[Botany • 2024] Pothos deleonii (Araceae: Potheae) • A New Species from Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines

  Pothos deleonii M.P.Medecilo-Guiang & D.Cabactulan,

 in Medecilo-Guiang et Cabactulan. 2024.  

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.247.130721

Abstract

A new species of Pothos is described and illustrated. This species is very similar to Pothos philippinensis (sheathing and leaf morphology) but differs by the inflorescence and flowers. It is closely related also to P. kingii by the deep purple inflorescence, but differs in having longer peduncle, broadly ovate-concave to cucullate spathe (which is deep wine-red when fresh to purplish-black when senescing), and the spadix that is 7/10th the entire length of the spathe.

Key words: Allopothos, Araceae, aroid diversity, critically endangered, endemic, Pothos philippinensis

Line drawing of Pothos deleonii
A whole plant B leaf phyllotaxy C venation pattern D Inflorescence E detail of spadix 

 Scale bars: 10 mm (B); 15 mm (D); 5 mm (E).

Pothos deleonii M.P Medecilo-Guiang and D. Cabactulan
A habit with flowering branch B leaf apex C leaf base D venation pattern E inflorescence F detail of spadix.

 Pothos deleonii M.P.Medecilo-Guiang & D.Cabactulan, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: This new species is morphologically similar to Pothos philippinensis based on vegetative characters but differs by the purplish peduncle, dark wine red to purplish black spathe and pendulous peduncle and acuminate to caudate (vs. acuminate to apiculate) leaf apex. P. deleonii is closest to R. kingii and P. atropurpurascens M. Hotta by having a purple cylindrical spadix but differs from 2 later species by having a much longer, purplish green to dark purple peduncle, 16–18 cm long (vs 5 cm long in P. kingii and 8 cm in P. atropurpurascens) broadly ovate spathe, subsessile spadix and 7/10 the entire length of the spathe, bigger diameter of flowers (2 mm) and flower orientation.

Maria Melanie P. Medecilo-Guiang and Derek Cabactulan. 2024. Pothos deleonii (Araceae, Potheae, Pothoideae), A New Species from Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. PhytoKeys. 247: 183-190. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.247.130721

 

[Botany • 2024] Disporum chiangdaoense, D. dorsifixerum, D. phuhinrongklaensis & D. scabridum • Taxonomic Revision of Disporum (Colchicaceae) from Thailand including Four New Species

 จักรเศวตร Disporum phuhinrongklaensis Sarapan & Chamch., 

มณีราคหมันแดง D. scabridum Sarapan & Hodk.,

 

ชมพูจักร D. dorsifixerum Sarapan & Suwanph., 

ว่านหัวสืบเชียงดาว D. chiangdaoense Sarapan & Suwanph., 

 

 in Sarapan, Chamchumroon, Hodkinson et Suwanphakdee, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3767/blumea.2024.69.02.04 

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Abstract 

We present a taxonomic revision of the genus Disporum in Thailand based on Thai specimens including descriptions of the genus and species, a key to the species, illustrations and lectotypifications. The dorsifixed anther attachment is a new character for the genus. There is a total of six species in Thailand, including the four new species described here, namely D. chiangdaoense, D. dorsifixerum, D. phuhinrongklaensis and D. scabridum, and two well-known species D. calcaratum and D. cantoniense. Anatomical and pollen morphological characters can be used for species diagnoses and they strongly support the morphological recognition of the four new species. New lectotypifications of synonyms are provided for D. wallichii, Uvularia calcarata and U. hamiltoniana.

Keywords: Colchicaceae; Disporum; Flora of Thailand; Liliales; Uvularieae; leaf anatomy; new species; pollen morphology; taxonomy

 Disporum calcaratum D.Don  ว่านหัวสืบ 

Distribution — India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand (Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Nan, Lumpang, Loei, Kanchanaburi), Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Korea, and Japan.

 Habitat & Ecology — In open areas, along roadsides in pine and oak forests at 1450–1800 m elevation. Flowering: May to July; fruiting: July to December

 Disporum cantoniense (Lour.) Merr.
a. Plant with distal branching and inflorescence; b. inflorescences; c. flowers; d. tepals with spur; e. stamens; f. pistil; g. fruits. — Photos by C. Suwanphakdee.

