Wednesday, September 18, 2024

[Botany • 2024] George Gardner’s Enigmatic Species Goyazia villosa (Gesneriaceae) finally rediscovered


Goyazia villosa (Gardner) R.A. Howard, 

in Figueira, Schindler, Onofre de Araujo, Chautems, Perret, da Silva, Alves et Simon, 2024.

Abstract
Tapina villosa (Gesneriaceae) was published by George Gardner in 1842, based on material he collected in Serra de Natividade (Tocantins, Brazil) in 1840. The species is now recognized as Goyazia villosa (Gardner) R.A. Howard. Since Gardner’s travels in Central Brazil, this species had not been collected again and the taxon was considered as possibly extinct. After a long time, we report the discovery of two new populations of G. villosa in the municipality of Palmas and in the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins, ca. 200 and 100 km north of the Serra de Natividade, respectively. The newly collected materials allow us to better characterize the morphology and infer the phylogenetic placement of this poorly-known species. Here we demonstrate that G. villosa is closely related to G. rupicola in a clade including Goyazia and Mandirola species, and provide an updated description of the species, including field images, photographic plate, information on its distribution and habitat, and a taxonomic key for the species of Goyazia.

Key words: Cerrado, Gloxiniinae, protected area, savanna

Goyazia villosa (Gardner) R.A. Howard
A habit B detail of rhizome with fleshy scales C detail of leaf trichomes on the adaxial surface D front view of corolla E lateral view of corolla F detail of sepals, ovary, and ring nectary (corolla removed) G stamen H immature fruit I open capsule.
Photographs by M. Figueira and B. Schindler from M. Figueira et al. 1808. 

Habitat and habit of Goyazia
A Cachoeira da Fumaça at the Estação Ecológica Serra Geral do Tocantins B habitat of G. villosa on rocky outcrops C frontal view of G. villosa attached to sandstone rocks
D lateral view of individuals of G. petraea E, F habit of G. rupicola.
Photographs: A–C, E M. Figueira and B. Schindler D and F A.O. Araujo; photos from collections: B, C M. Figueira et al. 1808 D A.O. Araujo et al. 1065-24 E M. Figueira et al. 1897 F A.O. Araujo et al. 1082.

 Goyazia villosa (Gardner) R.A. Howard, J. Arnold Arbor. 56(3): 367. 1975.


 Maurício Figueira, Bianca Schindler, Andréa Onofre de Araujo, Alain Chautems, Mathieu Perret, Nílber Gonçalves da Silva, Ruy José Válka Alves and Marcelo Fragomeni Simon. 2024. George Gardner’s Enigmatic Species Goyazia villosa (Gesneriaceae) finally rediscovered. PhytoKeys. 246: 265-276. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.246.125734

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[Herpetology • 2024] Phyllobates samperi & P. bezosi • Molecular Phylogenetics uncovers Two New Species in the Genus Phyllobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae): the terrible frog gets two new sisters


 Phyllobates samperi & P. bezosi
 Amézquita, Vargas-Salinas, Ramos, Palacios-Rodríguez, Salazar, Quiroz, Bolívar, Galindo-Uribe & Mazariegos-H, 2024.
  

Abstract
True poison-dart frogs (Phyllobates, Dendrobatidae) evolved the ability to secrete batrachotoxins, the most powerful alkaloids known to date. The genus comprises five species whose systematics, at first glance, appeared clear. The most derived clade would include two Colombian species (P. terribilis and P. bicolor) with the highest toxicity, the largest body size, and predominantly yellow body colouration. The other three species (P. aurotaenia, P. vittatus, and P. lugubris) are less toxic on average, have smaller size, and are predominantly black with bright dorsolateral stripes. Recent research has revealed the existence of two major lineages among the three Colombian species. The northern lineage appears to result from a complex evolutionary history, including perhaps introgression among yellow and black taxa. The southern lineage instead revealed the existence of new clades closely related to P. terribilis, black and yellow, that arguably deserve their recognition as new species. Here, available evidence is combined to support the erection of southern populations of P. aurotaenia as a new highly toxic species, sister to P. terribilis, and much closer to it than to any other yellow or black-bodied species, Phyllobates samperi sp. nov. Their common ancestor is sister to an additional yellow species, which we also describe here as Phyllobates bezosi sp. nov. Both new species can be externally diagnosed using colouration. Our previous and current analyses also suggest the existence of additional taxa and corroborate multiple transitions in colouration across these hypertoxic taxa.

