[Herpetology • 2020] Hemidactylus flavicaudus & H. xericolus • Two New Species of Yellow-tailed Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Rocky Outcrops on the Telangana Plateau, India

Hemidactylus flavicaudus & H. xericolus 

Lajmi, Giri, Singh & Agarwal, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4895.4.2  

Researchgate.net/publication/347665832

Abstract

Two distinct species of the gekkonid genus Hemidactylus are described from the dry zone of peninsular India from the state of Telangana. The two sister species, Hemidactylus flavicaudus sp. nov. and H. xericolus sp. nov., are nested within the morphologically cryptic H. brookii group, but are clearly distinguishable from all known species in having a bright yellow tail and yellow markings on the head, besides unique combinations of meristic characters and small body size (< 45 mm snout to vent length). The two new species are also deeply divergent from each other and other members of the H. brookii group in mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase 2 and cytochrome b sequences. Hemidactylus flavicaudus sp. nov. can be diagnosed from H. xericolus sp. nov. based on the number of dorsal tubercle rows at midbody (11–14 versus 6–8). These descriptions of evolutionarily and morphologically distinct species highlight the dearth of studies carried out in the dry zone of peninsular India and the urgent need to assess biodiversity in the face of rapid land-use changes in this landscape.

Keywords: Reptilia, Dry zone, granite, Hemidactylus brookii, peninsular India, rocky outcrops, rupicolous

Hemidactylus flavicaudus sp. nov. 

 H. xericolus sp. nov., 

Aparna Lajmi, Varad B. Giri, Taneraw Singh and Ishan Agarwal. 2020. Two New Species of Yellow-tailed Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Rocky Outcrops on the Telangana Plateau, India. Zootaxa. 4895(4); 483–504. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4895.4.2

  Researchgate.net/publication/347665832_Two_new_species_of_yellow-tailed_Hemidactylus_from_rocky_outcrops_on_the_Telangana_Plateau_India

  twitter.com/AparnaLajmi/status/1339476599809445889

[Crustacea • 2023] Ghatiana sanguinolenta • A New Species of Freshwater Crab (Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Central Western Ghats of India

Ghatiana sanguinolenta

 Pati, Thackeray & Pawar. 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5353.4.4 

 facebook.com/swap279 

  facebook.com/FreshwaterCrabs

Abstract

Ghatiana sanguinolenta sp. nov. is recognized herein as the twelfth species of the gecarcinucid genus Ghatiana Pati & Sharma, 2014, and the fifth species of the genus from the Karnataka state. This new species of freshwater crab is currently known only from the type locality, which is situated in the Central Western Ghats of India. Ghatiana sanguinolenta sp. nov. can be immediately distinguished from congeners by the outwardly curved ultimate article of the male first gonopod and the dark blood-red colour in life.

Keywords: Crustacea, Decapoda, Gecarcinucoidea, taxonomy, Karnataka

Sameer Kumar Pati, Tejas Thackeray and Swapnil Pawar. 2023. Ghatiana sanguinolenta, A New Species of Freshwater Crab (Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the Central Western Ghats of India.  Zootaxa. 5353(4); 372-378. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5353.4.4

  facebook.com/FreshwaterCrabs/posts/673429208249269

  facebook.com/swap279/posts/10232901187136703

 

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolhapur/ghatiana-sanguinolenta-a-new-crab-species-found-in-w-ghats/articleshow/104413370.cms

[Botany • 2023] Cirsium tukuhnikivatzicum (Asteraceae) • A New Species of Thistle endemic to the La Sal Mountains of Utah, USA

