[PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Ferganoceratodus edwardsi • A New Lungfish (Sarcopterygii: Dipnoi) from the Upper Triassic of the Mid-Zambezi Basin, Zimbabwe

Ferganoceratodus edwardsi

Challands, Cavin, Zondo, Munyikwa, Choiniere & Barrett, 2024

Geographic and stratigraphic distributions of Ferganoceratodus spp. and Ptychoceratodus serratus.

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2365391  

ABSTRACT

The lungfish, the extant sister group of the tetrapods, have an evolutionary history illustrated by a fossil record extending for ∼420 million years. The post-Paleozoic fossil record of the clade is almost exclusively restricted to sediments deposited in freshwater paleoenvironments and is characterized by an abundance of highly mineralized tooth plates, whereas cranial and postcranial remains are scarce. Here, we report a sample of isolated tooth plates found in the Upper Triassic Pebbly Arkose Formation of the Mid-Zambezi Basin, Zimbabwe. It consists of pterygoid and prearticular tooth plates from adult individuals, plus some dental plates referred to juvenile individuals, which we refer to a new species of Ferganoceratodus. This discovery provides an opportunity to review briefly the tooth plates of the ‘ptychoceratodontid morphotype’ reported from around the world. We discuss how various occurrences previously referred to Ptychoceratodus may be more appropriately referred, with caution, to Ferganoceratodus. We also describe the histology of the tooth plates of the new species and note similarities with other Mesozoic taxa. The scarcity of histological data for Mesozoic lungfish tooth plates compounds the problem of assigning isolated tooth plates to genus and species level. Ferganoceratodus and closely related taxa arose in the Early Triassic in southern Gondwana and diversified worldwide in the Late Triassic. The genus then became more common in Laurasia during the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous and declined thereafter with relict Late Cretaceous occurrences in Madagascar and South America.

 Ferganoceratodus edwardsi. A-E, upper tooth plates; F-J, lower tooth plates. A-B, NHMZ 2432(9), holotype in labial and occlusal views. Arrowhead indicates the surface for a potential symphyseal contact; C, NHMZ 2432(6); D, NHMZ 2432(13); E, NHMZ 2432(5); F, NHMZ 2432(1), juvenile; G, NHMZ 2432(2), juvenile; H, NHMZ 2432(12); I, NMHZ 2432(11); J, NHMZ 2432(14); K, NHMZ 2432(4), juvenile. Scale bars equal 10 mm.

Subclass SARCOPTERYGII Romer, Citation1955

Order DIPNOI Müller, Citation1845

Suborder CERATODONTOIDEI Nikolski, Citation1954 sensu Kemp et al., Citation2017

Family incertae sedis

Genus FERGANOCERATODUS Nessov and Kaznyshkin, Citation1985

FERGANOCERATODUS EDWARDSI sp. nov.

Etymology—Named in honor of Mr. Steve Edwards, discoverer of ‘The Dentists’ and other Late Triassic field sites in Matusadona National Park, who collected the specimens described herein.

Geographic and stratigraphic distributions of Ferganoceratodus spp. and Ptychoceratodus serratus.

 

Tom J. Challands, Lionel Cavin, Michel Zondo, Darlington Munyikwa, Jonah N. Choiniere and Paul M. Barrett. 2024. A New Lungfish from the Upper Triassic of the Mid-Zambezi Basin, Zimbabwe. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.  e2365391. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2365391  

[Paleontology • 2024] Musankwa sanyatiensis • A new Late Triassic sauropodomorph dinosaur (Sauropodomorpha: Massopoda) from the Mid-Zambezi Basin, Zimbabwe

Musankwa sanyatiensis

 Barrett, Chapelle, Sciscio, Broderick, Zondo, Munyikwa & Choiniere, 2024

DOI: 10.4202/app.01100.2023

  x.com/NHMdinolab

An articulated partial hind limb collected from the Pebbly Arkose Formation (Norian, Upper Triassic) of the Upper Karoo Group of Zimbabwe is described as a new taxon of sauropodomorph dinosaur. Musankwa sanyatiensis gen. et sp. nov. was discovered on the shoreline of Lake Kariba, on Spurwing Island in the Mid-Zambezi Basin. The holotype consists of a right femur, tibia, and astragalus, and can be distinguished from all other Late Triassic massopodan sauropodomorphs on the basis of numerous features, which form a unique character combination. Phylogenetic analysis recovers the new taxon as the earliest-branching lineage within Massopoda. Musankwa is only the fourth dinosaur to be named from the Karoo-aged basins of Zimbabwe and further demonstrates the high potential of this region for discoveries of new early dinosaur material.

