[Arachnida • 2024] Selenogyrus foordi • A New Species and the first record of the subfamily Selenogyrinae Smith, 1990 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Guinea

Selenogyrus foordi 

Sherwood, Henrard & Spiegel, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.113946

 

Abstract

A new spider species, Selenogyrus foordi sp. nov. (♂♀), is described from Mount Nimba, Guinea. Consequently, we provide the first in vivo photographs of a selenogyrine in the scientific literature and the first record of Selenogyrinae Smith, 1990 from Guinea. We also record S. aureus Pocock, 1897, described from Sierra Leone, from Massif du Ziama Biosphere Reserve, Guinea, representing the second known species for this country.  

Key words: distribution, morphology, spider, tarantula, taxonomy

Selenogyrus foordi sp. nov. holotype male (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.246088), habitus in situ at type locality   
A general view B same, on different background C frontal view, specimen in defensive posture.  

Selenogyrus foordi sp. nov. paratype female (BE_RMCA_ARA.Ara.222490)
A habitus, dorsal view B habitus, ventral view C chelicera, prolateral view (inset: close-up of stridulatory lyra) D spermathecae, dorsal view E habitus in vivo. Scale bars: 10 mm (A–B); 0.5 mm (D); 0.1 mm (C).

 

Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869

Selenogyrinae Smith, 1990

Selenogyrus Pocock, 1897

 Selenogyrus foordi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Males of Selenogyrus foordi sp. nov. can be distinguished from S. aureus by the thinner apical taper of the embolus (embolus wider at apex in S. aureus) and the presence of darkened femora and white markings on the distal third tibiae in vivo (femora with golden tinge and lacking white markings on the distal third of the tibiae in S. aureus). Females of S. foordi sp. nov. can be distinguished from S. africanus, S. austini, and S. caeruleus by the medially flared receptacles of the spermathecae (not medially flared in S. africanus, S. austini, and S. caeruleus).

Etymology: The specific epithet is an eponym honouring our colleague the late Stefan Foord (1971–2023), in recognition of his significant contributions to African arachnology, and in remembrance of his kind and collaborative spirit.

 

Danniella Sherwood, Arnaud Henrard and Didier Van Den Spiegel. 2024. Selenogyrus foordi, A New Species and the first record of the subfamily Selenogyrinae Smith, 1990 from Guinea (Araneae, Theraphosidae). African Invertebrates. 64(3): 291-302. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.113946

[Herpetology • 2024] Scutiger kanjiroba • A New Species of the Genus Scutiger (Anura: Megophryidae) from the Central Himalaya

Scutiger kanjiroba 

Hofmann, Jablonski & Schmidt, 2024

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1210.127106

Abstract

Recent phylogenetic studies in Himalayan lazy toads of the genus Scutiger Theobald, 1868 revealed the presence of genetically deeply divergent lineages. The taxonomy of S. nepalensis sensu lato was re-assessed based on museum material considering molecular and morphological data. The results strongly support the recognition of a new species, S. kanjiroba sp. nov. distributed along the Nepalese Kanjiroba massif. It is further shown that S. sikimmensis has an apparently much more restricted distribution range than previously thought. The frequent misidentification of Scutiger across large areas of the Himalaya-Tibet area highlights the significance of careful taxonomic evaluation of collection material and the need for the direct morphological comparison of closely related species when describing new species.

Key words: Genetics, Himalaya, lazy toad, montane forests, morphology, taxonomy

Scutiger kanjiroba sp. nov. holotype NHME A0576/99 in preservative 
 A dorsal view of body B ventral view C dorsolateral view of body D ventral view of left foot.

(credit: Morris Flecks)

 Scutiger kanjiroba sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Scutiger kanjiroba sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Scutiger based in the above-mentioned morphological features and by its molecular phylogenetic position relative to other Scutiger species. It can be separated from all other species of the genus Scutiger by the combination of the following characters (for character states in other species see section Morphological comparison, above): (1) moderate body size, SVL adult male 55.4 mm (n = 1), adult female 54.2−66.7 mm (n = 3); (2) vomerine and maxillary dentation absent; (3) vocal sac absent; (4) subarticular tubercles absent; (5) presence of numerous small, densely arranged spines on the surface of fingers I, II and inner surface of finger III of males in breeding condition; (6) relative length of fingers 3>4>2>1; (7) spines on (inner) (fore)arms absent; (8) toes rudimentary webbed; (9) relative length of toes 4>3>5>2>1; (10) a pair of pectoral glands and a pair of axillary glands; (11) spines on pectoral and axillary glands present in males; (12) belly without spines; (13) tubercles/warts on dorsal and lateral surfaces of body present; (14) dorsal tubercles with black spines of males in breeding condition.