  Cirsium tukuhnikivatzicum Ackerf.,

in Ackerfield, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1600/036364423X16847773873170 

 facebook.com/DenverBotanicGardens

Abstract

Cirsium (thistles) have long been considered one of the most taxonomically challenging groups of plants in western North America. However, the relationships among thistles have become clearer thanks to recent molecular phylogenetic work. The results of this work revealed that Cirsium eatonii var. eriocephalum was polyphyletic, consisting of three distinct evolutionary lineages. Each of these lineages was also found to be distinct morphologically as well as geographically. Multiple lines of evidence thus indicated that Cirsium eatonii var. eriocephalum consisted of at least three distinct species. The first species recognized was the previously named C. scopulorum. The second lineage was recently named and described as Cirsium funkiae. The third lineage is here described as a new species, Cirsium tukuhnikivatzicum. Mount Tukuhnikivatz is a prominent backdrop against this new species of thistle. Tukuhnikivatz is also the Southern Paiute word for “place where the sun shines longest” and Ute word for “where the sun sets last.” The specific epithet tukuhnikivatzicum is therefore used to indicate the distribution of this species, while also acknowledging and paying tribute to the Southern Paiute and Ute legacy of use of the La Sal Mountains. There was a taxonomic lag time of 112 yr between the first specimen collection and the new species description presented here.

Keywords: Southern Paiute; Ute; herbarium specimens; iNaturalist; taxonomic lag

 

  

  Jennifer R. Ackerfield. 2023. Cirsium tukuhnikivatzicum, A New Species of Thistle endemic to the La Sal Mountains of Utah.  Systematic Botany. 48(2); 354-362. DOI: 10.1600/036364423X16847773873170

  facebook.com/DenverBotanicGardens/posts/614506460724113

  twitter.com/TAsteraceae/status/1717275026360086903

www.moabtimes.com/articles/new-thistle-species-is-rooted-literally-in-the-la-sals

[Entomology • 2016] Psaironeura angeloi • A New Species of Damselfly (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) from Central and South America

 Psaironeura angeloi

Tennessen, 2016

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4078.1.5 

 Researchgate.net/publication/293636616

Photo by K.J. Tennessen. 

Abstract

Psaironeura angeloi sp. nov. (Holotype male deposited in FSCA: ECUADOR, Esmeraldas Province, small stream 5.6 km NW of Lita, 00.893°N 78.510°W, 4.II.1997, KJT leg.) is described and illustrated based on specimens from Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, bringing the total number of species in the genus to five. The new species is closely related to P. remissa (Calvert), a Mexican/northern Central American species with broad, foliate male cerci, but is distinct in that the long flagella of the genital ligula lack a small sharp spine unique to P. remissa, labrum and clypeus are orange-red, and the back of the head is mostly pale in both males and females. In life, the eyes of the new species are bright red in males versus green and black in P. remissa.

Keywords: Odonata, Psaironeura, Protoneuridae, Zygoptera, new species, Central America, South America

Male of  Psaironeura angeloi sp. nov. perched along small stream, near Chindul, in Manabí Province, Ecuador.

Photo by K.J. Tennessen. 

Kenneth J. Tennessen. 2016. Psaironeura angeloi, A New Species of Damselfly (Zygoptera: Coenagrionidae) from Central and South America. Zootaxa. 4078(1):28-  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4078.1.5  

Researchgate.net/publication/293636616_Psaironeura_angeloi_a_new_species_of_damselfly_from_Central_and_South_America

[Fungi • 2023] Mallocybe pakistanica & M. pinicola (Agaricales: Inocybaceae) • New Species of Mallocybe from Pakistan, based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence

A Mallocybe pakistanica & B M. pinicola Saba & Khalid,

in Saba, Khalid et Sarwar, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.99.86844

 Scale bars: 10 mm 

Abstract

Within the family Inocybaceae, many species of Mallocybe have been reported, but there are only a few reports of this genus from Pakistan. In this study, six collections of Mallocybe were studied by morphological and phylogenetic methods. Phylogenetic analyses, based on sequence data from two different loci (ITS and LSU) using Maximum Likelihood and Maximum Parsimony methods, have been performed to infer species relationships within Mallocybe. Results indicated that these six collections encompass two new species of Mallocybe i.e. M. pakistanica and M. pinicola, from Pakistan. Their detailed morphological descriptions and illustrations are also provided. In addition, comparison with morphologically closely-related taxa is also discussed. Previously, only two species of this genus have been recorded from Pakistan and, with this addition, the total number of reported taxa of Mallocybe has been raised to four from Pakistan. A key to the described taxa of Mallocybe from Pakistan is also provided.

