[Ichthyology • 2011] Chaetostoma formosae • A New Species of Chaetostoma Tschudi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Colombia with A Definition of the C. anale Species Group

Chaetostoma formosae 

Ballen. 2011

DOI: 10.1590/S0031-10492011002600001   

ABSTRACT

Chaetostoma formosae sp. nov. is described from piedmont tributaries of the upper río Meta on the Cordillera Oriental in Colombia. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the presence of an elongate unbranched anal-fin ray with two posterior dermal ridges in mature males, the presence of strongly recurved cheek odontodes, the presence of a parieto-supraoccipital dermal keel, the posterior margin of the pelvic-fin strongly projected and angulate in shape in mature males, and by details of coloration. The new species belongs to an informal monophyletic group herein called the Chaetostoma anale species group, along with two additional species, C. anale and C. jegui, from Colombia and Brazil respectively, based on an apomorphic modification of the anal fin in mature males.

Key-words: Systematics; Ancistrini; Andes; Sexual dimorphism; Taxonomy.

 Chaetostoma formosae sp. nov., holotype, ICNMHN 17114, adult male, 97.4 mm SL.
A) Dorsal view; B) Lateral view; C) Ventral view.

Note the enlarged anal fin in B and C. 

Scale bar equals 10 mm.

Chaetostoma formosae sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Chaetostoma formosae sp. nov. differs from all the species currently in Chaetostoma with the exception of Chaetostoma anale and Chaetostoma jegui by the presence in mature males of an enlarged second unbranched anal-fin ray bearing two distinct posterior dermal folds, and reaching the base of the caudal fin when fully developed (Figs. 1B, 3). Chaetostoma formosae differs from C. anale in having an angular distal pelvic-fin margin in mature males (vs. W-shaped distal margin in mature C. anale males, Figs. 1C, 4B), and the leading pelvic-fin ray neither elongate nor filamentous, not reaching beyond the adjacent branched ray in mature males (vs. leading pelvic-fin ray both enlarged and filamentous, longer than the remaining rays in mature males of C. anale). Chaetostoma formosae differs from C. jegui in having dark spots restricted to the head and the dorsal region surrounding the dorsal-fin base, and with compound pterotic and lateral plates bordered by dark pigment (vs. dark background with light blotches in C. jegui); and by the shape of the distal margin of the pelvic fin strongly projected and angular in mature males, vs. distal margin straight and with leading-fin ray sometimes surpassing the distal margin of the fin as evident in photographs).

Chaetostoma formosae further differs from Chaetostoma anomalum, C. breve, C. carrioni, C. dorsale, C. loborhynchos, C. machiquense, C. microps, C. nudirostre, C. platyrhynchus, and C. sovichthys by having a parieto-supraoccipital dermal keel (vs. skin on the parieto-supraoccipital unmodified in the form of a dermal keel in the cited species) and by the presence of strongly recurved cheek odontodes (vs. cheek odontodes straight in the same species cited above, Figs. 5 and 6). In addition, C. formosae differs from C. platyrhynchus by having an unplated snout (vs. snout plated in C. platyrhynchus).

Etymology: This species is named formosae, an adjective in genitive case derived from the latin formosa. The name honours my sister, Laura María Ballen, in recognition of her unconditional love and support to me.

Gustavo A. Ballen. 2011. A New Species of Chaetostoma Tschudi (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from Colombia with A Definition of the C. anale Species Group. Pap. Avulsos Zool. 51(26); DOI: 10.1590/S0031-10492011002600001   

RESUMEN: Se describe Chaetostoma formosae, sp. nov. de tributarios pedimontanos del alto río Meta sobre la Cordillera Oriental en Colombia. La nueva especie se distingue de sus congéneres por la presencia de un radio alargado no ramificado en la aleta anal con dos carnosidades longitudinales posteriores en machos maduros, presencia de odontoides cefálicos fuertemente recurvados, presencia de una quilla carnosa parieto-supraoccipital, margen posterior de las aletas pélvicas fuertemente proyectado y de forma angular en machos maduros, así como detalles de coloración. Se propone que la nueva especie pertenece a un grupo monofilético informal llamado en el presente trabajo el grupo de especies Chaetostoma anale, junto con dos especies adicionales, C. anale y C. jegui, de Colombia y Brasil respectivamente, con base en una apomorfia de la aleta anal en machos maduros.

Palabras-clave: Sistemática; Ancistrini; Andes; Dimorfismo sexual; Taxonomía.

[Ichthyology • 2019] Revision of the Subgenus Zonocypselurus Parin and Bogorodsky, 2011 [A Review of the Flying Fish Genus Cypselurus (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae). Part 1]

in Shakhovskoy & Parin, 2019. 

