[Botany • 2025] Arctostaphylos nipumu (Ericaceae) • Investigating a hybrid mixed population leads to recognizing A New Species of Arctostaphylos

 

Arctostaphylos nipumu  T.Abbo, M.A.Stickrod, A.Krohn, V.T.Parker, M.C.Vasey, W.Waycott & A.Litt., 

in Abbo, Stickrod, Krohn, Parker, Vasey, Waycott et Litt, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.139172

Abstract

While investigating the potential for Arctostaphylos species to hybridize in the mixed populations of Point Sal and Burton Mesa in Santa Barbara County, California, we discovered that Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa (San Luis Obispo County), formerly considered a northern population of A. rudis, are genetically and morphologically distinct. We name this new taxon A. nipumu after the ytt (Northern Chumash language) word for the Nipomo Mesa region. For morphological and molecular analyses, we sampled 54 plants, focusing on A. purissima, A. rudis, and A. crustacea from multiple species and comparative single species populations. Parametric and nonparametric clustering analyses (STRUCTURE and PCA) of ddRADseq data show that Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa segregate from all other samples in the dataset. In mixed populations A. purissima and A. crustacea samples cluster with samples from other unmixed populations of the same species but A. rudis samples form two distinct clusters. One is composed of the mixed populations in Santa Barbara County, and the other consists of the Nipomo Mesa population. Additionally, the Santa Barbara County A. rudis samples are admixed in STRUCTURE analysis unlike the samples from the Nipomo Mesa. A principal component analysis of eight morphological characters shows that A. rudis individuals from Santa Barbara County tend to be phenotypically variable, occurring in a wide morphological cluster that overlaps with the tight clusters formed by A. purissima, A. crustacea, and Arctostaphylos from the Nipomo Mesa. Based on this evidence we describe the Nipomo Mesapopulation as a new species of Arctostaphylos. Given its limited and fragmented distribution we believe that A. nipumu is of critical conservation concern.

Key words: Arctostaphylos, conservation, ddRADseq, Ericaceae, fragmented population, hybridization, new species, reproductive isolation

Line drawing of Arctostaphylos nipumu.
 Top right (mature main trunk): bark shredding; base lacking burl. Top left (fruiting branch): twigs and petioles with moderately to very dense, short, nonglandular hairs; leaves generally lanceolate to ovate; fruit depressed. Bottom Left (nascent inflorescences): nascent inflorescences short/compressed; bracts overlapping, ± scale-like. Bottom center (flowering branch): inflorescences short, ± same length as nascent inflorescences; flowers urn-shaped.

Diagnostic photographs of Arctostaphylos nipumu (Nipomo Mesa, San Luis Obispo County, CA) and A. rudis (Burton Mesa, Santa Barbara County, CA)
A A. nipumu in situ, maritime chaparral habitat B depressed fruit of A. nipumu C nascent inflorescence, with leaf-like bracts proximally grading to scale-like bracts distally D A. nipumu, lacking a burl at the base of the stem  F–H gray to reddish-gray, thinly shredding bark of A. nipumu
E A. rudis with a pronounced burl at the base of the stem I–K pronouncedly red to reddish-gray, coarsely and variably shredding bark of A. rudis.

 Arctostaphylos nipumu T.Abbo, M.A.Stickrod, A.Krohn, V.T.Parker, M.C.Vasey, W.Waycott & A.Litt., sp. nov.

Description: Shrub up to 2, 3 (5) m ht. and < 10 m width; often layering, rooting when branches contact soil; burl 0 but with branchlets sprouting infrequently on stems; bark (red tinged) gray and shredding, from large stems up to new growth; twigs and petioles with moderately to very dense, short, nonglandular hairs; leaves isofacial (with stomata on both surfaces), green, shiny, generally lanceolate to ovate (elliptic to rounded with mucronate tip); blade 1.4–3.2 cm length, 0.9–1.9 cm width; petiole 0.4–0.8 cm; inflorescence a raceme or few-branched panicle (generally < 5-branched), nascent and mature inflorescences of similar length and thickness, 0.5 to 1.1 cm, and ca. 1 mm; bracts ± scale-like, often grading to ± leaf-like proximally, generally green, photosynthetic in summer; flowers 5-merous, urn-shaped, white to pinkish-white; fruit a multi-seeded drupe, generally reddish-orange, depressed axially; mesocarp mealy; endocarp generally rough, fused or separating into a variable number of nutlets.

Etymology: Based on discussions with the yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini (Northern Chumash Tribe), we selected the name Arctostaphylos nipumu because nipumu is the ytt (Northern Chumash language) word for the Nipomo Mesa region. The word nipumu is literally translated to English as “of the big house”, so we treat the epithet nipumu as a noun in apposition; ergo, Arctostaphylos nipumu is translated as “Arctostaphylos of the big house”. We recommend that A. nipumu be referred to by the common name nipumu manzanita or Nipomo Mesa manzanita; the latter regional name, Nipomo Mesa, is more well known in current usage, but the word Nipomo is an inferior Spanish transliteration of the word nipumu.

