[Ichthyology • 2021] Island Colonization by A ‘Rheophilic’ Fish: the Phylogeography of Garra ceylonensis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka

 Garra ceylonensis   

in Sudasinghe, Dahanukar, Raghavan, ... et Meegaskumbura, 2021.

 DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa221

 twitter.com/HiranyaSud

 

Abstract

Despite exhibiting multiple morphological adaptations to living in swiftly flowing water (rheophily), Garra ceylonensis is one of the most widely distributed freshwater fish in Sri Lanka. It is thus an ideal organism to reconstruct the evolutionary history of a widespread, yet morphologically specialized, freshwater fish in a tropical-island setting. We analysed the phylogenetic and phylogeographic relationships of G. ceylonensis based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear genes. G. ceylonensis is shown to be monophyletic, with a sister-group relationship to the Indian species Garra mullya. Our results suggest a single colonization of Sri Lanka by ancestral Garra, in the late Pliocene. This suggests that the Palk Isthmus, which was exposed for most of the Pleistocene, had a hydroclimate unsuited to the dispersal of fishes such as Garra. G. ceylonensis exhibits strong phylogeographic structure: six subclades are distributed as genetically distinct populations in clusters of contiguous river basins, albeit with two exceptions. Our data reveal one or more Pleistocene extirpation events, evidently driven by aridification, with relict populations subsequently re-colonizing the island. The phylogeographic structure of G. ceylonensis suggests inter-basin dispersal largely through headwater capture, likely facilitated by free-swimming post-larvae. The Peninsular-Indian species G. mullya comprises two genetically distinct parapatric clades, which may represent distinct species.

Keywords: biogeography, dispersal, freshwater fish, Labeoninae, phylogeny, Pleistocene, torrent fish

Garra ceylonensis Bleeker, 1863

Hiranya Sudasinghe, Neelesh Dahanukar, Rajeev Raghavan, Tharani Senavirathna, Dipeshwari J Shewale, Mandar S Paingankar, Anjalie Amarasinghe, Rohan Pethiyagoda, Lukas Rüber and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2021. Island Colonization by A ‘Rheophilic’ Fish: the Phylogeography of Garra ceylonensis (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. blaa221. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa221

 twitter.com/HiranyaSud/status/1359782960258514944

     

     

[Herpetology • 2021] Species Diversity and Biogeography of An Ancient Frog Clade from the Guiana Shield (Anura: Microhylidae: Adelastes, Otophryne, Synapturanus) exhibiting Spectacular Phenotypic Diversification

iin Fouquet, Leblanc, Framit, Réjaud, ... et Fabre, 2021. 

DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa204 

 twitter.com/santiak

 

Abstract

The outstanding biodiversity of the Guiana Shield has raised many questions about its origins and evolution. Frogs of the genera Adelastes, Otophryne and Synapturanus form an ancient lineage distributed mostly across this region. These genera display strikingly disparate morphologies and life-history traits. Notably, Synapturanus is conspicuously adapted to fossoriality and is the only genus within this group to have dispersed further into Amazonia. Moreover, morphological differences among Synapturanus species suggest different degrees of fossoriality that might be linked to their biogeographical history. Through integrative analysis of genetic, morphometric and acoustic data, we delimited 25 species in this clade, representing a fourfold increase. We found that the entire clade started to diversify ~55 Mya and Synapturanus ~30 Mya. Members of this genus probably dispersed three times out of the Guiana Shield both before and after the Pebas system, a wetland ecosystem occupying most of Western Amazonia during the Miocene. Using a three-dimensional osteological dataset, we characterized a high morphological disparity across the three genera. Within Synapturanus, we further characterized distinct phenotypes that emerged concomitantly with dispersals during the Miocene and possibly represent adaptations to different habitats, such as soils with different physical properties.

Keywords: Amazonia, Amphibia, integrative taxonomy, micro-computed tomography, mitogenomics

 

