[Entomology • 2022] Dematotrichus gen. nov., Dematotrichus comatulus, D. hirtus, D. horridus, D. villosus, ... • Integrative Systematic Revision of A New Genus of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) endemic to New Caledonia

 

Dematotrichus gen. nov. 
Dorsal views of the male holotype and one female paratype of Dematotrichus hirtus sp. nov. (a), the male holotype of D. pubescens sp. nov. (b), the male holotype of D. capillaris sp. nov. (c), the male holotype and one female paratype of D. comatulus sp. nov. (d), and the male holotype and one female paratype of D. villosus sp. nov. (e).

Gómez-Zurita. 2022

DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2084471

 twitter.com/GomezZuritaLab

Abstract

The monophyletic group of species around Dematochroma pilosa Jolivet, Verma & Mille is identified in this work by combining information from mitochondrial DNA data and morphological features. A series of defining traits diagnosing this species assemblage from its closest phylogenetic relatives, including the genera Thasycles Chapuis and Atrichatus Sharp, is used to argue for its taxonomic separation and propose a new genus, named Dematotrichus gen. nov. Both Dematochroma pilosa and Montrouzierella hispida Jolivet, Verma & Mille are transferred to the new genus as D. pilosus (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov. and D. hispidus (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov., and 11 new species are described: D. capillaris sp. nov., D. capillosus sp. nov., D. comans sp. nov., D. crinitus sp. nov., D. comatulus sp. nov., D. hirtus sp. nov., D. hirsutus sp. nov., D. horridus sp. nov., D. pubescens sp. nov., D. setosus sp. nov. and D. villosus sp. nov. The work includes an identification key for all the species in the new genus.

 

Key words: Dematotrichus gen. nov., Dematochroma, Eumolpinae, island radiation, New Caledonia

  Dorsal views of the male holotype and one female paratype of Dematotrichus hirtus sp. nov. (a), the male holotype of D. pubescens sp. nov. (b), the male holotype of D. capillaris sp. nov. (c), the male holotype and one female paratype of D. comatulus sp. nov. (d), and the male holotype and one female paratype of D. villosus sp. nov. (e).

Dematotrichus gen. nov.

Diagnosis. One particularly remarkable feature of this genus in the context of the diversity of New Caledonian Eumolpinae, which shall help recognizing it right away, is the relatively homogeneous dorsal pubescence, only thinner perhaps on head. Such type of vestiture is not common at all among members of the tribe Eumolpini, although a few other genera or evolutionary lineages of New Caledonian Eumolpinae exhibit some degree of dorsal pubescence. However, these groups can be told apart very easily based on the shape of their pronota. One of the closest relatives to Dematotrichus gen. nov. is the genus Thasycles Chapuis. These genera show some external similarities, including the presence of setae on pronotum and elytra, but in Thasycles they are sparser and not uniform, mostly at sides and apex of elytra, and have a distinctive pronotum, transverse, with flat anterior angles (Gómez-Zurita & Pàmies-Harder, 2022). The species of Taophila Heller have some pubescence on elytra and often on pronotum, but it is also much sparser and/or patchier, and they have an unmistakable body structure, in good part because of the shape of pronotum, as well, narrower than elytra, about as long as wide, narrowing at both ends, and without lateral suture or very finely margined laterally (Platania & Gómez-Zurita, 2022). Tricholapita Gómez-Zurita & Cardoso have more generalized pubescence on both pronotum and elytra, but once again, the pronotum is very different from Dematotrichus (or any other known related genus), showing three and most often two prominent teeth at sides (Platania et al., 2020). Samuelsonia pilosa Jolivet et al., 2007a, S. mayonae Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2010 (in Jolivet et al., 2009) and a group of undescribed species related to them also have pubescent dorsum, but these are immediately recognizable because of their much smaller size (2–3× smaller), typically greenish or cupreous dorsal shine and pronotum not much narrower than elytra, widened posteriorly. The last known hairy representative of New Caledonian Eumolpinae, Dematochroma doiana Jolivet et al., 2007b, shows the same dense uniform pubescence on dorsum as all the species of Dematotrichus, and the penis has similar appearance, but the pronotum is very different, transverse, with anterior and posterior borders of similar length and anterior angles not compressed at sides of head.

Derivatio nominis. The generic name is composed of the same Greek root word for Dematochroma, Demato- (perhaps with the original meaning of bundle or bond; Brown, 1954), combined with a transliteration derived from the Greek word θρίξ or hair, -trichus, of intended masculine gender and in reference to the hairy dorsum of all species known to belong to this genus.