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4589.1.1

Abstract

The first part of the review of the four-winged flying fishes of the genus Cypselurus is presented, and shows that seven species belonging to two genera were mixed under the name Cypselurus (Zonocypselurus) hexazona, none of which is identical to Exocoetus hexazona Bleeker. A new subgenus of flying fish (Amustotrogon subgen. nov.) and four new species (Cheilopogon marisrubri, Cheilopogon katherinae, Cypselurus bosha, Cypselurus olpar) are described. The validity of Cypselurus formosus Kotthaus, 1969 is reinstated (as Cheilopogon (Amustotrogon) formosus). Three subspecies of Cheilopogon formosus are recognized: Ch. formosus formosus, Ch. f. pseudospilopterus subsp. nov. and Ch. f. andamanicus subsp. nov. Morphology of species and subspecies at different stages of ontogeny is described. Maps of their geographical distribution are presented. A key for identification of flying fish taxa described in the work is included.

Keywords: Pisces, Systematics, morphology, distribution, Cypselurus hexazona, C. bosha sp. nov., C. olpar sp. nov., Amustotrogon subgen. nov., Cheilopogon formosus new combination, Ch. f. pseudospilopterus subsp. nov., Ch. f. andamanicus subsp. nov., Ch. marisrubri sp. nov., Ch. katherinae sp. nov., Red Sea endemics

Ilia B. Shakhovskoy and Nikolay V. Parin. 2019. A Review of the Flying Fish Genus Cypselurus (Beloniformes: Exocoetidae). Part 1. Revision of the Subgenus Zonocypselurus Parin and Bogorodsky, 2011 with Descriptions of One New Subgenus, Four New Species and Two New Subspecies and Reinstatement of One Species as Valid. Zootaxa. 4589(1); 1–71. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4589.1.1

Parin, N.V. and Bogorodsky, S.V. 2011. Distribution and morphology of flying fish Cypselurus hexazona placed into a separate subgenus Zonocypselurus subgen. nov. Voprosy Ikhtiologii, Vol. 51 (5), 683–686. [In Russian, English translation in Journal of Ichthyology, 51 (8), 658–661 (second author misspelled as Bogorodskiy)]

researchgate.net/publication/257843717_Distribution_and_morphology_of_flying_fish_Cypselurus_hexazona_placed_into_a_separate_subgenus_Zonocypselurus_subgen_nov

[Paleontology • 2018] Acantholipan gonzalezi • Paleodiversity of Late Cretaceous Ankylosauria from Mexico and Their Phylogenetic Significance

Acantholipan gonzalezi 

Rivera-Sylva, Frey, Stinnesbeck, Carbot-Chanona, Sanchez-Uribe & Guzmán-Gutiérrez, 2018

DOI: 10.1007/s13358-018-0153-1 

Abstract

Isolated bones and osteoderms of ankylosaurian dinosaurs recovered from Late Cretaceous sediments of northern Coahuila, northeastern Mexico, have been identified as remains of nodosaurids. Here, we summarize these discoveries and provide a review on Mexican Ankylosauria from a taxonomic perspective. We also present a new taxon, Acantholipan gonzalezi gen. et sp. nov. from the Pen Formation and provide a phylogenetic analysis integrating the new taxon. A. gonzalezi is the first named ankylosaur from Mexico that adds to the currently rare nodosaurid diversity from southern Laramidia.

Keywords: Dinosaur, Nodosauridae, Pen Formation, Mexico, Endemism, Laramidia 

Dinosauria Owen (1842)

Ornithischia Seeley (1887)

Thyreophora Nopcsa (1915)

Ankylosauria Osborn (1923)

Nodosauridae Marsh, 1890

Acantholipan gen. nov.

 Acantholipan gonzalezi sp. nov.

 Etymology: Greek αγκάθι (acanthus) = spine; and the Spanish contraction of Lépai-Ndé (gray people) lipan, a tribe of Apaches from northern Mexico; gonzalezi = in honor of Arturo H. Gonzalez González, for his outstanding support to Mexican paleontology.

Héctor E. Rivera-Sylva, Eberhard Frey, Wolfgang Stinnesbeck, Gerardo Carbot-Chanona, Iván E. Sanchez-Uribe and José Rubén Guzmán-Gutiérrez. 2018. Paleodiversity of Late Cretaceous Ankylosauria from Mexico and Their Phylogenetic Significance. Swiss Journal of Palaeontology DOI: 10.1007/s13358-018-0153-1

 Rivera-Sylva, H.E., Carpenter, K. and Aranda-Manteca, F.J. 2011, Late Cretaceous Nodosaurids (Ankylosauria: Ornithischia) from Mexico. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Geológicas. 28(3); 271–278.  satori.geociencias.unam.mx/28-3/(04)RiveraSylva.pdf

Presenta el MUDE nueva especie de dinosaurio: Acantholipan Gonzalezi elheraldodesaltillo.mx/2018/06/11/presenta-el-mude-nueva-especie-de-dinosaurio-acantholipan-gonzalezi/

Descubren nueva especie de dinosaurio acorazado en Coahuila http://diario19.com/archivos/35634/descubren-nueva-especie-de-dinosaurio-acorazado-en-coahuila/

[Ichthyology • 2011] Fangfangia spinicleithralis • A New Genus and Species of Miniature Cyprinid Fish (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Peat Swamp Forests of Borneo

Fangfangia spinicleithralis 

Britz, Kottelat & Tan, 2011 

Fangfangia spinicleithralis, new genus, new species, is described from peat swamp forest habitats in Kalimantan Tengah, Borneo, Indonesia. It differs from all other cyprinids in having the anteroventral tip of the left cleithrum projecting into a strong anteriorly directed spine and a pointed posteriorly directed spine at the posteroventral aspect of each cleithrum. In addition, it can be diagnosed by the following characters: the base of the dorsal hemitrich of the first pectoral-fin ray with serrated margin, multicuspid pharyngeal teeth, ventrally directed lateral processes on vertebra 1, the high number of procurrent caudal-fin rays (14-18 dorsally, 11-15 ventrally), absence of scales with the exception of six or seven tubular lateral line ossicles, and the greatly elongated middle radials in the anal fin, which may reach half the length of proximal radials.