Key words: Sauropodomorpha, Massopoda, Pebbly Arkose Formation, Norian, Lake Kariba.

Sauropodomorpha Huene, 1932 

Massopoda Yates, 2007 

Genus Musankwa nov.

Etymology: In reference to the house-boat “Musankwa”, from the Tonga dialect, meaning “boy close to marriage”; see SOM 5: fig. S1. This vessel acted as our home and mobile laboratory during two field expeditions to Lake Kariba in 2017–2018, and was made available through the generosity of David and Julie Glynn. Its crew, Coster Katupu, Godfrey Swalika, Simbarashe Mangoroma, and Never Mapira, provided essential logistic support.

Musankwa sanyatiensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: Named for the Sanyati River, whose original course is now submerged in the Sanyati Basin of Lake Kariba, in which the type locality (Spurwing Island) is situated. 

 

Paul M. Barrett, Kimberley E. J. Chapelle, Lara Sciscio, Timothy J. Broderick, Michel Zondo, Darlington Munyikwa, and Jonah N. Choiniere. 2024. A new Late Triassic sauropodomorph dinosaur from the Mid-Zambezi Basin, Zimbabwe. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 69 (2); 227-241. DOI: 10.4202/app.01100.2023

  x.com/NHMdinolab/status/1796109883617456416

[Ichthyology • 2024] Chiloglanis carnatus • Hidden in the Riffles: A New Suckermouth Catfish (Siluriformes: Mochokidae: Chiloglanis) from the middle Zambezi River system, Zimbabwe

Chiloglanis carnatus Mutizwa, Bragança & Chakona,  

in Mutizwa, Kadye, Bragança, Bere et Chakona, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114679

Abstract

The recent surge in the discovery of hidden diversity within rheophilic taxa, particularly in West and East Africa, prompted a closer examination of the extent to which the current taxonomy may obscure the diversity of riffle-dwelling suckermouth catfishes in the genus Chiloglanis in southern Africa. Currently, the region comprises eight valid species within this genus. Seven of them have relatively narrow geographic distribution ranges except for C. neumanni, which is considered to be widely distributed, occurring from the Buzi River system in the south, and its northern limit being the eastward draining river systems in Tanzania. Recent surveys of the middle Zambezi River system revealed Chiloglanis specimens that were distinguishable from the known species of the genus from southern Africa. Integration of molecular and morphological data indicated that these specimens from the Mukwadzi River represent a new species to science, herein described as Chiloglanis carnatus Mutizwa, Bragança & Chakona, sp. nov. This species is readily distinguished from its southern African congeners by the possession of a distinctive extended dermal tissue covering the base of the dorsal fin and the possession of ten mandibular teeth (vs 8, 12, or 14 in the other taxa). Results from this study add to the growing evidence of a high level of undocumented diversity within riffle-dwelling taxa in southern Africa.

Key words: Diversity, freshwater, integrative taxonomy, rheophilic taxa, southern Africa

Holotype of Chiloglanis carnatus sp. nov., SAIAB 236631 male (A–E) and
female paratype specimen SAIAB 211346 (F–K).

Scale bars: 1 cm.

 Chiloglanis carnatus Mutizwa, Bragança & Chakona, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Chiloglanis carnatus sp. nov. is readily distinguished from its congeners in southern Africa (i.e. C. anoterus, C. bifurcus, C. emarginatus, C. fasciatus, C. paratus, C. pretoriae and C. swierstrai) by the presence of a dorsal fin that has a basal portion covered by a fleshy skin, a character which is absent in the other species. Chiloglanis carnatus possesses ten closely packed mandibular teeth, that further distinguishes it from C. fasciatus that has eight closely packed mandibular teeth; C. bifurcus and C. emarginatus that have ...

