[Botany • 2022] Coelogyne sondangii (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Coelogyninae) • A New Species from Vietnam

 Coelogyne sondangii Vuong, Aver. & V.H.Bui, 

in Vo, Averyanov, Maisak, Bui, ... et Truong, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.2.9

 facebook.com/BaVuong20199 

Abstract

Coelogyne sondangii is described as a species new for science. It allies to the group of former Panisea species with white flowers, namely C. albiflora, C. demissa, C. yunnanensis, C. panchaseensis, and C. sagittata, but differs from them in big flowers, narrowly spatulate lip with erose margin of lobes and irregularly denticulate column wings. In addition, C. moi is firstly recorded and documented for the flora of Vietnam, as well as new nomenclatural combination, Coelogyne sagittata (T.C.Hsu, H.C.Hung & Luu) Vuong & Aver., is proposed.

Keywords: Flora of Indochina, new records, new species, orchids, plant diversity, plant taxonomy, Monocots

 Coelogyne sondangii Vuong, Aver. & V.H.Bui sp. nov. 

Coelogyne (Panisea) moi

Doan Trung Vo, Leonid V. Averyanov, Tatiana V. Maisak, Van Huong Bui, Van Canh Nguyen, Minh Quan Dang, Quoc Bao Nguyen and Ba Vuong Truong. 2022. New Species, Coelogyne sondangii (Orchidaceae), and A New National Record, C. moi, in Vietnam.  Phytotaxa. 559(2); 200-206. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.2.9

 facebook.com/BaVuong20199/posts/2117060481834207

[Botany • 2022] Sobralia rinconiana (Orchidaceae: Sobralieae) • A New Species from Panama

Sobralia rinconiana  Serracín, Samudio & Bogarín, 

 

in Serracín, Samudio & Bogarín, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.1.9

 

In Panama, the Orchidaceae comprise 187 genera, of which one of the most conspicuous is Sobralia. The flowers of Sobralia are mostly ephemeral but colorful, often fragrant, and of variable sizes. Despite being a prominent group, its taxonomy is still underdeveloped in most neotropical countries. To continue with taxonomic studies in the Orchidaceae of Panama, we investigated a species of Sobralia, which differs from any recorded species of the genus. We documented the species with digital images and compared it with morphologically similar taxa. This paper describes and illustrates a new Sobralia from the Bosque Protector Palo Seco in the Fortuna area, Panama. Sobralia rinconiana differs from all other species recorded in Panama by the combination of a large plant size that reaches up to 120 cm high and the larger and broader, elliptical-lanceolate leaves (30–35 × 14–16 cm). Sobralia rinconiana is most similar to S. carazoi but differs in the spreading flowers with reflexed petals and the infundibuliform, cream-yellow lip, the wider, longer sepals and petals, and the longer, suberect column. The accurate estimate of the number of Sobralia species in Panama is still uncertain. Its diversity may increase as new areas are explored or species complexes are resolved.

Keywords: Bosque Protector Palo Seco, Fortuna, Flora of Panama, Sobralia rinconiana, taxonomy, tropical biodiversity, Monocots

Sobralia rinconiana Serracín, Samudio & Bogarín, sp. nov. 

Etymology:— Dedicated to Prof. Rafael Rincón, Director of the Herbarium UCH of Universidad Autónoma de Chiriquí (UNACHI), Panama, in recognition of his contributions to the flora of Panama and who encouraged us to study this Sobralia .

Zuleika Serracín, Zabdy Samudio, Diego Bogarín. 2022. A New Sobralia (Orchidaceae: Sobralieae) from Panama. Phytotaxa. 559(1); 81-87. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.1.9

Researchgate.net/publication/362804766_A_new_Sobralia_from_Panama

 twitter.com/plazi_species/status/1563412127171637248

[Invertebrate • 2021] Inermonephtys turcica & Nephtys sinopensis • Nephtyidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Sea of Marmara and Black Sea, with Descriptions of Two New Species