Fangfangia, new genus

Etymology. The new genus is named after the late Fang Fang, a passionate and productive cypriniform researcher, who left us too early, honouring her contribution to danionine taxonomy and phylogeny. Gender feminine.

 Fangfangia spinicleithralis, new species 

Distribution. Fangfangia spinicleithralis is presently known only from the type locality in Sebangau peat swamp forest, Kalimantan Tengah, Borneo, Indonesia.

Etymology. The species name spinicleithralis, an adjective, is derived from the Latin words spina, thorn, and cleithralis, belonging to the cleithrum (the main element of the dermal shoulder girdle). It refers to the unique pointed anterior and posterior spines on the cleithrum of this species.

Britz, R., Kottelat, M., & Tan, H.H. 2011. Fangfangia spinicleithralis, A New Genus and Species of Miniature Cyprinid Fish from the Peat Swamp Forests of Borneo (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).

 Ichthyol. Explor. Freshwaters. 22 (4): 327-335.

 ResearchGgate.net/publication/267780623_Fangfangia_spinicleithralis_a_new_genus_and_species_of_miniature_cyprinid_fish_from_the_peat_swamp_forests_of_Borneo_%28Teleostei_Cyprinidae%29

 http://pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ief22_4_05.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2017] Speolabeo, A New Genus Name for the Cave Fish Bangana musaei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from central Laos

Speolabeo musaei  (Kottelat & Steiner, 2011)

photo: H. Steiner DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4254.4.6

Abstract

Speolabeo, new genus, is established for Bangana musaei, a fish from caves in the Khammouan Karst in Laos. It was originally tentatively placed in the genus Bangana s.l. Besides characters related to hypogean life (absence of eyes, absence of pigment resulting in a whitish body), it is distinguished from all species of Bangana s.l. in having only 7–8½ branched dorsal-fin rays, the pelvic-fin at the vertical between the first unbranched and first branched dorsal-fin rays, and details of mouth morphology.

Keywords: Pisces, cave fish, Laos, karst, Bangana, Altigena, Labeonini

Speolabeo, new genus 

Type species. Bangana musaei Kottelat & Steiner, 2011.

 Etymology. The name is formed on the classical Greek noun σπέος (speos), which means cave, cavern, excavation; and labeo, originally a Latin noun meaning a man with thick lips, which in ichthyology became a genus name, then a vernacular name as well as the base of the family-group name as a subfamily Labeoninae or tribe Labeonini. Gender masculine.  

Maurice Kottelat. 2017. Speolabeo, A New Genus Name for the Cave fish Bangana musaei (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Zootaxa. 4254(4); 493–499.   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4254.4.6

  Maurice Kottelat and Helmut Steiner. 2011. Bangana musaei, a new cave fish from central Laos (Teleostei: Cyprinidae). Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 21(4); 313-322.
http://pfeil-verlag.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/ief21_4_05.pdf

[2011] Bangana musaei, new species, is described from caves in the Xe Bangfai drainage (a tributary of the Mekong) in central Laos. It is distinguished from all other species of the genus Bangana by its whitish body and absence of eyes. Incisilabeo (type species Labeo behri) is revalidated.

[Herpetology • 2011] Callulina meteora • A Remarkable New Species of Callulina (Anura: Brevicipitidae) from montane forest of the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania, with Massive, Boldly Coloured Limb Glands

Callulina meteora  

Menegon, Gower & Loader, 2011  

Abstract

A large new species of Callulina is described from a series of 22 specimens from the montane and upper montane forest of the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania. The most striking features of Callulina meteora sp. nov. are the massive and boldly coloured glands on the arms and legs and a metallic sheen to the skin. The new species is distinguished further on the basis of acoustic and molecular data. The position, size and conspicuousness of the enlarged glands in the new species are strikingly similar to those of Nectophrynoides viviparus, a toad found also in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. The new species is known from a single forest reserve and is of high conservation concern.

Keywords: aposematism; Eastern Arc; glands; Nectophrynoides; Nguru; Tanzania

FIGURE 2. Callulina meteora sp. nov. in life from the type locality, showing some of the species variability. 

Etymology. The specific epithet is used as an adjective and derives from the greek word meteoron, meaning"thing high up," in reference to the type locality of the species, situated close to the top of the Nguru Mountains. 

