[Herpetology • 2022] Resolving the Deep Phylogeny: Implications for early Adaptive Radiation, Cryptic, and Present-day Ecological Diversity of Papuan Microhylid Frogs (Anura: Microhylidae: Asterophryinae)

in Hill, Fraser, Gao, ... et Butler, 2022. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107618

Highlights

• A robust phylogeny is resolved for 205 species of Papuan microhylid frogs.

• The problematic backbone is resolved revealing ancient adaptive radiation.

• Extensive cryptic diversity is discovered, putting all “widespread” species into doubt.

• Present-day communities are ecologically diverse with up to 5 lifestyles and 14 species.

• Communities are randomly assembled suggesting adaptive and non-adaptive radiation.

Abstract

The microhylid frogs of the New Guinea region are the largest and most ecologically diverse subfamily (Asterophryinae) of one of the largest anuran families in the world and can live in communities of up to 20 species. While there has been recent progress in resolving the phylogenetic relationships of Asterophryinae, significant uncertainties remain, impeding further progress in understanding the evolution of microhabitat use, parental care, and life history variation in this group. In particular, the early divergences at the base of the tree remain unclear; as does the monophyly of some genera; and recent studies have discovered that species with wide geographic distribution are instead cryptic species complexes. In this study, we fortified geographic sampling of the largest previous phylogenetic effort by sequencing an additional 62 taxa and increased data quality and quantity by adding new layers of data vetting and by filling in previously incomplete loci to the five gene dataset (2 mitochondrial, 3 nuclear protein-coding genes) to obtain a dataset that is now 99% complete in over 2400 characters for 233 samples (205 taxa) of Asterophryinae and 3 outgroup taxa, and analyzed microhabitat use data for these taxa from field data and data collected from the literature. Importantly, our sampling includes complete community complements at 19 sites as well as representatives at over 80 sites across New Guinea and its offshore islands. We present a highly resolved molecular phylogeny which, for the first time, has over 95% of nodes supported (84% highly supported) whether using Maximum Likelihood or Bayesian Inference, allowing clarification of all genera (whether monophyletic or clearly not), their sister genera relationships, as well as an age estimate for the Asterophryinae at approximately 20MYA. Early generic diversification occurring between 17 and 12 MYA gave rise to a surprising diversity of about 18 genera as well as the 5 putative microhabitat types. Our tree reveals extensive cryptic diversity calling any widespread taxa into doubt, and clearly demonstrates that complex multispecies communities of Asterophryinae are ecologically diverse, are numerous, and of ancient origin across New Guinea. We discuss the implications of our phylogeny for explaining the explosive diversification of Asterophryinae as the result of adaptive radiation, niche conservatism, and non-adaptive radiation.

 

Keywords: Community assembly, Phylogenetics, Diversification, Adaptive radiation, Anura, Microhylidae, Asterophryinae, Cryptic species

Ethan C. Hill, Claire J. Fraser, Diana F. Gao, Mary J. Jarman, Elizabeth R. Henry, Bulisa Iova, Allen Allison and Marguerite A. Butler. 2022. Resolving the Deep Phylogeny: Implications for early Adaptive Radiation, Cryptic, and Present-day Ecological Diversity of Papuan Microhylid Frogs. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 177, 107618. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107618

[Botany • 2022] Primula surculosa (Primulaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

Primula surculosa Y.Xu & G.Hao,

in Xu, He, Yang et Hao, 2022.

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.212.91133

Photographed by De-Ming He.

Abstract

A new species, Primula surculosa, is described and illustrated. In gross morphology, it is clearly allied to section Petiolares and is most similar to P. taliensis from the group Taliensis, but is distinctive in its indumentum in the throat of the corolla tube, and the markedly stoloniferous habit.

Keywords: morphological characteristics, new species, Primula taliensis, taxonomy, Yunnan

Primula surculosa sp. nov.
 A stolon B habit C leaf on abaxial surface (fruiting time) D outer leaf on abaxial surface (anthesis) E inner leaf on adaxial surface (anthesis) F capsule with persistent calyx G long and short-styled flowers H bract I calyx (dissected) J multicellular hairs.

Drawn by Yun-Xiao Liu.

Living plant of Primula surculosa sp. nov.
A, B habitat C habit (blooming) D long and short-styled flowers, also showing pilose corolla tube (the circular image) E outer and inner leaves on adaxial surfaces, showing indumentum, venation, and margin shapes F inflorescence G calyx (dissected) H bracts I capsule with persistent calyx J capsule (crumbling) K habit (stoloniferous after anthesis)

Photographed by De-Ming He.

 Primula surculosa Y.Xu & G.Hao, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Primula surculosa is morphologically most similar to P. taliensis, but is distinctive in its indumentum in the throat of the corolla tube, and the markedly stoloniferous habit.

