[Arachnida • 2023] Liphistius chang & L. pilok • Two New Species of Liphistius (Araneae: Liphistiidae) from Thailand

[A–B] Liphistius pilok, [C–D] Liphistius chang 

Tanikawa & Petcharad, 2023

DOI: 10.2476/asjaa.72.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/371946643

Two new species of Liphistius, L. pilok n. sp. and L. chang n. sp., are described from Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.

Keywords: COI, Pilok, Thong Pha Phum, trap door spider

 Habitus. A–B, Liphistius pilok n. sp., C–D, Liphistius chang n. sp.;
 A, C, male (holotype); C, D, female (paratype).

Scales = 10 mm.

Liphistius pilok new species

(Thai name: Buengfa-Tongplong-Pilok 

บึ้งฝาท้องปล้องปิล็อก).

Liphistius chang new species 

(Thai name: Buengfa-Tongplong-Chang 

บึ้งฝาท้องปล้องช้าง).

Akio Tanikawa and Booppa Petcharad. 2023. Two New Species of Liphistius (Araneae: Liphistiidae) from Thailand. Acta Arachnologica. 72(1);  1-8. DOI: doi.org/10.2476/asjaa.72.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/371946643_Two_new_species_of_Liphistius_from_Thailand

[Entomology • 2024] Pseudocerocoma tulenapa • A New Species of the highly modified Genus Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Ichthyurini) from Colombia

 Pseudocerocoma tulenapa

 Serna-Muñoz & Alzate-Cano, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.4.8  

Researchgate.net/publication/378966691

 

Abstract

The genus Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Ichthyurini) was previously recognized as a monotypic genus. Based on material from Antioquia, Colombia, we describe and illustrate Pseudocerocoma tulenapa sp. nov. It differs from the other known species of the genus in the shape of the antennae and the abdominal segment 8, as well as in some aspects of coloration. This new species provides additional evidence for the position of Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 as a separate genus from Malthoichthyurus Pic, 1919, also represents the first record of the tribe Ichthyurini in Colombia and shows the importance of the conservation actions carried out in the only known locality, the Tulenapa Biological Station of the Universidad de Antioquia.

Coleoptera, Soldier beetles, Neotropics, Taxonomy, Description

 Pseudocerocoma tulenapa sp. nov. holotype, male.
A. Dorsal view B. Lateral view. C. Pretarsus and tarsal claws. D–E. Terminal abdominal segments. D. Ventral view detail. E. Dorsal view, detail. F. Head in frontal view. G–I. Antennae. G. Dorsal. H. Lateral. I. Ventral.

Sebastian Serna-Muñoz and Julian David Alzate-Cano. 2024. A New Species of the highly modified Genus Pseudocerocoma Pic, 1919 from Colombia (Coleoptera: Cantharidae: Ichthyurini).  Zootaxa. 5424(4); 490-496. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5424.4.8 

 Researchgate.net/publication/378966691_A_new_species_of_Pseudocerocoma_from_Colombia

  x.com/Novatax_Col/status/1773487490021654944

[Botany • 2024] Thismia occasa, T. chicoreoides & T. solomonensis • Three New Species and New Records of Thismiaceae in The Solomon Islands

 Thismia occasa T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin, 
T. chicoreoides T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin,
 T. solomonensis S.W.Chung, T.C.Hsu & C.W.Lin,  

 in Chung, Hsu, Lin, Yang, Fanerii, Potisopa et Li, 2024. 

Taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2009

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Abstract

Thismia (Thismiaceae), whose distributions are currently known from Asia, Australia, and South America, is newly recorded in the Solomon Islands. Through extensive field explorations, three new species of Thismia were discovered in the rainforest of the Solomon Islands and are herein delineated as T. occasa, T. chicoreoides, and T. solomonensis, all belonging to sect. Sarcosiphon. Comprehensive species descriptions, line drawings, and color plates are furnished for each species, accompanied by a distribution map delineating their respective ranges.

Keyword: biodiversity, Burmanniaceae, endemism, mycoheterotrophic, Sarcosiphon, tropical rainforest, taxonomy

Thismia occasa T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Among the species in Thismia sect. Sarcosiphon, T. occasa is most similar to T. crocea in habit and flower colour, but it is different in its larger mitre approximately 1/2.5 (vs. 1/3–1/4) the length of the whole flower, mitre with 3 impressed sutures (vs. nearly connate), annulus formed by 6 low rectangular lobes (vs. 6 rounded, bilamellate lobes), stamens pendent from the apical margin of the floral tube (vs. sunken inside the floral tube), and lateral appendage bilobed (vs. more or less truncate). 

