[Herpetology • 2018] Sky, Sea, and Forest Islands: Diversification in the African Leaf‐folding Frog Afrixalus paradorsalis (Anura: Hyperoliidae) of the Lower Guineo‐Congolian Rain Forest

Afrixalus paradorsalis  Perret, 1960

in Charles, Bell, Blackburn, et al., 2018. 

 DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13365

photo: Daniel M. Portik

Abstract

Aim: 

To investigate how putative barriers, forest refugia, and ecological gradients across the lower Guineo‐Congolian rain forest shape genetic and phenotypic divergence in the leaf‐folding frog Afrixalus paradorsalis, and examine the role of adjacent land bridge and sky‐islands in diversification.

Location: The Lower Guineo‐Congolian Forest, the Cameroonian Volcanic Line (CVL), and Bioko Island, Central Africa.

Taxon: Afrixalus paradorsalis (Family: Hyperoliidae), an African leaf‐folding frog.

Methods: 

We used molecular and phenotypic data to investigate diversity and divergence among the A. paradorsalis species complex distributed across lowland rain forests, a land bridge island, and mountains in Central Africa. We examined the coincidence of population boundaries, landscape features, divergence times, and spatial patterns of connectivity and diversity, and subsequently performed demographic modelling using genome‐wide SNP variation to distinguish among divergence mechanisms in mainland (riverine barriers, forest refugia, ecological gradients) and land bridge island populations (vicariance, overwater dispersal).

Results: 

We detected four genetically distinct allopatric populations corresponding to Bioko Island, the CVL, and two lowland rain forest populations split by the Sanaga River. Although lowland populations are phenotypically indistinguishable, pronounced body size evolution occurs at high elevation, and the timing of the formation of the high elevation population coincides with mountain uplift in the CVL. Spatial analyses and demographic modelling revealed population divergence across mainland Lower Guinea is best explained by forest refugia rather than riverine barriers or ecological gradients, and that the Bioko Island population divergence is best explained by vicariance (marine incursion) rather than overseas dispersal.

Main conclusions: 

We provide growing support for the important role of forest refugia in driving intraspecific divergences in the Guineo‐Congolian rain forest. In A. paradorsalis, sky‐islands in the CVL have resulted in greater genetic and phenotypic divergences than marine incursions of the land bridge Bioko Island, highlighting important differences in patterns of island‐driven diversification in Lower Guinea.

Keywords: Africa amphibian, historical demography, land bridge island, Lower Guinea, phylogeography

Figure 1: Sampling localities of Afrixalus paradorsalis paradorsalis (circles) and A. p. manengubensis (triangles) in the Lower Guinean forests of continental Central Africa and Bioko Island. Sampling localities are coloured according to the mitochondrial (mtDNA) haplotype groups and distinct genetic lineages identified in analyses of the ddRADseq (nuDNA) dataset (Figure 2). Symbols with white borders reflect localities with only mtDNA sequence data and symbols with no border reflect localities with only morphological data. The right panel depicts the locations of key mountains along the Cameroon Volcanic Line

 twitter.com/JBiogeography

Kristin L. Charles, Rayna C. Bell, David C. Blackburn, Marius Burger, Matthew K. Fujita, Václav Gvoždík, Gregory F.M. Jongsma, Marcel Talla Kouete, Adam D. Leaché and Daniel M. Portik. 2018. Sky, Sea, and Forest Islands: Diversification in the African Leaf‐folding Frog Afrixalus paradorsalis (Anura: Hyperoliidae) of the Lower Guineo‐Congolian Rain Forest. Journal of Biogeography. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13365

 osf.io/fvh9k/wiki/home blackburnlab.org/publications.html

 twitter.com/JBiogeography/status/1011641073314254848

[Diplopoda • 2018] The Genus Eviulisoma Silvestri, 1910 (Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae), in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, and related species from other Eastern Arc Mountains. With notes on Eoseviulisoma Brolemann, 1920, and Suohelisoma Hoffman, 1963 [A Mountain of Millipedes VII]

Eviulisoma zebra Enghoff, 2018

one of the strikingly marked species from the Udzungwa Mts. 

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.445 

Photograph by Martin Nielsen.

