[Crustacea • 2019] Corralliogalathea joae, C. minuta & C. parva • High Morphological Similarity Coupled with High Genetic Differentiation in New Sympatric Species of Coral-reef Squat Lobsters (Decapoda: Galatheidae)

(A, B) Coralliogalathea humilis (Nobili, 1905), Saudi Arabia.

 C, Coralliogalathea joae sp. nov., Papua New Guinea. 

D, Coralliogalathea megalochira (Nobili, 1906), French Polynesia.

in Rodríguez-Flores, Macpherson, Buckley & Machordom, 2019. 

DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zly074  

 twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc

Abstract

The genus Coralliogalathea of the family Galatheidae is easily differentiated from other genera in the family by its small size, the presence of three to four small lateral teeth on the rostrum and the lack of the first pair of gonopods in males. The genus currently consists of only a single species, Coralliogalathea humilis, which lives in close association with corals in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Using material collected across its distribution, we analysed both morphological characters and molecular markers (COI, 16S, 28S and 18S) to investigate cryptic species diversity, phylogenetic relationships within the genus, and the phylogenetic position of Coralliogalathea within the family Galatheidae. Our results support the validity of the two species previously synonymized with C. humilis and three new sympatric species found in Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. Although these species are distinguishable only by subtle morphological characters, they are highly dissimilar genetically and constitute relatively deep divergent lineages. Furthermore, phylogenetic analyses of Galatheoidea resolved Coralliogalathea as an ancient genus within the superfamily that most probably diversified during the Eocene.

Keywords: Coralliogalathea, molecular data, morphology, new species, squat lobsters

Figure 5. A, Coralliogalathea humilis (Nobili, 1905), Saudi Arabia, ovigerous female, 2.1 mm, UF37156. B, Coralliogalathea humilis (Nobili, 1905) Saudi Arabia, ovigerous female, 2.0 mm, UF36158. C, Coralliogalathea joae sp. nov., Papua New Guinea, ovigerous female, 2.3 mm, MNHN-IU-2014-2383. D, Coralliogalathea megalochira (Nobili, 1906), French Polynesia, ovigerous female, 1.3 mm, UF15764. E, Coralliogalathea megalochira (Nobili, 1906), French Polynesia, male, 2.1 mm, UF15806. F, Coralliogalathea megalochira (Nobili, 1906), French Polynesia, male, 1.5 mm, UF23930.

Paula C. Rodríguez-Flores, Enrique Macpherson, David Buckley and Annie Machordom. 2019. High Morphological Similarity Coupled with High Genetic Differentiation in New Sympatric Species of Coral-reef Squat Lobsters (Crustacea: Decapoda: Galatheidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 185(4); 984–1017. DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zly074 

  twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc/status/1114087352064991233

[Entomology • 2017] Araboplia lorisi • A New Genus and Species of Rutelinae from Saudi Arabia (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae), with Comments on the Subtribe Popilliina

Araboplia lorisi

Uliana & Sabatinelli, 2017

 DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.373 

Abstract

Araboplia lorisi gen. et sp. nov. of Scarabaeidae Latreille, 1802 Rutelinae MacLeay, 1819, is described based on a single male specimen from the Arabian Peninsula, and compared with the closest Palaearctic genera. Araboplia gen. nov. is placed in the tribe Anomalini C.E. Blanchard, 1851 subtribe Popilliina Ohaus, 1918. This decision is due to its similarity with other Popilliina genera but lacks strong characters-based evidence, due to the poor definition of the Popilliina itself, which is discussed.

Keywords: Scarabaeoidea; Arabian Peninsula; new taxa; Anomalini; Popilliina

Figs 1–3. Araboplia lorisi gen. et sp. nov., habitus. 1. Dorsal view. 2. Ventral view. 3. Lateral view.

Class Hexapoda Blainville, 1816

Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758

Family Scarabaeidae Latreille, 1802

Subfamily Rutelinae Macleay, 1819

Tribe Anomalini Streubel, 1839

Subtribe Popilliina Ohaus, 1918

Araboplia gen. nov.

 Type species: Araboplia lorisi gen. et sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis: Within Popilliina, it is most close to the genus Dicranoplia Reitter, 1903, from which it is distinct by the following characters states (on male): clypeus simple, not raised; peculiar shape of the anterior claw; spur of the anterior tibia short and blunt.

