[Botany • 2025] Keetia magassoubiana (Rubiaceae: Vanguerieae) • A threatened evergreen forest Climber and an updated key to Keetia in West Africa

Keetia magassoubiana Cheek, 

 

in Cheek, Yasuda, Jongkind et Bowden-Pickstock, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10234-z

Summary

Keetia magassoubiana Cheek, an evergreen rainforest climber, is described and illustrated from the Republic of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast. Previously indicated as being close to, but different from, K. tenuiflora (Hiern) Bridson, it differs in the glossy, black, glabrous, epidermis of the distal stem internodes; the first internode rarely with very sparse, red adpressed hairs (vs epidermis pale white-brown, with dense, pale yellow, spreading hairs); abaxial leaf surfaces with domed domatia with a central aperture (vs domatia absent or obscure); secondary stem leaf bases acute (vs obtuse to truncate); bracts forming a laciniate sheath on the distal peduncle (vs two opposite triangular bracts) and the pyrene surface honeycombed with pits (vs entire). The species was earlier included within Canthium multiflorum (Schum. & Thonn.) Hiern, now K. multiflora (Schum. & Thonn.) Bridson, in the Flora of West Tropical Africa, second edition. An updated key is presented to the 16 species of the genus from West Africa. Keetia magassoubiana is provisionally assessed using the IUCN standard as Endangered [EN B1ab(iii)] due to only five of the recorded 14 locations having extant forest habitat, and because of ongoing threats of habitat clearance, mainly for agriculture but also for mining.

Key Words: Conservation, extinction, liana

Keetia magassoubiana Cheek sp. nov.

Recognition. Keetia magassoubiana Cheek sp. nov. is close to but differs from K. tenuiflora in the glossy, black, glabrous epidermis of the distal stem internodes, rarely with very sparse red hairs (vs epidermis pale white-brown, densely pale yellow hairy in K. tenuiflora), abaxial leaf surface with domatia domed, with a central aperture (vs domatia absent or obscure), the secondary stem leaf bases acute (vs obtuse to truncate), the bracts forming a laciniate sheath on the distal peduncle (vs two opposite triangular bracts) and the pyrene surface honeycombed with pits (vs smooth).

Etymology. Named for Dr Sekou Magassouba, Director-General of the National Herbarium of Guinea (HNG) in the University of Gamal Abdel Nasser – Conakry, Republic of Guinea. Under his careful, tireless and diligent administration, HNG has increased greatly in its capacity to devise and manage projects, attract grants, to train students, including now at doctorate level for the first time and to develop publication of research and publicise the conservation of the threatened plant species and habitats of his country.

Martin Cheek, Shigeo Yasuda, Carel C. H. Jongkind and Joel Bowden-Pickstock. 2025. Keetia magassoubiana sp. nov. (Rubiaceae - Vanguerieae), a threatened evergreen forest climber and an updated key to Keetia in West Africa. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10234-z

[Funga • 2024] Pseudosperma brunneopilosum (Agaricales: Inocybaceae) • A New Species from West Africa

 

Pseudosperma brunneopilosum Aïgnon & Fan,   

in Aïgnon, Fan et Matheny, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04470 

Researchgate.net/publication/383157276

Abstract

A new species of Pseudosperma is described based on collections recently made in Benin in West Africa. Pseudosperma brunneopilosum sp. nov. occurs in forests dominated by ectomycorrhizal Fabaceae Isoberlinia and Phyllanthaceae Uapaca trees. Phylogenetic analysis of combined ITS-LSU-RPB2-TEF1 gene regions shows that P. brunneopilosum is unrelated and distinct from several recently described species of Pseudosperma also from West Africa. Complete descriptions and illustrations, including photographs and line drawings are presented.

Keywords: Benin, ectomycorrhizal fungi, molecular systematics, phylogeny, taxonomy

(a–f) = Basidiomes of Pseudosperma brunneopilosum 
(a = HLA0735 holotype, b = HLA0731 c = HLA0910 and d = HLA0911, e = HLA0763, f = HLA0780).

Bar = 1 cm. Photos by: H. L. Aïgnon.

Microscopic features of Pseudosperma brunneopilosum (HLA0735, holotype).
 (a–b) Basidiospores, (c–g) basidia, (h–k) cheilocystidia in clusters, (l) pileipellis, (m) cross section of lamellae, (n) pileipellis hyphae, (o) oleiferous hyphae, (p) stipe trama hyphae, (q) caulocystida.