Antoine Fouquet, Killian Leblanc, Marlene Framit, Alexandre Réjaud, Miguel T Rodrigues, Santiago Castroviejo-Fisher, Pedro L V Peloso, Ivan Prates, Sophie Manzi, Uxue Suescun, Sabrina Baroni, Leandro J C L Moraes, Renato Recoder, Sergio Marques de Souza, Francisco Dal Vecchio, Agustín Camacho, José Mario Ghellere, Fernando J M Rojas-Runjaic, Giussepe Gagliardi-Urrutia, Vinícius Tadeu de Carvalho, Marcelo Gordo, Marcelo Menin, Philippe J R Kok, Tomas Hrbek, Fernanda P Werneck, Andrew J Crawford, Santiago R Ron, Jonh Jairo Mueses-Cisneros, Rommel Roberto Rojas Zamora, Dante Pavan, Pedro Ivo Simões, Raffael Ernst and Anne-Claire Fabre. 2021. Species Diversity and Biogeography of An Ancient Frog Clade from the Guiana Shield (Anura: Microhylidae: Adelastes, Otophryne, Synapturanus) exhibiting Spectacular Phenotypic Diversification. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 132(2); 233–256. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa204

  twitter.com/santiak/status/1351841370298863617

[Arachnida • 2021] Phylogenomics of Peacock Spiders and Their Kin (Salticidae: Maratus), with Implications for the Evolution of Male Courtship Displays

Girard, Elias, Azevedo, ... et Hedin, 2021.

DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa165

 twitter.com/MarshalHedin

 

Abstract

Understanding diversity has been a pursuit in evolutionary biology since its inception. A challenge arises when sexual selection has played a role in diversification. Questions of what constitutes a ‘species’, homoplasy vs. synapomorphy, and whether sexually selected traits show phylogenetic signal have hampered work on many systems. Peacock spiders are famous for sexually selected male courtship dances and peacock-like abdominal ornamentation. This lineage of jumping spiders currently includes over 90 species classified into two genera, Maratus and Saratus. Most Maratus species have been placed into groups based on secondary sexual characters, but evolutionary relationships remain unresolved. Here we assess relationships in peacock spiders using phylogenomic data (ultraconserved elements and RAD-sequencing). Analyses reveal that Maratus and the related genus Saitis are paraphyletic. Many, but not all, morphological groups within a ‘core Maratus’ clade are recovered as genetic clades but we find evidence for undocumented speciation. Based on original observations of male courtship, our comparative analyses suggest that courtship behaviour and peacock-like abdominal ornamentation have evolved sequentially, with some traits inherited from ancestors and others evolving repeatedly and independently from ‘simple’ forms. Our results have important implications for the taxonomy of these spiders, and provide a much-needed evolutionary framework for comparative studies of the evolution of sexual signal characters.

Keywords: Australia, character evolution, multimodal signals, rapid evolution, sexual selection, taxonomy, ultraconserved elements

Madeline B Girard, Damian O Elias, Guilherme Azevedo, Ke Bi, Michael M Kasumovic, Julianne M Waldock, Erica Bree Rosenblum and Marshal Hedin. 2021. Phylogenomics of Peacock Spiders and Their Kin (Salticidae: Maratus), with Implications for the Evolution of Male Courtship Displays. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. blaa165. DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa165

 twitter.com/MarshalHedin/status/1357357816537747456

[Entomology • 2020] Prosoeca torquata • Key Long-proboscid Fly Pollinator Overlooked: Morphological and Molecular Analyses reveal A New Prosoeca Species (Diptera: Nemestrinidae)

Prosoeca torquata hovering over Lapeirousia dolomitica.

in Theron, Grenier, Anderson, ... et van der Niet, 2020. 

DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa075  

 Photo: Florent Grenier. 

twitter.com/Gen_Theron

 

Abstract

Long-proboscid nemestrinid flies are keystone pollinators of dozens of Southern African plants and, consequently, their taxonomic status might have important consequences for insect and plant conservation. We focus on Prosoeca peringueyi, considered to be a single, morphologically variable species, upon which a guild of ~28 plants in the winter rainfall region depends for pollination. We quantified morphological variation and established whether it was associated with genetic variation within and among sites. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial COI gene revealed two well-supported clades. One clade contains long-proboscid individuals that conform morphologically to the holotype of P. peringueyi. The sister clade contains individuals that frequently occur sympatrically with P. peringueyi and have shorter proboscides, with additional diagnostic characters that set it apart from P. peringueyi. A haplotype analysis based on nuclear ribosomal 28S DNA sequences of a subset of individuals corroborated these results. Based on our results, we propose the recognition of two species: P. peringueyi and Prosoeca torquata sp. nov., which is described here. Future research is required to quantify the interaction networks of these two fly species and the plant guilds with which they interact, to facilitate conservation in the global biodiversity hotspot where they occur.

Keywords: cryptic species, DNA barcoding, keystone pollinator, morphological variation, proboscis, Succulent Karoo, tangle-veined flies, taxonomy

Photographs of in situ adult Prosoeca peringueyi visiting Zaluzianskya sp. 

 Photo: Steven Johnson. 

twitter.com/Gen_Theron

Prosoeca torquata hovering over Lapeirousia dolomitica.

