[Herpetology / Paleontology • 2015] Deep Nesting in A Lizard Varanus panoptes, Déjà Vu Devil's Corkscrews: First Helical Reptile Burrow and Deepest Vertebrate Nest

Figure 2. Composite Varanus panoptes nesting burrow based on actual burrow dimensions. The burrow is plugged with soil, except for the top-most 0.5 m and the nest chamber.

Scale bar = 3 m.

Abstract

Dating back to 255 Mya, a diversity of vertebrate species have excavated mysterious, deep helical burrows called Daimonelix (devil's corkscrews). The possible functions of such structures are manifold, but their paucity in extant animals has frustrated their adaptive explanation. We recently discovered the first helical reptile burrows, created by the monitor lizard Varanus panoptes. The plugged burrows terminated in nest chambers that were the deepest known of any vertebrate, and by far the deepest of any reptile (mean = 2.3 m, range = 1.0–3.6 m, N = 52). A significant positive relationship between soil moisture and nest depth persisted at depths > 1 m, suggesting that deep nesting in V. panoptes may be an evolutionary response to egg desiccation during the long (approximately 8 months) dry season incubation period. Alternatively, lizards may avoid shallower nesting because even slight daily temperature fluctuations are detrimental to developing embryos; our data show that this species may have the most stable incubation environment of any reptile and possibly any ectotherm. Soil-filled burrows do not support the hypothesis generated for Daimonelix that the helix would provide more consistent temperature and humidity as a result of limited air circulation in dry palaeoclimates. We suggest that Daimonelix were used mainly for nesting or rearing young, because helical burrows of extant vertebrates are generally associated with a nest. The extraordinary nesting in this lizard reflects a system in which adaptive hypotheses for the function of fossil helical burrows can be readily tested.

Keywords: Daimonelix; Diictodon; eggs; nest-site choice; Palaeocastor; Varanus panoptes

J. Sean Doody, Hugh James, Kim Colyvas, Colin R. Mchenry and Simon Clulow. 2015. Deep Nesting in A Lizard, Déjà Vu Devil's Corkscrews: First Helical Reptile Burrow and Deepest Vertebrate Nest. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. DOI: 10.1111/bij.12589

Zoologger: The vertebrate that digs the deepest nest
 NewScientist.com/article/dn27795-zoologger-the-vertebrate-that-digs-the-deepest-nest.html

J. Sean Doody, Hugh James, Ryan Ellis, Nick Gibson, Mitchell Raven, Stephen Mahony, David G. Hamilton, David Rhind, Simon Clulow, and Colin R. McHenry. 2014. Cryptic and Complex Nesting in the Yellow-Spotted Monitor, Varanus panoptes. Journal of Herpetology. 48(3); 363-370. DOI: 10.1670/13-006

[Paleontology / Ootaxa • 2015] Nipponoolithus ramosus • Dinosaur Eggshell Assemblage from Japan reveals unknown Diversity of Small Theropods

eggshells likely belong to a variety of theropods (Nipponoolithus ramosus oogen. et oosp. nov., Elongatoolithus sp., Prismatoolithus sp., and Prismatoolithidae indet.) and at least one ornithopod (Spheroolithus sp.)

illustration: M. Hattori | marchan-forest.blogspot.com

Highlights

• We describe a diverse dinosaur eggshell assemblage from Japan.

• Five different ootaxa, assignable to theropods and ornithopods were identified.

• Nipponoolithus ramosus oogen. et oosp. nov. was erected as a new ootaxon.

• This study reveals a hidden diversity of small theropods in Lower Cretaceous Japan.

Abstract

The Lower Cretaceous (Albian) Sasayama Group in the Hyogo Prefecture of southwestern Japan has yielded various vertebrate fossils, including skeletal remains of dinosaurs, anurans, lizards, and mammals, and recently eggshell fragments. Here we report on numerous fossil eggshells from the bone-bearing Kamitaki locality in Tamba City, which represents a diverse dinosaur eggshell assemblage. Of the more than 90 eggshell fragments recovered, five different types were identified, including eggshells that likely belong to a variety of theropods (Nipponoolithus ramosus oogen. et oosp. nov., Elongatoolithus sp., Prismatoolithus sp., and Prismatoolithidae indet.) and at least one ornithopod (Spheroolithus sp.). All eggshells are relatively thin, and a new derived estimation method correlating egg mass with eggshell thickness indicates that they are among the smallest (28–135 g) theropod eggs known, likely laid by small bodied forms. The eggshell assemblage from this locality suggests that a diverse small dinosaur fauna, consisting primarily of theropods, nested in the region, a diversity yet to be evidenced from skeletal remains in Japan.

 Keywords: Dinosaur; Egg mass estimation; Eggshell; Japan; Lower Cretaceous; Sasayama Group

Systematic paleontology

Dinosauria Owen 1842 sensu Padian and May, 1993.

Theropoda Marsh 1881b sensu Gauthier, 1986.

Oofamily. Incertae sedis.

Oogenus. Nipponoolithus, oogen. nov.

Type oospecies. Nipponoolithus ramosus oosp. nov.

Diagnosis. As for the type and only oospecies.

