[Crustacea • 2018] Parasesarma peninsulare • Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidence for A New Species of Parasesarma De Man, 1895 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from the Malay Peninsula, previously referred to as Parasesarma indiarum (Tweedie, 1940)

 Parasesarma peninsulare 

Shahdadi, Ng & Schubart, 2018

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66; 

Abstract 

A colourful crab currently referred to as Parasesarma indiarum (Tweedie, 1940) is a relatively common species in Southeast Asian mangroves and has been recorded from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The present study compares the material from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia to the type specimens from Ambon, and recognises two species based on their morphology and genetic distances. The structure of the chelar dactylar tubercles and molecular data support the distinction of specimens originating from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore from those of Ambon corresponding to P. indiarum sensu stricto. We here describe them as a separate species, Parasesarma peninsulare new species, and compare it with allied congeners. 

Key words. taxonomy, mangrove crab, pseudocryptic species, new species, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia

SYSTEMATICS 

Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851 

Genus Parasesarma De Man, 1895, 

sensu Shahdadi & Schubart, 2017 

Type species. Cancer quadratus Fabricius, 1798, 

subsequent designation by Rathbun (1918). 

Fig. 10.  Parasesarma peninsulare new species,
holotype, male (25.5 × 22.2 mm) (ZRC 2017.1075). A, dorsal habitus; B, ventral habitus.

 Parasesarma peninsulare new species

Sesarma (Chiromantes) bidens indica: Tweedie, 1936: 66. (not Sesarma bidens var. indica De Man, 1902) 

Sesarma bidens indiarum: Tweedie, 1940: 93 (part) (not Sesarma bidens indiarum Tweedie, 1940). 

Chiromantes indiarum: Tan & Ng, 1994: 82 (list).

Perisesarma indiarum: Boon et al., 2008; Huang et al., 2008; Boon et al., 2009; Ng et al., 2008: 225, fig. 162 (not Sesarma bidens indiarum Tweedie, 1940).

Etymology. This species is named after its known area of distribution, the Malay Peninsula. 

Fig. 14. Parasesarma peninsulare new species, colour in life.
 A–D, male; E–F, female; specimens not collected.
 A, E, dorsal habitus; B, F, ventral habitus; C, D, G, front view; H, left chela, outer view.

Distribution. Based on present material, so far known from both coasts of the Malay Peninsula, including the western coast to Thap Lamu, eastern side Chumphon (both Thailand), southward to Singapore and Batam Island (Riau Archipelago, Indonesia).

Habitat. In its distribution range, P. peninsulare new species is a relatively common species in mangroves swamps and can sometimes be found in good numbers, occasionally in partial sympatry with P. eumolpe, on muddy substrates. They are active burrowers, with burrow mouths often found within the aerial root systems of mangrove tree (Huang et al., 2008; Boon et al., 2009).

Adnan Shahdadi, Peter K. L. Ng and Christoph D. Schubart. 2019. Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidence for A New Species of Parasesarma De Man, 1895 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from the Malay Peninsula, previously referred to as Parasesarma indiarum (Tweedie, 1940). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66; 739–762.   lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2018/01/66rbz739-762.pdf

[Herpetology • 2017] Intra-population Color Dimorphism of Ahaetulla prasina (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Northeastern Thailand

Fig. 1. Color morphs of Ahaetulla prasina.
A grey adult from the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve (SBR) (A); an orange-yellow adult from the SBR (B, photo credit: Daniel Worthren); a sub-adult with a grey body and yellow on the head from the SBR (C); a juvenile with a brownish-grey body and dull yellow anterior from the SBR (D); a green adult from Nakhon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand (E, photo credit: Jannico Kelk); a brown adult from Khao Yai National Park, northeastern Thailand (F, photo credit: Thai National Parks, thainationalparls.com); a green juvenile from Khao Nan/Khao Luang National Park, southern Thailand (G, photo credit: Michael Cota); and a brown juvenile from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand (H, photo credit: Montri Sumontha).

