[Herpetology • 2024] Oreolalax yanyuanensis • A New Toad of Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura: Megophryidae) from Sichuan Province, southwest China

 Oreolalax yanyuanensis

Hou, Zheng, Yu, Wang, Chen & Xie, 2024

 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1212.122222

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 is described from Sichuan Province, southwest China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial gene sequences clustered the new species as an independent clade nested with O. rugosus, O. liangbeiensis, and O. major. The new species could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate (39.8–52.8 mm in male); head broad; tympanum absent; interorbital region with dark triangular pattern; 1/3 toes webbed, with broad lateral fringes, belly smooth, brown yellow or medium yellow scattered variable brown spots; skin on dorsum relatively rough with fine tiny and large warts granules; middle pectoral glands are evident in males; flanks with dark-brown warts granules; upper surface of limbs with dark bars; and iris orange above and creamy-white below. The new species inhabits subtropical alpine scrub and swamp.

Key words: 16S, COI, Hengduan Mountains, new species, Oreolalax species, taxonomy

The holotype CIBSH20230603020 of Oreolalax yanyuanensis sp. nov. in preservative
 A dorsal view B ventral view C lateral view D dorsal view of the left hand E ventral view of the left foot.

 Oreolalax yanyuanensis sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: 

The new species is assigned to genus Oreolalax based on following characters: maxillary teeth prominent; back rough, scattered with large warts, covered with oval black spots; pupil vertical; tongue moderately broad, notched behind; femoral glands prominent; pectoral and axillary gland present in males.

The new species differs from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size moderate 39.8–52.8 mm in male; head broad; tympanum hidden; distinct black spots present on flanks; toes 1/3 webbed, with broad lateral fringes; dorsal body deep brown or yellowish-brown; belly smooth, middle yellow, scattered fine mottling, abdominal margin more spotted; skin on dorsum rough with dense and varied size granules, warts are covered with dark spots or no spots; iris light orange or light yellow above, creamy silver white bellow; and middle pectoral glands are evident in males.

Habitats of  Oreolalax yanyuanensis sp. nov. in southeastern Hengduan Mountains region, Sichuan Province, China
A, B, C adults’ habitats D tadpoles’ habitat.

Etymology: The specific epithet “yanyuan” refers to the type locality of the species, Yanyuan County, Sichuan Province. We suggested the common name as “Yanyuan toothed toad”, and the Chinese name as “Yan Yuan Chi Chan (盐源齿蟾)”.

Yin Meng Hou, Pu Yang Zheng, Hao Qi Yu, Bin Wang, Xiao Hong Chen and Feng Xie. 2024. A New Toad of Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura, Megophryidae) from Sichuan Province, southwest China. ZooKeys. 1212: 109-127. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.122222

[Entomology • 2024] Kibakoganea unnahachotei • On the Genus Kibakoganea Nagai, 1984 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) in Thailand

 

  Kibakoganea unnahachotei 

Hongsuwong & Pathomwattananurak. 2024

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.07.003

Abstract

In this study, a new species Kibakoganea unnahachotei sp. nov. is described. Additionally, a new junior synonym of Kibakoganea akikoae Hirasawa, 1992 = Kibakoganea akikoae satoi Nagai, 2004 syn. nov. is proposed. Including the new species, genus Kibakoganea Nagai, 1984 currently comprises 18 species globally, and three species are recorded from Thailand. The habitus, some behavioral notes, and key to species of Kibakoganea from Thailand are given herein.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Didrepanephorina, Rutelinae, Rutelini, Southeast Asia

Family Scarabaeidae Latrielle, 1802

Subfamily Rutelinae MacLeay, 1819

Tribe Rutelini MacLeay, 1819

Genus Kibakoganea Nagai, 1984

  Kibakoganea unnahachotei sp. nov. habitus:
A–C, holotype ♂ (Petchabun Province, Thailand);
D–E, paratype ♂ (Phetchabun Province, Thailand);
A, D–E, dorsal view; B, lateral view; C, ventral view.

scale bar: 10 mm

  Kibakoganea unnahachotei sp. nov. characteristics, holotype ♂ (Petchabun Province, Thailand):
A, head in the dorsal view; B, head in the ventral view; C, pygidium; D, mesofemora.

scale bar: 2 mm

Kibakoganea unnahachotei Hongsuwong and Pathomwattananurak, sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis. Kibakoganea was arranged into three main species groups based on the structures of the aedeagus (Do 2013). K. unnahachotei is placed in the species group with parameres symmetric and apical part not separated. Among them, K. yoshitomii Nagai, 2004 from Northern Laos and K. costata Muramoto & Kobayashi, 2019 from India showed the most resemblance but could be distinguished with the characteristic listed in Table 1.

