[Chilopoda • 2019] Arrup akiyoshiensis • A New Species of the Genus Arrup (Geophilomorpha, Mecistocephalidae) from A Limestone Cave in Akiyoshi-dai, Western Japan

Arrup akiyoshiensis Tsukamoto & Shimano

in Tsukamoto, Shimano, Murakami, et al., 2019. 

  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.830.33060

Abstract

Arrup akiyoshiensis Tsukamoto & Shimano, sp. n. is described from a limestone cave, Kagekiyo-ana, in Akiyoshi-dai, one of the largest karst regions in Japan, Yamaguchi prefecture. It is distinguishable from 14 valid named congeners by some unique characteristics including entire areolation on the cephalic pleurite, elongation of distal part of female gonopod, and a tubercle on forcipular segment II. In addition, the 18S rRNA gene sequences of A. akiyoshiensis Tsukamoto & Shimano, sp. n. and A. ishiianus, one of the most morphologically similar species, differed by four bp out of 1821 bp. The fact that only troglobionts and troglophilic species are found in the collection site suggests that this new species might be a cave-dweller.

Keywords: Arrupinae, Chilopoda, Kagekiyo-ana, limestone, taxonomy, 18S rRNA gene

Figure 7. Arrup akiyoshiensis sp. n.,
 A–C paratype (TS-20180418-01) D holotype (TS-20180330-01) A whole body, dorsal B head and forcipular segment, dorsal C head and forcipular segment, ventral D head and left antenna, ventral. Scale bar: 1 mm (B–D).

Taxonomy

Family Mecistocephalidae Bollmann, 1893

Genus Arrup Chamberlin, 1912

Arrup akiyoshiensis Tsukamoto & Shimano, sp. n.

Japanese name: Kagekiyo-tsumejimukade

Diagnosis: Arrup akiyoshiensis sp. n. can be distinguished from the all named congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: frontal line curved; seven pectinate lamellae in mandible; comma-shaped distal lobe of coxal projection in first maxillae; a tiny tubercle on outer-distal corner of each article of the telopodite; distal article of the telopodite of the second maxillae without claw; the well-developed tooth of forcipular article I; the triangular basal tooth in tarsungulum; the poison calyx overreaching forcipular article I; 31–35 pores on lateral and ventral sides on coxopleura.

....

Etymology: The species name is derived from the name of Akiyoshi-dai Karst region, which includes the type locality.

Distribution: Known from only the type locality.

Type locality: Kagekiyo-ana, Mitou Town (Mitou-cho), Mine City (Mine-shi), Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.

Remarks: Arrup akiyoshiensis sp. n. is morphologically similar to several other congeners, especially A. holstii (Pocock, 1895) and A. ishiianus Uliana, Bonato & Minelli, 2007 (Fig. 10), but can be easily distinguished from them by a combination of the characteristics shown in Table 7.

 Sho Tsukamoto, Satoshi Shimano, Takashi Murakami, Shimpei F. Hiruta, Takeshi Yamasaki and Katsuyuki Eguchi. 2019. A New Species of the Genus Arrup from A Limestone Cave in Akiyoshi-dai, Western Japan (Chilopoda, Geophilomorpha, Mecistocephalidae). ZooKeys. 830: 33-51. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.830.33060

[Arachnida • 2019] Sarax timorensis • Amblypygids of Timor-Leste: First Records of the Order from the Country with the Description of A Remarkable New Species of Sarax (Amblypygi, Charinidae)

Sarax timorensis 

 Miranda & Reboleira, 2019

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.820.30139 

twitter.com/SReboleira

Abstract

The whip spider genus Sarax Simon, 1892 is widely distributed throughout Southeast Asia and part of the Indo-Malayan region. The genus is recorded from several Indonesian islands, but no species are known from inside the area that comprises the biogeographical region of Wallacea, despite being recorded from both sides of the area. An expedition to survey the biology of caves in Timor-Leste (formerly East-Timor) discovered populations of amblypygids living underground and including a remarkable new species of Sarax, S. timorensis sp. n., the first Amblypygi known from the island of Timor. The new species is here described bears the unique character state of two pairs of lateral eyes, instead of three or none as in all other living species of Amblypygi, and expands the biogeographic range of the genus. New records of amblypygids are given for two caves in Timor-Leste. A detailed description and a discussion of its distribution and the species characters are also provided.

Keywords: cave, tailless whip scorpions, troglobiont, Wallacea

Figure 1. Details of Sarax timorensis sp. n. A Dorsal habitus B Frontal process and eyes C Sternum D Dorsal view of pedipalp E Ventral view of pedipalp. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Taxonomy

Charinidae Quintero, 1986

Sarax Simon, 1892

Sarax timorensis sp. n.