Etymology: The specific epithet “surculosa” refers to the remarkable root-suckers (stolons), with long slender internodes and reduced leaves arising after anthesis.

    

Yuan Xu, De-Ming He, Lin-Zhong Yang and Gang Hao. 2022. Primula surculosa (Primulaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 212: 29-35. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.212.91133

[Botany • 2022] Pleurothallis mark-wilsonii (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae)• A New Species from Subsection Acroniae series Amphigyae from the Western Andes of Colombia

Pleurothallis mark-wilsonii  J.S.Moreno, Gal-Tar & Sierra-Ariza, 

in Moreno, Sierra-Ariza, Hoyos & Galindo-Tarazona. 2022.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.568.3.5

Researchgate.net/publication/364350216

 twitter.com/ParquesColombia

Abstract

A new species of Pleurothallis from the Western Andes of Colombia is described and illustrated. The new species belongs to subsection Acroniae of the series Amphigyae, morphologically resembles Pleurothallis amphigya, but differs mainly by the ovate-lanceolate lip, with two divergent, elongate keels, located at the base up to about the middle of the lip (vs. triangular trilobed, the disc with a developed glenion at the base).

Keywords: San José del salado, Taxonomy, Systematics, Pleurothallis, Western Andes, Amphigyae, Acroniae, Acronia, Monocots

Pleurothallis mark-wilsonii J.S.Moreno, Gal-Tar & Sierra-Ariza.
A. Habit. B. Flower. C. Dissected perianth. D. Column and lip, lateral view and longitudinal section of the column. E. front and side view of lip. F. Column, ventral and side view. Anther cap and pollinia.

LCDP by J.S. Moreno based on the holotype.

  

Pleurothallis mark-wilsonii J.S.Moreno, Gal-Tar & Sierra-Ariza, sp. nov. 

Pleurothallis mark-wilsonii is most similar to P. amphigya Luer & Escobar (1981: 128) but could be distinguished its petals oblong-lanceolate, revolute and strongly acuminate (vs. elliptical-ovate or subsigmoid, oblique and slightly acuminate) and the lip ovate-lanceolate, with two diverging keels, elongated, located at the base to near the middle of the lip (vs. triangular trilobed, the disc with a developed glenion at the base).

Etymology:—Named after Mark Wilson from the Colorado College in USA. A friend and an arduous researcher of the genus Pleurothallis. His contributions have provided valuable information to solve several taxonomic difficulties within the genus (Figure 3)

 

Juan Sebastian Moreno, Mario Alexei Sierra-Ariza, David Hoyos, Robinson Galindo-Tarazona. 2022. Pleurothallis mark-wilsonii A New Species from the subsection Acroniae series Amphigyae from the Western Andes of Colombia. Phytotaxa. 568(3); 283-288. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.568.3.5

Researchgate.net/publication/364350216_Pleurothallis_mark-wilsonii_a_new_species_from_the_Western_Andes_of_Colombia

 twitter.com/ParquesColombia/status/1583227561420603395

[Botany • 2021] Hechtia marthae (Bromeliaceae: Hechtioideae) • In Disentangling Two Species Limits of Hechtia from Sierra Madre Occidental, A New Species is discovered from Durango, Mexico

Hechtia marthae I. Ramírez,  

in Ramírez-Morillo, Carrillo-Reyes, Tapia-Muñoz & Ramírez-Díaz, 2021.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.523.1.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/355287028

Illustration by Alberto Guerra 

based on photographs by Ricardo Quirino-Olvera. Gustavo Romero-González. Adolfo Espejo-Serna, Ivón Ramírez-Morillo. 

 Abstract

Epitypes are proposed for two species of Hechtia: H. subalata and H. jaliscana, both endemic to Western Mexico. The holotypes of both species consist of fruiting specimens. While the female flowers of both species are extremely similar, the staminate ones are noticeable different: we select staminate vouchers as epitypes to clearly circumscribe both taxa. As a result of the delimitation of the concept Hechtia subalata and its geographical distribution, we identify a new species from Durango, Mexico, previously misidentified as Hechtia subalata: Hechtia marthae. We provide images portraying plant parts of all species, as well as photographs in habitat. Finally, assessments of the conservation status of the three species sensu IUCN criteria are included.

Keywords: Durango, epitype, Flora Novo-Galiciana, IUCN, Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas., Monocots

 

Hechtia subalata portraying a rosette in bloom, note the red coloration on the leaves.
A. Pistillate inflorescence. B. Female flowers at anthesis. C. Branch with open fruits. D. Staminate inflorescence. E. Details of the male flowers with open exposing the pollen. F. Open flowers before anthesis.