...

Etymology. The specific epithet “unnahachotei” is named after a Thai entomologist, Thornthan Unnahachote, who has consistently been a valuable collaborator and has provided assistance during our entomological surveys.

Thitipong Hongsuwong and Wuttipon Pathomwattananurak. 2024. On the Genus Kibakoganea Nagai, 1984 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Rutelinae) in Thailand with A New described Species. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.07.003

[Ichthyology • 2023] Lasiancistrus wiwa • Phylogenetic Revision of Whisker-cheeked Suckermouth Catfishes (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Lasiancistrus) from east of the Andes: Five Species where once there were Two

Lasiancistrus wiwa

Poveda-Cuellar, Conde-Saldaña, Villa-Navarro, Lujan & Santos, 2024

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad042 

 Researchgate.net/publication/372161393

 

Abstract

We integrated large sample sizes, morphometric and molecular data, and phylogenetic and species delimitation analyses to test the 17-year-old hypothesis that only two species of whisker-cheeked suckermouth catfishes (genus Lasiancistrus) occur in river drainages west of the Andes Mountains. Our results reject this hypothesis, demonstrating that, in addition to the previously recognized Lasiancistrus guacharote from Lake Maracaibo, a Lasiancistrus clade from west of the Sierra de Perijá contains at least four allopatric, genetically differentiated and morphologically distinct lineages. One of these lineages had no previous name associated with it and is described here as the new species Lasiancistrus wiwa. Phylogenetic relationships and geographical distributions of all five trans-Andean lineages are concordant with watershed boundaries and major mountain ranges that form these boundaries, with the following five freshwater basins or regions each containing a single species: Lake Maracaibo (L. guacharote), Rancheria River basin (L. wiwa), Upper and Middle Magdalena River and lower Cauca River basins (Lasiancistrus volcanensis), Upper Cauca River basin (Lasiancistrus caucanus) and Pacific Coastal watersheds between central Colombia and central Panama (Lasiancistrus mayoloi). Evolutionary relationships among these lineages suggest that Andean uplift-mediated vicariance contributed significantly to the cladogenesis and allopatric distributions of these fishes.

Andes, biodiversity, biogeography, molecular phylogeny, South America, morphology, anatomy

 Holotype of Lasiancistrus wiwa, CZUTIC17449, 79.6 mm standard length, from Colombia, Departamento de La Guajira, Ranchería River basin, Manantial Cañaverales. Scale bar: 10 mm.

  Lasiancistrus wiwa

Etymology: Wiwa is a noun in apposition, referring to indigenous peoples who live in what is now northern Cesar Department and southern La Guajira Department, Colombia. The Wiwa have been displaced to between 900 and 2500 m a.s.l. in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and their population currently numbers< 14 000 people. 

José Luis Poveda-Cuellar, Cristhian Camilo Conde-Saldaña, Francisco Antonio Villa-Navarro, Nathan K Lujan and Jorge Abdala Dergam dos Santos. 2024. Phylogenetic Revision of Whisker-cheeked Suckermouth Catfishes (Loricariidae: Lasiancistrus) from east of the Andes: Five Species where once there were Two. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 199(3); 688–712. DOI:  doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad042  

Researchgate.net/publication/372161393_Phylogenetic_revision_of_Lasiancistrus_from_east_of_the_Andes

 x.com/Novatax_Col/status/1821004988958617910

[Botany • 2024] Fritillaria yalcinii (Liliaceae) • A New Species from southeastern Turkey

Fritillaria yalcinii  

 

in Balos, Çeçen, Tekşen, Yıldırım et Sonay, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1111/njb.04220 

 facebook.com/biyolog.efe

Abstract

Fritillaria yalcinii (Liliaceae) is described as a new species from Diyarbakır Province, southeastern Turkey. It is superficially similar to F. carica, F. forbesii, F. minima, F. minuta, F. mughlae and F. sibthorpiana, but differs in several morphological characters, such as leaves, perigon, nectary, filament, stigma and anther. Diagnostic characteristics, a comprehensive description, photographs, geographical distribution, conservation assessment, observations and a distribution map are provided.

