[Paleontology • 2019] Indosinosuchus potamosiamensis • A New freshwater teleosaurid (Thalattosuchia: Teleosauridae) from the Jurassic of northeastern Thailand

Indosinosuchus potamosiamensis

Martin, S. Suteethorn, Lauprasert, Tong, Buffetaut, Liard, Salaviale, Deesri, V. Suteethorn & Claude, 2019

อินโดไซโนซูคัส โปเตโมสยามเอนซิส  || DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2018.1549059 

 Artwork by Kmonvish Lawan

 

ABSTRACT

The core of the fossil record of Teleosauridae, a family of thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs, is well known from western Tethyan marine deposits of the Jurassic. Outside this province, their fossil record is patchy and in need of revision, with specimens from Russia, Madagascar, and Asia. Peipehsuchus teleorhinus is known from the Early or Middle Jurassic of China and teleosaurid specimens have been mentioned or preliminarily described from two Jurassic localities in Thailand, yet they were not assigned to a given taxon. Thanks to recent field work, at least 10 individuals represented by cranial material were excavated and prepared from a single Jurassic locality known as Phu Noi in the lower Phu Kradung Formation of northeastern Thailand. Here, we describe these specimens, together with disarticulated postcranial elements, and erect a new taxon, Indosinosuchus potamosiamensis, gen. et sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses confirm the teleosaurid affinities of the new species, which does not form an exclusive clade with the Chinese teleosaurid Peipehsuchus teleorhinus. The presence of teleosaurids at Phu Noi and a preliminary account of its faunal content favor a Middle to Late Jurassic age for the fossil-bearing horizon. In contrast, Cretaceous deposits in Thailand are characterized by goniopholidids and pholidosaurids, indicating a faunal turnover in Southeast Asia across the Jurassic–Cretaceous. As previously shown by isotope data, the new teleosaurid species was a resident of the freshwater environment and co-occurs with remains of exclusively terrestrial taxa such as sauropod, ornithopod, and theropod dinosaurs and freshwater tetrapods such as turtles and temnospondyls.

Indosinosuchus potamosiamensis, gen. et sp. nov.

 Jeremy E. Martin, Suravech Suteethorn, Komsorn Lauprasert, Haiyan Tong, Eric Buffetaut, Romain Liard, Celine Salaviale, Uthumporn Deesri, Varavudh Suteethorn and Julien Claude. 2019. A New freshwater teleosaurid from the Jurassic of northeastern Thailand. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 64 (2): 239–260. e1549059. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2018.1549059  [27 Feb 2019]

 facebook.com/Dinosaursdiary/photos/1606369629465840 

 twitter.com/Synapsida/status/1101165207257337856

[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus

Phoebodus saidselachus Frey, Coates, Ginter, Hairapetian, Rücklin, Jerjen & Klug, 2019

in Klug, Greif, Pohle, Ginter, Coates, Haouz, Lagnaoui, Pople et Frey, 2026. 

www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html 

Phoebodus was recognized as the earliest elasmobranch known from articulated remains, a group which constitutes most modern cartilaginous fish comprising sharks, skates and rays. Its elongate body, the presence of two dorsal fins with fin spines, and the elongate head had already been described. Based on spectacularly well-preserved fossils, we add new anatomical information on its exact body proportions, the paired and caudal fins, the dermal denticles, the skull morphology, the endocast, and the gill skeleton. These new skeletons from the Famennian (Upper Devonian) of Morocco (c. 367 Ma) permit a much-improved reconstruction of the anatomy of Phoebodus. The new materials comprise the oldest elasmobranch specimens preserving the complete head in three dimensions. Additionally, the new materials yield information about growth and diet and thus position in the trophic network. Despite the newly coded characters, the phylogenetic position of the genus Phoebodus with the oldest teeth dating to the early Givetian remains that of the oldest stem-elasmobranch in the Bayesian analyses.

Key words: Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Famennian, ontogeny, exceptional preservation, Fossillagerstätten

Phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5751, prep. T. Imhof, largest individual, nearly complete. B. PIMUZ A/I 5752, prep. T. Imhof, second largest individual, only caudal region missing; for details of the skull see Fig. 2. C. PIMUZ A/I 5753, prep. M. Greif, anterior half, excellent integument, fins and brachial region. D. PIMUZ A/I 5754, prep. R. Roth, two superimposed chondrichthyans; the skull in the middle is Maghriboselache mohamezanei with further remains; the straight, complete skeleton belongs to Phoebodus; the latter preserves the caudal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 4712, holotype, smallest skeleton, nearly complete, modified after Frey et al. (2019a).

