[Crustacea • 2024] Indochinamon datii • A New Species of the Genus Indochinamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 (Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamidae) and a new country record from Northern Vietnam

Indochinamon datii 

Dang, Hoang & Do, 2024

    

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5437.4.8

Abstract

A new species of freshwater crab, Indochinamon datii n. sp. is described from Xuan Son National Park, Phu Tho Province, Northern Vietnam. The new species external morphology is most similar to I. kimboiense (Dang, 1967) and I. bavi Naruse, Nguyen & Yeo, 2011. However, it can be distinguished from the other species by characters of the carapace, telson and male first gonopod. Indochinamon malipoense Zhang & Sun in Zhang, Pan, Hao & Sun, 2020 is also recorded for the first time in Vietnam.

Crustacea, Xuan Son National Park, Phu Tho Province, new record, taxonomy, Potamiscinae, Indochinamon malipoense, Indochinamon ahkense, karsts

 Indochinamon datii n. sp.

Khai Dang, Anh Tram Hoang and Cuong Do. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Indochinamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamidae) and a new country record from Northern Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5437(4); 560-570. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5437.4.8

[Arachnida • 2024] Troglotayosicus akaido • Phylogeny of the Troglomorphic Scorpion Genus Troglotayosicus (Scorpiones: Troglotayosicidae) with Description of A New Species from Colombia

Troglotayosicus akaido 

 Moreno-González, Luna-Sarmiento & Prendini, 2024

DOI: 10.1206/4011.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/379777194

Abstract  

The troglomorphic scorpion genus Troglotayosicus Lourenço, 1981, occurs in hypogean and epigean habitats in the Andean and Amazonian rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. The phylogenetic relationships among the species of Troglotayosicus are currently unknown. In the present contribution, a new species, Troglotayosicus akaido, sp. nov., is described from specimens collected in the leaf litter of a primary rainforest in the Colombian Amazon, near the border with Peru, raising the number of species in the genus to seven. The new species represents the easternmost record of the genus and further extends its distribution into the Amazon. Its phylogenetic position was tested in an analysis of all species of the genus and two outgroup taxa, scored for 131 morphological characters (16 new and 115 legacy; 104 binary and 27 multistate) analyzed with maximum likelihood under the MK model. Troglotayosicus was recovered as monophyletic and composed of two main clades. The morphological survey revealed that the ventral macrosetae of the leg telotarsi of the type species, Troglotayosicus vachoni Lourenço, 1981, are simple, subspiniform macrosetae, irregularly distributed, but not arranged into clusters nor forming elongated clusters of setae/spinules, as previously suggested. A distribution map and key to the identification of the species of Troglotayosicus are provided. Further research, incorporating molecular data, is needed to understand the evolution and biogeographical history of this enigmatic scorpion genus.

Troglotayosicus akaido, sp. nov., live habitus, holotype ♂ (ICN).
A. Anterior aspect. B. Lateral aspect.

 Troglotayosicus akaido, sp. nov., habitus, dorsal (A, C) and ventral (B, D) aspects.
A, B. Holotype ♂ (ICN). C, D. Paratype ♀ (ICN). Scale bars: 10 mm.

Jairo A. Moreno-González, David A. Luna-Sarmiento and Lorenzo Prendini. 2024. Phylogeny of the Troglomorphic Scorpion Genus Troglotayosicus (Scorpiones: Troglotayosicidae) with Description of a New Species from Colombia. American Museum Novitates. (4011), 1-39. DOI: 10.1206/4011.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/379777194_Phylogeny_of_Troglotayosicus

[PaleoBotany • 2024] Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. (Leguminosae: Detarioideae) • A New extinct Member of the Resin Producer Group of the Mexican Amber

Reconstruction of flowers, leaf, and whole plant of Hymenaea clade in the Mexican amber.
 (A) Hymenaea mexicana (Poinar and Brown, 2002), scale bar = 5.0 mm. (B) A bifoliate leaf of H. mexicana, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (C) Hymenaea allendis, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (Calvillo-Canadell et al., 2010).
(D) Hypothetical Hymenaea clade tree, scale bar=1.0 m.
(E) Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar=5.0 mm. (F) Details of brochidodromous secondary veins and abundant translucid glands of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar = 2.0 mm. 