Distribution and ecological notes: Scutiger kanjiroba is a forest-dwelling species that is currently known from high-montane areas of the Kanjiroba Himal at altitudes between ~ 3300 and 4400 m a.s.l. in west Nepal (Fig. 1).

Etymology: The specific epithet kanjiroba is a geographical proper name referring to the Kanjiroba Himal in Nepal. The southern area of the Kanjiroba Himal is so far the only known occurrence region of this new species.

Sylvia Hofmann, Daniel Jablonski and Joachim Schmidt. 2024. Morphological and Molecular Data warrant the Description of A New Species of the Genus Scutiger (Anura, Megophryidae) from the Central Himalaya. ZooKeys. 1210: 229-246. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1210.127106

[Herpetology • 2024] The Last of their Kind: Is the Genus Scutiger (Anura: Megophryidae) a relict element of the paleo-Transhimalaya Biota?

Phylogeny of Scutiger

in Hofmann, Podsiadlowski, Andermann, Matschiner, Baniya, ... et Schmidt, 2024.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108166

 

Highlights: 

• Phylogeny of Scutiger suggests an origin of the genus in paleo-Tibet.

• Himalayan taxa evolved probably on southern edges of paleo-Tibet (Transhimalaya).

• Divergence times indicate a Late Neogene age of the alpine in the Himalayan-Tibetan region.

• Results contrast with isotope-based paleoelevation models of the Tibetan Plateau.

Abstract

The orographic evolution of the Himalaya-Tibet Mountain system continues to be a subject of controversy, leading to considerable uncertainty regarding the environment and surface elevation of the Tibetan Plateau during the Cenozoic era. As many geoscientific (but not paleontological) studies suggest, elevations close to modern heights exist in vast areas of Tibet since at least the late Paleogene, implicating the presence of large-scale alpine environments for more than 30 million years. To explore a recently proposed alternative model that assumes a warm temperate environment across paleo-Tibet, we carried out a phylogeographic survey using genomic analyses of samples covering the range of endemic lazy toads (Scutiger) across the Himalaya-Tibet orogen. We identified two main clades, with several, geographically distinct subclades. The long temporal gap between the stem and crown age of Scutiger may suggest high extinction rates. Diversification within the crown group, depending on the calibration, occurred either from the Mid-Miocene or Late-Miocene and continued until the Holocene. The present-day Himalayan Scutiger fauna could have evolved from lineages that existed on the southern edges of the paleo-Tibetan area (the Transhimalaya = Gangdese Shan), while extant species living on the eastern edge of the Plateau originated probably from the eastern edges of northern parts of the ancestral Tibetan area (Hoh Xil, Tanggula Shan). Based on the Mid-Miocene divergence time estimation and ancestral area reconstruction, we propose that uplift-associated aridification of a warm temperate Miocene-Tibet, coupled with high extirpation rates of ancestral populations, and species range shifts along drainage systems and epigenetic transverse valleys of the rising mountains, is a plausible scenario explaining the phylogenetic structure of Scutiger. This hypothesis aligns with the fossil record but conflicts with geoscientific concepts of high elevated Tibetan Plateau since the late Paleogene. Considering a Late-Miocene/Pliocene divergence time, an alternative scenario of dispersal from SE Asia into the East, Central, and West Himalaya cannot be excluded, although essential evolutionary and biogeographic aspects remain unresolved within this model 

Keywords: Gangdese shan, Lazy toads, Miocene, Phylogenomic, Tibetan plateau, Uplift

 

Sylvia Hofmann, Lars Podsiadlowski, Tobias Andermann, Michael Matschiner, Chitra B. Baniya, Spartak N. Litvinchuk, Sebastian Martin, Rafaqat Masroor, Jianhuan Yang, Yuchi Zheng, Daniel Jablonski and Joachim Schmidt. 2024.  The Last of their Kind: Is the Genus Scutiger (Anura: Megophryidae) a relict element of the paleo-Transhimalaya Biota?  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, 108166. DOI:  doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108166

[Botany • 2023] Stenostephanus purpureus (Acanthaceae: Justicieae: Isoglossinae) • A New Species from Costa Rica and Panama—Overlooked for More than 150 Years

 Stenostephanus purpureus 

in Daniel et Kriebel, 2023.

