Species New to Science

[Paleontology • 2007] Yanoconodon allini • A new eutriconodont mammal and evolutionary development in early mammals

2012-03-06T21:53:00.003+07:00

Artist's representation of Yanocondon allini, a Mesozoic mammal fossil found in China.

Courtesy Nicolle Rager Fuller, National Science Foundation.

Class Mammalia

Order Eutriconodonta

Family Jeholodentidae (nov.)

Yanoconodon allini gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Yan is for the Yan mountains in Northern Hebei Province; conodon is Latin for 'cuspate tooth', a common suffix for mammalian taxonomic names; allini refers to Edgar Allin's studies on mammalian ear evolution.

Holotype. Nanjing University - Paleontology Laboratory NJU-P 06001, preserved on a slab (NJU-P06001A, shown in Fig. 1) and counter-slab (NJU-P06001B, shown in the Supplementary Information) of laminated siltstones.

Figure 1: New mammal Yanoconodon allini. a, Main part of the holotype b, Skeletal restoration

Figure 2: Relationship of Yanoconodon allini.

Analysis of all dental and skeletal characters of Yanoconodon places it as a close relative of Jeholodens, in the Jeholodentidae among eutriconodontans.

Luo, Z., Chen, P., Li, G., & Chen, M. 2007. A new eutriconodont mammal and evolutionary development in early mammals. Nature. Vol 446, doi:10.1038/nature05627

Let's hear it for the new Mesozoic mammal!:

http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/lets_hear_it_for_the_new_mesozoic_mammal

[Paleontology • 1999] Jeholodens jenkinsi • A Chinese triconodont mammal and mosaic evolution of the mammalian skeleton

2012-03-06T21:49:00.004+07:00

Illustration: Mark A. Klingler

This artistic reconstruction shows Jeholodens jenkinsi, a triconodont mammal that lived about 120 to 140 million years ago during the Mesozoic. The animal has three cusps on its teeth and fed on insects and aquatic arthropods. It lived near a shallow fresh water lake and co-existed with a very rich fauna of fish, amphibians, feathered dinosaurs, birds, and lizards, plus very abundant plants and insects.

Its sprawling hind legs and pelvis had a reptilian posture, yet its forearms and shoulders were more flexible. The animal is a ground-living mammal, suggesting that mammals probably originated from ground (instead of tree) habitat.

The reconstruction shows how the animal would look in life, in contrast to the fossil skeleton of the same specimen preserved in the sedimentary rock.

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Class Mammalia

Infraclass Triconodonta (McKenna and Bell 1997)

Order Eutriconodonta (Kermack et al. 1973)

Family Incertae sedis

Jeholodens jenkinsi gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Jehol: an ancient geographic name for the western part of the Liaoning Province, China; the namesake of the Jehol fauna in the Yixian Formation that yielded the holotype; odens (Latin): tooth; jenkinsi (Latin): in honour of F. A. Jenkins Jr for his pioneer studies of the evolutionary morphology of the mammalian postcranial skeleton.

Holotype. GMV 2139 a, b, a nearly complete skeleton consisting of a partial skull and all of the postcranial skeleton preserved as two counterparts (Fig. 1a; a reconstruction of the specimen is shown in Fig. 1b).

FIGURE 1. Jeholodens jenkinsi (National Geological Museum of China, holotype GMV 2139a).

a, Dorsal view of the dorsoventrally compressed skeleton. b, Reconstruction of J.jenkinsi as a ground-dwelling animal that had a plantigrade gait, sprawling hindlimbs and a mobile pectoral girdle with relatively wide range of excursion of the scapula but a sprawling elbow.

Ji, Q.; Luo, Z. and Ji, S. 1999. A Chinese triconodont mammal and mosaic evolution of the mammalian skeleton. Nature 398 (6725): 326–330. doi:10.1038/18665

Unearthing the Roots of the Family Tree

http://www.carnegiemnh.org/vp/jeholodens.html

http://www.carnegiemnh.org/press/99-jan-mar/990322jeholodens_images.html

[Paleontology • 2007] Pseudotribos robustus • Convergent dental adaptations in pseudo-tribosphenic and tribosphenic mammals

2012-03-06T21:24:00.002+07:00

A newly discovered Jurassic mammal is seen here in an artist's depiction foraging among fallen ginkgo leaves and arthropod shells (top). Based on the size and shape of the skeleton (bottom), scientists believe the 4.7-inch-long (12-centimeter-long) creature was a powerful digger that ate plants and insects.

The animal's teeth could both cut and grind, showing that the key dental adaptation evolved separately at least twice in the history of mammals, the researchers add.

Illustration by Mark A. Klingler, Carnegie Museum of Natural History

Class Mammalia

Clade Yinotheria Chow and Rich, 1982 (emended by ref. 3)

Family Shuotheriidae Chow and Rich, 1982 (ref. 5)

Pseudotribos robustus gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Pseudo, false, for superficial resemblance; tribos, grinding, for the grinding and crushing function of the pseudo-tribosphenic molar; robustus, strong, for the stout limb bones of the new mammal.

Holotype. Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences (CAGS)040811A and CAGS040811B are the part and counterpart, respectively, of a partial skeleton with impression and carbonized residues of furs (Fig. 1).

Zhe-Xi Luo, Qiang Ji, and Chong-Xi Yuan. 2007. Convergent dental adaptations in pseudo-tribosphenic and tribosphenic mammals. Nature 450 (7166): 93–97. doi:. 10.1038/nature06221.

New Mammal Fossil Sheds Light on Teeth Evolution:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/10/071031-new-mammal.html

[Paleontology • 2006] Akidolestes cifellii • A Cretaceous symmetrodont therian with some monotreme-like postcranial features

2012-03-06T21:03:00.001+07:00

An artist's conception (bottom) depicts Akidolestes, a previously unknown species of mammal that lived alongside dinosaurs some 125 million years ago. A well-preserved fossil of the animal (top) was found in China, which researchers say strengthens the theory that the main mammal groups originated in Asia.

Illustration courtesy Mark A. Klingler/CMNH, photograph courtesy Zhe-Xi Luo

Class Mammalia

Clade Trechnotheria

Family Spalacotheriidae

Akidolestes cifellii gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype. Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Nanjing, China (NIGPAS) 139381A, B (Fig. 1), a skeleton with partial skull and dentition preserved in part and counterpart.

Etymology. Akidolestes: akido- (Greek) for point, for the pointed rostrum of this new mammal; -lestes (Greek), for thief, a common suffix for the name of fossil mammals; cifellii, in honour of Richard L. Cifelli, for his pioneering studies of symmetrodont mammals.

Locality, age and associated fauna. Yixian lacustrine beds at the Dawangzhangzi Locality, Lingyuan, Liaoning, China. The locality is correlated with other localities in Liaoning dated to be 124.6 Myr of the Barremian stage of the Lower Cretaceous, although there is no universal agreement on correlating the Yixian Formation to the European marine stages. Other mammals of this formation include eutriconodontans, multituberculates, symmetrodonts, metatherians and eutherians.

Li, G. and Z.-X. Luo. 2006. A Cretaceous symmetrodont therian with some monotreme-like postcranial features. Nature, 439:195-200.

http://nature.com/nature/journal/v439/n7073/abs/nature04168.html

http://www.palaeocritti.com/by-group/holotheria/akidolestes

More on Akidolestes http://scienceblogs.com/afarensis/2006/01/more_on_akidolestes.php

Extinct Species of "Mosaic" Mammal Found in China:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/01/0111_060111_chimera_fossil.html

MESOZOIC MAMMAL–AKIDOLESTES:

http://hmnh.org/archives/2006/01/11/mesozoic-mammal-akidolestes/

125 Million-Year-Old Insect-Eating Mammal Fossil Found in China: http://www.greendiary.com/entry/125-million-year-old-insect-eating-mammal-fossil-found-in-china

[Paleontology • 2005] Heishanlestes changi • A new spalacotheriid symmetrodont from the Early Cretaceous of Northeastern China

2012-03-06T20:45:00.001+07:00

Right dentary and cheek teeth of Heishanlestes changi (IVPP V 7480, holotype)

Symmetrodonts are Mesozoic mammals having lower molars with nearly symmetrical trigonids but lacking talonids. They appear to be stem members of the mammalian clade that led to extant tribosphenic mammals, but the fossil record of symmetrodonts is poor. Here we report a new genus and species of an acute-angled spalacotheriid symmetrodont, Heishanlestes changi, n.gen. and n.sp., represented by well-preserved lower jaws with teeth from the Early Cretaceous of northeastern China. The new mammal has four tightly spaced premolars and three morphological groups of lower molars, in which the ﬁrst molar has an obtuse trigonid angle and the last two molars have a large neomorphic cusp in the center of the trigonid, a feature not seen in other mammals. Heishanlestes appears to be a specialized member of the spalacotheriid subfamily, Spalacolestinae, which is otherwise only known from North America. The animal probably used the premolars to crush its prey before shearing it with the molars.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

CLASS MAMMALIA LINNAEUS, 1758

ORDER SYMMETRODONTA SIMPSON, 1925

FAMILY SPALACOTHERIIDAE MARSH, 1887

SUBFAMILY SPALACOLESTINAE CIFELLI AND MADSEN, 1999

Heishanlestes, new genus

TYPE SPECIES: Heishanlestes changi, n.sp.

DIAGNOSIS: As for the type and only species.

ETYMOLOGY: ‘‘Heishan’’ is the name of the county in northeastern China in which the materials of the type species were collected.

DISTRIBUTION AND AGE: As for the type and only species.

Heishanlestes changi, new species

HOLOTYPE: IVPP V 7480, a nearly complete right dentary containing p1–4, m1–6 (ﬁgs. 1, 3, 4, 5).

REFERRED SPECIMENS: IVPP V 7481, anterior part of a left dentary containing an erupting canine, p1–4, m1 (ﬁgs. 2, 3); IVPP V 7482, anterior part of a left dentary containing p4, m1, and alveolus for p3 (ﬁg. 2).

ETYMOLOGY: ‘‘changi’’ is for Professor Zhenglu Chang, from Liaoning Technical University, for his important contribution to the study of Mesozoic stratigraphy and paleontology of northeastern China during the past 50 years.

Y. -M. Hu, R. C. Fox, Y. Wang and C. Li. 2005. A new spalacotheriid symmetrodont from the Early Cretaceous of Northeastern China. American Museum Novitates 3475:1-20 DOI: 10.1206/0003-0082(2005)475[0001:ANSSFT]2.0.CO;2

http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/dspace/bitstream/handle/2246/2785/N3475.pdf

[Paleontology • 2004] Symmetrolestes parvus • New Early Cretaceous spalacotheriid “symmetrodont” mammal from Japan

2012-03-05T15:43:00.003+07:00

Fig. 2. Symmetrolestes parvus (NSM PV 20562, holotype).

We describe a new spalacotheriid (acute−angled) “symmetrodont” (Mammalia, Trechnotheria), Symmetrolestes parvus gen. et sp. nov., from the Lower Cretaceous, likely Barremian, Kitadani Formation of the Tetori Group, central Japan. The specimen consists of a fragmentary right lower jaw with first incisor and five preserved postcanine teeth (interpreted as p5–m4). Symmetrolestes has acute−angled molariforms with complete shearing surfaces on the para− and protocristids, and relatively tall crowns, features that are referable to Spalacotheriidae. Symmetrolestes is more derived than zhangheotheriids in having complete shearing surfaces, taller crowns, and more complete cingulids. It differs from other spalacotheriids in having fewer molariforms (m1–4), higher number of premolariforms (p1–5), and gradual transition between premolariforms and molariforms. Our cladistic analysis of 29 characters shows Symmetrolestes as the sister group of the remaining Spalacotheriidae. This node is supported by only one character (Bremer support: 1) and therefore not particularly stable. The remaining spalacotheriids are arranged in a fully pectinated tree conforming to the topology of the previous researchers, in which Spalacolestinae occupy an apical position. The combination of the occurrences of a primitive spalacotheriid, Symmetrolestes, in Japan and of Zhangheotheriidae, which is the sister taxon of Spalacotheriidae, in China suggests a possibility for an East Asian origin of Spalacotheriidae, although it implies long ghost lineages for the latest Jurassic to Early Cretaceous East Asian “symmetrodonts”.

Key words : Spalacotheriidae, “symmetrodonts”, Symmetrolestes, Early Cretaceous, Tetori Group, Japan.

Tsubamoto, T., Rougier, G.W., Isaji, S., Manabe, M., and Forasiepi, A.M. 2004. New Early Cretaceous spalacotheriid “symmetrodont” mammal from Japan. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica (Acta Palaeontol. Pol.) 49 (3): 329–346. http://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app49-329.html

http://212.87.19.32/archive/published/app49/app49-329.pdf

[Paleontology • 2004] Spalacotherium hookeri • A New Symmetrodont from the Early Cretaceous of England

2012-03-05T15:41:00.001+07:00

Spalacotherium hookeri, sp. nov., holotype (BMNH 44970)

Gill, P. 2004. A New Symmetrodont from the Early Cretaceous of England. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 24 (3), 748-752. http://jstor.org/stable/info/4524762

[Paleontology • 2002] Gobiotheriodon infinitus • Early Cretaceous “symmetrodont” mammal Gobiotheriodon from Mongolia and the classification of “Symmetrodonta”

2012-03-05T15:35:00.000+07:00

The “symmetrodont” mammal, Gobiotheriodon infinitus (Trofimov, 1980), from the Early Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian) of Mongolia, is redescribed.The species is restricted to the holotype only (dentary with three last molars), the referred maxillary fragment with M3? is considered here as cf. Gobiconodon sp.The dental formula of G. infinitusis reinterpreted as i1–3 c1 p1–3 m1–4. G. infinitus is characterized by a short dentary symphysis; long, well developed Meckel's groove; small, triangular−shaped pterygoid fossa; weakly developed pterygoid crest; i3 enlarged; p1–3 two-rooted; lower molars acute- to obtuse- angled, labial cingulids lacking, lingual cingulids very short, well developed mesial and distal cingulid cuspules (“e” and “d”) and prominent wear surface on the paracristid. Gobiotheriodon is similar to Tinodon (Late Jurassic, USA; Early Cretaceous, Great Britain and Portugal) in postcanine dental formula and structure of the pterygoid fossa; it is provisionally assigned to Tinodontidae Marsh, 1887.Some taxa previously assigned to (or suggested as possible relatives of) “Symmetrodonta” are reviewed. Amphidontidae Simpson, 1925 is considered as nomen dubium. A new classification for “Symmetrodonta” is proposed.

K e y w o r d s : Gobiotheriodon, “Symmetrodonta”, systematics, Höövör, Mongolia, Early Cretaceous.

