[Botany • 2021] Primulina clausa (Gesneriaceae: Didymocarpoideae) • A New Species from northern Guangxi, China

 Primulina clausa P.W.Li & M.Kang,  

in Li, Pan, Harris, Xu, Liu et Kang, 2021.

闭苞报春苣苔  ||  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.510.2.8

 Researchgate.net/publication/353034380

 

Abstract  

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Primulina clausa P.W.Li & M.Kang was described, which occurs in the karst areas of northern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. The new species is morphologically similar to P. obtusidentata (W.T.Wang) Mich.Möller & A.Weber, but can be readily distinguished by its short and prostrate peduncle, slightly unfolded bracts, appressed sepals, glabrous anthers, parietal placenta, and nearly straight capsules.

Keywords: Flora of Guangxi; Karst; Morphology; Subfamily Didymocarpoideae; Taxonomy

  Photographs of Primulina clausa (A-J) with comparison of P. obtusidentata (K-P).
 (A) Habitat; (B, K) flowering plant, showing prostrate and vertical peduncles, respectively; (C, L) inflorescence, showing slightly unfolded and spreading bracts, respectively; (D) bracts; (E) side view of corollas; (F, M) front view of corolla, showing similar stigma shape; (G) longitudinal dissection of corolla; (H, N) capsule, showing nearly straight capsule with short pedicel and falcate capsule with long pedicel, respectively; (I, O) stamen, showing glabrous and villous anthers, respectively; (J, P) transverse section of middle part of ovary, showing parietal and axile placenta, respectively.

Scale bars: B, 5 cm; C-E, L, N, 2 cm; F-H, M, 1 cm; I, O, 1 mm; J, P, 0.5 mm; K, 10 cm. 

Note: The scanning electron microscopy illustrations (I-J, O-P) were acquired following Dong et al. (2018).

Primulina clausa P.W.Li & M.Kang, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The epithet “clausa” refers to the subtending bracts which fold the flowers or capsules. The Chinese name for this new species is “bì bāo bào chūn jù tái 闭苞报春苣苔”.

Peng-Wei Li, Bo Pan, A.J. Harris, Wei-Bin Xu, Ming-Tao Liu and Ming Kang. 2021. Primulina clausa, A New Species of Gesneriaceae from northern Guangxi, China. Phytotaxa. 510(2); 187–192. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.510.2.8

 Researchgate.net/publication/353034380_Primulina_clausa_a_new_species_from_Guangxi_China

[Herpetology • 2023] Amolops ailao • A New Species of Cascade Frog (Anura: Ranidae) from central Yunnan, China

Amolops ailao 

Tang, Sun, Liu, Luo, Yu & Du, 2023

Ailao Cascade Frog | 哀牢湍蛙  ||  DOI: 10.1186/s40851-023-00214-9 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372435311

Abstract

A new species of the genus Amolops, Amolops ailao sp. nov., is described from central Yunnan, China. The new species belongs to the A. mantzorum species group. Phylogenetic analyses based on the combination of mitochondrial 16S rRNA, COI, and cytb genes revealed that the new species is the sister taxon to Amolops ottorum with strong support. Genetically, the new species differs from A. ottorum by 5.0% in cytb sequences. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from known congeners by the combination of the following characters: true dorsolateral folds absent, but dorsolateral folds formed by series of glands present; circummarginal groove on tip of first finger absent; body size small (males SVL 33.0–35.1 mm and female SVL 41.3 mm); HW/SVL 0.32‒0.35; UEW/SVL 0.08‒0.10; THL/SVL 0.52‒0.56; vomerine teeth absent; interorbital distance narrower than internarial distance; tympanum distinct, less than half eye diameter; supratympanic fold present, indistinct; a pair of large tubercles on sides of cloaca; tibiotarsal articulation reaching beyond anterior corner of eye; and vocal sac absent. The cladogenesis events within the A. mantzorum group rapidly occurred from Pliocene 4.23 Mya to Pleistocene 1.2 Mya, coinciding with the recent intensive uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau since the Pliocene. Combining findings in this study with the most recent taxonomic progress, we consider that there are 20 known Amolops species in Yunnan, China, accounting for the highest proportion of amphibian diversity of Yunnan, and five of them belong to the A. mantzorum group. Among different subfauna and water systems in Yunnan, the species diversity of Amolops in northwestern Yunnan and Nu River Basin is highest.

