[Herpetology • 2014] Limnonectes larvaepartus • A Novel Reproductive Mode in Frogs: A New Species of Fanged Frog with Internal Fertilization and Birth of Tadpoles from Sulawesi Island, Indonesia

Figure 2. Limnonectes larvaepartus.
(a) MVZ 268323 (male, left) and MVZ 268307 (female, right) collected from Desa Uaemate along the Tasio-Tibo Road, Kabupatan Mamuju, Provinsi Sulawesi Barat, Sulawesi Island (02.61287S, 119.14238 E, 89 m elev.); (b) Limnonectes larvaepartus female (MVZ 268426) with tadpoles removed from the oviduct. Note the large yolk reserves available to the tadpoles; (c) An in situ adult male L. larvaepartus (JAM 14234) observed calling while perched on the edge of a small pool 2 m away from a 2 m wide stream; several L. larvaepartus tadpoles were present in the pool including the two visible within the yellow circle; (d) dorsal and ventral views of ~stage 25 L. larvaepartus tadpoles (JAM 14271) released by a pregnant female (JAM 14237) at the moment of capture.

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115884.g002

Abstract

We describe a new species of fanged frog (Limnonectes larvaepartus) that is unique among anurans in having both internal fertilization and birth of tadpoles. The new species is endemic to Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. This is the fourth valid species of Limnonectes described from Sulawesi despite that the radiation includes at least 15 species and possibly many more. Fewer than a dozen of the 6455 species of frogs in the world are known to have internal fertilization, and of these, all but the new species either deposit fertilized eggs or give birth to froglets.

 

 Iskandar, D. T.; Evans, B. J.; McGuire, J. A. 2014. A Novel Reproductive Mode in Frogs: A New Species of Fanged Frog with Internal Fertilization and Birth of Tadpoles. PLoS ONE. 9 (12): e115884. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0115884.g002

  These Froggies Went A Courtin' And Gave Birth To Live Tadpoles http://n.pr/1vuxHWM

[Crustacea • 2014] Christmaplax mirabilis • A New Family, Genus and Species of Cavernicolous Crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pseudozioidea) from Christmas Island, Australia

Fig. 4. Christmaplax mirabilis, new species;
paratype female, 8.3 × 11.3 mm, ZRC 2014.0814, in situ.

Photographed by Yoshihisa Fujita.

Abstract

 A new genus and species of cavernicolous pseudozioid crab, Christmaplax mirabilis, is described from Christmas Island, Australia. The new crab was found in a subterranean pool located near the underwater entrance of a marine cave on the northwestern coast of the island. Christmaplax mirabilis has cavernicolous adaptations (e.g., reduced eyes, elongated ambulatory legs and pale colour) and superficially resembles anchialine crabs of the genus Orcovita (Varunidae). The characters of the female gonopores, male gonopods 1 and 2, and male abdomens show that it is a member of the Pseudozioidea. However, Christmaplax mirabilis cannot be placed in any of the three recognised pseudozioid families (Pseudoziidae, Planopilumnidae and Pilumnoididae), requiring the establishment of a new family, Christmaplacidae. The genus Flindersoplax Davie, 1989, previously placed in Pseudoziidae, is also transferred to the Planopilumnidae.

Key words: Taxonomy, Pseudozioidea, new family, new genus, new species, Christmas Island, Australia

Tohru Naruse and Peter K. L. Ng. 2014. A New Family, Genus and Species of Cavernicolous Crab (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Pseudozioidea) from Christmas Island, Australia. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 30: 263–273

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/supplement_30/S30_C28_263_273.pdf

[Herpetology • 2014] Taxonomic Revision of the Pseudogekko compresicorpus complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae), with Descriptions of Three New Species

FIG. 8.— Photographs in life of (A) Pseudogekko compresicorpus (KU 326436) and the holotypes of (B) Pseudogekko pungkaypinit sp. nov. (Holotype, PNM 9810, formerly KU 326435), (C) Pseudogekko ditoy sp. nov. (Holotype, PNM 9811, formerly KU 326437), and (D) Pseudogekko chavacano sp. nov. (Holotype, PNM 9812, formerly KU 314963). Photographs by RMB. 

ABSTRACT 

Recent phylogenetic analysis of false geckos, genus Pseudogekko, revealed unrecognized diversity within these exceedingly rare and enigmatic Philippine forest geckos. Newly available genetic datasets revealed that two of the four currently recognized species are complexes of multiple, deeply divergent evolutionary lineages. In this paper we evaluate species diversity in the Pseudogekko compresicorpus Complex and describe three new species in this unique clade of endemic Philippine geckos. For nearly a century, P. compresicorpus has been recognized as a single, ''widespread'' species with a geographic range spanning three major faunal regions and several isolated islands. This perception of the species' wide geographic range has persisted due to the rarity of this species. We evaluate morphological data, in light of a recent phylogenetic study on the genus, to define species limits in P. compresicorpus, finding character-based evidence that unambiguously supports the recognition of four unique evolutionary lineages within the complex, three of which we describe as new species. These evolutionary species correspond to monophyletic lineages supported in recent molecular studies. We also address the historically controversial generic affiliation of Pseudogekko labialis and conclude that this poorly known species is a member of the genus Lepidodactylus. All species recognized in this study possess allopatric geographic ranges and differ from congeners by numerous diagnostic characters of external morphology and, therefore, should be recognized as full species in accordance with any lineage-based species concept. This study nearly doubles the known diversity of Philippine false geckos.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Conservation, Endemism, False geckos, Philippines, Species complex, Taxonomy