 Disporum cantoniense (Lour.) Merr. ว่านหัวสืบน้อย

Distribution — India, China, Tibet, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam Thailand (Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Phayao, Nan, Lamphun, Loei), Malaysia, Indonesia. 

Habitat & Ecology — In open areas or along roadsides of mixed deciduous or evergreen forests (pine forest) at 800– 1600 m elevation. Flowering: June to August; fruiting: July to December.

 

Disporum chiangdaoense Sarapan & Suwanph.
a. Plant with inflorescences; b. inflorescence; c. flowers; d. tepals with spur; e. stamens; f. pistil; g. fruits. — Photos by P. Limpanasittichai.

Disporum chiangdaoense Sarapan & Suwanph., sp. nov. 

Disporum chiangdaoense differs from D. calcaratum in its perianth that is white and green or cream at apex (vs pink and purple in D. calcaratum) and the ridge of the spur is glabrous (vs papillose in D. calcaratum). 

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to Chiangdao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chiang Mai Province, where the type specimens were collected.

 Distribution — Endemic to Thailand (Provinces: Mae Hong Son (Mueang District); Chiang Mai (Chiangdao Wildlife Sanctuary)). 

 Habitat & Ecology — In open areas or along roadsides of evergreen forest at 1200–2000 m elevation. Flowering: June to July; fruiting: August to February.

Disporum dorsifixerum Sarapan & Suwanph.
a. Plant with inflorescences; b. inflorescence; c. flowers; d. tepals with spur; e. stamens; f. pistil; g. fruits. — Photos by Y. Banchong.

Disporum dorsifixerum Sarapan & Suwanph., sp. nov. 

 Disporum dorsifixerum has dorsifixed anthers; it differs from D. calcaratum in its flowers which are rotate (vs campanulate in D. calcaratum); the ridge of the spur that lacks papillae (vs papillose in D. calcaratum), and the tepals that are apically green (vs pale pink in D. calcaratum). 

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the dorsifixed anther attachment that is a unique distinguishing character for this species

Distribution — Endemic to Thailand (Lamphun: Doi Khun Tan National Park; Tak: Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary). 

 Habitat & Ecology — In open areas and along roadsides of mixed deciduous and evergreen forests at 1300–1800 m elevation. Flowering: July to August; fruiting: July to December.

Disporum phuhinrongklaensis Sarapan & Chamch.
a. Whole plant; b. inflorescences; c. flowers; d. tepals with spur; e. stamens; f. pistil; g. fruits. — Photos by P. Limpanasittichai.

Disporum phuhinrongklaensis Sarapan & Chamch., sp. nov.

Disporum phuhinrongklaensis differs from D. calcaratum in its flowers that are rotate and white and green at the apex (vs campanulate and pink or dark purplish red in D. calcaratum); the ridge of the spur is glabrous (vs papillose in D. calcaratum); the filaments and style are white (vs pink or purple in D. calcaratum). 

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, Phitsanulok province, where the type specimens were collected.

Distribution — Endemic in Thailand (Chiang Mai: Si Lanna National Park, Phitsanulok: Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park). 

 Habitat & Ecology — In open areas or along roadsides of mixed deciduous and evergreen forests at 800–1200 m elevation. Flowering: May to June; fruiting: July to December

Disporum scabridum Sarapan & Hodk.
 a. Whole plants; b. inflorescences; c. flowers; d. tepals with spur; e. stamens; f. pistil; g. fruits. — Photos by C. Suwanphakdee. 

Disporum scabridum Sarapan & Hodk., sp. nov. 

Disporum scabridum differs from D. calcaratum in its flowers that are tubulate to campanulate with a deep purple red apex (vs campanulate with pink or pale pink apex in D. calcaratum); the basal tepal and spur are densely scabrous (vs glabrous in D. calcaratum). 

 Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the densely scabrous spur that is characteristic of the species.

Distribution — Endemic to Thailand (Pitsanulok: Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park).

 Habitat & Ecology — In open areas and along roadsides of mix deciduous or evergreen forests at 1000–1800 m elevation. Flowering: June to July; fruiting: July to November.

Anuwat Sarapan, Voradol Chamchumroon, Trevor R. Hodkinson and Chalermpol Suwanphakdee. 2024. Taxonomic Revision of Disporum (Colchicaceae) from Thailand including Four New Species.

Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants.  DOI: doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2024.69.02.04

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พืชชนิดใหม่ของโลกในสกุลว่านหัวสืบ (𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑢𝑚) จำนวน 4 ชนิด ที่ค้นพบในครั้งนี้ ได้แก่

1. ว่านหัวสืบเชียงดาว 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮  𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘢𝘰𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘦 Sarapan & Suwanph. พบบริเวณป่าดิบเขา เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าดอยเชียงดาว จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ เป็นไม้ล้มลุก สูงได้ถึง 94 ซม. ลำต้นอวบน้ำ สีม่วงแดงเข้มตลอดต้น มีขนสั้นหนาแน่น ใบเดี่ยว เรียงเวียน เกลี้ยง หลอดกลีบดอกด้านนอกสีขาวครีม ด้านในแฉกกลีบดอกและหลอดกลีบดอกสีขาวครีม คำระบุชนิด ‘𝑐ℎ𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑑𝑎𝑜𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒’ เป็นภาษาละตินที่หมายถึง เขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าดอยเชียวดาวที่เป็นสถานที่เก็บตัวอย่าง  

2. ชมพูจักร 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮  𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘮 Sarapan & Suwanph. พืชถิ่นเดียวพบบริเวณป่าดิบเขา จังหวัดลำพูน  เป็นไม้ล้มลุก สูงได้ถึง 160 ซม. ลำต้นอวบน้ำ สีเขียวตลอดต้น ใบเดี่ยว เรียงเวียน เกลี้ยง หลอดกลีบดอกด้านนอกสีชมพู ด้านในแฉกกลีบดอกและหลอดกลีบดอกสีชมพู คำระบุชนิด ‘𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘹𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘮’ อธิบายลักษณะการติดของอับเรณู   

3. จักรเศวตร 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘭𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴  Sarapan & Chamch. พืชถิ่นเดียวพบบริเวณป่าดิบเขา จังหวัดพิษณุโลกและเชียงใหม่ เป็นไม้ล้มลุก สูงได้ถึง 105 ซม. ลำต้นอวบน้ำ เขียวตลอดต้น ใบเดี่ยว เรียงเวียน เกลี้ยง หลอดกลีบดอกด้านนอกสีขาว ด้านในแฉกกลีบดอกและหลอดกลีบดอกสีขาว  คำระบุชนิด ‘𝘱𝘩𝘶𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘭𝘢𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴’ หมายถึง อุทยานแห่งชาติภูหินร่องกล้าที่เก็บตัวอย่างต้นแบบ  

4. มณีราคหมันแดง 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘶𝘮  𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘮  Sarapan & Hodk. พืชถิ่นเดียวพบบริเวณป่าดิบเขา ระดับทะเลปานกลาง 800-1,000 เมตร จังหวัดพิษณุโลก เป็นไม้ล้มลุก สูงได้ถึง 100 ซม. ลำต้นอวบน้ำ เขียวตลอดต้น ใบเดี่ยว เรียงเวียน เกลี้ยง หลอดกลีบดอกด้านนอกสีแดงเลือดนก ด้านในแฉกกลีบดอกและหลอดกลีบดอกสีแดงคำระบุชนิด ‘𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘶𝘮 ’ อธิบายลักษณะกลีบรวมที่รยางค์มีความสาก  

[Ichthyology • 2024] Rineloricaria atratoensis & R. giua • Two New Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Trans-Andean Rivers of Colombia, Unveiled through Iterative Taxonomy

Rineloricaria giua

Castellanos-Mejía, Londoño-Burbano, Ochoa, García-Alzate & DoNascimiento, 2024 

DOI: 10.1643/i2023091  

Photographs by José Luis Londoño-López

 Abstract  

Two new species of Rineloricaria are described from the trans-Andean region of Colombia. Rineloricaria atratoensis, new species, is distributed in the Atrato River and is distinguished by the absence of the mid-dorsal plate series and by having three rows of median abdominal plates, first (unbranched) ray of dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins extended as a short filament, and breeding males with hypertrophied odontodes on sides of head and dorsum of pectoral fin. Rineloricaria giua, new species, is found in the Magdalena and Ranchería Rivers and is distinguished by absence of mid-dorsal plate series and by having four or five rows of median abdominal plates, four plates along sides of dorsal-fin base, lateral margins of snout straight, and breeding males with hypertrophied odontodes on sides of head and dorsum of pectoral fin. Phylogenetic analyses of COI sequences of species of Rineloricaria from trans-Andean and Central American river basins revealed the different phylogenetic positions of the new species. Likewise, species delimitation analyses corroborated their status as independent lineages. An identification key for the trans-Andean and Central American species of Rineloricaria is provided.