Etymology: The specific epithet "occasa" is derived from the orange-red flower that imparts a sunset hue.

three new species of Thismia were discovered in the rainforest of the Solomon Islands and are delineate as T. occasa (left), T. chicoreoides (central), and T. solomonensis (right), all belonging to sect. Sarcosiphon.

Thismia chicoreoides T.C.Hsu, S.W.Chung & C.W.Lin, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Similar to Thismia viridistriata as it possesses a blackish-brown-tinged flower adorned with verrucose or finger-like protrusions, however, T. chicoreoides is different in its perianth inside with 12 vertical flat (vs. partly detached from its surface) ribs, apical end of individual connective slightly verrucose (vs. several hairs ca. 0.15–0.2 mm long), lateral appendage central lobe being largest (vs. smallest) and stigma lobes triangular (vs. inverted trapezoid). 

Etymology: The specific epithet "chicoreoides" refers to the verrucose flower, which resembles the appearance of some species of Chicoreus, such as C. paini Houart. 

Thismia solomonensis S.W.Chung, T.C.Hsu & C.W.Lin, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Thismia solomonensis resembles T. nigra in vegetative characters. However, the new species differs from the latter in its shorter stem, 2–12 mm tall (vs. up to 80 mm), yellowish-bronze perianth coloration (vs. blackish-tinged), unlobed individual connectives (vs. 2 small lobes), and a glabrous apex (vs. several long hairs in the middle). 

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the Solomon Islands, where the new species was discovered.  

Shih-Wen Chung, Tian-Chuan Hsu, Che-Wei Lin, Tsung-Yu Aleck Yang, Moffat Fanerii, Fred Potisopa and Chia-Wei Li. 2024. Three New Species and New Records of Thismia (Thismiaceae) in The Solomon Islands. Taiwania. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.336

 Taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2009

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[Botany • 2024] Phlomoides bomiensis (Polygalaceae) • A New Species from Xizang, China

 

Phlomoides bomiensis C.L.Xiang & Y.Zhao, 

 in Zhao, Chen, Bai, Pendry, Sukhorukov et Xiang, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.246.129057

Abstract

Phlomoides bomiensis, a new species in Bomi County, Xizang, China, was described and illustrated. In addition, Phlomoides longidentata, previously only known from Nepal and Bhutan, is newly recorded from Dingri County, Xizang, China. The phylogenetic placement of both species within the genus was analysed using nine plastid DNA markers (atpB-rbcL, psbA-trnH, rpl16, rpl32-trnL, rps16, trnK, trnL-trnF, trnS-trnG, trnT-trnL). Both species have brown-black trichomes inside the upper corolla lip and nested within the same subclade of Clade II. A diagnostic key to the Phlomoides species belonging to this subclade is provided.

Key words: Lamioideae, Phlomideae, Phlomis, taxonomy, Tibet

Phlomoides bomiensis C.L.Xiang & Y.Zhao
A habitat B, C verticillaster with floral leaves D plant E verticillaster F flower G bracts H dissected flower I appendages at base of posterior filaments (arrow) J calyx and dissected calyx K floral leaves L Stem leaves

 (Photographed by Yue Zhao).

 Phlomoides bomiensis C.L.Xiang & Y.Zhao, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Phlomoides bomiensis is morphologically most similar to P. nyalamensis and P. breviflora. These species are often taller than 1 m and have a purple corolla with brown to black trichomes inside the upper lip. It differs from P. nyalamensis by its subtruncate to slightly emarginate calyx teeth, posterior filaments with reflexed appendages at base and floral leaves with obvious petioles (vs. obviously emarginate calyx teeth, posterior filaments without appendages and sessile upper floral leaves). It differs from P. breviflora by its corolla that is longer than 2 cm and its oblong nutlets (vs. corolla often shorter than 1.5 cm and inflated globose nutlets). The differences between the ten species from subclade IIa are listed in Table 2.

....

