, b. dorsal, and c. ventral views. 
 paratype, CI-FML 7265, 193.9 mm SL. a. detail of the coloration of the snout; b. coloration pattern of caudal fin; c. coloration of live specimen.

 
Farlowella azpelicuetae, new species

Diagnosis. Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from most congeners, except F. altocorpus, F. gianetii, F. gracilis, F. hasemani, F. isbrueckeri, F. jauruensis, F. nattereri, and F. odontotumulus, by the presence of five rows on lateral plate series of body (vs. four). Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from F. gracilis, F. hasemani, F. isbrueckeri, F. nattereri, and F. odontotumulus by having proportionally-shorter snout-mouth length (less than 50% HL vs. more than 50% HL). The new species differs from F. jauruensis and F. gianetii by its marbled coloration pattern of snout (vs. snout completely dark and snout darkly pigmented only laterally, respectively). Farlowella azpelicuetae differs from F. altocorpus by having a continuous half-moon pigmentation pattern on the caudal fin (vs. discontinuous half-moon shaped pattern) and by the shorter predorsal length (37.8-41.8 % SL vs. 43.7-45.6% SL). The new species can be further distinguished by the presence of three rows of abdominal plates (vs. two in F. acus, F. amazonum, F. colombiensis, F. henriquei, F. martini, F. rugosa, F. venezuelensis, F. vittata, and F. yarigui and an incomplete median disjunct row of abdominal plates in F. mitoupibo). Additionally, F. azpelicuetae differs from F. hahni, F. knerii, F. oxyrryncha, F. reticulata, and F. schreitmuelleri by having irregular dark brown blotches on ...

Etymology. The species is named azpelicuetae after Dr. María de las Mercedes Azpelicueta, in recognition of her prominent contributions to ichthyology, especially to the systematics of Argentinian fishes. She described numerous species and was essential to the formation of subsequent generations of freshwater fish systematists in Argentina. A matronym in genitive case. 

Guillermo E. Terán, Gustavo A. Ballen, Felipe Alonso, Gastón Aguilera and J. Marcos Mirande. 2019. A New Species of Farlowella (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the upper Bermejo River, La Plata River basin, northwestern Argentina. Neotropical Ichthyology. 17(2); e180114. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-20180114

  Researchgate.net/publication/334060121_A_new_species_of_Farlowella_from_La_Plata_River_basin_NW_Argentina

RESUMEN: Se describe una nueva especie de Farlowella de la cuenca del Río Bermejo, en las provincias de Salta y Jujuy, en el noroeste de Argentina. La nueva especie pertenece al grupo de Farlowella nattereri. La nueva especie se diagnostica con la siguiente combinación de caracteres: rostro veteado, cinco hileras de placas laterales en el cuerpo, hocico relativamente corto (longitud hocico-boca menor a 50.0% longitud cabeza), mancha en forma de media luna completa en la aleta caudal, y distancia predorsal corta (37.8-41.8% longitud estándar).

Palabras clave: Ecoregion Chaco; Especie endémica; Loricariinae; Taxonomía; Viejita del agua

[Herpetology • 2024] Boulenophrys gaolanensis • A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura: Megophryidae: Megophryinae) from Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Boulenophrys gaolanensis

Song, H.-T. Wang, Qi, N. Wang & Y. Wang, 2024

高栏岛角 蟾 ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0026

 

Abstract

In this work, we described a new species of the Asian horned toad, Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov., based on the type series collected from Gaolan Island, Jinwan District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China. This new species is distinguished from all other congeners by a combination of morphological characters and the notable phylogenetic divergence. This discovery of new species in the understudied southwestern Pearl River Delta brings the total number of recognized Boulenophrys species to 68, with 63 found in China, and also highlights the need for further herpetological research and conservation on the understudied and ecologically vulnerable islands.

Keywords: Asian horned toads, Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov., Gaolan Island, 11 Pearl River Delta, taxonomy

The male holotype of Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov. (SYS a009225) in life:
dorsolateral view (A), ventral view (B), palmar surface of left hand (C), and plantar surface of left foot (D).

Photos by Shuo QI.

Figure 4. All paratypes of Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov. in life.
Individuals: SYS a009235 (A), adult female; SYS a009236 (B), adult female;
SYS a009237 (C), adult female; and SYS a009238 (D), adult male.
Facets: (1) dorsolateral view, (2) ventral view, and (3) dorsal surface of finger I, showing nuptial pads and nuptial spines invisible.

