[Ichthyology • 2013] Scleropages formosus (Müller & Schlegel, 1840) • The Types of Osteoglossum formosum Müller & Schlegel, 1840 (Teleostei, Osteoglossidae)

Osteoglossum formosum Müller & Schlegel, 1840

From Müller & Schlegel 1840-1845

Abstract 

The designation of a neotype for Scleropages formosus (Müller & Schlegel, 1840) by Pouyaud et al. (2003) triggered a search for the type specimens of the species, which were found in the collections of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden (RMNH) and the Natural History Museum, London (BM(NH)). The publication date of the species is corrected. Moreover, detailed data on the day of capture and the type locality were uncovered. An English translation of the major part of the original Dutch description is provided, and a number of neglected colour descriptions and figures of S. formosus are discussed. Lastly, a lectotype is designated.

Key words: Scleropages formosus, Asian Arowana, neotype, lectotype, RMNH collection

FIGURE 10. Type specimens of Osteoglossum formosum Müller & Schlegel 1840.
A. RMNH.PISC. 3386a, 475 mm TL. Lectotype;
B. RMNH.PISC.3386b, 370 mm TL. Paralectotype;
C. RMNH.PISC.S.366, 580 mm TL, Paralectotype, mirror image.

Scale equals 5 cm.

van Oijen, Martien J. P. & Sancia E. t. V. D. Meij. 2013. The Types of Osteoglossum formosum Müller & Schlegel, 1840 (Teleostei, Osteoglossidae). Zootaxa. 3722(3): 361-371.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03722p371.pdf

[Paleontology • 2013] “Joe”, a juvenile Parasaurolophus • Ontogeny in the tube-crested dinosaur Parasaurolophus (Hadrosauridae) and heterochrony in hadrosaurids

Abstract

The tube-crested hadrosaurid dinosaur Parasaurolophus is remarkable for its unusual cranial ornamentation, but little is known about its growth and development, particularly relative to well-documented ontogenetic series for lambeosaurin hadrosaurids (such as Corythosaurus, Lambeosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus). The skull and skeleton of a juvenile Parasaurolophus from the late Campanian-aged (∼75.5 Ma) Kaiparowits Formation of southern Utah, USA, represents the smallest and most complete specimen yet described for this taxon. The individual was approximately 2.5 m in body length (∼25% maximum adult body length) at death, with a skull measuring 246 mm long and a femur 329 mm long. A histological section of the tibia shows well-vascularized, woven and parallel-fibered primary cortical bone typical of juvenile ornithopods. The histological section revealed no lines of arrested growth or annuli, suggesting the animal may have still been in its first year at the time of death. Impressions of the upper rhamphotheca are preserved in association with the skull, showing that the soft tissue component for the beak extended for some distance beyond the limits of the oral margin of the premaxilla. In marked contrast with the lengthy tube-like crest in adult Parasaurolophus, the crest of the juvenile specimen is low and hemicircular in profile, with an open premaxilla-nasal fontanelle. Unlike juvenile lambeosaurins, the nasal passages occupy nearly the entirety of the crest in juvenile Parasaurolophus. Furthermore, Parasaurolophus initiated development of the crest at less than 25% maximum skull size, contrasting with 50% of maximum skull size in hadrosaurs such as Corythosaurus. This early development may correspond with the larger and more derived form of the crest in Parasaurolophus, as well as the close relationship between the crest and the respiratory system. In general, ornithischian dinosaurs formed bony cranial ornamentation at a relatively younger age and smaller size than seen in extant birds. This may reflect, at least in part, that ornithischians probably reached sexual maturity prior to somatic maturity, whereas birds become reproductively mature after reaching adult size.

