[Entomology • 2020] Systematic Revision and Morphological Phylogenetic Analysis of Anchylorhynchus Schoenherr, 1836 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Derelomini)

 Anchylorhynchus trapezicollis (Hustache, 1940)

in Medeiros & Vanin, 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4839.1.1

twitter.com/BrunoASM

Abstract

Anchylorhynchus Schoenherr is a genus of palm-associated weevils currently including 22 described species in the Neotropics. These weevils engage in brood pollination interactions with species in at least four genera of palms (Arecaceae), representing an emerging system for the study of mutualisms. Here we revise the taxonomy of Anchylorhynchus and propose the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the group, based on morphology. Anchylorhynchus chrysomeloides sp. nov., Anchylorhynchus goiano sp. nov., Anchylorhynchus imitator sp. nov., Anchylorhynchus latipes sp. nov., Anchylorhynchus multisquamis sp. nov. and Anchylorhynchus rectus sp. nov. are described, Anchylorhynchus gottsbergerorum Vanin is a new junior subjective synonym of Anchylorhynchus bicarinatus O’Brien, and Anchylorhynchus eriospathae Bondar and Anchylorhynchus pictipennis Hustache are new junior subjective synonyms of Anchylorhynchus tremolerasi Hustache, resulting in 25 valid species for the genus. We provide genus and species descriptions with a new dichotomous key to the species and updated information on geography and host associations based on museum records and extensive new collections. We also produce a new morphological matrix with 113 characters, 11 of them based on measurements while accounting for allometry, correlation and power to delimit groups. The software pipeline to produce these characters was encoded in a graphical user interface named DiscretzR, made available here. Analysis of this matrix under parsimony and Bayesian inference resulted in strong support for the monophyly of Anchylorhynchus, but weaker support for most clades within the genus. Reconstruction of the host plant associations indicates that the common ancestor of Anchylorhynchus visited flowers of Syagrus Mart., with later transitions to other genera restricted to one of the major clades of Anchylorhynchus. This taxonomic revision with the first phylogeny for the group provides a foundation for future evolutionary studies in the genus.

Keywords: Coleoptera, systematics, morphology, taxonomic revision, Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Arecaceae, Syagrus, Butia, Oenocarpus, Euterpe

Bruno A. S. de Medeiros and Sergio A. Vanin. 2020. Systematic Revision and Morphological Phylogenetic Analysis of Anchylorhynchus Schoenherr, 1836 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae: Derelomini). Zootaxa. 4839(1); 1-98.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4839.1.1

 twitter.com/brunoasm/status/1300480818498932736

[Entomology • 2020] Three New Species of Epipompilus Kohl (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Pepsinae) from Australia

 

Epipompilus namadgi  

Yuan & Rodriguez, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4743.4.7 

 twitter.com/juanita_rodr

Abstract
Three new species are added to the genus Epipompilus (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) in Australia. Epipompilus mirabundus sp. nov., E. taree sp. nov., and E. namadgi sp. nov. are described and illustrated. A key to males of Epipompilus is provided. A novel association of Epipompilus and Sceliphron formosum (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) is also documented. The larva of E. mirabundus sp. nov. was found sharing single nest cell with a Sceliphron larva; this association could be the result of a parasitised spider being brought back to the nest by the Sceliphron adult.

Keywords: Hymenoptera, Spider wasps, mud dauber wasps, Epipompilus, Sceliphron formosum

Epipompilus mirabundus Yuan & Rodriguez, sp. nov.

Distribution. Australia: Australian Capital Territory. 

 Etymology. The epithet originates from the Latin mirabundus, which means astonishment, and is based on the unusual way the specimen was found in its larval stage developing and sharing a cell with a Sceliphron formosum larva. 

 Remarks. The cocoon was found in the nest of Sceliphron formosum (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae) (Figs. 1D, 3). A male adult was reared and emerged in the lab. 

Epipompilus taree Yuan & Rodriguez, sp. nov. 

Distribution. Australia: New South Wales. 

 Etymology. The epithet, placed as a noun in apposition, comes from the city close to where the specimens were collected.