Key words: Chocoan region, Colombia, hypertoxic frogs, molecular phylogenetics, Phyllobates


Dorsal and ventral view of Phyllobates species in Colombia, including the narrow-banded (P. aurotaenia AT, Atrato in Fig. 1) and broad-banded (P. aurotaenia SJ, San Juan in Fig. 1) morphs of P. aurotaenia. The tree topology follows the results depicted in Fig. 1.

Colour variation among individuals of Phyllobates bezosi sp. nov. (HT: holotype) including A dorsal and B ventral images for adult individuals and C three froglets, which exhibit the typical colouration with dorsolateral lines that characterises juvenile Phyllobates. To compare with juveniles of this species, we add a single image D of P. samperi sp. nov.

 Phyllobates samperi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Phyllobates samperi sp. nov. is a small to medium-sized dendrobatid with an adult SVL of 21–27 mm (24.5 ± 1.6 mm, mean ± SD, n = 17). It is mostly pitch-black, with a narrow golden yellow/orange complete dorsolateral stripe (sensu Grant et al. 2006) extending from the snout, along the outer margin of the upper eyelid, to the dorsum near the dorsal base of the thigh. The ends of the stripe do not meet at the urostyle. Some individuals exhibit a few yellow/orange specks on the forearms, legs and/or venter. We assign this species to Phyllobates based on other studies with more extensive outgroup sampling, including molecular (Santos et al. 2009) and combined (with morphological traits) phylogenetic analyses (Fig. 1; Grant et al. 2006, 2017; Márquez et al. 2020). We also use the following combination of traits: finger I longer than finger II, maxillary teeth present, call of the trill type (Myers and Daly 1976; Myers et al. 1978), and the ability to secrete batrachotoxin (T. Escovar, M.C. González, and A. Amézquita, pers. obs.).

Etymology: The species is named honouring Colombian biologist Cristian Samper, for his lasting impact on the world of conservation science and environmental stewardship. As founding director of the Alexander von Humboldt Biodiversity Institute of Colombia, President and CEO of the Wildlife Conservation Society, Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and Managing Director of the Bezos Earth Fund, Samper is a leading voice in global conservation efforts, overseeing initiatives that span across 65 countries to protect 11.6 million square kilometres of wild places. Samper’s expertise in biodiversity and policy has been instrumental in shaping international dialogues around conservation, making him a respected figure in the intersection of science, governance, and activism.


Systematics and estimated distribution of the seven Phyllobates species. Distribution was estimated from GBIF records (GBIF2023a–f), some of which were excluded based on well-acknowledged information (e.g., the genus distribution in South America is cis-Andean and not trans-Andean) as well as studies addressing distribution with the support of molecular data (Márquez et al. 2012; Márquez et al. 2020; González-Santoro et al. 2023). Dots with a point in the middle denote the localities in western Colombia that were sampled for molecular phylogenetic analyses in the current and previous studies (Márquez et al. 2020). Squares denote type localities for all species except P. bicolor. The tree topology follows the results depicted in Fig. 1. Frog icon colouration is approximate and should not be used to obtain diagnostic traits. See Fig. 4 for a colour diagnosis of the Colombian species.

