[Herpetology • 2013] Kaloula nonggangensis | Nonggang Narrow-mouthed Frog • A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from Nonggang National Nature Reserve, southern Guangxi, Sino-Vietnamese border region of southern China

Kaloula nonggangensis 

Mo, Zhang, Zhou, Chen, Tang, Meng & Chen 2013

Abstract

A new species of narrow-mouthed frog of Kaloula is described in the Nonggang National Nature Reserve, Sino-Vietnamese border region of southern China. Kaloula nonggangensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: medium size (SVL 41.4–52.7 mm in 18 adult males, 52.2 mm in 1 female); smooth or slightly rough olive dorsum with irregular dark-green marks and brown spots; tips of the fingers widely dilated and truncated; males with nearly fully webbed toes; males with two side protuberant osseous tubercles on the upper surface of the tips of fingers and chest beige with small lemon-colored spots. K. nonggangensis sp. nov. is found in habitats ranging from cultivated fields adjacent to the forest to primary evergreen forest in karst habitats. Based upon a 16S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial gene fragment, K. nonggangensis sp. nov. is embedded within the K. verrucosa group (including K. borealis, K. rugifera and K. verrucosa), and displays a low genetic distance to these species (< 3%). Considering the distinct morphology and karyotype we nevertheless suggest a status as separate species for these allopatrically distributed lineages.

Key words: Southern China, Kaloula nonggangensis sp. nov., Sino-Vietnamese border area

Mo, Yun-Ming, Wei Zhang, Shichu Zhou, Tianbo Chen, Huaxing Tang, Yuanjun Meng & Weicai Chen. 2013. A new species of Kaloula (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from southern Guangxi, China. Zootaxa. 3710(2): 165–178.

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03710p178f.pdf

[Herpetology • 2002] Kaloula walteri | Walter's Narrow-mouthed Frog • A New Species of Narrow-mouthed Frog (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae; Genus Kaloula) from the Mountains of southern Luzon and Polillo Islands, Philippines

Fig. 1. Color pattern variation in live Kaloula walteri, photographed on Mt. Banahao, Luzon Island. Light phase, tan dorsum with dark marbling

http://ornithology.biodiversity.ku.edu/node/1390

Kaloula walteri Brown, Diesmos & Alcala, 2002

We describe a new species of narrow-mouthed frog of the genus Kaloula from the volcanic mountains of southern Luzon Island (Mt. Banahao, Mt. Isarog, and Mt. Mayon) and adjacent Polillo Island, Philippines. On the volcanoes of southern Luzon, the new species is found in habitats ranging from small dry stream beds to stationary pools of rivers in mid- to upper montane primary forest. On Polillo Island, the new species has been found near quiet streams in selectively logged primary forest and second growth near sea level. The new species presumably is allied to Kaloula rigida (a forest species endemic to northern Luzon Island) and to Kaloula picta (a more widespread Philippine endemic that is found in a variety of habitats) as indicated by possession of narrow disks on the digits and by the presence of supernumerary tubercles on the palmar surface of the manus. It differs from these species by its smaller body size, reduction of webbing on toes, absence or extreme reduction of outer metacarpal tubercles, and by characteristics of the advertisement call.

Etymology: The new species is named in honor of Walter C. Brown in recognition of his immense contributions to our knowledge of the systematics, zoogeography, and ecology of Philippine amphibians and reptiles. Suggested Common Name: Walter's narrow-mouthed frog

Ecology, habitat, and life history. Specimens of K. walteri have been observed or collected in riparian habitats ranging from lowland dipterocarp forest to midmontane closed-canopy rain forest (sensu Whitmore, 1984). On Mt. Banahao, the new species has been observed in habitats at elevations of 650-950 m ranging from small (= 3 m wide) dry stream beds to larger rivers (> 6 m wide) during the dry season (observed in March and April) when water levels decline and large stationary pools form (Fig. 5). The single specimen from Mt. Isarog was collected at an elevation of 990 m, and Mt. Mayon specimens were collected at 650 m. The specimen from Polillo was collected at approximately 25 m above sea level in well-regenerated secondary forest. Specimens at this locality have been heard calling near clearings and even on edges of agricultural areas adjacent to forest (V. Yngente, pers. comm.)

.................