  

Epipompilus namadgi Yuan & Rodriguez, sp. nov. 

Distribution. Australia: Australian Capital Territory. 

 Etymology. The epithet, placed as a noun in apposition, comes from the National Park where the type specimen was collected. 

David Yuan and Juanita Rodriguez. 2020. Three New Species of Epipompilus Kohl (Hymenoptera, Pompilidae, Pepsinae) from Australia. Zootaxa. 4743(4); 575–584. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4743.4.7

  twitter.com/juanita_rodr/status/1232942310620446721

bushblitz.org.au/a-new-wasp-species-with-alzheimers-fighting-venom-may-be-lost-to-science-due-to-bushfires

@puppyyuan  #spiderwasp @BushBlitz2 #australianbushfires #namadgi  

[Botany • 2020] Epipogium taiwanense (Orchidaceae) • A detail Morphological Description and Additional New Record to Mainland China

Epipogium taiwanense T.C.Hsu 

in Wu, Liu, Tang, ... et Peng, 2020.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.453.1.4 

Abstract

Epipogium taiwanense, is published in the book of Illustrated Flora of Taiwan in 2018. However, here only the specimen and simply descriptions were existed on which the protologue was based. Plant and flowers characteristics were not described in enough detail in the original description. Fortunately, it was rediscovered from Yunnan and Sichuan Province, China. It is morphological similar to E. aphyllum, but it can be easily distinguished from the latter by having large size flower bract (2.0 × 1.0 cm, significantly longer than pedicel and ovary), epichile of labellum concave with 1 longitudinal ridge on mid-lobe and the spur strongly recurve in the apex connecting with bottom of mid-lobe. A preliminary risk-of-ex­tinction assessment, according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, is given for the newly recorded species.

Keywords: Monocots, Epipogium, Morphological taxonomy, ghost orchid, Epidendrea, Orchidaceae

 

Xun-Feng Wu, Qiang Liu, Ying Tang, Kuan-Bo Chi, Yu-Qian Wang, Xin Pang, Yao-Hua Huang and Pei-Hao Peng. 2020. Epipogium taiwanense, A detail Morphological Description and Additional New Record to Mainland China. Phytotaxa. 453(1); 43–48. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.453.1.4

  臺灣上鬚蘭 

[Entomology • 2020] Biology, Immature Stages, and Systematics of Snail-killing Flies of the Genus Colobaea (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), with Overviews of Aspects of the Tribe Sciomyzini

Colobaea sp. 

in Bratt, Knutson, et al. 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4840.1.1

Abstract

All reared larvae of flies of the genus Colobaea Zetterstedt, 1837 (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), which comprises 15 valid species, kill and consume freshwater nonoperculate pulmonate snails. New data are presented on the geographic distribution, biology, morphology of immature stages, and classification of Colobaea. Life cycle information is provided from field data and laboratory rearings for four of the 11 Palearctic species—C. bifasciella (Fallén), C. deemingi Knutson & Bratt n.sp., C. pectoralis (Zetterstedt), and C. punctata (Lundbeck)—and for one of the three Nearctic species, C. americana Steyskal. Colobaea bifasciella is shown to be one of the most highly specialized parasitoid Sciomyzini, laying eggs on shells of Galba truncatula (O.F. Müller) and Stagnicola palustris (O.F. Müller) in temporary, intermittent, or vernal semiterrestrial situations. Each larva feeds in only one host snail, which is not killed until shortly before the larva completes development. Puparia are strongly modified to fit tightly within the shell of the host. The other reared species are shown to be less specialized than C. bifasciella, with eggs being laid upon vegetation, the larvae behaving as parasitoids-predators-saprophages of exposed aquatic snails, and the puparia of all four species being adapted to a lesser degree than C. bifasciella to fitting within the shell of the host snail. In nature, C. americana attacks Gyraulus parvus (Say) and Physa Draparnaud sp.; C. pectoralis attacks Anisus vortex (L.) and Bathyomphalus contortus (L.); and C. punctata attacks Gyraulus albus O.F. Müller, Lymnaea “peregra,” Planorbarius corneus (L.), and Planorbis planorbis (L.). In the laboratory, these species also attacked and consumed other freshwater nonoperculate snails; C. deemingi was reared on Gyraulus intermixtus (Mousson) and Radix gedrosiana (Say), and an adult fly of the Palearctic C. distincta (Meigen) emerged from a puparium found in the shell of Anisus spirorbis (L.) collected in nature. Described and figured are eggs, larvae of all three instars, and puparia of the five laboratory-reared species. To provide perspective on features of Colobaea, diagnostic features are summarized of the immature stages of the Sciomyzini and the suprageneric categories of Sciomyzidae. The biogeography of the tribe Sciomyzini is presented, along with details of known geographical distribution. The classification and phylogenetic position of Colobaea are discussed. Included are a checklist of all known taxa of Colobaea, maps of geographic distribution, and a key to adults of the 15 valid species.