 DOI: 10.3100/hpib.v28iss2.2023.n3

 Abstract  

Comparative studies of macromorphological and palynological characters of plants representing Stenostephanus silvaticus from southern Mexico and southern Central America reveal that those from the two geographically isolated regions represent different taxa. Stenostephanus purpureus is described as a new species from Costa Rica and Panama. It differs from S. silvaticus of Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco, and Veracruz, Mexico by numerous characters, including: pyramidal inflorescences with rachises, dichasial peduncles, and floral pedicels glabrous; corollas blue-purple to purple with both lips recoiled; and pollen subspheroidal with a fossulate interapertural band of exine bearing a medial row of gemmae and baculae. We provide a description of S. purpureus and a key to, images of, and map showing the distributions of both species.

KEYWORDS: Stenostephanus silvaticus, pollen, nototriby/sternotriby/pleurotriby

Thomas F. Daniel and Ricardo Kriebel. 2023. Stenostephanus purpureus (Acanthaceae: Justicieae: Isoglossinae), A New Species from Costa Rica and Panama—Overlooked for More than 150 Years. Harvard Papers in Botany. 28(2); 655-662. DOI: doi.org/10.3100/hpib.v28iss2.2023.n3

 calacademy.org/phenomena/what-makes-a-new-species-a-new-species

Los estudios comparativos de caracteres macromorfológicos y palinológicos de plantas que representan a Stenostephanus silvaticus del sur de México y el sur de Centroamérica revelan que las de las dos regiones geográficamente aisladas representan taxones diferentes. Stenostephanus purpureus se describe como una especie nueva de Costa Rica y Panamá. Se diferencia de S. silvaticus de Chiapas, Oaxaca, Tabasco y Veracruz, México por numerosos caracteres, entre ellos: inflorescencias piramidales con raquis, pedúnculos bicaisales y pedicelos florales glabros; corolas azul-púrpura a púrpura con ambos labios retraídos; y polen subesferoidal con una banda interapertural fosulada de exina que lleva una fila medial de yemas y báculas. Proporcionamos una descripción de S. purpureus y una clave, imágenes y un mapa que muestra las distribuciones de ambas especies.

[Botany • 2022] Trichoglottis longifolia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae) • A New Species from Sri Lanka

[A-C] Trichoglottis longifolia Atthan., C. Bandara, N.L. Bandara & Kumar, 
[D-E] Trichoglottis tenera 

in Bandara, Atthanagoda, Bandara, Ranasinghe et Kumar, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.1.6 

 Researchgate.net/publication/364024163

 

Abstract

Trichoglottis longifolia Atthan., C. Bandara, N.L. Bandara & Kumar sp. nov. is described and illustrated as a new species from Sri Lanka. So far, the genus was represented by a single species in Sri Lanka, Trichoglottis tenera. The new species can be easily distinguished from T. tenera in having longer leaves, yellowish-green flowers with lanceolate dorsal sepal and petals and a longer spur. This species occurs in sub-montane forests in Sabaragamuwa Province and categorized as Endangered based on the available data.

Keywords: cherub orchid, epiphyte, Orchidaceae, Sri Lanka, Monocots

 Trichoglottis longifolia Atthan., C. Bandara, N.L. Bandara & Kumar sp. nov.
A. Plant habit. B. Front view of flower. C. Side view of flower. D. Bract. E. Dorsal sepal. F1 & F2. Petals. G1 & G2. Lateral sepals. H. Labellum. I. Side view of labellum. J. Sagittal section of labellum and spur. K. Side view of column and spur. L. Leaf. M. Capsule. N. Operculum. O. Pollinia.

