Wednesday, February 29, 2012

[Paleontology • 2012] Mamenchisauridae indet. • First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand


Mamenchisaurid posterior cervical vertebra from Phu Dan Ma, Kalasin Province, Thailand, Phu Kradung Formation, Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. vertebra (SM KS26-4), right rib (SM KS26-2) and left rib (SM KS26-3)


An isolated posterior cervical vertebra of a sauropod discovered at Phu Dan Ma (Kalasin Province, northeastern Thailand) is the first informative postcranial specimen from the Phu Kradung Formation, a Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous continental unit. The vertebra is referred to the family Mamenchisauridae, otherwise mainly known from China. In addition, spatulate teeth from the same formation and a mid-dorsal vertebra from the Late Jurassic Khlong Min Formation of southern Thailand are reassigned to this family. The occurrence of mamenchisaurids in the earliest Cretaceous of Thailand supports a hypothesis of geographical isolation of Central, Eastern and Southeast Asia during the Late Jurassic. It also suggests that the main changes in their dinosaur assemblages occurred during the Early Cretaceous, rather than at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary.

Key words: Dinosauria, Mamenchisauridae, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Thailand.


Fig. 1. Sauropod distribution in the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous of the Kalasin-Mukdahan region, northeastern Thailand. The formations are shown in shaded tones. A, Phu Dan Ma (KS26) in Kuchi Narai District, Kalasin Province; B, Dan Luang (MD3) in Khamcha-i District, Mukdahan Province. Both localities lie in the Jurassic-Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation (J/Kpk); C, distribution of main groups of vertebrates in the non-marine formations of Thailand (figure courtesy of Lionel Cavin, Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva).



First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand: http://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app20090155.html


Suteethorn, S., Le Loeuff, J., Buffetaut, E., Suteethorn, V., and Wongko, K. 201X. First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 5X (X): xxx-xxx.
10 DOI: 10.4202/app.2009.0155 
http://app.pan.pl/archive/published/app58/app20090155.pdf

[Paleontology • 2011] ราชสีมาซอรัส สุรนารีเอ • Ratchasimasaurus suranareae • A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand



Here we report a new iguanodontian dentary found from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand. A unique character, which is an elongated and flat shape of the dentary ramus, makes it possible to assign the specimen to the new genus of non-hadrosaurid iguanodontian, Ratchasimasaurus suranareae gen. et sp. nov. R. suranareae shows both primitive and derived characters, such as a caudally inclined coronoid process and alveolar trough with a primitive crown impression, and a derived buccal shelf between tooth row and coronoid process. The discovery of a new iguanodontian from the Indochina Terrene, considering that the previously reported “Probactrosaurus-like” iguanodontian, points out a great diversity of this group in the late Early Cretaceous in Thailand, and corresponds to the Asian iguanodontian diversity at that time.




Masateru Shibata, Pratueng Jintasakul, and Yoichi Azuma. 2011. A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand. Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition 85 (5): 969 – 976. DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-6724.2011.00230.x

[Paleontology • 2011] สยามโมดอน นิ่มงามอิ • Siamodon nimngami • new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous) of northeastern Thailand



สยามโมดอน นิ่มงามอิ • Siamodon nimngami
• new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous) of northeastern Thailand

Abstract
A new taxon of ornithopod dinosaur is described as Siamodon nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep., on the basis of a well-preserved maxilla from the Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian) of northeastern Thailand. An isolated tooth and a braincase are referred to this taxon, and the status of other ornithopod specimens from Thailand and Laos is discussed. S. nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep. is considered as an advanced iguanodontian, apparently close to Probactrosaurus, from which it differs by various characters of the maxilla. Siamodon is an addition to the already long list of advanced iguanodontian taxa from the late Early Cretaceous of Asia. The diversity and abundance of these forms may suggest that advanced iguanodontians first appeared in Asia, before spreading to other parts of the world.

Keywords: Ornithopoda; Iguanodontia; Early Cretaceous; Aptian; Thailand; New taxon

Fig. 1. Holotype of Siamodon nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep., left maxilla, PRC-4, Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian), Ban Saphan Hin (Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand). A. Lateral view. B. Medial view. C. Dorsal view. Scale bar: 50 mm.



Eric Buffetaut and Varavudh Suteethorn. 2011. A new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) of northeastern Thailand. Annales de Paléontologie. 97 (1-2): 51-62. doi:10.1016/j.annpal.2011.08.001.