 (Illustration by Alberto Guerra based of photographs by A, B. Omar Góngora. C-F, Ivón Ramírez-Morillo).

Hechtia jaliscana L.B. Sm., 

Phytologia 10(6): 482, t. 1, f. 10. 1964.

Hechtia subalata L.B. Sm., 

Contribution Gray Herbarium 117: 15–16, t. 1, f. 29. 1937.

Hechtia marthae I. Ramírez, sp. nov.  
 A. Plants in habitat. B. Infructescence with open fruits in habitat. C. Seeds.

 (photos: A-C. Ivón Ramírez-Morillo).

Hechtia marthae I. Ramírez, sp. nov. 
A. Pistillate plant in bloom. B. Staminate plant in bloom. C. Detail of inflorescence with young fruits. D. Female flowers at anthesis. E. Male flowers at anthesis.

 Illustration by Alberto Guerra based on photographs by A, D. Ricardo Quirino-Olvera. B. Gustavo Romero-González. C. Adolfo Espejo-Serna from the specimen A. R. López-Ferrari et al. 2989 (UAMIZ). E and staminate rosette based of photographs by Ivón Ramírez-Morillo. D and pistillate rosette in based of photographs by Ricardo Quirino-Olvera.

Hechtia marthae I. Ramírez, sp. nov.

Diagnosis:—Hechtia marthae is similar to H. subalata but differs in its pistillate branches much shorter than theprimary bracts (vs. conspicuously larger than the primary bract), with shorter branches (2–5 vs. (2–)5–15 cm long),floral bracts narrowly triangular, 2–5 × 1 mm (vs. broadly ovate, 3–4.5 × 3–4 mm), ovary 1/3 inferior (vs. completelysuperior), with longer petals (5–7 vs. 3–5 cm long).

Eponomy:— The species is named after Martha González-Elizondo in recognition for her outstanding contributionto the knowledge on the Flora of Durango and for collecting material of the species.

Ivón Ramírez-Morillo, Pablo Carrillo-Reyes, José Luis Tapia-Muñoz and Claudia J. Ramírez-Díaz. 2021. In Disentangling Two Species Limits of Hechtia (Bromeliaceae: Hechtioideae) from Sierra Madre Occidental, A New Species is discovered from Durango, Mexico. Phytotaxa. 523(1);55-72. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.523.1.3

Researchgate.net/publication/355287028_In_disentangling_two_species_limits_of_Hechtia_from_Sierra_Madre_Occidental

 twitter.com/SocBotMex/status/1452259920317923329

[Botany • 2022] Impatiens longyangensis & I. yaojiapingensis (Balsaminaceae) • Two New Species from Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan, China

Impatiens yaojiapingensis Y.Y.Cong, G.W.Hu & T.Hu, 

in Hu, Peng, Zhou, ... et Hu, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.566.3.2 

Abstract

Impatiens longyangensis and I. yaojiapingensis, two new species from Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan, China, are described here. The former species is morphologically similar to I. shangjiangensis, but differs by its shorter petioles and peduncle, ovate bract, shortly saccate lower sepal with a longer spur and suborbicular dorsal petal. The latter is similar to I. sterilis, and differs by its pubescent leaf, petiole with one to three pairs of clavate glands, persistent bract, lower sepal with a straight spur and suborbicular dorsal petal. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ITS and plastid atpB-rbcL sequences shows that the two new species belong to I. sect. Racemosae.

Keywords: Balsaminaceae, Impatiens, new taxa, Gaoligong Mountains, taxonomy, Eudicots

 Impatiens longyangensis (A‒F) and I. shangjiangensis (G‒I).
A habit; B infructescence; C adaxial and abaxial view of leaf; D, G front view of flower; E, H lateral view of flower; F, I dissection of a flower

A‒E & G‒H: photographed by Yi-Yan Cong, F & I: photographed by Tian Hu.

 Impatiens longyangensis Y.Y.Cong, G.W.Hu & S.Peng, sp. nov.

Distribution and ecology:— Impatiens longyangensis is only found in the central Gaoligong Mountains. It grows in moist places under the forests on the roadside at elevations of 2391–2420m. The main associated species included Acer Linnaeus (1753: 1054) sp., Phoebe Nees (1836: 98) sp., Vitis Linnaeus (1753: 202) sp., Rubus Linnaeus (1753: 492) sp.

Etymology:—The specific epithet “longyangensis” refers to the type locality, Longyang District, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province.

  Impatiens yaojiapingensis. (A‒I) and I. sterilis (J‒M).
A population; B habit; C inflorescence; D infructescence; E apex of stem; F, J glands on leaf base; G, K front view of flower; H, L lateral view of flower; I, M dissection of a flower.

 A‒H & J‒L: photographed by Yi-Yan Cong, I & M: photographed by Tian Hu.

