[Ornithology • 2018] Complete Species-level Phylogeny of the Leaf Warbler (Aves: Phylloscopidae) Radiation

Phylogeny of Phylloscopidae 

in Alström, Rheindt, Zhang, Zhao, Wang, et al., 2018. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.031 

twitter.com/AlstromPer 

Highlights

• Complete species-level phylogeny for Seicercus and Phylloscopus.

• Time calibrated phylogeny.

• Taxonomic revision of Phylloscopidae.

Abstract

The leaf warbler radiation (Aves: Phylloscopidae) has undergone a c. 50% increase in the number of recognised species over the last three decades, mainly as a result of analyses of vocalisations and DNA. Using a multilocus dataset for all of the species in this family, and multispecies coalescent-based as well as concatenation methods, we provide the first complete species-level phylogeny for this important group, as well as an estimate of the timing of diversification. The most recent common ancestor for the family was dated at 11.7 million years ago (mya) (95% highest posterior density 9.8–13.7 mya), and divergence times between sister species ranged from 0.5 mya (0.3–0.8 mya) to 6.1 mya (4.8–7.5 mya). Based on our results, we support synonymising Seicercus with Phylloscopus, which results in a monogeneric Phylloscopidae. We discuss the pros and cons of this treatment, and we argue against proliferation of taxonomic names, and conclude that a large monogeneric Phylloscopidae leads to the fewest taxonomic changes compared to traditional classifications.

We briefly discuss morphological evolution in the light of the phylogeny. The time calibrated phylogeny is a major improvement compared to previous studies based on a smaller number of species and loci and can provide a basis for future studies of other aspects of phylloscopid evolution.

Keywords: Species tree, Concatenation, Taxonomic revision

Phylogeny of Phylloscopidae based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b and nuclear ODC, myoglobin and GAPDH introns inferred by ∗BEAST. Traditional Seicercus species are highlighted in red. 

Photo by Craig Brelsford (14), James Eaton (2, 10, 18, 19), Göran Ekström (9, 15, 16, 22), Jocko Hammar (6), Jonathan Martinez (5, 7, 8, 11, 20), Yann Muzika (1), Frédéric Pelsy (12), Megan & Chris Perkins (3), Nick Robinson (4, 13, 17, 21). 

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.031 

 twitter.com/AlstromPer 

  

Conclusions:

 The generally well resolved and well supported time calibrated phylogeny is a major step forward compared to earlier studies based on a smaller number of species and loci. This can provide a basis for future studies of other aspects of the evolution of this ecologically important group of birds.

Per Alström, Frank E. Rheindt, Ruiying Zhang, Min Zhao, Jing Wang, Xiaojia Zhu Chyi Yin Gwee, Yan Hao, Jan Ohlson, Chenxi Jia, Dewi M. Prawiradilaga, Per G. P. Ericson, Fumin Lei and Urban Olsson. 2018. Complete Species-level Phylogeny of the Leaf Warbler (Aves: Phylloscopidae) Radiation. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  126; 141-152. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.03.031 

 twitter.com/AlstromPer/status/1055172495404384256

[Entomology • 2018] Revision of the Ambrysus pudicus Stål Species Complex (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Naucoridae) with the Description of A New Species from southern Mexico

Ambrysus spicatus La Rivers, 1953

in Reynoso-Velasco & Sites, 2018. 
DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4491.1.1 

Abstract

The Ambrysus pudicus Stål species complex is revised, its species diagnosed, and an illustrated key is presented. The complex includes A. abortus La Rivers, A. amargosus La Rivers, A. funebris La Rivers, A. hungerfordi Usinger, A. parviceps Montandon, A. pudicus Stål, and A. relictus Polhemus & Polhemus. A new species, Ambrysus chinanteco, belonging to this complex is described from southern Mexico. The subspecies A. hungerfordi angularis La Rivers, A. h. spicatus La Rivers, and A. h. triunfo La Rivers are herein elevated to full species level and considered members of this species complex. The subspecies A. pudicus barberi Usinger is synonymized with the nominate subspecies. Based on specific combinations of morphological features, two subcomplexes of species are recognized within the complex. The species A. funebris is transferred from the subgenus Acyttarus La Rivers to the subgenus Ambrysus Stål. In order to fix the identity of three species in the complex, neotypes for A. amargosus and A. spicatus and a lectotype for A. pudicus are designated here. The species in the A. pudicus complex are distributed in North America from the southwestern and southern United States to northern Costa Rica. New country records from Central America are presented for A. parviceps and A. pudicus. New state records from Mexico are presented for A. abortus, A. angularis, A. hungerfordi, A. parviceps, A. pudicus, and A. spicatus.