Abstract

 Twenty-two new species of the genus Eviulisoma Silvestri, 1910, from the Eastern Arc Mountains, Tanzania, are described: Eviulisoma acaciae sp. nov., E. aequilobatum sp. nov., E. akkariae sp. nov., E. angulatum sp. nov., E. articulatum sp. nov., E. biquintum sp. nov., E. breviscutum sp. nov., E. cetafi sp. nov., E. chitense sp. nov., E. commelina sp. nov., E. coxale sp. nov., E. ejti sp. nov., E. grumslingslak sp. nov., E. kalimbasiense sp. nov., E. navuncus sp. nov., E. nessiteras sp. nov., E. ottokrausi sp. nov., E. paradisiacum sp. nov., E. sternale sp. nov. and E. zebra sp. nov. from the Udzungwa Mts, E. culter sp. nov. from the Rubeho Mts and E. kangense sp. nov. from the Kanga Mts. Eviulisoma kwabuniense Kraus, 1958, and E. dabagaense Kraus, 1958, both from the Udzungwa Mts, are redesribed based on new material. Notes are provided on E. iuloideum (Verhoeff, 1941) based on type material. Eoseviulisoma Brolemann, 1920, is synonymized under Eviulisoma, based on newly collected material of E. julinum (Attems, 1909), type species of Eoseviulisoma. New material of Suohelisoma ulugurense Hoffman, 1964, type species of Suohelisoma Hoffman, 1964, has revealed that the gonopod structure is more similar to that of Eviulisoma than originally thought, but Suohelisoma is retained as a valid genus. Four species groups are recognized among Eviulisoma species from the Udzungwa Mts, but the need for a revision of the entire genus is emphasized. Two types of epizootic fungi are recorded from Eviulisoma spp., and an enigmatic amorphous mass, which may be a kind of plugging substance, is recorded from the gonopod tips and excavated sixth sternum of several species. 

Keywords: Taxonomy, new species, epizootic fungi, copulatory plug. 

Fig. 1. Eviulisoma zebra sp. nov., one of the strikingly marked species from the Udzungwa Mts.

Photograph by Martin Nielsen.

Henrik Enghoff. 2018. A Mountain of Millipedes VII: The Genus Eviulisoma Silvestri, 1910, in the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, and related species from other Eastern Arc Mountains. With notes on Eoseviulisoma Brolemann, 1920, and Suohelisoma Hoffman, 1963 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae). European Journal of Taxonomy. 445: 1–90. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2018.445

[Ichthyology • 2017] Schistura larketensis • A New Cavernicolous Fish (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India

Schistura larketensis

Choudhury, Mukhim, Basumatary, Warbah & Sarma, 2017

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4353.1.5  
mongabay.com

Abstract
Schistura larketensis, a new species of cavernicolous loach, is described from Khung, a limestone cave in Meghalaya, India. The species differs from Schistura papulifera, its only troglomorphic congener from northeast India, in having a smooth ventral surface of the head, the presence of a small cylindrical axillary pelvic lobe, and the presence of three pores in the supratemporal canal of the cephalic lateral-line system. Apart from these differences, the species can be immediately distinguished from all other species of Schistura from the Brahmaputra River and neighboring basins by the complete absence (or only vestigial presence) of eyes.

Keywords: Pisces, cavefish, new species, Krem Khung, Krem Synrang Pamiang

FIGURE 2. Live colouration of Schistura larketensis, GUMF uncat, about 52 mm SL; India: Meghalaya: Krem Khung.

Schistura larketensis, new species

Etymology. The species name is derived from the ‘Larket’ village, the locality of Krem Khung. This name is proposed so as to encourage the village to take up biodiversity conservation as it is already in the process of constituting a Biodiversity Management Committee under the Indian Biodiversity Act.

Habitat. The new species was collected from a small stagnant pool a few square meters in area and about 1 m in depth, located in a wet passage some 500 m from the main entrance of Krem Khung. The pool bed is mostly sandy with scattered pebbles (Fig. 5). The water was clear, pH 8.6, and a very low D.O. of 1.1 ppm when analyzed in the month of April 2015. No other macrofauna were recorded inside the cave except weakly-pigmented crabs and crayfish, crickets, cockroaches and millipedes.

Distribution. ...., East Jaintia Hills District, Meghalaya, India.