Keywords: Parasaurolophus, Ontogeny, Hadrosauridae, Kaiparowits Formation, Cretaceous, Dinosauria, Lambeosaurinae, Ornithischia, Heterochrony

Andrew A. Farke​, Derek J. Chok, Annisa Herrero, Brandon Scolieri and Sarah Werning. 2013. Ontogeny in the tube-crested dinosaur Parasaurolophus (Hadrosauridae) and heterochrony in hadrosaurids. PeerJ 1:e182 http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.182

http://dinosaurjoe.org/media/press-release/

http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/media/HadrSymp2011Abstract.pdf

[Herpetology • 2013] Three New Species of Horned Frogs, Megophrys (Amphibia: Megophryidae); Megophrys ancrae, M. vegrandis & M. oropedion, from Northeast India, with a resolution to the identity of Megophrys boettgeri populations reported from the region

Megophrys ancrae sp. nov. and Megophrys vegrandis sp. nov. from Arunachal Pradesh;  Megophrys oropedion sp. nov. from the Shillong Plateau, eastern Meghalaya, northeastern India

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=542629515811520

Abstract

Northeast India is a well-established region of biological importance but remains poorly understood with regards to the species level identifications of many of its extant amphibians. In this study we examined small sized frogs from the genus Megophrys recently collected from remote and suburban forests in the northeast Indian states of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, from which we have identified three new species. Megophrys vegrandis sp. nov., Megophrys ancrae sp. nov. and Megophrys oropedion sp. nov. are compared with all known congeners from India and surrounding regions from which they differ based primarily on a combination of morphological characters. Megophrys boettgeri is removed, and Megophrys minor added to the Indian amphibian checklist, through critical review of all literature pertaining to the former species, and the discovery of an overlooked historical report of the latter species.

Two of the new species, Megophrys ancrae sp. nov. and Megophrys vegrandis sp. nov. are known from low and mid elevations within two large protected forests in Arunachal Pradesh, both with poorly studied amphibian fauna. Contrastingly, Megophrys oropedion sp. nov. is currently known only from small forested areas on the upper reaches of the Shillong Plateau. The importance of the Shillong Plateau as an area of known high amphibian endemicity is highlighted in the light of the miniscule proportion of its land area afforded government protection, raising concerns about the future conservation of its still poorly known species.

Key words: Amphibian; taxonomy; morphology; chresonymy; Megophryinae; Megophrys parva; baluensis; montana; Philautus kempii

Mahony, Stephen, Emma C. Teeling & S. D. Biju. 2013. Three New Species of Horned Frogs, Megophrys (Amphibia: Megophryidae), from Northeast India, with a resolution to the identity of Megophrys boettgeri populations reported from the region. Zootaxa. 3722(2): 143-169.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03722p169f.pdf

[Crustacea • 2013] Patagurus rex • A Remarkable new Crab-like Hermit Crab (Decapoda: Paguridae) from French Polynesia, with comments on carcinization in the Anomura

Patagurus rex Anker & Paulay 2013

Abstract

Patagurus rex gen. et sp. nov., a deep-water pagurid hermit crab, is described and illustrated based on a single specimen dredged from 400 m off Moorea, Society Islands, French Polynesia. Patagurus is characterized by a subtriangular, vaulted, calcified carapace, with large, wing-like lateral processes, and is closely related to two other atypical pagurid genera, Porcellanopagurus Filhol, 1885 and Solitariopagurus Türkay, 1986. The broad, fully calcified carapace, calcified branchiostegites, as well as broad and rigidly articulated thoracic sternites make this remarkable animal one of the most crablike hermit crabs. Patagurus rex carries small bivalve shells to protect its greatly reduced pleon. Carcinization pathways among asymmetrical hermit crabs and other anomurans are briefly reviewed and discussed.

Key words: Decapoda, Paguridae, hermit crab, deep-water, carcinization, Porcellanopagurus, Solitariopagurus, Indo-West Pacific

Type species. Patagurus rex sp. nov., by present designation.

Etymology. The new genus is named after one of the world’s most eminent carcinologists, the late Dr. Patsy (Pat) A. McLaughlin (1932–2011). The generic name is a combination of McLaughlin’s preferred first name and the Greek word pagourus (a kind of crab), which was the origin for the nominal pagurid genus, Pagurus Fabricius, 1775. Specific epithet referring to the extraordinary albeit superficial resemblance of this new species to some king crabs (rex = king in Latin).

Distribution. Presently known only from the type locality off Moorea, Society Islands, French Polynesia.

Habitat. Mud and rocks bottom at a depth of 400 m.