Etymology: The name of the genus is derived from the area of occurrence of the species (the Arabian Peninsula) and the suffix –oplia, for assonance with other genera of Rutelinae including Dicranoplia Reitter, 1903, the closest genus.

Araboplia lorisi gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet is dedicated by MU to his father, Loris Uliana, with thanks for his constant encouragement and support of his interest in natural sciences and love for insects during the years of his youth. In addition, the two subjects are alike in being covered with white hairs.

Marco Uliana and Guido Sabatinelli. 2017. Araboplia lorisi New Genus and Species of Rutelinae from Saudi Arabia (Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae), with Comments on the Subtribe Popilliina. European Journal of Taxonomy. 373: 1–12.   DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.373

[Herpetology • 2017] Endemic Diversification in the Mountains: Genetic, Morphological, and Geographical Differentiation of the Hemidactylus Geckos in southwestern Arabia

 Hemidactylus asirensis & H. alfarraji 

Šmíd, Shobrak, Wilms, Joger & Carranza, 2016
 

  DOI: 10.1007/s13127-016-0293-3

Abstract

In this study, we provide genetic, morphological, and geographical comparisons for 11 species of the southwestern Arabian radiation of Hemidactylus geckos, nine of which are endemic to the region. By using a coalescence-based species-tree reconstruction in combination with divergence time estimations and speciation probability testing, we show that most of the speciation events occurred in the Pliocene, which is more recent than previously thought based on calibrations of concatenated data sets. The current dating indicates that the changing climate at the beginning of the Pliocene, from hot and dry to cold and wet, is likely responsible for increased speciation in Hemidactylus. Analyses of geographic and altitudinal overlap of the species and their morphological differentiation show that most species do not occur in sympatry. Those that overlap geographically are usually differentiated by their altitudinal preference, head shape, body size, or their combination. Our results indicate that the topographically complex mountains of southwestern Arabia support a significant radiation of Hemidactylus geckos by allowing multiple allopatric speciation events to occur in a relatively small area. Consequently, we describe two new species endemic to the Asir Mountains of Saudi Arabia, H. alfarraji sp. n. and H. asirensis sp. n., and elevate two former subspecies of H. yerburii to a species level, H. montanus and H. pauciporosus.

Keywords: Allopatry; Diversity; Gekkonidae; Radiation; Species delimitation; Species tree; Speciation

Figure 5: Holotypes and type localities of Hemidactylus alfarraji sp. n. and  H. asirensis sp. n.
a General body habitus of H. alfarraji sp. n. holotype (NMP 75269); b detail of its head; c detail of its precloacal region with preanal pores visible; d lamellae under the toes of left hind limb; e type locality 32 km W of Najran (1969 m a.s.l.), Najran Province, Saudi Arabia.
f General body habitus of H. asirensis sp. n. holotype (NMP 75271); g detail of its head; h detail of the precloacal region with preanal pores visible; i lamellae under the toes of left hind limb; j type locality Al Balhy (2376 m a.s.l.), Asir Province, Saudi Arabia 

Jiří Šmíd, Mohammed Shobrak, Thomas M. Wilms, Ulrich Joger and Salvador Carranza. 2016. Endemic Diversification in the Mountains: Genetic, Morphological, and Geographical Differentiation of the Hemidactylus Geckos in southwestern Arabia. Organisms Diversity & Evolution.  DOI: 10.1007/s13127-016-0293-3

ResearchGate.net/publication/305272772_Endemic_diversification_in_the_mountains_genetic_morphological_and_geographical_differentiation_of_the_Hemidactylus_geckos_in_southwestern_Arabia

[Ichthyology • 2016] A Review of the Callogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Red Sea with the Description of A New Species, Callogobius pilosimentum

 Callogobius pilosimentum  

Delventhal, Mooi, Bogorodsky & Mal, 2016

FIGURE 2. Callogobius pilosimentum sp. nov., live coloration:
A. SMF 35756, holotype, female, 36.4 mm SL, Farasan Island, Saudi Arabia;  C. SMF 35760, paratype, female, 55.8 mm SL, Obhur, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Photos by SVB.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4179.2.3  

