Thursday, January 31, 2019

[Crustacea • 2019] Phallangothelphusa tangerina • A New Species of Freshwater Crab of the Genus Phallangothelphusa Pretzmann, 1965 (Decapoda: Pseudothelphusidae), from the foothills of the Serranía Yariguíes of Colombia


Phallangothelphusa tangerina
Campos, Lasso & Arias, 2019


Abstract
A new species of Phallangothelphusa Pretzmann, 1965, is described from the foothills of the Serranía Yariguíes, Santander Department, Magdalena river basin, Colombia. The number of the species increases to five: P. dispar (Zimmer, 1912), P. magdalenensis Campos, 1998, P. juansei Campos, 2010, P. martensis Cardona & Campos, 2012, and Phallangothelphusa tangerina n. sp. The new species is distinguished from its congeners mainly by the morphology of the first male gonopod, particularly by the shapes of the mesial and lateral processes, and the surface and outline form of the apex.

Keywords: Crustacea, Brachyura, Strengerianini, Neotropical region, Colombia, taxonomy


Phallangothelphusa tangerina n. sp. 


Martha R. Campos, Carlos A. Lasso and Maribel Arias. 2019. A New Species of Freshwater Crab of the Genus Phallangothelphusa Pretzmann, 1965, from the foothills of the Serranía Yariguíes of Colombia (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pseudothelphusidae). Zootaxa. 4550(4); 579–584. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4550.4.8

[Arachnida • 2019] Gaucha ramirezi & G. santana • Two New Species of the Sun-spider Genus Gaucha (Solifugae, Mummuciidae) from Argentina and Brazil


Gaucha santana 
Botero-Trujillo, Ott, Mattoni, Nime & Ojanguren-Affilastro, 2019


Abstract
Two new species in the South American sun-spider family Mummuciidae are herein described. Gaucha ramirezi sp. nov. is known from the Chancaní Provincial Park and Forest Reserve, Córdoba province, Argentina, and further reported for a single locality to the northeast, in Santiago del Estero province. The systematic position of this species is uncertain and it is not assigned to any species-group of Gaucha Mello-Leitão, 1924. The other species, Gaucha santana sp. nov., is only known from the Ibirapuitã Environmental Protection Area, in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul, and is a member of the fasciata species-group. With these descriptions, the number of known species of Gaucha is raised to eleven.

Keywords: Araneae, Solifuges, Chancaní Park and Reserve, Ibirapuitã Environmental Protection Area, Santana do Livramento, taxonomy, DNA barcode




Ricardo Botero-Trujillo, Ricardo Ott, Camilo I. Mattoni, Mónica F. Nime and Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro. 2019. Two New Species of the Sun-spider Genus Gaucha from Argentina and Brazil (Solifugae, Mummuciidae). Zootaxa. 4551(2); 180–194.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.2.3

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

[Herpetology • 2019] Pseudophilautus conniffae • A New Species of Pseudophilautus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern Sri Lanka


Pseudophilautus conniffae 
 Batuwita, De Silva & Udugampala, 2019


ABSTRACT
We describe a new Pseudophilautus species, P. conniffae sp. nov. from southern Sri Lanka.  It was previously confused with Pseudophilautus rus (Manamendra-Arachchi & Pethiyagoda).   The new species differs from the latter by the combination of the following characters: fourth toe webbing to penultimate subarticular tubercle on inner and outer sides (vs. fourth toe webbing in between penultimate and anetpenultimate subarticular tubercles on inner and outer sides), presence of conical median lingual process (vs. absent), and black patches on the posterior flank, anterior and posterior edges of the thigh (vs. black patches on the anterior surface of the thigh).  Pseudophilautus conniffae sp. nov. may be sympatric with P. limbus (Manamendra-Arachchi & Pethiyagoda), which shares certain characters with the new species.  The new species is, however, distinguished from P. limbus by the following characters: having supernumerary tubercles on manus (vs. lacking), absence of frontoparietal ridges (vs. presence), fourth toe webbing to penultimate subarticular tubercle on both sides (vs. fourth toe webbing between penultimate and anetpenultimate subarticular tubercle on both sides), third toe webbing to distal subarticular tubercle on both sides (vs. distal subarticular tubercle on outer side and below penultimate subarticular tubercle on inner side), and having the dorsum light brown with dark brown patches (vs. black and yellow variegated pattern on dorsum).  The new species may be restricted to the southwestern wet zone of Sri Lanka.  It is compared with all known Pseudophilautus species and also provided with a field key to identify it from those species that are sympatric with it or inhabit the southwestern wet zone.