Keywords: Çermik, Diyarbakır, Mesopotamia, taxonomy

Mehmet Maruf Balos, Cahit Çeçen, Mehtap Tekşen, Hasan Yıldırım and Veysel Sonay. 2024. Fritillaria yalcinii (Liliaceae), A New Species from southeastern Turkey. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04220 

 facebook.com/biyolog.efe/posts/7278961068806451

[Botany • 2024] Elleanthus loxensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Sobralieae) • A New white-flowered Elleanthus from the Andes of southern Ecuador and Notes on Hummingbird Pollination of Elleanthus scopula

Elleanthus loxensis M.M.Jiménez & Iturralde,

 in Jiménez, Kuethe, Garzón-Suárez, Lapo-González, Vélez-Abarca, Salagaje et Iturralde, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.662.3.1

  facebook.com/NadiaLapoGonzales

 

Abstract

A new species of Elleanthus from southern Ecuador is described and illustrated here. Elleanthus loxensis is characterized by having ramified stems with coriaceous, plicate leaves and white flowers. Its ecological, morphological, and taxonomic traits are compared with other similar species within the genus and discussed here. Additionally, comments on the pollination of Elleanthus scopula are presented.

cloud forests, Loja, orchids, South America, upper elevation, Zamora Chinchipe, Monocots

Elleanthus loxensis. 
A, B. In situ photographs in the El Madrigal of Podocarpus Reserve. C, D. Plant in flower in Tapichacala Reserve. E. The first author is photographing the new species in Tapichalaca Reserve.

Photos: by Marco M. Jiménez (A, B) and James H. Muchmore Jr. (C–E).

Lankester Composite Dissection Plate (LCDP) of Elleanthus loxensis.
A. Habit with a close-up of the internode of a branch (A1) and a leaf in adaxial view (A2). B. Detail of the inflorescence with a flower in frontal view (B1). C. Dissected flower with a closeup of the apical margin (C1) and corpuscules of the lip (C2). D. Lip, column and ovary in lateral views with a longitudinal section of the lip showing the column and corpuscules. E. Column in ventral and ¾ views. F. Pollinarium and anther in adaxial and abaxial views.

Elaborated by Nadia Lapo-González based on photographs of the type.

 

Elleanthus loxensis M.M.Jiménez & Iturralde, sp. nov. 

Elleantus loxensis is most similar to E. maculatus but it is distinguished by the stems branching along its length (vs. branching only from the base), the white flowers (vs. purple) with shorter spathulate-lanceolate sepals (7.5–8.3 × 3.5–3.6 mm vs. oblong petals 14–18 × 2–3 mm), the smaller, membranaceous, laciniate lip (9.0–9.9 × 7.3–10.1 mm vs. fleshy, fimbriate lip, 17 × 10 mm), and the base with subreniform calli (vs. obpyriform, globose calli).

Hummingbirds visiting Elleanthus scopula.
A, B, C. Metallura tyrianthina (female) with pollinarium in its bill. D, E. Chalcostigma herrani.

Photos by Luis Salagaje.

Marco M. Jiménez, J.R. Kuethe, Henry X. Garzón-Suárez, Nadia Lapo-González, Leisberth Vélez-Abarca, Luis A. Salagaje M. and Gabriel A. Iturralde. 2024. A New white-flowered Elleanthus (Orchidaceae: Sobralieae) from the Andes of southern Ecuador and Notes on Hummingbird Pollination of Elleanthus scopula.  Phytotaxa. 662(3); 209-223. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.662.3.1

  facebook.com/NadiaLapoGonzales/posts/7975710739191234

[Botany • 2024] Meriania judithiae (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) • A New Species from southeastern Ecuador

Meriania judithiae  

in Jiménez, Iturralde, Mendoza, Ocupa-Horna et Garzon-Suarez, 2024.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.662.3.3

 

