[Ichthyology • 2023] Zacco tiaoxiensis • A New Species of Genus Zacco (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from Southern China

Zacco tiaoxiensis

Zhang, Zhou & Yang, 2023

苕溪鱲

  www.shhydxxb.com/html/shhy/2023/3/20220703918.htm

Abstract

 Zacco tiaoxiensis, a new species of cyprinid fish from Tiaoxi river system in Zhejiang Province, southern China, is described. With morphological comparison, the new species is similar to Z. acanthogenys, which is widely distributed in Zhejiang Province. However, the new species could be distinguished from Z. acanthogenys by the following combination of characters: lateral- line scales comprising 41-44 (vs. 44-47), scales above lateral-line 8 (vs. 8-10), scales below lateral-line 3-4 (vs. 4-5), scales surrounding caudal peduncle 12-15 (vs. 14-17), for mature male individuals, the ventral fin reaching (vs. exceeding) the anus, etc. The morphological differences among the new species and the allopatric congener species of Z. sinensis and Z. platypus are mainly in the number of scales under the lateral line, comparable characters such as the ratio of head length to body length, and the color of the upper edge of the eyes when living. Moreover, the genetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome b gene also supports that Zacco tiaoxiensis sp. nov. is a valid species.

Key words: Zacco, Tiaoxi river, new species, Cytb, genetic distance, phylogeny    

Zacco tiaoxiensis sp. nov. 
1. Holotype, preserved male specimen, SHOU2021011012, 96.9 mm standard length;
2. Paratype, preserved female specimen, SHOU2021011011, 72.5 mm standard length;
3. Alive male; 4. Alive female. 

 

ZHANG Yan, ZHOU Jiajun, YANG Jinquan. 2023. A New Species of Genus Zacco from Southern China (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae). Journal of Shanghai Ocean University. 32(3); 544-552.

  www.shhydxxb.com/html/shhy/2023/3/20220703918.htm

摘要：描述采自浙江省苕溪水系属(Zacco)鱼类一新种——苕溪 (Zacco tiaoxiensis sp. nov.)。经形态比较, 该新种与广泛分布于浙江各水系的棘颊(Z. acanthogenys)形态较相似, 但与之有着较明显的形态差异: 侧线鳞41~44(vs. 44~47), 侧线上鳞8(vs. 8~10), 侧线下鳞3~4(vs. 4~5), 围尾柄鳞12~15(vs. 14~17), 性成熟的雄性个体腹鳍到达(vs. 超过)肛门。新种与异域分布的中华(Z. sinensis)和宽鳍(Z. platypus)的形态区别主要在侧线下鳞数目、头长与体长的比例等可比性状以及眼睛上缘颜色等。基于线粒体细胞色素b基因的遗传分析也支持苕溪为一独立物种。

关键词：属    苕溪    新种    细胞色素b    遗传距离    系统发育    

[Botany • 2023] Elaeocarpus mahamayensis (Elaeocarpaceae) • A New endemic Species from the Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka

 

Elaeocarpus mahamayensis  

in Silva, D. Yakandawala et K. Yakandawala, 2023. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.616.1.1

  facebook.com/NilankaSilva5

 

Abstract

Based on an ongoing taxonomic study on the genus Elaeocarpus, a new endemic Elaeocarpus species, Elaeocarpus mahamayensis, is described and illustrated from the Knuckles Mountain Range in Matale District (Sri Lanka). The new species had been already noticed by Zmarzty in 2001; during the revision of Elaeocarpus sect. Elaeocarpus in Southern India and Sri Lanka, she referred a herbarium specimen of this plant as “Elaeocarpus sp. B”. The stone of Elaeocarpus mahamayensis is similar to that of E. amoenus, E. coriaceus, E. montanus and E. taprobanicus, but their leaf characters differ. With this new addition, the number of Elaeocarpus species occurring in Sri Lanka is elevated to ten. The conservation status of E. mahamayensis based on the IUCN Red Data category guidelines is determined as Critically Endangered.