FIGURE 5. Photograph showing water pool in Krem Khung, the habitat of Schistura larketensis.

Hrishikesh Choudhury, D. Khlur B. Mukhim, Sudem Basumatary, Deisakee P Warbah and Dandadhar Sarma. 2017. Schistura larketensis, A New Cavernicolous Fish (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from Meghalaya, Northeast India. Zootaxa. 4353(1); 89-100. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4353.1.5

A new species of blind cave-dwelling fish in Meghalaya  india.mongabay.com/2018/01/10/a-new-species-of-blind-cave-dwelling-fish-in-meghalaya/ via @Mongabay

গুবাহাটী বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ৰ বিজ্ঞানীয়ে আৱিষ্কাৰ কৰিলে নতুন প্ৰজাতিৰ মাছ:  assam.nenow.in/গুবাহাটী-বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ৰ/

[Paleontology • 2018] Ceratosaur Palaeobiology: New Insights on Evolution and Ecology of the Southern Rulers

 The hypothetical phylogenetic relationships of ceratosaurs based on current topologies. 

The main source is from Wang et al. (2016).

Hypothetical reconstruction of two abelisaurids showing the soft tissues on the head inferred from osteological morphology of the skull. On the top, Carnotaurus; on the bottom, Pycnonemosaurus. Art by Maurilio Oliveira. 

in Delcourt, 2018. 

  DOI:   10.1038/s41598-018-28154-x 

Abstract
Ceratosaur theropods ruled the Southern Hemisphere until the end of the Late Cretaceous. However, their origin was earlier, during the Early Jurassic, a fact which allowed the group to reach great morphological diversity. The body plans of the two main branches (Noasauridae and new name Etrigansauria: Ceratosauridae + Abelisauridae) are quite different; nevertheless, they are sister taxa. Abelisaurids have lost the ability to grasp in the most derived taxa, but the reduced forelimb might have had some display function. The ontogenetic changes are well known in Limusaurus which lost all their teeth and probably changed the dietary preference at maturity. The results presented here suggest that abelisaurids had different soft tissues on the skull. These tissues might have been associated with evolution of a strong cervicocephalic complex and should have allowed derived taxa (e.g. Majungasaurus and Carnotaurus) to have low-displacement headbutting matches. The ability to live in different semi-arid environment plus high morphological disparity allowed the ceratosaurs to become an evolutionary success.

Figure 1 The hypothetical phylogenetic relationships of ceratosaurs based on current topologies. The main source is from Wang et al. (2016). The phylogenetic position of Chenanisaurus is from Longrich et al.(2016) and the Ligabueino, Austrocheirus, Majungasaurinae and Brachyrostra are from Filippi et al.(2011).

 Figure 4 Skin structures inferred for abelisaurids. Dorsal surface of the skull of (A) Rugops (MNN IGU1), (C) Carnotaurus (MACN-CH 894) and dorsal surface of the fused nasal of (B) Abelisaurus (MPCA 11908). Scales bar: 5 cm. 

Figure 6 Hypothetical reconstruction of two abelisaurids showing the soft tissues on the head inferred from osteological morphology of the skull. On the top, Carnotaurus; on the bottom, Pycnonemosaurus.

Art by Maurilio Oliveira.

Rafael Delcourt. 2018. Ceratosaur Palaeobiology: New Insights on Evolution and Ecology of the Southern Rulers. Scientific Reports. 8, 9730.  DOI:   10.1038/s41598-018-28154-x 

[Crustacea • 2018] The Freshwater Crab Genera Ghatiana, Gubernatoriana & Inglethelphusa (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) Revisited, with Descriptions of A New Genus, Sahyadriana, and Eleven New Species

Gubernatoriana longipes, Gu. marleshwarensis & Gu. wallacei 
Ghatiana. botti, Gh. pulchra & Gh. rathbunae  