Photos by Hanming SONG.

 Boulenophrys gaolanensis sp. nov.  

Etymology The specific epithet gaolanensis refers to the type locality of this species, the Gaolan Island.  

Suggested common name “Gaolan Island Horned Toad” in English and “高栏岛角 蟾 (gāo lán dǎo jiǎo chán)” in Chinese.

Han-Ming Song, Hao-Tian Wang, Shuo Qi, Ning Wang and Yingyong Wang. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura: Megophryidae: Megophryinae) from Zhuhai, Guangdong, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0026

[Entomology • 2024] Prodasineura sangkhla • A New Damselfly (Odonata: Platycnemididae) from western Thailand

 

Prodasineura sangkhla

Keetapithchayakul, Makbun, Ignatius & Phan, 2024

 

แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5551.1.5

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand

 

Abstract

Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov. is described from the Takhian Thong waterfall near the Thai-Myanmar border, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand. It differs from all other species of Prodasineura Cowley, 1934 by the combination of the characters including white pruinescence on prothorax, synthorax and some parts of legs, blue markings on S10 and anal appendages, shape of anal appendages in males, and shape of occipital band and posterior process of posterior lobe in females.

Odonata, dragonfly, Zygoptera, new species, morphology

Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov.

Tosaphol Saetung Keetapithchayakul, Noppadon Makbun, Kaewpawika Jitthamma Ignatius, Quoc Toan Phan. 2024. Prodasineura sangkhla sp. nov., A New Damselfly from western Thailand (Odonata: Platycnemididae). Zootaxa. 5551(1); 131-140. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5551.1.5

 facebook.com/groups/DragonfliesOfThailand/posts/8797497557012078/

[News] แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละ (Prodasineura sangkhla) แมลงปอชนิดใหม่ชนิดแรกและชนิดส่งท้ายปี 2024

แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละได้รับการบรรยายเป็นชนิดใหม่สด ๆ ร้อน ๆ วันนี้ในวารสาร Zootaxa ครับ

คณะผู้บรรยายค้นพบแมลงปอเข็มชนิดนี้พร้อม ๆ กับแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มชนิดอื่น ๆ อีก 3 ชนิดคือ แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มดำ (Prodasineura autumnalis) แมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มเอราวัณ (P. laidlawii) และแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มเสี้ยวส้ม ฟอร์มตะวันตก (P. sp. [nec. verticalis]) แต่ด้วยลักษณะอันโดดเด่นของตัวผู้ ทำให้เราแยกแมลงปอเข็มท้องเข็มสังขละได้ไม่ยาก กล่าวคือ อกและโคนท้องที่มีสีขาว และปลายท้องและรยางค์ปลายท้องที่มีสีฟ้า แต่สำหรับตัวเมีย หากมองด้วยตาเปล่า อาจจะแยกได้ยาก เพราะมีลายสีเหลืองสลับดำเหมือนกันหมด ต้องมานั่งจ้องลักษณะอกปล้องแรก (หรือที่เรียกกันง่าย ๆ ว่า คอ) และจำนวนหนามที่อยู่ด้านล่างของปลายรยางค์ปลายท้อง ถึงจะสามารถจำแนกได้อย่างถูกต้องแม่นยำครับ

แมลงปอเข็มชนิดนี้พบเกาะตามปลายใบไม้และกิ่งไม้เหนือลำธารที่อำเภอสังขละบุรี จังหวัดกาญจนบุรี และคาดการณ์ว่าน่าจะเจอทางฝั่งประเทศเมียนมาด้วยเช่นกัน เพราะจุดที่เจอมันอยู่ใกล้ชายแดนครับ

---

A new species of genus Prodasineura, P. sangkhla, was described from Sangkhla Buri, Kanchanaburi Province. The description was published in Zootaxa today.

This new species co-occurs with other three members of the genus, that is P. autumnalis, P. laidlawii and P. sp. [nec. verticalis]. With white pruinosed thorax and blue abdomenal tip, males of P. sangkhla is easily differentiated from those species. Unlike the males, the general appearance of the females are similar to the congeners found in the area but you need to look at shape of prothorax and number of ventral spine on cerci for making an accurate ID.

Prodasineura sangkhla was spotted perching on leaf or twig along the stream in Sangkhla, Kanchanaburi Province and expected to be found in nearby area in Myanmar.

