[Botany • 2019] Muscari fatmacereniae (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae) • A New Species from southern Anatolia

Muscari fatmacereniae Eker

in Eker, 2019.

  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.397.1.10

Abstract

A new species, Muscari fatmacereniae Eker sp. nov. (Asparagaceae), is described from Turkey. The diagnostic characters, description, detailed illustration, original photographs and geographical distribution of the new species are given. The conservation assessment, observations and taxonomic comments on the new species are also presented. The new species is compared with the closely related species M. armeniacum and M. botryoides.

Keywords: Muscari, new species, taxonomy, Turkey, Monocots

İsmail Eker. 2019. Muscari fatmacereniae (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), A New Species from southern Anatolia. Phytotaxa.  397(1); 99–106. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.397.1.10

[Botany • 2019] Holoparasitic Orobanchaceae (Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche, Phelipanche) in Armenia: Distribution, Habitats, Host Range and Taxonomic Problems

Diphelypaea tournefortii 

in Piwowarczyk, Pedraja, Moral, et al., 2019.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.386.1.1 

Abstract

The species of holoparasitic genera from the family Orobanchaceae have a specific lifestyle associated with the host, greatly reduced vegetative organs, very variable features and quickly lose their color, resulting in difficulties and mistakes in identification. This study represents the first comprehensive monograph of 36 species from the four holoparasitic genera, Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Phelipanche and Orobanche (Orobanchaceae), in Armenia. This country, as a part of the Caucasus, is one of the most important biodiversity centers in the world, a diversity which includes rich and insufficiently understood holoparasitic plants. Our investigations were based on five years of field work in the Caucasus, and complemented by examination of ca. 1200 herbarium sheets with ca. 3000 specimens from 37 herbaria. We present information on distribution, list of localities, habitat, phenology, host range, taxonomic clarification, illustrations and descriptions for problematic ones, images from the field, proposals for new synonymisations, new combination Phelipanche cernua subsp. sinaica (Beck) Piwow., Ó. Sánchez & Moreno Mor., 20 lectotypes, two epitypes, one neotype are designated here, as well as a key and geospatial conservation assessments for all species based on IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Caucasus, western Asia, parasitic plants, taxonomy, typification, new synonyms, new records, conservation assessment, Eudicots

 Renata Piwowarczyk,  Óscar Sánchez Pedraja, Gonzalo Moreno Moral, George Fayvush, Narine Zakaryan, Nune Kartashyan and Alla Aleksanyan. 2019. Holoparasitic Orobanchaceae (Cistanche, Diphelypaea, Orobanche, Phelipanche) in Armenia: Distribution, Habitats, Host Range and Taxonomic Problems. Phytotaxa.  386(1); 1-106.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.386.1.1

[Herpetology • 2018] Macrovipera razii • Molecular and Morphological Analyses have revealed A New Species of Blunt-nosed Viper of the Genus Macrovipera in Iran

  Macrovipera razii 

Oraie, Rastegar-Pouyani, Khosravani, Moradi, Akbari, Sehhatisabet, Shafiei, Stümpel & Joger, 2018

SALAMANDRA. 54(4)

Abstract

 A new species of blunt-nosed viper of the genus Macrovipera is described from the central and southern parts of Iran on the basis of morphological and molecular examination. The mitochondrial Cytb gene was used to investigate phylogenetic relationships amongst the Iranian species of the genus Macrovipera. A dataset with a final sequence length of 1043 nucleotides from 41 specimens from 18 geographically distant localities across Iran was generated. The findings demonstrated that two major clades with strong support can be identified within the genus Macrovipera in Iran. One clade consists of individuals belonging to a new species, which is distributed in the central and southern parts of Iran; the second clade includes two discernible subclades. The first subclade is distributed in western and northwestern Iran, Macrovipera lebetina obtusa, and the second subclade consists of northeastern populations, representing Macrovipera lebetina cernovi. The new species, Macrovipera razii sp. n., differs from its congeners by having higher numbers of ventral scales, elongated anterior chin-shields, and lower numbers of canthal plus intersupraocular scales.

Key words. Squamata, Serpentes, Viperidae, Macrovipera, new species, mitochondrial Cytb, phylogeny, taxonomy, Iran.

Macrovipera razii 

Figure 8. Macrovipera razii sp. n., paratype (adult female ERP 1941) from Pariz, 50 km north of Sirjan, Kerman Province (Photo: N. Moradi). 

Figure 9. Macrovipera razii sp. n. (ERP 1981) in its natural habitat in the Bamoo National Park, Fars Province, southern Iran (Photo: H. Oraie).

Macrovipera razii sp. n. 