Keywords: Amolops mantzourm, Species group, The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, 16S rRNA, COI, Cytb

Holotype of Amolops ailao sp. nov. in life (a and b) and in preservative (c and d).
(a) dorsolateral view, (b) ventral view, (c) dorsal view, and (d) ventral view

Views of the female paratype of Amolops ailao sp. nov. (KIZ 2022041) in life

Dorsolateral views of male paratypes in life.
(a) GXNU YU20160273; (b) GXNU YU20160274;
(c) GXNU YU000003; and (d) GXNU YU000002

Amolops ailao sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Morphologically, Amolops ailao sp. nov. resembles members of the A. mantzorum group in the absence of true dorsolateral folds and circummarginal groove on the disc of the first finger, and further resembles A. jinjiangensis and A. shuichengicus in the presence of folds formed by incomplete series of glands along the dorsolateral junction of the body (dorsolateral glandular folds). Phylogenetically, a clade consisting of the new species, A. mantzorum, A. sangzhiensis, A. jinjiangensis, A. granulosus, A. loloensis, A. tuberodepressus, A. shuichengicus, and A. ottorum was strongly supported (Clade I; Fig. 2). Amolops ailao sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following characters: (1) body size small (SVL 33.0–35.1 mm in males and 41.3 mm in female); (2) HW/SVL 0.32‒0.35; UEW/SVL 0.08‒0.10; THL/SVL 0.52‒0.56; (3) vomerine teeth absent; (4) tympanum distinct, less than half eye diameter; (5) supratympanic fold present, indistinct; (6) true dorsolateral folds absent, but dorsolateral glandular folds distinct; (7) absence of circummarginal groove on the disc of the first finger; (8) tibiotarsal articulation reaching beyond anterior corner of eye; (9) dorsal surface smooth with no white spines; (10) a pair of large tubercles on sides of cloaca; 11) vocal sac absent; 12) toes fully webbed except the fourth; 13) interorbital space narrower than internarial space.

Etymology: The specific epithet is named for the type locality, Ailao Mt., Xinping County, Yunnan Province, China. We suggest the English common name “Ailao Cascade Frog” and the Chinese common name “Āi Láo Tūan Wā (哀牢湍蛙)”.

Habitat at the type locality of Amolops ailao sp. nov.
(a) and an adult male of Amolops ailao sp. nov. sitting on branches at the type locality (b)

 

 Shangjing Tang, Tao Sun, Shuo Liu, Sangdi Luo, Guohua Yu and Lina Du. 2023. A New Species of Cascade Frog (Anura: Ranidae: Amolops) from central Yunnan, China. Zoological Letters. 9; 15. DOI: 10.1186/s40851-023-00214-9

  Researchgate.net/publication/372435311_A_new_species_of_Amolops_from_central_Yunnan_China

[Herpetology • 2023] Allobates albiventris • A New Pale-ventered Nurse Frog (Anura: Aromobatidae) from southwestern Brazilian Amazonia

 Allobates albiventris  

Souza, Ferrão, Kaefer, Cunha-Machado, Melo-Sampaio, Hanken & Lima. 2023

DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e103534

Abstract

We use integrative taxonomy to formally describe a candidate species of nurse frog of the genus Allobates from southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. The new species nests within a clade that has been defined historically as A. gasconi, but it has an 8.8–11.0% genetic distance for 16S to samples from the type locality of A. gasconi. The new species differs from congeners mainly by males having a translucent white throat and vocal sac; advertisement calls with a duration of 42–60 ms, two notes separated by an inter-note interval of 8–23 ms, and a dominant frequency of 4,953–6,331 Hz; and exotrophic tadpoles with 2 pyramidal papillae on each end of the upper lip and 10–13 pyramidal and cylindrical papillae surrounding the lower lip. Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial DNA suggest that A. gasconi sensu lato as defined previously represents a complex of as many as seven species, corroborating studies that have shown high levels of cryptic diversity within Allobates.

Keywords: Advertisement call, biodiversity, integrative taxonomy, morphology, phylogeny, reproductive behavior, State of Acre, tadpole

Coloration of the vocal sac and throat of Allobates albiventris sp. nov. (A, B) and A. gasconi sensu stricto (C, D).

Photographs by J.R.D. Souza (A, B) and A.P. Lima (C, D).

Coloration in life of  Allobates albiventris sp. nov. from Manoel Urbano and Rio Branco, State of Acre, Brazil.
 A–C Male holotype, SVL 14.6 mm; D–F Female, INPAH45051, SVL 16.8 mm; G–I Male, MNRJ 91679, SVL 16.0 mm; J–L Female, MPEG44613, SVL 16.0 mm; M Male, uncollected; N Male, INPAH45044, SVL 15.3 mm; O Male, uncollected.

Photographs by J.R.D. Souza (A–F, J–O) and P.R. Melo-Sampaio (G–I).

