[Mammalogy • 2005] Pteralopex flanneryi | Greater Monkey-faced Bat • Systematics of the Pacific monkey-faced bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae), with a new species of Pteralopex

Greater Monkey-faced Bat, Pteralopex flanneryi

Abstract

The fruit-bat genus Pteralopex comprises the monkey-faced bats, a group of six endangered species found only in old-growth forests on certain islands in the south-west Pacific (the Solomon Islands and Fiji). The taxonomy of the genus is reviewed in detail and updated accordingly. Two ‘cryptic’ biological species are shown to occur in sympatry on both Bougainville and Choiseul in the northern Solomon Islands (corresponding to Pteralopex anceps Andersen, 1909 and a previously undescribed species) and each is accordingly described and reviewed. A new genus (Mirimiri) is erected for the Fijian monkey-faced bat (formerly Pteralopex acrodonta), which differs greatly both morphologically and genetically from species of Pteralopex in the Solomon Islands. Ecomorphological differences between sympatric Pteralopex species are briefly reviewed, including potential differences in functional morphology and feeding ecology. Geographic patterns of occurrence and future survey priorities for monkey-faced bats are also discussed.

Key Words: biogeography; cryptic species; Fiji; morphometrics; ecomorphology; Melanesia; Papua New Guinea; Pteralopex; Pteropodidae; Solomon Islands. 

Systematics of the Pacific monkey-faced bats (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae), with a new species of Pteralopex and a new Fijian genus

2005

Fijian Monkey-faced Bat, Mirimiri acrodonta

[Mammalogy • 2002] Pteralopex taki | New Georgian Monkey-faced Bat • A taxonomic review of the genus Pteralopex (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae), the Monkey-faced Bats of the South-western Pacific

Taki Monkey-faced Bat 

Pteralopex taki Parnaby, 2002


Abstract
Morphological variation in the genus Pteralopex is reviewed to evaluate species limits and diagnostic criteria. Five species are recognised: P. atrata and P. pulchra from Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands;P. anceps from Bougainville and Buka Islands, Papua New Guinea, and Choiseul and Isabel Islands, Solomon Islands; and  P. acrodonta from Taveuni, Fiji. A new species is described from New Georgia and Vangunu Islands, Solomon Islands. It resembles P. pulchra but differs in dental, cranial and pelage characters. A number of criteria previously considered diagnostic for  P. anceps are shown to be invalid. The new species faces a high extinction risk from logging operations and pressure from expanding human populations, and an IUCN threat category of ‘Critically Endangered’ is proposed. All Pteralopex species face a high risk of extinction and conservation measures such as habitat protection are urgently required.

Key words: fruit bat, Megachiroptera, monkey-faced bat, Pteralopex anceps, Pteralopex atrata, Pteralopex pulchra, Pteralopex acrodonta, Pteralopex taki, new species, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, taxonomy, conservation status.

New Georgia Island, Vangunu Island, Solomon Islands. Apparently locally extinct on Kolombangara Island following logging operations from 1966 to 1980


Parnaby, H. E. 2002. A taxonomic review of the genus Pteralopex (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae), the Monkey-faced Bats of the South-western Pacific. Australian Mammalogy. 23: 145-162.
http://www.planet-mammiferes.org/drupal/en/node/75?new=&class=13
http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=AM01145.pdf

[Herpetology • 2012] A new skink fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Mabuyidae, Mabuyinae)

New species: the Anguilla Bank skink. Photo by: Karl Questal.

New species: a Jamaican skink. Photo by: Joseph Burgess.

New species: a Caicos Islands skink. Photo by: Joseph Burgess.

Abstract

Neotropical skinks are unique among lizards and other vertebrates in their degree of convergence, in reproductive traits, with eutherian mammals. They have also been famously difficult to classify into species, largely because of a conservative body plan and paucity of conventional diagnostic characters. Currently there are 26 recognized species, six of which occur only on Caribbean islands. All are placed in a single genus, Mabuya. We conducted a systematic revision of Neotropical skinks using both conventional and unconventional morphological characters, supplemented by DNA sequence analyses. We define 61 species grouped into 16 clades, recognized here as genera.

 They include three available generic names (Copeoglossum, Mabuya, and Spondylurus) and 13 new genera: Alinea gen. nov., Aspronema gen. nov., Brasiliscincus gen. nov., Capitellum gen. nov., Exila gen. nov., Manciola gen. nov., Maracaiba gen. nov., Marisora gen. nov., Notomabuya gen. nov., Orosaura gen. nov., Panopa gen. nov., Psychosaura gen. nov., and Varzea gen. nov. 

