Showing posts with label Sumatra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sumatra. Show all posts

Sunday, February 3, 2019

[Herpetology • 2019] Diversification of Bent-toed Geckos (Cyrtodactylus) on Sumatra and west Java



in O'Connell, Smart, Sidik, et al., 2019. 

Highlights
• Sumatran and Javan bent-toed geckos are most closely related to species from the Thai-Malay Peninsula.
• Cyrtodactylus most likely dispersed to Sumatra three times during the late Oligocene and early Miocene.
• Cyrtodactylus invaded west Java from the Sumatra once in the early Miocene.
• Data support lowland connections over highland land bridges as dispersal pathways.

Abstract
Complex geological processes often drive biotic diversification on islands. The islands of Sumatra and Java have experienced dramatic historical changes, including isolation by marine incursions followed by periodic connectivity with the rest of Sundaland across highland connections. To determine how this geological history influenced island invasions, we investigated the colonization history and diversification of bent-toed geckos (genus Cyrtodactylus) on Sumatra and west Java. We used mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data to explore species boundaries, estimate phylogenetic relationships and divergence times, and to reconstruct ancestral range evolution. We found that Sumatran and Javan Cyrtodactylus were closely related to species from the Thai-Malay Peninsula, rather than from Borneo, and that Cyrtodactylus most likely dispersed to Sumatra three times during the late Oligocene and early Miocene. Similarly, Cyrtodactylus invaded west Java from Sumatra once in the early Miocene. Our results suggest that despite isolation by marine incursions during much of the Miocene, Cyrtodactylus dispersed to and from Sumatra and west Java likely via land bridges, and that in situ diversification occurred several times on Sumatra.

Keywords: Dispersal, Diversification, Geckos, Island biogeography, Java, Sumatra



 Kyle A. O'Connell, Utpal Smart, Irvan Sidik, Awal Riyanto, Nia Kurniawan and Eric N.Smith. 2019. Diversification of Bent-toed Geckos (Cyrtodactylus) on Sumatra and west Java. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 134; 1-11. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.01.021 

Monday, January 14, 2019

[Herpetology • 2018] Microhyla gadjahmadai • A New Species of Microhyla (Anura: Microhylidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia


Microhyla gadjahmadai 
 Atmaja, Hamidy, Arisuryanti, Matsui & Smith, 2018


Abstract 
A new species of frog in the genus Microhyla is described from Sumatra, Indonesia based on molecular and morphological characters. This new species was previously confused with M. achatina, a Javan endemic. This new species is diagnosable from its congeners by possessing a medium size (SVL in adult males 18.20–21.32 mm, in adult females 20.37–25.51 mm), a stout body, a nostril–eyelid length being about half of the snout length, having a single outer palmar tubercle, a tibiotarsal articulation reaching the center of the eye (when the hindlimbs are stretched and adpressed to the body), having finger and toe tips dilated, having the dorsum with medial longitudinal grooves, and excibiting a very thin and short dark stripe on the temporal region above a wider cream stripe, extending from the postorbital area to insertion of forelimb. Additionally, the new species is characterized by possessing relatively little foot webbing. Uncorrected 16S rRNA sequence divergences between the new taxon and sequences for other congeneric species available ranged from 4.8 to 15.0%. 

 Keywords: cryptic species, mitochondrial DNA, phylogeny, taxonomy

Figure 4 A. In life, dorsolateral and ventral view of male holotype of Microhyla gadjahmadai sp. nov. (MZB Amph 26081) from Rejang Lebong Regency, in the province of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia (Photographs by E. N. Smith).

Microhyla gadjahmadai sp. nov.
 Synonomy: Microhyla sp. 3: Matsui et al., 2011, p. 168 & 171

Diagnosis. The new species is assigned to Microhyla because of having a small size (SVL < 30 mm), narrow head and mouth, tympanum hidden by skin, maxillary and vomerine teeth absent, and a reduced first finger length (Tschudi,1838, Malkmus et al.,2002). Microhyla gadjahmadai sp. nov. is diagnosable from its congeners by having a medium size (for Microhyla, SVL adult males 18.2–21.3 mm, adult females 20.4–25.5 mm), stout body, a nostril–eyelid length of half the length of the snout, a single outer palmar tubercle, the tibiotarsal articulation reaching the center of eye, finger and toe tips dilated, median longitudinal grooves on dorsum, relatively reduced toe webbing (free of webbing: one and three quarter phalanges on outer surface of second toe, three phalanges on inner and outer surface of third toe, four phalanges on inner and outer surfaces of fourth toe, and two and three quarter phalanges on inner surface of fifth toe), and a thin-short dark temporal stripe over a wider cream stripe, extending from postorbital area to insertion of forelimb.

Etymology. The specific epithet honors the military leader and hero Gadjah Mada, who in the fourteenth century unified the whole of the Nusantara (i.e., Malay Archipelago) under the Javanese rule of the Hindu Majapahit Empire.

Natural history. Microhyla gadjahmadai sp. nov. is distributed in southern Sumatra, inhabiting from primary forest, secondary forest and open area such as farming area (Bengkulu). The tadpole and advertisement call of this species are still unknown.

Range. The new species is curently known from Bengkulu (Rejang Lebong, Bengkulu Utara, and Kepahiang Regency), Lampung (Tanggamus and Lampung Tengah Regency), and South Sumatra (Muara Enim Regency and Pagar Alam City) province with elevation range from 700–1647 m a.s.l.


Vestidhia Yunisya Atmaja, Amir Hamidy, Tuty Arisuryanti, Masafumi Matsui and Eric N. Smith. 2018. A New Species of Microhyla (Anura: Microhylidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia. Treubia. 45; 25-46.  DOI: 10.14203/treubia.v45i0.3625

   

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

[Botany • 2018] Thismia sumatrana (Thismiaceae) • A New Species from West Sumatra, Indonesia, with Discussions on the Taxonomic Identity of Thismia clavigera


Thismia sumatrana Suetsugu & Tsukaya

in Suetsugu, Tsukaya, Nurainas & Okada, 2018. 