Keywords: Diptera, Acalyptratae, Sciomyzoidea, snails, life cycles, morphology, immature stages, taxonomy, nomenclature, phylogenetic relationships

 

Albertus D. Bratt, Lloyd V. Knutson, William L. Murphy and Anthony A. Daniels. 2020. Biology, Immature Stages, and Systematics of Snail-killing Flies of the Genus Colobaea (Diptera: Sciomyzidae), with Overviews of Aspects of the Tribe Sciomyzini. Zootaxa. 4840(1); 1–64. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4840.1.1

[Entomology • 2020] Prosoeca torquata • Key Long-proboscid Fly Pollinator Overlooked: Morphological and Molecular Analyses reveal A New Prosoeca Species (Diptera: Nemestrinidae)

Prosoeca torquata hovering over Lapeirousia dolomitica.

in Theron, Grenier, Anderson, ... et van der Niet, 2020. 

DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa075  

 Photo: Florent Grenier. 

twitter.com/Gen_Theron

 

Abstract

Long-proboscid nemestrinid flies are keystone pollinators of dozens of Southern African plants and, consequently, their taxonomic status might have important consequences for insect and plant conservation. We focus on Prosoeca peringueyi, considered to be a single, morphologically variable species, upon which a guild of ~28 plants in the winter rainfall region depends for pollination. We quantified morphological variation and established whether it was associated with genetic variation within and among sites. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene revealed two well-supported clades. One clade contains long-proboscid individuals that conform morphologically to the holotype of P. peringueyi. The sister clade contains individuals that frequently occur sympatrically with P. peringueyi and have shorter proboscides, with additional diagnostic characters that set it apart from P. peringueyi. A haplotype analysis based on nuclear ribosomal 28S DNA sequences of a subset of individuals corroborated these results. Based on our results, we propose the recognition of two species: P. peringueyi and Prosoeca torquata sp. nov., which is described here. Future research is required to quantify the interaction networks of these two fly species and the plant guilds with which they interact, to facilitate conservation in the global biodiversity hotspot where they occur.

Keywords: cryptic species, DNA barcoding, keystone pollinator, morphological variation, proboscis, Succulent Karoo, tangle-veined flies, taxonomy

Photographs of in situ adult Prosoeca peringueyi visiting Zaluzianskya sp. 

 Photo: Steven Johnson. 

twitter.com/Gen_Theron

Prosoeca torquata hovering over Lapeirousia dolomitica.

 Photo: Florent Grenier. 

twitter.com/Gen_Theron

      Prosoeca Schiner, 1867

 Prosoeca torquata Theron sp. nov.

 

Etymology: torquata (Latin) = being adorned with a neck collar; referring to the characteristic white band of hairs on the anterior margin of the thorax.

