[Crustacea • 2021] Cirolana khamensis & C. parawongat • Two New Species of the Marine Isopod Genus Cirolana Leach, 1818 (Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from the Coast of the western Gulf of Thailand

 (A) Cirolana khamensis &
 (B) C. parawongat

Rodcharoen & Bruce, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4950.3.3 

 facebook.com/EknarinRodcharoen 

Abstract

Cirolana khamensis sp. nov. and C. parawongat sp. nov. are described from specimens collected in the western Gulf of Thailand at depths of 8 metres and 1 metre, respectively. Both species belong to the Cirolana ‘pleonastica-group’ with tubercles on the dorsal surfaces, transverse sutures on the pereonites, pleonite 3 not posteriorly produced and pleonite 4 posterolaeral margin rounded. Cirolana khamensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from other species of Cirolana ‘pleonastica-group’ by lateral margin of uropodal exopod having five robust seatae and a continuous row of plumose marginal setae, pereonites 1–3 each with a single transverse impressed line; antennula peduncle with articles 1 and 2 distinct and articulated peduncle; pleotelson dorsal surface with two sub-median longitudinal carinae, each of which has four prominent tubercles. Cirolana parawongat sp. nov. can be distinguished by pereonites 1–3 without a single transverse impressed line and having nine tubercles on pleonite 4 and 5. A dichotomous key to Cirolana ‘pleonastica-group’ in South-East Asia region is given.

Keywords: Crustacea, Isopoda, Cirolanidae, Cirolana, new species, western Gulf of Thailand, coral reefs

Eknarin Rodcharoen and Niel L. Bruce. 2021. Two New Species of the Marine Isopod Genus Cirolana Leach, 1818 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae) from the Coast of the western Gulf of Thailand. Zootaxa. 4950(3); 469–486. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4950.3.3

รายงานไอโซพอดทะเลหรือแมลงสาบทะเลชนิดใหม่สกุล Cirolana 2 ชนิด

... พบในแนวปะการังบริเวณชายฝั่งทะเล อ.เทพา จ.สงขลา และชายฝั่งทะเลอ่าวไทยตอนบน...

ชนิดแรก C. parawongat (ภาพล่าง) มีการแพร่กระจายตั้งแต่ชายฝั่งทะเลทะเลอ่าวไทยตนบนลงมาถึง เกาะสมุย จ.สุราษฎร์ธานี 

อีกชนิดนึง C. khamensis (ภาพบน) ตั้งชื่อตามสถานที่ค้นพบ พบแพร่กระจายอยู่ที่เดียวคือ บริเวณเกาะขาม อ.เทพา จ.สงขลาเท่านั้น...

ไอโซพอดหรือแมลงสาบทะเลเป็นสัตว์กลุ่มเดียวกับพวกกุ้งปู (crustacean) แต่มีขนาดเล็กกว่า (ความยาวส่วนใหญ่ 0.5-2 ซม.) มีบทบาทสำคัญในระบบนิเวศ คือ เป็นอาหารของสัตว์น้ำชนิดอื่น เป็นตัวย่อยสลายในระบบนิเวศ และเป็นตัวบ่งชี้คุณภาพของแหล่งน้ำตามธรรมชาติ

การค้นพบแมลงสาบทะเลชนิดใหม่ 2 ชนิดในอ่าวไทยครั้งนี้ สะท้อนให้เห็นถึงความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพทะเล และความอุดมสมบูรณ์ของทรัพยากรทางทะเลในบริเวณอ่าวไทยได้เป็นอย่างดี

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[Entomology • 2021] Sphaeraphodius gaohani • A New Genus and Species of Aphodiini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) from Guangxi, China

 Sphaeraphodius gaohani Kakizoe, Jiang & Wang,  

in Kakizoe, Jiang, Cai & Wang, 2021.  