Etymology. Nipponoolithus refers to Japan (Nippon), and form 'oo' meaning egg and 'lithos' meaning stone in Greek.

Type locality and horizon. As for type and only oospecies.

Oospecies. Nipponoolithus ramosus oosp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:8C146325-2D50-4F82-B62E-A382145FDE76.

Etymology. The specific name means branching in Latin, referring to the branching ridges on the outer surface of the eggshell.

Holotype. MNHAH D1-040057, an eggshell fragment.

Referred specimens. Isolated eggshell fragments (n = 7) (MNHAH D1-040058 to D1-040063).

Type locality and horizon. The holotype and all referred specimens come from the lower part of the 'Lower Formation' of the Sasayama Group in Kamitaki, southeastern Tamba City, Hyogo, Japan.

Diagnosis. Nipponoolithus ramosus differs from all other ootaxa in the following unique combination of traits: low-relief, branching ridges on the outer surface; eggshell thickness ranges from 0.37 to 0.53 mm (average 0.44 mm); eggshell consists of a mammillary layer and a continuous layer delimited by an abrupt boundary; mammillae composed of acicular or wedge-like crystals; mammillae wider than high; mammillary layer to continuous layer thickness ratio of 1:2 to 1:4.

Kohei Tanaka, Darla K. Zelenitsky, Haruo Saegusa, Tadahiro Ikeda, Christopher L. DeBuhr and François Therrien. 2015. Dinosaur Eggshell Assemblage from Japan reveals unknown Diversity of Small Theropods. Cretaceous Research. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2015.06.002

世界最小クラスの新種の恐竜の卵の化石が見つかる　ニッポノウーリサス・ラモーサス　兵庫県丹波市山南町
http://animal-channel.net/?p=4885

兵庫県丹波市で新種の恐竜卵化石を発見 - カルガリー大など（マイナビニュース） - goo ニュース  http://news.goo.ne.jp/article/mycom/life/mycom_1227244.html

兵庫県丹波市で新種の恐竜卵化石を発見 - カルガリー大など #ldnews http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/10291386/

[Mammalogy • 2015] Glischropus aquilus • Thumb-pads Up — A New Species of Thick-thumbed Bat (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Glischropus) from Sumatra

a) Dark Thick-thumbed Bat | Glischropus aquilus 

Csorba, Görföl, Wiantoro, Kingston, Bates & Huang, 2015

FIGURE 1. Portraits of live specimens of a) Glischropus aquilus n. sp. holotype from Sumatra (MZB 35030),  b) G. bucephalus paratype from Cambodia (HNHM 2006.34.37.), c) G. tylopus from Thailand (HNHM 2009.52.1.). 

Not to scale. | Csorba, et al. 2015

Abstract

To date, three species of the genus Glischropus are recognized from the Indomalayan zoogeographic region—G. bucephalus from the Indochinese subregion, G. tylopus from the Sundaic subregion (Peninsular Thailand and Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra, Moluccas) and G. javanus, restricted to Java. The investigation of the holotype and three topotype specimens of G. batjanus supported the view that the name was previously correctly regarded as the junior subjective synonym of G. tylopus. During review of material recently collected in southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia, one specimen of a yet undescribed species of Thick-thumbed bat was identified. Glischropus aquilus n. sp. markedly differs from its congeners by its dark brown pelage, nearly black ear and tragus, and in skull proportions. The phylogenetic analysis based on cytb sequences also supports the specific distinctness of G. aquilus n. sp. Its discovery brings the count to 88 species of bats known from Sumatra.

Keywords: Bukit Barisan Selatan, Indonesia, Pipistrellini, taxonomy

Etymology. The specific epithet /a.kvi.lus/ (meaning dark-coloured in English) refers to the blackish ears and generally darker pelage of the new species relative to its congeners.
The proposed English name is Dark Thick-thumbed Bat.

Csorba, Gábor, Tamás Görföl, Sigit Wiantoro, T. Kingston, Paul J. J. Bates & Joe C.-C. Huang. 2015. Thumb-pads Up — A New Species of Thick-thumbed Bat from Sumatra (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Glischropus). Zootaxa. 3980(2): 267–278.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3980.2.7

ResearchGate.net/publication/279287071_Thumb-pads_upa_new_species_of_thick-thumbed_bat_from_Sumatra_(Chiroptera_Vespertilionidae_Glischropus)

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5FECAC48-3C11-49AD-AA94-35ED8F6AF957

[Paleontology • 2015] Collinsium ciliosum • A Superarmored Lobopodian from the Cambrian of China and Early Disparity in the Evolution of Onychophora

Collinsium ciliosum 

Yang, Ortega-Hernández, Gerber, Butterfield, Hou, Lan & Zhang, 2015
 doi: 10.1073/pnas.1505596112

Collinsium ciliosum, a Collins' monster-type lobopodian from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba biota of China.