Abstract
A new species of the mycoheterotrophic genus Thismia Griff. (Thismiaceae), Thismia sumatrana Suetsugu & Tsukaya, from West Sumatra, Indonesia, is described, based on a rehydrated herbarium specimen from National Museum of Nature and Science, Japan. Thismia sumatrana is closely related to T. clavigera (Becc.) F.Muell. but is distinguished by a much larger flower.

Keywords: Thismia, taxonomy, new species, mycoheterotrophy, Sumatra


Figure 1. Thismia sumatrana from West Sumatra, Indonesia (from the holotype).
A Flower B Dome-shaped mitre bearing the eaves-like to hood-like accessory lobes. The accessory lobes are indicated using the arrows C Upper part of perianth tube. Outer perianth lobes are indicated by arrows D Inner view of two pendulous stamens. Thecae and glands are indicated by upper and lower arrows, respectively E Outer view of a pendulous stamen. Thecae and glands are indicated by upper and lower arrows, respectively. One grid is equal to 1 mm2.


Figure 2. Thismia sumatrana from West Sumatra, Indonesia (Drawn from the holotype). 
A Flowering plant B Flower C Inner view of two pendulous stamens D Outer view of two pendulous stamens E Ovary with style and stigmas.
 Drawn by Kumi Hamasaki. Scale bars: 1 cm (A–B), 1 mm (C–E).

Thismia sumatrana Suetsugu & Tsukaya, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Thismia sumatrana differs from its close relative T. clavigera, in having a much larger flower (ca. 8 cm vs. ca. 2.8 cm long).


Distribution: It is known from only a single collection comprising of one flowering and one fruiting individual.
 Thismia sumatrana was collected from a forest floor beside a rheophytic zone along Anak Air Ganggu (Ganggu Stream), 0°33'S, 100°21'E, at Sipisang Village, Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra, Indonesia. The area was covered by mixed primary and secondary forest along a stream, where relatively natural conditions remained. For example, there were many individuals of a rare and large herbaceous plant, Amorphophallus titanum (Becc.) Becc. (Araceae). In addition, many individuals of a rheophytic plant, Furtadoa sumatrensis M.Hotta (Araceae), grew on small rocks both in the stream and on the stream bank (Mori and Okada 2001).




 Kenji Suetsugu, Hirokazu Tsukaya, Nurainas Nurainas and Hiroshi Okada. 2018. Thismia sumatrana (Thismiaceae), A New Species from West Sumatra, Indonesia, with Discussions on the Taxonomic Identity of Thismia clavigeraPhytoKeys. 113: 59-67.  DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.113.29103

Friday, July 13, 2018

[Herpetology • 2018] Megophrys lancip • A Megophrys Kuhl and Van Hasselt (Amphibia: Megophryidae) from southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia


Megophrys lancip 
 Munir, Hamidy, Farajallah & Smith, 2018 


Abstract
Megophrys lancip sp. nov., from the Bukit Barisan mountain range of southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia, is described on the basis of molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is distinguished from its congeners in Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and the Philippines by having a medium-sized body, snout with an extremely pointed rostral appendage, a medium-sized triangular eyelid appendage, a dorsolateral fold extending from just behind the eye to the groin, vomerine teeth, vocal slits, nuptial pads on the dorsomedial surface of the first and second fingers in males, and in lacking a Y, X, or H-shaped fold on the dorsum. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to M. montana, but it has a longer rostral appendage, shorter eyelid appendages, and less developed toe webbing. We also evaluate the taxonomic status of M. parallela and comment on the occurrence of M. aceras in Sumatra.

Keywords: Amphibia, Megophrys lancip, new species, Sundaland

FIGURE 3. Holotype of Megophrys lancip sp. nov. in life (adult male; MZB Amph 22233), dorsolateral view.
Photos by E. N. Smith.

Megophrys lancip sp. nov.

Etymology. The species name lancip is the Indonesian word for “pointed”, used as an adjective, and reflects the extremely pointed rostral appendage of the new species.

Suggested English common name. Pointed Horned Frog.
Suggested Indonesian common name. Katak-tanduk lancip.

Distribution and Natural History. The new species is known from the provinces of Lampung and Bengkulu in southwestern Sumatra. Larval, acoustic and other ecological data are unknown. The holotype was collected from a coffee plantation near the edge of secondary forest..... This new species of Megophrys can be found sympatrically with M. nasuta in Kubu Prahu, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. Habitat loss and exploitation for the pet trade are likely be the main threats for the new species.


Misbahul Munir, Amir Hamidy, Achmad Farajallah and Eric N. Smith. 2018.  A New Megophrys Kuhl and Van Hasselt (Amphibia: Megophryidae) from southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 4442(3); 389–412. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4442.3.3

Monday, July 9, 2018

[Herpetology • 2018] The Rediscovery of Schaefer’s Spine-jawed Snake Xenophidion schaeferi Günther & Manthey, 1995 (Serpentes, Xenophidiidae) from Peninsular Malaysia with Notes on Its Variation and the First Record of the Genus from Sumatra, Indonesia


 Schaefer’s Spine-jawed Snake, Xenophidion schaeferi Günther & Manthey, 1995

in Quah, Grismer, Jetten, et al., 2018.


