[Ichthyology • 2015] Cobitis sakahoko • A New Species of Spined Loach (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) from southern Kyushu Island, Japan

Cobitis sakahoko Nakajima & Suzawa, 2015
Fig. 6 Photographs of living Cobitis sakahoko sp. nov. (non-type specimen).
a Male, lateral view of head and pectoral fin, b male, dorsal view of head and pectoral fin, c male, 19 April 2014, in the type locality.

All photos by Ryu Uchiyama || DOI: 10.1007/s10228-015-0476-5

Abstract

We describe a new species of spined loach, Cobitis sakahoko, based on the holotype and nine paratypes collected from the Oyodo River system in the southern region of Kyushu Island, Japan. This species is distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of characteristics: lamina circularis at the base of the pectoral fin in adult males, a rectangular plate with a neck in the mid-lower part; the upper segments of the first branched soft ray of the pectoral fin broad; snout relatively short, length 32.1–38.2% of head length; long maxillary barbel, longer than the eye diameter; prepelvic myotome number 14; and line L5 organised in 8–13 oblong or ovoid blotches.

Keywords: Cobitoidei, Freshwater fish, Cobitis sp. Oyodo form, Oyodo-shima-dojyô

Fig. 4 Male (a, c, e holotype, TKPM-P17335, 67.0 mm SL) and female (b, d, f paratype, KPM-NI31984, 65.1 mm SL) of Cobitis sakahoko sp. nov. a, b Lateral view (after fixing), c, d dorsal view (after fixing), e, f lateral view (in life)

Jun Nakajima and Yuzuru Suzawa. 2015. Cobitis sakahoko, A New Species of Spined Loach (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) from southern Kyushu Island, Japan.
Ichthyological Research. DOI: 10.1007/s10228-015-0476-5

facebook.com/294682373885900/photos/1030094507011346

[Paleontology • 2015] Wendiceratops pinhornensis • A Centrosaurine Ceratopsid (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Oldman Formation (Campanian), Alberta, Canada, and the Evolution of Ceratopsid Nasal Ornamentation

Wendiceratops pinhornensis

   Evans & Ryan, 2015  

discovered bones in orange || doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130007

Abstract

The fossil record of ceratopsid dinosaurs between the occurrence of their proximate sister taxa in the Turonian and the beginning of their well-documented radiation from the late Campanian of North America onwards (approximately 90 and 77 Ma) is poor, with only seven taxa described from this early period in their evolution. We describe a new taxon of a highly adorned basal centrosaurine, Wendiceratops pinhornensis gen. et sp. nov., from the lower part of the Oldman Formation (middle Campanian, approximately 78-79 Ma), Alberta, Canada. Over 200 bones derived from virtually all parts of the skeleton, including multiple well-preserved specimens of the diagnostic parietosquamosal frill, were collected from a medium-density monodominant bonebed, making the new taxon one of the best-represented early ceratopsids. The new taxon is apomorphic in having epiparietals at loci 2 and 3 developed as broad-based, pachyostotic processes that are strongly procurved anterodorsally to overhang the posterior and lateral parietal rami, and an ischium with a broad, rectangular distal terminus. Although the morphology of the nasal is incompletely known, Wendiceratops is inferred to have a large, upright nasal horn located close to the orbits, which represents the oldest occurrence of this feature in Ceratopsia. Given the phylogenetic position of the new taxon within Centrosaurinae, a enlarged nasal horn is hypothesized to have arisen independently at least twice in ceratopsid evolution.

Fig 3. Skeletal reconstruction of Wendiceratops pinhornensis gen. et sp. nov.
Elements represented in the material collected from the bonebed are indicated in blue.

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130007

Systematic Palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842 

Ornithischia Seeley, 1887 

Ceratopsia Marsh, 1890 

Neoceratopsia Sereno, 1986 

Ceratopsidae Marsh, 1888 

Centrosaurinae Lambe, 1915 

Wendiceratops gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:BEE8D424-8BB0-4​335-BFFC-701E2C8B4DB3

Diagnosis: Monotypic, as for species.

Wendiceratops pinhornensis, gen. et. sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:22F3BE83-6045-4​89D-8F2D-FE53FC08A175

Etymology: The generic name honors Wendy Sloboda, who discovered the type locality, combined with ceratops (horned-face) from the Greek, a common suffix for horned dinosaur generic names. The specific epithet refers to the Pinhorn Provincial Grazing Reserve in Alberta, Canada, where the type locality is located.