— Jie Yang/Javier Ortega-Hernández 

Significance

Paleozoic lobopodians constitute a diverse assemblage of worm-like organisms that are known from various exceptional fossil deposits and were among the earliest animals to develop skeletonized body parts for protection. Here, we describe Collinsium ciliosum gen. et sp. nov., an armored lobopodian from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte (South China). Collinsium belongs to an extinct clade of superarmored lobopodians characterized by supernumerary dorsal spines, and specialized limbs for filter feeding; collectively, these fossil taxa represent a well-defined group within the lineage leading to extant velvet worms (Onychophora). Despite their greater morphological variety and appendage complexity compared with other lobopodians and extant velvet worms, Collinsium and its close relatives embodied a unique, yet ultimately failed, autoecology during the Cambrian explosion.

Abstract

We describe Collinsium ciliosum from the early Cambrian Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte in South China, an armored lobopodian with a remarkable degree of limb differentiation including a pair of antenna-like appendages, six pairs of elongate setiferous limbs for suspension feeding, and nine pairs of clawed annulated legs with an anchoring function. Collinsium belongs to a highly derived clade of lobopodians within stem group Onychophora, distinguished by a substantial dorsal armature of supernumerary and biomineralized spines (Family Luolishaniidae). As demonstrated here, luolishaniids display the highest degree of limb specialization among Paleozoic lobopodians, constitute more than one-third of the overall morphological disparity of stem group Onychophora, and are substantially more disparate than crown group representatives. Despite having higher disparity and appendage complexity than other lobopodians and extant velvet worms, the specialized mode of life embodied by luolishaniids became extinct during the Early Paleozoic. Collinsium and other superarmored lobopodians exploited a unique paleoecological niche during the Cambrian explosion.

Kaywords: Collins’ monster, Xiaoshiba Lagerstätte, Cambrian explosion, evolution, phylogeny

A graphical depiction of the morphology of ancient onychophorans. X denotes unavailable or incomplete limb data for the taxon; dashed line indicates morphospace distribution for all members of stem group Onychophora.

— Javier Ortega-Hernández

Jie Yang, Javier Ortega-Hernández, Sylvain Gerber, Nicholas J. Butterfield, Jin-bo Hou, Tian Lan, and Xi-guang Zhang. 2015. A Superarmored Lobopodian from the Cambrian of China and Early Disparity in the Evolution of Onychophora. PNAS. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1505596112

http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2015/06/24/1505596112.abstract

Spiky monsters: New species of 'super-armored' worm discovered http://bit.ly/1Hk1cGR
via @Cambridge_Uni @EurekAlertAAAS 

Hallucigenia's new cousin http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/29/hallucigenia-cousin-collinsium/ via @SDUT

Armored Spiky Worm Had 30 Legs, Will Haunt Your Nightmares https://shar.es/1qC293 via @LiveScience

[Botany • 2015] Hoya tamdaoensis • A New Species (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from Vietnam

FIGURE. 1. Photographs of a living plant of Hoya tamdaoensis Rodda & T.B.Tran cultivated at the Singapore Botanic Gardens (M. Rodda MR729, SING) a. Inflorescence, adaxial view; b. Inflorescence, abaxial view; c. Branch, peduncle, and pendulous inflorescence

Photographs by M. Rodda. || Phytotaxa || DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.217.3.6

Abstract

A new species of Hoya R.Br. from Tam Đảo National Park (Vĩnh Phúc Province, Vietnam), Hoya tamdaoensis Rodda & T.B.Tran,is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from the morphologically similar Hoya siamica Craib by corolla size, lamina shape, coloration, and orientation of the petioles.

Keywords: Hoya siamica, limestone, lithophytic, lower montane forest, Marsdenieae, Eudicots, Vietnam

Hoya tamdaoensis Rodda & T.B.Tran spec. nov. (Figs. 1 & 2) Similar to Hoya siamica Craib (1910: 419) in exhibiting inflorescences positively geotropic, convex, flowers numerous, corollas white, pubescent within, and leaves glabrous, but distinguished by the corolla size (1.8–2.2 cm diam. vs. < 1 cm diam. in H. siamica) and the lamina shape (base attenuate-rounded and apex caudate vs. base cuneate or acute and apex acute or acuminate in H. siamica). 

TYPE:— VIETNAM, Vĩnh Phúc prov., Tam Đảo N.P., Máy Giấy trail, 1072 m, 20 September 2011, Nguyễn Quốc Bình, Jana Leong- Škorničková, Trần Hữu Đăng VNM-B1465 (holotype, SING!; isotypes HN!, VNMN!).

Etymology:— The new species is named after the collection locality, Tam Đảo National Park, Vietnam. 

Distribution and ecology:— Only known from the type locality in Tam Đảo National Park, Vietnam. Hoya tamdaoensis was found growing epilithically on limestone covered by moss in evergreen lower montane forest. 

Conservation status:— Known from only one locality; the preliminary conservation status of Hoya tamdaoensis is Data Deficient (DD; IUCN 2014).

Michele Rodda, The Bach Tran and Quoc Binh Nguyen. 2015. Hoya tamdaoensis (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), A New Species from Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 217(3): 288–292. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.217.3.6

http://mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00217p292.pdf

[Botany • 2014] Checklist of Mycoheterotrophic Species of the Genus Exacum (Gentianaceae) and New Species, E. zygomorpha, from northern Vietnam

FIGURE 3. Exacum zygomorpha Aver. & K.S.Nguyen, sp. nov.
A: Flowering plants in native habitat. B: Flower bud at the beginning of anthesis. C–E: open flowers, views from different sides.

