[Arachnida • 2017] Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. (Araneae, Nesticidae), with Notes on the Mediterranean Cave Species

Kryptonesticus deelemanae 

Pavlek & Ribera, 2017 
 DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.262 

Abstract

This paper describes and illustrates a new genus and a new species belonging to the family Nesticidae based on morphology and supported by molecular data. The new genus, Kryptonesticus gen. nov., groups eight species spread from Bulgaria and Turkey to Croatia, including Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Crete. As a result, seven new combinations are proposed: K. eremita (Simon, 1879) comb. nov., K. arenstorffi (Kulczyński, 1914) comb. nov., K. fagei (Kratochvíl, 1933) comb. nov., K. beroni (Deltshev, 1977) comb. nov., K. beshkovi (Deltshev, 1979) comb. nov., K. henderickxi (Bosselaers, 1998) comb. nov. and K. dimensis (López-Pancorbo, Kunt & Ribera, 2013) comb. nov., all ex Nesticus. Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. is described on the basis of both sexes and its phylogenetic relationships with closely related species are discussed based on morphological and molecular data (the cox1, rrn and H3 genes). In addition, the species of this new genus (except for K. eremita) are clear candidates for protection: they have highly restricted ranges and some of them show a high degree of adaptation to the subterranean environment.

Keywords: Nesticidae; taxonomy; caves; endemism; Dinarides

Fig 1. Habitus of Kryptonesticus deelemanae sp. nov. A. Male, body length 3.6 mm. B. Female, body length 4.3 mm. (Photos by M. Pavlek.) 

Class Arachnida Cuvier, 1812

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757

Family Nesticidae Simon, 1894

Kryptonesticus gen. nov.

Type species

Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology: The prefix “Krypto”, from Ancient Greek κρυπτός (kruptós “hidden”), alludes to the long time it took to diagnose this evolutionary line.

Distribution: From Bulgaria and Turkey to Croatia, including Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Crete. All these species are known only from the type locality, or have small distribution ranges. K. eremita is an exception; this species is linked to human activities and can be found in hangars, cellars and cottages. It has been cited from France and Italy to Bulgaria and Turkey. It is a potentially invasive species, found in an abandoned air-raid tunnel in Auckland, New Zealand (Vink & Dupérré 2011).

Krypyonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific name is a patronym in honor of Christa Laetitia Deeleman-Reinhold, an important Dutch arachnologist and a dear friend. Her work has vastly raised the knowledge of the cave spider fauna of Dinarides. The species name is in possessive genitive.

  Distribution: The new species is endemic to Croatia; it is distributed on Biokovo Mt in central Dalmatia, a coastal region in Croatia. So far it has been recorded in 20 caves scattered through the whole mountain, from the south-west sea side to the north-east continental side, from the 310 to 1640 asl (Fig. 6A). Data on all records of K. deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. are given in Appendix 2. The distribution area of K. deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. is more than 80 km away from that of K. fagei and more than 100 km from that of K. arenstorffi (Fig. 6B). 

Natural history: The type locality, Samogorska špilja, is a small cave with two entrances (Fig. 7). On the date of the last collection, 23 Jan. 2016, the air temperature in the cave was 0.5°C with cold air streaming through the cave, mostly near the cave floor. Spiders were found freely walking on the ceiling of the chamber (probably avoiding the cold air flow at the bottom) and on the side walls of the cave. The temperature in other caves where K. deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. is found ranges from 0 to 15°C. Some of those caves are very small and are greatly influenced by outside conditions (like the type locality), while the others are quite big, have a true cave microclimate and harbor diverse types of cave habitats (for example Pretnerova jama, a 254-meter deep pit). No other nesticid species are found in caves on Biokovo Mt.

Fig 1. Habitus of Kryptonesticus deelemanae sp. nov. A. Male, body length 3.6 mm. B. Female, body length 4.3 mm. (Photos by M. Pavlek.) Fig 6. Distribution maps. A. Map of Biokovo Mt with distribution of Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov.
B. Map with distributions of K. deelemanae gen. et sp. nov., K. fagei (Kratochvíl, 1933) and K. arenstorffi (Kulczyński, 1914). Marked is the town of Trebinje, near the type locality for K. arenstorffi, and also the towns of Mostar and Jablanica, between which is Čudna jama, a dubious record for K. arenstorffi. Also marked is Cetinjska pećina, the southernmost locality for K. arenstorffi. 

 DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.262 

• Kryptonesticus eremita (Simon, 1879) comb. nov., 

• Kryptonesticus arenstorffi (Kulczyński, 1914) comb. nov.

• Kryptonesticus fagei (Kratochvíl, 1933) comb. nov.

• Kryptonesticus beroni (Deltshev, 1977) comb. nov.

• Kryptonesticus beshkovi (Deltshev, 1979) comb. nov. 

• Kryptonesticus henderickxi (Bosselaers, 1998) comb. nov. 

• Kryptonesticus dimensis (López-Pancorbo, Kunt & Ribera, 2013) comb. nov.

• Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. 

Martina Pavlek and Carles Ribera. 2017. Kryptonesticus deelemanae gen. et sp. nov. (Araneae, Nesticidae), with Notes on the Mediterranean Cave Species.
European Journal of Taxonomy.  262; 1–27. DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.262

  

[Crustacea • 2017] Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae • A New Species of Hermit Crab of the Genus Pylopaguropsis Alcock, 1905 (Anomura, Paguridae) from the Caribbean: “Den Commensal” or “Cleaner”?

Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae  Lemaitre, 2017

 In situ photographs of Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n. and its habitat at Bonaire diving site “Something Special”. A holotype male 2.4 mm, Bonaire (USNM 1291987)  C three individuals of P. mollymullerae sp. n. (foreground, not collected) in den with “broad banded moray” Channomuraena vittata

DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.646.11132

Abstract

A new secretive, yet brightly colored hermit crab species of the family Paguridae, Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n., is fully described based on specimens from the reefs of Bonaire, Lesser Antilles, southern Caribbean Sea. Populations of this new species were discovered and photographed in the Bonaire National Marine Park under a large coral ledge, at a depth of 13.7 m, living in crevices known by scuba divers to serve as den to a pair of “flaming reef lobsters” Enoplometopus antillensis, or a “broad banded moray” Channomuraena vittata. This new species is only the second species of Pylopaguropsis Alcock, 1905 known from the western Atlantic, the 20th named worldwide, and belongs in the teevana group of species of the genus. It is remarkably similar, and herein considered geminate, to the tropical eastern Pacific congener, P. teevana (Boone, 1932), the two being characterized and uniquely different from all other species of the genus, by the striking and deeply excavated, scoop-like ventral surface of the chela of the right cheliped. Minor differences separate this new species from P. teevana in the relative length of the antennal acicles (exceeding the corneas versus not exceeding the corneas in P. teevana); dorsal armature of the right chela (smooth or with scattered minute tubercles versus with numerous small tubercles in P. teevana); surface shape of the lateral face of the dactyl of right pereopod 3 (evenly convex versus flattened in P. teevana); and coloration (red bright red stripes versus brown stripes in P. teevana). The highly visible color pattern of bright red stripes on white background typical of decapods known to have cleaning symbioses with fish, dense setation on the flagella of the antennae, and preference for a crevicular habitat, combined with brief in situ nocturnal observations, suggests the possibility that P. mollymullerae sp. n. engages in “cleaner” activities or functions as a “den commensal” with moray eels. The morphology and possible meaning of the observed behavior is discussed. A tabular summary of the distribution, habitat, and published information on all species of Pylopaguropsis is presented. Supplemental photographs and a video of live P. mollymullerae sp. n. are included.

Keywords: Bonaire, Caribbean, “cleaner”, “den commensal”, hermit crab, new species, Paguridae, Pylopaguropsis

Systematic account 

Family Paguridae Latreille, 1802

Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n.

Figure 6. In situ photographs of Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n. and its habitat at Bonaire diving site “Something Special”. A holotype male 2.4 mm, Bonaire (USNM 1291987) B paratype male 1.8 mm, Bonaire (USNM 1291989) C three individuals of P. mollymullerae sp. n. (foreground, not collected) in den with “broad banded moray” Channomuraena vittata D coral ledge habitat, with arrow indicating entrance to crevice where five specimens of P. mollymullerae sp. n. were collected E individual of P. mollymullerae sp. n. (expanded and enhanced in oval inset, not collected) on body surface of “broad banded moray” C. vittata, with frontal portion of brachyuran Achelous sebae visible on lower right.  

DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.646.11132

    

Figure 6. In situ photographs of Pylopaguropsis mollymullerae sp. n. and its habitat at Bonaire diving site “Something Special”. A holotype male 2.4 mm, Bonaire (USNM 1291987) B paratype male 1.8 mm, Bonaire (USNM 1291989) C three individuals of P. mollymullerae sp. n. (foreground, not collected) in den with “broad banded moray” Channomuraena vittata D coral ledge habitat, with arrow indicating entrance to crevice where five specimens of P. mollymullerae sp. n. were collected E individual of P. mollymullerae sp. n. (expanded and enhanced in oval inset, not collected) on body surface of “broad banded moray” C. vittata, with frontal portion of brachyuran Achelous sebae visible on lower right.  

Distribution: So far known only from the island of Bonaire, Lesser Antilles, southern Caribbean Sea; depth: 11.6–13.7 m.

Etymology: The name of this new species is given to acknowledge the efforts of the collector, photographer and environmentalist, Ms Ellen Muller, who when informed of the intended honor, preferred that the name of her granddaughter, Ms Molly Muller, be used, in hopes to inspire her to continue the tradition of protecting the amazing and fragile diversity of marine life in Bonaire.

Common name: “Candy Striped Hermit Crab”, in reference to the bright white and red striped color pattern that is similar to that of traditional candy cane.

 Rafael Lemaitre. 2017. Discovery of A New Species of Hermit Crab of the Genus Pylopaguropsis Alcock, 1905 from the Caribbean: “Den Commensal” or “Cleaner”? (Crustacea, Anomura, Paguridae). ZooKeys. 646: 139-158. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.646.11132

        

[Entomology • 2017] Review of Neopalpa Povolný, 1998 (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae) with Description of A New Species, Neopalpa donaldtrumpi, from California and Baja California, Mexico

Neopalpa donaldtrumpi  Nazari, 2017

Figure 2. Close up of the head of male Neopalpa donaldtrumpi sp. n. holotype (UCBMEP0201628, CA: Imperial County).: 
c:  lateral aspect, d: frontal aspect. Scale bar 1 mm.

Figure 1. Adults of Neopalpa donaldtrumpi sp. n.:
g Holotype ♂ UCBMEP0201628 (CA: Imperial County) h Paratype ♀ UCBMEP0201482 (CA: Imperial County) i Paratype ♂ UCBMEP0201629 (CA: Imperial County) j Paratype ♂ EMEC408498 (Mexico: Baja California Sur).   Scale bar 2 mm.

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.646.11411 

Abstract

The monotypic genus Neopalpa was described in 1998 by Czech entomologist Dalibor Povolný based on two male specimens from Santa Catalina Island, California, which he named N. neonata. The female of this species was discovered recently based on a DNA barcode match and is described. In addition, a new species with marked differences in morphology and DNA barcodes from southern California and Baja California Mexico is described as Neopalpa donaldtrumpi sp. n. Adults and genitalia of both species are illustrated, new diagnosis for the genus Neopalpa is provided, and its position within Gelechiidae is briefly discussed.

Keywords: Microlepidoptera, new species, nomenclature, taxonomy, Donald J. Trump

Figure 2. Close up of the head of male Neopalpa species.
  a, b N. neonata (LACMENT326885, Mexico: Baja California) c, d N. donaldtrumpi sp. n., holotype (UCBMEP0201628, CA: Imperial County). Left: lateral aspect, right: frontal aspect. Scale bar 1 mm. 

Figure 1. Adults of Neopalpa species. a–f N. neonata g–j N. donaldtrumpi sp. n.
N. neonata: a holotype ♂ EMEC82306 (CA: Santa Catalina Island) b paratype ♂ EMEC342305 (Mexico: Baja California Sur) c ♀ CNCLEP00077350 (CA: Santa Cruz Island) d ♀ EMEC407544 (CA: Santa Cruz Island) e ♂ LACMENT326744 (CA: San Bernardino County) f ♀ EMEC408849 (CA: Modoc County);
N. donaldtrumpi sp. n.: g Holotype ♂ UCBMEP0201628 (CA: Imperial County) h Paratype ♀ UCBMEP0201482 (CA: Imperial County) i Paratype ♂ UCBMEP0201629 (CA: Imperial County) j Paratype ♂ EMEC408498 (Mexico: Baja California Sur).  Scale bar 2 mm. 