JesúS Gómez-Zurita. 2022. Integrative Systematic Revision of A New Genus of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) endemic to New Caledonia: Dematotrichus gen. nov. and its numerous new hairy species. Systematics and Biodiversity. 20(1); 1-28. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2084471

 twitter.com/GomezZuritaLab/status/1552197512190218240

 

[Entomology • 2024] Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi & Neocaledosynthemis gen. nov. • A remarkable new synthemistid from New Caledonia. Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Note on New Caledonian Synthemistidae and erection of a new genus (Odonata: Anisoptera: Synthemistidae s. str.)

Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi 

Fleck, 2024 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5403.3.2 

 

Abstract

The new species, Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi sp. nov., dedicated to the late Jean Legrand, is described and illustrated based on a single pair of specimens from Mont Panié, New Caledonia. The male of this large species has unusual strongly sinuous and distally down curved white cerci 7 mm long and exhibits on abdominal segment 10 a remarkable clump of strong setae mimicking a dorsal horn. The female wingspan slightly exceeds 100 mm. In addition, on the basis of adult and larval characters, Neocaledosynthemis gen. nov. is erected to accommodate two other New Caledonian synthemistids, Synthemis fenella Campion (type species) and Synthemis ariadne Lieftinck. New Caledonian synthemistids are probably more closely related to Parasynthemis Carle than to Synthemis Selys Longchamps, both from Australia.

Odonata, Mont Panié, Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi sp. nov., Neocaledosynthemis gen nov.

Günther FLECK. 2024. A remarkable new synthemistid from New Caledonia (Odonata: Anisoptera: Synthemistidae s. str.). Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Note on New Caledonian Synthemistidae and erection of a new genus.  Zootaxa. 5403(3); 320-330. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5403.3.2 [2024-01-22]

  facebook.com/Opie.odonates/posts/400401169316415

[Invertebrate • 2024] Benthogenia mahi • Revision of the Genus Benthogenia Fisher, 1911 (Echinodermata: Asteroidea: Porcellanasteridae), with Description of A New Species and ossicle anatomy

 Benthogenia mahi 

Fau, 2024

 

sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema 

  twitter.com/echinoblog

Porcellanasteridae Sladen, 1883 is a family of mud-dwelling sea stars, living in bathyal and abyssal environments. Among the twelve currently recognized genera of this family, Benthogenia Fisher, 1911 is the only one known occurring at depth shallower than 1000 m. Benthogenia differs from all other porcellanasterids by having cribriform organs between all its marginals, from the disc to the tip of the arms. Benthogenia cribellosa Fisher, 1911 is reported from a locality as shallow as 111 m, and a new species, Benthogenia mahi n. sp., is described from material housed in the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris (MNHN). Benthogenia mahi n. sp. is represented by twelve specimens, collected at depth ranging from 400 to 1200 m during four different expeditions. Benthogenia cribellosa is represented by two specimens from the MNHN, plus the holotype and two specimens from the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution), Washington D.C. Benthogenia mahi n. sp. differs from B. cribellosa mostly by having more robust arms, fewer oral and adambulacral spines, and by the cribriform organs not covering the entire surface of the superomarginals of the disc. Molecular data (16S rDNA) were also used as an independent dataset to test for divergence between the two species. Benthogenia mahi n. sp. occurs in New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, whereas B. cribellosa is only known from the Philippines. Detailed descriptions of both species are provided, as well as a detailed description of the skeleton of the new species.

KEYWORDS: Porcellanasteridae, deep-sea fauna, systematics, anatomy, new species

 Benthogenia mahi n. sp. in abactinal (C, E) and actinal view (D, F):
C, D, MNHN-IE-2007-1580; E, F, MNHN-IE-2019-3879.

Scale bars: 5 cm.

 Benthogenia mahi n. sp.

Marine FAU. 2024. Revision of the Genus Benthogenia Fisher, 1911 (Asteroidea, Echinodermata), with Description of A New Species and ossicle anatomy. ZOOSYSTEMA. 46(11); 269-284.  DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2024v46a11

  sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/46/11

  twitter.com/echinoblog/status/1790757053151183020

[Crustacea • 2024] Garymunida namora, Trapezionida macilenta, T. pulex, etc. • DNA Barcoding and Morphology revealed the Existence of Seven New Species of Squat Lobsters in the Family Munididae (Decapoda: Galatheoidea) in the southwestern Pacific

A Trapezionida macilenta sp. nov., male holotype, Papua-New Guinea
B Trapezionida pulex sp. nov., ovigerous female paratype, New Caledonia.