Rineloricaria atratoensis, new species 

Diagnosis.—Rineloricaria atratoensis is distinguished from all trans-Andean and Central American congeners by having the first (unbranched) ray of dorsal, pectoral, and pelvic fins extended as a short filament (vs. coterminous with branched rays in R. altipinnis, R. giua, new species, R. jubata, R. magdalenae, R. rupestris, R. sneiderni, and R. uracantha). Rineloricaria atratoensis can also be distinguished from this group of species (except R. magdalenae) by having a paired deep depression between the nostrils and the ...

Etymology.—The species name atratoensis is in reference to its type locality, the Atrato River.

Paratypes of Rineloricaria giua, CIUA 8370, 79.5 mm SL, female, Tucuy River, Magdalena River basin, La Jagua de Ibirico, Cesar, Colombia, 9°35′13″N, 73°18′34.9″W. (A) Preserved specimen; (B) live specimen.

 Photographs by José Luis Londoño-López, copyright Colección de Ictiología de la Universidad de Antioquia; used with permission. Scale bar 1 cm.

Rineloricaria giua, new species

Diagnosis.—Rineloricaria giua is distinguished from most trans-Andean and Central American congeners (except R. jubata and R. uracantha) by having four or five rows of median abdominal plates (vs. three in R. atratoensis and R. magdalenae, more than six in R. altipinnis, R. rupestris, and R. sneiderni). Rineloricaria giua is also distinguished from this group of species (except R. magdalenae) by having lateral margins of the snout straight (vs. convex in R. altipinnis, R. atratoensis, R. jubata, R. rupestris, R. uracantha, and R. sneiderni). Rineloricaria giua differs from R. atratoensis, R. jubata and R. rupestris by having four plates along sides of dorsal-fin base (vs. five). Also, R. giua is distinguished from R. atratoensis and R. magdalenae by absence of a paired deep depression between the nostrils and the interorbital region (vs. present) and postorbital notch small and shallow (vs. large and deep). The new species is further distinguished from most of its congeners (except R. atratoensis, R. aurata, ...

Etymology.—In honor of the Grupo de Ictiología of Universidad de Antioquia (acronym GIUA). Used as a noun in apposition.

María Camila Castellanos-Mejía, Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Luz E. Ochoa, Carlos A. García-Alzate and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2024. Two New Species of Rineloricaria (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Trans-Andean Rivers of Colombia, Unveiled through Iterative Taxonomy. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112 (3), 429-443. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023091  

Se describen dos especies nuevas de Rineloricaria de la región transandina de Colombia. Rineloricaria atratoensis, especie nueva, se distribuye en el río Atrato y se distingue por no tener la serie de placas dorsales medias, y por poseer tres series de placas abdominales medias, el primer radio (no ramificado) de las aletas dorsal, pectoral y pélvica extendido como un filamento corto, y machos reproductores con odontodes hipertrofiados en los lados de la cabeza y el dorso de la aleta pectoral. Rineloricaria giua, especie nueva, se encuentra en los ríos Magdalena y Ranchería y se distingue por la ausencia de la serie de placas dorsales medias, y por tener cuatro o cinco series de placas abdominales medias, cuatro placas a los lados de la base de la aleta dorsal, márgenes laterales del hocico rectos y machos reproductores con odontodes hipertrofiados en los lados de la cabeza y el dorso de la aleta pectoral. Los análisis filogenéticos de las secuencias COI de especies de Rineloricaria de las cuencas transandinas y centroamericanas, revelaron la diferente posición filogenética de las especies nuevas. Asimismo, los análisis de delimitación de especies corroboraron su condición de linajes independientes. Se proporciona una clave de identificación para las especies transandinas y centroamericanas de Rineloricaria.