Allobates albiventris sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Allobates albiventris sp. nov. differs from other Allobates by the following combination of characters: males in life with a throat and vocal sac translucent white with melanophores uniformly distributed and a white belly; females in life with throat white centrally and posteriorly, translucent laterally and anteriorly, chest and belly white; small adult size, SVL 14.3–16.4 mm (n = 22) in males and 15.6–17.8 mm (n = 16) in females; one subarticular tubercle on finger IV; finger III of adult males weakly swollen; disc of finger II approximately the same width as the distal phalanx; interdigital membranes present between toes II, III and IV; paired digital scutes white; advertisement call with a duration of 42–60 ms and comprising two notes (the first note is smaller than the second), with an inter-note interval of 8–23 ms and dominant frequency of 4,953–6,331 Hz; exotrophic tadpoles with 2 pyramidal papillae on each end of the anterior labium, 10–13 pyramidal and cylindrical papillae on the posterior labium, LTRF = 2(2)/3(1), gap in row A-2 ≈ 40% of A-1, relative length P-1 > P-2 > P-3, and P-3 ≈ 65% of P-1.

Etymology: The specific epithet albiventris is a combination of two Latin words, albus (white) and ventris (venter), in reference to the pale ventral coloration of the new species. Vernacular names: pale-ventered nurse frog (English), rana cuidadora de vientre blanco (Spanish), and rãzinha cuidadora de ventre branco (Portuguese).

Habitat and natural history of Allobates albiventris sp. nov.
 A Typical understory of open ombrophilous forest at the type locality in Manoel Urbano, State of Acre, Brazil. B Beginning of courtship behavior, in which a male is leading a female to an oviposition site. C Female (unvouchered) positioning herself to jump to the adaxial surface of the leaf, where the male is vocalizing. D Mating pair (unvouchered) in cephalic amplexus. E Mating pair (unvouchered) on the leaf, with the female in oviposition and the male silent. F Recently deposited clutch, with the smallest clutch recorded (17 eggs). G The largest clutch recorded (31 eggs). H Mating pair on a leaf, where a male vocalizes while a female deposits a second clutch on the same leaf. I Male INPAH45045 carrying 10 tadpoles on his back.

Photographs by J.R.D. Souza.

 Jesus R. D. Souza, Miquéias Ferrão, Igor Luis Kaefer, Antonio Saulo Cunha-Machado, Paulo Roberto Melo-Sampaio, James Hanken and Albertina Pimentel Lima. 2023. A New Pale-ventered Nurse Frog (Aromobatidae: Allobates) from southwestern Brazilian Amazonia. Vertebrate Zoology. 73: 647-675. DOI: 10.3897/vz.73.e103534

[Ichthyology • 2023] Glyptothorax sardashtensis • A New Species of Torrent Catfish (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from the upper Lesser Zab drainage in Iran

Glyptothorax sardashtensis

 Jokar, Kamangar, Ghaderi & Freyhof, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.4.2  

 Researchgate.net/publication/369227001

 

Abstract

Glyptothorax sardashtensis, new species, from the upper Lesser Zab in Iran, is distinguished from its congeners in the Persian Gulf basin by: a plain flank without black or brown blotches; a wide and round anterior margin of the medial pit in the thoracic adhesive apparatus; few, short median striae in the thoracic adhesive apparatus; three yellowish blotches arranged in a crescent-shaped arch on the nuchal plate in front of the dorsal-fin origin; no tubercles on the head and flank; and a short adipose fin. The new species is also distinguished by a minimum K2P sequence divergence of 2.16% in the mtDNA-COI barcode region from G. daemon and G. galaxias, its closest relatives. Glyptothorax kurdistanicus is re-discovered close to its type locality.

Keywords: Pisces, Cytochrome c oxidase I, Freshwater fish, Middle East, Taxonomy

 

Milad Jokar, Barzan Bahrami Kamangar, Edris Ghaderi and Jörg Freyhof. 2023. Glyptothorax sardashtensis, A New Species of Torrent Catfish from the upper Lesser Zab drainage in Iran (Teleostei: Sisoridae). Zootaxa. 5254(4); 476-492. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5254.4.2 

  Researchgate.net/publication/369227001_Glyptothorax_sardashtensis_a_new_species_of_torrentcatfish_from_Lesser_Zab_drainage_Iran

 twitter.com/jouladeh/status/1635686951230619648

[Botany • 2023] Chiloschista quangdangii (Orchidaceae) • A New leafless Orchid from northern Vietnam

Chiloschista quangdangii  Vuong & Aver.

in Doan, Averyanov, Maisak, Nguyen, Minh, Van, Quang et Truong, 2023. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.606.1.8 

facebook.com/BaVuong20199

 

Abstract

A newly discovered species belonging to the genus Chiloschista has been found in the Northern region of Vietnam, specifically in Ha Giang Province. This species is being described as a novel addition to scientific knowledge. It shares similarities in plant habit and flower color scheme with C. parishii and C. glabrisepala. However, it can be distinguished by its narrowly saccate spur-like lip, which features a small knob-like farinose callus that is significantly smaller than the median lip lobe. In contrast, C. parishii and C. glabrisepala possess a cup-shaped lip with a large central callus slightly forward curved, which is shortly hairy and approximately the same size as or larger than the median lobe. The taxonomic description of the new species, along with information regarding its distribution, ecology, phenology, proposed conservation status, and taxonomic notes, are presented in detail.