Etymology: The specific epithet carnatus means fleshy, referring to the dermal tissue covering the base of the dorsal fin of some of the larger specimens of this species and the general robust body structure of this species compared to its regional congeners.

 Tadiwa I. Mutizwa, Wilbert T. Kadye, Pedro H. N. Bragança, Taurai Bere and Albert Chakona. 2024. Hidden in the Riffles: A New Suckermouth Catfish (Mochokidae, Chiloglanis) from the middle Zambezi River system, Zimbabwe. ZooKeys. 1197: 57-91. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114679

[Herpetology • 2023] Hemachatus nyangensis • Museum DNA reveals A New, potentially extinct Species of Rinkhals (Serpentes: Elapidae: Hemachatus) from the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe

Hemachatus nyangensis

Reissig, Major, Renk, Barlow, Paijmans, Morris, Hofreiter, Broadley & Wüster,

in Major, Renk, Reissig, Paijmans, Morris, Hofreiter, Barlow, Broadley et Wüster, 2023.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291432

Abstract

Genetic information plays a pivotal role in species recognition and delimitation, but rare or extinct animals can be difficult to obtain genetic samples from. While natural history wet collections have proven invaluable in the description of novel species, the use of these historical samples in genetic studies has been greatly impeded by DNA degradation, especially because of formalin-fixation prior to preservation. Here, we use recently developed museum genomics approaches to determine the status of an isolated population of the elapid snake genus Hemachatus from Zimbabwe. We used multiple digestion phases followed by single strand sequencing library construction and hybridisation capture to obtain 12S and 16S rDNA sequences from a poorly preserved tissue sample of this population. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses in an integrated taxonomic framework demonstrate that the Zimbabwean rinkhals population represents an old and highly distinct lineage, which we describe as a new species, Hemachatus nyangensis sp. nov. Our phylogenetic dating analysis is compatible with venom spitting having evolved in response to the threat posed by early hominins, although more data are required for a robust test of this hypothesis. This description demonstrates the power of museum genomics in revealing rare or even extinct species: Hemachatus from Zimbabwe are only known from a small area of the Eastern Highlands known for high endemism. No living specimens have been seen since the 1980s, most likely due to dramatic land-use changes in the Eastern Highlands, suggesting that the species could be extinct. In view of its recognition as a highly distinct lineage, urgent action is required to determine whether any populations survive, and to safeguard remaining habitat.

(A and B) Hemachatus nyangensis sp. nov. specimen in life, displaying defensive hooding posture. (C and D) Miombo woodland and grassland habitat of H. nyangensis sp. nov.

Hemachatus nyangensis sp. nov.

Reissig, Major, Renk, Barlow, Paijmans, Morris, Hofreiter, Broadley, and Wüster.

Suggested common name: Nyanga rinkhals.

Diagnosis: Distinguishable from its relative Hemachatus haemachatus, for which we propose the common name “Southern Rinkhals” and which occurs in South Africa, Lesotho, and Eswatini, by its isolated distribution in eastern Zimbabwe. Morphologically, Haemachatus nyangensis sp. nov. generally has overall lower body scale counts than its southern relative: it usually has fewer nape scale rows (16–18 instead of 17–19), midbody scale rows (commonly 17–19 vs usually 19) (Fig 3), fewer subcaudal scales in both females (30–37 vs 35–40 in H. haemachatus) and males (34–38 vs 35–46) and generally fewer ventral scales in both females (126–130 vs 129–148) and males (119–124 vs 117–138) (Table 3). The new species is genetically diagnosable through differences in the 12S and 16S mitochondrial sequence. The description of this species means that the genus Hemachatus is no longer monotypic.

Etymology: The specific epithet nyangensis means “from Nyanga” in Latin and is chosen to reflect the distribution of the species in the Nyanga district of Zimbabwe, the only area in which it has been documented. 

