Thursday, March 31, 2022

[Paleontology • 2022] Fossil Assemblage from the Khok Pha Suam Locality of northeastern, Thailand: An Overview of Vertebrate Diversity from the Early Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian-Albian)


 the Khok Pha Suam Locality of northeastern, Thailand
 Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian)  


in Manitkoon, Deesri, Lauprasert, ... et Chanthasit, 2022. 
Palaeoenvironmental interpretation drawing by Sakka Weerataweemat.

Abstract
The Khok Pha Suam locality in the province of Ubon Ratchathani, northeastern, Thailand, is known as “the last home of Thai dinosaurs”, because it belongs to the Lower Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian-Albian) which is currently the youngest Mesozoic vertebrate fossil producing formation in the Khorat Group. Here, we describe a diverse vertebrate assemblage, including hybodonts, ray-finned fishes, turtles, crocodyliforms, pterosaurs, and dinosaurs from the Khok Pha Suam locality. The updated data on the Khok Kruat fauna provides a better understanding of the variety and distribution of Early Cretaceous continental ecosystems, which are useful for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. In addition to consolidating unincorporated data on fauna, this study also provides the palaeontological data necessary to illustrate the palaeoecosystem to the general public, as well as improving the academic value of the Pha Chan-Sam Phan Bok Geopark.

Key Words: Aptian-Albian, Khorat Group, Lower Cretaceous, Pha Chan-Sam Phan Bok Geopark, Vertebrates


Locality map and Lithostratigraphic section of Khok Pha Suam locality.
a. Map of Thailand, showing the location of the Khorat Plateau;
b. Distribution of the Khok Kruat Formation in northeastern Thailand (green color; modified from DMR, 2004), location of Khok Pha Suam locality (red star);
c. Stratigraphic column of Khok Pha Suam,
d, a photograph of the excavation site; e. Logo of The Pha Chan-Sam Phan Bok Geopark.



Mesozoic vertebrate fauna from the Indochina Terrane of NE Thailand, species-level identified taxa shown in white silhouettes, tentatively identified taxa in black silhouettes, further details in Suppl. material 1 (Modified from Lionel Cavin: All not to scale).

Palaeoenvironmental interpretation of the Early Cretaceous (Aptian-Albian) Khok Pha Suam Locality.
Drawing by Sakka Weerataweemat.


Sita Manitkoon, Uthumporn Deesri, Komsorn Lauprasert, Prapasiri Warapeang, Thanit Nonsrirach, Apirut Nilpanapan, Kamonlak Wongko and Phornphen Chanthasit. 2022. Fossil Assemblage from the Khok Pha Suam Locality of northeastern, Thailand: An Overview of Vertebrate Diversity from the Early Cretaceous Khok Kruat Formation (Aptian-Albian). Fossil Record. 25(1): 83-98. DOI: 10.3897/fr.25.83081
  
กลุ่มชีวินดึกดำบรรพ์ แหล่งซากดึกดำบรรพ์โคกผาส้วม จังหวัดอุบลราชธานี ประเทศไทย:
ความหลากหลายของสัตว์มีกระดูกสันหลัง หมวดหินโคกกรวด ยุคครีเทเชียส 
อุทยานธรณีผาชัน-สามพันโบก 

ความหลากหลายของสัตว์มีกระดูกสันหลังจากมหายุคมีโซโซอิกในแผ่นทวีปอินโดไชน่า

    

[Botany • 2019] Mimosa baptistae (Fabaceae) • A New Glandular Mimosa Species from Southern Brazil and Insights About Its Glandular Trichomes Micromorphology


 Mimosa baptistae Schmidt-Silveira & Miotto, 

in Silveira, de Vargas, Fortuna-Perez & Miotto, 2019. 
 