Skeletal reconstruction of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5754, caudalis. B, C. PIMUZ A/I 4712, posterior and anterior dorsal fins. D. PIMUZ A/I 5752, anterior dorsal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 5751, caudalis. F, G. PIMUZ A/I 5753, pectoral fin and branchial basket. H. PIMUZ A/I 5752, head. The photos are not to scale. The scale refers only to the drawing.

Systematic palaeontology 

Chondrichthyes Huxley, 1880 

Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838 

Phoebodontiformes Ginter et al., 2010 

Genus Phoebodus St. John & Worthen, 1875

Reconstructions of an adult female and juvenile male of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. We incorporated the new anatomical details particularly in the proportions and the fin shapes. The juvenile is reconstructed after the holotype.

  

Christian Klug, Merle Greif, Alexander Pohle, Michał Ginter, Michael I. Coates, Wahiba Bel Haouz, Abdelouahed Lagnaoui, Jonathan Pople, and Linda Frey. 2026. The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 71 (2), 2026: 399-430 DOI:10.4202/app.01290.2025  https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html

Linda Frey, Michael Coates, Michał Ginter, Vachik Hairapetian, Martin Rücklin, Iwan Jerjen, Christian Klug. 2019. The early elasmobranch Phoebodus: phylogenetic relationships, ecomorphology and a new time-scale for shark evolution. Proc Biol Sci. 286 (1912): 20191336. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1336

[Botany • 2019] Nepenthes erucoides (Nepenthaceae) • An ultramaficolous micro-endemic from Dinagat Islands Province, northern Mindanao, Philippines

 

 Nepenthes erucoides A.S.Rob. & S.G.Zamudio, 

  

in Robinson, Zamudio et Caballero, 2019.  

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.423.1.3 

academia.edu/51914542

Abstract

A new species of Nepenthes—Nepenthes erucoides—is described and illustrated from a single ultramafic peak in the Dinagat Islands Province of northeastern Mindanao. It is a distinctive component of a relatively low-elevation, highly biodiverse montane elfin forest that has evolved in association with a particularly thin and extremely hostile substrate. Plant habit, and leaf, inflorescence, indumentum and peristome-column morphology appear superficially similar to those of the ultramaficolous montane species of Palawan, implicating an environmental basis for a syndrome of shared characteristics.

Keywords: Philippines, Malesia, new species, non-core Caryophyllales, taxonomy, ultramafic, Eudicots

 Nepenthes erucoides A.S.Rob. & S.G.Zamudio.
A) the indumentum of juvenile stem and leaf parts is abruptly caducous. B) the largely persistent indumentum of the tendril. C) the extremely dense indumentum of a senescent male inflorescence; note the large bracts on the rachis and partial peduncles. D) sequential anthesis and development of tepal colouration in the male inflorescence. E) detail of male flowers at anthesis. F) a female rosette in fruit. G) transverse section of fruit with seeds; note the relatively short, broad form of the seeds.
 H) the natural hybrid Nepenthes erucoides × mindanaoensis.
I) the elfin ‘forest’ at the summit of Mt. Redondo, formed in response to the inorganic, granular, ultramafic substrate and associated conditions.

Photograph A by P. Pelser; B–H by A. Robinson.

 Nepenthes erucoides A.S.Rob. & S.G.Zamudio.
 A) mature rosette emergent from elfin vegetation. B) lower pitcher. C) upper pitcher. D) the limited waxy zone. E) transverse sections of (left) lower and (right) upper pitchers showing the almost entirely glandular interior. F) detail of the superficially caterpillarlike (erucoid) developing leaf emergent from the petiolar-laminar groove of the preceding leaf. G) a recently unfurled leaf; the dense adaxial indumentum has already begun to be shed towards the leaf base.

Photographs A, C by P. Pelser; B, D–G by A. Robinson.

Taxonomy

 Nepenthes erucoides A.S.Rob. & S.G.Zamudio, sp. nov. 

Etymology:— The specific epithet erucoides is derived from the Latin eruca (caterpillar) and the Greek suffix – oides (resembling), in reference to the densely hairy developing leaves which, when still appressed within the petiolarlaminar groove of the preceding leaf, resemble the exuberantly hairy caterpillars of certain erebid macromoths from the subfamily Arctiinae, such as those of the genus Arctia Schrank (1802: 152) [e.g. Arctia opulenta Edwards (1881: 38)].