These 16 genera of skinks form a monophyletic group and are placed in the Subfamily Mabuyinae of the skink Family Mabuyidae. Six other skink families are recognized: Acontidae, Egerniidae, Eugongylidae, Lygosomidae, Scincidae, and Sphenomorphidae. We describe three new subfamilies of Mabuyidae: Chioniniinae subfam. nov., Dasiinae subfam. nov., and Trachylepidinae subfam. nov. We describe 24 new species of mabuyines: Capitellum mariagalantae sp. nov., Capitellum parvicruzae sp. nov., Copeoglossum aurae sp. nov., Copeoglossum margaritae sp. nov., Copeoglossum redondae sp. nov., Mabuya cochonae sp. nov., Mabuya desiradae sp. nov., Mabuya grandisterrae sp. nov., Mabuya guadeloupae sp. nov., Mabuya hispaniolae sp. nov., Mabuya montserratae sp. nov., Marisora aurulae sp. nov., Marisora magnacornae sp. nov., Marisora roatanae sp. nov., Spondylurus anegadae sp. nov., Spondylurus culebrae sp. nov., Spondylurus caicosae sp. nov., Spondylurus haitiae sp. nov., Spondylurus magnacruzae sp. nov., Spondylurus martinae sp. nov., Spondylurus monae sp. nov., Spondylurus monitae sp. nov., Spondylurus powelli sp. nov., and Spondylurus turksae sp. nov. 

We also resurrect 10 species from synonymies: Alinea lanceolata comb. nov., Alinea luciae comb. nov., Capitellum metallicum comb. nov., Mabuya dominicana, Marisora alliacea comb. nov., Marisora brachypoda comb. nov., Spondylurus fulgidus comb. nov., Spondylurus nitidus comb. nov., Spondylurus semitaeniatus comb. nov., and Spondylurus spilonotus comb. nov. Of the 61 total species of mabuyine skinks, 39 occur on Caribbean islands, 38 are endemic to those islands, and 33 of those occur in the West Indies. Most species on Caribbean islands are allopatric, single-island endemics, although three species are known from Hispaniola, three from St. Thomas, and two from Culebra, St. Croix, Salt Island, Martinique, the southern Lesser Antilles, Trinidad, and Tobago. Co-occurring species typically differ in body size and belong to different genera. Three ecomorphs are described to account for associations of ecology and morphology: terrestrial, scansorial, and cryptozoic. Parturition occurs at the transition between the dry and wet seasons, and the number of young (1–7) is correlated with body size and taxonomic group. Molecular phylogenies indicate the presence of many unnamed species in Middle and South America. A molecular timetree shows that mabuyines dispersed from Africa to South America 18 (25–9) million years ago, and that diversification occurred initially in South America but soon led to colonization of Caribbean islands and Middle America. The six genera present on Caribbean islands each represent separate dispersals, over water, from the mainland during the last 10  million years. Considerable dispersal and speciation also occurred on and among Caribbean islands, probably enhanced by Pleistocene glacial cycles and their concomitant sea level changes. Based on IUCN Redlist criteria, all of the 38 endemic Caribbean island species are threatened with extinction. 

Twenty-seven species (71%) are Critically Endangered, six species (16%) are Endangered, and five species (13%) are Vulnerable. Sixteen of the Critically Endangered species are extinct, or possibly extinct, because of human activities during the last two centuries. Several of the surviving species are near extinction and in need of immediate protection. Analysis of collection records indicates that the decline or loss of 14 skink species can be attributed to predation by the Small Indian Mongoose. That invasive predator was introduced as a biological control of rats in sugar cane fields in the late nineteenth century (1872–1900), immediately resulting in a mass extinction of skinks and other reptiles. The ground-dwelling and diurnal habits of skinks have made them particularly susceptible to mongoose predation. 

