[Botany • 2019] Dendrobium nagataksaka (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species of Dendrobium Section Spatulata from Papua, Indonesia

Dendrobium nagataksaka Metusala

in Metusala, 2019. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.415.5.3

 facebook.com/GenerasiBiologi

Photo: Anton Tri Raharjo

Abstract

Dendrobium nagataksaka, a new species of Dendrobium section Spatulata (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) from Papua, Indonesian New Guinea, is described and illustrated. The flower of this new species is morphologically close to Dendrobium gouldii, but differs in having longer midlobe relative to the sidelobes which it is as long as the sidelobes, a different shape midlobe, and a different shape keels on lip.

Keywords: Dendrobium, Spatulata, Papua, Monocots

Dendrobium nagataksaka Metusala, sp. nov.  

Etymology:— The specific epithet “naga” (Bahasa Indonesia) means dragon and “taksaka” is the name of the ancient Indian, Javanese and Balinese mythical dragon. It refers to the shape of the flower which has erect petals and long protruding lip resembling the dragon’s head with long horns and long lip.

Destario Metusala. 2019. Dendrobium nagataksaka (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), A New Species of Section Spatulata from Papua, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 415(5); 271–278. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.415.5.3

facebook.com/GenerasiBiologi/photos/3031074470300651

Spesies baru dari anggrek telah ditemukan di Kabupaten Asmat, Papua, Indonesia. Secara morfologi, anggrek baru ini mirip Dendrobium gouldii, namun terdapat perbedaan pada bagian midlobe-nya.

Pemberian nama spesies "nagatatsaka" secara etimologi berasal dari kata "naga" dan "tatsaka", mitologi naga dari Jawa dan Bali.

Penggunaan nama naga karena bentuk bunga anggrek tersebut memiliki petal berdiri yang mirip seperti tanduk naga.

 

[Herpetology • 2019] Species Delimitation and Systematics of the Green Pythons (Morelia viridis complex) of Melanesia and Australia

in Natusch, Esquerré, Lyons, et al., 2019.

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106640

Highlights: 

• Heavily wild-harvested green pythons have long thought to comprise a single taxon.

• A geographically comprehensive molecular sampling reveals four cryptic taxa.

• Zones of contact between taxa occur at hithero unknown locations across New Guinea.

Abstract

Molecular data sets and the increasing use of integrative systematics is revealing cryptic diversity in a range of taxa – particularly in remote and poorly sampled landscapes like the island of New Guinea. Green pythons (Morelia viridis complex) are one of the most conspicuous elements of this island’s fauna, with large numbers taken from the wild to supply international demand for exotic pets. We test hypotheses about species boundaries in green pythons from across New Guinea and Australia with mitochondrial genomes, 389 nuclear exons, and comprehensive assessment of morphological variation. Strong genetic structuring of green python populations and species delimitation methods confirm the presence of two species, broadly occurring north and south of New Guinea’s central mountains. Our data also support three subspecies within the northern species. Subtle but consistent morphological divergence among the putative taxa is concordant with patterns of molecular divergence. Our extensive sampling identifies several zones of hitherto unknown biogeographical significance on the island of New Guinea. We revise the taxonomy of the group, discuss the relevance of our findings in the context of Papuan biogeography and the implications of our systematic changes for the conservation management of these taxa.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: CITES, New Guinea, Chondropython, biogeography, cryptic diversity, Papua, Indonesia

Morelia viridis

Python viridis Schlegel 1872: 54

Chondropython azureus Meyer 1874: 134

Chondropython pulcher Sauvage 1878: 37

Chondropython viridis Boulenger 1893: 90

Morelia viridis Kluge 1993

Morelia azurea azurea

Python viridis Schlegel 1872

Chondropython azureus Meyer 1874

Chondropython pulcher Sauvage 1878

Chondropython viridis Boulenger 1893

Morelia azurea Schleip & O’Shea 2010

Morelia azurea pulcher

Python viridis Schlegel 1872

Chondropython azureus Meyer 1874

Chondropython pulcher Sauvage 1878

Chondropython viridis Boulenger 1893

Morelia azurea Schleip & O’Shea 2010

Morelia azurea utaraensis subsp. nov.

Python viridis Schlegel 1872

Chondropython azureus Meyer 1874

Chondropython pulcher Sauvage 1878

Chondropython viridis Boulenger 1893

Morelia azurea Schleip & O’Shea 2010

Etymology: The name utaraensis is derived from the Indonesian language word for “north”. Morelia azurea utaraensis occurs in northern New Guinea, with its name meaning “from the north”.

