[Botany • 2024] Tillandsia tequilana (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) • A New saxicolous Species from Jalisco, Mexico

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr.,

in Hernández-Cárdenas, Flores-Argüelles, Espejo-Serna, López-Ferrari, Carranza-Rodríguez et Lara-Godínez, 2024.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.659.2.1

Abstract

Tillandsia tequilana, a new species from the state of Jalisco, Mexico, is described and illustrated. The proposed species is compared to T. aguascalientensis, T. moronesensis, and T. schusteri, taxa with some morphological similarities. Tillandsia tequilana differs from these species in the shape and size of the leaf sheath, spikes and floral bracts, in the shape of the sepals, and also in the flowering time. Images and a distribution map of the new species are included.

Endemic, Monocots, Pacific Lowlands, Poales, saxicolous

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr.
 A. Cliffs of the cerro Chiquihuitillo. B–C. Plants at type locality. D. Detail of the inflorescences.

(Photographs by R. Hernández-Cárdenas).

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr.
A. Detail of the spikes. B. Flower. C. Floral bract. D. Sepals. E. Petals. F. Stamens. G. Pistil. H. Fruit.

(Photographs by R. Hernández-Cárdenas).

Tillandsia tequilana Hern.-Cárdenas, Flores-Arg., Espejo & López-Ferr., sp. nov.

The new species is similar to Tillandsia aguascalientensis but differs in the shape (triangular to ovate vs. elliptic) and size of the leaf sheath (4.0–5.0 × 3.0–3.5 vs. 7.0–12 × 4.0–7.0 cm), in the shape (narrowly oblong vs. elliptic) and width (1.0–1.5 vs. 2.5–4.0 cm) of the spikes, in the shape (oblong to elliptic vs. lanceolate) and size (2.5–3.2 × 1.2–1.5 vs. 3.9–4.2 × 1.5–2.0 cm) of the floral bracts, and in the width of the sepals (0.4–0.5 vs. 0.9–1.1 cm).

Etymology:—Specific epithet refers to the municipality of Tequila, Jalisco, where the new species was discovered.

Rodrigo Alejandro Hernández-Cárdenas, Alejandra Flores-Argüelles, Adolfo Espejo-Serna, Ana Rosa López-Ferrari, Juan Carlos Carranza-Rodríguez and Sofía Ana Lucrecia Lara-Godínez. 2024. Tillandsia tequilana (Tillandsioideae; Bromeliaceae), A New saxicolous Species from Jalisco, Mexico.  Phytotaxa. 659(2); 105-111. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.659.2.1

 

[Herpetology • 2024] Tree Holes to Trash: Unique Upside-down Terrestrial Spawning, Agonistic Interactions, Complex Mating Calls, and Unnatural Breeding Alterations in Minervarya charlesdarwini (Anura: Dicroglossidae)

Charles Darwin's Frog (Minervarya charlesdarwini) from the Andaman Islands of India

in Biju, Garg, Gokulakrishnan, Sivaperuman, Upadhyaya, Bee et Hanken, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3099/0006-9698-577.1.1

Abstract

Anuran amphibians exhibit the greatest diversity of reproductive modes among tetrapod vertebrates. The Andamanese Charles Darwin's frog, Minervarya charlesdarwini, is the only species of the family Dicroglossidae that is known to naturally deposit eggs in water-filled cavities of tree holes or buttresses, where they then undergo exotrophic development. We describe the reproductive behavior in this species that involves a unique combination of traits: (1) Males produce complex advertisement calls comprising at least three different call types, in addition to a type of aggressive call. (2) Unpaired males exhibit agonistic interactions with each other and with mated pairs. (3) Mate selection, amplexus, and oviposition take place inside water-filled cavities. (4) During axillary amplexus, mating pairs synchronously switch between head-up and head-down positions above and below the water surface using both forward and backward movements. (5) At the time of egg laying, amplectant pairs are in an upside-down position on the cavity walls with their bodies completely outside the water. (6) Eggs are deposited over multiple bouts on the inner walls of the cavities and terrestrially above the water surface. Upside-down spawning in M. charlesdarwini is a unique trait among phytotelm-breeding terrestrial frogs. The combination of terrestrial oviposition sites in water-filled phytotelmata and the upside-down egg-laying posture is a novel report for the family Dicroglossidae and perhaps all anurans. This specialized behavior is also likely derived for a species that is embedded in a group of largely aquatic-breeding minervaryan frogs. Although M. charlesdarwini appears to be an obligate phytotelm breeder, individuals were often observed breeding inside cylindrical, water-filled plastic sapling bags in plant nurseries adjacent to fragmented forest patches, or in rain-filled discarded plastic, glass, or metal containers left as trash at the forest edge. Use of such unnatural breeding sites is likely a forced behavioral shift in response to rapidly changing forest landscapes associated with recent habitat loss and fragmentation. Our findings call for conservation attention to this habitat specialist, which, although locally abundant, is an endemic and threatened species of the Andaman Islands.