Michele Menegon, David J. Gower and Simon P. Loader. 2011. A Remarkable New Species of Callulina (Amphibia: Anura: Brevicipitidae) with Massive, Boldly Coloured Limb Glands. Zootaxa. 3095; 15–26.  http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/12162

ResearchGate.net/publication/230555626_A_remarkable_new_species_of_Callulina_(Amphibia_Anura_Brevicipitidae)_with_massive_boldly_coloured_limb_glands

[Ichthyology • 2011] Apogonichthyoides erdmanni • A New Cardinalfish of the Genus Apogonichthyoides (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from Raja Ampat Islands, Western Papua, Indonesia, with A Key to Species

Apogonichthyoides erdmanni  Fraser & Allen, 2011

FIGURE 1. Holotype of Apogonichthyoides erdmanni, 39.2 mm SL, 51.1 mm TL. A. Fresh, pinned from below, left side, by Mark V. Erdmann. B. Post mortem, right side, by Mark V. Erdmann, lined feature in second dorsal and anal an artifact of wet fins on surface. C. Right side, in 70% ethyl alcohol by Thomas H. Fraser.

Apogonichthyoides uninotatus. D. Live, Coron I., Calamianes Is., Philippines, by G.R. Allen. E. Postmortem buccal male, USNM 395671, 41 mm SL, Apo Reef, Mindoro Occidental , Philippines, by J.T. Williams.

Abstract

Another deep-water cardinal fish of the genus Apogonichthyoides is described from Fiabacet Island, Western Papua, Indonesia. Collected at 73 m, Apogonichthyoides erdmanni has very distinctive markings on the head and body. It is brown with a dark spot on the body below the anterior lateral line, two slightly darker body bars and darker markings on the head, all similar features to those of the Philippine species Apogonichthyoides uninotatus. The new species has vivid, horizontal dark cheek and post-ocular marks, a small oval spot between the eye and tip of upper preopercular arm, yellowish anal, second dorsal and caudal fins, a narrow basicaudal bar less than 1/3 the length of the caudal peduncle, a vertical bar under the posterior half of the second dorsal-fin base reaching the base of the anal fin, small dark spots on the lower half of the body onto the lower portion of the caudal peduncle and a body spot smaller than the pupil of the eye. Apogonichthyoides uninotatus has a faint diagonal cheek mark, a faint horizontal post-ocular mark, a faint dash between the eye and the tip of the upper preopercular arm, brownish anal, second dorsal and caudal fins, a broad basicaudal bar more than 2/3 the length of the caudal peduncle, a broad body bar as a chevron including all of the second dorsal-fin base reaching the base of the anal fin, no small dark spots on the lower half of body and a body spot larger than the pupil of the eye. A key to twenty-two species of Apogonichthyoides is provided.

Keywords: Apogonichthyoides erdmanni; species key; Apogonidae; cardinalfish

Etymology. Named for Mark Erdmann of Conservation International, Indonesia Marine Program, who collected and photographed the type specimen. Mark has worked closely with the second author for the past six years and is responsible for numerous new discoveries, resulting from his deep scuba collections around the East Indian region. 

Habitat. The specimen was collected at 73m at the base of a sheer drop off exposed to moderate to strong cur-rents. The specimen was sheltering under a large block of dead coral rubble that rested on a moderate, silty sandslope.

Thomas H. Fraser and Gerald R. Allen. 2011. A New Cardinalfish of the Genus Apogonichthyoides (Perciformes, Apogonidae) from Raja Ampat Islands, with A Key to Species. Zootaxa. 3095; 63-68. http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/12166

ResearchGate.net/publication/265946097_A_new_cardinalfish_of_the_genus_Apogonichthyoides_Perciformes_Apogonidae_from_Raja_Ampat_Islands_with_a_key_to_species

[PaleoMammalogy • 2011] Aegyptocetus tarfa • A New Eocene Protocetid Archaeocete (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Middle Eocene of Egypt: Clinorhynchy, Olfaction, and Hearing in a Protocetid Whale

Aegyptocetus tarfa 

Bianucci & Gingerich 2011


DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2011.607985

Abstract

A new protocetid archaeocete, Aegyptocetus tarfa, is represented by a nearly complete cranium and an associated partial skeleton. The specimen was recovered when marbleized limestone was imported commercially to Italy and cut into decorative facing stone. It came from middle Eocene Tethyan marine strata of the Gebel Hof Formation of Wadi Tarfa in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Exceptional preservation and preparation enables study of some internal features of the skull as well as its external morphology. The skull of Aegyptocetus is unusual in having the rostrum and frontal portions of the cranium deflected more ventrally relative to the braincase than is typical for archaeocetes. This ventral deflection, clinorhynchy, is a rare specialization related to feeding or hearing that is widely distributed across mammals. Aegyptocetus has well-developed ethmoidal turbinal bones, indicating retention of a functional sense of smell. It also has cranial asymmetry, thinning of the lateral walls of the dentaries, enlarged mandibular canals, and thinning of the anterolateral walls of the tympanic bullae, indicating enhanced ability to hear in water. Neural spines are long on thoracic vertebrae T1 through T8, suggesting that Aegyptocetus was able to support its weight on land like other protocetids. This combination of terrestrial and aquatic characteristics is consistent with interpretation of protocetids as semiaquatic. The pattern of tooth marks preserved on the ribs of Aegyptocetus indicates that the individual studied here was attacked by a large shark, but it is not certain whether this was the cause of death.