 Photo: Florent Grenier. 

twitter.com/Gen_Theron

      Prosoeca Schiner, 1867

 Prosoeca torquata Theron sp. nov.

 

Etymology: torquata (Latin) = being adorned with a neck collar; referring to the characteristic white band of hairs on the anterior margin of the thorax.

Genevieve L. Theron, Florent Grenier, Bruce C. Anderson, Allan G. Ellis, Steven D. Johnson, John M. Midgley and Timotheüs van der Niet. 2020. Key Long-proboscid Fly Pollinator Overlooked: Morphological and Molecular Analyses reveal A New Prosoeca (Nemestrinidae) Species. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. blaa075.  DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa075

My very first #fly #LongTongueFly description and first PhD chapter is finally out! Special flies that have tongues far longer than their bodies and pollinate loads of pretty flowers!! #Nemestrinidae #Namaqualand #RSA @UKZN @StellenboschUni

  twitter.com/Gen_Theron/status/1292710328095125509

twitter.com/BiolJLinnSoc/status/1292133219295469573

[Botany • 2020] Phylogenetics of the Mycoheterotrophic Genus Thismia (Thismiaceae: Dioscoreales) with A Focus on the Old World Taxa: Delineation of Novel Natural Groups and Insights Into the Evolution of Morphological Traits

Thismia spp.

in Shepeleva, Schelkunov, Hroneš, Sochor, Dančák, Merckx, Kikuchi, Chantanaorrapint, Suetsugu, et al., 2020. 

DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boaa017 

  twitter.com/BotJLinnSoc

Abstract

Thismia is a genus of > 80 mycoheterotrophic species characterized by a peculiar appearance and complex floral morphology. A significant proportion of the species and morphological diversity of Thismia has only been uncovered in the past two decades, and new discoveries continue to be made. Given that many new data have recently become available, and the most comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus from 1938 addresses less than half of the currently known species, previous hypotheses for species relationships and infrageneric taxonomic classification in Thismia was in need of review. Extensive molecular phylogenetic studies of Thismia at the genus level have never been presented. We investigate the phylogenetic relationships of 41 species (and one variety) of Thismia from the Old World. Our study comprises 68 specimens (for 28 of which the data were newly generated), including outgroup taxa broadly representing Thismiaceae (= Burmanniaceae p.p. sensuAPG IV, 2016), and is based on two nuclear and one mitochondrial marker. We use maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference to infer relationships among the taxa. We also constructed a morphological dataset of 12 mostly floral characters, comparing these characters to hypotheses based on molecular evidence to identify putative synapomorphies for major clades and to discuss hypotheses regarding the evolution of structural traits in the genus. Our analyses indicate that the majority of currently accepted infrageneric taxa of Thismia are polyphyletic. We find support for the monophyly of the Old World group, in which we recognize five well-supported lineages (clades); the only New World species studied appears to be related to the Neotropical genus Tiputinia. Ancestral state reconstructions demonstrate that the evolution of most morphological characters was homoplastic, but we identify characters that provide each of the five clades of Old World Thismia with a unique morphological description. The geographical distribution of the species under study is also shown to be consistent with the major clades. Our investigation provides a phylogenetic basis for the development of a novel sectional classification of Thismia reflecting morphological and geographical traits.

Keywords: floral traits, high-throughput sequencing, molecular phylogenetics, monocots, non-photosynthetic plants, South-East Asia

Ekaterina A. Shepeleva, Mikhail I. Schelkunov, Michal Hroneš, Michal Sochor, Martin Dančák, Vincent Sft Merckx, Izai Abs Kikuchi, Sahut Chantanaorrapint, Kenji Suetsugu, Hirokazu Tsukaya, Shek S. Mar, Hong Truong Luu, Hong-Qing Li, Maria D. Logacheva and Maxim S. Nuraliev. 2020. Phylogenetics of the Mycoheterotrophic Genus Thismia (Thismiaceae: Dioscoreales) with A Focus on the Old World Taxa: Delineation of Novel Natural Groups and Insights Into the Evolution of Morphological Traits. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. boaa017. DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boaa017  

 twitter.com/BotJLinnSoc/status/1246390482651013121

[Herpetology • 2019] Endemic, Endangered and Evolutionarily Significant: Cryptic Lineages in Seychelles' Frogs (Anura: Sooglossidae)

Family Sooglossidae 

Sechellophryne spp. 

Sooglossus spp. 

in Labisko, Griffiths, Chong-Seng, et al., 2019. 

