[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

[Botany • 2018] A Synopsis of Begonia (Begoniaceae) of Southeastern Sulawesi including Four New Species; Begonia incudiformicarpa, B. iskandariana, B. johntania & B. tumburanoensis

Begonia incudiformicarpa Ardi & D.C. Thomas, B. iskandariana Ardi & D.C. Thomas,
B. johntania D.C. Thomas & Ardi & B. tumburanoensis Ardi & D.C. Thomas  

in Ardi, Chikmawati,  Witono & Thomas, 2018. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.7  

 instagram.com/Widnu.H.Ardi 

Abstract  

Material acquired on a recent expedition to Southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia, presents an opportunity to reassess and provide an overview of the Begonia flora of the region. Eleven species are recognized including four new species described and illustrated here: Begonia incudiformicarpa, B. iskandariana, and B. tumburanoensis (all in Begonia section Jackia); and B. johntania (Begonia section Petermannia). The former three species are the first confirmed records of section Jackia on Sulawesi substantially extending the known eastern range limit of this section. In addition, an illustration and a lectotypification of Begonia flacca are presented, and an identification key to Begonia species in Southeastern Sulawesi is provided.

Keywords: Jackia, Petermannia, Platycentrum, Sulawesi Tenggara, Sultra, taxonomy, Begonia, Eudicots

Wisnu H. Ardi, Tatik Chikmawati, Joko R. Witono and Daniel C. Thomas. 2018. A Synopsis of Begonia (Begoniaceae) of Southeastern Sulawesi including Four New Species. Phytotaxa. 381(1); 27–50. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.381.1.7

 instagram.com/p/BrF9dm_l0To

[Herpetology • 2018] The Taxonomic History of Indo-Papuan Groundsnakes, Genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Colubridae), with Some Taxonomic Revisions and the Designation of A Neotype for S. parvus

Stegonotus reticulatus Boulenger, 1895

in Kaiser, Kaiser & O'Shea, 2018. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4512.1.1 

Abstract

Since its conceptualization in 1854, 29 species of the colubrid genus Stegonotus have been recognized or described, of which 15 (admiraltiensis, batjanensis, borneensis, cucullatus, derooijae, diehli, florensis, guentheri, iridis, heterurus, melanolabiatus, modestus, muelleri, parvus, poechi) are still considered valid today. Original species descriptions for the members of this genus were published in Dutch, English, French, German, and Italian and, perhaps as a consequence of these polyglot origins, there has been a considerable amount of confusion over which species names should be applied to which populations of Stegonotus throughout its range across Borneo, the Philippines, Wallacea, New Guinea, Australia, and associated archipelagos. In addition, the terminology used to notate characteristics in the descriptions of these forms was not uniform and may have added to the taxonomic confusion. In this paper, we trace in detail the history of the type specimens, the species, and the synonyms currently associated with the genus Stegonotus and provide a basic, species-specific listing of their characteristics, derived from our examination of over 1500 museum specimens. Based on our data, we are able to limit the distribution of S. modestus to the islands of Ambon, Buru, and Seram in the central Moluccas of Indonesian Wallacea. We correct the type locality of S. cucullatus to the Manokwari area on the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua, Indonesian New Guinea and designate a neotype for S. parvus, a species likely to be a regional endemic in the Schouten Archipelago of Cenderawasih Bay (formerly Geelvink Bay), Indonesian New Guinea. We unequivocally identify and explain the problematic localities of the type specimens of S. muelleri and Lycodon muelleri, which currently reside in the same specimen jar. We remove L. aruensis and L. lividum from the synonymy of S. modestus and recognize them as S. aruensis n. comb. and S. lividus n. comb., respectively. We remove S. keyensis and Zamenophis australis from the synonymy of S. cucullatus and recognize them as S. keyensis n. comb. and S. australis n. comb., respectively. We further remove S. reticulatus from the synonymy of S. cucullatus, S. dorsalis from the synonymy of S. diehli, and S. sutteri from the synonymy of S. florensis. We designate lectotypes for S. guentheri, S. heterurus, S. lividus, and S. reticulatus. Lastly, we introduce S. poechi, a valid species not mentioned in the scientific literature since its description in 1924. This brings the diversity in the genus Stegonotus to 22 species. We also caution that in a complex group of organisms like Stegonotus any rush to taxonomic judgment on the basis of molecular and incomplete morphological data sets may perpetuate errors and introduce incongruities. Only through the careful work of connecting type material with museum specimens and molecular data can the taxonomy and nomenclature of complex taxa be stabilized.

Keywords: Stegonotus, Colubridae, taxonomy, nomenclature, type specimens, neotype, lectotype, synonymy, Malaysia, Borneo, Philippines, Indonesia, Wallacea, New Guinea, Dutch East Indies, Papua New Guinea, Australia

Stegonotus reticulatus Boulenger, 1895.
 The body of the adult male paralectotype BMNH 1946.1.14.88. 