Abstract
The family Xenophidiidae is an extremely rare and little-known family of snakes that contains only two species, Xenophidion acanthognathus Günther & Manthey and X. schaeferi Günther & Manthey that are each known only from their holotypes. We report on the rediscovery of X. schaeferi from two new locations in southern Peninsular Malaysia. The new specimens differ markedly from the holotype of X. schaeferi in colour pattern and are more akin to the patterning of X. acanthognathus from Borneo. However, molecular analyses of one of the new specimens reveal that it only differs from the holotype of X. schaeferi by a minimum sequence divergence of 0.27%. An expanded description of the species based on these specimens is provided and phenotypic variation within the species is discussed. We also report the first record of the genus Xenophidion from West Sumatra, Indonesia. These sensational discoveries continue to underscore the fact that southern Peninsular Malaysia and upland areas of Southeast Asia in general still harbour unrealized herpetological diversity and are still in need of field research-based taxonomic studies.

Keywords: Reptilia, Reptile, Squamata, Southeast Asia, Sundaland, endemic, biodiversity, taxonomy



 Evan S. H. Quah, L. L. Grismer, Thom Jetten, JR. P. L. Wood, Aurélien Miralles, Shahrul A. M. Sah, Kurt H. P. Guek and Matthew L. Brady. 2018. The Rediscovery of Schaefer’s Spine-jawed Snake (Xenophidion schaeferi Günther & Manthey, 1995) (Serpentes, Xenophidiidae) from Peninsular Malaysia with Notes on Its Variation and the First Record of the Genus from Sumatra, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 4441(2); 366–378. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4441.2.10

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

[Herpetology • 2018] Pulchrana fantastica • A New Species of the Genus Pulchrana Dubois, 1992 (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia


Pulchrana fantastica 
Arifin, Cahyadi, Smart, Jankowski & Haas, 2018

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66;  
photo: Ganjar Cahyadi 

Abstract
 We describe a new species of Pulchrana from the island of Sumatra, in western Indonesia. Pulchrana fantastica, new species, is currently only known from Aceh and Sumatera Utara provinces. It is related to P. siberu and P. centropeninsularis as inferred from morphological similarity and phylogenetic relationships, estimated from DNA sequences. It can be diagnosed by the following unique combination of characters: (1) SVL adult males 40.32–45.19 mm; (2) males have large humeral glands on the anteroventral surface of brachium, nuptial pads absent; (3) dorsal skin finely granular to granulated, with or without asperities at the tip of granules; (4) webbing formula: I(1 ― 1–11/2)II(1/2 ― 2)III(1 ― 2–21/3)IV(2–21/3 ― 1)V; (5) straight dorsolateral stripes, thin, continuous, anteriorly confluent at snout, posteriorly interconnected by a series of spots; (6) middorsum in adults black with light medial line or combination of spots and line, black without marking in juveniles; (7) dense cream or yellow to orange spots on flanks, and dorsal side of limbs, spots non-uniform in shape; (8) venter greyish or brown, with small light dots on throat and chest, sometimes reaching abdomen; (9) iris background black, lower part with dense orange stippling, upper region with orange reticulation with gold in the middle, pupil encircled with solid orangegolden line; (10) upper and lower lip grey or brown with cream or yellow spots. We also report the presence of P. centropeninsularis from Sumatra; a species previously known only from a single locality in the Malay Peninsula; and discuss the biogeographic implications of this significant range extension. 

Key words. molecular systematics, morphology, new species, Pulchrana signata Complex, Sumatra, taxonomy

 Pulchrana fantastica, new species, MZB.Amph.28894, adult male, paratype, Aceh




Fig. 5. Plates comparing the three closely allied Sumatran Pulchrana species
(a) Pulchrana fantastica, new species, MZB.Amph.28894, adult male, paratype, Aceh; (b) P. fantastica, new species, MZB.Amph.28943, juvenile, Aceh; (c) P. centropeninsularis, adult male, Jambi; (d) P. siberu, female, Pagai Selatan.
Photos by U. Arifin (a, b, d); A. Jankowski (c).

Fig. 4. Geographical distribution of Pulchrana centropeninsularis (white circles O), P. fantastica, new species (black triangles △), and P. siberu (red stars ★).
Locality information: Mane (1); Taman Buru Linge Isaq (2); Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser (3); Bandar Baru (4), Lakum Forest Reserve & Kuala Gandah, Pahang (5); Bukit Tigapuluh (6); Hutan Harapan (7); Siberut (8); Sipora (9); and Pagai Selatan (10).
Type locality for each species indicated by arrow. Map was prepared using GeoMapApp (Ryan et al., 2009).


Pulchrana fantastica, new species 
Splendid Stream Frogs (recommended common English name);
Katak Elok (Bahasa Indonesia)
Hylarana cf. siberu (Montane NW Sumatra [Brown & Siler, 2013])
Hylarana sp. Sumatra (Chan et al., 2014)

Diagnosis. The following unique combinations of characters distinguish Pulchrana fantastica, new species, from its congeners: (1) a medium size frog, SVL adult males (n = 12) 40.3–45.2 mm; (2) males with large humeral glands (3.2–4.3 mm) on anteroventral surface of brachium, paired internal subgular vocal sacs, nuptial pads absent; (3) dorsal skin finely granular to granulated, with or without keratinised white asperities at tip of each granule (Fig. 2); (4) webbing formula: I(1 ― 1–11/2)II(1/2 ― 2)III(1 ― 2–21/3)IV(2– 21/3 ― 1)V; (5) dorsolateral stripe, thin (0.7–0.9 mm), orange, continuous, anteriorly confluent and posteriorly interconnected by spots; (6) middorsum black with orange line or combination of spots and line in the center, variable in number and length of the line and spots, black without marking in juveniles; (7) dense spots on flanks and dorsal surface limbs, cream or yellow to orange, shape of spots elongated or circular, variable in size; (8) skin of venter smooth, greyish or brown with small light dots on throat and chest, occasionally extending posteriorly to abdomen; (9) iris background black, dense orange stippling ventrally, orange reticulation dorsally, golden centrally, with orange-golden line encircling pupil; (10) upper and lower lip grey or brown with cream or yellow spots (upper lip: 3–7; lower lip: 2–5).