Daniel J.D. Natusch, Damien Esquerré, Jessica A. Lyons, Amir Hamidy, Alan R. Lemmon, Emily Moriarty Lemmon, Awal Riyanto J. Scott Keogh and Stephen Donnellan. 2019. Species Delimitation and Systematics of the Green Pythons (Morelia viridis complex) of Melanesia and Australia. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, 106640. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106640

[Herpetology • 2019] Litoria pinocchio • Systematics of New Guinea Treefrogs (Litoria: Pelodrydidae) with Erectile Rostral Spikes: An Extended Description of Litoria pronimia and A New Species from the Foja Mountains

Litoria pinocchio 

Oliver,  Günther, Mumpuni & Richards, 2019

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4604.2.6 

 Griffith.edu.au

Abstract

A small number of treefrog species (Litoria) from Melanesia are unusual amongst Anura in having distinctive fleshy rostral spikes. Here, we first present an extended description for Litoria pronimia Menzies, a small species that is widespread along the southern edge of the Central Cordillera of New Guinea, and in which males have a long and erectile rostral spike. Second, we describe Litoria pinocchio sp. nov. a new, morphologically similar, yet geographically disjunct species from the Foja Mountains in northern Papua Province, Indonesia. The new species differs from Litoria pronimia in aspects of body shape, proportions and colouration. A review of variation in the size, structure and degree of sexual dimorphism of the rostral spike across different species of Litoria suggests varying function including mate selection and camouflage.

Keywords: Amphibia, Frog, Indonesia, mate selection, rostral ornamentation, sexual dimorphism

Litoria pinocchio sp. nov. holotype (MZB amph.15094) in life; lateral view with spike fully erected.

 Photograph: Tim Laman. 

Litoria pinocchio sp. nov.

Northern Pinocchio Treefrog

Etymology. In reference to Carlo Collodi’s fictional character Pinocchio, who had a nose that became longer when under stress or lying.

Litoria pinocchio sp. nov. holotype (MZB amph.15094) in life.

 Photograph: Tim Laman. 

Paul M. Oliver,  Rainer Günther, Mumpuni Mumpuni and Stephen J. Richards. 2019. Systematics of New Guinea Treefrogs (Litoria: Pelodryadidae) with Erectile Rostral Spikes: An Extended Description of Litoria pronimia and A New Species from the Foja Mountains. Zootaxa. 4604(2); 335-348. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4604.2.6

Frog discoveries have scientists hopping app.secure.Griffith.edu.au/news/2019/06/07/frog-discoveries-have-scientists-hopping 

twitter.com/AmphSpecWorld/status/1128397639676985344
New Pinocchio frog species has a strange, pointy nose on.natgeo.com/2EXB9rP @NatGeo

[Herpetology • 2019] Litoria pterodactyla & L. vivissimia • Two New Species of Treefrog (Pelodrydidae: Litoria) from southern New Guinea elucidated by DNA Barcoding

Litoria vivissimia 

Oliver, Richards & Donnellan, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4609.3.4 

Abstract

New Guinea is home to the world’s most diverse insular frog biota, but only a small number of taxa have been included in genetically informed assessments of species diversity. Here we describe two new species of New Guinea treefrog in the genus Litoria that were first flagged during assessments of genetic diversity (DNA barcoding) and are currently only known from the holotypes. Litoria pterodactyla sp. nov. is a large green species in the Litoria graminea species complex from hill forests in Western Province, Papua New Guinea and is the third member of this group known from south of the Central Cordillera. Litoria vivissimia sp. nov. is a small, spike-nosed species from mid-montane forests on the Central Cordillera. It is morphologically very similar to Litoria pronimia, but occurs nearly 1000 m higher than any known locality for that species. More extensive genetically informed assessment of diversity in New Guinea frogs seems certain to reveal many more as-yet-unrecognised taxa in complexes of morphologically similar species.

Keywords: Amphibia, Frog diversity, genetic diversity, Papua New Guinea, parachuting, rostral projection, species complex

 Litoria vivissimia sp. nov. SAMA R71127 from Tabubil, Western Province.

Photograph by S. Richards.

Paul M. Oliver, Stephen J. Richards and Stephen C Donnellan. 2019. Two New Species of Treefrog (Pelodrydidae: Litoria) from southern New Guinea elucidated by DNA Barcoding. Zootaxa. 4609(3); 469–484.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4609.3.4

[Herpetology • 2019] Leap-frog Dispersal and Mitochondrial Introgression: Phylogenomics and Biogeography of Limnonectes Fanged Frogs in the Lesser Sundas Archipelago of Wallacea

  (b) Limnonectes dammermani occurs on Lombok. 