Hernández-Damián, Rubalcava-Knoth & Cevallos-Ferriz, 2024

 DOI: 10.1016/j.palwor.2024.04.004

Drawings by Aldo Domínguez de la Torre.

 

Abstract

One of the most important amber deposits with bioinclusion outcrops in Chiapas, southern Mexico, dated ca. 23–15 Ma (early–middle Miocene). Angiosperms (flowering plants) are the most frequently recorded group, with ca. 16 families based principally on fossil flowers and occasional leaves, including members of Leguminosae. This study reports new bifoliolate-compound leaves preserved in Mexican amber, represented by a pair of leaflets marginally attached to a short petiole. Each leaflet is ovate to oblong with an entire margin and has an acuminate apex with a pinnate primary vein. Their characteristics are comparable with bifoliate compound leaves of extant members of Cercidoideae, Caesalpinioideae, and Detarioideae subfamilies. Their asymmetrical base, brochidodromous secondary veins, and abundant translucid glands allow establishment of a new extinct resin-producing member of the Hymenaea clade (Detarieae, Detarioideae), Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. Hymenaea clade includes Guibourtia, Hymenaea, and Peltogyne, all with similar foliar architecture and other plant characteristics, including reproductive structures. The connection of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae with extinct members of resin-producing plants recognized previously is uncertain. The discovery of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae in the Mexican amber suggests that the Boreotropical Flora extended to low latitudes of North America during the Miocene.

Keywords: Amber, bifoliate leaves, Detarieae, Leguminosae, Miocene

 Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp., IGM-PB 1550, holotype.
 (A) General view of the bifoliolate leaf. (B) Line drawing of (A), highlighting preserved leaf architecture.

 Scale bars = 1 cm.

Family Leguminosae Jussieu

Subfamily Detarioideae Burmeister

Tribe Detarieae de Candolle

Clade Hymenaea (sensu Fougère-Danezan et al., 2010)

Hymenaeaphyllum Hernández-Damián, Rubalcava-Knoth and Cevallos-Ferriz, n. gen.

Etymology: Highlighting the remarkable similarity of a vegetative organ (leaf) to the Hymenaea clade.

Generic diagnosis: Bifoliolate-compound leaves; two petiolulate leaflets, slightly asymmetrical; petiolule bases pulvinulate; leaflets with asymmetrical base with basal insertion asymmetrical; apex acuminate; elliptical to slightly oblong shape; pinnate primary vein, becoming thinner distally; second-order venation simple brochidodromous, forming irregular arches distally; third-order venation is reticulate irregular but sometimes mixed percurrent veins can be found; translucent gland dots are distributed on the surface of the leaflets in a very high density (50.9 per mm2).

Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae Hernández-Damián, Rubalcava-Knoth and Cevallos-Ferriz, n. sp.

Etymology: The epithet recognizes Dr. Faustino Miranda, a pioneer in the study of plants in Mexican amber.

 

Repository: Colección Nacional de Paleontología, Museo María del Carmen Perrilliat M., Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (IGM-PB).

Locality: Simojovel de Allende, Chiapas.

Stratigraphy: La Quinta Formation.

Age: Early–middle Miocene.

 Reconstruction of flowers, leaf, and whole plant of Hymenaea clade in the Mexican amber. (A) Hymenaea mexicana (Poinar and Brown, 2002), scale bar = 5.0 mm. (B) A bifoliate leaf of H. mexicana, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (C) Hymenaea allendis, scale bar = 5.0 mm. (Calvillo-Canadell et al., 2010). (D) Hypothetical Hymenaea clade tree, scale bar=1.0 m.
(E) Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar=5.0 mm. (F) Details of brochidodromous secondary veins and abundant translucid glands of Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae, scale bar = 2.0 mm.

 Drawings by Aldo Domínguez de la Torre.

Conclusions: 

Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. from Mexican amber is evidence of a geological history of Leguminosae in the Neotropical region during the early–middle Miocene. Foliar characteristics such as leaflets with asymmetrical bases, brochidodromous secondary veins, and translucent gland dots support its inclusion into Detarioideae, especially into the Hymenaea clade, whose members are resin-producing trees. However, it is uncertain how this new species relates to the known extant genera of the clade (Hymenaea, Guibourtia, Peltogyne) due to the remarkable similarity of their foliar architecture and lack of further morphological evidence. This new extinct member of Detarioideae supports the extension of the Boreotropical Flora into the low latitude of North America. However, evidence from other groups of plants suggests that the Boreotropical biogeographic route is essential in extending the distribution of tropical plants into low-latitude North America.