Photographs by Anusha Gayan Atthanagoda.

 Trichoglottis longifolia Atthan., C. Bandara, N.L. Bandara & Kumar sp. nov.
A. Plant habit. B. Front view of flower. C. Side view of flower. D. Bract. E. Dorsal sepal. F1 & F2. Petals. G1 & G2. Lateral sepals. H. Labellum. I. Side view of labellum. J. Sagittal section of labellum and spur. K. Leaf. L. Side view of column and spur. M. Front view of column and spur. N. Operculum. O. Pollinia P. Capsule.

 Illustrations by Champika Bandara.

Trichoglottis longifolia Atthan., C. Bandara, N.L. Bandara & Kumar sp. nov.

 Trichoglottis longifolia Atthan., C. Bandara, N.L. Bandara & Kumar sp. nov. A. Plant habit. B. Front view of flower. C. Side view of flower.
Trichoglottis tenera D. Plant habit. E. Front view of flower. F. Side view of flower.

Photographs by Anusha Gayan Atthanagoda.

 

Champika Bandara, Anusha Gayan Atthanagoda, Nadeesha Lewke Bandara, Bhanuka Ranasinghe and Pankaj Kumar. 2022. Trichoglottis longifolia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae: Aeridinae), A New Species from Sri Lanka. Phytotaxa. 567(1); 71-78. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.567.1.6

  Researchgate.net/publication/364024163_Trichoglottis_longifolia_a_new_species_from_Sri_Lanka

 facebook.com/companyofenvironment76/photos/484866836857178

[Botany • 2024] Magnolia corquinensis (Magnoliaceae: sect. Talauma) • A New Species from Antioquia Province, Colombia

Magnolia amalfiensis Serna, Cogollo & Velásquez, 

in Serna-González, Cogollo-Pacheco et Velásquez-Rúa, 2024. 

 DOI: 10.1007/s12228-024-09796-w 

 facebook.com/RAINFORproject

Abstract

A new species of Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) from Antioquia Province in Colombia is described and illustrated. Magnolia amalfiensis, known only from two small populations at elevations of 1,700–2,400 m in the Central Cordillera, is distinguished in having a gynoecium covered by sericeous pubescence, except at the apex of the stigmas. This species is similar to Magnolia henaoi, but the two species differ in number of bracts, size and number of petals, and number of carpels per fruit. Magnolia amalfiensis is placed in Section Talauma based on its stipules, which are adnate along the full length of the petiole, and its stamens, which lack a long filiform connective appendage. This new species increases the total number of Magnolia species from Colombia to 42, of which 15 occur in Antioquia Province. Information about the ecology and conservation status of the new species and its risk category, according to IUCN criteria, is also provided.

Keywords: Talauma, Neotropics, Andean forests, endangered species, extremely small populations

Magnolia amalfiensis.
A. Habitat. B. Trunk. C. Floral bud. D. Gynoecium. E. Detail of gynoecium. F. Herbarium specimen. G. Open fruit. H. Fruit receptacle.

Magnolia amalfiensis Serna, Cogollo & Velásquez sp. nov.

 

Marcela Serna-González, Álvaro Cogollo-Pacheco and Cesar Velásquez-Rúa. 2024. Magnolia amalfiensis, A New Species of Magnoliaceae from Antioquia Province, Colombia. Brittonia. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12228-024-09796-w

  facebook.com/RAINFORproject/posts/513467474526969

[Ichthyology • 2022] Rhinogobius aonumai • A New Species with Two New Subspecies of Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Yaeyama Group, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan

 (A-D) Rhinogobius aonumai aonumai from Iriomote-jima Island; 
Rhinogobius a. ishigakiensis from Ishigaki-jima Island,
  

Suzuki, Oseko, Yamasaki, Kimura & Shibukawa, 2022

DOI: 10.32225/bkpmnh.2022.51_9

 