Impatiens yaojiapingensis Y.Y.Cong, G.W.Hu & T.Hu, sp. nov.

Distribution and ecology: — Impatiens yaojiapingensis was only found in the central Gaoligong Mountains. It grows in moist places on the roadside at elevations of 2464–3012 m. The main associated species included Rubus Linnaeus (1753: 492) sp., Rhododendron Linnaeus (1753: 392) sp., Pteris Linnaeus (1753: 1073) sp., Elatostema Forst & Forst (1776: 105) sp.

Etymology: —The specific epithet “yaojiapingensis” refers to the type locality, Yaojiaping, Lushui City, Yunnan Province.  

 

Tian Hu, Shuai Peng, Xin-Xin Zhou, Yi-Ming Zheng, Yi-Yan Cong and Guang-Wan Hu. 2022. Two New Species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from Gaoligong Mountains, Yunnan, China. Phytotaxa. 566(3); 268-278. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.566.3.2 

  Researchgate.net/publication/363982766_Two_new_species_of_Impatiens_from_Gaoligong_Mountains_Yunnan_China

Researchgate.net/project/Balsaminaceae-Information-Center

[Botany • 2022] Globba depingiana (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from southern Yunnan, China

 Globba depingiana Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, 

in Ding, Gong & Tan, 2022. 

DOI: 10.5735/085.059.0110  

Researchgate.net/publication/360073558

Globba depingiana Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding (Zingiberaceae), a new species from southern Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it is similar to G. williamsiana in its pendent inflorescence with large persistent bracts but differs from it by its hairy lamina, shorter ligule and greenish yellow flowers with two dark yellow-green spots on the labellum.

 Globba depingiana Y.H. Tan & H.B. Ding, sp. nova

Etymology: The specific epithet depingiana honours Mr. De-Ping Ye (1977–2020), who dedicated his life tobotanical survey in south Yunnan, China.

Hong-Bo Ding, Yan-Xiong Gong and Yun-Hong Tan. 2022: Globba depingiana (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. Ann. Bot. Fennici. 59: 57–60. DOI: 10.5735/085.059.0110  

Researchgate.net/publication/360073558_Globba_depingiana_a_New_Species_from_Yunnan_China

[Herpetology • 2022] Bothrocophias tulitoi & B. myrringae • Hidden in the Highs: Two New Species of the Enigmatic Toadheaded Pitvipers of the Genus Bothrocophias (Serpentes, Viperidae)

Bothrocophias tulitoi
Bothrocophias myrringae 

Angarita-Sierra, Cubides-Cubillos & Hurtado-Gómez, 2022

DOI: 10.3897/vz.72.e87313

Abstract

Bothrocophias microphthalmus (Cope, 1875) currently comprises most mid- to highland populations of the genus Bothrocophias in the eastern versant of the Andes. We describe two new species of Bothrocophias from the highlands of the Colombian Andes previously referred to as B. microphthalmus based on morphological and genetic evidence. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that B. micropthalmus as currently recognized is paraphyletic with respect to B. hyoprora, and the two new taxa are sister lineages. These new toadheaded pitvipers can be morphologically distinguished from their congeners based on the presence of contact between the internasal scales, the number of prefoveal scales, the presence of a lacunolabial scale, the arrangement of supralabial scales, ventral scale counts, the color pattern of the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the body and tail, and hemipenial morphology. We discuss some possible taxonomic scenarios for the lineages found within the B. microphthalmus species complex but refrain from making additional taxonomic changes given our reduced sampling of the southern lineages.

Keywords: Cryptic species, high Andean snakes, integrative taxonomy, medically important snakes, mtDNA, South America, Viperidae

Color in life of Bothrocophias tulitoi sp. nov.
A, C Lateral and dorsal view of a male neonate (paratype INSZ 0128).
B, D Lateral and dorsal view of an adult female (paratype INSZ 0144).
 All specimens from vereda Cienaga La Valvanera, municipality of Garagoa, department of Boyacá, Colombia. 

Bothrocophias tulitoi sp. nov.  

Chresonymy: Bothrocophias microphthalmus. (MLS 1632–34, 1636): Nicéforo-María (1975), Campbell and Lamar (1989): page 255, figure 230; Campbell and Lamar (2004): Volume 1, Plate 473; (MPUJ 1364): Angarita-Sierra et al (2013).