Abstract

Meriania judithiae, a new species from the southeast of Morona Santiago in Ecuador, is described and illustrated. With this new addition, the number of species of the genus increases to 33 in this country. Meriania judithiae has leaves with a attenuate base extending down the petiole as wings, multiflorous inflorescences with sub-umbellate paraclades, pink-orange campanulate flowers, the calyx with conical projections, and isomorphic stamens with connectives prolonged below the thecae. It is compared with M. cuneifolia, its most similar species which shares the distant supra-basal venation and gradually narrowing base of the leaves. In addition, the taxonomic similarities of the new entity are discussed and information about its distribution, habitat, and conservation status is provided.

lower montane forest, Morona Santiago, northern Andes, rainforest, taxonomy, Eudicots

Meriania judithiae. A. Branch with inflorescence. B. Flower with a close-up of the indumentum on the hypanthium (B1). C. Petals, abaxial (left) and adaxial (right) views. D. Flower without petals. E. Hypanthium and calyx with style. F. Ovary with style. G. Longitudinal section of the calyx, hypanthium and ovary. H. Calyx, hypanthium and ovary, top view. I. Stamen. J. Anther with connective appendage viewed from the top. K. Close-up of the connective appendage. L. Mature fruit.

 Prepared by L. Ocupa-Horna from photos by H. Garzón-Suárez and Nelson Espinosa-Ortega (B1) from the holotype.

Meriania judithiae in situ. A. Habitat of the species. B. Terminal branches with inflorescences. C and D. Detail of the inflorescences.

 Photographs by H. Garzón-Suárez.

Meriania judithiae M.M.Jiménez & H.Garzón, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. This species is most similar to Meriania cuneifolia subsp. cuneifolia but differs by the sparse furfuraceous indumentum (vs. hirsute), the much shorter petioles 0.3–1.0 cm long (vs. 2.0–3.0 cm long), the leaf blades with attenuate bases extending into the petiole as wings (vs. long-cuneate), the shorter calyx lobes 0.5–1.3 mm long (vs. 8.5 mm long) each with a conical projection that does not surpass the apex of the lobe (vs. distinct claw-shaped projections extending further the lobes), and the isomorphic stamens (vs. dimorphic).  

Etymology:—The new species is named after Judith A. Steck, mother of David R. Goucher who has been actively supporting botanical research, environmental education and conservation in the south of Morona Santiago province, Ecuador. 

Marco M. Jiménez, Gabriel A. Iturralde, Johny Mendoza, Luis Ocupa-Horna, Henry X. Garzon-Suarez. 2024. A New Species of Meriania (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) from southeastern Ecuador.  Phytotaxa. 662(3); 239-250. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.662.3.3

[Entomology • 2023] Cephonodes sanshaensis • The Genus Cephonodes (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) from Xisha islands, Hainan Province, China, with Description of A New Species

  Cephonodes sanshaensis  Deng & Huang, 

in Deng, M. Wang, Tang, Cai, Ma, X. Wang et Huang, 2023.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2023.08.001

Abstract

A new species, Cephonodes sanshaensis Deng & Huang, sp. nov. is described from Xisha islands near Sansha City, China. Photographs of the adults and their genitalia are provided. The new species is similar to C. hylas (Linnaeus, 1771) and C. picus (Cramer, 1777) but can be easily distinguished by characters in the male genitalia: the right lobe of the uncus is hook-shaped with distinctly acute apex, the left valva is long and narrow with a truncate apex, and the right valva is broad and knife-shaped. Molecular analysis based on cytochrome c oxidase I gene barcode sequences is used to infer the phylogenetic position of the new species within the genus Cephonodes. An updated key and checklist to the worldwide species of the genus Cephonodes are also provided.

Keywords: Cephonodes, molecular identification, new species, taxonomy

  Cephonodes sanshaensis sp. nov.:
A, male, holotype; B, female, paratype.

scale bar: 10 mm.

 Habitat of Cephonodes sanshaensis sp. nov.:
 A, adults; B, mating adults; C, habitat.

Cephonodes sanshaensis sp. nov.

