[Botany • 2025] Gagea khassanovii (Liliaceae) • A New white-flowered Species of Gagea from the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan

 

 Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, 

in Turginov, Levichev, Kurbaniyazova, Karimov, Yang et Li, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.260.151373 

Abstract  

The article describes the morphological and anatomical features of Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, sp. nov., recently described from the Fergana Valley. The species belongs to the section Incrustatae and differs from the species G. circumplexa Vved. in the colour of the flower and the presence of hairs on the leaves of the roots. This species is considered endemic to the Fergana Valley and contributes to the region’s floristic uniqueness.

Key words: Ageotropic sclerified roots, Fergana Valley, holotype, new species of Gagea, sect. Incrustata

 Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li 
A. View of the classic habitat of G. khassanovii (arrows indicate the position of individual);
B. G. khassanovii from the foothills of the Alay and C. Chatkal (Sumsar) ranges.

Photo: A, B. O.Turginov, C-A. Zhdanko.

 Gagea khassanovii Levichev, Turginov & W.J.Li, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. The species is similar to G. circumplexa Vved. in habit, but can be distinguished from the latter by the following characters: perianth is white (vs. golden yellow); inner tepals are linear, rounded at the apex (vs. lanceolate, pointed); cauline and basal leaves are much longer than the inflorescence (vs. equal to or slightly longer) (Table 1).

Etymology. The species is named in honour of the researcher and expert on the flora of Central Asia, Professor F. O. Khassanov.

 Orzimat Turdimatovich Turginov, Igor Germanovich Levichev, Gulsauir Tanirbergen qizi Kurbaniyazova, Farhod Isomiddinovich Karimov, Lei Yang and Wen Jun Li. 2025. A New white-flowered Species of Gagea (Liliaceae) from the Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. PhytoKeys. 260: 139-152. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.260.151373 

[Entomology • 2025] Perigrapha belyalovi • A New Species (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae) from Central Asia

 Perigrapha belyalovi Volynkin & Titov, sp. nov. 

P. heidi Hreblay, 1996

P. centralasiae Bartel, 1906 

in Titov, Volynkin, Tóth et Rakhimov, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.83.1 

Researchgate.net/publication/389889466

Abstract

A new species of the genus Perigrapha Lederer, 1857, Perigrapha belyalovi Volynkin & Titov, sp. n. is described from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The diagnostic comparison is made with the sympatric Perigrapha centralasiae Bartel, 1906 and the allopatric Perigrapha heidi Hreblay, 1996. Adults as well as male and female genitalia of all three species are illustrated.

Key words: Balkhash-Alakol Depression, Dzhungar Alatau, Orthosiini, Perigrapha centralasiae, Perigrapha heidi, Tien Shan

Figures 1-8. Adults of Perigrapha spp. 

 Perigrapha belyalovi sp. nov. and P. heidi Hreblay, 1996

Depositories of the specimens: 1-3 and 5 in CAV; 4 in ZISP; 6 in MH/HNHM; 7 and 8 in BBM (photos by B. Benedek).

Figures 9-16. Adults of Perigrapha centralasiae. 

Depositories of the specimens: 9-13 in CAV; 14-16 in ZISP.

Collecting site of  Perigrapha belyalovi sp. nov. and P. centralasiae:
SE Kazakhstan, Zhetysu Region, Sholak Mts, 750m, 43°__N 77°__E, 20.III.2024 (photo by S. Titov).