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4949.2.6 

twitter.com/tuyamagu

Abstract

Sphaeraphodius gaohani Kakizoe, Jiang & Wang, a new genus and new species of the tribe Aphodiini, is described based on two female specimens from Guangxi, China. This new genus differs considerably from any previously known genera of Aphodiini by dorsally swollen body covered by considerably long setae, and lack of transverse setiferous carinae on outer surfaces of meso- and metatibiae. This new taxon is found sympatrically with the termite Macrotermes sp. in the field. Therefore, this species is perhaps termitophilous, but we cannot conclude it at this time due to the insufficient information available in the field.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Scarabaeoidea, Scarabaeidae, Aphodiinae, Aphodiini, taxonomy, new genus, new species, Oriental region, East Asia, China, Guangxi, termitophily

 

Showtaro Kakizoe, Ri-Xin Jiang, Hao-Hong Cai and Shuo Wang. 2021. Sphaeraphodius gaohani, A New Genus and Species of Aphodiini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) from Guangxi, China. Zootaxa. 4949(2); 333–340. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4949.2.6

 twitter.com/tuyamagu/status/1375005522156396545

[Botany • 2021] Ceropegia calcicola & C. thorutii (Asclepiodoideae, Apocynaceae) • Two New Species of Ceropegia on Limestone Hills in Northern Thailand

Ceropegia calcicola Kidyoo

in Kidyoo, 2021.

Tropical Natural History. 21(1)

 tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH 

Abstract

Two new lithophytic climbers with clustered fusiform roots, Ceropegia calcicola Kidyoo and C. thorutii Kidyoo, from northern Thailand are here described. Illustrations, photographs, and comparisons of diagnostic characters with the morphologically similar species are provided.

 Keywords: Ceropegia calcicola, C. thorutii, section Chionopegia, section Janthina, twining herb

Ceropegia calcicola Kidyoo.
A. Flowering branch. B. Acluster of fusiform roots. C. Open flower. D. Flower bud. E. Bottom view of flower showing calyx. F. Longitudinal section of flower showing corona and gynostegium. G. Side view of gynostegium and corona. H. Top view of gynostegium and corona. I. Pollinarium. J. Fruit.

Photos by Manit Kidyoo from M.Kidyoo 1561 (A-I) and M.Kidyoo 1640(J)

Ceropegia calcicola Kidyoo sp. nov.

Ceropegia calcicola differs from the morphologically similar C. khasiana in having ovate leaves, entirely glabrous corolla and shallowly bifid interstaminal corona lobes. In contrast, C. khasiana has lanceolate or linear-lanceolate leaves, corolla tube with a ring of trichomes on the inside at the distal part of the swollen basal portion, corolla lobes that are puberulent on the adaxial surface, and deeply bifid interstaminal corona lobes. 

 Etymology.– The specific epithet ‘calcicola’ refers to limestone hill, the usual habitat of this plant.

Ecology and distribution.– Ceropegia calcicola is endemic to Thailand, occurring on limestone rock in shady to open areas on limestone hills at 350–1600 m alt. It usually grows inside rock cracks or rock pools where humus soil has collected. Its branches climb up small shrubs or cliffs. Flowering occurs from July to October.

Ceropegia thorutii Kidyoo sp. nov. 

 Ceropegia thorutii is similar to C. elegans in having pedunculate cyme, strongly curved corolla tube being inflated at base, broadly ovate-triangular corolla lobes shorter than corolla tube and joined at tips forming a subglobose dome, but can be distinguished by its glabrous corolla tube being slightly inflated at base, bifid interstaminal corona lobes with triangular segments being shorter than half the length of the staminal corona lobes, and spathulate-clavate staminal corona lobes. 

 Ecology and distribution.– Ceropegia thorutii is endemic to Thailand, occurring on limestone rock in shady areas within highland limestone forest at 1,500–1,600 m alt. It grows inside rock cracks or rock pools where humus soil has collected or in calcareous soil intermingled with other herbs and small shrubs. Its stem and branches usually climb up on small shrubs and cliffs, or branches can be pendent. Flowering occurs in July–October.

Etymology.–The specific epithet, ‘thorutii’ was designated in honor of Mr. Chanin Thorut who first discovered and drew my attention to this plant.

Manit Kidyoo. 2021. Two New Species of Ceropegia (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) on Limestone Hills in Northern Thailand. Tropical Natural History. 21(1); 1-11. tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH/article/view/245810

[Mammalogy • 2021] Molecular Phylogeny and Morphological Diversity of the Niviventer fulvescens Species Complex (Rodenti: Muridae) with Emphasis on Species from China

 

(A) Niviventer fengi Ge, Feijó & Yang; 

(B) Niviventer fulvescens (Gray, 1847); 

(D) Niviventer mekongis  (Robinson & Kloss, 1922); 

(E) Niviventer cremoriventer (Miller, 1900). 

in Ge, Feijó, Abramov, Wen, ... et Yang, 2021. 

