[Mollusca • 2020] Hemiplecta ligorica & H. thailandica • Reassessment and Systematic Position of the Sinistral Snails of Genus Hemiplecta from Thailand (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae), with Description of Two New Species

  

Hemiplecta ligorica & H. thailandica

Sutcharit & Panha, 

in Sutcharit, Jeratthitikul, Tongkerd & Panha, 2021.

DOI: 10.1163/18759866-BJA10016 

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Abstract

Indochina land snails of the family Ariophantidae are in need of thorough systematic revision. Here we comprehensively revise the systematics of the large-shelled, sinistral (counterclockwise) coiling snails from Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia. Molecular phylogeny based on mitochondrial (coi and 16S) and nuclear (28S) gene sequences demonstrates that these sinistral snails are not members of Dyakiidae as previously thought, but instead are more closely related to the genus Hemiplecta in the family Ariophantidae. Comparative morphology also reveals similarity of reproductive organ features (globular gametolytic organ, well-developed dart apparatus, and lack of amatorial organ complex). Based on this evidence, we propose to transfer these sinistral snails to the genus Hemiplecta. Molecular phylogenetic analyses further strongly support the monophyly of this sinistral lineage with respect to other members of Hemiplecta. This monophyletic clade consists of five members including three species that were previously classified as “Dyakia”, H. lahatensis, H. retrorsa and H. salangana, and two new species described herein, Hemiplecta ligorica n. sp. and H. thailandica n. sp. This study also suggests that the anatomy of the gametolytic organ in the genus Hemiplecta corresponds well with the phylogenetic relationships and appears to be a taxonomically informative character, while the penial verge has little utility for generic recognition.

Keywords: Pulmonata; Dyakiidae; sinistral; endemic species; Indochina

Family Ariophantidae Godwin-Austen, 1888

Genus Hemiplecta Albers, 1850

1. Hemiplecta retrorsa (Gould, 1843)

2. Hemiplecta salangana (Martens, 1883)

3. Hemiplecta lahatensis (Morgan, 1885)

Shell characters.
A. Hemiplecta lahatensis, specimen cumz 5259/2.
B, C, Hemiplecta thailandica n. sp., (B) holotype cumz 5095/1 and (C) specimen cumz 5098 from Chanthaburi Province.
D, E. Hemiplecta ligorica n. sp., (D) holotype cumz 5093/1 and (E) paratype cumz 5087 from the type locality.

4. Hemiplecta thailandica Sutcharit and Panha, n. sp.

Etymology. The species name “thailandica” refers to the type locality of this new species in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand.

Diagnosis. Large and low conic shell with brown to brownish yellow shell color, rounded last whorl with narrow dark brown spiral band on periphery. Penial sculpture with small penial papillae arranged over nearly entire penis length.

 

5. Hemiplecta ligorica Sutcharit and Panha, n. sp.

Etymology. For the historical name of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, where the type locality is situated.

Diagnosis. Small, sinistral helicoild shell with whitish color, rounded last whorl with dark brown to brownish spiral band on periphery and upper shell surface. Penial sculpture with small papillae arranged over about half of penis length.

Conclusion: 

Based on phylogenetic results and morphological information in the present study, we have transferred the sinistral species previously and incorrectly assigned to Dyakia (family Dyakiidae) to the genus Hemiplecta (family Ariophantidae). Two previously unrecognised species are described based on consistent differentiation in molecular, shell, and genitalia characters. Our data also provide further support for three other sinistral Hemiplecta species, which are also re-described herein. The results also suggest the synonymization of the formerly recognized as (sub)genus Koratia under the Hemiplecta. Finally, the results indicate the evolutionary instability of shell traits that are often used for land snail classification, while genital characters are highlighted as reliable taxonomic markers for delimiting species and at least some higher taxa. The integration of multiple independent characters including molecular evidence is crucial for delimiting higher systematic levels.

  Chirasak Sutcharit, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Piyoros Tongkerd and Somsak Panha. 2021. Reassessment and Systematic Position of the Sinistral Snails of Genus Hemiplecta from Thailand (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae), with Description of Two New Species. Contributions to Zoology. 90(2); 183–215. 