 Inermonephtys turcica

Kuş, Kurt & Çinar, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5060.2.2 

Abstract

The present paper deals with the diversity of nephtyid polychaetes (Nephtyidae) from the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea. Three species belonging to two genera (Micronephthys and Nephtys) were found in the Black Sea (coast of Turkey) and six species belonging to three genera (Inermonephtys, Micronephthys and Nephtys) were found in the Sea of Marmara. The material includes two species new to science, Inermonephtys turcica n. sp. and Nephtys sinopensis n. sp., and a species record (Nephtys kersivalensis McIntosh, 1908) new to the Sea of Marmara’s marine fauna. Nephtys sinopensis n. sp. is mainly characterized by having 1–4 geniculate chaetae in the postacicular position of the parapodia; digitiform antennae, palps, and ventral cirri at chaetiger 1 with swollen tips; small and cirriform branchiae present from chaetiger 4 to the end of the body; poorly developed parapodial prechaetal lamellae in median and posterior chaetigers and long ventral cirri along the body. Inermonephtys turcica n. sp. is mainly characterized by having cushion-like palps with digitiform tips; well developed neuropodial postchaetal lamellae; barred chaetae in preacicular position of the anterior and median parapodia; and branchiae first appearing between chaetiger 3 and 13 (depending on body size).

Key words: Inermonephtys, Nephtys, new records, new species, Polychaetes, Turkey  

Sevgi Kuş, Güley Kurt and Melih Ertan Çinar. 2021. Nephtyidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) from the Sea of Marmara and Black Sea, with Descriptions of Two New Species. Zootaxa. 5060(2); 183-214. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5060.2.2  [2021-10-29]

Researchgate.net/publication/355733021_Nephtyidae_from_the_Sea_of_Marmara_and_Black_Sea 

[Entomology • 2022] Epicaerus panamensis • A New Species of Epicaerus Pascoe, 1881 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Geonemini) associated with Potato Cultivars in Tierras Altas de Chiriquí, Panama

Epicaerus panamensis Girón & de Medeiros, 

in Atencio, Barba, Collantes, ... et Girón, 2022.

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5115.1.7

 twitter.com/JGEntiminae

 

Abstract

Epicaerus panamensis Girón & de Medeiros, a new species of broad-nosed weevil in the tribe Geonemini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) is described. Specimens have been collected on or around potato cultivars in Tierras Altas de Chiriquí, Panama. Field and habitus images, images of the male and female genitalia, an image of the feeding damage caused by the weevils on potato leaves, and a locality map are provided. The species is compared to the closely related Epicaerus inaequalis (Sharp, 1891), including a brief discussion regarding their morphological affinities and current taxonomic placement.

Keywords: Coleoptera, broad-nosed weevils, highlands, Neotropics, Central America

  

 

Randy Atencio, Anovel Barba, Rubén Collantes, Javier Pittí, Jorge Muñoz, Bruno A. S. de Medeiros and Jennifer Girón. 2022. A New Species of Epicaerus Pascoe, 1881 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae: Geonemini) associated with Potato Cultivars in Tierras Altas de Chiriquí, Panama. Zootaxa. 5115(1); 103-121. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5115.1.7

 twitter.com/JGEntiminae/status/1502090366828392450

[Entomology • 2022] Tipula (Vestiplex) levisoni • A New Cranefly (Diptera: Tipulidae) from the Western Himalayas

Tipula (Vestiplex) levisoni Starkevich & Podenas, 

in Starkevich, Podėnas & Sivell, 2022

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.5115.1.9

 Researchgate.net/publication/359173482

 

Abstract

A new cranefly, Tipula (Vestiplex) levisoni sp. nov., is described and illustrated based on males and females collected in India and Nepal. The illustrations of male and female genitalia for the most closely related regional species, T. (V.) tanycera Alexander, 1961 and T. (V.) mitchelli Edwards, 1927 are also provided. The female of T. (V.) mitchelli is described for the first time.

Key words: Kashmir, hypopygium, ovipositor, taxonomy, nematoceran, Tipuloidea

Pavel Starkevich, Sigitas Podėnas and Duncan Sivell. 2022. Tipula (Vestiplex) levisoni sp. nov., A New Cranefly (Diptera, Tipulidae) from the Western Himalayas. Zootaxa. 5115(1); 131-145. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.5115.1.9 

Researchgate.net/publication/359173482_Tipula_levisoni_sp_nov_a_new_cranefly_from_the_Western_Himalayas

[Herpetology • 2022] Amolops shihaitaoi • A Cryptic Species of the Amolops ricketti Species Group (Anura: Ranidae) from China–Vietnam Border Regions

 Amolops shihaitaoi

Wang, Li, Du, Hou & Yu, 2022

Hekou torrent frog | 河口湍蛙  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1112.82551

