[Herpetology • 2025] Ichthyophis griseivermis • Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New unstriped Ichthyophis Fitzinger, 1826 (Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae) from Vietnam and provides new data on diagnostic osteological traits for Asian tailed caecilians

Ichthyophis griseivermis 

Poyarkov, Skorinova, Bragin, Kolchanov, Gorin, Trofimets, Yuzefovich, Le, Nguyen & Skutschas, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e149399

Abstract

Herein we examined the cranial osteology of 15 species of Ichthyophis (I. asplenius, I. beddomei, I. glutinosus, I. kohtaoensis, I. larutensis, I. mindanaoensis, I. multicolor, I. nguyenorum, I. nigroflavus, I. sikkimensis, I. singaporensis, I. supachaii, I. tricolor, I. weberi, and Ichthyophis sp. from northern Vietnam) with a special emphasis on the temporal region. We presented the first detailed description of the cranium and the atlas of an Ichthyophis species based on micro-CT scanning data. We discuss the implications of temporal region composition for the systematics of this group and the evolution of the cranium in Gymnophiona as a whole. We further provided comments on a jaw-closing mechanism and reported on the presence of phylogenetically basal cranial features in ichthyophiids that are also found in stem caecilians. Our detailed morphological description was based on a specimen from a previously unknown population of unstriped Ichthyophis from northern Vietnam. We consequently described this population as a new species based on morphological and molecular (3967 bp from cyt b, 12S rRNA, and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes) lines of evidence. We provide comparisons of external morphological traits of the new species with its congeners and further compare its cranial osteological features with other Ichthyophis for which skull descriptions exist. The new species differs from the morphologically similar species I. yangi and I. chaloensis by a significant divergence in cyt b and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 6.5%–6.9% and p = 4.5%, respectively). The new species is currently known only from evergreen forests of Xuan Lien National Park (Thanh Hoa Province) and Pu Hoat (Nghe An Province) Nature Reserve, northern Vietnam, and was recorded at elevations of 700–800 m asl. We suggest the new species be considered Data Deficient (DD), following the IUCN’s Red List categories.

Keywords: Ichthyophis griseivermis sp. nov., micro-CT scanning, molecular analyses, morphology, Nghe An, osteology, Pu Hoat, taxonomy, Thanh Hoa, Xuan Lien

Family Ichthyophiidae Taylor, 1968

Genus Ichthyophis Fitzinger, 1826

Details of external morphology of the holotype of Ichthyophis griseivermis sp. nov. in life (ZMMU A-8208, adult female). A Lateral view of the head, right side; B lateral view of the head, right side; C dorsal view of the head; D ventral view of the head; E lateral view of the tail, left side; F lateral view of the tail, right side; G dorsal view of the tail; H ventral view of the tail. Scale bar equals 5 mm (all photographs shown in one scale).

Photographs by A. M. Bragin.

The holotype of Ichthyophis griseivermis sp. nov. in life in situ (ZMMU A-8208, adult female).

Photograph by A. M. Bragin.

Ichthyophis griseivermis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species Ichthyophis griseivermis sp. nov. differs from other members of the genus Ichthyophis by the following combination of the morphological characters: unstriped body lacking lateral yellow stripe; adult total length 206–242 mm (based on two available specimens); snout blunt and rounded (snout length/head length ratio 0.06–0.08); tentacle aperture located closer to eye than to naris (tentacle aperture-naris distance/tentacle aperture-eye distance ratio 2.1–2.2); premaxillary and maxillary teeth 44–48, vomero-palatine teeth 43–48, dentary teeth 38, inner mandibular teeth 25–33; tail very short, acuminate, ending in a nipple-like cap; annuli angulate, total 301–306 (dorsal count), four interupted by cloacal disc, one posterior to cloacal disc, the degree of annuli angulation decreasing from head to cloaca with grooves appearing almost orthoplicate at mid-body and posteriorly; vertebrae 111–112; scales in one series per annulus (dosolaterally), present only in the posterior half of body.