ABSTRACT
Mimosa baptistae is a new species presenting stalked glandular trichomes that give it a glutinous appearance, mainly with respect to the leaflets. Furthermore, it is an aculeate species, with multijugate leaves, white stamens, and fruits also covered by glandular trichomes. A herbaria survey and fieldwork only recorded this species as occurring on sandstone outcrops of the city Caçapava do Sul, Brazil. The species may be confused with other species of Mimosa sect. Batocaulon ser. Stipellares such as M. bifurca, M. sobralii and M. lepidota. However, features such as absence/presence of aculei, stamens color, habitat, and flower features are useful for distinguishing them from the new species. Here, we provide notes on morphology, geographic distribution, as well as anatomical detail of its glandular trichomes and content. Finally, we discussed the taxonomic significance of the micromorphology of glandular trichomes and their content in Mimosa ser. Stipellares as well as the potential applicability of such features to better understand the morphology of this series.

Keywords: glands; leaflets; Pampa; secretory structures; Serra do Sudeste

Figure 1: Mimosa baptistae:
A. Habitat at Serra do Sudeste, Pampa biome, Brazil. B. Detail of a shrub individual; C. Population density. D. Arrangement of inflorescence, also showing the white stamens. E. Fruits. F. Detail of branches covered by a colorless and bright substance, resembling a resin.
 (Photos B and D from G.P. Coelho; Photos A, C, E, F from F. Schmidt-Silveira).

Figure 2: Mimosa baptistae morphological details.
A. Capituliform subglobose inflorescence B. Leaflets C. Aculei. D. leaflets punctuations E. Subquadrangular branches with grooves. F. Calyx and corolla G. Fruit. H. Articles covered by a colorless and bright substance, resembling a resin. Scale bars of 1mm.
 (A-H from the holotype, photo A from G. P. Coelho; photos B-H from F. Schmidt-Silveira).

Mimosa baptistae Schmidt-Silveira & Miotto sp. nov .

 Distribution and ecology: Mimosa baptistae may be considered an endemic species up to now for Caçapava do Sul at the hills of Pedra do Segredo, Pedra do Leão and their neighborhood, in Serra do Sudeste (Rio Grande do Sul State), where it grows on sandstone outcrops, shrublands (vassoural), and rocky grasslands, at approximately 200 to 500 m elevation. Caçapava do Sul belongs to the physiographic region of Serra do Sudeste (Fortes 1959), which is highlighted as a high-level priority area for conservation (CNCFlora 2014) in the Pampa biome. Furthermore, Pedra do Segredo and Pedra do Leão harbor other species endemic and rare such as Pavonia secreta Grings & Krapov, Petunia secreta Stehmann & Semir, Petunia exserta Stehmann, and Croton pygmaeus L.R. Lima (Grings et al. 2011).

Etymology: The specific epithet is in honor of Dr. Luís Rios de Moura Baptista, who studied many groups of plants from the Flora of Rio Grande do Sul, including the Mimosa genus.



Fernanda Schmidt Silveira, Wanderleia de Vargas, Ana Paula Fortuna-Perez and Silvia Teresinha Sfoggia Miotto. 2019. A New Glandular Mimosa Species from Southern Brazil and Insights About Its Glandular Trichomes Micromorphology.  Acta Bot. Bras. 33(4); DOI: 10.1590/0102-33062019abb0112  

[Herpetology • 2022] Cyrtodactylus papeda • A New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Obi Island in the Moluccas, Indonesia


Cyrtodactylus papeda
 Riyanto, Faz, Amarasinghe, Munir, Fitriana, Hamidy, Kusrini & Oliver, 2022

cecak jarilengkung Obi | Obi Bent-toad Gecko || DOI: 10.1655/Herpetologica-D-21-00028 

Abstract
Based on phylogenetic and morphological evidence, we describe a new species of Cyrtodactylus from Obi Island in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. The new species is genetically and morphologically allied to the Melanesian species Cyrtodactylus papuensis but is distinguished by its larger body size, fewer midbody scale rows, deep precloacal groove in males, and enlarged nonpored femoral scales and pored precloacal scales arranged in a continuous series. The new species is also genetically divergent from C. papuensis (p-distances of 19.0%–20.1% in the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene). Four species of Cyrtodactylus are now known from the northern Moluccas, but it is likely additional species remain unrecognized.


Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov.
Adult male holotype (MZB.Lace. 14052), 
from Kawasi, Obi Island, Halmahera Selatan, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Precloacal depression posterior and enlarged femoral and precloacal scales of
(A) Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov. holotype MZB.Lace. 14052
and (B) C. papuensis holotype ZMA.RENA 10937.
Illustrations by A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe (not to scale).

Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov.

Etymology.— The specific epithet is an invariable noun in apposition and refers to papeda (in Indonesian language), a traditional fiber-rich, cholesterol-low food in Moluccas and West Papua made from sago (Metroxylon sagu, family Arecaceae) starch. Here, we used this epithet to honor (promote) a traditional culinary feature of Obi Island and to showcase this new endemic gecko species to the public. Papeda is white in color, with the texture resembling sticky glue, and the cuisine is usually served with tuna fish and flavored with saffron. Suggested vernacular names are ‘‘cecak jarilengkung Obi’’ and Obi Bent-toad Gecko, in Bahasa Indonesia and English, respectively.

(A) The holotype of Cyrtodactylus papeda sp. nov. (MZB.Lace. 14052) 
and (B) the habitat at Kawasi, Obi Island.
Photographs by F.H. Faz.  


Awal Riyanto; Fata H. Faz; A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe; Misbahul Munir; Yuli S. Fitriana; Amir Hamidy; Mirza D. Kusrini and Paul M. Oliver. 2022. A New Bent-Toed Gecko of the Cyrtodactylus marmoratus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from Obi Island, Indonesia. Herpetologica. 


Wednesday, March 30, 2022

[PaleoOrnithology • 2022] Manuherikia primadividua • A New Species of Manuherikia (Aves: Anatidae) provides evidence of Faunal Turnover in the St Bathans Fauna, New Zealand


Manuherikia primadividua
Worthy, Scofield, Salisbury, Hand, De Pietri, Blokland & Archer, 2022

Artwork by Tom Simpson

Abstract
The St Bathans Fauna is a highly diverse non-marine vertebrate assemblage derived from the lower Miocene (19–16 Ma) Bannockburn Formation exposed in Central Otago, New Zealand. Deposited in palaeolake Manuherikia, remains of waterfowl dominate the avian assemblage, which, with eight known species in four genera, is one of the more diverse globally. Here we describe Manuherikia primadividua nov. sp., the fourth species in the genus. The stratigraphic distribution of fossils assignable to M. primadividua nov. sp. and a previously known species of Manuherikia, M. lacustrina, allow for the recognition of two distinct biozones within the Bannockburn Formation. Fossils of Manuherikia lacustrina are shown to be restricted to beds in the lower 26 m of the Bannockburn Formation in the Manuherikia River Section while fossils of the new species only occur in beds higher than 34 m in this section. This zonation allows correlation of the disparate sites in nearby Mata Creek with the stratigraphy in the Manuherikia River Section. This is the first such biostratigraphical zonation recognised in the fossil-bearing horizons at St Bathans; all other vertebrates have distributions spanning the stratigraphical range of both species. We tentatively correlate this vertebrate zonation with the previously identified pollen zonation, namely the Casuarinaceae Zone and its overlying Asteraceae-Chenopodiaceae or Chenopodipollis chenopodiaceoides Zone. This transition marks a relatively minor environmental change towards drier and more seasonal climates that appears to have driven the palaeoecological replacement of M. lacustrina by M. primadividua nov. sp. in palaeolake Manuherikia.

 Keywords: Early Miocene, Fossil birds, New Zealand, St Bathans Fauna, Biostratigraphical zonation


Manuherikia primadividua nov. sp.

 
Trevor H. Worthy, R. Paul Scofield, Steven W. Salisbury, Suzanne J. Hand, Vanesa L. De Pietri, Jacob C. Blokland and Michael Archer. 2022. A New Species of Manuherikia (Aves: Anatidae) provides evidence of Faunal Turnover in the St Bathans Fauna, New Zealand. Geobios. 70; 87-107. DOI: 10.1016/j.geobios.2021.08.002 

[Herpetology • 2022] Cnemaspis matahari, C. sirehensis, et C. lagang • Three New Species of Cnemaspis (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Sarawak, East Malaysia, Borneo