Abstract

A new freshwater species with two new subspecies of the gobiid fish genus Rhinogobius is described from the Yaeyama Group of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. One of the subspecies, Rhinogobius aonumai aonumai (29 specimens, 35.9–70.5 mm SL) known only from Iriomote-jima Island, is distinguished from all congeneric species-group taxa (species and subspecies) by having the following combination of features: 9–15 predorsal scales; 32–37 longitudinal scales; 11+15–17=26–28 vertebrae (mode 27); anteriormost two pterygiophores (proximal radials) of the second dorsal fin mounted over the neural spine of 10th vertebra; fifth segmented pelvic-fin ray divided into 3–4 (usually four) branches at the position where proximal-most segment of each branch alignes transversely; yellow-colored body in freshly-collected; no dark spot on first dorsal fin; caudal fin with vertical rows of dark spots or forming dark zigzag bands. The other subspecies, Rhinogobius aonumai ishigakiensis (12 specimens, 33.3–56.5 mm SL) known only from Ishigaki-jima Island, is distinguished from all congeneric species-group taxa by having the following combination of features: 10–14 predorsal scales; 33–38 longitudinal scales; 10+16–18=26–28 vertebrae (mode 27); anteriormost two pterygiophores (proximal radials) of the second dorsal fin mounted over the neural spine of 9th vertebra; fifth segmented pelvicfin ray divided into 2–3 (usually two) branches at the position where the proximal-most segment of each branch alignes transversely; yellow-colored body in freshly-collected; no dark spot on first dorsal fin; caudal fin with dark zigzag bands on the caudal fin.

Keywords: description, fish taxonomy, freshwater resident, Rhinogobius sp. YB  

Holotype of Rhinogobius aonumai aonumai (OMNH-P 40256, male, 65.9 mm SL) collected from Hinai-gawa River, Iriomotejima Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
A and B: freshly-collected.

 Photographed by T. Suzuki.

Female paratype of Rhinogobius aonumai aonumai (KPM-NI 59988, 56.5 mm SL) collected from Hinai-gawa River, Iriomotejima Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
A and B: freshly-collected.

 Photographed by T. Suzuki.

Underwater photographs of Rhinogobius aonumai aonumai taken at Iriomote-jima Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
Hinaigawa River:A (male, about 60 mm SL) and B (female, about 45 mm SL);
Urauchi-gawa River: C (male, about 50 mm SL) and D (female, about 40 mm SL).

Photographed by M. Suzuki.

Underwater photographs of Rhinogobius aonumai ishigakiensis taken at Ishigaki-jima Island, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Sakutagawa River:
A (male, about 40 mm SL) and B (female, about 40 mm SL).

 Photographed by N. Oseko.

Toshiyuki Suzuki, Naoharu Oseko, Yo Y. Yamasaki, Seishi Kimura and Koichi Shibukawa. 2022. A New Species with Two New Subspecies of Rhinogobius (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Yaeyama Group, the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Bulletin of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum (Natural Science). (51); 9-34. DOI: 10.32225/bkpmnh.2022.51_9  

[Herpetology • 2024] Evolutionary Bursts drive Morphological novelty in the World’s Largest Skinks

in Brennan, Chapple, Keogh ... et Donnellan, 2024.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.039 

 x.com/Ian_G_Brennan

Highlights: 

• A new and reliable species tree of Tiliquini skinks (bluetongues and relatives)

• Patterns of morphological trait evolution are heterogeneous

• Nested “bursts” in evolution lead to new phenotypes

Summary

Animal phenotypes evolve and diverge as a result of differing selective pressures and drift. These processes leave unique signatures in patterns of trait evolution, impacting the tempo and mode of morphological macroevolution. While there is a broad understanding of the history of some organismal traits (e.g., body size), there is little consensus about the evolutionary mode of most others. This includes the relative contribution of prolonged (Darwinian gradualist) and episodic (Simpsonian jump) changes toward the evolution of novel morphologies. Here, we use new exon-capture and linear morphological datasets to investigate the tempo and mode of morphological evolution in Australo-Melanesian Tiliquini skinks. We generate a well-supported time-calibrated phylogenomic tree from ∼400 nuclear markers for more than 100 specimens, including undescribed diversity, and provide unprecedented resolution of the rapid Miocene diversification of these lizards. By collecting a morphological dataset that encompasses the lizard body plan (19 traits across the head, body, limb, and tail), we are able to identify that most traits evolve conservatively, but infrequent evolutionary bursts result in morphological novelty. These phenotypic discontinuities occur via rapid rate increases along individual branches, inconsistent with both gradualistic and punctuated equilibrial evolutionary modes. Instead, this “punctuated gradualism” has resulted in the rapid evolution of blue-tongued giants and armored dwarves in the ∼20 million years since colonizing Australia. These results outline the evolutionary pathway toward new morphologies and highlight the heterogeneity of evolutionary tempo and mode, even within individual traits.