 Phyllobates bezosi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Phyllobates bezosi sp. nov. is a medium-sized dendrobatid with an adult snout-to-vent length (SVL) of 31–36 mm (33.6 ± 1.7 mm, mean ± SD, n = 9). Body dorsal colouration is predominantly orange to yellow, with mid-dorsal black bands or blotches, usually incomplete and poorly defined, more frequently near the urostyle or between the eyes (Fig. 7). Laterally, the trunk shows suffusion of yellow into black. Dorsal surface of the limbs with irregular orange-to-yellow blotches on a predominantly black background. More yellow is generally found near the limb insertions. We also assign this species to Phyllobates based on other studies with more extensive outgroup sampling, including molecular (Santos et al. 2009) and combined (with morphological traits) phylogenetic analyses (Fig. 1; Grant et al. 2006, 2017; Márquez et al. 2020). We also use the following combination of traits: finger I longer than finger II, maxillary teeth present, and call of the trill type (Myers and Daly 1976; Myers et al. 1978).

Etymology: The species is named honouring American entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, for his contributions to environmental conservation, particularly through the Bezos Earth Fund. The fund aims to combat climate change and preserve the natural world by funding scientists, NGOs, and other local communities dedicated to environmental action. The fund’s investments in conservation, restoration initiatives, food systems, clean energy, and sustainable development reflect a commitment to stewarding the planet for future generations. The considerable financial resources allocated for environmental causes symbolise an important step in mobilising private capital for public good, particularly in an era urgently demanding climate solutions. The name of this new remarkable species is expected to highlight this hallmark decision.


 Adolfo Amézquita, Fernando Vargas-Salinas, Iván Ramos, Pablo Palacios-Rodríguez, Erika Nathalia Salazar, Michelle Quiroz, Wilmar Bolívar, Diana M. Galindo-Uribe and Luis A. Mazariegos-H. 2024. Molecular Phylogenetics uncovers Two New Species in the Genus Phyllobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae): the terrible frog gets two new sisters. ZooKeys. 1212: 217-240. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.126733

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[Entomology • 2024] Cryptoxyleborus brevicauda • A New Species of xyleborine ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) from Thailand


 Cryptoxyleborus brevicauda
Sittichaya & Beaver, 2024

มอดแอมโบรเซียปีกสั้น  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5506.3.5 
 
Abstract
A new species, Cryptoxyleborus brevicauda Sittichaya & Beaver sp. nov., is described from the South of Thailand. A list of Cryptoxyleborus species found in Thailand with their provincial distributions and habitat types, and a key to Thai species are provided.

Coleoptera, Diversity, Oriental region, Thai fauna, new species, key



Wisut Sittichaya and Roger A. Beaver. 2024. Cryptoxyleborus brevicauda, A New Species of xyleborine ambrosia beetle from Thailand (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini).  Zootaxa. 5506(3); 396-401. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.3.5

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[Botany • 2024] Thismia jinzun (Thismiaceae) • A New Species from Hainan Island, China

 

Thismia jinzun  

in Lu, Yang, Qin et Xu, 2024.  

Abstract
Thismia jinzun, a new fully mycoheterotrophic species has been discovered from Hainan Province, China. Thismia jinzun is similar to T. javanica and T. tentaculata in overall appearance, but it obviously differs from the latter two species in several characters. Thismia jinzun has 10–12 mm long, gold-yellow tepal appendages (vs 20–30 mm long, orange-white in T. javanica, and ca. 17 mm long, orange-red in T. tentaculata), a gold-yellow floral tube (vs pale orange or pale yellow in T. javanica and white in T. tentaculata), and a gold-yellow annulus (vs orange in T. javanica and bright yellow in T. tentaculata). According to the IUCN criteria, the conservation status of T. jinzun is classified as Critically Endangered (CR).

conservation status, IUCN, tropical forest, Thismia jinzun, Fungi 



Chunyang LU, Haijun YANG, Wenhao QIN and Han XU. 2024. Thismia jinzun (Thismiaceae), A New Species of Thismia Genus from Hainan Island, China.  Phytotaxa. 664(4); 273-280. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.664.4.4

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[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