Biological notes. The hermit crab was covering its miniature abdomen with a valve of the mytilid bivalve, Gregariella sp. (Figs. 4C, 6A, B).

Anker, Arthur & Paulay, Gustav. 2013. A Remarkable new Crab-like Hermit Crab (Decapoda: Paguridae) from French Polynesia, with comments on carcinization in the Anomura. Zootaxa. 3722(2): 283-300.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03722p300.pdf

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3722.2.9

[Conservation / Mammalogy • 2013] Notes on the Distribution and Status of Small Carnivores in Gabon

Black-footed mongoose Bdeogale nigripes in Gabon.

Photo: Laila Bahaa-el-din/Panthera.

Gabon has lost most of its big meat-eaters including lions, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs (although it's still home to a lot of leopards), but a new study focuses on the country's lesser-known species with an appetite for flesh. For the first time, researchers surveyed Gabon's small carnivores, including 12 species from the honey badger (Mellivora capensis) to the marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus). 

.......

http://news.mongabay.com/2013/1017-hance-carnivores-gabon.html

  

Bahaa-el-din, L. Henschel, P. Aba'a, R. Abernethy, K. Bohm, T. Bout, N. Coad, L. Head, J. Inoue, E. Lahm, S. Lee, M. E. Maisels, F. Rabanal, L. Starkey, M. Taylor, G. Vanthomme, H. Nakashima, Y. Hunter, L. 2013. Notes on the Distribution and Status of Small Carnivores in Gabon. Small Carnivore Conservation. 48 : 19-29. 

http://www.panthera.org/sites/default/files/SCC-48-2-Bahaa-el-din-et-al.pdf

http://news.mongabay.com/2013/1017-hance-carnivores-gabon.html

http://oxford.academia.edu/LaurenCoad

[Botany • 2013] จันทร์หนู | Dracaena kaweesakii Wilkin & Suksathan • A New Species (Asparagaceae, subfamily Nolinoideae) from Thailand and Myanmar (Burma)

Abstract

A morphologically distinct element of the group of Dracaena species from Thailand and Burma with undifferentiated leaf sheaths, no leaf blade central costa, free tepals and free thickened filaments known as Chan nuu or Chan pha krai in Thai is shown to be a distinct species, Dracaena kaweesakii Wilkin & Suksathan based on habit, leaf base and margin, inflorescence axis indumentum and floral characters. It is described and illustrated. Ecological and conservation status assessment information are provided.

Keywords: Dracaena L. , dragon trees, Thailand, Burma, taxonomy, morphology, conservation

Etymology: This species is named for our collaborator, friend and co-author Toi (Keeratkiat Kaweesak) to recognise of his extensive knowledge of Chan diversity.

Distribution: Specimens seen from northern, northeastern and central Thailand, but ancedotal evidence exists as to extensive distribution in adjacent Burma (Fig. 4) through oral reports of the Burmese workers at Doi Ang Khang, which is on the Thailand/Burma border.

Vernacular names: Chan nuu (Saraburi, Lop Buri, Loei) Chan pa krai (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai), Chan ku on (Shan, Chiang Rai and Burma)

Paul Wilkin, Piyakaset Suksathan, Kaweesak Keeratikiat, Peter van Welzen, Justyna Wiland-Szymanska. 2013. A new species from Thailand and Burma, Dracaena kaweesakii Wilkin & Suksathan (Asparagaceae subfamily Nolinoideae). PhytoKeys. 26 (2013) : 101-112.

doi: dx.doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.26.5335

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-new-dragon-tree-species-burma-thailand-01472.html

[Botany • 2012] จันทร์แดง | Dracaena jayniana Wilkin, Suksathan & Keeratikiat • A New Endemic Species (Asparagaceae, tribe Nolinoideae) from central and northeastern Thailand

Summary

The taxonomic baseline for Dracaena in Thailand is reviewed, concentrating on a group of species for which morphology suggests a relationship with D. draco L., D. tamaranae Marrero Rodr., R. S. Almeida & Gonz.-Mart., D. ombet Heuglin ex Kotschy & Peyr., D. schizantha Baker, D. serrulata Baker, D. cinnabari Balf. f. and D. ellenbeckiana Engl. One morphologically distinct element of that group in Thailand known as Chan daeng in Thai is shown to be a distinct species, Dracaena jayniana Wilkin & Suksathan. It is described, illustrated and ecological information and a conservation assessment are provided.