Etymology. The specific epithet is nominative feminine derivative of the Greek phantastikós. We apply this adjective with a contemporary spelling and an implied meaning of “being beyond imagination” with reference to the extraordinary beauty of this species.

Range. Pulchrana fantastica, new species, is currently known from Aceh Province (Marpunge, Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser; Taman Buru Linge Isaq; Mane) and Sumatera Utara Province (Bandar Baru, Langkat) at an elevation between 450–1,065 m (Fig. 4).


Umilaela Arifin, Ganjar Cahyadi, Utpal Smart, André Jankowski and Alexander Haas. 2018. A New Species of the Genus Pulchrana Dubois, 1992 (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia. RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66; 277–299.
lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2018/01/66rbz277-299.pdf
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213395142810663
Researchgate.net/publication/324909977_A_new_species_of_the_genus_Pulchrana_from_Sumatra_Indonesia



Tuesday, April 3, 2018

[Herpetology • 2018] Lophocalotes achlios Sumatra's Endemic Crested Dragons (Agamidae: Lophocalotes): A New Species from the Bukit Barisan Range, Comments on Lophocalotes ludekingi, and Ecology


Lophocalotes achlios 
Harvey, Scrivani, Shaney, Hamidy, Kurniawan & Smith, 2018


Abstract
With the use of a concordance and a mitochondrial tree–morphological character congruence approach, we show that recently discovered populations of Lophocalotes represent a new species. Like its only known congener, the new species occurs only on Sumatra in montane forests above 1000 m. The new species differs from L. ludekingi in having more gulars, ventrals, and subdigital lamellae; in having males with a lower nuchal crest not supported by an arched flap of skin and white gular markings; and in having females with cream buccal epithelia. These agamids are slow-moving, arboreal, generalist predators and lay 2–6 eggs, multiple times per year. Lophocalotes exhibits pronounced sexual dimorphism. Interestingly, coloration of the buccal epithelium is sexually dichromatic in the new species. The recently described nematode Spinicauda sumatrana infected most hosts in our sample, and parasite load increased with snout-to-vent length. Lophocalotes is closely related to Dendragama and Pseudocalotes and shares two derived characters with Pseudocophotis sumatrana: a prehensile tail and reduced keels on the subdigital lamellae.

Keywords: Clutch size, Diet, Lophocalotes achlios sp. nov., ND4, Parasites, Sexual dimorphism, Spinicauda sumatrana, Systematics


 Holotype of Lophocalotes achlios (MZB 14038, SVL 90 mm) from Gunung Kaba, Bengkulu Province, Sumatra.  

Lophocalotes achlios sp. nov.

Diagnosis.— A species of Lophocalotes differing from the L. ludekingi in having more gulars, ventrals, and subdigital lamellae; in having males with a lower nuchal crest not supported by an arched flap of skin and white gular markings; and in having females with cream buccal epithelia.

Etymology and standard English name.— The specific epithet achlios is a feminine noun in apposition derived by affixing the Greek suffix –ios meaning ‘‘pertaining to’’ or ‘‘of’’ to achlys, meaning mist. The new name refers to the misty cloud forests where Lophocalotes achlios occurs. We propose the standard English name ‘‘White-throated Crested Dragons’’ for this species in reference to the pattern of white and green on its gular scales. 

Nuchal crest (MZB 14043) of Lophocalotes ludekingi from Gunung Kerinci, Jambi Province, Sumatra. 

Michael B. Harvey, James Scrivani, Kyle Shaney, Amir Hamidy, Nia Kurniawan and Eric N. Smith. 2018. Sumatra's Endemic Crested Dragons (Agamidae: Lophocalotes): A New Species from the Bukit Barisan Range, Comments on Lophocalotes ludekingi, and Ecology. Herpetologica. 74(1); 73-88.  DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-17-00022.1

Saturday, March 10, 2018

[Herpetology • 2018] Sumaterana gen. n. • Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of A Taxonomically Unstable Ranid from Sumatra, Indonesia, reveals A New Genus with Gastromyzophorous Tadpoles and Two New Species


[a] Sumaterana crassiovis (Boulenger, 1920) 

[b] Sumaterana dabulescens  
 [c] S. montana
Arifin, Smart, Hertwig, Smith, Iskandar & Haas, 2018


Abstract

The presence of an adhesive abdominal sucker (gastromyzophory) allows tadpoles of certain species of anurans to live in fast-flowing streams. Gastromyzophorous tadpoles are rare among anurans, known only in certain American bufonids and Asian ranids. To date, Huia sumatrana, which inhabits cascading streams, has been the only Sumatran ranid known to possess gastromyzophorous tadpoles. In the absence of thorough sampling and molecular barcoding of adults and larvae, it has remained to be confirmed whether other Sumatran ranid species living in similar habitats, i.e., Chalcorana crassiovis, possesses this larval type. Moreover, the taxonomic status of this species has long been uncertain and its taxonomic position within the Ranidae, previously based exclusively on morphological characters, has remained unresolved. To study the diversity and relationships of these frogs and to establish the identity of newly collected gastromyzophorous tadpoles from Sumatra, we compared genetic sequences of C. crassiovis-like taxa from a wide range of sites on Sumatra. We conducted bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses on a concatenated dataset of mitochondrial (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and tRNAval) and nuclear (RAG1 and TYR) gene fragments. Our analyses recovered C. crassiovis to be related to Clinotarsus, Huia, and Meristogenys. The DNA barcodes of the gastromyzophorous tadpoles matched adults from the same sites. Herein, we provide a re-description of adult C. crassiovis and propose “C. kampeni” as a synonym of this species. The molecular evidence, morphological features, and distribution suggest the presence of two related new species. The two new species and C. crassiovis together represent a distinct phylogenetic clade possessing unique molecular and morphological synapomorphies, thus warranting a new genus.