 Yue Zhao, Ya-Ping Chen, Rui-Zhu Bai, Colin A. Pendry, Alexander P. Sukhorukov, Chun-Lei Xiang. 2024. A New Species and a new record of Phlomoides (Lamiaceae) from Xizang, China. PhytoKeys. 246: 15-26. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.246.129057

[Herpetology • 2024] Leiolepis glaurung • the First Rock-dwelling Species of Butterfly Lizard Leiolepis Cuvier, 1829 (Squamata: Agamidae) from the Khorat Plateau in northeastern Thailand

 

Leiolepis glaurung 

Wanchai, Rujirawan, Murdoch, Aksornneam, Promnun, Kaatz, Gregory, Nguyen, Iderstein, Quah, L. L. Grismer, J. L. Grismer & Aowphol, 2024

Khorat Plateau Butterfly Lizard  | ยาบ, แย้ภู  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1210.127557

Abstract

A new species of rock-dwelling Leiolepis is described from the Khorat Plateau in northeastern Thailand. Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov. can be differentiated from all other sexual species of Leiolepis by a combination of having a black gular region with a wide medial yellow stripe, a yellow ventrum with black mottling, bright red to orange subcaudal coloration, having reduced to no expandable flanks, and having only one black transverse bar on the flanks. This is the first rocky habitat-adapted Leiolepis. Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov. demonstrates numerous ecological adaptations to survive in these rocky habitats. Leiolepis are known for their expandable flanks with bright display colors, however Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov. has reduced or no ability to expand its flanks. We hypothesize this is an adaptation to reduce their body diameter to better fit into smaller rocky burrows unlike the larger and deeper burrows constructed in looser soils by other Leiolepis species. This discovery increases the number of Leiolepis species in Thailand to six, and worldwide to 11.

Key words: Conservation, Indochina, Leiolepis, phylogenetics, rock-dwelling

Dorsal and ventral views of the holotype and paratypes of Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov 
A male holotype THNHM 30909 B female paratype THNHM 30908
C male paratype THNHM 30910, and D male paratype THNHM 30911.

A Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov. Male paratype THNHM 30911 displaying the dorsal and lateral display colors and its rocky habitat in the background
B adult male Leiolepis rubritaeniata from southeastern Cambodia
C male paratype THNHM 30911 of Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov.

Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov.  

A Female paratype THNHM 30908 B male paratype THNHM 30911 

 Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov.

Suggested English name: Khorat Plateau Butterfly Lizard, 

ยาบ, แย้ภู 

Diagnosis: Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov. can be diagnosed from all sexual species of Leiolepis by having a black gular region with a wide medial yellow stripe, a yellow ventrum with black mottling, bright red to orange ventral tail coloration, having reduced to no expandable flanks, and having a maximum of one black transverse bar on the flank (Suppl. material 1). Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov. can be further diagnosed from all other sexual species by having the combination of a AG of 61.0–88.0 mm; BL of 11.0–16.8 mm; CW of 22.3–33.1 mm; DN of 4.3–6.7 mm; FA of 14.4–19.0 mm; HE of 5.6–7.1 mm; HH of 14.0–21.3 mm; HL of 28.8–41.9 mm; HW of 19.2–29.7 mm; PW of 10.5–17.0 mm; TIB of 24.34–29.0 mm; TE of 14.0–18.0 mm, RH of 9.7–14.3 mm; three dorsal stripes; 28–29 ventral scales; 21–24 dorsal caudal scales; 19–26 non-pore bearing scales between the pore-bearing femoral scales across the pelvis; maximum number of seven keeled scale rows across the forearm; 17–20 femoral pores per side; 6–8 scales across the frontal bone; maximum of nine subtibial scales; seven scales long the dorsal surface of the first toe; three enlarged subdigital lamellae on the third toe; and 32–34 scales along the dorsal surface of the fourth toe (Figs 7, 8).

Etymology: The specific epithet glaurung is in reference to the large, terrestrial, golden-colored, non-winged dragon, Glaurung in Middle-earth – a character created by J.R.R. Tolkien in The Silmarillion (1977). Glaurung the Golden is the father of all dragons and tunneled into the sides of mountains forming burrows. The reduced expandable lateral flanks, yellow ventral and dorsal colors, with the construction of burrows beneath rocky outcrops is similar to the descriptions of Glaurung mentioned above, from ‘The Silmarillion’ and ‘The Children of Húrin’ (Tolkien 1977, Tolkien and Tolkien 2007). Additionally, in Thailand the word “Yae” is used to refer to Leiolepis belliana, L. ocellata, and L. rubritaeniata. However, on the Khorat Plateau the populations of Leiolepis glaurung sp. nov. are called “Yarb - ยาบ”. 