Macpherson, Rodríguez-Flores & Machordom, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1188.114984

 twitter.com/PaulaRodFlo

 

Abstract

Specimens of squat lobsters belonging to the family Munididae Ahyong et al., 2010, representing the genera Garymunida Macpherson & Baba, 2022, Trapezionida Macpherson & Baba, 2022 and Typhlonida Macpherson & Baba, 2022, were collected during several cruises around New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea, Southwest Pacific. The integrative study of these specimens revealed the presence of one new species in Garymunida, five in Trapezionida and one in Typhlonida. We describe and illustrate these new species, providing some new data on the taxonomy of several rare or scarcely studied species of Trapezionida. Molecular data from different markers (mitochondrial and nuclear) was also included, based on data availability, to support the taxonomic status of different species. Finally, a key to species for each genus is also provided.

Key words: Crustacea, integrative taxonomy, molecular characters, morphology, Pacific Ocean

Superfamily Galatheoidea Samouelle, 1819

Family Munididae Ahyong, Baba, Macpherson & Poore, 2010

Genus Garymunida Macpherson & Baba, 2022 in Machordom et al. 2022

 Garymunida namora sp. nov.

Etymology: "Namora" is a mythological woman participating in the creation of New Guinea. Used as noun in apposition.

Genus Trapezionida Macpherson & Baba, 2022 in Machordom et al. 2022

 Trapezionida brachytes (Macpherson, 1994)

 Trapezionida leptitis (Macpherson, 1994)

 Trapezionida brevitas sp. nov.

Etymology: From the Latin, brevitas, shortness, in reference to the small size of the species.

 Trapezionida diluta sp. nov.

Etymology: From the Latin, dilutus, thin, in reference to the shape of the antennular peduncle.

Colour in life A Trapezionida macilenta sp. nov., male holotype, 5.7 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-1094), Papua-New Guinea
B Trapezionida pulex sp. nov., ovigerous female paratype, 4.4 mm (MNHN-IU-2013-1882), New Caledonia.

 Trapezionida macilenta sp. nov.

Etymology: From the Latin, macilentus, thin, in reference to the long and slender antennular peduncle.

 Trapezionida microtes sp. nov.

Etymology: From the Greek, mikros, small, in reference to the small size of the species.

 Trapezionida pulex sp. nov.

Etymology: From the Latin, pulex, flea, in reference to the small size of the species.

Genus Typhlonida Macpherson & Baba, 2022 in Machordom et al. 2022

 Typhlonida eluminata sp. nov.

Etymology: From the Latin, eluminatus, blinded, in reference to the small eyes.

Enrique Macpherson, Paula C. Rodríguez-Flores and Annie Machordom. 2024. DNA Barcoding and Morphology revealed the Existence of Seven New Species of Squat Lobsters in the Family Munididae (Decapoda, Galatheoidea) in the southwestern Pacific. ZooKeys. 1188: 91-123. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1188.114984

 twitter.com/PaulaRodFlo/status/1742581591258595455

[Entomology • 2021] Resolving A Century-old Case of generic mistaken Identity: Polyphyly of Chitoniscus sensu lato resolved with the Description of the endemic New Caledonia Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae)

  Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. 

in Cumming, Le Tirant & Büscher, 2021. 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1055.66796

Abstract

With every molecular review involving Chitoniscus Stål, 1875 sensu lato samples from Fiji and New Caledonia revealing polyphyly, the morphology from these two distinct clades was extensively reviewed. Morphological results agree with all previously published molecular studies and therefore Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. is erected to accommodate the former Chitoniscus sensu lato species restricted to New Caledonia, leaving the type species Chitoniscus lobiventris (Blanchard, 1853) and all other Fijian species within Chitoniscus sensu stricto. Erection of this new genus for the New Caledonian species warrants the following new combinations: Trolicaphyllium brachysoma (Sharp, 1898), comb. nov., Trolicaphyllium erosus (Redtenbachher, 1906), comb. nov., and Trolicaphyllium sarrameaense (Größer, 2008a), comb. nov. Morphological details of the female, male, freshly hatched nymph, and egg are illustrated and discussed alongside the Chitoniscus sensu stricto in order to differentiate these two clades which have been mistaken as one for decades.

Keywords: Camouflage, Drehu, Grande Terre, Ile de Bélep, L’Île-des-Pins, Lifou, Lifu, Maré, mimicry, new combination, Phasmida, Tiga, walking leaf

Figure 31. Unidentifiable Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. male nymph photographed on Tiga Island in August 2020 by Damien Brouste (New Caledonia) (iNaturalist user: damienbr)
A dorso-anterior view B same nymph, dorsal habitus C unidentified host plant on which the nymph was recorded.