Abstract

It was supposed that the current records of Amolops ricketti might be a species complex composed of multiple species. In this study, on the basis of wide sampling, we found that the records of A. ricketti from Yunnan, China, and northern Vietnam actually represent a cryptic species based on morphological and molecular evidence. Amolops shihaitaoi sp. nov. can be distinguished from other members of the A. ricketti species group by its moderate body size (SVL 35.5‒37.3 mm in males and 39.2‒45.7 mm in females); white spines on the temporal region, loreal region, snout, and lips in breeding males but absent in females; overlapping heels; tibiotarsal articulation reaching tip of snout; indistinct longitudinal glandular folds on the skin of the shoulders; presence of supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers II‒IV, distinct pineal body; presence of vomerine teeth; and absence of vocal sacs. Phylogenetic analysis supports that the new species is sister to Amolops yatseni and the populations from Jingxi, Guangxi and Lào Cai, Vietnam previously reported as A. yatesni also belong to it. Additionally, our results indicate that more cryptic species may exist within the A. ricketti species group, implying that more studies are needed to achieve a complete understanding of the species diversity of this group.

Keywords: Amolops shihaitaoi sp. nov., Amolops yatseni, new species, Northern Vietnam, Yunnan

Views of the holotype of Amolops shihaitaoi sp. nov. (GXNU YU000353) in life.

A, B  Amolops shihaitaoi sp. nov. A head of female holotype GXNU YU000353 B hand of male paratype GXNU YU000483
C, D A. yatseni (reproduced from Lyu et al. 2019) C head of female paratype SYS a003981 D hand of male holotype SYS a006807.

 Amolops shihaitaoi sp. nov.

 

Chresonymy: Amolops ricketti in Yang (1991), Inger et al. (1999), Ngo et al. (2006), Yang and Rao (2008), Nguyen et al. (2009), Stuart et al. (2010), Grosjean et al. (2015); 

Amolops yatseni in Wu et al. (2020); 

Amolops tonkinensis in Poyarkov et al. (2021).

Diagnosis: 

The new species is assigned to genus Amolops and further to the A. ricketti group morphologically based on the absence of dorsolateral folds, presence of circummarginal groove on disc of the first finger, disc of first finger distinctly smaller than that of second finger, absence of tarsal fold and tarsal glands, and presence of nuptial pads with conical nuptial spines on the first finger in breeding male.

Amolops shihaitaoi sp. nov. can be distinguished from other members of A. ricketti group by having a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (SVL 35.5‒37.3 mm in males and 39.2‒45.7 mm in females); white spines on temporal region, loreal region, snout, and lips present in breeding males but absent in females (Fig. 5); presence of small, dense, translucent or white spines on the dorsal skin of the body, dorsal and dorsolateral skin of limbs; heels overlapping; tibiotarsal articulation reaching tip of snout; longitudinal glandular folds on the skin of shoulders indistinct; presence of supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers II‒IV, pineal body distinct; presence of vomerine teeth; and absence of vocal sacs.

 

Etymology: Specific epithet shihaitaoi is named after Prof. Hai-Tao Shi from Hainan Normal University for his outstanding contribution to the herpetology of China.

 We suggest the common English name “Hekou torrent frog” 

and Chinese name “Hé Kǒu Tuān Wā (河口湍蛙)”.

 Jian Wang, Jing Li, Lingyun Du, Mian Hou and Guohua Yu. 2022. A Cryptic Species of the Amolops ricketti Species Group (Anura, Ranidae) from China–Vietnam Border Regions. ZooKeys. 1112: 139-159. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1112.82551

[Fungi • 2016] Laccaria rubroalba (Agaricales: Hydnangiaceae) • A New Species from Southwestern China

 Laccaria rubroalba  X. Luo, L. Ye, Mortimer & K.D. Hyde,  

in Luo, Ye, Chen, ... et Mortimer, 2016. ­­­

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.284.1.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/309819505

Abstract

The novel species Laccaria rubroalba is described from Southwestern China by using both morphological characteristics and molecular data. It is characterized by small basidiomata; reddish white pileus when moist or young, white to pale when dry; 4-spored basidia and globose to broadly ellipsoid, hyaline, moderately echinulate basidiospores. Phylogenetic relationships inferred from ITS sequence data confirmed the separation of this new species from other closely related species in the genus Laccaria. The new species is compared with similar taxa. A description, line drawings and colour photographs of the new species, and phylogenetic tree to show the placement of the new species are provided.