 Scale bars: a–q = 10 μm.

Pseudosperma brunneopilosum Aïgnon & Fan sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species distinguished from other tropical African Pseudosperma by the combination of the small basidiomata, brownish hairy and rimose pileus, lighter colored stipe, and isolated phylogenetic position.

 

Etymology: brunneopilosum, in reference to brownish densely fibrillose pileus.

 

Hyppolite L. Aïgnon, Yu-Guang Fan and P. Brandon Matheny. 2024. Pseudosperma brunneopilosum, A New Species of Inocybaceae from West Africa. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04470

 Researchgate.net/publication/383157276_Pseudosperma_brunneopilosum_a_new_species_of_Inocybaceae_from_West_Africa

[Botany • 2024] Casearia septandra (Salicaceae) • A New tree Species from the Mountains of Guinea, West Africa

Casearia septandra Breteler & Baldé, 

in Breteler et Baldé, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-024-10166-8 

 twitter.com/KewBulletin

Summary

In the synopsis of Casearia Jacq. in West and Central Africa (Breteler 2008), only a single, poor collection (Adam 3972), identified as C. prismatocarpa Mast., was recorded from the mountains of Guinea. More recently, some other flowering and fruiting specimens of Casearia have been collected from the same region as Adam’s specimen and together they represent a new species. It is illustrated and named herein as Casearia septandra, its distribution is mapped and conservation status assessed as Endangered, according to the IUCN criteria. A key to the four Casearia species of the Upper Guinea region of West Africa is presented.

Key Words: endangered, endemic, montane rainforest, taxonomy, woody plant

Casearia septandra. A leafy branchlet; B fruits; C dehisced fruit.

A – B from Baldé 1001; C from C. A. Couch et al. 550.

photos: A – B © A. Baldé; C © X. van der Burgt

Casearia septandra Breteler & Baldé sp. nov.

F. J. Breteler and A. Baldé. 2024. Casearia septandra (Salicaceae), A New tree Species from the Mountains of Guinea, West Africa. Kew Bulletin. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-024-10166-8

  twitter.com/KewBulletin/status/1779796247424950603

[Botany • 2022] Benna alternifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New herbaceous Genus and Species from Guinea, West Africa

Benna alternifolia  Burgt & Ver.-Lib.,

in van der Burgt, Haba, Magassouba et Veranso-Libalah, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52102

Abstract

Benna is a new monospecific genus in the Melastomataceae, from the Benna Plateau in Forécariah Prefecture in Guinea, West Africa. Molecular sequence data show the genus Benna is nested within the tribe Sonerileae but clearly unrelated to the other African Sonerileae genera. The genus is weakly supported as sister to the South American Sonerileae genus Phainantha. Similarities and differences with African and American Sonerileae genera are listed. The new species Benna alternifolia is a perennial evergreen herb, half-spherical in shape, up to 1.2 m in diameter. A plant may have up to 60 alternate leaves, with petioles up to 45 cm long and blades up to 31 × 28 cm. The flowers are actinomorphic, with 4 sepals and 4 pink petals, 8 dimorphic stamens, and an inferior 4-locular ovary. The fruit is a capsule. The seeds are obovoid or nearly so, with a smooth testa. Benna alternifolia occurs in deep shade in canyons, on vertical or overhanging sandstone rocks out of reach of falling rain drops, and only where water is seeping all year round, including during the 6-month dry season. About 680 plants were found. Benna alternifolia is assessed to the IUCN category Near Threatened.

KEYWORDS: Africa, alternate leaves, Benna, Guinea, Melastomataceae, near threatened, new genus, Sonerileae  

Benna alternifolia – A: the largest population was found in a deep canyon, of which the upper part is visible at the centre of the photograph, on a 1040 m-high hill on the Benna Plateau; B: plants in their habitat, on vertical rock in deep shade, under overhanging rocks, out of reach of falling rain drops, but within reach of permanently seeping water; C: group of four plants; D: single plant.

 – Origin: A, C from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering); B from Burgt & al. 2323; D from Burgt & Haba 2333. – All photographs by Xander van der Burgt.

Benna alternifolia – A: leaf upper surface; B: leaf lower surface; C: inflorescence with flower buds; D: roots. – Origin: A, D from Burgt & Haba 2333; B, C from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering).