Giovanni Bianucci and Philip D. Gingerich. 2011. Aegyptocetus tarfa, n. gen. et sp. (Mammalia, Cetacea), from the Middle Eocene of Egypt: Clinorhynchy, Olfaction, and Hearing in a Protocetid Whale. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 31(6); 1173–1188. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2011.607985

ResearchGate.net/publication/241731136_Aegyptocetus_tarfa_n_gen_et_sp_Mammalia_Cetacea_from_the_Middle_Eocene_of_Egypt_Clinorhynchy_Olfaction_and_Hearing_in_a_Protocetid_Whale

Whale fossils show important characters of the transition to water
http://phy.so/239994395 via @physorg_com

[Ichthyology • 2011] Fish, Fans and Hydroids: Host Species of Pygmy Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.)

Figure 2. In-situ photographs
A Hippocampus bargibanti on Muricella sp. 3 (RMNH Coel. 39866, see Fig. 7), Turtles Reef, Raja Ampat (photo F.R. Stokvis) B Hippocampus denise on Annella reticulata (RMNH Coel. 39880, see Fig. 10); W Mansuar, Raja Ampat (photo B.W. Hoeksema) C Hippocampus pontohi (host not collected) Timur I, Bunaken (photo S.E.T. van der Meij) D Hippocampus severnsi (host not collected) Siladen I, SE Siladen (photo B.T. Reijnen).

DOI:  10.3897/ZooKeys.103.953

Abstract

An overview of the octocoral and hydrozoan host species of pygmy seahorses is provided based on literature records and recently collected field data for Hippocampus bargibanti, Hippocampus denise and Hippocampus pontohi. Seven new associations are recognized and an overview of the so far documented host species is given. A detailed re-examination of octocoral type material and a review of the taxonomic history of the alcyonacean genera Annella (Subergorgiidae) and Muricella (Acanthogorgiidae) are included as baseline for future revisions. The host specificity and colour morphs of pygmy seahorses are discussed, as well as the reliability of (previous) identifications and conservation issues.

Keywords: Acanthogorgiidae, Alcyonacea, Annella, Anthozoa, Hippocampus, host specificity, Hydrozoa, Indo-Pacific, Muricella, new associations, Octocorallia, Subergorgiidae

Figure 13. A rare occurrence, Hippocampus denise on Muricella sp. 2 (RMNH Coel. 39873) at Raja Ampat (photo F.R. Stokvis).

DOI:  10.3897/ZooKeys.103.953

Bastian T. Reijnen, Sancia E.T. van der Meij, Leen P. van Ofwegen. 2011. Fish, Fans and Hydroids: Host Species of Pygmy Seahorses. ZooKeys. 103: 1–26. DOI:  10.3897/ZooKeys.103.953

[Mammalogy • 2011] Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Asellia (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) with A Description of A New Species, Asellia arabica, from southern Arabia

  Asellia arabica  

Benda, Vallo & Reiter, 2011

from Ain Jarziz, Dhofar, SW Oman, photo by A. Reiter  || DOI:  10.3161/150811011X624749 

Two species are currently recognised within the genus Asellia, a typical inhabitant of arid areas of northern Africa and south-western Asia. Most of the distribution range of the genus is covered by Asellia tridens, while the other species, A. patrizii, is restricted to Ethiopia, Eritrea and several Red Sea islands. We analysed the morphological variation in an extensive set of Asellia samples covering the range of the genus, including most of the available type material. In a representative subset of samples, we employed molecular genetic analysis to infer the phylogenetic relationships within the broadly distributed A. tridens. Morphological comparisons revealed four distinct morphotypes. Except for the endemic A. patrizii, almost all African Asellia were found to belong to the same morphotype as most of the Middle Eastern specimens. This morphotype was unambiguously identified as A. tridens. Two other morphotypes of tentative A. tridens were further recognised based on skull shape differences; one in the southern Arabian region of Dhofar, the other in Socotra and Somalia. Phylogenetic analysis of complete sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene yielded three main monophyletic groups, which corresponded to the morphotypes revealed for A. tridens. Significant genetic divergences reaching over 5% and 12%, respectively, were discovered between them. Based on the morphological and molecular data obtained, we propose a split of the current A. tridens into three separate species: A. tridens in northern Africa and most of the Middle East, A. italosomalica in Socotra and Somalia, and Asellia sp. nov. in southern Arabia. Molecular dating, along with the available paleontological information and geological history of the Arabian Peninsula, supports an Arabian origin of the contemporary Asellia. While profound divergence of the Socotran form may be linked to the split of Socotra from the southern Arabian coast in the Middle Miocene, the low sequence variation of Asellia in most of Africa and the Middle East suggests a relatively recent colonisation of this vast area during the Pleistocene. The newly described form from southern Arabia most likely represents a relic of aridisation during the Miocene-Pliocene transition.