[Herpetology • 2024] Gekko alpinus • A New Species of Gekko (Subgenus Japonigekko) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China

Gekko alpinus

 Ma, Shi, Shen, Chang & Jiang, 2024 

 

Alpine Gecko | 高山壁虎  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1215.125043

 

Abstract

A new Gekko (subgenus Japonigekko) species, Gekko alpinus sp. nov., is described from the Jinsha River Basin in southwestern China, between the border of Mangkang County, Xizang Autonomous Region and Batang County, Sichuan Province, according to the integrative taxonomic results combining molecular data and morphological characters obtained from the type series comprising 11 specimens. Our molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial 16S and ND2 gene fragments indicated that this new species is most closely related to Gekko jinjiangensis, but a considerable amount of genetic divergence exists between them (p-distance: 3.6%-4.1% (16S) and 7.1%–9.1% (ND2)). The new species can be distinguished from its congeners via a combination of series morphological characters. The discovery of this new species marks the highest altitudinal range (2400 to 2542 m a.s.l.) recorded for the subgenus Japonigekko and also represents a new provincial record for the genus in Xizang Autonomous Region.

Key words: Gekko alpinus sp. nov., Gekko jinjiangensis, Gekkonidae, molecular phylogeny, morphological characters, new provincial genus record

Gekko alpinus sp. nov.

Diagnosis: (1) body size moderate, SVL 56.44–74.16 mm in adults; (2) head relatively narrow, HW/HL 0.51–0.79; (3) midbody scale rows 92–114, 98–114 in males and 92–106 in females; (4) interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes 22–28; (5) ventral scale rows 32–39; (6) tubercles present on dorsal body, forelimbs, hindlimbs and tails; (7) precloacal pores 4–7 in males and absent in the females; (8) subdigital lamellae on first finger 8–11, on fourth finger 12–14, on first toe 8–11, on fourth toe 12–15, no webbing between the fingers and toes; (9) ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 158–189; (10) nares in contact with rostral; (11) postcloacal tubercles one or two; (12) dorsal surface of body with six or seven large dark taupe bands between nape and sacrum.

Habitats of Gekko alpinus sp. nov.
A macrohabitat: Jinsha River dry-hot valley in Zhubalong Village at the border between Batang County, Sichuan Province and Mangkang County, Xizang Autonomous Region B microhabitat: house walls C one individual found on the dry rocky cliffs D one individual found in the rock crevices on cliff 

Photos by S-C Shi.

Etymology: The specific name alpinus is derived from Latin, alpinus, -a, -um, meaning from Alpēs (“the Alps”) + -īnus, of or pertaining to the Alps, alpine. This refers to the “great high mountains”, referring to not only its distribution range in the great high Hengduan Mountains, but also the highest distribution elevation for all currently known Japonigekko species. The suggested common English name is “Alpine Gecko” and the Chinese name is “高山壁虎” (Gāo Shān Bì Hŭ).

Shun Ma, Sheng-Chao Shi, Cheng Shen, Li-Ming Chang, Jian-Ping Jiang. 2024. Discovery of A New Species of the Subgenus Japonigekko (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Gekko) from the Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China: the Best Japonigekko Mountaineer. ZooKeys. 1215: 289-309. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1215.125043

[Paleontology • 2024] Emiliasaura alessandrii • First Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) Ornithopod (Ornithischia: Ornithopoda) from Patagonia

  

Emiliasaura alessandrii

R.A. Coria, Cerda, Escaso, Baiano, Bellardini, Braun, L.M. Coria, Gutierrez, Pino, Windholz, Currie & Ortega, 2024 

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106027

Highlights: 

• A new taxon of the dinosaur clade Ornithopoda, Emiliasaura alessandri, is described.

• Emiliasaura is the first recognized South American rhabdodontoid ornithopod taxon.

• Emiliasaura represents the earliest Patagonian Cretaceous ornithischian dinosaur.

Abstract

Here we describe a new ornithopod species, Emiliasaura alessandrii gen. et sp. nov. from Valanginian rocks (Early Cretaceous) of northwestern Patagonia. This new taxon exhibits affinities with the Rhabdodontomorpha and is primarily represented by two specimens of mid-sized ornithopods collected from different sites and stratigraphical levels of the Mulichinco Formation. The holotype specimen MLL-Pv-001 includes the coracoid, the proximal end of a scapula, a humerus and a complete right hind limb, whereas the paratype specimen MLL-Pv-006 preserves vertebral elements, haemal arches, an incomplete pelvis, and nearly complete hind limbs. The new taxon has an anteroposteriorly elongate ilium with a sigmoidal dorsal border and broad brevis shelf, a femur shaft with an extensive, proximally positioned fourth trochanter, and a second pedal digit with a short, robust, blunt ungual phalanx similar to those in Ankylopollexia ornithopods. The new ornithopod taxon formed part of a diverse dinosaur association from the Mulichinco Fm that includes dicraeosaurid sauropods and carcharodontosaurid theropods, and represents the first South American record of a rhabdodontoid, and the oldest and most primitive representative of this clade.