[Palaeontology • 2011] Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis • First Hominoid from the Late Miocene of the Irrawaddy Formation (Myanmar)

MFI-K171, holotype mandible of Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis n. sp.

Abstract 
For over a century, a Neogene fossil mammal fauna has been known in the Irrawaddy Formation in central Myanmar. Unfortunately, the lack of accurately located fossiliferous sites and the absence of hominoid fossils have impeded paleontological studies. Here we describe the first hominoid found in Myanmar together with a Hipparion (s.l.) associated mammal fauna from Irrawaddy Formation deposits dated between 10.4 and 8.8 Ma by biochronology and magnetostratigraphy. This hominoid documents a new species of Khoratpithecus, increasing thereby the Miocene diversity of southern Asian hominoids. The composition of the associated fauna as well as stable isotope data on Hipparion (s.l.) indicate that it inhabited an evergreen forest in a C3-plant environment. Our results enlighten that late Miocene hominoids were more regionally diversified than other large mammals, pointing towards regionally-bounded evolution of the representatives of this group in Southeast Asia. The Irrawaddy Formation, with its extensive outcrops and long temporal range, has a great potential for improving our knowledge of hominoid evolution in Asia.

Systematic Paleontology Superfamily Hominoidea Gray 1825, Family Hominidae Gray 1825, Subfamily Ponginae Elliot 1913, Genus Khoratpithecus Chaimanee et al. 2004, Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov
Holotype. Left hemi-mandible with P3-M2 (MFI-K171, collection of the Paleontology Section of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), Bangkok – 10400, Rama VI Road, Thailand).

Figure 1. Location of the Khoratpithecus-bearing localities of Thailand and Myanmar.


J.-J. Jaeger, A. N. Soe, O. Chavasseau, P. Coster, E.-G. Emonet, F. Guy, R. Lebrun, A. A. Maung, H. Shwe, S. T. Tun, K. L. Oo, M. Rugbumrung, H. Bocherens, M. Benammi, K. Chaivanich, P. Tafforeau, and Y. Chaimanee. 2011. First Hominoid from the Late Miocene of the Irrawaddy Formation (Myanmar). PLoS ONE 6 (4): 1–14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017065.

[Palaeontology • 2004] โคราชพิเธคัส พิริยะอิ 'เอปโคราช' | Khoratpithecus piriyai • A new orang-utan relative from the Late Miocene of Thailand



The fossil record of the living great apes is poor. New fossils from undocumented areas, particularly the equatorial forested habitats of extant hominoids, are therefore crucial for understanding their origins and evolution. Two main competing hypotheses have been proposed for orang-utan origins: dental similarities support an origin from Lufengpithecus, a South Chinese and Thai Middle Miocene hominoid; facial and palatal similarities support an origin from Sivapithecus, a Miocene hominoid from the Siwaliks of Indo-Pakistan. However, materials other than teeth and faces do not support these hypotheses. Here we describe the lower jaw of a new hominoid from the Late Miocene of Thailand, Khoratpithecus piriyai gen. et sp. nov., which shares unique derived characters with orang-utans and supports a hypothesis of closer relationships with orang-utans than other known Miocene hominoids. It can therefore be considered as the closest known relative of orang-utans. Ancestors of this great ape were therefore evolving in Thailand under tropical conditions similar to those of today, in contrast with Southern China and Pakistan, where temperate or more seasonal climates appeared during the Late Miocene.

Systematics. Order Primates Linnaeus 1758; suborder Anthropoidea Mivart 1864; superfamily Hominoidea Gray 1825; family Hominidae Gray 1825; subfamily Ponginae Elliot 1913; Khoratpithecus gen. nov.

Type species. Khoratpithecus piriyai sp. nov.
Referred species. cf. Lufengpithecus chiangmuanensis Chaimanee et al. 2003, Middle Miocene of Thailand.
Etymology. Khoratpithecus means ape from Khorat.


FIGURE 1. Mandible of Khoratpithecus piriyai gen. et sp. nov. holotype (RIN 765).







Y. Chaimanee, V. Suteethorn, P. Jintasakul, C. Vidthayanon, B. Marandat and J.-J. Jaeger. 2004. A new orang-utan relative from the Late Miocene of Thailand. Nature. 427 (6973): 439–441. doi:10.1038/nature02245.