Cnemaspis matahari   C. lagang 

Nashriq, Davis, Bauer & Das, 2022
 
Abstract
Three new species of Cnemaspis are described from karst regions of Sarawak, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. These are Cnemaspis matahari sp. nov. and C. sirehensis sp. nov. from limestone hills located in the Serian Division of western Sarawak, and C. lagang sp. nov. from Gunung Mulu, Miri Division, in northern Sarawak. All can be distinguished from congeners using mitochondrial DNA as well as an enlarged metatarsal scales on the first toe. Individually, each species can be diagnosed by differences in subcaudal scale morphology: Cnemaspis lagang sp. nov. lacks enlarged subcaudals; Cnemaspis matahari sp. nov. has keeled subcaudals bearing an enlarged median row of smooth scales; and Cnemaspis sirehensis sp. nov. has an enlarged median row of weakly keeled scales. The discovery of these species suggests that additional unrecognized species may exist within the genus on Borneo, especially in association with karst formations. High endemism and species diversity notwithstanding, these karst formations are under severe pressure from limestone extraction and deforestation.

Keywords: Reptilia, Cnemaspis, taxonomy, new species, ecology, conservation, endemic, karst, Sarawak



Cnemaspis lagang sp. nov.
North Sarawak Day Gecko; Cicak Gua Mulu

 Etymology. The epithet lagang is a noun in apposition derived from the paratype locality of Lagang Cave, within Gunung Mulu National Park.


Cnemaspis matahari sp. nov.
White Rock Gecko; Cicak Batu Putih

Etymology. The epithet matahari is Malay for sun, in reference to the yellowish tint on the species. It is usedas a noun in apposition.

Cnemaspis sirehensis sp. nov.
Blue Day Gecko; Cicak Gua Sireh

Etymology. The epithet sirehensis comes from the type locality, Gua Sireh (Sireh Cave), Kampung Bantang,Serian and translates to betel in Malay. Betel is a type of plant of the family Piperaceae, consumed as betel quid orin ‘paan’. Gua Sireh is also known as an important archaeological site in south-western Sarawak. 
 

Izneil Nashriq, Hayden R. Davis, Aaron M. Bauer and Indraneil Das. 2022. Three New Species of Cnemaspis (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from Sarawak, East Malaysia, Borneo. Zootaxa. 5120(1); 1-29. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5120.1.1

 Izneil Nashriq and Indraneil Das. 2021. Underestimated Diversity of Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Sauria: Gekkonidae) on Karst Landscapes in Sarawak, East Malaysia, Borneo. Journal of Threatened Taxa. 13(7); 18792–18799. DOI: 10.11609/jott.7195.13.7.18792-18799

   

[Botany • 2019] Tashiroea dayaoshanensis (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • A New Species of Tashiroea from Guangxi, China


Tashiroea dayaoshanensis Q.J. Zhou & Ying Liu,

in Zhou, Dai, Zhou & Liu, 2019.

Abstract
Tashiroea dayaoshanensis (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae), a species from northeastern Guangxi, China and previously often identified as Phyllagathis nudipes or P. oligotricha in Chinese herbaria, is described as new based on morphological and molecular data. Indumentum, leaf texture and surface sculpture, capsule morphology and molecular phylogenetic data strongly support the placement of T. dayaoshanensis within the Tashiroea clade which should be accommodated in Tashiroea. Morphology as well as sequence divergence of the nrITS region indicate that T. dayaoshanensis is well differentiated from other species in the same clade, and thus should be treated as a distinct species. Tashiroea dayaoshanensis is phylogenetically closest to Bredia sessilifolia but can be easily distinguished by its petiolate leaves (vs. sessile or subsessile), and crowned ovary (vs. uncrowned). It resembles P. nudipes and P. oligotricha in habit and stamen morphology but differs from both in its leaf apex acuminate (vs. acute to obtuse), connective ventrally tuberculate (vs. not tuberculate) and ovary crown exerted from calyx tube during young fruit stage (vs. not exerted).
 
Keywords: Eudicots, Bredia, Tashiroea, taxonomy


Drawing of Tashiroea dayaoshanensis, all from Y. Liu 476 (A, SYS).
A. Habit. B. Bud of a flower. C. Top view of a flower. D. Longitudinal section of a flower (part). E. Anther morphology. F. Longitudinal section of young fruit. G. Old fruit.
Drawn by Ms. Rong-Mei Zhang (KUN).