Abstract

Five species of Callogobius Bleeker have been previously reported from the Red Sea: C. amikami Goren, Miroz & Baranes, C. clarki (Goren), C. dori Goren, C. flavobrunneus (Smith), and C. maculipinnis (Fowler). Records of C. bifasciatus (Smith) in the Red Sea are referable to C. clarki. Callogobius amikami has been previously known only from a single specimen, the holotype from the Red Sea, and two photographs, a live juvenile from Oman and a live specimen at an aquarium at Coral World, Eilat. We obtained a possible additional juvenile from the Red Sea, although we are unable to definitively determine its identity. Red Sea specimens previously identified as C. maculipinnis [or C. irrasus (Smith)] represent a new species, distinguished from the latter by normally having four sets of transverse mandibular rows on each side (rather than three); this species is described here as Callogobius pilosimentum sp. nov. Four specimens of an additional, undescribed species of Callogobius, C. sp. A, have been collected from the Red Sea, but we withhold a formal description because this species is currently under study by colleagues. Callogobius sclateri (Steindachner), previously known from the Indo-West Pacific, is reported from the Red Sea for the first time. A key to all seven species is provided. Each species is photographed, habitat is described and a brief description with detailed comparisons is provided. The new species and C. clarki are endemic to the Red Sea.

Keywords: Pisces, taxonomy, endemism, key

Callogobius pilosimentum sp. nov.

Hairy-chinned Flapheaded Goby

Drombus irrasus (non Smith)—Goren 1979: 36.

Callogobius irrasus (non Smith)—Goren 1980: 213; Dor 1984: 241.

Callogobius maculipinnis (non Fowler)—Goren et al. 1991: 299; Goren & Dor 1994: 53; Golani & Bogorodsky 2010: 46.

Diagnosis. Callogobius pilosimentum is distinguished from all other known Callogobius species by the following combination of characters: interorbital canal normally containing pores B’, C, D, E, F, G and H’; preopercular canal containing pores M’, N, and O’; temporal canal containing pores K’ and L’; scales in lateral series 21–25 (usually 24); normally four transverse mandibular papillae rows (Row 16) on each side.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin pilosus meaning “hairy” and mentum meaning “chin”, referring to the extra rows of papillae on the chin. Specific epithet to be treated as a noun in apposition. Suggested common name: hairy-chinned flapheaded goby.

Distribution and habitat. Restricted to the Red Sea. It is usually collected in shelters or close to shelters on small sand flats (about 0.5–1 m across) of steep slopes, sometimes at the base of coral reefs, in closed areas in bays and lagoons, at depths of 1–20 m.

FIGURE 3. Callogobius amikami Goren, Miroz & Baranes:
B. Aquarium specimen in 1993, Coral World, Eilat, about 40 mm TL, collected by A. Miroz. C. Callogobius cf. amikami, live coloration, SMF 35770, juvenile, 7.2 mm SL, Al Wajh bank, Saudi Arabia.

Photos by J.E. Randall (B) used with permission, SVB (C). 

Delventhal, Naomi R., Randall D. Mooi, Sergey V. Bogorodsky and Ahmad O. Mal. 2016. A Review of the Callogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from the Red Sea with the Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4179(2); 225–243.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4179.2.3

[Herpetology • 2010] Tropiocolotes wolfgangboehmei • A new species of the genus Tropiocolotes (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Central Saudi Arabia

Tropiocolotes wolfgangboehmei

Wilms, Shobrak & Wagner, 2010 

Abstract

 A new species of the genus Tropiocolotes from central Saudi Arabia is described based on two specimens from the Ath-Thumamah region. The new species is a member of the subgenus Tropiocolotes and belongs to the clade including T. steudneri and T. nattereri. 

Key words. Tropiocolotes sp. n., Ath-Thumama, Saudi Arabia.

Derivatio nominis. This species is named after Prof. Dr.Wolfgang Böhme in honour to his contributions to herpetology during his 39 years as curator of herpetology at the Zoological Research Museum A. Koenig, Bonn and as the academic mentor of two of the authors of the present paper. 

Habitat. The holotype was found near a small village at the border of the Ath-Thumamah area (Kordges 1998). The paratype was found under a stone in a small canyon within the Buwayb-Escarpment which is a cretaceous coral reef consisting of sedimentary rock, mainly lime- and sandstone.

Wilms, Thomas M.; , Mohammed Shobrak & Philipp Wagner 2010. A new species of the genus Tropiocolotes from Central Saudi Arabia (Reptilia: Sauria: Gekkonidae). Bonn Zool. Bull. 57 (2): 275–280. http://zfmk.de/BZB/Band_57_2/275-280_18_wilms.pdf