Figure 30. Live nymphs of Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. which could not be identified to species. Images from endemia.nc (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
A Frédéric Desmoulins, Plaine des Lacs, April 2014 B Hendrik Oesterlin, Koé (Dumbéa) elevation 185 meters, June 2006 C Julien Barrault, Hienghène, November 2010
D Daniel and Irène Létocart, Tchamba, October 2009 E Bernard Suprin, Dumbéa, April 2004 F Gildas Gâteblé, Ouenghi, October 2012.

Royce T. Cumming, Stephane Le Tirant and Thies H. Büscher. 2021. Resolving A Century-old Case of generic mistaken Identity: Polyphyly of Chitoniscus sensu lato resolved with the Description of the endemic New Caledonia Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae). ZooKeys. 1055: 1-41. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1055.66796

[Botany • 2023] Goniothalamus hmoope (Annonaceae) • A Third Species of Goniothalamus from New Caledonia and Lectotypification of G. obtusatus

 Goniothalamus hmoope Munzinger & D.M. Johnson,  

in Munzinger, Johnson et Saunders, 2023. 

sciencepress.MNHN.fr

  Researchgate.net/publication/373444558

A new species is described from New Caledonia in the genus Goniothalamus, which now includes three endemic species from the archipelago. The new species was first collected over 150 years ago, but had not been subsequently studied until now. Material of the New Caledonian taxa was included in a recent molecular phylogeny, which shows that they are related and belong to the same clade, but they are easily distinguished from one another by morphology. Goniothalamus hmoope sp. nov. differs from G. obtusatus by its smaller leaves and its monocarps that are terete and 3-8 seeded (vs narrowly ellipsoid, ellipsoid, subglobose to obovoid, 1-3-seeded), and from G. dumontetii by its flat leaves with plane secondary veins (versus slightly bullate with impressed venation), and its monocarps that are terete (vs flattened elongate with lateral triangular projections). The new species, which is restricted to the North Province and can be abundant in the Mt. Panié range, was assessed by the New Caledonian Red List Authority as Vulnerable (VU) based on the IUCN Red List criteria.

KEYWORDS: Annonaceae, Oxymitra, Richella, endemic, IUCN status, lectotypification, new species

Goniothalamus hmoope Munzinger & D.M. Johnson, sp. nov.:
A, flower, side view with one outer petal removed; B, habit; C, seed, view from micropylar end; D, seed, side view; E, outer petal, adaxial view; F, inner petal, adaxial view; G, stamen, abaxial view; H, carpel, ovary dissected to show row of ovules; I, Flower with petals and most of stamens removed, showing sepals, three stamens, six carpels, and torus.

A, E-I, based on McPherson 6466 (MO3224998); B-D, based on McPherson 5249 (MO3208807). 

Drawing by Kate Stenger. 

Scale bars: A, B, 1 cm; C-F, 5 mm; G-I, 1 mm.

Field photos of Goniothalamus hmoope Munzinger & D.M. Johnson, sp. nov.:
 A, trunk with slash; B, adaxial face of leaves; C, abaxial face of leaves; D, inflorescence borne on trunk (cauliflory); E, flower from below; F, cauliflorous fruit; G, ramiflorous fruit seen from above.

 (Photos; A-C, F, G, © Ph. Birnbaum; D, E, © P. Lowry).

Goniothalamus hmoope Munzinger & D.M. Johnson, sp. nov.

Goniothalamus species distinguished from congeners by the combination of a truncate apex of the anther connective, narrowly cylindrical and slightly bifid funnel-shaped stigma, narrowly oblong (dactyliform), torulose monocarps with up to eight seeds, and mucilaginous trichomes on the testa.

Vernacular name. — Hmoope (Nemi language) (Munzinger 2013).

Etymology. — The specific epithet refers to the vernacular name.