(c) L. kadarsani occurs on Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Adonara and Lembata.  

(a) Map of southern Wallacea.

in Reilly, Stubbs, Karin, et al., 2019. 

  DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13526  

(Photos: J. McGuire)  twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

Abstract

Aim: The Lesser Sunda Islands are situated between the Sunda and Sahul Shelves, with a linear arrangement that has functioned as a two‐way filter for taxa dispersing between the Asian and Australo‐Papuan biogeographical realms. Distributional patterns of many terrestrial vertebrates suggest a stepping‐stone model of island colonization. Here we investigate the timing and sequence of island colonization in Asian‐origin fanged frogs from the volcanic Sunda Arc islands with the goal of testing the stepping‐stone model of island colonization.

Location: The Indonesian islands of Java, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores and Lembata.

Taxon: Limnonectes dammermani and L. kadarsani (Family: Dicroglossidae)

Methods: 

Mitochondrial DNA was sequenced from 153 frogs to identify major lineages and to select samples for an exon‐capture experiment. We designed probes to capture sequence data from 974 exonic loci (1,235,981 bp) from 48 frogs including the outgroup species, L. microdiscus. The resulting data were analysed using phylogenetic, population genetic and biogeographical model testing methods.

Results: 

The mtDNA phylogeny finds L. kadarsani paraphyletic with respect to L. dammermani, with a pectinate topology consistent with the stepping‐stone model. Phylogenomic analyses of 974 exons recovered the two species as monophyletic sister taxa that diverged ~7.6 Ma with no detectable contemporary gene flow, suggesting introgression of the L. dammermani mitochondrion into L. kadarsani on Lombok resulting from an isolated ancient hybridization event ~4 Ma. Within L. kadarsani, the Lombok lineage diverged first while the Sumbawa and Lembata lineages are nested within a Flores assemblage composed of two parapatrically distributed lineages meeting in central Flores. Biogeographical model comparison found strict stepping‐stone dispersal to be less likely than models involving leap‐frog dispersal events.

Main conclusions: 

These results suggest that the currently accepted stepping‐stone model of island colonization might not best explain the current patterns of diversity in the archipelago. The high degree of genetic structure, large divergence times, and absent or low levels of migration between lineages suggests that L. kadarsani represents five distinct species.

Keywords: amphibians, exon‐capture, genomics, Indonesia island, biogeography, phylogeography

Figure 1: (a) Map of southern Wallacea. (b) Limnonectes dammermani occurs on Lombok and (c) L. kadarsani occurs on Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Adonara and Lembata (Photos: J. McGuire)

Sean B. Reilly, Alexander L. Stubbs, Benjamin R. Karin, Ke Bi, Evy Arida, Djoko T. Iskandar and Jimmy A. McGuire. 2019. Leap-frog Dispersal and Mitochondrial Introgression: Phylogenomics and Biogeography of Limnonectes Fanged Frogs in the Lesser Sundas Archipelago of Wallacea. Journal of Biogeography. DOI: 10.1111/jbi.13526   

twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1118930654647943169

[Ichthyology • 2019] Eviota gunawanae • A New Microendemic Dwarfgoby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia

Eviota gunawanae Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann 

in Greenfield, Tornabene, Erdmann & Pada, 2019.

 Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32

 DOI:10.5281/zenodo.26167   twitter.com/FishEvoLuke

Abstract

A new species of dwarfgoby, Eviota gunawanae, with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only the IT and NA pores and with the AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly, is described from the Fakfak Peninsula in the Bird’s Head Seascape of western New Guinea, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It has a dorsal/anal-fin-ray formula of 8/7, 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays, the fifth pelvic-fin ray present, very long anterior tubular nares, a distinctive double black spot at the caudal-fin base, and no narrow horizontal line of melanophores crossing the pectoral-fin base. In life, it has a maroon stripe down the midline of the body, with elongate white spots above it posteriorly and two white lines over the abdomen. E. gunawanae is most closely related to E. tetha. The new species appears to represent the eighth known microendemic fish species from this remote reef location in West Papua, highlighting the biodiversity conservation importance of the Fakfak Peninsula’s reefs.

Key words: taxonomy, systematics, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, endemism, microendemism, phylogenetics, Bird’s Head Seascape, conservation, Eviota tetha

Eviota gunawanae n. sp.

underwater photograph, Fakfak, West Papua Province, Indonesia

 (photos: M.V. Erdmann). 