Keywords: Eudicots, Biodiversity, Conservation, Sri Lankan Flora 

Elaeocarpus mahamayensis 

Nilanka Silva, Deepthi Yakandawala and Kapila Yakandawala. 2023. Elaeocarpus mahamayensis (Elaeocarpaceae), A New endemic Species from the Knuckles Mountain Range in Sri Lanka.  Phytotaxa. 616(1); 1-26. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.616.1.1

  facebook.com/NilankaSilva5/posts/6631590576921135

[Botany • 2022] Pleroma piranii (Melastomataceae: Melastomateae) • A New Species endemic to Southern Cadeia do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Pleroma piranii F.S.Mey. & Almeda 

in Meyer, Pacifico et Almeda, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.560.1.2

 Researchgate.net/publication/363068939

 

Abstract

A new species of Pleroma, endemic to Southern Cadeia do Espinhaço in Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described. Pleroma piranii is morphologically similar to Pleroma velutinum but differs in having larger leaves 2.5 ̶ 7.1 × 1.4 ̶ 4.7 cm (vs. 2.4 ̶ 4.1 × 1.3 ̶ 2.1 cm in P. velutinum), that are densely sericeous on the adaxial surface (vs. moderately strigose), with 7 veins (vs. 5 veins), with obtuse to slightly cordate base (vs. obtuse base only), and completely glabrous style (vs. moderately beset with appressed white eglandular trichomes along much of their length). The distributions of these two species are allopatric; P. piranii occurs only in Minas Gerais, while P. velutinum occurs only in Bahia. According to our assessments based on IUCN criteria, P. piranii is Endangered (EN), because its occurrence is restricted, its populations are small, and most of them occur in unprotected areas. Here we present a description for this new species, taxonomic notes, a distribution map, a chromosome number count, illustration and photos, and a conservation assessment.

Keyswords: Chromosome number, Planalto de Diamantina, Serra do Cipó, Taxonomy, Tibouchina s.l.

 Pleroma piranii.
 A. Branch. B. Details of the trichomes that cover the branches. C. Leaf with obtuse base, abaxial surface. D. Leaf with obtuse base, adaxial surface. E. Details of the cordate base of the leaf (abaxial surface). F. Flower at anthesis in lateral view. G. Petal, abaxial surface. H. Antesepalous stamen. I. Antepetalous stamen. J. Hypanthium and calyx lobes in lateral view. K. Gynoecium. L. Bracteole with indumentum distributed only in the central portion of the abaxial surface, glabrous at the margin. M. Adaxial surface of the bracteole shown in L. N. Bracteole with indumentum distributed along the entire abaxial surface to the margin. O. Adaxial surface of the bracteole shown in N.

[A-D and F-O drawn based on Almeda et al. 7762 (CAS); E based on Almeda et al. 7762 (HUFU).]

 Photos of the inflorescence, flowers, and some floral parts of live specimens of  Pleroma piranii. 
 A. Partial inflorescence. B. Detail of androecium and gynoecium. C. Senescent flower, in the initial period of fruiting, without petals and stamens. D. Flowers with petals, stamens, and style.

Voucher: Almeda et al. 7762. (All photos by Frank Almeda).

Pleroma piranii F.S.Mey. & Almeda sp. nov.

Fabrício Schmitz Meyer, Ricardo Pacifico and Frank Almeda. 2022. A New Species of Pleroma (Melastomataceae: Melastomateae) endemic to Southern Cadeia do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 560(1); 30-42. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.560.1.2 

Researchgate.net/publication/363068939_A_new_species_of_Pleroma_endemic_to_Southern_Cadeia_do_Espinhaco_Minas_Gerais_Brazil

[Herpetology • 2023] Acontias mukwando • A New Species of African Legless Skink, Genus Acontias Cuvier, 1816 “1817” (Squamata: Scincidae) from Serra da Neve Inselberg, south-western Angola

 Acontias mukwando

Marques, Parrinha, Tiutenko, Lopes-Lima, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2023

DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2246487 

 facebook.com/MarianaMarques7777

 

ABSTRACT

During a recent survey of the Serra da Neve inselberg in south-western Angola, a population of legless skinks of the genus Acontias was found. Only three species of this genus have been recorded for the country so far – A. occidentalis, A. kgalagadi and A. jappi. Using an integrative approach and combining molecular and morphological data we found that the Serra da Neve population represents a new species, closely related to species such as A. percivali and some members of the A. occidentalis species complex. In this paper, we describe this population as a new species, Acontias mukwando sp. nov. and provide brief comments on its conservation and biogeography.