DOI: 10.1163/18759866-BJA10016

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[Botany • 2021] Streptocarpus malachiticola, S. bampsii, S. malaissei, et al. • Five New Species of Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae) from Katanga, D.R. Congo

Streptocarpus malachiticola Eb.Fisch. & I.Darbysh.,

in Fischer & Darbyshire, 2021.

DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.2021.1824

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Abstract

Background and aims – Five new species of Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae) are described from D.R. Congo in connection with preparing the family treatment for the Flore d’Afrique centrale.

Methods – Standard herbarium practices were applied.

Key results – Streptocarpus malachiticola sp. nov. is related to S. compressus and S. goetzei while S. bampsii sp. nov., S. malaissei sp. nov., S. salesianorum sp. nov., and S. schaijesii sp. nov. are related to S. michelmorei and S. solenanthus. The differences with these species are discussed and distribution maps for the new taxa are presented. An identification key for all known acaulescent species from D.R. Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi is provided. The conservation status of new species is preliminarily assessed. All taxa are range-restricted in Upper Katanga and the assessments are as follows: S. malachiticola: EN B1+2ab(iii), S. bampsii: CR B2ab(iii), S. malaissei: EN B1+2ab(iii), S. salesianorum: CR B2ab(iii), and S. schaijesii: EN B2ab(iii). Streptocarpus malachiticola is found on metalliferous rocks while the remaining species are either epiphytes in gallery forests (S. bampsii) or occur on humid rocks in gallery forests.

Keywords: central Africa, endemism, new species, Streptocarpus malachiticola, S. bampsii, S. malaissei, S. salesianorum, S. schaijesii, taxonomy

Streptocarpus malachiticola Eb.Fisch. & I.Darbysh.
A, C. Habit. B. Inflorescence. D. Flower.

 

Photographs taken by Julie Lebrun, Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège at Tshilongo, Kabwe (A–B: © Julie Lebrun, all rights reserved) and Michel Schaijes at Tenke (C–D: © Michel Schaijes, all rights reserved).

Streptocarpus malachiticola Eb.Fisch. & I.Darbysh., sp. nov.

Diagnosis – Streptocarpus malachiticola differs from S. goetzei in the glandular-pubescent pedicel with shorter eglandular hairs intermixed, the glandular-pubescent calyx, the smaller corolla with glandular hairs outside, the glandular-pubescent ovary, the bilobed stigma and the distinctly shorter capsule. The upper lip of the corolla bears strongly divaricate lobes, thus also differing from S. goetzei. It differs from S. compressus in the strictly unifoliate habit, the glandular-pubescent calyx, the shorter lower lip of the corolla, the blue-violet corolla with pale-whitish palate, the shape of the upper lobes and the more strongly constricted mouth, the eglandular style and the shorter capsules.

Habitat – Shaded vertical siliceous rock faces, often on metalliferous rocks, e.g. malachite, or rarely on non-mineralized rocks, 1200–1500 m elevation. Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral [Cu2CO3(OH)2]. It often results from the weathering of copper ores.

Etymology – Named after the metalliferous rocks which are the preferred habitat.

Streptocarpus bampsii Eb.Fisch. & I.Darbysh., sp. nov.

Diagnosis – The species differs from Streptocarpus solenanthus in the straight and usually shorter corolla tube and the shorter lower lip of the corolla, the darker colouring of the corolla lobes and the longer calyx lobes. The species differs from Streptocarpus michelmorei in the smaller pale lilac corolla lacking a deep violet patch on the palate and behind, the corolla tube being almost straight and not deepened on the lower side at the middle, and the upper and the lower lip being almost equal while in S. michelmoreithe lower lip is distinctly larger. It also differs from S. michelmorei in the distinctly shorter capsule.

Habitat – Epiphyte in gallery forest at foot of waterfalls, 1250 m elevation.

Etymology – Named after Paul Bamps, who made major contributions to the knowledge of the flora of Central Africa, and who collected the type.