Type material: Holotype: Timor-Leste: Lautém district, Puropoko Cave, 8.543832N 127.066215E, 6–12.ix.2016, A.S.P.S. Reboleira leg. (male, NHMD). Female unknown.

Diagnosis: Sarax timorensis sp. n. can be recognized by the large size (body total length 12.82 mm), presence of only two pairs of lateral eyes, eight frontal setae, cheliceral claw with six teeth, two spines on dorsal pedipalp tarsus, male gonopod with sclerotization on the base of fistula, dorsal lobe and lateral lobe II, basitibia IV with four pseudoarticles and distitibia IV with six trichobothria on the frontal and caudal series. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the presence of only two pairs of lateral eyes, a unique character state known only from a few fossil species (Kronocharon longicalcaris Wunderlich, 2015 and Paracharonopsis cambayensis Engel & Grimaldi, 2014). Sarax timorensis sp. n. differs from the fossil species by the size (new species much larger) and the number of spines on the pedipalp. Female unknown.

Figure 2. Details of carapace and pedipalp of Sarax timorensis sp. n. A Dorsal view of carapace B Detail of the left pair of eyes C Detail of the right pair of eyes D Detail of the spines on right dorsal tarsus E Details of spines on left dorsal tarsus. Scale bar: 1 mm (A, D, E); 0.5mm (B, C).

Habitat: The new species was found in a cave on the border of the Ira Lalaro Lake, a huge closed karst depression in the Eastern part of the Timor Island (Freire et al. 2017; O’Connor et al. 2017). The atmospheric temperature in the cave is 32 °C. The cave has a stream with a high density of leeches in its substrate and harbors a large colony of Chiroptera. Some snakes were also observed hunting the bats in its narrow galleries. The high content in bat guano gives rise to high densities of cockroaches which are very active along the cave.

 Gustavo Silva de Miranda and Ana Sofia P. S. Reboleira. 2019. Amblypygids of Timor-Leste: First Records of the Order from the Country with the Description of A Remarkable New Species of Sarax (Arachnida, Amblypygi, Charinidae). ZooKeys. 820: 1-12. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.820.30139

 twitter.com/SReboleira/status/1089929767183413248

[Invertebrate • 2019] Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis & S. cavatuses • Vampire in the Darkness: A New Genus and Species of Land Leech (Hirudinea: Arhynchobdellida: Haemadipsidae) Exclusively Bloodsucking Cave-dwelling Bats from China

Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis Liu, Huang & Liu

in Huang, Liu, Gong, Wu, Liu, et al., 2019.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.2.2

  JSU.edu.cn

Abstract 

Land leeches in the family Haemadipsidae are mostly from the humid tropical rainforest habitats and habitually take blood from the body of human and other animals. In the present study, we report a new species, Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n., from caves in the northern subtropical Wuling Mountains of central-south China that feeds blood exclusively on cave-dwelling bats. Based on morphological characteristics, COI gene sequence divergence, and phylogenetic analysis, a new genus Sinospelaeobdella gen. n. is established for the new species, to which a previously described species Haemadipsa cavatuses Yang et al., 2009 is transferred as S. cavatuses comb. n. We also provided extended discussion on phylogenetic relationship within the “Tritetrabdellinae” clade uncovered in a previous study, DNA taxonomy, morphological and behavioral adaptions, biogeography, and possible involvement of Sinospelaeobdella gen. n. in bat transmitted diseases of public concerns. 

Key words: Land leeches, Sinospelaeobdella gen. n., Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n., DNA taxonomy, Phylogeny, Cave-dwelling bats

FIGURE 5. The four stages of life cycle in Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n. 

 (A, mating behavior; B, external feature of reproductive individual; C, cocoon; D, larva) and

 blood-sucking on the hindfoot of Rhinolophus sinicus (E).

Taxonomy

Family Haemadipsidae Blanchard, 1892

Genus Sinospelaeobdella Liu, Huang, and Liu gen. n.

Etymology: The name for the new genus derives from Σινων (Sinon) , meaning Chinese / China, σπηλαιον (spelaeon), cave, or subterranean, βδελλα (bdella), land leech, Sino-spelaeo-bdella = Sinospelaeobdella.

  Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis Liu, Huang, and Liu, sp. n.

  Etymology: The specific name is derived from the type locality in “Wuling Mountains”, a mountain range stretching from western Hunan Province to eastern Guizhou Province and southeastern Hubei Province of China.