Keywords: endemism, Chiloschista parishii, Chiloschista glabrisepala, Ha Giang Province, Orchids, Orchidaceae, plant diversity, plant taxonomy

Chiloschista quangdangii 

Doan Trung Vo, Leonid Averyanov, Tatiana Maisak, Nguyen Van Canh,  Minh Quan Dang, Van Son Dang, Quang Tam Truong and Truong Ba Vuong. 2023. Chiloschista quangdangii, A New leafless Orchid (Orchidaceae) from northern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 606(1); 79-84. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.606.1.8

 facebook.com/BaVuong20199/posts/2377916362415283

[Ichthyology • 2023] The Loach Genus Lepidocephalichthys (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) in Sri Lanka and peninsular India: Multiple Colonizations and unexpected Species Diversity

Diversity of color pattern in Sri Lankan Lepidocephalichthys.
a L. jonklaasi, Gilimale, Kalu basin; b L. jonklaasi, Kottawa Forest Reserve, Gin basin; c L. thermalis, L6.IV, Wahareka, Attanagalu basin; d L. thermalis, L6.IV, Kotapola, Nilwala basin;
e L. thermalis, L6.II, Laggala, Mahaweli basin; f L. thermalis, L6.II, Gurulupotha, Mahaweli basin; g L. thermalis, L6.II, Lunugala, Kumbukkan basin; h L. cf. thermalis, L5, Badalkumbura, Menik basin

in Sudasinghe, Dahanukar, Raghavan, Ranasinghe, ... et Meegaskumbura, 2023.

DOI: 10.1007/s10750-023-05321-4 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372501224 

  facebook.com/HiranyaSud

Abstract

Loaches of the genus Lepidocephalichthys are ubiquitous in Peninsular India and the nearby continental-shelf island of Sri Lanka. Four valid species are reported from this region: L. thermalis, a species reported from across this region; L. jonklaasi, confined to rainforests in southern Sri Lanka; L. coromandelensis, from the Eastern Ghats and L. guntea, from the northern Western Ghats of the Indian peninsula. Here, based on collections from 25 locations in 13 river basins in Sri Lanka and 20 locations across India, including a dataset downloaded from GenBank, we present a molecular phylogeny constructed from the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) sequences. We show that ancestral Lepidocephalichthys colonized Sri Lanka in the late Miocene. Multiple back-migrations to India, as well as colonizations from the mainland, took place in the Plio-Pleistocene. The persistence on the island of L. jonklaasi, an obligatory rainforest associate, suggests that perhumid refugia existed in Sri Lanka throughout this time. Lepidocephalichthys thermalis appears to have colonized the Sri Lankan highlands as recently as the Pleistocene. The data suggest that Lepidocephalichthys thermalis is a species complex in which multiple species remain to be investigated and described, both in India and Sri Lanka. 

Keywords: Biogeography, Shelf island, Phylogeny, Phylogeography, Morphological stasis, Back-migration

Diversity of color pattern in Sri Lankan Lepidocephalichthys.
a L. jonklaasi, Gilimale, Kalu basin; b L. jonklaasi, Kottawa Forest Reserve, Gin basin; c L. thermalis, L6.IV, Wahareka, Attanagalu basin; d L. thermalis, L6.IV, Kotapola, Nilwala basin;
e L. thermalis, L6.II, Laggala, Mahaweli basin; f L. thermalis, L6.II, Gurulupotha, Mahaweli basin; g L. thermalis, L6.II, Lunugala, Kumbukkan basin; h L. cf. thermalis, L5, Badalkumbura, Menik basin

 

Hiranya Sudasinghe, Neelesh Dahanukar, Rajeev Raghavan, Tharindu Ranasinghe, Kumudu Wijesooriya, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Lukas Rüber and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2023. The Loach Genus Lepidocephalichthys (Teleostei: Cobitidae) in Sri Lanka and peninsular India: Multiple Colonizations and unexpected Species Diversity. Hydrobiologia. DOI: 10.1007/s10750-023-05321-4

  Researchgate.net/publication/372501224_Lepidocephalichthys_in_Sri_Lanka_and_peninsular_India

  facebook.com/HiranyaSud/posts/301136209090677

[Entomology • 2023] Molecular and Morphological Evidence reveals Hidden New Taxa in Ochlodes ochraceus (Bremer, 1861) (Lepidoptera: Hesperiidae: Hesperiinae) from China

I–K Ochlodes pseudochraceus Zhu, Fan & Wang,

 I holotype, male, J paratype, male, K paratypes, female, 

L–N O. cryptochraceus Zhu, Fan & Chiba,

 L holotype, male, M paratype, male, N paratypes, female. 

in Zhu, Hou, Chiba, Osada, Huang, Sinev, Wang et Fan. 2023. 