[Palaeontology • 2003] Khoratpithecus (originally 'cf. Lufengpithecus' ) chiangmuanensis • A Middle Miocene hominoid from Thailand and orangutan origins


Figure 3: cf. Lufengpithecus chiangmuanensis n. sp.



Figure: Khoratpithecus chiangmuanensis. A: Isolated teeth discovered onthe site of Chiang Muan, Thailand. The top two rows are male teeth, the lowertwo rows are female teeth. B: 3D analysis by X-ray synchrotron microtomographyof a second lower molar from a male. From left to right: 3D reconstruction, virtualvertical cut, and quantitative distribution map of enamel. The scale bars represent 1 cm.

Fossil teeth hint at orang-utan origins: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2823245.stm

Y. Chaimanee, D. Jolly, Benammi, M., Tafforeau, P., Duzer, D., Moussa, I. and J.-J. Jaeger. 2003. A Middle Miocene hominoid from Thailand and orangutan origins. Nature 422 (6927): 61–65. doi:10.1038/nature01449.

[Palaeontology • 2010] Tarsius sirindhornae • A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric–morphometric method


Tarsius sirindhornae lived during the Middle Miocene in northern Thailand.

The new species— named Tarsius sirindhornae — lived about 13 million years ago. Based on the fossil jaws, the whole animal would have weighed up to 6 ounces (180 grams), making it the largest known tarsier, said study leader Yaowalak Chaimanee, a geologist with Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources.

Chaimanee, Y., Lebrun, R., Yamee, C., and Jaeger, J.-J. 2010. A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric–morphometric method. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: –. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2062.

ซากฟอสซิลลิงชนิดใหม่ของโลก อายุ 13 ล้านปี: http://chm.forest.go.th/th/?p=1232
New Species Found: Thai Fossils Reveal Ancient Primate http://on.natgeo.com/g8yARJ

[Herpetology • 2011] Jarujinia: New Genus | จิ้งเหลนสองขาอาจารย์จารุจินต์ | Jarujinia bipedalis • A New Genus of Lygosomine Lizard from Central Thailand


Jarujinia bipedalis | จิ้งเหลนสองขาอาจารย์จารุจินต์

Abstract
 A new species of Lygosomine skink (Jarujinia bipedalis sp. nov.) from Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province in Central Thailand is described and assigned to a new monotypic genus (Jarujinia). This bipedal skink with only forearms possessing two clawless vestigial fingers appears morphologically to be an evolutionary link between the Lygosomine genera of Larutia and Isopachys, but clearly distinct from both.
Key words: new genus, new species, Jarujinia, Lygosomine.

Jarujinia bipedalis  Chan-ard, Makchai & Cota 2011

Holotype. - THNHM 15410
Type locality: Ban Pu Nam Ron, Tambon Pong Kra Ting, Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province, elevation ca. 600 m
Distribution: Thailand (Western mountain range in Ban Pu Nam Ron, Tambon Pong Kra Ting, Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province, ca. 150 km west-southwest of Bangkok)


Diagnosis: The only scincine genus (and species) in which a single species has only forelimbs with two clawless vestigial fingers and in which the hind-limbs are completely absent.


Etymology.- The genus is named for Dr. Jarujin Nabhitabhata (1950-2008), first Director of the Thailand Natural History Museum, to whom we owe much professional and personal gratitude. The species is named for its character of only possessing a pair of forelimbs: two legs are present, but the hind-limbs are absent.


Chan-ard, Tanya; Sunchai Makchai and Michael Cota. 2011. Jarujinia: A New Genus of Lygosomine Lizard from Central Thailand, with a Description of One New Species. The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal .5 (1): 17-24

[Herpetology • 2011] Larutia nubisilvicola | จิ้งเหลนป่าเมฆ -เขานัน • A New Species of Larutia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Peninsular Thailand



Abstract
During an expedition to study the biodiversity of the cloud forest of the Upper Khao Nan Mountain Range of Nakhon Si Thammarat in April 2007, a Larutia sp. was found. This proved to be morphologically distinct from any other known species of Larutia and is now described as Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov.

Key words: Reptilia, Lepidosauria, Squamata, Lacertilia, Sauria, Scincomorpha, Scincidae, Larutia, Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov., Southeast Asia, Thailand, taxonomy.