 Ana L. Hernández-Damián, Marco A. Rubalcava-Knoth and Sergio R.S. Cevallos-Ferriz. 2024. A New extinct Member of the Resin Producer Group of the Mexican Amber: Hymenaeaphyllum mirandae n. gen. n. sp. (Detarioideae-Leguminosae). Palaeoworld. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.palwor.2024.04.004

[Herpetology • 2021] Trimeresurus guoi • A New Species of Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwestern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar

Trimeresurus guoi Chen, Shi, Vogel & Ding, 

in Chen, Shi, Gao, Vogel, Song, Li Ding et Dai, 2021.

滇南竹叶青  |  Guo’s green pit viper  ||  งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเหลืองตาแดง  ||  www.ahr-journal.com 

Researchgate.net/publication/351088504

 

Abstract:

The pit vipers of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 is one of the largest groups of Asian snakes, distributed from India to China and Indonesia. Recent surveys in Jiangcheng and Simao, Yunnan Province, China resulted in a new species previously allocated to T. albolabris. Combining morphological and molecular data, we describe it as Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. The new species morphologically differs from T. albolabris in the yellow green ventral color; an indistinct ventrolateral line; the absence of a postocular stripe; the firebrick-red iris; a dark red stripe on dorsal tail; hemipenes with relatively weak sparse papillae, reaching 23rd subcaudal when unextruded. Molecularly, the new species forms a clearly divergent lineage (BPP 1.00/ UFB 100). Uncorrected pairwise distances of mitochondrial gene Cyt b between the new species and other known species of the subgenus Trimeresurus range from 0.052 (T. albolabris) to 0.071 (T. insularis).

Keywords: morphology;  phylogenetics;  taxonomy;  Trimeresurus

Comparison of coloration between Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. (Left) and T. albolabris (Right).
A and B: Different body pattern (yellow green vs. multicolor) in female;
C and D: Different ventrolateral line (absent vs. present) and postocular stripe (absent vs. present) in male;
E and F: Different ventral (yellow green vs. yellow).
Specimens of T. albolabris compared were colleted from Guanghzou, Guangdong Province, China.

Photographed by Shengchao SHI except B by Liang ZHANG.

Comparison in head scales and coloration between Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. and T. albolabris.
 Left, doral view of head; right, lateral view of head. A, B, female of T. guoi sp. nov.; C, D, female of T. albolaris;
E, F, male of T. guoi sp. nov.; G, H, male of T. albolaris.
A, C, E and G: Different head shape (more elongated skull in new species) in both genders; B and D: Different iris color (firebrick-red vs. copper) in female; F and H: Different iris color (firebrick-red vs. copper) and postocular stripe (absent vs. present) in male.
Specimens of T. albolabris compared were colleted from Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

Photographed by Shengchao SHI except D by Liang ZHANG.

Trimeresurus guoi sp. nov. Chen, Shi, Vogel, and Ding

Diagnosis. (1) Dorsal body jungle-green with faint transverse dark bands on skin, ventral body yellow green. (2) Lateral head jungle-green above lower margin of eyes, and green yellow below, without postocular stripes. (3) Ventrolateral line of male yellow-green, narrow, only present on outermost row of dorsal scales. (4) Iris firebrick-red in both sexes. (5) First supralabial fused with nasal. (6) Head scales feebly keeled; dorsal scale row 23-21-15 (N = 10), feebly keeled except the outermost rows; ventral scale 154–163 in males (N = 6), 158–160 in females (N = 3); subcaudal scale 58–72 in males (N = 7), 52–59 in females (N = 3). (7) Hemipenes long, reaching 23rd/32nd subcaudals when unextruded/extruded, papillae relatively weak and sparse.

Etymology. The specific name is in honor of Dr. Peng Guo (Sichuan, China), the first researcher on the taxonomy and systematics of the genus Trimeresurus sensu lato through molecular analysis in China. We suggest the following common names as “Guo’s green pit viper” in English and “Diān Nán Zhú Yè Qīng (滇南竹叶青 )” in Chinese.