Diagnosis: Bothrocophias tulitoi sp. nov. can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) 150–172 ventral scales in females, 153–162 ventral scales in males; (2) internasal scales in contact or separated by a single small scale; (3) absence of canthorostral scales; (4) absence of lacunolabial scale; (5) one prelacunal scale; (6) hemipenial lobes subconical and ornamented toward the apex by large and dense calyces with spinulate edges; (7) bifurcation point of hemipenial lobes about 3–6 sudcaudal scales; (8) hemipenial body ornamented by numerous dense, large, and strongly calcified mesial spines arranged in oblique lines; (9) in sulcate view, lateral and mesial spines of the hemipenial body homogeneous in size; (10) body surface with less than 28 dark-brown bands dorsally and/or juxtaposed trapezoid-shaped blotches with paler centers; and (11) ventral surface of the tail uniformly bright reddish or orange-reddish speckles with black spots without a regular pattern (Figs 3, 4).

Etymology: We dedicate this species to the late Colombian educator Tulio Manuel Angarita Serrano (1941–2021, father of the first author), known as Tulito (employing the diminutive Spanish suffix “ito”) by his colleagues, friends, and relatives. The specific epithet tulitoi represents the Latin translation of the nickname from the Spanish name Tulito. Professor Angarita-Serrano was a pioneer of the modern Colombian education model that helped catalyze the development of the theoretical and practical tools needed to implement institutional educational projects in Colombian public and private schools (see Angarita-Serrano 1990; Angarita-Serrano 1994; Angarita-Serrano and Chaves 1995; Angarita-Serrano 1996; Angarita-Serrano, 2000). He was also known for being a big thinker, a passionate advocate for the rights to education and free thought, and the development of educational paradigms that have helped Colombians overcome the new social, socioeconomic, and environmental challenges of the third millennium.

Distribution and natural history: (Fig. 8) The known localities of Bothrocophias tulitoi sp. nov. are distributed between 1,650 and 2,700 m a.s.l. in both the central mountains and eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia in the municipalities Garagoa, Gauteque, and Miraflores (Boyacá); Chámeza, La Salina, and Yopal (Casanare); and Medina and Ubalá (Cundinamarca). Bothrocophias tulitoi sp. nov. appears to be associated with cloud montane, high Andean Forest, and subparamos and is tolerant of disturbed or transformed habitats such as livestock pastures and agricultural fields. Little is known of the natural history of B. tulitoi sp. nov. An adult female from the municipality of Garagoa, Boyacá (INSZ 144), gave birth to 15 offspring (two males and 13 females, eight of which are part of the paratype series: INSZ 128, 130, 134–36, 143, 146, 148) after 11 days in captivity at the INS serpentarium.

Envenomation: A total of 40 snakebite events over the last decade might have been caused by B. tulitoi sp. nov. Both mild and moderate envenomation have been noted in 50% of patients, and no severe cases nor fatalities were reported. Local symptoms reported included oedema (92.5%), pain (87.5%), erythema (47.5%), ecchymosis (20%), paresthesia (17.5%), phlyctens (15%), paresthesia (17.5%), and bruises (7.5%); systemic symptoms included sickness (45%), vomiting (15%), vertigo (12.5%), bradycardia (7.5%), gingivorrhea (7.5%), muscular weakness (5%), hematuria (5%), hypotension (5%), abdominal pain (5%), and altered vision (5%).

Color in life of Bothrocophias myrringae sp. nov., and sexual dimorphism.
 A, B Lateral and dorsal view of the holotype INSZ 0268. C Male exhibiting melanic coloration on dorsal body and head surfaces, as well as conspicuous tricolored ocelli on the infralabial scales (paratype INSV-SR009). D Female exhibiting creamish-yellow to tan coloration on the dorsal body and head surfaces, without tricolored ocelli on the infralabial scales. Both C and D specimens are from vereda de Coasavistá, municipality of Fómeque, Cundinamarca.

Pictures by Ronald A. Díaz-Flores.

Bothrocophias myrringae sp. nov. 

Chresonymy: Bothrocophias microphthalmus. Campbell and Lamar (1989): page 255, figure 229; Campbell and Lamar (2004): Volume 1, Plate 474.

 

Diagnosis: Bothrocophias myrringae sp. nov. can be distinguished from all its congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) 157–161 ventral scales in females, 152–155 ventral scales in males; (2) internasal scales in contact or separated by a single small scale (3) absence of canthorostral scales; (4) lacunolabial scale usually present; (5) hemipenial lobes slim and cylindrical, moderately capitate distally, weakly ornamented toward the apex with large and scarce calyces with weakly spinulate edges; (8) bifurcation point of the hemipenial lobes about 2–4 sudcaudal scales; (9) hemipenial body ornamented by numerous mesial spines that increase in size from the center to periphery of the hemipenial body and arranged in oblique lines; (10) in sulcate view, lateral and mesial spines of the hemipenial body variable in size; (11) sulcus spermaticus walls weakly defined; (12) usually more than 28 dark-brown bands and/or opposite or juxtaposed trapezoid-shaped blotches with paler centers dorsally; and (13) ventral surfaces of the tail with bright reddish or orange-reddish speckles with black spots without a regular pattern and heavily marked with dark pigment towards the base (Fig. 7).