KEYWORDS: Amphibia, amplexus, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, bioacoustics, conservation, frog behavior, oviposition, phytotelm breeding, reproductive mode

A breeding pair of Charles Darwin's Frog (Minervarya charlesdarwini) from the Andaman Islands of India.

photo: S.D. Biju

A male Charles Darwin's frog calling from an unnatural breeding site: a rain-filled metal food tin littered on the forest floor.

photo: G. Gokulakrishnan

 

S. D. Biju, Sonali Garg, G. Gokulakrishnan, Chandrakasan Sivaperuman, RadhaKrishna K. Upadhyaya, Mark A. Bee, and James Hanken. 2024. Tree Holes to Trash: Unique Upside-down Terrestrial Spawning, Agonistic Interactions, Complex Mating Calls, and Unnatural Breeding Alterations in Minervarya charlesdarwini (Anura, Dicroglossidae). Breviora. 577(1), 1-33. DOI: doi.org/10.3099/0006-9698-577.1.1

[Herpetology • 2024] Limnonectes cassiopeia • A Long Overlooked New Species of Fanged Frog, Genus Limnonectes (Anura: Dicroglossidae), from Luzon Island, Northern Philippines

Red circles on the map represent genetic sampling localities for Limnonectes cassiopeia, new species, blue diamonds represent genetic sampling for L. macrocephalus, and gray triangles represent genetic samples of L. woodworthi. 

Herr, Som & Brown, 2024

DOI: 10.1643/h2022094 

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

Abstract

We describe a new species of fanged frog (genus Limnonectes) from the foothills of two, inland, south-to-north oriented, parallel mountain ranges of Luzon Island of the northern Philippines. Although the new species broadly co-occurs with its closest relative at numerous localities within the Luzon Pleistocene aggregate island complex faunal region, it can be readily diagnosed from Limnonectes macrocephalus based on its unpigmented (white) ventral surfaces of terminal digital discs, its unexpanded or minimally expanded terminal digital discs, and an allometric growth pattern indicating evidence of sexual dimorphism at a smaller overall body size. The new species, which can also be identified by its divergent 16S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial gene sequence, possesses a curious distribution unlike the range of any Philippine endemic amphibian characterized to date: it is known from nine interior (inland) localities distributed between the two, parallel, south-to-north mountain chains (the Cordillera and Sierra Madre) which characterize mainland Luzon. We interpret the presence of two broadly sympatric, genetically divergent, strongly supported haplotype clades—which correspond to morphologically diagnosable phenotypes, using traditional discrete characters and allometric growth patterns—as prima facia evidence of two, independently evolving evolutionary lineages (species) of giant fanged frogs on Luzon. The description of another new species of large-bodied fanged frog on Luzon from multiple localities in close proximity to the capital city (Manila) emphasizes the degree to which even well-studied larger Philippine landmasses possess unrecognized and overlooked biodiversity.

 

Map of sampling locations on Luzon Island, Philippines (right) and ML phylogenetic tree (left). Red circles on the map represent genetic sampling localities for Limnonectes cassiopeia, new species, blue diamonds represent genetic sampling for L. macrocephalus, and gray triangles represent genetic samples of L. woodworthi. Maximum likelihood tree topology estimated in IQ-TREE. Only the Limnonectes clade E (sensu Evans et al., 2003) subtree is shown here (see inset; outgroups not shown: L. finchi, L. parvus, L. micrixalus, L. palavanensis, L. leytensis, L. acanthi, and L. beloncioi). ...