– All photographs by Xander van der Burgt.

Taxonomy

Benna Burgt & Ver.-Lib., gen. nov.

Type: Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib.

Diagnosis — The genus Benna differs from all other African Melastomataceae genera by the following combination of characters: Herbs. Leaves alternate, venation acrodromous, margin dentate. Inflorescence cymose, paniculate, axillary, branching alternate. Flowers actinomorphic, epigynous, 4-merous, 8 dimorphic stamens. Fruit a capsule, apically dehiscent, containing many seeds. Seeds obovoid or nearly so, glossy, testa smooth. The genus Benna is placed in the tribe Sonerileae. A morphological comparison between Benna and the seven currently accepted African Sonerileae genera is presented in Table 1. A morphological comparison between Benna and the six currently accepted American Sonerileae genera is presented in Table 2.

Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib., sp. nov.

Benna alternifolia – A: branch showing alternate leaf arrangement, with two inflorescences and seven leaves: five mature leaves of which three removed, a young leaf, and a very young leaf; B: flower bud; C: petal inner surface; D: flower bud in longitudinal section with petals partly removed; E: large stamen back and front, small stamen back and front; F: ovary of flower bud in transverse section; G: ovary of flower bud seen from above; H: old infructescence with fruits partly decomposed; J: fruit; K: seeds.

– Origin: A from Burgt & al. 2274 (type gathering) and Burgt & al. 2323; B–G from Burgt & al. 2274; H–K from Burgt & Haba 2333.

 – Drawing by Xander van der Burgt.

Habitat and ecology — Benna alternifolia occurs on vertical sandstone rock, in deep shade in canyons 10–100 m deep (Fig. 3), and on vertical sandstone rock in deep shade of trees, at 300–800 m altitude. Plants occur only under overhanging rocks (Fig 3B), out of reach of falling rain drops, and only on vertical rock where water is seeping all year round, within reach of the several-meter-long roots. In this habitat, the perennial, evergreen, herbaceous plants, which do not have a rootstock, can continue to grow during the six-month dry season.

Benna alternifolia is often found together with Cincinnobotrys felicis (A. Chev.) Jacq.-Fél. (Melastomataceae), Impatiens bennae (Balsaminaceae) and Mesanthemum bennae (Eriocaulaceae). On the same vertical rocks, but higher up and in sunny, seasonally dry habitat, two plant species endemic to Guinea occur abundantly: Cailliella praerupticola (Melastomataceae) and Pitcairnia feliciana (Bromeliaceae), the only member of the family that is native outside America.

Etymology — The genus is named for the Benna Plateau or Benna Gadyah in the Susu language. The Benna Plateau holds the only known locations for the species. The specific epithet refers to the alternate leaf arrangement.

Vernacular name — In the Susu language, the name of Benna alternifolia is Labalaba Khamè or Labalaba Hamey, which means “male soft leaf”. The name Labalaba is given to Piper umbellatum L. (Burkill 1997, vol 4: p. 441), a herb with leaves similar in size and appearance. On the Benna Plateau, Piper umbellatum is named Labalaba Guinè, which means “female soft leaf”.

 

 

Xander M. van der Burgt, Pepe M. Haba, Sékou Magassouba and Marie Claire Veranso-Libalah. 2022. Benna alternifolia (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae), A New herbaceous Genus and Species from Guinea, West Africa. Willdenowia. 52(1); 25-37. DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52102

[Herpetology • 2023] Amnirana parva • The smallest of its kind: Description of A New Cryptic Amnirana Species (Anura: Ranidae) from West African Rainforests

 

Amnirana parva

Griesbaum, Jongsma, Penner, Kouamé, Doumbia, Gonwouo, Hillers, Glos, Blackburn & Rödel, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.3.1