 

 

Jérôme MUNZINGER, David M. JOHNSON and Richard M. K. SAUNDERS. 2023. Novitates neocaledonicae XIV: A Third Species of Goniothalamus (Blume) Hook.f. & Thomson from New Caledonia and Lectotypification of G. obtusatus (Baill.) R.M.K. Saunders. ADANSONIA. 45(20); 327-335.  sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/adansonia/45/20

DOI: 10.5252/adansonia2023v45a20

Researchgate.net/publication/373444558_Novitates_neocaledonicae_XIV_A_third_species_of_Goniothalamus_from_New_Caledonia

[Botany • 2023] Leichhardtia weari • A New threatened New Caledonian Leichhardtia (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae: Marsdenieae) Species discovered from A TV Programme and Social Media

Leichhardtia weari Gâteblé, Meve & Liede, 

in Gâteblé, Meve & Liede-Schumann, 2023.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.591.2.1

Abstract

Just a few months after the publication of the Flore de la Nouvelle-Calédonie treatment for Asclepiadoideae, Periplocoideae and Secamonoideae, an unknown plant species obviously belonging to the genus Leichhardtia R.Br. was spotted while watching the local Wéari television programme on Caledonia channel and made available on YouTube. The focus of the TV programme was the remote and difficult to access Yandé island, in the extreme north of New Caledonia’s Grande Terre. Since few botanical investigations have been undertaken on this isolated island, the Wéari programme was an opportunity to get a better overview of its natural environment and plants. Here, we describe this Leichhardtia species and name it after this TV programme. Leichhardtia weari Gâteblé, Meve & Liede, sp. nov. is a narrowly endemic species with whitish flowers that is growing on serpentinite derived soils and known from less than ten individuals. Due to anthropogenic fire threat and its obvious rarity, we propose to consider it as Critically Endangered. In addition, a nomenclatural problem is fixed by proposing the new combination Leichhardtia guillauminiana (P.T.Li) Gâteblé, Meve & Liede, comb. nov; and a key for the now 20 species of Leichhardtia native to New Caledonia is presented.

Keywords: endangered species, Flora of New Caledonia, Leichhardtia micrantha nom. illeg., micro-endemism, new combination, new species, ultramafic soil, youtube, Eudicots

 

Leichhardtia weari Gâteblé, Meve & Liede. 
B. Degraded maquis vegetation in the Mariri creek area; C. A fertile branch with inflorescences; D. Detail of an inflorescence with flowers in lateral view; E. Flower in frontal view displaying the gynostegium.

A, C showing Fleurot 838, B Fleurot & Dayé 902, and D–E Fleurot & Dayé 905. 

Photos by D. Fleurot.

Leichhardtia weari Gâteblé, Meve & Liede, sp. nov.

Diagnosis:—Leichhardtia weari is most similar to L. neomicrostoma and L. mackeeorum (Meve et al. 2017: 60) Liede et al. in LiedeSchumann et al. (2020: 122) but differs from the former by leaves 1.5–5 mm long, peduncle nearly absent (to 0.3 mm), corolla 2–3 mm long, pollinia broadly ellipsoid and around 0.2 mm long (vs. leaves 6 to 8 cm long, peduncle 5–7 mm long, corolla 4–6 mm long, pollinia oblong and around 0.33 mm long in L. neomicrostoma). Leichhardtia weari differs from L. mackeeorum by sciadoidal inflorescences, corolla tube rounded in outline and longer than wide, corolla lobes widely pubescent to pilose (vs. bostrychoid inflorescences, corolla tube rounded pentagonal in outline and broader than long, corolla adaxially bearded below sinus of otherwise glabrous corolla lobes in L. mackeeorum).

Etymology:—The name refers to the Wéari programme from the Caledonia television channel and made available on YouTube. The Caledonia channel journalist Cédric Tyea named his programme Wéari because it is a word meaning protect, preserve or conserve in Paicî native language from the Paicî-Cèmuhi customary area. Paicî is the most spoken native language on mainland New Caledonia and its area of influence is between Monéo to Amoa on the east coast and Poya to Koné on the west coast (https://www.alk.nc/langues/paici). Yandé (or Yaadé) Island belongs to the Hoot ma Whaap customary area, to the Nénéma district and the native language spoken there is the Nêlêmwa (Bril 2002). The customary authorities of Yandé, Dominique Fleurot and Cédric Tyea welcome the proposed specific epithet. The epithet is here treated as a word in apposition and indeclinable (Turland et al. 2018, Art. 23.1, 23.2) as advocated for example for names derived from native languages in New Zealand (Webb et al. 1999, Heenan et al. 2021).