Sergey V. Titov, Anton V. Volynkin, Balázs Tóth and Ruslan D. Rakhimov. 2025. Perigrapha belyalovi, A New Species from Central Asia (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Noctuinae). Ecologica Montenegrina. 83; 1-11. DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2025.83.1

 Researchgate.net/publication/389889466_Perigrapha_belyalovi_a_new_species_from_Central_Asia 

[Paleontology • 2024] Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus • A new theropod dinosaur (Theropoda: Metriacanthosauridae) from the Callovian Balabansai Formation of Kyrgyzstan

 

Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus 

 Rauhut, Bakirov, Wings, Fernandes & Hübner, 2024

  

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae090

Art by Joschua Knüppe 

Abstract

Recent fieldwork in the late Middle Jurassic Balabansai Formation of Kyrgyzstan has yielded a partial skeleton of a large theropod dinosaur. The material includes a few bones of the skull (postorbital, quadratojugal), dorsal and sacral vertebrae, fragments of the pectoral girdle and forelimbs, and an almost complete pelvic girdle and hindlimbs, and is here made the type of a new theropod taxon, Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus gen. et sp. nov. Alpkarakush can be diagnosed by an extremely developed orbital brow on the postorbital, a pneumatic opening leading into cavities in the neural arch from the centroprezygodiapophyseal fossa in the posterior dorsal vertebrae, an almost enclosed ventral sulcus in manual phalanx II-1, a narrow and deep intercondylar groove on the anterior side of the distal femur, and an epicondylar crest on the distal femur that is offset from the distal end. A second, fragmentary, and smaller specimen from the same site represents the same taxon. Based on long bone histology, the type of Alpkarakush represents a late subadult individual, whereas the smaller specimen is a juvenile, possibly indicating gregarious behaviour. Phylogenetic analysis places Alpkarakush in the Metriacanthosauridae, underlining the diversity and wide distribution of this clade in the Jurassic of Asia.

Central Asia, Middle Jurassic, Tetanurae, Metriacanthosauridae, bone histology

 Outline reconstruction of Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus, with recovered elements indicated. Scale bar is 1 m.

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY

Dinosauria Owen, 1842,

Saurischia Seeley, 1887,

Theropoda Marsh, 1881,

Tetanurae Gauthier, 1986,

Metriacanthosauridae Paul, 1988

Alpkarakush gen. nov.

 

Etymology: Named after Alpkarakush, a mythological large bird [Алпкаракуш] that often comes to the help of heroes in critical moments in the ‘Manas’ epos, one of the central mythological elements in Kyrgyz culture (Seiilbek et al. 2018).

Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the Kyrgyz Republic, the provenance of the type specimen.

Diagnosis: Alpkarakush kyrgyzicus can be diagnosed by the following combination of characters (autapomorphies are indicated by *): extremely developed supraorbital brow on the postorbital, overhanging the orbit; posterior dorsal vertebrae with a channel leading from the centroprezygodiapophyseal fossa posteromedially into pneumatic chambers in the neural arch*; sacral vertebrae with fused neural spines that are approximately as high as the combined height of the vertebral centrum plus neural arch; manual phalanx II-1 with a ventral sulcus proximally that is almost completely enclosed by medial and lateral ventral flanges*; dorsal margin of the ilium slopes steeply posteroventrally*; brevis fossa on ilium reduced to a small medial shelf; shaft of pubis strongly bowed anteriorly; well-developed longitudinal depression on the posterolateral side of the pubic shaft adjacent to the pubic boot (based on paratype); unusually high pubis/tibia ratio (1.22 or higher); articulated ischia with pronounced ischial boots that are convex distally and fused anteriorly, but separated posteriorly; ischium with small obturator flange that is offset from the pubic peduncle; pubic peduncle of ischium very long; iliac articulation in proximal ischium cup-shaped; narrow and deep intercondylar groove on the anterior side of distal femur*; robust and well-developed medial epicondylar crest on distal femur, considerably offset proximally from distal end*; tibia with robust, bulbous fibular flange; astragalus and calcaneum fused.

Type locality and horizon: Locality FTU-1, just west of the town of Tashkumyr, Jalal-Abad Oblast, Kyrgyzstan (Figs 1, 2). The specimens were found in the higher part of the Balabansai Formation, Callovian.