  DOI:  10.1093/biolinnean/bly183  

 twitter.com/JimLabisko

Abstract

Cryptic diversity corresponding with island of origin has been previously reported in the endemic, geographically restricted sooglossid frogs of the Seychelles archipelago. The evolutionary pattern behind this has not been fully explored, and given current amphibian declines and the increased extinction risk faced by island species, we sought to identify evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) to address conservation concerns for these highly threatened anurans. We obtained genetic data for two mitochondrial (mtDNA) and four nuclear (nuDNA) genes from all known populations of sooglossid frog (on the islands of Mahé, Praslin and Silhouette) for phylogenetic analyses and to construct nuDNA haplotype networks. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses of mtDNA support the monophyly and molecular differentiation of populations in all species that occur on multiple islands. Haplotype networks using statistical parsimony revealed multiple high-frequency haplotypes shared between islands and taxa, in addition to numerous geographically distinct (island-specific) haplotypes for each species. We consider each island-specific population of sooglossid frog as an ESU and advise conservation managers to do likewise. Furthermore, our results identify each island lineage as a candidate species, evidence for which is supported by analyses of mtDNA based on Bayesian Poisson tree processes, and independent analyses of mtDNA and nuDNA using the multispecies coalescent. Our findings add to the growing understanding of the biogeography and hidden diversity within this globally important region.

Keywords: candidate species, cryptic diversity, evolutionarily significant unit, Indian Ocean, insular amphibians, islands, Sechellophryne, Seychelles, Sooglossidae, Sooglossus

Jim Labisko, Richard A. Griffiths, Lindsay Chong-Seng, Nancy Bunbury, Simon T. Maddock, Kay S. Bradfield, Michelle L. Taylor and Jim J Groombridge. 2019. Endemic, Endangered and Evolutionarily Significant: Cryptic Lineages in Seychelles' Frogs (Anura: Sooglossidae).  Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. bly183 DOI:  10.1093/biolinnean/bly183 

 twitter.com/JimLabisko/status/1086639417349963776

@SeyAmphibians @Simon_Maddock @BiolJLinnSoc

    

[Herpetology • 2018] Phylogenomics of Montane Frogs of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is Consistent with Isolation in Sky Islands Followed by Climatic Stability

Brachycephalus investigated in the present study. 
 Brachycephalus brunneus; B. izecksohni; B. fuscolineatus & B. auroguttatus. 

in Pie, Faircloth, Ribeiro, et al., 2018.

DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly093  

 twitter.com/MarcioPie

Abstract

Despite encompassing a relatively small geographical area, montane regions harbour disproportionately high levels of species diversity and endemism. Nonetheless, relatively little is known about the evolutionary mechanisms that ultimately lead to montane diversity. In this study, we used target capture of ultraconserved elements to investigate the phylogenetic relationships and diversification patterns of Melanophryniscus (Bufonidae) and Brachycephalus (Brachycephalidae), two frog genera that occur in sky islands of the southern Atlantic Forest of Brazil. Specifically, we tested whether diversification of montane species in these genera could be explained by a single climatic shift leading to isolation in sky islands, followed by climatic stability that maintained populations in allopatry. In both genera, the topologies inferred using concatenation and coalescent-based methods were concordant and had strong nodal support, except for a few recent splits, which nevertheless tended to be supported by more informative loci. Estimation of divergence time of a combined dataset using both genera is consistent with a concordant timing of their diversification. These results support the scenario of diversification by isolation in sky islands and suggest that allopatry attributable to climatic gradients in montane regions is an important mechanism for generating species diversity and endemism in these regions.

Brachycephalus, coalescent, Melanophryniscus, target enrichment, ultraconserved elements

Figure 1. Examples of the species of Brachycephalus investigated in the present study.
E, Brachycephalus brunneus. F, Brachycephalus izecksohni. G, Brachycephalus fuscolineatus. H, Brachycephalus auroguttatus.

Photographs by L.F. Ribeiro.

 twitter.com/MarcioPie

Marcio R. Pie, Brant C. Faircloth, Luiz F. Ribeiro, Marcos R. Bornschein and John E Mccormack. 2018. Phylogenomics of Montane Frogs of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is Consistent with Isolation in Sky Islands Followed by Climatic Stability. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. bly093.   DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly093   

twitter.com/MarcioPie/status/1018966075323666432

Marcio R. Pie, Brant C Faircloth, Luiz Fernando Ribeiro, Marcos R. Bornschein and John McCormack. 2018. Phylogenomics of montane frogs of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest supports a scenario of isolation in sky islands followed by relative climatic stability. bioRxiv. 226159.  DOI: 10.1101/226159

[Ornithology • 2017] Phylogeography of Bulbuls in the Genus Iole (Aves: Pycnonotidae)

S. Manawatthana, P. Laosinchai, N. Onparn, W.Y. Brockelman & P.D. Round. 2017.
 Phylogeography of Bulbuls in the Genus Iole (Aves: Pycnonotidae). 

Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 120(4); 931-944.  DOI:  10.1093/biolinnean/blw013 

Abstract

Southeast Asia is one of the most geologically dynamic regions of the world with great species diversity and high endemism. We studied the bulbuls of the south and southeast Asian genus Iole (Aves: Pycnonotidae) in order to analyse their evolutionary relationships and describe their patterns of diversification and delimit species boundaries. Our phylogeographic reconstruction, based on two mitochondrial and one nuclear markers, sampled from all 13 recognized Iole taxa, presently grouped as four species, revealing three primary lineages: (1) a Palawan lineage (2) a Sundaic group distributed in the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo and (3) an Indochinese group distributed throughout continental Southeast Asia. Divergence time estimation suggested that the Palawan lineage diverged during the Miocene (around 9.7 Mya), a later split between the Sundaic and Indochinese lineages occurring around 7.2 Mya. The present classification of Iole based on morphology does not accurately reflect taxonomic relationships within the genus, in which we recognize five more putative species. An integrative approach that incorporates morphology and bioacoustics should further refine our understanding of species limits among Iole taxa.

Keywords: Iole, phylogeny, phylogeography, pycnonotidae, species tree

Sontaya Manawatthana, Parames Laosinchai, Nuttaphon Onparn,Warren Y. Brockelman and Philip D. Round. 2017. Phylogeography of Bulbuls in the Genus Iole (Aves: Pycnonotidae). Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 120(4); 931-944..  DOI:  10.1093/biolinnean/blw013

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สรุปคร่าวๆเฉพาะส่วนของประเทศไทย 

นกปรอดสกุล Iole (อ่านว่า ไอโอลี่) เดิมพบได้ในไทย 3 ชนิดคือ

1.) นกปรอดเล็กตาขาว (Grey-eyed Bulbul; Iole propinqua)

2.) นกปรอดเล็กสีไพลตาแดง (Olive Bulbul; Iole viridescens)

3.) นกปรอดหงอนตาขาว (Buff-vented Bulbul; Iole charlottae)

ทั้งสามชนิดมีลักษณะภายนอกใกล้เคียงกันมาก 

ซึ่งผลจากการศึกษานี้ทำให้มีนกชนิดใหม่ของไทยเพิ่มขึ้นมาอีก 1 ชนิด คือ

4.) Baker’s Bulbul (Iole cinnamomeoventris; ยังไม่มีชื่อภาษาไทยอย่างเป็นทางการ) 

- นกชนิดใหม่นี้เดิมถูกจัดเป็นเพียงชนิดย่อยของนกปรอดเล็กตาขาว เนื่องจากมีลักษณะภายนอกใกล้เคียงปรอดเล็กตาขาวมากๆ จนหลายๆครั้งในภาคสนามไม่เห็นความแตกต่าง 

- แต่จากการวิเคราะห์ DNA พบว่ามันมีความแตกต่างในเชิงวิวัฒนาการมากจนสมควรจะแยกเป็นชนิดใหม่ และยังพบว่ามีสายวิวัฒนาการใกล้ชิดกับ ปรอดเล็กสีไพลตาแดง (แทนที่จะใกล้ชิดกับปรอดเล็กตาขาวอย่างที่ถูกจัดไว้เป็นชนิดย่อยเดิม) 

- พบในภาคใต้ของไทย บริเวณด้ามขวานตั้งแต่ราวๆ จ.เพชรบุรีลงไปถึงราวๆ จ.สงขลา

- ลักษณะที่ใช้จำแนกในภาคสนามได้ดีที่สุดคือเสียงร้อง จะต่างกับปรอดหงอนตาขาวที่ลักษณะภายนอกคล้ายคลึงกันและพบในบริเวณภาคใต้เหมือนกัน

ตัวอย่างเสียงของ Iole cinnamomeoventris  http://www.xeno-canto.org/336909

ตัวอย่างเสียงของ ปรอดหงอนตาขาว Iole charlottae  http://www.xeno-canto.org/336936

- ชื่อ Baker's Bulbul ตั้งเพื่อเป็นเกียรติแก่ E. C. Stuart Baker นักปักษีวิทยาชาวอังกฤษ ซึ่งเป็นคนแรกที่จำแนกชนิดย่อย cinnamomeoventris นี้ไว้เมื่อปี 1917 