 Keywords: Asellia, morphology, morphometry, mfDNA, taxonomy, phylogeny

FIG. 10. Portrait of   Asellia arabica sp. nov. from Ain Jarziz, Dhofar, SW Oman

photo by A. Reiter

Asellia arabica sp. nov.

Synonymy: 

Asellia tridens (Geoffroy, 1813): Pockock, 1935: 442; Harrison, 1964: 98; Harrison, 1980: 390; Kingdon, 1990: 37; Harrison and Bates, 1991: 55.

Asellia tridens tridens (Geoffroy, 1813): Harrison, 1957: 5; Kock, 1969: 129; Nader, 1990: 340; Al-Jumaily, 1998: 483.

Asellia patrizii De Beaux, 1931: Al-Jumaily, 2004: 60.

Type locality: Republic of Yemen, Province of Al Mahra, oasis of Hawf (easternmost edge of the country), 16°39’N, 53°03’E, 410 m a.s.l.

Derivatio nominis: The name arabica (Arabian) reflects the area of occurrence of the new species, i.e. the southern part of Arabia

Distribution: Coastal areas of southern Arabia stretching from the Hadramaut Province in south-eastern Yemen (ca. 49°E) to the Dhofar Province in south-western Oman (ca. 55°E), i.e., ca. 650 km of a narrow coastal strip.

Petr Benda, Peter Vallo and Antonín Reiter. 2011. Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Asellia (Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) with A Description of A New Species from southern Arabia. Acta Chiropterologica. 13(2); 245–270. DOI:  10.3161/150811011X624749

http://www.nm.cz/admin/files/PM/download/zivotopisy-publikace/benda2011ac.pdf

[Botany • 2011] Cotoneaster rosiflorus • A New Species (Rosaceae) from Taiwan

 Cotoneaster rosiflorus 

 K. C. Chang & F. Y. Lu 

  TSPS.org.tw

Abstract

A new species of Rosaceae subfam. Spiraeoideae, tribe Pyreae (formerly subfamily Maloideae) from Taiwan is described. A taxonomic treatment, line drawings, color photographs and pollen SEM micrographs are provided to illustrate the species. A somatic chromosome number of 2n = 68 is reported for the first time for Cotoneaster rosiflorus. Cotoneaster rosiflorus occurs mainly at 2,500-3,500 m altitude in central Taiwan. It resembles C. morrisonensis vegetatively, but is distinct by the erect to slightly spreading pink petals, pink or reddish filaments, 3-5 styles, and 3-5 pyrenes.

Figure 2. Cotoneaster rosiflorus K. C. Chang & F. Y. Lu.
A, Habit, flowering; B, Habit, fruiting; C, Flower, viewed from above; D, Flower, longitudinal section; E, Petal; F, Immature pome; G, Immature pome, longitudinal section; H, Immature pome, cross section; I, Ripe pome; J, Pyrenes. 

 K.-C. Chang, C.-C. Wang, S.-L. Deng, Yoshiko Kono, F.-L. Lu and Ching-I Peng. 2011.  Cotoneaster rosiflorus (Rosaceae), A New Species from Taiwan.

 Botanical Studies. 52(2); 211-218.

 researchgate.net/publication/296517112_Cotoneaster_rosiflorus_ROSACEAE_a_new_species_from_Taiwan

[Herpetology • 2011] On Recent Sightings of A Little-known south Indian Toad, Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876) with Notes on Its Morphological Characterization and Ecology

Abstract 

Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876), a rarely-sighted, endemic toad species known only from a few documented specimens was re-sighted in Devarabetta, Krishnagiri dt., Eastern Ghats hill range, Tamil Nadu state, southern India. Data from our four live, uncollected conspecifics are provided to update and expand the external morphological characterization of this species. In-life colouration and baseline ecological data are provided herein for the first time. Possible extent of distribution of this species and some issues regarding its sighting records in the past are also discussed.

Keywords. In-life colouration, expanded characterization, natural history, distribution.

Sumaithangi Rajagopalan Chandramouli, Sumaithangi Rajagopalan Ganesh and Nagarajan Baskaran. 2011. On Recent Sightings of A Little-known south Indian Toad, Duttaphrynus hololius (Günther, 1876) with Notes on Its Morphological Characterization and Ecology.  Herpetology Notes. 4; 271-274.   http://www.asiannature.org/sites/default/files/2011%20Little%20known%20South%20Indian%20Toad%20Herpetology.pdf 

[Ichthyology • 2011] Esox cisalpinius • Description of A New Species of Pike endemic to Italy; Recent Taxonomic Novelties regarding Freshwater Fish Native to Italy

A - B)  Esox cisalpinius  Bianco & Delmastro,  2011 
C) E. lucius Linnaeus, 1758 

Abstract

About 15 native species, before considered by the official Italian ichthylogical literature, as conspecific with transalpinian species, are in fact endemics. Especially the failure of taxonomic updates bring in Italy several alien species either introduced as official stockings or mixed as impurity. Among the rehabilitated species there are, among cyprinids, Scardinius hesperidicus and S. scardafa, Telestes savigny from northern and T. comes from southern Italy, Squalius ruffoi from southern Italy. Squalius albus is a junior synonym of S. squalus. The endemic gudgeon, assigned at genus Romanogobio is placed again into the genus Gobio (G. benacensis). Phoxinus lumaireul is a junior synonym of P. phoxinus. Among Salmonidae, Salmo cenerinus is junior synonym of S. marmoratus while Salmo farioides represents the trout species of the Adriatic lineage. The esocid Esox cisalpinius n. sp. is regarded as an endemic species of pike in Italy. Among sculpins, Cottus scaturigo and C. ferrugineus are regarded as junior synonyms of C. gobio. Actually in Italy there are 51 native established freshwater fish species 2 of which extinguished (Acipenser sturio and Huso huso).