Eviota gunawanae, n. sp. Greenfield, Tornabene & Erdmann

Tiene’s Dwarfgoby

Diagnosis. A species of Eviota with a cephalic sensory-canal pore pattern lacking only IT and NA pores and with AITO pore positioned far forward and opening anteriorly; very long anterior tubular nares; dorsal/anal-finray formula 8/7; 16 unbranched pectoral-fin rays; fifth pelvic-fin ray about 10% length of the fourth pelvic-fin ray; a black spot at caudal-fin base in two joined parts extending anteriorly past end of hypural plate; top of head with scattered melanophores, sometimes arranged in lines, but not as a single line of melanophores extending posteriorly from PITO pore back onto nape. In life, a maroon stripe down midline of body with elongate white spots above stripe posteriorly and two white lines over abdomen.

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Dr. Tiene Gunawan, one of Indonesia’s foremost marine conservationists who has dedicated the past two decades to expanding the marine protected area network of West Papua and formulating policies to protect the biodiverse marine ecosystems contained therein. Dr. Gunawan also helped plan and launch the marine biodiversity survey of the Fakfak coastline that led to the discovery of this species.

Distribution and habitat. Currently known only from Karas Island in the Fakfak Regency, West Papua Province, Indonesia. It is presumably more widespread along the poorly-explored Fakfak coastline, but unlikely to be found in the very well-surveyed Raja Ampat Islands to the north. The species was found in a relatively unusual deepwater-reef environment consisting of large foliose and plating corals on a gentle slope from 35–55m depth, exposed to moderate currents but otherwise protected from wave energy.

  

David W. Greenfield, Luke Tornabene, Mark V. Erdmann and Defy N. Pada. 2019. Eviota gunawanae, A New Microendemic Dwarfgoby from the Fakfak Peninsula, West Papua, Indonesia (Teleostei: Gobiidae). Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 32; 57–67. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.26167  

 twitter.com/FishEvoLuke/status/1112830189908549632

[Botany • 2018] Bruguiera × dungarra (Rhizophoraceae) • A New Hybrid between Mangrove Species B. exaristata and B. gymnorhiza recently discovered in north-east Australia

Bruguiera × dungarra  N.C.Duke & Hidetoshi Kudo

in Duke & Kudo, 2018. 

  DOI:  10.3767/blumea.2018.63.03.03

Abstract

Bruguiera × dungarra (Rhizophoraceae), a previously undescribed hybrid species between B. exaristata and B. gymnorhiza is recorded from north-east Australia. Eight taxa are currently recognised in this Indo West Pacific genus, including three putative hybrids. The newly described hybrid is widely occurring, and it is described here with notes provided on typification, phenology, distribution and habitat. A revised identification key to all Bruguiera taxa is presented, along with a table of comparative diagnostic characters.

Keywords: Bruguiera × dungarra; Rhizophoraceae; hybrid; identification key; intermediate; mangrove; taxonomy

Fig. 4 Bruguiera × dungarra N.C.Duke & Kudo, hybrid nov. a. Foliage with inflorescences; b. trunk and exposed roots; c. habit; d. bark; e. leaves upper and lower surfaces; f. open and closed flower buds; g. leafy rosette with flower buds and mature propagule; h. mature hypocotyl; l. leaf scar node; j. colleter at inner base of interpetiolar stipule; k. petal dehisced and open; l. calyces of mature propagule, expended flower and closed flower bud; m. diagram of open petal (bar length = 10 mm); n. sectioned flower bud showing petals and style. — Collection field reference images for Hidetoshi Kudo & Brian Venables, HK190916A, (CNS!), Cairns, Machans Beach.

Bruguiera × dungarra N.C.Duke & Hidetoshi Kudo, hybrid nov.

Etymology. The location of the type of this new hybrid occurs on the ancestral lands of the Yirrganydji people. For these traditional custodians of the narrow coastal strip from Cairns to Port Douglas, the epithet Dungarra means, ‘belonging to Machans Beach area’.

Distribution — Type location is Machans Beach, near Cairns in Queensland,Australia. Other localities include Holloways Beach also near Cairns in Queensland, Australia, south to around Hinchinbrook Channel and Shoalwater Bay, and further north to the Marrett River estuary in Princess Charlotte Bay. Distribution elsewhere is likely, although possibly restricted to the zone of overlap of putative parents (Fig. 3). Putative parent species co-occur in eastern Indonesia, Timor Leste, southern New Guinea and northern Australia. In Australia, B. × dungarra is likely to occur from Darwin Harbour in the Northern Territory to Port Curtis in Queensland. 