Gobiotheriodon Trofimov, 1997, new assignment

Gobiotheriodon infinitus (Trofimov, 1980)

Averianov, A.O.2002. Early Cretaceous “symmetrodont” mammal Gobiotheriodon from Mongolia and the classification of “Symmetrodonta”. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 47 (4): 705–716.

http://www.app.pan.pl/archive/published/app47/app47-705.pdf

[Paleontology • 1997] Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens • A new symmetrodont mammal from China and its implications for mammalian evolution

2012-03-05T14:17:00.003+07:00

The fossil remains of this small animal from the age of the dinosaurs show that it shares features of both modern mammals and their reptilian relatives, and that it lived near a lake with a rich diversity of vertebrates, insects, and plants.

Figure 1: Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens (IVPP V7466, holotype).

Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens Hu, Wang, Luo & Li, 1997

Etymology. Zhanghe, in honour of Zhang He, who collected and donated the holotype specimen to the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology; therium, beast (Greek); quinque, five (Latin); cuspis, point (Latin); dens, tooth (Latin),

for the three main cusps plus two large accessory cuspules on the lower molars.

Locality. Jianshangou Valley (approximately 41° 41' 01" N, 120° 59' 30" E), about 32 km east of Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province, northeastern China1.

Horizon. The Jianshangou Beds, consisting primarily of shales, are the lowest lacustrine intercalation in the neutro-basic volcanic beds of the Yixian Formation.

Associated fauna. The Jianshangou Beds have yielded diverse fossil fish4, the birds Confuciusornis, Liaoningornis and Protarchaeopteryx, the theropod Sinosauropteryx, and diverse gastropods, bivalves, ostracods, conchostracans and insects.

Age. The age of the Yixian Formation is equivocal. Vertebrate faunal correlation and previous radiometric dates4 suggest that the Jianshangou Beds are either of the latest Jurassic age, or near the Jurassic–Cretaceous transition. An Early Cretaceous age was also suggested by invertebrate faunal correlation, and supported by a recent radiometric date. According to our most recent field investigation, this date should be regarded as an upper age limit for the Jianshangou Beds.

Conclusions

The nearly complete skeleton of Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens has yielded new and more comprehensive anatomical information about the early therian mammals. New evidence on basicranial and postcranial anatomy from Zhangheotherium corroborates the hypothesis that symmetrodonts are a part of the basal therian radiation. Postcranial features of this new therian mammal support a sister-group relationship between multitubercualtes and therian mammals. A mobile clavicle–interclavicle joint that allows a wide range of movement of the forelimb has an ancient origin in the mammalian phylogeny. The abducted forelimb inferred for Zhangheotherium and other archaic therians suggests that early therian mammals lacked the more parasagittal forelimb posture of most living therians. The presence of a finger-like promontorium in Zhangheotherium indicates, albeit indirectly, that an uncoiled cochlea was present in symmetrodonts and that the coiled cochlea was a development later in therian evolution.

FIGURE 5. Phylogenetic relationships of Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens.

Hu, Y., Wang, Y., Luo, Z., and Li, C. 1997. A new symmetrodont mammal from China and its implications for mammalian evolution. Nature 390: 137–142.

http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v390/n6656/full/390137a0.html

Hu, Y., Wang, Y., Li, C., and Luo, Z. 1998. Morphology of dentition and forelimb of Zhangheotherium. Vertebrata PalAsiatica 36 (2): 102–125.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhangheotherium

Discovering a Missing Link: http://carnegiemuseums.org/cmag/bk_issue/1998/marapr/feat3.htm

[Paleontology • 2012] Mamenchisauridae indet. • First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand

2012-02-29T23:48:00.001+07:00

Mamenchisaurid posterior cervical vertebra from Phu Dan Ma, Kalasin Province, Thailand, Phu Kradung Formation, Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous. vertebra (SM KS26-4), right rib (SM KS26-2) and left rib (SM KS26-3)

An isolated posterior cervical vertebra of a sauropod discovered at Phu Dan Ma (Kalasin Province, northeastern Thailand) is the first informative postcranial specimen from the Phu Kradung Formation, a Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous continental unit. The vertebra is referred to the family Mamenchisauridae, otherwise mainly known from China. In addition, spatulate teeth from the same formation and a mid-dorsal vertebra from the Late Jurassic Khlong Min Formation of southern Thailand are reassigned to this family. The occurrence of mamenchisaurids in the earliest Cretaceous of Thailand supports a hypothesis of geographical isolation of Central, Eastern and Southeast Asia during the Late Jurassic. It also suggests that the main changes in their dinosaur assemblages occurred during the Early Cretaceous, rather than at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary.

Key words: Dinosauria, Mamenchisauridae, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Thailand.

Fig. 1. Sauropod distribution in the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous of the Kalasin-Mukdahan region, northeastern Thailand. The formations are shown in shaded tones. A, Phu Dan Ma (KS26) in Kuchi Narai District, Kalasin Province; B, Dan Luang (MD3) in Khamcha-i District, Mukdahan Province. Both localities lie in the Jurassic-Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation (J/Kpk); C, distribution of main groups of vertebrates in the non-marine formations of Thailand (figure courtesy of Lionel Cavin, Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Geneva).

First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand: http://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app20090155.html

Suteethorn, S., Le Loeuff, J., Buffetaut, E., Suteethorn, V., and Wongko, K. 201X. First evidence of a mamenchisaurid dinosaur from the Late Jurassic/Early Cretaceous Phu Kradung Formation of Thailand. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 5X (X): xxx-xxx.
10 DOI: 10.4202/app.2009.0155

[Paleontology • 2011] ราชสีมาซอรัส สุรนารีเอ • Ratchasimasaurus suranareae • A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand

2012-02-29T23:39:00.001+07:00

Here we report a new iguanodontian dentary found from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima, northeast Thailand. A unique character, which is an elongated and flat shape of the dentary ramus, makes it possible to assign the specimen to the new genus of non-hadrosaurid iguanodontian, Ratchasimasaurus suranareae gen. et sp. nov. R. suranareae shows both primitive and derived characters, such as a caudally inclined coronoid process and alveolar trough with a primitive crown impression, and a derived buccal shelf between tooth row and coronoid process. The discovery of a new iguanodontian from the Indochina Terrene, considering that the previously reported “Probactrosaurus-like” iguanodontian, points out a great diversity of this group in the late Early Cretaceous in Thailand, and corresponds to the Asian iguanodontian diversity at that time.

http://www.encyklopedia.dinozaury.com/index.php/Ratchasimasaurus

Masateru Shibata, Pratueng Jintasakul, and Yoichi Azuma. 2011. A New Iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation, Nakhon Ratchasima in Northeastern Thailand. Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition 85 (5): 969 – 976. DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-6724.2011.00230.x

[Paleontology • 2011] สยามโมดอน นิ่มงามอิ • Siamodon nimngami • new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous) of northeastern Thailand

2012-02-29T23:30:00.000+07:00

สยามโมดอน นิ่มงามอิ • Siamodon nimngami

• new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous) of northeastern Thailand

Abstract

A new taxon of ornithopod dinosaur is described as Siamodon nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep., on the basis of a well-preserved maxilla from the Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian) of northeastern Thailand. An isolated tooth and a braincase are referred to this taxon, and the status of other ornithopod specimens from Thailand and Laos is discussed. S. nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep. is considered as an advanced iguanodontian, apparently close to Probactrosaurus, from which it differs by various characters of the maxilla. Siamodon is an addition to the already long list of advanced iguanodontian taxa from the late Early Cretaceous of Asia. The diversity and abundance of these forms may suggest that advanced iguanodontians first appeared in Asia, before spreading to other parts of the world.

Keywords: Ornithopoda; Iguanodontia; Early Cretaceous; Aptian; Thailand; New taxon

Fig. 1. Holotype of Siamodon nimngami nov. gen, nov. sep., left maxilla, PRC-4, Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian), Ban Saphan Hin (Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand). A. Lateral view. B. Medial view. C. Dorsal view. Scale bar: 50 mm.

Eric Buffetaut and Varavudh Suteethorn. 2011. A new iguanodontian dinosaur from the Khok Kruat Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) of northeastern Thailand. Annales de Paléontologie. 97 (1-2): 51-62. doi:10.1016/j.annpal.2011.08.001.

http://encyklopedia.dinozaury.com/index.php/Siamodon

[Palaeontology • 2011] Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis • First Hominoid from the Late Miocene of the Irrawaddy Formation (Myanmar)

2012-02-29T22:41:00.001+07:00

MFI-K171, holotype mandible of Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis n. sp.

Abstract

For over a century, a Neogene fossil mammal fauna has been known in the Irrawaddy Formation in central Myanmar. Unfortunately, the lack of accurately located fossiliferous sites and the absence of hominoid fossils have impeded paleontological studies. Here we describe the first hominoid found in Myanmar together with a Hipparion (s.l.) associated mammal fauna from Irrawaddy Formation deposits dated between 10.4 and 8.8 Ma by biochronology and magnetostratigraphy. This hominoid documents a new species of Khoratpithecus, increasing thereby the Miocene diversity of southern Asian hominoids. The composition of the associated fauna as well as stable isotope data on Hipparion (s.l.) indicate that it inhabited an evergreen forest in a C3-plant environment. Our results enlighten that late Miocene hominoids were more regionally diversified than other large mammals, pointing towards regionally-bounded evolution of the representatives of this group in Southeast Asia. The Irrawaddy Formation, with its extensive outcrops and long temporal range, has a great potential for improving our knowledge of hominoid evolution in Asia.

Systematic Paleontology Superfamily Hominoidea Gray 1825, Family Hominidae Gray 1825, Subfamily Ponginae Elliot 1913, Genus Khoratpithecus Chaimanee et al. 2004, Khoratpithecus ayeyarwadyensis sp. nov

Holotype. Left hemi-mandible with P3-M2 (MFI-K171, collection of the Paleontology Section of the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR), Bangkok – 10400, Rama VI Road, Thailand).

Figure 1. Location of the Khoratpithecus-bearing localities of Thailand and Myanmar.

J.-J. Jaeger, A. N. Soe, O. Chavasseau, P. Coster, E.-G. Emonet, F. Guy, R. Lebrun, A. A. Maung, H. Shwe, S. T. Tun, K. L. Oo, M. Rugbumrung, H. Bocherens, M. Benammi, K. Chaivanich, P. Tafforeau, and Y. Chaimanee. 2011. First Hominoid from the Late Miocene of the Irrawaddy Formation (Myanmar). PLoS ONE 6 (4): 1–14. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017065.

[Palaeontology • 2004] โคราชพิเธคัส พิริยะอิ 'เอปโคราช' | Khoratpithecus piriyai • A new orang-utan relative from the Late Miocene of Thailand

2012-02-29T22:31:00.000+07:00

The fossil record of the living great apes is poor. New fossils from undocumented areas, particularly the equatorial forested habitats of extant hominoids, are therefore crucial for understanding their origins and evolution. Two main competing hypotheses have been proposed for orang-utan origins: dental similarities support an origin from Lufengpithecus, a South Chinese and Thai Middle Miocene hominoid; facial and palatal similarities support an origin from Sivapithecus, a Miocene hominoid from the Siwaliks of Indo-Pakistan. However, materials other than teeth and faces do not support these hypotheses. Here we describe the lower jaw of a new hominoid from the Late Miocene of Thailand, Khoratpithecus piriyai gen. et sp. nov., which shares unique derived characters with orang-utans and supports a hypothesis of closer relationships with orang-utans than other known Miocene hominoids. It can therefore be considered as the closest known relative of orang-utans. Ancestors of this great ape were therefore evolving in Thailand under tropical conditions similar to those of today, in contrast with Southern China and Pakistan, where temperate or more seasonal climates appeared during the Late Miocene.

Systematics. Order Primates Linnaeus 1758; suborder Anthropoidea Mivart 1864; superfamily Hominoidea Gray 1825; family Hominidae Gray 1825; subfamily Ponginae Elliot 1913; Khoratpithecus gen. nov.

Type species. Khoratpithecus piriyai sp. nov.

Referred species. cf. Lufengpithecus chiangmuanensis Chaimanee et al. 2003, Middle Miocene of Thailand.

Etymology. Khoratpithecus means ape from Khorat.

FIGURE 1. Mandible of Khoratpithecus piriyai gen. et sp. nov. holotype (RIN 765).

Y. Chaimanee, V. Suteethorn, P. Jintasakul, C. Vidthayanon, B. Marandat and J.-J. Jaeger. 2004. A new orang-utan relative from the Late Miocene of Thailand. Nature. 427 (6973): 439–441. doi:10.1038/nature02245.

[Palaeontology • 2003] Khoratpithecus (originally 'cf. Lufengpithecus' ) chiangmuanensis • A Middle Miocene hominoid from Thailand and orangutan origins

2012-02-29T22:09:00.002+07:00

Figure 3: cf. Lufengpithecus chiangmuanensis n. sp.

Figure: Khoratpithecus chiangmuanensis. A: Isolated teeth discovered onthe site of Chiang Muan, Thailand. The top two rows are male teeth, the lowertwo rows are female teeth. B: 3D analysis by X-ray synchrotron microtomographyof a second lower molar from a male. From left to right: 3D reconstruction, virtualvertical cut, and quantitative distribution map of enamel. The scale bars represent 1 cm.

Fossil teeth hint at orang-utan origins: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2823245.stm

http://wwwcsi.unian.it/educa/inglese/sis05024.html

Y. Chaimanee, D. Jolly, Benammi, M., Tafforeau, P., Duzer, D., Moussa, I. and J.-J. Jaeger. 2003. A Middle Miocene hominoid from Thailand and orangutan origins. Nature 422 (6927): 61–65. doi:10.1038/nature01449.

[Palaeontology • 2010] Tarsius sirindhornae • A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric–morphometric method

2012-02-29T21:48:00.002+07:00

Tarsius sirindhornae lived during the Middle Miocene in northern Thailand.

The new species— named Tarsius sirindhornae — lived about 13 million years ago. Based on the fossil jaws, the whole animal would have weighed up to 6 ounces (180 grams), making it the largest known tarsier, said study leader Yaowalak Chaimanee, a geologist with Thailand’s Department of Mineral Resources.

Chaimanee, Y., Lebrun, R., Yamee, C., and Jaeger, J.-J. 2010. A new Middle Miocene tarsier from Thailand and the reconstruction of its orbital morphology using a geometric–morphometric method. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences: –. doi:10.1098/rspb.2010.2062.