S. Blair Hedges & Caitlin E. Conn. 2012. A new skink fauna from Caribbean islands (Squamata, Mabuyidae, Mabuyinae). Zootaxa. 3288: 1–244

http://www.hedgeslab.org/pubs/237.pdf

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/list/2012/3288.html

http://www.herpsociety.org/archives/1972

Skink biodiversity jumps 650 percent in the Caribbean http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0430-hance-skinks-caribbean.html

[Herpetology • 2012] Caledoniscincus constellatus • A new species of scincid lizard in the genus Caledoniscincus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from northwest New Caledonia

Abstract

A new species of skink in the genus Caledoniscincus is described from the northwest region of New Caledonia. It is known from two locations, one on the coast at Pointe de Vavouto north of Koné, the other on the slopes of the Massif d’Ouazangou, an isolated mountain 30 km to the north. Typical of all members of the genus, adult males and females of the new species are sexually dichromatic. The new species, Caledoniscincus constellatus sp. nov., has a bold, white midlateral stripe, a feature which distinguishes it from most other species of Caledoniscincus except the regionally sympatric C. haplorhinus (Günther) and C. austrocaledonicus (Bavay), from which it can be distinguished by a unique pattern of contact between the pale midlateral stripe and the ear. DNA sequence data for the ND2 mitochondrial gene identifies a high level of genetic differentiation between the new species and all other Caledoniscincus, further supporting its distinctiveness as  an independent evolutionary lineage. The species is of high conservation concern given its restricted distribution in a region that has been, and will continue to be, heavily impacted by human occupation, and would be ranked as Critically Endangered under IUCN criteria. 

Key words: New Caledonia, Scincidae, Endangered

FIGURE 3. Adult male Caledoniscincus constellatus sp. nov., holotype (MNHN 2011.0228) dorsal (A) and ventral (B) coloration.

Etymology. The species epithet is Latin for studded with stars and refers to the pattern of white specks on the dorsal surface of males of the species.  

 Sadlier, R. A.; Whitaker, T.; Wood, P. L.; Bauer, A. M. (2012). A new species of scincid lizard in the genus Caledoniscincus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from northwest New Caledonia . Zootaxa 3229: 47-57.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/zt03229p057.pdf

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/article00223.html

http://www.herpsociety.org/archives/1792

[Herpetology • 1999] The scincid lizard genus Caledoniscincus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific: a review of Caledoniscincus austrocaledonicus (Bavay) and description of six new species from Province Nord

Caledoniscincus aquilonius

Abstract

The status of the New Caledonian scincid lizard Caledoniscincus austrocaledonicus (Bavay) is reviewed and found to comprise two species. The species conspecific with the designated neotype is widespread and morphologically diverse, the other is conspecific with Euprepes haplorhinus Günther and is also widespread in distribution. These two species occur in sympatry over much of their range, particularly on the west coast. Six new species of Caledoniscincus are described from the central and northern regions of the island, bringing to eleven the total number of species in the genus. The new species are restricted to closed forest habitat and have limited distributions, hence they are all regarded as vulnerable to disturbance of this habitat type. The eight species dealt with in this paper are recognised on the basis of combined morphological and genetic (allozyme) analysis of 36 populations representing all members in the genus.

Caledoniscincus aquilonius Sadlier, Bauer & Colgan, 1999

Caledoniscincus auratus Sadlier, Bauer & Colgan, 1999

Caledoniscincus chazeaui Sadlier, Bauer & Colgan, 1999

Caledoniscincus cryptos Sadlier, Bauer & Colgan, 1999

Caledoniscincus renevieri Sadlier, Bauer & Colgan, 1999

Caledoniscincus terma Sadlier, Bauer & Colgan, 1999

Caledoniscincus haplorhinus

Caledoniscincus renevieri 

Caledoniscincus terma

Caledoniscincus 

http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/advanced_search?genus=Caledoniscincus&submit=Search

Sadlier, R.A., Bauer, A.M. & Colgan, D.J. 1999. The scincid lizard genus Caledoniscincus (Reptilia: Scincidae) from New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific: a review of Caledoniscincus austrocaledonicus (Bavay) and description of six new species from Province Nord. Records of the Australian Museum. 51 (1): 57-82.
http://www.australianmuseum.net.au/Uploads/Journals/15344/1295_complete.pdf

[Herpetology • 2010] Bryophryne abramalagae & B. flammiventris • Two New Species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from High Elevations in Southern Peru (Region of Cusco)

Abstract

We describe two new species of Bryophryne from the Region of Cusco, Provincia de La Convención in southern Peru, increasing the number of currently known Bryophryne to eight. One of the new species is the second known species of Bryophryne that has a tympanic annulus and tympanic membrane. Males of this species have vocal slits, a vocal sac, and call from inside moss. It is readily distinguished from all its congeners by having a blackish-brown venter with yellow, orange, or pale pink blotches. This species is found at elevations of 3800–3850 m in the puna along the road from Vilcabamba to Pampascona. The second new species has the venter orange and pale gray mottled in males, whereas the venter is black and pale gray mottled in the single female. It was found inside bunches of the Peruvian feather grass (Stipa ichu) in the puna of Abra Málaga next to the road at an elevation of 4000 m. A map showing the type localities of all currently known species of Bryophryne is presented.