Sahyadriana billyarjani, S. pachyphallus & S. sahyadriensis

Pati & Thackeray, 2018

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4440.1.1 

Abstract

The taxonomy of three morphologically related and endemic genera of the northern Western Ghats (Ghatiana Pati & Sharma, 2014, Gubernatoriana Bott, 1970, and Inglethelphusa Bott, 1970) is re-assessed to accommodate several new taxa. We describe a new genus, Sahyadriana gen. nov. and its five new species [S. billyarjani sp. nov., S. pachyphallus sp. nov., S. sahyadriensis sp. nov. (type species), S. tenuiphallus sp. nov., and S. woodmasoni sp. nov.]. Additionally, three new species each of Ghatiana (Gh. botti sp. nov., Gh. pulchra sp. nov., and Gh. rathbunae sp. nov.) and Gubernatoriana (Gu. longipes sp. nov., Gu. marleshwarensis sp. nov., and Gu. wallacei sp. nov.) are described. Five species previously in Gubernatoriana are now transferred to Sahyadriana gen. nov., viz. S. alcocki (Pati in Pati, Thackeray & Khaire, 2016) comb. nov., S. pilosipes (Alcock, 1909) comb. nov., S. thackerayi (Pati in Pati, Thackeray & Khaire, 2016) comb. nov., S. triangulus (Pati & Sharma, 2014) comb. nov., and S. waghi (Pati in Pati, Thackeray & Khaire, 2016) comb. nov. Gubernatoriana basalticola Klaus, Fernandez & Yeo, 2014, is transferred to Ghatiana. Inglethelphusa is still proved to be monotypic. Consequently, Ghatiana now contains eight species, three of which are new; Gubernatoriana, four species, including three new species; Inglethelphusa, one species; and Sahyadriana gen. nov., ten species, including five new species. Sahyadriana pilosipes is rediscovered more than a century after its description. All these genera can be separated from other Indian gecarcinucid crabs by the absence of a flagellum on the exopod of the third maxilliped and a very short G2. The relevant identification keys are revised. Currently, 120 species of freshwater crabs under 35 genera and two families are found in India. Kerala is the most species-rich (35 species) state in India followed by Maharashtra (29 species) and Assam (21 species). The Western Ghats of India now includes 17 genera and 58 species of gecarcinucid crabs. A checklist and distribution of Indian freshwater crabs is provided.

Keywords: Crustacea, taxonomy, new taxa, new combination, identification key, checklist, Western Ghats, India

S.K. Pati and T. Thackeray. 2018. The Freshwater Crab Genera Ghatiana Pati & Sharma, Gubernatoriana Bott, and Inglethelphusa Bott (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) Revisited, with Descriptions of A New Genus and Eleven New Species. Zootaxa. 4440(1); 1–73. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4440.1.1

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156173913301351

  

     

[Herpetology • 2018] Amolops gerutu & A. australis • Elevational Size Variation and Two New Species of Torrent Frogs (Anura: Ranidae: Amolops Cope) from Peninsular Malaysia

[A, C]  Amolops larutensis (Boulenger, 1899)

[B, D] Amolops gerutu 

Chan, Abraham, Grismer & Grismer, 2018

  (A) female Amolops larutensis from Fraser's Hill, Pahang; (B) female A. gerutu from Chemerong, Pahang;
 (C) male A. larutensis from Fraser's Hill; (D) male A. gerutu from Sekayu, Terengganu;

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4434.2.2  

Abstract

Previously, only one species of torrent frog (Amolops larutensis) was thought to occur throughout Peninsular Malaysia. However, genomic work has demonstrated that populations from eastern Peninsular Malaysia form two separate lineages that are genetically distinct from A. larutensis that is now restricted to the western half of Peninsular Malaysia. This study demonstrates that all three lineages can be morphologically distinguished from each other, thereby providing additional support for the recognition of the eastern lineages as two distinct species. These lineages are described herein as Amolops gerutu sp. nov. from the eastern states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang, and A. australis sp. nov. from the southern-most state of Johor. In general, these two new species form a clade that is sister to A. larutensis and can be readily distinguished from it by having: (1) considerably denser and more pronounced dorsal tubercles, and (2) the posterodorsal surface of thighs having dense, dark stippling as opposed to broad vermiculations. Although differences in other morphometric characters were detected, their utility as diagnostic characters should be applied with caution due to the large intraspecific variation that overlaps among different species in many of the characters we measured. As such, we advocate for the use of tuberculation and pattern of the posterodorsal portion of the thighs as primary diagnostic characters. These characters can readily distinguish A. larutensis from the two new species. To differentiate A. australis sp. nov. from A. gerutu sp. nov. and A. larutensis, body size can be a good diagnostic character as A. australis sp. nov. is significantly smaller in both males (mean = 31.04 ± 1.59 mm) and females (mean = 46.48 ± 3.2 mm). Additionally, we show a strong positive correlation between body size and elevation, with populations from montane forests (>900 m asl) being considerably larger than populations at lower elevations.