Biology: Sinospelaeobdella wulingensis sp. n. lives on the ceiling of wet karstic caves, a stable microhabitat with an average temperature at 17°C and relative humidity at 91%. ... Both adults and larvae suck blood on hindfoot (Fig. 5E) of several bat species, including Rhinolophus sinicus Andersen, R. pearsonii Horsfield, R. pusillus Temminck, R. macrotis Blyth and Hipposideros armiger (Hodgson).

 Taifu Huang, Zhiwei Liu, Xiaoyan Gong, Tao Wu, Hui Liu, Jiaxin Deng, Youxiang Zhang, Qingzhong Peng, Libiao Zhang and Zhixiao Liu. 2019. Vampire in the Darkness: A New Genus and Species of Land Leech Exclusively Bloodsucking Cave-dwelling Bats from China (Hirudinda: Arhynchobdellida: Haemadipsidae). Zootaxa. 4560(2); 257–272.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4560.2.2

 刘志霄教授课题组发现洞穴陆生蛭类新属种 JSU.edu.cn/info/1081/11956.htm

[Hexapoda • 2019] Coecobrya sirindhornae • the Most Highly Troglomorphic Collembola (Entomobryidae) in Southeast Asia

Coecobrya sirindhornae

Jantarit, Satasook & Deharveng, 2019

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.824.31635

Abstract

The most highly troglomorphic Collembola of Southeast Asia, Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n., is described from a cave in Satun province, Thai Peninsula. It is characterised by its large size, extremely elongated antennae, relatively long legs and furca, reduced macrochaetotaxy, very long and slender claw, pointed tenent hair, four sublobal hairs on outer maxillary lobe, and the absence of eyes and pigmentation. A checklist of Thai Coecobrya species and a key to the troglomorphic species of Thailand are provided. Troglomorphy and conservation of cave habitats in the area are discussed.

Keywords: new species, peninsular Thailand, subterranean environment, taxonomy, troglomorphy

Figure 1. Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n. A–D Habitus

E–F Two morphological types of cave Coecobrya in Thailand E Coecobrya phanthuratensis Zhang & Jantarit, 2018; normal form with short antennae, appendages and small size F Coecobrya polychaeta Zhang & Nilsai, 2017; troglomorphic form with long antennae and appendages with large body size
and G Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n., highly troglomorphic characters with extremely long antennae and appendages and also large body size.

Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n.
 A–B Habitus, G C. sirindhornae sp. n., highly troglomorphic characters with extremely long antennae and appendages and also large body size. 

E–F Two morphological types of cave Coecobrya in Thailand 

E Coecobrya phanthuratensis Zhang & Jantarit, 2018; normal form with short antennae, appendages and small size F Coecobrya polychaeta Zhang & Nilsai, 2017; troglomorphic form with long antennae and appendages with large body size 

and G Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n., highly troglomorphic characters with extremely long antennae and appendages and also large body size.

Taxonomy

Class Collembola Lubbock, 1873

Order Entomobryomorpha Börner, 1913

Family Entomobryidae Tömösváry, 1882

Subfamily Entomobryinae Schäffer, 1896

Genus Coecobrya Yosii, 1956

Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n.

Figure 2. Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n. continued.
A Distal part of Ant. II dorsally of left antenna B Ant. III organ of left side C Distal part of Ant. IV with subapical organite D Ratio of antennal length E Clypeal chaetae F Prelabral and labral chaetae G Labial palp H Outer maxillary lobe I Mandibles J Ventro-distal complex of labrum K Chaetae of labial basis and ventral chaetotaxy of head.

Figure 7. Distribution of three troglomorphic Coecobrya species in Satun caves, all located in lowland areas.

Ecology: Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n. is restricted to the dark zone of the cave where it has been found, in the oligotrophic environment of a small chamber, on muddy ground and wet rock walls. The chamber is connected to a narrow steep hole. Small puddles are present in the chamber and water is dripping from the ceiling. Muddy ground surface is flooded during rainy season. Some individuals were found feeding on a cricket corpse. They were quick jumping and moved rapidly. The species is found only in that chamber where humidity is at saturation, and temperature is constant (23‒24 degrees Celsius). The population seems rather limited (only 26 specimens were collected from five attempts, each time one hour collecting by 2 people). Small (young) individuals were less numerous and not collected.

Etymology: This species is named to honour Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, who is passionately interested in natural history and plays an important role in promoting the conservation of biodiversity and the environment of Thailand.