Abstract 
Although Ahaetulla prasina is typically a cryptic green color, they have also been observed in brown, grey and orange-yellow morphs. We recorded observations of the A. prasina color morphs found in a population within the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve (SBR), northeastern Thailand, between 2013 and 2017. We did not detect any green or brown morphs, showing that this population is dimorphic between grey (54%) and orange-yellow (46%) adults. We did not discern any geographic separation of the color morphs within this population, and sex did not determine color. We found four juveniles, all with brownish-grey bodies and yellow on their anterior dorsals. We observed one sub-adult, which was solid grey except for yellow on the top of the head. Our results suggest that this population may be genetically isolated due to the rapid development surrounding the SBR. Furthermore, color does not likely have a strong influence on adult fitness within this population. Our juvenile and sub-adult observations may indicate ontogenetic color shifts in this population of A. prasina. We recommend additional investigations into the relationship between color and A. prasina ecology. We further reason that the SBR A. prasina may be a good model population for snake genetic research in developing areas.
Keywords: Ahaetulla, Color, Colubridae, Dimorphism, Intra-population

Evan D. Amber, Colin T. Strine, Pongthep Suwanwaree and Surachit Waengsothorn. 2017. Intra-population Color Dimorphism of Ahaetulla prasina (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Northeastern Thailand. Current Herpetology. 36(2); 98-104.  DOI: 10.5358/hsj.36.98

ResearchGate.net/publication/319294092_Color_Dimorphism_of_Ahaetulla_prasina_in_Northeastern_Thailand

[Diplopoda • 2019] Cryptocorypha enghoffi • A New Species of the Millipede Genus Cryptocorypha Attems, 1907 (Polydesmida, Pyrgodesmidae), from northern Thailand

Cryptocorypha enghoffi

Likhitrakarn, Golovatch, Srisonchai, Sutcharit & Panha, 2019

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.833.32413

 facebook.com/PhinxPRod

Abstract

The millipede family Pyrgodesmidae and the genus Cryptocorypha are recorded from Thailand for the first time, being represented there by Cryptocorypha enghoffi sp. n. The new species is distinguished by the evident apicodorsal trichostele on the last tibia of both sexes and the gonopodal telopodite being particularly complex, quadripartite, consisting of the longest, mesal, suberect solenomere branch; a slightly shorter, similarly slender, acuminate endomere branch tightly appressed to the solenomere; a somewhat shorter, caudal, strongly curved, armed exomere process; and a very distinct, low, lateral, sac-shaped velum at their base. This situation strongly resembles the one observed in the geographically closest C. perplexa Golovatch & VandenSpiegel, 2015, from Myanmar, but the shapes and armament of all outgrowths of the gonopodal telopodite are clearly different. A key to all three Cryptocorypha pecies known from Indochina or Myanmar and an updated checklist of all 21 species of the genus are provided.

Keywords: Chiang Mai, Diplopoda, Henrik Enghoff, Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre

Family Pyrgodesmidae Silvestri, 1896

Genus Cryptocorypha Attems, 1907

Diagnosis: The genus is characterized within Pyrgodesmidae by an unusually flat body with 19 or 20 segments (either in both sexes or 19 solely in the male) and only a slightly convex dorsum, coupled with 6+6 faint lobulations or 11 radii at a regularly rounded anterior margin of a flabellate collum that fully covers the head from above; usually three or four (rarely five) more distinct lobulations at the lateral margins of poreless and pore-bearing paraterga, respectively; a normal pore formula (5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15–18(19)) with the ozopores not borne on porosteles, but opening flush on the dorsal surface at the base of the penultimate lobulation; the absence of anterior and the presence of only very few (1–2) caudal lobulations; the development of 2–3 transverse, often irregular rows of small and non-differentiated knobs/tuberculations on each postcollum metatergum; and a dorsally fully exposed epiproct. The last tibia in the male or even in both sexes is often, but not always, with a conspicuous, long, setigerous, apicodorsal cylinder (= trichostele). The gonopods are with relatively small coxae and a shallow gonocoel that leaves the telopodites very strongly exposed and in situ held (sub)parallel to each other; each telopodite is 2-, 3- or 4-partite, with a strongly developed, slender, often fimbriate, mesal solenomere branch (usually the longest) and a typically sac-shaped velum at its base, sometimes also with 1–2 adjacent processes (exo- and/or endomere, depending on position) (Golovatch et al. 2017).