Genevieve L. Theron, Florent Grenier, Bruce C. Anderson, Allan G. Ellis, Steven D. Johnson, John M. Midgley and Timotheüs van der Niet. 2020. Key Long-proboscid Fly Pollinator Overlooked: Morphological and Molecular Analyses reveal A New Prosoeca (Nemestrinidae) Species. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. blaa075.  DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa075

My very first #fly #LongTongueFly description and first PhD chapter is finally out! Special flies that have tongues far longer than their bodies and pollinate loads of pretty flowers!! #Nemestrinidae #Namaqualand #RSA @UKZN @StellenboschUni

  twitter.com/Gen_Theron/status/1292710328095125509

twitter.com/BiolJLinnSoc/status/1292133219295469573

[Crustacea • 2020] Zoukaris festivus • A New Deep-water Palaemonid Shrimp Genus and Species (Decapoda: Caridea) from the French Antilles, with A New Record of Periclimenes milleri Bruce, 1986

Zoukaris festivus Anker & Corbari, 2020

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4834.3.4 

 facebook.com/ArthurAnker7

Abstract

A new genus and species in the caridean shrimp family Palaemonidae is described based on three type specimens collected at a depth range of 208–385 m off Guadeloupe, French Antilles. Zoukaris festivus gen. et sp. nov. shares many characters with several western Atlantic deep-water species currently assigned to Periclimenes Costa, 1844, as well as with the monotypic western Atlantic genus Diapontonia Bruce, 1986 and the Indo-West Pacific genus Echinopericlimenes Marin & Chan, 2014. Zoukaris gen. nov. can be separated from all of them by a unique combination of morphological features, especially the configuration of the dactylus of the ambulatory pereiopods. In addition, Periclimenes milleri Bruce, 1986 is recorded from the French Antilles based on a single specimen, also from Guadeloupe; its colour pattern is illustrated for the first time.

Keywords: Crustacea, Palaemonidae, shrimp, new genus, new species, new record, marine biodiversity, deep-water, West Atlantic, Lesser Antilles

    

Zoukaris festivus gen. et sp. nov. 

 Arthur Anker and Laure Corbari. 2020. A New Deep-water Palaemonid Shrimp Genus and Species from the French Antilles, with A New Record of Periclimenes milleri Bruce, 1986 (Decapoda: Caridea). Zootaxa. 4834(3); 407–424. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4834.3.4 

 facebook.com/ArthurAnker7/posts/3267994763249219

[Herpetology • 2020] Atheris hetfieldi • The Bush Vipers, Genus Atheris Cope, 1862 (Squamata: Viperidae) of Bioko Island, Gulf of Guinea, with the Description of A New Species

Atheris hetfieldi 

 Ceríaco, Marques & Bauer, 2020

Hetfield’s Bush Viper  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4838.4.9 

 facebook.com/LuisCeriaco 

Illustration by Arthur C. Wandeur 

Abstract
Two species of Bush Vipers, genus Atheris Cope, 1862, have been reported for the continental island of Bioko, Gulf of Guinea – Atheris squamigera and a putatively undescribed species, morphologically similar to Atheris chlorechis. The latter was only known from one specimen collected in the early 1900s and its taxonomic identity has never been fully resolved. Based on recently collected specimens of Atheris from Bioko Island, we reviewed all the available data and specimens through detailed morphological comparisons against all known species of the genus. Our results confirm that Atheris squamigera is present in Bioko Island, and that the second taxon is a new species, which we describe here as Atheris hetfieldi sp. nov. The newly described species presents a series of morphological characters that clearly differentiate it from all of its congeners. The description of this new species is the first of a new snake species from Bioko in more than 100 years and this species is the only snake currently recognized as endemic to the island.

Keywords: Reptilia, Taxonomy, snakes, morphology, endemic species, island biology

...

 Morphological data lead us to recognize two species of Atheris in Bioko Island 

– Atheris squamigera and a new species which we describe as new. 

...

Atheris hetfieldi sp. nov. 

Atheris squamigera squamigera [part]: Capocaccia (1961: 304) 

Atheris chlorechis: Mertens (1964: 235)

Etymology. The species is named after James A. Hetfield (1963–present), lead vocalist and guitarist of the heavy metal band Metallica, for the inspiration, endurance and sanity that his music provides to the authors while roaming the academic world. The name is here applied as a genitive masculine. We propose the English common name of Hetfield’s Bush Viper. 

Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Mariana P. Marques and Aaron. M. Bauer. 2020. The Bush Vipers, Genus Atheris Cope, 1862 (Squamata: Viperidae) of Bioko Island, Gulf of Guinea, with the Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4838(4); 581–593. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4838.4.9

  facebook.com/LuisCeriaco/posts/10220462400404947

[Botany • 2020] Didymocarpus lobulatus (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Zhejiang Province, East China

Didymocarpus lobulatus F. Wen, Xin Hong & W.Y. Xie

in Xie, ... et Wen, 2020. 

DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.157.30349

Abstract

Didymocarpus lobulatus, a new species endemic to Zhejiang province, eastern China, is described and illustrated with photographs. The new species is morphologically similar to D. heucherifolius, D. cortusifolius and D. salviiflorus in leaf morphology, but can be easily distinguished by a combination of characters, including the shape of bracts, calyx and calyx lobes.

Keywords: Flora of Zhejiang, new taxon, taxonomy, Didymocarpus sect. Heteroboea

Figure 1. Didymocarpus lobulatus 
 A Habit B Flower in top view C Opened corolla, showing stamens and staminodes D Fertile stamens and anthers E Pistil, disc and stigma.

Figure 2. Didymocarpus lobulatus F. Wen, Xin Hong & W.Y. Xie.
 A Habitat B Vegetative part of plants C Habitat in flowering D Frontal view of corolla E Top view of cyme, showing actinomorphic calyx F Opened corolla for showing stamens, pistil and calyx lobes G Adaxial surface view of leaf blade H Abaxial surface view of leaf blade.

    

Didymocarpus lobulatus F. Wen, Xin Hong & W.Y. Xie, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Didymocarpus lobulatus is similar to D. heucherifolius Handel-Mazzetti and D. salviiflorus W.Y. Chun in having a similar zygomorphic corolla and pink to pinkish-purple funnel-shaped to tubular corolla tube, but can be distinguished from the former by its densely eglandular and glandular pubescent peduncle (vs. villous in D. heucherifolius), bracts subulate to subulate-triangular (vs. elliptic) and margin sparsely crenate from the middle (vs. entire), calyx shallowly 5-lobed to or lobed about two-thirds of the calyx length from the base (vs. 5-lobed to the base). From D. salviiflorus, it differs by having subulate to subulate-triangular bracts (vs. semi-orbicular in D. salviiflorus), calyx lobes triangular but non-overlapping (vs. depressed oblong, overlapping at margin) and in size in ca. 5 × 2.5 mm (vs. 2–2.2 × 4–4.5 mm). It is also similar to D. cortusifolius in the shape and size of the leaves, but can be easily distinguished by having bracts subulate to subulate-triangular (vs. ovate to elliptic in D. cortusifolius), bract margin sparsely crenate from the middle (vs. entire), larger calyx lobes ca. 5 × 2.5 mm (vs. 1–3 × ca. 2 mm) and lobes’ margin nearly entire to entire (vs. denticulate), corolla white (vs. corolla pink to dark pink), fertile stamens adnate to corolla ca. 5 mm from base (vs. adnate to corolla 10–14 mm from base), filaments sparsely brownish glandular-puberulous (vs. glabrous).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the shallowly 5-lobed calyx.

Distribution and habitat: Didymocarpus lobulatus is locally abundant and endemic to a narrow area in eastern China, surrounding the type locality. This species grows on moist shady cliffs of sandy shale hills, at an elevation of 223 m a.s.l. in type locality. The average temperature is 16.4 °C, the average annual precipitation has been calculated as ca. 1,446.8 mm. The forest is a subtropical monsoon climate evergreen broad-leaved forest. Flowering in May. Another population growing in the Danxia landscape of Chuanyanshijiufeng, Xinchang County, Shaoxing city, not far away from the type locality, was discovered by the first author in 2016. The two places are about 40 kilometres apart.

Figure 3. A Didymocarpus lobulatus B D. heucherifolius C D. cortusifolius D D. salviiflorus
1 Habitats 2 The frontal view of corolla and cyme 3 Cyme and bracts 4 calyx lobes.