 Tito Abbo, Morgan A. Stickrod, Alexander Krohn, V. Thomas Parker, Michael C. Vasey, William Waycott and Amy Litt. 2025. Investigating a hybrid mixed population leads to recognizing A New Species of Arctostaphylos (Ericaceae). PhytoKeys. 251: 119-142. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.251.139172

[Arachnida • 2025] Pseudocleobis elongatus, P. atacamensis, P. lalackama, P. puna, etc. • Unveiling High solifuge Diversity: Review of the Genus Pseudocleobis Pocock, 1900 (Solifugae: Ammotrechidae) in Chile with the description of nine new species

 

(A) Pseudocleobis lalackama n. sp. (B) P. elongatus n. sp. (D) P. atacamensis n. sp.

(A) P. escuadra n. sp., male. (B) P. cakalovici n. sp., male. (D) P. cakalovici n. sp., female.

in Iuri, Ojanguren-Affilastro, Maury, Alfaro, Camousseigt-Montolivo et Pizarro-Araya, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309776  

Abstract

The Pseudocleobis from Chile are revised. Pseudocleobis morsicans (Gervais, 1849) and P. chilensis Roewer, 1934 are considered species inquerenda. Pseudocleobis andinus (Pocock, 1899) is removed from the Chilean fauna, and its previous records are considered misidentifications. Pseudocleobis alticola Pocock, 1900 is recorded from Chile for the first time. Nine new species are described, Pseudocleobis elongatus n. sp., P. atacamensis n. sp., P. puna n. sp., P. krausi n. sp., P. choros n. sp., P. lalackama n. sp., P. mumai n. sp., P. cekalovici n. sp. and P. escuadra n. sp. The species can be distinguished by the male chelicera morphology. We discuss the relationship of Chilean Pseudocleobis with other species of the genus, based on morphology. This work increases the number of known Chilean solifuge species by almost 70%, revealing the high degree of diversification of this group in Chile.

Live male specimens of some Chilean Pseudocleobis species.
 (A) Pseudocleobis lalackama n. sp. (B) Pseudocleobis elongatus n. sp.
(C) Pseudocleobis krausi n. sp. (D) Pseudocleobis atacamensis n. sp.

Live specimens of some Chilean Pseudocleobis species.
(A) Pseudocleobis escuadra n. sp., male. (B-C) Pseudocleobis cakalovici n. sp., male. (D) P. cakalovici n. sp., female.

Habitat of some Pseudocleobis Pocock, 1900 in Chile.
 (A) Paposo, Antofagasta region (Coastal Desert enviroment). (B) Pan de Azúcar national park, Atacama region (Coastal Desert enviroment).
(C) Caleta El Cobre, Antofagasta region (Coastal Desert-Absolute Desert ecotone). (D) Nevados Tres Cruces national park, near Paso San Francisco, Atacama region (High Andean environment).
(E). Rivera Río Volcán, Metropolitan región (Central Andes environment). (F) Fundo La Escuadra, Maule region (Central Andes environment).

 Hernán Augusto Iuri, Andrés Alejandro Ojanguren-Affilastro, Emilio A. Maury, Fermín M. Alfaro, Bernardino Camousseigt-Montolivo and Jaime Pizarro-Araya. 2025. Unveiling High solifuge Diversity: Review of the Genus Pseudocleobis Pocock, 1900 (Ammotrechidae) in Chile with the description of nine new species. PLoS ONE. 20(1): e0309776. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309776  

[Botany • 2025] Primulina yangmingshanensis (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Hunan Province, China

 

 Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu, 

in Liu, Mou, Lv, Ge et Wen, 2025.  

陽明山報春苣苔  ||  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2049  

Abstract

Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Hunan, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to P. latinervis (W.T.Wang) Mich.Möller & A.Weber, P. roseoalba (W.T.Wang) Mich.Möller & A.Weber and P. pseudoroseoalba Jian Li, F.Wen & L.J.Yan, but this novel taxon can be effectively distinguished from three morphologically convergent species on the basis of several shared diagnostic characters. Photographs and descriptions of the new species are provided below. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, P. yangmingshanensis is preliminarily assessed as Vulnerable (VU D1+2).

Keyword: Flora of Hunan, Limestone flora, Primulina latinervis, Primulina roseoalba, Primulina pseudoroseoalba

Photographs of Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu sp. nov.
 A. Natural habitat. B. Habit. C. The cyme and frontal view of corolla. D. The lateral view of cyme, bract, corollas and young capsules. E. The abaxial (below) and adaxial (upper) view of the corolla. F. The top view of the corolla

 (A, E-K photographed by Fang Wen; B-D, L photographed by Kun Liu).

Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu
A. Habit. B. Abaxial (left) and adaxial (right) surfaces of bracts. C. Abaxial surface of secondary bracteoles. D. The abaxial surfaces of tertiary bracteoles. E. The frontal view of corolla. F. The lateral view of corolla. G. Opened corolla. H. Pistil with calyx segments. I. Abaxial surface of calyx lobes; J. Stigma; K.Mature capsule

(Drawing by Di Hu).

Primulina yangmingshanensis F.Wen & K.Liu, sp. nov. 

陽明山報春苣苔  

Diagnosis: Primulina yangmingshanensis superficially resembles P. latinervis, P. roseoalba and P. pseudoroseoalba in leaf blade shape. However, it clearly differs from them by its bigger bracts ovate to orbicularovate in size 2.5–5.0 × 2.0–3.5 cm. Additionally, it differs from P. latinervis by pedicel densely pubescent and glandular pubescent (vs. puberulent), anthers densely pubescent (vs. glabrous), pistil densely glandular pubescent and puberulent (vs. puberulent); from P. roseoalba by peduncle and ...

Etymology: The specific epithet of this new species, "yangmingshanensis", is derived from the type locality where this species is found. The type locality is situated in the limestone areas around the foothills of Yangming Mountain, a renowned mountain in Hunan. Therefore, the specific epithet "yangmingshanensis" originates from "Yangming Mountain."

Kun Liu, Cun Mou, Hao Lv, Yu-Zhen Ge and Fang Wen. 2025. Primulina yangmingshanensis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Hunan Province, China. Taiwania. 70(1); 75-80. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.75 https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2049  

[Ichthyology • 2025] Plectranthias raki • A New Species of Perchlet (Perciformes: Serranidae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives

Plectranthias raki 

Shepherd, Pinheiro, Najeeb, C. R. Rocha & L. A. Rocha, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.135292

Abstract

Herein, we describe a new species of Plectranthias perchlet found at depths of 100–125 meters in mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. Plectranthias raki sp. nov. is unique in both morphology and coloration. The following combination of characters distinguishes it from all known congeners: dorsal fin X, 15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 13 | 13 (13 | 12), all unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; lateral line complete with 30–32 tubed scales; gill rakers 5 + 12; circumpeduncular scales 11–12; and absence of antrorse or retrorse spines on ventral margin of preopercle. Coloration in life consists of a white to light pink body with two indistinct rows of irregularly shaped red-orange to yellow-orange patches along the dorsal two-thirds of the body, a golden-yellow opercle and maxilla, an indistinct yellow stripe on the dorsal fin, two yellow spots near the base of the anal fin, and two irregularly shaped yellow-orange spots located on either side of centermost caudal-fin rays. With this publication, the genus Plectranthias now comprises 67 valid species. This discovery adds to a strong body of research highlighting the novel biodiversity of mesophotic ecosystems, especially in locations like the Indian Ocean, where few prior ichthyological surveys have been conducted.

Key words: COI gene, deep reefs, ichthyology, Indian Ocean, rebreather diving, taxonomy

 

Holotype (left) and paratype (right) of  Plectranthias raki sp. nov.
 Holotype CAS-ICH 248439 66.2 mm SL, shortly after collection (A), preserved specimen (B) and x-radiograph (C).
Paratype LACM 61827, 70.4 mm SL, shortly after collection (D), preserved specimen (E) and x-radiograph (F).

Photos: A, D by Luiz Rocha. B, C, E, F by Jon Fong.

 Plectranthias raki sp. nov.

  Dhivehi common name: Raki bureki 

English common name: Maldivian Perchlet

Diagnosis: Plectranthias raki sp. nov. is unique in both morphology and coloration. The following combination of characters distinguishes it from all known congeners: dorsal fin X, 15; anal-fin rays III, 7; pectoral-fin rays 13 | 13 (13 | 12), all unbranched; principal caudal-fin rays 9 + 8; lateral line complete with 30–32 tubed scales; 3 supraneural bones, predorsal formula 0/0 + 0/2/1 + 1/1/1/; gill rakers 5 + 12; circumpeduncular scales 11–12; oblique rows of scales on cheek 8 (7); longest dorsal spine the ...

Living specimen (not retained) of Plectranthias raki sp. nov. photographed at 110 m depth at Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives.

Photo by Luiz Rocha.

Etymology: The species name, raki, means “feeling shy to confront people” in the Dhivehi language. This was chosen because Plectranthias are shy by nature and typically hide from us when we are conducting surveys. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

 Bart Shepherd, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Ahmed Najeeb, Claudia R. Rocha and Luiz A. Rocha. 2025. Plectranthias raki (Teleostei, Serranidae), A New Species of Perchlet from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives. ZooKeys. 1223: 333-344. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1223.135292

[Herpetology • 2025] Leptobrachella yongshunensis • A New leaf litter toad of Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Hunan, China

 

Leptobrachella yongshunensis Huang, Wu, Jiang & Zhang, 

in J. Huang, F.-P. Zhang, Jiang, Tian, X.-L. Huang, Xu, Liu, Xin-Yu Li, Y.-X. Zhang et Wu, 2025.  