Key words: Asia, molecular systematics, phylogeny, Pinaceae

Holotypes A Mallocybe pakistanica (MSM#0061) B Mallocybe pinicola (MSM#0060).

 Scale bars: 10 mm (A, B).

 Mallocybe pakistanica Saba & Khalid, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Most similar to Mallocybe myriadophylla described from north-western Europe, but differs by the absence of a crowded lamellae, different pileal colouration and somewhat larger basidiospores. Phylogenetically separated from other species of Mallocybe due to unique ITS and LSU sequences.

Etymology: Referring to the country where it was discovered.

 Mallocybe pinicola Saba & Khalid, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Most similar to M. siciliana and M. subtomentosa, but differs by the combination of pileal colour, absence of umbo, size of basidiospores, pyriform to broadly clavate, catenate cheilocystidia and an ecological association with Pines. Phylogenetically separated from other species of Mallocybe due to unique ITS and LSU sequences.

Etymology: Referring to its exclusive association with Pinus.

 Malka Saba, Abdul Nasir Khalid and Samina Sarwar. 2023. New Species of Mallocybe (Agaricales, Inocybaceae) from Pakistan, based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence. MycoKeys. 99: 171-186.  DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.99.86844

[Arachnida • 2023] Pholcus duryun, P. mohang, P. worak, etc. • Five New Species of the Pholcus phungiformes species group (Araneae: Pholcidae) from South Korea

Pholcus spp.

 Jang, Bae, Lee, Yoo & Kim, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1178.104780

Abstract

Five new spider species of the genus Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805, P. duryun sp. nov., P. hwaam sp. nov., P. mohang sp. nov., P. worak sp. nov., and P. yangpyeong sp. nov., belonging to the P. phungiformes group in the family Pholcidae C. L. Koch, 1850, are newly described from South Korea. These new species were collected from mixed forests in mountainous, hilly, and coastal terrains. This study provides the diagnoses, detailed descriptions, distribution maps, and taxonomic photographs of these new species.

Key words: Biodiversity, description, mixed forest, morphology, spider, taxonomy

 

Chang Moon Jang, Yang Seop Bae, Sue Yeon Lee, Jung Sun Yoo and Seung Tae Kim. 2023. Five New Species of the Pholcus phungiformes species group (Araneae, Pholcidae) from South Korea. ZooKeys. 1178: 97-114. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1178.104780

[Herpetology • 2023] Pristimantis donnelsoni & P. kayi • Two New Species of Terrestrial Frogs of the Pristimantis gladiator Complex (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Ecuadorian Andes, with insights on their Biogeography and Skull Morphology

 

 Pristimantis donnelsoni 

Reyes-Puig, Urgilés-Merchán, Franco-Mena, Guayasamin, Batallas & Reyes-Puig, 2023.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1180.107333

Abstract

The explosive diversity of rainfrogs (Pristimantis spp) reaches its highest levels in the mountains of the Tropical Andes, with remarkable cryptic species mainly in unexplored areas of Ecuador. Based on phylogenetics, morphometric traits, skull osteology and bioacoustics, we describe two new species of Pristimantis, previously confused with Pristimantis gladiator, that belong to the subgenus Trachyphrynus traditionally known as the Pristimantis myersi species group. The two new taxa are closely related, but have allopatric distributions. We discuss the importance of the Quijos and Pastaza River valleys in the diversification along Amazonian slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Key words: Cryptic species, Ecuadorian Andean slopes, osteology, Pristimantis taxonomy

  

Life dorsal and ventral views of Pristimantis donnelsoni sp. nov., in situ
A, B holotype male DHMECN 14701, LRC: 15.42 mm, from Chamana Reserve C, D paratype female DHMECN 13321, LRC: 15.47 mm, from Cerro Candelaria E, F paratype female DHMECN 16175, LRC:13.71 mm, from Cerro Candelaria G, H paratype female DHMECN 18159, LRC:18.72 mm, from Hacienda Guamag I, J adult male DHMECN 18185, LRC:14.26 mm, from Finca Palmonte. Photographs by JPRP.