 Tashiroea dayaoshanensis, all from Y. Liu 476 (A, SYS).
A. Top view of a flower. B. Side view of a flower. C. Longitudinal section of a flower showing subequal stamens. D. Anther morphology in detail. E. Longitudinal section of ovary at anthesis showing the ovary crown. F. Longitudinal section of young fruit showing the enlarged ovary crown.
Scale bars: 2 mm (A-F).

Tashiroea dayaoshanensis, all from Y. Liu 476 (A, SYS).
A. Habitat. B. Yellowish hairs covering axillary buds. C. Adaxial and abaxial leaf surface. D. Furrowed leaf surface sculpture under SEM. E. Flowering branch. F. Inflorescence.
Scale bars: 2 mm (B); 50 μm (D).

Tashiroea dayaoshanensis Q.J. Zhou & Ying Liu, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:— Resembles P. nudipes and P. oligotricha in the stoloniferus habit and isomorphic stamens, while differs from both in having acuminate leaf apex (vs. acute to obtuse), ventrally tuberculate connective (vs. not tuberculate) and ovary crown exerted from calyx tube during young fruit stage (vs. not exerted).  

Etymology:—The specific epithet is derived from Dayaoshan Mountain, the distribution range of T. dayaoshanensis.

Distribution:—Tashiroea dayaoshanensis is currently known from Dayaoshan Mountain, Pingnan and Jinxiu, northeastern Guangxi, China (Fig. 7). It occurs in dense or open forest, often on slopes, along forest margin, or in bushes along trails, at 700–1100 m.


 Qiujie Zhou, Jinhong Dai, Renchao Zhou and Ying Liu. 2019. A New Species of Tashiroea (Melastomataceae, Sonerileae) from Guangxi, China. Phytotaxa. 414(6); 269-279. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.414.6.1  

[Botany • 2022] Lithocarpus eiadthongii (Fagaceae) • A New Stone Oak Species from southern Thailand


Lithocarpus eiadthongii Sinbumr., Rueangr. & Sungkaew,  

in Sinbumroong, Rueangruea, Teerawatananon & Sungkaew, 2022. 
ก่อลูกเอียด || DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.541.1.7

Abstract
A new species of the genus Lithocarpus, L. eiadthongii, from southern part of Thailand is described and illustrated. Its colour photographs are also provided and its conservation status is assessed. The new species is superficially similar to L. melataiensis, L. pusillus and L. vuquangensis in terms of leaf and fruit size. Notwithstanding, it differs from the three species in several aspects e.g. leaf apex, leaf blade covering, cupule stalk, cupule size, nut size and nut enclosure.

Keywords: Asia, conservation, diversity, oak, tree, Eudicots

Lithocarpus eiadthongii Sinbumr., Rueangr. & Sungkaew. 
A. Habit of fruiting leafy twig (from the holotype Sinbumroong 04072020); B. Trunk, showing outer bark and buttresses; C. Flowering leafy twig, showing androgynous inflorescences; D. Dry and mature cupules and nuts, showing inside and outside of cupules, basal scar of the nuts and a longitudinal section of a nut.
Photos by A. Sinbumroong.


Lithocarpus eiadthongii Sinbumr., Rueangr. & Sungkaew, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis:— Lithocarpus eiadthongii is superficially similar to L. melataiensis , L. pusillus and L. vuquangensis. In terms of leaf characters, it may look like L. vuquangensis, but it is, however, much different from the latter in terms of fruit characters (having cupule size of 4−7 mm high by 8−13 mm across; cupule surface with (5)6−9 lamellae; nut size of 0.8−1.5 cm across; nut basal scar of 4−8 mm across in L. eiadthongii vs cupule size of ca 14 mm high by ca 18 mm across; cupule surface with 4−5 lamellae; nut size of 2.1−2.4 cm across; nut basal scar of ca 11 mm across in L. vuquangensis). Whilst, in terms of fruit characters, it may look similar to L. melataiensis and L. pusillus, but L. eiadthongii differs from the latter two in having a stalked cupule of 3−6 mm long (vs sessile cupule in L. melataiensis vs sessile to stalked cupule of 2−3 mm long in L. pusillus. Moreover, in terms of leaf characters, L. eiadthongii is much different from the latter two in having a leaf acumen of 3−10 cm long and leaf undersurface with sparsely white to creamy-white waxy to glabrous (vs leaf acumen of 15−22 mm long and leaf undersurface with densely yellowish brown tomentose, sometimes with simple hairs in L. melataiensis vs leaf acumen of 10−30 mm long and leaf undersurface with densely greyish brown tomentose by adpressed, minute, stellate hairs in L. pusillus) ( Table 1).