Other sympatric species of anurans include K conjuncta conjuncta, Limnonectes macrocephalus, Limnonectes woodworthi, Rana luzonensis, Rana similis, Philautus surdus, Platymantis banahao, Platymantis corrugatus, Platymantis dorsalis, Platymantis luzonensis, Platymantis montanus, Platymantis indeprensus, and Platymantis pseudodorsalis. Other amphibians known from Mt. Banahao (Diesmos, 1998; unpubl. data), that we have not found at the specific type locality, include Occidozyga laevis, Rana erythraea, Polypedates leucomystax, Rhacophorus bimaculatus, Rhacophorus pardalis, and two additional undescribed species of Platymantis. On Mt. Isarog, the new species also is sympatric with Platymantis isarog (Brown et al., 1997), and an undescribed species of Platymantis (unpubl. data) and on Polillo Island, Rhacophorus appendiculatus, Platymantis polillensis, Platymantis sp. (of uncertain taxonomic status, possibly conspecific with P. luzonensis) and Rana (= Fejervarya) vittigera also have been recorded sympatrically (Hampson, 1999a,b; ACD and RMB, pers. obs.). 

Diesmos, A.C., Brown, R.M. and Alcala, A.C. 2002. A New Species of Narrow-mouthed Frog (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae; Genus Kaloula) from the Mountains of southern Luzon and Polillo Islands, Philippines. Copeia. 1037-1051. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1448523

[Paleontology • 2010] The evolution of Metriorhynchoidea (Mesoeucrocodylia, Thalattosuchia): an integrated approach using geometric morphometrics, analysis of disparity, and biomechanics; with Eoneustes Gen. nov. & Gracilineustes Gen. nov.

Skull and limb of Gracilineustes leedsi (formerly Metriorhynchus laeve).

http://archive.org/stream/descriptivecatal02brit#page/n281/mode/2up

Abstract

Metriorhynchoid crocodylians represent the pinnacle of marine specialization within Archosauria. Not only were they a major component of the Middle Jurassic–Early Cretaceous marine ecosystems, but they provide further examples that extinct crocodilians did not all resemble their modern extant relatives. Here, we use a varied toolkit of techniques, including phylogenetic reconstruction, geometric morphometrics, diversity counts, discrete character disparity analysis, and biomechanical finite-element analysis (FEA), to examine the macroevolutionary history of this clade. All analyses demonstrate that this clade became more divergent, in terms of biodiversity, form, and function, up until the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary, after which there is no evidence for recovery or further radiations. A clear evolutionary trend towards hypercarnivory in Dakosaurus is supported by phylogenetic character optimization, morphometrics, and FEA, which also support specialized piscivory within Rhacheosaurus and Cricosaurus. Within Metriorhynchoidea, there is a consistent trend towards increasing marine specialization, with the hypermarine Cricosaurus exhibiting numerous convergences with other Mesozoic marine reptiles (e.g. loss of the deltopectoral crest and retracted external nares). In addition, biomechanics, morphometrics, and character-disparity analyses consistently distinguish the two newly erected metriorhynchid subfamilies. This study illustrates that together with phylogeny, quantitative assessment of diversity, form, and function help elucidate the macroevolutionary pattern of fossil clades.

Keywords: Crocodylia; diversity; ecomorphology; functional morphology; phylogeny

M. T. Young, S. L. Brusatte, M. Ruta and M. B. Andrade. 2010. The evolution of Metriorhynchoidea (Mesoeucrocodylia, Thalattosuchia): an integrated approach using geometric morphometrics, analysis of disparity, and biomechanics. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 158(4):801-859

DOI: 10.1111/j.1096-3642.2009.00571.x

[Ichthyology • 2013] Hemiscyllium halmahera • A New Species of Bamboo Shark (Hemiscylliidae) from Ternate, Halmahera, the Maluku Islands, (eastern) Indonesia

Halmahera Epaulette Shark | Hemiscyllium halmahera

Allen, Erdmann & Dudgeon, 2013

Abstract

Hemiscyllium halmahera new species is described from two specimens, 656-681 mm TL, collected at Ternate, Halmahera, Indonesia. The new species is clearly differentiated on the basis of colour pattern. Its features include a general brown colouration with numerous clusters of mainly 2-3 dark polygonal spots, widely scattered white spots in the matrix between dark clusters, relatively few (< 10), large dark spots on the interorbital/snout region, a pair of large dark marks on the ventral surface of the head, and a fragmented post-cephalic mark consisting of a large U-shaped dark spot with a more or less continuous white margin on the lower half, followed by a vertical row of three, smaller clusters of 2-3 polygonal dark marks. The new species is most similar in general appearance to H. galei from Cenderawasih Bay, West Papua, which differs in having 7-8 large, horizontally elongate dark spots on the lower side between the abdomen and caudal-fin base, a cluster of solid dark post-cephalic spots, and usually about 25 dark spots on the upper surface of the head.

Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann and Christine L. Dudgeon. 2013. Hemiscyllium halmahera, a new species of Bamboo Shark (Hemiscylliidae) from Indonesia. aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology. 19 (3): 123-136. 

http://www.conservation.org/publications/Documents/CI_Hemiscyllium-halmahera.pdf

__________________________

Hemiscyllium halmahera: New Species of ‘Walking’ Shark from Indonesia

Dr Gerald Allen, a research associate at the Western Australian Museum, and his colleagues from Australia have described a new species of shark from eastern Indonesian waters.

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-hemiscyllium-halmahera-new-species-walking-shark-indonesia-01335.html

Halmahera epaulette shark, a rare species of bamboo shark from Indonesia, photographed in the Ternate sea in Maluku, Indonesia. || The week in wildlife – in pictures http://gu.com/p/46tym/stw#img-17

[Ichthyology • 2010] Hemiscyllium michaeli | Milne Bay epaulette shark • a new species of Bamboo Shark (Hemiscyllidae) from Papua New Guinea

Hemiscyllium michaeli G. R. Allen & Dudgeon, 2010
Milne Bay epaulette shark

photo by Scott W. Michael | http://gobiestogrizzlies.blogspot.com

via http://reefbuilders.com

Holotype: USNM 218602, female, 610 mm TL, coral reef in Harvey Bay, east of Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea, 0-10 m, T. Roberts, 6-7 August 1975. 

Diagnosis: A species of bamboo shark belonging to the genus Hemiscyllium, distinguished from related species by a unique colour pattern, particu-larly the combination of dense leopard-like spotting on the body and a large black ocellate spot on the middle of the side, just behind the head. It lacks diagnostic colour pattern features that typify the other known species in the genus including: black hood or face-mask marking on the head (H. strahani), large intensely black ovate spots on body (H. hallstromi), ocellate shoulder spot and numerous small black spots on body (H. ocellatum), ocellate shoulder spot with two curved black marks on posterior edge and numerous diffuse dark spots on head body and fins (H. trispeculare), row of 7-8 large, horizontally ovate spots on lower side between abdomen and caudal-fin base (H. galei), "double-ocellus" shoulder marking (H. henryi) and a fragmented or diffuse shoulder marking and sparse spot pattern on dorsal surface of snout (H. freycineti). 

Distribution and habitat: The new species is known only from eastern Papua New Guinea (Fig. 1) with observation and collecting records from Samarai Island, Milne Bay (vicinity of Alotau and Sullivan Patches), vicinity of Harvey Bay (Oro Province), and the Trobriand Islands. It is typically encountered on coastal fringing reefs and patch reefs while diving at night, although it is sometimes seen during the day, sheltering under rocky outcrops or tabular corals. The known depth range is approximately 2-20 m. 

Etymology: The species is named H. michaeli in honour of Scott W. Michael, who first brought the difference between this species and H. freycineti to our attention. In addition, he has contributed a wealth of information, including valuable photographs, for the first author's research on Indo-Pacific fishes. 

Allen & Dudgeon. 2010. Hemiscyllium michaeli, a new species of Bamboo Shark (Hemiscyllidae) from Papua New Guinea. Aqua International Journal of Ichthyology. 16 (1): 19–30.

http://reefbuilders.com/2010/02/23/hemiscyllum-michaeli-bamboo-shark-guinea-treated-scott-michaels/

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hemiscyllium+michaeli,+a+new+species+of+bamboo+shark+(Hemiscyllidae)...-a0322782138

http://nguinea-diversity.blogspot.com/2010/02/new-hemiscyllium-hemiscyllidae-from.html

[Ichthyology • 2008] Hemiscyllium galei & H. henryi • Two new species of bamboo sharks (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscylliidae) from the Bird’s Head region of western New Guinea (Papua Barat Province, Indonesia)

Hemiscyllium henryi G. R. Allen & Erdmann, 2008

Abstract

Two new species of hemiscylliid sharks are described from the Bird’s Head region of western New Guinea (Papua Barat Province, Indonesia). They differ from congeners on the basis of both colour patterns and DNA composition. Hemiscyllium galei is described from two specimens, 542.5-567.5 mm TL, collected at Cenderawasih Bay. The species is similar in appearance to H. freycineti, reported from areas immediately westward including the Raja Ampat Islands. The new species differs from H. freycineti in possessing white lines and spots along the margin of the large, dark dorsal saddles as well as scattered white spots, mainly on the upper side. In addition, H. galei is characterised by a row of about seven well-defined, horizontally-ovate, dark spots on the lower side between the abdomen and caudal-fin base. Hemiscyllium henryi is described from three specimens, 564.0-815.0 mm TL, collected in the vicinity of Triton Bay. It is most similar in general appearance to H. ocellatum from northern Australia, but differs in the structure of the postcephalic ocellus (usually a pair of merged “twin-ocelli” with a poorly defined white halo) and possesses well-defined dark brown saddles/bars along the back and dorsal margin of the caudal fin as well as a dark spot at the origin of the pectoral and pelvic fins. A final difference concerns the presence of numerous small brown spots on the dorsal fins of H. ocellatum, in contrast to the mainly spotless pattern on the dorsal fins of H. henryi.