Differential diagnosis: The newly described species differs from M. schweizeri by its higher number of mid-dorsal scales (25 vs. 23), which however overlaps the counts in other M. lebetina subspecies. Macrovipera razii sp. n. differs from M. lebetina by possessing a higher count of ventrals (172–175 vs. 160–170), and by having elongated anterior chin-shields, which are more than three times longer than the posterior ones. In contrast, M. lebetina has square anterior chin-shields, which are less than twice as long as the posterior chin-shields (Fig. 6). Compared to M. lebetina, the new species has a lower number of canthal + intersupraocular scales. More comparisons are provided in Table 4. Interestingly, Macrovipera razii sp. n. and M. lebetina cernovi are similar in both possessing one large supraocular scale, which is absent in M. lebetina obtusa (Fig. 5). Outside Iran, the subspecies M. lebetina euphratica (Schmidt, 1939) differs by having supraoculars that are split up into five scales, making it clearly distinguishable from Macrovipera razii sp. n., which has one large supraocular scale. The latter can be distinguished from Macrovipera lebetina lebetina (Linnaeus, 1758) and Macrovipera lebetina transmediterranea (Nilson & Andrén 1988) by the higher number of ventrals (172– 175 vs. 146–163 and 150–164, respectively), from Macrovipera lebetina turanica (Chernov, 1940) by the latter’s semidivided supraoculars and a dorsal colour pattern that consists of a dark ground colour with a lighter, orange zigzag pattern.

....

Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in the genitive case, in honour of Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyya al-Razi (854–925 CE), a Persian polymath, physician, alchemist, philosopher, and important figure in the history of medicine. Macrovipera is one of the most medically important snakes in Iran, and historically, physicians like him have been involved in snake bite therapy. We propose “Razi’s Viper” as a standard English name.

Distribution: All our specimens of Macrovipera razii sp. n. were collected from localities in central and southern Iran (Table 1, Fig. 1). This species might occur in other provinces of Iran, too, however. It is at present considered to be endemic to Iran.

Figure 8. Macrovipera razii sp. n., paratype (adult female ERP 1941) from Pariz, 50 km north of Sirjan, Kerman Province (Photo: N. Moradi).
Figure 9. Macrovipera razii sp. n. (ERP 1981) in its natural habitat in the Bamoo National Park, Fars Province, southern Iran (Photo: H. Oraie).

Figure 10. Various types of natural habitats of Macrovipera razii sp. n., type locality, 105 km on the road from Jiroft to Bam near Babgorgi village and Valley, Kerman Province (A); at the Fill Spring in Bamoo National Park, Fars Province (B); at Tolombeh Badi, Bakhtegan Lake protected area, Fars Province (C); at Ghatroyeh, Bahrame Goor National Park, Fars Province (D). (Photos: H. Oraie).

Hamzeh Oraie, Eskandar Rastegar-Pouyani, Azar Khosravani, Naeim Moradi, Abolfazl Akbari, Mohammad Ebrahim Sehhatisabet, Soheila Shafiei, Nikolaus Stümpel and Ulrich Joger. 2018. Molecular and Morphological Analyses have revealed A New Species of Blunt-nosed Viper of the Genus Macrovipera in Iran. SALAMANDRA. 54(4); 233-248. 

   

[Entomology • 2018] Review of the Genus Trichactia Stein (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the Palaearctic Region, with the Description of A New Species, Trichactia meridiana, from Iran and the East Mediterranean

Trichactia meridiana Ziegler & Gilasian

in Gilasian, Ziegler & Parchami-Araghi, 2018. 

   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4526.2.6 

Abstract

The genus Trichactia Stein, 1924 (Diptera: Tachinidae) is newly recorded from Iran and its Palaearctic species are reviewed. The new species Trichactia meridiana Ziegler & Gilasian, sp. nov. is described from Iran and the East Mediterranean. An identification key to the three known Palaearctic species of Trichactia, photographs of all species and illustrations of their male terminalia are provided. Intraspecific variation between different geographical populations of T. meridiana sp. nov. is discussed.

Keywords: Diptera, identification key, Middle East, new records, taxonomy, Tachininae

 Ebrahim Gilasian, Joachim Ziegler and Mehrdad Parchami-Araghi. 2018. Review of the Genus Trichactia Stein (Diptera: Tachinidae) in the Palaearctic Region, with the Description of A New Species from Iran and the East Mediterranean. Zootaxa. 4526(2); 207–220. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4526.2.6

[Herpetology • 2018] A Molecular Phylogenetic Hypothesis for the Asian Agamid Lizard Genus Phrynocephalus Reveals Discrete Biogeographic Clades Implicated by Plate Tectonics

Phrynocephalus mystaceus (Pallas, 1776)

in Macey, Schulte, Ananjeva, Dyke, Wang, et al., 2018. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4467.1.1 