Holotype: THNHM 11799 female.
Paratypes: THNHM 11797 female, THNHM 11798 male, THNHM 11800 female; collected by T. Chan-ard, M. Cota, S. Makchai & S. Lhaoteaw on 20 April 2007. 
Diagnosis: A small species of Larutia. Mid-body scale row is 24. Possesses 4 supraoculars, 6 supralabials and 5 infralabials. The first infralabial is separate from, but appears as an extension of the mental. The postmental contacts the first and second infralabials as well as the first pair of chin shields. A single gular scale is present between the second pair of chin shields.

Etymology: Larutia nubisilvicola is named as an inhabitant of the cloud forest, where it is found. 

Larutia nubisilvicola 
Chan-ard, T., M. Cota, S. Mekchai and S. Lhaoteaw. 2011. A New Species of Larutia (Squamata: Scincidae) Found in Peninsular Thailand. Thailand Natural History Museum Journal 5 (1): 57–65.

[Herpetology • 2011] Larutia penangensis | Penang Legless Skink • Peninsular Malaysia’s first limbless lizard: a new species of skink of the genus Larutia (Böhme) from Pulau Pinang with a phylogeny of the genus



Abstract
A new species of the scincid genus Larutia, L. penangensis sp. nov., from Pulau Pinang, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from all other congeners by having the unique characteristics of the complete absence of limbs, four supralabials, large body scales, and no banding or striping pattern. Additionally, it has the following unique combination of characters that further separates it from all congeners: a single presubocular; separated nasals; paired frontoparietals; small, widely separated prefrontals; no supranasals or postnasal; two postsupralabials; and large, posterior chinshields that contact the infralabials. A molecular phylogeny based on one mitochondrial and two nuclear genes from all species of Larutia from Peninsular Malaysia indicates L. penangensis sp. nov. is most basal and that L. seribuatensis is the sister lineage to a clade containing L. miodactyla and the sister species L. trifasciata and L. larutensis. Consistencies and inconsistencies between this phylogeny and a previously proposed morphological phylogeny are discussed.

Key words: Larutia, Larutia penangensis, Malaysia, new species, Penang, Pulau Pinang, Scincidae, taxonomy, phylogeny


GRISMER, L. LEE; EVAN QUAH SENG HUAT, CAMERON D. SILER, CHAN, K. O., PERRY L. WOOD,JR., JESSE 2011. Peninsular Malaysia’s first limbless lizard: a new species of skink of the genus Larutia (Böhme) from Pulau Pinang with a phylogeny of the genus. Zootaxa. 2799: 29–40

[Herpetology • 2003] Larutia seribuatensis & L. puehensis • Two New Southeast Asian Skinks of the Genus Larutia and Intrageneric Phylogenetic Relationships


Top: Holotype of Larutia seribuatensis ZRC 2.5088
Bottom: (left)  Nuchal bands  of  Larutia seribuatensis ZRC 2.5088  and (right) L. trifasciata BM 3853.  First nuchal band of L. seribuatensis makes contact with the posterior edge of the eye. 


Abstract
Two  new species  of  Larutia are described, one  from Pulau Tulai, located  38  km off the southeast coast of Pahang, West Malaysia, in the Seribuat Archipelago and another from Gunung Berumput in the Pueh Mountains of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The Pulau Tulai species differs from all others in having a pair of light yellow dorsolateral stripes, light yellow markings on the head, small maximum snout-vent length (115 mm), and characteristics of nuchal banding. The Gunung Berumput species differs from all others in having radiating nuchal markings. Both  represent new  island records (Pulau Tulai and Borneo) and, based  on morphology, are members of different monophyletic species groups within Larutia

Key words:  Borneo; Gunung Berumput; Larutia; Malaysia; New species; Phylogeny; puehensis; Seribuat 
Archipelago; seribuatensis

Larutia seribuatensis  sp. nov. 
Suggested common name.- Two-lined  two-toed skink. 
Holotype.- ZRC  2.5088,  adult male (Figs. 2, 3) from Pulau Tulai (2? 95'  N,  104.17? W), Pahang, West  Malaysia; collected  by  J.  L. Grismer on 13 July 2001.

Larutia puehensis  sp. nov. 
Suggested common name.- Berumput  two-toed skink. 
Holotype.- BM  1927 8.11  2,  adult female (Figs. 6, 7) from Gunung Berumput (10 70' N, 1090  75'  E),  Pueh Mountains, Sarawak, East Malaysia; collector  and  date  of  collection unknown (C.  McCarthy, personal communication).