 

  

 

Alastair S. Robinson, Sarah Grace Zamudio and Rolly Balagon Caballero. 2019. Nepenthes erucoides (Nepenthaceae), an ultramaficolous micro-endemic from Dinagat Islands Province, northern Mindanao, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 423(1); 21–32. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.423.1.3

  academia.edu/51914542/Nepenthes_erucoides_an_ultramaficolous_micro_endemic_from_northern_Mindanao_Philippines

 

  

[Entomology • 2019] Arctesthes avatar & A. titanica • Review of the endemic New Zealand Genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae), with Descriptions of Two New Range-restricted Species

12) Arctesthes avatar, male paratype upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 13) A. avatar, female upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 
14) A. catapyrrha, male underside, Yaldhurst MC; 15) A. siris, male underside, Zero Gully CO; 
16) A. titanica, male paratype underside, White Burn OL; 17) A. avatar, male underside, Denniston Plateau NN.

B. H. Patrick, H. J.H. Patrick & Hoare, 2019

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.3.33944 

Researchgate.net/publication/334624591

Scale bars: 10 mm.

Abstract

The genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Geometridae: Larentiinae: Xanthorhoini), endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, is revised. Four species are recognised, including two new species, as follows: Arctesthes catapyrrha (Butler, 1877), A. siris (Hudson, 1908), A. titanica sp. nov. and A. avatar sp. nov. All except A. catapyrrha are restricted to subalpine and alpine localities. Adults and genitalia are fully described and illustrated for all species; larvae of A. catapyrrha are also briefly described and illustrated. Only Arctesthes catapyrrha is widespread; A. siris is restricted to a few mountain ranges of Central Otago; A. titanica is only known from two wetland localities in the Von Valley of the Otago Lakes district, and A. avatar is only known from a few wetlands in a restricted area of north-west Nelson. The two new species are considered of very high priority for conservation.

Key Words: New Zealand, Southern Alps, Geometridae, Larentiinae, Xanthorhoini, new species, conservation

Arctesthes spp. 
12) A. avatar, male paratype upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 13) A. avatar, female upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 
14) A. catapyrrha, male underside, Yaldhurst MC; 15) A. siris, male underside, Zero Gully CO;
16) A. titanica, male paratype underside, White Burn OL; 17) A. avatar, male underside, Denniston Plateau NN. Scale bars: 10 mm.

Brian H. Patrick, Hamish J.H. Patrick and Robert J.B. Hoare. 2019. Review of the endemic New Zealand Genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae), with Descriptions of Two New Range-restricted Species. Alpine Entomology. 3: 121-136. DOI: 10.3897/alpento.3.33944 

Researchgate.net/publication/334624591_Review_of_the_endemic_New_Zealand_genus_Arctesthes

 

[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] A large lamniform shark from the Aptian of Villa de Leiva (Boyacá, Colombia), based on the first Lower Cretaceous shark specimen preserving both teeth and vertebrae

 

 Protolamna ricaurtei  

in Benavides-Cabra, Páramo-Fonseca, Narváez-Rincón et Pomar, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106211 

artwork by Renzo Garavito x.com/R_o_XIII

Highlights: 

• Protolamna ricaurtei was a gigantic lamniform shark that lived during the Early Cretaceous.

• Not all macrophagous lamniform sharks with large bodies have large teeth.

• Protolamna ricaurtei was a relatively slow but active swimmer who fed on small preys.

Abstract

We describe a new specimen of a lamniform shark from the upper Aptian of the Arcillolitas abigarradas Member of the Paja Formation of Villa de Leiva (Colombia). It represents the first lamniform shark specimen from the Lower Cretaceous with both teeth and vertebrae preserved. The specimen consists of several disarticulated but well-preserved teeth and well-preserved partially articulated vertebral centra, denticles and soft tissues. We refer the specimen to Protolamna ricaurtei, a species recently erected from a specimen found in the same formation. It is a lamniform shark characterized by proportionally small tearing-type teeth with small triangular main cusp, two pairs of small triangular lateral cusplets, and massive bilobated roots. The specimen represents a mature individual to be 6.65 m in total length, making it the oldest record of a gigantic lamniform. This specimen is the first evidence that not all macrophagous lamniforms follow the linear function relating crown height to total body length. Our taphonomic analysis indicates that the specimen must have rapidly reached an anoxic bottom, with low benthic activity, gentle currents, and with microbial mats that facilitated the rapid phosphatization of the soft tissues. Based on the preserved anatomy, we propose that Protolamna ricaurtei was a relatively slow but active swimmer feeding in tropical near-shore areas over small preys such as bony fishes, small sharks, squids, and crustaceans.