 twitter.com/fg_wild 

Abstract

The distribution of the White-Lipped Frog Amnirana albolabris was long assumed to extend from eastern-central to western African rainforests. However, recent molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed that this taxon likely represents several undescribed species. Because the name-bearing types were collected in Gabon, the distantly related West African populations clearly represent an undescribed species that partly occurs in sympatry with Amnirana fonensis. Based on an integrative taxonomic approach, including molecular, morphological, and acoustic data, we describe the ‘albolabris’ populations from the Upper Guinean Forest Zone as a new species, and redescribe the morphologically similar A. fonensis on the bases of a larger series of genotyped individuals, including the first known females. We also provide new biological information for A. fonensis, including their advertisement call, habitat, and reproductive data. The new species is sister to A. fonensis and the two species differ by 5.8% in the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Morphologically, males of the new species are smaller and have relatively smaller humeral glands. Females of the new species seem to have shorter legs than A. fonensis. In comparison to A. fonensis, the advertisement call of the new species has a higher dominant frequency and more pronounced frequency modulation. The two species differ in their distribution and habitat preferences, as revealed by environmental niche modelling. Whereas the new species is restricted to the Upper Guinean forests and thus is a true lowland-rainforest inhabitant, A. fonensis lives predominantly in Guinean montane forests in the forest-savanna mosaic zone.

 

Keywords: Amphibia, Amnirana albolabris, Amnirana fonensis, biodiversity hotspot, biogeography, conservation, integrative taxonomy, Upper Guinean Forest Zone

Amnirana parva

also provided a redescription of Amnirana fonensis.
Males of this species show bright yellow colors during mating season.

 twitter.com/fg_wild

Frederic Griesbaum, Gregory F.M. Jongsma, Johannes Penner, N'Goran Germain Kouamé, Joseph Doumbia, Nono L. Gonwouo, Annika Hillers, Julian Glos, David C. Blackburn and Mark-Oliver Rödel. 2023. The smallest of its kind: Description of A New Cryptic Amnirana Species (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae) from West African Rainforests. Zootaxa. 5254(3); 301-339. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.3.1

 twitter.com/fg_wild/status/1635264972531044355

[Mammalogy • 2023] Pseudoromicia mbamminkom • A Review of Bats of the Genus Pseudoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the Description of A New Species from Cameroon

 

Pseudoromicia mbamminkom 

Grunwald, Demos, Nguéagni, Tchamba, Monadjem, Webala, Peterhans, Patterson & Ruedas, 2023

Mbam Minkom Serotine  ||  DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2156002 

  Researchgate.net/publication/367245410

  twitter.com/TDemos7

  twitter.com/BatConIntl

Abstract

The Cameroon Volcanic Line, which divides the Congo Basin fauna from the West African fauna, is a known area of high endemism for various taxa, but the region’s bat fauna has received little attention. We review variation in morphological and molecular (mitochondrial Cytochrome b) characters in the Tropical African vespertilionid bat genus Pseudoromicia. Assessment of this variation indicates the existence of a new species of Pseudoromicia, from the Mbam Minkom Massif in the Centre Region of Cameroon. The new species is diagnosable by sequence data and is morphologically similar to its putative sister taxon, P. kityoi, from Uganda. Although we suggest that it be assigned to the IUCN category of Data Deficient, there should be some concern as to the conservation status of this species: the Mbam Minkom Massif ecosystem is threatened due to lack of legal conservation frameworks and exposure to increasing human pressure. The new species is in a clade with P. roseveari and P. kityoi. These three species may be relicts of a single widespread species originating in the West African “white-winged” group of Pseudoromicia that then spread east across the tropical moist broadleaf forest into East Africa, and are now restricted to a few upland rainforest patches in West Africa (P. roseveari), in outliers of the Cameroon Volcanic Line region (Pseudoromicia sp.), and the Lake Victoria area (P. kityoi). The smaller, white-winged species are hypothesized to be ancestral, with one extant putative species (P. rendalli) also extending into East and southern Africa (Van Cakenberghe & Happold, 2013). The larger, dark-winged taxa likely dispersed to East Africa and subsequently back to West Africa (e.g., Pseudoromicia sp., P. roseveari). Our data illustrate the potential importance of the Dahomey Gap and climatic changes in the evolution of this group of species.

 

Key words: Africa, bat, biodiversity, Cameroon, mitochondrial DNA, systematics, taxonomy

 Dorsal view of the body of the holotype of Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp.nov.
 The frosted look is an effect of the lighting: the coloration is homogeneous. 

  Map of the type localities of Pseudoromicia species. Species marked with an asterisk ( Ã ) are part of the white-winged group. Map created using ArcGIS software by Esri (2020); basemap created by subsetting ESRI's RESOLVE Ecoregions dataset (2017) containing 846 terrestrial ecoregions grouped into 14 biomes.

 Dorsal, ventral, and lateral view of the skull of
the holotype of Pseudoromica kityoi (right) and
the holotype of Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp.nov. (left).

Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp. nov.

Mbam Minkom Serotine

Etymology. A noun in apposition, named for the type locality, the most prominent summit in its namesake Mbam Minkom Massif, an isolated gneiss inselberg formation emerging from the surrounding lowland forest matrix.

Distribution. Based on a single record at an elevationof 785 m on Mount Mbam Minkom in the Centre Region of Cameroon (Fig. 1) 

 

Amanda L. Grunwald, Terrence C. Demos, Yvette Nguéagni, Martin N. Tchamba, Ara Monadjem, Paul W. Webala, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans, Bruce D. Patterson and Luis A. Ruedas. 2023. A Review of Bats of the Genus Pseudoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the Description of A New Species. Systematics and Biodiversity. 21(1); 2156002. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2156002 

  Researchgate.net/publication/367245410_A_review_of_Pseudoromicia

  twitter.com/TDemos7/status/1616617460030996483

  twitter.com/BatConIntl/status/1617585661653159941

[Herpetology • 2022] Conraua kamancamarai • A New Slippery Frog (Anura: Conrauidae: Conraua Nieden, 1908) from the Fouta Djallon Highlands, west-central Guine

Conraua kamancamarai

Neira-Salamea, Doumbia, Hillers, Sandberger-Loua, Kouamé, Brede, Schäfer, Blackburn, Barej & Rödel, 2022

‘Kaman Camara’s Slippery Frog’ | ‘la grenouille glissante de Kaman Camara’ 

|| ‘Tôti bhowroundi de Kaman Camara’ 

DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.76692

Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Conraua from the Fouta Djallon Highlands in Guinea. The species is recognised as distinct from nominotypical C. alleni, based on morphological evidence and is supported by a recent species delimitation analysis, based on DNA sequence data. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the unique combination of the following characters: medium body size, robust limbs, only one instead of two palmar tubercles, the first finger webbed to below the first subarticular tubercle, presence of a lateral line system, indistinct tympanum, two subarticular tubercles on fingers III and IV, venter in adults white with dark brown spots or dark brown with grey or whitish spots. The new species differs from all congeners by more than 6% in the DNA sequence of mitochondrial ribosomal 16S. We discuss isolation in Pliocene and Pleistocene forest refugia as a potential driver of speciation in the C. alleni complex. We also emphasise the importance of conserving the remaining forest fragments in the Fouta Djallon Region for the preservation of both its unique biodiversity and its valuable water sources for local people.

Key Words: Anura, conservation, forest refugia, Upper Guinea forest zone, West Africa

Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov., female holotype (ZMB 78432) in life.

Colouration of life Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov. from the Fouta Djallon and surrounding region, Guinea, illustrating variation in colour pattern and skin texture.
a. From Dubreka, River Bindinbandan (10°22'21.9"N, 13°9'16.8"W, 199 m a.s.l.); b. From Dalaba, Chute de Ditinn; c. From Hörè Binti; d. From Dubreka, River Bindinbandan (10°22'21.9"N, 13°9'16.8"W, 199 m a.s.l.); e. From Dalaba, Chute de Ditinn; f. From Télimélé, locality Kourakoto, river Didounpouriguè (10°55'30.4"N, 13°47'39.4"W, 238 m a.s.l.); frogs in lower row in typical calling position, sitting in shallow water; specimens either not collected or not assignable to a voucher specimen, whereas the frogs from Hörè Binti and Chute de Ditinn can be assigned to Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov. without doubt; the other frogs may represent an undescribed Conraua.

Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis: The new species resembles other members of the genus Conraua Nieden, 1908. Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov. is an aquatic frog with the following traits: smooth dorsal skin, covered with scattered small, rounded warts on back and longitudinal ridges on dorsal part of hind legs; venter skin smooth; three odontoid projections on lower jaw, one at symphysis and one to each side on dentary; vocal sacs absent; fully webbed feet, i.e. to end of last phalanx of toe. Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov. is closely related to a clade including C. alleni sensu stricto, C. derooi and C. sagyimase (see Blackburn et al. 2020). Genetic distances between the new species and all other Conraua species were higher than 6% in the examined part of the 16S gene.