三沙透翅天蛾 [Chinese name]

Diagnosis. Cephonodes sanshaensis sp. nov. is significantly different from Cephonodes hylas, the type species of the genus Cephonodes, with an apical claw on foretibia. C. sanshaensis is similar to C. kingii but is immediately distinguishable by a shorter apical brown area. Among the known species Cephonodes, this new species is most similar to C. picus (Cramer, 1777) but can be distinguished by the following characters: i) the right lobe of the uncus is hook-shaped with distinctly acute apex, whereas in C. picus, it is slender and rod-like; ii) the left valva is long and narrow with a truncate apex, whereas in C. picus, it is broad and somewhat dilated apically; iii) the costa of the right valva is straight, but in C. picus, it is slightly concave; and iv) the papillae anales of female genitalia is small and suborbicular, but in C. picus, it is with a sharp tip.

 

 Min Deng, Min Wang, Chao Tang, Bo Cai, Guang-Chang Ma, Xing Wang and Guo-Hua Huang. 2023. The Genus Cephonodes from Xisha islands, Hainan Province, China, with description of A New Species Cephonodes sanshaensis Deng & Huang, 2023 sp. nov. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2023.08.001

 

[Mammalogy • 2024] Rhinolophus webalai • Systematics of the Rhinolophus landeri complex (Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae), with Evidence for 3 Additional Afrotropical Bat Species

  Rhinolophus webalai Patterson, Dick, Bartonjo & Demos,

in Patterson, Demos, Torrent, Grunwald, Montauban, Peterhans, McDonough, ... et Juste, 2024. ,  

Webala’s Horseshoe Bat  ||  DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyae085

Abstract

Roughly a third of all horseshoe bat species (Rhinolophidae: Rhinolophus) are found in Africa, where a recent continent-wide genetic survey suggested the presence of both undescribed and apparently invalid species. Here, we focus on the R. landeri species complex and the recent elevation of R. lobatus Peters, 1852, to species rank. That action created ambiguity in the taxonomy of East African members of the group—are both R. landeri Martin, 1838, and R. lobatus sympatric in East Africa or is another, unnamed species present there? Here, we refine genetic, morphological, and behavioral characterizations of R. landeri and its erstwhile synonyms with samples from the vicinity of their type localities. The distribution of R. landeri appears to be limited to Central and West Africa; existing genetic records attributed to this species from Mali clearly represent another taxon. We marshal genetic evidence for the species-level distinction of R. dobsoni Thomas, 1904, from Sudan, which was previously considered a synonym of R. landeri. We reject R. axillaris J. A. Allen, 1917, as a synonym of the R. landeri complex, provisionally regarding it as a valid member of the landeri species group. Finally, we demonstrate that East Africa is home to a fourth species of the landeri complex that is named herein. Final resolution of the systematics of this species complex awaits expanded characterizations (especially of genetics, vocalizations, and noseleaves) and studies of variation in regions of contact.

 

Afrotropical, Chiroptera, genetics, Rhinolophidae, species complex, systematics, vocalizations

Cranial and mandibular views of the Rhinolophus landeri species complex, all to same scale:
(a) R. dobsoni, FMNH 48714; (b) R. landeri, FMNH 240685; (c) R. lobatus, FMNH 229146; and (d) Rhinolophus webalai sp. nov., FMNH 215894 (holotype).

External characteristics of Rhinolophus webalai sp. nov., showing nose leaf, axillary tufts, and typical grayish-brown pelage condition of FMNH 233830, adult male from Marsabit National Park and Reserve, Kenya.

Rhinolophus webalai Patterson, Dick, Bartonjo, and Demos, new species

Webala’s Horseshoe Bat

Diagnosis: A small member of the R. landeri species complex with spade-shaped sella, acutely triangular connecting process, lancet with strongly concave tip, and the presence of rust-colored axillary tufts in a majority of adult males (Fig. 6). Middle lower premolar tiny, displaced labially and barely reaching the cingula of flanking premolars (Fig. 7). Echolocation call (Supplementary Data SD6) dominated by long constant-frequency signal flanked by brief initial and terminal frequency-modulated elements, the latter with a greater frequency span, making call bandwidth very broad. Peak frequency averages 109.7 kHz, end frequency 80.2 kHz, and bandwidth 30.2 kHz. Unlike other sampled members of the landeri complex, the fundamental (first) harmonic of the call is conspicuous.

Etymology: We are pleased to name the new species after one of Africa’s foremost bat biologists, Dr. Paul Waswa Webala, in recognition of his important contributions as a field biologist, conservation scientist, prolific author, and mentor to Africa’s next generation. We suggest Webala’s horseshoe bat as a common name for this species.