 Cameron D Siler, Luke J Welton, Drew R Davis, Jessa L Watters, Conner S Davey, Arvin C Diesmos, Mae L Diesmos and Rafe M Brown. 2014. Taxonomic Revision of the Pseudogekko compresicorpus complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae), with Descriptions of Three New Species. Herpetological Monographs. 28(1):110-139.
DOI: 10.1655/HERPMONOGRAPHS-D-14-00005
researchgate.net/publication/270274590_Taxonomic_revision_of_the_Pseudogekko_compresicorpus_complex_(Reptilia_Squamata_Gekkonidae)_with_descriptions_of_three_new_species

[Herpetology • 2014] New Ichthyophis Species from Indochina (Gymnophiona, Ichthyophiidae): 1. The Unstriped Forms with Descriptions of Three New Species [Ichthyophis cardamomensis, I. catlocensis and I. chaloensis] and the Redescriptions of I. acuminatus Taylor, 1960, I. youngorum Taylor, 1960 and I. laosensis Taylor, 1969

Ichthyophis cardamomensis sp. nov. from western Cambodia, 
Ichthyophis catlocensis sp. nov. from southern Vietnam, and
 Ichthyophis chaloensis sp. nov. from central Vietnam 

Geissler, Poyarkov, Grismer, Nguyen, An, Neang, Kupfer, Ziegler, Böhme & Müller, 2014
DOI: 10.1007/s13127-014-0190-6

Abstract

Caecilians of the genus Ichthyophis Fitzinger, 1826 are among the most poorly known amphibian taxa within Southeast Asia. Populations of Ichthyophis from the Indochina region (comprising Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam) have been assigned to five taxa: Ichthyophis acuminatus, Ichthyophis bannanicus, Ichthyophis kohtaoensis, Ichthyophis laosensis, and Ichthyophis nguyenorum. Barcoding of recently collected specimens indicates that Indochinese congeners form a clade that includes several morphologically and genetically distinct but yet undescribed species. Although body coloration is supported by the molecular analyses as a diagnostic character at species level, unstriped forms are paraphyletic with respect to striped Ichthyophis. Based on our morphological and molecular analyses, three distinct unstriped ichthyophiid species, Ichthyophis cardamomensis sp. nov. from western Cambodia, Ichthyophis catlocensis sp. nov. from southern Vietnam, and Ichthyophis chaloensis sp. nov. from central Vietnam are described as new herein, almost doubling the number of Ichthyophis species known from the Indochinese region. All three new species differ from their unstriped congeners in a combination of morphological and molecular traits. In addition, redescriptions of three unstriped Ichthyophis species (Ichthyophis acuminatus, I. laosensis, I. youngorum) from Indochina and adjacent Thailand are provided.

Keywords: Biogeography, Caecilians, Indochina, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, mtDNA, Barcoding, COI, cyt b, Phylogeny, Integrative taxonomy

Ichthyophis cardamomensis
 Geissler, Poyarkov, Grismer, Nguyen, An, Neang, Kupfer, Ziegler, Böhme & Müller, 2014

DOI: 10.1007/s13127-014-0190-6

Ichthyophis chaloensis
Geissler, Poyarkov, Grismer, Nguyen, An, Neang, Kupfer, Ziegler, Böhme & Müller, 2014

DOI: 10.1007/s13127-014-0190-6

Ichthyophis catlocensis
Geissler, Poyarkov, Grismer, Nguyen, An, Neang, Kupfer, Ziegler, Böhme & Müller, 2014

DOI: 10.1007/s13127-014-0190-6

Peter Geissler, Nikolay A. Poyarkov Jr., Lee Grismer, Truong Q. Nguyen, Hang T. An, Thy Neang, Alexander Kupfer, Thomas Ziegler, Wolfgang Böhme and Hendrik Müller. 2014. New Ichthyophis Species from Indochina (Gymnophiona, Ichthyophiidae): 1. The Unstriped Forms with Descriptions of Three New Species and the Redescriptions of I. acuminatus Taylor, 1960, I. youngorum Taylor, 1960 and I. laosensis Taylor, 1969.
Organisms Diversity & Evolution. DOI: 10.1007/s13127-014-0190-6

researchgate.net/publication/269987105_Ichthyophis_species_from_Indochina_(Gymnophiona_Ichthyophiidae)_1._The_unstriped_forms_with_descriptions_of_three_new_species_and_the_redescriptions_of_I._acuminatus_Taylor_1960_I._youngorum_Taylor_1960_and_I._laosensis_Taylor_1969

New legless amphibian discovered in Cambodia

http://www.fauna-flora.org/news/new-legless-amphibian-discovered-in-cambodia/

Scientists discover new species of legless amphibian in Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains 

http://phy.so/340439706 via @physorg_com

[Herpetology • 2014] A Review of Genus Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Fauna of Laos with Description of Four New Species; Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis, C. darevskii, C. multiporus & C. spelaeus

ABSTRACT 

We describe four new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on the results of phylogenetic analysis of 673 bp of the COI mtDNA gene and morphological description of voucher specimens from Khammouane and Vientiane provinces, Laos. The three of the new species, namely Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. and Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov., are described from a small area in monsoon tropical forests on limestone in the environs of Nahome Village, Boulapha District, Khammouane Province, Central Annamites. 

Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov. differs from all other Laotian Cyrtodactylus by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) maximum SVL up to 100 mm; (2) dorsal pattern formed by the narrow dark nuchal band and 4–5 dark transverse breaking bands with light yellowish posterior edges between limbs; (4) 38–46 ventral scales; (5) continuous series of 38–44 precloacal and femoral pores in males and 24–34 precloacal and femoral pores in females; (6) preclocal groove lacking; (7) 4–5 postcloacal spurs present in both sexes; (8) one median row of subcaudal scales. Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov. appears to be closely related to the recently described C. jaegeri Luu et. al., 2014 and can be distinguished from this species and the remaining Laotian congeners by a combination of the following morphological features: (1) medium size, with a maximum SVL up to 73 mm; (2) males with continuous series of 40–44 precloacal and femoral pores; (3) preclocal groove lacking; (4) 32–38 longitudinal rows of ventral scales at midbody; (5) weakly keeled tubercles present on the dorsum and lacking on the head; (6) 5–6 enlarged postcloacal spurs in both sexes; (8) one median row of subcaudal scales; (7) dorsal pattern consisting of wide dark nuchal band and 4–5 dark wide transverse bands. Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of the following morphological attributes: (1) maximum SVL of up to 98 mm; (2) dorsal patterns consisting of dark irregular separate spots between limbs and on the dorsal surface of the head; (3) nuchal band absent; (4) 30–38 ventrals; (5) continuous series of 58–60 precloacal and femoral pores in males; (6) preclocal groove lacking; (7) 5–6 postcloacal spurs present in both sexes; (8) one median row of subcaudal scales. Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov. is described from a cave in north of Vientiane Province of Laos and differs from other congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) maximum SVL of 98 mm; (2) dorsal pattern formed by oblong dark irregular butterfly-shaped blotches with light contrast margins; (3) nuchal band with light edging consists of two separate parts, which contact in occipital region; (4) 37–39 ventral scales; (5) 7–8 precloacal pores in males; (5) preclocal groove lacking; (6) 2–3 postcloacal spurs present in both sexes; (7) ten rows of enlarged dorsal tubercles. Our study increase the number of Cyrtodactylus species known for Laos to fifteen. COI DNA-barcoding is successfully applied to reveal cryptic diversity within the genus Cyrtodactylus.

Keywords: Central Annamites, COI barcoding, Cyrtodactylus khammouanensis sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus darevskii sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus multiporus sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus spelaeus sp. nov., Laos, sympatry, taxonomy 

 R. A. Nazarov, N. A. Poyarkov, N. L. Orlov, N. S. Nguyen, K. D. Milto, A. A. Martynov, E. L. Konstantinov and A. S. Chulisov. 2014. A Review of Genus Cyrtodactylus (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) in Fauna of Laos with Description of Four New Species. Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS. 318(4):391-423.

researchgate.net/publication/269993817_A_review_of_genus_Cyrtodactylus_(Reptilia_Sauria_Gekkonidae)_in_fauna_of_Laos_with_description_of_four_new_species

[Herpetology • 2014] Cyrtodactylus jaegeri • A New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, Laos

Cyrtodactylus jaegeri

 Luu, Calame, Bonkowski, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2014

ABSTRACT 

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on two adult specimens from Khammouane Province, Laos. Cyrtodactylus jaegeri sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following characters: a moderately sized Cyrtodactylus with a maximum SVL reaching 68.5 mm; dorsal pattern consisting of a dark nuchal loop and four narrow brown body bands between limb insertions; dorsal tubercles in 15-17 irregular rows; ventrals in 31-32 longitudinal rows at midbody; lateral skin folds present with interspersed tubercles; precloacal-femoral pores 44 in the male, in a continuous series; enlarged femoral scales and precloacal scales present; postcloacal tubercles 3-6; subcaudals transversely enlarged. Cyrtodactylus jaegeri sp. nov. is the ninth species of Cyrtodactylus known from Laos.