Limnonectes cassiopeia, new species 

 Cassiopeia Fanged Frog

Etymology.—We derive the specific epithet, used as a modern simple noun in apposition in the nominative case, from the name collectively given to the five stars of the constellation Cassiopeia—used in reference to the species’ five bright, ventrally unpigmented, cream to white toe disks (the principal diagnostic character state difference distinguishing it from Limnonectes macrocephalus). In the Philippines, the constellation Cassiopeia is most visible in clear night skies over central and northern Luzon in an area encompassing the known distribution of the new species. Suggested common name: Cassiopeia Fanged Frog.

Mark W. Herr, Hannah E. Som and Rafe M. Brown. 2024. A Long Overlooked New Species of Fanged Frog, Genus Limnonectes (Amphibia: Anura: Dicroglossidae), from Luzon Island, Northern Philippines.  Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(2); 270-294. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2022094

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1816132938322399264

[Ichthyology • 2024] Hypostomus cari • Integrative taxonomy clarifies the armoured catfish Hypostomus pusarum (Starks) species complex (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) and reveals A New Species in the drainages of Northeastern Brazil

Hypostomus cari

Lustosa-Costa, Ramos, Zawadzki, Jacobina & Lima, 2024

  DOI:  10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae059

  x.com/ZoolJLinnSoc

 

Abstract

Hypostomus is the most species-rich genus within the family Loricariidae and is widely distributed throughout the Neotropical region. Nonetheless, the diversity and distribution of these species have still large knowledge gaps. This scenario is more significant in some regions, such as the northeast of Brazil. In this region, the first species of the genus, H. pusarum, was described in the Northeast Caatinga and Costal Drainages ecoregion. Six congeners were subsequently described in the same ecoregion, all sharing the same colour pattern making them difficult to distinguish. All of them are collectively referred to as the H. pusarum complex. The present work seeks to clarify the diversity that constitutes the H. pusarum complex through an integrative study using molecular and morphological data. The results indicate that H. carvalhoi, H. jaguribensis, H. nudiventris, H. papariae, and H. salgadae are all junior synonyms of H. pusarum. However, one of the morphotypes that occurs in the Parnaíba River is a new species that differs from the others by the absence of a developed medial buccal papilla and the presence of a pre-anal plate. The data provided here highlight the importance of integrative taxonomy for assessing diversity in complex and diverse groups in the Neotropics.

cascudos, DNA barcode, Neotropical fish, new species, Parnaíba River

Hypostomus cari sp. nov.

Silvia Yasmin Lustosa-Costa, Telton Pedro Anselmo Ramos, Cláudio Henrique Zawadzki, Uedson Pereira Jacobina and Sergio Maia Queiroz Lima. 2024. Integrative taxonomy clarifies the armoured catfish Hypostomus pusarum (Starks) species complex (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) and reveals A New Species in the drainages of Northeastern Brazil. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 201(3); zlae059, DOI:  doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae059

  x.com/ZoolJLinnSoc/status/1813166947200102676

[Botany • 2024] Dalbergia calcarea (Fabaceae: Dalbergieae) • A New Species from Lao PDR

Dalbergia calcarea Lanors., Mattapha & Lamxay, 

in Mattapha, Lanorsavanh, Lamxay; Souvannakhoummane et Chanthavongsa, 2024. 

 ຄໍາພີ້ເຫຼືອງ  ||  DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2024.52.2.08

Abstract

Dalbergia calcarea, a new species currently only known from the limestone mountains of Khammouan Province, central Laos, is described and illustrated. The key characters such as habit, colour and limb of standard, and number of ovules of the new species are discussed and compared with its closest relatives. A detailed description along with etymology, conservation status, illustrations and colour photographs are provided for a new species. This discovery increases the number of Laotian species in the genus Dalbergia to seventeen taxa.

Keywords: Faboideae, Indo-China, Laos, new taxon, taxonomy

Dalbergia calcarea Lanors., Mattapha & Lamxay: 
A. Leaves and inflorescences; B. Leaf; C. Leaflet; D. Flower; E. Standard, outer surface (left) & inner surface (right); F. Wing petals; G. Keel petals; H. Stamens & calyx; I. Ovary; J. Fruits bearing one seed; K. Fruit bearing 4 seeds.