Keywords: Anura, Bryophryne, New species, Puna, Strabomantidae

FIG. 3.—Map illustrating the type localities of Bryophryne in Peru.

Holotype of Bryophryne abramalagae in life (MUSM 27631, male, SVL 17.8 mm)

Holotype of Bryophryne flammiventris in life (MUSM 27613, male, SVL 19.8 mm)

2010. Two New Species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from High Elevations in Southern Peru (Region of Cusco). Herpetologica. 66(3):308-319.

http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1655/09-038.1

http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/files/Herpetologica,%2066(3),%202010,%20308%E2%80%93319.pdf

[Herpetology • 2009] Bryophryne gymnotis, B. hanssaueri & B. zonalis • Three New Species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Region of Cusco, Peru

Bryophryne hanssaueri Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

Bryophryne gymnotis Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

Bryophryne hanssaueri Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

Bryophryne zonalis Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

Abstract

We describe three new species of Bryophryne from the Region of Cusco in southern Peru, increasing the number of currently known Bryophryne to six. One of the new species differs from all species of Bryophryne in having a tympanic annulus and tympanic membrane. Males of this species have vocal slits, a vocal sac, and produce a call, which we analyze herein. This species is found at San Luis, a montane cloud forest along the road from Abra Malaga to Quillabamba at elevations between 3272 and 3354 m. The second new species has an orange throat and groin and is found along the Ericsson trail that connects Acjanaco to Pillahuata in Manu National Park and near Abra Acjanaco along the Paucartambo-Pilcopata road at elevations between 3266 and 3430 m. The third new species has the throat and chest mottled pale gray and tan, whereas the belly is black with white flecks. This species is only known from the upper Marcapata valley along the road from Abra Huallahualla to Quincemil at elevations between 3129 and 3285 m. Ecological observations for all new species are described and a map showing the type localities of all currently known species of Bryophryne is presented.

Keywords: Anura, Bryophryne, new species, Strabomantidae, vocalization

Bryophryne gymnotis Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

Bryophryne hanssaueri Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

Bryophryne hanssaueri Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

Bryophryne zonalis Lehr and Catenazzi, 2009

photo: http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=0000+0000+0809+1551

Lehr and Catenazzi 2009. Three New Species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from the Region of Cusco, Peru. South American Journal of Herpetology. 4(2):125-138. http://bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2994/057.004.0204

[Herpetology • 2008] Bryophryne nubilosus • A new species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from southern Peru

Abstract

A new species of Bryophryne from southern Peru (Cusco Region) is described. Specimens were found in the leaf litter of cloud forest at elevations of 2350–3215 m. The new species has a maximum snout-vent length of 21.9 mm in adult females, 18.9 mm in adult males and is the smallest species of the genus. It lacks a tympanum and dentigerous processes of vomers, has dorsolateral folds, and males without vocal slits and without nuptial pads. The new species is most similar to B. bustamantei but differs in being smaller, having discontinuous dorsolateral folds, the males lacking vocal slits, and an overall darker ventral coloration. Bryophryne contains three species all of which lack a tympanum. The deep valley of the Río Apurímac as a distributional barrier separating Phrynopus from Bryophryne is discussed.

Key words: Andes, biogeography, Bryophryne cophites, Bryophryne bustamantei

Lehr, E. & A. Catenazzi. 2008: A new species of Bryophryne (Anura: Strabomantidae) from southern Peru. Zootaxa. 1784: 1-10. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01784p010f.pdf

http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/rsg/projects/alessandro_catenazzi_0

https://sites.google.com/site/acatenazzi/

[Herpetology • 2008] Terrarana (new taxon) | New World direct-developing frogs (Anura: Terrarana): molecular phylogeny, classification, biogeography, and conservation