Holotype: TMP 2011.051.0009, an incomplete parietal lacking the midline bar and left ramus.

Locality, horizon and age: The type locality occurs within the boundaries of the Pinhorn Provincial Grazing Reserve, south of the Milk River, County of Forty Mile No.8, Alberta, Canada.

Fig 2. Quarry map for the South Side Ceratopsian bonebed.
This bonebed has produced all of the known Wendiceratops pinhornensis gen. et sp. nov. material to date. Elements outlined in gray were collected in 2011 and their positions are approximate relative to the more precisely mapped bones collected in 2013 and 2014 (outlined in black). Inset rose diagram denotes a slight NE-SW trend in long axis orientation for the elements over 100 mm in length. See text for comments on the taphonomy of the bonebed.

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130007

Fig 16. Life reconstruction of Wendiceratops pinhornensis gen. et sp. nov.

 Illustration by Danielle Dufault. 
 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130007

David C. Evans and Michael J. Ryan. 2015. Cranial Anatomy of Wendiceratops pinhornensis gen. et sp. nov., a Centrosaurine Ceratopsid (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) from the Oldman Formation (Campanian), Alberta, Canada, and the Evolution of Ceratopsid Nasal Ornamentation. PLOS ONE. 10(7): e0130007. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130007

Horned dinosaur discovery sheds light on nose horn evolution in Tricerat...
http://bit.ly/1LXAVvX via @EurekAlertAAAS

Scientists Discover One Of The Oldest Horned Dinosaurs  http://n.pr/1D0JUaD via @NPRNews

  New Triceratops Cousin Unearthed https://shar.es/1qTq6k via @LiveScience

[Paleontology • 2015] Babibasiliscus alxi • A New Eocene Casquehead Lizard (Reptilia, Corytophanidae) from North America

Babibasiliscus alxi  Conrad, 2015

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127900

Abstract

A new fossil showing affinities with extant Laemanctus offers the first clear evidence for a casquehead lizard (Corytophanidae) from the Eocene of North America. Along with Geiseltaliellus from roughly coeval rocks in central Europe, the new find further documents the tropical fauna present during greenhouse conditions in the northern mid-latitudes approximately 50 million years ago (Ma). Modern Corytophanidae is a neotropical clade of iguanian lizards ranging from southern Mexico to northern South America.

Fig 1. Holotype (UWBM 89090) specimen for Babibasiliscus alxi nov. taxon.
Photographs in (A) right lateral, (B) dorsal, and (C) ventral views. Digital reconstructions derived from HRXCT in (D) left lateral view and (E) transverse section. The vertical red line in (D) indicates the plane of section in (E).

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127900

Systematic paleontology

Squamata Oppel 

Iguania Cuvier 

Corytophanidae

Babibasiliscus gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:CB390F92-FDDC-4​CD8-B6A5-4E4C12836686

Babibasiliscus alxi, gen. et sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:F9FB7055-76FE-4​BBB-8DD6-7B795B01BB41

Holotype: UWBM 89090; a nearly complete skull with lower jaws and parts of first two cervical vertebrae (Fig 1).

Etymology: Babi- (Shoshoni) meaning “older male cousin” and Basiliscus, a corytophanid lizard. The generic name is meant to honor the Shoshone people who originally inhabited the areas in which the specimen was discovered and to refer to the relationship of the lizard with corytophanid lizards. At the request of Christian A Sidor, the species name honors John P. Alexander, who discovered the holotype.

Locality and Age: Lucky Lizard Locality (UWBM C1046), Uinta County, Wyoming. Blacks Fork Member of Bridger Formation (Bridger B), Green River Basin, late Early Eocene, approximately 48 Ma.

Fig 5. Photographs (A-C) and line drawings (D-F) of the skulls of selected corytophanid species in left lateral view.
 (A) Corytophanes cristatus (AMNH R 16390), (B) Laemanctus serratus (photograph; AMNH R 44982), (C) Basiliscus vittatus (AMNH R 147832), (D) Laemanctus serratus (line drawing), (E) Geiseltaliellus maarius, and (F) Babibasiliscus alxi taxon nov. (UWBM 89090). Note that it is unclear whether Babibasiliscus alxi taxon nov. had a parietal crest. Reconstructed areas are represented as semi-opaque areas and/or dotted lines.