Key Words: Clinotarsus, Huia, Meristogenys, Morphology, Molecular systematics, Ranidae, Species diversity, Taxonomy

Figure 2. Bayesian (on the right) and Maximum Likelihood (on the left) trees showing the phylogenetic relationship of the crassiovis-group. A, B, C are distinct lineages within crassiovis-group. Black circles represent well supported nodes (PP ≥ 0.95 and BS ≥ 70). Red branches represent relationship between Clinotarsus and Huia melasma. Tadpole sequences named with specimen number_Tad_locality (province). Adult sequences named with specimen number_locality (province). MZB.AMPH.29336 and ZMH.A14197 were collected from the type locality of C. kampeni and C. crassiovis, respectively.

Figure 3. Comparison of three lineages within Clade 1 based on the coloration of iris, the coloration of rear of thigh, and nuptial pad. Clade 1A (a–c), Clade 1B (c–d) and Clade 1C (g–i). Photographs were taken from ZMH.A14197, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat (a–c); ZMH.A14194, female, Provinsi Bengkulu (d–e); MZB.AMPH.23524, male, Provinsi Sumatera Utara (f); and MZB.AMPH.29396, male, Provinsi Aceh (g–i). Photos by U. Arifin.


Sumaterana gen. n.

Type species: Rana crassiovis Boulenger, 1920,
Syntypes: two adult females, BMNH1947.2.3.99 and BMNH1947.2.4.1.


Diagnosis: Sumaterana gen. n. belongs to a group of ranid torrent frogs, along with Huia and Meristogenys that possess gastromyzophorous larvae (Inger 1966, Inger and Gritis 1983, Inger 1986, Yang 1991). Sumaterana gen. n. species can be diagnosed by a combination of: (1) gastromyzophorous tadpole; (2) larval upper jaw sheaths thick, smooth, broadly arched, with thinner medial section; (3) lower jaw sheaths undivided, smooth, and V-shaped; (4) Labial Tooth Row Formula (LTRF): 8(5–9)/8(1) to 9(5–9)/9(1); (5) infraorbital and postorbital gland clusters present; (6) adult frogs medium sized (SVL males = 27.94–48.87 mm; females = 40.98–83.99 mm); (7) dorsum finely granulated, with or without scattered tubercles; (8) supratympanic fold present (skin fold above the tympanum, starting behind the eye); (9) posttympanic fold absent (vertical skin fold immediately posterior to tympanum); (10) dorsolateral fold absent or present; (11) tibia length 58.08–79.67% SVL; (12) outer metatarsal tubercle absent; (13) inner metatarsal tubercle present; (14) Finger I relatively shorter or subequal to Finger II; (15) width of finger discs larger or subequal to width of toe discs; (16) vocal sacs and nuptial pads present; (17) humeral gland absent.

Etymology: Sumaterana is a compound generic epithet created from the Indonesian proper noun Sumatera, the Indonesian name for the island of Sumatra, and rana, the feminin Latin word for frog. Sumatera itself is named after the kingdom of Samudra Pasai, which was located along the coast of Aceh, Sumatra from the 13th to the 16th centuries CE. Samudra is a sanskrit word that means gathering of the seas, a place where the Andaman, Java, and South China seas meet the Indian Ocean. Rana, was also the very first generic name to be assigned to a member of the S. crassiovis group, endemic to the island of Sumatra.

Common name: Sumatran Cascade Frogs (English) and
Katak Jeram Sumatra (Bahasa Indonesia).

Phylogenetic definition and content: Sumaterana gen. n. is a node-based genus that consists of three known species: Sumaterana crassiovis comb. n. (Fig. 2 Clade A, Fig. 5a), S. montana sp. n. (Fig. 2 Clade B, Fig. 5c), and S. dabulescens sp. n. (Fig. 2 Clade C, Fig. 5b), and their most recent common ancestor. Chalcorana kampeni is considered a junior synonym of S. crassiovis comb. n. based on Inger and Iskandar (2005) and the new molecular evidence. The monophyletic clade of Sumaterana gen. n. is restricted to the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Our phylogenetic analyses and morphological examination supports these taxonomic recognitions (uncorrected p-distances in Suppl. materials 3).

Distribution and habitat: Species of Sumaterana gen. n. inhabit riparian habitats in primary or secondary forest in Sumatra, Indonesia. Inhabited streams are typically fast flowing, 5 m wide or less, dominated by big rocks (diameter > 1 m). The known elevational range is from 314–2033 m a.s.l.. Adult frogs of these genus usually perched on rocks or vegetation at the stream. Tadpoles of these frogs can be found in groups attached to the top or sides of rocks in fast moving water.



Figure 5. Sumaterana gen. n. species:
(a) Sumaterana crassiovis comb. n., ZMH.A14197, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat; (b) S. dabulescens sp. n., MZB.AMPH.29396, male, holotype, Provinsi Aceh; (c) S. montana sp. n., ZMH.A14194, female, paratype, Provinsi Bengkulu. Photos by U. Arifin. 

Figure 8. Morphological variation within Sumaterana crassiovis comb. n.
(a) MZB.AMPH.29196, female, Provinsi Aceh, (b) Provinsi Sumatera Utara, (c) MZB.AMPH.29200, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat, (d) ZMH.A14197, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat. Photos by U. Arifin, except for (b) by A. Irawan.