ซากฟอสซิลลิงชนิดใหม่ของโลก อายุ 13 ล้านปี: http://chm.forest.go.th/th/?p=1232

New Species Found: Thai Fossils Reveal Ancient Primate http://on.natgeo.com/g8yARJ

http://rhamphotheca.tumblr.com/post/12545617219/thai-fossils-reveal-ancient-tarsier-by-rachel

[Palaeontology] Tarsius eocaenus • Primitive Primate from middle Eocene of China

2012-02-29T21:43:00.000+07:00

Tarsius eocaenus is known from the Middle Eocene in China.

http://site.sinodino.cc/_Primate/p06.htm

[Herpetology • 2011] Jarujinia: New Genus | จิ้งเหลนสองขาอาจารย์จารุจินต์ | Jarujinia bipedalis • A New Genus of Lygosomine Lizard from Central Thailand

2012-02-29T21:20:00.002+07:00

Jarujinia bipedalis:

http://siamensis.org/species_index#35098

Abstract

A new species of Lygosomine skink (Jarujinia bipedalis sp. nov.) from Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province in Central Thailand is described and assigned to a new monotypic genus (Jarujinia). This bipedal skink with only forearms possessing two clawless vestigial fingers appears morphologically to be an evolutionary link between the Lygosomine genera of Larutia and Isopachys, but clearly distinct from both.

Key words: new genus, new species, Jarujinia, Lygosomine.

Jarujinia bipedalis Chan-ard, Makchai & Cota 2011

Holotype. - THNHM 15410

Type locality: Ban Pu Nam Ron, Tambon Pong Kra Ting, Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province, elevation ca. 600 m

Distribution: Thailand (Western mountain range in Ban Pu Nam Ron, Tambon Pong Kra Ting, Suan Pung District, Ratchaburi Province, ca. 150 km west-southwest of Bangkok)

Diagnosis: The only scincine genus (and species) in which a single species has only forelimbs with two clawless vestigial fingers and in which the hind-limbs are completely absent.

Etymology.- The genus is named for Dr. Jarujin Nabhitabhata (1950-2008), first Director of the Thailand Natural History Museum, to whom we owe much professional and personal gratitude. The species is named for its character of only possessing a pair of forelimbs: two legs are present, but the hind-limbs are absent.

Chan-ard, Tanya; Sunchai Makchai and Michael Cota 2011. Jarujinia: A New Genus of Lygosomine Lizard from Central Thailand, with a Description of One New Species. The Thailand Natural History Museum Journal 5 (1): 17-24

http://siamensis.org/species_index#35098

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/

[Herpetology • 2011] Larutia nubisilvicola | จิ้งเหลนป่าเมฆ -เขานัน • A New Species of Larutia (Squamata: Scincidae) from Peninsular Thailand

2012-02-29T18:31:00.001+07:00

Abstract

During an expedition to study the biodiversity of the cloud forest of the Upper Khao Nan Mountain Range of Nakhon Si Thammarat in April 2007, a Larutia sp. was found. This proved to be morphologically distinct from any other known species of Larutia and is now described as Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov.

Key words: Reptilia, Lepidosauria, Squamata, Lacertilia, Sauria, Scincomorpha, Scincidae, Larutia, Larutia nubisilvicola sp. nov., Southeast Asia, Thailand, taxonomy.

Holotype: THNHM 11799 female.

Paratypes: THNHM 11797 female, THNHM 11798 male, THNHM 11800 female; collected by T. Chan-ard, M. Cota, S. Makchai & S. Lhaoteaw on 20 April 2007.

Diagnosis: A small species of Larutia. Mid-body scale row is 24. Possesses 4 supraoculars, 6 supralabials and 5 infralabials. The first infralabial is separate from, but appears as an extension of the mental. The postmental contacts the first and second infralabials as well as the first pair of chin shields. A single gular scale is present between the second pair of chin shields.

Etymology: Larutia nubisilvicola is named as an inhabitant of the cloud forest, where it is found.

Larutia nubisilvicola

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/

Chan-ard, T., M. Cota, S. Mekchai and S. Lhaoteaw. 2011. A New Species of Larutia (Squamata: Scincidae) Found in Peninsular Thailand. Thailand Natural History Museum Journal 5 (1): 57–65.

[Herpetology • 2011] Larutia penangensis | Penang Legless Skink • Peninsular Malaysia’s first limbless lizard: a new species of skink of the genus Larutia (Böhme) from Pulau Pinang with a phylogeny of the genus

2012-02-29T18:23:00.003+07:00

Abstract

A new species of the scincid genus Larutia, L. penangensis sp. nov., from Pulau Pinang, Peninsular Malaysia is separated from all other congeners by having the unique characteristics of the complete absence of limbs, four supralabials, large body scales, and no banding or striping pattern. Additionally, it has the following unique combination of characters that further separates it from all congeners: a single presubocular; separated nasals; paired frontoparietals; small, widely separated prefrontals; no supranasals or postnasal; two postsupralabials; and large, posterior chinshields that contact the infralabials. A molecular phylogeny based on one mitochondrial and two nuclear genes from all species of Larutia from Peninsular Malaysia indicates L. penangensis sp. nov. is most basal and that L. seribuatensis is the sister lineage to a clade containing L. miodactyla and the sister species L. trifasciata and L. larutensis. Consistencies and inconsistencies between this phylogeny and a previously proposed morphological phylogeny are discussed.

Key words: Larutia, Larutia penangensis, Malaysia, new species, Penang, Pulau Pinang, Scincidae, taxonomy, phylogeny

GRISMER, L. LEE; EVAN QUAH SENG HUAT, CAMERON D. SILER, CHAN, K. O., PERRY L. WOOD,JR., JESSE 2011. Peninsular Malaysia’s first limbless lizard: a new species of skink of the genus Larutia (Böhme) from Pulau Pinang with a phylogeny of the genus. Zootaxa. 2799: 29–40

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02799p040f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2003] Larutia seribuatensis & L. puehensis • Two New Southeast Asian Skinks of the Genus Larutia and Intrageneric Phylogenetic Relationships

2012-02-29T18:06:00.002+07:00

Top: Holotype of Larutia seribuatensis ZRC 2.5088

Bottom: (left) Nuchal bands of Larutia seribuatensis ZRC 2.5088 and (right) L. trifasciata BM 3853. First nuchal band of L. seribuatensis makes contact with the posterior edge of the eye.

Abstract

Two new species of Larutia are described, one from Pulau Tulai, located 38 km off the southeast coast of Pahang, West Malaysia, in the Seribuat Archipelago and another from Gunung Berumput in the Pueh Mountains of Sarawak, East Malaysia. The Pulau Tulai species differs from all others in having a pair of light yellow dorsolateral stripes, light yellow markings on the head, small maximum snout-vent length (115 mm), and characteristics of nuchal banding. The Gunung Berumput species differs from all others in having radiating nuchal markings. Both represent new island records (Pulau Tulai and Borneo) and, based on morphology, are members of different monophyletic species groups within Larutia.

Key words: Borneo; Gunung Berumput; Larutia; Malaysia; New species; Phylogeny; puehensis; Seribuat

Archipelago; seribuatensis

Larutia seribuatensis sp. nov.

Suggested common name.- Two-lined two-toed skink.

Holotype.- ZRC 2.5088, adult male (Figs. 2, 3) from Pulau Tulai (2? 95' N, 104.17? W), Pahang, West Malaysia; collected by J. L. Grismer on 13 July 2001.

Larutia puehensis sp. nov.

Suggested common name.- Berumput two-toed skink.

Holotype.- BM 1927 8.11 2, adult female (Figs. 6, 7) from Gunung Berumput (10 70' N, 1090 75' E), Pueh Mountains, Sarawak, East Malaysia; collector and date of collection unknown (C. McCarthy, personal communication).

Fic. 1.- The distribution of the species of Larutia. L = L. larutensis, T = L. trifasciata, M = L. miodactyla, S = L. sumatrensis, P = L. puehensis, and Sr = L. seribuatensis.

Grismer, J.L., Leong, T.M. and Yaakob, N.S. 2003. Two New Southeast Asian Skinks of the Genus Larutia and Intrageneric Phylogenetic Relationships. Herpetologica. 59(4): 552-564. http://jstor.org/stable/3893647

[Herpetology • 2012] Lygosoma veunsaiensis • A new species of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae) from northeastern Cambodia, with an updated identification key to the genus Lygosoma in mainland Southeast Asia

2012-02-28T18:56:00.000+07:00

Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Lygosoma from northeastern Cambodia based on a single voucher specimen collected from Veun Sai Proposed Protected Forest, Veun Sai District, Ratanakiri Province. Lygosoma veunsaiensis sp. nov. is differentiated from all congeners occurring in mainland Southeast Asia by the combination of the following characters: outer ear opening absent; supranasals distinct and separated from each other by frontonasal; supranasals not fused with nasals; midbody scales in 22 rows; fontoparietals paired; five supralabials; a light stripe present on outer edge of the dorsum; and a dark dorsolateral stripe present, from behind the eye to the tail. A key to the Southeast Asian mainland species of Lygoma is provided.

Key words: taxonomy, L. veunsaiensis sp. nov., Veun Sai Proposed Protected Forest, Ratanakiri Province, Indochina

PETER GEISSLER (Germany), TIMO HARTMANN (Germany) & THY NEANG (Combodia).

2012. A new species of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae) from northeastern Cambodia, with an updated identification key to the genus Lygosoma in mainland Southeast Asia

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/list/2012/3190.html

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03190p068f.pdf

Iridescent Lizard Discovered in Northeastern Cambodia http://blog.conservation.org/2012/02/iridescent-lizard-discovered-in-northeastern-cambodia/

http://lg-media.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-iridescent-lizard-species-found-in.html

[Herpetology • 2011] A review of Indochinese skinks of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae), with natural history notes and an identification key

2012-02-28T18:36:00.001+07:00

Lygosoma angeli, L. haroldyoungi & L. corpulentum

Abstract

We review the supple skinks (Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827) known to occur in Indochina (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam). Here, the existence of seven species is documented: L. angeli, L. boehmei, L. bowringii, L. corpulentum, L. haroldyoungi, L. isodactylum (type of Squamicilia Mittleman, 1952), and L. quadrupes (type of Lygosoma). Based on morphological characters, L. carinatum Darevsky & Orlova, 1996 is shown to be a synonym of L. corpulentum. Although L. bowringii is expected to turn out as a complex of cryptic species when molecular methods are applied to a broad sampling, Indochinese representatives form a homogenous group based on morphology. Two further Lygosoma listed by Bourret (2009), viz. L. albopunctatum and L. punctatum (generotype of Riopa Gray, 1839) are distributed further west and probably fail to reach the Indochinese realm. We also provide natural history notes and an identification key for the seven species currently recognized from Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Key words: Scincidae; Lygosoma; Indochina; Cambodia; Laos; Vietnam; taxonomy; natural history

Lygosoma angeli

A review of Indochinese skinks of the genus Lygosoma Hardwicke & Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Scincidae), with natural history notes and an identification key. Biologia, 66(6). 1159-1176, doi:10.2478/s11756-011-0130-2 via http://academia.edu/

http://www.vncreatures.net/e_news_2.php

[Herpetology • 2007] Lygosoma boehmei • A new species of Lygosoma (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Central Truong Son, Vietnam, with notes on its molecular phylogenetic position

2012-02-28T18:23:00.002+07:00

Lygosoma boehmei

Abstract

A new Lygosoma species is described from the Central Truong Son (Annamite mountain range) of Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. The description is based on a single female specimen, collected during the dry season in the karst forest of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. The new Lygosoma differs from any other congener by the dorsal scales with pseudokeels in combination with a pair of frontoparietals; a scaly lower eyelid; seven supralabials; seven infralabials; 32 midbody scale rows; 66 middorsal (paravertebral) scales; smooth ventral scales, arranged in 81 transverse rows; 108 smooth, not enlarged median subcaudal scales; the fourth toe with 14 keeled subdigital lamellae; a reddish brown to brownish black dorsum and an orange-yellowish to greyish ventral side in life; as well as greyish black edged sutures of anterior supra- and infralabials. The new Lygosoma species is the third karst-adapted scincid species that has been described from Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park since 2005. A first molecular positioning of the new species within the genus Lygosoma is given as well as a key to the Vietnamese Lygosoma species.

Author Keywords: Central Truong Son; Lygosoma boehmei sp. n.; Phylogeny; Sauria; Scincidae; Taxonomy; Vietnam

Index Keywords: Lygosoma; Sauria; Scincidae; Squamata

Distribution: Vietnam (Quang Binh)

Type locality: karst forest of Cha Noi, 350-400 m elevation, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam.

Ziegler, T; Schmitz, A; Heidrich, A; Vu, NT; Nguyen, QT 2007. A new species of Lygosoma (Squamata: Sauria: Scincidae) from the Central Truong Son, Vietnam, with notes on its molecular phylogenetic position. Revue Suisse de Zoologie 114 (2): 397-415

Thompson, C. & Thompson, T. 2008. First contact in the Greater Mekong - new species discoveries. WWF, 40 pp. http://worldwildlife.org/who/media/press/2008/WWFBinaryitem10994.pdf

New species discovered in Greater Mekong : http://telegraph.co.uk/

[Herpetology • 2012] Homalopsis mereljcoxi • The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species

2012-02-28T14:57:00.000+07:00

Homalopsis mereljcoxi sp. nov. from the Khorat Basin, near Khon Kaen, Thailand (~16°01” N, 102°35’ E). Photograph by JCM. The high contrast, evenly spaced, pale colored bands outlined in black that extend across the dorsum help distinguish this species from H. buccata which often have more irregular bands with less contrast.

Homalopsis mereljcoxi photo: Michael Cota

Abstract

Masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis are abundant in the wetlands of Southeastern Asia. Currently, two species are recognized, the widespread H. buccata Linnaeus and the Mekong drainage endemic H. nigroventralis Deuve. On the basis of morphology we resurrect H. hardwickii Gray and H. semizonata Blyth and describe a new species from Indochina. We establish a neotype for Coluber buccatus Linnaeus and examine the status of other names associated with this species. Homalopsis species can be distinguished from each other on the basis of dorsal scale row counts, the scales in the ocular ring, and other head scale architecture. The new species, Homalopsis mereljcoxi, is distinguished from all others by its one postocular and one postsubocular scale, and a higher dorsal scale row count (40–47 scale rows at midbody) that are reduced to more than 30 scale rows at the body’s posterior. The new species is heavily exploited for the skin trade at Tonle Sap, Cambodia. Homalopsis likely contains other cryptic species that have evolved in the changing aquatic habitats of Southeast Asia. A key to the species of Homalopsis is provided.