 

Emiliasaura alessandrii gen. et sp. nov. 

R.A. Coria, I.A. Cerda, F. Escaso, M.A. Baiano, F. Bellardini, A. Braun, L.M. Coria, J.M. Gutierrez, D. Pino, G.J. Windholz, P.J. Currie and F. Ortega. 2024. First Valanginian (Early Cretaceous) Ornithopod (Dinosauria, Ornithischia) from Patagonia. Cretaceous Research. 106027. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106027

[Botany • 2024] Alysicarpus littoralis (Fabaceae: Desmodieae) • A New Species from southern Thailand

 

Alysicarpus littoralis Satthaphorn & Leerat., 

in Satthaphorn et Leeratiwong. 2024. 

ถั่วลิสงนาสมุย  ||  www.QSBG.or.th/journal

 

Abstract

Alysicarpus littoralis Satthaphorn & Leerat. (Fabaceae, Desmodieae), a species confined to Samui Island, Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, is described and illustrated as a species new to science. Initially identified as A. vaginalis (L.) DC., the re-examination of morphological characters revealed distinctions of A. littoralis such as the length of inflorescence internode, length of calyx lobes, the colour of corolla and the type of pods at maturity. The newly proposed species is sometimes similar to A. monilifer (L.) DC. And A. ovalifolius (Schumach.) J. Léonard as it exhibits moniliform pods and lax inflorescence, respectively. The conservation status of the new species is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR, B2(bii+ciii)) following IUCN conservation guidelines since populations are surrounded by human disturbances. A morphological description, line drawing and updated key to species of Alysicarpus in Thailand are presented.

Keywords: coastal area, Desmodieae, Papilionoideae, Samui Island, Surat Thani

Line drawings of Alysicarpus littoralis:
 A. habit with inflorescences and infructescences; B. flowers; C. calyx; D. standard; E. wing petal; F. keel petal; G. diadelphous stamens; H. pistil; I. moniliform pod; J. article with reticulation (side view of an article); K. septum between articles (top view of an article); L. seed.

Drawn by J. Satthaphorn from the dried specimen, Leeratiwong 21-1634.

Alysicarpus littoralis:
 A. habit; B. inflorescence with two-tone-coloured corolla; C. close-up flowers; D. moniliform pods.

Photos by C. Leeratiwong.

 Alysicarpus littoralis Satthaphorn & Leerat., sp. nov.

 Type: Thailand, Surat Thani, Ko Samui, Bo Phut, Ban Bo Phut, 20 m alt., 3 Jan. 2021, Leeratiwong 21-1634 (holotype PSU!; isotypes BKF!, KKU!). Figs. 1–2. 

Diagnosis.— Alysicarpus littoralis superficially resembles A. vaginalis in its herbaceous habit, unifoliolate leaves, pseudoracemose inflorescence, valvate calyx and erect loment pods (Fig. 3). However, A. littoralis is distinguishable by longer petiolules (1–1.5 mm long vs ca. 0.3 mm long in A. vaginalis), longer inflorescence internodes (8–12 mm long and lax-flowered vs 2–5 mm long and compact-flowered), longer calyx lobes (3–5 mm long vs 2.3–3 mm long), two-tone-coloured corolla (orangish-yellow standard but pink wings vs monotone-coloured-pink to purple in all petals) and moniliform pods with barrel shaped articles at maturity (vs terete pods with cylindrical articles).

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to its habitat which can be found in coastal areas.

Vernacular.— Thua lisong na samui (ถั่วลิสงนาสมุย). 