[Ichthyology • 2024] Macropodus minnanensis • A New Species of Macropodus (Teleotsei: Osphronemidae) from Fujian Province, southern China

Macropodus minnanensis 

Chen & Chiu, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5550.1.33 

 

Abstract

A new Macropodus species was collected from the river basins of southeastern China. The new species Macropodus minnanensis, from Fujian Province, China can be well distinguished from congeners by the following combination of features: (1) dorsal fin with 13 spines and 7 soft rays; (2) anal fin with 20 spines and modally 10 soft rays; (3) vertical insertion of dorsal fin origin at second to third soft rays of anal fin; (4) longitudinal scale rows in midline modally 28; (5) transverse scale rows 14; (6) vertebrae 27 and (7) specific coloration: body with posteriorly black margin on scale pockets; eye greyish; a large opecular, deep black ocellus spot in male. The brief discussions of its related species are also provided.

Pisces, new species, freshwater fish, Macropodus, Fujian, China

Macropodus minnanensis, Jangjou, Fujian Province, China.
holotype, female, mm SL, female, 34.7 mm SL, Jangjiang basin; 
 paratype, male, 45.7 mm SL, Pinhe, Joulongjiang basin, 

Macropodus La Cepède, 1801 

(type species: Macropodus viridiauratus La Cepède, 1801: 416, 417, by monotypy). 

 Macropodus minnanensis n. sp.

Diagnosis: The new species Macropodus minnanensis, from Fujian Province, China can be well distinguished from congeners by the following combination of features: (1) dorsal fin with 13 spines and 7 soft rays; (2) anal fin with 20 spines and modally 10 soft rays; (3) vertical insertion of dorsal fin origin at second to third soft rays of anal fin; (4) longitudinal scale rows in midline modally 28; (5) transverse scale rows 14; (6) vertebrae 27 and (7) specific coloration: body tawny to blackish brown with posteriorly black margin on scale pockets; eye greyish; a large opecular, deep black ocellus spot in male.

Etymology.— The specific name, minnanensis, is referred to its own type locality in Mandarin: “Min-nan” which means the southern part of Fujian Province, China.

 I-Shiung CHEN and Yuh-Wen CHIU. 2024. A New Species of Macropodus (Teleotsei: Osphronemidae) from Fujian Province, southern China.  Zootaxa. 5550(1); 328-332. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5550.1.33 

[Botany • 2024] Henckelia davidwoodii (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Indian eastern Himalayas

  

Henckelia davidwoodii   

in Borah, Taram et Maity, 2024. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04662 

  facebook.com/DipuBorah2

Abstract

Henckelia davidwoodii (Gesneriaceae) is described here as a new species based on collections made from the Shi-Yomi district in the eastern Himalayan state of Arunachal Pradesh, India. This new species resembles H. lallanii Taram, D.Borah, Tag and R.Kr. Singh in its habit, infundibuliform corolla without flaps or flanges, and stamens with slightly geniculate filaments, but it can be differentiated by having 2-flowered cymes (versus solitary in H. lallanii), ovate bracts with undulate margins (versus narrowly ovate-lanceolate bracts with entire margins in H. lallanii), non-reflexed 5-veined calyx lobes (versus reflexed calyx lobes without veins in H. lallanii), and a cupular disc (versus tubular in H. lallanii). It also superficially resembles H. urticifolia (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) A.Dietr., however, it can be differentiated by its distinct sessile to sub-sessile bracts with undulate margins and a round to cordate base, often recurved at the base and overlapping to form a conical to cupulate structure, and stamens that are slightly geniculate (versus bracts with serrate margins and cuneate bases, never forming the aforementioned structures; stamens distinctly geniculate in H. urticifolia). A detailed taxonomic description is provided for this new species, accompanied by photographs and ecological information.

Keywords: Henckelia, Indian flora, Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), northeast India, taxonomy

Dipankar Borah, Momang Taram and Rohan Maity. 2024. Henckelia davidwoodii (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Indian eastern Himalayas. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04662 

  facebook.com/DipuBorah2/posts/8821574861268308

 Researchgate.net/publication/386734094_Henckelia_davidwoodii_a_new_species_from_Indian_eastern_Himalayas

[Botany • 2024] Psychotria oxyalabastron (Rubiaceae) • A New Species and A New Record of Psychotria from Thailand

 

Psychotria oxyalabastron T.Srisuk & Chamch.,

in Srisuk, Chamchumroon, Chantaranothai et Pornpongrungrueng, 2024.  