 Sopark Jantarit, Chutamas Satasook and Louis Deharveng. 2019. Coecobrya sirindhornae sp. n., the Most Highly Troglomorphic Collembola in Southeast Asia (Collembola, Entomobryidae). ZooKeys 824: 21-44.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.824.31635

   

[Entomology • 2019] Strong Radiation in Caves of the Central Dinarides: Seven New Species of Thaumastocephalus Poggi et al., 2001 [Endogean and Cavernicolous Coleoptera of the Balkans. XVIII]

Thaumatocephalus bilandzijae 

Hlaváč, Bregović & Jalžić, 2019

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4559.1.3 

Abstract

Seven new species of the cavernicolous and anophthalmous genus Thaumastocephalus Poggi, Nonveiller, Colla, Pavićević & T. Rađa, 2001 are described: T. bilandzijae sp. n., T. kirini sp. n., T. marsici sp. n., T. rujnicensis sp. n., T. slavkoi sp. n. and T. troglavi sp. n. from Croatia and T. dahnae sp. n. from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aedeagi of all species are illustrated. A key to all species is provided. The records of all specimens of the genus treated here are given, and their distributions are discussed and shown on maps. The distribution of all genera of cavernicolous Pselaphinae in the Dinarides is discussed.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Thaumastocephalini, taxonomy, biospeleology, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, zoogeography

 Thaumatocephalus bilandzijae sp. n., habitus in situ.

 (photo Alen Kirin) 

Peter Hlaváč, Petra Bregović and Branko Jalžić. 2019. Endogean and Cavernicolous Coleoptera of the Balkans. XVIII. Strong Radiation in Caves of the Central Dinarides: Seven New Species of Thaumastocephalus Poggi et al., 2001 (Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae). Zootaxa. 4559(1); 90–110. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4559.1.3

 ResearchGate.net/publication/331206148_Endogean_and_cavernicolous_Coleoptera_of_the_Balkans_XVIII_seven_new_species_of_Thaumastocephalus

[Arachnida • 2018] Four New Troglophilic Species of Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe, 1832 (Araneae, Sicariidae): Contributions to the Knowledge of Recluse Spiders from Brazilian Caves

[upper]  Loxosceles ericsoni  Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018;
[lower]  L. cardosoi Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, 2018

in Bertani, von Schimonsky, Gallão & Bichuette, 2018. 

  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.806.27404

Abstract
Four new species of recluse spiders from Brazilian caves are described with both males and females. Loxosceles ericsoni Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, sp. n. and L. karstica Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, sp. n. both occur in caves in the Peruaçu region, located in the northern area of the state of Minas Gerais; L. karstica sp. n. is additionally found in the Serra do Ramalho karst area, located in the southwestern region of the state of Bahia. These two species belong to the gaucho group. Loxosceles carinhanha Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, sp. n. and L. cardosoi Bertani, von Schimonsky & Gallão, sp. n. occur exclusively in caves of the Serra do Ramalho karst area and belong to the rufescens/amazonica species group. The discovery of two additional and highly distinct species in the rufescens/amazonica group (L. carinhanha sp. n. and L. cardosoi sp. n.) increases the debate on the origin, evolution, and geographical distribution of this widely distributed group of recluse spiders in the New and Old World. The presence of three species (L. ericsoni sp. n., L. carinhanha sp. n., and L. cardosoi sp. n.) with marked differences in morphological characters in a relatively small area indicates that the region seems to be an important center for Loxosceles diversity, which remains poorly studied.

Keywords: Bahia, brown spider, karst area, Minas Gerais, taxonomy

 Living specimens in their habitats.
55 Loxosceles ericsoni sp. n. female, Bonita Cave, Peruaçu Caves National Park, Januária, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil
56, 57 Loxosceles cardosoi sp. n., Gruna da Altina Cave, Serra do Ramalho karst area, Carinhanha, state of Bahia, Brazil. 56 Female 57 Male.

Photographs by PP Rizzato (55), ME Bichuette (56, 57). 

 Rogério Bertani, Diego M. von Schimonsky, Jonas E. Gallão and Maria E. Bichuette. 2018. Four New Troglophilic Species of Loxosceles Heinecken & Lowe, 1832: Contributions to the Knowledge of Recluse Spiders from Brazilian Caves (Araneae, Sicariidae). ZooKeys. 806: 47-72. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.806.27404

[Chilopoda • 2018] Australobius tracheoperspicuus • the First Subterranean Species of Centipede (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae) from southern China

Australobius tracheoperspicuus 

 Li, Pei, Guo, Ma & Chen, 2018

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.795.28036 

Abstract

Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. (Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae) was recently discovered from the Cave of the brickyard of Gaofeng village, in the Guizhou Province, southwest China, and it is described here. Morphologically the new species is similar to A. magnus (Trozina>, 1894) from north-western China. The new species can be easily distinguished from those by the trachea connected to the valve of the TIII clearly visible from the dorsal side, the absence of ocelli on each side of the cephalic plate, the DaC spine being only present on the XIIIth–XVth legs. Numbers of examined specimens, distribution and the main morphological characters and an identification key to the known Chinese species of genus Australobius based on adult specimens is given.