Keywords: Dediyagala, Pseudophilautus rus, Pseudophilautus silvaticus, lowland rainforest


 Pseudophilautus conniffae sp. nov.:
[upper] live coloration of male from Hiyare forest Reserve (not preserved),
[lower] live coloration of female paratype, NMSL WCSG 0002, 30.7mm SVL from Dediyagala Forest Reserve.

 Pseudophilautus conniffae sp. nov. live coloration of male from Hiyare forest Reserve (not preserved).

 Pseudophilautus conniffae sp. nov. live coloration of female paratype, NMSL WCSG 0002, 30.7mm SVL from Dediyagala Forest Reserve.

 Pseudophilautus conniffae sp. nov.
Conniff’s Shrub Frog

Diagnosis: Mature male holotype 23.5mm in SVL. Tympanum discernible. Dorsal surface of body glandular, with prominent warts. Supratympanic fold prominent. Canthal edges more or less straight. Skin on head co-ossified with cranium. Nuptial pads absent. Median lingual process present, small and conical. Tarsal tubercle present. Supernumerary tubercles present on manus and pes. Toes medially webbed. Chest and belly heavily granular. Large, dark brown more or less square-shaped blotch on middorsum between forelimbs. Anterior and posterior surfaces of thigh and posterior flank region with black and white patches (Image 1D).
....

Etymology: The species name is an eponym honoring Karen Iynn Conniff for her generous support for the establishment of the WCSG and for her efforts to document the Odonata of Sri Lanka.


Sudesh Batuwita, Madura De Silva and Sampath Udugampala. 2019. Description of A New Species of Pseudophilautus (Amphibia: Rhacophoridae) from southern Sri Lanka.  Journal of Threatened Taxa. 11(1); 13120-13131. DOI:  10.11609/jott.3903.11.1.13120-13131

[Botany • 2019] Trollius austrosibiricus (Ranunculaceae) • A New Species from South Siberia


Trollius austrosibiricus  Erst & Luferov

Erst, Luferov, Troshkina, et al., 2019. 

Abstract
Trollius austrosibiricus Erst & Luferov, sp. nov.a new species from Russian South Siberia is described and illustrated. This new species is endemic to Western and Central Siberia. Morphologically, it is close to the East Asian species T. chinensis and T. macropetalus. However, it differs from the aforementioned species due to the morphology of the rhizomes, aerial shoots, sepals and petals. This species is also distinguished from T. asiaticus, which is widespread in Russia (Western and Eastern Siberia), Mongolia, China, north-eastern Kazakhstan and in the northeast of the European part of Russia, in having a smaller number of sepals, longer persistent styles and petals longer than sepals. In addition, an identification key for all Russian species is given and all species have been discussed.

Keywords: Ranunculaceae, Trollius, new species, South Siberia, Russia


Figure 2. Photograph of Trollius austrosibiricus. A Flowering plant B Flower C Leaf laminae
(Photographs by E. Balde and A. Erst).

Trollius austrosibiricus Erst & Luferov, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Trollius austrosibiricus is morphologically close to T. chinensis Bunge and T. macropetalus (Regel) Fr.Schmidt. It differs from these species in simple rhizomes, shorter aerial shoots, smaller flowers and shorter persistent styles. The new species is distinguished from T. asiaticus L. by a smaller number of sepals, longer persistent styles and petals longer than sepals.
...