Tom Major, Pia Renk, Jens Reissig, Johanna L. A. Paijmans, Ellie Morris, Michael Hofreiter, Axel Barlow, Donald G. Broadley and Wolfgang Wüster. 2023. Museum DNA reveals A New, potentially extinct Species of Rinkhals (Serpentes: Elapidae: Hemachatus) from the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. PLoS ONE. 18(9): e0291432. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291432

[Entomology • 2023] A Review of the Assassin-fly Genus Anypodetus Hermann, 1907 (Diptera: Asilidae) with the Description of A New Species, Anypodetus londti, from Mozambique and Zimbabwe

 

[36-38] Anypodetus londti  Dikow & Dubus, 2023

[1, 2] A. fasciatus Hermann, 1907

[4] A. fascipennis Engel, 1924

DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.104283

Abstract

The genus Anypodetus Hermann, 1907 (Diptera, Asilidae, Laphriinae) is reviewed. Currently, eight species are recognized from Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and southern-most Zambia, i.e., Anypodetus arachnoides Oldroyd, 1974 widespread, Anypodetus fasciatus Hermann, 1907 widespread, Anypodetus fascipennis Engel, 1924 widespread, Anypodetus leucothrix Londt, 2000 restricted to southern Namibia and south-western South Africa, Anypodetus macroceros Londt, 2000 restricted to west-central Namibia, Anypodetus nigrifacies Ricardo, 1925 restricted to eastern-most South Africa and southern Mozambique, Anypodetus phalaros Londt, 2000 Namibia and South Africa, and Anypodetus unicolor Oldroyd, 1974 Namibia, eastern South Africa, adjacent Mozambique, and southern Zimbabwe. One new species, Anypodetus londti sp. nov. from Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is described for a total of nine species in the genus. Study of the secondary type specimens of A. unicolor from Namibia revealed that these specimens do not represent this species, reducing the number of species recorded from Namibia to six. Anypodetus leucothrix is recorded with several additional collecting events in central and northern Namibia extending its range significantly. Distribution, biology, occurrence in biodiversity hotspots sensu Conservation International, and seasonal imago flight activity are discussed. Diagnoses, photographs, specimen occurrence data, and an identification key to species are provided with the new species described in detail. The sexual dimorphism in the development of the mystax and wing vein variation in regard to the alignment of M2 and M3 are discussed and illustrated.

Keywords: Afrotropical, mystax sexual dimorphism, robber fly, wing vein variation

Photographs of Anypodetus species in nature
1 A. fasciatus male near Windhoek, Khomas, Namibia, 12 Nov 2012 2 A. fasciatus male at Namib-Naukluft NP, Erongo, Namibia (see habitat photo in Fig. 7, iNaturalist observation inaturalist.org), 8 Feb 2012
3, 4 A. fascipennis female and male in copula at Aberdeen NR, Eastern Cape, South Africa (see habitat photo in Fig. 6, iNaturalist observation inaturalist.org), 5 Dec 2015.

 Photographs by S. Marshall (1) and T. Dikow (2–4).

Anypodetus londti sp. nov.
36 ♂ holotype (USNMENT01140568), lateral 37 same, dorsal 38 same, head anterior.

Scale bars: 5 mm.

 

 Torsten Dikow and Meliah Dubus. 2023.  A Review of the Assassin-fly Genus Anypodetus Hermann, 1907 with the Description of A New Species (Insecta, Diptera, Asilidae). In: Dikow T, Williams K, Midgley J (Eds) Festschrift for Jason Gilbert Hayden Londt. African Invertebrates. 64(2): 165-206. DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.64.104283

[Paleontology • 2022] Mbiresaurus raathi • Africa’s Oldest Dinosaurs reveal early Suppression of Dinosaur Distribution

Mbiresaurus raathi 

Griffin, Wynd, Munyikwa, Broderick, Zondo, Tolan, Langer, Nesbitt & Taruvinga, 2022