Etymology: The new species is named in honor of Donald J. Trump, to be installed as the 45th President of the United States on January 20, 2017. The reason for this choice of name is to bring wider public attention to the need to continue protecting fragile habitats in the US that still contain many undescribed species. The specific epithet is selected because of the resemblance of the scales on the frons (head) of the moth to Mr. Trump’s hairstyle. The name is a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution: So far only known from Riverside and Imperial counties in southern California and Baja California in Mexico.

Biology: Specimens collected at mercury-vapour light, black-light or Malaise trap in February, April, June and August, in dry or sandy habitats. Life history and host plant unknown.

 Vazrick Nazari. 2017. Review of Neopalpa Povolný, 1998 with Description of A New Species from California and Baja California, Mexico (Lepidoptera, Gelechiidae).

ZooKeys. 646: 79-94. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.646.11411

[Entomology • 2017] Observations on the Biology of Afrotropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) with particular reference to Kenya. Part 11. Heteropterinae

Metisella trisignatus  

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4226.4.3 

Abstract

Partial life histories from Kenya or Tanzania are presented for Metisella midas midas (Butler), M. medea medea Evans, M. orientalis orientalis Aurivillius, M. quadrisignatus nanda Evans, M. congdoni De Jong & Kielland and M. willemi Wallengren. The ovum of Metisella formosus linda Evans is also illustrated from Zambia. All feed on species of grasses (Poaceae). The convergence of the biology of the grass-feeding skippers, particularly Heteropterinae and Hesperiinae, Baorini is discussed.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, Metisella, Poaceae, leaf shelter, ovum, larva, caterpillar, pupa, parasitoid

Matthew J. W. Cock and T. Colin E. Congdon. 2017. Observations on the Biology of Afrotropical Hesperiidae (Lepidoptera) with particular reference to Kenya. Part 11. Heteropterinae. Zootaxa.  4226(4); 487–508. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4226.4.3

[Herpetology • 2017] Evolutionary History of the Asian Horned Frogs (Megophryinae): Integrative Approaches to Timetree Dating in the Absence of a Fossil Record

DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw267  

Molecular dating studies typically need fossils to calibrate the analyses. Unfortunately, the fossil record is extremely poor or presently non-existent for many species groups, rendering such dating analysis difficult. One such group is the Asian horned frogs (Megophryinae). Sampling all generic nomina, we combined a novel ∼5kb dataset composed of four nuclear and three mitochondrial gene fragments to produce a robust phylogeny, with an extensive external morphological study to produce a working taxonomy for the group. Expanding the molecular dataset to include out-groups of fossil represented ancestral anuran families, we compared the priorless RelTime dating method with the widely used prior based Bayesian timetree method, MCMCtree, utilising a novel combination of fossil priors for anuran phylogenetic dating. The phylogeny was then subjected to ancestral phylogeographic analyses, and dating estimates were compared with likely biogeographic vicariant events. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that previously proposed systematic hypotheses were incorrect due to paraphyly of genera. Molecular phylogenetic, morphological and timetree results support the recognition of Megophryinae as a single genus, Megophrys, with a subgenus level classification. Timetree results using RelTime better corresponded with the known fossil record for the outgroup anuran tree. For the priorless in-group, it also outperformed MCMCtree when node date estimates were compared with likely influential historical biogeographic events, providing novel insights into the evolutionary history of this pan-Asian anuran group. Given a relatively small molecular dataset, and limited prior knowledge, this study demonstrates that the computationally rapid RelTime dating tool may outperform more popular and complex prior reliant timetree methodologies.

Keywords: amphibian, phylogenetics, taxonomy, biogeography, timetree, Megophryidae, India, Asia.