All photos from the type — CPC 6183 by Khang Sinh Nguyen, correction and design by L.Averyanov.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.183.2.3

Abstract

The paper provides a key for identification and a checklist of mycoheterotrophic species of the genus Exacum, representing a well-defined group of achlorophyllous members of Gentianaceae regarded sometimes in the limits of a separate genus Cotylanthera. One novel species, Exacum zygomorpha, discovered in northern Vietnam, is described and illustrated as new for science. Among other features the discovered species strikingly differs from its congeners in having distinctly zygomorphic flowers.

Keywords: Cotylanthera, Cotylanthera zygomorpha, Exacum, Gentianaceae, Indochina, Vietnam, Laos, plant diversity, plant taxonomy

Exacum zygomorpha Aver. & K.S.Nguyen, sp. nov 

Etymology:— Species name refers to distinct zygomorph–like asymmetry of its flowers. 

Distribution:— Vietnam (Nghe An). Only one locality in Phu Xai Lai Leng Mountain on the border of the provinces Xiangkhouang (Laos) and Nghe An (Vietnam). 

Ecology:— Primary humid shady broad-leaved and mixed forests (with Cunninghamia konishii) on soils rich in humus derived from sandstone and shaly rocks at elev. 2000–2300 m, usually along ridge edges. It flowers from October–November. Very rare.

Leonid V. Averyanov, Khang Sinh Nguyen and Hiep Tien Nguyen. 2014. Checklist of Mycoheterotrophic Species of the Genus Exacum (Gentianaceae) and New Species, E. zygomorpha, from northern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 183 (2): 108–113. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.183.2.3

http://www.rufford.org/files/Phytotaxa%20183%20(2)%20108%E2%80%93113.pdf

[Botany • 2015] Thismia nigricans Chantanaorr. & Sridith • A New Species of Thismiaceae from Phang-Nga, Southern Thailand

Thismia nigricans  Chantanaorr. & Sridith
A–B. Habit, C–D. Flowers, E. Longitudinal section of flower, F. Fruit. 

All photos by S. Chantanaorrapint

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.217.3.7

Abstract

Thismia nigricans Chantanaorr. & Sridith is described and illustrated as a new species from Sri Phangnga National Park, southern Thailand. A taxonomic description, illustrations of the new species and a comparison with the related species T. angustimitra Chantanaorr. and T. mirabilis K. Larsen are presented.

Keywords: achlorophyllous, mycoheterotrophic, Thailand, Thismia nigricans, Monocots

Taxonomic Treatment

Thismia nigricans Chantanaorr. & Sridith, sp. nov. (Figs. 1 & 2A–F)

Thismia nigricans is similar to T. angustimitra Chantanaorr., but differs in having glabrous filaments, the apex of annulus divided into 3 lobes without golden-brown hairs, and the mitre bearing more irregularly dentate ribs.

Figure 2. A–F. Thismia nigricans Chantanaorr. & Sridith: A–B. Habit, C–D. Flowers, E. Longitudinal section of flower, F. Fruit.
G–J. T. angustimitra Chantanaorr.: G. Habit, H–I. Longitudinal section of flowers, J. Top view of mitre.
K–M. T. mirabilis K. Larsen: K. Habit, L. Longitudinal section of flower, M. Top view of mitre.

All photos by S. Chantanaorrapint.  

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.217.3.7

Type:— Thailand. Phangnga: Kura Buri, Bang Wan, Sri Phangnga National Park, 08°59’34.06’’ N, 098°27’5.22’’ E, 56 m, 3 August 2014, S. Chantanaorrapint & C. Promma 3897 (holotype, PSU!, isotype, BKF!) 

Distribution:— Known only from the type locality in Sri Phangnga National Park, Phangnga Province, Thailand.

Habitat and Ecology:— The type specimens were found growing with other mycotrophic plants such as Epirixanthes sp. and Thismia javanica Smith (1907: 32), amongst leaf litter, under shade in evergreen forest, ca. 50 m above sea level.

Phenology:— Flowering and fruiting during the rainy season from August to November.

 Etymology:— The specific epithet “nigricans” refers to the dark color of flowers.

Sahut Chantanaorrapint and Kitichate Sridith. 2015. Thismia nigricans Chantanaorr. & Sridith, A New Species of Thismiaceae from Southern Thailand.
Phytotaxa. 217 (3): 293–297. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.217.3.7

 mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00217p297.pdf

[Herpetology • 2015] Two New Species of the Genus Goniurosaurus (Squamata: Eublepharidae) from southern China; Goniurosaurus kadoorieorum & G. kwangsiensis

FIGURE 5. The six known species of the Goniurosaurus luii species group from China. A: a female individual of G. kwangsiensis sp. nov. from Guangxi; B: paratype KFBG 140334 of G. kadoorieorum sp. nov. from Guangxi; C: adult female of G. araneus from Guangxi; D: subadult male of G. bawanglingensis from Hainan; E: adult female of G. luii from Guangxi; F: holotype SYS r000218 of G. liboensis from Guizhou.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3980.1.4

Abstract

Two new species of large geckos in the genus Goniurosaurus are described based on specimens collected from karst areas of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China: Goniurosaurus kadoorieorum sp. nov. and Goniurosaurus kwangsiensis sp. nov. Data on natural history of the new species are provided, as well as discussions on the current conservation status of Goniurosaurus species in southern China. Due to the popularity of this genus as novelty pets, and recurring cases of scientific descriptions driving herpetofauna to near-extinction by commercial collectors, we do not disclose the collecting localities of these restricted-range species in this publication. However, such information has been presented to relevant government agencies, and is available upon request by fellow scientists.