Habitat and ecology: Trollius austrosibiricus grows in subalpine and forest zones, in moist valleys at 350–2400 m elevation. It occurs in forest glades and fringes, in mixed-grass and mixed-grass-cereal dry and swampy meadows, along the banks of rivers, streams and small ponds with fresh water.

Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species is derived from the type locality, South Siberia, Russia.


 Andrey Erst, Alexander Luferov, Victoria Troshkina, Dmitry Shaulo, Alexander Kuznetsov, Kunli Xiang and Wei Wang. 2019. Trollius austrosibiricus (Ranunculaceae), A New Species from South Siberia. PhytoKeys. 115: 83-92. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.115.30863

[Fungi • 2019] Lactifluus bicapillus (Russulales, Russulaceae) • A New Species from the Guineo-Congolian Rainforest


Lactifluus bicapillus Lescroart & De Crop 

in De Crop, Lescroart, Njouonkou, et al., 2019. 

Abstract
The milkcap genus Lactifluus is one of the most common ectomycorrhizal genera within Central African rainforests. During a field trip to the Dja Biosphere Reserve in Cameroon, a new Lactifluus species was found. Molecular and morphological analyses indicate that the species belongs to Lactifluus section Xerampelini and we formally describe it here as Lactifluus bicapillus sp. nov.

Keywords: Ectomycorrhizal fungi, Gilbertiodendron, Lactarius, phylogeny, taxonomy, tropical Africa, Uapaca



Figure 2. Basidiomata of Lactifluus bicapillus.
 a–c Basidiomata of Lactifluus bicapillus (EDC 12-176, EDC 12-174, holotype EDC 14-249 resp.)
d Detail of lamellae (EDC 14-176), e) young specimen (EDC 12-169) f Detail of latex (EDC 12-169) g Detail of brown colour change of the latex (EDC 14-238)
(photographs a–f by E. De Crop, g by A. Verbeken).

 Figure 3. Microscopic features of Lactifluus bicapillus a Basidiocarps (from EDC 12-071, EDC 12-169, EDC 12-174, EDC 12-176, and EDC 14-249) b Basidia (from EDC 12-071, and EDC 14-249) c Sterile elements from the hymenium (from EDC 12-169) d Pleuropseudocystidia (from EDC 12-169) e Basidiospores (from EDC 14-249).
Illustrations by E. De Crop, J. Lescroart and A. Verbeken. Scale bar: 10 μm.

Lactifluus bicapillus Lescroart & De Crop

Diagnosis: Lactifluus bicapillus differs from L. xerampelinus by its yellowish-orange to dark red cap, fertile lamella edge, a lampropalisade with two types of terminal elements as pileipellis type, and a distribution in the Guineo-Congolian rainforest.
...

Distribution: Known from Cameroon and Gabon.

Ecology: Guineo-Congolian rainforest, scattered on forest floor under Gilbertiodendron dewevreiUapaca guineensisUacuminata, and Upaludosa.

Etymology: A combination of ‘bi’ and ‘capillus’, referring to the two types of terminal elements in the pileipellis and stipitipellis.


 Eske De Crop, Jonas Lescroart, André-Ledoux Njouonkou, Ruben De Lange, Kobeke Van de Putte and Annemieke Verbeken. 2019. Lactifluus bicapillus (Russulales, Russulaceae), A New Species from the Guineo-Congolian Rainforest. MycoKeys.  45: 25-39.  DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.45.29964


Tuesday, January 29, 2019

[Entomology • 2019] Bothryonopa sahyadrica • An Atypical New Species of Bothryonopa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae) from south India


Bothryonopa sahyadrica 
Shameem, 2019


Abstract
Bothryonopa sahyadrica n. sp., an atypical new species of the genus from southern Western Ghats biodiversity hot-spot in India is described and illustrated. The new species lacks ventral spine on all femora, in contrast to majority of the members of the genus, including the type species. Pronotum is anteriorly distinctly narrower than posteriorly with evenly curved anterolateral corners in the new species, while pronotum in the typical species is widest medially and not distinctly narrowed anteriorly. Host plant of B. sahyadrica n. sp. is Calamus gamblei Becc. & Hook. f. (Arecaceae).

