[Botany • 2018] Afropectinariella (Vandeae, Orchidaceae), A New Genus of the Angraecum Alliance

Afropectinariella doratophylla   (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart

in Simo-Droissart, Sonké, Droissart & Stévart, 2018.

  DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.96.23933 

photo: Tariq Stévart  twitter.com/PhytoKeys   iucnredlist.org

Abstract

A recent phylogenetic study showed that species assigned to the newly recognised genus Pectinariella Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka (previously treated as Angraecum Bory sect. Pectinaria Benth.) are polyphyletic, comprising a clade with species primarily in Madagascar and the Western Indian Ocean islands (including the type) and another non-sister clade whose members occur in continental Africa and the Gulf of Guinea islands. In order to render Pectinariella monophyletic, the five continental African species must therefore be removed. A new genus, Afropectinariella M.Simo & Stévart, is described and the following combinations are made: Afropectinariella atlantica (Stévart & Droissart) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella doratophylla (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella gabonensis (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella pungens (Schltr.) M.Simo & Stévart and Afropectinariella subulata (Lindl.) M.Simo & Stévart.

Keywords: Angraecoid orchids, continental Africa, Malagasy and Indian Ocean islands, Pectinaria, phylogenetics, taxonomy

Taxonomy

Afropectinariella M.Simo & Stévart, gen. nov.

 Type: Afropectinariella doratophylla (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart

[≡ Angraecum doratophyllum Summerh.].

Etymology: The name of the genus is based on the geographic distribution of its five species, all of which occur in Africa and the generic name Pectinariella in which they were previously placed.

Diagnosis: Afropectinariella resembles the related genera Dolabrifolia and Pectinariella in having a sessile ovary, i.e. without a pedicel and with a very short peduncle that is hardly developed, but differs from Dolabrifolia by its elongate leaves that are never compressed laterally (vs. imbricate and laterally compressed) and from Pectinariella by its transversely oval lip that is wider than long (vs. the lip longer that wide) and its occurrence in continental Africa and Gulf of Guinea islands (vs. Madagascar and adjacent islands).

Afropectinariella atlantica (Stévart & Droissart) M.Simo & Stévart, comb. nov.

 Angraecum atlanticum Stévart et al. (2010: 253). 

Type: Equatorial Guinea (Rio Muni). Monte Alén National Park: Engong inselberg, ....

Afropectinariella doratophylla (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, comb. nov .  

Angraecum doratophyllum Summerhayes (1937: 465). 

Type: São Tomé and Príncipe (São Tomé Island) Vanhulst (Macambrará): virgin forest, 1,050–1,200 m alt., ....

Afropectinariella gabonensis (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, comb. nov.

Angraecum gabonense Summerhayes (1954: 587). 

Type: Gabon. Upper Ngounyé River, Nimalaba, N. E. of Les Echiras, ....

Afropectinariella pungens (Schltr.) M.Simo & Stévart, comb. nov.

Angraecum pungens Schlechter (1906: 163). 

Type: Cameroon. Man O’War Bay, auf Baümen bei Kriegschiffhafen, ....

Afropectinariella subulata (Lindl.) M.Simo & Stévart, comb. nov. 

Angraecum subulatum Lindley (1837: 206). 

Type: Nigeria. Nun River: s. d., ....

 Murielle Simo-Droissart, Bonaventure Sonké, Vincent Droissart and Tariq Stévart. 2018. Afropectinariella (Vandeae, Orchidaceae), A New Genus of the Angraecum Alliance. PhytoKeys. 96: 79-86.   DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.96.23933

 twitter.com/PhytoKeys/status/985901219918024705  

 iucnredlist.org/details/16222646/0

Résumé: Une analyse phylogénétique récente a montré que les espèces attribuées au nouveau genre Pectinariella Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka (anciennement Angraecum Bory sect. Pectinaria Benth.) forment un groupe polyphylétique, comprenant un clade avec des espèces présentes principalement à Madagascar et dans les îles de l'ouest de l'Océan Indien (incluant le type) et un autre clade qui ne lui est pas apparenté et dont les espèces sont distribuées en Afrique continentale et dans les îles du Golfe de Guinée. Afin de rétablir la monophylie du genre Pectinariella, les cinq espèces d’Afrique continentale et des îles du Golfe de Guinée doivent donc en être exclues. Un nouveau genre, Afropectinariella M.Simo & Stévart, est décrit et les combinaisons suivantes sont proposées: Afropectinariella atlantica (Stévart & Droissart) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella doratophylla (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella gabonensis (Summerh.) M.Simo & Stévart, Afropectinariella pungens (Schltr.) M.Simo & Stévart et Afropectinariella subulata (Lindl.) M.Simo & Stévart.