KEYWORDS: Acontinae, taxonomy, endemism, speciation, systematics

 

Mariana P. Marques, Diogo Parrinha, Arthur Tiutenko, Manuel Lopes-Lima, Aaron M. Bauer and Luis M. P. Ceríaco. 2023. A New Species of African Legless Skink, Genus Acontias Cuvier, 1816 “1817” (Squamata: Scincidae) from Serra da Neve Inselberg, south-western Angola. African Journal of Herpetology. DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2246487

  facebook.com/MarianaMarques7777/posts/7084480848237411

RESUMO: No decorrer de um levantamento herpetológico da ilha-montanha da Serra da Neve no sudoeste de Angola, descobriu-se uma população de escincos-lança do género Acontias. Apenas três espécies deste género foram até agora registadas para Angola - A. occidentalis, A. kgalagadi and A. jappi. Adotando uma abordagem integrativa e combinando dados morfológicos e moleculares, os nossos resultados indicam que a população da Serra da Neve representa uma nova espécie, com relações próximas a outras espécies rupícolas tais como A. percivali e membros do complexo de espécies A. occidentalis. Neste artigo descrevemos esta população como uma nova espécie, Acontias mukwando sp. nov. e apresentamos breves comentários sobre a sua conservação e biogeografia.

[Botany • 2023] Atriplex pseudotatarica (Amaranthaceae) • A New Species from the Indian Subcontinent

 

Atriplex pseudotatarica Sukhor. & Nidhan Singh,

in Sukhorukov, Singh, Kushunina, Zaika et Sennikov, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.229.105162

Abstract

A new subshrubby C4-species from the lowlands and foothills of India, Pakistan and SE Afghanistan, Atriplex pseudotatarica, is described and illustrated. Previously, it was incorrectly identified as A. crassifolia auct. non C.A.Mey. belonging to a distant C3-group of the genus. A phylogenetic analysis based on nrITS and nrETS revealed its position as sister to A. schugnanica (sect. Obionopsis). Both species share aphyllous inflorescence and smooth bract-like cover, but differ in life form, leaves, seed colour, and geographical distribution. We revised native Indian Atriplex species and excluded some of them from the flora of the country. An improved checklist of the native Atriplex species in India with their corrected synonymy and nomenclature is given, and a new diagnostic key is provided.

Key words: Atriplex, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, Indian subcontinent, new species

Atriplex pseudotatarica.
A an overview of the plant B a twig with the inflorescence C a vegetative shoot D a shoot at fruiting. Origin of the material A Haryana, near Asan Khurd village, Nov 2022 B Haryana, near Asan Kalan village, Nov 2022 C Haryana, near Asan Kalan village, Aug 2022 D Haryana, near Panipat town, Oct 2014.

Photographer: A, B A. Sukhorukov, C, D N. Singh.

 Atriplex pseudotatarica Sukhor. & Nidhan Singh, sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet is chosen due to the resemblance of the new species to A. tatarica L., which also has long aphyllous inflorescences.

Alexander P. Sukhorukov, Nidhan Singh, Maria Kushunina, Maxim A. Zaika and Alexander N. Sennikov. 2023. A New Species of Atriplex (Amaranthaceae) from the Indian Subcontinent. PhytoKeys. 229: 167-183. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.229.105162

[Botany • 2023] Spelaeanthus vietnamensis (Gesneriaceae: Didymocarpoideae) • A New Species from Vietnam

 

Spelaeanthus vietnamensis D.J.Middleton, 

in Middleton, 2023. 

DOI: 10.24823/ejb.2023.1993

Abstract

The species Spelaeanthus vietnamensis D.J.Middleton from Tam Đảo National Park in northern Vietnam is described as new to science, and photographs are provided. The genus now includes two species: one from Vietnam and one from Peninsular Malaysia.

Keywords: Didymocarpoideae, Loxocarpineae, Tam Đảo National Park, Trichosporeae

Spelaeanthus vietnamensis D.J.Middleton, sp. nov.
A, Habit; B, flowers (front view); C, flower (side view); D, young fruit. Scale bars: A, 5 cm; B–D, 1 cm.

All photographs of Nguyễn Quốc Bình, Jana Leong-Škorničková, Trần Hữu Đăng VMN-B1489,

 taken by J. Leong-Škorničkova.

Spelaeanthus vietnamensis D.J.Middleton, sp. nov.

Differs from Spelaeanthus chinii in the caulescent habit (vs acaulescent), the purple or blue corolla (vs white), and the larger flower (20–22 mm long vs c.6 mm long).