the taphonomic history of specimen CFSTA090318, from its sinking and burial to its fossilization, along with the remains of an associated turtle.

artwork by Renzo Garavito x.com/R_o_XIII

Protolamna ricaurtei 

 

Cristian D. Benavides-Cabra, María E. Páramo-Fonseca, José A. Narváez-Rincón and Daniel E. Pomar. 2026. A large lamniform shark from the Aptian of Villa de Leiva (Boyacá, Colombia), based on the first Lower Cretaceous shark specimen preserving both teeth and vertebrae. Cretaceous Research. 178, 106211. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106211 

 x.com/R_o_XIII/status/1970514496184865019

[Herpetology • 2019] Cnemaspis tanintharyi & C. thayawthadangyi • The Discovery of Rock Geckos Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in the Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar with the Description of Two New Species

 Cnemaspis tanintharyi

Lee, Miller, Zug & Mulcahy, 2019

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.2  

 Researchgate.net/publication/335408115

 Abstract   

We report the first occurrence of the Asian Rock Gecko genus Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 from mainland Myanmar based on a series of specimens recently collected from the Tanintharyi Region. These records come from several localities in the Tanintharyi Region and fill a significant sampling gap for the genus. Molecular phylogenetic analyses using the mitochondrial gene ND2 identify two distinct clades, the first includes Cnemaspis siamensis of the Southeast Asian Cnemaspis group and the second includes two new species belonging to the South Asian Cnemaspis kandiana group. These two species are morphologically distinct and are distinguished from all other members in the C. kandiana group by a combination of character states. The first species, Cnemaspis tanintharyi sp. nov. occurs on the mainland in southern Tanintharyi and is distinguished from all congeners by the possession of keeled pectoral scales; smooth ventral scales and abdominal scales; 2–4 precloacal pores; 4–5 femoral pores on each leg; smooth subcaudal scales with the median row enlarged; coloration of the gular region beige, dark gray-brown with dark blue hueing towards throat; 15–18 subdigital lamellae on the 4th toe; and 21–23 ventral scales at midbody. The other, Cnemaspis thayawthadangyi sp. nov. is known only from the island group of Thayawthadangyi, in the Myeik Archipelago and is distinguished from all congeners by the possession of keeled pectoral scales; keeled ventral scales and abdominal scales; three precloacal pores; four femoral pores on each leg; smooth subcaudal scales, scales on median row enlarged; coloration of the gular region silver with dark-gray irregularly shaped streaks; 16–18 subdigital lamellae on the 4th toe; and 18–20 ventral scales at midbody. In addition, we address the taxonomic status of populations referred to as C. kandiana (a species now restricted to Sri Lanka) found in peninsular Thailand and provisionally assign them as C. cf. tanintharyi sp. nov. until further analysis can be conducted. Finally, we briefly discuss the biogeography of the South Asian clade of Cnemaspis.

Keywords: Taxonomy, lizards, Southeast Asia, biodiversity, Reptilia, morphology

 Cnemaspis tanintharyi sp. nov. Holotype. USNM 587514.
Photographed in life (A) with view of the habitat surrounding the Type Locality (B).

Photograph A by Daniel G. Mulcahy, Photograph B by Bonnie B. Blaimer.

Distribution of the two new Cnemaspis from Myanmar, showing the distribution of Cnemaspis tanintharyi sp. nov. (Blue), Cnemaspis thayawthadangyi sp. nov. (Orange) and nearby Cnemaspis phuketensis (Green). Stars represent type localities. Records identified as Cnemaspis cf. tanintharyi from Thailand are represented by blue question marks.