Key words: buccata, cryptic species, hardwickii, mereljcoxi, nigroventralis, semizonata, Southeast Asia, systematics, taxonomy

FIGURE 7. A. Homalopsis buccata from East Kalimantan

| B. Homalopsis mereljcoxi sp. nov. from the Khorat Basin, near Khon Kaen, Thailand

| C. Homalopsis nigroventralis from an unknown locality in Thailand.

| D. Homalopsis semizonata from Myanmar: Tanintharyi Division

Homalopsis mereljcoxi sp. nov.

Holotype. A female, FMNH 263756 from Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Wang Nam Khieo, Udon Sap (subdistrict), Ban Badan Reservoir (14°31’04” N, 101°58’25” E); collected 16 June 2004 by Daryl R. Karns and John C. Murphy.

Etymology. This new species is named in in honor of Merel “Jack” Cox, for his years of dedication to the study of the snakes of Thailand.

Distribution. Homalopsis mereljcoxi is known from lowland localities in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. On the western edge of its known range it is found as far north as Bung Cho, Uttaradit Province, Phichai District (~12°N, 104°E), Thailand and as far south as Lake Songkhla (~7°N, 100°E), Thailand. In Vietnam it is found at least as far east as Can Tho Province (~10°N, 105°E) and as far south as Vinh Thuan District Town in Kien Giang Province (~9°N, 105°E). It is present in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap, and it most likely occurs throughout the lower elevations of the Chao Phraya and Mekong drainages. It is possible, but unclear, if this species inhabits Myanmar. Gyi (1970) reports Myanmar Homalopsis with 39–43 middorsal scale rows, Homalopsis semizonata Blyth, 1855 inhabits the area on both side of the Gulf of Martaban and the Ayeyarwady delta and it has 38-43 scale rows which overlap the range of scale rows for H. mereljcoxi.

Natural history. Many authors have discussed the natural history of this species (Saint Girons 1972; Brooks et al. 2007, 2010; Karns et al. 2005, 2010) under the name Homalopsis buccata. The morphology of this species agrees well with the Cambodia specimens described by Saint Girons (1972), however his data included ventral counts of 154–180, a range with some specimens below the lower end of the range observed in our sample. Cambodian specimens with ventral counts lower than 160 (unpublished data) likely belong to one or more cryptic species.

In Thailand, the habitat used by Homalopsis mereljcoxi includes small reservoirs, ditches, ponds, streams, and shallow wetlands (Karns et al. 2005; 2010). Snakes were primarily obtained from fishers’ gill nets, one specimen was hand collected from a pond at night while it floated near the surface in an ambush posture. Saint Girons (1972) described similar habitats in Cambodia: streams, rivers, irrigation canals, marshes, reservoirs and the banks of lakes and rivers; he also reports it in shallow water at night and describes it resting in burrows or crevices in the bank during the day, noting that specimens move very little while on land. Individuals released into shallow water escaped without hesitation, but placed in a river with steep banks, the snakes immediately sought refuge along the shore.

Murphy, J.C. et al. 2012: The masked water snakes of the genus Homalopsis Kuhl & van Hasselt, 1822 (Squamata, Serpentes, Homalopsidae), with the description of a new species. Zootaxa, 3208: 1–26.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03208p026f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Djokoiskandarus new genus for Cantoria annulata • The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae)

2012-02-28T14:43:00.002+07:00

Banded mangrove snake, Djokoiskandarus annulatus

(Cantoria annulata) http://www.markoshea.tv/blog/wildwest.html

Abstract

The external morphology and systematics of Australasian homalopsid snakes are examined against the background of recent molecular work. Two new species (Myron karnsi and Myron resetari) in the genus Myron Gray 1849 are described using the external morphology commonly applied to snake species. Cantoria annulata Jong 1926 and Hypsirhina polylepis Fisher 1886 represent endemic Australasian genera; Cantoria annulata is assigned a new genus, and the genus Pseudoferania Ogilby 1891 is resurrected for Enhydris polylepis. The zoogeography of the Australasian homalopsid clade is discussed.

Key words:– homalopsids, Myron, Cantoria, Enhydris, Heurnia, nomenclature, new genus, new species.

Djokoiskandarus, new genus

Type species. – Cantoria annulata Jong, 1926 by monotypy.

Etymology. – The genus is named in honour of Indonesian herpetologist Djoko Iskandar. Gender of genus is masculine.

Distribution. – Southern coast of New Guinea.

Morphological Diagnosis. – Dorsal scale rows 21 at mid body; internasal separates prefrontal and nasals scales; frontal’s contact with the internasal makes this species readily distinguishable from all other homalopsids, including Cantoria violacea which has 19 scale rows at mid body and the prefrontal scales in broad contact. A number of species of Enhydris have 21 scale rows at mid body, but all of them have the nasal scales in contact. D. annulatus also has keeled scales in the ﬁ rst three dorsal scale rows just anterior to the vent. A male is 578 mm in total length with a 108 mm tail; four females were 277–548 mm in total length. See Murphy (2007) for a more exhaustive description.

Djokoiskandarus annulatus, new combination

Type Locality. – Prins Hendrik-eiland (Yos Sudarso), New Guinea, Indonesia (about 7º56'S and 138º21'E).

Distribution. – Southern coastal New Guinea.

Murphy, John C. 2011. The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 59(2):229-236.

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/592/59rbz229-236.pdf

http://squamates.blogspot.com/2011/12/old-new-species.html

[Herpetology • 2011] Myron karnsi & M. resetari • Two new dwarf homalopsid snakes (Homalopsidae) from eastern Indonesia and western Australia

2012-02-28T14:31:00.001+07:00

Two new dwarf homalopsid snakes of the genus Myron described in 2011. A. Myron karnsi from the Aru Islands in eastern Indonesia. B. Myron resetari from Western Australia. Both species have been long confused with Myron richardsonii, a species from northern Australia.These are small (less than 400 mm), coastal species that probably hunt fish in marine environments. They are two of a small number of snakes, other than true sea snakes and file snakes, that have been able to adapt to saltwater. M. karnsi is known from a single specimen, M. resetari was known from two specimens when described, but other specimens have been found in the last few months. JCM

Abstract

The external morphology and systematics of Australasian homalopsid snakes are examined against the background of recent molecular work. Two new species (Myron karnsi and Myron resetari) in the genus Myron Gray 1849 are described using the external morphology commonly applied to snake species. Cantoria annulata Jong 1926 and Hypsirhina polylepis Fisher 1886 represent endemic Australasian genera; Cantoria annulata is assigned a new genus, and the genus Pseudoferania Ogilby 1891 is resurrected for Enhydris polylepis. The zoogeography of the Australasian homalopsid clade is discussed.

Key words:– homalopsids, Myron, Cantoria, Enhydris, Heurnia, nomenclature, new genus, new species.

Myron karnsi, new species

Holotype: SMF 19569.

Type Locality: Indonesia Aru, Kobroor, Selrutti (about 5º46'S and 134º31'E).

1917 Myron richardsoni — Rooij, 2:192

Etymology. – This species is named in honour of Daryl R. Karns, Hanover College and the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, Field Museum of Natural History for his contributions to herpetological research and work with homalopsid snakes.

Distribution. – Known only from the type locality.

Myron resetari, new species

Holotype: QM J52861.

Type locality: Broome, Western Australia (about 17º58'S and 122º14'E).

1970 Myron richardsonii — Gyi, pages 172–174, Fig. 28.

Etymology. – The speciﬁ c name is in honour of Alan Resetar of the Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, Field Museum of Natural History for his life long dedication to herpetology and his behind the scenes contributions to homalopsid snake research.

Distribution. – Known only from the type locality, Broome, Western Australia; but it may be more widespread. Given Myron’s use of mangroves and mudﬂ ats it seems likely this snake is from the Roebuck Bay area of the Dampier Peninsula.

Murphy, John C. 2011. The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 59(2):229-236.

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/592/59rbz229-236.pdf

http://squamates.blogspot.com/2011/12/old-new-species.html

http://www.arod.com.au/arod/reptilia/Squamata/Colubridae/Myron

[Herpetology • 2012] Hydrophis donaldi | Rough-scaled Sea Snake • a highly distinctive new species of sea snake (Elapidae, Hydrophiinae) from Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia

2012-02-28T14:10:00.002+07:00

Rough-scaled Sea Snake | Hydrophis donaldi Ukuwela, Sanders & Fry, 2012

Abstract

A new species of viviparous sea snake, Hydrophis donaldi sp. nov. (Hydrophiinae), is described from the Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia. Molecular analyses reveal this species as a deeply divergent lineage within the Hydrophis subgroup, and separate it from all other sampled taxa by fixed nucleotide substitutions at three independent mitochondrial and nuclear loci. The new species is assigned to Hydrophis based on the current morphological diagnosis of this large but paraphyletic genus, and is distinguished from all other Hydrophis species and closely allied genera by a combination of morphological characters relating to scalation, colour pattern and osteology. Using current keys for sea snakes, H. donaldi sp. nov. might be mistaken for H. coggeri, H. sibauensis or H. torquatus diadema but it is readily distinguished from these

species by a higher number of bands on the body and tail, lower ventral count, strongly spinous body scales, and a wider, more rounded head. Sea snakes have been sampled intensively in the Gulf of Carpentaria due to their vulnerability to bycatch in the region’s commercial prawn-trawl fisheries. That this highly distinctive new species has evaded discovery in the region until now is surprising, but might be explained by its habitat preferences. All known specimens of H. donaldi sp. nov. were found in estuarine habitats that are relatively poorly surveyed and are not targeted by commercial fisheries.

Key words: Estuary, Gulf of Carpentaria, Hydrophis, phylogenetics, taxonomy

Bryan Fry (the third author) with Hydrophis donaldi

Top: Bryan Fry (the third author) with Hydrophis donaldi

Bottom: Olive sea snake, Aipysurus laevis

‘rough-scaled sea snake’ : http://www.sci-news.com/biology/article00191.html

http://www.uq.edu.au/news/index.html?article=24428

Spiny, Venomous New Sea Snake Discovered — http://on.natgeo.com/A7u5WL

Hydrophis donaldi (Elapidae, Hydrophiinae), a highly distinctive new species of sea snake from northern Australia: http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03201p057f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Sea snakes in Vietnam (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae): a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key

2012-02-28T14:02:00.001+07:00

Sea snakes from Vietnam: Acalyptophis peronii, Kerilia jerdonii, Thalassophina viperina, Hydrophis atriceps, H. belcheri, H. cyanocinctus, H. lamberti, H. melanocephalus, H. ornatus & H. pachycercos

Abstract

Sea snakes (Elapidae, subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) reach a very high species richness in Southeast Asia, but most countries in the region still lack comprehensive and up-to-date identification tools for these snakes. We presentan updated checklist of sea snakes in Vietnam. We also provide diagnostic characters for all species and a new complete identification key, chiefly based on easy-to-use external characters. The checklist and key cover the 25 species documented from Vietnam, as well as three likely future additions to its sea snake fauna. By surveying incoming fishing vessels between Nha Trang and the mouth of Mekong River in 2000–2001, we were able to document two species new for Vietnamese waters: Hydrophis belcheri and H. pachycercos. Through these surveys we also secured four specimens of the rare endemic species H. parviceps, formerly known only from two specimens. A comprehensive bibliography of the literature treating sea snakes in Vietnamese waters is provided.

Identification key: bibliography, biodiversity, diagnostic characters, Vietnamese waters

Rasmussen, A. R.; Elmberg, J., Gravlund, P. and Ineich, I. 2011. Sea snakes (Serpentes: subfamilies Hydrophiinae and Laticaudinae) in Vietnam: a comprehensive checklist and an updated identification key. Zootaxa 2894: 1–20

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt02894p020.pdf

[Herpetology • 2012] Family Chikilidae — Chikila fulleri (Alcock, 1904) • Discovery of a new family of amphibians from northeast India with ancient links to Africa

2012-02-27T21:10:00.000+07:00

Morphology of Chikilidae fam. nov.

— Chikila fulleri (Alcock, 1904) in life, brooding egg clutch (in captivity).

The limbless, primarily soil-dwelling and tropical caecilian amphibians (Gymnophiona) comprise the least known order of tetrapods. On the basis of unprecedented extensive ﬁeldwork, we report the discovery of a previously overlooked, ancient lineage and radiation of caecilians from threatened habitats in the underexplored states of northeast India. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitogenomic and nuclear DNA sequences, and comparative cranial anatomy indicate an unexpected sister-group relationship with the exclusively African family Herpelidae. Relaxed molecular clock analyses indicate that these lineages diverged in the Early Cretaceous, about 140 Ma. The discovery adds a major branch to the amphibian tree of life and sheds light on both the evolution and biogeography of caecilians and the biotic history of northeast India—an area generally interpreted as a gateway between biodiversity hotspots rather than a distinct biogeographic unit with its own ancient endemics. Because of its distinctive morphology, inferred age and phylogenetic relationships, we recognize the newly discovered caecilian radiation as a new family of modern amphibians.

Keywords: caecilian amphibians; Chikilidae; new family; systematics; northeast India

Amphibia L., 1758

Gymnophiona Raﬁnesque, 1814

Stegokrotaphia Cannatella & Hillis, 1993

Teresomata Wilkinson & Nussbaum, 2006

Chikilidae fam. nov.

Chikila gen. nov.

Etymology: Chikila is a northeast (Meghalaya state) Indian tribal name for the included caecilian

Type species: Herpele fulleri Alcock, 1904.

Volume reconstruction of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography data showing cranium and mandibles of C. fulleri

Kamei, R.G., San Mauro, D., Gower, D.J., Van Bocxlaer, I., Sherratt, E., Thomas, A., Babu. S., Bossuyt, S., Wilkinson, M. and Biju, S. D. 2012. Discovery of a new family of amphibians from northeast India with ancient links to Africa. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: 1-6. doi:10.1098/rspb.2012.0150.

Pictures: New Amphibians Without Arms or Legs Discovered | http://on.natgeo.com/z2YAgS

Family of Legless Amphibians Discovered: Photos | http://news.discovery.com/animals/legless-amphibians-122102.html

[Herpetology • 2011] A nine-family classification of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

2012-02-27T13:39:00.001+07:00

Abstract

We propose a new family-level classification of caecilians that is based on current understanding of phylogenetic relationships and diversity. The 34 currently recognised genera of caecilians are diagnosed and partitioned into nine family-level taxa. Each family is an hypothesised monophylum, that, subject to limitations of taxon sampling, is well-supported by phylogenetic analyses and is of ancient (Mesozoic) origin. Each family is diagnosed and also defined phylogenetically. The proposed classification provides an alternative to an exclusive reliance upon synonymy in solving the longstanding problem of paraphyly of the Caeciliidae.