 

Keywords: morphological evolution, Simpsonian, skink phylogenomics, Tiliquini

 

Ian G. Brennan, David G. Chapple, J. Scott Keogh ... et Stephen Donnellan. 2024. Evolutionary Bursts drive Morphological novelty in the World’s Largest Skinks. Current Biology. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.07.039 

 x.com/Ian_G_Brennan/status/1823660142509937133

(a) Monkey-tailed skink (Corucia zebrata) (b) Western bluetongue (Tiliqua occipitalis) 

(c) Shingleback lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) (d) Yakka skink (Egernia rugosa) 

(e) Tree skink (Egernia striolata) (f) Pygmy spiny-tailed skink (Egernia depressa)

(g) Mainland She-oak skink (Cyclodomorphus michaeli) (h) Crocodile skink (Tribolonotus gracilis)

... These lizards represent some of the extremes of the diversity we see in the 'Social Skinks' a group mostly found in Australia.

[Botany • 2024] Asyneuma yildizianum (Campanulaceae) • A New Species from SW Türkiye

Asyneuma yildizianum Yıldırım & Özdöl, 

in Yıldırım et Özdöl, 2024.

zeybekdeğneği  ||  DOI: 10.1007/s12225-024-10206-3 

 facebook.com: Hasan Yıldırım

Summary

Asyneuma yildizianum Yıldırım & Özdöl (Campanulaceae) is described as a new species from the Babadağ mountain range near the counties of Tavas and Babadağ in the province of Denizli in southwestern Türkiye. Diagnostic characteristics, a full description, and comprehensive photographs and micromorphology of the pollen and seeds are provided. It is morphologically related to A. virgatum subsp. cichoriiforme and A. ilgazense. The new species differs from related taxa mainly by its caespitose habit, perennial monocarpic life form, (6 –) 8 – 20-stemmed at base, 5 – 22 cm long stem and sky blue to pale violet flowers. A preliminary IUCN Red List assessment of the new species is supplied.

Key Words: Anatolia, Flora, new taxa, Turkey

A – C Asyneuma yildizianum habit when in flower.

    

Asyneuma yildizianum Yıldırım & Özdöl sp. nov. 

Etymology. The new Asyneuma species was named in honour of Turkish Botanist Prof. Dr Bayram Yıldız, an expert on the taxonomy of the genus Asyneuma.

Vernacular name. The Turkish name of this species is suggested as “zeybekdeğneği” according to the guidelines in Menemen et al. (2016).

 

Hasan Yıldırım and Tuğkan Özdöl. 2024. Asyneuma yildizianum (Campanulaceae), A New Species from SW Türkiye.  Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-024-10206-3

  facebook.com/640594604/posts/10161398924644605 

  x.com/KewBulletin/status/1826553170564129117

[Crustacea • 2024] Parapyxidognathus tshiansue & P. ongia • A Review of the varunid crab Genus Parapyxidognathus Ward, 1941 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species

  

Parapyxidognathus tshiansue

 Hsu & Shih, 2024

DOI: 10.1093/jcbiol/ruae039 

 facebook.com/HsiteShih9

Abstract

Species of Parapyxidognathus Ward, 1941 are distributed across tropical Indo-West Pacific to temperate downstream rivers and in estuaries. The genus previously included only one species, Parapyxidognathus deianira (De Man, 1888). We examined specimens from Parapyxidognathus and its closely related genus, Pyxidognathus A. Milne-Edwards, 1879 from the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, focusing on their morphological characters. The results also support the reclassification of Pyxidognathus fluviatilis Alcock, 1900 into Parapyxidognathus, as well as the establishment of two new species from the western Pacific, Pa. tshiansue sp. nov. and Pa. ongia sp. nov. The identity of the species is supported by evidence from mitochondrial 16S rDNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) genes. There are now four species in Parapyxidognathus distinguishable by the characters of the anterolateral teeth of the carapace, the pleon, and the first gonopods of the male, and the female vulvae.