Justin L. Lee, Aryeh H. Miller, George R. Zug and Daniel G. Mulcahy. 2019. The Discovery of Rock Geckos Cnemaspis Strauch, 1887 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) in the Tanintharyi Region, Myanmar with the Description of Two New Species. Zootaxa. 4661(1); 40–64. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4661.1.2 

  Researchgate.net/publication/335408115_Cnemaspis_in_the_Tanintharyi_Region_Myanmar
 twitter.com/Miller8Ari/status/1166165809368109058
The discovery of two new gecko species from southern Myanmar  aryehmiller.com/2019/08/27/the-discovery-of-two-new-species-of-gecko-from-southern-myanmar/ via @wordpressdotcom

  

[Botany • 2019] Rehderodendron truongsonense (Styracaceae) • A New Species from Vietnam

Rehderodendron truongsonense  P.W. Fritsch, W.B. Liao, & W.Y. Zhao,

in Zhao, Fritsch, Do, Fan, Yin, Penneys, Swenson et Liao, 2019. 

DOI: doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v13.i1.837 

Researchgate.net/publication/339042256

Rehderodendron truongsonense, a new species from Vietnam, is described and illustrated. In the treatment of the Styracaceae for the Flore du Cambodge, du Laos, et du Viêtnam, specimens of this species were recognized as R. macrocarpum Hu. These specimens clearly differ from R. macrocarpum, however, as well as from all other species of Rehderodendron (where these characters are known) by, e.g., an evergreen versus deciduous habit, fewer secondary veins of the leaf blade, shorter inflorescences and corolla lobes, large and conspicuous lowermost bracteoles, the presence of eight ovules per carpel, and a fruit with ca. 10 to 20 ribs that are indistinct. Phylogenetic analysis based on five chloroplast DNA regions (clpP-psbB, ndhD-psaC-ndhE-ndhG, rpl22-rps19, rps18-rpl20, and psbI-trnS-GCU) placed the new species as nested within Rehderodendron and sister to R. gongshanense. This new species is endemic to the Truong Son Mountain Range, from which the epithet is derived, and we assign it an IUCN Red List preliminary status as Near Threatened.

  Images of living Rehderodendron truongsonense: reproductive characters.
A. Inflorescences showing bud scales, prophylls, bracteoles, and flowers in bud and at anthesis. B. Inflorescences showing flowers in bud and at anthesis showing stamens and styles. C. Branchlet with immature fruit. D. Branchlet with nearly mature fruit. Note indistinct ribs. E. Fruit cut transversely near middle showing three locules with one seed each. F. Old fruit showing endocarp tissue with radiating rays and two locules separated by a central canal.

A, B, U. Swenson et al. 2131; photographs by U. Swenson. C, F, Q. Fan et al. 17322; photographs by Q. Fan. D, E, Swenson et al. 2018; photographs by V.T. Do.

Rehderodendron truongsonense P.W. Fritsch, W.B. Liao, & W.Y. Zhao, sp. nov. 

Wan-Yi Zhao, Peter W. Fritsch, Van Truong Do, Qiang Fan, Qian-Yi Yin, Darin S. Penneys, Ulf Swenson, Wen-Bo Liao. 2019. Rehderodendron truongsonense (STYRACACEAE), A New Species from Vietnam. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas. 13(1); 157 – 171. DOI: doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v13.i1.837 

Researchgate.net/publication/339042256_Rehderodendron_truongsonense_a_new_species_from_Vietnam

[Entomology • 2019] Emphylica crassihamata • Revision of the Genus Emphylica Turner, 1913 (Lepidoptera: Crambidae: Pyraustinae) based on Morphology and Molecular Data

[2, 12] E. diaphana,   [3, 13] Emphylica crassihamata,
[4, 14] E. cruoralis,   [15] E. xanthocrossa, 
    

in Chen, Liu, Jin & Zhang, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.836.32796

Abstract

Moths of the genus Emphylica Turner, 1913 resemble species of Achyra Guenée, 1849, Loxostege Hübner, 1825 and Sitochroa Hübner, 1825 in having a conical frons. In order to examine the monophyly of Emphylica, and its relationship to other genera with a conical frons, a molecular phylogenetic framework is reconstructed based on sequence data of COI, 16S rRNA, 28S rRNA, EF-1α and Wg gene regions. The results robustly support the monophyly of Emphylica. Achyra + (Loxostege + Sitochroa) is in a sister position to Emphylica. A new species, E. crassihamata sp. n., is described from Southern China and two new combinations, E. diaphana (Caradja & Meyrick, 1934), comb. n. and E. cruoralis (Warren, 1895), comb. n., are proposed. An identification key based on males is provided for all Emphylica species. The adult habitus and genitalia of all species are figured.