永顺掌突蟾 | Yongshun leaf-litter toad  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135586

Abstract

A new leaf litter toad, Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov., is described on the basis of morphological, acoustic, and molecular data in this study. The new species was distributed in Xiaoxi National Nature Reserve, Yongshun County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China. Phylogenetical analysis revealed that the new species is sister species of L. wulingensis (p-distance 0.019 in 16s rRNA gene, p-distance 0.073 in COI gene). The duration of advertisement call was 194.2 ± 6.7 ms, the mean dominant frequency of the first note was 3.885 ± 0.066 kHz, and the mean dominant frequency of the second note was 3.914 ± 0.052 kHz. The new species can be distinguished from its congers by the following morphological characters: snout-vent length (SVL) 27.2–28.9 in males, SVL 26.2–31.6 in females; black spots on flanks; toes webbing rudimentarily; narrow fringes on toes; creamy white ventral body with indistinct black speckling at margins; dorsal body with sparse large warts, dense little wart grains, and longitudinal ridges; head width greater than head length; tibiotarsal articulation reaching to anterior edge of the eye; brick-red color in the dorsal surface; upper parts of iris bright coppery in life. We still supplemented the molecular data of the COI gene of L. wulingensis for further research. The discovery of the new species not only enhances the species diversity of the Wuling Mountains, but also suggests the hidden species diversity in the area.

Key Words: Character, diversity, Leptobrachella, sister taxon

The holotype specimen (JSUHJ2024005) of Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov. in habitat.

Photo by Wan-Sheng Jiang.

 Leptobrachella yongshunensis Huang, Wu, Jiang & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: (Table 2) Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congers by the following characters: SVL 27.2–28.9 mm in males, 26.2–31.6 mm in females; black spots on flanks; toes webbing rudimentary; narrow fringes on toes; creamy white ventral body with indistinct black speckling at margins; dorsal body with sparse large warts, dense little wart grains, and longitudinal ridges; head width greater than the head length; tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the anterior edge of the eye; brick-red color in the dorsal surface; upper parts of iris bright coppery in life.

Etymology: The specific epithet, yongshunensis, is derived from the distribution of this species, Yongshun County, Hunan Province, China. The suggested common name is “永顺掌突蟾 (pinyin: yǒnɡ shùn zhǎnɡ tū chán)” in Chinese and “Yongshun leaf-litter toad” in English.

Habitat of Leptobrachella yongshunensis sp. nov. (JSUHJ2024001, JSUHJ2024002, JSUHJ2024003), Hunan Xiaoxi National Nature Reserve, Yongshun County, Hunan Province, China.
A. habit; B. ecological photo of specimen JSUHJ2024003.

 Photos by Jie Huang.

 Jie Huang, Fang-Peng Zhang, Wan-Sheng Jiang, Yong-Xiang Tian, Xing-Long Huang, Ya-Lan Xu, Jing Liu, Xin-Yu Li, You-Xiang Zhang and Tao Wu. 2025. Description of A New leaf litter toad of Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) from Hunan, China.  Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 103-117. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135586

[Botany • 2025] Hayarum mirispathum (Araceae: Aroideae) • A New Genus and Species from Thailand

Hayarum mirispathum K.Z.Hein, Prehsler, Saensouk & S.L.Low,  

in Hein, Prehsler, Saensouk et Low, 2025. 

 taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2048 

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

Abstract

The new monotypic genus Hayarum K.Z.Hein, Prehsler, Saensouk & S.L.Low from Thailand, with the sole species Hayarum mirispathum K.Z.Hein, Prehsler, Saensouk & S.L.Low, is described based on comprehensive morphological and phylogenetic evidence. A detailed taxonomic account of the new genus, morphological comparisons with related genera, and brief observations on its flowering biology and spathe movement are provided.

Keyword: Areae, Arisaemateae, Indochina, insect-trapping mechanism, Pinellia, spathe movement, Typhonium

Hayarum mirispathum gen. nov. et sp. nov.
A. Cultivated flowering plant, B. Inflorescence at pistillate anthesis (spathe limb strongly reflexed and curled), C.–D. Inflorescence at post pistillate anthesis (spathe limb beginning to uncurl and gradually becoming erect), E. Inflorescence at post staminate anthesis (pollen released, spathe limb closing, partly leaving the appendix visible and remaining erect, spathe base margins recurve and gaping, revealing the staminate zone), F. Detail of spadix showing pistillate zone, sterile zone, staminate zone, supra-staminal sterile zone, and base of the appendix (nearside spathe artificially removed), G. Longitudinal section of pistil with with a single erect, sessile ovule on a basal placenta.

Scale bars: A=2 cm, B–E=1 cm, F=5 mm. 

Photos by D. Prehsler.

Hayarum K.Z.Hein, Prehsler, Saensouk & S.L.Low, gen. nov. 