Etymology: This species is dedicated to Kaman Camara, our long-term field assistant and friend, who started working with MOR in 2002 on a survey to the Simandou Range that was organised by Conservation International (Rödel and Bangoura 2004). From 2007 until his recent death, Kaman was a member of our Guinean team, investigating the amphibians of the Nimba Mountains and other Guinean areas. Kaman had outstanding skills in detecting and catching frogs, and, more importantly, an unswerving positive attitude. A day could be completely exhausting and frustrating, but with a simple joke from Kaman all was good again! Kaman was born and lived in a remote village at the western foothills of the Simandou Range. He never received any formal education. Still, he repeatedly rejected other better paying job offers from mining companies, preferring instead to work with his frog team whenever it was possible. Kaman died in June 2020 after a short severe disease. These frogs shall be a permanent memory to an outstanding person! 

We suggest ‘Kaman Camara’s Slippery Frog’ as the English common name, ‘la grenouille glissante de Kaman Camara’ in French and in the local language Poular: ‘Tôti bhowroundi de Kaman Camara’.

 The type locality of Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov. near Konkouré Fetto, Fouta Djallon, Guinea (10°20'28.21"N, 12°10'16.82"W, 650 m a.s.l.). The frogs live in clear, fast flowing streams, with riverine forest. The surroundings are heavily degraded by agriculture, cattle grazing and charcoal production (inset figure).

The Fouta Djallon, Guinea and habitats of Conraua kamancamarai sp. nov. Hörè Binti landscape (upper photo) and typical river habitats.  

 Karla Neira-Salamea, Joseph Doumbia, Annika Hillers, Laura Sandberger-Loua, N’Goran G. Kouamé, Christian Brede, Marvin Schäfer, David C. Blackburn, Michael F. Barej and Mark-Oliver Rödel. 2022. A New Slippery Frog (Amphibia, Conrauidae, Conraua Nieden, 1908) from the Fouta Djallon Highlands, west-central Guinea. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 98(1): 23-42. DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.76692

Resumé: Nous décrivons une nouvelle espèce du genre Conraua des hauts plateaux du Fouta Djallon en Guinée. L'espèce est reconnue comme distincte du C. alleni nominotypique, sur la base de preuves morphologiques et est soutenue par une analyse récente de délimitation des espèces, basée sur des données de séquence d'ADN. La nouvelle espèce se distingue de ses congénères par la combinaison unique des caractères suivants: taille moyenne du corps, membres robustes, un seul tubercule palmaire au lieu de deux, premier doigt palmaire jusqu'en dessous du premier tubercule subarticulaire, présence d'un système de lignes latérales, tympan indistinct, deux tubercules subarticulaires sur les doigts III et IV, ventre blanc avec des taches brun foncé ou brun foncé avec des taches gris ou blanchâtre chez les adultes. La nouvelle espèce diffère de ses congénères avec plus de 6% de sa séquence d'ADN du ribosome mitochondrial 16S. Nous discutons de l'isolement dans les refuges forestiers du Pliocène et du Pléistocène comme facteur potentiel de spéciation dans le complexe C. alleni. Nous soulignons également l'importance de conserver les fragments de forêt restants dans la région du Fouta Djallon pour préserver à la fois sa biodiversité unique et ses sources d'eau précieuses pour les populations locales.

[Mammalogy • 2021] Shrews (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae) from A Biodiversity Hotspot, Mount Nimba (West Africa), with A Field Identification Key to Species

 

 

in Denys, Jacquet, Kadjo, ... et Monadjem, 2021. 

  sciencepress.MNHN.fr 

 twitter.com/ISYEB_UMR

In this study, we collected 226 shrew specimens originating from 16 localities on the Guinean and Liberian sides of Mount Nimba. We surveyed all major vegetation zones from 400 to 1600 m above sea level (asl), including forest and savannah habitats. We recorded 11 species, whose identifications were confirmed by genetic analyses and classical morphometrics. Furthermore, we provide cytogenetic data for five of these species. The shrew community at Mount Nimba is composed of a mix of both savannah- and forest-dependent species, which is related to the peculiar position of Mount Nimba situated at the transition between lowland rainforest to the south and Guinean woodlands to the north. We recorded 11 species of shrews in syntopy in lowland rainforest, seven in edaphic savannah and mountain forest, and five in high-altitude savannah at 1600 m asl. Based on morphometric analyses, we show that these syntopic species separate along a size axis, allowing species to occupy different ecological niches, which we speculate allows them to access different food resources. We also highlight that Crocidura theresae Heim de Balsac, 1968 from Mount Nimba has a different karyotype from that described in Côte d’Ivoire. Finally, we develop a novel identification key for shrews from Mount Nimba using external characters and standard body measurements, allowing it to be used in the field on live specimens. In total 12 shrew species are now known from Mount Nimba, which highlights its exceptional position as a tropical African biodiversity hotspot.