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1169.102322

Abstract

Two new species of Ochlodes Scudder, 1872, Ochlodes pseudochraceus Zhu, Fan & Wang, sp. nov. and Ochlodes cryptochraceus Zhu, Fan & Chiba, sp. nov., are found in China and described, and Ochlodes rikuchina (Butler, 1878) stat. rev. is restored. A lectotype is designated for Pamphila ochracea Bremer, 1861, and a neotype is designated for Pamphila rikuchina Butler, 1878. Overall, the two new species are similar to Ochlodes ochraceus (Bremer, 1861). They, however, can be distinguished from the latter and other species in the genus: O. pseudochraceus has long radial spots in spaces R3-5, and the lateral process of the phallus gradually widens at the distal half in male genitalia; O. cryptochraceus has the lateral process of the phallus enlarged only at the distal tip. Based on the phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene, members of currently defined O. ochraceus are grouped into four clades. The genetic distances between O. pseudochraceus and O. ochraceus, O. cryptochraceus and O. ochraceus, O. rikuchina and O. ochraceus, and O. pseudochraceus and O. cryptochraceus are 3.2%, 2.1%, 1.9%, and 2.7%, respectively. Based on the molecular and morphological evidence, O. pseudochraceus, O. cryptochraceus, and O. rikuchina are treated to be distinct species. The adult habitus and male and female genitalia of the new species are illustrated as well as those of O. ochraceus and O. rikuchina.

Key words: Genitalia, Hubei, new species, phylogeny, Shaanxi, Sichuan, taxonomy, Zhejiang

Adults of four Ochlodes species 

A–C O. ochracea A lectotype, male, Primorsky Kray, Russia B male, Primorsky Kray, Russia, SCAU He2728 C male, Amur, Russia 

D–G O. rikuchina stat. rev. D female, Miyanoshita, Japan (NHMUK) E neotype, male, Iwate, Japan (designated herein), SCAU He2726 F male, Japan, SCAU He2736 G female, Japan, SCAU He2727 

H Augiades ochracea var. ampittiformis. holotype, female, Tokyo, Japan 

I–K Ochlodes pseudochraceus sp. nov. I holotype, male, Zhejiang, SCAU He2614 J paratype, male, Zhejiang, SCAU He2676 K paratypes, female, Zhejiang, SCAU He2637 

L–N O. cryptochraceus sp. nov. L holotype, male, Hubei, SCAU He2605 M paratype, male, Shaanxi, SCAU He2678 N paratypes, female, Shaanxi, SCAU He2632.

Taxonomic accounts

 Ochlodes ochraceus (Bremer, 1861)

 Ochlodes rikuchina (Butler, 1878), stat. rev.

I–K Ochlodes pseudochraceus sp. nov. I holotype, male, Zhejiang, SCAU He2614 J paratype, male, Zhejiang, SCAU He2676 K paratypes, female, Zhejiang, SCAU He2637
L–N O. cryptochraceus sp. nov. L holotype, male, Hubei, SCAU He2605 M paratype, male, Shaanxi, SCAU He2678 N paratypes, female, Shaanxi, SCAU He2632.

 Ochlodes pseudochraceus Zhu, Fan & Wang, sp. nov.

Etymology: The scientific name is a masculine adjective and derived from the Greek word pseudes (meaning false) and the species name ochraceus, referring to their similarity.

Distribution: China (Zhejiang, Anhui).

 Ochlodes cryptochraceus Zhu, Fan & Chiba, sp. nov.

Etymology: The scientific name is a combination of the prefix crypt (meaning hidden) combined with the species name ochraceus, which refers to the cryptic species of ochraceus. The name is a masculine adjective.

Distribution: China (Shaanxi, Gansu, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan).

 Lijuan Zhu, Yongxiang Hou, Hideyuki Chiba, Yohei Osada, Zhenfu Huang, Sergey Yu. Sinev, Min Wang and Xiaoling Fan. 2023. Molecular and Morphological Evidence reveals Hidden New Taxa in Ochlodes ochraceus (Bremer, 1861) (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae, Hesperiinae) from China. ZooKeys. 1169: 203-220. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1169.102322

[Herpetology • 2023] Blommersia bara • Integrative Revision of the Blommersia wittei complex (Anura: Mantellidae), with Description of A New Species of Frog from western and north-western Madagascar