Key words: Cyrtodactylus jaegeri sp. nov., Indochina, karst forest, morphology, taxonomy

 Vinh Quang Luu, Thomas Calame, Michael Bonkowski, Truong Quang Nguyen and Thomas Ziegler. 2014. A New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, Laos. Zootaxa. 3760(1):54-66. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3760.1.3
http://www.rufford.org/files/Zootaxa%203760%20(1)%20054%E2%80%93066.pdf

[Herpetology • 2010] Cyrtodactylus lomyenensis • A New Cave-dwelling Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, southern Laos

Lomyen Bent-toed Gecko | Cyrtodactylus lomyenensis

Ngo & Pauwels, 2010

ABSTRACT

A new cave-dwelling bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus lomyenensis sp. nov. is described from a karst forest in Gnommalath District, Khammouane Province, southern Laos. It differs from all other species of Indochinese-Thai Cyrtodactylus in the following combination of characters: maximum SVL of at least 71.2 mm; head dorsum yellowish with irregular brown blotches; presence of a brown nuchal loop reaching the posterior edge of the orbit; four narrow yellowish-cream transversal bands with irregular anterior and posterior black edges on a brown background between limb insertions; no precloacal groove; 39-40 precloacal-femoral pores in males, arranged in a continuous row; females with 32 precloacal-femoral pores in a continuous row, smaller than those of males; five postanal tubercles on each side; 16-18 subdigital lamellae on first toe; 19-23 subdigital lamellae on 4th toe; no tubercles on tail dorsum; and a median row of enlarged subcaudal scales.

Key words: Cyrtodactylus, Gekkonidae, description, new species, Khammouane, Laos, cave-dwelling

Ngo Van Tri, Olivier S. G. Pauwels. 2010. A New Cave-dwelling Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Khammouane Province, southern Laos. Zootaxa. 2730:44-56.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2010/f/z02730p056f.pdf

researchgate.net/publication/236018622_A_new_cave-dwelling_species_of_Cyrtodactylus_Gray_1827_(Squamata_Gekkonidae)_from_Khammouane_Province_southern_Laos

[Herpetology • 2014] Cyrtodactylus celatus • Hiding in Plain Sight: A New Species of Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) from West Timor, collected by Malcolm Smith in 1924

 Holotype of Cyrtodactylus celatus sp. nov. (BMNH 1926.10.30.45).
[upper] (Top) Dorsal view. (Bottom) Ventral view. Units on the scale are in centimeters.
 [lower] (A) Lateral view of the head, to illustrate snout, eye, and ear proportions and labial scales. (B) Palmar view of left hand. (C) Plantar view of left hind foot. (D) Chin shield pattern. (E) Line drawing of chin shields identifying primary (1°) and secondary (*) postmental shields.

Abstract

We describe a new species of bent-toed gecko from a single specimen initially collected in 1924 by Malcolm Smith on Timor Island in the Lesser Sunda Archipelago of Indonesia. Cyrtodactylus celatus sp. nov. is distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: small adult size; without spinose tubercles on the ventrolateral body fold and along the lateral margin of the tail; 16 longitudinal rows of tubercles at midbody; 42 ventral scales between the ventrolateral folds at midbody; no transversely enlarged, median subcaudal scales; 17 subdigital lamellae (seven basal + ten distal) under the fourth toe; no abrupt transition between postfemoral and ventral femoral scale series. The specimen is the earliest confirmed record of the genus Cyrtodactylus for Timor, and it is the first putatively endemic gecko species described from this island.

Keywords: Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus, new species, Lesser Sunda Archipelago, West Timor, Indonesia, description, taxonomy, osteology, Malcolm Smith

Cyrtodactylus celatus sp. nov.

Smith’s Hidden Bent-toed Gecko

Etymology. The species name celatus is a Latin adjective, meaning ‘hidden away.’ We use it to describe this species not only because the specimen remained hidden behind a single line of Smith’s (1927) contribution and on the shelves of the BMNH, but also because it has taken nearly 200 years since the initial herpetological survey work on Timor to describe the first putatively endemic member of this diverse gecko genus from that island.

Kathriner, Andrew, Aaron M. Bauer, Mark O'Shea, Caitlin Sanchez & Hinrich Kaiser. 2014. Hiding in Plain Sight: A New Species of Bent-toed Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) from West Timor, collected by Malcolm Smith in 1924. Zootaxa. 3900(4): 555–568.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3900.4.6

http://www.markoshea.info/downloads/kathriner_et_al_2014_Cyrtodactylus_celatus.pdf

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A07309FC-02DC-4742-84C2-317ADFF99449 

[Crustacea • 2014] Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus • A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Big Sandy River basin in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, USA

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus

Thoma, Loughman & Fetzner, 2014
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3900.4.5

Abstract

Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus, new species, is a stream-dwelling crayfish endemic to the Big Sandy River basin in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Within the basin, C. callainus occurs in the Levisa, Tug, and Russell fork watersheds. The new species is morphologically and genetically most similar to Cambarus veteranus, which is endemic to the Upper Guyandotte River basin of West Virginia. The new species can be differentiated from C. veteranus by its more lanceolate rostrum (width less than 50% length), slightly more obtuse suborbital angle, and less well-defined lateral impression at the base of the chelae.

Keywords: Cambarus, Decapoda, Big Sandy River, conservation status, new species

Thoma, Roger F., Zachary J. Loughman & James W. F. Jr. 2014. Cambarus (Puncticambarus) callainus, A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Big Sandy River basin in Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia, USA.