Keywords: conservation, morphology, taxonomy

Wilkin P, Suksathan P, Keeratikiat K, van Welzen P, Wiland-Szymanska J. 2012. A New Endemic Species from central and northeastern Thailand, Dracaena jayniana Wilkin, Suksathan & Keeratikiat (Asparagaceae tribe Nolinoideae). Kew Bulletin. 67: 697-705.
doi: dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12225-012-9412-2

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237844723_A_new_threatened_endemic_species_from_central_and_northeastern_Thailand_Dracaena_jayniana_%28Asparagaceae_tribe_Nolinoideae%29

http://www.kew.org/plants-fungi/Dracaena-jayniana.htm
http://web3.dnp.go.th/botany/PDF/publications/family_characters3.pdf

[Paleontology • 2013] Normanniasaurus genceyi • A new sauropod from the Albian of Le Havre (Normandy, northwestern France)

A sauropod from the Albian of Normandy (northwestern France) is described as a new genus and species of basal Titanosauria, Normanniasaurus genceyi. N. genceyi shares several primitive characters with slightly younger basal Titanosauria such as Epachthosaurus and Andesaurus. It can be distinguished from other Albian sauropods of Western Europe. The late Early Cretaceous radiation of basal Titanosauria in South America, Europe and Africa is discussed.

Keywords: Sauropoda, Titanosauria, Albian, Cretaceous, France, Normanniasaurus

Caudal vertebrae Normanniasaurus genceyi

via dinosauria.org

                    via dinosauria.org

Jean Le Loeuff, Suravech Suteethorn & Eric Buffetaut, 2013. A new sauropod from the Albian of Le Havre (Normandy, France). Oryctos. 10, 23-30.

http://www.dinosauria.org/blog/2013/10/09/de-la-pelle-du-18-juin-au-debarquement-de-normanniasaurus/

http://www.academia.edu/4717714/A_new_sauropod_dinosaur_from_the_Albian_of_Le_Havre_Normandy_France_

http://www.dinochecker.com/dinosaurs/NORMANNIASAURUS

[Paleontology • 2013] Unique Caudal plumage of Jeholornis and Complex Tail Evolution in Early Birds

Significance

We describe the presence of essentially two functional tails in the Early Cretaceous Jeholornis (the second most primitive bird)—one like that of some modern birds with a fan-shaped tract of feathers over the proximal tail vertebrae and another distal frond like that of feathered dinosaurs such as Caudipteryx and Microraptor. We suggest that the unique “two-tail” plumage in Jeholornis probably evolved as the result of complex interactions between natural and sexual selective pressures and served both aerodynamic (flight and balance, etc.) and ornamental functions (communication/display, etc.). Our aerodynamic analysis also provides a plausible functional explanation for the elongation of the boney tail in Jeholornis relative to Archaeopteryx.

Abstract

The Early Cretaceous bird Jeholornis was previously only known to have a distally restricted ornamental frond of tail feathers. We describe a previously unrecognized fan-shaped tract of feathers situated dorsal to the proximal caudal vertebrae. The position and morphology of these feathers is reminiscent of the specialized upper tail coverts observed in males of some sexually dimorphic neornithines. As in the neornithine tail, the unique “two-tail” plumage in Jeholornis probably evolved as the result of complex interactions between natural and sexual selective pressures and served both aerodynamic and ornamental functions. We suggest that the proximal fan would have helped to streamline the body and reduce drag whereas the distal frond was primarily ornamental. Jeholornis reveals that tail evolution was complex and not a simple progression from frond to fan.

Keywords: Aves, Mesozoic, Jehol

A reconstruction of a two-tailed 120-million-year-old Jeholornis.