--------------------------------

ถ้านับรวมทั้งเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ เดิมนกปรอดสกุลนี้มีทั้งหมด 4 ชนิด ผล DNA จากการศึกษานี้บ่งชี้ว่าควรจะจำแนกเพิ่มอีก 5 ชนิด รวมเป็น 9 ชนิด ใครสนใจสามารถอ่านรายละเอียดได้ในงานวิจัยฉบับเต็มครับ: academic.oup.com/biolinnean/article-abstract/120/4/931/2970060/Phylogeography-of-bulbuls-in-the-genus-Iole-Aves

ทั้งนี้ เปเปอร์แรกนี้จะเน้นเฉพาะผลจากการวิเคราะห์ DNA อาจจะอ่านยากสำหรับคนทั่วไปซักหน่อย ยังมีเปเปอร์ที่สองที่จะพูดถึงลักษณะภายนอก สีขน และผลการวิเคราะห์เสียงร้อง ที่ตอนนี้กำลังอยู่ระหว่างเตรียมส่งตีพิมพ์ครับ

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[Herpetology • 2016] Archipelago-wide Survey of Philippine Forest Dragons (Agamidae: Gonocephalus): Multilocus Phylogeny uncovers Unprecedented Levels of Genetic Diversity in A Biodiversity Hotspot

Abstract

We utilize robust geographical genetic sampling, and phylogenetic analysis of a new multilocus dataset to provide the first inference of relationships among Philippine Gonocephalus, combined with estimates of putative species diversity, in this almost unknown island radiation. Our results reveal startling levels of undocumented diversity, genetically partitioned at a number of geographical levels across the archipelago. We present the first survey of genetic lineage diversity, coupled with an archipelago-wide clarification of geographical structure in a unique archipelago-endemic radiation. Philippine Gonocephalus have previously escaped the attention of biogeographers as a result of the taxonomic confusion associated with low numbers of preserved specimens in museum collections. With new vouchered material and genetic sampling from a comprehensive, archipelago-wide vertebrate biodiversity inventory, our findings join many recent studies in highlighting the unprecedented faunal diversity in one of the world's most unique biodiversity conservation hotspots.

Keywords: biogeography; diversification; Islands; lizard; reptile

Luke J. Welton, Cameron D. Siler, L. L. Grismer, Arvin C. Diesmos, Jack W. Sites and Rafe M. Brown. 2016. Archipelago-wide Survey of Philippine Forest Dragons (Agamidae: Gonocephalus): Multilocus Phylogeny uncovers Unprecedented Levels of Genetic Diversity in A Biodiversity Hotspot.
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. DOI: 10.1111/bij.12878 

[PaleoOrnithology • 2014] Eopengornis martini • Insights into the Evolution of Rachis Dominated Tail Feathers from A New Basal Enantiornithine (Aves: Ornithothoraces)

 Eopengornis martini 

Wang, O'Connor, Zheng, Wang, Hu & Zhou, 2014  

DOI: 10.1111/bij.12370 

We report on a new enantiornithine Eopengornis martini gen. et sp. nov. from the lowest horizon of the Jehol Biota in Hebei, China; dated at 130.7 Mya, this is the second oldest avian bearing fossil deposit in the world, recording the First Appearance Datum of Enantiornithes. The new specimen, only the second enantiornithine and third bird reported from this horizon, preserves numerous synapomorphies with the largest Lower Cretaceous enantiornithine Pengornis houi from the Jiufotang Formation dated at 120 Mya. Together, they form a new avian lineage that lasted over 10 Myr, which is longer than any known clade of Lower Cretaceous enantiornithine. Eopengornis reveals new information about basal enantiornithine morphology such as the presence of a metatarsal V, helping to clarify the early evolution of these dominant Cretaceous avians. Furthermore, Eopengornis preserves a previously unrecognized tail morphology: a pair of elongate fully pennaceous rachis dominated feathers. This discovery confirms hypotheses proposing that the rachis dominated racket-plumes in basal birds represent modified pennaceous feathers. We suggest that the ornamental racket-plumes in enantiornithines and Confuciusornis evolved independently from the basal pygostylian condition, which we infer was a tail formed of normal flight feathers. 

Figure 1. Eopengornis martini gen. et sp. nov. STM24-1.
A, main slab, scale bar = 2 cm. B, close up of the caudal plumage, scale bar = 2 cm. C, close up of the right rectrix, scale bar = 5 mm.