Streptocarpus malaissei Eb.Fisch. & I.Darbysh., sp. nov.

Diagnosis – The species differs from Streptocarpus michelmorei in the smaller pale lilac corolla lacking a deep violet patch on the palate and behind, the corolla tube being almost straight and not deepened on the lower side at the middle, and the upper and the lower lips being almost equal while in S. michelmorei the lower lip is distinctly larger. It also differs from S. michelmorei in the distinctly shorter capsule. The species differs from Streptocarpus solenanthusin the straight and usually shorter corolla tube and the shorter lower lip of the corolla. It differs from the morphologically similar Streptocarpusbampsii in the deep violet corolla with pale violet tube, shorter ovary and style and the shorter capsule.

Habitat – Epiphyte or lithophyte on humid rocks in gallery forest or ravine near waterfall, 1450 m elevation.

Etymology – Named after François Malaisse, who made major contributions to the knowledge of the flora of Katanga, and who collected the type.

Streptocarpus salesianorum Eb.Fisch. & I.Darbysh., sp. nov. 

 Diagnosis – Streptocarpus salesianorum differs from all other related species even at first glance by the orbicular leaf with a length/width ratio of ca 1. The flowers are similar to that of S. schaijesii but differ in the much shorter tube and the distinctly shorter upper and lower lips. There is an overall similarity to S. solenanthus but the latter species has a corolla with shorter upper lip and a distinctly longer lower lip and a much more ovate to oblong leaf (7–15 × 4–12 vs 25–27 × 24.5–26.5 cm in S. salesianorum).

Habitat – Humid rocks along stream, ± 1450 m elevation.

Etymology – Named after the Salesian missionaries from Institut Saint François de Sales at Lubumbashi (= Elisabethville) who collected the type specimen.

 

 Streptocarpus schaijesii Eb.Fisch. & I.Darbysh., sp. nov.

Diagnosis – The species differs from Streptocarpus michelmorei in the pale lilac corolla lacking a deep violet patch on the palate and behind, in the corolla tube being only slightly curved and scarcely deepened on the lower side at the middle, and in the distinctly shorter capsule. The species differs from Streptocarpus solenanthus in usually having a shorter corolla tube and in the longer lower lip of the corolla. It differs from Streptocarpusbampsii in the slightly curved and longer corolla tube, the longer corolla lower lip and the longer staminodes.

Habitat – Humid, calcareous rocks in gallery forest or ravine near waterfall, 1200–1650 m elevation.

Etymology – Named after Michel Schaijes, who made major contributions to the knowledge of the flora of Katanga, and who collected the type.

Eberhard Fischer and Iain Darbyshire. 2021. Five New Species of Streptocarpus (Gesneriaceae) from Katanga, D.R. Congo. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 154(2); 264-280. DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.2021.1824

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[Arachnida • 2021] Taczanowskia onowoka • Phylogenetic Placement of the Spider Genus Taczanowskia (Araneae: Araneidae) and Description of A New Species from Ecuador

Taczanowskia onowoka

Jordán, Domínguez-Trujillo & Cisneros-Heredia, 2021

DOI: 10.1071/IS20084  

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Abstract

The genus Taczanowskia Keyserling, 1879 is one of the rarest groups of spiders in the orb-weaving family Araneidae, with only five species described and 17 specimens cited in publications. Our study provides new insights into the evolutionary relationships and diversity of Taczanowskia. Using morphological data, we tested the evolutionary relationships of the genus within the family Araneidae and propose the first phylogenetic hypothesis depicting the relationships among species of Taczanowskia. Our results place Taczanowskia as sister to Mastophora Holmberg, 1876, and confirm the monophyly of Taczanowskia. We describe the first species of Taczanowskia from Ecuador, collected at a Waorani community on the River Curaray basin, Amazonian lowlands of Ecuador. The new species can be easily diagnosed from all other species of Taczanowskia by having two tubercles in the opisthosoma; a distinct patchy dark–light colouration pattern with dark spots concentrated towards the anterior margin and on the lateral tips; small bundles of white setae forming a reticulum across the dorsal part of the opisthosoma, and the first two femora thick but lacking teeth on the margin.