Keywords: Mushrooms, Mycorrhizal fungi, Phylogeny, Taxonomy, Yunnan Province, Fungi, China

Basidiomata of Laccaria rubroalba
A–C: KUN-HKA 90766, E–G: KUN-HKA 90753.

Laccaria rubroalba X. Luo, L. Ye, Mortimer & K.D. Hyde, sp. nov.

Index Fungorum number: IF552302;

 Facesoffungi number: FoF 02078

Etymology:—The species epithet “rubroalba” refers to the pileus colour of the new species. 

 

Xia Luo, Lei Ye, Jie Chen, Samantha C. Karunarathna, Jianchu Xu, Kevin D. Hyde and Peter E. Mortimer. 2016. ­­­Laccaria rubroalba sp. nov. (Hydnangiaceae, Agaricales) from Southwestern China. Phytotaxa. 284(1):41-50. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.284.1.4 

Researchgate.net/publication/309819505_Laccaria_rubroalba_from_Southwestern_China

[Fungi • 2022] Lepiota sindhudeltana (Basidiomycota: Agaricaceae) • A New Species from Punjab, Pakistan

  Lepiota sindhudeltana Haqnawaz, Niazi, Usman & Khalid, 

 

in Haqnawaz, Niazi, Usman & Khalid, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.5

 Photos by: M. Haqnawaz.

Abstract

Lepiota sindhudeltana sp. nov. was found on sandy soil under Saccharum bengalense during fungal surveys to the deltas of the Indus River and the banks of the River Ravi, Punjab, Pakistan. The new species belongs to section Ovisporae, subsection Felininae and is characterized by dull orange appressed squamules on the pileus, thin pileal context, pale yellow lamellae, a stipe rounded to slightly oblong at base, basidiospores broadly ellipsoid to oblong, neither dextrinoid nor amyloid, short, clavate erect pileal hyphae, and narrowly clavate terminal hyphae of the stipitipellis. The closest described species to the new taxon in the phylogenetic tree, based on analysis of ITS and LSU sequences, is L. angusticystidiata. We present the new species with illustrated morphological description, phylogeny, and comparison with related or similar species.

Keywords: Indus Valley, Felininae, biodiversity, Muzaffargarh, pileal elements, Fungi

Fruitbodies of Lepiota sindhudeltana sp nov. (A. Holotype LAH37025).

Scale bars: A–C = 10 cm.

 Photos by: Muhammad Haqnawaz.

Lepiota sindhudeltana Haqnawaz, Niazi, Usman & Khalid sp. nov.

Etymology:— ‘sindhudeltana’ (Latin) refers to the locality of the taxon i.e., the delta of the River Sindh (Indus River).

Muhammad Haqnawaz, Abdul Rehman Niazi, Muhammad Usman and Abdul Nasir Khalid. 2022. Lepiota sindhudeltana sp. nov. (Agaricaceae; Basidiomycota) from Punjab, Pakistan. Phytotaxa. 550(3); 253-262. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.550.3.5

[Botany • 2016] Ceropegia nampyana (Apocynaceae: Ceropegieae) • A New Species from A midland Lateritic Hill of Kerala, India

 Ceropegia nampyana Manudev, Kambale & Pramod, 

in Manudev, Kambale, Pramod & Prakash, 2016.   

DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/466 

 Researchgate.net/publication/303812400

Abstract

Ceropegia nampyana, a new species of Apocynaceae from the southern Western Ghats, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically allied to Ceropegia spiralis Hook.f. & Thomson, but differs by having corolla lobes shorter than the tube, corolla tube glabrous within and hairy outer corona. The new taxon belongs to Ceropegia Ser. Attenuatae.

 Ceropegia nampyana Manudev, Kambale & Pramod:
A. Habit; B. Flower; C. Twisted corolla lobes with glandular trichomes; D. Longitudinal section of flower; E. Longitudinal section of corolla tube; F & G. Corona; H. Pollinia

 (All from Manudev, Pramod & Prakash 138969).

 Photos: Manudev & Pramod.

Ceropegia nampyana Manudev, Kambale & Pramod, sp. nov.

 Ceropegia nampyana is close to C. spiralis Wight but differs by having corolla lobes shorter than the tube, corolla tube glabrous within, hairy outer corona as opposed to corolla lobes as long as corolla tube, bulbous based conical trichomes present within tube, glabrous outer corona in C. spiralis. 