 Pristimantis donnelsoni sp. nov.

 Pristimantis kayi  sp. nov.

Juan M. Guayasamin, Miguel Urgilés-Merchán, Daniela Franco-Mena, Carolina Reyes-Puig, Diego Batallas & Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig

Habitat vegetation at type localities and etymology of the two new frogs described herein.
 A panoramic view of the upper Pastaza Valley and its adjacent mountains, main geographic barriers promoting speciation at a regional scale, at back Tungurahua Volcano and mountains south of the Pastaza River habitat of Pristimantis donnelsoni sp. nov., image from the slopes of Cerro Mayordomo type locality of Pristimantis kayi sp. nov., in the northern mountains to the Pastaza River B Tungurahua Volcano eruption, from Chamana Reserve C Montane forest in Candelaria Reserve
E Sumaco Volcano seen from Wawa Sumaku, habitat of P. kayi sp. nov. F Montane forest and subpáramo in Leito, Patate  

 Photographs by JPRP and Zane Libke

Juan Pablo Reyes-Puig, Miguel Urgilés-Merchán, Daniela Franco-Mena, Juan M. Guayasamin, Diego Batallas and Carolina Reyes-Puig. 2023. Two New Species of Terrestrial Frogs of the Pristimantis gladiator Complex (Anura, Strabomantidae) from the Ecuadorian Andes, with insights on their Biogeography and Skull Morphology. ZooKeys. 1180: 257-293. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1180.107333

  

[Arachnida • 2023] Porteria ajimayo, P. correcaminos, P. eddardstarki, etc. • A Revision of the Genus Porteria and the Phylogeny and Biogeography of Porteriinae (Araneae: Desidae)

Porteria specimens alive.
A, B, P. eddardstarki sp. nov., female from Palmas de Ocoa (MACN-Ar 39150). C, D, P. eddardstarki sp. nov., male from Palmas de Ocoa (MACN-Ar 39122).
E, Porteria sp. (probably P. ajimayo sp. nov.), female from Pata de Gallina, south of Contulmo (14.II.1992, Platnick, Goloboff, Ramírez, AMNH; photo 791). 

Morrill, Crews, Esposito, Ramírez & Griswold, 2023

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac093

 twitter.com/spiderMartinR

Researchgate.net/publication/370555565

Abstract

We revise the Chilean genus Porteria, including the type species, Porteria albopunctata, and 11 new species: Porteria ajimayo sp. nov., Porteria alopobre sp. nov., Porteria ariasbohartae sp. nov., Porteria bunnyana sp. nov., Porteria contulmo sp. nov., Porteria correcaminos sp. nov., Porteria eddardstarki sp. nov., Porteria faberi sp. nov., Porteria fiura sp. nov., Porteria misbianka sp. nov. and Porteria torobayo sp. nov. A phylogenetic analysis using six genetic markers confirms the monophyly of Porteriinae, including Baiami and the core porteriines, here defined to include the ecribellate genera Cambridgea, Corasoides, Nanocambridgea and Porteria. Core porteriines are diagnosed by a narrowed section of the piriform gland spigot field, the cymbium extended to a narrow tip and lack of a median apophysis. Porteria and Corasoides are sister taxa, united by the behaviour of running atop the sheet of a web and by spinning a regular square mesh in the web platform. According to our results, the diversification of Porteria started about 30 Mya (44–17 Mya). A biogeographic analysis infers that an ancestor of Porteria reached South America via a founder event from Australia or New Zealand, where their close relatives occur.