Abstract 

Phylogenetic relationships of the agamid lizard genus Phrynocephalus are described in the context of plate tectonics. A near comprehensive taxon sampling reports three data sets: (1) mitochondrial DNA from ND1 to COI (3’ end of ND1, tRNAGln, tRNAIle, tRNAMet, ND2, tRNATrp, tRNAAla, tRNAAsn, tRNACys, tRNATyr, and the 5’ end of COI) with 1761 aligned positional sites (1595 included, 839 informative), (2) nuclear RAG-1 DNA with 2760 aligned positional sites (342 informative), and (3) 25 informative allozyme loci with 213 alleles (107 informative when coded as presence/absence). It is hypothesized that Phrynocephalus phyletic patterns and speciation reflect fault lines of ancient plates now in Asia rejuvenated by the more recent Indian and Arabian plate collisions. Molecular estimates of lineage splits are highly congruent with geologic dates from the literature. A southern origin for the genus in Southwest Asia is resolved in phylogenetic estimates and a northern origin is statistically rejected. On the basis of monophyly and molecular evidence several taxa previously recognized as subspecies are recognized as species: P. hongyuanensis, P. sogdianus, and P. strauchi as “Current Status”; Phrynocephalus bannikovi, Phrynocephalus longicaudatus, Phrynocephalus turcomanus, and Phrynocephalus vindumi are formally “New Status”. Phylogenetic evaluation indicates a soft substrate habitat of sand for the shared ancestor of modern Phrynocephalus. Size diversity maximally overlaps in the Caspian Basin and northwestern Iranian Plateau. The greatest species numbers of six in sympatry and regional allopatry are found in the southern Caspian Basin and southern Helmand Basin, both from numerous phylogenetic lineages in close proximity attributed to tectonic induced events.

 Key words: Reptilia, Squamata, Agamidae, Phrynocephalus, Asia, biogeography, evolution, phylogenetics, tectonics, mitochondrial DNA, RAG-1, allozyme

Phrynocephalus mystaceus illustrating false enlarged mouth with red capillary-beds. 

 J. Robert Macey, James A. Schulte, II, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Erik T. V. Dyke, Yuezhao Wang, Nikolai L. Orlov, Soheila Shafiei, Michael D. Robinson, Tatjana Dujsebayeva, Gabriel S. Freund, Clayton M. Fischer, David Liu and Theodore J. Papenfuss. 2018. A Molecular Phylogenetic Hypothesis for the Asian Agamid Lizard Genus Phrynocephalus Reveals Discrete Biogeographic Clades Implicated by Plate Tectonics. Zootaxa. 4467(1); 1–81.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4467.1.1

[Ichthyology • 2018] Barbus anatolicus • A New Barbel (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River Drainages in northern Anatolia

Barbus anatolicus

Turan, Kaya, Geiger & Freyhof, 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4461.4.5 

Abstract
Barbus anatolicus, new species, is described from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River drainages in the southern Black Sea basin. It is distinguished from other Barbus species in the Middle East by having 58–71 total lateral line scales, a moderately ossified last simple dorsal-fin ray, serrated along about 70–80% of its posterior margin, many small irregular shaped black or brown spots, smaller or as large as scales, often forming large, dark-brown blotches on the head, back and flank in adults and juveniles, and a concave posterior dorsal-fin margin. In addition, DNA barcode data reject the hypothesis that it belongs to one of the other species of the B. barbus species group. Barbus bergi from Bulgaria and adjacent Turkey is treated as synonym of B. tauricus. Barbus tauricus was previously believed to be restricted to the Crimean Peninsula but is found to be widespread in the Black Sea basin.

Keywords: Pisces, freshwater fish, Middle East, taxonomy, morphology, cytochrome oxidase I

FIGURE 4. Barbus anatolicus, from the top,
 FSJF 3104, 136 mm SL; Turkey: Yeşilırmak River drainage;
 FSJF 2902, paratype, 236 mm SL; Turkey: Kızılırmak River.

Barbus anatolicus, new species

Etymology. The name of the species is derived from Anatolia. An adjective. 

  

Davut Turan, Cüneyt Kaya, Matthias Geiger and Jörg Freyhof. 2018. Barbus anatolicus, A New Barbel from the Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak River Drainages in northern Anatolia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).  Zootaxa. 4461(4); 539–557.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4461.4.5

[Crustacea • 2018] Stenasellus tashanicus • A New Species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 (Isopoda, Stenasellidae) from Iran, with A Key to the western Asian Species

Stenasellus tashanicus

 Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Fatemi, Malek-Hosseini & Kuntner, 2018

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.766.23239 

Abstract

A new stenasellid isopod is described from Tashan Cave, Khuzestan Province, south-west Iran, belonging to the genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897. The first recorded species of Stenasellidae from Iran, Stenasellus tashanicus sp. n., is diagnosed by the presence of antennae with a minute squama bearing paired, long, robust setae; a maxilliped endite with six coupling hooks; and slender appendix masculina with an acute apex. A revised generic diagnosis is provided with a key to the six known western Asian Stenasellus species.