  

Parapyxidognathus tshiansue sp. nov. 

Parapyxidognathus ongia sp. nov. 

Jhih-Wei Hsu and Hsi-Te Shih. 2024. A Review of the varunid crab Genus Parapyxidognathus Ward, 1941 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae), with Descriptions of Two New Species. Journal of Crustacean Biology., 44(2); ruae039. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jcbiol/ruae039

  facebook.com/HsiteShih9/posts/10233309742231922

[Arachnida • 2024] Falconina cafetera • First Record of the Genus Falconina (Araneae: Corinnidae) from Mexico, with A Description of A New Species and Observations on its interactions with Ants

 

Falconina cafetera 

Ibarra-Núñez & Marín, 2024 

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.127612

Abstract

Falconina cafetera sp. nov. (Araneae, Corinnidae) is described based on specimens of both sexes. Specimens were collected in shaded coffee agro-ecosystems and in a suburban cacao orchard in Chiapas, Mexico. This new species is the first Falconina recorded from Mexico and the northernmost species of the genus in continental America, with the exception of F. gracilis (Keyserling, 1891) introduced to the USA and Cuba. F. cafetera sp. nov. differs from all other Falconina species by having most of its opisthosoma light-colored with some dark patches and by the characteristics of the male palp and female epigynum. Observations are included about one sclerite found in the male palp of this species, not mentioned for other species in this genus. The key of Falconina species by García and Bonaldo (2023) is modified to include this species. Furthermore, field observations and laboratory rearing of juveniles indicate that F. cafetera sp. nov. spiders are able to feed on ants.

Key Words: Coffee agroecosystems, Chiapas, North America, male palpal structure

Habitus of Falconina cafetera sp. nov.
1, 2. male; 3, 4. female; 1, 3. dorsal view; 2, 4. ventral view. Scale bars: 1 mm (1–4).

Live specimens of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. 
21. Pair of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. collected to be used in feeding trials, showing color pattern of living specimens;
22, 23. Male and female living specimens of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. each feeding on an Azteca sericeasur ant; 22. Male; 23. Female.

Family Corinnidae Karsch, 1880  

Genus Falconina Brignoli, 1985

 Falconina cafetera sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis: Males and females differ from all other species by having most of their opisthosoma light in color with some dark patches (Figs 1–4, 21), while in all other species it is mostly dark with some light patches. Males of Falconina cafetera sp. nov. are similar to F. albomaculosa by sharing a long apical spur, by having only two lobes (ventral and median) on the retrolateral tibial apophysis, and by having a lighter, less sclerotized, longitudinal stripe (TPlss) on the sclerotized tegular process (Figs 5–16; figs 13A, 14A in García and Bonaldo 2023). Males of F. cafetera sp. nov. differ from F. albomaculosa by having a prominent prolateral tibial apophysis (small ...  

Etymology: The specific name is an arbitrary combination of letters derived from the Spanish word for coffee plantation, “finca cafetalera,” where this species was first collected.

Guillermo Ibarra-Núñez and Linda Marín. 2024. First Record of the Genus Falconina (Araneae, Corinnidae) from Mexico, with A Description of A New Species and Observations on its interactions with Ants.  Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(3): 1099-1106. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.127612

[Arachnida • 2024] Ligdus garvale • Reviving Ligdus Thorell, 1895 (Araneae: Salticidae: Ballini): Description of A New Species from India, 129 years since the Establishment of the Genus

Ligdus garvale Caleb, 

in Caleb, Shree, Kumar et Abhijith, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5448.3.8

 Researchgate.net/publication/380531786

The jumping spider genus Ligdus Thorell, 1895 was established as a monotypic genus with Ligdus chelifer Thorell, 1895 as its type species (Thorell 1895). The only known species was described based on a juvenile specimen collected from Tharawaddy, Myanmar (erstwhile Burma), which was later illustrated by Prószyński (1984). During recent field work in Kodagu, Karnataka we collected a peculiar male individual which was later identified as belonging to the genus Ligdus. In this paper, we present the rediscovery of the genus Ligdus 129 years since its establishment, through the description of a new species from Karnataka state, India. The genus is moreover reported for the first time in India.