Scale bars equal 10 mm. || doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127900

Fig 7. Phylogeny of corytophanids and distribution of anoles, para-anoles, corytophanids, and some malarial infection. (A) Time-calibrated phylogeny of the corytophanid genera with representative illustrations of their skull morphologies.

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127900

Jack L. Conrad. 2015. A New Eocene Casquehead Lizard (Reptilia, Corytophanidae) from North America. PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127900

http://www.slashgear.com/babibasiliscus-alxi-jesus-lizard-ran-on-water-50-m-years-ago-02391537/

http://www.nyit.edu/box/news/nyitcom_scientist_names_new_fossil_lizard

[PaleoIchthyology • 2015] Beiduyu qijiangensis • A Late Jurassic Freshwater Fish (Ginglymodi, Lepisosteiformes) from Qijiang, Chongqing, China

Beiduyu qijiangensis
Murray, Xing,  Divay, Liu & Wang, 2015

ABSTRACT

A new ginglymodian fish Beiduyu qijiangensis, gen. et sp. nov., is described from the freshwater Upper Jurassic Suining Formation of Chongqing, China. Although the fish is not completely preserved, it is most similar to Lepidotes and Scheenstia, which were once considered to be members of the Semionotiformes but are currently considered to be basal members of the Lepisosteiformes. The new fish lacks the strong dorsal ridge scales found in the Semionotiformes but has other features such as ganoid scales with anterodorsal and anteroventral processes but a reduced dorsal peg found in these basal lepisosteiform genera. With the description of this new taxon, there are three distinct ginglymodian fishes now known from southern China, all of them from Sichuan Province.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

Division HOLOSTEI Müller, 1845 (sensu Grande, 2010)

Subdivision GINGLYMODI Cope, 1872 (sensu Grande, 2010)

Order LEPISOSTEIFORMES Hay, 1929 (sensu Lopez-Arbarello, 2012)

Included  Taxa — Lepidotes Agassiz 1832, Scheenstia Lopez-Arbarello and Sferco, 2011, and members of the Lepisosteoidei following Lopez-Arbarello, 2012.

BEIDUYU, gen. nov.

Type Species — Beiduyu qijiangensis, sp. nov.

Diagnosis — As for type and only known species.

Etymology — The generic name is a combination of Beidu, the fossil locality, and ‘yu,’ meaning ‘fish’ in Chinese.

BEIDUYU QIJIANGENSIS, sp. nov.(Figs. 2–5)

Holotype — A nearly complete fish missing part of the caudal peduncle and the anterior part of the skull. Catalog number QJGPM 1002.

Type Locality — Beidu, Qijiang, Chongqing Municipality, Sichuan Province, China.

Horizon and Age — Suining Formation, Late Jurassic age.

Etymology — The specific epithet is for Qijiang, the area from which the fossil was recovered.

Alison M. Murray, Lida Xing, Julien Divay, Juan Liu and Fengping Wang. 2015.
A Late Jurassic Freshwater Fish (Ginglymodi, Lepisosteiformes) from Qijiang, Chongqing, China.
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35(2) DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2014.911187

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:7689B0E8-BEFB-4202-B1B4-118E5A1EDEDF

ResearchGate.net/publication/273727950_A_Late_Jurassic_freshwater_fish_(Ginglymodi_Lepisosteiformes)_from_Qijiang_Chongqing_China

 Alison M. Murray, Lida Xing, Julien Divay, Juan Liu & Fengping Wang. 2015.
Correct size of the Late Jurassic freshwater fish, Beiduyu qijiangensis (Ginglymodi, Lepisosteiformes) from Qijiang, Chongqing, China,
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 35(3). DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2015.1039862

http://www.xinglida.net/pdf/Murray_et_al_2015_Beiduyu_corrigendum.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/277974698_Correct_size_of_the_Late_Jurassic_freshwater_fish_Beiduyu_qijiangensis_(Ginglymodi_Lepisosteiformes)_from_Qijiang_Chongqing_China

[Herpetology • 2015] Three New Species of Spiny Throated Reed Frogs (Anura: Hyperoliidae: Hyperolius) from Evergreen Forests of Tanzania; Hyperolius burgessi, H. davenporti & H. ukwiva

Figure 6 Colour in life of: (top row) Hyperolius burgessi from Nguru (left male, right female);
(second row) H. davenporti from Livingstone Mts. (left male, right female);
(third row left) H. ukwiva; (third row, right) H. spingularis from Malawi;
 (fourth row, left) H. minutissimus from Udzungwa Mts.; (fourth row, left) and H. tanneri from West Usambara.

DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1050-y

ABSTRACT 

Background

The East African spiny-throated reed frog complex (Hyperolius spinigularis, H. tanneri, and H. minutissimus) is comprised of morphologically similar species with highly fragmented populations across the Eastern Afromontane Region. Recent genetic evidence has supported the distinctiveness of populations suggesting a number of cryptic species. We analyse newly collected morphological data and evaluate the taxonomic distinctiveness of populations.

Results

We find three new distinct species on the basis of morphological and molecular evidence. The primary morphological traits distinguishing species within the Hyperolius spinigularis complex include the proportions and degree of spinosity of the gular flap in males and snout-urostyle length in females. Other features allow the three species to be distinguished from each other (genetics). We refine the understanding of H. minutissimus which can be found in both forest and grassland habitats of the Udzungwa Mountains, and provide more details on the call of this species. Further details on ecology are noted for all species where known.

Conclusions

Three new species are described and we narrow the definition and distribution of Hyperolius spinigularis and H. minutissimus in East Africa. The spiny-throated reed frogs have highly restricted distributions across the fragmented mountains of the Eastern Afromontane region. Given the newly defined and substantially narrower distributions of these spiny-throated reed frog species, conservation concerns are outlined.

Simon P Loader, Lucinda Lawson, Daniel M Portik and Michele Menegon. 2015. Three New Species of Spiny Throated Reed Frogs (Anura: Hyperoliidae) from Evergreen Forests of Tanzania. BMC Research Notes. 04/2015; 8. DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1050-y

http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/s13104-015-1050-y.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/275634619_Three_new_species_of_spiny_throated_reed_frogs_(Anura_Hyperoliidae)_from_evergreen_forests_of_Tanzania

[Herpetology • 2011] Gephyromantis (Phylacomantis) atsingy • A New Gephyromantis (Phylacomantis) Frog Species from the Pinnacle Karst of Bemaraha, western Madagascar

Gephyromantis pseudoasper, G. azzurrae, G. corvus 

and Gephyromantis atsingy

Crottini, Glaw, Casiraghi, Jenkins, Mercurio, Randrianantoandro, Randrianirina & Andreone, 2011
doi: 10.3897/zookeys.81.1111

Abstract

We describe a new mantellid frog of the subfamily Mantellinae from the karstic Bemaraha Plateau, western Madagascar. The new species belongs to the genus Gephyromantis, subgenus Phylacomantis, which previously included Gephyromantis azzurrae, Gephyromantis corvus and Gephyromantis pseudoasper. Gephyromantis atsingy sp. n. has a snout-vent length of 35–43 mm and is a scansorial frog living among the Tsingy de Bemaraha pinnacles and inside the caves present in the area. A morphological analysis and biomolecular comparison revealed the degree of differentiation between these four species of the Phylacomantis subgenus. The new species seems to be endemic to Tsingy de Bemaraha.

Keywords: Amphibia, Gephyromantis atsingy sp. n., Madagascar, Tsingy de Bemaraha

Gephyromantis (Phylacomantis) atsingy sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:94995B02-B47C-4275-A6BA-DD4134B51203

Etymology: The specific noun “atsingy” (pronounced: “a-tseen-jě”) is a Malagasy word. The terms “atsingy” or “tsingy” are the common names used to refer to the pointed and sharp calcareous lime stone formations and pinnacles originated through rainfall erosion. Although present in several other localities in western Madagascar (e.g.: Ankarana), the outcrops of Bemaraha are typical of this area and the specific name is therefore associated with the locality of provenience of the types.

Remark: This species has been referred to as Gephyromantis sp. aff. corvus “Bemaraha” by Glaw and Vences (2007), as Gephyromantis sp. 10 “Bemaraha” by Vieites et al. (2009), and Gephyromantis sp. aff. corvus by Bora et al. (2010).

Holotype: MRSN A5487 (NFN), subadult male, collected at Tsingy de Bemahara National Park, western Madagascar, Andamozavaky (Bekopaka commune, Antsalova district, Melaky region, Mahajanga province), 19°01.86'S, 44°46.80'E; 122 m a.s.l., collected by J. E. Randrianirina on 23 May 2003.