Keywords: Hemiptera, saucer bugs, taxonomy, distribution, Cryphocricinae

 Daniel Reynoso-Velasco and Robert W. Sites. 2018. Revision of the Ambrysus pudicus Stål Species Complex (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha: Naucoridae) with the Description of A New Species from southern Mexico. Zootaxa. 4491(1); 1–64.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4491.1.1

[Crustacea • 2018] Karstarma vulcan • Cave-dwelling Crabs of the Genus Karstarma (Decapoda, Brachyura, Sesarmidae) from Lava Tubes of the Volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’, in Réunion Island, with Description of A New Species and Redescription of Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934) from Christmas Island

Karstarma vulcan 

 Poupin, Crestey & Le Guelte, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4497.3.3 

Abstract 

Sesarmid crabs of the genus Karstarma Davie & Ng, 2007 are reported for the first time in the Western Indian Ocean: they were discovered in the lava tubes of the volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’, Réunion Island. A new species, morphologically similar to Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934) from Christmas Island, Eastern Indian Ocean, is recognized and described. A redescription of K. jacksoni is also provided. A second species is recognized, but being represented in the collection by a single juvenile, it cannot be identified to species level until more collections are made in the lava tubes. 

 Key words: Crustacea, Grapsoidea, Indian Ocean, endemic species, cave-dwelling species, taxonomy

Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851

Genus Karstarma Davie & Ng, 2007

Karstarma vulcan sp. nov.

Sesarmoides ?longipes—ACSP 2014: webpage (Réunion, colour photograph).—Robert 2014: 1, 17 (same color photograph as ACSP). Not Sesarmoides longipes (Krauss, 1843).

Etymology. This new species is named after ‘Vulcan’ (used as an appositive noun) the ancient Roman god of fire, including fire of volcanoes, in allusion to the crab’s being discovered in the lava tubes of the volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’.

Distribution. Known only from Réunion Island. This is the first record of Karstarma in the WIO (Fig. 6). This is a cryptic species that has remained unnoticed in Réunion for a long time despite numerous studies of wildlife in the Island in the past. It is probably most active at night and is potentially present in all lava tubes allowing an easy access to the shoreline where the crab is likely to lay its eggs. In WIO it is perhaps also present in the Islands of Madagascar, Mauritius and/or Rodrigues in similar cave biotopes. In Rodrigues Island (~ 820 km east to Réunion Island), for example, karstic caves are known in the wildlife park, ‘François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve’ where more investigations for Karstarma crabs would be interesting.

Live colour of Karstarma sp. female juv. 8.6 × 9.8 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-7242), probably from lava tube ‘Brûlé des Citrons Galets’.

 photograph: A. Barrère, 19 February 2016

  Live colour of Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934), Christmas Island.

Photographs outside cave by Hitoshi Takakura. 

 Joseph Poupin, Nicole Crestey and Jean-Paul Le Guelte. 2018. Cave-dwelling Crabs of the Genus Karstarma from Lava Tubes of the Volcano ‘Piton de la Fournaise’, in Réunion Island, with Description of A New Species and Redescription of Karstarma jacksoni (Balss, 1934) from Christmas Island (Decapoda, Brachyura, Sesarmidae). Zootaxa. 4497(3); 381–397.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4497.3.3

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1811615729158015

 clicanoo.re/La-matinale-de-Clicanoo/Societe/Article/2018/10/23/La-Matinale-de-Clicanoo-Crabe-du-Volcan-Houle-et

 clicanoo.re/Societe/Article/2018/10/23/Des-crabes-inconnus-sous-le-volcan_554647

[Botany • 2018] Gastrochilus deltoglossus (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae) • A New Species from Taiwan

Gastrochilus deltoglossus T.C. Hsu, S.I Hsieh, J.H. Wu & H.C. Hung

in Hsu, Hsieh, Wu & Hung, 2018. 

 DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.360 

  facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice 

Abstract

A new species, Gastrochilus deltoglossus, is described and illustrated from Taiwan. This species is characterized by the presence of pendulous stems, leaves without awned apex, 3.5–4.0 mm tall subconical hypochile, and broadly deltoid, ciliate, adaxially sparsely short-hairy epichile that are approximately as wide as hypochile. Notes on its distribution, ecology, conservation status and taxonomic affinities are presented.

Keyword: Gastrochilus ciliaris, Gastrochilus raraensis, Orchidaceae, Taiwan, Taxonomy

Fig. 2. Line drawing of Gastrochilus deltoglossus, from J.H. Wu 525.
A–B. Flowering habits (A, bottom view; B, top view). C. Leaves. D. Inflorescence. E. Bract. F–H. Flower (F, top view; G, side view; H, front view). I. Dorsal sepal. J. Petal. K. Lateral sepal. L–N. Lip and column (L, top view; M, side view; N, front view). O–P. Anther cap (O, top view; P, bottom view). Q–S. Pollinarium (Q, top view; R, side view; S, bottom view).

Illustrated by Hsin-Chieh Hung.

Fig. 1. Morphology of Gastrochilus deltoglossus, from J.H. Wu 525.
A–C. Flowering habits. D. Leaf. E–H. Flower (E, top view; F, front view; G–H, side view). I. Dorsal sepal, adaxial view. J. Petal, adaxial view. K. Lateral sepal, adaxial view. L–N. Lip and column (L, front view; M, top view; N, side view). O–P. Anther cap (O, top view; P, bottom view). Q–S. Pollinarium (Q, top view; R, side view; S, bottom view). T. Capsules.

 Scale bars: A = 5 cm. B–D & T = 1 cm. E–N = 5 mm. O–S = 1 mm.

Gastrochilus deltoglossus T.C. Hsu, S.I Hsieh, J.H. Wu & H.C. Hung, sp. nov.

Type: TAIWAN. Nantou County: Ren'ai Township, 2000–2500 m elev., 8 Jun 2018, J. H. Wu 525 (holotype: TCF!; isotypes: TAIF!, TNM!). 

Diagnosis: This new species is similar to Gastrochilus raraensis, from which it differs in having a wider (3.0–3.5 vs. ca. 2.0 mm) saccate lip hypochile and a smaller, deltoid (vs. semiorbicular to reniform), adaxially sparsely short-hairy (vs. densely long hairy) lip epichile. It is also similar to G. ciliaris but can be differentiated on the basis of its pendulous (vs. creeping) stems, larger (3.5–4.0 vs. 2.0–3.0 mm long) tepals, much larger (3.5–4.0 mm tall and 3.0–3.5 in diam. vs. 1.5–2.0 mm tall and ca. 2.0 mm in diam.) subconical (vs. semispherical) lip hypochile with acute (vs. rounded) bottom, and obtuse (vs. rounded or emarginate) epichile. 

....

 Chinese name: 三角唇松蘭. 

Etymology: The specific epithet is a combination of “delta”, triangular, and “glossus”, tongue, derived from the characteristic deltoid lip epichile of the new species.

Gastrochilus deltoglossus T.C. Hsu, S.I Hsieh, J.H. Wu & H.C. Hung

in Hsu, Hsieh, Wu & Hung, 2018. 

DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.360    facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice 

Tian-Chuan Hsu, Szu-I Hsieh, Jin-Hua Wu and Hsin-Chieh Hung. 2018. Gastrochilus deltoglossus (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae: Aeridinae), A New Species from Taiwan. Taiwania. 63(4); 360-365. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2018.63.360  

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[Entomology • 2018] A Taxonomic Study of Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 (Blattodea: Corydiidae: Corydiinae)

Eupolyphaga nigrinotum

Qiu, Che & Wang, 2018

   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4506.1.1 

Abstract 

The cockroach genus Eupolyphaga is revised. Twenty species and two subspecies are recognized, with thirteen species and two subspecies are new to science: Eupolyphaga daweishana sp. nov., E. dongi sp. nov., E. fengi sp. nov., E. hanae sp. nov., E. hupingensis sp. nov., E. maculata sp. nov., E. nigrifera sp. nov., E. nigrinotum sp. nov., E. pilosa sp. nov., E. robusta sp. nov., E. shennongensis sp. nov., E. wooi sp. nov., E. xuorum sp. nov., E. everestiana reni subsp. nov., and E. fengi yongshengensis subsp. nov. Homœogamia sinensis Saussure is placed as a junior synonym of E. sinensis (Walker) and the replaced name E. limbata (Kirby) for Homœogamia sinensis is invalid, the status of Eupolyphaga thibetana (Chopard) is recovered. Male genitalia of species in the genus is described and illustrated. Females and oothecae of some species are described and illustrated. Distribution maps and a checklist of Eupolyphaga are provided. A key to males of Eupolyphaga is given. Plenty habitat photographs are shown.

Keywords: Blattaria, Polyphagini, new species, male genitalia, ootheca, cockroach

Eupolyphaga nigrinotum sp. nov. from Mt. Jizushan, Yunnan.
Female with a large ootheca.

photographed by Lu Qiu.

 Lu Qiu, Yang-li Che and Zongqing Wang. 2018. A Taxonomic Study of Eupolyphaga Chopard, 1929 (Blattodea: Corydiidae: Corydiinae).  Zootaxa. 4506(1); 1–68.   DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4506.1.1

[Paleontology • 2019] Laosuchus naga • A New Chroniosuchian from South-East Asia (Laos) with Internal Structures Revealed by micro-CT Scan and Discussion of its Palaeobiology

Laosuchus naga

Arbez, Sidor & Steyer, 2019

   DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1504827 

sciencesetavenir.fr

Abstract

Chroniosuchians were a clade of non-amniotic tetrapods known from the Guadalupian (middle Permian) to Late Triassic, mainly from Russia and China. The rarity of complete or articulated remains means that relatively little is known about this group in terms of its anatomy, palaeobiology or evolutionary history. Based on a nearly complete skull with a left hemimandible, we describe the first chroniosuchian from Laos from rocks preserving the Permian–Triassic boundary in the Luang Prabang Basin, which is located on the tectonic Indochina Block. This specimen is referred to a new genus and species, Laosuchus naga, based on numerous diagnostic features, including an extremely reduced pineal foramen; absence of palatal dentition; well-developed transverse flange of the pterygoid that contacts the maxilla; internal crest on and above the dorsal side the palate; otic notch closed by the tabular horn and the posterior part of the squamosal, forming a continuous wall; thin and high ventromedial ridge on parasphenoid. A phylogenetic analysis of 51 characters and 25 taxa reveals a basal position for Laosuchus naga among Chroniosuchia. In addition, CT scan data reveal internal structures and provide new insights about the anatomy and palaeobiology of chroniosuchians. Laosuchus naga was likely amphibious and spent most of its time in water, rather than in terrestrial environments. As chroniosuchians are non-marine tetrapods previously known on the North China Block, South China Block and Laurussia, the occurrence of Laosuchus naga on the Indochina Block supports the hypothesis of physical connections between all these tectonic plates by the time of the Permo–Triassic boundary.