   



    

Etymology:—The specific epithet eiadthongii is named in honour of a well-known Thai dendrologist, Associate Professor Wichan Eiadthong who specialized in many families of Thai flora including Fagaceae (Eiadthong, 1993) .

Vernacular:— Ko look eiad (Thai - ก่อลูกเอียด), meaning an oak tree with small fruit.

Ecology and distribution:— Currently, it is only known from peninsular Thailand; in Namtok Ngao National Park and Klong Naka Wildlife Sanctuary of Ranong province and Si Phang-Nga National Park of Phang-Nga province. They grow in the co-dominant and intermediate layers of the evergreen forest canopy, particularly along the hillsides, between 60 m and 260 m elevation.


 Aroon Sinbumroong, Sukid Rueangruea, Atchara Teerawatananon and Sarawood Sungkaew. 2022. Lithocarpus eiadthongii (Fagaceae), A New Stone Oak Species from southern part of Thailand. Phytotaxa. 541(1); 73-78. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.541.1.7

ก่อลูกเอียด Lithocarpus eiadthongii Sinbumr., Rueangr. & Sungkaew โดยคำระบุชนิด eiadthongii  ตั้งชื่อเพื่อเป็นเกียรติแก่ ผศ. ดร.วิชาญ เอียดทอง อดีตอาจารย์ผู้ล่วงลับ ภาควิชาชีววิทยาป่าไม้ คณะวนศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์  ผลงานของท่านนับเป็นคุณูปการอันใหญ่หลวงแก่วงการวนศาสตร์  เป็นผู้ประสิทธิ์ประสาทวิชารุกขวิทยาป่าไม้ (Forest Dendrology) ให้แก่นิสิตวนศาสตร์จำนวนมากมายนับไม่ถ้วน  ท่านนับเป็นผู้สร้างแรงบันดาลใจไม่มากก็น้อยให้ลูกศิษย์ (รุ่นน้อง) หลายๆท่านให้รักในการศึกษาพรรณไม้ ทั้งในการศึกษาต่อและปฏิบัติงานด้านรุกขวิทยาป่าไม้ พฤกษศาสตร์ป่าไม้ และอนุกรมวิธานพืช ทั้งในระดับมหาวิทยาลัย และหน่วยงานราชการ สืบต่อมาจนถึงปัจจุบัน

 news.dnp.go.th/news/14817


[Ichthyology • 2022] Hyphessobrycon comodoro The Emerald Green Tetra: A New restricted-range Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Juruena, Chapada dos Parecis, Brazil


 Hyphessobrycon comodoro
Dagosta, Seren, Ferreira & Marinho, 2022


Abstract​ 
A new species of Hyphessobrycon is described from the rio Mutum, a tributary of the rio Juruena, rio Tapajós basin, Brazil. The new taxon can be distinguished from its congeners by the presence of a well-defined and relatively narrow dark midlateral stripe on body, extending from head to the middle caudal-fin rays, presence of a humeral blotch, distal profile of the anal fin falcate in males, 13–16 branched anal-fin rays (vs. 17–26), and 11 or 12 horizontal scale rows around caudal peduncle. The new species shows polymorphism regarding the presence of the adipose fin, and a discussion on this type of polymorphism across the family and its systematic implications is presented.

Keywords: Adipose fin, Amazon, Hyphessobrycon melanostichos, Tapajós, Taxonomy.

 Hyphessobrycon comodoro, Brazil, Mato Grosso State, Municipality of Comodoro, rio Mutum, upper rio Juruena basin:
 A. Holotype, MZUSP 125904, 29.6 mm SL, male; B. Paratype, MZUSP 125215, 25.3 mm SL, female; C. Aquarium specimen, not measured or preserved.