Wen-Yuan Xie, Jia-Jun Zhou, Xin Hong and Fang Wen. 2020. Didymocarpus lobulatus (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Zhejiang Province, East China.   In: Shui Y-M, Chen W-H, Ren M-X, Wen F, Hong X, Qiu Z-J, Wei Y-G, Kang M (Eds) Taxonomy of Gesneriaceae in China and Vietnam. PhytoKeys. 157: 199-206. DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.157.30349

[Botany • 2020] Deinostigma fasciculatum (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

Deinostigma fasciculatum W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui 

in Shui, Wu, Yu, ... et Chen, 2020.  

 簇花奇柱苣苔 || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.157.32683  

Abstract

A new species of Deinostigma (Gesneriaceae) from Yunnan, China, Deinostigma fasciculatum W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, sp. nov., has been discovered and described. In the genus, the new species is similar to D. cicatricosum (W.T. Wang) D.J. Middleton & Mich. Möller and D. cyrtocarpum (D. Fang & L. Zeng) Mich. Möller & H.J. Atkins in dark purple flowers and falcate fruit, but differs from them mainly in the inflorescences with fasciculate flowers, calyx lobes (reflexed, narrowly lanceolate and 1.2–1.3 cm long), corolla tubes (sharply contracted below middle and white outside and below throat). The above three species grow nearby non-limestone wet cliffs and geographically isolated with different distributions (the new species in Southeast Yunnan, D. cicatricosum in Eastern Guangxi and D. cyrtocarpum in Southern Guangxi and Guangdong, China).

Keywords: Deinostigma cicatricosum, Deinostigma cyrtocarpum, new species, Sino-Vietnamese border, Yunnan

Figure 1. The distribution of Deinostigma fasciculatum W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, sp. nov. (■),
with D. cicatricosum (W.T.Wang) D.J.Middleton & Mich.Möller (●)
and D. cyrtocarpum (D.Fang & L.Zeng) Mich.Möller & H.J.Atkins (▲).

Figure 2. Deinostigma fasciculatum W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, sp. nov.
 A habit B mature fruits C frontal view of flower D leaf abaxial side E top and back view of flowers F top view of opened corolla showing the interior surface of corolla tube, stamens and staminodes G pistil and calyx, arrow showing the calyx H ovary, calyx and bract. (b = bract, c = calyx, d = disc).

Deinostigma fasciculatum W.H.Chen & Y.M.Shui, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: The new species is similar to D. cicatricosum and D. cyrtocarpum in dark purple flowers and falcate fruit, but differs from the latter two species in the inflorescences with fasciculate flowers (vs. with remote flowers), calyx lobes reflexed (vs. compacted), corolla tubes white outside and below throat (vs. purple) (Figs 2C, 3). The new species differs from D. cicatricosum in calyx lobes narrowly lanceolate (vs. narrowly oblong) and 1.2–1.3 cm long (vs. 0.8–1.0 cm), corolla tube sharply contracted below middle (vs. slightly contracted), capsule narrowly oblong (vs. linear) 2–2.5 cm long (vs. 3–4 cm long). It differs from D. cyrtocarpum in calyx lobes 1.2–1.3 cm long (vs. 0.5–0.8 cm long), corolla tube sharply contracted (vs. gradually contracted).

Etymology: The name refers to the flowers, which are fasciculate on inflorescences of the new species.

Vernacular name: Cù Huā Qí Zhù Jù Tái (Chinese pronunciation); 簇花奇柱苣苔 (Chinese name).

Distribution and habitat: The new species only grows on the wet cliff in the valley and only occurs at the type locality, Jinping County, Yunnan province, China.

 Yu-Min Shui, Jian-Yong Wu, Zhi-Yong Yu, Shi-Wei Guo, Li Chen, Fang Wen and Wen-Hong Chen. 2020. Deinostigma fasciculatum, A New Species of Gesneriaceae in Yunnan, China.  In: Shui Y-M, Chen W-H, Ren M-X, Wen F, Hong X, Qiu Z-J, Wei Y-G, Kang M (Eds) Taxonomy of Gesneriaceae in China and Vietnam. PhytoKeys. 157: 199-206. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.157.32683

[Crustacea • 2020] Turleania rubriguttatus • A New Species of Pagurid Hermit Crab (Decapoda: Anomura: Paguroidea) from Shallow Water in Japan, with Notes on T. senticosa (McLaughlin & Haig, 1996)