Keywords: Coleoptera, Bothryonopa sahyadrica n. sp., Arecaceae, Calamus, India




K. M. Shameem. 2019. An Atypical New Species of Bothryonopa (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Cassidinae, Bothryonopini) from south India. Zootaxa. 4545(2); 293–300. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4545.2.9

[Botany • 2019] Kniphofia vandeweghei (Asphodelaceae) • A New Species of Kniphofia from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda


Kniphofia vandeweghei

in Fischer & Ackermann, 2019. 

Abstract
A new species, Kniphofia vandeweghei, is described and illustrated, and the differences with KprinceaeK. goetzei and K. paludosa are discussed. Distribution maps for Kvandeweghei and Kprinceae are provided. Kniphofia bequaertii, sometimes regarded as a synonym of Kgrantii, is considered to be a good species, and identification characters and distribution information are given. An identification key for all known Kniphofia species from Rwanda is provided.

Keywords: Afromontane swamps, D.R. Congo, endemic, sunbird pollination, Monocots


Kniphofia vandeweghei


 Eberhard Fischer and Markus Ackermann. 2019. A New Species of Kniphofia (Asphodelaceae) from Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. Phytotaxa. 391(1); 39–56.  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.391.1.3

Monday, January 28, 2019

[Botany • 2019] Amomum nagamiense (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species of Amomum Roxb. from Nagaland, India


Amomum nagamiense  V.P. Thomas & M. Sabu

in Thomas, Sabu & Nissar, 2019. 

Abstract
A new species of Amomum from Nagaland is described and illustrated. The photographs and illustrations are provided. The species shows similarity with A. maximum in having bi-lobed ligule and white flowers and non-stoloniferous rhizome, but differs in slender habit, glabrous lamina, ligule with rounded apex, nonperishable, smaller bracteole, obtuse dorsal corolla lobe, pubescent anther lobe and ridged fruits.

Keyword: Amomum; India; Nagaland; New species; Zingiberaceae

Fig. 2. Photographs of Amomum nagamiense.
 A: habit. B & C: inflorescences. D: inner bract. E: bracteole. F: flower. G: calyx. H: corolla lobes. I: labellum. J: stamen. K: ovary with epigynous glands and style. L: stigma. M: fruit. Photos by V.P. Thomas.

Fig. 1. Illustration of Amomum nagamiense.
 A: habit. B: ligule. C: inflorescence. D: inner bract. E: bracteole. F: flower. G: calyx. H: corolla lobes. I: stamen. J: labellum. K: ovary with epigynous glands and style. L: stigma. M: cross section of ovary. N: fruit. Illustration by V.P. Thomas 

Amomum nagamiense V.P. Thomas & M. Sabu, sp. nov.

Similar to Amomum maximum in having bilobed ligule, white flowers, and non-stoloniferous rhizome, but differs in slender habit, glabrous lamina, ligule with rounded apex, non-perishable, smaller bracteole, obtuse dorsal corolla lobe, pubescent anther lobe and ridged fruits.
....

Distribution: India (Nagaland).

Ecology: Found growing as undergrowth in the semi-evergreen forest at an altitude of 1000 m asl in NE India. 

Etymology: Named for the Indian State Nagaland

Affinities: The species shows similarity with Amomum maximum in having bi-lobed ligule, white flowers, and non-stoloniferous rhizome, but differs in many attributes. A comparison with two other related species Amomum glabrum S. Q. Tong and A. menglaense S. Q. Tong are also presented (Table 1).  


Valukattil Ponnachan Thomas, Mamiyil Sabu and Vettathukattil Abdul Gafoor Muhammed Nissar. 2019. A New Species of Amomum Roxb. (Zingiberaceae) from Nagaland, India. Taiwania. 64(1); 9-12. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.9  


Sunday, January 27, 2019

[Botany • 2018] Crepidium falcifolium (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species of Crepidium from peninsular Thailand


 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen 

in Nuammee, Seelanan & Pedersen, 2018. 

   photographed by Wins Buddhawong.