Figure 1. Schematic map of Madagascar with images and distribution of the four described species of the genus Gephyromantis, subgenus Phylacomantis.

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.81.1111 

Figure 2. Images of Gephyromantis atsingy sp. n.
A MRSN A5487 (NFN), subadult male (holotype) from Andamozavaky, dorsal view (photo by J. E. Randrianirina) B–C ZSM 23/2006 (FGZC 0715), adult female (paratype) from Grotte Crystal, close to Andranopasazy, dorsolateral views (photos by F. Glaw) D ZSM 23/2006 (FGZC 0715), adult female (paratype) from Grotte Crystal, close to Andranopasazy, ventral view (photo by F. Glaw) E ZSM 37/2006 (FGZC 0746), juvenile (paratype) from Grotte Anjohimbazimba (photo by F. Glaw) F–G UADBA 39099 (RBJ 627), adult male (paratype) from Andranopasazy, dorsolateral and dorsal views (photos by C. Randrianantoandro) H UADBA 39099 (RBJ 627), adult male (paratype) from Andranopasazy, ventral view, with evident and developed femoral glands of “Type 2” (photo by C. Randrianantoandro) I ZSM 107/2006 (FGZC 0886), juvenile (paratype) from Bendrao Forest (“Camp 3”), dorsolateral view (photo by F. Glaw) J MRSN A5483 (BMR 031), juvenile (paratype) from Andamozavaky, dorsolateral view (photo by J. E. Randrianirina) K–L MRSN A5487 (NFN), subadult male (holotype) from Andamozavaky, dorsal and ventral views of the preserved specimen.

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.81.1111

Angelica Crottini, Frank Glaw, Maurizio Casiraghi, Richard K.B. Jenkins, Vincenzo Mercurio, Christian Randrianantoandro, Jasmin E. Randrianirina and Franco Andreone. 2011. A New Gephyromantis (Phylacomantis) Frog Species from the Pinnacle Karst of Bemaraha, western Madagascar. ZooKeys. 81: 51-71. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.81.1111

[Herpetology • 2012] Did Gekko Geckos Ride the Palawan Raft to the Philippines?

Abstract

Aim: We examine the genetic diversity within the lizard genus Gekko in the Philippine islands to understand the role of geography and geological history in shaping species diversity in this group. We test multiple biogeographical hypotheses of species relationships, including the recently proposed Palawan Ark Hypothesis.

Location: Southeast Asia and the Philippines.

Methods: Samples of all island endemic and widespread Philippine Gekko species were collected and sequenced for one mitochondrial gene (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2) and one nuclear gene (phosducin). We used maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic methods to derive the phylogeny. Divergence time analyses were used to estimate the time tree of Philippine Gekko in order to test biogeographical predictions of species relationships. The phylogenetic trees from the posterior distribution of the Bayesian analyses were used for testing biogeographical hypotheses. Haplotype networks were created for the widespread species Gekko mindorensis to explore genetic variation within recently divergent clades.

Results: Both maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses indicated that Philippine Gekko species are a diverse clade with a long history in the archipelago. Ancestral range reconstruction and divergence time analyses suggest a Palawan microcontinental origin for this clade, coinciding with Palawan’s separation from Asia beginning 30 Ma, with subsequent diversification in the oceanic Philippine islands. The widespread species G. mindorensis and G. monarchus diversified in the late Miocene/early Pliocene and are potentially complexes of numerous undescribed species.

Main conclusions: 

The view of the Philippine islands as a ‘fringing archipelago’ does not explain the pattern of species diversity in the genus Gekko. Philippine Gekko species have diversified within the archipelago over millions of years of isolation, forming a large diverse group of endemic species. Furthermore, the Philippine radiation of gekkonid lizards demonstrates biogeographical patterns most consistent with stochastic colonization followed by in situ diversification. Our results reveal the need to consider deeper time geological processes and their potential role in the evolution of some Philippine terrestrial organisms.