Etymology: The specific epithet myrringae is the Latin translation of the Spanish nickname “Mirringa,” which means “pinch” or something very small. The word “Mirringa” was popularized by Rafael Pombo (1833–1912), a Colombian poet and writer who wrote a popular fable titled “Mirringa Mirronga.” Given the popularity of the fable, as well as the homophonic similarity of “Mirringa” and the name “Myriam,” the nickname “Myrringa” began to be used as a term of endearment. The name of the new species is in honor of the educator Myriam Sierra Guerrero (mother of the first author). She was the philosophical and conceptual advisor of professor Tulio Manuel Angarita Serrano and contributed to the development of the modern Colombian education model that all schools within Colombia currently employ. Professor Sierra Guerrero also helped develop the theoretical framework for the implementation of institutional educational projects in Colombian public and private schools (see Angarita-Serrano 1990; Angarita-Serrano 1994; Angarita-Serrano and Chaves 1995; Angarita-Serran 1996; Angarita-Serrano 2000).

Distribution and natural history: The known localities of Bothrocophias myrringae sp. nov. are from 1754 to 2761 m a.s.l. in both the central mountains and eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia in the municipalities of La Calera, Choachí, Fómeque, and Guayabetal (Cundinamarca), and El Calvario and San Juanito (Meta, Fig. 9). Bothrocophias myrringae sp. nov. appears to be associated with cloud montane, high Andean Forest, and subparamos but is also tolerant of disturbed or transformed habitats such as livestock pastures and agricultural fields. The new species was found in sympatry with Bothrops atrox in localities from Fómeque. No natural history data are available.

Envenomation: A total of three snakebite events in the last decade might have potentially been caused by B. myrringae sp. nov., all of which were from the municipality of El Calvario (Meta). Each case was categorized as mild, moderate, and severe, respectively, and one fatality was reported. Local symptoms reported included oedema (100%), pain (100%), erythema (66%), and phlyctens (33%); systemic symptoms included respiratory failure (33%) and muscular weakness (33%). Symptoms such as paresthesia ecchymosis, bruising, sickness, vomit, vertigo, gingivorrhagia, hematuria, and altered vision were not reported.

Geographic distribution of Bothrocophias microphtalmus sensu lato, B. tulitoi sp. nov., and B. myrringae sp. nov., including type localities. The background map was obtained from the Esri open database through the following sources: DeLorme. USDS. NPS; USGS. NOAA.

 

 Teddy Angarita-Sierra, Sergio Daniel Cubides-Cubillos and Juan Pablo Hurtado-Gómez. 2022. Hidden in the Highs: Two New Species of the Enigmatic Toadheaded Pitvipers of the Genus Bothrocophias. Vertebrate Zoology. 72: 971-996. DOI: 10.3897/vz.72.e87313

[Herpetology • 2022] Leptobrachella verrucosa • A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from northwestern Guangdong Province, China

Leptobrachella verrucosa Wang, Zeng, Lin & Li,

in Lin, Li, Lu, Su, Wu, ... et Wang, 2022. 

 Verrucous Leaf Litter Toad  | 密疣掌突蟾 ||  DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e89981

Abstract

The genus Leptobrachella is a species-rich genus of megophrid frog. Rapid discovery of many new species within this genus emphasizes the importance of regional research. In this study, we describe a new species of Leptobrachella, Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., from northwestern Guangdong Province, China, based on a combination of molecular and morphological data. A key including congeners from the same province, namely L. laui, L. liui, L. mangshanensis, L. shimentaina, and L. yunkaiensis, is provided.

Key Words: Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy

Morphological features of the holotype of Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., GEP a062 in life:
 A. Dorsal view; B. Dorsolateral view; C. Lateral view; D. Ventral view; E. Ventral view of hand; F. Ventral view of foot.

Morphological features of the paratypes of Leptobrachella verrucosa sp. nov., in life:
 A. GEP a059 (A1 dorsal view, A2 lateral view, A3 ventral view);
B. GEP a060 (B1 dorsal view, B2 dorsolateral view, B3 ventral view);
C. GEP a061 (C1 dorsal view, C2 dorsolateral view, C3 ventral view);
D. GEP a063 (D1 dorsal view, D2 dorsolateral view, D3 ventral view).

 Leptobrachella verrucosa Wang, Zeng, Lin & Li, sp. nov.