Fic.  1.- The  distribution of the species of Larutia. L = L. larutensis, T =  L. trifasciata, M =  L. miodactyla, S = L.  sumatrensis,  P  =  L.  puehensis,  and  Sr  =  L. seribuatensis.


Grismer, J.L., Leong, T.M. and Yaakob, N.S. 2003. Two New Southeast Asian Skinks of the Genus Larutia and Intrageneric Phylogenetic Relationships. Herpetologica. 59(4): 552-564. http://jstor.org/stable/3893647

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

[Herpetology • 2012] Lygosoma veunsaiensis • A new species of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae) from northeastern Cambodia, with an updated identification key to the genus Lygosoma in mainland Southeast Asia




Abstract 

We describe a new species of the genus Lygosoma from northeastern Cambodia based on a single voucher specimen collected from Veun Sai Proposed Protected Forest, Veun Sai District, Ratanakiri Province. Lygosoma veunsaiensis sp. nov. is differentiated from all congeners occurring in mainland Southeast Asia by the combination of the following characters:  outer ear opening absent; supranasals distinct and separated from each other by frontonasal; supranasals not fused with  nasals; midbody scales in 22 rows; fontoparietals paired; five supralabials; a light stripe present on outer edge of the dorsum; and a dark dorsolateral stripe present, from behind the eye to the tail. A key to the Southeast Asian mainland species of Lygoma is provided.
Key words: taxonomy, L. veunsaiensis sp. nov., Veun Sai Proposed Protected Forest, Ratanakiri Province, Indochina






PETER GEISSLER (Germany), TIMO HARTMANN (Germany) & THY NEANG (Combodia).
2012. A new species of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae) from northeastern Cambodia, with an updated identification key to the genus Lygosoma in mainland Southeast Asia 



[Herpetology • 2011] A review of Indochinese skinks of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae), with natural history notes and an identification key


Lygosoma angeli, L. haroldyoungi & L. corpulentum

Abstract
We review the supple skinks (Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827) known to occur in Indochina (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam). Here, the existence of seven species is documented: L. angeli, L. boehmei, L. bowringii, L. corpulentum, L. haroldyoungi, L. isodactylum (type of Squamicilia Mittleman, 1952), and L. quadrupes (type of Lygosoma). Based on morphological characters, L. carinatum Darevsky & Orlova, 1996 is shown to be a synonym of L. corpulentum. Although L. bowringii is expected to turn out as a complex of cryptic species when molecular methods are applied to a broad sampling, Indochinese representatives form a homogenous group based on morphology. Two further Lygosoma listed by Bourret (2009), viz. L. albopunctatum and L. punctatum (generotype of Riopa Gray, 1839) are distributed further west and probably fail to reach the Indochinese realm. We also provide natural history notes and an identification key for the seven species currently recognized from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Key words: Scincidae; Lygosoma; Indochina; Cambodia; Laos; Vietnam; taxonomy; natural history

Lygosoma angeli



A review of Indochinese skinks of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae), with natural history notes and an identification key. Biologia, 66(6). 1159-1176, doi: 10.2478/s11756-011-0130-2  via http://academia.edu/


[Herpetology • 2007] Lygosoma boehmei • A new species of Lygosoma (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Central Truong Son, Vietnam, with notes on its molecular phylogenetic position


Lygosoma boehmei

Abstract
 A new Lygosoma species is described from the Central Truong Son (Annamite mountain range) of Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. The description is based on a single female specimen, collected during the dry season in the karst forest of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The new Lygosoma differs from any other congener by the dorsal scales with pseudokeels in combination with a pair of frontoparietals; a scaly lower eyelid; seven supralabials; seven infralabials; 32 midbody scale rows; 66 middorsal (paravertebral) scales; smooth ventral scales, arranged in 81 transverse rows; 108 smooth, not enlarged median subcaudal scales; the fourth toe with 14 keeled subdigital lamellae; a reddish brown to brownish black dorsum and an orange-yellowish to greyish ventral side in life; as well as greyish black edged sutures of anterior supra- and infralabials. The new Lygosoma species is the third karst-adapted scincid species that has been described from Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park since 2005. A first molecular positioning of the new species within the genus Lygosoma is given as well as a key to the Vietnamese Lygosoma species.

Author Keywords: Central Truong Son; Lygosoma boehmei sp. n.; Phylogeny; Sauria; Scincidae; Taxonomy; Vietnam
Index Keywords: Lygosoma; Sauria; Scincidae; Squamata

Distribution: Vietnam (Quang Binh)
Type locality: karst forest of Cha Noi, 350-400 m elevation, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam.