Figure 8. Morphological variation within Sumaterana crassiovis comb. n.
 (e) MZB.AMPH.29320, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat, (f) MZB.AMPH.29277, young male, Provinsi Bengkulu, (g) ZMH.A14151, male, Provinsi Sumatera Selatan, (h) ZMH.A14185 and MZB.AMPH.29296, male and female, Provinsi Lampung.

Photos by U. Arifin. 

Sumaterana crassiovis comb. n. 
Rana pantherina Van Kampen, 1910.
Rana crassiovis Boulenger, 1920.
Rana (Hyloranakampeni Boulenger, 1920.
Rana (Hyloranacrassiovis Boulenger, 1920.
Rana (Hylaranakampeni Van Kampen, 1923.
Rana (Hylaranacrassiovis Van Kampen, 1923.
Rana (Chalcoranakampeni Dubois, 1992.
Rana (Chalcoranacrassiovis Dubois, 1992.
Hydrophylax kampeni Frost et al., 2006.
Hydrophylax crassiovis Frost et al., 2006.
Hylarana kampeni Che et al., 2007.
Hylarana crassiovis Che et al., 2007.
Chalcorana kampeni Fei et al., 2010; Oliver et al., 2015.
Chalcorana crassiovis Fei eal., 2010; Oliver et al., 2015.

Common name: We propose Kerinci Cascade Frogs as the common English name (to replace the old spelling in “Korinchi Frog”, Iskandar and Mumpuni 2004) and Katak Jeram Kerinci as the Indonesian name.

Figure 8. Morphological variation within Sumaterana crassiovis comb. n.
(a) MZB.AMPH.29196, female, Provinsi Aceh, (b) Provinsi Sumatera Utara, (c) MZB.AMPH.29200, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat, (d) ZMH.A14197, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat, (e) MZB.AMPH.29320, male, Provinsi Sumatera Barat, (f) MZB.AMPH.29277, young male, Provinsi Bengkulu, (g) ZMH.A14151, male, Provinsi Sumatera Selatan, (h) ZMH.A14185 and MZB.AMPH.29296, male and female, Provinsi Lampung. Photos by U. Arifin, except for (b) by A. Irawan.



Sumaterana montana sp. n.

Diagnosis: (1) medium sized frog, SVL males (n = 10) 27.94–31.56 mm and females (n = 7) 50.11–63.37 mm; (2) dorsum skin finely granulated, color generally brown with scattered light spots; (3) tympanum distinct and translucent, slightly deep, supratympanic fold present, posttympanic fold absent; (4) dorsolateral fold present, thin, continuation of supratympanic fold to the level of pelvic joint, uninterrupted or broken; (5) venter smooth, white or yellowish; (6) tibia length 69.63–79.67% SVL; (7) Finger I 87.67–10.18% Finger II; (8) width of disc of Finger III 73.68–120.00% width of disc of Toe IV; (9) rear of thigh mottled; (10) approx. a quarter of the upper part of iris golden brown and the remaining iris with dense bright red stippling on black background; (11) webbing formula: I(0+―11/2)II(0+―2)III(0+―3+)IV(3-―0+)V; (12) outer metatarsal tubercle absent, inner metatarsal tubercle present; (13) males with paired vocal sacs, undivided nuptial pad, humeral gland absent.

Etymology: The specific epithet is the Latin adjective montana in allusion to the distribution of this species at high elevations of the Bukit Barisan mountain range of Sumatra.

Common name: We propose Mountain Cascade Frogs as common English name and Katak Jeram Gunung in Bahasa Indonesia.



Sumaterana dabulescens sp. n.

Diagnosis: (1) medium sized frog, SVL males (n = 27) 34.69–40.86 mm and females (n = 3) 48.03–66.60 mm; (2) dorsum finely granulated with scattered round, distinct tubercles; generally gray with dark gray spots on tubercles; (3) tympanum distinct and translucent (not transparent), supratympanic fold present, posttympanic fold absent; (4) dorsolateral fold absent; (5) venter smooth, granulated posteriorly, white; (6) tibia length 58.08–68.81% SVL; (7) Finger I 58.57–94.16 Finger II; (8) width of disc of Finger III 105.13–144.53% width of disc of Toe IV; (9) rear of thigh mottled; dark blotches on light background; (10) iris silver-gray with dark netting, slightly yellow to orange golden in the upper part; (11) all toes fully webbed to base of discs (I(1+/-―1+/-)II(1+/-―1+/-)III(1+/-―1+/-)IV(1+/-―1+/-)V); (12) outer metatarsal tubercle absent, inner metatarsal tubercle present; (13) males with paired vocal sacs, divided nuptial pad, humeral gland absent.


Etymology: The species epithet dabulescens is an artificial construct of “dabul”, “gray” in Gayo language, combined with the Latin ending “-escense”, here in the sense of “tending to be”, in allusion to the gray appearance of this species. The Gayo are a local tribe in the Aceh region of Sumatra and after which the Gayo highlands have been named.

Common name: We propose Gayo Cascade Frogs as the English common name and Katak Jeram Gayo as name in Bahasa Indonesia.

Figure 10. (a–b) Typical cascading stream habitat of Sumaterana crassiovis comb. n. at Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser, Provinsi Aceh. Sumaterana dabulescens sp. n. inhabits similar stream habitats. (c) Specimen of S. dabulescens sp. n. on a rock near a small cascade in its natural habitat at Taman Buru Linge Isaq, Provinsi Aceh. Photos by U. Arifin.