Etymology: This species is named in honour of Professor Santhosh Nampy, Department of Botany, University of Calicut, Kerala, for his valuable contribution to the field of Angiosperm taxonomy, who guided the first author to the field of taxonomical research.

 Manudev K. M., Sharad S. Kambale, C. Pramod and P.S. Prakash. 20216. A New Species of Ceropegia (Apocynaceae: Ceropegieae) from A midland Lateritic Hill of Kerala, India. International Journal of Advanced Research. 4(5); 1408-1414. DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/466

  Researchgate.net/publication/303812400_A_NEW_SPECIES_OF_CEROPEGIA_FROM_LATERITIC_HILL_OF_KERALA_INDIA

[Entomology • 2022] Ctenostegus hansoni • A New Species of Spider Wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) endemic to Lord Howe Island, Australia

  

Ctenostegus hansoni

Rodriguez & Evangelista, 2022

DOI: 10.1111/aen.12616 

twitter.com/Juanita_Rodr

 

Abstract

Lord Howe Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a highly endemic biota and a history of recent species extinction. During the 2017 and 2018 Australian Geographic Society expeditions to Lord Howe Island, spider wasps in the genus Ctenostegus Haupt, 1930 were collected from various sites. A new species – C. hansoni sp. nov. – is described based on this material. The external morphology and male genitalic features are illustrated for all constituents of the C. immitis species-group, for which an identification key is provided. New distribution data for the Hymenoptera of Lord Howe Island include an additional genus of Pompilidae (Fabriogenia sp.) and the first record for the family Mutillidae (Ephutomorpha sp.). Ctenostegus hansoni sp. nov. is one of the few spider wasps restricted to an oceanic island and constitutes an intriguing new record of long-distance dispersal from mainland Australia followed by speciation.

Keywords: pompilid, solitary wasp, systematics, taxonomy

 

Ctenostegus hansoni sp. nov., holotype female (ANIC 32-111497)
in (a) frontal, (b) lateral, and (c) dorsal view, (d) close-up of head in frontal view.

Ctenostegus hansoni sp. nov.

Etymology: This species is described in honour of Luke Hanson, who, along with his family and the Australian Geographic Society, made the Lord Howe Island expeditions possible.

Distribution: This species is known from AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: Lord Howe Island.

Juanita Rodriguez and Olivia Evangelista. 2022. Ctenostegus hansoni sp. nov., A New Species of Spider Wasp endemic to Lord Howe Island (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Austral Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/aen.12616

 twitter.com/Juanita_Rodr/status/1564081816818298881

[Botany • 2017] Sonerila janakiana (Melastomataceae) • A Stoloniferous Species from India

Sonerila janakiana Ratheesh, Sunil & Sivadasan,  

in Narayanan, Sunil, Sivadasan, ... et Sameh, 2017. 

DOI: 10.1111/njb.01297 

 Researchgate.net/publication/316497132

 Abstract

Sonerila janakiana, a new tuberous, scapigerous and stoloniferous species of Melastomataceae collected from exposed wet rocks of evergreen and semi evergreen forests in the Nilgiris and Wayanad districts of Tamil Nadu and Kerala states on the Western Ghats in India is described and illustrated. Apart from other characteristics, it is distinguished from all hitherto known species of the genus in India by having stolons and dimorphic leaves. The stolons produced from tubers terminate and develop into new tubers producing new plants.

  Sonerila janakiana sp. nov.
(A) habit, (B) flower bud, (C) single flower, (D) petal, abaxial view, (E) stamen, (F) hypanthium, (G) seeds.

Rl = rudimentary leaf, st = stolon. 

Drawings by V. V. Naveen Kumar.

Sonerila janakiana Ratheesh, Sunil & Sivadasan sp. nov. 
 (A) habit, (B) habit showing stolon, (C) tubers with stolon, (D) base of the plant showing rudimentary leaves, stolon and tubers, (E) apical portion of peduncle with flower buds and immature fruits, (F) single flower, (G) petal, abaxial view, (H) stamen, (I) fruit. Rl = rudimentary leaf, st = stolon.

Sonerila janakiana Ratheesh, Sunil & Sivadasan sp. nov.

 A species resembling S. wallichii in general morphology, but differing by having a stoloniferous habit, up to 11 leaves, inflorescence with up to 15 flowers, glabrous peduncle, pedicel and hypanthium, urn-shaped glabrous capsules and seeds with non-excurrent raphe. It also resembles S. vatphouensis in its stoloniferous tubers and S. tuberosa in its foliar dimorphism, but strikingly differs in size, shape, structure and texture of petioles and flowers. 