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa040 

 twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc 

 

Abstract

The Niviventer fulvescens species complex (NFSC), a group of abundant and taxonomically ambiguous rodent taxa, is distributed from Southeast Asia to south-eastern China. We combined molecular and morphological datasets to clarify the species composition and variation of the NFSC. Our phylogenetic analyses, using molecular data, recovered eight genetic lineages in the NFSC, including a novel, distinct lineage from Jilong, Tibet, China, which is described as a new species, Niviventer fengi sp. nov. The species status of N. fengi is supported by a species delimitation analysis, and it is morphologically distinguished from other members of the NFSC by its greyish dorsal fur, soft hairs covering the whole body and a hairy tail. NFSC species bearing well-developed spines are found at lower elevations. A comprehensive taxonomic revision of the NFSC within China is provided, represented by five species: N. cremoriventer, N. fulvescens, N. huang, N. mekongis comb. nov. and N. fengi. A further study of this species complex, including samples from Southeast Asia, is needed.

Keywords: mammals, molecular phylogeny, morphological comparison, Murinae, new species, rats, rodents

Order Rodentia 

Suborder Myomorpha 

Superfamily Muroidea 

Family Muridae 

Subfamily Murinae 

Genus Niviventer Marshall, 1976 

Comparison of the skin and skull of Niviventer fengi with closely related species. 

Niviventer fengi, A1, A2, IOZCAS JL17111; A3, A4, IOZCASJL17059, HBL = 146. 

Niviventer fulvescens, B1, B2, IOZCAS JD113; B3, B4, JL17057, HBL = 120. 

Niviventer huang, C1, C2, NHM 98.11.1.16; C3, C4, IOZCAS HN2017242, HBL = 125. 

Niviventer mekongis, D1, D2, NHM 26.11.17.13; D3, D4, ZIN102439, HBL = 134. 

Niviventer cremoriventer, E1, E2, KMIOZCAS; E3, E4. KMIOZCAS, HBL = 107.

Niviventer mekongis, D1, D2, NHM 26.11.17.13; D3, D4, ZIN102439, HBL = 134. 
Niviventer cremoriventer, E1, E2, KMIOZCAS; E3, E4. KMIOZCAS, HBL = 107.

Niviventer cremoriventer (Miller, 1900)

 Sundaic arboreal niviventer or dark-tailed tree rat.

Distribution: This species occupies the widest distribution range of members of the NFSC and is widely distributed in the Malay Peninsula, Sunda Islands and Southeast Asia. It was also discovered in Modao River, Jingdong, Yunnan Province, China.

Sympatric species: In China, N. cremoriventer has an overlapping distribution with C. langbianis, N. bukit, and N. mekongis. It is a typical rat of low and middle elevations (183–275 m) with a uniformly dark tail.

 Niviventer fulvescens (Gray, 1847)

Indomalayan niviventer, chestnut white-bellied rat.

Distribution: Nepal, south-western China and northern Indochina. In China it is distributed in higher mountains from south-western Yunnan to south-eastern Tibet.

Sympatric species: The distribution of N. fulvescens largely overlaps with those of N. andersoni and N. niviventer. The last two species also inhabit middle to high-elevation mountains in southern China. Niviventer andersoni is distinguishable by its larger size and bicoloured tail (the one-third near the tip is white) and N. niviventer belongs to the NNSC and has a darker pelage. 

Niviventer huang (Bonhote, 1905) 

 Lowland niviventer, Lowland white-bellied rat.

Distribution: This species is distributed in central and eastern China, including Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Hunan, Hubei, Guizhou and Hainan Island.

Sympatric species: Niviventer huang occurs in sympatry with N. mekongis in south China, and the confirmed overlapping records are from Lincang Snow Mountain, Lincang and Menghai, both in southern Yunnan Province. 

Niviventer fengi, A1, A2, IOZCAS JL17111; A3, A4, IOZCASJL17059, HBL = 146.
 Niviventer fulvescens, B1, B2, IOZCAS JD113; B3, B4, JL17057, HBL = 120.
 Niviventer huang, C1, C2, NHM 98.11.1.16; C3, C4, IOZCAS HN2017242, HBL = 125. 

Niviventer mekongis (Robinson & Kloss, 1922) comb. nov.

Mekong niviventer, Mekong white-bellied rat. 

Rattus blythi mekongis Robinson & Kloss, 1922: 96. Bak Mat on the Mekong River (N 18º 53′), Laos. 