 Zootaxa. 3900(4); 541–554. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3900.4.5

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2014/f/zt03900p554.pdf

[Crustacea • 2014] To “bee” or not to be — on some Caridina Ornamental Shrimp from Guangdong Province, Southern China and Hong Kong SAR, with Descriptions of Three New Species

Life coloration of (A) Caridina logemanni n. sp. from the type locality. (B–D) Caridina cantonensis (B) female from Lixi Town near Yingde, Guangdong Prov., China; (C) specimen from a stream at Ha Miu Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong; (E–G) Caridina mariae n. sp. (E specimen from the small mountain stream near Lixi Town, Yingde County, Guangdong Prov., China; (G) red colour mutation occuring in an aquarium population originally from the swampy area near Conghua City. (H) female of Caridina conghuensis n. sp..

 Abstract

Several atyid specimens were collected from hill streams in Guangdong Province, Southern China and Hong Kong during field trips between 2004 and 2013. Some of these species, most of them also sold as ornamental pet shrimp in the international aquarium trade, proved to be new to science by morphological observation and analysis of mtDNA sequences. Three new species, Caridina logemanni n. sp., Caridina mariae n. sp. and Caridina conghuensis n. sp., all of them members of the so called Caridina serrata species group (Cai & Ng 1999), are described in detail below. Caridina tumida Wang, Liang & Li, 2008 is synonymised with Caridina venusta Wang, Liang & Li, 2008. Caridina meridionalis Wang, Liang & Li, 2008 is moved to the genus Paracaridina Liang, Guo & Tang, 1999 and synonymised with Paracaridina zijinica Liang, 2002. New records for Caridina trifasciata Yam & Cai, 2003 and Caridina serrata Stimpson, 1860 are recorded. All species are compared to their morphologically closest congeners and the phylogenetic relationships between atyid shrimps from Southern China are shown. 

Key words: Crustacea, Decapoda, Caridina, new species, China, Guangdong, Hong Kong, bee shrimp

facebook.com/233680374671/photos/10152989499889672

Klotz, Werner & Thomas Von Rintelen. 2014. To “bee” or not to be—on some Ornamental Shrimp from Guangdong Province, Southern China and Hong Kong SAR, with Descriptions of Three New Species. Zootaxa. 3889(2): 151–184. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3889.2.1

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B989BD57-0EDF-4C34-979D-2F6E9AD35ACB

[Entomology • 2014] Giant Sticks from Vietnam and China, with Three New Taxa including the Second Longest Insect Known to Date (Phasmatodea, Phasmatidae, Clitumninae, Pharnaciini)

Phryganistria heusii yentuensis ‘In Copulo’

Abstract

Two new species and one subspecies of Pharnaciini, belonging to two different genera, are described from Vietnam: one species and subspecies of Phryganistria Stål, 1875 and one species of Phobaeticus Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907. Two species currently attributed to the genus Ramulus Saussure, 1862, Ramulus magnus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) and R. chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907), are transferred to Baculonistria Hennemann & Conle, 2008 comb. nov. Phobaeticus longicornis Bi & Wang, 1998 and Phobaeticus yuexiensis Chen & He, 1993 represent the male and female of Baculonistria magnus (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907) syn. nov. A lectotype is designated for Baculonistria chinensis (Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1907). The genus Baculonistria now contains three species. Nearchus bachmaensis Ta & Hoang, 2004 is transferred to Phryganistria and the new combination Phryganistria bachmaensis (Ta & Hoang, 2004) comb. nov. is proposed. The species is redescribed and the authors’ attribution corrected, the egg is described and figured for the first time. Phryganistria tamdaoensis sp. nov. is described and figured from both sexes and the egg. Females of P. tamdaoensis sp. nov. are easily recognised by the conspicuously enlarged lanceolate cerci, a character previously unknown in this tribe. The distribution range of Phryganistria heusii heusii (Hennemann & Conle, 1997) is extended to Tam Dao National Park. A new subspecies Phryganistria heusii yentuensis subsp. nov. is described from Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve from adult males and females and the eggs. Males can easily be distinguished from the nominal subspecies by their colouration. This huge subspecies represents the second longest insect recorded to date. A key to the species of the genus Phryganistria is provided. Phobaeticus trui sp. nov. is described from central Vietnam. It is the first species of Phobaeticus recorded from Vietnam. Adults of both sexes are illustrated.

  

Joachim Bresseel and Jérôme Constant. 2014. Giant Sticks from Vietnam and China, with Three New Taxa including the Second Longest Insect Known to Date (Phasmatodea, Phasmatidae, Clitumninae, Pharnaciini). European Journal of Taxonomy. 104: 1–38; doi: 10.5852/ejt.2014.104

Giant Stick Insects from Vietnam | WIRED
wired.com/2014/12/giant-stick-insects-from-vietnam/

World's Second-Longest Insect Discovered in Vietnam: The fascinating creature, a stick-insect, can reach up to 32 cm in body length and 52 cm with forelimbs stretched out. It has reportedly been found in northeast Vietnam.