Abstract
While preparing an account of Crepidium (Orchidaceae) for Flora of Thailand, a new species was discovered on limestone hills in peninsular Thailand; it is described here as Crepidium falcifolium. It has previously been collected and identified as C. godefroyi, but is more similar to C. khasianum. We demonstrate that the new species differs from either in both vegetative and floral characters. A detailed description and illustrations are provided together with notes on taxonomy, habitat requirements, and conservation status.

Keywords: Malaxideae, SE Asian biodiversity, systematics, taxonomy.

 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, Flower, front view.
photographed by A. Nuammee.

 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, from Surat Thani.


   photographed by Wins Buddhawong.




 Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, from Surat Thani.

 photographed by Wins Buddhawong.

Crepidium falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H.A.Pedersen, sp. nov. 

TYPE: THAILAND. Nakhon Si Thammarat: ..., Nopphitam District, Krung Ching Subdistrict, humus-rich soil in shaded areas of limestone hill, ca. 240 m alt., ... 

Malaxis godefroyi auct. non (Rchb.f.) Kuntze: Seidenf., Bot. Tidsskr. 65: 127 p.p., figure 18. 1969; Dansk Bot. Arkiv 33(1): 54 p.p., figure 40. 1978. 

Similar to C. khasianum but differs in having distinctly falcate to narrowly lanceolate, less than 2 cm wide, usually green leaves, reflexed lateral sepals with recurved margins, and a labellum that is less than 4 mm wide and shallowly bilobed at apex with rounded lobes.
....

Habitat and Ecology— All individuals encountered up to now were found growing in humus-rich soil in shaded areas in mixed deciduous forest on limestone hills at 200–250 m in elevation. 

Etymology—The epithet refers to the falcate leaf shape, a feature that distinguishes C. falcifolium from most other species in the genus.

   


Anchalee Nuammee, Tosak Seelanan and Henrik Æ. Pedersen. 2018. A New Species of Crepidium (Orchidaceae) from Thailand.  Systematic Botany. 43(4); 950-956. DOI:  10.1600/036364418X697788 

[Botany • 2019] Aster tonglingensis • Convergent Origin of the narrowly lanceolate leaf in the Genus Aster—with Special Reference to An Unexpected Discovery of A New Aster Species from East China


Aster tonglingensis G.J. Zhang & T.G. Gao

in Zhang, Hu, Gao, Gilbert & Jin, 2019. 
   DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6288

Abstract
Narrowly lanceolate leaves occur frequently in the genus Aster. It was often employed as a distinguishing character in the taxonomy of this genus. The origin of this particular leaf shape, however, has never been investigated using comparative methods. In this study, we reconstructed a comprehensive phylogeny that includes most species of Aster with narrowly lanceolate leaf. We then gathered data on riparian habitats and the presence or absence of narrowly lanceolate leaves, and investigated the evolutionary association between them in a phylogenetic context. Our analysis indicated that the species with narrowly lanceolate leaves are nested in unrelated lineages of the genus Aster, implying that they originated independently several times. Using Pagel’s comparative method of discrete data, we demonstrated a significant correlation between riparian habitats and narrowly lanceolate leaves. We further inferred the sequence of transition of the two characters. This analysis indicated that the sequence of evolution of riparian habitat and narrowly lanceolate leaf form was usually uncertain, but some positive results showed that the occurrence of riparian habitats may not precede the evolution of narrowly lanceolate leaf form. This study provided new insights into the adaptive evolution in a mega-diverse family. In addition, Aster tonglingensis, an unexpected new species with narrowly lanceolate leaves, was discovered and established based on the evidence from morphology, micromorphology and molecular phylogeny.


Figure 3: Habitat and morphology of Aster tonglingensis.
(A) Aster tonglingensis growing in its riparian habitat; (B) inflorescence; (C) capitula and phyllaries; (D) disc florets; (E) cauline leaves and axillary capitula; (F) seedling. 

Figure 4: Aster tonglingensis. (A) habit; (B) capitula; (C) phyllaries; (D) bristle of pappus; (E) ray florets; (F) style branches of ray florets; (G) disc florets; (H) style branches of disc florets; (I) anthers.