Rattus bukit condorensis Kloss, 1926: 357. Pulo Condore, near the south-eastern coast of Cochinchina (Con Son Island, south Vietnam).

Distribution: Niviventer mekongis is confined to Vietnam, Laos and southern Yunnan and Guangxi Provinces of China.

Sympatric species: Niviventer mekongis occurs sympatrically with N. cremoriventer and N. bukit. Niviventer cremoriventer is easily distinguishable from N. mekongis by its uniformly black tail. Niviventer bukit is distinguishable from N. mekongis by its shorter TL and darker pelage colouration. 

Niviventer fengi Ge, Feijó and Yang sp. nov. 

 Jilong soft-furred niviventer, Tibetan white-bellied rat.

Etymology: We named this new species in honour of Prof. Zuojian Feng from IOZCAS for the great contribution to the study of mammals in China.

Distribution: This species is known from Jilong Valley, Rikaze, Tibet Province, China, near the Nepalese border. Etymology: We named this new species in honour of Prof. Zuojian Feng from IOZCAS for the great contribution to the study of mammals in China.

Sympatric species: Niviventer fengi is sympatric with N. fulvescens and N. eha, but they are distinct in external morphology.

Deyan Ge, Anderson Feijó, Alexei V Abramov, Zhixin Wen, Zhengjia Liu, Jilong Cheng, Lin Xia, Liang Lu and Qisen Yang. 2021. Molecular Phylogeny and Morphological Diversity of the Niviventer fulvescens Species Complex with Emphasis on Species from China. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 191(2); 528–547. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa040

  twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc/status/1359537923239067652

[Entomology • 2021] Nevromus jeenthongi & N. aspoeck • The Dobsonfly Genus Nevromus Rambur, 1842 (Megaloptera: Corydalidae: Corydalinae) from Thailand, with Description of A New Species

Nevromus jeenthongi 

Piraonapicha, Jaitrong, Liu & Sangpradub, 2021.

 Tropical Natural History. 21(1)

. tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH

Abstract

Nevromus Rambur, 1842 is a megalopteran genus belonging to the family Corydalidae, and endemic to the Oriental faunal region. The Thai species of Nevromus are herein revised to include two species: Nevromus aspoeck Liu, Hayashi & Yang, 2012, and Nevromus jeenthongi sp. nov. The larval and pupal stages of N. aspoeck are described here for the first time. Nevromus jeenthongi sp. nov. appears to be closely related to N. aspoeck but differs from the latter species the occiput without black spots, the broader posterolateral lobes of male ninth sternum, and the fused male tenth gonocoxite strongly concaved along dorsal outline. Both species inhabit clean, clear flowing streams. The geographical distribution of Nevromus is updated with first records of this genus from the Malay Peninsula and Myanmar. A key to species of the genus based on male is provided.

Keywords: Nevromus, COI, stage association, new species, Thailand

Nevromus jeenthongi sp. nov., dorsal view.
A. male (Holotype, THNHM-I-21545); B. female (Paratype, THNHM-I-2008-0304). Scale bars: 1.00 cm

Nevromus jeenthongi sp. nov., living female, lateral view (Photo W. Zhang)

Nevromus jeenthongi sp. nov.

Diagnosis.— Head yellow to yellowish brown; occiput yellow without black markings; pronotum with two pairs of small black markings near lateral margins of pronotum in both sexes. Male ectoproct flatly foliate with a long and digitiform apex, fused tenth gonocoxites in ventral view strongly curved dorsad; ninth sternum with the posterolateral lobes broad, reaching to the lateral margin of ninth tergum.

Etymology.— The species epithet is dedicated to Mr. Tadsanai Jeenthong (National Science Museum, Thailand), who donated the holotype to THNHM.

Distribution.— Thailand (Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat Provinces); Myanmar (Tenasserim).

Nevromus aspoeck, larva in dorsal view.

Nevromus aspoeck, living male, lateral view.

Nevromus aspoeck Liu, Hayashi & Yang, 2012

Nevromus aspoeck Liu, Hayashi & Yang, 2012: 661. 

Type locality: China (Yunnan: Xishuangbanna).

Distribution.— Cambodia (Pursat  Province), China (Yunnan Province), Thailand (Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Nakhon Ratchasima and Nakhon Nayok Provinces) (Fig. 17).