Illustration: Aijuan Shi

Two-Tailed Ancient Bird Uncovered
http://on.natgeo.com/19vNLw2  via @NatGeo

Jingmai O’Connor, Xiaoli Wang, Corwin Sullivan, Xiaoting Zheng, Pablo Tubaro, Xiaomei Zhang, and Zhonghe Zhou. 2013. Unique Caudal plumage of Jeholornis and Complex Tail Evolution in Early Birds. PNAS. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1316979110

[Ichthyology • 2013] Arapaima leptosoma • A New Species of Arapaima (Osteoglossomorpha: Osteoglossidae) from the Solimões River, Amazonas State, Brazil

Arapaima leptosoma Stewart, 2013

A new species of Arapaima has been discovered from the central Amazon of Brazil. This new taxon is readily distinguished from all other Arapaima by the following three characters: 1) dorsalmost lateralis sensory cavity on preopercle extremely slender (vs. broadly oval or nearly rectangular in other nominal taxa); 2) ventrolateral margin of head where third infraorbital meets anterior limb of preopercle strongly angled such that ventral surface of head is almost flat (vs. ventrolateral margin of head relatively rounded); and 3) anterior third of dorsal-fin base covered with an enlarged, thickened sheath that hides anterior dorsal-fin rays when adpressed (vs. no thickened sheath on anterior base of dorsal fin and anterior dorsal-fin rays visible when adpressed). Distinguished from all other Arapaima except A. agassizii by having extremely long fourth infraorbital. Distinguished from A. arapaima and all other examined non-type specimens by notably slender body (the holotypes of A. gigas, A. mapae, and A. agassizii also have slender bodies). Further distinguished from A. mapae and A. agassizii by having relatively deep caudal peduncle (6.0% SL, vs. 4.0% in latter two taxa), and from A. gigas by having dentary teeth in a single row (vs. dentary teeth in 2–2.5 irregular rows). This species was collected near the confluence of the Solimões and Purus rivers in Amazonas State, Brazil. It is the first new species of Arapaima to be described since 1847, and comparisons with Arapaima from Mamirauá Reserve demonstrate that there are at least two species of Arapaima present in Amazonas State.

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=646049345415866

Arapaima gigas (Shinz, in Cuvier, 1822)  

Arapaima mapae (Valenciennes, in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1847)  

Arapaima arapaima (Valenciennes, in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1847)  

Arapaima agassizii (Valenciennes, in Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1847)  

Arapaima leptosoma Stewart, 2013  

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151912146064672

Donald J. Stewart. 2013. A New Species of Arapaima (Osteoglossomorpha: Osteoglossidae) from the Solimões River, Amazonas State, Brazil. Copeia. 2013(3); 470-476.
 http://www.asihcopeiaonline.org/doi/abs/10.1643/CI-12-017

[Herpetology / News • 2013] Anolis proboscis | Pinocchio Lizard or Horned Anole • Rediscovered In Ecuador After Being Thought Extinct For 50 Years

Pinocchio anoles Anolis proboscis were thought to be extinct for about 50 years before being recently rediscovered in the cloud forests of northwest Ecuador.

photo: Alejandro Arteaga / Tropical Herping

Biodiversity in the cloud forests of South America are renowned for producing a seemingly constant parade of beautiful, bizarre creatures. One such tropical oddity is the Pinocchio Lizard, Anolis proboscis, which was once presumed extinct and recently spotted by a team of biologists in Ecuador for only the third time in 15 years.

After three years of searching for this oddity, a group of photographers and researchers from TropicalHerping.com, Paolo Escobar, Lucas Bustamante, Diana Troya and Alejandro Arteaga were finally able to document and photograph this lizard in January of this year.

Known as the Ecuadorian Horned Anole, this bizarre creature  earns its title because of a rhinoceros like protuberance that grows out of its snout.

As you might guess, its common name was coined for its resemblance to a particular wooden puppet when he wasn’t being honest.

Pinocchio anoles Anolis proboscis are an endangered species and have been found in only four locations, mostly along a single stretch of road.

photo: Lucas Bustamante / Tropical Herping

First discovered in 1953, this unique animal was only seen on a handful of occasions for the following 15 years and was thought to have gone extinct until being rediscovered in 2005 by a group of birdwatchers that noticed one crossing a road. Another expedition summer of 2010 led by Jonathan Losos, a herpetologist from Harvard leading a group of herpetologists from Belgium, Ecuador, and the United States also found the anole.