Keywords: historic biogeography, long-range dispersal, marronoid, RTA clade, spiders

Porteria specimens alive.
A, B, P. eddardstarki sp. nov., female from Palmas de Ocoa (MACN-Ar 39150). C, D, P. eddardstarki sp. nov., male from Palmas de Ocoa (MACN-Ar 39122).
E, Porteria sp. (probably P. ajimayo sp. nov.), female from Pata de Gallina, south of Contulmo (14.II.1992, Platnick, Goloboff, Ramírez, AMNH; photo 791). 

 A, records of Porteria species in Chile. B, distribution of P. eddardstarki sp. nov.-the northernmost record is Fray Jorge National Park. C, records of species with restricted distributions, and of P. albopunctata sp. nov. in southern Chile. D, distribution of P. ajimayo sp. nov.-the southernmost records are in Reserva Costera Valdiviana and Alerce Costero National Park. E, distribution of P. bunnyanasp. nov.-the southernmost record is in Chonchi, Chiloé Island.

 A, Cambridgea sp. from Kahurangi National Park, South Island, New Zealand (photo by Peter Michalik). B, Cambridgea sp. from Mulford Sound, South Island, New Zealand. C, Cambridgea sp. from Punakaiki, South Island, New Zealand.
D, E, Nanocambridgea sp. from Pelorus Bridge, South Island, New Zealand.
F, G, Corasoides terania Humphrey, 2017 from Border Ranges National Park, NSW, Australia (photos by Jonas Wolff).

Webs of Porteria.
A, P. fiura sp. nov., Chiloé. B, Porteria from Volcán Osorno (P. correcaminos sp. nov. or P. bunnyana sp. nov.).
C, P. ajimayo sp. nov. from Parque Pedro del Río Zañartu (Concepción). D, P. eddardstarki sp. nov. from Zapallar showing glittery appearance of web in sunlight. E, two webs of P. eddardstarki sp. nov. from Quebrada El Tigre, Zapallar (photo by Jaime Pizarro-Araya). F, web of P. ajimayo sp. nov. MACN-Ar 21074 from Contulmo, inset showing plat form with tangle above. 

 

Elizabeth Morrill, Sarah Crews, Lauren Esposito, Martín J Ramírez and Charles Griswold. 2023. A Revision of the Genus Porteria and the Phylogeny and Biogeography of Porteriinae (Araneae: Desidae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 198(2); 368–461. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac093

 twitter.com/spiderMartinR/status/1654207463896260610

Researchgate.net/publication/370555565_A_revision_of_the_genus_Porteria_and_the_phylogeny_and_biogeography_of_Porteriinae

[Entomology • 2021] Thespea aka • A New Species of the Genus Thespea Solovyev (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea) and Four newly recorded species of Limacodidae from India

1, Thespea aka, sp. nov., holotype ♂; 2, T. aka, sp. nov., paratype ♂;
3, T. heringi, holotype ♂, Myanmar, Putao; 4, T. siniaevi, holotype ♂, Myanmar. 

in Singh, Ahmad, Chandra et Solovyev, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4927.1.8  

Researchgate.net/publication/349211198

Abstract

Thespea aka, sp. nov., is described as new from Arunachal Pradesh, India. Additionally, four species are recorded for the first time from India: Melinaria pseudorepanda kalawensis (Orhant, 2000) and Parasa julikatis Solovyev & Witt, 2009, recorded in Arunachal Pradesh, and Thosea lutea Heylaerts, 1890 and Mambarona congrua (Walker, 1862), recorded in Great Nicobar Island. Diagnosis and distribution are provided for all taxa listed and the males and their genitalia are illustrated.

Keywords: Lepidoptera, Arunachal Pradesh, Great Nicobar Island, Mambarona congrua,

Melinaria pseudorepanda kalawensis, Parasa julikatis, Thespea aka, sp. nov., Thosea lutea 

1, Thespea aka, sp. nov., holotype ♂; 2, T. aka, sp. nov., paratype ♂;
3, T. heringi, holotype ♂, Myanmar, 25 km E Putao, env. Nan Sa Bon (MWM); 4, T. siniaevi, holotype ♂, Myanmar, 65 km NE Putao (MWM).