Oliver W. M. Rauhut, Aizek A. Bakirov, Oliver Wings, Alexandra E. Fernandes and Tom R. Hübner. 2024. A new theropod dinosaur from the Callovian Balabansai Formation of Kyrgyzstan. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 201(4); zlae090. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae090

  facebook.com/100039598838048/posts/1302503921079557

[Botany • 2022] Tulipa toktogulica (Liliaceae) • A Cryptic, Endangered New Species from the western Tien-Shan, Kyrgyzstan

Tulipa toktogulica B.D.Wilson & Lazkov, 

in Wilson, Lazkov, Shalpykov & Brockington, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.566.1.1

 twitter.com/brockingtonian

 

Abstract

Tulipa toktogulica (T. sect. Kolpakowskianae; Liliaceae) is a cryptic new species from the Toktogul area of the Jalal-Abad Region, Kyrgyzstan. It is similar to T. talassica, with which it shares the characteristically elongated tunic, but it is genetically and geographically distinct. It has a combination of morphological traits shared between the closely related species T. talassica, T. tetraphylla and T. ferganica, but the combination of its traits is unique. Unlike most other members of the genus, this new species has a scent. It is here also assessed as endangered due to its narrow range and continuing threats from overgrazing.

Keywords: Central Asian flora, Tulipa sect. Kolpakowskianae, Tulipa subgenus Tulipa, Tulipa talassica, tulips, Monocots

 

Tulipa toktogulica B.D.Wilson & Lazkov
A. Side view of a flower. B. Flower from above. C. Side view of a closed flower. D. Inner and outer tepals, stamen and ovary. E. Prolonged tunic on bulb. F. Seed pod. G. Habitat at population one. H. Habitat at population two and three. I. Habitat at population four.

Photos by Brett Wilson.

Tulipa toktogulica B.D.Wilson & Lazkov, sp. nov.  

This species is most similar to Tulipa talassica in its prolonged tunic but it has broad stamens like those of T. tetraphylla and only three leaves, unlike T. tetraphylla, which usually has four or more leaves. Flowers of the new species have a faint scent, which is not present in these other Central Asian species except T. kolbintsevii Zonneveld in Zonneveld & de Groot (2012: 1294).

...

Etymology:—Named after the Toktogul region. We hope that naming it after this area will improve awareness of the diversity of the flora of this region and hence its conservation.

 Brett Wilson, Georgy A. Lazkov, Kaiyrkul T. Shalpykov and Samuel F. Brockington. 2022. Tulipa toktogulica (Liliaceae), A Cryptic, Endangered New Species from the western Tien-Shan, Kyrgyzstan. Phytotaxa. 566(1); 1-12. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.566.1.1

 twitter.com/brockingtonian/status/1573328172707450884

[Tardigrada • 2022] Cornechiniscus mystacinus • Water Bear with Barbels of A Catfish: A New Asian Cornechiniscus (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) illuminates Evolution of the Genus

 

 Cornechiniscus mystacinus

Gąsiorek, 2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.06.007

Abstract

Cornechiniscus Maucci & Ramazzotti, 1981 is a species-poor heterotardigrade genus with peculiar, horn-shaped appendages A. It can be found in mosses and lichens growing on dusty soils on all continents except for Australasia and Antarctica, with presumably Central Asia as the main place of species radiation. A recent, COI and ITS-1-based phylogeny elucidated phylogenetic relationships between 5 out of 10 Cornechiniscus species, and aided the integrative description of C. imperfectus Gąsiorek & Michalczyk, 2020 from mountains of Northern Kyrgyzstan. However, the other 5 species remained unplaced on the generic evolutionary tree. Using new samples from Northern Kyrgyzstan, Italy and Argentina, I extracted new representatives of the genus and updated the genus phylogeny in the frame of integrated taxonomic approach (light and scanning microscopy, DNA sequencing of four markers: 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS-1, and COI). A new Kyrgyz species is dioecious and necessitates modifying the genus diagnosis to accommodate its cirri prolongation that contrasts with bulbous peribuccal cirri typical for Cornechiniscus. Furthermore, it enhances the hypothesis on the Central Asian origin of the genus. Morphologically, Cornechiniscus mystacinus sp. nov. most closely resembles C. tibetanus (Maucci, 1979) by its large body size (adult females ∼500 μm on average), strongly heteronych and smooth claws, and by the development of spines in the lateral positions C–E and at the posterior margin of the pseudosegmental plate IV’. I demonstrated the sister relationship between C. holmeni (Petersen, 1951) and C. imperfectus, previously hypothesised based on their morphological similarity. Cornechiniscus lobatus (Ramazzotti, 1943) can be considered a subcosmopolitan taxon since it certainly occurs in the Holarctic and Neotropics.