Juan Pablo Jordán, Mariela Domínguez-Trujillo and Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia. 2021. Phylogenetic Placement of the Spider Genus Taczanowskia (Araneae: Araneidae) and Description of A New Species from Ecuador. Invertebrate Systematics. 35(7); 742-753. DOI: 10.1071/IS20084 

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[Herpetology • 2021] Amolops chaochin • Taxonomic Revision of Amolops chunganensis (Pope, 1929) (Anura: Ranidae) and Description of A New Species from southwestern China, with Discussion on Amolops monticola group and Assignment of Species Groups of the Genus Amolops

Amolops chaochin Jiang, Ren, Lyu & Li, 

in Jiang, Ren, Lyu, Wang, ... et Li, 2021.

Chaochin’s Torrent Frog | 钊琴湍蛙 || DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.107

Abstract

Amolops chunganensis is a species complex and reported widely from eastern, southern, and southwestern China. Based on molecular data of 19 populations of A. chunganensis sensu lato from China, including the population from Mt. Wuyi (type locality), we recognize A. chunganensis sensu stricto and provide an expanded description based on the topotypic specimens. Combining morphological and molecular data, we describe a new species, Amolops chaochin sp. nov., from southwestern China, which was previously identified as A. chunganensis. The new species is distinguished from all other species in the A. monticola group by: (1) moderate body size, SVL 35.3−39.2 mm in males (n=7), and 50.5−54.4 mm in females (n=7); (2) distinct tympanum, larger than half of eye diameter; (3) small tooth-like projection on anteromedial edge of mandible; (4) circummarginal groove on all fingers; (5) white tubercles on dorsal side of posterior body in both sexes; (6) distinct tubercles on dorsal thigh and white spinose tubercles on dorsal tibia in both sexes; (7) white tubercles on posterior region of tympanum in males; (8) toe webbing reaching disk by dermal fringe on inner side of toe II; (9) vomerine teeth present; (10) transverse bands on dorsal limbs; (11) external vocal sacs present in males. We further reviewed the assignment of Amolops groups, with an overall revision of membership and diagnosis of all species groups.

Keywords: Amolops chaochin sp. nov., Complex, Distribution, Amolops gerbillus, Amolops chayuensis group, Amolops spinapectoralis group

Figure  7.  General and close-up views of Amolops chaochin sp. nov. in life, showing color variation among individuals and features in amplexus
A: Adult male from Jiguanshan, Chongzhou, Chengdu, Sichuan; B–C: Adult males from Xiling Snow Mountain, Dayi, Chengdu, Sichuan; D: General view of mating pairs in amplexus in axillary amplectic positions, upper: male, lower: female; E: Close-up view of pair of developed external subgular vocal sacs in male (see arrows); F: Close-up views of male forelimbs in axillary amplectic positions.

Photos by Jin-Long Ren.

Amolops chaochin sp. nov. Jiang, Ren, Lyu, and Li

Diagnosis: According to the morphological characters of the A. monticola group stated by Stuart et al. (2010), Amolops chaochin sp. nov. is placed in the A. monticola group based on the following diagnosis: (1) skin relatively smooth; (2) dorsolateral fold distinct; (3) lateral side of head black, upper lip stripe yellowish white extending to shoulder.

Amolops chaochin sp. nov. is distinguished from all other congeners in the A. monticola group by the following combination of characters: (1) moderate body size, SVL 35.3−39.2 mm in males (n=7) and 50.5−54.4 mm in females (n=7); (2) tympanum distinct, larger than half of eye diameter; (3) small tooth-like projection on anteromedial edge of mandible; (4) circummarginal groove on all fingers; (5) white tubercles on dorsal side of posterior body in both sexes; (6) distinct tubercles on dorsal thigh and white spinose tubercles on dorsal tibia in both sexes; (7) white tubercles on posterior region of tympanum in males; (8) toe webbing reaching disk by dermal fringe on inner side of toe II; (9) vomerine teeth present; (10) transverse bands on dorsal limbs; (11) external vocal sacs present in males.