Keywords: Eublepharidae, Goniurosaurus, new species, taxonomy, Guangxi, Southern China

Goniurosaurus kadoorieorum sp. nov. 

Figs. 1–2, 5 

Holotype. KFBG 14032, adult male, from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; exact locality withheld; available to qualified researchers upon request. Collected on 18 May 2014 by J.H. Yang. 

Paratypes. Four paratypes: one adult male KFBG 14031; one adult female KFBG 14033; one sub-adult male KFBG 14034; one juvenile male KFBG 14035; data identical to the holotype. Coordinates and other standard collecting information were recorded for each type and kept in the KFBG herpetological collection catalog.

Etymology. The new species, “kadoorieorum”, is named in honour of the Kadoorie brothers, Sir Horace and Lord Lawrence, from Hong Kong, for their life-long support to biodiversity research and conservation in the region. As a common name we suggest “Kadoories’ Cave Gecko”. 

Natural history and distribution. Goniurosaurus kadoorieorum sp. nov. is currently only known from its type locality in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China. The new species appears to be a nocturnal karst specialist; all individuals were found amongst limestone rocks in karst forest at night.

Goniurosaurus kwangsiensis sp. nov. 

Figs. 3–5 

Holotype. KFBG 14052, adult male, from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; exact locality withheld; available to qualified researchers upon request. Collected on 5 July 2013 by J.H. Yang.

  Paratypes. Three paratypes: two adult females KFBG 14050–51; one adult male KFBG 14053; data identical to the holotype. Coordinates and other standard collecting information were recorded for each type and kept in the KFBG herpetological collection catalog.

Etymology. The specific epithet “kwangsiensis” is named after its type locality, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China (Kwangsi is the former official name of Guangxi). For the common name, we suggest “Guangxi Cave Gecko”.

Natural history and distribution. Specimens of the new species were found in karst forest at night. A total of nine individuals were found including four adult females, four adult males and one sub-adult; four were collected and assigned as the type series. A gravid adult female containing three well-developed eggs was among the nine seen but not collected. Three eggshells, most likely of G. kwangsiensis sp. nov., were also found in a rock crevice. Sympatric herpetofauna recorded in the locality during the survey included Asian Common Toad Duttaphrynus melanostictus (Schneider), King Cobra Ophiophagus Hannah (Cantor), and White-spotted Slug Snake Pareas

margaricophorus (Jan).

FIGURE 5. The six known species of the Goniurosaurus luii species group from China. A: a female individual of G. kwangsiensis sp. nov. from Guangxi; B: paratype KFBG 140334 of G. kadoorieorum sp. nov. from Guangxi; C: adult female of G. araneus from Guangxi; D: subadult male of G. bawanglingensis from Hainan; E: adult female of G. luii from Guangxi; F: holotype SYS r000218 of G. liboensis from Guizhou.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3980.1.4

Yang, Jian-huan & Bosco-Puilok Chan. 2015. Two New Species of the Genus Goniurosaurus (Squamata: Sauria: Eublepharidae) from southern China. Zootaxa. 3980(1): 67–80.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3980.1.4

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/zt03980p080.pdf

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B5487771-10E6-4A5E-A17B-C9B2FA1747AF

[Herpetology • 2013] Opisthotropis laui • A New Species of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 (Colubridae: Natricinae) from Guangdong Province, China

FIGURE 3. (A) General aspect in life of the holotype of Opisthotropis laui sp. nov.,

(B) General aspect in life of O. cheni (from Mangshan National Nature Reserve, Hunan Province, China),  (C) General aspect in life of O. guangxiensis (from Dawuling Nature Reserve, Guangdong Province, China).

Photographs by Michael W.N. Lau (A), Jian-Huan Yang (B) and Lee Kwok Shing (C).

Abstract

A new natricid snake of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872, Opisthotropis laui sp. nov., is described from Mt. Gudou, Jiangmen City, Guangdong Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by the combina-tion of the following characters: dorsal scales weakly keeled throughout, in 25:23:23 rows; 10 supralabials; 11 infralabials; two internasals, longer than wide, not touching the loreal; one loreal, not touching the eye; one preocular; two postoculars; one anterior temporal scale; 152 ventrals; 53 subcaudals; body and tail dark olive above, with light yellow crossbars.