 

Etymology. The specific name “griseivermis” is a Latin noun in the nominative singular, given in apposition, derived from the Latin adjective “griseus” for “grey” and the Latin noun “vermis” for “worm.” The new species is named in reference to its characteristic uniform grey body coloration. The specific epithet also alludes to Grey Worm, the commander of the Unsullied, the warrior-eunuchs of Astapor with an unparalleled reputation for combat in George R. R. Martin’s fictional work “A Song of Ice and Fire” (also known as “Game of Thrones”). We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Grey Worm Caecilian” (in English), “ếch giun xám ___” (in Vietnamese), and “Seryi rybozmey” (“____,” in Russian). 

 Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Dana D. Skorinova, Andrey M. Bragin, Veniamin V. Kolchanov, Vladislav A. Gorin, Alexey V. Trofimets, Alexander P. Yuzefovich, Dac Xuan Le, Tan Van Nguyen and Pavel P. Skutschas. 2025.  Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New unstriped Ichthyophis Fitzinger, 1826 from Vietnam and provides new data on diagnostic osteological traits for Asian tailed caecilians (Gymnophiona: Ichthyophiidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 75: 405-440. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.75.e149399

[Paleontology • 2022] Meraxes gigas • New Giant Carnivorous Dinosaur (Theropoda: Carcharodontosauridae) reveals Convergent Evolutionary Trends in Theropod Arm Reduction

Meraxes gigas

Canale, Apesteguía, Gallina, Mitchell, Smith, Cullen, Shinya, Haluza, Gianechini & Makovicky, 2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.05.057

 twitter.com/PeteMakovicky 

Highlights: 

• Meraxes, a new, giant predatory dinosaur from Patagonia had short arms like T. rex

• Meraxes is the most complete carcharodontosaurid yet from the Southern Hemisphere

• It documents peak diversity of carcharodontosaurids just before they went extinct

• Meraxes documents convergent evolution of short arms among megapredatory theropods.

Summary

Giant carnivorous dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and abelisaurids are characterized by highly reduced forelimbs that stand in contrast to their huge dimensions, massive skulls, and obligate bipedalism. Another group that follows this pattern, yet is still poorly known, is the Carcharodontosauridae: dominant predators that inhabited most continents during the Early Cretaceous and reached their largest sizes in Aptian-Cenomanian times. Despite many discoveries over the last three decades, aspects of their anatomy, especially with regard to the skull, forearm, and feet, remain poorly known. Here we report a new carcharodontosaurid, Meraxes gigas, gen. et sp. nov., based on a specimen recovered from the Upper Cretaceous Huincul Formation of northern Patagonia, Argentina. Phylogenetic analysis places Meraxes among derived Carcharodontosauridae, in a clade with other massive South American species. Meraxes preserves novel anatomical information for derived carcharodontosaurids, including an almost complete forelimb that provides evidence for convergent allometric trends in forelimb reduction among three lineages of large-bodied, megapredatory non-avian theropods, including a remarkable degree of parallelism between the latest-diverging tyrannosaurids and carcharodontosaurids. This trend, coupled with a likely lower bound on forelimb reduction, hypothesized to be about 0.4 forelimb/femur length, combined to produce this short-armed pattern in theropods. The almost complete cranium of Meraxes permits new estimates of skull length in Giganotosaurus, which is among the longest for theropods. Meraxes also provides further evidence that carchardontosaurids reached peak diversity shortly before their extinction with high rates of trait evolution in facial ornamentation possibly linked to a social signaling role.

Keywords: Dinosauria, Theropoda, Carcharodontosauridae, anatomy, evolution, Patagonia, Cretaceous

  

 Meraxes gigas, gen. et sp. nov.