Ecology & Local influences — Uncommon hybrid in the midhigh intertidal zone of intermediate estuarine position (sensu Duke 2006). Often in proximity of stands of higher intertidal B. exaristata, and mid-high intertidal B. gymnorhiza.

Norm C. Duke and Hidetoshi Kudo. 2018. Bruguiera × dungarra, A New Hybrid between Mangrove Species B. exaristata and B. gymnorhiza (Rhizophoraceae) recently discovered in north-east Australia. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants.  DOI:  10.3767/blumea.2018.63.03.03

A Cairns-based citizen scientist has made yet another remarkable discovery. 

 jcu.edu.au/news/releases/2018/november2/citizen-scientists-third-remarkable-discovery

[Ornithology • 2018] Molecular Phylogenetics and Species Limits in A Cryptically Coloured Radiation of Australo-Papuan Passerine Birds (Pachycephalidae: Colluricincla)

in Marki, Fjeldså, Irestedt & Jønsson, 2018.

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.02.029 

Highlights: 

• A time-calibrated molecular phylogeny of all shrikethrushes (Colluricincla).

• C. megarhyncha consists of seven unrecognized species.

 • A new taxonomy for C. megarhyncha is proposed.

 • C. megarhyncha melanorhyncha belongs in the genus Pachycephala.

Abstract

Detailed knowledge of species limits is an essential component of the study of biodiversity. Although accurate species delimitation usually requires detailed knowledge of both genetic and phenotypic variation, such variation may be limited or unavailable for some groups. In this study, we reconstruct a molecular phylogeny for all currently recognized species and subspecies of Australasian shrikethrushes (Colluricincla), including the first sequences of the poorly known C. tenebrosa. Using a novel method for species delimitation, the multi-rate Poisson Tree Process (mPTP), in concordance with the phylogenetic data, we estimate species limits in this genetically diverse, but phenotypically subtly differentiated complex of birds. In line with previous studies, we find that one species, the little shrikethrush (C. megarhyncha) is characterized by deep divergences among populations. Delimitation results suggest that these clades represent distinct species and we consequently propose a new classification. Furthermore, our findings suggest that C. megarhyncha melanorhyncha of Biak Island does not belong in this genus, but is nested within the whistlers (Pachycephala) as sister to P. phaionota. This study represents a useful example of species delimitation when phenotypic variation is limited or poorly defined.

Keywords: Passerine birds, Corvides, Australia, New Guinea, Cryptic species, Species delimitation

Fig. 2. A time-calibrated maximum clade credibility tree of Colluricincla shrikethrushes derived from the divergence estimation of the one mitochondrial gene and three nuclear introns in BEAST. Posterior probabilities are shown for major nodes. Error bars show the 95% highest posterior density intervals for the divergence time estimates. Vertical bars indicate the species identified by the mPTP-approach. Species names reflect the new taxonomy proposed in this study. Illustrations are watercolours by Jon Fjeldså and show all eleven delimited species. For species that exhibit significant within-species morphological variation, multiple illustrations are shown.

Fig. 1. Sampling localities for the 129 sequences included in this study. Colours and taxon names refer to the eleven species delimited in this study. 

Conclusion: 

In this study, we present a densely sampled molecular phylogeny for the Australasian shrikethrushes. Our results suggest that species diversity within this complex is underestimated, and we consequently propose a revised classification. Nonetheless, we view our proposed taxonomy as preliminary and hope that this study may stimulate further study of species limits in this group. In particular, we believe that increased study of behaviour, contact zone dynamics and vocalizations coupled with the analysis of genome-wide data are likely to be promising in this respect.

 Petter Z. Marki, Jon Fjeldså, Martin Irestedt and Knud A. Jønsson. 2018. Molecular Phylogenetics and Species Limits in A Cryptically Coloured Radiation of Australo-Papuan Passerine Birds (Pachycephalidae: Colluricincla). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 124; 100-105. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.02.029 

[Mammalogy • 2018] Phylogenetic Analysis of the Tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus) Reveals Multiple Divergent Lineages within New Guinea

Lumholtz's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzii), one of two species found in the wet tropics of north-east Queensland, Australia.  (Photo: N. Chaffer).

in Eldridge,  Potter, Helgen, et al. 2018.

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.05.030 

hermonslade.org.au

Highlights

• DNA sequence data obtained from 14 of the 17 tree-kangaroo subspecies.

• Paraphyletic long-footed and monophyletic short-footed groups were identified.

• Six major genetic lineages were present, one in Australia and five in New Guinea.

• Episodes of diversification occurred during the late Miocene and Plio-Pleistocene.

• Species-level divergences within current taxa necessitate taxonomic adjustments.