 
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  
 x.com/Novatax_Col/status/1821004988958617910

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Tuesday, September 17, 2024

[Mollusca • 2023] Eubranchus flexus • A New Species of the Genus Eubranchus (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from Vietnamese Coastal Waters


Eubranchus flexus 
Grishina, Antokhina & Ekimova, 2023



A new species belonging to the Fionidae (sensu Cella et al., 2016), Eubranchus flexus sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected in Nha Trang, Vietnam, South China Sea, Indo-West Pacific, from the upper sublittoral depth. An integrative analysis was conducted, including a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on three markers (COI, 16S, H3), and an analysis of the external and internal morphology using light and scanning electron microscopy. The distinctiveness of Eubranchus flexus sp. nov. is well established both morphologically and genetically. Phylogenetically Eubranchus flexus sp. nov. represents a derived branch in the phylogeny of Eubranchus, but its relationships with other Eubranchus species are unresolved likely due to low taxon sampling. Eubranchus flexus sp. nov. is the first representative of the genus ifor the nudibranch fauna of Vietnam and for now its range is restricted only to the type locality.

Keywords: Indo-West Pacific; Fionidae; Mollusca; integrative systematics; biodiversity; species delimitation;

Living specimens of Eubranchus flexus sp. nov.
 A. Holotype ZMMU WS19111, dorsal view. B. Paratype ZMMUWS19112, dorsal view, specimens was damaged during collection. Size of the fixed specimens is around 4 mm.
C. Eubranchus flexus sp. nov. specimens with egg mass and the host hydrozoan colony; white arrows point to egg masses, black arrows with a white outline point to specimens.

Eubranchus flexus sp. nov.

Etymology. From Latin “flexus” (bending, winding, curvilinear), referring to specific shape of cerata in this species.


Darya Grishina, Tatiana Antokhina and Irina Ekimova. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Eubranchus (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from Vietnamese Coastal Waters. Ruthenica Russian Malacological Journal. 33(1):1-8. ruthenica.net/node/5976
DOI: 10.35885/ruthenica.2023.33(1).1

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[PaleoEntomology • 2021] Cretophengodes azari • Cretophengodidae, A New Cretaceous Beetle Family (Coleoptera: Elateroidea), sheds light on the Evolution of Bioluminescence


Cretophengodes azari Li, Kundrata, Tihelka & Cai, 

in Li, Kundrata, Tihelka, Liu, Huang et Cai, 2021. 

Abstract
Bioluminescent beetles of the superfamily Elateroidea (fireflies, fire beetles, glow-worms) are the most speciose group of terrestrial light-producing animals. The evolution of bioluminescence in elateroids is associated with unusual morphological modifications, such as soft-bodiedness and neoteny, but the fragmentary nature of the fossil record discloses little about the origin of these adaptations. We report the discovery of a new bioluminescent elateroid beetle family from the mid-Cretaceous of northern Myanmar (ca 99 Ma), Cretophengodidae fam. nov. Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov. belongs to the bioluminescent lampyroid clade, and would appear to represent a transitional fossil linking the soft-bodied Phengodidae + Rhagophthalmidae clade and hard-bodied elateroids. The fossil male possesses a light organ on the abdomen which presumably served a defensive function, documenting a Cretaceous radiation of bioluminescent beetles coinciding with the diversification of major insectivore groups such as frogs and stem-group birds. The discovery adds a key branch to the elateroid tree of life and sheds light on the evolution of soft-bodiedness and the historical biogeography of elateroid beetles.


Order Coleoptera Linnaeus, 1758
Suborder Polyphaga Emery, 1886
Superfamily Elateroidea Leach, 1815

Cretophengodidae Li, Kundrata, Tihelka and Cai fam. nov.

Type genus. Cretophengodes gen. nov.