 Pratyaporn Wanchai, Attapol Rujirawan, Matthew L. Murdoch, Akrachai Aksornneam, Pattarapon Promnun, Amanda Kaatz, Jeren J. Gregory, Eddie Nguyen, William Van Iderstein, Evan S. H. Quah, L. Lee Grismer, Jesse L. Grismer and Anchalee Aowphol. 2024. The Description of the First Rock-dwelling Species of Butterfly Lizard Leiolepis Cuvier, 1829 (Squamata, Agamidae) from the Khorat Plateau in northeastern Thailand. ZooKeys. 1210: 299-324. DOI:  doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1210.127557

   

[Botany • 2023] Dalechampia seccoi (Euphorbiaceae) • A threatened New Species from Southeastern Brazil

  

  Dalechampia seccoi  J.C.R. Mendes & Pereira-Silva,

in Mendes, Külkamp, Bigio, Torres-Leite et Pereira-Silva, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1590/1677-941X-ABB-2023-0027 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372616456

 

Abstract

Dalechampia seccoi is a new endemic species of Euphorbiaceae from the Atlantic Forest domain, southeastern Brazil. Here we describe and illustrate the new species. Collections of botanical material, and standard herbarium practices were applied. The new species is vegetatively similar to D. alata, D. erythrostyla, D. pentaphylla, D. violacea, and D. purpurata, however it is distinguished by exclusive characters such as involucral bracts 4‒5-lobed, pinkish, staminate sepals vinaceous, resin darkish and stigma yellow lobed to crateriform. The new species is restricted to Seasonal Semideciduous Forest with altitudes of ca. 700 m from Caparaó, south of the state of Espírito Santo. In addition, we provide field photographs, preliminary conservation status assessments using IUCN Red List guidelines, as well as a checklist and key for morphological correlated species.

Keywords: Acalyphoideae; Caparaó; endemism; Espírito Santo; Seasonal Semideciduous Forest; taxonomy

  Dalechampia seccoi
(watercolor painting by Cássia Dias).

 Dalechampia seccoi. A. Habit. B. General view of habit with pseudanthium. C-D. Pseudanthium with the two involucral bracts 4−5-lobed, showy, pinkish. E. Detail of staminate pleiochasium, and resin secreted darkish. F. Detail of pistillate cymule, and stigma crateriform to slightly lobed. G. Fruits (capsule).

(Photographs: A, B, C, E, F. André S. Pellanda; D. Filipe Leite; G. Karla Pedra).  

Dalechampia seccoi J.C.R. Mendes & Pereira-Silva, sp. nov.

Dalechampia seccoi is recognized by its involucral bracts 4−5-lobed, pinkish, with magenta veins; staminate column elongated beyond the sepal tips after anthesis; staminate sepals widely lanceolate, vinaceous; style tips not moderately down-curved and stigma crateriform to slightly lobed, yellow; pistillate sepals 12, pinnatifid; 4 bracteoles of staminate pleiochasium, deltoid to oblong, free; resiniferous gland with margin fimbriate, and resin secreted darkish; and seeds grayish with macules brownish.

Etymology ‒ The specific epithet honors Dr. Ricardo de S. Secco, renowned botanist at the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi, who contributes significantly to knowledge of the Amazonian flora, as well as of the whole of Brazil, specifically the Euphorbiaceae family, and who greatly assists in the formation of stimulating human resources Euphorbiologists.

 

Mendes, Jone Clebson Ribeiro; Külkamp, Josimar; Bigio, Narcísio Costa; Torres-Leite, Filipe; Pereira-Silva, Rafaela Alves. 2023. Dalechampia seccoi (Euphorbiaceae), A threatened New Species from Southeastern Brazil. Acta Botanica Brasilica. 37;  DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1677-941X-ABB-2023-0027   Researchgate.net/publication/372616456_Dalechampia_seccoi_a_threatened_new_species_from_Southeastern_Brazil

[Ichthyology • 2024] Leucoraja longirostris • A Remarkable New Skate Species of Leucoraja Malm, 1877 (Rajiformes: Rajidae) from the Southwestern Indian Ocean: Introducing 3D Modeling as an Innovative Tool for the Visualization of Clasper Characters