Etymology: Specific epithet “chaochin” is named after Prof. Ch’eng-Chao Liu (1900–1976) and his wife Prof. Shu-Chin Hu (1914–1992), combining the last words of their given names “Chao” and “Chin”. Prof. Liu and Prof. Hu both greatly contributed to Chinese herpetology and established the Herpetological Museum at the Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. During their fieldwork in Mt. Emei, Prof. Liu and Prof. Hu found the first pair of specimens of this new species. Furthermore, based on field observations from 1938 to 1940, Prof. Liu published the detailed life history of this new species under the name “Staurois chunganensis” (Liu 1941), and the specimens collected by Prof. Liu are still preserved in CIB (Figure 8A). 

We suggest the English common name as “Chaochin’s Torrent Frog” and the Chinese common name as “钊琴湍蛙 (in Chinese Pinyin: Zhāo Qín Tuān Wā)”.

Habitat of Amolops chaochin sp. nov. at 1,179 m a.s.l. on Jiguanshan, Chongzhou, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Figure  9.  Habitat of Amolops chaochin sp. nov. at 1,179 m a.s.l. on Jiguanshan, Chongzhou, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Type series were found across rocky, flowing streams (A) and adjacent pools (B, mating pair in situ on stones), ditches, and shrubs.

Photos by Jin-Long Ren.

Ke Jiang, Jin-Long Ren, Zhi-Tong Lyu, Dan Wang, Zeng Wang, Ke Lv, Jia-Wei Wu and Jia-Tang Li. 2021. Taxonomic Revision of Amolops chunganensis (Pope, 1929) (Amphibia: Anura) and Description of A New Species from southwestern China, with Discussion on Amolops monticola group and Assignment of Species Groups of the Genus Amolops. Zoological Research. 42(5); 574-591. DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.107

[Paleontology • 2021] Ceratosuchops inferodios & Riparovenator milnerae • New Spinosaurids from the Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, UK) and the European Origins of Spinosauridae

Ceratosuchops inferodios and Riparovenator milnerae 

 Barker, Hone, Naish, Cau, Lockwood, Foster, Clarkin, Schneider & Gostling, 2021

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97870-8

Illustration: Anthony Hutchings 

Abstract

Spinosaurids are among the most distinctive and yet poorly-known of large-bodied theropod dinosaurs, a situation exacerbated by their mostly fragmentary fossil record and competing views regarding their palaeobiology. Here, we report two new Early Cretaceous spinosaurid specimens from the Wessex Formation (Barremian) of the Isle of Wight. Large-scale phylogenetic analyses using parsimony and Bayesian techniques recover the pair in a new clade within Baryonychinae that also includes the hypodigm of the African spinosaurid Suchomimus. Both specimens represent distinct and novel taxa, herein named Ceratosuchops inferodios gen. et sp. nov. and Riparovenator milnerae gen. et sp. nov. A palaeogeographic reconstruction suggests a European origin for Spinosauridae, with at least two dispersal events into Africa. These new finds provide welcome information on poorly sampled areas of spinosaurid anatomy, suggest that sympatry was present and potentially common in baryonychines and spinosaurids as a whole, and contribute to updated palaeobiogeographic reconstructions for the clade.

Known material referred to the baryonychines Ceratosuchops inferodios (rear) and Riparovenator milnerae (front) recovered at Chilton Chine (Isle of Wight, UK). White bones represent recovered elements. The arrangement of the elements in the caudal series is estimated; their relative position in the true series, and relationship with respect to each other (bar for those of the largely articulated mid-caudal series), are estimated. 

Image credit: Dan Folkes (CC-BY 4.0). Scale bar: 100 cm.

DINOSAURIA Owen, 1842.

THEROPODA Marsh, 1881.

TETANURAE Gauthier, 1986.

SPINOSAURIDAE Stromer, 1915.

BARYONYCHINAE Charig and Milner, 1986, sensu Sereno et al., 1998.

CERATOSUCHOPSINI clade nov.

Definition: The most inclusive branch-based clade containing Ceratosuchops inferodios but not Baryonyx walkeri and Spinosaurus aegyptiacus.