Esox cisalpinius n. sp. 

 Descrizione. Basata su18 esemplari 120-350 mm LS.Intervallo dei rapporti morfometrici espressi in % della LS, arrotondati all’unità. In parentesii valori relativi all’olotipo: lunghezza dello squarcio boccale, 14-16 (14); distanza preorbitale, 12-14 (13); diametro dell’occhio, 4-6 (6); distanza interorbitale, 7-8 (8); altezza del capo, 13-16 (15); lunghezza del capo, 31-36 (32); altezza massima del corpo, 16-18 (17); altezza minima, 7-8 (8); lunghezza del peduncolo caudale, 11-13 (13); distanza predorsale, 71-82 (76); distanza preventrale, 51-59 (54); altezza della pinna dorsale 18-21 (19); altezza della pinna anale, 17-21 (20); lunghezza delle pinne pettorali, 12-14 (14); lunghezza delle pinne pelviche, 12-14 (14); distanza tra pinne pettorali e pelviche, 25-31 (27); distanza tra pinne pelviche e origini della pinna anale, 22-24 (22). Intervallo delle conte meristiche: squame in serie laterale, 92-107 (98), squame canicolate della linea laterale, 41-54 (46); raggi indivisi della pinna dorsale, 5-6 (6), raggi ramificati della dorsale, 13-15 (13); raggi indivisi della pinna anale 4 (4); raggi divisi della pinna anale, 11-13 (13). Raggi branchiostegi, 13-14 (13); pori sub-mandibolari 4-4, 3-5, 5-5, più frequentemente 4-4 (4-4); pori dell’estremità distale dell’opercolo, 7 (7). Squame piccole, cicloidi, pori della linea laterale interrotti. Opercolo e preopercolo in gran parte coperti di squame. Squarcio boccale ampio, il bordo posteriore si estende fino all’incirca alla metà della verticale passante per l’occhio. Denti acuti e retrattili, disposti in file o in placche. Branchiospine incipienti, denticolate, addensate e disposte in più file irregolari lungo il margine interno delle arcate branchiali. Pinne pari e impari convesse, pinna caudale debolmente forcata.

Derivation of the name. From Cisalpine [cisalpino], or that is located on this side of the Alp

Bianco, P. G. and Delmastro, G. B. 2011. Recenti novità tassonomiche riguardanti i pesci d’acqua dolce autoctoni in Italia e descrizione di una nuova specie di luccio [Recent Taxonomic Novelties regarding Freshwater Fish native to Italy and Description of A New Species of Pike]. Researches on Wildlife Conservation (IGF publ.), 2 (suppl.): 1–13.  

ResearchGate.net/publication/234017718_Recenti_novita_tassonomiche_riguardanti_i_pesci_d'acqua_dolce_e_descrizione_di_una_nuova_specie_di_luccio

   

[Paleontology • 2011] Manidens condorensis • A Middle Jurassic Heterodontosaurid Dinosaur from Patagonia and the Evolution of Heterodontosaurids

Manidens condorensis  

Pol, Rauhut & Becerra, 2011
  DOI:  10.1007/s00114-011-0780-5 

Abstract
Heterodontosauridae is a morphologically divergent group of dinosaurs that has recently been interpreted as one of the most basal clades of Ornithischia. Heterodontosaurid remains were previously known from the Early Jurassic of southern Africa, but recent discoveries and studies have significantly increased the geographical and temporal range for this clade. Here, we report a new ornithischian dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic Cañadón Asfalto Formation in central Patagonia, Argentina. This new taxon, Manidens condorensis gen. et sp. nov., includes well-preserved craniomandibular and postcranial remains and represents the only diagnostic ornithischian specimen yet discovered in the Jurassic of South America so far. Derived features of its anatomy indicate that Manidens belongs to Heterodontosauridae, as the sister taxon of Heterodontosaurus and other South African heterodontosaurids. The presence of posterior dentary teeth with high crowns but lacking extensive wear facets in Manidens suggests that this form represents an intermediate stage in the development of the remarkable adaptations to herbivory described for Heterodontosaurus. The dentition of Manidens condorensis also has autapomorphies, such as asymmetrically arranged denticles in posterior teeth and a mesially projected denticle in the posteriormost teeth. At an estimated total length of 60–75 cm, Manidens furthermore confirms the small size of basal heterodontosaurids.