Keywords: Australobius, cave Lithobiomorpha, China, new species

11 Posterior segments and gonopods in male, ventral view 

12 Living specimen of Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. 13 Cave of the brickyard of Gaofeng village.

Figures 1–12. Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. 

(holotype male 1–5, 7–9, 11–12 paratype female 6 and 10) 

1 Habitus, dorsal view 2 Tömösváry’s organ, lateral view 3 Cephalic plate, dorsal view 4 Cephalic plate, ventral view 5 Forcipular coxosternite, ventral view 6 T III of female 7 T III of male 8 SS I–V 9 SS VI and VII 10 Posterior segments and gonopods of female, ventral view 11 Posterior segments and gonopods in male, ventral view 12 Living specimen of Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n. 13 Cave of the brickyard of Gaofeng village.

Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n.

Diagnosis: Antennae with 26 articles, no ocelli, anterior margin of the coxosternite with 5+5 teeth, more or less developed, porodonts slender, between fourth and fifth outer teeth. Tergites without posterior triangular projections, trachea connected to the valve of the T III clearly visible from the dorsal side. Coxal pores 4–6. Tarsal articulation well defined on legs I–XV. No secondary sexual modifications on legs XIV and XV of male. Female gonopods with simple claw, 2+2 spurs. Male gonopods short and small blunt cone bulge, apically slightly sclerotized.

Etymology: The specific name refers to the trachea connected to the valve of the T III that is clearly visible from the dorsal side.

Habitat: The specimens were collected on the limestone walls and bedrock floor of the cave.

 Qing Li, Su-Jian Pei, Xuan Guo, Hui-Qin Ma and Hui-Ming Chen. 2018. Australobius tracheoperspicuus sp. n., the First Subterranean Species of Centipede from southern China (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae).  ZooKeys. 795: 83-91.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.795.28036

[Crustacea • 2018] Karstarma vulcan • Cave-dwelling Crabs of the Genus Karstarma (Decapoda, Brachyura, Sesarmidae) from Lava Tubes of the Volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’, in Réunion Island, with Description of A New Species and Redescription of Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934) from Christmas Island

Karstarma vulcan 

 Poupin, Crestey & Le Guelte, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4497.3.3 

Abstract 

Sesarmid crabs of the genus Karstarma Davie & Ng, 2007 are reported for the first time in the Western Indian Ocean: they were discovered in the lava tubes of the volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’, Réunion Island. A new species, morphologically similar to Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934) from Christmas Island, Eastern Indian Ocean, is recognized and described. A redescription of K. jacksoni is also provided. A second species is recognized, but being represented in the collection by a single juvenile, it cannot be identified to species level until more collections are made in the lava tubes. 

 Key words: Crustacea, Grapsoidea, Indian Ocean, endemic species, cave-dwelling species, taxonomy

Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851

Genus Karstarma Davie & Ng, 2007

Karstarma vulcan sp. nov.

Sesarmoides ?longipes—ACSP 2014: webpage (Réunion, colour photograph).—Robert 2014: 1, 17 (same color photograph as ACSP). Not Sesarmoides longipes (Krauss, 1843).

Etymology. This new species is named after ‘Vulcan’ (used as an appositive noun) the ancient Roman god of fire, including fire of volcanoes, in allusion to the crab’s being discovered in the lava tubes of the volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’.

Distribution. Known only from Réunion Island. This is the first record of Karstarma in the WIO (Fig. 6). This is a cryptic species that has remained unnoticed in Réunion for a long time despite numerous studies of wildlife in the Island in the past. It is probably most active at night and is potentially present in all lava tubes allowing an easy access to the shoreline where the crab is likely to lay its eggs. In WIO it is perhaps also present in the Islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and/or Rodrigues in similar cave biotopes. In Rodrigues Island (~ 820 km east to Réunion Island), for example, karstic caves are known in the wildlife park, ‘François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve’ where more investigations for Karstarma crabs would be interesting.