งูเขียวหางไหม้ท้องเหลืองตาแดง

Zening CHEN,  Shengchao SHI,  Jun GAO, Gernot VOGEL, Zhaobin SONG, Li DING and Rong DAI. 2021. A New Species of Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 (Squamata: Viperidae) from Southwestern China, Vietnam, Thailand and Myanmar. Asian Herpetological Research. 11(4); 1-11.  DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.200084

 www.ahr-journal.com/en/oa/darticle.aspx?type=view&id=AHR-2020-0084

Researchgate.net/publication/351088504_A_New_Species_of_Trimeresurus_from China_Vietnam_Thailand_and_Myanmar

[Botany • 2024] Callicarpa yongshunensis (Lamiaceae) • A New Species from Hunan, China

Callicarpa yongshunensis Wen B. Xu, Xiao D. Li & Yan Ling Liu, 

Xu, Li, Wang, A. Liu et Y.-L. Liu. 2024. 

DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.241.119343

Photos by Wen-Bin Xu and Shu-Hui Wang.

Abstract

This study provides detailed description of a newly-discovered Callicarpa yongshunensis Wen B. Xu, Xiao D. Li & Yan Ling Liu (Lamiaceae) species from Hunan, China. The species shares similarities in the inflorescence, glandular colour and leaf shape features with C. luteopunctata H. T. Chang and C. giraldii Hesse ex Rehd., while its white fruits are similar to those of C. longifolia Lamk. However, its procumbent, evergreen shrub and white fruits are distinctly different from those of C. luteopunctata and C. giraldii, while its procumbent, scarless nodes and stellate pubescence free fruits distinguishes it from C. longifolia. Images, distribution, morphological features, molecular phylogenetic classification and conservation assessment of this new Callicarpa species are explored.

Key words: Callicarpa, China, Hunan, Lamiaceae, morphology, new species

Images of Callicarpa yongshunensis Wen B. Xu, Xiao D. Li & Yan Ling Liu
 A inflorescence in ventral view B inflorescence in lateral view C fruit branch in lateral view D infructescence in ventral view E individual in the fruiting period of wild populations F roots developed from the node area of fruit branches G glands on the abaxial surface of the leaf H leaf, adaxial surface I leaf, abaxial surface J typical species natural habitat.

Photos by Wen-Bin XU and Shu-Hui WANG.

The microstructure of flowers and fruits of Callicarpa yongshunensis Wen B. Xu, Xiao D. Li & Yan Ling Liu
A flower B longitudinally dehiscing anther C calyx and attached glands D petals and attached glands E young fruit and attached glands F bifid stigma G petiole nodes without transverse scar.

Photos by Shu-Hui WANG.

 Callicarpa yongshunensis Wen B. Xu, Xiao D. Li & Yan Ling Liu, sp nov.

  

Diagnosis: C. yongshunensis is morphologically similar to C. luteopunctata H.T. Chang, C. giraldii Hesse ex Rehd. and C. longifolia Lamk. (Table 2), but differs from C. luteopunctatain and C. giraldii in being a procumbent shrub (vs. erect shrubs) with evergreen leaf (vs. deciduous leaf) and white fruit (vs. red or purple fruit). Similarly, unlike C. longifolia, it has procumbent shrubs (vs. erect shrubs), no transverse scar in the nodes (vs. nodes with a transverse scar) and glabrous mature fruits covered with yellow glands (vs. mature fruit covered with stellate pubescence).

 Wen-Bin Xu, Xiao-Dong Li, Shu-Hui Wang, Ang Liu and Yan-Ling Liu. 2024. Callicarpa yongshunensis (Lamiaceae): A New Species from Hunan, China. PhytoKeys. 241: 131-141. DOI:  10.3897/phytokeys.241.119343

[Botany • 2024] Lomandra reflexa (Asparagaceae: Lomandroideae) • A New Species from central Queensland, Australia

Lomandra reflexa Jian Wang ter, 

DOI: 10.1007/s12225-024-10181-9 

 twitter.com/KewBulletin

Drawn by Nicole Crosswell.

Summary

Lomandra reflexa Jian Wang ter (Asparagaceae: Lomandroideae), a new species from central Queensland, Australia, is described, illustrated and compared to the morphologically related species L. filiformis and L. grayi. Notes on its distribution, habitat, phenology and affinities are provided. A conservation status of Least Concern is proposed.