Bruce D Patterson, Terrence C Demos, Laura Torrent, Amanda L Grunwald, Cecilia Montauban, Julian C Kerbis Peterhans, Molly M McDonough, Carl W Dick, Michael Bartonjo, M Corrie Schoeman, Luis A Ruedas, Javier Juste. 2024. Systematics of the Rhinolophus landeri complex, with evidence for 3 additional Afrotropical bat species. Journal of Mammalogy. gyae085. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyae085

 

[Herpetology • 2024] Liurana namchabarwa • A New Species of the Genus Liurana (Anura: Ceratobatrachidae) from Medog, China

Liurana namchabarwa Yu, Lin, Wang, Jiang & Xie, 

in Yu, Lin, Y. Wang, Zheng, Shi, B. Wang, Jiang, Song et Xie, 2024.

 Namchabarwa Papilla-tongued Frog  | 南迦巴瓦舌突蛙  ||  DOI: 10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0008 

 Researchgate.net/publication/383910026

Abstract

A new species of the genus Liurana is described from Medog, Xizang, China, based on morphological and molecular data. Molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial gene COI indicated that this new species represented an independent evolutionary lineage. In addition, the uncorrected genetic distance between the new species and its closest congener species, L. alpina, was 9.6%–9.8% for COI. The new species, Liurana namchabarwa sp. nov. Yu, Lin, Wang, Jiang and Xie, could be distinguished from its congeners by following characters: (1) relatively large body size in this genus, SVL = 21.2–23.1 mm in adult males ( n = 3); (2) relatively narrow head (HL/HW = 100.5%–104.8% ( n = 3)); (3) digital disc not expanded; (4) relatively long hindlimbs, with tibiotarsal articulation reaching tip of snout when adpressed.

 

Holotype of Liurana namchabarwa sp. nov. in life (adult male, CIB119800).
A: Dorsolateral view; B: Ventral view; C: Ventral close-up of hand; D: Ventral close-up of foot; E: Lateral view of head; F: Detailed of the tongue.

Variation of Liurana namchabarwa sp. nov. in life.
A: Holotype (CIB119800), adult male; B: Paratype (CIB119801), adult male; C: Paratype (CIB119802), adult male. 1: Dorsolateral view; 2: Ventral view.

Liurana namchabarwa sp. nov. Yu, Lin, Wang, Jiang and Xie  

Diagnosis: 

Liurana namchabarwa sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Liurana by its phylogenetic position and the following morphological characters: (1) body size small (SVL 21.2–23.1 mm, n = 3); (2) large, oval tongue with notch and scattered small papillae; (3) interdigital webbing absent; (4) tarsal fold absent; (5) vomerine teeth absent; and (6) vocal sac and vocal sac openings absent.

Liurana namchabarwa sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) SVL 21.2–23.1 mm; (2) HL larger than HW; (3) tympanum distinct; (4) tibiotarsal articulation reaching tip of snout when adpressed; (5) metacarpal tubercles absent; and (6) not expanded digital disc.

Habitat of Liurana namchabarwa sp. nov. in Nibiri, photographed in June 2022.

Etymology: The specific epithet of the new species, “ namchabarwa” means “Namcha Barwa Mountain”, indicating that the habitat of this species is very close to the Namcha Barwa Mountain.

We suggest Namchabarwa Papilla-tongued Frog as its English common name and Nan Jia Ba Wa She Tu Wa (南迦巴瓦舌突蛙) as its Chinese common name.

Haoqi YU, Yiheng LIN, Yuxi WANG, Puyang ZHENG, Shengchao SHI, Bin WANG, Jianping JIANG, Zhaobin SONG and Feng XIE. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Liurana (Anura: Ceratobatrachidae) from Medog, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI:  doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0008

  Researchgate.net/publication/383910026_A_New_Species_of_Liurana_from_Medog_China

[Botany • 2024] Lepanthes garciarovirensis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) • Unhiding Colombian Orchid Treasures: A New Lepanthes from the northeastern Andes in Colombia

  

Lepanthes garciarovirensis E.Restrepo, H.Caro & S.Arango, 

in Caro, Arango-Carvajal, Suescún et Restrepo, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.664.3.4  

Researchgate.net/publication/383910219

 