Blommersia bara

Vences, Multzsch, Köhler, Crottini, Andreone, Rakotoarison, Scherz & Glaw, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5319.2.2 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372591846

  facebook.com/FrancoAndreone

Abstract

Frogs of the Blommersia wittei complex are widespread in western and northern Madagascar, and are one of two clades of the family Mantellidae that have colonized the Comoran island of Mayotte. Based on a comprehensive set of DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and the nuclear-encoded RAG1 and SACS genes, integrated with morphological and bioacoustic data, we here analyze the genetic differentiation of populations of this complex across Madagascar. We confirm that a candidate species named B. sp. Ca5 in previous studies represents a genetically well-defined evolutionary lineage distributed over much of western Madagascar, which we describe herein as Blommeria bara sp. nov. based on its molecular and bioacoustic differentiation. Blommersia wittei occurs across northern Madagascar but its type locality Ambanja, at the lower Sambirano river, is very close to the range of another, newly discovered microendemic lineage that was only found at two sites along the upper Sambirano river (here named as candidate species B. sp. Ca12). The B. wittei complex thus provides an example of a clade of closely related Malagasy frogs that contains species widespread over hundreds of kilometers, as well as extreme microendemics. For a full resolution of this species complex, more data need to be collected on the geographical contact among these two lineages, on the morphology and bioacoustics of B. sp. Ca12, and on the north-eastern populations of B. wittei at Sambava, which are weakly differentiated in mitochondrial genes but differ in bioacoustics and possibly in the extent of foot webbing.

Keywords: Amphibia, Anura, Mantellidae, Blommersia bara sp. nov, microendemism, species delimitation

Blommersia bara sp. nov. (= B. sp. Ca5) in life.
(A, B): Male holotype zSM 31/2004 (FgzC 47) from Isalo indorsolateral and ventral view. (C) Individual from Ankarafantsika displaying egg-guarding behavior. (d) Female paratype zSM13/2006 from tsingy de Bemaraha. (E) Additional individual (not clearly referable to a voucher) from tsingy de Bemaraha.

Blommersia bara sp. nov,

Diagnosis. A species of the genus Blommersia in the subfamily Mantellinae of the family Mantellidae based on presence of intercalary elements between penultimate and ultimate phalanges of fingers and toes (verified by external examination), occurrence in Madagascar, relatively small body size (male SVl < 27 mm), presence off emoral glands in males and absence of femoral gland rudiments in females, head distinctly longer than wide, and molecular phylogenetic relationships.

Etymology. Named after the Bara people, the ethnic group living in the area of Madagascar that includes the type locality of the new species, the Isalo Massif. the name is used as a noun in apposition. 

Miguel Vences, Malte Multzsch, Jörn Köhler, Angelica Crottini, Franco Andreone, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Mark D. Scherz and Frank Glaw. 2023. Integrative Revision of the Blommersia wittei complex, with Description of A New Species of Frog from western and north-western Madagascar. Zootaxa. 5319(2); 178-198. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5319.2.2

  Researchgate.net/publication/372591846_Integrative_revision_of_the_Blommersia_wittei_complex_with_a_new_species_from_Madagascar

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[Botany • 2023] Zingiber longii (Zingiberaceae, sect. Dymczewiczia) • A New Species from Southeast Yunnan, China

Zingiber longii Y.H.Tan & H.B.Ding,

in Ding, Ma et Tan, 2023. 

 taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/1939

Abstract

Zingiber longii Y.H.Tan & H.B.Ding, sp. nov. (Zingiberaceae) from southeast Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. It belongs to the Zingiber sect. Dymczewiczia due to the terminal inflorescence on the leafy shoot. It is similar to Z. rufopilosum in its rufous pilose leaf sheaths and ligules but differs from it by emarginate labellum, glabrous margins of the laminae and ostiole (vs. distinctly bifid labellum with an incision about 1/3 of its length, margins of laminae pilose and ciliate ostiole).

Keyword: Dymczewiczia, Malipo County, Zingiber atroporphyreum, Zingiber cardiocheilum, Zingiber rufopilosum

Zingiber longii Y.H.Tan & H.B.Ding, sp. nov.

Hong-Bo Ding, Yue Ma and Yun-Hong Tan. 2023. Zingiber longii (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Southeast Yunnan, China. Taiwania. 68(3); 298-302. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2023.68.298

  taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1939

[Herpetology • 2023] Stefania lathropae • Out of Sight, but Not Out of Mind: A Name for the Stefania (Anura: Hemiphractidae) from the Summit of Murisipán-tepui (Bolívar State, Venezuela)

 