 A–I: S. Lanorsavanh & V. Lamxay SL1641; J & K: S. Lanorsavanh & K. Souvannakhoummane SL1721. 

Drawn by Keooudone Souvannakhoummane.

Dalbergia calcarea Lanors., Mattapha & Lamxay:
 A. Leaves and inflorescences; B. Close up of flowers; C. Flowers (front view, left; side view, right); D. Wing petals; E. Keel petals; F. Stamens enclosing the ovary, inside the calyx; G. Fruits.

Photos by Soulivanh Lanorsavanh.

Dalbergia calcarea Lanors., Mattapha & Lamxay, sp. nov.

This species is characterised by being a tree, leaves with 9–33 leaflets with equal-sided lateral bases, the limb of the standard petal 7–8 mm long, monadelphous stamens (5+5), a pubescent ovary with 3–6 ovules and glabrous fruits. It resembles Dalbergia pinnata (Lour.) Prain in having a similar shape and size of the leaflets, however, it is distinct by the equal-sided bases of the lateral leaflets (vs strongly unequal-sided in D. pinnata), leaflets pubescent on both sides (pubescent only on lower surface in D. pinnata), longer inflorescences (4–6.5 cm long vs 2–3 cm long in D. pinnata), larger bracts (2–)4–6 × 2–2.5 mm vs ca 0.5 × 0.2 mm in D. pinnata),the limb of the standard petal broadly obovate, 7–8 mm long (vs orbicular, 1–2 mm long in D. pinnata) and ten stamens (vs 9 stamens in D. pinnata). 

Type: Lao PDR, Khammouan Province, Khounkham Distr., Phou Pha Man Hill, mixed deciduous forests on limestone mountains, ca 325 m, ...

Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the habitat of the species where it grows on the range of karst. 

Vernacular.— ຄໍາພີ້ເຫຼືອງ (Kham pee lueang).

Sawai Mattapha, Soulivanh Lanorsavanh, Vichith Lamxay; Keooudone Souvannakhoummane and Khamfa Chanthavongsa. 2024. Dalbergia calcarea, A New Species of Dalbergia (Fabaceae: Dalbergieae) from Lao PDR. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany). 52(2), 62–67. DOI:  doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2024.52.2.08

[Herpetology • 2022] Morphological and Molecular Differences in Two closely related Calotes Cuvier, 1817 (Agamidae: Draconinae) with the first record of Calotes medogensis Zhao & Li, 1984 from India

 

Calotes jerdoni & Calotes medogensis 

in Boruah, Narayanan, Deepak et Das. 2022.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5219.5.3 

 x.com/Bitupan81035978

  

Abstract

We studied the morphological and genetic differences within Calotes jerdoni, a widespread species across northeast India. Our results suggest the presence of two distinct species in this region, one being Calotes jerdoni and the other being Calotes medogensis, which we report for the first time from India. We designate a lectotype for Calotes jerdoni and provided extended description based on freshly collected materials. Previously undetermined diagnostic characters were identified and are discussed here in detail. The aforementioned species show an interspecific pairwise genetic divergence of 13–14% in the ND2 mitochondrial gene.

Reptilia, biogeography, phylogeny, range extension, topotype 

 

Bitupan Boruah, Surya Narayanan, V. Deepak and Abhijit Das. 2022. Morphological and Molecular Differences in Two closely related Calotes Cuvier, 1817 (Squamata: Agamidae: Draconinae) with the first record of Calotes medogensis Zhao & Li, 1984 from India.  Zootaxa. 5219(5); 433-455. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5219.5.3

  x.com/Bitupan81035978/status/1602725377897422848

[Botany • 2019] Viscum sahyadricum (Santalaceae) • A New Species from the Western Ghats of India

 

Viscum sahyadricum Sardesai, S.P.Gaikwad & S.R.Yadav, 

in Sardesai, Gaikwad et Yadav, 2019. 

DOI: 10.1017/S096042861900012X  

 Researchgate.net/publication/333819982

Abstract

Viscum sahyadricum (Santalaceae) from the Western Ghats of India is here described as a new species with description, illustrations and notes.

Keywords: Epiparasite, mistletoe, Santalales, taxonomy

Viscum sahyadricum Sardesai, S.P.Gaikwad & S.R.Yadav, sp. nov.