Live colour of Karstarma sp. female juv. 8.6 × 9.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-7242), probably from lava tube ‘Brûlé des Citrons Galets’.

 photograph: A. Barrère, 19 February 2016

  Live colour of Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934), Christmas Island.

Photographs outside cave by Hitoshi Takakura. 

 Joseph Poupin, Nicole Crestey and Jean-Paul Le Guelte. 2018. Cave-dwelling Crabs of the Genus Karstarma from Lava Tubes of the Volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’, in Réunion Island, with Description of A New Species and Redescription of Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934) from Christmas Island (Decapoda, Brachyura, Sesarmidae). Zootaxa. 4497(3); 381–397.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4497.3.3

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1811615729158015

 clicanoo.re/La-matinale-de-Clicanoo/Societe/Article/2018/10/23/La-Matinale-de-Clicanoo-Crabe-du-Volcan-Houle-et

 clicanoo.re/Societe/Article/2018/10/23/Des-crabes-inconnus-sous-le-volcan_554647

[Arachnida • 2018] On the Genus Systaria (Araneae: Clubionidae) in Southeast Asia: New Species from Caves and Forests

Systaria procera 

 Jäger, 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4504.4.5 

Abstract

The genus Systaria Simon 1897 is reviewed in Southeast Asia and eight new species are described: Systaria lannops spec. nov. from Thailand (female), S. longinqua spec. nov. (male, female) and S. luangprabang spec. nov. (female) from Laos, S. procera spec. nov. (male, female) and S. bregibec spec. nov. (male) from Cambodia, S. bifidops spec. nov. from Malaysia (male), S. panay spec. nov. (female) and S. princesa spec. nov. (male, female) from Philippines. S. elberti (Strand 1913) is illustrated and partly re-described. Informal groups of species are proposed for the first time. Distribution ranges and habitat preferences are mapped.

Keywords: Araneae, Taxonomy, systematics, copulatory organs, habitat, troglobiont

Peter Jäger. 2018. On the Genus Systaria (Araneae: Clubionidae) in Southeast Asia: New Species from Caves and Forests. Zootaxa.  4504(4); 524–544. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4504.4.5

[Ichthyology • 2018] Speolabeo hokhanhi • A New Cavefish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from Central Vietnam

Speolabeo hokhanhi

Tao, Cao, Deng & Zhang, 2018

Hokhanh’s Blind-cavefish  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.10 

Abstract

Speolabeo hokhanhi, new species, is here described from Hang Va Cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (Son River basin) in Central Vietnam. It can be distinguished from S. musaei by having no papillae on the lower lip, no hump immediately behind the head, a duckbilled snout, a shorter caudal peduncle (length 16.8–18.6% SL), and the pelvic fin inserted closer to the snout tip than to the caudal-fin base.

Keywords: Pisces, Speolabeo, new species, cavefish, Central Vietnam

FIGURE 2. Speolabeo hokhanhi sp. nov., fresh individual immediately after capture. Lateral view.

Speolabeo hokhanhi sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Speolabeo hokhanhi can be easily distinguished from S. musaei by having a lower lip without papillae (vs. with a band of papillae along its anterior margin), no hump immediately behind the head (vs. present), a duckbilled (vs. pyramidal) snout, the pelvic fin inserted closer to the snout tip than to the caudal-fin base (vs. midway between the snout tip and caudal-fin base) and a shorter (vs. longer) caudal peduncle (length 16.8–18.6% SL vs. 19.6–22.7). All data here used for S. musaei are from Kottelat and Steiner (2011).

....

Etymology. The specific epithet is named in honor of Mr. Ho Khanh who discovered many caves in Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park. He was a local guide of the cavefish survey conducted by the first author during 2014 into the cave where the type specimens were collected and provided detailed information about the collection site.

 As common names, we suggest Hokhanh’s Blind-cavefish (English) 

and cá mù hang va hồ-khanh (Vietnamese).

 FIGURE 4. Distribution of Speolabeo hokhanhi (▲).

Distribution and habitat. Speolabeo hokhanhi is known only from the type locality (Fig. 4). Hang Va Cave is roughly 35 km south of Phong Nha village, rather close to Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest known cave that is 5 km long, 200 m high and 150 m wide. A 24 km southward drive along the West Ho–Chi–Minh highway starting from the tourism center of the Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park leads to the point closest to the cave site of the Hang Son Doong. From there, roughly 1.5 hours’ northward walk following a narrow stony track through thick forest arrives at Hang Va Cave. Its entrance is about 30 meters above the ground. A descent of 15 m from the entrance reaches a cave passage containing a subterraneous stream. Downstream for approximately 200 meters, there is a shallow water pool with many stalagmites, usually 2–3 m tall (Fig. 5), where the type specimens of the new species were collected during the dry season. At this time, the pool had a muddy substrate and was 0.5–1.5 m in depth, 10 m wide, and 25 m long. More than 30 individuals of about the same size were observed in the pool; only six were captured using a hand-net. The fishes were swimming slowly and haphazardly, rather close to the water surface; when disturbed, they swam deeper, but did not seek shelter. A new shrimp species was found to sympatrically occur with the cavefish (Do & Nguyen 2014).