Turleania rubriguttatus Komai, 2020

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4834.1.6 

Abstract

A new species of the pagurid hermit crab genus Turleania McLaughlin, 1997, Turleania rubriguttatus, is described on the basis of two specimens, including one male and one female, from shallow subtidal waters in Kochi Prefecture, Japan. The new species appears close to T. albatrossae (McLaughlin & Haig, 1996), known from the Philippines, but the proximally unarmed dorsal surface of the right chela palm and the lack of a dorsomesial row of spines on the left cheliped carpus easily distinguish T. rubriguttatus n. sp. from T. albatrossae. Examination of the type material of T. similis Komai, 1999 and T. spinimanus Komai, 1999, and supplemental material from Japan, confirms that the two taxa are synonymous with T. senticosa (McLaughlin & Haig, 1996), as was suggested by previous authors. Re-examination clarified that in T. senticosa the maxilliped 3 has no developed arthrobranchs, and this led the author to assess the status of T. sinensis Han, Sha & An, 2016, which is also synonymised with T. senticosa.

Keywords: Decapoda, Kochi Prefecture, synonym, Turleania sinensis, Turleania spinimanus

Tomoyuki Komai. 2020. Turleania rubriguttatus, A New Species of Pagurid Hermit Crab (Decapoda: Anomura: Paguroidea) from Shallow Water in Japan, with Notes on T. senticosa (McLaughlin & Haig, 1996). Zootaxa. 4834(1); 96–106. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4834.1.6

[Herpetology • 2020] Cnemaspis rishivalleyensis & Hemidactylus rishivalleyensis • Geckos in the Granite: Two New Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Rocky, Scrub Habitats in Rishi Valley, Andhra Pradesh, India

Cnemaspis rishivalleyensis & Hemidactylus rishivalleyensis 

Agarwal, Thackeray & Khandekar, 2020. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4838.4.1 

 facebook.com/AkshayKhandekarAK

Abstract

Two new species of geckos from the genera Cnemaspis and Hemidactylus are described from a granite outcrop in the Rishi Valley, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, India. Cnemaspis rishivalleyensis sp. nov. and Hemidactylus rishivalleyensis sp. nov. are presently known only from their type locality and are 8.7 % and 10.9 % divergent from their closest known sister species, respectively. The new species are allied to the mysoriensis and murrayi clades of South Asian Cnemaspis and the brookii group of Indian Hemidactylus, respectively. The two new species can be diagnosed from regional congeners by the number and arrangement of femoral and precloacal pores and poreless scales separating these series, body size, the number of tubercles in paravertebral rows, the number of enlarged tubercles around mid-body, the number of ventral scales across mid-body, the number of lamellae beneath digit IV of pes and manus, and subtle differences in colour pattern. Four endemic geckos now have their type localities within 10 km of each other, Cnemaspis graniticola and Cyrtodactylus rishivalleyensis from Horsley Hills and the two new species from Rishi valley. The two new species are also the third endemic species each of Cnemaspis and Hemidactylus from Andhra Pradesh.

Keywords: Reptilia, Cnemaspis mysoriensis, Cnemaspis otai, Eastern Ghats, Hemidactylus treutleri, Mysore Plateau, peninsular India, taxonomy

Cnemaspis rishivalleyensis sp. nov. female, (paratype, NCBSBH724).
Hemidactylus rishivalleyensis sp. nov. female, (paratype, NCBS-BH729).

Cnemaspis rishivalleyensis sp. nov.

 Cnemaspis mysoriensis [part] Giri et al. 2009a

Etymology. The specific epithet is a toponym for the Rishi Valley, the type and only known locality for the new species. 

Suggested Common Name. Rishi Valley dwarf gecko

Hemidactylus rishivalleyensis sp. nov. 