 

Key Words: Australia flora, endemic, Queensland flora, Sparsiflorae, taxonomy

Lomandra reflexa, male A – J and female K – R. A habit, tuft with an inflorescence; B inflorescence; C unopened flower with pedicel; D flower spread open; E leaf; F distal part of leaf, showing its flattened apex; G – J cross sections of leaf; K habit, tuft with an inflorescence; L inflorescence; M unopened flower with pedicel; N flower spread open; P fruiting inflorescence; Q unopened fruit; R lateral view of opened fruit.

A – B from Thomas 1527B, Thompson & McDonald (BRI); C – D from Wannan 1670 & Martindale (BRI); E – J from Thompson HUG432 & Turpin (BRI); L – N from Neldner 5891 & Cumming (BRI); K, P – R from Thomas 1527A, Thompson & McDonald (BRI). 

Drawn by Nicole Crosswell.

Lomandra reflexa Jian Wang ter sp. nov. 

ETYMOLOGY. From the Latin reflexus (bent abruptly backwards at more than 90°), in reference to the axis of the fruiting inflorescence. This feature distinguishes the species from all others of the genus in Queensland.

Jian Wang. 2024. Lomandra reflexa (Asparagaceae: Lomandroideae), A New Species from central Queensland, Australia. Kew Bulletin. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-024-10181-9

  twitter.com/KewBulletin/status/1783373538730156459

[Entomology • 2024] Cryptophasa warouwi • A New endemic Clove Tree Pest of Cryptophasa Lewin (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae), from Sangihe Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia

[C-D] Cryptophasa warouwi  Sutrisno & Watung, 2024
[A, B] Crytophasa watungi Sutrisno & Suwito, 2015

in Watung, Tairas, Kaligis, Darmawan, Suwito, Narakusumo, Encilia, Dwibadra, Dharmayanthi et Sutrisno, 2024. 

  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5403.1.10

Abstract

A novel endemic pest of clove tree, Cryptophasa warouwi sp. nov., has been discovered on Sangihe Island. This new species can be distinguished from its closest relative species, C. watungi Sutrisno & Suwito, 2015 which is found in North Sulawesi, by its dark brown straw-coloured wings in both males and females. The most distinctive diagnostic characters of this new species are observed in its genitalia structure: a bent-downward uncus with a strongly sclerotized finger-shaped apex, a bent phallus gradually widened towards coecum, and a double, membranous corpus bursae branching off at mid-ductus corpus bursae of female genitalia. Additionally, DNA barcodes revealed this new species to be embedded among Australian Cryptophasa species despite having fasciculated male antennae that have been considered diagnostic of the genus Paralecta. This suggests that the male antennae may not be a reliable character for separating Cryptophasa from Paralecta. A more comprehensive study including all Cryptophasa and Paralecta will be required to elucidate the definition of each genus. Images depicting both adults and genitalia are provided for this newly recognized species.

 Lepidoptera, clove, description, genitalia, Syzygium, tunnels

  A. Crytophasa watungi ♂, B. C. watungi 3f,
C. C. warouwi sp. nov., ♂, D. C. warouwi ♀.

ds= discal spot, blt= basal line of termen.

Cryptophasa warouwi Sutrisno & Watung, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The male of C. warouwi sp. nov. is easily distinguished from the closest species, C. watungi , by the forewing dark brown streak along the entire costa, which is gradually paler towards CuP, being light brown from CuP towards dorsum, the dark brown spots on discal cell of forewing, predominantly dark brown and become paler from the cubito-anal (CuA 1 and CuA 2) area towards dorsum, and white on the discal cell of hindwing. The female has the forewing with a white ochreous ground color tinged with brown from costa to dorsum, more pronouncedly so toward the margin, with a dark brown spot at the discal cell, a margin with a prominent basal line of alternating white and dark brown dashes (Fig. 1C–D). A bent-down uncus (black arrow) with a strongly sclerotized, finger-shaped apex (black arrow) a slightly sclerotised, medially bent phallus (black arrow), and a double corpus bursae without signum black arrow) are the best diagnostic for the male and female genitalia of this species (Fig. 2C–D, 3B).

Etymology: The species name is dedicated to Dr. Ir. Jootje Warouw, a senior entomologist and retired professor in the Faculty of Agriculture, Sam Ratulangi University who conducted research on pest control in Sangihe and Talaud Islands.