Keywords: Central Asia, Cephalic papilla, Cirri, Dioecious, Kyrgyzstan, Phylogeny

Phylum: Tardigrada Doyère, 1840

Class: Heterotardigrada Marcus, 1927.

Order: Echiniscoidea Richters, 1926.

Family: Echiniscidae Thulin, 1928.

Genus: Cornechiniscus Maucci & Ramazzotti, 1981.

Diagnosis (from Kristensen, 1987; amended): Echiniscids with black crystalline eyes, flexible buccal tube and pseudosegmental plate IV’. Appendages A horn-shaped. Secondary clavae (cephalic papillae) ovoid, domed; peribuccal cirri typically bulbous (onion-shaped), but exceptionally may be formed typically for the vast majority of echiniscids, i.e. with antenniform, flexible flagellum and well-delimited cirrophore.

 Habitus of Cornechiniscus mystacinus sp. nov. (LM):
A – adult female freshly mounted in Hoyer's medium (paratype in lateral view); B – cephalic body portion of another adult female just preserved on a permanent slide (paratype in dorsolateral view); C – adult female (holotype in dorsolateral view); D – adult male (allotype in dorsolateral view). Letters C–E signify lateral appendage positions. Scale bars in μm.

  Cornechiniscus mystacinus sp. nov.

Differential diagnosis: Cornechiniscus mystacinus sp. nov. is easily distinguishable from all congeners by the combination of the following characters: extreme elongation of peribuccal cirri (cirrus internus slightly longer than appendage A and cirrus externus several times longer than the latter; peribuccal cirri are typically bulbous in the genus, Fig. 7D) with tufted tips, granulation around the mouth cone and cephalic papillae, and the presence of males in populations. ...

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.06.007

Etymology: From Latin mystax = moustache. The name alludes to the significant prolongation of peribuccal cirri, especially of external ones, that calls to mind barbels of a catfish. An adjective in the nominative singular.

 Piotr Gąsiorek. 2022. Water Bear with Barbels of A Catfish: A New Asian Cornechiniscus (Heterotardigrada: Echiniscidae) illuminates Evolution of the Genus. Zoologischer Anzeiger. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.06.007

 

[Arachnida • 2021] Chthonius kirghisicus • A New Cave-dwelling Species (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae) from Kyrgyzstan

Chthonius kirghisicus 

Prado, Viana, Milko & Ferreira, 2021

 DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.40.67303

Abstract

A new pseudoscorpion species, Chthonius kirghisicus sp. nov., is described. It can be distinguished from the other species of the genus mainly by the number and shape of chelal teeth, the number of coxae setae, the arrangement of carapacal setae, and its measurements. This new species represents the first record for the genus in Kyrgyzstan. We also provide recommendations for future research on this species.

Keywords: Cave-dwelling, pseudoscorpion, taxonomy

Figure 6. Type locality and habitat of Chthonius kirghisicus sp. nov.
A Kyrgyzstan karst landscape B general area where the cave is located with the lower entrance featured C detail of the lower cave entrance D cave interior E live holotype.

Family Chthoniidae Daday, 1888

Genus Chthonius C.L. Koch, 1843

Chthonius kirghisicus sp. nov.