 Leucoraja longirostris 

Weigmann, Stehmann, Séret & Ishihara, 2024

DOI: 10.3390/biology13060405

Abstract

A remarkable new deep-water skate, Leucoraja longirostris n. sp., is described based on eight specimens caught during different expeditions to the southern Madagascar Ridge in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The new species differs from all congeners by its remarkably long and acutely angled snout (horizontal preorbital length 17.2–22.6% TL vs. 8.5–11.9% TL and 4.2–6.1 vs. 1.7–3.5 times orbit length, snout angle 65–85° vs. 90–150°). Furthermore, it is apparently endemic to the Madagascar Ridge, distant from the known distribution areas of all congeners. In addition to L. fullonica and L. pristispina, L. longirostris n. sp. is also the only species with plain dorsal coloration. Furthermore, the new species is the only Leucoraja species with an external clasper component dike and, besides L. wallacei, the only one with four dorsal terminal (dt) cartilages. The shape of the accessory terminal 1 (at1) cartilage with four tips is also unique within the genus. A new approach for the visualization of the clasper characters is introduced based on 3D models of all skeletal and external features. This enables a much easier and much more precise interpretation of every single clasper component, of the entire structure, and, in particular, the relationship between external features and skeletal cartilages. A new English translation of the first diagnosis of Leucoraja is provided, along with a revised generic diagnosis and a key to the species of Leucoraja in the Indian Ocean.

Keywords: Chondrichthyes; Elasmobranchii; rough skates; systematics; taxonomy; diversity; morphology; clasper features; morphometrics; meristics

Leucoraja longirostris n. sp.

Distribution: the new species is only known from the type specimens, which were all caught on the southern end of the Madagascar Ridge at Walters Shoals at depths of 750–1050 m. The new species occurs much deeper than its western Indian Ocean congeners, which are known only at depths of 480–625 m (L. compagnoi), 484 m (L. elaineae), and 73–517 m (L. wallacei), respectively. Furthermore, the new species is the only species of Leucoraja in the western Indian Ocean known from seamounts or ridges, whereas its congeners in the area are only known from the outer continental shelf and upper continental slope.

 

Conclusions: 

The conservation status of Leucoraja skates reveals that five of the 14 assessed species are threatened, including L. melitensis (Critically Endangered), L. circularis and L. ocellata (Endangered), L. fullonica and L. wallacei (Vulnerable), while one species (L. leucosticta) is Near Threatened, six species (L. erinacea, L. garmani, L. lentiginosa, L. naevus, L. pristispina, and L. yucatanensis) are Least Concern, and two species (L. compagnoi and L. elaineae) are Data Deficient. The recognition of a new species, Leucoraja longirostris n. sp., provides new insights into the morphological variation within the genus Leucoraja and constitutes a very unusual and remarkable addition to this skate genus. Nevertheless, the very restricted distribution of the new species raises concerns over its ability to sustain fisheries and it may be susceptible to capture in longline and, particularly, deep-water trawl fisheries. Very little information is available about fisheries operating in the area of the Madagascar Ridge, but this deep-water skate is likely unable to withstand intensive fishing pressure due to its potentially slow life history characteristics and low productivity. Walters Shoals was previously heavily fished, and this pressure may recur in the future. As fisheries targeting Orange Roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus Collett, 1889) and Alfonsino (Beryx decadactylus Cuvier, 1829) have typically used mid-water trawls off the bottom, the new species may have a benthic refuge. However, further research is needed investigating its distribution, life history, population size and trends, and threats. This is essential for improved data collection and research, and for more effective conservation and management policy decisions.

 Simon Weigmann, Matthias F. W. Stehmann, Bernard Séret and Hajime Ishihara. 2024. Description of a Remarkable New Skate Species of Leucoraja Malm, 1877 (Rajiformes, Rajidae) from the Southwestern Indian Ocean: Introducing 3D Modeling as an Innovative Tool for the Visualization of Clasper Characters. Biology. 13(6); 405. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/biology13060405

 

Simple Summary: Skates of the genus Leucoraja Malm, 1877, are small to medium-sized skates that usually have a short, obtusely angled snout. Until now, 14 valid species of this genus have been identified mostly in the Atlantic, but also in the Indian Ocean. In the 1970s and 1980s, a total of eight specimens of an unusual skate species were collected by researchers working on the Madagascar Ridge, an elevated area of seabed in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Despite their long snouts, the specimens could unambiguously be assigned to the genus Leucoraja due to the typical features of their claspers. Comparisons with congeners clearly indicated that these remarkable specimens represent a species new to science. It can easily be distinguished from all 14 congeners by the long and acutely pointed snout. Furthermore, it appears to occur only on the Madagascar Ridge, distant from the known distribution areas of all congeners, and shows several unique aspects in its clasper morphology. Due to the importance of the clasper features, 3D modeling is introduced as a new tool for the visualization of clasper characters. The newly described species is named Brown longnose skate.