Ziegler, T; Schmitz, A; Heidrich, A; Vu, NT; Nguyen, QT 2007. A new species of Lygosoma (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Central Truong Son, Vietnam, with notes on its molecular phylogenetic position. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 114 (2): 397-415

Thompson, C. & Thompson, T. 2008. First contact in the Greater Mekong - new species discoveries. WWF, 40 pp. http://worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFBinaryitem10994.pdf

[Herpetology • 2012] Homalopsis mereljcoxi • The Masked Water Snakes of the Genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the Description of A New Species


Homalopsis mereljcoxi sp. nov. from the Khorat Basin, near Khon Kaen, Thailand (~16°01” N, 102°35’ E). Photograph by JCM. The high contrast, evenly spaced, pale colored bands outlined in black that extend across the dorsum help distinguish this species from H. buccata which often have more irregular bands with less contrast. 

Homalopsis mereljcoxi photo: Michael Cota


Abstract
Masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis are abundant in the wetlands of Southeastern Asia. Currently, two species are recognized, the widespread H. buccata Linnaeus and the Mekong drainage endemic H. nigroventralis Deuve. On the basis of morphology we resurrect H. hardwickii Gray and H. semizonata Blyth and describe a new species from Indochina. We establish a neotype for Coluber buccatus Linnaeus and examine the status of other names associated with this species. Homalopsis species can be distinguished from each other on the basis of dorsal scale row counts, the scales in the ocular ring, and other head scale architecture. The new species, Homalopsis mereljcoxi, is distinguished from all others by its one postocular and one postsubocular scale, and a higher dorsal scale row count (40–47 scale rows at midbody) that are reduced to more than 30 scale rows at the body’s posterior. The new species is heavily exploited for the skin trade at Tonle Sap, Cambodia. Homalopsis likely contains other cryptic species that have evolved in the changing aquatic habitats of Southeast Asia. A key to the species of Homalopsis is provided.

Key words: Homalopsis buccata, cryptic species, Homalopsis hardwickiiHomalopsis mereljcoxiHomalopsis nigroventralisHomalopsis semizonata, Southeast Asia, systematics, taxonomy


FIGURE 7. A. Homalopsis buccata from East Kalimantan 
| B. Homalopsis mereljcoxi sp. nov. from the Khorat Basin, near Khon Kaen, Thailand 
| C. Homalopsis nigroventralis from an unknown locality in Thailand. 
| D. Homalopsis semizonata from Myanmar: Tanintharyi Division



Homalopsis mereljcoxi sp. nov.

Holotype. A female, FMNH 263756 from Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Wang Nam Khieo, Udon Sap (subdistrict), Ban Badan Reservoir (14°31’04” N, 101°58’25” E); collected 16 June 2004 by Daryl R. Karns and John C. Murphy.

Etymology. This new species is named in in honor of Merel “Jack” Cox, for his years of dedication to the study of the snakes of Thailand.

Distribution. Homalopsis mereljcoxi is known from lowland localities in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. On the western edge of its known range it is found as far north as Bung Cho, Uttaradit Province, Phichai District (~12°N, 104°E), Thailand and as far south as Lake Songkhla (~7°N, 100°E), Thailand. In Vietnam it is found at least as far east as Can Tho Province (~10°N, 105°E) and as far south as Vinh Thuan District Town in Kien Giang Province (~9°N, 105°E). It is present in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, and it most likely occurs throughout the lower elevations of the Chao Phraya and Mekong drainages. It is possible, but unclear, if this species inhabits Myanmar. Gyi (1970) reports Myanmar Homalopsis with 39–43 middorsal scale rows, Homalopsis semizonata Blyth, 1855 inhabits the area on both side of the Gulf of Martaban and the Ayeyarwady delta and it has 38-43 scale rows which overlap the range of scale rows for H. mereljcoxi.