Abstract

A new species of Lepanthes from the eastern Colombian Andes from the department of Santander has been discovered. Here it is described, illustrated, and compared with species with morphological affinities, particularly with the sympatric Lepanthes rabei, from which it can be separated by a combination of traits: the larger plant length, reaching up to 8.28 cm in height, the elliptical-lanceolate leaves, concolor, the sepals not denticulate, the lip blades ovate-oblong, obtuse, slightly falcate at the apex, the long cilia at the lip tip and the appendix minute, reflexed downwards, pubescent. Information about its distribution, phenology, and conservation status is also provided.

endemic species, oak-forest, plant taxonomy, Pleurothallidinae, Monocots

 Composite plate of Lepanthes garciarovirensis E.Restrepo, H.Caro & S.Arango.
A. Plant. B 1. Flower, frontal view. B 2. Close-up

Lepanthes garciarovirensis E.Restrepo, H.Caro & S.Arango sp. nov.

 Comparison between Lepanthes garciarovirensis (A), L. aff. eucerca (B), L. estrellensis (C) & L. cuatrecasasii (D).

Photographs by Eugenio Restrepo (A, D), Carlos Uribe (B) & Piotr Tuczapski (C). Prepared by Eugenio Restrepo.

Heidy Caro, Susana Arango-Carvajal, Diego Suescún and Eugenio Restrepo. 2024. Unhiding Colombian Orchid Treasures: A New Lepanthes (Orchidaceae) from the northeastern Andes in Colombia.  Phytotaxa. 664(3); 191-199. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.664.3.4 

 Researchgate.net/publication/383910219_A_new_Lepanthes_from_the_northeastern_Andes_in_Colombia

[Paleontology • 2024] Makrokylindrus itoi • A beautifully preserved comma shrimp (Pancrustacea: Peracarida) from the Plio-Pleistocene of Japan and the fossil record of crown Cumacea

 Makrokylindrus itoi 

Luque & Gerken, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/ivb.12440 

 x.com/JaviPaleobio

 

Abstract

 Comma shrimp, or cumaceans, are diverse benthic crustaceans, yet they are one of the groups with the poorest fossil record, hindering our understanding of the evolution of the group in deep time. Here, we describe a new species of fossil comma shrimp, Makrokylindrus itoi sp. nov., from the Plio-Pleistocene of Japan. The singular fossil is exceptionally preserved, including details of the carapace, cuticle, and some appendages, and it represents the first known fossil of the family Diastylidae and only the fourth fossil crown group cumacean known to date. We suggest that the scarce and sparsely known fossil record of cumaceans likely reflects a lack of recognition due to their small size and unfamiliar anatomy, making fossil cumaceans easy to misidentify, be confused with crustacean larvae of unknown affinities, or be interpreted as fragments of other crustaceans (taxonomic bias), rather than a lack of fossilization potential (taphonomic bias).

Keywords: Cenozoic, Diastylidae, exceptional preservation, Neogene, quaternary 

Fossil comma shrimp (Cumacea: Diastylidae) Makrokylindrus itoi sp. nov., holotype YPM 549224, from the Plio-Pleistocene Hijikata Formation, Kakegawa Group, Shizuoka prefecture, Japan.
 (A) Photograph of whole holotype. (B) Close-up of the carapace, the Pereonites 1–4, first and second pereopods, and third maxilliped. (C) Close-up of the cuticular ultrastructure of the branchiostegite. (D) Close-up of the uropod, telson, and Pereonites 1 and 2. (E) Close-up of the cuticular ultrastructure of the second pereonite. (F) Close-up of the fourth pereopod. (G) Close-up of the first to third pleonites and some pleopods. (H) Schematic line drawing of holotype, showing details of the body parts and cuticular ornamentation.

White numbers 1–5, Pereonites 1–5; Mxp3, third maxilliped; P1, Pereopod 1; P2, Pereopod 2; P4, Pereopod 4; pl1=, pleopod 1; pl2=, pleopod 2; Pl1–Pl6, Pleonites or Pleonal somites 1–6; psr, pseudorostrum; t, telson; U, uropod.

 Images and line drawing by J. Luque and S. Gerken

  Systematic paleontology

Arthropoda von Siebold, 1848

Malacostraca Latreille, 1802

Cumacea Krøyer, 1846

Diastylidae Bate, 1856

Makrokylindrus Stebbing, 1912

  Makrokylindrus itoi sp. nov.