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05133-x

 twitter.com/VTechmeetsPaleo

Artwork: Andrey Atuchin

Abstract

The vertebrate lineages that would shape Mesozoic and Cenozoic terrestrial ecosystems originated across Triassic Pangaea. By the Late Triassic (Carnian stage, ~235 million years ago), cosmopolitan ‘disaster faunas’ had given way to highly endemic assemblages on the supercontinent. Testing the tempo and mode of the establishment of this endemism is challenging—there were few geographic barriers to dispersal across Pangaea during the Late Triassic. Instead, palaeolatitudinal climate belts, and not continental boundaries, are proposed to have controlled distribution. During this time of high endemism, dinosaurs began to disperse and thus offer an opportunity to test the timing and drivers of this biogeographic pattern. Increased sampling can test this prediction: if dinosaurs initially dispersed under palaeolatitudinal-driven endemism, then an assemblage similar to those of South America and India—including the earliest dinosaurs—should be present in Carnian deposits in south-central Africa. Here we report a new Carnian assemblage from Zimbabwe that includes Africa’s oldest definitive dinosaurs, including a nearly complete skeleton of the sauropodomorph Mbiresaurus raathi gen. et sp. nov. This assemblage resembles other dinosaur-bearing Carnian assemblages, suggesting that a similar vertebrate fauna ranged high-latitude austral Pangaea. The distribution of the first dinosaurs is correlated with palaeolatitude-linked climatic barriers, and dinosaurian dispersal to the rest of the supercontinent was delayed until these barriers relaxed, suggesting that climatic controls influenced the initial composition of the terrestrial faunas that persist to this day.

Skeletal anatomy of the Mbiresaurus raathi holotype (NHMZ 2222) and paratype (NHMZ 2547).

Systematic Palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Saurischia Seeley, 1887

Sauropodomorpha von Huene, 1932

Mbiresaurus raathi gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. From Mbire, an historic Shona empire and district containing the study area, and σαûρος (saûros), Greek for reptile; raathi after Michael Raath, who with others first reported fossils from the Dande area29, to honour his contribution to Zimbabwean palaeontology and the fossil heritage of Zimbabwe.

 

Locality and horizon. From the midsection of the ?late Carnian Pebbly Arkose Formation30,31, Dande Communal Land, Mbire District, Mashonaland Central Province, Zimbabwe. Coordinates for specific localities are available on request through C.T.G. and NHMZ. See the Supplementary Information for detailed justification of formation age.

Artistic reconstruction of the dinosaur Mbiresaurus raathi (foreground) with the rest of a new Zimbabwean animal assemblage in the background. This assemblage includes two rhynchosaurs (front right), an aetosaur (left) and a herrerasaurid dinosaur that is chasing a cynodont (back right).

Artwork: Andrey Atuchin

 

Christopher T. Griffin, Brenen M. Wynd, Darlington Munyikwa, Tim J. Broderick, Michel Zondo, Stephen Tolan, Max C. Langer, Sterling J. Nesbitt and Hazel R. Taruvinga. 2022. Africa’s Oldest Dinosaurs reveal early Suppression of Dinosaur Distribution. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05133-x

 twitter.com/VTechmeetsPaleo/status/1564992863800279042

    

[Botany • 2019] Synsepalum chimanimani (Sapotaceae) • A New Species from the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with Notes on the Botanical Importance of This Area

Synsepalum chimanimani S.Rokni & I.Darbysh.

in Rokni, Wursten & Darbyshire, 2019.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.133.38694

Abstract

Synsepalum chimanimani S.Rokni & I.Darbysh., sp. nov., a small tree endemic to the forests of the southern foothills of the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, is described and illustrated. The differences in morphology and distribution between the new species and the related S. kaessneri and S. muelleri, with which it has been confused, are clarified. The new species is globally Endangered due to ongoing habitat loss within its restricted range. The botanical importance and conservation of the Chimanimani foothills is also discussed, and they are highlighted as a candidate Important Plant Area.

Keywords: conservation, herbarium, Important Plant Area, Makurupini, taxonomy

Figure 1. Synsepalum chimanimani (A-K) and Synsepalum kaessneri (L)

A habit B stem apex with apical buds/young leaves and petioles showing indumentum C medifixed hairs on stem D abaxial leaf surface showing sparse medifixed hairs on midrib E leaf showing (faint) secondary veins F flower cluster showing bud, open flower and partially opened flower G flower, side view (hydrated) H corolla after removal of two petals and stamens (hydrated) I stamen and staminodes in situ on petal, inner face bases of neighbouring petals shown J side view of stamen and petal (staminodes omitted) K immature fruit (from photograph) 

L leaf (abaxial) of Synsepalum kaessneri. 