  

Keywords: Amphibia, Taxonomy, systematics, morphology, amphibian, cryptic species, body size

Amolops gerutu sp. nov.

Tuberculated Torrent Frog

Amolops larutensis Sumarli, Grismer, Anuar, Muin & Quah, 2015, pp 4,9,12.

Distribution. Besides the type locality, Amolops gerutu sp. nov. has been documented from a number of other localities east of the Titiwangsa mountain range including Gunung Stong Forest Reserve, in the state of Kelantan; Lata Tembakah, Lata Belatan, and Sekayu Recreational Forest in the state of Terengganu (Dring 1979; Sumarli et al. 2015); and Sungai Lembing, Sungai Pandan Waterfall, and Chemerong Amenity Forest in the state of Pahang. At Gunung Stong, A. gerutu sp. nov. occurs in syntopy with A. larutensis (Fig. 1).

Natural history. Like most congeners, Amolops gerutu sp. nov. is a strict torrent specialist that only occurs within or along torrential zones of rocky streams from lowland to montane forests. During the day, frogs dwell in rock cracks and sheltered areas among boulder stacks along streams and are rarely seen out in the open. They can be seen in abundance at night, most frequently on boulders by splash zones and occasionally on adjacent low vegetation. When disturbed, frogs dive into the rapids and float downstream. Like other congeners, tadpoles of this species are gastromyzophorous (Pham et al. 2015) and can be seen clinging onto boulders in the splash zone. On such boulders, tadpoles are usually observed above or just below the water line.

Etymology. The specific epithet “gerutu” (English pronunciation “gir-roo-too”) refers to the Malay word of the same construct, meaning “tubercle”, in reference to the pronounced dorsal tubercles that are diagnostic of this species.

Amolops australis sp. nov.

Southern Torrent Frog

Amolops larutensis, Ahmad, Senawi & Lim 2004, p 26; Belabut & Hashim, 2005, p 200; Wood, Grismer, Youmans, Nasir, Ahmad & Senawi, 2008, p 118; Grismer & Pan, 2008, p. 277 (in part); Shahriza, Ibrahim, Anuar & Muin, 2012, p 558, 561.

Staurois larutensis, Belabut & Hashim, 2004, pp. 67, 69.

Distribution. Amolops australis sp. nov. is only known from the southern state of Johor where it has been confirmed to occur in Endau-Rompin National Park and Bantang River Amenity Forest. It is presumed to occur more widely in suitable habitats in the surrounding southern region of Peninsular Malaysia.

Natural history. The natural history of this species is similar to that of Amolops gerutu sp. nov. and A. larutensis. No information is available for tadpoles.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word “ australis ”, meaning “southern” in English, and is applied in reference to the distribution of this species in southern Peninsular Malaysia that also represents the southern-most distributional limit of the entire genus.

Chan Kin Onn, Robin Kurian Abraham, Jesse L. Grismer and L. Lee Grismer. 2018. Elevational Size Variation and Two New Species of Torrent Frogs from Peninsular Malaysia (Anura: Ranidae: Amolops Cope). Zootaxa. 4434(2); 250–264. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4434.2.2

Researchgate.net/publication/325791395_Elevational_size_variation_and_two_new_species_of_Amolops_from_Peninsular_Malaysia

Kin Onn Chan, Alana M. Alexander, Lee L. Grismer, et al. 2017. Species Delimitation with Gene Flow: A Methodological Comparison and Population Genomics Approach to Elucidate Cryptic Species Boundaries in Malaysian Torrent Frogs.  Molecular Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/mec.14296 

ResearchGate.net/publication/319088398_Species_delimitation_with_gene_flow_a_methodological_comparison_and_population_genomics_approach_to_elucidate_cryptic_species_boundaries_in_Malaysian_Torrent_Frogs

[Ichthyology • 2018] Distribution and Recruitment of Young-of-the-Year Giant Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas, off Southern California

Young-of-the-Year  Giant Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas Ayres, 1859

in Benseman & Allen. 2018. 