Keywords: Iran, Stenasellus, Stenasellidae, Stygobitic, Tashan Cave

Figure 1. Tashan Cave. A Cave opening B a pool inside the cave
C live specimen of Stenasellus tashanicus sp. n., in its habitat D Stenasellus tashanicus sp. n., and cave fish Garra tashanensis Mousavi-Sabet, Vatandoust, Fatemi & Eagderi, 2016.

Taxonomy

Aselloidea Latreille, 1802

Family Stenasellidae Dudich, 1924

Genus Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897

Type species

Stenasellus virei Dollfus, 1897, by monotypy.

Diagnosis: Diagnoses to the genus can be found in Dollfus (1897) and Magniez (1966). The generic diagnosis presented here is more detailed than has been previously presented: Body lateral margins parallel and setose; pereonite VII longest; the antennal peduncle is 6-articulate, article VI longest, approximately 1.6 times the article V. Left mandible with incisor and lacinia mobilis bearing four cusps. Pereopod I with triangular carpus, dactylus elongated, an inferior margin with a row of contiguous scale-like flattened setae. Pereopods II-VII with an oval basis bearing some long distally plumose setae on the superior margin; dactylus shorter than elongated main unguis, bearing two secondary unguis. Pleopod I uniramous, protopod mesial margin with a simple RS or a single coupling hook, exopod elongated, mesial margin with a row distally plumose setae, distal margin fringed with a row of tiny simple short setae. Pleopod II exopod 2-articulate, article I short and without setae, article II longer than I, oval or round.

....

Stenasellus tashanicus sp. n.

Diagnosis: Body dorsal surface smooth, with scattered marginal setae. Antenna reaching to pereonite V posterior margin in male specimen, with a squama bearing three simple setae on the outer margin of the third article. Maxilla lateral and middle endites each bearing 11 curved pectinate RS; mesial margin of maxilliped endite with six coupling hooks. Appendix masculina slender, elongated, tapering to a curved acute apex; endopod of pleopods III–V distally bifurcated.

Etymology: The name of this species comes from the type locality, the Tashan Cave, Iran.

Habitat: The isopods were collected from two pools in the dark zone of the Tashan Cave (at 20 to 200 cm depths). They were observed in all life cycle stages. They were observed crawling on the floor and hiding inside the sediment and cavities of the pools, as well as swimming in the water column. Mousavi-Sabet et al. (2016) described a blind fish from this cave (see Fig. 1D).

 Valiallah Khalaji-Pirbalouty, Yaser Fatemi, Mohammad Javad Malek-Hosseini and Matjaž Kuntner. 2018. A New Species of Stenasellus Dollfus, 1897 from Iran, with A Key to the western Asian Species (Crustacea, Isopoda, Stenasellidae).  ZooKeys. 766: 39-50.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.766.23239

[Mammalogy • 2018] Systematics, Distribution and Ecological Analysis of Rodents in Jordan

Acomys russatus lewisi  Atallah, 1967

in Amr, Abu Baker, Qumsiyeh & Eid, 2018.

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4397.1.1 

Abstract

Distributional and ecological data were given to all rodents of Jordan. The rodent fauna of Jordan consists of 28 species with 20 genera in eight families (Cricetidae, Dipodidae, Gliridae, Hystricidae, Muridae, Myocastoridae, Sciuridae,and Spalacidae), including four introduced species.Keys for families and species were provided, along with diagnosis for each species and cranial illustrations for most species. Habitat preference and zoogeographic affinities of rodents in Jordan were analyzed, as well as their status and conservation.Threat categories and causes of threats on the rodents of Jordan were also analyzed.

        The distribution of rodents in Jordan represents a reflection of their global distribution ranges and habitat preferences. Species associated with the temperate forest of northern Jordan includes Sciurus anomalus and two wood mice, Apodemus mystacinus and A. flavicollis, while non-forested areas are represented by Nannospalax ehrenbergi and Microtus guentheri. Strict sand dwellers include Gerbillus cheesmani and G. gerbillus. Petrophiles associated with sandstone or black lava deserts are exemplified by Acomys russatus, A. r. lewsi, H. indica and S. calurus. Others including: Jaculus jaculus, G. nanus, G. henleyi, Meriones crassus, and M. libycus are all desert-adapted species with wider ranges of distribution where scarce vegetation, wadibeds, and marabs with clay, loess, or gravel surfaces provide foraging grounds and shelter. A single species, Gerbillus dasyurus, exhibits a wide range of distribution over diverse habitat types.