.

Araneae, Salticidae, Ballini, Ligdus, India

General appearance of Ligdus garvale Caleb, sp. nov.,
 holotype male. 1, 2 dorsal view; 3 left leg I; 4 lateralview; 5 front view; 6 spider in its retreat built on a leaf.

Photo credits: 1–5, A.P.C. Abhijith; 6, Divya Shree.

Ligdus garvale Caleb, sp. nov.

John T.D. Caleb, A. Divya Shree, Lohith Kumar and A.P.C. Abhijith. 2024. Reviving Ligdus Thorell, 1895: Description of A New Species from India, 129 years since the Establishment of the Genus (Araneae: Salticidae: Ballini). Zootaxa. 5448(3):446-450. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5448.3.8

  Researchgate.net/publication/380531786_Reviving_Ligdus_a_new_species_from_India

[Botany • 2024] Dendrobium krabiense (Orchidaceae) • A New Species of Dendrobium sect. Crinifera from peninsular Thailand

Dendrobium krabiense P.O’Byrne ex H.A.Pedersen & Suddee, 

in Pedersen et Suddee, 2024.  

 revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/lankesteriana

Abstract

A new species of Dendrobium sect. Crinifera is described from Thailand. The late Peter O’Byrne is appropriately credited for his important preparatory work for our study and for coining the name of the new species, D. krabiense. Apparently endemic to southern Thailand, D. krabiense is similar to D. pardalinum but differs in the lip mid-lobe being distinctly clawed and in the lip ornaments only consisting of two lateral keels that extend from near lip base to claw of mid-lobe. Dendrobium krabiense is also similar to D. phuketense but differs in having larger, spotted flowers with a proportionally longer mentum. The material here referred to D. krabiense was previously misidentified as Flickingeria pallens (now considered a synonym of D. pardalinum).

Keywords: Dendrobium krabiense, endemism, Flickingeria, Orchidaceae, systematics, taxonomy

Dendrobium krabiense P.O’Byrne ex H.A.Pedersen & Suddee.
A. Habit. B. Leaf tip. C. Inflorescence. D. Flower. E. Lip in side view. F. Lip in ventral view, side lobes artificially spread out.
Drawn from the type Seidenfaden & Smiti-nand GT 6465 (C), Seidenfaden & Smitinand GT 6327 (A–B) and Seidenfaden & Smitinand GT 6276 (D–F).
Illustration by Poul Juul; previously published in Dansk Botanisk Arkiv 34(1): 38 (1980).

Dendrobium krabiense P.O’Byrne ex H.A.Pedersen & Suddee, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Dendrobium krabiense is similar to D. pardalinum but differs in the lip mid-lobe being distinctly clawed (vs. sessile) and in the lip having two lateral keels extending from near lip base to claw of mid-lobe (vs. one median and two lateral keels extending from near lip base to near mid-lobe apex). Dendrobium krabiense is also similar to D. phuketense, but differs in having larger, spotted flow-ers with a mentum that is proportionally longer in relation to the dorsal sepal.

Distribution: Apparently endemic to peninsular Thailand and small nearby islands (Fig. 3). However, as D. krabiense occurs close to Thailand’s southern border in Satun province, it should also be searched for in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia.

Dendrobium krabiense P.O’Byrne ex H.A.Pedersen & Suddee. 

Flower of Seidenfaden & Smitinand GT 6461. 

Photograph by Gösta Kjellsson; previously published in Dansk Botanisk Arkiv 34(1): 96 (1980).

The known distribution of Dendrobium krabiense P.O’Byrne ex H.A.Pedersen & Suddee. 

Filled circles indicate individual occurrences documented by herbarium collections.

Henrik Æ. Pedersen and Somran Suddee. 2024. A New Species of Dendrobium sect. Crinifera (Dendrobieae) from Thailand. Lankesteriana: International Journal on Orchidology. 24(2), 199–203. DOI: 10.15517/lank.v24i2.61571

 revistas.ucr.ac.cr/index.php/lankesteriana/article/view/61571