Keywords: Natricinae, Opisthotropis laui sp. nov., snake, taxonomy, China

Yang, Jian-huan, Yik-Hei Sung & Bosco P.-L. Chan. 2013. A New Species of the genus Opisthotropis Günther, 1872 (Squamata: Colubridae: Natricinae) from Guangdong Province, China. Zootaxa. 3646(3): 289–296.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3646.3.7

http://vk.com/doc1835068_204042416

[Paleontology • 2015] Pappochelys rosinae • A Middle Triassic stem-Turtle and the Evolution of the Turtle Body Plan

Pappochelys rosinae Schoch & Sues, 2015

 doi: 10.1038/nature14472

The origin and early evolution of turtles have long been major contentious issues in vertebrate zoology. This is due to conflicting character evidence from molecules and morphology and a lack of transitional fossils from the critical time interval. The ~220-million-year-old stem-turtle Odontochelys from China has a partly formed shell and many turtle-like features in its postcranial skeleton. Unlike the 214-million-year-old Proganochelys from Germany and Thailand, it retains marginal teeth and lacks a carapace. Odontochelys is separated by a large temporal gap from the ~260-million-year-old Eunotosaurus from South Africa, which has been hypothesized as the earliest stem-turtle. Here we report a new reptile, Pappochelys, that is structurally and chronologically intermediate between Eunotosaurus and Odontochelys and dates from the Middle Triassic period (~240 million years ago). The three taxa share anteroposteriorly broad trunk ribs that are T-shaped in cross-section and bear sculpturing, elongate dorsal vertebrae, and modified limb girdles. Pappochelys closely resembles Odontochelys in various features of the limb girdles. Unlike Odontochelys, it has a cuirass of robust paired gastralia in place of a plastron. Pappochelys provides new evidence that the plastron partly formed through serial fusion of gastralia. Its skull has small upper and ventrally open lower temporal fenestrae, supporting the hypothesis of diapsid affinities of turtles. 

Figure 2: Skull elements of Pappochelys rosinae (digitally extracted from surrounding matrix). 
a, b, Left maxilla (SMNS 91431; a, labial view; b, lingual view of marked section); c, skull reconstruction in lateral view, with preserved elements indicated in grey; d, right parietal (SMNS 91356); e, right postorbital (SMNS 91356); f, right squamosal (SMNS 90013); g, right quadrate (SMNS 90013); h, left jugal (SMNS 92066, broken into two segments and partly preserved as an impression); i, left dentary (SMNS 92066).

 doi: 10.1038/nature14472

Figure 5: Early evolution of the turtle body plan.
a, Restoration of the skeleton of Pappochelys in lateral view (as yet unknown elements in white; preserved bones in grey; trunk ribs and gastralia highlighted in black); b, successive appearance of key features of the turtle body plan; c, plastron of Odontochelys and reconstructed ventral bones of the shoulder girdle and gastralia set in Pappochelys (elements of the shoulder girdle and their homologues are indicated in a darker shade of grey).

 doi: 10.1038/nature14472

Reptilia Laurenti, 1768

Pan-Testudines Joyce, Parham and Gauthier, 2004 

Pappochelys gen. nov.

Etymology. Pappos (Greek): grandfather; chelys (Greek): turtle. Type species. Pappochelys rosinae.

Pappochelys rosinae sp. nov.

Etymology. In honour of I. Rosin, who prepared key specimens of the new taxon.

Holotype. Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart, SMNS 91360, incomplete, partly articulated postcranial skeleton. 

Rainer R. Schoch and Hans-Dieter Sues. 2015. A Middle Triassic stem-Turtle and the Evolution of the Turtle Body Plan. Nature. (2015) doi: 10.1038/nature14472

Hero in a half-formed shell: Turtle ancestor with bony belly unearthed 

The fossil of Pappochelys, grew to around eight inches and lived along the shores of a lake in the Middle Jurassic period 240 million years ago. Palaeontologists say it was an early ancestor of modern turtles and the shape of its skull suggests these reptiles are more closely related to dinosaurs and birds than snakes 

http://dailym.ai/1LuMuxJ via @MailOnline

Älteste Schildkröte der Welt in Deutschland entdeckt.  https://idw-online.de/de/news633623

[Botany • 2014] Impatiens suksathanii | เทียนสุขสถาน • A New Species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from Southwestern Thailand

เทียนสุขสถาน | Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun.

|| academia.edu

Abstract

Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun, a new species from a limestone area in Kanchanaburi Province in Southwestern Thailand, is described and illustrated. This endemic new species is clearly distinguished from the most similar I. namkatensis T.Shimizu by having sessile to very short petioles, linear, narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate laminas, and pale pink flowers. Its conservation status is also assessed as Critically Endangered.

Key words: Kanchanaburi province, Semeiocardium, limestone, endemic species

FIGURE 1. Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun.
A. Habit in limestone crevices at the type locality; B. Detail of a branch with flowers.

Photos by Saroj Ruchisansakun | academia.edu

Taxonomy

 Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun, sp. nov.

 Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun is clearly distinguished from the most similar I. namkatensis T.Shimizu by having sessile to very short petioles, linear, narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate laminas,and pale pink flowers.

Type :— THAILAND. Kanchanaburi: Thong Phaphum district, Wat Tha Khanun, on limestone rock, ca. 120 m elevation, 5 August 2008, Suksathan et al. 4325  (holotype BK, isotype QBG)

FIGURE 2. Impatiens suksathanii Ruchis. & Triboun.
A. Habit; B–C. Flowers; D. Outer lateral sepals; E. Lower sepal; F. Dorsal petal; G. Lateral united petals; H. Fruit (B–H. share the same scale bar).