M. M. Sardesai, S. P. Gaikwad and S. R. Yadav. 2019. Viscum sahyadricum (Santalaceae), A New Species from the Western Ghats of India. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 76(3):1-8.  DOI: doi.org/10.1017/S096042861900012X 

  Researchgate.net/publication/333819982_VISCUM_SAHYADRICUM_A_NEW_SPECIES_FROM_THE_WESTERN_GHATS_OF_INDIA

[Herpetology • 2024] Panaspis ericae & P. mundavambo • A Treasure Trove of Endemics: Two New Species of Snake-eyed Skinks of the Genus Panaspis Cope, 1868 (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Serra da Neve Inselberg, southwestern Angola

 Panaspis ericae  

 Marques, Parrinha, Lopes-Lima, Tiutenko, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2024

   DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.8.121103

photos by Arthur Tiutenko.

 Abstract

Four species of the genus Panaspis – P. cabindae, P. wahlbergii, P. maculicollis and P. mocamedensis – are currently known from Angola. The analysis of recently collected specimens from Serra da Neve Inselberg, an isolated mountain located in northern Namibe Province, revealed unexpected taxonomic diversity in the group. Using an integrative taxonomy approach based on morphological and DNA sequence data, with both mitochondrial (16S) and nuclear (RAG-1) genes, we were able to distinguish two distinct populations, described here as two new species, Panaspis ericae sp. nov. and P. mundavambo sp. nov. Both species are assumed to be endemic to the inselberg. This reinforces our notion of southwestern Angola as a hotspot of skink diversity, and highlights the urgent need for the conservation of Serra da Neve.

Key Words: Reptiles, integrative taxonomy, Africa, herpetofauna, cryptic species

Live photos of Panaspis ericae sp. nov. 
the holotype (MUNHAC/MB03-001525) from vicinity of Catchi, Serra da Neve.  
 the paratype (MUNHAC/MB03-001531) from vicinity of Maylowe, Serra da Neve.

photos by Arthur Tiutenko.

 Panaspis ericae sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet “ericae” is formed in the genitive singular and is feminine. It is given in honor of Erica Tavares (1997–), an Angolan biologist and conservationist. Through her work in the Angolan environmental platform “Eco Angola” (of which Erica is a co-founder), Erica has revolutionized the Angolan conservation and ecological discourse, providing opportunities for members of the Angolan civil society, students, and young researchers to learn, debate and contribute to environmental causes. We suggest “Erica’s Snake-Eyed Skink” and “Lagartixa da Manta-Morta de Erica” as the English and Portuguese common names, respectively, for this species.

 Panaspis mundavambo sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet “mundavambo” refers to the Mukwando (local tribe) name for Serra da Neve Inselberg (Opunda Mundavambo), to which the species is endemic, and is applied here as a substantive in apposition. We propose the English vernacular name “Serra da Neve Snake-Eyed Skink” and the Portuguese vernacular name of “Lagartixa da Manta-Morta da Serra da Neve”.

 

Mariana P. Marques, Diogo Parrinha, Manuel Lopes-Lima, Arthur Tiutenko, Aaron M. Bauer and Luis M. P. Ceríaco. 2024. A Treasure Trove of Endemics: Two New Species of Snake-eyed Skinks of the Genus Panaspis Cope, 1868 (Squamata, Scincidae) from the Serra da Neve Inselberg, southwestern Angola. Evolutionary Systematics. 8(2): 167-182. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.8.121103

[Herpetology • 2024] Xenophrys yingjiangensis • A Field Survey on the Genus Xenophrys (Anura: Megophryidae) confirms underestimated diversity in the Gaoligong Mountains, with the description of A New Species

 Xenophrys yingjiangensis Wu, Yu, Chen & Che, 

 in Wu, Yu, Chen, Kilunda, Zhang, Zuo, Zuo, Duan et Che, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.127635