Keywords: Ornithschia; Gondwana; Jurassic; Cañadón Asfalto Formation; Heterodontosauridae

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842
Ornithischia Seeley, 1887

Heterodontosauridae Kuhn, 1966

Manidens condorensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The genus name Manidens, from manus (Latin, hand) and dens (Latin, tooth), refers to the similarity of the posteriormost tooth to the human hand. The specific epithet condorensis refers to the nearby village of Cerro Cóndor, Chubut Province, Argentina.

Fig. 2 Anatomical details of the craniomandibular and dental remains of  Manidens condorensis gen. et sp. nov. 
a Photographs of preserved cranial and mandibular elements of the holotype (MPEF-PV 3211) superimposed on a skull reconstruction in lateral view. b Reconstruction of the skull and mandible in lateral view. c Photograph of right lower jaw and associated elements of the holotype (MPEF-PV 3211). d Interpretative drawing of right lower jaw in lateral view (right maxilla, left lower jaw and other bones shaded in grey); dashed areas represent broken surfaces and dotted areas represent sediment. e – h SEM images of posterior mandibular tooth in mesial (e) and bucal (f – i) views corresponding to MPEF-PV 3810 (e), MPEF-PV 3811 (f) and holotype MPEF-PV 3211 (g – i). ad anteriormost denticle mesially offset, afo antorbital fossa, an angular, at anterior teeth of left dentary, ca caniniform, cr crenulations, d dentary, dc denticles, dv dorsal vertebra, f frontal, g glenoid fossa, jb jugal boss, m maxilla, mc mesial cavity, n nasal, po postorbital q quadrate, qj quadratojugal, sq squamosal, sa surangular, saf anterior surangular foramen. Scale bars indicate 10 mm (a – d), 1 mm (e – g), 0.5 mm (h) and 0.1 mm (i)

Holotype: MPEF-PV 3211 (Museo Paleontológico Egidio Feruglio, Trelew, Argentina), partial associated skeleton, including most elements of the skull and lower jaws, cervical, dorsal and sacral vertebrae, left scapula and coracoids, and almost complete pelvic girdles.

Referred material: MPEF-PV 1719, 1786, 1718, 3810, 3811 isolated posterior teeth, from the same locality and horizon as the holotype.

Locality and horizon: Queso Rallado locality within the Cañadón Asfalto Formation, 2.3 km west of the village of Cerro Cóndor, Chubut Province, Argentina. The bone-bearing layer is a silicified mudstone within a series of lacustrine mudstones and limestones (Rougier et al. 2007b). Further locality information is given in the Electronic supplementary material (ESM) and stratigraphic information can be found in Rougier et al. (2007b). GPS coordinates of this locality are deposited in the MPEF collections and are available upon request. The age of the Cañadón Asfalto Formation is usually given as Callovian–Oxfordian (e.g. Silva Nieto et al. 2002), but recent U–Pb radioisotopic age determinations (Cabaleri et al. 2010) and palynological research (Volkheimer et al. 2008) indicates that it is probably considerably older, with dates ranging from 171 ± 5 to 167 ± 4 Ma (Aalenian–Early Bathonian; Salani 2007; Cabaleri et al. 2010).

Diagnosis: Small heterodontosaurid (estimated body length of approximately 50–60 cm) with the following autapomorphies: jugal with strongly developed, dorsally placed lateral boss; dorsal part of the postorbital process of the jugal very slender and flexes abruptly posteriorly at the beginning of the articular facet for the postorbital; forebrain facet on the ventral surface of the frontal enlarged and with significantly raised margins; posterior teeth with asymmetric arrangement of denticles and with a mesial concavity in which the distal margin of the preceding tooth is lodged; posteriormost dentary tooth “hand-shaped”, with only one or two mesial denticles, the most anterior of which diverges mesially from the mesial margin of the crown; presence of small crenulations along the cutting margin of each denticle.

Fig. 1 Preserved elements of Manidens condorensis gen. et sp. nov.
Outline reconstruction of the skeleton, indicating preserved elements, with photographs of selected skeletal elements of the type specimen (MPEF PV 3211). a Pelvic girdle, lateral. b Schematic drawing of pelvic girdle. c Dorsal vertebrae, lateral. d Cervical vertebrae, lateral. e Quadrate, anterior. f Temporal (lateral) and occipital (posterior) skull elements. f Schematic drawing of temporal and occipital region. il illium, is ischia, j jugal, or occipital region of the braincase, pb pubis, po postorbital, pod postorbital depression, pp preacetabular process, sq lateral shelf of the squamosal. Dashed areas represent broken surfaces and dotted areas represent sediment. Scale bars indicate 10 mm (a, b, f, g), 2 mm (c, d) and 1 mm (e) 

Diego Pol, Oliver W. M. Rauhut and Marcos Becerra. 2011. A Middle Jurassic Heterodontosaurid Dinosaur from Patagonia and the Evolution of Heterodontosaurids.
 Naturwissenschaften. 98 (5): 369–379. DOI:  10.1007/s00114-011-0780-5
ResearchGate.net/publication/50937445_A_Middle_Jurassic_heterodontosaurid_dinosaur_from_Patagonia_and_the_evolution_of_heterodontosaurids