 Biology | Sci-News.com: sci-news.com/biology/science-phryganistria-heusii-yentuensis-worlds-second-longest-insect-vietnam-02363.html

[Herpetology • 2014] Kurixalus motokawai • A New Cryptic Tree Frog Species Allied to Kurixalus banaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from the Central Highlands of Vietnam

Kurixalus motokawai

 Nguyen, Matsui & Eto, 2014

ABSTRACT

 A new species of the genus Kurixalus is described from the Central Highlands of Vietnam based on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analyses. Morphologically, Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov. is most similar to K. banaensis but they are clearly separated from each other in mitochondrial DNA sequences. In phylogenetic analysis the new species clustered in the same clade with Kurixalus banaensis and K. viridescens. However, the new species differs from K. banaensis by having a smaller body size, a higher ratio of forelimb length/SVL in both sexes, a smaller ratio of first toe length/SVL in males, snout tip less markedly pointed, and only weakly developed dermal appendages on the outer edges of fore-and hindlimbs. Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov. also differs from K. viridescens by having a smaller size in females and a brown dorsum with dark markings.

Keywords: Kurixalus motokawai sp. nov.; mtDNA phylogeny; taxonomy; Central Highlands; Gia Lai Province; Kon Tum Province

Thien Tao Nguyen, Matsui Masafumi and Eto Koshiro. 2014. A New Cryptic Tree Frog Species Allied to Kurixalus banaensis (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Vietnam. Russian Journal of Herpetology 21(4); 295-302.
http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/917
researchgate.net/publication/269809299_A_NEW_CRYPTIC_TREE_FROG_SPECIES_ALLIED_TO_Kurixalus_banaensis_(ANURA_RHACOPHORIDAE)_FROM_VIETNAM

[Herpetology • 2014] Rana neba • A New Brown Frog of the Genus Rana from Japan (Anura: Ranidae) revealed by Cytological and Bioacoustic Studies

Rana neba Ryuzaki, Hasegawa & Kuramoto, 2014
Figure 2. Holotype of Rana neba sp. nov. (LABHU F2553): Dorsal view (A) and ventral view (B). SVL 45.1 mm.

The Japanese brown frog from Nagano Prefecture, previously reported as Rana tagoi with 2 n = 28 chromosomes, is described as a new species. The new species differs only slightly in morphology from topotypic R. tagoi tagoi. It has a greater snout-nostril length, smaller fourth finger length, smaller fourth and fifth toe lengths (all relative to snout-vent length) and a narrower web, but is practically indistinguishable from a neighboring R. tagoi tagoi population. However, distinct acoustic differences in their advertisement calls clearly separate the two taxa, and may serve as an effective pre-mating isolation mechanism. Karyotypic difference between the new species and R. tagoi tagoi results in nearly complete hybrid sterility. Because the new species is nested within a clade comprising neighboring R. tagoi populations, the new species must have originated rather recently by chromosome reconstruction, and subsequent acoustic divergence would have facilitated conspecific mating. This species is an example of an anuran sibling species that is unrelated to molecular phylogeny.

Rana neba sp. nov.

Synonymy. Rana tagoi (2 n = 28): Ryuzaki et al. (2006)

Masashi Ryuzaki, Yoshinori Hasegawa and Mitsuru Kuramoto. 2014. A New Brown Frog of the Genus Rana from Japan (Anura: Ranidae) revealed by Cytological and Bioacoustic Studies. Alytes. 31(3-4); 49-58.

http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Alytes_2014_31_3-4.pdf

[Herpetology / Behaviour • 2014] Jelly Secretion by a Foam-nesting Tree Frog Chiromantis simus (Anura: Rhacophoridae): An Unreported Behaviour

Figure 5. Nineteen males of Chiromantis simus (15 are in picture frame and 4 just out side) surrounding a polyandrous foam nest, waiting for the female to join in amplexus. One old foam nest is also visible on the left side.

Chiromantis simus, a foam-nesting rhacophorid frog, previously considered extinct from India, was re-discovered in 1998. Surprisingly it is abundant at the village of Rajpur and its surroundings. This species is a true monsoon breeder and produces foam nests between June and October. Generally, during foam-nesting the female initially lays an egg mass without foam coating (i.e., “uncovered”). Later, she produces a foamy liquid and evenly covers the egg mass with it. I collected an uncovered egg mass before a female went to the water source below to absorb water. After returning, the female waited for 4 hours when she did not find the egg mass near the twig and then, by a process of continuous rubbing of her hind limbs, she secreted a thick jelly-like substance from the cloaca, instead of the foamy substance. Additional observations on the egg laying behaviour showed that uncovered egg masses were always attacked by ants, while those egg masses covered by foam were never attacked. Chiromantis simus foam-nesting is mostly polyandrous but, when a female has to deal with too many males in amplexus, she leaves the egg mass without depositing an additional foam coating, which may be why some clutches can be found uncovered.

.................