Stephen Mahony, Nicole M. Foley, S.D.Biju and Emma C. Teeling. 2017. Evolutionary History of the Asian Horned Frogs (Megophryinae): Integrative Approaches to Timetree Dating in the Absence of a Fossil Record.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msw267 

[Entomology • 2017] Sulawesifulvius thailandicus • A New Species of the Genus Sulawesifulvius Gorczyca, Chérot & Štys (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae, Cylapinae) from northeastern Thailand

 Sulawesifulvius thailandicus 

  Wolski, Yasunaga & Gorczyca, 2017

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.647.10960

Abstract

A new species of the genus Sulawesifulvius, S. thailandicus Wolski, Yasunaga & Gorczyca, sp. n., is described from Thailand. The present finding also represents the first distribution record in Indochina for the genus. Color adult habitus images for S. thailandicus and S. schuhi (type species of the genus), male genital drawings of S. thailandicus, and scanning electron micrographs of selected structures of S. schuhi and S. thailandicus are provided.

Keywords: Miridae, Cylapinae, Sulawesifulvius, description, diagnosis, Oriental Region

Figures 22–25. Sulawesifulvius thailandicus, a male adult live individual (SERS). 

Taxonomy

Sulawesifulvius thailandicus Wolski, Yasunaga & Gorczyca, sp. n.

Diagnosis: Recognized by the following set of characters: dorsum yellow with large dark brown and red areas (Figs 2–3); parameres as described below and depicted in Figs 14–17; endosoma with three well-developed sclerites.

 Andrzej Wolski, Tomohide Yasunaga, Jacek Gorczyca and Aleksander Herczek. 2017. Sulawesifulvius thailandicus – A New Species of the Genus Sulawesifulvius Gorczyca, Chérot & Štys from Thailand (Hemiptera, Heteroptera, Miridae, Cylapinae).   ZooKeys. 647; 109-119. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.647.10960

[Entomology • 2017] Annotated Checklist of Orthoptera from Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve, Tanzania with the Description of New Species and Discussion of the Biogeographic Patterns of Threatened Species

Aerotegmina megaloptera Hemp, 2014

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4226.2.1

Abstract

A checklist of Ensifera and Acridomorpha of Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve, Kisarawe near Dar es Salaam is given and eight new Tettigoniidae species described. These are the Agraeciini species Afroagraecia kisarawe n. sp., the Meconematinae species Phlugidia kisarawe n. sp., and the female of Aerotegmina megaloptera (Hexacentrinae). The Phaneropterinae species Dioncomena scutellata n. sp. is known at present only from two localities, the Pugu Hills near Dar es Salaam and Kwamgumi forest reseve on the foothills of the East Usambara Mountains. Two new Eurycorypha species, E. annexata n. sp. and E. ligata n. sp. are described from the area known at present only from the male sex. A second species is described in the genus Lunidia Hemp, L. acuticercata n. sp. Two new Phaneropterinae genera are erected on Pseudopreussia flavifolia n. gen. n. sp. and Materuana ericki n. gen. n. sp., species of wet lowland forest along coastal Tanzania and forest reserves in the East Usambara and on the foothills of the Uluguru Mountains.

Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve is severly threatened by encroachment and deforestation although it is recognized as belonging to the oldest surviving forests of the world.

Keywords: Orthoptera, new species, new genera, lowland wet forest, East Africa, checklist

Claudia Hemp. 2017. Annotated Checklist of Orthoptera from Kazimzumbwi Forest Reserve, Tanzania with the Description of New Species and Discussion of the Biogeographic Patterns of Threatened Species.  Zootaxa.   4226(2); 151–193. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4226.2.1