Kanyakorn Piraonapicha , Weeyawat Jaitrong, Xingyue Liu and Narumon Sangpradub. 2021. The Dobsonfly Genus Nevromus Rambur, 1842 (Megaloptera: Corydalidae: Corydalinae) from Thailand, with Description of A New Species. Tropical Natural History. 21(1); 94-118. tci-thaijo.org/index.php/TNH/article/view/248144

[Mollusca • 2021] Semisulcospira davisi • Revisiting A 135-Year-Old Taxonomic Account of the Freshwater Snail Semisulcospira multigranosa (Gastropoda: Semisulcospiridae): Designating Its Lectotype and Describing A New Species of the Genus

Semisulcospira davisi 

Sawada & Nakano, 2021

 

zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw

twitter.com/kawanittan

The type series of Semisulcospira multigranosa Boettger, 1886 was found in the Malacological Collection at the Senckenberg Naturmuseum for the first time ca. 135 years after its original description. The syntypes consisted of 38 specimens that can be classified into four species. The examination of adult shell morphology of these original materials revealed that the current taxonomic account of S. multigranosa should be amended. Therefore, we designate a lectotype for S. multigranosa, and thus describe S. multigranosa auct. as Semisulcospira davisi sp. nov. Semisulcospira davisi can be discriminated from the other congeners by the characteristics of adult and embryonic shells, and radulae morphology. The present study resolves one of the fundamental taxonomic problems remaining in Semisulcospira snails.

Key words: Freshwater snail, Lake Biwa, Syntypes, Viviparous, Radula morphology.

Shells of Semisulcospira davisi sp. nov.
A–G, Holotype, KUZ Z3680. H–J, Specimen from Kitafunaki, KUZ Z3686.
K–M, Specimen from Yokoehama, KUZ Z3687.N–P, Specimen from Okishima, KUZ Z3688.
Q–S, Specimen from Yoshikawa, KUZ Z3690.

A–C, H, K, N, Q, Adult shell. D, I, L, O, R, Operculum. E–G, J, M, P, S, Embryonic shell.

Scale bars: 10 mm (A–D, H–I, K–L, N–O, Q–R), 2 mm (E–G, J, M, P, S). 

All specimens were treated with 12% sodium hypochlorite.

Living specimen of Semisulcospira davisi sp. nov. collected from Kitafunaki.

Scale bar = 10 mm.

Semisulcospira davisi sp. nov.

 [New Japanese name: Sazanami-kawanina]

Diagnosis: Viviparous semisulcospirid. Adult shell elongated [SH 29.5 ± 3.2 (mean ± SD); SW 9.7 ± 1.2]; 2.1 ± 0.5 BCN; 22.8 ± 2.6 curved ribs with distinct or indistinct nodes; 8.8 ± 1.0 SCN; 16.4 ± 2.2 degrees SA; 1.5 ± 0.1 ASR; 2.1 ± 0.2 WER. Embryonic shell large (SHE 4.3 ± 1.1), with ribs on surface; color in black background or beige background with brown bands.

Etymology: The specific name is dedicated to Dr. George M. Davis, who greatly contributed to the systematics of Japanese Semisulcospira. 

Distribution and ecology: The new species was found from four sites of Lake Biwa in addition to its type locality: Kitafunaki, Yokoehama, Okishima, and Yoshikawa (Fig. 1). Except at Yoshikawa, the new species inhabits sandy and muddy bottom at depths of 5–7 m. At Yoshikawa, the new species was collected from muddy bottom at the depth of 10–15 m. Semisulcospira davisi was found with several other congeners: S. reticulata Kajiyama and Habe, 1961, S. decipiens and S. h. yamaguchi at Tsukide, Kitafunaki and Yokoehama; S. decipiens at Okishima; and S. reticulata at Yoshikawa.

     

Naoto Sawada and Takafumi Nakano. 2021. Revisiting A 135-Year-Old Taxonomic Account of the Freshwater Snail Semisulcospira multigranosa: Designating Its Lectotype and Describing A New Species of the Genus (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Semisulcospiridae). Zoological Studies. 60:7. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2021.60-07

 zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/60/60-07.html

  twitter.com/kawanittan/status/1353466284596293633

  twitter.com/orobdella/status/1372298020373417988

[Fungi • 2021] Cortinarius jiaoheensis (Agaricales: Cortinariaceae) • A New Species of Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia section Flexipedes, from northeast China

Cortinarius jiaoheensis  T. Bau & Y. Luo

in Luo & Bau, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.494.1.7

Abstract

A new Cortinarius species in subgenus Telamonia section Flexipedes, Cortinarius jiaoheensis, is described based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. It is characterized by small basidiomata, with the surface of the pileus completely covered by woolly squamules, and ellipsoid to obovoid ellipsoid basidiospores. This species produces basidiomata in the autumn and is currently known only from northeast China.