    

 

Juan I. Canale, Sebastián Apesteguía, Pablo A. Gallina, Jonathan Mitchell, Nathan D. Smith, Thomas M. Cullen, Akiko Shinya, Alejandro Haluza, Federico A. Gianechini and Peter J. Makovicky. 2022. New Giant Carnivorous Dinosaur reveals Convergent Evolutionary Trends in Theropod Arm Reduction. Current Biology. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.05.057

 twitter.com/PeteMakovicky/status/1545041248192438273

 

   

[Paleontology • 2019] On Targaryendraco wiedenrothi gen. nov. (Pterodactyloidea, Pteranodontoidea, Lanceodontia) and Recognition of A New Cosmopolitan Lineage of Cretaceous Toothed Pterodactyloids

Targaryendraco wiedenrothi (Wild, 1990) 

in Pêgas, Holgado & Leal, 2019.

  DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2019.1690482  

Illustration: Vítor Silva 

Holotype SMNS 56628 (Hauterivian, Engelbostel clay pit, Hannover).

in Rodrigues & Kellner, 2013. 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.308.5559

ABSTRACT

Ornithocheirus wiedenrothi, from the Hauterivian (Early Cretaceous of Germany), is a taxon represented by three-dimensional remains of the lower jaw and wing elements. Its phylogenetic affinities have for long been elusive, though several works had already pointed out that it probably did not belong within the wastebasket genus Ornithocheirus. In the present contribution, we redescribe this species, assigning it to the new genus Targaryendraco and offering updated morphological comparisons. Subsequently, we present a phylogenetic analysis in which we recover a clade formed by Targaryendraco, Aussiedraco, Barbosania, Aetodactylus, Camposipterus and Cimoliopterus. This newly recognised clade is interesting in being quite cosmopolitan and spanning from the Hauterivian to the Cenomanian, like its sister-group, the Anhangueria. The recognition of this clade helps fill the temporal gap between the Anhangueria and Cimoliopterus, and also demonstrates that the diversity of Cretaceous toothed pterosaurs was higher than previously thought.

KEYWORDS: Pterosaur phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy, skull morphology, Targaryendraconia

Systematic palaeontology

Pterosauria Kaup, 1834

Pterodactyloidea Plieninger, 1901

Ornithocheiroidea Seeley 1870 sensu Bennett, 1994

Pteranodontoidea Marsh, 1876 sensu Kellner 2003

Lanceodontia Andres et al. 2014

Targaryendraconia new clade

Type genus: Targaryendraco gen. nov. 

Content: Targaryendraco, Aussiedraco, Barbosania, Aetodactylus, Camposipterus and Cimoliopterus.

Cimoliopteridae new clade 

Type genus: Cimoliopterus. 

Content: Aetodactylus, Camposipterus and Cimoliopterus.

‘Ornithocheirus’ wiedenrothi, holotype SMNS 56628 (Hauterivian, Engelbostel clay pit, Hannover), anterior part of the mandibular symphysis. A dorsal view B respective line drawing C left lateral view D respective line drawing.

 Abbreviations: d – dentary, sul – sulcus. Arrows and numbers indicate alveoli or teeth and their respective position.

 Scale bar = 10 mm.

Rodrigues & Kellner, 2013. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.308.5559

Targaryendraconidae new clade 

Type genus: Targaryendraco gen. nov. 

Content: Targaryendraco, Aussiedraco and Barbosania.

Targaryendraco gen. nov. 

Etymology A combination of Targaryen and draco (from the Latin word for dragon), in reference to the fictional dragons of the saga A Song of Ice and Fire that exhibit dark-coloured bones. This refers to the dark colour of the type specimen of Targaryendraco wiedenrothi comb. nov., as well as to the classic association between pterosaurs and dragons (e.g. Seeley 1870). This reference also honours the fact that pterosaurs have inspired some biological aspects of the dragons featured in the novels. 

Type species Ornithocheirus wiedenrothi Wild 1990. 

Targaryendraco wiedenrothi (Wild 1990) comb. nov.