 

Etymology: The epithet kirghisicus is an adjective that refers to the country where the specimens were collected, Kyrgyzstan.

Diagnosis: Chthonius kirghisicus sp. nov. differs from other members of the subgenus by the following combination of characters: one pair of eyes (C. tadzhikistanicus with four feebly small eyes, C. aquasanctae with two eyespots, C. pagus and C. submontanus bearing two anterior well-developed eyes and two posterior eyespots, C. shelkovnikovi, C. carinthiacus, C. delmastroi and C. tenuis with four well developed eyes, C. azerbaidzhanus and C. satapliaensis lack eyes or eye spots) (Redikorzev 1930; Schawaller and Dashdamirov 1988; Dashdamirov and Schawaller 1992; Gardini 2009; Christophoryová et al. 2011; Ćurčić et al. 2011, 2012a); epistome large and heavily dentated (C. azerbaidzhanus, C pagus and C. satapliaensis with small dentated epistome, C. carinthiacus and C. aquasanctae with a distinct but small epistome, C. ponticus, C. delmastroi, C. tenuis and C. submontanus without an epistome) (Beier 1964; Schawaller and Dashdamirov 1988; Gardini 2009; Christophoryová et al. 2011; Ćurčić et al. 2011, 2012a); anterior margin mostly serrated (ranging between seta ame and al) (C. tadzhikistanicus with anterior margin entirely serrated, C. azerbaidzhanus, C. satapliaensis, C. pagus, C. aquasanctae, C. carinthiacus and C. ponticus with only epistome region serrated) (Beier 1964; Schawaller and Dashdamirov 1988; Christophoryová et al. 2011; Ćurčić et al. 2011, 2012a); carapace with 20 setae, chaetotaxy 4: 2: 4: 4: 2: 4 (C. ponticus [4: 4: 2: 4: 2: 2], C. carinthiacus, C. delmastroi, C. tenuis and C. submontanus [4:6:4:2:2] with 18 setae); il located medially (in C. tadzhikistanicus, C. shelkovnikovi and C. azerbaidzhanus il is situated on the lateral margin), pl situated posteriorly to pm (in C. satapliaensis pl is located anteriorly to pm); palpal femur 5.2 times longer than wide (4.5 times in C. tadzhikistanicus, 3.0 times in C. shelkovnikovi, 5.4 times in C. azerbaidzhanus and 6.1 times in C. satapliaensis); chela 5.8 times longer than wide (5.4 times in C. tadzhikistanicus, 5.1 times in C. satapliaensis, 4.0 times in C. shelkovnikovi and 5.1 times in C. ponticus, 4.9 times in C. aquasanctae, 4.4 times in C. delmastroi, 5.3 times in C. tenuis, 4.5 times in C. submontanus and 4.8 times in C. pagus) (Redikorzev 1930; Beier 1964; Dashdamirov and Schawaller 1992; Gardini 2009; Ćurčić et al. 2011, 2012a); fixed chelal finger with 75–77 contiguous, acute and reclined backwards teeth (25 acute and straight teeth in C. azerbaidzhanus, 28 in C. satapliaensis, 33–38 acute, reclined backwards and close-set teeth in C. carinthiacus, 23–25 in C. aquasanctae, 30–33 in C. pagus, 32–36 in C. submontanus, 38 in C. tenuis, and 27–29 in C. delmastroi; 12–13 acute and sparse teeth in C. ponticus and 50 round and small teeth in C. shelkovnikovi); movable finger with 59–60 contiguous acute and retrorse teeth (18 acute and small teeth in C. azerbaidzhanus, 18 acute and straight teeth in C. satapliaensis, 17–20 acute, reclined backwards and close-set teeth in C. carinthiacus, 19–21 in C. aquasanctae, 25–39 in C. pagus, 23–30 in C. submontanus, 34 in C. tenuis, 26–29 in C. delmastroi; 24 flat and small teeth in C. ponticus and 50 round and small teeth in C. shelkovnikovi); absence of a protuberance near ib and isb (found in C. tadzhikistanicus C. tenuis and C. delmastroi); chelal hand long and slender (C. ponticus presents a ventrally round portion of the hand, C. shelkovnikovi exhibits short and robust chela) (Redikorzev 1930; Beier 1964; Schawaller and Dashdamirov 1988; Dashdamirov and Schawaller 1992; Gardini 2009; Christophoryová et al. 2011; Ćurčić et al. 2011, 2012a).