Diagnosis: Hayarum, with its sole species H. mirispathum, is uniquely defined by the combination of its remarkable spathe movement during anthesis, a pistillate zone of the spadix free from the spathe, a short sterile zone between the pistillate and staminate zones which is completely covered with a single whorl of subglobose staminodes, a staminate zone wholly contained within the spathe base and a unilocular ovary with a single erect, sessile ovule on a basal placenta. Hayarum shares certain morphological features with the genus Pinellia, notably the unilocular ovary with a single erect, sessile ovule on a basal placenta, and the gaping of spathe base margins during late staminate anthesis. However, in Pinellia, the spathe is mostly with a transverse septum between the pistillate and staminate zone, and its pistillate zone is adnate to the spathe. In contrast, Hayarum lacks this transverse septum and its pistillate zone is entirely free from the spathe. The inflorescence of Hayarum resembles that of the genus Typhonium, but the latter differs by having non-opening spathe base throughout anthesis, ovaries with a single ovule held obliquely on a funicle on a basal placenta, and a staminate zone which is completely exserted from the spathe base. 

Etymology: The generic name Hayarum honors British botanist Alistair Hay (+ ‘arum’, from the Greek αρου, an ancient name for Arum). Alistair Hay is an expert on Asian Araceae and the former Director of the Sydney Botanical Garden in Australia. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to aroid research, he was awarded the H.C. Schott Award for excellence in aroid research in 2023. Hay is regarded as the world authority on the subfamily Lasioideae (Araceae) and has conducted extensive research on the Malesian and Australian Araceae. He also inspired the first author (KZH) to pursue the study of aroids and has always kindly suggested and guided throughout his aroid research. 

Hayarum mirispathum K.Z.Hein, Prehsler, Saensouk & S.L.Low, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Hayarum mirispathum bears the closest morphological resemblance to Pinellia and Typhonium. Hayarum mirispathum differs from Pinellia in several key morphological traits. It has a pistillate zone of the spadix that is free from the spathe, a short sterile zone between the pistillate and staminate zones that is completely covered with a single whorl of staminodes, and a spadix shorter than the spathe. In contrast, Pinellia exhibits a pistillate zone adnate to the spathe, a longer prominent sterile zone between the pistillate and staminate zones that is entirely naked, and a spadix much longer than the spathe. Hayarum mirispathum differs from Typhonium, to which it bears the closest resemblance, in having gaping spathe base margins during late staminate anthesis, a unilocular ovary with a single erect, sessile ovule on a basal placenta, and a staminate zone that is fully contained within the spathe base. Typhonium possess non-gaping spathe base margins throughout anthesis, a unilocular ovary with a single obliquely positioned ovule on a funicle on a basal placenta, and a staminate zone fully exserted from the spathe base.

Etymology: The specific epithet mirispathum is derived from the Latin ‘mirus’ (wonderful or marvelous) and ‘spathus’ (spathe) referring to the remarkable spathe movement observed during anthesis in this species.

Khant Zaw Hein, David Prehsler, Surapon Saensouk and Shook Ling Low. 2025. Hayarum mirispathum (Araceae —Aroideae): A New Genus and Species from Thailand. Taiwania. 70(1); 65 - 74. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.65  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2048

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[Herpetology • 2025] Cyrtodactylus pecelmadiun • A New Species Belonging to the Cyrtodactylus sadleiri Complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) has been discovered in East Java, Indonesia

  

Cyrtodactylus pecelmadiun

Riyanto, Sidik, Hamidy, Grismer & Abinawanto, 2025

Pecelmadiun’s Bent-toed Gecko | Cecak Jari Bengkok Pecel Madiun ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5570.1.3 

Abstract

We describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray from East Java (Maospati and Mojokerto), Indonesia that belongs to the C. sadlieri complex within the C. darmandvillei species group. It is a medium sized (SVL) species with adult males reaching 67.2 mm and females 59.0 mm, dorsal tubercles absent on brachium, present on antebrachium and along the ventrolateral fold; 18–20 irregular dorsal tubercle rows at midbody; 26–28 paravertebral tubercles per series; 28–34 ventral scale rows across belly; precloacal groove present with 32–37 precloacofemoral pores in males; enlarged femoral and precloacal scales arranged in a continuous series; abrupt transition between the enlarged femorals and the adjacent scales on the posterior margin of the thigh; subequal median subcaudal scales not transversely enlarged. The new species is genetically divergent from the other Javan congeners of the C. darmandvillei groupwith genetic divergences (p-distances) ranging from 7.7–12.1% for the mitochondrial ND2 gene.

Reptilia, phylogeny, Cyrtodactylus darmandvillei, East Java, taxonomy

 

Living specimens of Cyrtodactylus pecelmadiun sp. nov.
(A) adult male of from Maospati district, Magetan regency, East Java (holotype, MZB.Lace.15689),
(B) adult male from Mojokerto, East Java (paratype, MZB.Lace.15690).