Keywords: braincase, Reptiliomorpha, sensory system, palaeobiogeography, phylogeny, tomography

Systematic palaeontology

Superclass Tetrapoda Goodrich, 1930

Order Reptiliomorpha Säve-Söderbergh, 1934 (sensu Benton, 2004)

Suborder Chroniosuchia Tatarinov, 1972 (sensu Witzmann & Schoch, 2017)

Family incertae sedis

Genus Laosuchus gen. nov

Etymology. From the country of origin (Laos) and the ancient Greek soukhos, ‘crocodile’, for its crocodilian-like appearance. 

 Laosuchus naga sp. nov.

Etymology. From the mythological monster ‘Naga’ (or Phaya Naga) believed to live in the Mekong River, which is close to the type locality.

Thomas Arbez, Christian A. Sidor and J.-Sébastien Steyer. 2019. Laosuchus naga gen. et sp. nov., A New Chroniosuchian from South-East Asia (Laos) with Internal Structures Revealed by micro-CT Scan and Discussion of its Palaeobiology. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 17(14); 1165-1182. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2018.1504827

La forme de la Pangée mieux comprise grâce à un fossile de proto-reptile  sciencesetavenir.fr/archeo-paleo/paleontologie/tectonique-un-fossile-eclaire-la-forme-de-la-pangee_128713 via @Sciences_Avenir

[Botany • 2018] Acropogon horarius (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae) • A Very Rare and Threatened New Microendemic Species of Acropogon from New Caledonia [Novitates Neocaledonicae X]

Acropogon horarius Gâteblé & Munzinger

in Gâteblé & Munzinger, 2018.

 Novitates neocaledonicae X.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.110.27599 

Abstract

A new species, Acropogon horarius Gâteblé & Munzinger, sp. nov. (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae), is described from New Caledonia. It is known only from two very small subpopulations in the rainforests of the Petchécara Pass between Thio and Canala, in the southeast of Grande-Terre, New Caledonia’s main island. This shrub to small tree has hastate leaves and minute sessile tubular whitish-yellowish flowers and is strikingly different from all other members of the genus. The type locality is geologically complex and located within one of only four amphibolite lenses known in New Caledonia. A line drawing and colour photos are provided for the new species, along with a preliminary risk of extinction assessment, which indicates that the species is Critically Endangered.

Keywords: Acropogon, geology, Malvaceae, New Caledonia, new species, Sterculioideae, taxonomy, threatened species

Figure 2. Acropogon horarius Gâteblé & Munzinger sp. nov. A flowering branch B inflorescence and a zoom on stellate trichomes of the flower tube C female flower D male flower E infructescence F detail of erect stellate trichomes on the follicle’s surface G detail of an open follicle H close-up of the abaxial leaf reticulum.

Drawings by Laurence Ramon (A–H Gâteblé et al. 806).

Figure 3. Acropogon horarius Gâteblé & Munzinger sp. nov. A overview of a single mature shrub in habitat B juvenile plant C leaf D flowering branch E inflorescence F male flower G female flower H follicles. Photographs by G. Gâteblé

 (A Gâteblé et al. 803 B Gâteblé et al. 804 C–H Gâteblé et al. 806).

Acropogon horarius Gâteblé & Munzinger, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Acropogon horarius Gâteblé & Munzinger differs from all other members of the genus by the combination of its long and thin petioles, hastate and cordate leaves and minute sessile tubular whitish-yellowish flowers.

....

   

Distribution and ecology: The new species is only known from the south-eastern part of the Grande-Terre, at the Petchécara Pass between Thio and Canala (Fig. 1), where it grows on slopes in rainforest on a soil of complex geological origin.

  

Etymology: The plant is named after the last of New Caledonia’s scheduled roads or “route à horaire” along which it grows.