Christine M. Kaiser, Hinrich Kaiser and Mark O'Shea. 2018. The Taxonomic History of Indo-Papuan Groundsnakes, Genus Stegonotus Duméril et al., 1854 (Colubridae), with Some Taxonomic Revisions and the Designation of A Neotype for S. parvus (Meyer, 1874). Zootaxa. 4512(1); 1–73.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4512.1.1

[Herpetology • 2018] Cyrtodactylus tanahjampea • A New Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Island of Tanahjampea, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Cyrtodactylus tanahjampea

Riyanto, Hamidy & McGuire, 2018

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4442.1.6 

Abstract

The recent description of Cyrtodactylus tahuna from Sangihe Island and descriptions of other new species from remote islands in the Indo-Australian Archipelago indicate the important role of oceanic dispersal and isolation in the evolution and diversification of the genus Cyrtodactylus. We provide another example involving Tanahjampea Island, a remote island 155 km south of the Southwestern Peninsula of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Here, we describe a new species on the basis of 11 specimens collected from that island. This new species is an intermediate sized Cyrtodactylus with a snout–vent length of up to 76.1 mm in adult males and 72.8 mm in females. It is easily distinguished from all recognized species occurring on Sulawesi as well as in the Moluccas and Lesser Sunda Islands by the following unique combination of characters: (1) brachium and antebrachium tuberculated, (2) ventrolateral folds with tubercles, (3) 20–23 irregularly aligned rows of keeled tubercles, (4) 31–34 paravertebral tubercles, (5) 29–34 ventral scales between ventrolateral folds, (6) no precloacal depression, (7) enlarged precloacofemoral scales in continuous series, (8) males with 20–24 precloacofemoral pores in wide Ʌ-shape, (9) enlarged post precloacal scales present, (10) 19–21 fourth toe subdigital lamellae, (11) enlarged transversely median subcaudals absent, (12) tail not prehensile, (13) tubercles extend along 71% of original tail length, and (14) the original tails reaching 147% of snout–vent length. We also provide an identification key to the bent toed gecko species that occur in the Wallacea region.

Keywords: Reptilia, oceanic dispersal, isolation, evolution, diversification

Awal Riyanto, Amir Hamidy and Jimmy A. McGuire. 2018. A New Bent-toed Gecko (Cyrtodactylus: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Island of Tanahjampea, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 4442(1); 122–136. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4442.1.6

[Ichthyology • 2018] Oryzias dopingdopingensis • A New Riverine Ricefish of the Genus Oryzias (Beloniformes, Adrianichthyidae) from Malili, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Oryzias dopingdopingensis 

Mandagi, Mokodongan, Tanaka & Yamahira, 2018

DOI:  10.1643/CI-17-704 
 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

  

We describe Oryzias dopingdopingensis, a new species of ricefish, from Doping-doping River, a river in Malili in central Sulawesi, Indonesia. The new riverine species is distinguished from lacustrine congeners in Malili Lakes by a combination of 33–36 scales along the lateral midline and body depths of 20.3–25.5% standard length (SL). Oryzias dopingdopingensis, new species, is also distinguished from all other Sulawesi Oryzias by a combination of 8–9 dorsal-fin rays, caudal peduncle depths of 10.2–11.4% SL, eye diameters of 8.5–9.9% SL, and maximum SL up to 35.8 mm. In breeding males, 5–8 black blotches or bars appear along the lateral midline. Analyses of mitochondrial ND2 sequences revealed that O. dopingdopingensis, new species, carry distinct haplotypes from those of the Malili lacustrine species, suggesting no hybridization between them, although Doping-doping River shares an estuarine region with the Malili Lake system. Instead, O. dopingdopingensis, new species, is in a monophyletic group with O. sarasinorum and O. eversi in western Sulawesi. However, unlike these two pelvic brooders, we observed that females of O. dopingdopingensis, new species, deposit eggs soon after spawning and exhibit no maternal care.

Fig. 3. Live adult male (Top) and female (Bottom) of Oryzias dopingdopingensis in the laboratory.

(Photographs by N. Hashimoto).

Oryzias dopingdopingensis, new species 
Doping-doping Ricefish
New Japanese name: Dopindopin-medaka
...

Etymology.— The specific name, dopingdopingensis, denotes the occurrence of this species in the Doping-doping River, the type locality.