  

Rodrigo V. Pêgas, Borja Holgado and Maria Eduarda C. Leal. 2019. On Targaryendraco wiedenrothi gen. nov. (Pterodactyloidea, Pteranodontoidea, Lanceodontia) and Recognition of A New Cosmopolitan Lineage of Cretaceous Toothed Pterodactyloids. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2019.1690482 

Taissa Rodrigues and Alexander Wilhelm Armin Kellner. 2013. Taxonomic Review of the Ornithocheirus complex (Pterosauria) from the Cretaceous of England. ZooKeys. 308: 1-112. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.308.5559

 researchgate.net/publication/334706709_Reassessment_of_the_enigmatic_pterosaur_'Ornithocheirus'_wiedenrothi_from_the_Lower_Cretaceous_of_Northern_Germany

Unusual toothy pterosaur found hidden in the wrong group on.natgeo.com/33psPKW via @NatGeoScience

  

[Entomology • 2018] Paramonovius nightking • A New Genus and Species of An Unusual Australian Winter Bee Fly (Diptera: Bombyliidae) with Discussion on Its Phylogenetic Position

Paramonovius nightking 

Li & Yeates, 2018

DOI: 10.1111/aen.12361

photo by 'Jean and Fred' flickr.com/Jean_Hort

Abstract

A new genus of bee fly (Bombyliinae: Bombyliini) is described to place a unique species Paramonovius nightking gen. et sp. nov. The new species is only collected in winter and is only known from a restricted area in Western Australia. Our morphological phylogeny indicates the new genus is sister to Sisyromyia White, 1916 and is similar to the latter in some external characters such as the one‐segmented antennal flagellum with apical stylus, subapex with 3–5 long hairs, open cell r5 and cell br nearly as long as cell bm. However, Paramonovius gen. nov. has dichoptic male eyes, sparse scales on the median abdominal stripe, enlarged claw and pulvillus, as well as a series of autapomorphies in the genitalia. We present a modified key to the Australian genera of Bombyliini to accommodate this new genus. The unusual flight time of this genus may have contributed to its rarity in collections.

Keywords: morphological phylogeny, Paramonovius, taxonomy

Paramonovius nightking Wandoo National Park, Western Australia

photo by 'Jean and Fred'

 flickr.com/Jean_Hort 

female Paramonovius nightking 

photo by 'Jean and Fred' 

flickr.com/Jean_Hort  

Genus Paramonovius gen. nov.

Etymology: This generic name is in honour of Dr. Sergei Jacques Paramonov for his significant contribution to Australian dipterology.

Paramonovius nightking sp. nov. 

Etymology: This species is named after the Night King in the American fantasy drama Game of Thrones, because all the specimens were collected in winter and the fly is mostly covered in thick pale pruinescence. The specific name is treated as a noun in apposition.

Xuankun Li and David K. Yeates. 2018. A New Genus and Species of An Unusual Australian Winter Bee Fly (Diptera: Bombyliidae) with Discussion on Its Phylogenetic position. Austral Entomology.  DOI: 10.1111/aen.12361

360vc.org/vc/2010/20180824A0OBKZ00.html

twitter.com/search?q=Paramonovius

Jean and Fred flickr.com/photos/jean_hort/7812524160/

[Mollusca • 2014] Tritonia khaleesi • A New Species of Tritonia (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Tritoniidae) from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean

Tritonia khaleesi

Silva, Azevedo & Matthews-Cascon, 2014

  DOI:  10.1017/S0025315413001586  

Abstract
A new species of the family Tritoniidae is described from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. The animal was found off north-east Brazil. Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is up to 12 mm long, with a slender white body, of which the notum is covered with one broad white band extending from between the eyes and veil to the tail; veil with 4 velar appendages; retractable white rhinophores; rhinophoral sheath with fleshy extension; seven pairs of branchial plumes; the anus is located between the 3rd and 4th gills on the right side, and the genital opening is under the 2nd gill. Internally, T. khaleesi sp. nov. is distinguished from other tritoniids by jaws with 10–14 rows of denticles on the inner lips, absence of stomach plates and the radular formula 32 × 2–5.1.1.1.2–5 teeth. Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is the only Tritonia that possesses a unicuspid rachidian tooth as an adult.