 Guilherme C. Prado, Ana Clara M. Viana, Dmitry A. Milko and Rodrigo L. Ferreira. 2021. Chthonius kirghisicus (Pseudoscorpiones, Chthoniidae), A New Cave-dwelling Species from Kyrgyzstan. Subterranean Biology. 40: 27-41. DOI: 10.3897/subtbiol.40.67303

[Entomology • 2021] World Revision of Iteaphila (Diptera: Empidoidea: Iteaphilidae) with unbranched radial vein

Iteaphila bifida 

Sinclair & Shamshev, 2021

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4968.1.1

Abstract

Iteaphila Zetterstedt is redefined to include species with both branched and unbranched radial vein (R4+5) on the basis of a morphological cladistic analysis and parsimony analysis of COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences. As a result, Anthepiscopus Becker is hypothesized as a junior synonym of Iteaphila and species of the Iteaphila setosa group are transferred to the new genus, Paraiteaphila gen. nov. The following new combinations are proposed: P. arundela (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov., P. caucasica (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov., P. italica (Loew, 1873) comb. nov., P. kubaniensis (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov., P. merzi (Shamshev & Sinclair, 2009) comb. nov. and P. setosa (Bezzi, 1924) comb. nov. These two genera are assigned to the family Iteaphilidae stat. rev.

                Thirty-five species of Iteaphila with unbranched radial vein are revised, including 26 new species: bulbosa species group (I. beringiensis sp. nov., I. bifida sp. nov., I. recta sp. nov., I. tribulosa sp. nov.), macquarti species group (I. bartaki sp. nov., I. falki sp. nov., I. kyrgyzstanensis sp. nov., I. ribesii (Becker, 1891) comb. nov.), nitidula species group (I. longiphallus sp. nov.), nupta species group (I. arnaudi sp. nov., I. bayarea sp. nov., I. brooksi sp. nov., I. dichoptica sp. nov., I. flavipilosa (Coquillett, 1900) comb. nov., I. glabricula sp. nov., I. gracilis sp. nov., I. grandis sp. nov., I. lolo sp. nov., I. longipalpis (Melander, 1928) comb. nov., I. luteitibia sp. nov., I. nupta (Melander, 1928) comb. nov., I. sierrensis sp. nov., I. spinosa sp. nov., I. subnupta sp. nov.), oedalina species group (I. aktruensis sp. nov., I. incus sp. nov., I. miranda sp. nov., I. oedalina (Zetterstedt, 1838) comb. nov., I. polygyna (Melander, 1928) comb. nov., I. recurvata sp. nov., I. sakhalinensis sp. nov., I. zontaki (Nowicki, 1871) comb. nov.), stentor species group (I. parastentor sp. nov., I. stentor (Melander, 1902) comb. nov.) and unplaced to species group (I. caelebs (Becker, 1891) comb. nov.). The following new synonyms are proposed: I. flavicoxa (Melander, 1928) is a junior synonym of I. polygyna (Melander, 1928); I. hirsutus (Melander, 1928) is a junior synonym of I. oedalina (Zettersedt, 1838). Lectotypes are designated for the following species: I. flavipilosa, I. fraternella Zetterstedt, I. nigra Zetterstedt, I. nupta, I. oedalina, I. polygyna and I. ribesii. All species of Iteaphila with unbranched R4+5 are described, key to species presented, male terminalia illustrated, distributions plotted and flowers visited by these species are listed. COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences were obtained for 18 identified Nearctic species of Iteaphila with both branched and unbranched R4+5.