Keywords: Biogeography; Buruanga Peninsula; diversification; Gekko; islands; lizards; Palawan Ark Hypothesis; Philippines; rafting; Southeast Asia

Cameron D. Siler, Jamie R. Oaks, Luke J. Welton, Charles W. Linkem, John C. Swab, Arvin C. Diesmos and Rafe M. Brown. 2012. Did Geckos Ride the Palawan Raft to the Philippines? Journal of Biogeography. 39(7); 1217–1234. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2699.2011.02680.x

http://www.nhm.ku.edu/rbrown/Siler.etal.2012.Gekko.J.Biogeog.pdf

[Paleontology • 2015] Huanansaurus ganzhouensis • A New Oviraptorid Dinosaur (Dinosauria: Oviraptorosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Southern China and Its Paleobiogeographical Implications

 Huanansaurus ganzhouensis 

Lü, Pu, Kobayashi, Xu, Chang, Shang, Liu, Lee, Kundrát & Shen, 2015
Illustration: Chuang Zhao  doi: 10.1038/srep11490

The Ganzhou area of Jiangxi Province, southern China is becoming one of the most productive oviraptorosaurian localities in the world. A new oviraptorid dinosaur was unearthed from the uppermost Upper Cretaceous Nanxiong Formation of Ganzhou area. It is characterized by an anterodorsally sloping occiput and quadrate (a feature shared with Citipati), a circular supratemporal fenestra that is much smaller than the lower temporal fenestra, and a dentary in which the dorsal margin above the external mandibular fenestra is strongly concave ventrally. The position of the anteroventral corner of the external naris in relation to the posterodorsal corner of the antorbital fenestra provides new insight into the craniofacial evolution of oviraptorosaurid dinosaurs. A phylogenetic analysis recovers the new taxon as closely related to the Mongolian Citipati. Six oviraptorid dinosaurs from the Nanxiong Formation (Ganzhou and Nanxiong) are distributed within three clades of the family. Each of the three clades from the Nanxiong Formation has close relatives in Inner Mongolia and Mongolia, and in both places each clade may have had a specific diet or occupied a different ecological niche. Oviraptorid dinosaurs were geographically widespread across Asia in the latest Cretaceous and were an important component of terrestrial ecosystems during this time.

Systematic Paleontology

Oviraptorosauria Barsbold, 1976.

Oviraptoridae Barsbold, 1976.

Oviraptorinae Barsbold, 1981.

Huanansaurus ganzhouensis gen. et sp. nov. 

Etymology: Generic name refers to “Huanan” (in Chinese Pinyin), which means southern China, because the dinosaur was discovered in Ganzhou of Jiangxi Province. The specific name refers to the locality of Ganzhou.

Figure 2: The holotype of Huanansaurus ganzhouensis (HGM41HIII-0443) gen. et sp. nov.

doi: 10.1038/srep11490

Holotype: Partial skeleton with a nearly complete skull (HGM41HIII-0443); accessioned at the Henan Geological Museum, Zhengzhou, China.

Type locality and horizon: In the vicinity of the Ganzhou Railway Station (GPS coordinates are provided on request from the first author), Ganzhou City; Campanian-Maastrichtian; Nanxiong Formation (Upper Cretaceous)

Figure 1: Map of the fossil locality near Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, southern China.

doi: 10.1038/srep11490

Junchang Lü, Hanyong Pu, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Li Xu, Huali Chang, Yuhua Shang, Di Liu, Yuong-Nam Lee, Martin Kundrát and Caizhi Shen. 2015. A New Oviraptorid Dinosaur (Dinosauria: Oviraptorosauria) from the Late Cretaceous of Southern China and Its Paleobiogeographical Implications. Scientific Reports. 5:11490. doi: 10.1038/srep11490

New Oviraptorosaur Discovered at Railroad Construction Site in China | IFLScience.com/plants-and-animals/new-oviraptorosaur-discovered-railroad-construction-site-china

[Botany • 2015] A Revision of Chuniophoenix (Arecaceae), Palm from China and Vietnam

 Chuniophoenix hainanensis, C. nana & C. suoitienensisDistribution maps & Habit

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.218.2.6

Abstract

A revision of the Asian palm genus Chuniophoenix is given based on study of 22 herbarium specimens of wild origin from A, BH, FIPI, HN, IBSC, K, LE, MO, NY, and P. Three species are recognized, including a new one, Chuniophoenix suoitienensis.

Keywords: dioecy, Palmae, Vietnam, China, Monocots

FIGURE 2. Distribution maps; Chuniophoenix hainanensis (green dots). C. nana (red dots). C. suoitienensis (blue square).