Figure 1. Cryptocorypha enghoffi sp. n.,
 A ♀ paratype B a few paratypes C, D holotype A, B habitus, live coloration in their habitat C–E habitus and coloration in alcohol, dorsal, ventral and lateral views, respectively.

Cryptocorypha enghoffi sp. n.

Diagnosis: Differs from other species of the genus by the presence of 20 body segments in both sexes, coupled with an evident apicodorsal trichostele on the last tibia of both sexes (Fig. 4F) and in the gonopod structure being particularly complex, similar to that of C. perplexa Golovatch & VandenSpiegel, 2015, but differs clearly in the shapes and armament of all four main outgrowths of the telopodite (Fig. 4A–D).

Name: Honours Henrik Enghoff, a globally renowned specialist in Diplopoda and one of the pioneers of diplopodological research in Thailand.

Remarks: 

This new species was found walking on a rock surface (Fig. 1B). The air was very humid, this being characteristic of the rainy season. The specimens were found in the Dry Dipterocarp Forest at the Huai Hong Khrai Royal Development Study Centre. This study centre was established under the royal initiative in 1982 in the area of Khun Mae Kuang National Forest Reserve, Chiang Mai Province for conducting research and experimentation using appropriate progressive methods which suited the development needs of the Northern Region, especially the conservation of watersheds, reforestation and agricultural development. It covers approximately 8,500 rai (1,360 hectares).

Conclusions: 

The diplopod diversity in Thailand has hitherto been reported to total 228 species (Likhitrakarn et al. 2017, Srisonchai et al. 2018a, b, c, d, Pimvichai et al. 2018). Given that only a single species, C. enghoffi sp. n., of the very large micropolydesmid (= small-bodied) family Pyrgodesmidae has been reported from Thailand, there can be no doubt whatsoever that many more micropolydesmids, including those representing not only the Pyrgodesmidae, but also such taxonomically relatively poorly assessed families as Cryptodesmidae, Opisotretidae, Trichopolydesmidae, and Haplodesmidae still await discovery and description in Thailand and the adjacent countries of Southeast Asia.

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Sergei I. Golovatch, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Chirasak Sutcharit and Somsak Panha. 2019. A New Species of the Millipede Genus Cryptocorypha Attems, 1907, from northern Thailand (Polydesmida, Pyrgodesmidae).  ZooKeys. 833: 121-132. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.833.32413

facebook.com/groups/122260101128398/permalink/2329909067030146/

[Entomology • 2019] Undulivena thaiensis • A New Unique Leafhopper Genus of Erythroneurini (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae) from Thailand

Undulivena thaiensis 

Song & Li, 2019

   DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.28718

Abstract

A new genus of the leafhopper tribe Erythroneurini (Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae) from Thailand, Undulivena gen. n., and a new species Undulivena thaiensis sp. n., are described and illustrated. The new genus exhibits a unique feature of the forewing venation with CuA vein strongly sinuate.

Keywords: Auchenorrhyncha, Homoptera, morphology, new taxa, taxonomy

Figures 1–11. Undulivena thaiensis sp. n.
(♂): 1 habitus, dorsal view 2 habitus, lateral view 3 head and thorax, dorsal view 4 face.
 (♀): 5 habitus, dorsal view 6 habitus, lateral view 7 head and thorax, dorsal view 8 face 9 abdomen of female 10 forewing 11 hind wing.

Undulivena gen. n.

Type species: Undulivena thaiensis sp. n.

Diagnosis: The new genus is quite different from the other genera of the tribe Erythroneurini in view of the forewing venation, patterns of patches and chaetotaxy of the subgenital plate. The CuA vein of forewing is waved, which is unique among known Erythroneurini.