Jiratthi Satthaphorn and Charan Leeratiwong. 2024. Alysicarpus littoralis, A New Species of Alysicarpus (Fabaceae) from Thailand. THAI JOURNAL OF BOTANY. 16 (1): 41–52.  

 www.QSBG.or.th/journal/showarticle_en.aspx?type=article&id=373

[Herpetology • 2024] Calotes sinyik • A New small-sized Calotes Cuvier (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae) from the Subansiri River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India

 Calotes sinyik 

Patel, Thackeray, Sheth, Khandekar & Agarwal, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5523.2.1 

 facebook.com: Thackeray Wildlife Foundation

Abstract

We describe a new species of small-sized Calotes from mid-elevation (~1270 m asl.), swidden or shifting cultivation areas in the Subansiri river basin, Upper Subansiri District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Mitochondrial sequence data (ND2) recovers Calotes sinyik sp. nov. as the closely related sister taxon to an unnamed species from Medog, Tibet; the two falling in a broader clade including C. paulus + C. zolaiking and species of the C. emma and C. mystaceus groups. The new species is 7.8% divergent in ND2 sequence data from the unnamed lineage from Medog and deeply divergent (≥ 21.6–28.1%) from other congeners. The new species can easily be distinguished from regional congeners by its small adult body size (maximum snout to vent length of 65 mm) and heterogenous dorsal scales, and from its closest relatives C. paulus and C. zolaiking by having 54 or 55 midbody scale rows and 42 or 43 vertebral scales. It is likely that many more allied species remain to be discovered from Northeast India, which remains poorly surveyed across taxonomic groups.

Reptilia, Biodiversity hotspot, dragon lizards, endemic, eastern Himalayas, Oriocalotes, taxonomy

 Calotes sinyik sp. nov.

Harshil Patel, Tejas Thackeray, Chintan Sheth, Akshay Khandekar and Ishan Agarwal. 2024. A New small-sized Calotes Cuvier (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae) from the Subansiri River Basin, Arunachal Pradesh, India.  Zootaxa. 5523(2); 151-170. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5523.2.1   facebook.com/100064866994974/posts/1011385994366958

[Herpetology • 2024] Boophis janewayae, B. kirki, B. picardi, etc. • Communicator Whistles: A Trek through the Taxonomy of the Boophis marojezensis Complex (Anura: Mantellidae) reveals Seven New, morphologically cryptic Treefrogs from Madagascar

Boophis archeri, Boophis burnhamae,  
Boophis janewayae, Boophis picardi,   
Boophis kirki

Vences, Köhler, Hutter, Preick, Petzold, Rakotoarison, Ratsoavina, Glaw & Scherz, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.74.e121110 

 facebook.com/MDScherz

Abstract

The Malagasy stream-breeding treefrog species Boophis marojezensis contains bioacoustically and genetically highly divergent populations. Some of these populations have been defined as candidate species and emit somewhat bizarre advertisement calls consisting of multiple whistle-notes. We here enable a long-overdue taxonomic revision of this species complex by applying a museomics approach to sequence DNA from the holotype of B. marojezensis. Based on an integrative approach that combines divergence levels in mitochondrial DNA and in three nuclear-encoded genes, morphological data, and bioacoustic comparisons, we conclude that eight different species exist in this complex, seven of which are formally described herein as new. Although morphological differences between species are small and mainly separate small-sized from larger-sized species, conclusive evidence for the new species comes from their sympatric and sometimes syntopic occurrence without haplotype sharing in three nuclear genes and under maintenance of bioacoustic differences. Uncorrected genetic divergences in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene are >3% in almost all cases, and in some cases up to 8%. In reference to the otherworldly sounds by which these frogs fill Malagasy rainforests, some of them reminiscent of sounds of technical equipment in the fictional “Star Trek” universe, we here name and describe the seven new species in honor of fictional captains of starships, namely B. kirki sp. nov., B. picardi sp. nov., B. siskoi sp. nov., B. janewayae sp. nov., B. archeri sp. nov., B. pikei sp. nov., and B. burnhamae sp. nov. The majority of these species occur in northern Madagascar, where up to three species can occur in immediate geographical proximity, e.g., B. marojezensis, B. burnhamae sp. nov. and B. pikei sp. nov. at different elevations in the Marojejy Massif. South of 16°S latitude, only B. janewayae sp. nov., B. picardi sp. nov., and B. kirki sp. nov. are found, with the latter extending southwards to Ranomafana National Park. Our study confirms the existence of numerous morphologically cryptic and microendemic species among Madagascar’s amphibians, some of which are known only from unprotected sites and require adequate conservation management.