DOI: 10.1643/CE-18-021 

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia 

This study identified nursery habitat, recruitment patterns, the planktonic larval duration (PLD), size and age at settlement, and growth rate of the young-of-the-year (YOY) Giant Sea Bass (GSB), Stereolepis gigas, off Southern California. A total of 160 YOY GSB were sighted on 150 transects over a three-year period. Young-of-the-year GSB were relatively rare (maximum density of 40/ha) and recruitment was limited to a few areas. In 2014–2015, densities of YOY GSB were significantly higher at six locations off sandy beaches nearest the heads of submarine canyons off Redondo Beach, Newport Beach, and La Jolla, California. The vast majority of occurrences of YOY (73%) were within 500 m of the heads of submarine canyons. Three color phases of YOY were discovered ranging (smallest to largest individuals) from black to brown to orange. Recruitment occurred from July through February with peak abundances occurring in the late summer months from August through October. YOY occurred at depths from 2 m to nearly 10 m. Overall, size of YOY GSB increased with depth in the shallow sand riffle zone. YOY grew rapidly at 1.23 mm/day (n = 23) with collected individuals ranging from 31 to 84 d old based on daily ring increments in otoliths. The planktonic larval duration was estimated to be about one lunar month (26.8±2.4 d) based on the presence of the first settlement check and size of earliest settlers. Size at settlement was estimated to be 14.4±3.0 mm TL (10.6±2.5 mm standard length [SL]). This information adds substantially to our knowledge of early developmental processes and recruitment patterns of Giant Sea Bass that are crucial to our understanding of their life history and to making informed decisions regarding fisheries management policies and conservation efforts.

Fig. 1. A YOY Giant Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas, photographed over a typical, nearshore, sandy bottom off the Southern California coast.
Inset top: an adult Giant Sea Bass estimated at 2 m in total length photographed off Catalina Island, California.

 Photo: Mike Couffer.

Stephanie A. Benseman and Larry G. Allen. 2018. Distribution and Recruitment of Young-of-the-Year Giant Sea Bass, Stereolepis gigas, off Southern California. Copeia. 106(2); 312-320. DOI: 10.1643/CE-18-021 

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1007332295580233729

[Botany • 2017] Primulina wuae (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from southern China

Primulina wuae Wen & L.F.Fu

in Xin, Hong, Fu & Wen, 2017.

NParks.gov.sg/SBG   gccc.gxib.cn

Abstract: 

A new species, Primulina wuae F.Wen & L.F.Fu (Gesneriaceae), is described from the southern part of China. This new species is most similar to Primulina pseudoroseoalba Jian Li et al., P. roseoalba (W.T.Wang) Mich.Möller & A.Weber, P. subrhomboidea (W.T.Wang) Yin Z.Wang and P. beiliuensis B.Pan & S.X.Huang var. fimbribracteata F.Wen & B.D.Lai, but differs from these in characters such as the size and indumentum of the bracts, the indumentum of the pedicels and anthers, the length of the pistils etc. A provisional conservation assessment is also provided.

Keywords. Critically endangered, IUCN conservation assessment, limestone flora, new taxon, Primulina pseudoroseoalba

Fig. 1. Primulina wuae F.Wen & L.F.Fu.
A. Habitat. B. Habit in flower. C. The plant in flower in cultivation. D. Top view of corolla and calyx. E. Lateral view of corolla, calyx and cyme. F. Frontal view of corolla with the detail of stigma in inset

A–B, D–K from the type collection, C from cultivation. (Photos: F. Wen)

 Primulina wuae F.Wen & L.F.Fu sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species is named after Ms Xiang-Hong Wu, who first discovered and collected this rare species and who accompanied us on a number of subsequent field expeditions in Quanzhou, Guangxi. 