Abstract

The Gaoligong Mountains, located in the western part of China’s Yunnan Province adjoining northern Myanmar, harbor a striking diversity of species and endemism. Previous studies have shown that amphibian diversity in this region remains underestimated. A field survey carried out in 2023 oversaw a collection of eight Xenophrys specimens from the Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, China. Subsequent molecular analyses revealed two distinct and previously undescribed lineages. Based on morphological evidence, we formally describe one of the lineages as a new species and tentatively assign the other lineage to X. sp. due to the absence of adult specimens for examination. Our results bring the total number of Xenophrys species to 29 and the number of Xenophrys species known to occur in China to 11. Furthermore, our study reveals that five species and putative species of Xenophrys (X. dehongensis, X. glandulosa, X. periosa, X. yingjiangensis sp. nov., and X. sp.) exhibit sympatric distribution. These findings highlight the need for future research to investigate the mechanisms of sympatric coexistence in Xenophrys. In addition, our study confirms that the amphibian diversity of the Gaoligong Mountains is undoubtedly underestimated. As a result, continued exploration of amphibians in the future is necessary to obtain a clearer understanding of the overall biodiversity in this region.

Key Words: Biodiversity, cryptic species, frog, sympatric distribution, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, Xenophrys yingjiangensis sp. nov.

 Xenophrys yingjiangensis Wu, Yu, Chen & Che, sp. nov.
Views of the Holotype KIZ 053848 in life. A. Lateral view; B. Lateral view of head; C. Dorsal view of hindlimbs; D. Ventral view; E. Ventral view of hand, and F. Ventral view of foot.

 Photos by Zhong-Bin Yu.

 Xenophrys yingjiangensis Wu, Yu, Chen & Che, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Xenophrys yingjiangensis sp. nov. differs from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) medium adult size, adult male SVL 44.6–49.8 mm (N=5); (2) head slightly longer than wide; (3) tympanum distinct, narrow anteriorly, slightly widening posteriorly; (4) pupil vertically elliptical; (5) vomerine ridges and vomerine teeth present; (6) tongue large, oval-shaped, feebly notched posteriorly; (7) relative finger lengths: II < IV < I < III; (8) the heels slightly overlapping when the tibias are positioned at right angles to the body axis; (9) tibio-tarsal articulation of straightened limb reaching the nostril; (10) lateral dermal fringes on toes distinct, narrow; (11) toes with rudimentary webbing; (12) inner metatarsal tubercle large, elongate; (13) a distinct narrow ‘\ /’-shaped parietoscapular ridge present; (14) flesh pink ventral surface of thighs.

Etymology: The specific epithet “yingjiang” is a Latinized adjective derived from the name of Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China, where the new species occurs. We propose the English common name “Yingjiang horned toad” and the Chinese common name “Yíng Jiāng Jiǎo Chán (盈江角蟾)”.

 

 Yun-He Wu, Zhong-Bin Yu, Jin-Min Chen, Felista Kasyoka Kilunda, Ding-Can Zhang, Chang-Sheng Zuo, An-Ru Zuo, Zheng-Pan Duan and Jing Che. 2024. A Field Survey on the Genus Xenophrys (Amphibia, Megophryidae) confirms underestimated diversity in the Gaoligong Mountains, with the description of A New Species. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(3): 1041-1052. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.127635

[Crustacea • 2024] Alpheus schubarti • A New alpheid Shrimp (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheus) from the tropical western Atlantic

Alpheus schubarti 

Anker, 2024

DOI: 10.11606/1807-0205/2024.64.022 

 Researchgate.net/publication/382008252

Abstract

A new shallow-water species of the alpheid shrimp genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 is described based on five specimens from Maceió, Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. Alpheus schubarti sp. nov., belongs to the A. paracrinitus Miers, 1881 species complex and is most closely related to the eastern Pacific A. rostratus Kim & Abele, 1988, from which it can be separated by several morphological differences and the colour pattern of the major and minor chelae.

Keywords: Decapod crustaceans, Alpheidae, Snapping shrimp, Transisthmian speciation, New taxon, West Atlantic

Alpheus schubarti sp. nov.

Arthur Anker. 2024. Description of A New alpheid Shrimp from the tropical western Atlantic (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheus). Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia (São Paulo). 64: e202464022. DOI: doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2024.64.022  

Researchgate.net/publication/382008252_a_new_Alpheus_from_the_tropical_western_Atlantic

[Ichthyology • 2024] Phylogeographic Patterns of Cyphocharax (Characiformes: Curimatidae) from trans-Andean Rivers and northward expansion to lower Central America

  

Cyphocharax spp.

in Melo, Conde-Saldaña, Villa-Navarro, McMahan et Oliveira, 2024.