Abstract

Amongst the Australasian kangaroos and wallabies (Macropodidae) one anomalous genus, the tree-kangaroos, Dendrolagus, has secondarily returned to arboreality. Modern tree-kangaroos are confined to the wet tropical forests of north Queensland, Australia (2 species) and New Guinea (8 species). Due to their behavior, distribution and habitat most species are poorly known and our understanding of the evolutionary history and systematics of the genus is limited and controversial. We obtained tissue samples from 36 individual Dendrolagus including representatives from 14 of the 17 currently recognised or proposed subspecies and generated DNA sequence data from 3 mitochondrial (3116 bp) and 5 nuclear (4097 bp) loci. Phylogenetic analysis of these multi-locus data resolved long-standing questions regarding inter-relationships within Dendrolagus. The presence of a paraphyletic ancestral long-footed and derived monophyletic short-footed group was confirmed. Six major lineages were identified: one in Australia (D. lumholtzi, D. bennettianus) and five in New Guinea (D. inustus, D. ursinus, a Goodfellow’s group, D. mbaiso and a Doria’s group). Two major episodes of diversification within Dendrolagus were identified: the first during the late Miocene/early Pliocene associated with orogenic processes in New Guinea and the second mostly during the early Pleistocene associated with the intensification of climatic cycling. All sampled subspecies showed high levels of genetic divergence and currently recognized species within both the Doria’s and Goodfellow’s groups were paraphyletic indicating that adjustments to current taxonomy are warranted.

Keywords: Marsupialia; evolution; biogeography; ancestral state; morphology

Lumholtz's tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzii), one of two species found in the wet tropics of north-east Queensland, Australia.

(Photo: N. Chaffer).

http://www.hermonslade.org.au/projects/HSF_10_8/hsf_10_8.html

....

Thus we recommend the recognition of 13 previously described taxa as species within Dendrolagus, two in Australia (lumholtzi, bennettianus) and 11 in New Guinea (inustus, ursinus, mbaiso, dorianus, notatus, stellarum, scottae, spadix, matschiei, pulcherrimus, goodfellowi). However, further changes to Dendrolagus taxonomy may occur as the result of ongoing studies and the addition of currently unsampled taxa. In the future we aim to utilize museum specimens to increase sample number and geographic coverage, as well as utilizing genomic approaches (e.g. Bi et al., 2013; Mason et al., 2011;  Rowe et al., 2011) to increase the data available to resolve relationships and elucidate evolutionary history.

Mark D.B. Eldridge, Sally Potter, Kristofer M. Helgen, Martua H. Sinaga, Ken P. Aplin, Tim F. Flannery and Rebecca N. Johnson. 2018.  Phylogenetic Analysis of the Tree-kangaroos (Dendrolagus) Reveals Multiple Divergent Lineages within New Guinea. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.05.030

Conservation genetics of tree-kangaroos

 hermonslade.org.au/projects/HSF_10_8/hsf_10_8.html

   

[Ornithology • 2018] Distinctive Courtship Phenotype of the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise Lophorina niedda Mayr, 1930 Confirms New Species Status

Cape presentation display of superba and niedda. The visual form of this display is the quintessential feature of courtship in the genus Lophorina. 

(A, C, E) Lophorina superba (Forster, 1781)

(B, D, F) Lophorina niedda Mayr, 1930

in Scholes​ & Laman, 2018. 

   DOI:  10.7717/peerj.4621 

Lophorina niedda Mayr, 1930

   

Abstract 

The birds-of-paradise (Aves: Paradisaeidae) are a quintessential example of elaborate ornamental diversification among animals. Ornamental evolution in the birds-of-paradise is exemplified by the presence of a highly integrated courtship phenotype, which is the whole package of plumage ornaments, behaviors and sounds that each species uses during courtship. Characterizing a species’ courtship phenotype is therefore a key part of evolutionary and taxonomic investigation in the group. With its unprecedented transmogrification from bird-like form into something abstract and otherworldly, the courtship phenotype of the Superb Bird-of-Paradise, Lophorina superba, is one of the most remarkable of all. Recent research by Irestedt et al. (2017) suggests that the genus Lophorina is not a single species but is likely a complex of three allopatric species spanning the island of New Guinea: L. niedda in the Bird’s Head Peninsula of the west, L. superba throughout the central cordillera and L. minor in the Papuan Peninsula of the east. Of these, niedda is the most phenotypically divergent with plumage traits hypothesized to possibly produce differences in ornamental appearance during display. However, the whole courtship phenotype of niedda has not been documented and so the actual extent of differences in ornamental appearance during courtship remain unknown. Here we analyze the first audiovisual recordings of niedda and compare its courtship phenotype with superba to test the hypothesis of potential differences in ornamental appearance. Our main goals are to: (1) provide the first description of the courtship phenotype of niedda in the wild, (2) determine if and how the niedda courtship phenotype differs from superba and (3) evaluate any uncovered differences in light of niedda’s newly recognized species status. Our secondary goal is to provide a more thorough characterization of courtship phenotype diversity within the genus Lophorina to facilitate future comparative study within the genus and family. Results show that the niedda courtship phenotype differs substantially from superba in numerous aspects of ornamental appearance, display behavior and sound. We highlight six key differences and conclude that the new species status of niedda is corroborated by the distinctly differentiated ornamental features documented here. With full species status, niedda becomes the fourth endemic bird-of-paradise to the Bird’s Head region of Indonesian New Guinea (i.e., the Vogelkop Peninsula), a fact that underscores the importance of this region as a center of endemic biodiversity worthy of enhanced conservation protection.