Etymology: The epithet is proposed in honor of the late Dr E. K. Janaki Ammal, a renowned Indian botanist, in recognition of her valuable contributions in cytogenetics, phytogeography and ethnobotany and also for her service in reorganizing the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) in her initial capacity as Officer on Special Duty and later as the Director-General of the BSI. She was honored with several prestigious awards and recognitions including the award Padma Shri by the Government of India. Th e Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India has instituted the E. K. Janaki Ammal National Award on Taxonomy, in her commemoration to encourage and promote taxonomy in India. 

 M. K. Ratheesh Narayanan, C. N. Sunil, M. Sivadasan, M. K. Nandakumar, V. V. Naveen Kumar, A. H. Alfarhan and M. H. Sameh. 2017. Sonerila janakiana sp. nov., A Stoloniferous Species of Melastomataceae from India. Nordic Journal of Botany.  35(4);  417-422. DOI: 10.1111/njb.01297   

Researchgate.net/publication/316497132_Sonerila_janakiana_a_stoloniferous_species_from_India

    

[Botany • 2022] Phyllanthus pterocaulis (Phyllanthaceae) • A New Critically Endangered Species of Stone Breaker from Central Brazil, with Notes on its Leaf and Stem Anatomy

Phyllanthus pterocaulis M.J. Silva, 

in Silva, Alonso & Santos, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.530.1.4  

Researchgate.net/publication/357634074 

 

Abstract

A new species from the state of Goiás, Brazil, Phyllanthus pterocaulis, is described and illustrated, with comments on its geographic distribution and environmental preferences, phenology, morphological relationships, and systematic position. It is morphologically allied with Phyllanthus avicularis, P. heliotropus, and P. hyssopifolioides, but differs from all of them by a set of characters related to cymules sex, presence and types of trichomes on leaves and stems, leaf consistency, numbers of sepals in flower of both sexes, integrity of stamens, capsules and seeds. Additionally, we provide images of the new species in the field, conservation status, mapped distribution, the anatomical description of its stem and leaves, and a key to differentiate it from the other similar species belonging to Phyllanthus sect. Loxopodium occurring in Brazil. The new species is one of the few in the genus that occurs in shaded environments in seasonal dry forests within the Cerrado biome.

Keywords: Seasonal dry forest, Phyllanthus sect. Loxopodium, Phyllantheae, diversity, taxonomy, Eudicots

Phyllanthus pterocaulis M.J. Silva.
A. Habit; B. Portion of branch, note the winged projections and hispidulous trichomes; C. Stipules; D. Leave, note the ciliate margin; E. Detail of lower side of the leaf blade showing trichomes; F. Detail of the bisexual cymules. G. Staminate flower; H. Pistillate flower in frontal view; I. Pistillate flower, note the disk and ovary; J. Fruit; k. Mericarps removed showing the carpophorous; L. Seed, lateral view; M. Seed, dorsal view.

(drawings by Cristiano Gualberto, from the holotype)

Phyllanthus pterocaulis M.J. Silva. 
 A. Habit; B. Portion of branch showing the cymules and fruit; C. Detail of the cymules; D. Staminate flower in frontal view; E. Pistillate flower in lateral view, the sepals green whitish; F. Pistillate flower in upper view, the sepals reddish; G. Fruit; H. Seeds in dorsal and lateral view.

 Photographs by M. J. Silva.

Phyllanthus pterocaulis M. J. Silva. sp. nov.

Diagnosis:—This species can be differentiated from its most similar species (see table 1) by having herbaceous habit up to 13 cm tall, stem short and sparsely hispidulous, conspicuously winged in cross section, Leaves ovate with margin irregularly serrate, base truncate or cordate, hispidulous below; flowers on both sexes 5 or 6-merous, the staminate ones with three free stamens, the pistillate ones with bilobed stigma. 

Etymology:—The specific epithet “pterocaulis” refers to the cross section of its winged stem (“ptero” from the Greek “pterón”, plus “caulis”, from Latin). 