Ixchel F. Mandagi, Daniel F. Mokodongan, Rieko Tanaka and Kazunori Yamahira. 2018.A New Riverine Ricefish of the Genus Oryzias (Beloniformes, Adrianichthyidae) from Malili, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Copeia. 106(2):297-304. DOI:  10.1643/CI-17-704

 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia/status/1006937303657435136

Kami mendiskripsikan Oryzias dopingdopingensis, satu jenis baru ikan padi dari sungai Doping-doping, sebuah sungai di Malili di Sulawesi Tengah, Indonesia. Jenis baru yang hidup di sungai ini dibedakan dari jenis yang hidup di danau-danau Malili dengan kombinasi dari 33–36 jumlah sisik sepanjang garis sisi dan lebar tubuh 20.3–25.5% SL. Oryzias dopingdopingensis, jenis baru ini, juga dibedakan dari semua Oryzias Sulawesi lainnya dengan kombinasi dari 8–9 jumlah jari-jari sirip belakang, lebar dari batang ekor 10.2–11.4% SL, diameter mata 8.5–9.9% SL, dan maksimal SL mencapai 35.8 mm. Jantan dalam masa perkembangbiakannya, 5–8 bercak-bercak hitam atau baris akan muncul di sepanjang garis sisi. Analisis urutan mitokondria ND2 memperlihatkan bahwa O. dopingdopingensis, jenis baru ini, memiliki haplotype yang berbeda dari jenis yang hidup di daerah danau Malili, Ini menunjukkan tidak terjadi hibridisasi diantara mereka, walaupun Sungai Doping-doping berbagi wilayah muara dengan Danau Malili system. Sebagai gantinya, O. dopingdopingensis, jenis baru ini, menjadi monofiletik dengan O. sarasinorum dan O. eversi di Sulawesi bagian barat. Tidak seperti dua “pelvic brooders”, bagaimanapun, kami mengamati bahwa betina dari O. dopingdopingensis, jenis baru ini, melepaskan telur-telurnya segera setelah pemijahan dan tidak menunjukkan “maternal care”.

[Entomology • 2018] Revision of the Cicada Genus Dilobopyga (Hemiptera, Cicadidae) from Sulawesi and the Moluccas

Dilobopyga fasciata Duffels, 2018

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4409.1.1 

Abstract

This revision of the cicadas of the genus Dilobopyga provides a diagnosis of the genus and descriptions, illustrations and distribution maps for 48 species. The following 33 species described here are new to science: Dilobopyga angulata, angustata, bifida, curvispina, fasciata, hayashii, hollowayi, johani, knighti, langeraki, laterocurvata, latifascia, luwukensis, macrocerata, maleo, mamasa, mediolobata, nebulosa, operculata, palopoensis, pelengensis, platyacantha, quadrimaculata, rantemario, recurvata, rozendaali, sangihensis, sarasinorum, splendida, tambusisi, toraja, vantoli and watuwila. The key presented is designed for the identification of males of Dilobopyga to the species level. The subdivision of the genus in five species groups viz., opercularis group (17 species), nebulosa group (1 species), chlorogaster group (16 species), minahassae group (6 species) and watuwila group (8 species), is sustained by a phylogenetic analysis of morphological characters of all species described.

        The cicadas of the genus Dilobopyga are found in Sulawesi, neighbouring islands and southern Moluccas. Of the 48 species of Dilobopyga 43 species are endemic to Sulawesi. Most of these Sulawesi species are restricted to either one peninsula or to a part of Central Sulawesi. The remaining five species are endemic to either the Sangihe Islands, Banggai Islands or the southern Moluccas. A taxon-area cladogram for the species of Dilobopyga provides a basis for a discussion on the historic biogeography of the genus.

Keywords: Hemiptera, taxonomy, Cosmopsaltriina, Dilobopyga, Identification, Key to species, Distribution, Areas of endemism, Historic biogeography

 

J.P. Duffels. 2018. Revision of the Cicada Genus Dilobopyga (Hemiptera, Cicadidae) from Sulawesi and the Moluccas. Zootaxa. 4409(1); 1–172. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4409.1.1

[Mammalogy • 2018] Halmaheramys wallacei • A New Species of Halmaheramys (Rodentia: Muridae) from Bisa and Obi Islands (North Maluku Province, Indonesia)

Halmaheramys wallacei

Fabre, Reeve, Fitriana, Aplin & Helgen, 2018

 DOI:  10.1093/jmammal/gyx160

 twitter.com/Mammals_Borneo

Abstract

We describe a new species of murine rodent from a skull collected on Bisa Island and 3 specimens from Obi Island, North Maluku Province, Indonesia. Molecular and morphological data indicate a close relationship with Halmaheramys bokimekot (Fabre et al. 2013). The new species is characterized by its combination of large size; short tail with large scales; spiny, coarse, dark dorsal pelage with long black guard hairs; and a dark gray ventral pelage that contrasts slightly with the dorsum. The Bisa specimen displays unusual zygomatic arch morphology, which may be a disease-related deformity, or potentially a sexually dimorphic trait. The new species shares several external and cranio-mandibular features with its sister species from Halmahera that differ from those of Rattus species, including a spiny pelt, deep palatine sulci, a high rostrum and relatively flat dorsal profile, short incisive foramina, short palatal bridge, and molars with simple occlusal patterns. Although certain morphological characteristics of the new taxon suggest an affinity with the taxonomically diverse and geographically widespread Rattus, in other respects it clearly fits into the Wallacean clade containing Bunomys, Paruromys, and Taeromys, as indicated by molecular phylogenetic analyses. Along with the recent discovery of Halmaheramys, recognition of this new species from Bisa and Obi Islands underscores the north Moluccan region’s high endemism, conservation importance, and the urgent need for a better inventory of its biodiversity.