Keywords: Agarics, ectomycorrhizal, ITS, SEM, taxonomy, Fungi

 Cortinarius jiaoheensis (HMJAU56920, holotype!)

Bars: A–C= 0.5 cm. 

Photos by Tolgor Bau.

Cortinarius jiaoheensis T. Bau & Y. Luo sp. nov.  

Diagnosis:— Basidiomata small. Pileus 6–12 mm diam, at first conical later almost plane with a prominent umbo, surface completely covered by woolly, whitish squamules. Lamellae emarginate, leather brown(6E6). Stipe slender, cylindrical, surface covered by white fibrils, greyish brown underneath, with rich white mycelium at the base. Universal veil white, forming zones on the stipe. Odor in context indistinct, not observed in lamellae. Taste somewhat spicy. Basidiospores 7.8–9.2 × 5.8–6.8 μm, broadly ellipsoid to somewhat obovoid ellipsoid, light brown (6D8) to rust brown (6E8), verrucose. Basidia with (2) 4 sterigmata. Lamellae margin with sterile cells. 

Etymology:—‘jiaoheensis’ refers to its occurrence in Jiaohe County, Jilin Province, China.

Habitat:— Scattered in broadleaved forests near Quercus mongolica, fruiting in autumn.

 

Ying Luo and Tolgor Bau. 2021. Cortinarius jiaoheensis (Cortinariaceae), A New Species of Cortinarius subgenus Telamonia section Flexipedes, from northeast China. Phytotaxa. 494(1); 113–121. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.494.1.7

[Paleontology • 2021] Llukalkan aliocranianus • A New Furileusaurian Abelisaurid from La Invernada (Upper Cretaceous, Santonian, Bajo De La Carpa Formation), Northern Patagonia, Argentina

Llukalkan aliocranianus 

Gianechini, Méndez, Filippi, Paulina-Carabaja, Juárez-Valieri & Garrido, 2021

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2020.1877151 

ABSTRACT

Abelisaurids are among the most abundant and diverse Patagonian Late Cretaceous theropods. Here, we present a new furileusaurian abelisaurid, Llukalkan aliocranianus gen. et sp. nov., represented by cranial remains from the Bajo de la Carpa Formation (Santonian) at La Invernada fossil area, northwestern Patagonia. Features characterizing this taxon include a possible caudal tympanic recess posterior to the columellar recess, a T-shaped lacrimal with jugal ramus lacking a suborbital process, and large foramina for caudal middle cerebral veins widely separated from the median supraoccipital crest. In addition to this, a bulge on the anteromedial border of the supratemporal fossa, tall and posteriorly projected paroccipital processes, basal tubera interconnected distally, a triangular basisphenoid recess, and a single foramen for the sphenoidal artery on the basisphenoid, differentiate Llukalkan from Viavenator exxoni. The latter is the other furileusaurian taxon from the same area and stratigraphic unit. Although the holotype of Llukalkan probably corresponds to a sub-adult—as the lacrimal morphology suggests— the possibility that it represents a juvenile of V. exxoni is discarded based mainly on the presence of a caudal tympanic recess (which is absent in V. exxoni). The probable coexistence of two abelisaurid taxa demonstrates that the abelisaurids were one of the most important—and likely the main—predator component of the ecosystems, not only in this area, but also in all of Patagonia, during the Late Cretaceous.

FIGURE 17. Reconstruction of the complete skull and mandible of Llukalkan aliocranianus, from the Late Cretaceous of Neuquén Province, Argentina, in left lateral view.
The preserved bones are located in their supposed natural positions, whereas non-preserved parts and bones are in gray. The prearticular bone has a medial location, laterally covered by the angular and surangular. The maxilla, jugal and quadrate correspond to the right side, although they were mirrored to accommodate with the image. Scale bar equals 5 cm. For abbreviations in the figure, see text.

FIGURE 1. Provenance of the holotype of Llukalkan aliocranianus (MAU-Pv-LI-581).
 A, map showing the location of La Invernada fossil area; B, photograph of the materials in situ in the field; C, photograph showing the aspect of the outcrops of the Bajo de la Carpa Formation at La Invernada fossil area (indicated with the arrow).