Remarks: 

The new genus is very similar to Salka (from Oriental and Palearctic regions) in body shape and male genitalia, e.g., pygofer with dorsal appendages, long dorsal macrosetae and a group of basolateral macrosetae, and the presence of a median anterior lobe on the connective. It differs from Salka in having the venation of the forewing with CuA strongly sinuate, which is unique among known Typhlocybinae, and the subgenital plate with a few lateral macrosetae in basal half. The color pattern of the forewing is also very unusual with veins margined with yellowish white, contrasting with the dark wings.

Etymology: The new generic name combines the Latin words undula and vena, referring to the undulate vein for the sinuate CuA vein of the forewing. The gender is feminine.

Undulivena thaiensis sp. n.

Diagnosis: The forewing has yellow-whitish stripes along veins. The style apex expanded, with inner margin tooth-like medially, and the aedeagal shaft spindle-shaped in ventral view, with single small subbasal process.

Etymology: The species is named for the type locality, Thailand. The name is adjectival.

 Yuehua Song and Can Li. 2019. A New Unique Leafhopper Genus of Erythroneurini from Thailand, with The Description of One New Species (Hemiptera, Cicadellidae, Typhlocybinae).  ZooKeys. 829: 23-28.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.829.28718

[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

   

[Mollusca • 2019] Unidentia aliciae • The Formerly Enigmatic Unidentiidae in the Limelight Again: A New Species of the Genus Unidentia (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from Thailand

Unidentia aliciae  

 Korshunova, Mehrotra, Arnold, Lundin, Picton & Martynov, 2019

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.5.4 

  facebook.com/MediaAspidea

Abstract

An integrative molecular and morphological study is presented for the family Unidentiidae. Molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted with the inclusion of all previous and newly obtained molecular data for the family Unidentiidae Millen & Hermosillo 2012. A new species of the genus Unidentia Millen & Hermosillo 2012, Unidentia aliciae sp. nov., is described from Thailand as part of an inventory of sea slugs at Koh Tao. All up-to-date available morphological data for the species of the genus Unidentia is for the first time summarized. Morphological differences among the different species of Unidentia are clarified showing that every species has its own distinguishable morphological traits. According to the new molecular and morphological data, the family Unidentiidae is re-confirmed as a well-supported taxon of the aeolidacean nudibranchs. The taxonomy and phylogeny of the Aeolidacea in the light of the family Unidentiidae is briefly discussed and necessity of a fine-scale and narrowly-defined taxa approach instead of a ‘‘superlumping’’ one is highlighted.

Keywords: Mollusca, morphological and molecular data, new species, nudibranchs, unidentiids

Unidentia aliciae 

Korshunova, Mehrotra, Arnold, et al., 2019

 facebook.com/MediaAspidea 

 Tatiana Korshunova, Rahul Mehrotra, Spencer Arnold, Kennet Lundin, Bernard Picton and Alexander Martynov. 2019. The Formerly Enigmatic Unidentiidae in the Limelight Again: A New Species of the Genus Unidentia from Thailand (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia). Zootaxa.  4551(5); 556–570. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4551.5.4  

 facebook.com/MediaAspidea/photos/2107474582664531 

facebook.com/SvengaliArnold/posts/10214326838117413

 facebook.com/SeaslugThailand/photos/?tab=album&album_id=219880374802983

[Ichthyology • 2019] A Revised Molecular Phylogeny Reveals Polyphyly in Schistura (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae)

(A) Schistura desmotes, 38.9 mm SL, Ping River, Chiang Mai Province; (C) S. mahnerti, 71.9 mm SL, stream, Mae Khlong basin, Kanchanaburi Province;
 (E) S. aurantiaca, 39.9 mm SL, Pracham Mai River, Kanchanaburi Province.

in Sgouros, Page, Orlofske & Jadin, 2019. 