S. Li, Z.B. Xin, X. Hong, L.F. Fu and F. Wen. 2017. Primulina wuae (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from southern China. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 69(2);   307 - 313. 

 nparks.gov.sg/sbg/research/publications/gardens-bulletin-singapore/listing-of-publications

 gccc.gxib.cn/showNews-343.aspx

ResearchGate.net/publication/321675822_Primulina_wuae_Gesneriaceae_a_new_species_from_southern_China

[Crustacea • 2018] Xiphocaridinella otapi • Cryptic Diversity of Stygobiotic Shrimp Genus Xiphocaridinella Sadowsky, 1930 (Decapoda: Atyidae): The First Case of Species Co-occurrence in the Same Cave System in the Western Caucasus

Xiphocaridinella otapi Marin, 2018

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4441.2.1 

Abstract

DNA barcoding of stygobiotic shrimps of the genus Xiphocaridinella Sadowsky, 1930 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) collected in underground streams flowing inside two neighboring large karst caves (Otap and Abrskil сaves) revealed the presence of two distinct genetic lineages representing the first case of species co-occurrence in the Western Caucasus. The paper presents the complete morphological re-description of stygobiotic atyid shrimp Xiphocaridinella ablaskiri (Birštein, 1939) and the description of a new species using genetic and morphological analysis. Other known cases of co-occurrence of several stygobiotic shrimp species in the same cave system as well as new genetic data (COI mtDNA) on Western Caucasian species of the genus Xiphocaridinella are discussed in the paper.

Keywords: Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae, Xiphocaridinella, stygobiotic, stygobiont, shrimps, new species, species co-occurrence, Western Caucasus

Ivan Marin. 2018. Cryptic Diversity of Stygobiotic Shrimp Genus Xiphocaridinella Sadowsky, 1930 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae): The First Case of Species Co-occurrence in the Same Cave System in the Western Caucasus. Zootaxa. 4441(2); 201–224.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4441.2.1

Ivan Marin. 2017. Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi sp. nov., A New Species of Stygobiotic Atyid Shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from Kumistavi Cave, Imereti, Western Georgia, Caucasus. Zootaxa. 4311 (4), 576–588. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4311.4.9

 novataxa.blogspot.com/2017/08/troglocaris-kumistavi.html

[Botany • 2012] Rhododendron rawatii (Ericaceae) • A New Species from the Western Himalaya, India

Rhododendron rawatii  I. D. Rai & B. S. Adhikari

in Rai & Adhikari, 2012.

   DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.71.1.3

 ABSTRACT

A new species of Rhododendron, R. rawatii is illustrated and described from the Western Himalaya. The species is sporadically found in the subalpine-timberline zone of Uttarakhand state. Fascicled white cottony hairs on the abaxial surface in between lateral veins of leaves, bright pink and shine-less corolla and comparatively large calyx with hairy margins distinguish the new species from its nearest ally R. fulgens. The populations of the species were found in two geographically distinct localities in the Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand state. The distinguishing morphological characters, affinities with other species and various ecological aspects of the new species are discussed here.

Rhododendron rawatii I. D. Rai & B. S. Adhikari sp. nov. 

Etymology:— The epithet rawatii acknowledges Prof. Gopal Singh Rawat, one of the leading phytotaxonomists and ecologists of India.

 Ishwari Datt Rai and Bhupendra S. Adhikari. 2012. Rhododendron rawatii (Ericaceae), A New Species from the Western Himalaya, India. PHYTOTAXA. 71(1):10-16   DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.71.1.3

researchgate.net/publication/235666968_Rhododendron_rawatii_Ericaceae_a_new_species_from_the_Western_Himalaya_India

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[PaleoOrnithology • 2018] A North American Stem Turaco, and the Complex Biogeographic History of Modern Birds

Field & Hsiang, 2018.

 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1212-3

bird images by International Touraco Society

blogs.BioMedCentral.com

Abstract

Background: 

Earth’s lower latitudes boast the majority of extant avian species-level and higher-order diversity, with many deeply diverging clades restricted to vestiges of Gondwana. However, palaeontological analyses reveal that many avian crown clades with restricted extant distributions had stem group relatives in very different parts of the world.

Results:

Our phylogenetic analyses support the enigmatic fossil bird Foro panarium Olson 1992 from the early Eocene (Wasatchian) of Wyoming as a stem turaco (Neornithes: Pan-Musophagidae), a clade that is presently endemic to sub-Saharan Africa. Our analyses offer the first well-supported evidence for a stem musophagid (and therefore a useful fossil calibration for avian molecular divergence analyses), and reveal surprising new information on the early morphology and biogeography of this clade. Total-clade Musophagidae is identified as a potential participant in dispersal via the recently proposed ‘North American Gateway’ during the Palaeogene, and new biogeographic analyses illustrate the importance of the fossil record in revealing the complex historical biogeography of crown birds across geological timescales.