Keywords: Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov., taxonomy, Nudibranchia, Dendronotina, tropical Atlantic

Tritonia khaleesi, sp. nov.

Etymology: The name, proposed as a noun in apposition, refers to the title ‘Khaleesi’, meaning ‘Queen’, of the main character Daenerys, from the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by the American author George R.R. Martin. The character is described as being short and having long white hair, features that resemble the white band on the notum of Tritonia khaleesi. The book series was recently adapted for the television series A Game of Thrones.  

Felipe de Vasconcelos Silva, Victor Manuel De Azevedo and Helena Matthews-Cascon. 2014. A New Species of Tritonia (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Tritoniidae) from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 94(3); 579-585.  DOI:  10.1017/S0025315413001586 
 ResearchGate.net/publication/259460309_A_new_species_of_Tritonia_Opisthobranchia_Nudibranchia_Tritoniidae_from_the_tropical_South_Atlantic_Ocean

[Arachnida • 2018] Seven New Species of the Spider Genus Ochyrocera (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae) from Caves in Floresta Nacional de Carajás, Pará, Brazil

Ochyrocera varys & Ochyrocera misspider

Brescovit, Cizauskas & Mota, 2018 

   DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.726.19778 

 A Ochyrocera varys sp. n., predating a Diptera B Ochyrocera atlachnacha sp. n., on the web C Ochyrocera misspider sp. n., couple in the web D Ochyrocera varys sp. n., carrying the egg sac.

   DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.726.19778 

Abstract

Seven new species of the spider genus Ochyrocera from cave areas in Floresta Nacional de Carajás (state of Pará, northern Brazil) are described: Ochyrocera varys sp. n., Ochyrocera atlachnacha sp. n., Ochyrocera laracna sp. n., Ochyrocera aragogue sp. n., Ochyrocera misspider sp. n., Ochyrocera charlotte sp. n., and Ochyrocera ungoliant sp. n. Two groups of the species are discussed, the quinquivittata group that include specimens with an apparently bifid retrolateral apophysis in the cymbium of the male palp and the arietina group, here proposed, that include those specimens with an entire cymbium, with no retrolateral apophysis, in the male palp. Although these species were abundant inside caves, the examined specimens do not have troglomorphic characteristics and can be classified as edaphic troglophile species, capable of completing its life cycle in soil, shallow subterranean habitats, or caves.

Keywords: Amazonian region, Haplogynae, taxonomy

Figure 21. A Ochyrocera varys sp. n., predating a Diptera B Ochyrocera atlachnacha sp. n., on the web C Ochyrocera misspider sp. n., couple in the web D Ochyrocera varys sp. n., carrying the egg sac E Entrance of an iron cave F Canga vegetation on rocky outcrop. 

Ochyrocera varys sp. n., predating a Diptera.  

Taxonomy

Ochyrocera Simon, 1892

Ochyrocera Simon, 1892: 565

(Type species, O. arietina Simon)

Ceruleocera Marples, 1955: 462
 (Type species by original designation C. ransfordi Marples); Brignoli 1979: 598 (Syn.)

Diagnosis: Species of the genus Ochyrocera can be distinguished by having a tracheal spiracle between the epigastric fold and spinnerets (see Pérez-González et al. 2016: fig. 8A); clypeus sloping (Fig. 1A–B); tip of labium notched (Fig. 8E); long legs; male palp without tibial apophysis; cymbium conical and with prolateral extension, with or without apical cuspule; and flexed embolus projecting forward (Fig. 1C–D).

Composition: Thirty-nine species (World Spider Catalog 2017).

Distribution: With the exception of Ochyrocera ransfordi, described by Marples (1955) from Samoa, all described species are from Mexico, Cuba, Hispaniola, Lesser Antilles, Saint Vincent, Guatemala, Venezuela, French Guiana, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil.

• Ochyrocera varys sp. n.