Marcos José da Silva, Alexandre Antônio Alonso and Igor Soares dos Santos. 2022. A New Critically Endangered Species of Stone Breaker (Phyllanthus, Phyllanthaceae) from Central Brazil, with Notes on its Leaf and Stem Anatomy. Phytotaxa. 530(1); 53-64. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.530.1.4

Researchgate.net/publication/357634074_A_new_species_of_Phyllanthus_from_Central_Brazil

[Herpetology • 2022] A Review of Records of the Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842 Group (Reptilia: Viperidae) from the Indian Subcontinent: Expanded Description and Range Extension of Trimeresurus salazar, Redescription of T. septentrionalis and Rediscovery of Historical Specimens of T. davidi

in Vogel, Mallik, ... et Ganesh, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5175.3.2

 facebook.com: Ashok Kumar Mallik

 

Abstract

We revisit the identities of ‘Trimeresurus albolabris’ records from India and Nepal, based on a re-examination of historically mentioned specimens. Based on morphological congruence, we identify an old specimen originally labeled as T. albolabris from ‘Nagpur, Central Province’ as Trimeresurus salazar. We also provide new records of T. salazar based on molecular data from newly collected specimens in Central India. As the range of T. salazar is now known to approach that of its sister species Trimeresurus septentrionalis, we also redescribe T. septentrionalis based on the holotype and referred material. Finally, we examined two historical specimens from “Madras” collected during the Novara Expedition, which we identify as T. davidi, leading to a reassessment of their origin. Consequently, we remove T. albolabris from the list of Indian snake fauna.

Keywrods: Reptilia, Car Nicobar, distribution, identity, Nagpur, Madras, morphology, scalation

Gernot Vogel, Ashok Kumar Mallik, S. R. Chandramouli, Vivek Sharma and S.R. Ganesh. 2022. A Review of Records of the Trimeresurus albolabris Gray, 1842 Group from the Indian Subcontinent: Expanded Description and Range Extension of Trimeresurus salazar, Redescription of Trimeresurus septentrionalis and Rediscovery of Historical Specimens of Trimeresurus davidi (Reptilia: Viperidae). Zootaxa. 5175(3); 343-366. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5175.3.2

"Our recent publication reviewed the status and distribution of so called White-lipped pit viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) in Central and Northeast India. Here, we declare that there is no White-lipped pit viper found in mainland India. Salazar's pit viper (T. salazar) is new White-lipped pit viper in mainland India."

 facebook.com/100000264576892/posts/5734851649866931

[Botany • 2022] Euphorbia marciae (Euphorbiaceae) • A New Species from the Balsas Depression of Mexico

Euphorbia marciae V.W. Steinm., 

in Steinmann, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.3390/taxonomy2030023 

 twitter.com/SocBotMex

  Abstract

Euphorbia marciae, a new species from the lowlands of the Balsas Depression in southwestern Mexico, is described and illustrated. The species was first collected by the renowned botanist George B. Hinton during his explorations of the area in the 1930s. It is known from only five collections made in northwestern Guerrero and the extreme southwestern portion of the state of México, at elevations from 250 to 610 m. Vegetation of the area is tropical deciduous forest. Euphorbia marciae belongs to Euphorbia subg. Chamaesyce sect. Anisophyllum and resembles E. apatzingana, E. hyssopifolia, and E. nutans. However, it differs from these species in having smooth seeds. The seeds are nearly identical to those of E. pionosperma, an endemic species occurring in the Sierra Madre Occidental of eastern Sonora and western Chihuahua. However, the leaves of E. pionosperma are more conspicuously serrate and have larger stipules. In addition, Euphorbia pionosperma has smaller involucres and involucral appendages. Following IUCN Redlist criteria, E. marciae should be treated as Data Deficient (DD) until the species can be relocated and its populations field evaluated.

Keywords: IUCN Redlist; sect. Anisophyllum; subg. Chamaesyce; tropical deciduous forest

 

Euphorbia marciae V.W. Steinm.
(A) Habit. (B) Node with stipules. (C) Dichasium. (D) Cyathium with the involucre opened. (E) Seeds, apical, dorsal, and ventral views.

Illustrated by Alfonso Barbosa; 

based on Hinton et al. 9411 (MICH).

Euphorbia marciae V.W. Steinm.,

Etymology Euphorbia marciae is named after my mother, Marcia Marie Steinmann, née Bradley (1938–2018), who not only gave me my life, but always offered unconditional support and encouragement, especially with regard to my interest in biology.