 Hemidactylus treutleri, [part] Sreekar et al. 2010; Lajmi et al. 2016

Etymology. The specific epithet is a toponym for the Rishi Valley, the type locality for the new species. Suggested Common Name. Rishi Valley rock gecko

Ishan Agarwal, Tejas Thackeray and Akshay Khandekar. 2020. Geckos in the Granite: Two New Geckos (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Rocky, Scrub Habitats in Rishi Valley, Andhra Pradesh, India. Zootaxa. 4838(4); 451–474. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4838.4.1

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[Ichthyology • 2020] Betta nuluhon • A New Species of Fighting Fish (Teleostei: Osphronemidae) from western Sabah, Malaysia

Betta nuluhon Kamal, Tan & Ng, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4819.1.11

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Abstract

Betta nuluhon, new species, is described from a hill stream habitat in western Sabah. This species is allied to both B. chini and B. balunga, and differs from rest of its congeners in the B. akarensis group in having the following combination of characters: yellow iris when live; mature males with greenish-blue iridescence on opercle when live; mature fish with distinct transverse bars on caudal fin; slender body (body depth 22.1–25.2 % SL); belly area with faint reticulate pattern (scales posteriorly rimmed with black); absence of tiny black spots on anal fin; lateral scales 29–31 (mode 30); predorsal scales 20–21 (mode 20). Notes on a fresh series of B. chini are also provided.

Keywords: Taxonomy, biodiversity, Southeast Asia, Anabantiformes, riparian habitat, Pisces

FIGURE 1. Betta nuluhon, new species, ca. 50 mm SL, freshly caught male specimen, not preserved.

FIGURE 3. Betta nuluhon, new species, ZRC 61247, holotype, 62.6 mm SL.

Betta nuluhon, new species

Etymology. This new species is named for the Kadazandusun vernacular nuluhon, meaning hill. This pertains to its hill stream habitat. Used as a noun in apposition.

N. S. S. Kamal, H. H. Tan and Casey K. C. Ng. 2020. Betta nuluhon, A New Species of Fighting Fish from western Sabah, Malaysia (Teleostei: Osphronemidae). Zootaxa. 4819(1); 187–194. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4819.1.11

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[Botany • 2020] Impatiens dindigulensis (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from Kodaikkanal Wildlife Sanctuary, India

Impatiens dindigulensis Ramas. Anjana & Chandra

in Ramasubbu, Anjana & Prabha, 2020.

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw

Abstract

Impatiens dindigulensis sp. nov., a new species of Balsaminaceae is described and illustrated from Kodaikkanal Wildlife Sanctuary, the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The detailed description of taxon along with diagnostic characters between closely allied species, pollen morphology, illustration and colour photographs are provided.

Keyword: Impatiens dindigulensis, I. tanyae, I. tomentosa, taxonomy, Western Ghats

Fig. 2. Impatiens dindigulensis Ramas. Anjana and Chandra, sp. nov. 
A. Habit; B. Leaves, abaxial view; C. Leaves, adaxial view; D. Pair of stipular glands; E. Flower front view; F. Flower, lateral view; G. Dorsal petal; H. Lateral united petal; I. Fruit.

Fig. 1. Impatiens dindigulensis Ramas., Anjana and Chandra, sp. nov. 
A. Habit; B. Leaves, abaxial view; C. Leaves, adaxial view; D. Pair of stipular glands; E. Leaves; margin with spines; F. Stem with hairs; G. Flower, lateral view; H. Flower basal view; I. Flower front view; J. Dorsal petal. K. Lateral united petal; L. Lateral view of lower sepal; M. SEM view of Pollen; N. Fruit; O. Seeds.

Impatiens dindigulensis Ramas., Anjana & Chandra, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is named after Dindigul district (Tamil Nadu) where the type locality Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctury is located.

Ecology: This herb is growing under shady areas of Semi-evergreen forests with altitude ranging from 1931– 1949 msl. 

Distribution: This taxon has been collected only from the Kodaikkanal Wildlife Sanctuary of the Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India with altitude ranging from 1931–1949 msl. 

 

Raju Ramasubbu, Surendran Anjana and Ayyathurai Chandra Prabha. 2020. A New Species Impatiens L. (Balsaminaceae) from Kodaikkanal Wildlife sanctuary, India.  Taiwania. 65(4); 426-430. 

  taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract.php?type=abstract&id=1704