Gildas Gâteblé, Ulrich Meve, Sigrid Liede-Schumann. 2023. A New threatened New Caledonian Leichhardtia (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Marsdenieae) Species discovered from A TV Programme and Social Media. Phytotaxa. 591(2); 91-100. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.591.2.1

[Crustacea • 2022] Caridina occidentalis • West Side Story: A Molecular and Morphological Study of Caridina longicarpus Roux, 1926 (Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae) from New Caledonia reveals A New Species

Caridina occidentalis 

de Mazancourt, Bréthiot, Marquet & Keith, 2022

  sciencepress.MNHN.fr

  twitter.com/Publi_MNHN

Numerous specimens of freshwater shrimps identified as Caridina longicarpus Roux, 1926 were recently collected from New Caledonia. Following an integrative taxonomy approach, they were morphologically and genetically studied. Results of a 16S mtDNA analysis showed that the specimens initially identified as C. longicarpus were distributed in two geographically structured clades. Morphological study showed that the shrimps found in rivers draining to the east coast of the island belonged to C. longicarpus sensu stricto, whereas those from rivers draining to the west coast belonged to a new species, here described as Caridina occidentalis n. sp. Detailed redescription of C. longicarpus is provided and a lectotype is designated. The existence of both species in allopatry could be explained by local biogeographical factors such as the topography of the island or oceanic circulation impacting the dispersal of larvae during the planktonic stage.

KEYWORDS: freshwater shrimp, Amphidromy, New Caledonia, integrative taxonomy, morphology, 16S, new species

Caridina longicarpus Roux, 1926

Caridina occidentalis n. sp. 

Valentin DE MAZANCOURT, Julien BRÉTHIOT, Gérard MARQUET and Philippe KEITH. 2022. West Side Story: A Molecular and Morphological Study of Caridina longicarpus Roux, 1926 (Decapoda, Caridea, Atyidae) from New Caledonia reveals A New Species. ZOOSYSTEMA. 44(18); 463-474.  sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/44/18

  twitter.com/Publi_MNHN/status/1580510468703416322

[Ornithology • 2022] Fregetta lineata (Peale, 1848) is A Valid Extant Species Endemic to New Caledonia

Fregetta lineata (Peale, 1848)

 in Bretagnolle, Flood, Gaba & Shirihai, 2022.  

DOI: 10.25226/bboc.v142i1.2022.a6 

 twitter.com/BirdCaledonia 

Abstract

We present evidence that confirms the streaked Fregetta lineata is a valid extant species that breeds on New Caledonia and endorse the vernacular name New Caledonian Storm Petrel. We review taxonomic deliberations over the historic five ‘Pealea’ streaked storm petrel specimens. Three belong to the recently rediscovered New Zealand Storm Petrel F. maoriana. We study six biometrics of the other two identical-looking specimens, one from Samoa, the other from the Marquesas Islands, a third ‘new’ specimen collected off Brisbane, and other Fregetta taxa. Results of Principal Component Analyses, Discriminant Analyses, and a review of phylogenetic relationships between Fregetta storm petrels, F. lineata and F. maoriana, lead us to conclude that the three specimens represent a single taxon, F. lineata. Furthermore, F. lineata is clearly separated from F. maoriana, White-bellied Storm Petrel F. grallaria and Black-bellied Storm Petrel F. tropica. We further conclude that storm petrels photographed at sea, off New Caledonia and in the Coral Sea, are F. lineata. We then redescribe F. lineata from at-sea observations, photographs taken at sea, and study of the three museum specimens. Criteria for in-hand and at-sea identification are presented. We report the first breeding record, from New Caledonia, a grounded fledgling presumably disoriented by onshore artificial lights. We explore likely breeding locations and conservation issues.

Comparison of ‘streaked’ White-bellied Storm Petrel Fregetta g. grallaria with New Zealand Storm Petrel F. maoriana and New Caledonian Storm Petrel F. lineata.

(A) White-bellied Storm Petrel, Lord Howe Island, Australia, April 2019 (David Newell, birdlifephotography.org.au). (B) White-bellied Storm Petrel, Lord Howe Island, February 2017 (Mark Lethlean, birdlifephotography.org.au). (C) White-bellied Storm Petrel, Lord Howe Island, date unknown (Jack Shick, lhirodenteradicationproject.org/plants-animals/birds).

 (D) New Zealand Storm Petrel, Hauraki Gulf, North Island, New Zealand, November 2018 (Hadoram Shirihai, © Tubenoses Project).

(E) New Caledonian Storm Petrel, off Nouméa, New Caledonia, January 2020 (Hadoram Shirihai, © Tubenoses Project). (F) New Caledonian Storm Petrel, off Nouméa, New Caledonia, January 2020 (Hadoram Shirihai, © Tubenoses Project).