Key words: amphibians, herpetology, phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy

Wilkinson, M., San Mauro, D., Sherratt, E., Gower, D.J. 2011. A nine-family classification of caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona). Zootaxa. 2874: 41-64.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt02874p064.pdf

Wilkinson, M., Oommen, O.V., Sheps, J.A. & Cohen, B.L. 2002. Phylogenetic relationships of Indian caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) inferred from mitochondrial rRNA gene sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 23, 401–407.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1055790302000313

[Herpetology • 2002] A molecular phylogeny of ichthyophiid caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae): out of India or out of South East Asia?

2012-02-27T13:17:00.000+07:00

Recent molecular phylogenetic studies indicate that the rafting Indian plate harboured several isolated vertebrate lineages between ca. 130 and 56 Myr ago that dispersed and diversiﬁed ‘out of India’ following accretion with Eurasia. A single family of the amphibian order Gymnophiona, the Ichthyophiidae, presently occurs on the Indian plate and across much of South East Asia. Ichthyophiid phylogeny is investigated in order to test competing out of India and out of South East Asia hypotheses for their distribution. Partial sequences of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA and cytochrome b genes for 20 ichthyophiids and proximate outgroups were assembled. Parsimony, maximum-likelihood and distance analyses all recover optimum trees in which uraeotyphlids plus Ichthyophis cf. malabarensis are the sister taxa to all other Ichthyophis, among which the South East Asian taxa are monophyletic. Tree topology and branch lengths indicate that the Indian lineages are more basal and older, and thus are more consistent with the hypothesis that ichthyophiids dispersed from the Indian subcontinent into South East Asia. The estimated relationships also support monophyly of Sri Lankan Ichthyophis, and non-monophyly of striped and unstriped Ichthyophis species groups. Mitochondrial DNA sequences provide evidence that should assist current problematic areas of caecilian taxonomy.

Keywords: biogeography; evolution; mitochondrial DNA; Uraeotyphlidae; Gondwana

Asian caecilians are a primarily Gondwanan group. Ichthyophiids and uraeotyphlids were probably isolated

(and perhaps diverged) on the drifting Indian subcontinent. Ichthyophiids apparently dispersed into South East Asia after plate accretion in the early Tertiary. There is no evidence that uraeotyphlids dispersed out of India.

Gower, D. J, Alex Kupfer, Oommen V. Oommen, Werner Himstedt, Ronald A. Nussbaum, Simon P. Loader, Bronwen Presswell1,Hendrik Mueller, Sharath B. Krishna, Renaud Boistel and Mark Wilkinson 2002. A molecular phylogeny of ichthyophiid caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae): out of India or out of South East Asia? Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 269:1563–1569

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1691064/pdf/12184826.pdf

[Herpetology • 2007] Remarkable genetic homogeneity in unstriped, long-tailed Ichthyophis along 1500 km of the Western Ghats, India

2012-02-27T11:38:00.002+07:00

Abstract

The mountainous Western Ghats are part of a biodiversity hotspot and extend for about 1600 km, lying close and subparallel to the west coast of peninsular India. The region is a centre of diversity for amphibians, and recent preliminary work on some components of both caecilian (Gymnophiona) and frog (Anura) fauna is indicative of a high degree of local endemism. We investigated diversity in mitochondrial rRNA 12S and 16S sequences for long-tailed, unstriped Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) that Potentially represent four taxonomically confused and poorly known endemic caecilian species. Data were analysed for18 individuals from along c. 1500 km of the Western Ghats region. Genetic diversity is remarkably low, with a maximum uncorrected p-distance of 0.5%. These DNA sequences and new morphological data do not allow us to reject the null hypothesis that the sample comprises only a single, widely distributed, highly interconnected species. The phylogenetic signal among the data is extremely low. However, population genetic analyses reveal that the Palghat Gap, a c. 30 km discontinuity in the Western Ghats considered to be signiﬁcant in the biogeography of other organisms occurring in this region, corresponds to a signiﬁcant subdivision of long-tailed, unstriped Ichthyophis into two groups

Keywords: caecilians; Palghat Gap; phylogeny; population genetics; taxonomy.

This is a rather large species found in Northern Western Ghats. The eyes are distinct and surrounded by a light ring. The tentacle is placed closer to the lip and the eye. A dark brown or greyish brown species with no lateral stripes.

The following three names are presently considered to be junior synonyms of Ichthyophis bombayensis as it was recently shown that all the unstriped long-tailed Ichthyophis from Western Ghats showed little genetic variation.

• Ichthyophis malabarensis Southern Western Ghats. Known with certainty only from the type locality.

• Ichthyophis peninsularis Known only from the type specimen, exact locality not known.

• Ichthyophis subterrestris Known only from type specimen, from Western Ghats south of Palghat gap (Cochin and Travancore areas)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichthyophis_bombayensis

Gower, D. J.; M. Dharne, G. Bhatta, V. Giri, R. Vyas, V. Govindappa, O. V. Oommen, J. George, Y. Shouche & M. Wilkinson. 2007. Remarkable genetic homogeneity in unstriped, long-tailed Ichthyophis along 1500 km of the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Zoology 272 (3): 266–275. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00266.x .

http://www.doz.keralauniversity.edu/pdf/oommenvo/005.PDF

[Herpetology • 2005] Molecular phylogenetics of Sri Lankan Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae), with discovery of a cryptic species

2012-02-27T11:19:00.000+07:00

Abstract

Based on previous morphological analyses, the caecilian amphibian (Gymnophiona) fauna of Sri Lanka has been considered to consist of three endemic species of the ichthyophiid genus Ichthyophis, two of which have a lateral yellow stripe. We examined the relationships of Sri Lankan caecilians using partial sequences of mitochondrial 12S and 16S rRNA and cytochrome b genes for 18 Sri Lankan Ichthyophis from 14 localities. Based on the latest keys, these 18 samples represent one striped (I. glutinosus) and one unstriped (I. orthoplicatus) species. Sequences for these samples were aligned against previously reported sequences for Indian and Southeast Asian Ichthyophis, and analysed using parsimony, maximum likelihood, distance and Bayesian methods. Results from all methods are in close agreement. Inferred trees strongly support the

hypothesis that Sri Lankan caecilians are monophyletic, though their relationships to other Asian caecilians are unclear. While most of the striped specimens that key out as I. glutinosus comprise a clade, a small subset from a single locality are robustly recovered as more closely related to the unstriped I. orthoplicatus. These individuals are interpreted as a possibly new, morphologically cryptic species. The I. glutinosus clade is the most widespread among our samples, and it contains some weakly supported, but consistently recovered hierarchical structure. Most notably, all specimens from the southwestern corner of Sri Lanka comprise a clade, possibly representing a relatively recent dispersal from the central highlands.

Key words:– caecilians, evolution, mitochondrial DNA, Sri Lanka, systematics, taxonomy.

Gower, D.J., Bahir, M.M., Mapatuna, Y., Pethiyagoda, R., Raheem, D. and Wilkinson, M. 2005. Molecular phylogenetics of Sri Lankan Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae), with discovery of a cryptic species. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology Supplement: 153-161.:

http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/s12/s12rbz153-161.pdf

[Herpetology • 2008] Uraeotyphlus gansi • A new species of Uraeotyphlus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Uraeotyphlidae) of the malabaricus group

2012-02-27T10:46:00.000+07:00

Uraeotyphlus gansi 2008

Abstract

A new species of Uraeotyphlus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Uraeotyphlidae) of the malabaricus group is described from a type series of 21 specimens from the Western Ghats of southernmost Tamil Nadu, peninsular India. Three additional specimens are referred to the species. The new species differs from other species of the malabaricus group in its combination of total number of annuli, length of the tail (as measured by number of post-anal annuli), and numbers of teeth. By virtue of its sample size and precise locality data, the new species represents the best-known member of the recently described but poorly-known malabaricus group of Uraeotyphlus. The malabaricus group likely includes additional unrecognized species, but increased sample sizes and better locality data are required to assist the interpretation of available material.

Key words: Caecilians; Herpetology; India; Systematics; Western Ghats

Gower, D. J., Rajendran, A., Nussbaum, R. A., and Wilkinson, M. 2008. A new species of Uraeotyphlus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Uraeotyphlidae) of the malabaricus group. Herpetologica, 64(2), 235-245. http://www.bmnh.org/PDFs/DG_08_Herpetologica.pdf

[Herpetology • 2007] Uraeotyphlus oommeni • Species groups in the Indian Caecilian genus Uraeotyphlus Peters (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Uraeotyphlidae), with the description of a new species

2012-02-27T10:45:00.004+07:00

Uraeotyphlus oommeni

Abstract

A new species of Uraeotyphlus (Gymnophiona: Uraeotyphlidae) is described on the basis of a single, distinctive specimen from the Western Ghats of southern Kerala, India. This species is most similar to U. malabaricus (Beddome) in that it lacks a clear differentiation between primary annuli and their higher order secondary or tertiary) subdivision. The pattern of annulation among species of Uraeotyphlus falls into two clear types based on the differentiation of primary and higher-order annuli, and the number of annular divisions per vertebra and whether this varies along the body. This difference is reflected in our recognition of oxyurus-group (U. interruptus, U. menoni, U. narayani, U. oxyurus) and malabaricus-group (U. malabaricus and a new species described herein) species within Uraeotyphlus.

Key words: Caecilians; India; Systematics; Western Ghats

Gower, David J. and Mark Wilkinson, 2007. Species groups in the Indian Caecilian genus Uraeotyphlus Peters (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Uraeotyphlidae), with the description of a new species. Herpetologica 63(3):401-410 http://www.bmnh.org/PDFs/DG_07_Herpetologica.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Ichthyophis davidi | Chorla giant striped Ichthyophis • the largest striped Ichthyophis caecilian (Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the Western Ghats of India

2012-02-26T20:19:00.000+07:00

The Western Ghats, a hill chain of 1600 km running parallel to the west coast of India, is one of the amphibian hotspots. Gymnophiona in the Western Ghats is represented by 23 species, which 12 belong to Ichthyophiidae and 11 species to Caeciliidae. Under Ichthyophiidae, Ichthyophis and Uraeotyphlus

are the two genera containing five and seven species respectively. In the genus Ichthyophis, two forms of species are categorized: monocoloured species and species with yellow stripes. A total of four striped caecilians, namely Ichthyophis beddomei Peters, 1879 (Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu), Ichthyophis tricolor Annandale, 1909 (Kerala), Ichthyophis longicephalus Pillai, 1986 (Kerala) and Ichthyophis kodaguensis Wilkinson, Gower, Govindappa and Venkatachalaiah, 2007 (Karnataka and Kerala), and a monocoloured species Ichthyophis bombayensis Taylor, 1960 (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala) were described from the Western Ghats.

During our search for these subterranean, secretive vertebrates in the North Karnataka parts of the Western Ghats, we collected five specimens resembling each other which fit the generic diagnosis by Pillai and Ravichandran for Ichthyophis, but differ from all known striped caecilians of the Western Ghats,

including the recent description by Wilkinson et al. Our collections from northern Karnataka have a distinctive combination of features that distinguish them from all other described striped Ichthyophis, and here we describe this form as a new species.

Etymology: The species is named in honour of David Gower, Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum, London, in recognition of his contributions to Indian caecilian studies and we suggest the common name ‘Chorla giant striped Ichthyophis’.

Bhatta, Gopalakrishna; Dinesh, K. P.; Prashanth, P.; Kulkarni, Nirmal; Radhakrishnan, C. 2011. A new caecilian Ichthyophis davidi sp. nov. (Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae): the largest striped caecilian from the Western Ghats. Scientific Correspondence. 101 (08): 1015–1019.

http://cs-test.ias.ac.in/cs/Volumes/101/08/1015.pdf

The Hindu : States / Kerala : New amphibian discovered http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article2571128.ece

[Herpetology • 2009] Ichthyophis khumhzi, I. moustakius & I. sendenyu • Three new species of striped Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland

2012-02-26T20:04:00.001+07:00

Abstract

Three new ichthyophiid species, Ichthyophis khumhzi sp. nov., Ichthyophis moustakius sp. nov. and Ichthyophis sendenyu sp. nov., from the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland, are described on the basis of morphological analysis of new material. The new material (16 specimens) more than doubles the number of northeast Indian caecilian specimens reported in previous literature, and increases the caecilian fauna of the region to seven species. Two of the new species have very distinctive, moustache-like stripes between their tentacles and nares, a feature not reported in other ichthyophiids. Diagnoses, type descriptions, illustrations, data on variation, distribution, and natural history are provided for the new species. Concern for the conservation of northeast Indian caecilians is raised, given the paucity of previous work, evidence of unrecognized diversity, and ongoing habitat destruction.

Key words: caecilians, conservation, ichthyophiids, new species, northeast India, systematics

Kamei R.G., Wilkinson M., Gower D.J. & Biju S.D. 2009. Three new species of striped Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from the northeast Indian states of Manipur and Nagaland. Zootaxa, 2267: 26-42. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2009/f/z02267p042f.pdf

http://vitawater.ru/news/terra/newst45.shtml

[Herpetology • 2009] Ichthyophis alfredii, I. daribokensis & I. nokrekensis • Caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) of North East India with description of three new species of Ichthyophis from Garo Hills, Meghalaya

2012-02-26T19:51:00.003+07:00

the striped species of Ichthyophis of North East India.

1. Ichthyophis alfredii sp. nov.

2. Ichthyophis daribokensis sp. nov.

3. Ichthyophis nokrekensis sp. nov.

4. Ichthyophis garoensis Pillai and Ravichandran, 1999.

http://www.pdfdownload.org/pdf2html/view_online.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fzsi.gov.in%2Farchives%2FDecember_2009.pdf

From the Introduction: "Caecilians or limbless amphibians fall under the order Gymnophiona of the class amphibia. The mostly fossorial and tropical Ichthyophiidae and its sister Taxa Uraeotyphlidae are the only caecilian families restricted to Asia (Gower et al., 2002). They are believed to have been dispersed from India to South East Asia. The latter with a single genus is restricted to the Southern part of the Western Ghats. Ichthyophid taxonomy is not adequately established to enable a confident specific identification mostly because of their external similarity. The authors took a passionate interest to collect and study these animals from Northeast India, particularly Meghalaya and specifically from Garo Hills. Caecilians are popularly known as 'Chikil' to the people of Garo Hills."