D.J. Middleton. 2023. A New Species of Spelaeanthus (Gesneriaceae: Didymocarpoideae) from Vietnam. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.24823/ejb.2023.1993

[Paleontology • 2023] Moyenisauropus lusitanicus • The First Dinosaurs in Iberia: A New Dinosaur Tracksite from the Sinemurian (Lower Jurassic) of Portugal

Moyenisauropus lusitanicus 

 Figueiredo, de Carvalho, Cunha, Duarte, Fonseca, Monteiro & Forte, 2023

 DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2256751  

Artwork: Alexandre Fonseca twitter.com/lex_fonseca_ 

ABSTRACT

Dinosaur fossils from the Lower Jurassic are very scarce in the Iberian Peninsula, which lacks a dinosaur track record. This study reports a new ichnosite from this age, at the Alvaiázere Municipality (Lusitanian Basin, Portugal) with several well-defined dinosaur and other archosaurs tracks. Seventeen tracks were identified at the top sedimentary surface of a fine-grained dolostone bed belonging to the Coimbra Formation (Sinemurian, Lower Jurassic). Therefore, the tracksite could have an age of ~196 to 194 Ma, based in the stratigraphic position of the tracksite in the Coimbra Formation succession. The ichnological comparison allows us to ascribe these tracks to Moyenisauropus and Batrachopus ichnogenera. The dinosaur tracks are assigned to the new ichnospecies Moyenisauropus lusitanicus isp. nov. The trackmaker could be a basal thyreophoran dinosaur related to Emausaurus or Scelidosaurus, and the presence of a manus-pes pair track set verifies that these tracks were made by a quadrupedal gait. The crocodylomorph trackmaker could be a teleosaurid. The analysed bioturbated fine-grained dolostone bed was deposited in very shallow subtidal to intertidal, carbonate lagoonal (?) environment. The evidence provided here indicates the presence of crocodylomorphs and thyreophoran dinosaurs in a tropical coastal wetland carbonate system developed during the Early Jurassic in the Lusitanian Basin (Atlantic western margin of Iberia).

KEYWORDS: Ornithischian tracks, dinosaurs, crocodylomorphs, Coimbra Formation, Sinemurian, Lusitanian Basin

 Moyenisauropus lusitanicus isp. nov.

Silvério D. Figueiredo, Carlos Neto de Carvalho, Pedro P. Cunha, Luís V. Duarte, Alexandre Fonseca, Cláudio Monteiro and João Forte. 2023. The First Dinosaurs in Iberia: A New Dinosaur Tracksite from the Sinemurian (Lower Jurassic) of Portugal. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2023.2256751  

   twitter.com/lex_fonseca_/status/1704583251916910761

[Paleontology • 2023] Borelis matsudai • A New Species of the larger porcelaneous Foraminifer Borelis provides Novel insights into Neogene to Recent western Pacific Palaeobiogeographical Dispersal Patterns

 

 Borelis matsudai 

Bassi, Iryu, Kinoshita, Fujita & Pignatti, 2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111764

 www.tohoku.ac.jp

Highlights: 

• Shell structures circumscribe a new Borelis species.

• The ancestor of the new species is Borelis pulchra.

• The new species appeared from the Middle Pleistocene in the southern Ryukyu Islands.

• The new species followed the northward Kuroshio dispersal route.

• This is the northernmost Borelis record in the western Indo-Pacific Warm Pool.

Abstract

Only three species of alveolinoidean larger foraminifera occur in present-day tropical shallow-water marine settings. Alveolinella quoyi thrives in the Central Indo-Pacific and Eastern Indo-Pacific, Borelis pulchra in the Central and Eastern Indo-Pacific and in the central Atlantic, whereas Borelis schlumbergeri inhabits the Indo-Pacific Ocean. The northernmost record is that of Alveolinella quoyi from the shallow-water settings in Okinawa (central Ryukyu Islands, Japan). A new porcelaneous larger foraminiferal species, Borelis matsudai sp. nov. (Alveolinoidea, Borelinae), is established herein, based on specimens discovered in present-day shallow-water sediments from Sekisei Lagoon, southern Ryukyu Islands (Japan). This is the northernmost record of the genus in the western Indo-Pacific Warm Pool. The architectural characters of this species suggest its phylogenetic relationship with the Borelis pulchra group. A comprehensive literature survey of fossil and modern records of Borelis pulchra over the past 30 million years shows that the Middle Miocene constriction of the Indonesian Seaway and the Late Miocene–Early Pliocene restriction of the Indonesian Throughflow impacted the species-level dispersal of this species in the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Driven by the Kuroshio dispersal route Borelis matsudai sp. nov. likely appeared in the southern and central Ryukyu Islands at least from the Chibanian (Middle Pleistocene). This species represents a marginal part of a population in significant contact with its ancestor (B. pulchra), which is widespread southward since the Oligocene (Philippines). With ongoing global warming possible occurrences of Borelis matsudai sp. nov. in the northern Ryukyu Islands, where it has not yet been found, are expected. The Sekisei Lagoon represents, therefore, a biogeographical stepping stone relay station in northward migration of the shallow-water benthic organisms along the Kuroshio dispersal route.