Included taxa: Ceratosuchops inferodios; Riparovenator milnerae; Suchomimus tenerensis Sereno et al., 1998.

Diagnosis: postorbital facet of frontal dorsoventrally thick (height more than 40% of length) and excavated by a deep, longitudinal slot; well-defined and strongly curved anterior margins of supratemporal fossa; occipital surface of the basisphenoid collateral oval scars excavated.

Genus Ceratosuchops nov.

Etymology: kératos (Greek, κέρας)—“horn”, prominent postorbital boss and rugose orbital brow; soûkhos (Greek, Σοῦχος)—“crocodile”; óps (Greek, ὄψ)—“face”.

Ceratosuchops inferodios sp. nov.

 

Etymology: īnfernus (Latin)—underworld, hell; erodiós (Greek, ερωδιός)—heron, in reference to its presumed heron-like ecology.

Holotype: Associated premaxillary bodies (IWCMS 2014.95.5) and posterior premaxillary fragment (IWCMS 2021.30); a near complete but disarticulated braincase (IWCMS 2014.95.1-3) (Fig. 3).

Type locality and type horizon: Wessex Fm. (Barremian), Chilton Chine, near Brighstone (Isle of Wight, UK).

Genus Riparovenator gen. nov.

Etymology: Rīpārius (Latin)–relating to the riverbank; vēnātor (Latin) –hunter.

 

Riparovenator milnerae sp. nov.

 

Etymology: In honour of Angela Milner and her contributions to spinosaurid palaeobiology (and palaeontology as whole).

Holotype: Associated premaxillary bodies (IWCMS 2014.95.6); a disarticulated braincase (IWCMS 2014.96.1, 2; 2020.448.1, 2); a left “preorbital” fragment (partial lacrimal and prefrontal) (IWCMS 2014.96.3) (Fig. 4).

Type locality and type horizon: Between the Chilton Chine and Brighstone Sandstones, Wessex Fm. (Barremian), Chilton Chine, near Brighstone (Isle of Wight, UK).

    

 Chris T. Barker, David W. E. Hone, Darren Naish, Andrea Cau, Jeremy A. F. Lockwood, Brian Foster, Claire E. Clarkin, Philipp Schneider and Neil J. Gostling. 2021. New Spinosaurids from the Wessex Formation (Early Cretaceous, UK) and the European Origins of Spinosauridae. Scientific Reports. 11: 19340. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97870-8

    

 

    

    

[Crustacea • 2021] Cherax latimanus • A New Burrow-dwelling Freshwater Crayfish (Decapoda, Parastacidae) from the mid-Murray River catchment, Australia

 Cherax latimanus

McCormack & Raadik, 2021

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5026.3.2

Abstract

A new species of freshwater crayfish in the southern hemisphere family Parastacidae is described from the Murray Darling Basin (MDB), eastern Australia. The Swamp Yabby, Cherax latimanus sp. nov., is found in the mid-Murray River area of the states of New South Wales and Victoria and is only the third species of Cherax found naturally occurring in the MDB. It is morphologically distinguished from all other species of Cherax by the presence of marginal mesial dactylar basal spines and extensive ventral propodal setation. It is found in sympatry with the widespread but morphologically similar Common Yabby, Cherax destructor Clark, 1936, but can be distinguished by a suite of morphometric and meristic characters that include a broad rostrum lacking an apical spine, very broad chelae with deep punctations on the lateral propodal edge and ventral propodal setation, two prominent dactylar teeth, one mesial carpal spine, dorsal meral spines present, no setae on carpal mesial margin, cervical spines absent or tiny, and by genetic data. Cherax latimanus is further diagnosed by its distinctive biology: it is not found in permanent aquatic habitats such as streams or billabongs, spending the majority of its time in extensive, terrestrial, burrow networks containing some water, in ephemerally wet habitats such as drainage lines, roadside drains, depressions, swamps and cleared areas of pasture in lowland to foothill areas. It is occasionally found in stream habitats but only during large flood events when burrow systems are inundated.