Rarely, individuals of all populations of F. grallaria have limited fine streaking, for example (A) and (B), narrow and close to feather shafts, never in rows of oval dapples characteristic of F. lineata, for example (E) and (F), or forming straighter lines characteristic of F. maoriana (D). A few extreme examples of F. g. grallaria from Lord Howe possess broader flanks streaking, e.g. (C), but never covering the whole belly.

Comparison of underparts and underwing patterns of New Caledonian Storm Petrel Fregetta lineata (n = 30), off Nouméa, New Caledonia, January 2020 (top row)
and New Zealand Storm Petrel F. maoriana (n = 43), Hauraki Gulf, North Island, New Zealand, November 2018 (bottom row).

New Caledonian Storm Petrel Fregetta lineata, off Nouméa, New Caledonia, January 2020

 (Hadoram Shirihai, © Tubenoses Project)

New Caledonian Storm Petrel Fregetta lineata

New Caledonian Storm Petrel Fregetta lineata, Port Bouraké, New Caledonia, 26 September 2014; the first documented fledgling; note traces of down on head, stripes on belly diagnostic of F. lineata, narrow white fringes on dorsal feathers and upperwing (the latter most typical of F. grallaria)

(photographer unknown, images supplied by L. Renaudet)

Vincent Bretagnolle, Robert L. Flood, Sabrina Gaba and Hadoram Shirihai. 2022. Fregetta lineata (Peale, 1848) is A Valid Extant Species Endemic to New Caledonia. Bulletin of the British Ornithologists’ Club, 142(1):111-130. DOI: 10.25226/bboc.v142i1.2022.a6

  twitter.com/BirdCaledonia/status/1502441975701643264

 

[Arachnida • 2021] Martensopsalis dogny • A New Genus of Neopilionidae (Opiliones: Eupnoi) from New Caledonia

Live habitus of Martensopsalis gen. nov.
A–B Martensopsalis dogny gen. & spec. nov. from Plateau de Dogny (paratype MCZ IZ-151592). C Martensopsalis sp. from Mé Maoya (MCZ IZ-151588). D Martensopsalis sp. from Mt Do.
E Martensopsalis sp. from Kwa We Dare. F Martensopsalis sp. from the Humboldt rainforest.

in Giribet, Baker & Brouste, 2021.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4984.1.9  

Photos by G. Giribet (A–C) and D. Brouste (D–F).

 

Abstract

New Caledonia has an endemic opiliofauna with two named species of Triaenonychidae, 17 Troglosironidae and eight Zalmoxidae. The recent finding of Neopilionidae on Grande Terre was thus surprising, and required the formal description of a new genus, which we undertake here. Martensopsalis gen. nov. is characterized by a small unsclerotized body with a unique palp with a pointed basal apophysis on the ventral side of the femur and with a distal apophysis on the prolateral side of the patella. The distinct external morphology, simple penis and unique phylogenetic position justify the erection of the new genus with Martensopsalis dogny spec. nov. as its type species. In addition to the type locality we report several other localities of putative congeneric, yet undescribed species.

Keywords: Opiliones, Gondwana, harvestmen, taxonomy, Zealandia

Detail of the habitus showing the pointed basal apophysis on the ventral side of the palpal femur (white arrow heads) and the patellar apophysis (yellow arrow heads).
A Martensopsalis sp. from Kwa We Dare. B Martensopsalis sp. from Mt. Do.
 C Martensopsalis sp. from Les Koghis. D Martensopsalis dogny gen. & spec. nov. from the Plateau de Dogny (paratype MCZ IZ-151592).

Photos by D. Brouste (A–C); photo by G. Giribet (D).

Live habitus of Martensopsalis gen. nov.
A–B Martensopsalis dogny gen. & spec. nov. from Plateau de Dogny (paratype MCZ IZ-151592). C Martensopsalis sp. from Mé Maoya (MCZ IZ-151588). D Martensopsalis sp. from Mt Do.
E Martensopsalis sp. from Kwa We Dare. F Martensopsalis sp. from the Humboldt rainforest.

Photos by G. Giribet (A–C) and D. Brouste (D–F).

Neopilionidae Lawrence, 1931 

Martensopsalis Giribet & Baker gen. nov. 

Diagnosis. Martensopsalis can be distinguished from all other genera of Neopilionidae by the presence of a pointed basal apophysis on the ventral side of the palpal femur (Figs 3, 4C), although being more conspicuous in some individuals than others; palpal patella with a distal-prolateral apophysis (Figs 3, 4C), also with different degrees of development; palpal patella and tibia of similar size; palpal tarsus longer than other articles; a dense set of thick setae on all palpal articles; palpal claw well developed and smooth. Penis with long sclerotized straight shaft with a short glans, and the stylus being a coiled tube; without bristles, spines or setae.