Verrucous Leaf Litter Toad (in English) 

 Mi You Zhang Tu Chan (密疣掌突蟾 in Chinese)

 

Diagnosis: (1) Small body size [SVL 23.2–25.9 mm in five adult males], (2) iris bicolored, upper half coppery orange and lower half grayish brown, (3) tympanum distinct, (4) supratympanic line black, (5) fingers without lateral fringes, (6) toes with rudimentary webbing, lateral fringes narrow, (7) longitudinal ridges under toes continuous, (8) heels not meeting when adpressed, tibial-tarsal articulation reaching anterior corner of eye, (9) dorsal surface shagreened with numerous conical tubercles, lacking spines, enlarged warts or skin ridges, (10) ventral surface smooth, (11) dorsum grayish brown, with distinct darker brown scattered markings and irregular light orange pigmentations, (12) flanks with several dark spots, (13) ventral surface creamy white with grayish white and dark brown spots.

Etymology: The specific epithet “verrucosa” is an adjective meaning “verrucous”, referring to the tuberculate dorsal skin texture of the new species.

 Shi-Shi Lin, Yuan-Hang Li, Yu-Hong Lu, Hong-Lin Su, Shi-Bin Wu, Qi-Qi Zhang, Mei-Juan Mo, Shao-Jun Xiao, Zhong Pan, Hu-Jun Pan, Zhao-Chi Zeng and Jian Wang. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) from northwestern Guangdong Province, China. Herpetozoa. 35: 165-178. DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e89981

[Botany • 2022] Reduction of Blinkworthia (Convolvulaceae) based on Multilocus Phylogenetic Reconstruction and Resurrection of A Species from Synonymy revealed by Phenetic Analyses

E, F Argyreia lycioides.
A, B Argyreia campanuliflora.
C, D Argyreia convolvuloides.

in Rattanakrajang, Sumanon, Traiperm, Staples et Utteridge, 2022. 

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-022-10052-1 

Researchgate.net/publication/363885332

photos: A – B, E – F P. Rattanakrajang; C – D K. Kotun. 

Summary

Blinkworthia was established as a tropical Asian genus in the morning glory family (Convolvulaceae) with a unique combination of habit, bract, corolla and fruit morphology. Recently, however, investigations of the morphology and anatomy have shown that none of these diagnostic characters can be used to delimit Blinkworthia as an independent genus. This study resolves the generic circumscription using phylogenetic analysis of molecular data from four loci: ITS, trnL-trnF, matK and rps16. The results showed that all members of Blinkworthia were nested within Argyreia, concordant with the current morphological concept of Argyreia. All information robustly supported that Blinkworthia should be subsumed under Argyreia prompting us to make the nomenclatural transfers from Blinkworthia to Argyreia and make the new combinations A. convolvuloides and A. lycioides. In addition, phenetic analyses revealed that a species endemic to Burma, A. campanuliflora, should be resurrected from the synonymy of B. convolvuloides. The three species are circumscribed, described, illustrated and their ecology, distribution and vernacular names are summarised, all documented with specimen citations. An identification key is provided for these three closely related species.

Key Words: Argyreia, classification, generic delimitation, new combination, South-East Asia, systematics

A, B Argyreia campanuliflora. A plant habit and flowers in side view with boat-like bracts (triangle); B stem (yellow triangles).
C, D Argyreia convolvuloides. C flowers in side view with recurved leaf-like bracts (triangle); D plant habit.
E, F Argyreia lycioides. E flowers in side view with tiny elliptic-shaped bracts (triangle); F plant habit.

photos: A – B, E – F P. Rattanakrajang; C – D K. Kotun. 

 

Pantamith Rattanakrajang, Pirada Sumanon, Paweena Traiperm, George Staples and Timothy Utteridge. 2022. Reduction of Blinkworthia (Convolvulaceae) based on Multilocus Phylogenetic Reconstruction and Resurrection of A Species from Synonymy revealed by Phenetic Analyses. Kew Bulletin. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-022-10052-1 

Researchgate.net/publication/363885332_Reduction_of_Blinkworthia 

ความสัมพันธ์ทางอนุกรมวิธานในพืชวงศ์ผักบุ้ง สกุลเครือพูเงิน และ สกุลระฆังช้างเผือก

 facebook.com/paweenat/posts/pfbid0p5cBMqftFE95yoWEQkQBrnrE6GvFYunHiyapQ7KYdE6TYZkXzpBsJfR4idTanNv1l

  plantscience.sc.mahidol.ac.th/?p=1994

Researchgate.net/publication/321933659_Re-evaluation_of_generic_characters_for_Blinkworthia

[Herpetology • 2022] Integration of Ecology, Larval Phenotypes, and Mate-Recognition Signals with Molecular and Morphological Data Indicate Taxonomic Inflation in Nyctibatrachus (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae)

Live adult males of (A) Nyctibatrachus poocha, (B) N. vasanthi,
and (C) N. aliciae from Ponmudi (type locality), (D) N. pillaii from Kakachi (type locality), (E) N. cf. aliciae from Konni,
(F) N. periyar from Gavi (photograph inverted for comparison), (G) N. deveni from Kadalar, and (H) N. deveni from Nelliyampathy (type locality).

in Abraham, Rao, Zachariah & Brown, 2022.