 

Keywords: Biogeography, Kuroshio, Ryukyu Islands, Indo-Pacific Ocean, Oligocene–Miocene, Recent

SEM photos of Borelis matsudai sp. nov.; megalospheric specimens (A-forms), paratypes; Sekisei Lagoon, southern Ryukyu Islands; Recent. Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan).
The apertural face is characterized by a single row of rimmed apertures (pr, peristomal rim) with upright masks (um). Septula (sept), dividing the chamberlets (cl), are aligned from chamber to chamber.

Borelis matsudai sp. nov.

 Borelis matsudai sp. nov.; holotype, megalospheric specimen (A-form); Sekisei Lagoon, southern Ryukyu Islands; Recent. Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University (Sendai, Japan); IGPS Coll. Cat. No. 112751. Micro-computed tomographic scanning 3-D rendered models with shell removed (rendering by S.K.).
A–E. The sub-ellipsoidal megalospheric shell showing the large proloculus (prol; prol-ap, proloculus aperture) enveloped by the flexostyle (flex). Note the thick columella (col) in the axial region. F–H. The first and second whorls (green) are strepstospiral. I–K. Chamberlets (cl) are aligned from chamber to chamber with apertures in a single row and only preseptal passage (p-sept) present. (For interpretation of the references to colour in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

 Davide Bassi, Yasufumi Iryu, Shunichi Kinoshita, Kazuhiko Fujita and Johannes Pignatti. 2023. A New Species of the larger porcelaneous Foraminifer Borelis provides Novel insights into Neogene to Recent western Pacific Palaeobiogeographical Dispersal Patterns. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 628, 111764. DOI: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2023.111764

Researchers Discover a New Species of Larger Benthic Foraminifer from the Ryukyu Islands

 www.tohoku.ac.jp/en/press/researchers_discover_new_species_of_larger_benthic_foraminifer_ryukyu_islands.html

[Botany • 2023] Ardisia recurvipetala (Primulaceae: Myrsinoideae) • A New Species from northern Peninsular Malaysia

Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, 
  

in Julius, Siti-Munirah et Utteridge, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.103649

Abstract

Recent fieldwork in Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, resulted in the collection of an endemic new species of Ardisia, described here as Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge. The species is a member of subgenus (§) Crispardisia on account of its vascularised glands (bacterial nodules) on the leaf margin and the terminal inflorescence on a specialised lateral branch subtended by a normal leaf (rather than a reduced bract-like leaf). Ardisia recurvipetala is unique amongst all members of §Crispardisia by having leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures and can be further distinguished from other Peninsular Malaysian members of this subgenus by the lamina raised between the leaf venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, unbranched inflorescences, brownish-red pedicels and recurved corolla lobes, each with a creamy-white apex and a small pink patch at the base. Ardisia recurvipetala is known only from a single location in Terengganu and its conservation status is assessed as Data Deficient (DD).

Key words: Ericales, Malesia, Myrsinaceae, subgenus Crispardisia, Taman Negeri Kenyir, taxonomy

Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, 
A flowering branches B flower bud (i), mature flower (ii) and flower with corolla removed (iii) C flower (spread) showing the stamen arrangement D adaxial view of sepal E ventral (left) and dorsal surfaces (right) of anther F anterior (left) and lateral views (right) of ovary G leaf margin with venation details and bacterial nodule H pustule-like structure on leaf margin crenation.

Illustration by Mohd Aidil Nordin.

Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, 
 A habitat (inset: Ai habit Aii inflorescence position on lateral shoot and main stem) B lateral branch with flowers and young fruits C, D flowers.

 Ardisia recurvipetala Julius, Siti-Munirah & Utteridge, sp. nov. 

(§ Crispardisia)

 

Diagnosis: Ardisia recurvipetala is the only Ardisia species with the following combination of characters: leaf margins with both vascularised glands and pustule-like structures, lamina raised between the venation giving a somewhat bullate appearance, inflorescences on the main shoot and specialised lateral branches, white flowers with recurved petals with a pink patch at the base of the corolla lobes.

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from its recurved corolla lobes.