Aster tonglingensis G.J. Zhang & T.G. Gao, sp. nov.  

Type: CHINA. Zhejiang Province, Wencheng County, Mt. Tongling, elev. 640 m, 2nd Sept. 2013, H. H. Hu 331-1 (holotype PE!, isotype PE!).

Diagnosis: The new species superficially resembles Aster dolichophyllus Ling. Both species have narrowly lanceolate cauline leaves, recurved phyllary tips, and occur near streams. However, the phyllaries of Aster tonglingensis were 5–7-seriate, green (vs. 2–3-seriate, green with purple tip in A. dolichophyllus), capitula usually more than 30, both terminal and axillary (vs. less than 10, only terminal), adaxial surface of all leaves puberulent (vs. glabrous), basal leaves lanceolate, apex rounded or obtuse (vs. spatulate, apex acute), corolla of disc floret 5–7 mm, lobes half to two thirds as long as limb (vs. corolla 9–11 mm, lobes one third as long as limb), pappus whitish (vs. slightly brown).
...


Etymology: The species is named after its type locality, Mt. Tongling, Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province, China.

Conservation status: Aster tonglingensis is a very narrowly distributed species and is currently known only from one stream in Mt. Tongling Natural Reserve. A population with ca. 100 individuals was found along the stream. We scoured nearby places with similar habitats in this region but failed to find more populations. This part of the natural reserve currently is open to tourists. A footpath was built along this stream which passes through its location. The habitat of A. tonglingensis is easily disturbed or damaged. According to Criteria B2a of International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List Categories, this species should be treated as Critically Endangered. More attention and protection should be paid to this new but vulnerable species.



Conclusions: 
Leaf shape has been used as an important character in the taxonomy of Aster for a long time (Chen, Brouillet & Semple, 2011). The relationship between it and the environment, however, has never been investigated. In the present study, a phylogeny including most species with narrowly lanceolate leaf in Aster was reconstruction based on three molecular markers. It was revealed that species with narrowly lanceolate leaves were placed in far related lineages of the genus Aster (Fig. 1). Thus, the narrowly lanceolate leaf shape originated independently several times in the genus Aster. It was the result of convergent evolution. Comparative analysis in the phylogenetic context revealed that narrowly lanceolate leaf shape and riparian habitat were strongly correlated. The transition order of riparian habitat and narrowly lanceolate leaf was shown to be usually uncertain. But the preadaptation of the narrowly lanceolate leaf was positively supported by some analysis (Fig. 2). In summary, convergent evolution and preadaptation may play important roles in the evolution of leaf shape in the genus Aster. Meanwhile, an unexpected new species with narrowly lanceolate leaves, Aster tonglingensis, was discovered and established based on the evidence of molecular, morphology and micro-morphology. This new species was descripted and illustrated here.

Asteraceae is the largest and relatively young plant family (Funk et al., 2009; Heywood, 2009). Simultaneously, members of this mega-diverse family show abundant morphological diversity (Funk et al., 2009). They occur in almost every corner of the earth and occupy various habitats (Funk et al., 2009), thus providing an excellent opportunity to study convergent evolution (Heywood, 2009). The present study provided new insights into the process of convergent evolution of leaf form in a big genus of this mega-diverse family. In turn, understanding more details of the convergent evolution in this family helped to discover the cryptic biodiversity before they go extinct, as shown in the unexpected discovery of the new species Aster tonglingensis in this study.


   

Guo-Jin Zhang, Hai-Hua Hu, Tian-Gang Gao, Michael G. Gilbert and Xiao-Feng Jin. 2019. Convergent Origin of the narrowly lanceolate leaf in the Genus Aster—with Special Reference to An Unexpected Discovery of A New Aster Species from East China. PeerJ. 7:e6288.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6288

[Herpetology • 2019] Xylophiinae subfam. nov. • A New Subfamily of Fossorial Colubroid Snakes from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India


Geographic distribution of Xylophiinae subfam. nov. (green) 
and approximate distribution of subfamily Pareinae (blue).