Diagnosis: Ochyrocera varys resembles Ochyrocera atlachnacha in its carapace, which is yellow and bright lime (Figs 1A–B; 4A–B) and palp with conical, elongated cymbial apophysis, and have a distal cuspule on the cymbial apophysis (Figs 1C–D, 4C–D). This species can be distinguished by the male palp having a cymbial apophysis without an accentuated lateral projection (present in O. atlachnacha) and by the curved distal area of embolus (Figs 1C–D, 2C–F); females have a thick spermathecae enveloping large pore-plates (Fig. 1E–F).

Etymology: The specific name refers to Varys, a fictional character in George R. R. Martin’s book, “A Song of Ice and Fire”. Lorde Varys is a character with a venomous spirit, known as a spider in the plot.

Distribution: Recorded from caves and epigean areas of Carajás, state of Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 19A).

• Ochyrocera atlachnacha sp. n.

Diagnosis: Ochyrocera atlachnacha resembles O. varys by its carapace yellow and bright lime (Figs 1A–B, 4A–B) and palp with conical, elongated and distal cuspule in the cymbial apophysis (Figs 1C–D, 4C–D). It can be distinguished from the latter and other Neotropical species by the male palpal cymbium with accentuated cymbial prolateral projection (Figs 4D, 5C, E–F); females have enlarged and projected pore-plates on the inconspicuous spermathecae (Fig. 4E–F).

Etymology: The specific name refers to Atlach-Nacha, a supernatural entity from Cthulhu mythology that resembles a huge spider with an almost human face.

Distribution: Recorded exclusively from caves in Carajás, state of Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 20B).

• Ochyrocera laracna sp. n.

Diagnosis: Ochyrocera laracna resembles O. aragogue by the yellowish-green body pattern (Figs 7A–B; 8A−B) and by the short cymbial apophysis with two distal spurs on projections (Fig. 7C–D), a unique character for both these Neotropical species. The male of the former species can be distinguished from the latter due to the palp having a flap at the distal area of embolus (Figs 7C–D; 8A−B) and a laminar spur in the curved area 8F). The female is distinguished from O. aragogue by the small distal area of the spermathecae and pore plates adjacent to the spermathecae base (Fig. 7E–F).

Etymology: The specific name refers to Laracna, a giant and very old spider created by J. R. R. Tolkien in the classic book “The Lord of the Rings”.

Distribution: Recorded from caves and epigean areas in the Carajás region, state of Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 20A).

• Ochyrocera aragogue sp. n.

Diagnosis: Ochyrocera aragogue resembles O. laracna by the yellowish green body color pattern (Fig. 10A–B) and by the short cymbial apophysis with two distal cuspules on projections (Fig. 10C–D, 11F), a unique character for both these Neotropical species. The male can be distinguished from O. laracna by the palp with a sinuous distal area of embolus without laminar spur (Figs 10C–D, 11A–B, D). The female has an enlarged distal area of spermathecae and pore plates at the spermathecae base (Fig. 10E–F).

Etymology: The specific name refers to Aragog, a spider capable of communicating with humans and a lover of human flesh, from the literary classic “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”, by J.K. Rowling.

Distribution: Recorded exclusively from caves in the Carajás region, state of Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 19B).

 C Ochyrocera misspider sp. n., couple in the web.

• Ochyrocera misspider sp. n.

Etymology: The specific name refers to Little Miss Spider, a very popular spider around the world and the main character of the children’s books by David Kirk.

Diagnosis: Ochyrocera misspider is the smallest among the species from Floresta Nacional de Carajás and resembles O. caeruleoamethystina Lopez & Lopez and O. thibaudi Emerit & Lopez by the small projection in the cymbium (see Lopez and Lopez 1997, fig. 8; Emerit and Lopez 1985, fig. 1A). It can be distinguished by the male palp with an elongated tibia, twice as long as the cymbium, and by the bifid embolus (Figs 13C–D, 14A–B). Females are distinguished from other species of the genus by the genitalia with a very long and narrow medial columnar uterus externus, internally with approximately 12 chambers, and an elongated, erect and sinuous spermathecae (Fig. 13F–G).