Drawn by Saroj Ruchisansakun | academia.edu

Phenology:— Flowering July to October.

Distribution:— Endemic to Southwestern Thailand (Kanchanaburi province).

Ecology:— Growing in crevices on open limestone cliffs, 100–400 m elevation.

Proposed IUCN conservation assessment:— Critically Endangered (CR B2 ab(iii,v)) following the criteria of IUCN (2012). This species is only known from two small populations from two localities, neither of which currently has any formal protected status. One locality is in the grounds of a temple in Thong Phaphum district that receives a lot of visitors and the other one is in the grounds of a university. Moreover, the entire population is estimated to contain fewer than 100 individuals.

Etymology:— The plant is named in a honour of Dr. Piyakaset Suksathan, an outstanding plant taxonomist from Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden in Thailand who has been working on the family Balsaminaceae for the Flora of Thailand for a decade. He also encouraged the first author to start his phylogenetic study on the genus Impatiens for his Master’s degree.

Saroj Ruchisansakun, Pramote Triboun and Thaya Jenjittikul. 2014. A New Species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from Southwestern Thailand. Phytotaxa. 174(4): 237–241. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.174.4.5

academia.edu/7815812/A_new_species_of_Impatiens_Balsaminaceae_from_Southwestern_Thailand

Sheng-Xiang Yu, Steven B. Janssens, Xiang-Yun Zhu, Magnus Lidén, Tian-Gang Gao and Wei Wang. 2015. Phylogeny of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae): integrating molecular and morphological evidence into a new classification. Cladistics.  DOI: 10.1111/cla.12119

[Herpetology • 2015] A Review of the Biology and Literature of the Gulf Coast Toad Incilius nebulifer, Native to Mexico and the United States

Abstract

The Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer) is an abundant and widespread species within its range in the United States and Mexico, so it appears on many faunal checklists and is considered in diverse kinds of research. We review the basic biology, distribution, and published history of this species, identifying only those records and publications referable to I. nebulifer, to help researchers identify published works pertaining to I. nebulfer rather than I. valliceps, with which it formerly was considered to be conspecific.

Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae, Inclius nebulifer, Gulf Coast Toad, Mexico, United States

Mendelson, Joseph I. R., Chase. T. Kinsey & James. B. Murphy. 2015. A Review of the Biology and Literature of the Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius nebulifer), Native to Mexico and the United States. Zootaxa. 3974(4): 517–537.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3974.4.4

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/zt03974p537.pdf

[Botany • 2015] Caulokaempferia pubescens • A New Species (Zingiberaceae) from Northern Thailand

Fig. 2. Caulokaempferia pubescens Picheans. & Phokham.
A: The plants in its type location. B: Plant habit. C: Part of a pseudostem and lower part of leaves, showing ligules. D: A leaf, showing leaf surfaces (upper surface glabrous and lower surface pubescent). E: An inflorescence, showing detail of a flower and bract arrangement. F: An infructescence, showing dehiscing fruits and seeds, fruits (1) and seeds (2).

Scale = 1 cm. [photographed by C. Picheansoonthon]

ABSTRACT

A new species of Caulokaempferia K. Larsen (Zingiberaceae), Caulokaempferia pubescens Picheans. & Phokham, from Changwat Mae Hong Son in Northern Thailand is reported. Full descriptions, together with ink line–drawing with water color and photographic illustrations are given. Relationship of this new species with their phylogenetically closest related taxa, C. larsenii

Suksathan & Triboun, is also discussed.

KEY WORDS: Caulokaempferia, Caulokaemferia pubescens, northern Thailand, Zingiberaceae

Boonmee Phokham, Kamthorn Intharapichai, Pornpimon Wongsuwan and Chayan Picheansoonthon. 2015. Caulokaempferia pubescens (Zingiberaceae) - A New Species from Northern Thailand. Taiwania. 60(2); 77 - 80. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2015.60.77

[Botany • 2015] Taxonomic Studies on the Genus Phyllodium Desv. (Leguminosae) in Thailand

FIGURE 1. (A–C) Phyllodium elegans and (D–F) P. kurzianum.
FIGURE 2. (A–C) Phyllodium longipes and (D–F) P. pulchellum.
FIGURE 3. (A–B) Phyllodium vestitum.

biology.sc.Chula.ac.th/TNH

Abstract

 The taxonomy of genus Phyllodium in Thailand was studied. The results showed that six species are enumerated. Morphological descriptions and photographs, key to species, distribution and some ecological data are given. Moreover, both pollen morphological and leaf epidermal characters of three and five species respectively are presented. 