Natural history. Many authors have discussed the natural history of this species (Saint Girons 1972; Brooks et al. 2007, 2010; Karns et al. 2005, 2010) under the name Homalopsis buccata. The morphology of this species agrees well with the Cambodia specimens described by Saint Girons (1972), however his data included ventral counts of 154–180, a range with some specimens below the lower end of the range observed in our sample. Cambodian specimens with ventral counts lower than 160 (unpublished data) likely belong to one or more cryptic species. 
In Thailand, the habitat used by Homalopsis mereljcoxi includes small reservoirs, ditches, ponds, streams, and shallow wetlands (Karns et al. 2005; 2010). Snakes were primarily obtained from fishers’ gill nets, one specimen was hand collected from a pond at night while it floated near the surface in an ambush posture. Saint Girons (1972) described similar habitats in Cambodia: streams, rivers, irrigation canals, marshes, reservoirs and the banks of lakes and rivers; he also reports it in shallow water at night and describes it resting in burrows or crevices in the bank during the day, noting that specimens move very little while on land. Individuals released into shallow water escaped without hesitation, but placed in a river with steep banks, the snakes immediately sought refuge along the shore.


Murphy, J.C. et al. 2012: The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species.
Zootaxa, 3208: 1–26.

[Herpetology • 2011] Djokoiskandarus new genus for Cantoria annulata • The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae)


Banded mangrove snake, Djokoiskandarus annulatus 

Abstract
 The external morphology and systematics of Australasian homalopsid snakes are examined against the background of recent molecular work. Two new species (Myron karnsi and Myron resetari) in the genus Myron Gray 1849 are described using the external morphology commonly applied to snake species. Cantoria annulata Jong 1926 and Hypsirhina polylepis Fisher 1886 represent endemic Australasian genera; Cantoria annulata is assigned a new genus, and the genus Pseudoferania Ogilby 1891 is resurrected for Enhydris polylepis. The zoogeography of the Australasian homalopsid clade is discussed.
Key words:– homalopsids, MyronCantoriaEnhydris,  Heurnia, nomenclature, new genus, new species.


Djokoiskandarus, new genus
Type species. – Cantoria annulata Jong, 1926 by monotypy.
Etymology. – The genus is named in honour of Indonesian herpetologist Djoko Iskandar. Gender of genus is masculine.
Distribution. – Southern coast of New Guinea.
Morphological Diagnosis. – Dorsal scale rows 21 at mid body; internasal separates prefrontal and nasals scales; frontal’s contact with the internasal makes this species readily distinguishable from all other homalopsids, including Cantoria violacea which has 19 scale rows at mid body and the prefrontal scales in broad contact. A number of species of Enhydris have 21 scale rows at mid body, but all of them have the nasal scales in contact. D. annulatus also has keeled scales in the fi rst three dorsal scale rows just anterior to the vent. A male is 578 mm in total length with a 108 mm tail; four females were 277–548 mm in total length. See Murphy (2007) for a more exhaustive description. 

Djokoiskandarus annulatus, new combination
Type Locality. – Prins Hendrik-eiland (Yos Sudarso), New Guinea, Indonesia (about 7º56'S and 138º21'E).
Distribution. – Southern coastal New Guinea.


Murphy, John C. 2011. The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 59(2):229-236.

[Herpetology • 2011] Myron karnsi & M. resetari • Two new dwarf homalopsid snakes (Homalopsidae) from eastern Indonesia and western Australia


Two new dwarf homalopsid snakes of the genus Myron described in 2011. A. Myron karnsi from the Aru Islands in eastern Indonesia. B. Myron resetari from Western Australia. Both species have been long confused with Myron richardsonii, a species from northern Australia.These are small (less than 400 mm), coastal species that probably hunt fish in marine environments. They are two of a small number of snakes, other than true sea snakes and file snakes, that have been able to adapt to saltwater. M. karnsi is known from a single specimen, M. resetari was known from two specimens when described, but other specimens have been found in the last few months. JCM


Abstract
 The external morphology and systematics of Australasian homalopsid snakes are examined against the background of recent molecular work. Two new species (Myron karnsi and Myron resetari) in the genus Myron Gray 1849 are described using the external morphology commonly applied to snake species. Cantoria annulata Jong 1926 and Hypsirhina polylepis Fisher 1886 represent endemic Australasian genera; Cantoria annulata is assigned a new genus, and the genus Pseudoferania Ogilby 1891 is resurrected for Enhydris polylepis. The zoogeography of the Australasian homalopsid clade is discussed.
Key words:– homalopsids, Myron, Cantoria, Enhydris,  Heurnia, nomenclature, new genus, new species.