Distribution: Recorded exclusively from caves in the Carajás region, state of Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 19B).

• Ochyrocera charlotte sp. n.

Diagnosis: Males and females of Ochyrocera charlotte sp. n. resemble those of O. ungoliant and O. viridissima Brignoli in having a subapical cuspule in the distal area of the cymbium (Fig. 17E−F; Brignoli 1974: fig. 6) but can be distinguished from these species by their yellowish cephalic area and cream body color pattern. Males can be distinguished by their pentagonal cymbium, with cylindrical tegulum (Fig. 17E–H). Females are diagnosed by the genitalia with a very narrow medial columnar uterus externus and an elongated and medially curved spermathecae (Fig. 17C–D).

Etymology: The specific name refers to Charlotte, the spider from the classic “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White and a great friend of the pig named Wilbur.

Distribution: Recorded exclusively from two caves in the Carajás region, state of Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 20B).

• Ochyrocera ungoliant sp. n.

Diagnosis: Males and females of Ochyrocera ungoliant resemble those of O. charlotte and O. viridissima Brignoli in having a subapical cuspule in the distal area of the cymbium (Fig. 18G−H; Brignoli 1974: fig. 6), but can be distinguished from these species by their intense dark green color pattern and carapace with two longitudinal yellowish-green dorsal bands (Fig. 18A–B). Males can be diagnosed by their short cymbial apophysis with a very narrow tip and embolus with lamellar area in the distal third (Fig. 18E–H); and females by their genitalia with very short medial columnar uterus externus and spermathecae with broad and furrow apex (Fig. 18C–D).

Etymology: The specific name in apposition refers to Ungoliant, an evil spider spirit created by J. R. R. Tolkien in the book “The Silmarillion”.

Distribution: Recorded exclusively from three caves in the Carajás region, state of Pará, northern Brazil (Fig. 20A).

 Antonio D. Brescovit, Igor Cizauskas and Leandro P. Mota. 2018. Seven New Species of the Spider Genus Ochyrocera from Caves in Floresta Nacional de Carajás, PA, Brazil (Araneae, Ochyroceratidae). ZooKeys. 726: 87-130.  DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.726.19778

Seven new spider species from Brazil named after 7 famous fictional spider characters https://blog.pensoft.net/2018/01/10/seven-new-spider-species-from-brazil-named-after-7-famous-fictional-spider-characters/

[Arachnida • 2017] Ocyale ghost • A New Species of Ocyale (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Madagascar, with First Observations on the Biology of A Representative in the Genus

Ocyale ghost Jocque & Jocqué, 2017

in Jocque, Wellens, Andrianarivosoa, Rakotondraparany, Seing & Jocqué, 2017

 DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.355 

Abstract

A large white species of wolf spider, Ocyale ghost Jocque M. & Jocqué R. sp. nov., is described from a white sandy beach of an inland freshwater lake in the northwest of Madagascar. The first photos of a living specimen of the genus Ocyale are provided together with some observations on the biology of the newly described species. An updated and illustrated key to the Afrotropical species of Ocyale is included here.

Keywords:  beach; biology; phenology; white sand

Class Arachnida Cuvier, 1812

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757

Family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833

Ocyale Audouin, 1823 

 Species included:

O. dewinterae Alderweireldt, 1996 ♂♀

O. discrepans Roewer, 1960 ♀

O. ghost Jocque M. & Jocqué R. sp. nov. ♂♀

O. grandis Alderweireldt, 1996 ♂♀

O. guttata Karsch, 1878 ♂♀

O. pilosa Roewer, 1960 ♂♀

Fig. 3. Ocyale ghost Jocque M. & Jocqué R. sp. nov. photographed at type locality.
A. Female habitus. B. Same, detail. C. Female in sand retreat. D. Female with spiderlings on abdomen. E. Two males, one being eaten by the other. F. Female with white grasshopper prey.

 Photos A–B: MJ (2012), C–F: SW (2016).