KEY WORDS: Taxonomy, Phyllodium, leaf epidermis, pollen morphology, Thailand 

Witsanu Saisorn and Pranom Chantaranothai. 2015. Taxonomic Studies on the Genus Phyllodium Desv. (Leguminosae) in Thailand. Tropical Natural History. 15(1): 23-40.

http://www.biology.sc.chula.ac.th/TNH/archives/v15_no1/2Pranom%20ready%20for%20print%2023-40.pdf

วิษณุ สายศร และ ประนอม จันทรโณทัย. 2015.
พืชสกุล Phyllodium (วงศ์ถั่ว) ในประเทศไทย

[Herpetology • 2015] Riolama inopinata • A New Species of the Pantepui endemic Genus Riolama (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from the summit of Murisipán-tepui, with the Erection of A New Gymnophthalmid Subfamily

Riolama inopinata Kok, 2015
Figure 3. Riolama inopinata sp. nov. A, IRSNB 2679, male holotype in life. B, IRSNB 2680, male paratype in life. C, ventral view of the anaesthetized holotype (grid squares = 5 mm). D, lake on the summit of Murisipán-tepui, showing the macrohabitat of the new species (18 June 2012)

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12241

The gymnophthalmid lizard Riolama inopinata sp. nov. is described from the summit of Murisipán-tepui, Bolívar State, Venezuela. The new species is characterized by its small size, slender body, short neck, chestnut brown dorsum with two conspicuous orange-brown dorsolateral stripes, 30 or 31 mid-dorsal scales, and 18 or 19 ventral scales in transverse rows, 28 scales around midbody, seven supralabials, five or six infralabials, subdigital lamellae divided in small granular scales, ten or 11 small femoral pores in males, dorsal surface of tongue covered with oblique chevron-shaped plicae interrupted by a small midsection of imbricate scale-like papillae, and a small weakly bilobed hemipenis having the sulcus spermaticus flanked by an extensive nude area on each side, and the asulcate and lateral faces of the organ with short series of small roughly equidistant, feebly developed flounces, each bearing a single medial hook-shaped spine. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on one nuclear and two mitochondrial DNA genes confirm the allocation of the new species to the genus Riolama, but do not support the assignation of Riolama to the subfamily Cercosaurinae as previously suggested based on overall morphological similarities, nor to any other known subfamily of the Gymnophthalmidae. Therefore, a new subfamily, the Riolaminae, is proposed to accommodate the genus. 

Keywords: endemism; Guiana Shield; hemipenes; microteiid; molecular phylogeny; Riolaminae; tepuis

Figure 1. A, map of the Pantepui region, showing the distribution of Riolama species. The white rectangle corresponds to the area enlarged in (B). B, distribution of known Riolama species occurring east to the Rio Caroní (blue lines) in Venezuela and western Guyana. The white rectangle corresponds to the area enlarged in Figure 2A.

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12241

Figure 2. A, detailed satellite map of the Los Testigos Massif showing the type locality of Riolama inopinata sp. nov. (blue star) and neighbouring mountains. B, aerial photograph of Murisipán-tepui and neighbouring mountains, taken from the north.

Photograph: C. Brewer-Carías. Satellite maps, ©Google Maps.  DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12241

Lake on the summit of Murisipán-tepui, showing the macrohabitat of Riolama inopinata sp. nov.  (18 June 2012)

Figure 3. Riolama inopinata sp. nov. A, IRSNB 2679, male holotype in life. B, IRSNB 2680, male paratype in life. C, ventral view of the anaesthetized holotype (grid squares = 5 mm). D, lake on the summit of Murisipán-tepui, showing the macrohabitat of the new species (18 June 2012). Photographs by the author.

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12241

Systematic account

Order Squamata

Suborder Sauria

Family Gymnophthalmidae

Riolama inopinata sp. nov.

Holotype: IRSNB 2679 (field number PK 3660, Fig. 3A, C), a male collected by Philippe J. R. Kok, 19 June 2012 at 11:00 h, summit of Murisipán-tepui, Bolívar State, Venezuela (5°52′08″N, 62°04′28″W; 2400 m a.s.l.).

Paratype: One male (IRSNB 2680, field number PK 3558, Fig. 3B) collected by Philippe J. R. Kok, 19 June 2012 at 08:45 h, summit of Murisipán-tepui, Bolívar State, Venezuela (5°52′10″N, 62°04′31″W; 2413 m a.s.l.).

Etymology: The specific name, meaning ‘unexpected’ in Latin, is considered a noun in apposition and refers to the unforeseen discovery of a Riolama species on a tepui from the Los Testigos Massif.

=====================

Riolaminae subf. nov.

Content: Riolama Uzzell, 1973.

Diagnosis

(1) Head scales without striations or rugosities; (2) single frontonasal and frontal; (3) dorsal scales hexagonal, uniformly keeled; (4) tympanum heavily pigmented and feebly recessed; (5) digits depressed with swollen tips; (6) absence of claw on the first finger; (7) oblique plicae rather than papillae on the anterior and posterior surfaces of tongue; (8) hemipenis weakly bilobed, sulcus spermaticus flanked by an extensive nude area on each side, asulcate and lateral faces of organ with short series of small roughly equidistant feebly developed flounces, each bearing a single medial hook-shaped spine.

Philippe J. R. Kok. 2015. A New Species of the Pantepui endemic Genus Riolama (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from the summit of Murisipán-tepui, with the Erection of A New Gymnophthalmid Subfamily. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 174(3); 500–518. DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12241

ResearchGate.net/publication/278031202_A_new_species_of_the_Pantepui_endemic_genus_Riolama_(Squamata_Gymnophthalmidae)_from_the_summit_of_Murisipn-tepui_with_the_erection_of_a_new_gymnophthalmid_subfamily