 Live coloration of  Hyphessobrycon comodoro, Brazil, Mato Grosso State, Municipality of Comodoro, rio Mutum, upper rio Juruena basin:
A. Holotype, MZUSP 125904, 29.6 mm SL, male; B. Paratype, MZUSP 125215, 27.4 mm SL, male lacking adipose fin; C. Paratype, MZUSP 125215, 29.8 mm SL, female.

Hyphessobrycon comodoro, new species
 
Diagnose. The new species can be distinguished from all congeners, except Hyphessobrycon. cachimbensis Travassos, 1964, H. cyanotaenia Zarske & Géry, 2006, H. fernandezi Fernández-Yépez, 1972, H. melanostichos, H. nigricinctus Zarske & Géry, 2004, H. paucilepis García-Alzate, Román-Valencia & Taphorn, 2008, H. petricolus Ohara, Lima & Barros, 2017, H. piranga Camelier, Dagosta & Marinho, 2018, H. psittacus Dagosta, Marinho, Camelier & Lima, 2016, H. scholzei Ahl, 1937, H. sovichthys Schultz, 1944, H. stegemanni Géry, 1961, H. taphorni García-Alzate, Román-Valencia & Ortega, 2013, H. tuyensis García-Alzate, Román-Valencia & Taphorn, 2008, and H. vilmae Géry, 1966 by the presence of a well-defined and relatively narrow dark midlateral stripe on body, extending from head to the middle caudal-fin rays (vs. well-defined longitudinal stripe absent, or stripe wider than the orbit, or stripe starting approximately vertically through the origin of the dorsal fin or stripe blurred posteriorly). The new species is distinguished from the aforementioned species, except H. cachimbensis, H. cyanotaenia, H. melanostichos, H. nigricinctus, and H. petricolus, by the possession of a humeral blotch (vs. humeral blotch absent). It is distinguished from H. cachimbensis and H. cyanotaenia by having the distal profile of the anal fin falcate in males (vs. approximately straight or convex) and from H. cachimbensis, H. petricolus, and H. nigricinctus by having 13–16 branched anal-fin rays (vs. 17–26).It can be further distinguished from H. cyanotaenia by lacking concentration of black pigmentation on longest rays of dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins (vs. pigmentation present).It is readily distinguished from H. melanostichos, the most similar congener, by having 11 or 12 horizontal scale rows around caudal peduncle (vs. 14), fewer branched pelvic-fin rays (6 vs. 7), humeral blotch wider than deep, with pigmentation much more intense than the dark midlateral band, with well-defined edges (vs. humeral blotch deeper than wide, with pigmentation similar to the dark midlateral band, without well-defined edges). Another useful character in distinguishing H. comodoro from H. melanostichos is the presence of 13–15, mode 14, rarely 16 (only 3 of 30 specimens), branched anal-fin rays (vs. 16–18, mode 16).

Etymology. The name comodoro is in reference to the Municipality of Comodoro, Mato Grosso State, where all the specimens were collected. It is also the name of a senior naval rank used in many navies, which inspired the municipality’s name. A noun in apposition.


  Fernando Cesar Paiva Dagosta, Thomaz Jefrey Seren,  Anderson Ferreira and  Manoela Maria Ferreira Marinho. 2022. The Emerald Green Tetra: A New restricted-range Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Juruena, Chapada dos Parecis, Brazil. Neotrop Ichthyol. 20(1); e210119. DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0119

[Ichthyology • 2022] Mystus irulu • A New Species of Bagrid Catfish (Siluriformes: Bagridae) from the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India


Mystus irulu
Vijayakrishnan & Praveenraj, 2022

photo: Pranav Joshi
 
Abstract
Mystus irulu, new species, is described from the Netravathi River system from the Western Ghats of Karnataka. It differs all South Asian congeners in having a uniformly black colour pattern, a long-based adipose fin reaching the base of the last dorsal-fin ray anteriorly, dorsal fin with convex dorsoposterior margin, and the following combination of characters: body depth at anus 19.9–22.3 % SL, dorsal-fin spine length 17.5–18.7 % SL, adipose-fin base 34.2–38.4 % SL, caudal peduncle depth 10.6–11.9 % SL and eye diameter 27.2–37.1 % HL.