Mathew & Sen, 2009 : Studies on caecilians (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) of North East India with description of three new species of Ichthyophis from Garo Hills, Meghalaya and additional information on Ichthyophis garoensis Pillai & Ravichandran, 1999. Records of the Zoological Survey of India. Occasional Papers, vol. 309, p. 1-56.

http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no63430/records-zoological-survey-india-studies-on-caecilians-amphibia-gymnophiona-ichthyophiidae-north-east-description-three-new-species-ichthyophis-garo-hills-meghalaya-occasional-paper-no-309-rosamma-mathew-nibedita-sen-additional-information-garoensis-pillai-ravichandran-1999

[Herpetology • 2007] Ichthyophis kodaguensis | Kodagu Striped Ichthyophis• A new species of Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from Karnataka, India

2012-02-26T19:31:00.001+07:00

Kodagu Striped Ichthyophis | Ichthyophis kodaguensis

Abstract

A new species of Indian striped Ichthyophis is described on the basis of six specimens from near the Western Ghats town of Madikeri, southern Karnataka (where it is sympatric with its congener I. beddomei), plus a seventh specimen of less certain provenance. The new species is distinguished from all other striped Ichthyophis by its combination of color, numbers of annuli and teeth, position of tentacular aperture, and the distribution and numbers of scale rows. A dichotomous key is provided to separate the four striped species of Ichthyophis of the Western Ghats.

Key words: Caecilians; Herpetology; South Asia; Systematics; Western Ghats

FIG. 1.— Holotype of Ichthyophis kodaguensis sp. nov. (BNHS 4179) Scale 5 20 mm.

Etymology.— The specific epithet reflects the provenance of the type specimens from the District of Kodagu (also known as Coorg) in Southern Karnataka, India.

Suggested common name.— Kodagu Striped Ichthyophis.

Conservation status.— We suggest that Ichthyophis kodaguensis is currently of ‘Data Deficient’ status by IUCN criteria. Although several specimens were collected in a single day from an agricultural habitat, more information is needed on the range and ecological requirements of this species before it could be considered unthreatened.

FIG. 2.— Holotype of Ichthyophis kodaguensis sp. nov. (BNHS 4179). From top to bottom: head and anterior of body in left lateral, dorsal and ventral views; terminus in ventral and lateral views. Finely dotted lines in drawings (from camera lucida sketches) indicate extent of lateral yellow stripes. Images not to scale.

Wilkinson,M., Gower, D.J., Govindappa, V. and Venkatachalaiah, G. 2007. A new species of Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from Karnataka, India. Herpetologica. 63: 511–518.

http://www.bmnh.org/PDFs/MW_07_Herpetologica.pdf

Bhatta, G., K.P. Dinesh, P. Prashanth & R. Srinivasa (2011). New site record of Ichthyophis kodaguensis Wilkinson et al., 2007 (Amphibia:Ichthyophiidae) in the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 3(9): 2104–2107.

http://threatenedtaxa.org/ZooPrintJournal/2011/September/o272926ix112104-2107.pdf

[Herpetology • 1999] Ichthyophis husaini & I. garoensis • Gymnophiona (Amphibia) of India - A taxonomic study

2012-02-26T19:20:00.002+07:00

Husain's Caecilian | Ichthyophis husaini

Husain's Caecilian | Ichthyophis husaini Pillai & Ravichandran, 1999

Garo Hills Caecilian | Ichthyophis garoensis Pillai & Ravichandran, 1999

http://lostspeciesindia.org/LAI2/wanted.php

Original name: Ichthyophis husaini;

Original Publication: Pillai and Ravichandran, 1999. Rec. Zool. Surv. India. Occasional Paper, 172: 36.

Last seen: 1983 (27 years): only from the original description based on a single specimen.

Type locality: “Thebronggiri Coffee Garden, Rongram, Garo Hills”, 25°37’03’’ N, 90°14’11” E, 506 m a.s.l., Meghalaya, India.

Type: Holotype, ZSIS 18426.

Notes: It was collected by A. Husain in 1983 and described by Pillai and Ravichandran in 1999.

IUCN status: Data Deficient (DD).

Pillai, R.S. and Ravichandran, M.S. 1999. Gymnophiona (Amphibia) of India - A taxonomic study. Records of the Zoological Survey of India (Occ. Paper) 172: 1-117.

[Herpetology • 1986] Ichthyophis longicephalus | Long-headed Caecilian • from Silent Valley in Kerala, the Western Ghats of India

2012-02-26T16:59:00.001+07:00

Long-headed Caecilian | Ichthyophis longicephalus Pillai, 1986

Lost Frogs Update: Caecilians, the “Snaky Frogs” of India | http://shar.es/g6icg

Range Description: This species is known with certainty only from Silent Valley in Kerala, north of the Palghat Gap, in the Western Ghats of India. Records from elsewhere in the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra, between 400 and 1,000m asl, require verification.

Pillai, R.S. 1986. Amphibian fauna of Silent Valley, Kerala, S. India. Records of the Zoological Survey of India: 229-242.

Sushil Dutta, Gopalakrishna Bhatta, David Gower, Mark Wilkinson, Oommen V. Oommen 2004. Ichthyophis longicephalus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 February 2012.

http://flickr.com/photos/84785721@N00/277326785/

Lost Frogs Update: Caecilians, the “Snaky Frogs” of India | http://shar.es/g6icg

[Herpetology • 1984] Ichthyophis bannanicus • The Discovery and Description of the New Species of Ichthyophis from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, southern China

2012-02-26T16:48:00.001+07:00

Live Ichthyophis bannanicus from Beiliu, Guangxi in 2010

Ichthyophis bannanica Yang. Holotype KIZ74001 female,

A. dorsal head, B. ventral head, C. left side of head

Ichthyophis glutinosus (Linnaeus),

a. dorsal head, b. ventral head, c. right side of head

(from the book "The Caecilians of the world" by Taylor, P29.)

New species Ichthyophis bannanica sp. nov.,

Ichthyophis glutinosus, Yang et Su 1976, Acta Zoologica Sinica vol 22(1):115.

Yang, D.-T. 1984. A new species of Ichthyophis - I. bannanica. Acta Herpetologica Sinica: 73-75.

Translated: The Discovery and Description of the New Species Ichthyophis bannanica

http://www.contemporaryherpetology.org/chis/1998/1/index.htm

http://paviavio.wordpress.com/2010/09/17/live-ichthyophis-bannanicus-found-in-china/

2012-02-26T15:48:00.000+07:00

[Herpetology • 1965] Asian caecilian Ichthyophis | New Asiatic and African caecilians with redescriptions of related species

2012-02-26T15:45:00.003+07:00

Long Bloee Caecilian | Ichthyophis atricollaris Taylor, 1965 (Borneo)

Angular Caecilian | Ichthyophis biangularis Taylor, 1965 (Borneo)

Billiton Island Caecilian | Ichthyophis billitonensis Taylor, 1965

(Billiton 'Belitung' - Sumatra)

Elongated Caecilian | Ichthyophis elongatus Taylor, 1965 (Sumatra)

Pattipola Caecilian | Ichthyophis orthoplicatus Taylor, 1965 (Sri Lanka)

Taylor's Caecilian | Ichthyophis pseudangularis Taylor, 1965 (Sri Lanka)

Taylor, E.H. 1965. New Asiatic and African caecilians with redescriptions of related species. University of Kansas Science Bulletin: 253-302.

http://biostor.org/reference/1118

[Herpetology • 1960] Asian caecilian Ichthyophis | On the caecilian species Ichthyophis glutinosus and Ichthyophis monochrous, with descriptions of related species

2012-02-26T15:42:00.002+07:00

Elongate-headed Caecilian | Ichthyophis acuminatus Taylor, 1960

Bombay Caecilian | Ichthyophis bombayensis Taylor, 1960

Mount Dulit Caecilian | Ichthyophis dulitensis Taylor, 1960

Javan Caecilian | Ichthyophis javanicus Taylor, 1960

Koh Tao Island Caecilian | Ichthyophis kohtaoensis Taylor, 1960

Mindanao Island Caecilian | Ichthyophis mindanaoensis Taylor, 1960

Siantar Caecilian | Ichthyophis paucisulcus Taylor, 1960

Sikkimese Caecilian | Ichthyophis sikkimensis Taylor, 1960

Singapore Caecilian | Ichthyophis singaporensis Taylor, 1960

Sumatra Caecilian | Ichthyophis sumatranus Taylor, 1960

Supachai's Caecilian | Ichthyophis supachaii Taylor, 1960

Doi Suthep Caecilian | Ichthyophis youngorum Taylor, 1960

Taylor, E.H. 1960. On the caecilian species Ichthyophis glutinosus and Ichthyophis monochrous, with descriptions of related species. University of Kansas Science Bulletin: 37-120.

http://biostor.org/reference/1004

[Herpetology • 2007] Sabahphrynus | new genus from Borneo • Taxonomic relationshiops of Ansonia anotis and Pedostibes maculatus with a description of a new genus (Amphibia, Bufonidae)

2012-02-26T15:29:00.004+07:00

Genus Sabahphrynus from http://amphibiaweb.org/

Abstract

Examination of types and recently collected specimens revealed that Ansonia anotis Inger, Tan, and Yambun, 2001 and Pedostibes maculatus (Mocquard, 1890), both described from Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, are hardly differentiated morphologically. Analyses of a total of 2,427 bp of the 12S rRNA, tRNAval, and 16S mitochondrial rRNA genes revealed that the two species are very close genetically. Thus A. anotis is regarded as conspecific and is synonymized with P. maculatus. Genetically, this species proved to form a lineage distinct from other bufonids from Southeast Asia, including species of Ansonia and Pedostibes. Because the species has also some unique morphological traits different from known bufonid genera, we propose to establish a new genus for Nectophryne maculata Mocquard, 1890.

Keywords: Malaysia, molecular phylogeny, new genus, Sabah, synonymy

Matsui, M., Yambun, P., and Sudin, A. 2007. Taxonomic relationshiops of Ansonia anotis Inger, Tan, and Yambun, 2001, and Pedostibes maculatus (Mocquard, 1890), with a description of a new genus (Amphibia, Bufonidae). Zoological Science, 24, 1159-1166. http://bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2108/zsj.24.1159

http://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/85317/1/zsj%252E24%252E1159.pdf

Inger, R.F., Tan, F.L. and Yambun, P. 2001. A new species of toad of the genus Ansonia (Anura: Bufonidae) from Borneo. Raffles. Bull. Zool. 49: 35–37

[Herpetology • 2012] Ansonia thinthinae | Tanintharyi Stream Toad • A new species of Ansonia (Anura: Bufonidae) from northern Tanintharyi Division, southern Myanmar

2012-02-26T15:29:00.003+07:00

Abstract

A new species of Ansonia is described from northern Tanintharyi Division, Myanmar. The new species is the first record of Ansonia from Myanmar. It is phylogenetically most closely related to A. kraensis at the Isthmus of Kra, Thailand, but can be distinguished from A. kraensis and all other species of Ansonia from Thailand and the Malay Peninsula by a combination of several morphological characters and dorsal and ventral color patterns.

Key words: Ansonia thinthinae, A. kraensis, stream toad, molecular phylogenetic analysis

Wilkinson J.A., Sellas A.B., Vindum J.V. 2012: A new species of Ansonia (Anura: Bufonidae) from northern Tanintharyi Division, Myanmar. Zootaxa. 3163: 54-58. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/z03163p068f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] Ansonia penangensis | Penang Slender Toad • Re-discovery and Re-description of Ansonia penangensis Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from Penang Island, Malaysia

2012-02-23T15:17:00.000+07:00

Penang Slender Toad | Ansonia penangensis

from Penang Hill, Penang, West Malaysia

Abstract

Ansonia penangensis Stocliczka 1870 is re-discovered from its type locality in Penang Hill from Penang Island, Malaysia after more than a century. The species was previously known only from the type series; two adults and a larval series collected in 1898, and had not been recorded since. An expanded description of this species is provided, based on four recently acquired specimens and corroborate the morphological differences between Ansonia penangensis, A. malayana and A. jeetsukumarani, with which A. penangensis has been confused.

Key words: Bufonidae, Ansonia penangensis, Penang Island, Malaysia, re-discovery

Penang Slender Toad | Ansonia penangensis

photo: Evan Quah S.H.

Natural history: All individuals were collected between 1900-2100 h, following periods of afternoon precipitation. All specimens were found on the ground amongst leaf litter near a trail in evergreen forest with a thin canopy and gaps in the canopy, approximately 300 m from a river (Figure 1e; N 05.44º, E 100.28º, 263 m elevation). Tadpoles were found, clinging onto the rocks in fast flowing portions of the river (Figure 1c). These observations are similar to the remarks made by Boulenger (1912) and Flower (1899) who noted the tadpoles of A. penangensis can be found in swift-flowing hill-streams. A partially metamorphosed froglet was also observed (Figure 1d). The tadpole and the partially metamorphosed froglet were not collected, but these findings indicate breeding by A. penangensis in this river.

Similar to other species of Ansonia that show very limited and specific ranges (Grismer 2006a,b; Wood et al. 2008, Matsui et al. 2009), A. penangensis is endemic only to Penang Island. Earlier reports by Berry, 1975 of this species occurring sympatrically with A. malayana is erroneous. Berry, 1975 never listed any vouchered specimens that were deposited at any museums or institutions. Exhaustive searches have not yielded any evidence of the presence of A. malayana on Penang Island.

FIGURE 1. (a) Ansonia penangensis (USMHC 0001) from Penang Hill, Penang, West Malaysia (b) Ventral view of A. penangensis (USMHC 0001)

(d) Partially metamorphosed froglet of A. penangensis (All photos: Evan Quah S.H.).

FIGURE 1. (e) Natural habitat of Ansonia penangensis (photo: Evan Quah S.H.).

Re-discovery and Re-description of Ansonia penangensis Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from Penang Island, Malaysia: http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/z02807p064f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2010] Phylogenetic relationships of Ansonia (Anura: Bufonidae) from Southeast Asia inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences: systematic and biogeographic implications

2012-02-23T14:33:00.000+07:00

A b s t r a c t

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships and estimated the history of species diversiﬁcation and biogeography in the bufonid genus Ansonia from Southeast Asia, a unique organism with tadpoles adapted to life in strong currents chieﬂy in montane regions and also in lowland rainforests. We estimated phylogenetic relationships among 32 named and unnamed taxa using 2461 bp sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA, tRNA, and 16S rRNA genes with equally-weighted parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods of inference. Monophyletic clades of Southeast Asian members of the genus Ansonia are well-supported, allowing for the interpretation of general biogeographic conclusions. The genus is divided into two major clades. One of these contains two reciprocally monophyletic subclades, one from the Malay Peninsula and Thailand and the other from Borneo. The other major clade primarily consists of Bornean taxa but also includes a monophyletic group of two Philippine species and a single peninsular Malaysian species. We estimated absolute divergence times using Bayesian methods with external calibration points to reconstruct the relative timing of faunal exchange between the major landmasses of Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Ansonia, Southeast Asia, Borneo, mtDNA, Phylogenetics, Speciation

Fig. 1. Map of Southeast Asia showing sampling localities of Ansonia species included in this study. Locality numbers are included in Table 1.