 Umilaela Arifin, Utpal Smart, Stefan T. Hertwig, Eric N. Smith, Djoko T. Iskandar and Alexander Haas. 2018. Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of A Taxonomically Unstable Ranid from Sumatra, Indonesia, reveals A New Genus with Gastromyzophorous Tadpoles and Two New Species. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 94(1): 163-193. DOI:  10.3897/zse.94.22120

Abstrak: Pada beberapa jenis katak tertentu yang hidup di sungai berarus deras, di bagian abdomen berudunya terdapat semacam alat perekat sebagai mekanisme adaptasi pada kondisi habitat tempat tinggalnya. Tipe berudu seperti ini dikenal dengan nama gastromyzophorous dan sangat jarang ditemukan, hanya diketahui pada beberapa jenis bufonid di Amerika dan katak ranid di Asia. Hingga saat ini, hanya Huia sumatrana, dengan habitat sungai berarus deras, yang diketahui memiliki tipe berudu seperti ini di Sumatra. Tanpa survey menyeluruh dan tanpa DNA barcoding untuk katak dewasa dan kecebong, dugaan mengenai keberadaan katak jenis lain dengan tipe berudu serupa di pulau ini, misalnya Chalcorana crassiovis, masih harus dibuktikan. Di sisi lain, status taksonomi jenis ini hingga kini masih belum dapat dipastikan, dan posisi taksonominya dalam famili Ranidae hanya berdasarkan karakter morfologi saja. Oleh karena itu, untuk mengetahui keanekaragaman dan hubungan kekerabatan dari katak-katak jenis tersebut, serta untuk memastikan identitas koleksi berudu gastromyzophorous dari Sumatra, kami membandingkan data genetik dari semua taxa yang mirip dengan C. crassiovis dari berbagai lokasi di Sumatra. Kami merekonstruksi pohon filogeni dengan menganalisis sekuens DNA dari gabungan fragmen gen mitokondria (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, dan tRNAval) dan gen inti (RAG1 dan TYR) menggunakan metode Bayesian dan Maximum Likelihood. Hasil penelitian kami membuktikan bahwa C. crassiovis berkerabat dekat dengan Clinotarsus, Huia, dan Meristogenys. Sekuens DNA dari berudu gastromyzophorous memiliki kecocokan dengan sekuens DNA katak dewasa dari lokasi yang sama. Dalam paper ini, kami menyajikan deskripsi ulang untuk C. crassiovis dan menyarankan agar “C. kampeni” menjadi junior synonym dari C. crassiovis. Bukti molekuler, karakter morfologi, dan kisaran distribusi menunjukkan bahwa terdapat dua jenis baru yang berkerabat dengan C. crassiovis. Ketiganya menunjukkan perbedaan filogenetik yang signifikan, yang dibuktikan dengan adanya synapomorphy pada karakter molekuler dan morfologi yang unik. Oleh sebab itu dibentuk genus baru untuk ketiga jenis ini.

Kata Kunci: Clinotarsus, Huia, Meristogenys Morfologi, Molekular sistematik, Keanekaragaman spesies, Taksonomi

Friday, November 17, 2017

[Botany • 2017] Rafflesia kemumu • A New Species (Rafflesiaceae) from Northern Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia


Rafflesia kemumu  Susatya, Hidayati & Riki


Abstract

Rafflesia kemumu is a new species described from Northern Bengkulu in Sumatra, Indonesia. The species resembles R. gadutensis in size of the open flower, but differs from it with regard to the color and wart ornamentation on the upper surface of the perigone lobes, color and presence/absence of warts on the upper surface of the diaphragm, blots pattern on the two concentric rings of windows near the diaphragm opening, types and distribution of ramenta, number and shapes of processes, and number of anthers. The new species has orange to dark orange perigone lobes with warts of two sizes, in which smaller warts are often merged, and surround larger ones, and 23 slender, conical processes with rounded apex, arranged in two concentric rings (15 and 7 processes each) and a single process in the center of the disc. Rafflesia kemumu has no warts at its upper surface of diaphragm, simple and compound toadstool ramenta on its upper perigone tube and the lower part of the lower surface of its diaphragm and broccoli-like ramenta distributed from the base to the upper part of the perigone tube.

Keywords: Bengkulu, processes, Rafflesia, ramenta, Sumatra, Eudicots

The color of perigone lobes and their wart patterns on the first day of flowering for Rafflesia kemumu.

Photo by S. Riki. 



Rafflesia kemumu Susatya, Hidayati & Riki, spec. nov.

Differs from a related species R. gadutensis by the absence of warts on the upper surface of the diaphragm, the pattern and arrangement of warts of windows near the diaphragm opening, and the presence of compound toadstool ramenta on the upper part of the perigone tube. 

Etymology:— The specific epithet is named after a village near the location where the holotype specimen was collected, Kemumu. The people of Kemumu rely on the continuity of a water supply from the Palak Siring watershed for their rice fields.


Agus Susatyaม Siti Nur Hidayati and Septian Riki. 2017. Rafflesia kemumu (Rafflesiaceae), A New Species from Northern Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia. Phytotaxa. 326(3); 211–220. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.326.3.5  

Rafflesia kemumu (Rafflesiaceae), e new species from Northern Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia
 Ditjen Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam dan Ekosistem

  


Monday, November 6, 2017

[Mammalogy • 2017] Pongo tapanuliensis • Morphometric, Behavioral, and Genomic Evidence for a New Orangutan Species


 Pongo tapanuliensis Nurcahyo, Meijaard, Nowak, Fredriksson & Groves, 2017


An adult male naps in a tree. There are about 800 Tapanuli orangutans [Pongo tapanuliensis] on Earth, split into three fragmented populations.
Photo: Tim Laman NationalGeographic.com  

Highlights
• We describe a new species of great apes, the Tapanuli orangutan Pongo tapanuliensis
• Genomic analyses corroborate morphological distinctiveness of P. tapanuliensis
P. tapanuliensis comprises the oldest evolutionary lineage in the genus Pongo
• With fewer than 800 individuals, P. tapanuliensis is among the most endangered great apes