Avelinah Julius, Mat Yunoh Siti-Munirah and Timothy M. A. Utteridge. 2023. Ardisia recurvipetala (Primulaceae-Myrsinoideae), A New Species from northern Peninsular Malaysia. PhytoKeys. 232: 89-98. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.232.103649

[Paleontology • 2023] Megamonodontium mccluskyi • A Large Brush-footed Trapdoor Spider (Mygalomorphae: Barychelidae) from the Miocene of Australia

Megamonodontium mccluskyi 

McCurry, Frese & Raven, 2023

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad100

 

Abstract

The aridification of the Australian continent led to the diversification of mygalomorph spiders in the Miocene, but a depauperate fossil record has made it difficult to investigate evolution across this epoch. Here, we describe the first fossil barychelid spider (Araneae: Barychelidae) in the world and the second fossil mygalomorph spider from Australia. It is placed as a new genus and species (Megamonodontium mccluskyi gen. et sp. nov.). Megamonodontium resembles Monodontium Kulczyński, 1908, a genus that persists in rainforests through Singapore, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. The new specimen is the second largest spider fossil in the world and is approximately five times larger than extant Monodontium. The fossil shows that this lineage once occupied mesic rainforest habitats in Australia but has since been replaced by other spiders.

Keywords: Monodontium, Cenozoic, fossil, McGraths Flat, climate, arachnid, goethite

Systematic palaeontology

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757

Suborder Opisthothelae Pocock, 1892

Infraorder Mygalomorphae Pocock, 1892

Family Barychelidae Simon, 1889

Part (A) and counterpart (B) of Megamonodontium mccluskyi (AM F.145559).

Genus Megamonodontium gen. nov.

Diagnosis: Unlike most brush-footed trapdoor spiders, Megamonodontium has females with patella I shorter than tibia I (Fig. 1) and teeth on both the palpal claw (Fig. 3A, B) and the outer face of the paired tarsal claws of females. Megamonodontium differs from Tungari kenwayae  Raven, 1994 in that the first leg is longer than the second and from all species of Zophorame in that its legs are robust, that it lacks well-developed scopulae, and that its head and abdomen are less slender. Megamonodontium differs from its putative sister genus, Monodontium, in having the carapace shape asymmetrical around the midpoint, with the widest point in the posterior third; Monodontium has the carapace asymmetrical around the midpoint (Raven 2008: fig. 8A, C); it is also about five times the size of known Monodontium (10 vs. 2 mm).

Locality: The holotype derives from McGraths Flat, a fossil site that is located ~25 km north-east of Gulgong, MSW, Australia. The fossil is preserved in a finely bedded goethite matrix with low levels of silica present, which has been dated to the Miocene (11–16 Mya), based on pollen and spores (McCurry et al. 2022).

Etymology:  The genus name alludes to the nearest living relatives, tiny litter-dwelling brush-footed trapdoor spiders of the genus Monodontium.

Megamonodontium mccluskyi sp. nov.

Etymology: : The species is named after Simon McClusky, who found the specimen.

Matthew R. McCurry, Michael Frese and Robert Raven. 2023. A Large Brush-footed Trapdoor Spider (Mygalomorphae: Barychelidae) from the Miocene of Australia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlad100, DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad100

[Herpetology • 2023] Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe & C. wangkhramensis • Two New Karst-adapted Species in the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus Group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from southern Thailand

Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe & C. wangkhramensis 

Termprayoon, Rujirawan, Grismer, Wood & Aowphol, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1179.109712

Abstract

The exploration of unsurveyed areas in southern Thailand discovered two new karst-adapted species, Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe sp. nov. and Cyrtodactylus wangkhramensis sp. nov., from Thung Wa and La-ngu Districts, Satun Province, respectively. These new species are members of the C. pulchellus group that occur along the Thai-Malay Peninsula. The new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by their key morphological characters and genetic divergence. Morphologically, Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe sp. nov. and Cyrtodactylus wangkhramensis sp. nov. can be diagnosed from other members by having a combination of differences in body size; degree of dorsal tuberculation; absence of tubercles on ventral surfaces; number of ventral scales, paravertebral tubercles and femoroprecloacal pores in males only; deep precloacal groove only in males; absence of a scattered pattern of white dorsal tubercles; number of dark body bands; and the extent of caudal tubercles on an original tail. Although the two species are sister taxa and have nearly identical morphologies, they are considered to be different species, based on a relatively high uncorrected pairwise genetic divergence of the mitochondrial ND2 gene (6.59–6.89%), statistically significant univariate and multivariate morphological differences (PERMANOVA and ANOVA) and diagnostic characteristics of caudal tuberculation on the original tail. Moreover, Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe sp. nov. and Cyrtodactylus wangkhramensis sp. nov. are currently restricted to their karstic type localities which may serve as a geographic barrier to dispersal and gene flow.

Key words: Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe sp. nov., Cyrtodactylus wangkhramensis sp. nov., morphology, phylogeny, Southeast Asia, Sundaland, taxonomy, Thai-Malay Peninsula

 Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe sp. nov.