Abstract

New World frogs recently placed in a single, enormous family (Brachycephalidae) have direct development and reproduce on land, often far away from water. DNA sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear genes of 344 species were analyzed to estimate their relationships. The molecular phylogeny in turn was used as the basis for a revised classification of the group. The 882 described species are placed in a new taxon, Terrarana, and allocated to four families, four subfamilies, 24 genera, 11 subgenera, 33 species series, 56 species groups, and 11 species subgroups. Systematic accounts are provided for all taxa above the species level. Two families (Craugastoridae and Strabomantidae), three subfamilies (Holoadeninae, Phyzelaphryninae, and Strabomantinae), six genera (Bryophryne, Diasporus, Haddadus, Isodactylus, Lynchius, and Psychrophrynella), and two subgenera (Campbellius and Schwartzius) are proposed and named as new taxa, 13 subspecies are considered to be distinct species, and 613 new combinations are formed. Most of the 100 informal groups (species series, species groups, and species subgroups) are new or newly defined.  Brachycephalus and Ischnocnema are placed in Brachycephalidae, a relatively small clade restricted primarily to southeastern Brazil. Eleutherodactylidae includes two subfamilies, four genera, and five subgenera and is centered in the Caribbean region. Craugastoridae contains two genera and three subgenera and is distributed mainly in Middle America. Strabomantidae is distributed primarily in the Andes of northwestern South America and includes two subfamilies, 16 genera, and three subgenera. Images and distribution maps are presented for taxa above the species level and a complete list of species is provided. Aspects of the evolution, biogeography, and conservation of Terrarana are discussed. 

Key words: Amphibia, Brachycephalidae, Craugastoridae, DNA sequence, Eleutherodactylidae, evolution, Strabomantidae, systematics, taxonomy

Hedges, S.B., W.E. Duellman & M.P. Heinicke. 2008: New World direct-developing frogs (Anura: Terrarana): molecular phylogeny, classification, biogeography, and conservation. Zootaxa, 1737: 1-182.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01737p182f.pdf

http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bryophryne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryophryne

[Herpetology • 2008] Bryophryne (Phrynopus) cophites • New World direct-developing frogs (Anura: Terrarana): molecular phylogeny, classification, biogeography, and conservation

Bryophryne cophites (Lynch, 1975)

Distribution.— The genus occurs at elevations of 2900–4120 m in the Cordillera Oriental in the Departamento de Cusco in southern Peru (Fig. 93).

Etymology.— The generic name is derived from the Greek bryon meaning moss and the Greek phrynos, meaning toad. The name is feminine in gender and refers to a common habitat of these species.

Hedges, S.B., W.E. Duellman & M.P. Heinicke. 2008: New World direct-developing frogs (Anura: Terrarana): molecular phylogeny, classification, biogeography, and conservation. Zootaxa, 1737: 1-182.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01737p182f.pdf

http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Bryophryne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bryophryne

[Herpetology • 2007] Bryophryne (Phrynopus) bustamantei • A new species of Phrynopus (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from Departamento Cusco, southern Peru

Bryophryne bustamantei 

(Chaparro, De la Riva, Padial, Ochoa & Lehr, 2007)

Abstract

We describe a new species of Phrynopus (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from two close localities at the upper limits of cloudforest in the southern Peruvian Departamento Cusco, between 3555–3950 m a.s.l. The new species is characterized byhaving medium size (maximum snout-vent length 23.4 mm), dentigerous processes of vomers absent, tympanic membrane inconspicuous, dorsal skin coarsely shagreen in life, dorsolateral folds, ventral skin areolate, dorsum tan, venterbold black with conspicuous bluish-gray spots, and a bluish-white iris.

Key words: Andes, Peru, Phrynopus, Anura

Chaparro, J. C., I. De la Riva, J. M. Padial, J. A. Ochoa, and E. Lehr. 2007. A new species of Phrynopus from Departamento Cusco, southern Peru (Anura: Brachycephalidae). Zootaxa. 1618: 61–68.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2007f/z01618p068f.pdf

http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?seq_num=247482&one=T

[Herpetology • 2008] Strabomantis aramunha • A large and enigmatic new eleutherodactyline frog (Anura, Strabomantidae) from Serra do Sincorá, Espinhaço range, Northeastern Brazil

Figure 1. Living specimens of Strabomantis aramunha from the state of Bahia, Brazil.