Keywords: Pisces, Siluriformes, Bagridae, Western Ghats, Netravathi River, Karnataka




Mystus irulu, new species
 

Balaji Vijayakrishnan and Jayasimhan Praveenraj. 2022. Mystus irulu, A New Species of Bagrid Catfish from the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India (Teleostei: Bagridae). Zootaxa. 5120(3); 443-448. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5120.3.10

It is named as Mystus irulu in reference to the uniform black colored body of this species. The specific name irulu is derived from Kannada (the official language of the state of Karnataka), meaning dark.

[Botany • 2022] Geum rubrum comb. nov. (Rosaceae), elevation of Geum elatum forma rubrum to Species Rank


 Geum rubrum (Ludlow) A. A. Khuroo, K. Hussain & R. Gulzar, 

in Khuroo, Hussain, Gulzar & Ganai, 2022. 

Abstract
Geum elatum forma rubrum (Rosaceae) is elevated here to the rank of speciesGeum rubrum comb. nov. from the Himalaya. The species differs from the commonly occurring G. elatum in several distinctive characters which include: smaller flower size (2.2–2.8 cm diameter), elliptic or lanceolate pseudo-sepal, glandular hairs on calyx, red petals, dorsifixed stamens, lesser number of carpels (6–8) and achene size (7.8–8.0 × 1.6–1.8 mm). Based on the morphological study of the fresh plant specimens collected from Kashmir Himalaya, here we provide a detailed description of G. rubrum and photographic illustrations of its diagnostic characters. We also provide comparison of distinguishing features of G. rubrum with its closely related G. elatum to facilitate easier field identification.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Flora, Geum, Himalaya, Kashmir, new combination, Taxonomy, Eudicots 

  Geum rubrum.
 A. Habit; B. Flower; C. Sepal; D. Petal;
E. Stamen (2x); F. Carpels (2x); G. Achene.

 Geum rubrum (Ludlow) A. A. Khuroo, K. Hussain & R. Gulzar


Anzar Ahmad Khuroo, Khalid Hussain, Ruquia Gulzar and Mansoor R. Ganai. 2022. Geum rubrum comb. nov. (Rosaceae), elevation of Geum elatum forma rubrum to Species Rank. Phytotaxa. 541(1); 66-72. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.541.1.6

[Herpetology • 2022] Taxonomy, Distribution, and Conservation Status of A Rare Arboreal Lizard, Bronchocela hayeki (Müller, 1928) (Reptilia: Agamidae) from northern Sumatra, Indonesia


Bronchocela hayeki (Müller, 1928) 

in Amarasinghe, Kamsi, Riyanto, et al., 2022. 

Abstract
Bronchocela hayeki (Müller, 1928) is one of the rarest species of the genus, known only from a handful of museum specimens from five locations in North Sumatra, and often confused with its similar congener, B. cristatella, which occurs widely throughout the Indonesian Archipelago and Peninsular Malaysia. Here, we examined the morphology of B. hayeki based on museum specimens, and redescribe the species based on a freshly collected series near the type locality, as the condition of its neotype is not in a good state. We studied the characters of B. hayeki with a morphometric comparison to its sympatric congener B. cristatella and allopatric congener, B. jubata from Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Based on the current distribution pattern and the apparent threats, we update the conservation status of B. hayeki using IUCN Red List Criteria and propose that it be considered as an Endangered (EN) species endemic of northern Sumatra including Aceh. We also provide a key to the recognized Bronchocela species, based on examined material and literature.

Keywords: Reptilia, Conservation, Endemic, Indonesia, morphometric characters, Sumatra





Bronchocela hayeki (Müller, 1928) 

 
A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Mistar Kamsi, Awal Riyanto, Chairunas A. Putra, Jakob Hallermann, Noviar Andayani, A. Abinawanto and Jatna Supriatna. 2022. Taxonomy, Distribution, and Conservation Status of A Rare Arboreal Lizard, Bronchocela hayeki (Müller, 1928) (Reptilia: Agamidae) from northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 5120(3); 409-422. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5120.3.7