Jackson F. Watung, Robert W. Tairas, James B. Kaligis, Darmawan Darmawan, Awit Suwito, Raden Pramesa Narakusumo, Encilia Encilia, Dhian Dwibadra, Anik Budhi Dharmayanthi and Hari Sutrisno. 2024. A New endemic Clove Tree Pest of Cryptophasa Lewin, from Sangihe Island, Indonesia (Lepidoptera: Xyloryctidae).  Zootaxa. 5403(1); 141-150. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5403.1.10

[Botany • 2024] Vincetoxicum gongshanense (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

Vincetoxicum gongshanense Wen B. Xu & J. Y. Shen,

in  Xu, Liu, Li, Yan et Shen, 2024. 

 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1991

  facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

Photos by Jian-Yong Shen & Wen-Bin Xu.

Abstract

Vincetoxicum gongshanense Wen B. Xu & J. Y. Shen (Apocynaceae), a new species from Gongshan County, Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. It is similar to V. silvestre (Tsiang) Meve & Liede, V. kerrii (Craib) A. Kidyoo and V. biondioides (W. T. Wang) C. Y. Wu & D. Z. Li, but can be distinguished by the leathery leaves, five basal veins, ovate-triangular sepals, yellow corolla, lanceolate corolla lobes, wide triangular corona and reniform pollinia. Photographs, line drawing, distribution, comparison with related species, and a parallel conservation assessment are provided for this species.

Keyword: Apocynaceae, Vincetoxicum biondioides, Vincetoxicum kerrii, Vincetoxicum silvestre, Yunnan, China, Tylophora

Vincetoxicum gongshanense Wen B. Xu & J. Y. Shen.
A. Flowering plant. B. Inflorescence in lateral view. C. Flower in ventral view. D. Gynostegium in lateral view. E. Sepals. F. Branchlets showing dense pubescence. G. Leaves showing adaxial (above) and abaxial (below) surface. H. Style-head in lateral view showing attached pollinarium I. Pollinarium.

Photos by Jian-Yong Shen & Wen-Bin Xu.

Vincetoxicum gongshanense Wen B. Xu & J. Y. Shen.
A. Section of trailing plant in habit. B. Flower in ventral view. C. Gynostegium in lateral view. D. Anther in ventral view. E. Anther and corona in lateral view. F. Leaves showing abaxial (right) and adaxial (left) surface. G. Styles and style-head in lateral view. H. Pollinia. I. Sepals in abaxial view.

Drawn by Jing-Jing Yan.

Vincetoxicum gongshanense Wen B.Xu & J.Y.Shen, sp. nov. 

貢山娃兒藤 

Diagnosis: Vincetoxicum gongshanense is morphologically similar to V. silvestre, V. kerrii and V. biondioides by the habit of vines and linear lanceolate leaves, but can be distinguished by the leathery leaves, five basal veins, ovate-triangular sepals, yellow corolla, lanceolate corolla lobes, wide triangular corona and reniform pollinia. (Table 1)

...

Etymology: The epithet “gongshanense” is derived from the type locality Gongshan County, Yunnan, China.  

Wen-Bin Xu, Yan-Ling Liu, Xin-Wei Li, Jing-Jing Yan and Jian-Yong Shen. 2024. Vincetoxicum gongshanense (Apocynaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. Taiwania. 69(2); 168-172.  taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/1991

  facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/823003989850294

[Arachnida • 2023] Leiurus nigellus • A New remarkable Species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 (Scorpiones: Buthidae) from Saudi Arabia

Leiurus nigellus Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh, 

in Afifeh, Aloufi, Al-Saraireh, Badry, Al-Qahtni et Amr, 2023.

DOI: 10.37828/em.2023.69.9 

 Researchgate.net/publication/375743878

 Abstract

A new remarkable buthid scorpion, Leiurus nigellus sp. nov., was discovered in Al Ula Governorate, north of Al Madinah Al Monawwarah Province, Saudi Arabia. The new species is described, fully illustrated, and compared with other species of the genus Leiurus reported from the Arabian Peninsula. Notes on its habitats are provided.

 Habitus of Leiurus nigellus sp. nov., male paratype and female holotype.
A. male in dorsal view. B. male in ventral view.
C. female in dorsal view. D. female in ventral view.

Scale bar = 20 mm.

Leiurus nigellus sp. nov. Abu Afifeh, Aloufi & Al-Saraireh

Leiurus nigellus sp. nov., female paratype from Al Buriakah, Al Ula governorate, Saudi Arabia.