[Herpetology • 2017] Naja peroescobari • A New Species of Naja Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata: Elapidae): The “Cobra-preta” of São Tomé Island, Gulf of Guinea

Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari  

Ceríaco, Marques, Schmitz & Bauer, 2017

Photo: T. Pisoni. 
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4324.1.7 

Abstract

The Cobra-Preta (black snake in Portuguese) of Sao Tomé Island in the Gulf of Guinea has historically been referred to as Naja (Boulengerina) melanoleuca (Squamata: Elapidae). Its presence on the island has been traditionally explained as an introduction from the mainland by Portuguese settlers, supposedly to control the rat population. This explanation has been widely accepted by local authorities and even international conservation agencies. The taxonomic identity of this snake has remained undisputed by all taxonomists who have published about it, with the exception of L. Capocaccia in 1961. Arguments supporting the human introduction hypothesis are weak and are contradicted by historical, morphological and molecular data. Further, the biogeographic history of the Gulf of Guinea oceanic islands and recent insights on the taxonomic identity and evolutionary history of other taxonomic groups occurring there suggest that the Cobra-Preta, in fact, represents a distinct lineage of the melanoleuca group, endemic to São Tomé. We here describe the Cobra Preta as a new species. The new species differs from N. (B.) melanoleuca, its sister species, by a distinct coloration ventral pattern and the type of contact of the sublingual scales. Data on the toxicology, distribution, ecology, folklore and conservation status of the new species are presented.

Keywords: Reptilia, Naja, Boulengerina, taxonomy, São Tomé & Príncipe, conservation, Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari sp. nov.

FIGURE 4. Holotype of Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari sp. nov. (MUHNAC / MB 03 – 001065).

FIGURE 5. Live picture of Naja (Boulengerina) peroescobari  sp nov. from near Santa Josefina. Specimen not collected. Photo by Tiziano Pisoni. 

Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Mariana P. Marques, Andreas Schmitz and Aaron M. Bauer. 2017. The “Cobra-preta” of São Tomé Island, Gulf of Guinea, is A New Species of Naja Laurenti, 1768 (Squamata: Elapidae). Zootaxa. 4324(1); 121–141.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4324.1.7

    

[Crustacea • 2017] Strongly Carinate Species of Alpheopsis Coutière, 1897 (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Alpheidae) of the Tropical Atlantic and eastern Pacific, with Redescription of A. trigona (Rathbun, 1901) and Description of Three New Species

Alpheopsis paratrigona  Anker, 2017 

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4277.2.2 

Abstract

The present study deals with four species of the alpheid shrimp genus Alpheopsis Coutière, 1897 characterised by the presence of at least one strong carina on the dorsal surface of the carapace. Alpheopsis trigona (Rathbun, 1901) is redescribed based on the holotype from Puerto Rico and additional material from US Virgin Islands and Florida. Two new species closely related to A. trigona, viz. Alpheopsis paratrigona sp. nov. and Alpheopsis gotrina sp. nov., are described, the first based on material from several localities in the tropical western Atlantic, and the second from the Pacific coast of Panama and Colombia. The three species together form a distinctive transisthmian clade within Alpheopsis, the A. trigona species complex, characterised by the presence of several strong longitudinal carinae on the carapace and very distinctive colour pattern. A more distantly related species, Alpheopsis aristoteles sp. nov., characterised by the presence of only one strong mid-dorsal carina in the anterior region of the carapace, is described based on material from São Tomé Island in the tropical eastern Atlantic.

Keywords: Crustacea, Caridea, marine shrimp, biodiversity, East Pacific, West Atlantic, East Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Guinea

Taxonomy 

Family Alpheidae Rafinesque, 1815 

Alpheopsis Coutière, 1897 

Alpheopsis paratrigona sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the general resemblance of the new species to A. trigona.

Alpheopsis paratrigona sp. nov., male holotype (cl 4.5 mm) from Portobelo, Caribbean coast of Panama (MZUSP34222).

Photograph: A. Anker. 

Alpheopsis gotrina sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species’ name is an anagram of the specific epithet of its presumed closest relative, A. trigona.

Alpheopsis aristoteles sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species is named after the great Greek philosopher and scientist, Aristoteles (384–322BCE), and also the first naturalist who attempted a classification of animals based on morphology, anatomy and reproductive systems, in his famous “History of Animals” (Aristoteles 350 BCE).

Arthur Anker. 2017. Strongly Carinate Species of Alpheopsis Coutière, 1897 of the Tropical Atlantic and eastern Pacific, with Redescription of A. trigona (Rathbun, 1901) and Description of Three New Species (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Alpheidae). Zootaxa. 4277(2); 199–227. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4277.2.2

[Herpetology • 2016] A Review of the Genus Trachylepis (Sauria: Scincidae) from the Gulf of Guinea, with Descriptions of Two New Species in the Trachylepis maculilabris (Gray, 1845) Species Complex

Trachylepis principensis 

Ceríaco, Marques & Bauer, 2016  
  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4109.3.2