        The rodent fauna of Jordan consists of assemblages of different zoogeographical affinities. Nine, three, and seven were restricted or had most of its range within the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, and Saharo Arabian, respectively. Sciurus anomalus, Apodemus sp., Nannospalax ehrenbergi, and Microtus guentheri reached their most southern range of distribution in the Mediterranean regions of Jordan. The distribution of Gerbillus cheesmani extends from Asian deserts in India westwards into the Arabian Peninsula crossing Jordan as its most western range of distribution. Typical rodents of Saharo-Arabian affinities are represented by desert jerboas, gerbils, and jirds. North African species such as G. andersoni, G. gerbillus reached their most eastern distribution in southern Jordan. Both G. henleyi and G. nanus are widely-distributed species across North Africa reaching as far as India to the east, representing most northern outpost for these two species. Sekeetamys calurus is a nearly endemic to the Eastern Mediterranean region within southern Jordan and Sinai. Relicts are represented by Eliomys melanurus and Acomys russatus lewisi.

        Several threats affecting the rodent biodiversity in Jordan were identified including habitat loss and degradation, human disturbance and related activity, legislative and public awareness. The global conservation status of the rodents of Jordan according to the IUCN Red List include 22 species as least concern, one as near threatened (Allactaga euphratica), and one as data deficient (Nannospalax ehrenbergi). According to the regional assessment, one species is critically endangered, three species are considered endangered, one vulnerable.

Keywords: Mammalia, biodiversity, habitat preference, Jordan, rodents, zoogeography

Acomys russatus lewisi Atallah, 1967 

Zuhair S. Amr, Mohammad A. Abu Baker, Mazin Qumsiyeh and  Ehab Eid. 2018.  Systematics, Distribution and Ecological Analysis of Rodents in Jordan. Zootaxa. 4397(1);  1-94.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4397.1.1

[Entomology • 2018] Socoflata gen. nov. • described for Two New Planthopper Species (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) from the Mountains in Socotra Island

 Socoflata histrionica

 Stroiński, Malenovský & Świerczewski, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.3 

Abstract

A new genus of flatid planthoppers (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae) is described from the island of Socotra (Yemen): Socoflata gen. nov., for Socoflata aurolineata sp. nov. and Socoflata histrionica sp. nov. (type species). Habitus, male and female external and internal genital structures of the new species are illustrated and diagnosed. Both Socoflata species are abundant and syntopic in the evergreen montane woodland and dwarf shrubland at high elevations in the Hagher mountains in central Socotra and are likely endemics of this area.

Keywords: Hemiptera, Fulgoroidea, systematics, taxonomy, Afrotropical region

 Adam Stroiński, Igor Malenovský and Dariusz Świerczewski. 2018.  Socoflata gen. nov., described for Two New Planthopper Species from the Mountains in Socotra Island (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Flatidae).  Zootaxa. 4379(3); 388–406.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4379.3.3

[Botany • 2018] Hydnora arabica • A New Species (Aristolochiaceae) from the Arabian Peninsula and A Key to Hydnora

 Hydnora arabica Bolin & Musselman

in Bolin, Lupton & Musselman, 2018.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.338.1.8 

Abstract

The plant parasite Hydnora arabica (Aristolochiaceae) is described from the Arabian Peninsula. This species was previously identified as Hydnora africana in Oman. It can be separated from other Hydnora taxa primarily by its terete rhizome, red to orange inner perianth tube color, and tepal lobe margins entirely covered with dense strigose setae. In Oman, Hydnora arabica is known to parasitize two leguminous trees: Acacia tortilis and the introduced Pithocellobium dulce, but may parasitize additional Fabaceae. At least eleven synonyms or subspecific varieties of H. abyssinica are described in the literature, all from east or southern Africa. These synonyms are discussed in light of new observations of morphology including tepal margin ornamentation. A new key for Hydnora is proposed.

Keywords: parasitic plant, Hydnoraceae, Magnoliids

FIGURE 2. A) Hydnora arabica flower emerging from soil. White osmophores apparent on tepal apices; B) Excavated mature H. arabica flower, flower bud, and growth tip of rhizome; C) Cross section of terete rhizomes and growth tip of rhizome covered in numerous tubercle-like lateral appendages

(Fig 1A–C: J. Bolin, S. Al Rahbi, L. Musselman, JFB2014OM3);  

Hydnora arabica Bolin & Musselman, sp. nov. 
 Diagnosis: — Hydnora arabica is similar to Hydnora abyssinica, but can be distinguished by having red to orange inner perianth tube color and tepal lobe margins entirely covered with dense strigose setae.

Distribution:—Known from southern Oman (Dhofar region) and Yemen. Collected from an elevation of 200 to 680 m (Fig. 1).