Conclusions: 

In the Palaeogene, total-clade Musophagidae was distributed well outside the range of crown Musophagidae in the present day. This observation is consistent with similar biogeographic observations for numerous other modern bird clades, illustrating shortcomings of historical biogeographic analyses that do not incorporate information from the avian fossil record.

Keywords: Biogeography, Palaeontology, Turaco, Musophagidae, Phylogeny, Fossils, Gondwana, Dispersal, Otidimorphae, Macroevolution

Fig. 1 Skeletal morphology of total clade musophagids.
(a) Complete skeleton of Foro panarium holotype USNM 336261. Scale bar equals 10 cm.
(b) 3-dimensional CT rendering of the pectoral region of Ross’s Turaco (Musophaga rossae) GCO 1142 (Georgia College Ornithology, Georgia College and State University, Milledgeville, GA). LF – left ramus of furcula, RC – right coracoid, RF – right ramus of furcula, S – sternum. 153:1 denotes unfused midline of furcula, which optimizes as an unambiguous synapomorphy of a Foro + Musophagidae clade. (c) Pectoral region of F. panarium. LH – left humerus, RS – right scapula. (d) Cranial region of USNM 336261. 50:1 processus costales of axis absent. 152:1 bill short and stout with broad processus maxillaris of the os nasale. (e) Distal end of right leg of USNM 336261. 109:0 – trochlea metatarsi IV without large trochlea accessoria. 106:0 tendon of musculus flexor hallucis longus not enclosed in bony canal

  

    

Daniel J. Field and Allison Y. Hsiang. 2018. A North American Stem Turaco, and the Complex Biogeographic History of Modern Birds. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 18:102.  DOI: 10.1186/s12862-018-1212-3

Feathered fruit-eater frozen in fossil form - tinyurl.com/ybmtujr9 @BMC_Series

    

[Herpetology • 2018] Oreobates antrum • A New Cryptic Species of Oreobates (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest of central Brazil

Oreobates antrum 

Vaz-Silva, Maciel, Andrade & Amaro, 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4441.1.5 

Abstract

A new species of Oreobates Jiménez de la Espada, 1872 is described from the seasonally dry tropical forest associated to rocky outcrops of the northeastern Goiás State, Central Brazil. Oreobates antrum sp. nov. is diagnosable by the combination of morphological characters (e.g. small size, dorsal and ventral skin texture smooth to finely shagreened, and broadly enlarged truncate discs on Fingers III and IV), call attributes (composed of a single note and no harmonics with dominant frequency ranged 2070 Hz to 3273 Hz), and supported by molecular evidence (phylogenetic position and genetic divergence) with high degree of differentiation among other Oreobates species (divergences of 4.0–20.6% for 12S, 7.0–14% for 16S, 0.7–4.0% for RAG-1, and 1.1–8.0% for TYR). The new species was recovered as the sister of Oreobates remotus.

Keywords: Amphibia, Brachycephaloidea; Cerrado biome; Integrative taxonomy; Terrarana

reddish-brown Oreobates antrum sp. n. from the type locality at São Domingos, State of Goiás. 

FIGURE 3. Color patterns in live specimens of Oreobates antrum sp. n. from the type locality at São Domingos, State of Goiás.
Absence of dorsolateral bar (C), dorsolateral longitudinal stripes from post-ocular to sacral regions (D), diagonal labial bars slightly faded (E), light brown blotches between the eyes and nostrils (F).

Photos by D.L. Santos, S.P. Andrade and E.P. Victor-Junior.

Oreobates antrum sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name antrum is a Latin adjective meaning “hollow, cave or cavity”. This name refers to the habitats where this species is found, caves of the calcareous rocky outcrops of the Cerrado associated to dry forests.

Wilian Vaz-Silva, Natan Medeiros Maciel, Sheila Pereira de Andrade and Renata Cecília Amaro. 2018. A New Cryptic Species of Oreobates (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest of central Brazil. Zootaxa. 4441(1); 89–108. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4441.1.5

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