Myron karnsi, new species
Holotype: SMF 19569. 
Type Locality: Indonesia Aru, Kobroor, Selrutti (about 5º46'S and 134º31'E).
1917 Myron richardsoni — Rooij, 2:192

Etymology. – This species is named in honour of Daryl R. Karns, Hanover College and the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, Field Museum of Natural History for his contributions to herpetological research and work with homalopsid snakes.
Distribution. – Known only from the type locality.


Myron resetari, new species
Holotype: QM J52861. 
Type locality: Broome, Western Australia (about 17º58'S and 122º14'E).
1970 Myron richardsonii — Gyi, pages 172–174, Fig. 28.

Etymology. – The specifi c name is in honour of Alan Resetar of the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, Field Museum of Natural History for his life long dedication to herpetology and his behind the scenes contributions to homalopsid snake research.
Distribution. – Known only from the type locality, Broome, Western Australia; but it may be more widespread. Given Myron’s use of mangroves and mudfl ats it seems likely this snake is from the Roebuck Bay area of the Dampier Peninsula.


Murphy, John C. 2011. The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 59(2):229-236.


[Herpetology • 2012] Hydrophis donaldi | Rough-scaled Sea Snake • a highly distinctive new species of sea snake (Elapidae, Hydrophiinae) from Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia


Rough-scaled Sea Snake | Hydrophis donaldi Ukuwela, Sanders & Fry, 2012

Abstract
A new species of viviparous sea snake, Hydrophis donaldi sp. nov. (Hydrophiinae), is described from the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia. Molecular analyses reveal this species as a deeply divergent lineage within the Hydrophis subgroup, and separate it from all other sampled taxa by fixed nucleotide substitutions at three independent mitochondrial and nuclear loci. The new species is assigned to Hydrophis based on the current morphological diagnosis of this large but paraphyletic genus, and is distinguished from all other Hydrophis species and closely allied genera by a combination of morphological characters relating to scalation, colour pattern and osteology. Using current keys for sea snakes, H. donaldi sp. nov. might be mistaken for H. coggeri, H. sibauensis or H. torquatus diadema but it is readily distinguished from these 
species by a higher number of bands on the body and tail, lower ventral count, strongly spinous body scales, and a wider, more rounded head. Sea snakes have been sampled intensively in the Gulf of Carpentaria due to their vulnerability to bycatch in the region’s commercial prawn-trawl fisheries. That this highly distinctive new species has evaded discovery in the region until now is surprising, but might be explained by its habitat preferences. All known specimens of H. donaldi sp. nov. were found in estuarine habitats that are relatively poorly surveyed and are not targeted by commercial fisheries. 

Key words: Estuary, Gulf of Carpentaria, Hydrophis, phylogenetics, taxonomy


Bryan Fry (the third author) with Hydrophis donaldi

Top: Bryan Fry (the third author) with Hydrophis donaldi
Bottom: Olive sea snake, Aipysurus laevis


‘rough-scaled sea snake’ : http://www.sci-news.com/biology/article00191.html

Spiny, Venomous New Sea Snake Discovered — http://on.natgeo.com/A7u5WL 

Hydrophis donaldi (Elapidae, Hydrophiinae), a highly distinctive new species of sea snake from northern Australia: http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03201p057f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Sea snakes in Vietnam (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae): a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key


Sea snakes from Vietnam: Acalyptophis peronii, Kerilia jerdonii, Thalassophina viperina, Hydrophis atriceps, H. belcheri, H. cyanocinctus, H. lamberti, H. melanocephalus, H. ornatus & H. pachycercos


Abstract
Sea snakes (Elapidae, subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) reach a very high species richness in Southeast Asia, but most countries in the region still lack comprehensive and up-to-date identification tools for these snakes. We presentan updated checklist of sea snakes in Vietnam. We also provide diagnostic characters for all species and a new complete identification key, chiefly based on easy-to-use external characters. The checklist and key cover the 25 species documented from Vietnam, as well as three likely future additions to its sea snake fauna. By surveying incoming fishing vessels between Nha Trang and the mouth of Mekong River in 2000–2001, we were able to document two species new for Vietnamese waters: Hydrophis belcheri and H. pachycercos. Through these surveys we also secured four specimens of the rare endemic species H. parviceps, formerly known only from two specimens. A comprehensive bibliography of the literature treating sea snakes in Vietnamese waters is provided.

Identification key: bibliography, biodiversity, diagnostic characters, Vietnamese waters

Rasmussen, A. R.; Elmberg, J., Gravlund, P. and Ineich, I. 2011. Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key. Zootaxa 2894: 1–20