Abstract

A list of the Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) of the East Usambara Mountains is presented and 16 new species are described from East Africa. A total number of 29 Tettigoniidae species is recorded for the East Usambara Mountains. New species are described from the Shimba Hills in Kenya, coastal Tanzania from the Kazimzumbwi forest reserve, Mt Kilimanjaro, the East and West Usambara and Uluguru Mountains in Tanzania, namely in Conocephalinae Afroagraecia pwania n. sp., Afroagraecia shimbaensis n. sp., Afroanthracites discolor n. sp., Afroanthracites jagoi n. sp. and Afroanthracites viridis n. sp., in Meconematinae Afrophisis flagellata n. sp., Afrophisis kisarawe n. sp., Afrophisis mazumbaiensis n. sp. and Afrophisis pseudoflagellata n. sp., in Hexacentrinae Aerotegmina megaloptera n. sp., in Mecopodinae Apteroscirtus cristatus n. sp., and A. planidorsatus n. sp., in Phaneropterinae Gelotopoia amabilis n. sp., and in Pseudophyllinae Cymatomerella pardopunctata n. sp. and Cymatomera viridimaculata n. sp. Seven species are endemic to the East Usambara Mountains which are 25% of the recorded forest-bound bush crickets. The Tettigoniidae fauna is compared between the East Usambara Mountains and Mt Kilimanjaro and mechanisms of speciation discussed in Orthoptera for the area. New Tettigoniidae records are given for Mt Kilimanjaro (Oxyecous apertus Ragge, Tropidonotacris grandis Ragge and Eurycorypha conclusa Hemp).

Keywords: New species, new records, species list, diversity, endemism, speciation, East Africa, Tettigoniidae

Claudia Hemp. 2014. Annotated list of Tettigoniidae (Orthoptera) from the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania and new Tettigoniidae species from East Africa. Zootaxa. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.3737.4.1

[Herpetology • 2017] Cnemaspis lineogularis, C. thachanaensis & C. phangngaensis • Three New Karst-dwelling Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata; Gekkoniade) from Peninsular Thailand and the Phylogenetic Placement of C. punctatonuchalis and C. vandeventeri

Cnemaspis lineogularis, C. thachanaensis & C. phangngaensis

Wood​, Grismer, Aowphol, Aguilar, Cota, Grismer, Murdoch & Sites, 2017   

 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2884 

Abstract

Three new species of Rock Geckos Cnemaspis lineogularis sp. nov., C. phangngaensis sp. nov., and C. thachanaensis sp. nov. of the chanthaburiensis and siamensis groups are described from the Thai portion of the Thai-Malay Peninsula. These new species are distinguished from all other species in their two respective groups based on a unique combination of morphological characteristics, which is further supported by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) from the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2). Cnemaspis lineogularis sp. nov. is differentiated from all other species in the chanthaburiensis group by having a smaller maximum SVL 38 mm, 13 paravertebral tubercles, enlarged femoral scales, no caudal bands, and a 19.5–23.0% pairwise sequence divergence (ND2). Cnemaspis phangngaensis sp. nov. is differentiated from all other species in the siamensis group by having the unique combination of 10 infralabial scales, four continuous pore-bearing precloacal scales, paravertebral tubercles linearly arranged, lacking tubercles on the lower flanks, having ventrolateral caudal tubercles anteriorly present, caudal tubercles restricted to a single paraveterbral row on each side, a single median row of keeled subcaudals, and a 8.8–25.2% pairwise sequence divergence (ND2). Cnemaspis thachanaensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species in the siamensis group by having 10 or 11 supralabial scales 9–11 infralabial scales, paravertebral tubercles linearly arranged, ventrolateral caudal tubercles anteriorly, caudal tubercles restricted to a single paravertebral row on each side, a single median row of keeled subcaudal scales, lacking a single enlarged subcaudal scale row, lacking postcloaclal tubercles in males, the presence of an enlarged submetatarsal scale at the base if the 1st toe, and a 13.4–28.8% pairwise sequence divergence (ND2). The new phylogenetic analyses place C. punctatonuchalis and C. vandeventeri in the siamensis group with C. punctatonuchalis as the sister species to C. huaseesom and C. vandeventeri as the sister species to C. siamensis, corroborating previous hypotheses based on morphology. The discovery of three new karst-dwelling endemics brings the total number of nominal Thai Cnemaspis species to 15 and underscores the need for continued field research in poorly known areas of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, especially those that are threatened and often overlooked as biodiversity hot spots.

• จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวคอลาย  Cnemaspis lineogularis 

• จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวท่าชนะ Cnemaspis thachanaensis 

• จิ้งจกนิ้วยาวพังงา  Cnemaspis phangngaensis

Wood​, Grismer, Aowphol, Aguilar, Cota, Grismer, Murdoch & Sites, 2017

 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2884

  

Perry Lee Wood Jr​, L. Lee Grismer, Anchalee Aowphol, César A. Aguilar, Micheal Cota, Marta S. Grismer, Matthew L. Murdoch and Jack W. Sites Jr. 2017.  Three New Karst-dwelling Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata; Gekkoniade) from Peninsular Thailand and the Phylogenetic Placement of C. punctatonuchalis and C. vandeventeri.
PeerJ. 5:e2884, DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2884

[PaleoMammalogy • 2017] Siamogale melilutra • A New Otter of Giant Size (Lutrinae: Mustelidae: Carnivora) from the latest Miocene Shuitangba Site in north-eastern Yunnan, south-western China, and A Total-Evidence Phylogeny of Lutrines

Siamogale melilutra  

Wang, Grohé, Su, White, Ji, Kelley, You & Yang, 2017

cmnh.org  DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1267666 

Abstract

Otters (subfamily Lutrinae) are semi-aquatic predators in the family Mustelidae. Modern otters have a worldwide distribution but their fossil record is poor, often consisting of fragmentary jaws and teeth. Multiple lineages have developed bunodont dentitions with enlargements of molars, usually for cracking molluscs or other hard foods. Some lineages have evolved badger-like teeth and, as a result, were often confused with melines (Old World badger clade). Siamogale thailandica Ginsburg, Invagat, & Tassy, 1983 from the middle Miocene basin of Mae Moh in northern Thailand is one such species, whose fragmentary dental remains have thus far impeded our understanding. A new species of fossil otter, Siamogale melilutra sp. nov., represented by a nearly complete cranium, mandible and partial skeletons of at least three individuals, was recovered from the latest Miocene (∼6.2 Ma) lignite beds of the Shuitangba Site in north-eastern Yunnan Province, south-western China. Computed tomography (CT) restoration of the crushed skull reveals a combination of otter-like and badger-like cranial and dental characteristics. The new species belongs to the Lutrinae because of its possession of a large infraorbital canal and ventral expansion of the mastoid process, among other traits. A distally expanded M1, however, gives a badger-like appearance. In overall morphology the Shuitangba otter is closest to Siamogale thailandica. A previously described jaw (‘Lutra’ aonychoides) from the early Pliocene of the Yushe Basin in north China is also here referred to S. melilutra. No previous attempt has been made to provide a global phylogenetic framework for otters. We present the first combined morphological and molecular (nuclear and mitochondrial DNAs) character matrices of five extant (Pteronura, Lontra, Enhydra, Aonyx, Lutra) and eight extinct genera (Tyrrhenolutra, Paralutra, Paludolutra, Enhydritherium, Siamogale, Vishnuonyx, Sivaonyx, Enhydriodon) to better understand the evolution of bunodont otters. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses consistently recover an eastern Asian clade that includes forms from Shuitangba, Yushe and Mae Moh, all of which are referred to Siamogale.

Keywords: Miocene, fossil otter, lutrine, phylogeny, China, Southeast Asia

Artist's reconstruction of two individuals of Siamogale melilutra sp. nov., one of them feeding on a freshwater clam. The tapir in the background is Tapirus yunnanensis (Ji et al. 2015). Aquatic plants include water chestnut (Typha) and fox nut (Euryale) (Huang et al. 2015), and the low shrub in foreground is Sichuan peppercorn (Zanthoxylum). 

Art by Mauricio Antón.    DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1267666   

Systematic palaeontology

Order Carnivora Bowdich, 1821

Infraorder Arctoidea Flower, 1869

Parvorder Mustelida Tedford, 1976 

Family Mustelidae Fischer de Waldheim, 1817

Subfamily Lutrinae Bonaparte, 1838

Siamogale Ginsburg, Ingavat & Tassy, 1983

Type species: Siamogale thailandica Ginsburg, Ingavat & Tassy, 1983.

Included species: Siamogale thailandica Ginsburg, Ingavat & Tassy, 1983 and Siamogale melilutra sp. nov.