[Paleontology • 2025] Qianjiangsaurus changshengi • A New late-diverging non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid (Iguanodontia: Hadrosauriformes) from southwest China: Support for Interchange of Dinosaur Faunas across East Asia during the Late Cretaceous

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi

Dai, Ma, Xiong, Lin, Zeng, Tan, Wang, Zhang & Xing, 2025

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105995 

facebook.com: Hai Xing

 

Abstract

A non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid, Qianjiangsaurus changshengi gen. et sp. nov., is named and described here based on an incomplete, partially articulated skeleton from the top of the Upper Cretaceous Zhengyang Formation in Qianjiang District, Chongqing Municipality, southwest China. The skeleton displays a transitional morphology between non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids and hadrosaurids. The diagnosis of the taxon is therefore defined as a unique combination of characters, including a series of plesiomorphic features typical of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids, some apomorphic features common among hadrosaurids but rarely reported in non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids, and a probable autopomorphy, namely the fan-shaped prepubic process of the pubis strongly anteroposteriorly constricted and dorsoventrally expanded, with the length/height ratio of ∼0.79. Phylogenetic analysis recovers a sister-taxon relationship between Qianjiangsaurus and Plesiohadros outside of Hadrosauridae, and the clade consisting of the two taxa is positioned higher on the tree than Gobihadros and Gilmoreosaurus, but below the clade of Telmatosaurus + Tethyshadros, Eotrachodon and Zhanghenglong. Combining the morphological data with the phylogenetic topology identifies Q. changshengi as a late-branching non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid. Given that the age assemblage of the eight hadrosauroids closely related to Qianjiangsaurus in phylogeny spans the Santonian–early Maastrichtian time interval, the top of the Zhengyang Formation, from which Qianjiangsaurus is recovered, is possibly restricted to the late Late Cretaceous in age. Hierarchical clustering of twelve hadrosauroid-bearing dinosaur assemblages from the Late Cretaceous deposits of Asia shows a strong correlation between the Zhengyang Formation and the Djadokhta and Baruungoyot formations in Mongolia that supports coeval interchange of dinosaur faunas across East Asia.

Systematic paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Ornithischia Seeley, 1888

Iguanodontia Dollo, 1888 sensu Sereno, 1998

Ankylopollexia Sereno, 1986 sensu Sereno, 1998

Hadrosauriformes Sereno, 1997 sensu Sereno, 1998

Hadrosauroidea Cope, 1869 sensu Sereno, 1998

Qianjiangsaurus gen. nov. 

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi sp. nov.

Holotype. CLGRP V00016, an incomplete, partially articulated skeleton, 

Taxonomic status of Qianjiangsaurus changshengi: 

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi entirely represented by the holotype CLGRP V00016 displays a series of plesiomorphic features that are typical of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids, including the transversely wide, U-shaped predentary in dorsal view with the smoothly arcuate anterolateral margins, the dentary with no more than 30 alveoli, the right-angled coronoid process relative to the dorsal edge of the main body of the dentary, the dentary tooth crown lingually ornamented with a slightly distally ...

 

Conclusions: 

Qianjiangsaurus changshengi gen. et sp. nov. is a second formally named hadrosauroid dinosaur from south China, in addition to Nanningosaurus dashiensis. The discovery of this new taxon has furthered our understanding of the diversity and late evolution of non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids. The holotype of Q. changshengi recovered from the Upper Cretaceous Zhengyang Formation of southeast Chongqing Municipality in southwest China clearly exhibits a transitional morphology between non-hadrosaurid ...

 

Hui Dai, Qingyu Ma, Can Xiong, Yu Lin, Hui Zeng, Chao Tan, Jun Wang, Yuguang Zhang and Hai Xing. 2024. A New late-diverging non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroid (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from southwest China: Support for Interchange of Dinosaur Faunas across East Asia during the Late Cretaceous. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 105995. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105995

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[Funga • 2024] Metarhizium puerense (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, south-western China

Metarhizium puerense Hong Yu bis, J. M. Ma & Z.Q. Wang, 

in Ma, Wang, Yang, Chen, Li et Yu, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e129087

 

Abstract

Background: As a genus within the Clavicipitaceae, Metarhizium exhibits rich morphological and ecological diversity, with a wide distribution and a variety of hosts. Currently, sixty-eight species of Metarhizium have been described.

New information: A new species of Metarhizium, M. puerense (Hong Yu bis), was described in Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, south-western China. Based on morphological characteristics and multilocus phylogenetic analyses, Metarhizium puerense was confirmed to be phylogenetically related to M. album, but was clearly separated and formed a distinct branch. In contrast, the host of Metarhizium album was plants and leafhoppers and that lepidopteran larvae were the host of M. puerense. The diagnostic features of M. puerense were solitary to multiple stromata and smooth-walled, cylindrical with rounded apices conidia.