 Victor W. Steinmann. 2022. Euphorbia marciae: A New Species from the Balsas Depression of Mexico. Taxonomy. 2(3); 291-297. DOI: 10.3390/taxonomy2030023 

 twitter.com/SocBotMex/status/1553023401589096449

[Herpetology • 2022] Hynobius oni • A New Species of Lotic Breeding Salamander (Caudata: Hynobiidae) from Shikoku, Japan

Hynobius oni 

Kanamori​, Nishikawa, Matsui & Tanabe, 2022

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13891

Abstract

 

Background: Hynobius hirosei is a lotic-breeding salamander endemic to Shikoku Island in western Japan. Significant allozymic and morphological differences have been found among the populations of this species; however, the degree and pattern of intraspecific variation have not been surveyed using a sufficient number of samples.

Methods: For the taxonomic revision of H. hirosei, we conducted genetic and morphological surveys using samples collected throughout the distribution. Phylogenetic analysis using the cytochrome b region of mitochondrial DNA and population structure analysis using single nucleotide polymorphisms were conducted to evaluate the population structure within the species and the degree of genetic differentiation. Subsequently, a morphological survey based on multivariate and univariate analyses was performed to assess the morphological variation.

Results: Genetic analyses revealed three genetic groups (Tsurugi, Central, and Nanyo) within H. hirosei, with the Nanyo group distributed allopatrically from the others, and the Tsurugi and Central groups distributed parapatrically with the formation of a hybrid zone between them. The Nanyo group was morphologically distinguishable from the remaining samples, including the topotype of H. hirosei, based on a smaller body size and several ratio values of characters to snout-vent length, longer axilla-groin distance, shorter tail length, shorter internarial distance, longer upper eyelid length, and larger medial tail width. These results support the notion that the Nanyo group is an undescribed species. However, the remaining genetically differentiated groups could not be divided in the present study. Herein, we described the Nanyo group as a new species.

 

 Live male topotype of Hynobius hirosei (KUHE 62827; A–C)
and male holotype of Hynobius oni (KUHE 62785; D–F).
(A, D) Dorsal views. (B, E) Lateral views. (C, F) Ventral views.

Scale bar shows 20 mm.

Figure 5: Live individual (KUHE 61096) of Hynobius oni.

Hynobius oni sp. nov.

(Japanese name: Nan-yo-sanshouo)

Diagnosis: A large-sized species (adult SVL 73.6–87.5 mm in males) of the lotic-breeding Hynobius, breeding in montane streams; dorsum uniformly dark reddish brown and immaculate in adult; tips of fore- and hindlimbs adpressed on body scarcely meeting (overlap of −2.0 to 0.0 costal folds in males); fifth toe well developed; ova large, pigmentless; egg sacs relatively long and crescent in shape, with distinct whiptail structure on free end; larvae lack claws on their tips of fingers and toes; most similar to H. hirosei, but distinct based on its smaller body size, longer axilla-groin distance, shorter tail length, shorter internarial distance, longer upper eyelid length, and larger medial tail width. Hynobius oni is genetically closer to H. sematonotos than H. hirosei based on mtDNA; however, H. oni has no large markings on the body, in contrast to many silvery spots on H. sematonotos, and a larger SVL than H. sematonotos.

 Habitat of Hynobius oni in the type locality.

Etymology: The specific name is derived from the “Oni” in Japanese, which is a traditional Japanese demon. The habitats of the new species are areas where prior generations believed that the Oni and Ushi-oni, which is a type of Oni, occurred. The type locality is located in the Oni-ga-jo Mountains, which is considered to be the castle of the Oni.

Conclusions: 

In the present study, the actual genetic population structure and degree of genetic divergence within Hynobius hirosei, which has been reported to have large genetic intraspecies divergence, were evaluated using mtDNA and nuDNA markers (SNP). Phylogenetic analysis using mtDNA revealed three divergent lineages, including the Tsurugi, Central, and Nanyo groups (genetic distance: 6.9–10.3% in cyt b). Further, STRUCTURE analysis using SNP revealed that the Nanyo group is genetically isolated from the other groups and the Tsurugi and Central groups form hybrid zones. Morphological analyses also revealed that the Nanyo is distinct from the other groups. Collectively, these results strongly indicate that Nanyo group is a distinct species, and is referred to as H. oni sp. nov. in this study.

  

Sally Kanamori​, Kanto Nishikawa, Masafumi Matsui and Shingo Tanabe. 2022. A New Species of Lotic Breeding Salamander (Amphibia, Caudata, Hynobiidae) from Shikoku, Japan. PeerJ. 10:e13891. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13891