  Thung Wa Bent-toed Gecko

Diagnosis: Cyrtodactylus sungaiupe sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other species of the C. pulchellus group by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 89.7–102.7 mm in adult males (n = 4), 87.3–104.6 mm in adult females (n = 4); (2) 12–16 supralabial and 10–13 infralabial scales; (3) weak tuberculation on body; (4) no tubercles on ventral surfaces of forelimbs, gular region or in ventrolateral body folds; (5) 30–38 paravertebral tubercles; (6) 19–22 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; (7) 32–40 rows of ventral scales; (8) 20–24 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; (9) 29–34 femoroprecloacal pores in adult males; (10) absence of precloacal pores in adult females; (11) deep precloacal groove in males; (12) absence of scattered pattern of white tubercles on dorsum; (13) four dark dorsal body bands; (14) nine or twelve dark caudal bands on original tail; (15) light caudal bands in adults infused with dark pigmentation; (16) caudal tubercles extended 1/8–1/10 of anterior portion of tail and (17) posterior portion of tail in hatchlings and juveniles white.

Etymology: The specific epithet sungaiupe is derived from the old name of Thung Wa District (Sungai Upe District), the type locality of the new species.

 Cyrtodactylus wangkhramensis sp. nov.

  Wangkhram Bent-toed Gecko

Diagnosis: Cyrtodactylus wangkhramensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other species of the C. pulchellus group by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 87.4–95.5 mm in adult males (n = 5), 89.4–98.8 mm in adult females (n = 7); (2) 11–14 supralabial and 9–13 infralabial scales; (3) weak tuberculation on body; (4) no tubercles on ventral surfaces of forelimbs, gular region or in ventrolateral body folds; (5) 28–35 paravertebral tubercles; (6) 19–21 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; (7) 34–40 rows of ventral scales; (8) 18–22 subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; (9) 32–36 femoroprecloacal pores in adult males; (10) absence of precloacal pores in adult females; (11) deep precloacal groove in males; (12) absence of scattered pattern of white tubercles on dorsum; (13) four or five dark dorsal body bands; (14) 11 dark caudal bands on original tail; (15) light caudal bands in adults infused with dark pigmentation; and (16) caudal tubercles extending 1/5–1/7 of anterior portion of tail.

Etymology: The specific epithet wangkhramensis refers to the type locality at Tham Wangkhram in La-ngu District, Satun Province.

 Korkhwan Termprayoon, Attapol Rujirawan, L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood Jr and Anchalee Aowphol. 2023. Two New Karst-adapted Species in the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus Group (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) from southern Thailand.  ZooKeys. 1179: 313-352. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1179.109712

 

[Herpetology • 2023] Rhabdophis hmongorum • A New Species of the Genus Rhabdophis Fitzinger, 1843 (Serpentes: Colubridae: Natricinae) from the Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam

Rhabdophis hmongorum

 Kane, Tapley, La & Nguyen, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5343.2.1 

 twitter.com/Tapley_Benjamin 

Abstract

We describe a new species of the Natricinae genus Rhabdophis Fitzinger, 1843 from the Hoang Lien range, northwest Vietnam. The new species is distinct from all congeneric species on the grounds of morphometric and molecular data. The new species is most similar to Rhabdophis leonardi in terms of morphology but can be distinguished from it based on differences in maxillary tooth count, scalation, and genetic data. A sequence on GenBank from a Rhabdophis specimen collected in Honghe, Yunnan, China was identical to the species we describe, and it is likely that the new species is not restricted to Vietnam. As a priority, future work should focus on determining the distribution of this species, as well as understanding population and life history traits such as reproductive rate.

Keywords: Reptilia, natricine, reptile, Rhabdophis hmongorum sp. nov., snake, Squamata, Taxonomy

 

 

Daniel Kane, Benjamin Tapley, Toi Van La and Luan Thanh Nguyen. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Rhabdophis Fitzinger, 1843 (Squamata: Colubridae) from the Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5343(2); 101-125. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5343.2.1

  twitter.com/Tapley_Benjamin/status/1699651460756017398

[Ichthyology • 2023] Opistognathus ctenion • A New Jawfish (Perciformes: Opistognathidae) from southern Japan

Opistognathus ctenion

Fujiwara, Motomura & Shinohara, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1179.109813

Abstract

Opistognathus ctenion sp. nov. (Perciformes: Opistognathidae) is described on the basis of three specimens (17.3–30.6 mm in standard length) collected from the Osumi and Ryukyu islands, southern Japan in depths of 35–57 m. Although most similar to Opistognathus triops, recently described from Tonga and Vanuatu, the new species differs in mandibular pore arrangement, dorsal- and caudal-fin coloration, fewer gill rakers, and lacks blotches or stripes on the snout, suborbital region and both jaws.