Emended diagnosis: 

Siamogale has typical lutrine cranial and dental morphologies: a large infraorbital canal, presence of antorbital fossa, uninflated bulla, robust and protruding mastoid process, mastoid process separated by a broad shelf from the paroccipital process, postglenoid foramen positioned anteriorly to the auditory meatus, inion positioned anteriorly relative to the lambdoid crest, stylomastoid foramen separated by a bony ridge from the tympanohyal-bulla connection, masseter muscle attachment area ventrally expanded to beyond the ventral rim of the masseteric fossa, parallel zygomatic arches, shortened angular process, premolars with surrounding cingulum, shortening of P4 metastylar blade, presence of a notch between talonid and trigonid of m1, and widening of m1 talonid. Siamogale differs from Paralutra jaegeri by the presence of a distal ridge of m1 metaconid connected to the entoconid crest, M1 cuspule distal to metacone, and absence of P4 metastylar notch. Siamogale differs from Paludolutra, Tyrrhenolutra and Enhydritherium in having a crestiform protocone, lack of hypocone and presence of parastyle on P4, a distolingually expanded M1 talon, and metaconule placed distally to the metacone.

Figure 2. Cranium of Siamogale melilutra sp. nov., ZT-10-03-064b, holotype from Shuitangba. A, right lateral, and B, dorsal views.

 DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1267666    

Figure 1. Location of Shuitangba (late Miocene) in the Zhaotong Basin, Yunnan Province, the Yushe Basin (Pliocene), Shanxi Province, China, and the Mae Moh Basin (middle Miocene), Lampang Province, Thailand.

Topographical map generated by GeoMapApp (version 3.5.1) (Ryan et al. 2009)   DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1267666    

Siamogale melilutra sp. nov.

 Lutra aonychoides Zdansky; Teilhard de Chardin & Leroy: 21, fig. 12.

 Siamogale sp. nov. Jablonski, Su, Flynn, Ji, Deng, Kelley, Zhang, Yin, You, & Yang: table 1, fig. 3D.

Diagnosis: Siamogale melilutra is distinct from S. thailandica in its large size, more posteriorly reclined mandibular ascending ramus, a continuous P4 protocone crest extending distally to the metastyle (in contrast to a more cuspidate P4 protocone in S. thailandica), a relatively less distally expanded M1 lingual cingulum, a more shortened m1, and an m1 metaconid ridge being differentiated into a discrete metastylid.

Figure 4. Digitally restored cranium of Siamogale melilutra sp. nov., ZT-10-03-064b, holotype from Shuitangba, plus a right mandible, IVPP V 23271 (in C only).
 A, ventral, B, dorsal, C, right lateral, D, anterior oblique, E, posterior and F, anterior views. 

Etymology: mēlēs and melis (feminine), Latin, badger; lutra (feminine), Latin, otter; a reference to the mixture of typically lutrine and meline cranial and dental morphology in this species.

Figure 12. Artist's reconstruction of two individuals of Siamogale melilutra sp. nov., one of them feeding on a freshwater clam. The tapir in the background is Tapirus yunnanensis (Ji et al. 2015). Aquatic plants include water chestnut (Typha) and fox nut (Euryale) (Huang et al. 2015), and the low shrub in foreground is Sichuan peppercorn (Zanthoxylum).

Art by Mauricio Antón.    DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1267666  

Xiaoming Wang, Camille Grohé, Denise F. Su, Stuart C. White, Xueping Ji, Jay Kelley, Youshan You and Xin Yang. 2017. A New Otter of Giant Size, Siamogale melilutra sp. nov. (Lutrinae: Mustelidae: Carnivora), from the latest Miocene Shuitangba Site in north-eastern Yunnan, south-western China, and A Total-Evidence Phylogeny of Lutrines.

Journal of Systematic Palaeontology.  DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2016.1267666

ResearchGate.net/publication/312619684_A_new_otter_of_giant_size_Siamogale_melilutra_sp_nov_Lutrinae_Mustelidae_Carnivora_from_the_latest_Miocene_Shuitangba_site_in_north-eastern_Yunnan_south-western_China_and_a_total-evidence_phylogeny_of

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https://www.cmnh.org/announcements/ancient-otter

Scientists discover 6-million-year-old giant otter fossil in China's Yun... https://eurekalert.org/e/7grc via @EurekAlert

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