The Pinocchio Lizard goes largely unseen due to its cryptic camouflage that helps it blend into the dense vegetation of the cloud forest. The team got around this by looking for the lizards at night instead of during the day because diurnal anoles are apparently much easier to find after dark (who would have thought?).

While Ecuadorian Horned Anoles and other day anoles hide in  plain sight during the day, they turn a pale, easy to spot whitish color when lit up with a headlamp at night!

................

Pinocchio Lizard or Horned Anole Anolis proboscis Rediscovered In Ecuador After Being Thought Extinct For 50 Years

Ecuadorian Team Finds The Holy Grail of Anoles!

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539481442771885

http://www.destinationecuador.com/ecuador-pinocchio-anole.html

http://www.livescience.com/40191-pinocchio-lizard-rediscovered.html

http://www.animamundimag.com/the-cloud-forest-pinocchio-lizard/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/06/pinocchio-lizard-rediscovered-ecuador-extinct_n_4046090.html

  

[Herpetology • 2013] Saltuarius eximius • A Spectacular new Leaf-tailed Gecko (Carphodactylidae) from the Melville Range, Cape York Peninsula in north-east Queensland, north-east Australia

Saltuarius eximius Hoskin & Couper 2013

Cape Melville Leaf-tailed Gecko

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.3717.4.6

Abstract

Leaf-tailed geckos are a distinctive group of carphodactyline geckos of rainforests and rocky habitats of eastern Australia. Three genera are recognized: Phyllurus (9 species), Saltuarius (6 species) and Orraya (1 species). Leaf-tailed geckos have been the subject of much survey and taxonomic work because they are large, impressive geckos and generally have highly localized distributions. The six species comprising Saltuarius are distributed in rock outcrops and rainforests along the ranges from northern New South Wales to the Wet Tropics region of north-east Queensland. Here we report the discovery of a new Saltuarius species at Cape Melville, a rainforest outlier on Cape York Peninsula in north-east Queensland.

 The new species is assigned to Saltuarius based on morphological and genetic data. Saltuarius eximius sp. nov. is highly distinct from all congeners in many aspects of morphology. It has a very long slender form, with relatively longer limbs, longer body, narrower body and narrower neck than all congeners. It also has a highly distinct head that is relatively smaller than that of all other Saltuarius, with very large eyes that are grey rather than patterned. The tail is large but with a relatively short attenuated tip. Saltuarius eximius sp. nov. appears to be highly localized to upland rainforest associated with boulder habitat in the Cape Melville Range. The unusual elongate form and large eyes of S. eximius sp. nov. likely reflect adaptation to deep boulder habitat. Two other new vertebrate species (a skink and a frog) were discovered in the rainforest 

and boulder-fields of Cape Melville during recent surveys, bringing the number of vertebrates known to be endemic to the Cape Melville Range to six (three frogs, two skinks and one gecko).

Key words: Saltuarius eximius, Orraya, Cape York, boulder-field, rainforest, lithorefugia

Etymology. Eximius; from the Latin meaning exceptional, extraordinary, exquisite. In recognition of the particularly fine form and distinctiveness of this species. The species epithet is treated as a noun in apposition.

Conrad J. Hoskin & Patrick Couper. 2013. A Spectacular new Leaf-tailed Gecko (Carphodactylidae: Saltuarius) from the Melville Range, north-east Australia. Zootaxa. 3717(4): 543–558.

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.3717.4.6

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03717p558.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2013] Glanidium botocudo • A New Species of Catfish (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the rio Doce and rio Mucuri, Minas Gerais, Brazil with comments on taxonomic position of Glanidium bockmanni

Fig. 1 Glanidium botocudo, new species, from Minas Gerais State, Brazil
(a) holotype, MNRJ 32538, male,  b) paratype, MBML 2047, female