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15777 

x.com/TheFSBI

Abstract

Phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear data of 31 specimens of Cyphocharax from trans-Andean rivers support the presence of one lineage of Cyphocharax aspilos in Lago Maracaibo and three cryptic lineages of Cyphocharax magdalenae: (1) Cauca-Magdalena and Ranchería, (2) León and Atrato, and (3) Chucunaque-Tuira, Santa María, and Chiriquí basins of Central America. Results suggest that the Serranía del Perijá facilitated Late Miocene cladogenetic events, whereas post-Isthmian C. magdalenae expansion was enabled by gene flow across the lower Magdalena valley and Central American lowlands. Time-calibrated phylogenetics indicate that the C. magdalenae colonized lower Central America in the Pliocene (3.7 MYA; Ma), the divergence Atrato-Magdalena occurred in Late Pliocene (3.0 Ma) and the split Ranchería-Magdalena during the Middle Pleistocene (1.3 Ma). Updated geographic distribution data support the hypothesis that the Cordillera de Talamanca functions as a barrier to northward expansion of C. magdalenae in Central America.

Keywords: Characiformes, Magdalena, Maracaibo, Ostariophysi, Serranía del Perijá, Talamanca

Bruno F. Melo, Cristhian C. Conde-Saldaña, Francisco A. Villa-Navarro, Caleb D. McMahan and Claudio Oliveira. 2024. Phylogeographic Patterns of Cyphocharax from trans-Andean Rivers and northward expansion to lower Central America (Teleostei, Curimatidae). Journal of Fish Biology. 105(1); 314-325. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15777

 x.com/TheFSBI/status/1813834913109422246

[Herpetology • 2024] Tropidophorus vongx • A New Species of the Genus Tropidophorus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from China-Vietnam Border Region in Southeastern Yunnan Province, China

Tropidophorus vongx 

Wang, Li, Mu, Xu & Che, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5486.1.6 

 Researchgate.net/publication/382491819

 

Abstract

Based on morphological and genetic data, we describe a new species of Tropidophorus from the tropical karst landscape in southeastern Yunnan Province, China, close to the Vietnam border. Phylogenetically, the new species forms a clade with T. baviensis, T. murphyi, and T. hainanus, with p-distances ranging from 4.7–5.1% for the 16S gene and 3.9–6.8% for 12S gene. Morphologically, the new species shares the karst morphotype of Tropidophorus, particularly similar as T. murphyi and T. baviensis, in which all having a dorsally compressed head and body, smooth dorsal head scales, and distinctively keeled body scales. However, the new species can be distinguished from these similar species by numbers of supralabial scales, ventral scales, scales around the tail at the10th subcaudal, and a larger body size. We emphasize the urgency of conservation for the tropical karst landscape in northern Indochina.

Reptilia, cryptic species, conservation, Sphenomorphinae, Vietnam, water skink

Tropidophorus vongx sp. nov. 

Kai Wang, Ling Li, Hao-Nan Mu, Sheng-Jing Xu and Jing Che. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Tropidophorus Duméril, Bibron, 1839 (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) from China-Vietnam Border Region in Southeastern Yunnan Province, China.  Zootaxa. 5486(1); 129-141. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5486.1.6

  Researchgate.net/publication/382491819_A_New_Species_of_the_Genus_Tropidophorus_from_China-Vietnam_Border

[Paleontology • 2024] Asiatyrannus xui • The first deep-snouted tyrannosaur from Upper Cretaceous Ganzhou City of southeastern China

Asiatyrannus xui

 Zheng, Jin, Xie & Du, 2024

 

DOI:  10.1038/s41598-024-66278-5

Abstract

Tyrannosaurids were the most derived group of Tyrannosauroidea and are characterized by having two body plans: gracile, long-snouted and robust, deep-snouted skulls. Both groups lived sympatrically in central Asia. Here, we report a new deep-snouted tyrannosaurid, Asiatyrannus xui gen. et sp. nov., from the Upper Cretaceous of Ganzhou City, southeastern China, which has produced the large-bodied and long-snouted Qianzhousaurus. Based on histological analysis, the holotype of Asiatyrannus xui is not a somatically mature adult, but it already passed through the most rapid growth stages. Asiatyrannus is a small to medium-sized tyrannosaurine, with a skull length of 47.5 cm and an estimated total body length of 3.5–4 m; or around half the size of Qianzhousaurus and other large-bodied tyrannosaurines in similar growth stages. Asiatyrannus and Qianzhousaurus are sympatric tyrannosaurid genera in the Maastrichtian of southeastern China. Asiatyrannus differs from Qianzhousaurus in that it has a proportionally deeper snout, longer premaxilla, deeper maxilla, and deeper dentary, and the cornual process of the lacrimal is inflated without developing a discrete horn. The different skull proportions and body sizes suggest that Asiatyrannus and Qianzhousaurus likely had different feeding strategies and occupied different ecological niches.