Thespea aka N. Singh & Ahmad, sp. nov.

 Adults (dorsal view).
 1, Thespea aka, sp. nov., holotype ♂; 2, T. aka, sp. nov., paratype ♂; 3, T. heringi, holotype ♂, Myanmar, 25 km E Putao, env. Nan Sa Bon (MWM); 4, T. siniaevi, holotype ♂, Myanmar, 65 km NE Putao (MWM);
5, Melinaria pseudorepanda kalawensis ♂, India, Arunachal Pradesh, lower Subansiri (NZCZSI); 6, M. repanda ♂, India NE, Assam, Kaziranga, Wild Life res., Pan Bari, 26˚45`N, 93˚10`E, 100m, leg, V. Sinyaev (MWM); 7, M. pseudorepanda pseudorepanda ♂, China, Sichuan, Volonong Res., Siguliang Shan, 31˚09`, 103˚20`E, leg. Sinyaev & team (MWM);
8, Parasa julikatis ♂, India, Arunachal Pradesh, Upper Siang (NZCZSI); 9, P. julikatis ♂, Vietnam, Mts. Fan-si-pan, Chapa, holotype (MWM);
10, Thosea lutea ♂, India, A & N Islands, Great Nicobar Island, Laxmi nagar (NZCZSI); 11, Mambarona congrua ♂, India, A & N Islands, Great Nicobar Island, Galathea (NZCZSI).

Scale bar: 1 cm.

Navneet Singh, Jalil Ahmad, Kailash Chandra and Alexey V. Solovyev. 2021. A New Species of the Genus Thespea Solovyev and Four newly recorded species of Limacodidae from India (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea). Zootaxa. 4927(1); 123–132. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4927.1.8

  Researchgate.net/publication/349211198_A_new_species_of_Thespea_from_India

[Botany • 2021] Ferula sommieriana (Apiaceae) • A New Species from Pelagie Islands (Sicily)

Ferula sommieriana Cambria, C.Brullo, Tavilla, Sciandr., Miniss., Giusso & Brul, 

in Cambria, Brullo, Tavilla, Sciandrello, ... et Brullo. 2021.

 Ferula sommieriana (lands (Sicily). . 525(2); 89-108. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.525.2.1 

 twitter.com/Gianmarco_Tav

 

Abstract

Ferula sommieriana, a new species occurring in Lampedusa and Linosa, islands of Pelagie Archipelago in the Sicilian Channel, is described and illustrated. Previously it was attributed to F. communis, from which it differs in several features regarding mainly the morphology and anatomy of terminal leaf lobes and mericarps, as well as the shape and size of reproductive structures. Its ecology, conservation status and relationships with other allied Mediterranean species of the sect. Ferula are provided, as well as the analytical keys of the species belonging to the aforesaid section.

Keywords: anatomy, Ferula, Italy, Lampedusa, Linosa, taxonomy, Eudicots

Ferula sommieriana, a new species

 Cambria, C.Brullo, Tavilla, Sciandr., Miniss., Giusso & Brul

 

Salvatore Cambria, Cristian Brullo, Gianmarco Tavilla, Saverio Sciandrello, Pietro Minissale, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Salvatore Brullo. 2021. Ferula sommieriana (Apiaceae), A New Species from Pelagie Islands (Sicily). Phytotaxa. 525(2); 89-108. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.525.2.1

  twitter.com/Gianmarco_Tav/status/1460143988179148803

[Crustacea • 2023] Hyalella yashmara • A New thermal Species of the Genus Hyalella (Amphipoda) from Peru with Molecular Phylogeny of the Family Hyalellidae