Table 1: Samples used for mtDNA analysis in this study together with the information on species identiﬁcation, voucher, provenance, and GenBan

Matsui, M., Tominaga, A., Liu, W. Khonsue, W. Grismer, L.L. Diesmos, A.C., Das, I., Sudin, A., Yambun, P., Yong, H.-S., Sukumaran, J. & Brown, R.M. 2010. Phylogenetic relationships of Ansonia from Southeast Asia inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences: systematic and biogeographic implications (Anura: Bufonidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 54:561–570.

http://www.lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/biology/Grismer_s_Publications/Ansonia_phylogeny.pdf

[Herpetology • 2009] Ansonia echinata • new Bufonid (Anura: Bufonidae) from Borneo

2012-02-23T14:15:00.002+07:00

Ansonia echinata Inger & Stuebing, 2009

Type locality: "Bukit Kana, Bintulu Division, Sarawak (2°39.363′ N 112°54.219′ E) [Malaysia] ... specimen collected at night perched on dead leaves at the edge of a small stream (3 m wide) in primary rain forest."

Holotype: FMNH 272784.

Inger, R.F. & R.B. Stuebing. 2009: New species and new records of Bornean frogs (Amphibia: Anura). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. Singapore, 57: 527-535.: http://rmbr.nus.edu.sg/rbz/biblio/57/57rbz527-535.pdf

[Herpetology • 2008] Ansonia latiffi & A. jeetsukumarani • Two new species of torrent-dwelling toads Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from peninsular Malaysia

2012-02-23T13:41:00.001+07:00

Abstract

Two new species of montane, torrent-dwelling toads of the genus Ansonia from Fraser’s Hill and Sungai Lembing, Pahang, West Malaysia are described based on morphological and color pattern characteristics. The new species from Sungai Lembing most closely resembles A. leptopus of Borneo but differs from it in numerous aspects of its mandibular asperites, degree of toe webbing, presence of warts at the angle of the jaw, size of tubercles around the tympanum, having an inner metatarsal tubercle, lacking rows of tubercles on the back, having paired vocal slits, and having a light dorsal spot between the scapulae. The new species from Fraser’s Hill most closely resembles A. malayana but differs from it in its greater degree of dorsal tuberculation, more webbing on the third and fifth toes and less webbing on the first and fourth toes, and various aspects of coloration. Finally, we express the importance of continuing to conduct montane surveys in remote areas as well as in those areas that are considered to be well-studied.

Key words: Ansonia; Banjaran Timur; Banjaran Titi Wangsa; Fraser’s Hill; Sungai Lembing; West Malaysia

FIG. 1.— Distribution of Ansonia on the Malay Peninsula. State boundaries are present only for Malaysia. Closed circles are the known localities for A. jeetsukumarani. Shaded circles are the known localities for A. latiffi.

Ansonia latiffi sp. nov.

Synonym: Ansonia leptopus Grandison 1972: 49

Ansonia sp. Dring 1979:188.

Holotype.— ZRC 1.12418, an adult female from the Sungai Lembing logging camp (3u 52.260 N; 103u 39 0.150 E), Pahang, West Malaysia, collected at 255 m on 1 August 2002 by J. A. McGuire, L. L. Grismer, J. L. Grismer, R. Escobar, Norsham, S. Y., and T. M. Youmans.

Natural history.— The Sungai Lembing specimens were collected between 2100 and 2300 h no more than 1 m above the ground from within rock cracks along a rock wall bordering a road cut at the edge of a closedcanopy hill dipterocarp forest. Small streams were within 100 m of the collection site but no tadpoles or calling males were observed. Additional specimens collected by Grandison (1972) from Gunung Benom were obtained in a 200 m stretch of a fast-flowing tributary of the River Krau about 500 m down stream from their base camp at 233 m bordering primary forest. Two more specimens were collected by Dring (1979) on the bank of the Sungai Kelebang at 43 m on Gunung Lawit.

Etymology.— The specific epithet honors Professor Dato’ Dr. Abdul Latiff Mohamad for his extensive contributions to the natural history of Malaysia and to the biologists studying Malaysian natural history.

Ansonia latiffi photo by http://iwana.com.my/

Ansonia jeetsukumarani sp. nov.

Figs. 7–11.

Synonym: Bufo penangensis, Smith, M. A. 1922:282.

Holotype.— ZRC 1.12413, a gravid female from a small stream along Bishop’s Trail (3u 43.2349 N; 101u 44.8919 E) at 1125 m on Fraser’s Hill, Pahang, West Malaysia collected on 26 August 2006 by L. Grismer, T. R. Szutz and T. M. Youmans.

Natural history.— All specimens were collected between 1930–2330 h on rocks and from small leaves approximately 0.5–1.5 m above the ground near small streams. All were found in closed canopy hill dipterocarp forest except for ZRC 1.12414, which was collected off a leaf above a roadside stream at the edge of a closed canopy forest. No tadpoles or calling males were observed at either locality.

Etymology.— The specific epithet honors Jeet Sukumaran for his past, present and future contributions to our knowledge of the biology of Malaysia’s amphibians and for his untiring and invaluable contributions as a

collaborator.

Ansonia jeetsukumarani photo by http://iwana.com.my/

Key to the Known Species of Ansonia

from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia

1. Large yellow wart at the angle of the jaw_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 2

Large yellow wart absent from the angle of the jaw_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 3

2. Dorsolateral row of enlarged tubercles present _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ansonia latirostra

Dorsolateral row of enlarged tubercles absent_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ansonia malayana

3. Maximum adult SVL $ 29 mm_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 4

Maximum adult SVL # 28 mm_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 5

4. First finger reaching the tip of the second_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ansonia lattifi

First finger not reaching the tip of the second _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 6

5. Light interscapular spot absent_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ansonia endauensis

Light spot interscapular present _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 8

6. First and second toes lacking phalanges free of webbing_ _ _ _Ansonia penangensis

First and second toes with all phalanges free of webbing_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 7

7. Body marked with greenish-yellow irregular lines_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Ansonia siamensis

Body lacking greenish-yellow lines _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ansonia tiomanica

8. Tubercle rows on back; gular spots present_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ansonia jeetsukumarani

Rows of dorsal tubercles absent; gular spots absent_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Ansonia kraensis

Wood, Perry L., Jr., L. Lee Grismer, Norhayati Ahmad and Juliana Senawi. 2008. Two new species of torrent-dwelling toads Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from peninsular Malaysia. Herpetologica. 64 (3): 321-340 : http://www.nhm.ku.edu/rbrown/Wood.etal08.jeetsukumarani.pdf

[Herpetology • 2006] Ansonia latirostra • A new species of Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 from central Peninsular Malaysia and a revised taxonomy for Ansonia from the Malay Peninsula

2012-02-23T11:14:00.002+07:00

Abstract

A new, montane species of Ansonia is described from the state of Pahang in central, peninsular Malaysia on the basis of having a unique combination of head, body, digit, and color pattern characteristics. This new species is similar to A. malayana, to which it is closest geographically, but differs greatly in aspects of head morphology and body tuberculation. A review of Ansonia from the Malay Peninsula demonstrates that the population of A. malayana from Tasan, Chumphon Province, Thailand is A. kraensis and A. penangensis from Ulu Tahan, Pahang in peninsular Malaysia is not conspecific with A. penangensis from Pulau Penang but an additional, undescribed species ranging throughout northwestern, peninsular Malaysia.

Key words: Bufonidae; Ansonia; Malaysia; Thailand; new species

Ansonia latirostra sp. n.

Holotype. ZRC 1.11559 (Fig. 2), an adult female from the Sungai Lembing logging camp (3° 52.26” N, 103° 3’.13” E), Pahang, Malaysia collected at 255 m elevation on 1 August 2002 by J. A. McGuire, J. L. Grismer, R. Escobar, P. L. Wood, Norsham, S. Y., and T. M. Youmans

Etymology. The specific epithet is in reference to this species’ wide snout.

Natural history. All individuals were collected during the evening from the same, small, rocky stream which runs through a closed-canopy portion of hill dipterocarp forest. All were perched no higher than two meters above the ground on leaves overhanging the streambed or on the tops of large rocks along the edge of the stream. No calling males were heard nor were any tadpoles observed.

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Ansonia on the Malay Peninsula and adjacent islands.

Grismer, L.L. 2006. A new species of Ansonia Stoliczka 1872 (Anura: Bufonidae) from central Peninsular Malaysia and a revised taxonomy for Ansonia from the Malay Peninsula. Zootaxa. 1327: 1-21.

http://www.lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/biology/Grismer_s_Publications/Ansonia_latirostra.pdf

Lee Grismer 2008. Ansonia latirostra. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 February 2012.

[Herpetology • 2006] Ansonia endauensis • A new species of Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from a lowland rainforest in Southern Peninsular Malaysia

2012-02-23T10:38:00.001+07:00

Ansonia endauensis

photo from: http://amphibia.my/

Abstract

A new, lowland species of Ansonia is described from the Endau-Rompin National Park in southern peninsular Malaysia based on having a unique eye color and dual vocal slits, as well as a unique combination of head, body, digit, and color pattern characteristics. This new species is the southernmost member of the genus in continental Asia and emphasizes the importance for additional field work in southern Malaysia.

Key words: Ansonia; Bufonidae; Endau-Rompin; Malaysia

FIG. 1.— Distribution of Ansonia in the Malay Peninsula and adjacent islands.

L. Lee Grismer, 2006: A new species of Ansonia Stoliczka, 1870 (Anura: Bufonidae) from a lowland rainforest in Southern Peninsular Malaysia. Herpetologica, 62 4:466–475

http://www.lasierra.edu/fileadmin/documents/biology/Grismer_s_Publications/Ansonia_endauensis.pdf

[Herpetology • 2005] Ansonia kraensis • A New Ansonia (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae) from the Isthmus of Kra, Thailand

2012-02-23T10:08:00.002+07:00

Kra Stream Toad | Ansonia kraensis

photo from: http://siamensis.org/content/3591

Abstract

A new species of torrent-dwelling bufonid frog of the genus Ansonia is described from the Isthmus of Kra, Thailand. Ansonia kraensis is morphologically similar to Malaysian A. malayana, but differs from it in ventral coloration and larval morphology. Occurrence of A. kraensis in this region suggests a heterogeneous nature of the anuran fauna between northern and southern regions of the Malay Peninsula.

Keywords: Ansonia new species, Ansonia malayana, Zoogeography, Thailand, Malay Peninsula

Range Description: This species is known only from the Isthmus of Kra in southern Thailand (Matsui et al., 2005). There are records from: Punyaban waterfall, Raksawarn Public Park, Ranong Spa, in Ranong Province; Klong Hat Som Pen, Muang, in Ranong Province; and Kao Lak, in Phang Nga Province (Matsui et al., 2005). In addition, specimens from Tasan, in southern Thailand, formerly considered to belong to Ansonia malayana, are now considered to belong to A. kraensis (Grismer, 2006). It is possible that other records of A. malayanus from southern Thailand might refer to this species. The type locality (Punyaban waterfall) is at 113m asl, but no information has been provided on its elevation range.

Ansonia kraensis : http://iucnredlist.org/

Masafumi Matsui, Wichase Khonsue, and Jarujin Nabhitabhata, 2005: A New Ansonia from the Isthmus of Kra, Thailand (Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae). Zoological Science, 22 7:809–814

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2108/zsj.22.809

http://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/65038/1/K021.pdf

[Herpetology • 1966] Ansonia tiomanica | Pulo Tioman Stream Toad • Observations on the Fauna of Pulau Tioman and Pulau Tulai. 6, The Amphibians

2012-02-23T09:47:00.000+07:00

Ansonia tiomanica Hendrickson, 1966 | Pulo Tioman Stream Toad

photo from http://amphibia.my/

Ansonia tiomanica is a species of toad in the Bufonidae family native to Malaysia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, rivers, inland karsts, and caves. It is threatened by habitat loss, and is classified as vulnerable by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species because it is known from only one location on Tioman Island, Malaysia.

Pulo Tioman stream toad | Ansonia tiomanica, dorsal view

http://arkive.org/pulo-tioman-stream-toad/ansonia-tiomanica/

Hendrickson, J.R. 1966. Observations on the Fauna of Pulau Tioman and Pulau Tulai. 6, The Amphibians. Bulletin National Museum, Singapore: 72-84.

[Herpetology • 2001] Ansonia anotis • A new species of toad of the genus Ansonia (Anura: Bufonidae) from Borneo

2012-02-22T19:57:00.000+07:00

Abstract

A new species of bufonid frog of the genus Ansonia is described from Sabah, northern Borneo. The new species is distinguished from others in the genus by absence of a tympanum. The tadpole assigned to this species is also distinguished from other known larvae of Ansonia by its possession of a distinct abdominal sucker behind the oral disc and by the absence of an upper jaw sheath. This species is the twelfth Ansonia known from Borneo.

Key words.- Bufonid frog, Ansonia, Borneo

Inger, R.F., Tan, F.L. and Yambun, P. 2001. A new species of toad of the genus Ansonia (Anura: Bufonidae) from Borneo. Raffles. Bull. Zool. 49: 35–37

Genus Sabahphrynus from http://amphibiaweb.org/

Matsui, M., Yambun, P., and Sudin, A. 2007. 'Taxonomic relationshiops of Ansonia anotis Inger, Tan, and Yambun, 2001, and Pedostibes maculatus (Mocquard, 1890), with a description of a new genus (Amphibia, Bufonidae). Zoological Science, 24, 1159-1166.

http://repository.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/2433/85317/1/zsj%252E24%252E1159.pdf

[Herpetology • 1998] Ansonia inthanon • A new Ansonia (Anura: Bufonidae) from northern Thailand

2012-02-22T19:43:00.000+07:00

Ansonia inthanon

Matsui, Nabhitabhata and Panha, 1998

photo from: http://siamensis.org/content/3590

Abstract

We describe a new species of torrent-dwelling bufonid frog of the genus Ansonia from northern Thailand. Ansonia inthanon is morphologically similar to Indian members of the genus but differs from them in ventral coloration and skin texture. Occurrence of this species in this region connects disjunctly distributed congeners from southern India and the Malay Peninsula and Borneo.

Key words: Ansonia new species; Ansonia ornata; Zoogeography; Thailand; India

Holotype: THNHM 51-001.