Figure 4: Pointing display of niedda as viewed by a female. The white arrow points to a female plumaged bird (and presumed female) observing the male on his display log. Note how the breast shield remains sleeked against the breast and is effectively invisible—its lateral tips concealed (shadowed) by the protruding “wings” of the cape. In this context, the eye-spots reflect so brightly relative to the super-black plumage of the rest of the male that they look like a pair of headlights “shining” toward the female. This “headlight pose” with the wing-like cape results in a very different appearance from the pointing display of superba. Image credit/source: Tim Laman/ML487540. 

Figure 5: Cape presentation display of superba and niedda. The visual form of this display is the quintessential feature of courtship in the genus Lophorina. In both superba and niedda (A and B), cape-flapping increases in intensity. In niedda (B), the increase is greater because the wings are lifted higher over the back and then flicked open and shut in the exaggerated manner of superba. Simultaneously, the breast is thrust forward so that the breast shield becomes fully expanded and conspicuous with its reflective surface angled toward the approaching female. In superba (C), the cape is lifted into presentation position before to female arrives on the log. In L. niedda (D), wing-flick/cape-flaps continue for several more bouts after the female arrives and before the cape is put into presentation position. The appearance of the cape presentation phenotype differs dramatically between superba (E) and niedda (F).

 Image credit/source: (A, C and E) Edwin Scholes/ML458003, (B) Tim Laman/ML487538 (D and F) Tim Laman/ML487557.

Conclusions

Given the substantial differences in so many aspects of the niedda courtship phenotype combined with the acute geographic isolation of niedda populations from superba populations, leaves little doubt that niedda deserves full species status as proposed by Irestedt et al. (2017).

The species validity niedda underscores the importance of Indonesian New Guinea’ Bird’s Head and Bird’s Neck eco-regions (i.e., the Vogelkop Peninsula) as a center of endemic biodiversity that deserves particular attention from the conservation community. Among birds-of-paradise alone, L. niedda now joins the three other montane species endemic to the region (Astrapia nigra, Paradigalla longicuda, and Parotia sefilata) and opens the door for additional systematic scrutiny of the entire avifauna of the Bird’s Head (Vogeklop) region, including the other birds-of-paradise at middle and upper elevations (e.g., Drepanonris albertisi and Epimachus fastosus). Given that the Bird’s Head region was the first part of New Guinea to be ornithologically explored, and discovery of new species of birds-of-paradise was the main driver of exploration, it is surprising that the distinctive features of the niedda courtship phenotype, and therefore the species status of this unique population, have remained elusive for so long. Yet this fact underscores the need for continued exploration of New Guinea’s forests and further systematic investigation of all taxa, including those like the avifauna which are often considered to be relatively well known.

Edwin Scholes​ and Timothy G. Laman. 2018.   Distinctive Courtship Phenotype of the Vogelkop Superb Bird-of-Paradise Lophorina niedda Mayr, 1930 Confirms New Species Status. PeerJ. 6:e4621.   DOI:  10.7717/peerj.4621

 twitter.com/thePeerJ/status/986123096997449728

Martin Irestedt, Henrique Batalha-Filho, Per G. P. Ericson FLS, Les Christidis and Richard Schodde. 2017. Phylogeny, biogeography and taxonomic consequences in a bird-of-paradise species complex, Lophorina–Ptiloris (Aves: Paradisaeidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.  181(2); 439–470. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlx004 

[Ornithology / Ecology • 2018] Synergistic Selection Regimens drive the Evolution of Display Complexity in Birds of Paradise

in Miles & Fuxjager, 2018.   
 DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12824
  twitter.com/FuxjagerLab

 Abstract

1 .Integrated visual displays that combine gesture with colour are nearly ubiquitous in the animal world, where they are shaped by sexual selection for their role in courtship and competition. However, few studies assess how multiple selection regimens operate on different components of these complex phenotypes on a macroevolutionary scale.