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4559.2.8

Abstract

There is a general consensus that the genus Schistura (Nemacheilidae), currently with 241 species, is not monophyletic. However, weak morphological synapomorphies and a lack of genetic data for most species of Schistura and their presumptive relatives have prevented meaningful diagnoses of species groups within this genus. To aid in deciphering evolutionary relationships, sequence data from two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome b and D-loop) were implemented in phylogenetic analyses for species of Schistura and other nemacheilids for which data from earlier studies and recently collected material were available. This analysis of 67 nemacheilid species, including 28 species of Schistura, provides the most comprehensive phylogeny of Nemacheilidae to date. In the phylogenetic tree for the combined data set, species of Schistura clustered in three clades. One clade contained 14 species of Schistura and Sectoria heterognathos and was sister to Homatula. A second clade of 11 species of Schistura was in a larger clade with Turcinoemacheilus kosswigi and Nemacheilus corica. The third clade contained three species, all from the Mae Khlong basin of Thailand. Taxonomic implications of these results are discussed; however, a more taxon-rich dataset and nuclear sequence data are needed before making taxonomic changes.

Keywords: Pisces, cytochrome b, D-loop, loaches, Nemacheilus

FIGURE 4. Species of Schistura included in the phylogenetic analysis; all are from Thailand.
 Clade 1: (A) S. desmotes, UF 188065, 38.9 mm SL, Ping River, Chiang Mai Province; (B) S. robertsi, UF 185741, 50.8 mm SL, Tapee River, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
Clade 2: (C) S. mahnerti, UF 188061, 71.9 mm SL, stream, Mae Khlong basin, Kanchanaburi Province; (D) S. geisleri, UF 191830, 28.0 mm SL, Wae Creek, Yan River basin, Surat Thani Province.
Clade 3: (E) S. aurantiaca, UF 188063, 39.9 mm SL, Pracham Mai River, Kanchanaburi Province; (F) S. balteata, UF 191473, 52.0 mm SL, Pilok River, Kanchanaburi Province.

Photographs by Zachary Randall and Jarred Randall. 

Katherine Sgouros, Lawrence M. Page, Sarah A. Orlofske and Robert C. Jadin. 2019. A Revised Molecular Phylogeny Reveals Polyphyly in Schistura (Teleostei: Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 4559(2); 349–362. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4559.2.8

[Botany • 2019] Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from Northeastern Thailand

Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis  Saensouk & P. Saensouk

in Saensouk & Saensouk, 2019. 

ว่านตูบหมูบสารคาม  ||  DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.39 

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

Abstract

Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae), a new species from Northeastern Thailand, is described, photographed and illustrated. It can be easily recognized by its erect and elongate psuedostem, length of leaf sheaths and leaves elliptic with apex acuminate. The new species resembles K. larsenii Sirirugsa but it differs in its two leaves, pseudostem high, blade broadly elliptic, leaf apex acute, length of leaf sheath, length of petiole, number flower per inflorescence, white flower and labellum white with two darker purple patches towards the base.

Keyword: Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis; Maha Sarakham; New species; Thailand; Zingiberaceae

Fig. 2. Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis:
 A. Habit, B. Habit showing rhizome and pseudostem, C. Habit showing rhizome and inflorescence, D. Fruit (arrow), E. Flower, Photos taken from the type locality by Surapon Saensouk.

Fig. 1. Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis: 

A. plant habit, showing leafy stem, rhizome and storage root, B. flower, C. top view of flower, D. bracteole, E. calyx tube, F. dorsal corolla lobe, G. lateral corolla lobe, H. bract, I. labellum, J. lateral staminode, K. anther with anther crest, L. ovary 

(scale bars; A= 5 cm; B-L = 1 cm), 

Drawing by Surapon Saensouk.

Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis Saensouk & P. Saensouk, sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species is collected from ‘Maha Sarakham Province’, the first discover place.

Distribution: Endemic to Thailand, which is found only in Doonlamphan Hunting Area, Na Chueak District, Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern, Thailand. Moreover, it was presented common from the type locality.

Ecology: It grows on an open area and under the shade of dry deciduousforests and mixed deciduous forests. It appearsonly in the rainy season.