A, D-K drawn from B.T. Wursten BW897 (BR0000020700003) B, C from Timberlake et al. 6197 (K001291035) L drawn from Magogo & Glover 280 (K). Scale bars: 1mm (Single bar); 2 mm and 5 mm (graduated single bar); 1 cm (double bar); 5 cm (graduated double bar). 

Drawn by Andrew Brown, November 2018.

Figure 2. Synsepalum chimanimani 
A habit and leaves B, C flowering stems D flowers E immature fruit

(Photographs by Bart Wursten).

Synsepalum chimanimani S.Rokni & I.Darbysh., sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This species differs from Synsepalum kaessneri (Engl.) T.D.Penn. in the generally smaller (7.9–12.6 x 1.7–3.4 cm versus 9.8–16.7 x 2.8–5.2 cm) narrowly elliptic leaves with a long and narrow acuminate tip versus oblanceolate leaves with a short and broad acuminate tip (see illustration, Fig. 1E, L); flowers sessile or almost so with pedicels less than 1 mm long (extending to 2 mm long in fruit) versus flowers stalked with pedicels 1–3 mm long (extending to 3–5 mm in fruit); shorter corolla tube (0.75–0.8 mm long versus 1.2 mm long) and shorter (1.45–1.5 mm versus 1.8–1.9 mm), broadly ovate versus ovate corolla lobes; anthers with elliptic thecae with a minute, inconspicuous point at the apex of the connective versus arrow-head shaped anthers with oblong thecae with a conspicuous apiculate apex to the connective. Table 1 shows the distinguishing characters between the two species.

Etymology: The specific epithet is taken from the Chimanimani mountains to which the species is confined.

    

 Saba Rokni, Bart Wursten and Iain Darbyshire. 2019. Synsepalum chimanimani (Sapotaceae), A New Species from the Chimanimani Mountains of Mozambique and Zimbabwe, with Notes on the Botanical Importance of This Area. PhytoKeys. 133: 115-132. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.133.38694

  

[Entomology • 2018] Garreta australugens & G. namalugens • Two New Species of Garreta Janssens, 1940 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from Southern Africa

Garreta namalugens

 Davis & Deschodt, 2018

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4450.2.4 

Abstract

Two new, putative, closely-related species of dung beetles are described in the genus Garreta Janssens, 1940 (tribe Gymnopleurini). Garreta australugens new species, is known from various dung types in the southeast lowlands of Africa (validated for South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe with a probable record from Botswana). It is, here, separated at species level from its putative closest relative, Garreta lugens (Fairmaire, 1891), recorded from the lowlands of northeast Africa (validated for Kenya with additional records from Ethiopia, Somalia and Tanzania). These two taxa were formerly considered to comprise a single species. All specimens in the type series of Garreta namalugens new species, were recorded at low altitude in arid, rocky mountains from west central to northwest Namibia, mostly on dung in communal middens of the Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis (Pallas, 1766)).

Keywords: Coleoptera, dung beetle, Namibia, Garreta, new species, northeast Africa, Scarabaeinae, southeast Africa

Adrian L. V. Davis and Christian M. Deschodt. 2018. Two New Species of Garreta Janssens, 1940 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) from Southern Africa. Zootaxa. 4450(2); 242–248. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4450.2.4

[Herpetology • 2017] Arthroleptis troglodytes Poynton, 1963 • The Rediscovery of A Lost Frog

 Arthroleptis troglodytes  Poynton, 1963

Becker & Hopkins, 2017 

DOI:  10.1080/15627020.2017.1370982

 earthtouchnews.com

Abstract

The cave squeaker Arthroleptis troglodytes Poynton, 1963 was first collected in 1961/62, and not observed again for 54 years despite several attempts to locate it. We rediscovered this species near the type locality in the Chimanimani mountain range in eastern Zimbabwe. We describe for the first time the call and colour in life, and highlight several morphological and habitat features not previously recorded for this species.