Key words: anatomy, biogeography, Moluccas, Murinae, Rattus division, taxonomy, Wallacea

Fig. 11. Field photographs at collection localities for Halmaheramys wallacei sp. nov. (A) View of the mountain Gunung Sere, Obi Island, type locality of H. wallacei. (B) specific trapping locality of the holotype on Gunung Sere, Obi Island. (C) Specific trapping locality of the paratype from Cabang Sumbali, Obi Island. (D) Live specimen of H. wallacei sp. nov. (MZB 38227) in the field at Cabang Sumbali.

Halmaheramys wallacei, new species
Wallace’s large spiny rat, tikus-duri besar Wallace

 Bisa Rat Rattus sp.: Flannery 1995:162.

Halmaheramys bokimekot: Fabre et al. 2013:418.

Etymology.— The new species name honors the naturalist Alfred R. Wallace, who spent more than 10 years in the Malay Archipelago, and passed by Obi in difficult sailing. The presence of this rat in the Moluccas supports the concept of the Wallacea zoogeographic pattern for rodents, highlighting the mixed Asian and Australo-Papuan origins of murines in the region (see discussion on biogeography).

Vernacular names.— We suggest common names for this species both in English, “Wallace’s large spiny rat”, and in Bahasa Indonesia as “tikus-duri besar Wallace.”

Pierre-Henri Fabre, Andrew Hart Reeve, Yuli S. Fitriana, Ken P. Aplin and Kristofer M. Helgen. 2018. A New Species of Halmaheramys (Rodentia: Muridae) from Bisa and Obi Islands (North Maluku Province, Indonesia). Journal of Mammalogy.,  99(1); 187–208. DOI:  10.1093/jmammal/gyx160

ResearchGate.net/publication/322078417_A_new_species_of_Halmaheramys_from_North_Maluku_Indonesia

 twitter.com/Mammals_Borneo/status/945583994611077120

 facebook.com/1stJuly1858/posts/10155534380796284

Kami mendeskripsikan tikus jenis baru berdasarkan satu spesimen tengkorak yang dikoleksi dari Pulau Bisa dan 3 spesimen dari Pulau Obi, Propinsi Maluku Utara, Indonesia. Data molekuler dan morfologi menunjukkan adanya hubungan yang erat dengan Halmaheramys bokimekot (Fabre et al. 2013). Jenis baru ini dicirikan dengan kombinasi berbagai karakter yaitu ukuran tubuh besar; ekor pendek dengan sisik besar; rambut kasar, berduri, di bagian dorsal berwarna gelap dengan rambut-rambut penjaga panjang berwarna hitam; dan rambut di bagian ventral berwarna abu-abu tua, sedikit kontras dengan bagian dorsal. Pada “zygomatic arch” spesimen tengkorak dari Pulau Bisa terlihat berbeda, hal ini mungkin merupakan kelainan bentuk akibat penyakit atau berpotensi sebagai ciri seksual dimorfisme. Jenis baru ini memiliki beberapa ciri eksternal dan cranio-mandibular yang mirip dengan spesies sejenisnya dari Halmahera yang diketahui berbeda dari jenis-jenis Rattus antara lain kulit tertutup rambut berduri, sulkus palatum dalam, rostrum tinggi dengan profil datar di bagian dorsal, foramen incisifum pendek, rigi palatum pendek, dan pola oklusi sederhana pada gigi geraham. Meskipun karakteristik morfologi tertentu dari jenis baru ini menunjukkan kemungkinan afinitas dengan genus Rattus yang secara geografi jenisnya beragam dan terdistribusi luas, namun berdasarkan hasil analisa filogenetik molekuler, spesies baru ini jelas berada dalam satu klade dengan klaster Wallacean yang terdiri dari Bunomys, Paruromys, dan Taeromys. Seiring dengan penemuan Halmaheramys baru-baru ini, pengenalan spesies baru dari Kepulauan Bisa dan Obi menggarisbawahi tingginya endemisitas dan pentingnya konservasi di Maluku Utara, serta urgensi inventarisasi keanekaragaman hayati yang lebih baik.