Stefania lathropae 

 Kok, 2023

DOI: 10.25225/jvb.23024 

Abstract

Previous molecular analyses of the frog genus Stefania have shown that species boundaries in that group are often difficult to delineate when solely based on morphology. As a consequence, “taxonomically cryptic” species are not uncommon in the genus. Several highland Stefania species remain to be described, some potentially critically endangered due to their highly restricted geographic ranges. One case is the microendemic Stefania population from the summit of Murisipán-tepui, a poorly explored table-top mountain in the Los Testigos Massif, a small tepui mountain range located north to the much larger Chimantá Massif in southern Venezuela. That population, mistaken as S. satelles for two decades, was later reported as Stefania sp. 2 and belongs to the S. ginesi clade. The new species is phylogenetically distinct but phenotypically similar to S. satelles, a taxon restricted to its type-locality, i.e. the summit of Aprada-tepui in Venezuela. The new species is described based on morphology and cranial osteology. Molecular divergences with S. satelles are high (> 8%) in the barcoding fragment of 16S rRNA. Amended definitions for the two other described species in the S. ginesi clade (S. ginesi and S. satelles) are also provided. The new species should be listed as critically endangered according to IUCN criteria.

KEYWORDS: Cranial osteology, homoplasy, morphology, Pantepui, symplesiomorphy, systematics

Top left: aerial photograph of Murisipán-tepui, terra typica of Stefania lathropae sp. nov., taken facing southeast. Top right: type locality of Stefania lathropae sp. nov. along a lagoon on the southern summit of Murisipán-tepui.
Bottom left: dorsolateral view of the holotype of Stefania lathropae sp. nov.  in life (IRSNB 4208, male, 40.0 mm SVL). Bottom right: ventral view of the specimen freshly euthanized.

Photos Philippe J.R. Kok.

Macrohabitat and main colour pattern variation in Stefania lathropae sp. nov. 
Top left: deep crevice and typical vegetation on the southern summit of Murisipán-tepui. Top right: IRSNB 4211 (female; field number PK3654).
Bottom left: IRSNB 4210 (female; field number PK3652). Bottom right: IRSNB 4209 (female; field number PK3656).

Photos Philippe J.R. Kok.

Phylogenetic relationships of the Stefania ginesi clade modified from Kok et al. (2016), based on 2,359 base pairs of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (Bayesian statistical supports are provided at nodes, asterisks indicate values > 95%), and comparison of crania of S. ginesi, S. satelles, and Stefania lathropae sp. nov. in dorsal, lateral, and frontal views. Green circles highlight the condition of the contact between the maxillary process of the nasal and the maxilla. Blue arrows highlight the condition of the frontoparietal crests. Green arrows highlight the condition of the contact between the posterodorsal projection of the maxilla and the orbital/zygomatic ramus of the squamosal. Photos

Philippe J.R. Kok.

Stefania lathropae sp. nov.

Stefania satelles (in part) Señaris et al. 1997: 33–37

Stefania satelles (in part) Gorzula & Señaris 1999: 47

Stefania satelles (in part) McDiarmid & Donnelly 2005: 513, 521

Stefania satelles (in part) Kok et al. 2016: 6

Stefania sp. 2 Kok et al. 2017: 175–176

 

Definition and diagnosis: Stefania lathropae sp. nov. is characterized by the following morphological characters, the combination of which distinguishes it from all known congeners: 1) a small species of Stefania, max. SVL in preserved females 55.5 mm, 40.0 mm in preserved males; 2) head not distinctly longer than wide, about as wide as long; 3) canthus rostralis with a few low tubercles, angular, concave, canthal stripe present in life, usually tapering towards nostrils; 4) loreal region with a few low tubercles; 5) upper eyelid with a few low tubercles, none of them distinctly enlarged; 6) frontoparietal ridges present but low and barely visible (in life/preservative); 7) frontoparietal crests barely developed (on cranium); 8) constriction of the frontoparietal bones at the level of the anterior epiotic eminence; 9) low, sometimes extensive, exostosis on the cranium; 10) premaxillae slightly projecting posteriorly in lateral view; 11) posterodorsal projection of maxilla absent or highly reduced, not in contact with orbital/zygomatic ramus of squamosal; 12) maxillary process of the nasal not in contact with the maxilla; 13) horizontal length of tympanum more than 50% horizontal length of eye in both sexes; 14) vomerine teeth 3-8; 15) toes basally webbed, no significant difference in toe webbing between sexes; 16) dorsal skin (in life) tuberculate; 17) ventral skin (in life) granular; 18) absence of conspicuous outer tarsal tubercles (in life); 19) absence of multiple conspicuous dark brown bars on flanks and lips, presence of white dorsolateral stripes (in life); 20) in living adults, iris unicolour, copper, with extensive dark brown reticulations.

Etymology: The specific epithet lathropae is a noun in the genitive case, honouring Canadian herpetologist Amy Lathrop (born 1967). Amy was likely the first scientist to put her hands on several new Stefania species collected in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana, all later described with Ross D. MacCulloch, her colleague from the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, Canada).