 

Bassam Abu Afifeh, Abdulhadi Aloufi, Mohammad Al-Saraireh, Ahmed Badry, Abdulmani H. Al-Qahtni and Zuhair S. Amr. 2023. A New remarkable Species of Leiurus Ehrenberg, 1828 from Saudi Arabia (Scorpiones: Buthidae). Ecologica Montenegrina. 69; 91-106. DOI: 10.37828/em.2023.69.9

  Researchgate.net/publication/375743878_A_new_species_of_Leiurus_from_SaudiArabia

[Funga • 2024] Leccinellum bothii, Phylloporus himalayanus, Porphyrellus uttarakhandae, etc. • Concordance of Multigene Genealogy along with Morphological Evidence unveils Five Novel Species and Two New Records of boletoid Mushrooms (Fungi) from India

 

Phylloporus himalayanus K. Das, Sudeshna Datta & A. Ghosh,

Phylloporus smithii K. Das, Sudeshna Datta, U. Singh & A. Ghosh 

Leccinellum bothii K. Das, A. Ghosh, Sudeshna Datta, U. Singh & Vizzini,  

Porphyrellus uttarakhandae K. Das, Sudeshna Datta & A. Ghosh, 

Retiboletus pseudoater K. Das, A. Ghosh, Sudeshna Datta & Vizzini, 

in Das, Ghosh, Datta, Singh, Chakraborty, Tudu et Vizzini, 2024

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59781-2

 

Abstract

Agaricales, Russulales and Boletales are dominant orders among the wild mushrooms in Basidiomycota. Boletaceae, one of the major functional elements in terrestrial ecosystem and mostly represented by ectomycorrhizal symbionts of trees in Indian Himalaya and adjoining hills, are extraordinarily diverse and represented by numerous genera and species which are unexplored or poorly known. Therefore, their hidden diversity is yet to be revealed. Extensive macrofungal exploration by the authors to different parts of Himalaya and surroundings, followed by through morphological studies and multigene molecular phylogeny lead to the discovery of five new species of wild mushrooms: Leccinellum bothii sp. nov., Phylloporus himalayanus sp. nov., Phylloporus smithii sp. nov., Porphyrellus uttarakhandae sp. nov., and Retiboletus pseudoater sp. nov. Present communication deals with morphological details coupled with illustrations and phylogenetic inferences. Besides, Leccinellum sinoaurantiacum and Xerocomus rugosellus are also reported for the first time from this country.

Keywords: Agaricomycetes, Biodiversity, Boletaceae, Morphology, Multigene phylogeny, Novel species

Leccinoideae

Leccinellum bothii K. Das, A. Ghosh, Sudeshna Datta, U. Singh & Vizzini sp. nov.

Etymology Commemorating E.E. Both for his important contribution to the systematics of Boletaceae.

Xerocomoideae

Phylloporus himalayanus K. Das, Sudeshna Datta & A. Ghosh sp. nov. 

Phylloporus smithii K. Das, Sudeshna Datta, U. Singh & A. Ghosh sp. nov. 

Etymology Commemorating Alexander H. Smith for his significant contribution to the systematics of Boletaceae.

Boletoideae

Porphyrellus uttarakhandae K. Das, Sudeshna Datta & A. Ghosh sp. nov. 

Retiboletus pseudoater K. Das, A. Ghosh, Sudeshna Datta & Vizzini sp. nov. 

 Kanad Das, Aniket Ghosh, Sudeshna Datta, Upendra Singh, Dyutiparna Chakraborty, Debala Tudu and Alfredo Vizzini. 2024. Concordance of Multigene Genealogy along with Morphological Evidence unveils Five Novel Species and Two New Records of boletoid Mushrooms (Fungi) from India. Scientific Reports. 14: 9298. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59781-2

[Herpetology • 2024] Cnemaspis persephone & C. sanctus • Two New nocturnal Species of South Asian Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) of the wynadensis clade from the southern Western Ghats, India

Cnemaspis persephone & C. sanctus  

Khandekar, Thackeray & Agarwal, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5443.3.3 

 facebook.com/AkshayKhandekarAK

 