Keywords: Achyra, China, conical frons, Loxostege, molecular phylogeny, new combinations, new species, Sitochroa

Head profiles of species of Emphylica, Loxostege, Achyra and Sitochroa
2 Emphylica diaphana 3 E. crassihamata 4 E. cruoralis
5 E. xanthocrossa. 6 Loxostege sticticalis 7 L. deliblatica
8 Achyra massalis 9 Sitochroa umbrosalis 10 S. palealis.

Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Adults of Emphylica spp. 
12 Emphylica diaphana, male (Hexi, Fujian) 13 E. crassihamata, holotype, male (Shixing, Guangdong)
14 E. cruoralis, male (Khasis, India) 15 E. xanthocrossa, female (Hidden Valley, Western Australia).

  Scale bar: 5.0 mm.

 Kai Chen, Qingming Liu, Jianhua Jin and Dandan Zhang. 2019. Revision of the Genus Emphylica Turner, 1913 based on Morphology and Molecular Data (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Pyraustinae).  ZooKeys. 836: 113-133.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.836.32796

[Botany • 2019] Sedum lipingense (Crassulaceae) • Identifying A New stonecrop Species in SE Guizhou, China, based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence

 

 Sedum lipingense R.B.Zhang, D.Tan & R.X.Wei, 

in Zhang, Deng, Dou, He, Lv et Jiang, 2019. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.134.38287 

Abstract

We describe and illustrate Sedum lipingense (Crassulaceae), a new species of stonecrop found in the limestone areas of SE Guizhou, China. Based on the presence of adaxially gibbous carpels and follicles, this taxon belongs to sect. Sedum S.H. Fu. The new species superficially resembles S. subtile Miquel and S. bulbiferum Makino but differs from these two taxa in its development of a basal leaf rosette during florescence. The nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences also support the claim that this plant is a new species in the Sedum genus.

Keywords: flora of Guizhou, karst, limestone flora, new taxon, Sedum lipingense

 Sedum lipingense 
A flowering plant B opened corolla C sepals D two follicles E seed F nectar scales G rosette leaf H distal leaf I bract of flower.

Drawn by Tan Deng.

 Sedum lipingense 
A natural habitat B 3-branched scorpioid cyme C follicles and bracts D single flowering stems derived from rosette centers.

Charted by Ren-Bo Zhang.

Sedum lipingense R.B. Zhang, D. Tan & R.X. Wei, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Sedum lipingense can be distinguished from the closely related S. subtile and S. bulbiferum by the presence of rosettes, absent sterile shoots and bulbils, subequal lanceolate-oblong sepals, and other traits.  

 Ren-Bo Zhang, Tan Deng, Quan-Li Dou, Lin He, Xin-Yun Lv and Hong Jiang. 2019. Sedum lipingense (Crassulaceae) Identifying A New Stonecrop Species in SE Guizhou, China, based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence.  PhytoKeys. 134: 125-133. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.134.38287

[Botany • 2019] Clinanthus inflatus & Ismene parviflora • Taxonomic Novelties in Amaryllidaceae from the Department of Ancash, Peru, and A New Combination in Clinanthus

 

Ismene parviflora & Clinanthus inflatus 

Meerow & A.Cano

in Meerow et Cano, 2019.   

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.131.36160

Abstract

Clinanthus inflatus and Ismene parviflora (Amaryllidaceae) are described from Ancash Department in Peru. The flower of C. inflatus is urceolate, and resembles that of Urceolina (Amaryllidaceae tr. Eucharideae), a unique morphology for the genus. Ismene parviflora, with its small, loosely formed, narrowly funnelform-tubular perigone with a ventricose limb, appears to have some affinity to subgen. Pseudostenomesson and may represent an intermediate form between the former and species of subgen. Ismene. Stenomesson rubrum is transferred to Clinanthus as C. ruber on the basis of its narrowly lorate leaf morphology.

Keywords: Amaryllidaceae, Andean biodiversity, Clinantheae, Hymenocallideae, Ismene, monocots, Neotropical flora, taxonomy

Clinanthus inflatus. A Habit B whole flower C whole flower cut open to show staminal corona and ovule number.

Drawing by Klei Sousa.

Clinanthus inflatus Meerow & A.Cano, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: This species differs from all known species of Clinanthus by the uniquely inflated perigone, the shape and coloration of which is reminiscent of the genus Urceolina Rchb. (Eucharideae) or superficially certain species of Andean vaccinioid Ericaceae.