Figure 1. Foam nests of Chiromantis simus:
  A. an uncovered egg mass freshly laid and attached to a leaf; it is irregular in shape and with some eggs exposed;
B. sectional view of a foam nest after additional layering:thickness of the outer foam cover is 3 to 4 mm ‘red outline’.

Ananda Banerjee. 2014. Jelly Secretion by a Foam-nesting Tree Frog Chiromantis simus (Anura: Rhacophoridae): An Unreported Behaviour. Alytes. 31(3-4); 77-82.

http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Alytes_2014_31_3-4.pdf

[Herpetology / Behaviour • 2014] A Short Note on the Use of Humeral Spines in Combat in Espadarana prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae)

Figure 1. Two male Espadarana prosoblepon as found grappling from the overhanging branch. Male A is on top, and male B is towards the bottom of the image. The white arrow indicates the blue humeral spine of male A

There are currently about 150 species of glass frogs in the family Centrolenidae, which range throughout tropical rain forests in Central and South America (Frost, 2014). Some species of glass frog are known to engage male-male combat where males dangle by their toes and grapple venter to venter for extended periods of time (Jacobson, 1985; Bolivar et al., 1999; Hutter et al., 2013). Humeral spines, present in the males of some glass frog species, are thought to be involved in this ritualized combat behavior. Here we present photographic evidence that the spines are indeed used in this combat behavior in one species, Esapadarana prosoblepon (Guyasamin et al.,

2009).

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Figure 2. Two Espadarana prosoblepon immediately after separating from the grappling behavior. Male A is at the top of the image; Male B is at the bottom. The arrow indicates the humeral spine of Male A.

Alexander R. Krohn and Jamie Voyles. 2014. A Short Note on the Use of Humeral Spines in Combat in Espadarana prosoblepon (Anura: Centrolenidae). Alytes. 31(3-4); 77-82.

http://www.amphibians.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Alytes_2014_31_3-4.pdf

[Herpetology • 2014] Varanus sparnus | Dampier Peninsula Goanna • A New Diminutive Species of Varanus from the Dampier Peninsula, western Kimberley region, Western Australia

Varanus sparnus Doughty, Kealley, Fitch & Donnellan, 2014

museum.wa.gov.au

ABSTRACT  

Varanus lizards in Australia are moderately diverse and include a radiation of small-bodied species that occur in arid or tropical environments. Varanus brevicauda is the smallest species, with an elongate body and short prehensile tail and is associated with spinifex clumps in arid environments. Recently collected unusual specimens at the north-western edge of the range of V. brevicauda on the Dampier Peninsula, Western Australia, had an even more elongate body and also co-occurred with typical V. brevicauda. This led us to conduct a morphological and molecular genetic systematic appraisal of the two morphotypes. We found that the more elongate specimens were highly divergent genetically from both typical V. brevicauda and another related species, V. eremius,

with the three lineages forming a polytomy. Morphologically, the elongate specimens are most similar to V. brevicauda, but possess a more elongate body, less robust head and limbs, distinctive scales on the front of the arms that are large, squarish and lacking surrounding granules and a plainer pattern and colouration. The co-occurrence of both forms on the Dampier Peninsula in combination with the extent and pattern of genetic divergence and presence of key morphologically diagnostic traits unequivocally demonstrates that more elongate form is a new species, which we describe here. The new species may be of conservation concern owing to the small range of the only known specimens and development proposals in the area.

KEYWORDS: Goanna, monitor lizard, Varanus brevicauda, Varanus sparnus sp. nov.

TAXONOMY

Family Varanidae Merrem, 1820

Genus Varanus Merrem, 1820

TYPE SPECIES:  Varanus sparnus sp. nov.

[Dampier Peninsula Goanna]

Paul Doughty, Luke Kealley, Alison Fitch and Stephen C. Donnellan. 2014. A New Diminutive Species of Varanus from the Dampier Peninsula, western Kimberley region, Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum. 29 128–140. 

http://museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/WAMRecords_2014_29(2)_128to140_DOUGHTYetal.pdf

http://museum.wa.gov.au/research/records-supplements/records

[Crustacea • 2007] The Giant Freshwater Prawns of the Macrobrachium rosenbergii Species Group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae); M. rosenbergii & M. dacqueti

ABSTRACT

The present study of the giant freshwater prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii species group, examined a large series of wild-caught specimens from most of its known distribution. The results confirm that what has been called M. rosenbergii actually belongs to two separate species, easily-separated by a number of diagnostic adult morphological characters. Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879) sensu stricto occurs in Australia, Papua New Guinea, eastern Indonesia (east of Huxley’s Line including Bali) and the Philippines (including Palawan). The second species, which is actually the one more widely fished and extensively cultured in America, Asia and Africa, is here identified as M. dacqueti (Sunier, 1925), and occurs throughout South and Southeast Asia, as well as Indochina. This latter species is one of the most commercially important crustaceans in the world.