 DOI: 10.1643/h2020139 

 Researchgate.net/publication/363914251

Abstract

Taxonomic studies over the past decade of the endemic Night Frog genus Nyctibatrachus (originally described in 1882) from Peninsular India have more than tripled, from 11 at the turn of this century to 36 by 2017. Despite these revisionary contributions, it is still challenging for field biologists to identify night frog species reliably, due to a near-complete absence of diagnostic, discrete character states or trait values. Worse, many questionably diagnosed night frog species' status has ostensibly been “supported” by phylogenies derived from sparsely sampled gene-trees that are based on a single locus or a handful of markers—with topology and arbitrary genetic distance thresholds of 3–6% used to support new species descriptions. We sought to re-evaluate and validate the species boundaries of six currently nominated species of Nyctibatrachus of the aliciae group (N. aliciae, N. periyar, N. deveni, N. pillaii), N. vasanthi, and N. poocha clade using a comprehensive integrative taxonomic approach that integrates classical taxonomy, molecular species delimitation analysis, statistical analysis of morphological characters of adults and larvae, analyses of bioacoustics, and natural history information. Our results indicate that recent descriptions of Nyctibatrachus deveni, N. periyar, and N. pillaii represent cases of taxonomic inflation (over-splitting), because the evidence cited in support of their recognition is irreproducible, subjective, and devoid of strong statistical support. We demonstrate the need for multidimensional species delimitation approaches in the celebrated Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot paleo-endemic genus Nyctibatrachus and suspect that this concerning trend of over-splitting amphibian species based on limited data and untenable support may be applicable to other amphibian groups.

Live adult males of (A) Nyctibatrachus poocha, (B) N. vasanthi, and (C) N. aliciae from Ponmudi (type locality), (D) N. pillaii from Kakachi (type locality), (E) N. cf. aliciae from Konni, (F) N. periyar from Gavi (photograph inverted for comparison), (G) N. deveni from Kadalar, and (H) N. deveni from Nelliyampathy (type locality). Dorsolateral skin texture respectively of (I) N. aliciae, (J) N. poocha, and (K) N. vasanthi.

Live adult males of (A) Nyctibatrachus poocha, (B) N. vasanthi,
and (C) N. aliciae from Ponmudi (type locality), (D) N. pillaii from Kakachi (type locality), (E) N. cf. aliciae from Konni,
(F) N. periyar from Gavi (photograph inverted for comparison).
 Dorsolateral skin texture respectively of (I) N. aliciae, (J) N. poocha, and (K) N. vasanthi.

 

Robin Kurian Abraham, Ramprasad Rao, Anil Zachariah and Rafe M. Brown. 2022. Integration of Ecology, Larval Phenotypes, and Mate-Recognition Signals with Molecular and Morphological Data Indicate Taxonomic Inflation in Nyctibatrachus (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae). Ichthyology & Herpetology, 110(3); 526-546. DOI: 10.1643/h2020139

  Researchgate.net/publication/363914251_Integration_Taxonomy of_Nyctibatrachus

[Herpetology • 2022] Rana zhijinensis • A New Species of the Genus Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from western Guizhou, China, Integrating Morphological and Molecular Genetic Data

 Rana zhijinensis Luo, Xiao & Zhou,

in Yan, He, Luo, Xu, Deng, Xiao et Zhou, 2022. 

zootax.com.cn

  Researchgate.net/publication/364350622

 The diversity of the brown frog genus Rana may be underestimated as the high similarity of morphological characters. In this study, a new species of Rana from Guizhou Province, China is described, namely Rana zhijinensis Luo, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. Molecular phylogenetic analyses clustered the new species into the R. japonica group of Rana and significant morphological characters can be distinguished from the 11 recognized species of the R. japonica group. This description increases the number of recognized Rana to 57 species and the R. japonica group to 12 species, and increases our knowledge of the diversity of the genus Rana.

Key words: Brown frogs, new species, diversity, taxonomy, morphology

 

Shasha Yan, Qingqing He, Tao Luo, Cheng Xu, Huaiqing Deng, Ning Xiao and Jiang Zhou. 2022. Description of A New Species of the Genus Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from western Guizhou, China, Integrating Morphological and Molecular Genetic Data. Zoological Systematics. 47(4); 275-292. zootax.com.cn/CN/Y2022/V47/I4/275  

Researchgate.net/publication/364350622_a_new_species_of_Rana_from_western_Guizhou_China