Keywords: Metarhizium, morphology, phylogenetic analyses

Metarhizium puerense (YFCCMP 9458).
A. Stromata arising from hosts buried in soil. B. Fungus on the larvae of Lepidoptera. C. Apical part of stromata D-E. Culture characters on PDA (D = after 14 days, E = after 30 days). F-I. Conidiophores, phialides and conidia. J-K. Conidia.

 Scale bars: A-E = 1 cm. F-J = 10 µm. K = 5 µm.

Metarhizium puerense Hong Yu bis, J. M. Ma & Z.Q. Wang, sp. nov.

Jin Mei Ma, Zhi Qin Wang, Zhi Li Yang, Yue Chen, Song Yu Li and Hong Yu. 2024. Metarhizium puerense (Hypocreales, Clavicipitaceae): A New Species from Yunnan, south-western China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 12: e129087. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.12.e129087

[Funga • 2024] Peniophora salaccae (Russulales: Peniophoraceae) • A Snake Fruit (Salacca zalacca) pathogen from southern Thailand

  

 Peniophora salaccae  Suwannar. S. Boukaew & J. Kamla, 

in Boukaew, Kamla et Suwannarach. 2024.  

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.662.2.2

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Abstract

The genus Peniophora is known to be distributed from boreal to tropical regions worldwide. During surveys of plant diseases in southern Thailand in 2022 and 2023, two specimens of rotten snake fruits (Salacca zalacca) were collected. The new species, Peniophora salaccae, is described based on collections with morphological and molecular data. This species is characterized by orange-gray to brownish-orange basidiomes, simple-septate generative hyphae, brown lamprocystidia, subclavate to subcylindrical gloeocystidia, and subtriangular basidiospores. It can be distinguished from P. trigonosperma by its larger basidiospores and shorter lamprocystidia. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) and the large subunit (nrLSU) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) confirmed the position of the new species within the genus Peniophora. The full description, color photographs, illustrations, and the phylogenetic tree showing the position of P. salaccae are provided. Additionally, pathogenicity tests showed that P. salaccae could infect snake fruits, which developed the same symptoms under artificial inoculation conditions as those observed in the field.

Corticioid fungus, pathogenic fungus, phylogeny, taxonomy, tropical area, Fungi

 Peniophora salaccae sp. nov. 

Sawai Boukaew, Jaturong Kamla and Nakarin Suwannarach. 2024. Peniophora salaccae sp. nov. (Russulales, Basidiomycota), A Snake Fruit (Salacca zalacca) pathogen from southern Thailand. Phytotaxa. 662(2); 137-149. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.662.2.2

Researchgate.net/publication/382967126_Peniophora_salaccae_a_Salacca_pathogen_from_southern_Thailand

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โรคอุบัติใหม่ในประเทศไทย “โรคผลเน่าในสละ จากเห็ดสกุล Peniophora ที่เป็นชนิดใหม่ของโลก” 

[Herpetology • 2024] Nactus simakal • A New Species of Nactus Gecko (Gekkonidae) from Boulder-pile Habitat on Dauan Island, Torres Strait, Australia

 

Nactus simakal 

Hoskin, Davies & Aland, 2024

Dauan Island Gecko  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5497.4.7

 

Abstract

The Torres Strait Islands lie between Cape York Peninsula, north-east Australia, and the southern coast of Papua New Guinea. The vertebrate fauna of these islands is a relatively depauperate mix of Australian and New Guinean species, with only two endemic species described to date. Here we describe a new species of Nactus gecko discovered during a targeted survey of Dauan Island in the northern Torres Strait. Nactus simakal sp. nov. is a genetically (ND2 mtDNA) and morphologically highly distinct species, with a banded pattern and a slender, elongate form. It is saxicoline, living on deeply piled boulder habitat, and is likely to be restricted to Dauan Island. Nactus simakal sp. nov. is currently known from a very small area and further surveys, and assessment of current and potential threats, are required to assess the conservation status of this species. Nactus simakal sp. nov. is similar in general appearance to N. galgajuga (Ingram, 1978), which is restricted to boulder-pile habitat 750 km to the south in mainland north-east Queensland but is readily distinguished from that species morphologically and genetically.

Reptilia, Nactus, new species, Torres Strait, Queensland, saxicoline, boulder-field

Holotype of Nactus simakal sp. nov. (QM J97603) in life (A) and preserved (B).

Photos: Conrad Hoskin.