 Gildas Gâteblé and Jérôme Munzinger. 2018. Novitates neocaledonicae X: A Very Rare and Threatened New Microendemic Species of Acropogon (Malvaceae, Sterculioideae) from New Caledonia. PhytoKeys. 110: 1-8.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.110.27599

    

[Herpetology • 2018] Tylototriton ngarsuensis • A New Species of Crocodile Newt Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Shan State, Myanmar

Tylototriton ngarsuensis  

Grismer, Wood, Quah, Thura, Espinoza, Grismer, Murdoch & Lin, 2018

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.5 

Abstract

A phylogenetic taxonomic analysis of a monophyletic subgroup of the salamandrid genus Tylototriton revealed that a newly discovered population from Ngar Su Village, 1 km south of Ywangan, Shan State, Myanmar is a new species and most closely related to T. shanorum from approximately 80 km to the west in the vicinity of Taunggyi, Shan State. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. differs from other closely related species of Tylototriton on basis of varying combinations of characteristics associated with it shorter head, larger size, rib nodule morphology, and overall drab, very dark, coloration, along with its genetic differentiation. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. also appears to breed later in the year than most other species. Unfortunately, this species like many other Asian newts, is being harvested for the pet and medicinal trade and given its restricted distribution, this could pose a serious threat to its long-term survival.

Keywords: Reptilia, Integrative taxonomy, Tylototriton, Shan State, Ywangan, new species, Myanmar, conservation, pet trade

FIGURE 4. Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. from Ngar Su Village, Ywangan Township, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar at 1212 m in elevation.
A. Gravid female holotype LUSHC 13762. B. Adult male paratype LSUHC 13764. C. Adult male paratype LSUHC 13763. D. Stage 44 larva (Grosse 2013) from lot LSUHC 13761 (SVL = 30 mm).

FIGURE 1. Distribution of Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov., T. shanorum, and Tylototriton sp. nov. from Shan State, Kachin State, and Sagaing Region, Myanmar.

Tylototriton ngarsuensis sp. nov. 

Suggested common name: Ywangan Crocodile Newt

Etymology. The specific epithet ngarsuensis is a toponym in reference to Ngar Su Village, the type locality. 

  L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Jr. Wood, Evan S. H. Quah, Myint K. Thura, Robert Espinoza, Marta S. Grismer, M. L. Murdoch and Aung Lin. 2018. A New Species of Crocodile Newt Tylototriton (Caudata: Salamandridae) from Shan State, Myanmar (Burma). Zootaxa.  4500(4); 553-573. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4500.4.5

researchgate.net/publication/328366656_A_new_species_of_Tylototriton_from_Shan_State_Myanmar

[Crustacea • 2018] Diogenes spongicola • A New Species of the Hermit Crab Genus Diogenes Dana, 1851 (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) from southern India

Diogenes spongicola 

Komai, Ravinesh & Kumar, 2018

ovigerous female (sl 2.2 mm) and housing shell covered with Callyspongia diffusa.

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4504.2.5 

facebook.com/BijuKumar796

Abstract

A new species of the hermit crab genus Diogenes Dana, 1851, Diogenes spongicola, is described and illustrated on the basis of material collected from two locations off southern India. It appears close to D. takedai Rahayu, 2012 among about 70 congeners, but easily differentiated from the latter by the spinulose anterolateral margins of the shield, the article 2 of the antennal peduncle armed only with one distal spine, the longer, spinose antennal acicle, the absence of prominent spines on the ventrolateral margin of the cheliped meri, and the different color of the cheliped palm. Specimens of the new species were all collected from cavities of a callyspongiid sponge Callyspongia diffusa (Ridley, 1884), suggesting a possible association between the hermit crab and sponge.

Keywords: Crustacea, Association, Callyspongia diffusa, Diogenes spongicola, Kerala, Tamil Nadu

FIGURE 5. Diogenes spongicola n. sp., paratypes, showing colour in life.
paratype, male (sl 1.7 mm), DABFUK/ARAN98. 

FIGURE 5. Diogenes spongicola n. sp., paratypes, showing colour in life.
paratype, ovigerous female (sl 2.2 mm) and housing shell covered with Callyspongia diffusa, DABFUK/AR-AN103.

Family Diogenidae dana, 1851

Diogenes spongicola n. sp.

 Etymology. The name is a combination of the Latin spongia (= sponge) and -cola (= dweller), in reference to the possible association of the new species with the callyspongiid sponge Callyspongia diffusa.