Abstract

We describe a new species of a large eleutherodactyline frog from the mountain rocky meadows (“campos rupestres”) of the Serra do Sincorá, Espinhaço mountain range, Mucugê municipality, State of Bahia, Brazil. The new species is promptly diagnosed from all the other Brazilian eleutherodactylines by its large size (males SVL 40.3–41.1; females SVL 75.2–79.7mm), broad head (head width 43–49% of SVL), presence of frontoparietal crests, pars fascialis of the maxilla deepened, discs absent on fingers, toes with poorly developed discs, first and second toes ridged, and tarsal fold absent. On the basis of these characters the new species is attributed to the genus Strabomantis up to now restricted to southern part of Central America and northwest part of South America. 

Key words: Strabomantis aramunha sp. nov., Eleutherodactylus, Strabomantidae, Amphibia, Atlantic forest, Campos rupestres, Taxonomy

Figure 2. Geographic distribution of Strabomantis aramunha on topographic map. Star, municipality of Mucugê, type locality; new records within the Chapada Diamantina Ecoregion, state of Bahia, Brazil: triangle, Miguel Calmon; lozenge, Iraquara; circle, Palmeiras; square, Lençóis; inverted triangle, Abaíra.

Figure 4. Strabomantis aramunha. (A) Dorsal and (B) ventral views of UFBA 6221, adult female, SVL 66.1 mm. (C) Dorsal and (D) ventral views of MZUEFS 2125, adult male, SVL 36.6 mm (photo by Marcelo F. Napoli)

Abstract

During surveys of anurans in the Chapada Diamantina, a semiarid region in central Bahia, Brazil, we obtained new records of Strabomantis aramunha Cassimiro, Verdade and Rodrigues. The new records extend the geographic distribution of S. aramunha in about 200 km north and 75 km south in relation to the type locality (municipality of Mucugê, state of Bahia, Brazil). We observed males calling at night at the Morro do Pai Inácio, municipality of Palmeiras. This new data is important, as in the original description the authors suggested the possibility of absence of advertisement call in the species. We also provide additions on color and morphometric data.

Cassimiro, J., V.K. Verdade and M.T. Rodrigues. 2008. A large and enigmatic new eleutherodactyline frog (Anura, Strabomantidae) from Serra do Sincorá, Espinhaço range, Northeastern Brazil. Zootaxa. 1761: 59-68. http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2008/f/z01761p068f.pdf

Napoli, M. F.; Juncá, F. A.; Cruz, D.; Abreu, R. O. 2010. Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae, Strabomantis aramunha Cassimiro, Verdade & Rodrigues, 2008: Distribution extension with notes on natural history, color patterns, and morphometric data. Check List. 6: 275–279.

http://dc249.4shared.com/doc/R5APkA1x/preview.html
http://www.amphibia.ufba.br/Public/Public_artigos_2008-2010.htm

[Ichthyology • 2012] Australoheros mattosi, A. montanus & A. tavaresi • Three new species of Australoheros (Labroidei: Cichlidae) from southeastern Brazil

 Australoheros montanus Ottoni, 2012

Abstract

Three new species of  Australoheros are described from the São Francisco, Paraná and Paraíba do Sul river basins, southeastern Brazil. Australoheros mattosi sp. n., from the rio São Francisco basin, by having anal-fin base squamation beginning at the third anal-fin spine; A. montanus sp. n., from the rio Paquequer drainage, by having a complete red bar on the posterior margin of the caudal fin; and, A. tavaresi sp. n., from the rio Tietê drainage, by having prognathous mouth. Three currently listed synonyms of Australoheros facetus are discussed: Chromys oblonga is considered a nomen dubium. The type specimens of Heros autochton (lectotype herein designated) indicate that the species does not belong to the genus Australoheros. Finally, the status of H. jenynsii as synonym of A. facetus is confirmed.

Key words : Biodiversity, Cichlinae, coastal basins, fishes, Heroini, Neotropical cichlids, systematics, taxonomy.

Australoheros mattosi Ottoni, 2012

Australoheros montanus Ottoni, 2012

Australoheros tavaresi Ottoni, 2012

Ottoni F. P. 2012. Three new species of Australoheros from southeastern Brazil, with taxonomic notes on Chromys oblonga, Heros autochton and H. jenynsii (Teleostei: Labroidei: Cichlidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 62(1): 83 – 96.

http://www.vertebrate-zoology.de/vz62-1/04_Vertebrate_Zoology_62-1_Ottoni_83-96.pdf

http://mahengechromis.blogspot.com/2012/04/mi-si-e-allargato-il-genere-tre-nuovi.html