Glanidium botocudo 

Sarmento-Soares & Martins-Pinheiro, 2013 

Abstract

Glanidium botocudo, new species, is described from the tributaries to the upper rio Doce and Mucuri, eastern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. It represents the northernmost record of a centromochlin catfish from the coastal rivers of the Northeastern Atlantic Forest. Glanidium botocudo is readily distinguished from its congeners, except Glanidium albescens, by the whitish grey body coloration with evenly spaced small dark brown dots. The new species has a long sharpened ventral process on the urohyal, an uncommon condition among congeners, and the lowest vertebral count among the large-sized Glanidium, 36-37. It differs from Glanidium albescens by proportional measurements and higher number of ribs. Glanidium botocudo and Glanidium albescens are probably sister species, exhibiting similar morphological features and a complimentary distribution pattern, associated to an allopatric distribution pattern. Glanidium bockmanni is transferred to the genus Centromochlus

Keywords: Centromochlinae; Centromochlus; Distribution; South America; Systematics

Etymology. The specific name is a reference to the Botocudo, the generic name given to native indigenous people wearing artifacts ("botoques") on ears and lips. Those Indians were the original inhabitants of large extensions of the Floresta Atlântica (Paraíso, 1992), including the lands along the rio Mucuri valley and far west, to the rio Doce, range of the new Glanidium species. A noun in apposition.

Sarmento-Soares, L.M. & Martins-Pinheiro, R.F. 2013. Glanidium botocudo, a new species from the rio Doce and rio Mucuri, Minas Gerais, Brazil (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) with comments on taxonomic position of Glanidium bockmanni Sarmento-Soares & Buckup. Neotropical Ichthyology. 11 (2): 265-274.

http://www.ufrgs.br/ni/ni-v11n2/v11n2a04.pdf

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1679-62252013000200004

[Ichthyology • 2008] Gelanoglanis travieso • A New Species of Gelanoglanis (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River (Amazon Basin), Northeastern Perú

Gelanoglanis travieso

Rengifo & Lujan 2008

Abstract

We describe a new species of driftwood catfish, Gelanoglanis travieso, (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River, a whitewater tributary of the Amazon River in northeastern Perú. It shares with the two described species in this genus, G. stroudi, from left bank whitewater tributaries of the Orinoco River in Colombia and Venezuela, and G. nanonocticolus from blackwater tributaries of the upper Orinoco and Negro Rivers in Amazonas, Venezuela and northern Brazil, the following synapomorphies: reduced size, compressed body, conical snout, a single pair of mental barbels, premaxillae widely separated at rostral border of upper jaw, premaxillary and dentary tooth patches narrow, posterior naris long and narrow and positioned immediately anterior to orbit, and small eyes. Gelanoglanis travieso differs from all congeners in having second dorsal-fin lepidotrichium filamentous, simple, not a spine, and not serrate (shared with G. nanonocticolus); pectoral-fin spine stout, serrate along posterior margin (shared with G. stroudi); and a terminal mouth (vs. subterminal in G. nanonocticolus and G. stroudi).

Blanca Rengifo, Nathan K. Lujan, Donald Taphorn and Paulo Petry. 2008. A New Species of Gelanoglanis (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the Marañon River (Amazon Basin), Northeastern Perú. Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. 157; 181-188 http://www.jstor.org/stable/27667790

[Herpetology • 2013] งูสิงดอยภูคา | Addition of Ptyas nigromarginata (Blyth, 1854) (Squamata: Colubridae) to the Snake Fauna of Thailand with Preliminary Remarks on Its Distribution

Ptyas nigromarginata (Blyth, 1854)

Green Rat Snake, Black-bordered Rat Snake

Abstract 

The first record of Ptyas nigromarginata (Blyth, 1854) from Thailand and a new record from China are reported. Literature and internet sources were searched for previous records of this species to establish its geographic and altitudinal distributions in Asia. The distribution in India was adapted to the new state division of the northern part of the country. The results show that the species almost exclusively occurs in hill evergreen and montane forests of the Himalayan foothills and mountain ranges continuous with it, at altitudes of 1000–2300 m above sea level. 

Keywords: Ptyas nigromarginata, Nan Province, Lijiang, Himalaya, distribution pattern

Gernot VOGEL and Sjon HAUSER. 2013. Addition of Ptyas nigromarginata (Blyth, 1854) (Squamata: Colubridae) to the Snake Fauna of Thailand with Preliminary Remarks on Its Distribution. Asian Herpetological Research. 4(3): 166–181. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1245.2013.00166 

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