 Tomoyuki Komai, Raveendhiran Ravinesh and Appukuttannair Biju Kumar. 2018. A New Species of the Hermit Crab Genus Diogenes Dana, 1851 (Decapoda: Anomura: Diogenidae) from southern India. Zootaxa. 4504(2); 243–252.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4504.2.5

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ജീവനുള്ള ശംഖുകൾക്കുള്ളിലും സന്യാസി ഞണ്ടുകൾ; കണ്ടെത്തിയത് മലയാളികൾ

metrovaartha.com/news/14664/new-species-hermit-crab-diogenes-spongicola-vizhinjam-tuticorin

[Herpetology • 2018] Hebius yanbianensis • A New Species of the Genus Hebius (Squamata: Colubridae) from Sichuan, China

 Hebius yanbianensis 

Liu, Zhong, Wang, Liu & Guo, 2018

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4483.2.10

 instagram.com/herpchina

Abstract

A new species of the natricine snake genus Hebius Thompson, 1913 is described from Sichuan Province, Southwest China, based on a single male specimen. The new species is distinguished from its congeners found in China and adjacent regions by possessing the following combination of characters: 1) TL/SVL ratio 0.35; 2) three postoculars; 3) six temporals in formula 1/(1+1) +1+2; 4) eight supralabials, 4th and 5th in contact with the eye, 6th supralabial largest; 5) ten infralabials with the first five bordering the anterior chinshields; 6) 172 ventrals (plus two preventrals); 7) cloacal plate divided; 8) 90 divided subcaudals; 9) dorsal scales in 19-19-17 rows, all weakly keeled except the outer two; 10) reduction of dorsal scale rows from 19 to 17 at the position above ventral scale 99th; 11) reduction of the tail dorsal scales from 8 to 6 rows at the position above 18th subcaudal, and from 6 to 4 rows at the position above 37th subcaudal; 12) postorbital bones do not touch frontals, the parietal ridge weakly developed; the end of the supratemporal bones extending beyond the braincase; maxillary teeth 23–25, the last two enlarged, without diastema between them and the anterior teeth. This species is an evergreen forest dweller.

Keywords: Reptilia, Hebius yanbianensis sp. nov., Natricinae, morphology, new species, taxonomy

 General view of the holotype of Hebius yanbianensis sp. nov. (YBU 15018) in life.

 Photo by G.H. Zhong.

Hebius yanbianensis sp. nov.  

Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality of this species, Yanbian County, Sichuan. We suggest the following common names: Yanbian Fulianshe and Yanbian keelback snake (English). 

Distribution. This species is currently known only from the type locality, Yanbian that is located in the Hengduan Mountains valley in Sichuan Province, China with dry-hot climate. 

 Qin Liu, Guang-Hui Zhong, Ping Wang, Yang Liu and Peng Guo. 2018. A New Species of the Genus Hebius (Squamata: Colubridae) from Sichuan, China. Zootaxa.  4483(2); 385–394. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4483.2.10

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[Arachnida • 2018] On the Genus Systaria (Araneae: Clubionidae) in Southeast Asia: New Species from Caves and Forests

Systaria procera 

 Jäger, 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4504.4.5 

Abstract

The genus Systaria Simon 1897 is reviewed in Southeast Asia and eight new species are described: Systaria lannops spec. nov. from Thailand (female), S. longinqua spec. nov. (male, female) and S. luangprabang spec. nov. (female) from Laos, S. procera spec. nov. (male, female) and S. bregibec spec. nov. (male) from Cambodia, S. bifidops spec. nov. from Malaysia (male), S. panay spec. nov. (female) and S. princesa spec. nov. (male, female) from Philippines. S. elberti (Strand 1913) is illustrated and partly re-described. Informal groups of species are proposed for the first time. Distribution ranges and habitat preferences are mapped.

Keywords: Araneae, Taxonomy, systematics, copulatory organs, habitat, troglobiont

Peter Jäger. 2018. On the Genus Systaria (Araneae: Clubionidae) in Southeast Asia: New Species from Caves and Forests. Zootaxa.  4504(4); 524–544. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4504.4.5