 

Keywords: Asiatyrannus xui, Tyrannosauridae, Nanxiong Formation, Upper Cretaceous, China

 

Systematic paleontology

Theropoda Marsh, 1881

Tetanurae Gauthier, 1986

Coelurosauria Huene, 1914

Tyrannosauroidea Osborn, 1905

Tyrannosauridae Osborn, 1905

Tyrannosaurinae Osborn, 1905

Asiatyrannus xui gen. et sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Asiatyrannus xui is a small to medium-sized tyrannosaurine theropod that differs from other tyrannosauroids in possessing the following autapomorphies: two small, deep fossae located on the lateral surface of the premaxilla just lateral to the anteroventral border of the external naris, a large and sub-rectangular shaped maxillary fenestra, the posterior protuberances of the nasals connect to form two separated medium low ridges, a low ridge-like jugal accessory horn, the ventral margin of the anterior ramus of the jugal curving ventrally anterior to the accessory horn, the lateral surface of the descending process of the postorbital developed the anterodorsally trending fine lineations, the slender, straight, and banded-shaped postorbital bar, with almost straight and parallel anterior and posterior margins in lateral view, and the lateral surangular shelf extends to the posterior end of the surangular.

Type locality: Nanxiong Formation (Upper Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) of Shahe Town, Nankang District, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China.

The photograph (A) and line drawing (B) of the skull of Asiatyrannus xui (ZMNH M30360) in right lateral view. The inset box in (A) indicates the position of the detailed jugal accessory horn in (C).

 acf accessory fossa of maxilla; ang angular; aof antorbital fenestra; cor cornual process; d dentary; d.t dentary tooth; emf external mandibular fenestra; en external naris; f frontal; gr groove; itf infratemporal fenestra; j jugal; jah jugal accessory horn; L left; la lacrimal; mf maxillary fenestra; mnvf maxillary neurovascular foramina; mx maxilla; nas nasal; nr nasal ridge; orb orbit; par parietal; pal palatine; pmx premaxilla; po postorbital; q quadrate; qj quadratojugal; R right; sa surangular; sf surangular foramen; snf subnarial foramen; sq squamosal; t1–6 maxillary tooth 1–6.

Fossil remains of Asiatyrannus xui (ZMNH M30360).
(A) Skeletal outlines showing recovered elements in yellow color. The skeletal reconstruction is the proportional scaling of Lythronax argestes drawn by Scott Hartman from Loewen et al.23; (B) the skull in right lateral view; (C) the caudal vertebrae in left lateral view; (D) the right femur in posterior view; (E) the right tibia and fibula in posterior view; (F) The distal portion of the right metatarsal III in medial view and metatarsal IV in anterior view; (G) the middle shaft of the left tibia and fibula in anterior view; (H) The middle shaft of the left metatarsals in anterior view. ft the fourth trochanter; ift iliofibularis tubercle; mt metatarsal.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from Asia, and the suffix ‘tyrannus’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘king’ or ‘tyrant’, to emphasize that this is the new tyrannosaur collected in the continent of Asia. The specific name honors Dr. Xing Xu (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences), a distinguished dinosaurologist who contributed greatly to the study of dinosaurs from China, including the research of several tyrannosaurs: Guanlong, Dilong, and Yutyrannus. Dr. Xing Xu has also been a great supporter of the paleontological research and science popularization work of the Zhejiang Museum of Natural History.

Wenjie Zheng, Xingsheng Jin, Junfang Xie and Tianming Du. 2024. The first deep-snouted tyrannosaur from Upper Cretaceous Ganzhou City of southeastern China. Scientific Reports. 14,  16276. DOI:  doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66278-5