Summary
Six extant species of non-human great apes are currently recognized: Sumatran and Bornean orangutans, eastern and western gorillas, and chimpanzees and bonobos. However, large gaps remain in our knowledge of fine-scale variation in hominoid morphology, behavior, and genetics, and aspects of great ape taxonomy remain in flux. This is particularly true for orangutans (genus: Pongo), the only Asian great apes and phylogenetically our most distant relatives among extant hominids. Designation of Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, P. pygmaeus (Linnaeus 1760) and P. abelii (Lesson 1827), as distinct species occurred in 2001. Here, we show that an isolated population from Batang Toru, at the southernmost range limit of extant Sumatran orangutans south of Lake Toba, is distinct from other northern Sumatran and Bornean populations. By comparing cranio-mandibular and dental characters of an orangutan killed in a human-animal conflict to those of 33 adult male orangutans of a similar developmental stage, we found consistent differences between the Batang Toru individual and other extant Ponginae. Our analyses of 37 orangutan genomes provided a second line of evidence. Model-based approaches revealed that the deepest split in the evolutionary history of extant orangutans occurred ∼3.38 mya between the Batang Toru population and those to the north of Lake Toba, whereas both currently recognized species separated much later, about 674 kya. Our combined analyses support a new classification of orangutans into three extant species. The new species, Pongo tapanuliensis, encompasses the Batang Toru population, of which fewer than 800 individuals survive.

Results
Despite decades of field studies, our knowledge of variation among orangutans remains limited as many populations occur in isolated and inaccessible habitats, leaving questions regarding their evolutionary history and taxonomic classification largely unresolved. In particular, Sumatran populations south of Lake Toba had long been overlooked, even though a 1939 review of the species’ range mentioned that orangutans had been reported in several forest areas in that region [4]. Based on diverse sources of evidence, we describe a new orangutan species, Pongo tapanuliensis, that encompasses a geographically and genetically isolated population found in the Batang Toru area at the southernmost range limit of extant Sumatran orangutans, south of Lake Toba, Indonesia.

Figure 1: Morphological Evidence Supporting a New Orangutan Species
(A) Current distribution of Pongo tapanuliensis on Sumatra. The holotype locality is marked with a red star. The area shown in the map is indicated in Figure 2A. (B) Holotype skull and mandible of P. tapanuliensis from a recently deceased individual from Batang Toru. (C) Violin plots of the first seven principal components of 26 cranio-mandibular morphological variables of eight north Sumatran P. abelii and 19 Bornean P. pygmaeus individuals of similar developmental state as the P. tapanuliensis holotype skull (black horizontal lines).



Systematics
Genus Pongo Lacépède, 1799.

Pongo tapanuliensis sp. nov. Nurcahyo, Meijaard, Nowak, Fredriksson & Groves.
Tapanuli Orangutan.

Etymology: The species name refers to three North Sumatran districts (North, Central, and South Tapanuli) to which P. tapanuliensis is endemic.


Description: Craniometrically, the type skull of P. tapanuliensis (Figure 1B) is significantly smaller than any skull of comparable developmental stage of other orangutans; it falls outside of the interquartile ranges of P. abelii and P. pygmaeus for 24 of 39 cranio-mandibular measurements. A principal-component analysis (PCA) of 26 cranio-mandibular measurements commonly used in primate taxonomic classification shows consistent differences between P. tapanuliensis and the two currently recognized species.

The external morphology of P. tapanuliensis is more similar to that of P. abelii in its linear body build and more cinnamon pelage than that of P. pygmaeus. The hair texture of P. tapanuliensis is frizzier, contrasting in particular with the long, loose body hair of P. abelii. Pongo tapanuliensis has a prominent moustache and flat flanges covered in downy hair in dominant males, whereas flanges of older males resemble more those of Bornean males. Females of P. tapanuliensis have beards, unlike those of P. pygmaeus.

Distribution: Pongo tapanuliensis occurs only in a small number of forest fragments in the districts of Central, North, and South Tapanuli, Indonesia (Figure 1A). The total distribution covers approximately 1,000 km2, with an estimated population size of fewer than 800 individuals. The current distribution of P. tapanuliensis is almost completely restricted to medium elevation hill and submontane forest (∼300–1300 m above sea level). Although densities are highest in primary forest, it does occur at lower densities in mixed agroforest at the edge of primary forest areas. Until relatively recently, P. tapanuliensis was more widespread to the south and west of the current distribution, although evidence for this is largely anecdotal.



  


      


Alexander Nater, Alexander Nater, Alexander Nater, Maja P. Mattle-Greminger, Anton Nurcahyo, Matthew G. Nowak, Marc de Manuel, Tariq Desai, Colin Groves, Marc Pybus, Tugce Bilgin Sonay, Christian Roos, Adriano R. Lameira, Serge A. Wich, James Askew, Marina Davila-Ross, Gabriella Fredriksson, Guillem de Valles, Ferran Casals, Javier Prado-Martinez, Benoit Goossens, Ernst J. Verschoor, Kristin S. Warren, Ian Singleton, David A. Marques, Joko Pamungkas, Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah, Puji Rianti, Augustine Tuuga, Ivo G. Gut, Marta Gut, Pablo Orozco-terWengel, Carel P. van Schaik, Jaume Bertranpetit, Maria Anisimova, Aylwyn Scally, Tomas Marques-Bonet, Erik Meijaard, Erik Meijaard, Erik Meijaard, Michael Krützen, Michael Krützen and Michael Krützen. 2017. Morphometric, Behavioral, and Genomic Evidence for a New Orangutan Species. Current Biology.  In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.047


The Eighth Great Ape: New orangutan species discovered in Sumatra  news.mongabay.com/2017/11/the-eighth-great-ape-new-orangutan-species-discovered-in-sumatra via @Mongabay
New Species of Orangutan Is Rarest Great Ape on Earth  on.natgeo.com/2z8k0dk via @NatGeo