[Ornithology • 2017] Myzomela irianawidodoae • A Colourful New Species of Myzomela Honeyeater from Rote Island in eastern Indonesia

Myzomela irianawidodoae

Prawiradilaga, Baveja, Suparno, Ashari, Ng, Gwee, Verbelen & Rheindt, 2017

 photo:  Philippe Verbelen 

e-journal.biologi.lipi.go.id  news.mongabay.com  

facebook.com/JournalofIndonesianOrnithologyKUKILA

ABSTRACT

The avifauna of Rote Island in the Lesser Sundas is not well studied and generally considered to be similar to that of adjacent Timor Island. However, some cases of bird endemism have recently been documented on this island. A population of Myzomela honeyeater is one such example. First observed in October 1990, it has been subsumed with Myzomela dammermani from Sumba Island given its superficially similar appearance. Based on extensive morphological inspection and bioacoustic analysis, we here describe this population as a new taxon to science. Apart from previously overlooked plumage distinctions, the new taxon bioacoustically differs from M. dammermani in the presence or absence of several unique call types and considerable differences across two parameters in shared call types. Considering the importance of bioacoustics in avian species delimitation, we propose that the new Rote Myzomela be considered a distinct species. Given continued habitat conversion across its small range, we propose the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) threat status Vulnerable for the species.

Key words: bird, Lesser Sundas, Myzomela, new species, Rote Island

Male ‘Rote Myzomela’ Myzomela irianawidodoae sp. nov., near Bolatena village, Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, April 2014.

news.mongabay.com

ResearchGate.net/publication/319099457

Figure 1. Map showing distribution of a select group of Myzomela taxa with a similar morphology.
A – Sumba Myzomela M. dammermani (Sumba Island; turquoise), B – the newly-described Rote Myzomela [Myzomela irianawidodoae] (Rote Island; red), C – Timor Myzomela M. vulnerata (Timor Island; dark blue), D – Banda Myzomela M. boiei (Banda Island arc and Tanimbar Islands; pink), E –Red-headed Myzomela M. erythrocephala (coastal Australia and Papua, Aru Islands; yellow).

 ResearchGate.net/publication/322163070  

Myzomela irianawidodoae, species nova
English name: Rote Myzomela
Indonesian name: Myzomela Rote

Etymology: We are pleased to name this species after Iriana Widodo, the current First Lady of the Republic of Indonesia, to recognise her keen interest in Indonesia’s birdlife and her valuable stewardship and advocacy for Indonesia’s natural environments.

....

Dewi Malia Prawiradilaga, Pratibha Baveja, Suparno, Hidayat Ashari, Nathaniel Sheng Rong Ng, Chyi Yin Gwee, Philippe Verbelen and Frank Erwin Rheindt. 2017.    A Colourful New Species of Myzomela Honeyeater from Rote Island in eastern Indonesia. Treubia. 44; 77-100.
http://e-journal.biologi.lipi.go.id/index.php/treubia/article/view/3414

 ResearchGate.net/publication/322163070_A_COLOURFUL_NEW_SPECIES_OF_MYZOMELA_HONEYEATER_FROM_ROTE_ISLAND_IN_EASTERN_INDONESIA

Philippe Verbelen, Colin R. Trainor, Veerle Dossche and Rohan P. Fisher. 2017. Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia: an emerging hotspot of avian endemism. BirdingAsia. 27; 57-73.
ResearchGate.net/publication/319099457_Rote_Island_East_Nusa_Tenggara_Province_Indonesia_an_emerging_hotspot_of_avian_endemism

Description d'une nouvelle espèce d'oiseau en Indonésie, le Myzomèle de Rote (d'Iriana Widodo) | Ornithomedia.com: ornithomedia.com/magazine/etudes/description-nouvelle-espece-oiseau-indonesie-myzomele-rote-iriana-widodo-02595.html 

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 birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=355363
 birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=3605654#post3605654

The discovery of Myzomela irianawidodoae — named after Indonesia’s first lady, Iriana Joko Widodo — involved a series of separate field studies between 1990 and 2015 by different groups of researchers, according to a paper published Dec. 31, 2017, in the scientific journal Treubia.

Meet Indonesia’s new honeyeater species from Rote Island news.mongabay.com/2018/01/meet-indonesias-new-honeyeater-species-from-rote-island/ via @Mongabay

[Entomology • 2017] Wallacetrigona incisa • A New Genus of Eastern Hemisphere Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae), with A Key to the Supraspecific Groups of Indomalayan and Australasian Meliponini

Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami & Inoue, 1989)

ex Trigona incisa 

in Rasmussen, Thomas & Engel, 2017
 digitallibrary.amnh.org 

A new genus of stingless bees (Apinae: Meliponini) is described and figured from Indonesia (Sulawesi), known from a single species previously placed in Geniotrigona Moure. Based on recent phylogenetic studies, Trigona (Geniotrigona) incisa Sakagami and Inoue renders Geniotrigona polyphyletic and is more closely related to Lepidotrigona Moure. The species is transferred to Wallacetrigona Engel and Rasmussen, new genus, and differentiated from Geniotrigona proper as well as all other meliponines occurring in Sundaland, Wallacea, and Sahul (Australinea). The new genus occurs east of the Wallace Line and separate from the distribution of Geniotrigona, which is otherwise restricted to Sundaland, but Wallacetrigona is presently not known beyond the Weber Line. A hierarchical classification of Indomalayan and Australasian stingless bees is tabulated and a revised key to the genera and subgenera provided, as well as an appendix tabulating the species and synonyms. The following new combinations are established: Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue), Homotrigona (Lophotrigona) canifrons (Smith), Homotrigona (Odontotrigona) haematoptera (Cockerell), Homotrigona (Tetrigona) apicalis (Smith), H. (T.) binghami (Schwarz), H. (T.) melanoleuca (Cockerell), H. (T.) peninsularis (Cockerell), and H. (T.) vidua (Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau).

FIGURE 1. Lateral habitus of workers.
A. Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue). B. Geniotrigona thoracica (Smith). C. G. lacteifasciata (Cameron).

Lateral habitus of workers of Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue).

SYSTEMATICS

Tribe Meliponini Lepeletier de Saint Fargeau

Wallacetrigona Engel and Rasmussen, new genus

Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue), new combination

Trigona (Geniotrigona) incisa Sakagami and Inoue, 1989: 605. 

Geniotrigona incisa (Sakagami and Inoue); Rasmussen, 2008: 11.

Etymology: The generic name honors Alfred Russel Wallace (1823–1913), an intrepid and early explorer of the Indomalayan insect fauna and coauthor with Charles R. Darwin (1809– 1882) of the theory of evolution. The gender of the name is feminine.

Claus Rasmussen, Jennifer C. Thomas and Michael S. Engel. 2017. A New Genus of Eastern Hemisphere Stingless Bees (Hymenoptera, Apidae), with A Key to the Supraspecific Groups of Indomalayan and Australasian Meliponini.  American Museum Novitates. no. 3888. http://digitallibrary.amnh.org/handle/2246/6817 

 facebook.com/1stJuly1858/posts/10155497663016284

 facebook.com/ClausRasmussen6/posts/1780840681960699

[Botany • 2017] Zingiber ultralimitale • A New Species of Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) east of Wallace’s Line

Zingiber ultralimitale  Ardiyani & A.D.Poulsen

 Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 69(2) 

@AxelGinger

Abstract

Zingiber Mill. is distributed from India to the Pacific but only a few species are known from east of Wallace’s Line, whereas the area to the west is rich in species. A recent collection from limestone at Bantimurung, South Sulawesi, Indonesia represents a new eastern species, Zingiber ultralimitale Ardiyani & A.D.Poulsen, which is described, illustrated, and barcoded using three of the four barcoding loci (rbcL, trnH-psbA and ITS). Placement of this species using morphological evidence is ambiguous but a combination of evidence from morphology, pollen anatomy and molecular analysis indicates that it belongs to Zingiber sect. Zingiber.

Keywords: Bantimurung, DNA barcode, Indonesia, limestone, Sulawesi, Wallacea 

Zingiber ultralimitale  Ardiyani & A.D.Poulsen

Ardiyani, Newman & Poulsen, 2017. 

 Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 69(2)  

 twitter.com/AxelGinger

Fig. 3. Zingiber ultralimitale   Ardiyani & A.D.Poulsen.
A. Habit on limestone boulders at Bantimurung. B. Rhizome, including roots with tubers. C. Leafy shoot and inflorescence. D. Sheath, ligule, petiole and base of lamina. E. Spike with single flower, front view. F. Spike with single flower, lateral view. G. Bract. H. Bracteole and flower. I. Calyx. J. Ovary and corolla tube. K. Dorsal corolla lobe, ventral view. L. Labellum and lateral corolla lobes, ventral view. M. Corolla tube, stamen and stigma. N. Ovary and epigynous glands. A from Poulsen et al. 2767; B from Poulsen & Yeats 2989; C–N from Poulsen & Yeats 2984. (Photos: A.D. Poulsen)

Zingiber ultralimitale Ardiyani & A.D.Poulsen, sp. nov. 

This species is distinct from all others by the following combination of characters: narrow long loose green bracts, bright yellow flowers, and large free yellow lateral staminodes.

―TYPE: Indonesia, originally collected from South Sulawesi Province, Bantimurung NP, ... and cultivated as RBGE 20091017*A, flowering material vouchered on 12 June 2013 as Newman, M.F. 2552 (holotype BO; isotype E). (Fig. 2, 3)

Etymology. The specific epithet ultralimitale means ‘on the other side of the border’, referring to the occurrence of this species east of Wallace’s Line. 