KEYWORDS: Soricidae, Crocidura, Suncus, community, cytogenetics, barcoding, morphometrics, morphology, Africa, Guinea, Liberia, biosphere reserve

Examples of habitats where pitfall traps were placed on the Guinean and Liberian Nimba:
A, gallery forest and swamp, camp 4 (Liberia); B, pitfall, altitude savannah with Loudetia kagerensis, Mare d’hivernage site (1642m) (Guinea);
C, pitfall, Selingbala (Guinea): mesophyllous secondary forest; D, pitfall, Gbie (Guinea): gallery forest with Parinari excelsa Sabine,1824, Carapa procera DC., 1824 and Pseudospondias microcarpa (A. Rich.) Engl., 1883, Maranthochloa purpurea (Ridl.) Milne-Redh.

Nimba shrews skins with field numbers:
A, MNHN-ZM-2014-900 (LB07) C. buettikoferi Jentink, 1888 Camp 4;

B, MNHN-ZM-2012-1079 (NIM217) C. grandiceps Hutterer, 1983 Gouan;

C, MNHN-ZM-2012-1158 (NIM201) C. olivieri (Lesson, 1827) Gbié;

D, MNHN-ZM-2012-1111 (NIM232) C. muricauda (Miller, 1900) Gouan;

E, MNHN-ZM-2012-1180 (NIM 301) C. theresae Heim de Balsac, 1968 Gouan;

F, MNHN-ZM-MO-1981-492 C. nimbae Heim de Balsac, 1956 Holotype Zouguepo;

G, MNHN-ZM-MO-1981-483 C. eburnea Heim de Balsac, 1958 Mt Tonkui;

H, MNHN-ZM-2012-1123 (NIM 219) C. obscurior Heim de Balsac, 1958 Gouan. 

 

Christiane Denys, François Jacquet, Blaise Kadjo, Alain Didier Missoup, Vladimir Aniskine, Joelle Goüy de Bellocq, Barré Soropogui, Mory Douno, Morlaye Sylla, Violaine Nicolas, Aude Lalis and Ara Monadjem. 2021. Shrews (Mammalia, Eulipotyphla) from A Biodiversity Hotspot, Mount Nimba (West Africa), with A Field Identification Key to Species.   ZOOSYSTEMA. 43(30); 729-757. 

 sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/43/30

 twitter.com/ISYEB_UMR/status/1466017305507344388

[Fungi • 2021] New Findings of Neonothopanus (Basidiomycota: Marasmiaceae) from Ghana

Neonothopanus sp. 

in Hu, Li, ... et Zhang, 2021.

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.512.1.4

Abstract

Specimens of Neonothopanus were collected from Ghana and examined morphologically, and molecularly using the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and nuclear large subunit ribosomal (nrLSU) regions. Three species were recognized viz., Neonothopanus cystidiosus, a new species, Neonothopanus cystidiosus, a new record for Ghana, and Neonothopanus hygrophanus, a species already known from Ghana. Neonothopanus cystidiosus is characterized by brown spots visible on the surface of pileus when mature and the presence of clavate to cylindrical pleurocystidia. Phylogenetic trees constructed using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses confirmed the results of the morphological study. Descriptions of all three species are presented with molecular work, along with a key to the known species of Neonothopanus. The addition of a new species provides a new perspective on the heterogeneity of Neonothopanus and contributes to increasing knowledge of the fungal diversity of Ghana.