[Ichthyology • 2011] Australoheros ykeregua & A. angiru • Two new species of Australoheros (Teleostei: Cichlidae), with notes on diversity of the genus and biogeography of the Río de la Plata basin

Abstract

Two new species of Australoheros Říčan and Kullander are described. Australoheros ykeregua sp. nov. is described from the tributaries of the río Uruguay in Misiones province, Argentina. Australoheros angiru sp. nov. is described from the tributaries of the upper rio Uruguai and middle rio Iguaçu in Brazil. The two new species are not closely related, A. ykeregua is the sister species of A. forquilha Říčan and Kullander, while A. angiru is the sister species of A. minuano Říčan and Kullander. The diversity of the genus Australoheros is reviewed using morphological and molecular phylogenetic analyses. These analyses suggest that the described species diversity of the genus in the coastal drainages of SE Brazil is overestimated and that many described species are best undestood as representing cases of intraspecific variation. The distribution patterns of Australoheros species in the Uruguay and Iguazú river drainages point to historical connections between today isolated river drainages (the lower río Iguazú with the arroyo Uruguaí, and the middle rio Iguaçu with the upper rio Uruguai). Molecular clocks are used to date these and other biogeographic patterns.

Key words: Australoheros, new species, Cichlidae, phylogeny, South America, biogeography, Brazilian shield

Australoheros ykeregua 

Etymology. The Guaraní word ykeregua means neighbor (vecino in Spanish). The etymology is based on the fact that A. ykeregua and A. forquilha have been preliminarily treated as conspecific (Říčan & Kullander 2008). New data have however demonstrated that they are two sister group species living in the same river drainage (río Uruguay), though not sympatrically.

Distribution. Australoheros ykeregua is so far known only from Argentinean territory in the tributaries of the río Uruguay below the Salto Moconá, province of Misiones.

Australoheros angiru

Etymology. The Guaraní word angirû means friend, partner (amigo or compañero in Spanish). The etymology is based on the fact that A. angiru and A. kaaygua have been confused as one species (Říčan & Kullander 2008). New data have however demonstrate that they are two non-sister group species living in the same river drainage (río Iguazú), though not sympatrically.

Distribution. Australoheros angiru has a disjunct distribution in the rio Iguaçu and in the upper rio Uruguai. One locality is so far known from the middle río Uruguay in Misiones province, Argentina (Fig. 10).

Two new species of Australoheros (Teleostei: Cichlidae), with notes on diversity of the genus and biogeography of the Río de la Plata basin

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2011/f/zt02982p026.pdf

http://www.cichlidae.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=12702

[Ichthyology • 2011] Australoheros perdi • new species (Teleostei: Labroidei: Cichlidae) from the lacustrine region of the Doce River Valley, southeastern Brazil, with biological information

Australoheros perdi 2011

Abstract

Australoheros perdi is a new species herein described from the lacustrine region of the middle Doce River basin, Doce River Valley, southeastern Brazil. The new species is distinguished from all its congeners by having only 25 vertebrae and by a combination of characters states listed below: three abdominal bars in all stages of life, a conspicuous, rounded caudal-fin base spot, a conspicuous wide longitudinal stripe, head with depression in the region above the eyes, tip of pelvic fin reaching vertical through third to sixth anal fin spine base, fewer dorsal-fin spines, fewer pectoral-fi n rays, fewer caudal vertebrae, fewer proximal radials on dorsal-fin base, more proximal radials on anal-fi n base, more pleural ribs, a longer caudal peduncle, a deeper caudal peduncle, a wide ectopterygoid, a longer last anal-fi n spine and a longer lower jaw. The available phylogenetic tree of the genus does not include the species from southeastern Brazil, thus impeding any discussion of the phylogeny of these species. 

Key words: Cichlinae, Heroini, middle Doce River basin, Minas Gerais state, Parque Estadual do Rio Doce, Pisces, South-American cichlids, Taxonomy, biology, diet.

Ottoni, F.P., Lezama, A.Q., Triques, M.L., Fragoso-Moura, E.N., Lucas, C.C.T., and Barbosa, F.A.R. 2011. Australoheros perdi, new species (Teleostei: Labroidei: Cichlidae) from the lacustrine region of the Doce River Valley, southeastern Brazil, with biological information. Vertebrate Zoology, 61 (1): 137-145 .

http://www.vertebrate-zoology.de/vz61-1/09_Vertebrate_Zoology_61-1_Ottoni.pdf