Nguyen Dinh Tao, Liang Cao, Shuqing Deng and E Zhang. 2018. Speolabeo hokhanhi, A New Cavefish from Central Vietnam (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4476(1); 109–117.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4476.1.10

 Researchgate.net/publication/327632977_Speolabeo_hokhanhi_a_new_cavefish_from_Central_Vietnam

  

[Crustacea • 2018] Eurindicus bhugarbha • The Discovery of Euryrhynchidae (Decapoda) in India, with the Description of A New Genus and Species

 Eurindicus bhugarbha

de Grave, Arjun & Raghavan, 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4462.3.4 

Abstract 

A new genus and species of Euryrhynchidae is described from Kerala, India. This freshwater shrimp family was previously only known from northern South America and West Africa. Although the inclusion of the genus in Euryrhynchidae is unequivocal (e.g. shape of the accessory ramus of the antennular flagellum, frontal margin of the carapace, telson ornamentation), the presence of a number of unique characters makes the relative placement of the genus within the family unclear, but likely basal to the other genera. The new genus can be easily distinguished from all others within the family by these characters, e.g. the upper antennular flagellum and its accessory ramus being joined over three divisions, the presence of a reduced carpo-propodal brush and a well-developed branchiostegal groove.

Keywords: Crustacea, Euryrhynchidae, systematics, subterranean, India, new genus

Order Decapoda Latreille, 1802

Infraorder Caridea Dana, 1852

Family Euryrhynchidae Holthuis, 1950

Eurindicus bhugarbha gen nov., sp. nov. Holotype, male (pocl 3.2 mm), BNHS CAR 1. 
 whole animal shortly after capture.

Eurindicus gen. nov. 

Type species. Eurindicus bhugarbha sp. nov., by present designation and monotypy.

Etymology. Eurindicus is an arbitrary combination of ‘Eur-’ the first three letters of the family Euryrhynchidae, and ‘-indicus’, from India, based on the geographic distribution of the genus, this being the first record of the family in India; gender masculine.

Eurindicus bhugarbha sp. nov.

Etymology. The species name ‘bhugarbha’ means underground in Malayalam, the native language spoken in the State of Kerala in southern India, used as a noun in apposition.

 Sammy De Grave, Charambilly Purushothaman Arjun and Rajeev Raghavan. 2018. The Discovery of Euryrhynchidae (Crustacea: Decapoda) in India, with the Description of A New Genus and Species. Zootaxa. 4462(3); 367–378.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4462.3.4

[Arachnida • 2018] Antillobisium tomasi • A New Antillobisium Species (Pseudoscorpiones: Bochicidae) from Cuba, with Biogeographical and Ecological Remarks on the Genus

Antillobisium tomasi

 Díaz, Zaragoza & Iborra, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4464.3.5 

Abstract

A new troglobitic species of the genus Antillobisium is described from Sancti Spiritus province, Cuba. Antillobisium tomasi n. sp. is the third known species of the genus and is well characterized by its large size and extremely slender appendages. Biogeographical and ecological considerations on the genus are given.

Keywords: Arachnida, Cave, hypogean, karst, pseudoscorpions, relict, troglobitic

 Superfamily Neobisioidea Chamberlin, 1930 

Family Bochicidae Chamberlin, 1930 

Subfamily Bochicinae Chamberlin, 1930 

Genus Antillobisium Dumitresco & Orghidan, 1977

A. vachoni Dumitresco & Orghidan, 1977 

A. mitchelli Dumitresco & Orghidan, 1977

 Antillobisium tomasi n. sp., male habitus.

Antillobisium tomasi n. sp.

Etymology. The species is named after the Cuban biospeleologist and arachnologist Tomás Michel Rodríguez, who collected the holotype.