Keywords: Crustacea, taxonomy, Crustacea Cherax destructor, yabby, yabbie, morphology, Barmah, wetland, Murray River, Murray-Darling Basin

  Cherax latimanus sp. nov., holotype, NMV J74790, male, 63.6 mm OCL,
roadside drain on south-east side of Nelson Road (near Benalla), Victoria

(Image: Rob McCormack).

Cherax latimanus sp. nov.

Swamp Yabby

Etymology. From the Latin latus, meaning broad, wide, and manus, meaning hand, in reference to its distinctive wide chelae, an obvious characteristic which separates it from the Common Yabby (Cherax destructor) with which it is broadly sympatrically found.

 Common name—Swamp Yabby, however, colloquially also referred to as Banjo Claw Yabby, Barmah Cray, Barmah Swamp Yabby, Broad Claw Yabby, Broad Palmed Yabby, Moon Claw Yabby, Mud Burrow Yabby, Spanner Yabby, Spanner Claw Cray, Spanner Claw Yabby, Swamp Cray, Swamp Yabby, or Swampies.

Robert B. McCormack and Tarmo A. Raadik. 2021. Cherax latimanus sp. nov., A New Burrow-dwelling Freshwater Crayfish (Decapoda, Parastacidae) from the mid-Murray River catchment, Australia. Zootaxa. 5026(3); 344-374. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5026.3.2

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[Mollusca • 2021] Aenigmatoconcha eunetis • Systematic Revision of the Limestone Karst-restricted Land Snail Genus Aenigmatoconcha (Eupulmonata: Helicarionidae), with Description of A New Species

[F, G, H] Aenigmatoconcha eunetis Pholyotha & Panha  

in Pholyotha, Sutcharit, Tongkerd & Panha, 2021.

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2021.767.1487 

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ABSTRACT

Thai limestone karsts are known to contain a rich biodiversity of animals, especially terrestrial snails, but still require further intensive exploration to evaluate their biodiversity. To date, only a few studies on the limestone karst-inhabiting land snail genera have been published. The present work focuses on the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the limestone karst-restricted land snail genus Aenigmatoconcha from Thailand, based on comparative morphology and molecular evidence. The results yielded three known species (A. clivicola Tumpeesuwan & Tumpeesuwan, 2017, A. sumonthai Tumpeesuwan & Tumpeesuwan, 2018, and A. mitis (Pfeiffer, 1863) comb. nov.), plus a new species (A. eunetis Pholyotha & Panha sp. nov.). The phylogenetic analyses of partial fragments of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit I (COI) gene confirmed the monophyly of all recognized species and congruence with the traditional morphology-based species designations. Average uncorrected p-distances of COI sequences between species were 9.7–12.0% and within species were 0.2–4.2%. This study also provides the re-description of penial sculpture, penial sheath, flagellum, penial caecum, and mantle lobe morphology that were neglected from the type species description. The present discovery of a new species increases the known diversity of Thai land snails and will support the conservation planning to protect karst biodiversity.

Keywords: Endemic, Indochina, limestones, COI gene, DNA barcoding

 Arthit Pholyotha, Chirasak Sutcharit, Piyoros Tongkerd and Somsak Panha. 2021. Systematic Revision of the Limestone Karst-restricted Land Snail Genus Aenigmatoconcha (Eupulmonata: Helicarionidae), with Description of A New Species. European Journal of Taxonomy. 767(1), 55-82. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2021.767.1487

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[Herpetology • 2021] Pristimantis achupalla • A New Minute Species of Direct-developing Frog (Anura, Strabomantidae) inhabiting Bromeliads of the Montane Forest of the Amazonian Andes of Puno, Peru

 Pristimantis achupalla  

Ttito​ & Catenazzi, 2021

 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11878

Abstract 

We describe a new species of bromeliad-dwelling Pristimantis from primary montane forest (2,225 m a.s.l.) in southern Peru. The type locality is near Thiuni, in the Department of Puno (province of Carabaya) in the upper watershed of a tributary of the Inambari River. Pristimantis achupalla sp. n. is characterized by a snout-vent length of 10.0–12.8 mm in adult males (n = 4), unknown in adult females, and is compared morphologically and genetically with species in the Pristimantis lacrimosus group, and with other similar species of Pristimantis. The new species is characterized by having skin on dorsum and flanks rugose, green brownish color, distinctive scapular folds, subacuminate or acuminate snout profile, upper eyelid bearing two or three subconical tubercles and some rounded tubercles, rostral papilla, flanks light brown to brown, with irregular dark brown marks.