 Diagnosis: The carapace, pereon, and pleon were covered with small and large pits arranged in a scale-like pattern. The carapace bore a line of large pits that paralleled the ventral margin. The pseudorostral lobes were 0.5× the total carapace length. The telson was cylindrical, and it was at least 3× longer than pleonite 6 length, with the post-anal portion much shorter than the pre-anal.

 Etymology: The specific epithet honors the late Mr. Takashi Ito, an avid fossil collector and artist from Japan who discovered and collected the holotype, made it available for study, and donated it to the Yale Peabody Museum.

 

Javier Luque and Sarah Gerken. 2024. A beautifully preserved comma shrimp (Pancrustacea: Peracarida) from the Plio-Pleistocene of Japan and the fossil record of crown Cumacea. Invertebrate Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/ivb.12440

  x.com/JaviPaleobio/status/1834601222268924280

[Herpetology • 2024] Stefania imawari & S. upuigmae • Head in the Clouds: Two New microendemic Tepui-summit Species of Stefania (Anura: Hemiphractidae)

  

Main colour pattern variation in Stefania imawari sp. nov.

Kok, 2024

DOI: 10.1186/s40851-024-00237-w  

Researchgate.net/publication/382786388

Abstract

In addition to the type locality (the summit of Aprada-tepui, Bolívar State of Venezuela), the distribution of the egg-brooding frog Stefania satelles was long thought to include several isolated tabletop mountain (tepui) summits surrounding the large Chimantá Massif in Bolívar State (hence the Latin name “satelles”). However, multilocus molecular phylogenetic analyses have revealed that this taxon includes several undescribed morphologically cryptic species, and that S. satelles should be restricted to its type locality. Two tepui-summit species confused under that name in the literature remain to be named, and the present paper aims at describing these populations previously referred to as Stefania sp. 3 and S. sp. 5. Stefania sp. 3 is only known from the small summit of Angasima-tepui, while S. sp. 5 is only reported from the small summit of Upuigma-tepui, both mountains being located south of the Chimantá Massif. These new, phylogenetically distinct species are described based on external morphology and osteology and in comparison to close relatives in the S. ginesi clade, which consists exclusively of tepui summit species. Both new species have highly restricted geographic ranges (less than 3 km2) and should be listed as Critically Endangered according to IUCN criteria.

Keywords: Homoplasy, Morphology, Osteology, Pantepui, Systematics, Taxonomy

 

Main colour pattern variation in Stefania imawari sp. nov.
 (A). IRSNB 4218, male, 48.9 mm SVL. (B). IRSNB 4213, immature female, 38.0 mm SVL.
(C). IRSNB 4215, male, 44.1 mm SVL. (D). IRSNB 4214, male, 44.4 mm SVL.
(E). IRSNB 4219, male, 44.6 mm SVL. (F). IRSNB 4220, female, 55.4 mm SVL.

Photos by the author

Stefania imawari sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet imawari is a noun used in apposition and refers to the malicious spirits that inhabit the tepuis, according to Pemón traditional beliefs (Arturo Berti, pers. comm.). The Pemón are indigenous people living in the southeast region of Venezuela, including the area surrounding the type locality.

Holotype of Stefania upuigmae sp. nov. (IRSNB 4222, female, 53.1 mm SVL).
(A). Dorsolateral view in life. (B). Ventral view of the specimen freshly euthanized.

Photos by the author

Stefania upuigmae sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet upuigmae is a noun in the genitive case and refers to the type locality, the summit of Upuigma-tepui, also locally known as “El Castillo”. 

Distribution of species in the Stefania ginesi clade (A). Distribution map of the Stefania ginesi clade as currently understood. .... Inset photos by the author. (B). Aerial photograph of the southern part of the Chimantá massif, taken facing southwest showing the distribution of Stefania imawari sp. nov. and S. upuigmae sp. nov.

Photo by C. Brewer-Carías

 

Philippe J.R. Kok. 2024. Head in the Clouds: Two New microendemic Tepui-summit Species of Stefania (Anura: Hemiphractidae). Zoological Letters. 10: 14. DOI: doi.org/10.1186/s40851-024-00237-w

  Researchgate.net/publication/382786388_two_new_microendemic_tepui-summit_species_of_Stefania