Habitat and Ecology:—Hydnora arabica is an obligate root parasite of Fabaceae that is visible above the soil surface only when flowering (Fig. 2). Most of our collections in Oman occurred on Acacia tortilis and the same host was reported from Yemen (Al-Fatimi 2015). Interestingly, in a small Dhofar settlement approximately 16 km NE of Mirbat, adjacent to Ayn Ayuoon south of Jebel Samhan, we were directed to a robust H. arabica population associated with and below the non-native Pithocellobium dulce (5 m high) in the settlement courtyard and goat yard. No other potential host trees were within 50 meters, thus P. dulce was likely the host plant. The villagers mentioned that the goats fed in the nearby wadi where H. arabica was abundant and were the likely vector of Hydnora seeds into the settlement. Interestingly, in Madagascar, the same introduced host P. dulce was a common host of H. esculenta (Bolin and Musselman 2013).
....

Etymology:—The specific epithet refers to the distribution of H. arabica on the Arabian Peninsula.

Vernacular Name:— Thesiger reported the vernacular name as dhanuna on herbarium material from the 1940s. Miller and Morris (1998) give the Jibbali name xamleg and the Dhofari Arabic names khamlayyeh and khumla’ah. We can confirm that Jibbali settlers in Dhofar that knew the plant well as a potential food item in fruit used the name xamleg. From Yemen in the districts of Lawdar and Dathina that use the plant the Arabic local names of nabeekh, fateekh, and tarateef (Al-Fatimi et al. 2015) are used.

Conservation Status:— In the Dhofar region of Oman, dried rhizomes of H. arabica were common in most wadi beds with an abundance of its common host Acacia tortilis, though fresh flowering material was difficult to locate due to its infrequent flowering and primarily hypogeous habit. Based on our observations, the conservation status of H. arabica in southern Oman is secure. However, H. abyssinica is reported as rare in Saudi Arabia (Collenette 1999) and we have little basis to comment on H. arabica abundance in Yemen.

FIGURE 2. A) Hydnora arabica flower emerging from soil. White osmophores apparent on tepal apices; B) Excavated mature H. arabica flower, flower bud, and growth tip of rhizome; C) Cross section of terete rhizomes and growth tip of rhizome covered in numerous tubercle-like lateral appendages (Fig 1A–1C: J. Bolin, S. Al Rahbi, L. Musselman, JFB2014OM3); D) Dried berry and flower from previous season, numerous dark spherical seeds inside broken fruit (from J. Bolin, D. Lupton, L. Musselman, S. Al Rahbi, JFB2014OM1). Scale bars A) = 1 cm; B) 4 cm; C) 2 cm; D) 1 cm.

Jay F. Bolin, Darach Lupton and Lytton J. Musselman. 2018. Hydnora ­arabica (Aristolochiaceae), A New Species from the Arabian Peninsula and A Key to Hydnora. Phytotaxa. 388(1); 99–108. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.338.1.8

[Ichthyology • 2017] Oxynoemacheilus ciceki • A New Nemacheilid Species (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae) from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province, Turkey

Oxynoemacheilus ciceki  

Sungur, Jalili & Eagderi, 2017

 DOI: 10.22034/iji.v4i4.258 

Abstract

 A new species of nemacheilid fish, Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is described from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province, Turkey. The species differs from its congeners in the combination of the following characters: flank yellowish brown or pale gray with irregular spot; cheeks with numerous tiny spots; lacking scale; thinner caudal peduncle; complete lateral line; 4 central and 4 lateral pores in the supra-temporal canal; lower lip thick with a deep median interruption and marked furrows and small median incision in upper lip.

 Keywords: Freshwater fish, Taxonomy, Morphology, Loach.

Fig.1. Uncatalogued live specimen of Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n., Turkey: Kayseri prov.: Sultan Marsh.

Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. 

Diagnosis: Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is distinguished from the other species of Oxynoemacheilus in the Kızılırmak basin by a combination of characters, none of them unique. Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is distinguished from O. angorae by having flank yellowish brown or pale gray with irregular spots (vs. yellowish with a mid-lateral row of horizontally elongated fused blotches), cheeks with numerous tiny spots (vs. without pigmentation), without scale (vs. scaled), shorter pelvic fin (11.3- 13.6 vs. 14.9-17.0 %SL), lower mouth width (16.0- 22.0 vs. 20.6-26.7 %HL).

Etymology: The new species is named after Prof. Dr. Erdoğan Çiçek, for his valuable contribution to the knowledge of freshwater fishes of Turkey.

Distribution: Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n. is knowns only from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province (Fig. 6). This species mostly found slowflowing parts of streams in the Sultan Marsh. Pseudophoxinus elizavetae, Aphanius marassantensis, Seminemacheilus lendlii and Cobitis sp. coexist in the type locality with Oxynoemacheilus ciceki sp. n.