Abstract

We describe two new medium-bodied, nocturnal species of South Asian Cnemaspis from the southern Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India in an integrative taxonomic framework. The two new species are phylogenetically and morphologically allied to the wynadensis clade and can be distinguished from other species of the wynadensis clade and each other by a combination of nonoverlapping morphological characters including body size, homogeneous dorsal pholidosis, the number of femoral pores and poreless scales separating these series, the number of ventral scales across the midbody and longitudinal scales from mental to cloaca, the number of dorsal granules around the body; and an uncorrected pairwise ND2 sequence divergence of 8.2–22.9 % (16S 4.2–12.2 %) from all other members in the clade. These are the first members of the wynadensis clade known from south of the Palghat Gap apart from C. bireticulata, a putative junior synonym of C. sisparensis that is likely to be distinct owing to morphological differences and geographic distance. Cnemaspis sanctus sp. nov. is from low coastal hills in Kanyakumari District at the southern tip of the Western Ghats and Cnemaspis persephone sp. nov. is from the Anaimalais, Anaimalai Tiger Reserve. Many more undescribed species of the wynadensis clade and South Asian Cnemaspis are likely to be found across the southern Western Ghats.

Asia, biodiversity hotspot, dwarf geckos, integrative taxonomy, phylogeny, species complex, Squamata,

Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray, Ishan Agarwal. 2024. Two New nocturnal Species of South Asian Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) of the wynadensis clade from the southern Western Ghats, India.  Zootaxa. 5443(3); 353-386. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5443.3.3

  facebook.com/AkshayKhandekarAK/posts/7324976984267598

[Botany • 2024] Rediscovery of Rare Steno-endemic Impatiens violoides Edgew. ex Hook.f. (Balsaminaceae) from Western Himalaya, after 179 years of type collection

 

Impatiens violoides Edgew. ex Hook.f.,

in Sharma, Adamowski, Naithani et Begum. 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.644.1.6 

 twitter.com/Ashutosh_05sn

 

Abstract

Impatiens violoides Edgew. ex Hook.f. (Balsaminaceae) is a little known steno-endemic spurless balsam species that was known only from a single type collection by Edgeworth in 1844. It is rediscovered after a gap of 179 years from its type locality in Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya. Augmented and detailed morphological description based on observations of living material is given along with global distribution; information on habitat and associated species, floral morphology photographs and IUCN red list assessment are also provided for the first time.

Eudicots, Balsaminaceae, endemic, Flora of India, rediscovery, taxonomy

Impatiens violoides 

Ashutosh Sharma, Wojciech Adamowski, Harsh Bardhan Naithani, S. Noorunnisa Begum. 2024. Rediscovery of Rare Steno-endemic Impatiens violoides Edgew. ex Hook.f. (Balsaminaceae) from Western Himalaya, after 179 years of type collection. Phytotaxa. 644(1); 42-48. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.644.1.6

  twitter.com/Ashutosh_05sn/status/1778792584892359141

[Botany • 2024] Leopoldia oztasii (Asparagaceae: Scilloideae) • A New Species from South Anatolia-Türkiye

Leopoldia oztasii Eker, Eroğlu & Pınar,

 

in Eroğlu, Pinar et Eker, 2024.

Konya Morbaşı  ||  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.633.1.3 

 facebook.com: Ismail Eker

 

Abstract

Leopoldia oztasii sp. nov. (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae) is described as a new species in this study. It spreads on the stony slopes of Konya province in the south of Türkiye. Leopoldia oztasii is similar to L. tenuiflora, but it is easily distinguished from it, by having larger bulbs, falcate leaves, shorter scape, conical inflorescence, longer pedicels, and larger capsules. In this study, the morphology, seed surface characteristics and ecology of L. oztasii were studied. A detailed description of the new species, a comparison table between the two species, and detailed photographs showing their differences are provided. The distribution areas of L. oztasii and L. tenuiflora in Türkiye are also presented on the map.

 

Asparagaceae, Leopoldia, morphology, new species, seed, taxonomy, Türkiye, Monocots 

“Leopoldia oztasii Eker, Eroğlu & Pınar” 

“Konya Morbaşı”

Hüseyin Eroğlu, Süleyman Mesut Pinar, İsmail Eker. 2024. A New Leopoldia (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae) Species from South Anatolia-Türkiye: Leopoldia oztasii.  Phytotaxa. 633(1); 17-28. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.633.1.3

  facebook.com/IsmailEker946/posts/10161394503818817