Figure 3: Holotype of  Pristimantis achupalla sp. n., male CORBIDI 18736 (SVL 12.8 mm).
 In dorsolateral view (A); dorsal (B) and ventral (C) views of specimen alive.

Photographs by A. Catenazzi.

Figure 6: Dorsolateral views of holotype and three paratypes of  Pristimantis achupalla sp. n. showing detail of coloration patterns and morphological feactures.
Male CORBIDI 18736 (A), SVL = 12.8 mm. Male CORBIDI 18737 (B), SVL = 11.7 mm.
Male MUBI 17604 (C), SVL = 10.0 mm. Juvenile MUBI 17605 (D), SVL = 10.4 mm

Photographs by A. Catenazzi.

Pristimantis achupalla sp. n.

Definition: The new species is distinguished by the following combination of characters: (1) skin on dorsum rugose, that on venter areolate, discoidal fold absent, dorsolateral folds absent; (2) tympanic membrane differentiated, tympanic annulus visible, slightly robust supratympanic fold covering dorsal and posterior edges of tympanum; (3) snout acuminate in dorsal view, truncated and posteroventrally inclined in lateral view, canthus rostralis weakly concave in dorsal view, angular in lateral view, loreal region concave, rostral papilla present; (4) upper eyelid bearing two or three subconical tubercles and some rounded tubercles, cranial crests absent, and postrical turbercles present; (5) dentigerous process of vomers absent; (6) males with vocal sacs and vocal slits, nuptial excrescences absent; (7) Fingers I and II of equal length, fingers II and III bearing rounded discs about 1.2 times wider than digits, Finger IV bearing a rounded disc about twice as wide as its digit; (8) fingers with narrow lateral fringes; (9) antebrachial tubercle present; (10) ulnar and tarsal tubercles present (11) inner metatarsal tubercle oval twice as long as round outer metatarsal tubercle, low supernumerary plantar tubercles at the base of toes I, II, and III; (12) toes with narrow lateral fringes, webbing absent, Toe V longer than Toe III; (13) in life, males with dorsum brownish green; canthal stripe brown extending to the orbits; dorsolateral stripe brown; throat and belly pale green; groins, posterior surfaces of thighs, and shanks bright pale green; iris bronze with fine black reticulations; (14) SVL in adult males 10–12.8 mm; SVL in females unknown. 

Etymology: The name of the new species is a Quechua noun, used in apposition, “achupalla” = bromeliads, in reference to the use of bromeliads as its microhabitats.

Conclusions: 

We describe a new species of terrestrial breeding frog in the genus Pristimantis. We justify the generic location-based on morphological similarity and phylogenetic analyses. The new species P. achupalla is nested within the P. lacrimosus group and is closely related to an undescribed species P. sp. from Peru, P. amagunae, P. sp. from Ecuador, and P. bromeliaceus. These species of minute, bromeliad-living frogs form a clade well supported in the phylogeny. Additionally, several meristic traits distinguish P. achupalla from similar species in P. lacrimosus group. We discuss the difficulty of justifying the position of P. achupalla within groups such as P. lacrimosus, but we also confirm the evolutionary unicity of P. achupalla which supports our taxonomic decision to describe it as new species. Our contribution increases the knowledge of the rich diversity of terrestrial breeding frogs found at high elevations on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera de Carabaya. 

  

Alex Ttito​ and Alessandro Catenazzi. 2021. Pristimantis achupalla sp. n., A New Minute Species of Direct-developing Frog (Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae) inhabiting Bromeliads of the Montane Forest of the Amazonian Andes of Puno, Peru. PeerJ. 9:e11878. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11878