Sevil Sungur, Paria Jalili and Soheil Eagderi. 2017. Oxynoemacheilus ciceki, New Nemacheilid Species (Teleostei, Nemacheilidae) from the Sultan Marsh, Kayseri Province, Turkey. Iranian Journal of Ichthyology. 4(4); 375-383.   DOI: 10.22034/iji.v4i4.258

[Botany • 2017] Carex socotrana • A New Endemic Species (Cyperaceae) from Socotra Island

 Carex socotrana  Rěpka & Maděra

in Řepka, Maděra, Čermák & Forrest, 2017.  
 @CMEPorg  ||  DOI: 10.3417/D-16-00004   

ABSTRACT

We describe Carex socotrana Rěpka & Maděra, a new endemic species found in the Hajhir Mountains on Socotra Island. It differs from the morphologically similar African continental species C. steudneri Boeckeler in having a shorter stem, smaller leaf length and width, completely smooth leaf blades and margins, and pistillate scales without a whitish membranous margin and with distinctive awns at the apex. The spike clusters are smaller and more scattered on the stem, and the perigynium and its beak are smaller than in C. steudneri. So far only one small and one large population have been found near the highest mountain peak, Mount Scand. The new taxon is 1370 km from the closest known site of C. steudneri.

Keywords: Carex, Cyperaceae, IUCN, Socotra

Radomír Řepka, Petr Maděra, Martin Čermák and Alan Forrest. 2017. Carex socotrana, A New Endemic Species from Socotra Island. Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 25(4); 467–472.  DOI: 10.3417/D-16-00004 

ResearchGate.net/publication/321198484_Carex_socotrana_a_New_Endemic_Species_from_Socotra_Island

 twitter.com/CMEPorg/status/934055316542640128

[Herpetology • 2018] Asaccus arnoldi • Systematics, Biogeography and Evolution of Asaccus gallagheri (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) with the Description of A New Endemic Species from Oman

Asaccus arnoldi

 Simó-Riudalbas, Tarroso, Papenfuss, Al-Sariri & Carranza, 2018

  DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2017.1403496 

Abstract

The Hajar Mountains are the highest mountain range in eastern Arabia. Despite being classified as a mountain desert, it is considered one of the top biodiversity hotspots of Arabia. As a result of its relatively old geological origin, complex topography, environmental heterogeneity and geographic isolation from other mountain ranges, its fauna and flora have diversified significantly producing high levels of endemicity, particularly amongst reptiles. Several genetic studies indicate that this diversity may still be underestimated, especially within some groups containing morphologically similar species like the nocturnal geckos of the genus Asaccus. These have radiated extensively on both sides of the Gulf of Oman, in the Hajar Mountains and the Zagros Mountains of south-west Asia, and are a good example of the faunal affinities between these two mountain ranges. In the present work, we analyse A. gallagheri, the smallest species of the Arabian radiation, using an unprecedented sampling across its entire distribution range and an integrative approach combining morphological, macroecological and multilocus molecular data with the objective of clarifying its systematics and phylogeography. The results support the presence of two allopatric species within A. gallagheri that split approximately 6 Ma. The newly discovered species is endemic to the Eastern Hajars and is described herein mainly on the basis of its smaller size and high genetic divergence from A. gallagheri. The molecular analyses also uncovered remarkable levels of genetic diversity within both species. The present study highlights the diversity of the genus Asaccus in south-east Arabia and stresses its relevance from a conservation point of view.

Key words: Arabia, biogeography, endemicity, geckos, Hajar Mountains, hypervolumes, species delimitation, taxonomy

Fig. 3. View of the type locality and general appearance in life of Asaccus arnoldi sp. nov.
1) Holotype of A. arnoldi sp. nov. (male; voucher code BMNH.2008.961);
2) Rocky sides of Wadi Bani Khalid in 2016;
3) Female (above) and male (below) A. arnoldi sp. nov. with the characteristic dimorphic tail colouration.

All photographs taken by Salvador Carranza.

Asaccus Dixon and Anderson, 1973
Asaccus arnoldi sp. nov.

Asaccus arnoldi sp. nov.

Etymology. The species epithet ‘arnoldi’ is a genitive Latin noun to honour the British herpetologist, Dr E.Nicholas Arnold, for his life-long dedication and contribution to Arabian herpetology, including the description of the little-known gecko Asaccus gallagheri 45 years ago.  