Hyalella yashmara 

Tomikawa, Kawasaki, Leiva & Arroyo, 2023

 DOI: 10.1071/IS22060

 www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Abstract

In recent years, the impact of rising water temperatures associated with global warming on cold-water freshwater organisms has become a major issue, and understanding the physiological and ecological elements that support temperature limits is essential for the conservation biology of freshwater organisms. We describe a new species of thermophilic hyalellid amphipod, Hyalella yashmara sp. nov. from the Peruvian hot spring Baños del Inca Cajamarca and this could potentially contribute to understanding the high temperature preference of these. We found that this new species can live in water temperatures ranging from 19.8 to 52.1°C, that, to our knowledge, is the highest recorded habitat temperature of amphipods. Hyalella yashmara sp. nov. is most similar to H. meinerti Stebbing, 1899 from Peru. However, this new species differs from the latter in features of gnathopods 1 and 2, sternal gills, uropod 3 and telson. A detailed morphological comparison between Hyalella yashmara sp. nov. and Peruvian species is also provided. Our molecular phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear 28S rRNA and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences strongly support the monophyly of Hyalellidae (=Hyalella). Since Hyalellidae was found to form a sister group with Chiltoniidae, these two families were expected to have originated from a common ancestor that invaded freshwater habitats from marine environments when the continents of South America, Africa and Australia were united as Gondwana. Our findings suggest that the South American species of Hyalella are not monophyletic and that the North American species are likely to share a most recent common ancestor with H. yashmara sp. nov.

Keywords: amphipods, Baños del Inca, hot spring, Hyalella yashmara sp. nov., Hyalellidae, molecular phylogenetic analysis, Peru, taxonomy.

Ko Tomikawa, Yoshimi Kawasaki, Alfonso Miranda Leiva and Nilton Deza Arroyo. 2023. Description of A New thermal Species of the Genus Hyalella from Peru with Molecular Phylogeny of the Family Hyalellidae (Crustacea, Amphipoda). Invertebrate Systematics. 37(4); 254-270. DOI: 10.1071/IS22060

 www.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en/news/79486

 phys.org/news/2023-10-ancient-hot-inca-rulers-scientists.html

[Herpetology • 2023] Litoria ridibunda • Revision of Litoria rothii (Anura: Pelodryadidae) from northern Australia

 Litoria ridibunda

Donnellan, Catullo, Rowley, Doughty, Price, Hines & Richards, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.1.3 

 australian.museum 

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Abstract

Litoria rothii is a widespread pelodryadid frog with a charismatic “laughing” advertisement call, distributed across the Australian Monsoon Tropics and southern New Guinea. Given its large distribution spanning well-known biogeographic barriers, variation in male advertisement calls and the prevalence of unresolved species complexes in the Australian frog fauna, we examine the genetic, morphological and acoustic diversity in the species from across its range. Our analyses reveal the presence of a previously unrecognised species in western parts of the range of L. rothii sensu lato, which we describe herein as a new species. Litoria ridibunda sp. nov. is distinguished from L. rothii on the basis of paraphyly of nuclear gene trees with L. everetti from Indonesia, colour patterns on the posterior thigh and male advertisement calls. Compared to L. rothii, the new species has a less contrasting pattern on the posterior thigh and a male advertisement call with a greater number of notes per call and a greater call duration. In particular, the magnitude of call differences between the species is highest where the ranges of the two species are in proximity in north-western Queensland. Our study further emphasises the undiagnosed diversity that remains in Australian frogs, even in relatively large, charismatic, frequently encountered species that often share human dwellings.

Keywords: Amphibia, frog, single nucleotide polymorphisms, mitochondrial DNA, taxonomy, Carpentarian Gap 

Litoria ridibunda  

 Western Laughing Tree Frog  

S.C. Donnellan, R.A. Catullo, J.J.L. Rowley, P. Doughty, L. Price, H.B. Hines and S.J. Richards. 2023. Revision of Litoria rothii (Anura: Pelodryadidae) from northern Australia.  Zootaxa. 5352(1); 73-108. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5352.1.3

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