FIGURE 4. Chuniophoenix suoitienensis.
A. Habit, Suoi Tien, Vietnam (Henderson & Bui Van Thanh 3659). B. Immature fruits, Suoi Tien (Henderson & Bui Van Thanh 3659). C. Staminate flowers, Suoi Tien (Henderson & Nguyen Quoc Dung 3866). D. Pistillate flowers, Suoi Tien (Henderson & Nguyen Quoc Dung 3868) (C, D: images by Dr. Luu Hong Truong).

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.218.2.6

Chuniophoenix suoitienensis Henderson, sp. nov. (Figs. 4 & 5). 

Chuniophoenix suoitienensis differs from C. hainanensis in its 6–7 (versus 20–28) leaf segments and homogeneous (versus ruminate) endosperm, and from C. nana in its larger size and leaf sheaths split below the petiole to give a central cleft, and winged along the proximal margins. 

Type:— VIETNAM. Khanh Hoa: Dien Khanh District, Suoi Tien, 12.203N, 109.027E, ca. 50 m, 4 July 2010, A. Henderson & Bui Van Thanh 3659 (holotype, HN!; isotype NY!).

Distribution and habitat:— Southern Vietnam (Khanh Hoa) (Fig. 2) in disturbed forest along steep, rocky river margins at ca. 50 m elevation. 

Taxonomic notes:— Chuniophoenix suoitienensis appears to be dioecious. Based on notes made at the time of collection of the type specimen, inflorescences of presumed staminate plants have shorter peduncles to 10 cm long, elongate rachises, and 10–11 rachillae, these to 18 cm long. Presumed pistillate plants have longer peduncles 30–40 cm long, shorter rachises, and 3–4 rachillae, these to 15 cm long. 

Local names and uses:— la non. No uses recorded

Andrew Henderson. 2015. A Revision of Chuniophoenix (Arecaceae). Phytotaxa. 218 (2): 163–170. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.218.2.6

http://mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00218p170.pdf

[Botany • 2008] Tahina spectabilis • A New Coryphoid Palm Genus from Madagascar

Tahina spectabilis J.Dransf. & Rakotoarinivo
Figure 3. A, The ‘tsingy’ at Antsingilava, Analalava, with crowns of Tahina spectabilis. B, Individual of T. spectabilis just after anthesis. C, Abaxial surface of lamina base showing folds. D, Detail of transverse veinlets. E, Inflorescence. F, Infructescence.

All photographs by Nathalie Metz. | DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2007.00742.x

ABSTRACT 

Tahina J.Dransf. & Rakotoarinivo, gen. nov. (Arecaceae) is described as a new genus from north-western Madagascar, with a single species T. spectabilis J.Dransf. & Rakotoarinivo, sp. nov. Tahina is included within tribe Chuniophoeniceae of subfamily Coryphoideae, based on the strictly tubular imbricate rachilla bracts, the flowers grouped in cincinni with tubular bracteoles, and the stalk-like base to the corolla. This position is corroborated by evidence from plastid DNA. Lamina anatomy is discussed in detail, and similarities with and differences from the other members of Chuniophoeniceae are discussed. Based on the ecological characteristics of the single locality, predictions are made on where else it may occur in Madagascar.

Keywords: Arecaceae; matK; palm; palmate; rbcL; rps16 intron; trnL-trnF

Tahina spectabilis J.Dransf. & Rakotoarinivo
Figure 3. A, The ‘tsingy’ at Antsingilava, Analalava, with crowns of Tahina spectabilis. B, Individual of T. spectabilis just after anthesis. C, Abaxial surface of lamina base showing folds. D, Detail of transverse veinlets. E, Inflorescence. F, Infructescence.

All photographs by Nathalie Metz. | DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2007.00742.x

TAHINA SPECTABILIS J.DRANSF. & RAKOTOARINIVO, GEN. et SP. NOV.

Etymology:  Tahina– Malagasy for ‘blessed’ or ‘to beprotected’; also one of the given names of Anne-Tahina Metz, the daughter of the discoverer of the palm

Distribution:  Tahina  spectabilisis known only fromone locality in Analalava district, in the north-west of  Madagascar.  In  the  gently  rolling  hills  and flatlands of the region, now dominated by anthropogenic grasslands, there is a small outcrop of ‘tsingy’, karst  Tertiary  limestone,  running  approximately north–south and about 250 m long, carrying a semi-natural vegetation (Fig. 3A). The outcrop is visible in satellite imagery at Google Earth and the grey crowns of the palm are even visible, although blurred.