Abstract

The scincid genus Trachylepis is represented in the oceanic islands of the Gulf of Guinea by four species, Trachylepis maculilabris, T. affinis, T. adamastor and T. ozorii. Here we describe two new species, Trachylepis thomensis sp. nov., endemic to São Tomé Island and Rolas Islet, and Trachylepis principensis sp. nov., endemic to Príncipe Island. Phylogenetic analysis using the mitochondrial gene 16S shows that both new species are genetically divergent and reciprocally monophyletic, and confirms evidence for the uniqueness of these lineages presented in previous studies. Morphological data (scalation and morphometry) identify consistent phenotypic differences between these two island species. We were also able to confirm that the T. affinis population of Príncipe Island is conspecific with the African mainland population and most probably the result of recent introductions. These findings raise the number of known Trachylepis species in the Gulf of Guinea islands group to five, four of which are endemic, although the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of T. adamastor and T. ozorii remain unknown and require further investigation.

Keywords: Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé & Príncipe, endemism, Trachylepis thomensis sp. nov., Trachylepis principensis sp. nov., skink, Reptilia

Luis M. P. Ceríaco, Mariana P. Marques and Aaron M. Bauer. 2016. A Review of the Genus Trachylepis (Sauria: Scincidae) from the Gulf of Guinea, with Descriptions of Two New Species in the Trachylepis maculilabris (Gray, 1845) Species Complex.
Zootaxa. 4109(3); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4109.3.2

[Herpetology • 2015] Trachylepis adamastor • Lost in the Middle of the Sea, Found in the Back of the Shelf: A New Giant Species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Tinhosa Grande Islet, Gulf of Guinea

Trachylepis adamastor Ceríaco, 2015
Lagartixa-adamastor | Adamastor Skink

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3973.3.6

Abstract

A new species of Trachylepis is described from Tinhosa Grande islet, São Tomé e Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea. Tinhosa Grande islet is a small (20.5 ha), isolated desert islet used by several bird communities as a nesting place. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by its color pattern, size and lepidosis. Due to its limited geographical distribution the new species appears to be one of the most vulnerable vertebrate species on the planet. In this study we provide a brief discussion on the natural history of the new species, as well as conservation concerns and suggestions.

Keywords: Conservation, São Tomé e Príncipe, taxonomy, Tinhosas, Trachylepis adamastor

FIGURE 3. Live photo of Trachylepis adamastor sp. nov. (specimen not collected), from Tinhosa Grande.

Photo by Ross Wanless.

The islanders of Tinhosa Great and Small Tinhosa

photographed by plane LUÍS CERÍACO

Distribution. As far as presently known, the species distribution is restricted to Tinhosa Grande Islet, Republic of São Tomé e Príncipe, West Africa.

Habitat and natural history notes. The habitat used by the species is the rocks and rock outcrops of the islet. The trophic ecology of the species is currently unknown. The habitat is almost deprived of any type of vegetation and very few invertebrates occur in the islet, although live specimens were observed eating the yolk of recently broken bird eggs (Nuno Barros & Simon Valle pers. comm.; Fig. 4). The population appears stable and reaching high densities (Nuno Barros & Simon Valle pers. comm.). The ecological relations between the newly-described species and the nesting birds is unknown, but trophic relationships can be suspected, namely the predation of arthropods associated with bird nests, as the case of other reptiles from small oceanic islands and atolls (Ineich et al. 2009). The species appear to share the islet with another reptile, a still unidentified Hemidactylus sp. (Nuno Barros, António Monteiro pers. comm.).

Etymology. The specific epithet 'adamastor' refers to the mythical giant inhabiting a rock "in the end of the sea" present in the Luis de Camões famous odyssey 'Os Lusíadas', and is applied here as a substantive in apposition. We propose the Portuguese common name Lagartixa-adamastor and the English common name of Adamastor Skink.

Ceríaco, Luis M. P. 2015. Lost in the Middle of the Sea, Found in the Back of the Shelf: A New Giant Species of Trachylepis (Squamata: Scincidae) from Tinhosa Grande Islet, Gulf of Guinea. Zootaxa.  3973(3): 511–527. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3973.3.6

ResearchGate.net/publication/278676575_Lost_in_the_middle_of_the_sea_found_in_the_back_of_the_shelf_A_new_giant_species_of_Trachylepis_(Squamata_Scincidae)_from_Tinhosa_Grande_islet_Gulf_of_Guinea

FIGURE 4. Trachylepis adamastor sp. nov. feeding on a recently broken egg (specimen not collected).

Photo by Ross Wanless.

On a rocky deserted islet off the coast of São Tomé e Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea, lives a lizard new to Science. A Portuguese scientist has just described this new species in a paper publish in Zootaxa science magazine. It’s the Adamastor Skink.

Portuguese scientist discovered a new lizard species http://www.wilder.pt/english/portuguese-scientist-discovered-a-new-lizard-species/

Num rochedo perto da ilha do Príncipe habita a inigualável lagartixa-adamastor http://www.publico.pt/n1702382