 René Barba Díaz, Juan A. Zaragoza and Germán López Iborra. 2018. A New Antillobisium Species (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones: Bochicidae) from Cuba, with Biogeographical and Ecological Remarks on the Genus. Zootaxa. 4461(3); 399–410.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4464.3.5

Resumen: Se describe una nueva especie troglobia del género Antillobisium de la provincia de Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. Antillobisium tomasi n. sp. es la tercera especie conocida del género y está bien caracterizada por su gran tamaño y por sus artejos extremadamente esbeltos en comparación con las otras. Se dan consideraciones biogeográficas y ecológicas sobre el género.

[Ichthyology • 2018] Trichomycterus rosablanca • A New Species of Hipogean Catfish (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) from the Colombian Andes

Trichomycterus rosablanca 

Mesa S., Lasso, Ochoa & DoNascimiento, 2018

DOI:  10.21068/c2018.v19s1a09 

Abstract

Trichomycterus rosablanca is described as a new troglobitic catfish species from caves in southeastern Santander, Colombia. These caves are drained by the Carare River of the Magdalena River basin. The new species is characterized by the advanced condition in the typical troglomorphisms found in other congeneric cave-dwelling species, such as absence of eyes and pigmentation. Trichomycterus rosablanca is diagnosed by the following putative autapomorphies: 1) presence of a circular foramen in the main body of the interopercle, dorsal to the interopercular plate supporting the odontodes, and 2) presence of a single sensory pore in the posteriormost section of the infraorbital canal. Trichomycterus rosablanca can be distinguished from all known Trichomycterus species from Colombia by having the supraorbital canal interrupted in the nasal section, resulting in the pattern of s1, s2, s3, and s6 sensory pores, and the lachrimal/antorbital bone not enclosing the anteriormost section of the infraorbital canal. The genetic distinctiveness of Trichomycterus rosablanca is confirmed by GMYC and genetic distance method analyses of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene sequence. The description of this species places Colombia as the second most diverse country in the continent in terms of number of cave fish species and calls the attention on the conservation efforts needed to guarantee the permanence of this remarkable diversity of hypogean fishes.

Keywords: Cave fish. Karstic. Middle Magdalena River basin. Santander.

Figure 7. Live specimens of Trichomycterus rosablanca

 (left picture corresponds to one specimen coming from IAvH-P 15811 lot of paratypes). 

Photographs by Felipe Villegas.

Trichomycterus rosablanca, new species

Etymology. The specific name is used as a noun in apposition in reference to the Rosablanca karstic formation where the type locality is found.

Lina M. Mesa S., Carlos A. Lasso, Luz E. Ochoa and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2018. Trichomycterus rosablanca (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) A New Species of Hipogean Catfish from the Colombian Andes [Trichomycterus rosablanca (Siluriformes, Trichomycteridae) una especie nueva de bagre hipogeo de los Andes colombianos]. Biota Colombiana. 19 (Sup. 1); 95-116. DOI:  10.21068/c2018.v19s1a09

ResearchGate.net/publication/325995979_Trichomycterus_rosablanca_Siluriformes_Trichomycteridae_a_new_species_of_hipogean_catfish_from_the_Colombian_Andes

 twitter.com/halooie1/status/1022936445005312001

Resumen: Se describe Trichomycterus rosablanca, una especie nueva de bagre troglobio de cuevas en el suroriente de Santander, Colombia. Estas cuevas son drenadas por el río Carare, de la cuenca del río Magdalena. La especie nueva se caracteriza por la condición avanzada en los troglomorfismos típicos encontrados en otros congéneres habitantes de cuevas, como ausencia de ojos y pigmentación. Trichomycterus rosablancaes diagnosticado por las siguientes autapomorfías putativas: 1) presencia de un foramen circular en el cuerpo principal del interopérculo, dorsal a la placa interopercular soportando los odontodes, y 2) presencia de un único poro sensorial en la sección más posterior del canal infraorbital. Trichomycterus rosablanca puede ser distinguida de todas las especies conocidas de Trichomycterus de Colombia por tener el canal supraorbital interrumpido en la sección nasal, resultando en el patrón de poros sensoriales s1, s2, s3 y s6 y el hueso lacrimal/antorbital no encerrando la sección más anterior del canal infraorbital. La identidad genética de Trichomycterus rosablanca es confirmada por análisis GMYC y de distancia genética de la secuencia génica de la subunidad I de la citocromo C oxidasa. La descripción de esta especie ubica a Colombia como el segundo país más diverso en el continente en términos del número de especies de peces cavernícolas y llama la atención sobre los esfuerzos de conservación necesarios para garantizar la permanencia de esta extraordinaria diversidad de peces hipogeos. 

Palabras clave: Cárstico. Cuenca media del río Magdalena. Pez cavernícola. Santander.