KEY WORDS: Taxonomy, Crustacea, Caridea, Palaemonidae, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Wowor, D. and Ng, P.K.L. 2007. The Giant Freshwater Prawns of the Macrobrachium rosenbergii Species Group (Crustacea: Decapoda: Caridea: Palaemonidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 55: 321-336.

http://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/55/55rbz321-336.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2008] Akihito futuna• A New Species of Freshwater Goby (Gobioidei: Sicydiinae) from the South Pacific

Futuna's emperor | Akihito futuna

Keith, Marquet & Watson, 2008

[upper] A: Male, paratype MNHN 2006-0776; Futuna Island, Vanifao River; 15 Oct. 2004;

Keith, Marquet, Sasal, Labrousse coll. (picture by P. Keith).

[lower] Diagrammatic illustration of head in Akihito futuna with pores and sensory papillae. A: Dorsal view; B: Lateral view

ABSTRACT

 Akihito futuna, new species, is described on the basis of material collected from Futuna Island. It is distinguished from A. vanuatu in having less premaxillary teeth in males (4-7 v s 7-17) and tricuspid premaxillary teeth (4-7 vs 30-37) in females; more caniniform premaxillary teeth (2-4 vs 0-1) in females; lower scale counts in lateral scales (19-20 vs 24-32), in transverse forward series (5 vs 8-9), and in transverse back series in females (8-9 vs 9-14).

Ecology: Akihito futuna is found in swift clear streams with rocky bottom. The site where the specimens were found is situated at an altitude of 147 m. In vivo observations have shown that they often swim in open water and are not always on the bottom of the river. Feeding habits have not been studied in depth but the few specimens examined seemed to feed on aquatic insects and crustacean (Atyidae).

Distribution: Akihito futuna is currently known only from Futuna Island.

Etymology: The new species is named for Futuna Island and is defined as a noun in apposition

Keith, P., G. Marquet and R.E. Watson, 2008. Akihito futuna, A New Species of Freshwater Goby from the South Pacific (Gobioidei: Sicydiinae). Cybium. 31(4):471-476.

http://sfi.mnhn.fr/cybium/numeros/2007/314/15.Keith%20479.pdf

http://mayatan.web.fc2.com/BUNRUI/Gobiidae.htm

[Ichthyology • 2007] Akihito vanuatu • A New Genus and New Species of Freshwater Goby (Sicydiinae) from the South Pacific

Akihito vanuatu

Watson, Keith & Marquet, 2007

Based on characteristics of fin osteology, subfamily Sicydiinae is divided into two tribes. Sicydiini Gill, 1860 is defined as having a broad based pelvic disc, fused to belly between all 5 rays and Sicyopini, new tribe, is defined as having a short based pelvic disc, fused to belly between fifth rays only. Akihito n. gen., Sicyopini, is described based onmaterial collected in freshwater streams in the island nation of Vanuatu. Akihito n. gen. is differentiated from all other genera in Sicydiinae by a combination of characteristics that include male with only conical and caniniform premaxillary and dentary teeth, female with few caniniform and numerous tricuspid premaxillary teeth and fine horizontal teeth in dentary; tongue free; large broad epural; male with midline scales much greater in height than length; and pelvic disc fused to belly between fifth rays only. Akihito vanuatu n. sp. is characterized by dorsal fins VI-I,10, spines 4, 5 and 6 filamentous in male and not in female; anal fin I,10; pectoral fin usually 16 (15-17); scales in lateral series: male 14-18, female 24-32; predorsal scales: male zero, female 0-2; belly: male naked and female with few cycloid scales close to anus; cephalic sensory pores usually A, B, C, D, F, H, N and O, pores K and L and associated posterior oculoscapular canal not usually present, all pores paired except pore D which is singular.

Key words. - Gobioidei - Sicydiinae - Akihito vanuatu - PSE - Vanuatu - New genus - New species - Freshwater.

Akihito n. gen.

Type species: Akihito vanuatu ♂ Watson, Keith & Marquet, 2007.  

Etymology: Akihito: Named for Japanese Emperor Akihito for his many contributions to goby systematics and phylogenetic research. 

Ecology: Akihito vanuatu is found in swift clear streams with rocky bottom. The stream near “Pauls conservation” in Ambae island is not perennial. In July 2002, when a part of the specimen were caught, there was no running water in the river and the species was found in small or large pools grooved in the main rock. This absence of running water during a part of the year involve a real adaptation of the species life cycle. Indeed, all larvae of Sicydiins need to go to the sea to complete their development and then, after few weeks spent in the sea, they need to recolonize rivers for growth and reproduction (Keith, 2003). In this particular case of no perennial stream, the new species needs to use heavy rains to migrate to the sea or to the river. The site where the mature specimens where found is situated at an altitude of 300 m. Feeding habits have not been studied in depth but the few specimens examined seemed to feed on aquatic insects and crustacean.

Distribution: currently known only from the island nation of Vanuatu.

Watson, R.E., P. Keith, & G. Marquet 2007: Akihito vanuatu, A New Genus and New Species of Freshwater Goby (Sicydiinae) from the South Pacific. Cybium. 31(3): 341-349.

http://sfi.mnhn.fr/cybium/numeros/2007/313/06.Watson%20448.pdf