Ecology and habitat. Limestone cliffs and boulders in forest, lowlands at c. 300 m. During the first year of cultivation in Edinburgh, it was discovered that the species has a dormancy period during which it survives entirely underground.

M. Ardiyani, M.F. Newman and A.D. Poulsen. 2017. A New Species of Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) east of Wallace’s Line. Gardens' Bulletin Singapore. 69(2); 189 - 199. 

 sbg.org.sg/images/4_4_Research_Gardens_Bulletin/4_4_69_2_pdf_Vol_69_Part_2_2017/69_2_189_y2017_V69P2_GBS_pg189.pdf

 twitter.com/AxelGinger/status/932527445105893376

  

[Herpetology • 2017] Lepidodactylus pantai • A New Species of Lepidodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia

Lepidodactylus pantai

Stubbs, Karin, Arifin, Iskandar, Arida, Reilly, Block, Kusnadi & McGuire, 2017

Beach Scaly-toed Gecko  ||  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4350.1.5 

Abstract

Lepidodactylus pantai is a new species of gecko from the Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia that is closely associated with intertidal habitats. This species does not fit cleanly into any of the three species groups described for the genus because it possesses the unique combination of both divided terminal scansors on all toes and a nearly completely cylindrical tail without fringes or evidence of dorsoventral compression. A phylogenetic analysis including this species demonstrates that it is the sister taxon of a population from Palau, and that this clade is sister to the clade containing Group III species for which we have molecular data.

Keywords: Reptilia, Wallacea, Phylogenetics, Gecko, Luperosaurus, Pseudogekko, Moluccas, intertidal, pantai

FIGURE 2. Photo in life of Lepidodactylus pantai sp. nov. from the type locality. (Photo by LMB, 2014).

Etymology. The species epithet, pantai, is the word for beach in the Indonesian national language (Bahasa Indonesia). It reflects the habitat in which the new species was discovered—a seemingly obligate association with the seashore. All specimens were found within 2 m of the high tide line. We suggest “Beach Scaly-toed Gecko” as the English common name for this species.

Alexander L. Stubbs, Benjamin R. Karin, Umilaela Arifin, Djoko T. Iskandar, Evy Arida, Sean B. Reilly, Luke M. Block, Agus Kusnadi and Jimmy A. McGuire. 2017. A New Species of Lepidodactylus (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Kei Islands, Maluku, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 4350(1); 91–105. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4350.1.5
ResearchGate.net/publication/321108873_A_new_species_of_Lepidodactylus_Reptilia_Squamata_Gekkonidae_from_the_Kei_Islands_Maluku_Indonesia

[PaleoOrnithology • 2017] Late Pleistocene Songbirds of Liang Bua (Flores, Indonesia); The First Fossil Passerine Fauna Described from Wallacea

Figure 3: Late Pleistocene passerines from Liang Bua.
 (A) Left tarsometatarsus of Philemon sp. (LB-Av-740), (B) left tarsometatarsus of P. buceroides (NMNH 347688); (C) right femur of Philemon sp.(LB-Av-795), (D) right femur of P. buceroides (NMNH 347688); (E) right tibiotarsus of cf. Philemon (LB-Av-857), (F) right tibiotarsus of P. buceroides (NMNH 347688), (G) left tibiotarsus (LB-Av-726) of cf. Philemon, (H) right tibiotarsus (LB-Av-775) cf. Philemon;
(I) right humerus of Rhipidura sp. (LB-Av-762), (J) right humerus of R. albicollis (NMNH 620568);
 (K) distal fragment of right humerus of Corvus cf. macrorhynchos (LB-Av-856), (L) right humerus of C. macrorhynchos (NMNH 641775); (M) right scapula of Corvus cf. macrorhynchos (LB-Av-766), (N) right scapula of C. macrorhynchos (NMNH 641775).

 (scale bars 1 cm) DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3676

Abstract

Background

Passerines (Aves: Passeriformes) dominate modern terrestrial bird communities yet their fossil record is limited. Liang Bua is a large cave on the Indonesian island of Flores that preserves Late Pleistocene–Holocene deposits (∼190 ka to present day). Birds are the most diverse faunal group at Liang Bua and are present throughout the stratigraphic sequence.

Methods

We examined avian remains from the Late Pleistocene deposits of Sector XII, a 2 × 2 m area excavated to about 8.5 m depth. Although postcranial passerine remains are typically challenging to identify, we found several humeral characters particularly useful in discriminating between groups, and identified 89 skeletal elements of passerines.

Results

At least eight species from eight families are represented, including the Large-billed Crow (Corvus cf. macrorhynchos), the Australasian Bushlark (Mirafra javanica), a friarbird (Philemon sp.), and the Pechora Pipit (Anthus cf. gustavi).