Photos by A. Riyanto.

Cyrtodactylus pecelmadiun sp. nov.

English Common Name: Pecelmadiun’s Bent-toed Gecko

Indonesia Common Name: Cecak Jari Bengkok Pecel Madiun

Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes C. pecelmadiun sp. nov. from all other congeners: adult males reaching 67.2 mm SVL and females 59.0 mm SVL; dorsal tubercles absent on brachium, present on antebrachium and within the ventrolateral fold; 18–20 irregular dorsal tubercle rows at midbody; 26–28 paravertebral  tubercles  per  series;  28–34  ventral  scale  rows  across  belly;  precloacal  groove  present  with  32–37 precloacofemoral pores in males, absent in females; enlarged femoral and precloacal scales arranged in a continuous series; abrupt transition between the enlarged femorals and the adjacent scales on the posterior margin of the thigh; and subequal median subcaudal scales not transversely enlarged.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition “pecel” and ‘madiun”. Pecel is a traditional chili sauce that is originally from East Java, and made from chili pepper, peanuts, garlic, lime, and palm sugar with various boiled vegetables (such as spinach, water spinach, casava leaves, papaya leaves, long beans, bean sprouts, or sesban flowers) and peanut brittle or anchovies as the secondary ingredients, and served in a plate made from banana leaves. Madiun refers to the name of the city that is famous for this traditional pecel culinary delight.

Awal RIYANTO, Irvan SIDIK, Amir HAMIDY, L. Lee GRISMER and ABINAWANTO. 2025. A New Species Belonging to the Cyrtodactylus sadleiri Complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) Has Been Discovered in East Java, Indonesia.  Zootaxa. 5570(1); 81-99. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5570.1.3 

[Herpetology • 2025] Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh • A New Species of lowland karst-dwelling Slender Gecko Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a karstic archipelago in western Cambodia

 

Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh

in Grismer, Sinovas, Quah, Thi, Chourn, Chhin, Hun, Cobos, Geissler, Ching et Murdoch, 2025. 

Khpoh Slender Gecko  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5569.2.3 

 

Abstract

A new species of gekkonid lizard is described from Phnom Khpoh, an isolated karstic hill within an extensive karstic archipelago in Battambang Province, western Cambodia. Phylogenetic analysis using a 1041 base pair fragment of the mitochondrial gene ND2 recovered Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh sp. nov. as the sister species of H. pardalis, found 335 km to the west in southern Thailand. Analyses of meristic, morphometric, and categorical characters of morphology and color pattern differentiated H. khpoh sp. nov. from both the morphologically distinct H. pardalis and the very similar Hemiphyllodactylus sp. from Phnom Kulen, approximately 130 km to the northeast in Siem Reap Province. The statistical morphological analyses and comparisons also showed that H. khpoh sp. nov. is well-differentiated from the recently described H. bokor and H. samkos from the nearby Cardamom Mountains as well from species in clade 6—a recently designated lineage from China, Laos, and Vietnam to which H. khpoh sp. nov. + H. pardalis compose the sister lineage. The discovery of H. khpoh sp. nov. highlights the rich but understudied biodiversity of karstic landscapes, emphasizing the need for continued research in the extensive unexplored karstic archipelago of western Cambodia. This region is poised to reveal unparalleled gekkonid diversity, comparable to that observed in the similarly sized karstic archipelago of the Salween Basin in southern Myanmar. Although karstic landscapes are proving to be some of the most biodiverse habitats on the planet, less than 1% of them are afforded any formal protection.

Reptilia, conservation, Gekkota, genetics, integrative taxonomy, limestone, phylogeny, Southeast Asia

Hemiphyllodactylus khpoh sp. nov.

L. Lee GRISMER, Pablo SINOVAS, Evan S. H. QUAH, Sothearen THI, Phyroum CHOURN, Sophea CHHIN, Seiha HUN, Anthony COBOS, Peter GEISSLER, Christian CHING and Matthew L. MURDOCH. 2025. A New Species of lowland karst-dwelling Slender Gecko Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from a karstic archipelago in western Cambodia.  Zootaxa. 5569(2); 253-281. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5569.2.3 

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/geckos-found-southeast-asia-karst

[Herpetology • 2024] Adenomera cantitata • Unexplored Urban Diversity: A New Species of Adenomera (Anura: Leptodactylidae) Related to Adenomera ajurauna from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern and Southern Brazil

Adenomera cantitata

Cassini, Carvalho, Taucce, Haddad & Solé, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00022 

 Abstract  

The Atlantic Forest is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot because of the high species richness and the remaining natural areas comprising less than 30% relative to its primary vegetation. Even though many anuran species from this biome are ecologically restricted to pristine ecosystems, there are some examples of new species discovered from anthropized areas. Adenomera represents a widespread and abundant frog genus in Atlantic Forest ecosystems, with species occurring in areas with varying degrees of human disturbance. In this paper, we name and describe a new species of Adenomera endemic to the Atlantic Forest typically found in human-altered ecosystems, such as urban and rural sites. The new species was recovered as belonging to the Adenomera marmorata clade, and sister to A. ajurauna. These two species have allopatric distributions in southeastern and southern Brazil, with a single known sympatric occurrence. They display different calls and occupy distinct habitats. The newly described species of Adenomera is an additional case of new species discovered from urban sites in the Atlantic Forest hotspot.