Deepak, Ruane & Gower, 2019. 

ABSTRACT
We report molecular phylogenetic and dating analyses of snakes that include new mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data for three species of the peninsular Indian endemic Xylophis. The results provide the first molecular genetic test of and support for the monophyly of Xylophis. Our phylogenetic results support the findings of a previous, taxonomically restricted phylogenomic analysis of ultraconserved nuclear sequences in recovering the fossorial Xylophis as the sister taxon of a clade comprising all three recognised extant genera of the molluscivoran and typically arboreal pareids. The split between Xylophis and ‘pareids’ is estimated to have occurred on a similar timescale to that between most (sub)families of extant snakes. Based on phylogenetic relationships, depth of molecular genetic and estimated temporal divergence, and on the external morphological and ecological distinctiveness of the two lineages, we classify Xylophis in a newly erected subfamily (Xylophiinae subfam. nov.) within Pareidae.

KEYWORDSAsia, classification, Pareidae, Pareinae, phylogenetics, Xylophis, taxonomy



Figure 4. (a) Geographic distribution of Xylophiinae subfam. nov. (green) and approximate distribution of subfamily Pareinae (blue).
 Photographs show representative taxa of the two subfamilies within Pareidae: (b) Xylophis perroteti from Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India (Photo: Achyuthan N. Srikanthan); (c) Pareas monticola from Barail, Assam, India (Photo: V. Deepak).
Approximate distribution drawn based on locations provided in Srinivasulu et al. (2014) and Wallach et al. (2014).

DIAPSIDA Osborn, 1903
Superorder LEPIDOSAURIA Haeckel, 1866

Order SQUAMATA Oppel, 1811
Suborder SERPENTES Linnaeus, 1758
Infraorder CAENOPHIDIA Hoffstetter, 1939
Superfamily COLUBROIDEA Oppel, 1811

Family PAREIDAE Romer, 1956

Subfamily Xylophiinae subfam. nov.

Type genus: Xylophis Beddome, 1878

Content A single genus with three currently recognised species: X. stenorhynchus (Günther, 1875); X. perroteti Duméril, Bibron and Duméril, 1854; X. captaini Gower and Winkler, 2007. 
Xylophis indicus Beddome, 1878 has been considered a synonym of X. stenorhynchus (e.g. Smith 1943; Wallach et al. 2014) but might also be valid (Gower and Winkler 2007). Xylophis perroteti includes the synonyms Rhabdosoma microcephalum Günther, 1858 (e.g. Smith 1943; Wallach et al. 2014).

Diagnosis Colubroid snakes with first (anteriormost) three pairs of infralabial shields reduced to narrow strips, together much smaller than large pair of anterior chin (genial) shields.

 Distribution The Western Ghats region of peninsular India. ...


V. Deepak, Sara Ruane and David J. Gower. 2019. A New Subfamily of Fossorial Colubroid Snakes from the Western Ghats of Peninsular India. Journal of Natural History.   52(45-46)  DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2018.1557756  

      

Saturday, January 26, 2019

[Ichthyology • 2018] Enteromius walshae • A New Small Barb (Cyprininae: Smiliogastrini) from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin) rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa


Enteromius walshae
Mamonekene, Zamba & Stiassny, 2018


ABSTRACT
 A new species of smiliogastrin cyprinid is described from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin) rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa. The new species is readily distinguished from congeners by the presence of a flexible, weakly ossified and smooth bordered last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, well-developed barbels, and a straight and complete lateral line in combination with a characteristic pigmentation patterning consisting of a distinctive, rounded black spot at the base of and extending over the first rays of the anal fin and a prominent, darkly pigmented blotch over the base of the anterior dorsal-fin rays. A combination of morphological features and pigmentation patterning that appears to be unique among Enteromius. The new species is widespread throughout the Louesse-Djoulou region, and the fact that such a seemingly common species has gone undetected until now serves to underscore how poorly known this region of the Republic of Congo remains. 