Keywords: amphibian, Arthroleptis, high altitude, Possibly Extinct, taxonomy, Zimbabwe

Adult male Arthroleptis troglodytes.

Francois S. Becker and Robert W. Hopkins. 2017. The Rediscovery of A Lost Frog: Arthroleptis troglodytes Poynton, 1963.  African Zoology. 52(3); 183-187. DOI:  10.1080/15627020.2017.1370982

After 54 years in hiding, 'extinct' frog rediscovered in Zimbabwe   earthtouchnews.com/conservation/endangered/after-54-years-in-hiding-extinct-frog-rediscovered-in-zimbabwe/

Rare 'cave squeaker' frog seen in Zimbabwe for first time in 55 years  theguardian.com/environment/2017/feb/05/return-of-zimbabwes-cave-squeaker-as-rare-frog-found-fifty-years-on
The "cave squeaker," a tiny frog not seen in decades, has been found in Zimbabwe  huffingtonpost.com/entry/cave-squeaker-frog-zimbabwe  via @HuffPostGreen

  

  

[Mammalogy • 2017] Neoromicia stanleyi • A New Species of Neoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from southern Africa: A name for “N. cf. melckorum”

 Neoromicia stanleyi 

 Goodman, Kearney, Michèle, Ratsimbazafy & Hassanin, 2017 

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4236.2.10 

Abstract

The taxonomy of sub-Saharan small insectivore bats of the family Vespertilionidae is unresolved and currently five named species of the genus Neoromicia are recognized from southern Africa, with N. melckorum considered a synonym of N. capensis. Since several years, the name “N. cf. melckorum” has been used in the literature to designate an apparently undescribed and moderately large bodied vespertilionid bat known from different localities in southern and southeastern Africa. Using new data from molecular genetics, bacular morphology, and cranio-dental characters, we conclude that N. melckorum sensu stricto is indeed nested within N. capensis and obtain the needed evidence to formally describe “N. cf. melckorum”, named herein as Neoromicia stanleyi sp. nov. On the basis of molecular and bacular evidence, N. stanleyi is found in Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia, and using a combination of other characters is presumed to occur in northern South Africa and Malawi. Bayesian and maximum likelihood analyses based on 12S rRNA sequences indicate that it belongs to a clade containing four species of Neoromicia (N. capensis, N. malagasyensis, N. matroka, and N. robertsi) and Laephotis. Neoromicia stanleyi shows at least 3.2% nucleotide divergence from its closest relatives. It is larger in cranial characters than other members of the capensis group occurring in the southern portion of Africa, and a number of bacular characters distinguish N. stanleyi from N. capensis.

Keywords: Mammalia, taxonomy, morphology, molecular genetics, Neoromicia, new species, southern Africa

 Steven M. Goodman, Teresa Kearney, Malalatiana Michèle, Ratsimbazafy and Alexandre Hassanin. 2017. Description of A New Species of Neoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from southern Africa: A name for “N. cf. melckorum”.
Zootaxa. 4236(2); 351–374. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4236.2.10

[Entomology • 2015] Holocacista capensis • A New Leafminer on Grapevine and Rhoicissus (Vitaceae) in South Africa within an expanded Generic Concept of Holocacista (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Heliozelidae)

Figures 1 Holocacista capensis: Male holotype, RMNH.INS.24622 Figures 76–80. Holocacista capensis, life history. 76 Trunk of Vitis with many cocoons with exuviae, De Anker, Paarl, 14 February 2013 77 grapes with fresh cocoons attached, Paarl, 25 January 2013 78 larva in cocoon, going down on silken thread, Paarl, 16 January 2013 79 Leafmines in Rhoicissus digitata, reared in laboratory from adults that originated on Vitis from Wellington, 2014 80 Live adult males, reared from Vitis vinifera, from Paarl 80 EvN2013004, 28 January