Keywords: Diptera, Anthophily, Anthepiscopus, dance flies, DNA barcodes, Europe, Iteaphila group, Iteaphila setosa group, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, North America, Russia, family status revised, new genus, new species

 

  Bradley J. Sinclair and Igor V. Shamshev. 2021. World Revision of Iteaphila with unbranched radial vein (Diptera: Empidoidea: Iteaphilidae). Zootaxa. 4968(1); 1–89. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4968.1.1

[Entomology • 2016] Three New Species and One New Subspecies of Deserticossus Yakovlev, 2006 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, with World Catalogue of the Genus

Deserticossus pulverulentus (Püngeler, 1898)

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.3.3 

Abstract

Three new species and one new subspecies of the genus Deserticossus Yakovlev, 2006 are described: Deserticossus doroshkini Yakovlev & Witt sp. nov. from eastern Kazakhstan (Tarbagatai Mts.), D. selevini Yakovlev & Witt sp. nov. from southeastern Kazakhstan (Malye Boguty Mts.), D. kamelini Yakovlev & Witt sp. nov. from Kyrgyzstan (Fergana Valley), and D. tsingtauana didenkoi Yakovlev & Witt subsp. nov. from Russia (Southern Siberia, Buryatia Republic). The described species and subspecies of Deserticossus are listed, with notes on the type material, synonymies, and distribution for each taxon.

Keywords: Cossidae, fauna, new species, Deserticossus, Lepidoptera, Russia

Roman V. Yakovlev and Thomas J Witt. 2017. Three New Species and One New Subspecies of Deserticossus Yakovlev, 2006 (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, with World Catalogue of the Genus. Zootaxa.  4269(3); 379–395.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4269.3.3

[Herpetology • 2016] Gloydius rickmersi • Alai! Alai! – A New Species of the Gloydius halys (Pallas, 1776) complex (Viperidae, Crotalinae), including a brief review of the complex

Gloydius rickmersi 

Wagner, Tiutenko, Borkin & Simonov, 2016

DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003026 

During a scientific field expedition to the Alai-Pamir range five specimens of the genus Gloydius have been collected in the larger Alai. A morphological and genetical examination of the specimens has shown that they are part of the G. halys complex, but represent a new taxon which is characterized by the following unique character combination: It is a slender and moderately stout small snake, up to 479 mm total length. The head has nine symmetrical plates on the upper head, 7 supralabial and 8-9 infralabial scales. Body scales in 20-22 rows around midbody, 143-156 ventral and 35-45 usually paired subcaudal scales. The cloacal plate not divided. The general coloration consists of various different tones of olive, tan and brown, having a distinct head, but an indistinct body pattern with, excluding the tail, 26-29 transverse crossbands, which are not extending to the sides of the body. The haplotype network shows the new species within the G. halys complex and close related to both, G. h. halys and G. h. caraganus. So far the new described species is only known from the Alai range. However, various Gloydius specimens are found in Kyrgyzstan and because of the complicated taxonomy those specimens have to re-identified to clarify their status and the status of the new species.

Keywords: Alai; Viperidae; Kyrgyzstan; Crotalinae; Central Asia; Gloydius sp. n.

 Philipp Wagner, Glib Mazepa, Arthur Tiutenko, Evgeniy Simonov and Leo J. Borkin. 2016. Alai! Alai! – A New Species of the Gloydius halys (Pallas, 1776) complex (Viperidae, Crotalinae), including a brief review of the complex.
 AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA. DOI: 10.1163/15685381-00003026

ResearchGate.net/publication/288904336_Alai_Alai_-_a_new_species_of_the_Gloydius_halys_complex_Viperidae_Crotalinae_including_a_brief_review_of_the_complex

Snake Roadkill Is New Species of High-Altitude Viper  http://on.natgeo.com/1QaLkJz via @NatGeo