Keywords: Bioacoustics, Boophis archeri sp. nov., Boophis burnhamae sp. nov., Boophis janewayae sp. nov., Boophis kirki sp. nov., Boophis picardi sp. nov., Boophis pikei sp. nov., Boophis siskoi sp. nov., cryptic species, integrative taxonomy, molecular genetics, museomics, systematics

Individuals of Boophis marojezensis in life.
A Male holotype (ZFMK 57401) from Marojejy (low elevation). B Male paratype (ZSM 567/1999, previously ZFMK 57402).
C Individual from Masoala probably assignable to this species (not sequenced). D Male from Masoala (ZSM 250/2016, FGZC 5439).

 

Boophis siskoi, Boophis pikei, 
Boophis archeri, Boophis burnhamae

 

 Miguel Vences, Jörn Köhler, Carl R. Hutter, Michaela Preick, Alice Petzold, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw amd Mark D. Scherz. 2024. Communicator Whistles: A Trek through the Taxonomy of the Boophis marojezensis Complex reveals Seven New, morphologically cryptic Treefrogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Anura: Mantellidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 74: 643-681. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.74.e121110

  facebook.com/MDScherz/posts/1088585949938134

  x.com/MarkScherz/status/1846114210872193055

[Herpetology • 2024] Boulenophrys pepe • A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys (Anura: Megophryidae) from South China

Boulenophrys pepe

Wang, Lin, Gan, Chen, Yu, Pan, Xiao & Zeng, 2024

  

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5514.5.3

 

Abstract

In this study, a new species of the genus Boulenophrys is described from northwestern Guangdong, within the Nanling Moutains. The new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics and the mitochondrial genetic divergence. The new species is found to breed in winter season which was not common in most amphibian groups but also present in some Boulenophrys congeners. We further discuss the inadequate surveys for these species due to the oversight of such multi-seasonal breeding pattern.

Amphibia, asian horned toads, Boulenophrys pepe sp. nov., diversity, winter

Boulenophrys pepe sp. nov.

Jian WANG, Shi-Shi LIN, Jun-Shen GAN, Hong-Hui CHEN, Ling-Min YU, Zhong PAN, Jia-Jie XIAO, Zhao-Chi ZENG. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Boulenophrys from South China (Anura, Megophryidae).  Zootaxa. 5514(5); 451-468. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5514.5.3

 

  

[Botany • 2024] Allium kubeysdaghense (Amaryllidaceae) • A New Species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum from Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye

Allium kubeysdaghense Balos & Sonay, 

in Sonay, Gül, Balos et Bagcı, 2024.

  dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ijnls/issue/85939/1532537 

 instagram.com/MarufBalos 

 Researchgate.net/publication/383218912

Allium kubeysdaghense Balos & Sonay, Allium sect. a new species from Codonoprasum, described from Elazığ Province, eastern Turkey. It is morphologically similar to A. turcicum and A. turcicum subsp. fusciflorum in general shape and presence of long spathe valves. But it differs in papyrus-like outer tunic; flexible, purple or green petioles on the upper part of the leaves; leaf sheaths covering up to 2/3 of the total length of the scape; crescent-shaped leaf cross-section; leaf margins with 3 to 6 scabrous teeth; verrucose leaf surface; non waxy, cream or white bell-shaped perigone; different structure and shape of inner and outer tepals; reticulate ovary surface. This study includes a detailed description of the new species, photographs of the species, habitat and ecological characteristics, conservation assessment, significant morphological differences with related species, and seed micromorphology (SEM).

 

Elazığ, Karakoçan, Kovancılar, Palu, New onion, Sultan Kubeys Mountain

Allium kubeysdaghense Balos & Sonay sp. nov.

Etymology: The new species takes its name from Sultan Kubeys, which gave its name to Sultan Kubeys Mountain and where his tomb is located. Sultan Kubeys Mountain is located between the Kovancilar, Palu and Karakoçan districts, close to the Elazığ-Bingöl border. The new scientific Turkish name suggested according to the guides of Menemen et al., (2016; 2021) is "Kubeys soğanı", named in honor of Sultan Kubeys. 

Veysel Sonay, Emel Gül, Mehmet Maruf Balos and Eyup Bagcı. 2024. Allium kubeysdaghense, A New Species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum (Amaryllidaceae) from Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye. International Journal of Nature and Life Sciences. 8(2), 111-124.

  dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/ijnls/issue/85939/1532537  

Researchgate.net/publication/383218912_Allium_kubeysdaghense_a_new_species_from_Eastern_Anatolia_Turkiye

instagram.com/p/C-08iFJCOuq