Discussion

These remains constitute the first sample of fossil passerines described in Wallacea. Two of the taxa no longer occur on Flores today; a large sturnid (cf. Acridotheres) and a grassbird (Megalurus sp.). Palaeoecologically, the songbird assemblage suggests open grassland and tall forests, which is consistent with conditions inferred from the non-passerine fauna at the site. Corvus cf. macrorhynchos, found in the Homo floresiensis-bearing layers, was likely part of a scavenging guild that fed on carcasses of Stegodon florensis insularis alongside vultures (Trigonoceps sp.), giant storks (Leptoptilos robustus), komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), and probably H. floresiensis as well.

Hanneke J.M. Meijer​, Rokus Awe Due​, Thomas Sutikna, Wahyu Saptomo, Jatmiko, Sri Wasisto, Matthew W. Tocheri and Gerald Mayr. 2017. Late Pleistocene Songbirds of Liang Bua (Flores, Indonesia); The First Fossil Passerine Fauna Described from Wallacea.
 PeerJ. 5: e3676.  DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3676

[Botany • 2017] Begonia ignita • A New Species (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae) with Orange Flowers from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Begonia ignita  C.W.Lin & C.I Peng

SBG.org.sg

ABSTRACT

 Begonia ignita C.W.Lin & C.I Peng, a new species of Begonia sect. Petermannia from Sulawesi, Indonesia, is here described and illustrated. It is distinct from other species in Begonia section Petermannia by a character combination including a procumbent stem ascending only at the apex, symmetric or subsymmetric leaves, the presence of a pale band or maculation running parallel to the leaf margin, and orange tepals. A detailed comparison with a morphologically similar species, the Sulawesi endemic Begonia mendumiae M.Hughes, is provided. 

Keywords. Begonia ignita, B. mendumiae, Indonesia, new species, Sulawesi

Fig. 2. Begonia ignita C.W.Lin & C.I Peng.
A, B. Habit, showing variation in leaf colours. C, D. 5-tepaled pistillate flower (occasional), face and side views. E. Inflorescence, showing 2-tepaled staminate flowers. F. Staminate flower, face view. G. 4-tepaled pistillate flower in inflorescence. H. 2-tepaled pistillate flower (occasional). I. Cross section of ovary showing axile, bilamellate placentae. (Photos: Y.-Z. Siaw) 

Begonia ignita C.W.Lin & C.I Peng, sp. nov. § Petermannia 

This species is distinct from other species in Begonia section Petermannia by a character combination including a procumbent stem ascending only at the apex, symmetric or subsymmetric leaves, the presence of a pale band or maculation running parallel to the leaf margin, and orange tepals.

 – TYPE: Collected in Indonesia, Sulawesi, precise locality unknown, grown in cultivation in Bogor Botanic Gardens and vouchered on 9 October 2016 as Wisnu H. Ardi WI 117 (holotype BO; isotype SING). (Fig. 1, 2)

Distribution. Only known from cultivation; likely endemic to Sulawesi (see Notes). 

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the flame-coloured tepals (Latin: igneus – flame-coloured).

C.-W. Lin, D.C. Thomas, W.H. Ardi and C.-I Peng. 2017. Begonia ignita (sect. Petermannia, Begoniaceae), A New Species with Orange Flowers from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 69(1); 89–95. DOI: 10.3850/S2010098116000081

https://www.sbg.org.sg/images/4_4_Research_Gardens_Bulletin/4_4_69_1_pdf_Vol_69_Part_1_2017/69_1_89_y2017_V69P1_GBS_pg89.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/317089744_Begonia_ignita_sect_Petermannia_Begoniaceae_a_new_species_with_orange_flowers_from_Sulawesi_Indonesia

[Arachnida • 2017] Stygophrynus orientalis • A New Species (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Banggai Island, Indonesia with the Description of A Remarkable Spermatophore

Stygophrynus orientalis 

Seiter & Wolff. 2017 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.3.8  

Abstract

Here Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. is described, a new charontid whip spider from Banggai Island, Indonesia, representing the most eastern record of the genus exceeding the formerly postulated restriction of its distribution western of the Wallace Line. In addition, the third known spermatophore of a Stygophrynus species is presented, which differs remarkably from those previously described from the genus. Finally, the cerotegument structure of the new species is depicted and compared with that of other Charontidae and Charinidae.

Keywords: Amblypygi, Whip spider, Charontidae, Stygophrynus new species, spermatophore, cerotegument structure, South-East Asia, distribution, biodiversity

FIGURE 4. Photographs of living adult Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. individuals in captivity.
  C Adult female with protonymphs (shortly after moulting). 

Etymology: The name, orientalis, refers to this species representing the easternmost record of the genus known to date. 

Michael Seiter and Jonas O. Wolff. 2017. Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Indonesia with the Description of A Remarkable Spermatophore. 

Zootaxa. 4232(3); 397–408.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.3.8