Vernacular Names: Wan-Toob-Moob-Sarakham (ว่านตูบหมูบสารคาม)

Surapon Saensouk and Piyaporn Saensouk. 2019. Kaempferia mahasarakhamensis, A New Species from Thailand. Taiwania. 64(1): 39-42. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2019.64.39 

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/2215714665317017 

   

[Crustacea • 2019] Pseudophilyra parilis • A New Species of Pseudophilyra (Decapoda: Brachyura) from Japan, and Redescription and New Records of A poorly known Leucosiid Crab, Pseudophilyra punctulata

Pseudophilyra parilis 

Tomoyuki, Shimetsugu & Ng, 2019

   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4550.2.6

Abstract

A poorly known leucosiid crab, Pseudophilyra punctulata Chen & Ng, 2003, originally described on the basis of an immature male holotype and an immature female paratype from Singapore, is rediscovered and rediagnosed on the basis of material from Thailand, the Philippines and the Ryukyu Islands (Japan). In addition, a new species closely related to P. punctulata, P. parilis, is described and illustrated on the basis of material from Mie Prefecture, Honshu mainland of Japan. The new species is distinguished from P. punctulata by the coarser granules bordering the lateral carapace margins and the different shape of the gonopods. Pseudophilyra tridentata Miers, 1879, is also compared with P. punctulata and P. parilis n. sp. because of the close similarities in the overall morphology of the carapace and appendages, but can easily be differentiated by the smoother carapace and thoracic sternum surface, different shape of the carapace and the stouter cheliped palm. It is possible that previous records of P. tridentata outside Japan might contain more than one species.

Keywords: Crustacea, Pseudophilyra parilis, Pseudophilyra tridentata, Thailand, Philippines, Ryukyu Islands

Leucosiidae Samouelle, 1819 

Ebaliinae Stimpson, 1871 

Pseudophilyra Miers, 1879

Pseudophilyra parilis n. sp. 

[New Japanese name: Hamabe-kobushi-modoki]

FIGURE 5. Pseudophilyra parilis n. sp., CBM-ZC 14485, holotype, male (7.2×6.2 mm), Mie Prefecture, Japan, habitus in dorsal view (left pereopod 2 missing), stained with methylene blue to show details of dorsal ornamentation of carapace.

Distribution. Presently known only from the type locality, Funakoshi, Daiou-cho, Shima, Mie Prefecture, Japan; intertidal to shallow subtidal sand bottom.

Etymology. From the Latin “parilis” (adj., similar), in reference to the close similarity of the new species to Pseudophilyra punctulata. 

Komai Tomoyuki, Miho Shimetsugu and Peter K. L. Ng. 2019. Redescription and New Records of A poorly known Leucosiid Crab, Pseudophilyra punctulata Chen & Ng, 2003, and Description of A New Species of Pseudophilyra from Japan (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). Zootaxa. 4550(2); 251–267.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4550.2.6

[Paleontology • 2018] Phatthalungoceras srisuki • A New Genus and Species of Triassic Nautiloid Cephalopod (Cephalopoda: Orthoceratoidea, Orthoceratidae) from Eastern Peninsular Thailand

 Phatthalungoceras srisuki  

Tongtherm & Nabhitabhata, 2018

Abstract  

Phatthalungoceras srisuki gen. et sp. nov. (Orthoceratidae) has been collected from Khao Ok-Thalu, Chaiburi Formation, Triassic Strata in Phatthalung province, in eastern peninsular Thailand and is described as a new genus and species based on the characteristics of the internal mold of the phragmocone. The new genus is distinguished from other family members by its elliptical cross section of the conch as well as suborthochoanitic septal neck and free endosiphuncular deposit. Ornamentation is absent.

Keywords: new genus, new species, Triassic, nautiloid, Thailand

Figure 2. Phatthalungoceras srisuki of the phragmocone with suture on the posterior;

 2a. and 2b. cross section of anterior view of the phragmo5b. ventral view of the phragmocone with suture on the anterior; 5c. posterior view of the phragmocone with central siphuncle; 5d. cross section in posterior; 5e. and 5f. segmented siphuncle and suborthochoanitic septal neck at the posterior. Scale bar = 10 mm.