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

THEROPODA Marsh, 1881

CERATOSAURIA Marsh, 1884

ABELISAURIDAE Bonaparte and Novas, 1985

BRACHYROSTRA Canale, Scanferla, Agnolin and Novas, 2009

FURILEUSAURIA Filippi, Méndez, Juárez Valieri and Garrido, 2016

Llukalkan aliocranianus.

Illustration: Jorge Blanco.

LLUKALKAN ALIOCRANIANUS gen. et sp. nov.

 Etymology— Llukalkan, means “one who scares or causes fear” in Mapudungun; aliocranianus means “different skull” in Latin.

Federico A. Gianechini, Ariel H. Méndez, Leonardo S. Filippi, Ariana Paulina-Carabaja, Rubén D. Juárez-Valieri and Alberto C. Garrido. 2021. A New Furileusaurian Abelisaurid from La Invernada (Upper Cretaceous, Santonian, Bajo De La Carpa Formation), Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e1877151.  DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2020.1877151 

The 'one who causes fear'—new meat-eating predator discovered

phys.org/news/2021-03-fearnew-meat-eating-predator.html

     

[Entomology • 2021] Callivelia, A New Genus for certain Neotropical Veliinae (Heteroptera: Veliidae), including Description of A New Species

Callivelia anomala  Polhemus, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4950.2.6

Abstract

The new genus Callivelia is proposed to hold three Neotropical species previously held within Paravelia: type-species Callivelia conata (Hungerford), Callivelia taipiensis (Cheesman) and Callivelia bipunctata (Rodrigues, Moreira, Nieser, Chen & Melo). Paravelia virtutis (Drake & Harris) 1935 is synonymized under Callivelia taipiensis (Cheesman) 1926. In addition, a new species, Callivelia anomala, is described from the Amazon Basin of Brazil. Additional distributional records are provided for the three previously described species treated, including the first country record for C. bipunctata in Paraguay. A key to the species of Callivelia is provided, accompanied by color habitus photographs for all three species, and additional photographs of key generic characters.

Keywords: Heteroptera, Semiaquatic bugs, South America, Mesoamerica, taxonomy

Callivelia anomala

Dan A. Polhemus. 2021. Callivelia, A New Genus for certain Neotropical Veliinae (Heteroptera: Veliidae), including Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4950(2); 345–360. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4950.2.6

[Herpetology • 2021] Cnemaspis schalleri • A New Small-bodied, Polymorphic Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) allied to C. monticola from the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Cnemaspis schalleri 

Khandekar, Thackeray & Agarwal, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4950.3.5

Abstract

We describe a new small-bodied, polymorphic Cnemaspis from near Hongadahalla village, Sakleshpur in the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. Cnemaspis schalleri sp. nov. is allied to C. monticola and can be diagnosed from all other Indian Cnemaspis by its small body size; presence of spine-like tubercles on flank; heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis; presence of both precloacal and femoral pores in males; dorsal pholidosis of tail heterogeneous, composed of small, weakly keeled, flattened, sub-imbricate scales intermixed with enlarged, strongly keeled, distinctly pointed, conical tubercles forming whorls; slightly enlarged median row of sub-caudal scales, smooth at anterior half and strongly keeled posteriorly. The new species differs from C. monticola based on the number of dorsal tubercle rows at mid-body, the number of paravertebral tubercles, the number of precloacal pores and poreless scales between precloacal and femoral pores; besides 8.9–10.7 % uncorrected ND2 sequence divergence. We also provide the first description of topotypic males of C. monticola along with the first data on live colouration and natural history. Cnemaspis schalleri sp. nov. is the second new Cnemaspis described from around Sakleshpur within a span of less than a year with minimal field survey effort. It is almost certain than the dedicated systematic sampling across the Central Western Ghats will result in the discovery of many undescribed Cnemaspis lineages.

Keywords: Reptilia, Cnemaspis monticola, dwarf geckos, endemic, ND2, South Asian Cnemaspis, systematics, Western Ghats

Cnemaspis schalleri sp. nov.