Nactus simakal sp. nov. in life.
 (A–C) Adults; (D) sub-adult.

Photos: (A, D) Alexander Davies; (B, C) Conrad Hoskin

Nactus simakal sp. nov. 

Dauan Island Gecko

Diagnosis. A slender, elongate Nactus gecko with strongly banded pattern and prominently keeled subcaudal scales.

 

Etymology. The species name ‘simakal’ is in reference to Simakal Pad, the local language name for Mt Cornwallis (the mountain that dominates Dauan Island). The local language name was provided by Laurie Elisala, Torenzo Elisala, Abi Mooka, Tenny Elisala, and Thomas Mooka.

Similarity in general appearance between Nactus simakal sp. nov. (A) and N.galgajuga.

Photos: (A) Conrad Hoskin; (B) Scott Macor.

 

Conrad J. Hoskin, Alexander Davies and Kieran Aland. 2024. A New Species of Nactus Gecko from Boulder-pile Habitat on Dauan Island, Torres Strait, Australia.  Zootaxa. 5497(4); 577-590. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5497.4.7

[Crustacea • 2024] Parastacus longidactylus • A New freshwater Crayfish Species of Parastacus Huxley, 1879 (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Parastacidae) from southern Brazil

  

Parastacus longidactylus 

 Huber, Araujo & Ribeiro, 2024

DOI: 10.1590/2358-2936e20230496  

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Abstract

The present paper describes a new species of freshwater crayfish of the genus Parastacus Huxley, 1879 from the municipality of Amaral Ferrador in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, evaluates its conservation status according to the IUCN Red List Criteria (sub-criterion B1), and updates the identification key for the genus. Parastacus longidactylus sp. n. differs from all analyzed species by the large eyes, the prominent and wide rostral carinae, surpassing the rostral basis and extending to the proximal third of the postorbital carinae, postorbital carinae and rostral carinae prominent and with similar lengths, chelipeds carpus dorsomedial surface not divided longitudinally by groove and long dactylus, surpassing the fixed finger. The possible extent of occurrence was estimated to be 6,968 km² and the species was recorded in only one location in the Camaquã River basin. The main threats to the region are the replacement of native vegetation by crops and livestock, water pollution and soil erosion. However, because there is only one known location where Parastacus longidactylus sp. n. occurs we suggest classifying the species as Data Deficient.

Keywords: Conservation; crustaceans; Parastacoidea; Rio Grande do Sul; taxonomy

Infraorder Astacidea Latreille, 1802

Superfamily Parastacoidea Huxley, 1879

Family Parastacidae Huxley, 1879

Genus Parastacus Huxley, 1879

  Parastacus longidactylus sp. n., holotype (MZUSP 45071) and female paratype (MZUSP 45072) .
 A, Habitus, dorsal view (holotype); B, cephalon, dorsal view (holotype); C, cephalon, lateral view (holotype); D, female abdominal somites, dorsal view (female paratype); E, male first, second and third abdominal pleura (holotype); F, female first, second and third abdominal pleura (female paratype); G, telson and uropods, dorsal view (holotype). Scale bars: A = 10 mm; B-F = 5 mm.

  Parastacus longidactylus sp. n., holotype (MZUSP 45071) in ethanol.
A, Habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, lateral view. Scale bar = 10 mm.

Parastacus longidactylus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Wide front with short triangular rostrum. Rostral apex shaped as inverted “U”, with straight, blunt spine. Suborbital angle 90°, unarmed. Rostral carinae prominent, wide, surpassing rostral basis, extending to proximal third of postorbital carinae. Postorbital carinae, rostral carinae prominent, with similar length. Cervical groove weakly V-shaped. Areola narrow. Telson subrectangular, longer than wide, with small blunt spines on lateral margins. Mandible with caudal molar process bicuspidate and incisor lobe with 10 teeth. S2 pleurae low and moderate with shallow groove parallel to margin. Chelipeds large and subequal, laterally flattened, with long dactylus surpassing fixed finger. Carpus with dorsomedial surface not divided longitudinally by groove.

Etymology. A combination of the Latin epithets “longus”, which alludes to a long size, and “dactylus”, which alludes to fingers. We suggest the common name “the long-finger crayfish” for this new species.

Augusto Frederico Huber, Paula Beatriz de Araujo and Felipe Bezerra Ribeiro. 2024. A New freshwater Crayfish Species of Parastacus Huxley, 1879 (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Parastacidae) from southern Brazil.  Nauplius. 32. DOI: doi.org/10.1590/2358-2936e20230496  

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