Kittichai Tongtherm and Jaruwat Nabhitabhata. 2018. Phatthalungoceras srisuki, A New Genus and Species of Triassic Nautiloid Cephalopod (Cephalopoda: Orthoceratoidea, Orthoceratidae) from Eastern Peninsular Thailand. Phuket Marine Biological Center Research Bulletin. 75:13-18. 

ResearchGate.net/publication/330440492_Phatthalungoceras_srisuki_A_NEW_GENUS_AND_SPECIES_OF_TRIASSIC_NAUTILOID_FROM_EASTERN_PENINSULAR_THAILAND

[Ichthyology • 2019] Carcharhinus obsolerus • Lost before Found: A New Species of Whaler Shark (Carcharhiniformes: Carcharhinidae) from the Western Central Pacific known only from Historic Records

Carcharhinus obsolerus

White, Kyne & Harris, 2019

Lost Shark  || DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387  

Painting by Lindsay Marshall (www.stickfigurefish.com.au) 

twitter.com/WillWhitesharks

Abstract

Carcharhinus obsolerus is described based on three specimens from Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam in the Western Central Pacific. It belongs to the porosus subgroup which is characterised by having the second dorsal-fin insertion opposite the anal-fin midbase. It most closely resembles C. borneensis but differs in tooth morphology and counts and a number of morphological characters, including lack of enlarged hyomandibular pores which are diagnostic of C. borneensis. The historic range of C. obsolerus sp. nov. is under intense fishing pressure and this species has not been recorded anywhere in over 80 years. There is an urgent need to assess its extinction risk status for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. With so few known records, there is a possibility that Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. has been lost from the marine environment before any understanding could be gained of its full historic distribution, biology, ecosystem role, and importance in local fisheries.

Fig 1. Lateral view of Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. (NMW 61463; female holotype 433 mm TL).
A. Preserved specimen; B. Painting by Lindsay Marshall (www.stickfigurefish.com.au). 

Fig 2. Head of Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. (NMW 61463; Holotype). 433 mm TL female:
A. lateral view; B. ventral view.

Fig 5. In situ teeth of Carcharhinus obsolerus sp. nov. (ANSP 77121, paratype). 370 mm TL female:
A. upper teeth; B. lower teeth.

Carcharhinus obsolerus White, Kyne & Harris sp. nov.  

Synonymy: Carcharhinus sp.: [Compagno, 1979]: 517, 520, 523, 536 (Borneo); [Compagno, 1988]: 319, 321, 327 (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand); [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1359, fig (Vietnam, Borneo, and Thailand)

Carcharhinus porosus: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 71 (Borneo, Saigon, and Bangkok)

Carcharhinus undescribed small species: [Compagno, 1984]: 497 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand)

Carcharhinus sp. (= ‘Carcharhinus porosus’): [Compagno et al., 1998]: 1322.

Carcharhinus sp. A: [Compagno et al., 2005]: 307, fig, pl. 62 (Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand); [Voigt et al., 2011]: 103, fig 50

Holotype: NMW 61463, female 433 mm TL, Bangkok, Thailand, no date or collector recorded.

Paratypes: ANSP 76859, female late-term embryo 339 mm TL, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Dec. 1934, coll. H. Rutherfurd; ANSP 77121 (paratype of Carcharhinus tephrodes Fowler), female 370 mm TL, Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, 1897, coll. A.C. Harrison Jr. & H.M. Hiller.