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.507.9536

Abstract

A grapevine leafminer found recently in table grape orchards and vineyards in the Paarl region (Western Cape, South Africa) is described as Holocacista capensis sp. n. It has also been found on native Rhoicissus digitata and bred on that species in the laboratory. It is closely related to Holocacista salutans (Meyrick, 1921), comb. n. (from Antispila), described from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, but widespread in southern Africa and a native leafminer of various Vitaceae: Rhoicissus tomentosa, R. digitata, R. tridentata and Cissus cornifolia. Holocacista capensis has been found on Vitis vinifera both in Gauteng and Western Cape, the earliest record being from 1950 in Pretoria. The initial host shift from native Vitaceae to Vitis must have occurred much earlier. The species is sometimes present in high densities, but hitherto no sizeable damage to the crops has been noted. 

The genus Holocacista Walsingham & Durrant, 1909, previously known from the single European grapevine leafminer H. rivillei (Stainton, 1855), is expanded and redescribed and for the first time reported from Africa, East and South-East Asia and Australia. It comprises seven named species and at least 15 unnamed species. The following species are also recombined with Holocacista: transferred from Antispilina: South-African H. varii (Mey, 2011), comb. n., feeding on Pelargonium, transferred from Antispila: the Indian species H. micrarcha (Meyrick, 1926), comb. n. and H. pariodelta (Meyrick, 1929), comb. n., both feeding on Lannea coromandelica, and H. selastis (Meyrick, 1926), comb. n. on Psychotria dalzelii. We also remove the following from Antispila: Heliozela anna (Fletcher, 1920), comb. n. and H. argyrozona (Meyrick, 1918), comb. n., whereas the following Indian Vitaceae feeding species are confirmed to belong in Antispila s. str.: Antispila argostoma Meyrick, 1916 and A. aristarcha Meyrick, 1916. Holocacista salutans and H. varii are redescribed and diagnosed against H. capensis and other South African Heliozelidae. DNA barcodes are provided for 13 species of Holocacista.

Keywords: Host shift, leafminers, Vitaceae, viticulture, table grapes, Rhoicissus, Cissus, DNA barcode, genitalia, Holocacista, Antispilina, Antispila, Afrotropics, South Africa, Zimbabwe, India

Figures 1–4. Holocacista species, adult habitus.
1–3 Holocacista capensis: 1 Male holotype, RMNH.INS.24622 2 Female, Western Cape, Paarl, RMNH.INS.24624 3 Male, Western Cape, Wilderness, reared from Rhoicissus digitata, Genitalia slide EvN4381
4 H. salutans, male, Kwazulu-Natal, Umhlanga Rocks, reared from R. revoilii, Genitalia slide EvN 4383. Scales 1 mm.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.507.9536

Figures 76–82. Holocacista capensis, life history.
76 Trunk of Vitis with many cocoons with exuviae, De Anker, Paarl, 14 February 2013 77 grapes with fresh cocoons attached, Paarl, 25 January 2013 78 larva in cocoon, going down on silken thread, Paarl, 16 January 2013 79 Leafmines in Rhoicissus digitata, reared in laboratory from adults that originated on Vitis from Wellington, 2014 80–82 Live adult males, reared from Vitis vinifera, from Paarl 80 EvN2013004, 28 January 81 Windmeul, reared in Leiden, 23 February 2012 82 EvN2013005, 4 February.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.507.9536

Figures 70–75. Holocacista capensis, leafmines on Vitis vinifera, Paarl (70–73) and Rhoicissus digitata, Wilderness (74, 75) 70 EvN2013029, 25 January 2013 71 16 January 2013 72 EvN2013029, 25 January 2013 73 2013003, 15 January 2013 74, 75 Vári Ac. No. 1093, 15.iii.1954 (dried leafmines).

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.507.9536

Erik van Nieukerken and Henk Geertsema. 2015. A New Leafminer on Grapevine and Rhoicissus (Vitaceae) in South Africa within an expanded Generic Concept of Holocacista (Insecta, Lepidoptera, Heliozelidae). ZooKeys. 507: 41-97. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.507.9536

New species of leafminer on grapevine in Western Cape came from wild grapes
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