 พาโหมดง  || DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2024.52.2.16 

 facebook.com/PDUatTISTR

Abstract

A new species, Psychotria oxyalabastron, is described, and P. laui is newly recorded from Thailand. The description, distribution area, ecological information and taxonomic note are provided.

Keywords: Gentianales, Psychotria laui, Psychotria oxyalabastron, Psychotrieae, Taxonomy

Psychotria oxyalabastron T.Srisuk & Chamch.:
A. flowering branch; B. stipules, outer surface; C. stipules, inner surface with hairs and colleters; D. floral bud; E. flower, dissection; F. pyrene, side view; G. pyrene, cross section; H. seed, dorsal view; J. seed, ventral view.

Materials A.–E. from Hansen & Smitinand 12045 (E); F.–J. from van Beusekom & Phengklai 925 (K). Drawn by T. Srisuk.

Psychotria oxyalabastron T.Srisuk & Chamch., sp. nov.

Psychotria oxyalabastron is similar to P. cambodiana Pierre ex Pit. in having tomentose, puberulous or pilose indumentum on branches and the lower leaf surface (at least on the venation), bifid or bilobed stipules, elliptic or oblanceolate laminas, loose corymbose-like thyrsiform inflorescences, and glabrous floral buds. However, it differs from P. cambodiana in the glabrous upper leaf surface (vs pilose), glabrous on intercostal areas on the lower leaf surface (vs pilose), acute floral bud apex with corolla protrusion (vs rounded floral bud apex without corolla protrusion), shorter corolla tube 1.3–1.4 mm long (vs 2–2.3 mm long), and the glabrous to sparsely puberulent ovary (vs tomentose or pilose).

Etymology.— The specific epithet ‘oxyalabastron’ refers to the acute shape of the floral bud, and is modified from the Greek “oxy-” for acute, combined with “alabastrum” for floral bud (alabastron = adjective form).

Vernacular.— Pha hom dong (พาโหมดง) (proposed here).

Teerawat Srisuk, Voradol Chamchumroon, Pranom Chantaranothai and Pimwadee Pornpongrungrueng. 2024. A New Species and A New Record of Psychotria (Rubiaceae) from Thailand. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany). 52(2), 110–117. DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2024.52.2.16

  facebook.com/PDUatTISTR/posts/1038108714782488

[Entomology • 2024] Lulavia mahwii, Idaea medianocturna walaila & Protorhoe drechseli nebuloides • New geometrid Moths (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Sterrhinae, Larentiinae) from Iraqi Kurdistan

 

Lulavia mahwii 

Khudhur & Hausmann, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.3.7

 facebook.com/FarhadKhudhur

Abstract

A large number of geometrid moths was collected by the first author in Iraqi Kurdistan including several undescribed species and subspecies. In this paper we describe three new geometrid taxa: Idaea medianocturna walaila ssp. nov., Lulavia mahwii sp. nov. and Protorhoe drechseli nebuloides ssp. nov. We present differential diagnoses and images of adult moths and genitalia.

Lepidoptera, Idaea, Lulavia, Protorhoe, fauna

 

Lulavia mahwii sp. nov., paratype, male. 

Lulavia mahwii Khudhur & Hausmann, sp. nov.

 

Differential diagnosis: In wing coloration and pattern no significant difference from Israeli Lulavia multipunctata (Staudinger, 1898). Male genitalia are very similar to those of L. multipunctata, but transtilla sclerites of the latter rounded towards the centre, less projecting, cornutus (bundle of microspinules) shorter: 0.3–0.4 mm.

 Etymology: The species is named after Mahwi who was one of the most prominent classical Kurdish poet and Sufis from Kurdistan. Mahwi was always using “Parwana – in Kurdish” meaning “Moth” as moth and flame metaphor in his poems.

 

Farhad A. Khudhur and Axel Hausmann. 2024. New geometrid Moths from Iraqi Kurdistan (Lepidoptera, Geometridae: Sterrhinae, Larentiinae).  Zootaxa. 5543(3); 423-432. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5543.3.7

 facebook.com/FarhadKhudhur/posts/9568932456467415

[Crustacea • 2024] Dulcibella camanchaca • A New large Predator (Amphipoda: Eusiridae) hidden at hadal depths of the Atacama Trench

 Dulcibella camanchaca Weston & González,

in Weston, González, Escribano et Ulloa, 2024.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430  

 