Marc Simó-Riudalbas, Pedro Tarroso, Theodore Papenfuss, Thuraya Al-Sariri and Salvador Carranza. 2018. Systematics, Biogeography and Evolution of Asaccus gallagheri (Squamata, Phyllodactylidae) with the Description of A New Endemic Species from Oman. Systematics and Biodiversity.  DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2017.1403496

 ResearchGate.net/publication/321831031_Systematics_biogeography_and_evolution_of_Asaccus_gallagheri_Squamata_Phyllodactylidae_with_the_description_of_a_new_endemic_species_from_Oman
facebook.com/MarcSimoRiudalbas/posts/10214933978605446

    

[Ichthyology • 2016] Garra tashanensis • A New Blind Species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Tigris River Drainage

Garra tashanensis  

 Mousavi-Sabet, Vatandoust, Fatemi & Eagderi, 2016

  fishtaxa.com  

Abstract

A new cave fish locality is reported for Iran, and the first true cave species is described from the Tigris River drainage. Garra tashanensis, new species, from Tashan Cave, the Tigris River drainage in Iran, is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of characters, including lacking pigment and eyes, having a well-developed round mental disc, two pairs of barbels, a well-developed rostral cap, no obvious pores on lateral line, and rare scales on anterior body. Garra tashanensis sp. nov. furthers differs substantially in its DNA barcode from the subterranean congeners (K2P nearest-neighbor distance of 10.4% to G. lorestanensis and 11.8% to G. typhlops).

Keywords: Khuzestan Province, Iranocypris typhlops, Nemacheilus smithi, Middle East.

 

Garra tashanensis, sp. nov.

Distribution: Garra tashanensis sp. nov., is known from the Tashan Cave, the natural subterranean limestone cave of the Zagros Mountains ...in Tashan region, the Tigris River drainage, the Persian Gulf basin, about 35 km away from Behbahan City, Khuzestan Province, southwestern Iran (Fig. 7). After the Loven Cave and Simarreh River, the Tashan Cave is the third known locality for subterranean species in Iran. ...

Etymology: The species name tashanensis, treated as an adjective, is derived from Tashan region, where the Tashan Cave (the type locality of the new species) is located.

Figure 8. Tashan Cave, type locality of Garra tashanensis.
Figure 9. Inside Tashan Cave, type locality of Garra tashanensis.
Figure 10. Garra tashanensis in its natural habitat, in the Tashan Cave (the type locality).

Hamed Mousavi-Sabet, Saber Vatandoust, Yaser Fatemi and Soheil Eagderi. 2016. Tashan Cave a new cave fish locality for Iran; and Garra tashanensis, A New Blind Species from the Tigris River Drainage (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). FishTaxa. (3); 133-148. fishtaxa.com/index.php/ft/article/view/1-3-3

en.iscanews.ir/news/574373 

twitter.com/PREAUX_FISH/status/851492271258296320

  

[Herpetology • 2017] Teratoscincus sistanense • A New Species of Frog-eyed Gecko, Genus Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), from southeastern Iran

Teratoscincus sistanense  

Akbarpour, Shafiei, Sehhatisabet & Damadi, 2017

  DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2017.1388490 

Abstract

Herein we describe a new species of Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 from remote desert areas of the Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran. Based on morphological characters, this species, Teratoscincus sistanense sp. n., has a close relationship with T. microlepis and is distinct from all other members of its genus by the number of small scales around the midbody. We provide information about the ecology, biology and conservation of this new species. A comparison with the other three Iranian species of Teratoscincus and an updated key to this genus in Iran are presented.

Keywords: Sistan and Baluchistan province, morphology, identification key

Figure 1.  Teratoscincus sistanense sp. n. in its natural habitat, Niatak River in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran, July 2009 (photo: M. E. Sehhatisabet).

 Teratoscincus sistanense

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym for Sistan and Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran. 

Habitat. Teratoscincus sistanense inhabits flat terrain with a hot and dry climate. The soil texture of the habitat is sandy, with various degrees of compaction, ..... The species was observed to be active only at night. Several species of lizards (Teratoscincus bedriagai, Ophiomorous tridactylus, Eremias persica, Trapelus agilis, Eremias fasciata) and snakes (Echis carinatus and Lytorhynchus ridgewayi) occur sympatrically or syntopically with T. sistanense sp. n. 

Distribution. Teratoscincus sistanense sp. n. is known only from the type and paratype localities in Zabol County, Sistan and Baluchistan Province, southeastern Iran.

Morteza Akbarpour, Soheila Shafiei, Mohammad Ebrahim Sehhatisabet and Ehsan Damadi. 2017. A New Species of Frog-eyed Gecko, Genus Teratoscincus Strauch, 1863 (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae), from southeastern Iran. Zoology in the Middle East. 63(4); 296-302.  DOI: 10.1080/09397140.2017.1388490

http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/1253

ResearchGate.net/publication/320334516_A_new_species_of_frog-eyed_gecko_genus_Teratoscincus_from_southeastern_Iran