Ocyale ghost Jocque M. & Jocqué R. sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Males of Ocyale ghost sp. nov. can be recognized by details of the male palp: the tegulum is restricted to the prolateral side of the bulbus, the distal prong of the palea appendage is much narrower than the proximal one and the MA with the perpendicular prong is rectangular. Females are characterized by the epigyne in which the T-shaped posterior sclerite is fully exposed and not covered with setae as in other species in the genus. 

Etymology: The species name ‘ghost’ refers to the fully white appearance of this spider. Additional reference is made to the large white direwolf ‘Ghost’ in Game of Thrones, the first book in the series of fantasy novels A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin.  

Biology: Ocyale ghost sp. nov. was only found on the white sandy beaches (Fig. 3A–B) of an inland lake in the study region. The surveys also included grassland and dry forest, but the species seems restricted to a white-sand habitat, as reflected in its habitus. Ocyale ghost sp. nov. is active at night and all specimens were caught with headlamps after sunset. Captured animals that were kept alive in large ziplock bags overnight constructed retreats in the sand, lined with silk (Fig. 3C). Possible prey include large insects such as grasshoppers (Fig. 3F) that also exhibit camouflage colours as an adaptation to the white beach they live on. Intraspecific predation is also likely to occur (Fig. 3E), a phenomenon which is not unusual among lycosids (Edgar 1969; Hallander 1970). We observed copulation and females with spiderlings (Fig. 3D) in the midst of the dry season (June–July). Juveniles of a complete range of size, from very small ones (6 mm TL) to subadults, were observed, indicating that this species might reproduce yearround. The permanent presence of water in its habitat might explain why this species is also active in the dry season when spider activity is on average very low.

Fig. 2. Habitat on type locality of Ocyale ghost Jocque M. & Jocqué R. sp. nov. (photo by MJ, July 2012).

Merlijn Jocque, Siel Wellens, J.D. Andrianarivosoa, F. Rakotondraparany, Sam The Seing and Rudy Jocqué. 2017. A New Species of Ocyale (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Madagascar, with First Observations on the Biology of A Representative in the Genus. European Journal of Taxonomy. 355; 1–13.  DOI:  10.5852/ejt.2017.355

  

[Entomology • 2016] Pheidole drogon & P. viserion • Inordinate Spinescence: Taxonomic Revision and Microtomography of the Pheidole cervicornis Species Group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)

 P. barumtaun Donisthorpe, P. cervicornis Emery,
  Pheidole drogon sp. nov. and Pheidole viserion sp. nov. 

 Sarnat, Fischer & Economo, 2016

  DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156709 

Abstract

The ant genus Pheidole — for all of its hyperdiversity and global ubiquity — is remarkably conservative with regard to morphological disparity. A striking exception to this constrained morphology is the spinescent morphotype, which has evolved multiple times across distantly related lineages of Indoaustralian Pheidole. The Pheidole cervicornis group contains perhaps the most extraordinary spinescent forms of all Pheidole. Here we present a taxonomic revision of the P. cervicornis group, and use microtomographic scanning technology to investigate the internal anatomy of the thoracic spines. Our findings suggest the pronotal spines of Pheidole majors, are possibly skeletomuscular adaptations for supporting their disproportionately large heads. The ‘head support hypothesis’ is an alternative to the mechanical defense hypothesis most often used to explain spinescence in ants. The P. cervicornis group is known only from New Guinea and is represented by the following four species, including two described here as new: P. barumtaun Donisthorpe, Pheidole drogon sp. nov., P. cervicornis Emery, and Pheidole viserion sp. nov. The group is most readily identified by the minor worker caste, which has extremely long pronotal spines and strongly bifurcating propodeal spines. The major and minor workers of all species are illustrated with specimen photographs, with the exception of the major worker of P. cervicornis, which is not known.

Eli M. Sarnat, Georg Fischer and Evan P. Economo. 2016. Inordinate Spinescence: Taxonomic Revision and Microtomography of the Pheidole cervicornis Species Group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). PLoS ONE. 11(7): e0156709. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156709