Abstract

The deep ocean is a vast reservoir of new species to science, and each discovery improves our ecological understanding of these remote ecosystems. One island-like ecosystem is the Atacama Trench (Southeast Pacific Ocean), where the hadal depths (>6000 m) host a distinctive endemic community. Unlike the communities of other hadal subduction trenches, predatory (non-scavenging) amphipods have not been documented or collected from the Atacama Trench. In this study, we applied an integrative taxonomic approach to describe a new predatory amphipod in the Eusiridae Stebbing, 1888 family collected from 7902 m during the 2023 IDOOS Expedition and provide an updated global Eusiridae key with the 14th genus. Morphology and DNA barcoding robustly supported raising a new genus separate from the systematically similar genera Dorotea. Dulcibella camanchaca gen. nov. sp. nov. is a large amphipod (holotype: 38.9 mm length) with diagnostic features that include: a smooth dorsal body, 12 spines on the outer maxilla 1 plate, subsimilar and strongly subchelate gnathopods with broad carpus lobes, the pereopods 3 and 4 dactyli are 0.45× of the respective propodus and pereopods 5 to 7 dactyli are 0.6×, a distal spiniform process on the peduncle of uropod 1, and an elongated but weakly cleft telson. Together, Dulcibella camanchaca gen. nov. sp. nov. is a novel predator and reinforces the eco-evolutionary distinctiveness of the Atacama Trench. 

Key Words: Deep ocean, DNA barcoding, Eusiridae key, Integrative taxonomy, Peru-Chile Trench

Dulcibella camanchaca gen. nov. sp. nov.
 Post-preservation of the holotype female (MNHNCL AMP-15974).

 Dulcibella camanchaca gen. nov. sp. nov.
  Holotype female (MNHNCL AMP-15974).
W – whole, left side. A1 – left antenna 1 zoom. A2 – left antenna 2 zoom. D – left dactylus from pereopod 5–7 zoom. U1 – left uropod 1 ventral side. U2 – left uropod 2 dorsal side. U3 – left uropod 3 dorsal side. T – telson.

Order Amphipoda Latreille, 1816

Suborder Amphilochidea Boeck, 1871

Superfamily Eusiroidea Stebbing, 1888

Family Eusiridae Stebbing, 1888

Dulcibella gen. nov. Weston & González

Type species: Dulcibella camanchaca sp. nov.

Etymology: The new genus is morphologically similar to Cleonardo Stebbing, 1888 and Dorotea Corbari, Frutos & Sorbe, 2019. Both genera’s names were taken as characters from Cervantes’s novel Don Quixote de la Mancha. This new genus, Dulcibella, extends this tradition with an homage to the character Dulcinea del Toboso. She is the imagined unrequited love of Don Quixote, and the source of all inspiration for love, bravery, and faith. However, the name Dulcinea is preoccupied by Dulcinea Péringuey, 1907 in the insect order Coleoptera. To adhere to Article 52 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN, 1999), we are paying tribute to the tradition with the name “Dulcibella.” Similarly, Dulcibella appears in medieval English poetry and literature as an archetypal name for a sweetheart or idealized woman. Derived from dulcis (sweet) and bella (beautiful), Dulcibella reinforces themes of sweetness and beauty.

Diagnosis: Body dorsally smooth. Pigmented eyes lacking. Antenna 1 longer than antenna 2, accessory flagellum 1-articulated, flagellum calceolate. Mandible incisor ends in a strong, blunt tooth; lacinia mobilis 5-dentate; setal row with 9 setae; molar trituration. Maxilla 1 inner plate with 3 subapical setae; outer plate with 12 apical spines. Maxilliped inner plate with 3 apical teeth; inner margin of palp article-4 denticulate. Coxa 1 not produced anteriorly and shorter than coxa 2. Coxae 5–6 bilobate. Gnathopods 1–2 subsimilar, ...

Dulcibella camanchaca sp. nov. Weston & González

Etymology: Named for "camanchaca", a dense, low coastal fog that forms by the Atacama Desert and moves inland. "Camanchacas" was also the name given to some of the littoral inhabitants of this desertic region. Finally, "camanchaca" has also been attributed to mean "darkness" in the languages of the peoples from the Andes region and, in our case, signifies the deep, dark ocean from where this species predates.

Johanna N. J. Weston, Carolina E. González, Rubén Escribano and Osvaldo Ulloa. 2024. A New large Predator (Amphipoda, Eusiridae) hidden at hadal depths of the Atacama Trench. Systematics and Biodiversity. 22(1); 2416430. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2024.2416430