KEYWORDS: Anthropized ecosystems, biodiversity hotspot, cryptic species, species delimitation, sympatry

Adenomera cantitata

Carla S. Cassini, Thiago R. Carvalho, Pedro P. G. Taucce, Célio F. B. Haddad and Mirco Solé. 2024. Unexplored Urban Diversity: A New Species of Adenomera (Anura, Leptodactylidae) Related to Adenomera ajurauna from the Atlantic Forest of Southeastern and Southern Brazil. Herpetologica. 80(3); 275-290. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-22-00022 

  facebook.com/61556599083634/posts/122167667438219969

A Mata Atlântica é reconhecida como um hotspot de biodiversidade devido à sua alta riqueza de espécies e pelas áreas remanescentes compreenderem menos de 30% de sua vegetação original. Embora muitas espécies de anuros desse bioma estejam ecologicamente restritas a áreas pristinas, há exemplos de novas espécies sendo descobertas em ecossistemas antropizados. O gênero Adenomera é um grupo de anuros abundante e amplamente distribuído nos ecossistemas da Mata Atlântica, com a ocorrência de espécies em áreas com diferentes graus de perturbação humana. Neste artigo, nomeamos e descrevemos uma nova espécie de Adenomera endêmica da Mata Atlântica tipicamente encontrada em ecossistemas antropizados, como áreas urbanas e rurais. A nova espécie é recuperada dentro do clado de A. marmorata, como espécie irmã de A. ajurauna. Essas duas espécies têm distribuições alopátricas no sudeste brasileiro, com apenas uma ocorrência simpátrica conhecida. Essas espécies se distinguem por características do canto e pelo uso de diferentes habitats. A espécie de Adenomera descrita aqui é mais um caso de uma nova espécie descoberta em áreas urbanas no hotspot da Mata Atlântica.

[Mammalogy • 2024] Almost Two hundred Years of Monotypy and A poorly known Life History: Multiple Lineages of Furipterus (Chiroptera: Furipteridae) were Hidden by Rocks

 

Thumbless bat Furipterus horrens (Cuvier, 1828)

in Moras, Nobre, Vasconcelos, Garbino, de Souza, ... et Tavares, 2024.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s42991-024-00465-9 

 x.com/ValeriaCTavares

Abstract

The Thumbless bat Furipterus horrens (Cuvier, 1828) (Chiroptera: Furipteridae) is a tiny insectivorous bat species that has not undergone comprehensive systematic revisions, as taxonomic studies about this species are only represented by the middle XIX century description of F. caerulescens Tomes, 1856. Concurrently there also has been no assessment on the genetic diversity within the species along its distribution. We analyzed patterns of mitochondrial genetic variation of F. horrens under the prediction that structured populations could be associated with the naturally patchy distribution of these bats’ roosts. Our data revealed highly divergent lineages, with low haplotype sharing and indicating well-structured populations. For the phylogeny we recovered well-supported clades, and the outcome of species limits tests suggests the split of F. horrens into a complex of four to six putative species. Lineages recovered were mostly allopatric along South America, except for two sympatric populations from the low-medium Xingu River. Based on the outstandingly high genetic discontinuities found for Furipterus, we hypothesize that historical metapopulational arrangements composed of spatially structured populations with different degrees of isolation resulted in limited gene flow for at least part of the lineages found. The observed results may reflect a female-inherited variation at least partially related to yet unknown biological traits of Furipterus such as social structure, female philopatry or other biological characteristics. Whether part of these lineages represent separate full species needs further examination based on independent datasets (morphology and nuclear data) but it is now clear that Furipterus horrens is composed of distinct populations likely containing more than one species, a diversity that has remained virtually overlooked for over two centuries.

Keywords: Thumbless bat, Rocky outcrop, Genetic variation, Species delimitation, Cave bats, Tree roost

 

Ligiane M. Moras, Carla C. Nobre, Santelmo Vasconcelos, Guilherme S. T. Garbino, Érica M. S. de Souza, Fabrício R. Santos, Guilherme Oliveira and Valéria da C. Tavares. 2024. Almost Two hundred Years of Monotypy and A poorly known Life History: Multiple Lineages of Furipterus (Chiroptera: Furipteridae) were Hidden by Rocks. Mammalian Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s42991-024-00465-9

  x.com/ValeriaCTavares/status/1874124314611769852

  

[Botany • 2024] An Overview of Astrocaryum (Arecaceae: Bactridinae) Types from Brazil described by João Barbosa Rodrigues

 

Astrocaryum described byJoão Barbosa Rodrigues

in Lima, Amorim et Almeida, 2024.  