 

Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray and Ishan Agarwal. 2021.  A New Small-bodied, Polymorphic Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) allied to C. monticola Manamendra-Arachchi, Batuwita & Pethiyagoda, 2007 from the Central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India.  Zootaxa. 4950(3); 501–527. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4950.3.5

[Herpetology • 2020] Megophrys frigida • A New Potentially Endangered Species of Megophrys (Anura: Megophryidae) from Mount Ky Quan San, north-west Vietnam

Megophrys frigida

Tapley, Cutajar, Nguyen, Portway, Mahony, Nguyen, Harding, Luong & Rowley, 2020

Mount Ky Quan San Horned Frog || DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1856952

  zsl.org  twitter.com/Tapley_Benjamin 

australian.museum  twitter.com/JodiRowley 

ABSTRACT

The genus Megophrys is known to harbour morphological cryptic species diversity. During field work on Vietnam’s third highest peak, Mount Ky Quan San, north-west Vietnam, we collected specimens of a new species of Megophrys at two locations more than 2000 m above sea level (asl). Phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial markers place the new species within the subgenus Panophrys, a primarily Chinese radiation within the genus Megophrys. We describe the species based on an all-male type series and distinguish it from all other Megophrys species from mainland Southeast Asia, north of the Isthmus of Kra and nearby provinces of China (Yunnan, Guangxi and Guizhou) based on morphological, molecular and bioacoustic data. The new species is inferred to form a clade along with M. hoanglienensis and M. fansipanensis; it is syntopic with the former but has a non-overlapping range with the latter. Uncorrected p distances for the 16S rDNA and CO1 genes between the new species and closest relatives exceed values observed between other closely related species in the Panophrys subgenus. The new species is most similar to M. fansipanensis in terms of morphology, and several call parameters also overlap with this species; however, these two species call at different times of year. This is the fourth likely range-restricted and Endangered Megophrys species described from the Hoang Lien Range since 2017, and this discovery further highlights the significance of the Hoang Lien Range for Vietnam’s amphibian diversity.

KEYWORDS: Anura, bioacoustics, Hoang Lien, Panohphrys, Xenophrys

    

 

Benjamin Tapley, Timothy Cutajar, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Christopher Portway, Stephen Mahony, Chung Thanh Nguyen, Luke Harding, Hao Van Luong and Jodi J. L. Rowley. 2020. A New Potentially Endangered Species of Megophrys (Amphibia: Megophryidae) from Mount Ky Quan San, north-west Vietnam. Journal of Natural History. 54(39-40); 2543-2575. DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2020.1856952

 zsl.org/blogs/conservation/international-expedition-discovers-new-species-of-frog-from-vietnam-0

 twitter.com/tapley_benjamin/status/1372943477395369992

 twitter.com/JodiRowley/status/1373004057124610053

 australian.museum/blog/amri-news/new-species-of-tiny-horned-frog 

 

Tóm tắt tiếng Việt: Giống cóc sừng Megophrys chứa đựng sự đa dạng cao với nhiều loài tương đồng về hình thái. Trong quá trình khảo sát thực địa tại vùng đỉnh núi Ky Quan San, Tây Bắc Việt Nam, chúng tôi khám phá ra một loài mới thuộc giống Megophrys ở độ cao trên 2000 m. Các phân tích về dữ liệu di truyền sử dụng các đoạn gen thuộc hệ gen ty thể cho thấy quần thể này thuộc giống phụ Panophrys trong giống Megophrys, đây là một giống chủ yếu phân bố tại Trung Quốc. Chúng tôi mô tả loài mới này dựa trên các mẫu vật đực và so sánh với các loài khác trong giống Megophrys ở đất liền vùng Đông Nam Á (từ phía bắc eo đất Kra, Thái Lan) và khu vực lân cận ở Trung Quốc dựa trên đặc điểm hình thái, phân tử và âm học. Loài mới được mô tả gần gũi với hai loài đặc hữu ở dãy Hoàng Liên Sơn là Megophrys hoanglienensis và Megophrys fansipanensis; loài mới có cùng khu vực phân bố với loài M. hoanglienensis song về hình thái và tiếng kêu thì giống với loài M. fansipanensis nhưng giữa chúng khác nhau về mùa sinh sản. Đây là loài thứ tư, có vùng phân bố hẹp và nguy cơ tuyệt chủng cao được mô tả từ dãy Hoàng Liên từ năm 2017 đến nay. Khám phá này cho thấy sự đa đạng cao các loài lưỡng cư và tầm quan trọng của dãy Hoàng Liên đối với khu hệ lưỡng cư ở Việt Nam.