Diagnosis.: A small species of Carcharhinus with: a slender body and tail; no interdorsal ridge; head parabolic in dorsal view, relatively wide, interorbital space 11.2–12.0% TL; eyes relatively large, length 2.4–2.9% TL, 10.0–15.1 times in head length; no row of enlarged hyomandibular pores alongside each mouth corner; upper anterior teeth broadly triangular and serrated, with large and coarse (non-lobate) serrations basally; lower anterior teeth with narrower, mostly straight cusps; cusps of upper and lower anterolateral teeth with apical margin slightly recurved; no lateral cusplets; total tooth row counts 27–31/26–29; posterior edge of the mandibular plate with an elongate and crescentic indentation; second dorsal-fin origin well posterior of anal-fin origin, about opposite anal-fin midbase, second dorsal-fin origin to anal-fin origin 1.3–2.5% TL, 0.3–0.6 times second dorsal-fin base; first dorsal fin triangular, not falcate, origin about opposite first third of pectoral-fin inner margin length, free rear tip just anterior to pelvic-fin origins, length 1.7–1.9 times height, inner margin 1.9–2.5 in base; second dorsal fin much smaller than first, slightly smaller than anal fin; base 1.4–2.0 times height; height 22–31% of first dorsal-fin height; anal fin height 1.2–1.5 times second dorsal height, base 1.1–1.2 times second dorsal-fin base; total vertebral counts 114–120, monospondylous precaudal counts 36–40, diplospondylous precaudal counts 18–19, diplospondylous caudal counts 56–66, precaudal counts 54–58; no distinct black markings on fins.

....

Distribution: Uncertain; collection records indicate southern South China Sea (Gulf of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysian Borneo).

The distribution of Carcharhinus obsolerus is uncertain. Given that this species has not been seen in many decades, a better understanding of the distribution of this species is unlikely unless archaeological or paleontological records are found. While Baram in Sarawak is likely an accurate collection locality, both Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City specimens may have been caught in other South-east Asian locations and brought into these cities where bigger markets exist. Thus, there is a possibility it had a much more restricted distribution than the three known specimens allude to, but it cannot be ruled out that it had a wider distribution in the South-east Asian region.

Etymology: The specific name is Latin for ‘extinct’ (obsolerus) in allusion to the fact that the species has not been recorded in many decades. Proposed English vernacular name: Lost Shark.

William T. White, Peter M. Kyne and Mark Harris. 2019. Lost before Found: A New Species of Whaler Shark Carcharhinus obsolerus from the Western Central Pacific known only from Historic Records. PLoS ONE. 14(1): e0209387. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0209387  

twitter.com/WillWhitesharks/status/1080544017845112832

        

[Arachnida • 2018] Cyclosa bulla • A New Species of Cyclosa (Araneae: Araneidae) from Southeast Asia

Cyclosa bulla  

Tanikawa & Petcharad, 2018

  DOI: 10.2476/asjaa.67.87 

Abstract

A new species of Cyclosa is described under the name of Cyclosa bulla n. sp. using specimens collected from Thailand, Singapore and Brunei. Females of the species can be easily distinguished from other congeners by the shape of the abdomen, which has a globose posterior end. In contrast, males cannot be distinguished from those of Cyclosa bifida, which seems to be the most closely related species, even by the shape of the palpal organ. In this study, male specimens are identified by DNA barcoding.

Keywords: Cyclosa bulla, taxonomy, COI, barcoding, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei

 Cyclosa bulla n. sp. 
A, female (holotype), dorsal view; B, same, lateral view; C, paratype (male), dorsal view..

 Scales: A–C, 1 mm.

Cyclosa bulla new species 

[Thai name: Mangmoum-Taai-Klom-Cyclosa]

Diagnosis. The new species seems to be closely related to Cyclosa bifida, but females can be easily distinguished from Cyclosa bifida by the posteriorly globose abdomen (Figs. 2A–B). Males of these species cannot be separated morphologically, even by the shape of the palpal organ. Male specimens of the new species can be identified only by DNA sequencing data, e.g. mt-COI.

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the knob-like shaped posterior part of the abdomen; “bulla” is a Latin word that means “globe”. 

Akio Tanikawa and Booppa Petcharad. 2018. A New Species of Cyclosa (Araneae: Araneidae) from Southeast Asia. Acta Arachnologica. 67(2); 87-90. DOI: 10.2476/asjaa.67.87

 twitter.com/WSC_NMBE/status/1080308231451410432