 J. Dransfield, M. Rakotoarinivo, W. J. Baker, R. P. Bayton, J. B. Fisher, J. W. Horn, B. Leroy and X. Metz. 2008. A New Coryphoid Palm Genus from Madagascar. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 156:79-91. DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8339.2007.00742.x

ResearchGate.net/publication/215898363_A_new_coryphoid_palm_genus_from_Madagascar

The 9 rarest plants in the world 

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141121-the-rarest-plants-in-the-world

  

     

[Paleontology • 2015] Sefapanosaurus zastronensis • A New Basal Sauropodiform from South Africa and the Phylogenetic Relationships of Basal Sauropodomorphs

Sefapanosaurus zastronensis

Otero, Krupandan, Pol, Chinsamy & Choiniere, 2015  doi: 10.1111/zoj.12247

We present a new medium-sized basal sauropodomorph, Sefapanosaurus zastronensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Triassic−Lower Jurassic Elliot Formation of South Africa. It is represented by parts of the postcranial skeleton of at least four individuals, including: cervical, dorsal, sacral and caudal vertebrae, most of the forelimb, and part of the hindlimb. Sefapanosaurus bears several autapomorphies of the astragalus, and referred material also shows autapomorphic features. The inclusion of Sefapanosaurus in a phylogenetic analysis places it within the group of sauropodomorphs more closely related to sauropods than to Massospondylus (i.e. Sauropodiformes), increasing the currently known diversity of the so-called ‘transitional forms’ leading to Sauropoda. Character optimization revealed the presence of several features that are common for taxa placed within the transitional branches basal to Sauropoda. Sefapanosaurus, together with other transitional sauropodomorphs reported during the last decade, highlights the importance of Gondwanan taxa for understanding the palaeobiodiversity, global distribution, and macroevolutionary changes in the group related to the rise of sauropods.  

Keywords: Anchisauria; Elliot Formation; Gondwana; Sauropoda − Sauropodiformes

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Sauropodomorpha Huene, 1932

Massopoda Yates, 2007

Anchisauria Galton & Upchurch, 2004

Sauropodiformes Sereno, 2007

Sefapanosaurus zastronensis gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype: BP/1/386, incomplete articulated left pes including astragalus, calcaneum, a putative distal tarsal IV, proximal portions of metatarsals III and IV, and almost complete metatarsal V.

Etymology: From the Sesotho language sefapano, meaning ‘cross’, and from the Greek saurus, meaning ‘lizard’, in reference to the cross T-shaped ascending process of the astragalus. The specific name makes reference to Zastron, the type locality.

Figure 19. Simplified reduced consensus tree showing the calibrated phylogeny of basal sauropodomorphs close to Sauropoda with their respective distributions on the continents where they were found.

Abbreviation: Pliensbach., Pliensbachian. || doi: 10.1111/zoj.12247

Conclusions

Sefapanosaurus zastronensis increases our knowledge on the diversity of basal sauropodiforms (sauropod outgroups) in the Triassic−Jurassic of Gondwana. It displays a set of characters in the ulna, manus, fibula, and ankle that identifies it as a distinct taxon within Sauropodomorpha, corroborating its taxonomic separation from Aardonyx, contrary to previous hypotheses/assumptions (McPhee et al., 2014).

The new taxon also adds significant anatomical and phylogenetic information about the transition of basal sauropodomorphs to Sauropoda, especially with regard to characters of the manus and the pes. The identification of Sefapanosaurus as a taxon closely related to Sauropoda, together with other taxa discussed here, highlights the importance of Gondwanan taxa for understanding the evolutionary origin of sauropods.

Alejandro Otero, Emil Krupandan, Diego Pol, Anusuya Chinsamy and Jonah Choiniere. 2015. A New Basal Sauropodiform from South Africa and the Phylogenetic Relationships of Basal Sauropodomorphs.
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 174(3), 589–634. doi: 10.1111/zoj.12247 

http://www.wits.ac.za/files/4m9h8_521719001435141672.pdf

http://blog.everythingdinosaur.co.uk/blog/_archives/2015/06/24

http://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.com/2015/06/new-sesotho-named-dinosaur-from-south.html