Key words: Actinopterygii, dredge, new species, Osumi Islands, Ryukyu Islands, taxonomy

Opistognathus ctenion Fresh coloration of two paratypes
A, C KAUM–I. 174226, 30.6 mm SL; B, D KAUM–I. 174227, 26.2 mm SL
A, B lateral views; C, D dorsal views.

photographed by KAUM 

 Opistognathus ctenion sp. nov. 

New English name: Japanese White spotted Jawfish 

New standard Japanese name: Shiratama-agoamadai

 

Diagnosis: A species of Opistognathus distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: posterior end of upper jaw rigid, without flexible lamina; dorsal-fin rays XI, 16–18; anterior dorsal-fin spines very stout and straight, and their distal ends not transversely forked; anal-fin rays II, 17; gill rakers 6 or 7 + 13 or 14 = 20 or 21; vertebrae 10 + 22 = 32; longitudinal scale rows c. 40–50; lateral line terminating below 4th–6th soft ray of dorsal fin; 4th and 5th mandibular pore positions usually included 2 and 6–7 pores, respectively; body scales absent anterior to vertical below 4th or 5th dorsal-fin spine; vomerine teeth 2; body reddish-brown with 3 or 4 longitudinal rows of c. 8–10 whitish blotches; cheek and opercle with five or six whitish blotches; snout, suborbital region, and both jaws without blotches or stripes; spinous dorsal fin with ocellus between 2nd to 5th spines; dorsal-fin soft-rayed portion with two reddish-orange stripes; pectoral-fin base with one or two whitish blotches; caudal fin uniformly faint orange or reddish-yellow.

Etymology: The specific name is a noun in apposition derived from the Greek diminutive κτενίον, meaning “a small comb”. It refers to the low gill raker numbers in the new species, one of the lowest recorded for Indo-Pacific species of Opistognathus (see below).

Distributional records of Opistognathus ctenion.

Kyoji Fujiwara, Hiroyuki Motomura and Gento Shinohara. 2023. Opistognathus ctenion (Perciformes, Opistognathidae): A New Jawfish from southern Japan. ZooKeys. 1179: 353-364. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1179.109813

 

[PaleoBotany • 2023] Calophyllum (Calophyllaceae) from late Oligocene–Early Miocene of Li Basin, northern Thailand and its biogeographic and paleoclimatic implications

 

 Calophyllum suraikholaensis  Awasthi & Prasad, 1990

in Thongsangtum, Huang, Li, Thasod et Su, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.palwor.2023.09.002

 

Abstract

Fossils from tropical Asia, which are far from fully investigated, are important for understanding the evolution of plant diversity and the associated surrounding environment there. In this study, we report, as the first record in Thailand, the well-preserved leaf fossils of Calophyllum Linnaeus (Calophyllaceae) from the upper Oligocene–Lower Miocene lacustrine deposits in Li Basin, northern Thailand. The fossils were identified through detailed comparison with leaves of extant and fossil species. These leaf fossils are assigned to Calophyllum based on several key leaf characteristics such as oblanceolate or oblong in shape and parallel secondary veins, nearly perpendicular to the midvein, as well as secondary veins alternate, closely placed, craspedodromous, parallel, dense, and distinct on surface, forming marginal veins. Based on detailed morphological comparison, these fossil leaves are assigned to C. suraikholaensis Awasthi and Prasad, 1990 and Calophyllum sp. The discovery of Calophyllum indicates a montane subtropical to tropical climate in northern Thailand during the Oligocene–Miocene. Together with previous fossil records, these results suggest that this genus probably originated in India during the Paleogene, and spread from India to Indochina during the Neogene, leading to its modern distribution, which currently prefers tropical climates.

Keywords: Calophyllum, Miocene, Li Basin, Thailand, palaeoecology, leaf fossil

Fossil leaves of Calophyllum suraikholaensis.

XTBG

Napussawan Thongsangtum, Jian Huang, Shu-Feng Li, Yupa Thasod and Tao Su. 2023. Calophyllum (Calophyllaceae) from late Oligocene–Early Miocene of Li Basin, northern Thailand and its biogeographic and paleoclimatic implications. Palaeoworld. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.palwor.2023.09.002

 phys.org/news/2023-09-macrofossil-calophyllum-thailand.html