Philippe J.R. Kok. 2023. Out of Sight, but Not Out of Mind: A Name for the Stefania (Anura: Hemiphractidae) from the Summit of Murisipán-tepui (Bolívar State, Venezuela). Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 72 (23024), 23024.1-16. DOI: 10.25225/jvb.23024 

[Botany • 2023] Lepidagathis dalzelliana (Acanthaceae: Barlerieae) • A New Species from the Northern Western Ghats of India

Lepidagathis dalzelliana S. More, Mane, M. Sawant & H.S. Bhosale, 

in More, Mane, Sawant et Bhosale, 2023. 

 DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/17143

 Researchgate.net/publication/372308135

Lepidagathis dalzelliana sp. nov., (Acanthaceae: Barlerieae), is described from Maharashtra, India. The new species is closely allied to Lepidagathis clavata Dalzell. in appearance, but differs by long lanceolate, hairy bracts, and spatulate, oblanceolate to ovate-lanceolate glabrous leaves. Colored photographs and notes are provided to facilitate its distinction from closely allied species. In addition, we have designated the lectotype for the name Lepidagathis prostrata Dalzell.

Key words:  Acanthaceae, India, Plateau, Barlerieae

Lepidagathis dalzelliana sp. nov.
  a - Habit, b - Spike close up, c - Style and ovary, d - Capsule, e - Seed, f - Flower, g - Vegetative twig showing leaves, h - Bracts abaxial and side view, i - Bracteoles, j - Sepals

(Photographs © Sushant More & Rohit Mane).

 

Lepidagathis dalzelliana S. More, Mane, M. Sawant & H.S. Bhosale sp. nov.

Lepidagathis dalzelliana sp nov. is morphologically allied to L. clavata Dalzell. but can be distinguished by leaves broadly oblanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, base attenuate (versus leaves oblong-lanceolate, base truncate), terminal, axillary, 3-4 cm long, elongated or pyramidal shaped spikes (versus terminal, 7-8 cm long, oblong or clavate spikes),floral 2.5 - 3cm. long, lanceolate, sterile ca. 3.5 - 3.9 cm long, ovate-lanceolate, hairy bracts (versus floral 1-1.5 cm. long, ovate, hairy, sterile 1.8-2 cm long, lanceolate, plicate, glabrous bracts).

Etymology: The new species is named after Nicol Alexander Dalzell conservator of forests and superintendent of the Botanical Gardens in the Bombay Presidency, to honour his work and contributions to the field of the botany of Western Maharashtra.

 Sushant More, Rohit Mane , Mandar Sawant and Harshal Bhosale. 2023. Lepidagathis dalzelliana (Acanthaceae), A New Species from the Northern Western Ghats and Lectotypification of the Name Lepidagathis prostrata Dalzell. International Journal of Advanced Research. 11(6); 907-911. DOI: 10.21474/IJAR01/17143 

Researchgate.net/publication/372308135_LEPIDAGATHIS_DALZELLIANA_A_NEW_SPECIES_FROM_THE_NORTHERN_WESTERN_GHATS

[Herpetology • 2023] Dendrelaphis binhi • A New Species of Dendrelaphis Boulenger, 1890 (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the coastal area of southern Vietnam

Dendrelaphis binhi 

Nguyen, Nguyen, Le, Nguyen, Vo, Vo, Che & Murphy, 2023 

Rắn leo cây bình  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5318.1.6 

 facebook.com: R I M 

Abstract

We describe a new species of Dendrelaphis from the coastal area in southern Vietnam based on morphological data and nucleotide sequences from one partial mitochondrial gene (Cytb). Dendrelaphis binhi sp. nov. is diagnosed by the following morphological characters: body scale rows 13 at neck and midbody, 9–11 before vent; vertebral scale row feebly enlarged; ventrals 154–158 in males and 161–170 in females; subcaudals 95–106 in males and 95–102 in females; one supralabial touching the eye; 18 or 19 maxillary teeth; hemipenis spinose, reaching 10th or 11th SC, with a slender papilla; cloacal plate divided; dorsum dark brown; and a white stripe along the lower flank. The new species differs from its congeners by an uncorrected p-distance in Cytb sequences of at least 8.1%.

Keywords: Reptilia; Dendrelaphis binhi, Dendrelaphis subocularis, hemipenis, mitochondrial DNA, bronzeback snake 

Sang Ngoc Nguyen, Vu Dang Hoang Nguyen,  Manh Van Le, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Thi-Dieu-Hien Vo, BA DINH VO, Jing Che and Robert W. Murphy. 2023. A New Snake of the Genus Dendrelaphis Boulenger, 1890 (Squamata: Colubridae) from the coastal area of southern Vietnam. Zootaxa. 5318(1); 130-144. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5318.1.6

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