2. Here, we study this issue by assessing how both sexual and ecological selection work together to influence visual display complexity in the birds of paradise.

3. We first find that sexual dichromatism is highest in lekking species, which undergo more intense sexual selection by female choice, than non‐lekking species. At the same time, species in which males directly compete with one another at communal display courts have more carotenoid‐based ornaments and fewer melanin ornaments.

4. Meanwhile, display habitat influences gestural complexity. Species that dance in the cluttered understorey have more complex dances than canopy‐displaying species.

5. Taken together, our results illustrate how distinct selection regimens each operate on individual elements comprising a complex display. This supports a modular model of display evolution, wherein the ultimate integrated display is the product of synergy between multiple factors that select for different types of phenotypic complexity.

KEYWORD: Sanimal communication, behavioural ecology, display habitat, evolutionary ecology, lek, sexual selection, signal design

Figure 1: Phylogeny of the birds of paradise from Jønsson et al. (2016), with gestural display complexity (outer ring) and dichromatism (inner ring) scores illustrated on a colour ramp. Blanks indicate species for which there was insufficient information to characterize display complexity. Illustrations depict males performing their complex integrated visual displays, with species selected that best represent the breadth of colour and display complexity found in the family

CONCLUSIONS: 

Altogether, these results offer novel insight into the macroevolutionary pattern of visual display design: different signal components can be simultaneously and independently influenced by multiple core evolutionary processes, which interact to produce the ultimate integrated visual display. This highlights the remarkable potential of diverse selection regimens, often viewed as discrete operators, to instead function independently on a single signal component, while still interacting with other processes to shape overall complexity. The result is an integrated display that conveys more information than the sum of its constituent signals—and, in the case of extraordinary bird of paradise visual displays, exemplifies the diversifying potential of animal behaviour.

Meredith C. Miles and Matthew J. Fuxjager. 2018. Synergistic Selection Regimens drive the Evolution of Display Complexity in Birds of Paradise. Journal Animal Ecology.  DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12824

 twitter.com/FuxjagerLab/status/984079349010911235

[Herpetology • 2018] Insular Diversification and Mountain Uplift were Complementary Drivers of Diversification in A Diverse Melanesian Lizard Radiation (Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus)

in Tallowin, Tamar, Meiri, et al., 2018.
  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.020
   twitter.com/OliverTallowin

Highlights

• Australo-Papuan Cyrtodactylus geckos initially colonized and diversified within proto-Papuan islands in the early to mid-Miocene.

• Diversification was predominantly localized within distinct geological regions.

• Montane uplift played a critical role in the diversification of the regions Cyrtodactylus.

Abstract

Regions with complex geological histories present a major challenge for scientists studying the processes that have shaped their biotas. The history of the vast and biologically rich tropical island of New Guinea is particularly complex and poorly resolved. Competing geological models propose New Guinea emerged as a substantial landmass either during the Mid-Miocene or as recently as the Pliocene. Likewise, the estimated timing for the uplift of the high Central Cordillera, spanning the length of the island, differs across models. Here we investigate how early islands and mountain uplift have shaped the diversification and biogeography of Cyrtodactylus geckos. Our data strongly support initial colonisation and divergence within proto-Papuan islands in the Early- to Mid-Miocene, with divergent lineages and endemic diversity concentrated on oceanic island arcs in northern New Guinea and the formerly isolated East-Papuan Composite Terrane. At least four lineages are inferred to have independently colonised hill- and lower-montane forests, indicating that mountain uplift has also played a critical role in accumulating diversity, even in this predominantly lowland lineage. Our findings suggest that substantial land in northern New Guinea and lower-montane habitats date back well into the Miocene and that insular diversification and mountain colonisation have synergistically generated diversity in the geologically complex Papuan region.

Keywords: biogeography; geology; Papuan region; time calibration

Oliver J.S. Tallowin, Karin Tamar, Shai Meiri, Allen Allison, Fred Kraus, Stephen J. Richards and Paul M. Oliver. 2018.  Insular Diversification and Mountain Uplift were Complementary Drivers of Diversification in A Diverse Melanesian Lizard Radiation (Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus).  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.020

 twitter.com/OliverTallowin/status/974576302618529794