Etymology. Named for our dear colleague Jochen Martens for his contributions and enormous influence on Opiliones systematics. The second part of the generic name is the classical Greek noun “psalis” (= scissors) which has been previously used in the names of other genera of Neopilionidae such as Megalopsalis, Forsteropsalis and Pantopsalis. The gender is feminine. 

Distribution. Widespread in the southern half of New Caledonia’s Grande Terre.

Martensopsalis dogny Giribet & Baker spec. nov.  

Etymology. The specific epithet, a noun in apposition, refers to the type locality, an emblematic mountain of New Caledonia that served as a place for exchange between the tribes from the east and the west of Grande Terre.

Distribution. Only known from its type locality, the Plateau de Dogny, at an elevation above 900 m.

  Gonzalo Giribet, Caitlin M. Baker and Damien Brouste. 2021. Martensopsalis, A New Genus of Neopilionidae from New Caledonia (Opiliones: Eupnoi). Zootaxa. 4984(1); 98–107. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4984.1.9  

   

[Botany • 2021] Xyris desquamatus • Taxonomy and Nomenclature of the Genus Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) in New Caledonia, with Description of A New Species [Novitates neocaledonicae. XIII]

 Xyris desquamatus J.R.Morel & Munzinger

in Morel & Munzinger. 2021. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.502.3.1

Abstract

Three endemic species of Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) are currently recognized in New Caledonia. A recent multivariate analysis of 18 morphological characters based on 129 specimens of Xyris from New Caledonia, supported by 10 anatomical and micromorphological observations, suggested that three species should be recognized in the New Caledonian archipelago. However, the three published names did not correspond to the three entities identified via the multivariate analyses. The results showed that Xyris neocaledonia Rendle was morphologically distinct but requires lectotypification, Xyris guillauminii Conert was indistinct from X. pancheri Rendle, and that a new morphologically distinct species required description. We therefore propose to clarify the taxonomy of the genus for New Caledonia, by designating a lectotype, making this synonymy and describing the new species. The new species, Xyris desquamatus J.R.Morel & Munzinger, sp. nov., has the remarkable feature of leaves that are shed as the plant senesces, and is reflected in the specific epithet for this new species. Line drawings are provided for the new species, along with colour photos for the three New Caledonian Xyris species and a distribution map. Three identification keys are provided, the first based on vegetative characters, the second on reproductive characters and the third on anatomical features of the leaf. Xyris desquamatus is preliminarily assigned an IUCN risk of extinction assessment of vulnerable.

Keywords: Taxonomy, anatomy, Flora of New Caledonia, lectotype, conservation, Monocots

Xyris desquamatus J.R.Morel & Munzinger,
A Habit (MacKee 5056, holotype [P01760130]) B Leaf tip with details of the surface (Balansa 665) C Fertile bract, dorsal view (Dagostini & Rigault 544) D Sepal (MacKee 42273) E Spike (Based on a picture in the field of the collection Gâteblé et al. 1070) F Flower (Dagostini & Rigault 544) G Gynoecium (Dagostini & Rigault 544) H Petal and stamen (Dagostini & Rigault 544) I Seed (Dagostini & Rigault 544).

Drawings by Jérémie Morel.

Xyris desquamatus J.R.Morel & Munzinger 
A Habit in situ B Spike C Spike with a flower in lateral view D Junciform leaves E Focus on junciform (red arrow) and desquamating leaves (red and white arrow). (Same population as Gâteblé et al. 1070 & 1071).

Photos by Gildas Gâteblé.

Xyris desquamatus J.R. Morel & Munzinger, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis—Differs from X. pancheri in having junciform and terete leaves (13–50 x 0.1–0.3 cm) (versus linear and elliptic in cross-section), which peal away and become ribbed at senescence (versus remain entire), staminodes reduced to filaments (versus staminodes developed and densely feathery), presence of palisade parenchyma and collenchyma (versus absence) and a thickening of the medullary parenchyma (versus no thickening) before its disintegration to form a thatch.

Etymology:—The epithet desquamatus refers to the peeling of leaves and stipes at senescence. 

 

Jérémie Morel and Jérôme Munzinger. 2021. Novitates neocaledonicae. XIII. Taxonomy and Nomenclature of the Genus Xyris (Xyridaceae, Poales) in New Caledonia, with Description of A New Species. Phytotaxa. 502(3); 219–229. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.502.3.1