Keywords: Fungi, new species, phylogeny, taxonomy, wood-inhabiting fungi

Jia-Jun Hu, Yu Li, Xiao Li, Sossah Leo Frederick and Bo Zhang. 2021. New Findings of Neonothopanus (Marasmiaceae, Basidiomycota) from Ghana. Phytotaxa. 512(1); 57–67. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.512.1.4

[Herpetology • 2021] Conraua sagyimase • A New Critically Endangered Slippery Frog (Conrauidae, Conraua) from the Atewa Range, central Ghana

Conraua sagyimase

Neira-Salamea, Ofori-Boateng, Kouamé, Blackburn, Segniagbeto, Hillers, Barej, Leaché and Rödel, 2021

 Atewa Slippery Frog | kwaeɛ mu nsutene apɔnkyerɛne || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/352830196 

 

Abstract

Forty-nine years after the last description of a slippery frog, we describe a seventh species of the genus Conraua. The new Conraua is endemic to the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, central Ghana, and is described based on genetic, bioacoustics, and morphological evidence. Recent molecular phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses support this population as distinct from nominotypical C. derooi in eastern Ghana and adjacent Togo. The new species is sister to C. derooi, from which it differs ~4% in the DNA sequence for mitochondrial ribosomal 16S. Genetic divergences in 16S to other species of Conraua range from 4–12%. The new species is distinguished morphologically from its congeners, including C. derooi, by the combination of the following characters: medium body size, robust limbs, lateral dermal fringing along edges of fingers, cream ventral color with brown mottling, the presence of a lateral line system, indistinct tympanum, the presence of inner, outer, and middle palmar tubercles, and two subarticular tubercles on fingers III and IV. We compare the advertisement calls of the new species with the calls from C. derooi and find that they differ by duration, frequency modulation, and dominant frequency. We discuss two potential drivers of speciation between C. derooi and the new species, including river barriers and fragmentation of previously more widespread forests in West Africa. Finally, we highlight the importance of the Atewa Range Forest Reserve as a critical conservation area within the Upper Guinean biodiversity hotspot.

 

Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, biodiversity hotspot, conservation, integrative taxonomy, Upper Guinean Forest, West Africa.

FIGURE 6. Four individuals of Conraua sagyimase sp. nov. from the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, southern Ghana ; specimens not collected.

(a: photo by Piotr Naskrecki)

FIGURE 7. Conraua sagyimase sp. nov. from the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, southern Ghana; specimen not collected.

(photos by Alan Channing)

Conraua sagyimase sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species generally resembles other members of the genus Conraua Nieden, 1908. Conraua sagyimase sp. nov. is the smallest species of its genus and a mid-sized (SVL of adults: 53–89 mm) aquatic frog, relative to other frog species (see Womack & Bell 2020). It has smooth dorsal skin, covered with scattered small, rounded warts; skin on belly smooth; large and protruding eyes, positioned latero-dorsally; three odontoid projections on lower jaw, one on the symphysis and one on each side of the central one on the dentary; fully webbed feet, i.e., webbing extends to the end of the last phalange of toe, disc remaining free of web.

Etymology. The name of the new species has been chosen in order to honor the people of the Sagyimase community. This small community has supported the research of COB and the anti-mining campaigns during the early 2006–2007. We hope that the naming of this endemic species will further encourage this community in their fight for an intact Atewa Range. The species epithet is used as an invariable noun in apposition to the generic name. As English common name, we suggest Atewa Slippery Frog, and as Akan common name we suggest kwaeɛ mu nsutene apɔnkyerɛne, meaning the frog of the forest streams.

FIGURE 9. Habitat from Conraua sagyimase sp. nov. in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve (a-b), southern Ghana (photos: courtesy of Piotr Naskrecki);
and type locality of Conraua derooi, Misahöhe, Togo (c-d).

FIGURE 10. Habitat from Conraua sagyimase sp. nov. in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, southern Ghana.  

FIGURE 8. Inset shows a map of West Africa showing the location of the Atewa Range in Ghana (upper left), known localities of Conraua sagyimase sp. nov.  are shown in red and know localities of Conraua derooi in yellow. Stars indicate type localities. Altitudinal range is indicated with shading from lowlands (light) to high elevation (dark). Sources: OpenStreetMap (2020), U.S. Geological Survey (2020).

 

Karla Neira-Salamea, Caleb Ofori-Boateng, N'goran G. Kouamé, David C. Blackburn, Gabriel H. Segniagbeto, Annika Hillers, Michael F. Barej, Adam D. Leaché, Mark-Oliver Rödel. 2021. A New Critically Endangered Slippery Frog (Amphibia, Conrauidae, Conraua) from the Atewa Range, central Ghana. Zootaxa. 4995(1); 71-95. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4995.1.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/352830196_A_new_slippery_frog_Conraua_from_the_Atewa_Range_central_Ghana

rufford.org/projects/evans-ewald-nkrumah/conservation-of-the-critically-endangered-conraua-derooi-in-ghana/