FIGURE 2. Enteromius walshae, new species:
A, AMNH 266856, holotype (female) in preservation; B, individual from the same population in life.
C, AMNH 266858, paratype (male) in preservation; D, individual from same population in life;
E, digestive tract, after removal of liver and adherent tissues (approximately to scale).

Enteromius walshae, new species

Differential diagnosis: While no unambiguous morphological autapomorphies have been located to diagnose Enteromius walshae the species is nonetheless readily distinguished from all congeners by the presence of a flexible, weakly ossified, and smooth-bordered last unbranched dorsal-fin ray, well-developed barbels, and a straight and complete lateral line in combination with a characteristic pigmentation patterning consisting of a distinctive, rounded black spot at the base of and extending over the first rays of the anal fin and a prominent, darkly pigmented blotch over the base of the anterior dorsal-fin rays. 
....


FIGURE 4. A, Known distributional range of Enteromius walshae; yellow stars indicate collection sites and red star indicates collection locality of holotype (AMNH 266856). B, Type locality of holotype, in a small tributary of the Mandoro River (upper Louesse River basin).

Distribution: Found in forested streams and rivers throughout the surveyed region (fig. 4A). Commonly encountered in tributaries and subtributaries of the Louesse River in the Niari basin, and in the Djoulou River, a tributary of the upper Ogowe. The species is not found in tributaries of the lower Kouilou-Niari or in coastal basin systems in the Republic of Congo (Walsh et al., 2014). Although no data are currently available, we anticipate that further collecting in the upper Ogowe basin will extend the species’ distributional range into adjacent forested regions of that basin in Gabon. 

Etymology: We name this new smiliogastrin cyprinid for our colleague Gina Walsh (University of Witwatersrand, South Africa), whose ongoing research continues to enhance conservation efforts throughout the region.


Victor Mamonekene, Armel Ibala Zamba and Melanie L. J. Stiassny. 2018. A New Small Barb (Cyprininae: Smiliogastrini) from the Louesse, Lekoumou (upper Niari basin), and Djoulou (upper Ogowe basin) rivers in the Republic of Congo, west-central Africa.  American Museum Novitates. 3917.  DigitalLibrary.AMNH.org/handle/2246/6921

Friday, January 25, 2019

[Herpetology • 2019] Polemon ater • A Cryptic New Species of Polemon (Squamata: Lamprophiidae, Aparallactinae) from the Miombo Woodlands of Central and East Africa


Polemon ater
Portillo, Branch, Tilbury, Nagy, Hughes, Kusamba, Muninga, Aristote, Behangana & Greenbaum, 2019

  DOI:  10.1643/CH-18-098

Abstract
African snake-eaters of the genus Polemon are cryptic, fossorial snakes that mainly inhabit the forests of central, eastern, and western Africa. Molecular results from a previous study demonstrated that Polemon christyi is not monophyletic—two distinct lineages were recovered from Uganda (the type locality) and southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Genetic data indicated differences in sequence divergence and encoded amino acids between these lineages. Based on these molecular differences and diagnostic differences in morphology, we describe the lineage from southeastern DRC as a new species. Literature records indicate that it likely occurs in adjacent Tanzania and Zambia. It is the first species of Polemon to be described in over 70 years.


  the holotype of Polemon ater, PEM R20734 (254 mm SVL), subadult male from Fungurume, Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in life.
photo: Colin R. Tilbury


Polemon ater, new species 
Black Snake-eater  

Etymology.— Derived from the Latin atrum in reference to the grayish black or black dorsal and ventral coloration that is present in all known specimens of P. ater.


Frank Portillo, William R. Branch, Colin R. Tilbury, Zoltán T. Nagy, Daniel F. Hughes, Chifundera Kusamba, Wandege M. Muninga, Mwenebatu M. Aristote, Mathias Behangana and Eli Greenbaum. 2019. A Cryptic New Species of Polemon (Squamata: Lamprophiidae, Aparallactinae) from the Miombo Woodlands of Central and East Africa. Copeia. 107(1); 22-36. DOI:  10.1643/CH-18-098