Etymology: The specific epithet is from Latin and refers to the abruptly inflated perigone.

 Ismene parviflora 
D–E flowers F habit in cultivation.

 photos by Asunción Cano 

Ismene parviflora Meerow & A.Cano, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Ismene parviflora differs from all other species of the genus by the small flowers (< 4 cm long), that are loosely funnelform, terminating with a ventricose limb, but not infundibular to the degree of I. vargasii and I. morrisonii (subgen. Pseudostenomesson Meerow), the latter species to which it approaches in size. All other species of Ismene have large, crateriform flowers (subgen. Ismene) or large, zygomorphic flowers (subgen. Elisena).

Distribution and ecology: Ismene parviflora is known only from the type locality (Fig. 3), in seasonally dry vegetation.

Etymology: The specific epithet is from Latin and refers to the small size of the flowers.

 Alan W. Meerow and Asunción Cano. 2019. Taxonomic Novelties in Amaryllidaceae from the Department of Ancash, Peru, and A New Combination in Clinanthus. PhytoKeys. 131: 115-126. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.131.36160

Resumen: Clinanthus inflatus (Amaryllidaceae) e Ismene parviflora se describen del departamento de Ancash en el Perú. La flor de C. inflatus es urceolada, y se asemeja a la de Urceolina (Amaryllidaceae tr. Eucharideae), una morfología única para el género. Ismene parviflora, con su forma suelta, perigonio angostamente funeliforme-tubular con una limbo ventricoso, parece tener alguna afinidad al subgen. Pseudostenomesson y puede representar una forma intermedia entre el primero y las especie de subgen. Ismene. Stenomesson rubrum se transfiere a Clinanthus como C. ruber, sobre la base de su morfología de hoja acintada estrecha.

[Paleontology • 2019] Portugalosuchus azenhae • A New Eusuchian Crocodylomorph from the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) of Portugal reveals Novel Implications on the Origin of Crocodylia

Portugalosuchus azenhae 

Mateus, Puértolas-Pascual & Callapez, 2019

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zly064

Abstract

The fossil record of Eusuchia extends back to the Early Cretaceous (Barremian), with the English species Hylaeochampsa vectiana being the oldest known representative of the clade so far. However, the eusuchian record from the Barremian to the Santonian is scarce and fragmentary worldwide. Here we described a new eusuchian crocodylomorph based on a partial skull and lower jaw from the Early Upper Cenomanian of the Tentugal Formation, in the Baixo Mondego region, west-central Portugal. The specimen exhibits a series of characters not seen in other taxa, allowing its assignment to a new genus and species named Portugalosuchus azenhae gen. et sp. nov. The results of a cladistic analysis place this specimen within Crocodylia, as the sister taxon to all other non-gavialoid crocodylians. Therefore, this Portuguese specimen represents the only well-documented and valid eusuchian species in the Cenomanian in Europe, and may be the oldest representative of Crocodylia known so far, helping to fill a gap in the fossil record of Eusuchia from the Barremian to the Campanian. In addition, the discovery of this new taxon sheds light on the radiation of Eusuchia and the origin of Crocodylia, which probably took place in Europe.  

Crocodylomorpha, Eusuchia, phylogeny, systematics

 

  

  

Octávio Mateus, Eduardo Puértolas-Pascual and Pedro M Callapez. 2019. A New Eusuchian Crocodylomorph from the Cenomanian (Late Cretaceous) of Portugal reveals Novel Implications on the Origin of Crocodylia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zly064.  DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zly064 

 

Descoberto em Portugal o mais antigo crocodilo fóssil do mundo tsf.pt/sociedade/interior/descoberto-em-portugal-o-mais-antigo-crocodilo-fossil-do-mundo-10286846.html

Portugalosuchus: Paleontólogos portugueses descobrem nova espécie: o mais antigo crocodilo fóssil conhecido dct.fct.unl.pt/investigacao/portugalosuchus

Paleontólogos portugueses descobrem o mais antigo crocodilo fóssil do mundo em Tentúgal: observador.pt/2018/12/06/paleontologos-portugueses-descobrem-o-mais-antigo-crocodilo-fossil/ via @observadorpt

Paleontologia. O fóssil de crocodilo mais antigo do mundo é de Tentúgal publico.pt/2018/12/06/ciencia/noticia/fossil-crocodilo-antigo-mundo-tentugal-1853821