Diagnosis (male). Mandibles slender, sickle-shaped. Frontoclypeal region moderately declined anteriorly. Eyes large, strongly protruding. Antennae 12-segmented; antennomere 1 stout, expanding apically; antennomeres 2 and 3 short; antennomeres 4–11 elongate, bipectinate. Prosternum in front of coxae longer than diameter of procoxal cavity. Prosternal process narrow and elongate, acute apically, reaching posterior edge of procoxae. Elytra oblong, sub-parallel sided, nearly completely covering abdomen, leaving at most only apex of ultimate tergite exposed. Tarsal formula 5-5-5; tarsomeres 2–4 each with membranous lobe. Abdomen with six apparently immovable ventrites; photic organ present on median portions of the basal three abdominal ventrites.

Composition and distribution. Monogeneric, with Cretophengodes gen. nov. known only from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber.

Cretophengodes Li, Kundrata, Tihelka and Cai gen. nov.
 
Etymology. The generic name is derived partly from ‘Cretaceous’, in reference to the age of the fossil, and the genus Phengodes, the type genus of the morphologically similar and presumably closely related Phengodidae. The gender is masculine.

Diagnosis. As for the family with additional characters: body moderate (approx. 7.3 mm long); pronotum sub-pentagonal, wider than long; elytra irregularly punctate, with several raised interstrial intervals forming indistinct carinae; claws simple.

 General habitus of Cretophengodidae and representatives of the closely related Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae, under incident light.
(a, b) Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov., dorsal and ventral views, respectively, with arrowhead showing the photic organ.
(c, d) Zarhipis sp. (Phengodidae), dorsal and ventral views, respectively.
(e, f) Rhagophthalmus sp. (Rhagophthalmidae), dorsal and ventral views, respectively.
Scale bars: (a,b,e,f) 2 mm; (c,d) 4 mm. (Online version in colour.)

Cretophengodes azari Li, Kundrata, Tihelka and Cai sp. nov.

Etymology. After Prof. Dany Azar, palaeoentomologist extraordinaire.

Type material. Holotype, NIGP173775, male, mid-Cretaceous (upper Albian to lower Cenomanian [26,27]), from amber mine near Noije Bum Village, Hukawng Valley, Tanai Township, Myitkyina District, Kachin State, northern Myanmar.

Geographical distribution of Cretophengodidae (genus Cretophengodes), Phengodidae (subfamilies Cydistinae, Mastinocerinae and Phengodinae) and Rhagophthalmidae. World map adapted from Natural Earth (NaturalEarthData.com).  

 Artistic reconstruction of Cretophengodes azari gen. et sp. nov. The larviform female in the background is reconstructed based on extant Phengodidae and Rhagophthalmidae.  
 
 
Yan-Da Li, Robin Kundrata, Erik Tihelka, Zhenhua Liu, Diying Huang and Chenyang Cai. 2024. Cretophengodidae, A New Cretaceous Beetle Family, sheds light on the Evolution of Bioluminescence. Proc. R. Soc. B. 288: 20202730

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[Botany • 2024] Holarrhena parishadii (Apocynaceae) • A New Species from Palakkad Gap of Western Ghats, South India


 Holarrhena parishadii  

in Ambika, Jose et Suresh, 2024.
 
Abstract
A new species of Holarrhena from the Palakkad gap of Western Ghats, S. India is described and compared with Holarrhena pubescens. Detailed description, distribution, phenology, illustration, key and photographs are provided.

colleter, follicle, Palakkad gap, Western Ghats, Eudicots



Viswanathan Pillai Ambika, Sojan Jose, Veerankutty Suresh. 2024. Holarrhena parishadii (Apocynaceae), A New Species from Palakkad gap of Western Ghats, South India. Phytotaxa. 664(4); 290-296. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.664.4.6 
  facebook.com/kssppalakkad/posts/926485746183098


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[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.

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
 
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Monday, September 16, 2024

[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
 
 
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

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

 
  Kibakoganea unnahachotei 
Hongsuwong & Pathomwattananurak. 2024
 

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

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


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

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 
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[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. 
 
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
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