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.675.3.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/386414830

 

Abstract

João Barbosa Rodrigues, a renowned Brazilian botanist, spent years intensively studying Orchidaceae and Arecaceae and oversaw two important institutions in Brazil: the Museu Botânico do Amazonas and the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. However, when it comes to his taxonomic studies, there are controversies about the existence of specimens mentioned in the protologues of his new species. For example, for the palm genus Astrocaryum, several issues have arisen regarding identifying and designating nomenclatural types of the species he described. Different researchers presumed that the entire collection of types was destroyed after the Museu Botânico do Amazonas closed and due to natural disasters, that affected his collections in city of Rio de Janeiro. Thus, in this study we investigated the names of Astrocaryum described by Barbosa Rodrigues. We conducted a comprehensive investigation of Barbosa Rodrigues’ works to determine the origin and current location of the possible nomenclatural types associated with the Astrocaryum species he described. Additionally, we reviewed the designations proposed by Jan Wessels Boer and Sidney Glassman for these species in the previous century. Based on our thorough search, we confirmed the absence of the specimens mentioned in the protologues of these species. Furthermore, we substantiated the typifications made by Wessels Boer and Glassman, which were based on illustrations by Barbosa Rodrigues. Our findings confirm the assignment of six lectotypes and twelve neotypes for Astrocaryum based on the Shenzhen Code.

illustrations, lectotype, Museu Botânico do Amazonas, neotype, palms, Monocots

Gustavo Pereira LIMA, Gabriela AMORIM, Eduardo Bezerra de ALMEIDA Jr. 2024. An Overview of Astrocaryum (Bactridinae, Arecaceae) Types from Brazil described by João Barbosa Rodrigues.  Phytotaxa. 675(3); 191-216. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.675.3.1

  Researchgate.net/publication/386414830_An_overview_of_Astrocaryum_types_from_Brazil_described_by_Barb.Rodr

[Herpetology • 2024] Hylarana nigroverrucosa • Two Distinct Ranid Frog Lineages (Anura: Hylarana) from Halmahera, Northern Moluccas, with the Description of a New Species

 Hylarana nigroverrucosa 

 Wiradarma, Amarasinghe, Farajallah, Widayati, Fouquet, Riyanto, Mulyadi, Trilaksono, Arida & Hamidy, 2024

Black-warty frog  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-23-00062 

 facebook.com/AAThasun  http://www.thasun.info

 Abstract  

We revise the systematics of the ranid frogs of the genus Hylarana occurring on Halmahera Island, Northern Moluccas of eastern Indonesia based on molecular and morphological data. Our results show that two distinct species each being nested within two distinct clades (hereafter papua clade and celebensis clade) exist on the island. One corresponds to H. moluccana (celebensis clade) and the other one to an unnamed species (papua clade) that we describe herein. The new species is genetically distinct from all congeners of the papua clade by p distances ranging from 6.9% to 11.5% on the 16S rRNA gene. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from all congeners by having the following combination of characteristics: A large species with adult males reaching a maximum snout-to-vent length (SVL) 67.3 mm; vomerine teeth in two oblique rows with narrow interodontophore distance; snout rounded dorsally; dorsum with few scattered cone-shaped tubercles that are black with white tips; distinct skin folds (ridges) on the dorsal side of the thigh coinciding with dark brown cross bars; a marbled pattern on the ventral side of thigh and yellowish groin. Here we provide a redescription for H. moluccana based on its lectotype from Ternate. We also provide new occurrence records for H. daemeli, H. volkerjane, and H. arfaki from the western part of mainland Papua. Furthermore, we demonstrated that H. celebensis harbors multiple mtDNA lineages suggestive of cryptic diversity within the celebensis clade. The occurrence of two distinct species from Halmahera calls for further research on the biogeographic history of Hylarana in Northern Moluccas.

KEYWORDS: Halmahera, Hylarana, Northern Moluccas, Papurana, Ranidae

 

 Hylarana nigroverrucosa

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘‘nigroverrucosa’’ is a Latin compound adjective (nigro + verrucosa) ..., which refers to ‘‘black warty’’ on the dorsum, a distinct distinguish character of the species.


Huda Wiradarma, A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Achmad Farajallah, Kanthi A. Widayati, Antoine Fouquet, Awal Riyanto, M. Mulyadi, Wahyu Trilaksono, Evy A. Arida and Amir Hamidy. 2024. Two Distinct Ranid Frog Lineages (Anura: Hylarana) from Halmahera, Northern Moluccas, with the Description of a New Species. Herpetologica. 80(3); 291-303. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-23-00062
  facebook.com/AAThasun/posts/1087514499606216
http://www.thasun.info/Discoveries/30-iHylarana-nigroverrucosai.html