Type locality: "Siriphum waterfall, Doi Inthanon National Park (98° 32´ E, 18° 33´ N, altitude 1350 m) in Thailand".

FIG. 3.- Map of south and southeast Asia showing the distribution of the genus Ansonia (stippled) and the type locality of A. inthanon (star). Data for the distribution of the genus from Berry (1975), Dring (1983), Gunther (1875), Inger (1966), Inger and Dring (1988), Kiew (1984), and Pillai and Pattabiraman (1981).

Matsui, M., Nabhitabhata, J. and Panha, S. 1998. A new Ansonia from northern Thailand (Anura: Bufonidae). Herpetologica: 448-454. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3893438

[Herpetology • 1960] A review of the Oriental toads of the genus Ansonia Stoliczka

2012-02-22T19:18:00.003+07:00

Ansonia hanitschi | Ansonia longidigita

Ansonia malayana | Ansonia minuta

All photo from: http://frogsoftheworld.webs.com/

Ansonia malayana from: http://amphibia.my/

INTRODUCTION

The genus Ansonia Stoliczka has been distinguished from Bufo on the basis of larval and adult morphological characters, some of which are clearly related to the profound ecological differences between these genera (Inger, 1954). Conspicuous among these diagnostic and adaptive characters of Ansonia are: membranous webbing; slender body and long legs; streamlining of tadpoles; sucker- type oral disk of tadpoles; and relatively large and pigmentless ova. These modifications adapt Ansonia to a life in and along swift, rocky streams. Weak subarticular tubercles and lack of parotoid glands also distinguish Ansonia from Bufo, though they do not seem to be part of the adaptive complex.

Dr. Joseph Tihen, University of Notre Dame, has examined most of the species of Ansonia included in this paper in connection with his own studies on Bufonidae and has called attention to several other differences between Ansonia and Bufo (Tihen, 1960) . Most of the species of Ansonia have very long tensor fasciae latae, whereas in Bufo this muscle is short. The quadratojugal, which in Bufo always touches the maxilla, is reduced in Ansonia and rarely reaches the maxilla. Finally, a well-developed sharp ridge crosses the posterior portion of the parasphenoid in Ansonia but is absent in Bufo.

The tadpoles of Ansonia differ radically from those of Pedostibes Gunther and Pelophryne Barbour, the other abundant genera of Malaysian bufonids. The tadpole of Pedostibes has the subspherical body form and non-specialized oral disk of Bufo larvae. Larval Pelophryne, however, are extremely specialized for rapid development in very small pools of rain water; they apparently subsist during the entire larval period on yolk, have a degenerate oral disk, and lack a spiracle (Inger, 1960).

Adult Pelophryne differ from Ansonia in having the coccyx fused to the sacrum (movable joint in Ansonia) and provided with a broad, horizontal, flattened plate (coccyx laterally compressed in Ansonia).

In addition, the hands and feet of Pelophryne have a peculiarly thickened web. Adult Pedostibes differ from Ansonia in the possession of distinctly webbed outer fingers, dilated finger tips, well-developed subarticular tubercles, and parotoid glands. Pedostibes has marked arboreal tendencies.

Ansonia malayana Inger, 1960

Type locality: "4,000 feet in the Larut Hills, Perak, Malaya", Malaysia.

Holotype: BM 1900.9.26.16.

Ansonia longidigita Inger, 1960

Type locality: "4,200 feet on Mount Kina Balu, North Borneo", Malaysia (Borneo).

Holotype: BM 99.8.19.12.

Ansonia hanitschi Inger, 1960

Type locality: "Kadamaian River at 4,200 feet on Mount Kina Balu, North Borneo", Malaysia (Borneo).

Holotype: BM 99.8.19.13.

Ansonia platysoma Inger, 1960

Type locality: "Luidan River near Bundu Tuhan at 3,300 feet on Mount Kina Balu, North Borneo", Sarawak, Malaysia.

Holotype: FMNH 28213.

Ansonia albomaculata Inger, 1960

Type locality: "1,400-2,000 feet above sea level, in the headwaters of the Baleh River, Third Division, Sarawak", Malaysia (Borneo).

Holotype: FMNH 81975.

Ansonia minuta Inger, 1960

Type locality: "in primary forest at 450 feet above sea level at Matang, First Division, Sarawak", Malaysia (Borneo).

Holotype: FMNH 77424.

Inger, R.F. 1960. A review of the Oriental toads of the genus Ansonia Stoliczka. Fieldiana: Zoology: 473-503.

http://www.archive.org/stream/reviewoforiental3943inge/reviewoforiental3943inge_djvu.txt

http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ansonia

[Herpetology • 2008] Ecnomiohyla rabborum | Rabb's Fringe-Limbed Treefrog • Spectacular new gliding species of Ecnomiohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Central Panama

2012-02-21T10:35:00.000+07:00

a large adult male Ecnomiohyla rabborum (approximate SVL = 97 mm) showing some of the ventral coloration, and also the humeral spine (photo by B.Wilson, Atlanta Botanical Garden).

Abstract

We describe a new species of Ecnomiohyla from the vicinity of El Valle de Anton, Code, Panama. This is a large species that differs from similar species in the genus by details of the prepollex, webbing, and by the presence of a distinct expanded crista lateralis with medial proximal point. We provide descriptions of the adult and subadult, as well as the tadpole. We provide natural history information including observations of individuals gliding from the forest canopy, reproduction in tree holes, and male territoriality and care of the tadpoles. This species is currently known only from the immediate vicinity of El Valle de Anton, and we have observed numbers of this species in the wild to decrease dramatically following the recent epidemic of amphibian chytridiomycosis in the region.

Ecnomiohyla rabborum sp. nov.

Figures 1-4

Holotype.— UTA-A 58572, an adult female from Panama: Code: near El Valle de Anton, Rio de Jesus, 990 m. 08°37.968'N 080°04.604'W Obtained as a larva on 15 July 2005 by E. Griffith and H. Ross; raised in captivity until its death on 3 July 2007.

Etymology.— The specific epithet for this spectacular amphibian honors George B. and Mary S. Rabb for their career-long contributions to conservation of all biodiversity, and especially for their substantial support of programs to conserve the amphibians of the world. Additionally, with their direct support, there is now not only a greater understanding of the amphibians of the El Valle region of Panama but also some hope for their recovery in the wake of yet another example of the destructive power of an epidemic of chytridiomycosis

photo by Brad Wilson, DVM

| http://flickr.com/photos/frogdr/sets/72157623522925300/

Mendelson III, J.R., Savage, J.M., Griffith, E., Ross, H., Kubicki, B. and Gagliardo, R. 2008. Spectacular new gliding species of Ecnomiohyla (Anura: Hylidae) from Central Panama. Journal of Herpetology 42(4): 750 - 759.

http://si-pddr.si.edu/dspace/bitstream/10088/15931/1/stri_Mendelson_Savage_et_al_2008.pdf

IUCN - Extinction crisis continues apace: http://bit.ly/z1G58e

[Herpetology • 2011] A reptile survey in a dry deciduous forest fragment in northern Madagascar showing new records for the little-known snake Pararhadinaea melanogaster and a range extension for the skink Amphiglossus tanysoma

2012-02-20T15:18:00.001+07:00

Figure 3. Photographic documentation of some of the species encountered during this study; A. Sanzinia madagascariensis volontany; B. Furcifer pardalis; C. Uroplatus sp. aff. henkeli; D. Phisalixella variabilis.

Abstract

A small area within a fragment of unprotected secondary dry deciduous forest named Antsolipa, located between the protected areas of Montagne d’Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve in northern Madagascar, was surveyed for its reptile fauna over a ten-week period between July and September 2009, during the dry season. A combination of active searching, opportunistic collection as well as pitfall and funnel trapping yielded a total of 19 reptile species including 2 listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and 7 species on the CITES appendices. As this forest was previously unstudied, this survey provides the first inventory of reptile species for the area, also providing a new locality record for a little known species of colubrid snake, Pararhadinaea melanogaster, of which only six specimens were previously known from a few locations in Northern Madagascar. It is also the first locality where multiple specimens of this species have been observed. The discovery of a skink thought to be Amphiglossus tanysoma is also important, as this would be a northern range extension for this species. The fragmented forests in this area are under increasing threat from logging and clearing, and as few studies have been carried out in these unprotected areas their conservational importance remains poorly known. It is hoped that the results of this survey may help to highlight the rich species diversity contained within these forests, and hopefully lead to some form of official protection of what little remains of these potentially important habitats.

Keywords. Conservation, Threatened, IUCN, CITES, Colubrid, Lizard, Scincidae.

Figure 1. Location of the study site (12°46.13’ S, 49°09.38’ E) situated near the village of Tsarikabany between Montagne d’Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve.

Labanowski, R.J. and Lowin, A.J. 2011. A reptile survey in a dry deciduous forest fragment in northern Madagascar showing new records for the little-known snake Pararhadinaea melanogaster and a range extension for the skink Amphiglossus tanysoma. Herpetology Notes 4: 113-121.

http://www.frontier.ac.uk/Publications/Files/2011_05_23_16_26_04_703.pdf

[Herpetology • 2011] • Herpetological surveys of forest fragments between Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve, northern Madagascar

2012-02-20T15:06:00.000+07:00

FIGURE 3. Photographic documentation of some of the species found in the Tsarakibany area.

Plate A: Boophis roseipalmatus. Plate B: Leioheterodon modestus.

Plate C: Boophis cf. entingae. Plate D: Liophidium therezieni.

Abstract

Despite Madagascar being well known for its unique biodiversity and high levels of endemism, its herpetofauna remains understudied, especially outside protected areas. Here, we surveyed the herpetofauna within the fragmented dry deciduous forests of the Tsarakibany area, between Montagne d’Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve in northern Madagascar. We recorded 15 amphibian and 34 reptile species via active searching, pitfall trapping and opportunistic collection. Twenty of these species are considered regional endemics, six species are listed as Vulnerable or Near Threatened according to the IUCN Red List, and nine species are listed on the CITES appendices. This is the first study to inventory the herpetofauna of the unprotected landscape located between Montagne d’Ambre and Ankarana, and reports new localities for the little-known snake species Pararhadinaea melanogaster and Liophidium therezieni.

Key Words.— amphibians; Ankarana; conservation; Madagascar; Montagne d’Ambre; reptiles.

FIGURE 1. Map of the study area in northern Madagascar.

FIGURE 2. Topographic map of study area showing boundaries of Montagne d’Ambre National Park to the north and Ankarana Special Reserve to the south. Inset: GoogleEarth satellite image showing the surveyed forest fragments A, B and C (accessed 6 October 2010).

Durkin, L., Steer, M.D. and Belle, E.M.S. 2011. Herpetological surveys of forest fragments between Montagne d'Ambre National Park and Ankarana Special Reserve, northern Madagascar. Herpetological Conservation and Biology 6(1): 114-126.: http://www.herpconbio.org/Volume_6/Issue_1/Durkin_etal_2011.pdf

[Herpetology • 2010] Amphibians and reptiles of the Tsingy de Bemaraha plateau, western Madagascar: checklist, biogeography and conservation

2012-02-20T14:59:00.002+07:00

FIGURE 2. Unvouchered species that we recorded during the survey of Bemaraha National Park, western Madagascar: (A) Trachylepis elegans, (B) Furcifer cf. petteri, (C) Zonosaurus karsteni, (D) Leioheterodon modestus. (Photographed by C. Randrianantoandro).

Abstract

We surveyed the Tsingy de Bemaraha plateau in central-western Madagascar for amphibians and reptiles. We recorded 19 species of amphibians and 60 species of reptiles by opportunistic searching, bioacoustic identification (frogs), and pitfall trapping. Among the species recorded, 13% were previously unknown to science and a further 15% are of uncertain taxonomic status and possibly represent undescribed species. Of all the species recorded, 28% are endemic to the Bemaraha plateau and 48% appear to be dependent on forest habitat. Phylogenetic relationships of Bemaraha amphibians suggest a biogeographic link to eastern rainforests; whereas, those of reptiles demonstrate a link to the forests of northern Madagascar. We comment on former species records from the area and discuss conservation issues for amphibians and reptiles related to the habitat alteration observed in several parts of the protected area complex.

Key Words.— Amphibia; biogeography; checklist; conservation, endemism; Madagascar; Tsingy de Bemaraha; Reptilia.

FIGURE 1. Schematic map of the southern portion of the Tsingy de Bemaraha area, western Madagascar, with the names of survey sites: Antsalova (S1); Andranopasazy (S2); Andafiabe (S3); Bendrao Forest (S4); Ankily (S5); Anjaha (S6); Ankazomanga (S7); Ranotsara (S8); Ankilogoa (S9); Andolombazimba (S10).

Bora, P., J. C. Randrianantoandro, R. Randrianavelona, E. F. Hantalalaina, R. R. Andriantsimanarilafy, D. Rakotondravony, O. R. Ramilijaona, M. Vences, R. K. B. Jenkins, F. Glaw & J. Köhler (2010): Amphibians and reptiles of the Tsingy de Bemaraha plateau, western Madagascar: checklist, biogeography and conservation.- Herpetological Conservation and Biology 5 (1): 111-125

http://www.zsm.mwn.de/her/e/pub_glaw.htm

http://www.mvences.de/p/p2/Vences_B138.pdf

[Herpetology • 1991] Brookesia valerieae • Field observations on some dwarf chameleons (Brookesia spp.) from rainforest areas of Madagascar, with the description of a new species

2012-02-20T13:27:00.002+07:00

Six species of Brookesia dwarf chameleons were recorded during two rainforest expeditions in Madagascar. One of these is described as a new species Brookesia valerieae based on the arrangement of the nine pairs of dorso-lateral spines, the lack of a pelvic shield, and dorsal chevron markings. Observations were made on the defence and roosting behaviours shown by these six species. Aspects concerning the evolution and conservation in Madagascar are discussed for this poorly studied group of endemic Malagasy reptiles.

Brookesia valerieae sp. nov.
Holotype- Adult female, BM(NH) 1988.8, Manongarivo Special Reserve, north-west Madagascar, 14" 4' S, 48" 17' E, 350 m altitude, caught on the forest floor at midday by N. Quansah, collected by C. J. Raxworthy, 17.2.88.
The holotype is shown in Plates V and VI. It has been deposited at the British Museum (Natural History).

Etymology: This species of chameleon has been named for Valerie M. Raxworthy in recognition of her support towards this work in Madagascar.

Raxworthy, C. J. 1991. Field observations on some dwarf chameleons (Brookesia spp.) from rainforest areas of Madagascar, with the description of a new species. J. Zool., London 224: 11-25.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1991.tb04785.x/abstract