DOI: 10.1111/bij.12370 

Systematic palaeontology

Aves Linnaeus 1758

Ornithothoraces Chiappe 1995

Enantiornithes Walker 1981

Pengornithidae fam. nov

Phylogenetic definition: The most recent common ancestor of Eopengornis martini and P. houi and all its descendants.

Type genus: Pengornis IVPP V15336 Zhou, Clarke & Zhang, 2008.

Included genera: Eopengornis gen. nov. (present study).

Stratigraphic distribution: Huajiying and Jiufotang Formations, 120–130.7 Mya (Zhou, 2006; Jin et al., 2008; Pan et al., 2013).

Geographical distribution: Fengning, northern Hebei Province, and Lingyuan and Dapingfang, Chaoyang, north-eastern Liaoning Province, China.

Diagnosis: Medium to large enantiornithine birds (minor metacarpal projecting distally farther than major metacarpal; straight scapula; dorsolaterally excavated furcula with rami defining a V; metatarsal IV reduced) with the unique combination of the following characters: upper and lower jaws with numerous small teeth (over ten in the maxilla alone); scapular acromion process hooked; sternum with single pair of trabeculae, intermediate trabeculae absent; xiphial region of sternum defines wide V (xiphoid process absent); short pygostyle with rounded distal margin; cranial surface of proximal humerus flat; ulna 15% longer than the humerus; femur almost as long as the tibiotarsus; fibula almost reaching the proximal tarsals; metatarsal I > 30% the length of metatarsal II; first phalanx of hallux longest pedal phalanx; and pedal claws heterogeneous.

Eopengornis martini gen. et sp. nov. 

Holotype: STM24-1, an almost complete and fully articulated subadult individual preserved in a slab (primarily ventral view; see Supporting Information, Fig. S1) and counterslab (primarily dorsal view; Fig. 1), preserving remiges, rectrices, and contour feathers as an outline of the body.

Locality and horizon: Near Luozigou Village, Fengning, Hebei, China. Lower Cretaceous ‘Protopteryx horizon’ (130.7 Mya), the first sedimentary member of the Huajiying Formation (previously also called Dabeigou Formation or Dadianzi Formation) (Jin et al., 2008; Pan et al., 2013).

Etymology: The genus name refers to the older age of the new specimen relative to known specimens of Pengornis; the species name is in honour of the late Larry Martin for his numerous contributions to the field of palaeornithology.

Diagnosis: A pengornithid enantiornithine bird with the following unique characters: numerous, small, occlusally tapered and slightly recurved teeth in the upper and lower jaws; accessory foramina piercing nasal absent; fibula ends in a rounded expansion; and elongate hallux with metatarsal I and the proximal phalanx each almost half the length of metatarsal II.

Xiaoli Wang, Jingmai K. O'Connor, Xiaoting Zheng, Min Wang, Han Hu and Zhonghe Zhou. 2014. 

Insights into the Evolution of Rachis Dominated Tail Feathers from A New Basal Enantiornithine (Aves: Ornithothoraces). Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. [Special Issue: Celebrating Dinosaur Island] 113(3); 805–819. DOI: 10.1111/bij.12370  

  

[Herpetology • 2016] Volcanic Ash from Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Eruptions affects Running Performance and Body Condition of Phymaturus Lizards in Patagonia, Argentina

Figure 2. Photographs of the species and the study sites showing the main landscape elements and ash deposition in the southern–central steppe of Rio Negro Province, Argentina.
Abi-Saad farm (A, C) where Phymaturus sinervoi occurs and Ojo de Agua (B, D) where P. excelsus occurs.

  DOI:  10.1111/bij.12778 

Abstract

The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle eruption of 4 June 2011 dispersed about 100 million tonnes of pyroclastic materials resulting in ash accumulations of 30 cm depth on the Patagonian steppe, an area occupied by several lizard species. Herein we analysed, by experimental trials, the effects of ash and slope on running performance of two endemic and vulnerable species, Phymaturus excelsus and Phymaturus sinervoi, restricted to volcanic rock outcrops in Patagonia. We also determined the effect of ash fall on body condition by comparing the same populations before and after the volcanic eruption. Locomotion of P. excelsus, adapted to rocky and steep outcrops, was more affected in a negative way by ash. In contrast, P. sinervoi, which lives in mixed habitats with flat rocks and sandy substrates, ran more slowly on the inclined surface but was unaffected by ash, suggesting the two species are well adapted to the habitats they occupy. In spite of impacts of ash deposition on locomotion and potentially the feeding, reproduction and dispersal activity of P. excelsus, lizards captured 18 months after ash deposition showed improved body condition. Our study site for P. sinervoi received less ash deposition and hence body condition was similar before and after ash fall. We hypothesize that negative effects of ash on lizards were counteracted by competitive release; ash deposition caused an acute and significant increase in mortality of herbivorous competitors such as hares and sheep that feed upon the same flowers and fruits included in the Phymaturus diet.

Keywords: body condition; disturbance; maximum running speed; Phymaturus excelsus; Phymaturus sinervoi

Nora R. Ibargüengoytía, Facundo Cabezas-Cartes, Jorgelina M. Boretto, Carla Piantoni, Erika L. Kubisch, Mariela S. Fernández, Rafael A. Lara-Resendiz, Fausto R. Méndez-de la Cruz, Alejandro Scolaro and Barry Sinervo. 2016. Volcanic Ash from Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Eruptions affects Running Performance and Body Condition of Phymaturus Lizards in Patagonia, Argentina. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. DOI:  10.1111/bij.12778 

[Herpetology • 2015] Breeding in Bamboo: A Novel Anuran Reproductive Strategy discovered in Rhacophorid Frogs of the Western Ghats, India

Figure 2. Raorchestes chalazodes in natural habitat. A, Ochlandra travancorica bamboo along streams. Height about 5 m. B, Male R. chalazodes on the internode. C, Male R. chalazodes vocalizing outside the internode opening.

DOI: 10.1111/bij.12388

Amphibians exhibit extraordinarily diverse sets of reproductive strategies among vertebrates. Understanding life history strategies in an evolutionary framework is lacking for many amphibian species in the tropics. Here, we report a novel reproductive mode where adult frogs enter hollow internodes of bamboo via a small opening, deposit direct developing eggs, and provide parental care. This behaviour is observed in two species of the frog genus Raorchestes. The first description of this unique life history and details of nest site characteristics and embryo development are provided along with ecological comparisons. Evolution of novel reproductive modes and parental care are discussed in context of natural selection. Dearth of natural history information on amphibians in the Western Ghats and much of the South-East Asian region is highlighted with suggestions for further studies.

Keywords: amphibian ecology; direct development; evolutionary ecology; natural history; parental care; reproductive strategies 

Figure 3. Snapshots of male R. chalazodes entering the nest cavity inside a bamboo internode.
A, male entering by inserting head; B, mid dorsum and forearms inserted; C, forearms used to haul body in; D, forelimbs almost completely inserted; E, anterior portion of body almost entirely inserted, legs remain outside and; F, legs being pulled inside, one-by-one. Entry sequence lasted almost 30 s.

Measurements of frog and internode provided in text. A video grab of this sequence is available at: http://amphibiaweb.org/species/4399 | DOI: 10.1111/bij.12388

Figure 4. Inside bamboo internode and nest cavity.
A, Adult male with a clutch of five eggs; B, two different aged egg clutches inside one internode, one clutch with seven eggs and another with only four eggs are visible; C, an emerged froglet from a different clutch with seven eggs seen near developing embryos.

DOI: 10.1111/bij.12388

  

Researchers from the National University of Singapore have discovered a new reproductive mode in frogs and toads - breeding and laying direct developing eggs in live bamboo with narrow openings - which was observed in the white spotted bush frog (Raorchestes chalazodes).

photo: Seshadri K S  DOI: 10.1111/bij.12388

Adult male Raorchestes chalazodes enters hollow internodes of the flute bamboo Ochlandra travancorica where they vocalise to attract mates. It enters the bamboo with considerable resistance as the narrow openings are often less than 5 to 10 millimetres long and 3 to 4 millimetres wide.

photos: Seshadri K S

Kadaba Shamanna Seshadri, Kotambylu Vasudeva Gururaja and David Patrick Bickford. 2015. Breeding in Bamboo: A Novel Anuran Reproductive Strategy discovered in Rhacophorid Frogs of the Western Ghats, India. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 114(1); 1–11. DOI: 10.1111/bij.12388 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/267396151_Breeding_in_bamboo_A_novel_anuran_reproductive_strategy_discovered_in_Rhacophorid_frogs_of_the_Western_Ghats_India

Researchers discover for the first time that a rare bush frog breeds in bamboo

http://phys.org/news/2014-10-rare-bush-frog-bamboo.html

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/fully-formed-froglets-emerge-dry-bamboo-nurseries

Rediscovered in 2010, rare Indian frog surprises by breeding in bamboo http://news.mongabay.com/2014/11/rediscovered-in-2010-rare-indian-frog-surprises-by-breeding-in-bamboo/