Fig. 1. Map of western New Guinea (Papua Barat Province, Indonesia) showing collection locations (star symbols) of new species of Hemiscyllium.
Abbreviations as follows: BH = Bird’s Head Peninsula, CB = Cenderawasih Bay, and RA = Raja Ampat Islands.

NASA satellite images.

 Hemiscyllium galei G. R. Allen & Erdmann, 2008
compared to H. freycineti (lower), reported from areas immediately westward including the Raja Ampat Islands

Holotype: NCIP 6324, male, 567.5 mm TL, reef near Rumberpon Village, western Cenderawasih Bay, Papua Barat Province, Indonesia, 3-4 m, collected by hand, M. and A. Erdmann, 19 February 2007.


Diagnosis: A species of bamboo shark belonging to the genus Hemiscyllium, distinguished by its unique colour pattern, particularly the combination of white lines/spots along the margin of the large, dark saddles on the back, scattered white spots (mainly on upper side), and a row of 7-8 well-defined, horizontally-ovate, dark spots on the lower side between the abdomen and caudal-fin base.

Distribution and habitat: The new species is apparently confined to Cenderawasih Bay, Papua Barat Province, Indonesia. The habitat typically consists of shoreline fringing reefs or shallow patch reefs. The three individuals reported to date have all been encountered at night at depths between 2-4 m. They were usually seen resting on the bottom, but occasionally were observed while slowly swimming or “walking” over the bottom with the pectoral and pelvic fins. Presumably it is sedentary during daylight hours, sheltering under rocky outcrops or tabular corals, which is typical for other family members.

Etymology: The new species is named galei in honour of Jeffrey Gale, an avid underwater photographer, shark enthusiast, and benefactor of the marine realm. Mr. Gale successfully bid to support the conservation of this species at the Blue Auction in Monaco on 20 September 2007 and has given generously to support Conservation International’s Bird’s Head Seascape marine conservation initiative.

Hemiscyllium henryi G. R. Allen & Erdmann, 2008

Holotype: NCIP 6323, male, 783 mm TL, small bay in northwestern portion of Selat Iris, immediately south of Triton Bay, Papua Barat Province, Indonesia, 3-4 m, collected by hand, M. V. Erdmann and M. Allen, 24 April 2006.

Diagnosis: A species of bamboo shark belonging to the genus Hemiscyllium, distinguished by its unique colour pattern, particularly the combination of small scattered spots on the head, body and fins including 13-18 spots on interorbital/dorsal snout region and 6-18 spots on dorsal surface of pectoral fins, and a unique “double-ocellus” marking on middle of side, just behind the head.

Distribution and habitat: The new species is known only from western New Guinea (Papua Barat Province, Indonesia) in the vicinity of Triton Bay in the southern Bird’s Head region. It has been observed/collected both in the bay and at nearby Selat Iris, a narrow channel between the mainland and Aiduma Island. Unlike other parts of the Bird’s Head Peninsula such as Cenderawasih Bay and the Raja Ampat Islands, there is almost no shallow, fringing reef habitat due to the unique geomorphology of the area. Hence, the typical habitat for this shark extends into deeper water (at least 30 m), although it has also been sighted in depths less than 4 m. It is usually seen resting on the bottom, but occasionally is observed while slowly swimming or “walking” over the bottom with the pectoral and pelvic fins. During the day it is generally sedentary, sheltering under rocky outcrops or tabular corals.
Etymology: The species is named H. henryi in honour of Wolcott Henry of Washington D.C., who has generously supported Conservation International’s marine initiatives, including taxonomy of western New Guinea fishes.

Allen & Erdmann. 2008. Two new species of bamboo sharks (Orectolobiformes: Hemiscylliidae) from Western New Guinea. aqua (Miradolo Terme) 13 (3-4): 93–108.

[Ornithology • 2013] Mohouidae: a new Family of Songbird from New Zealand | Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Mohoua, endemic hosts of New Zealand’s obligate brood parasitic Long-tailed Cuckoo Eudynamys taitensis

three songbirds from New Zealand – the Whitehead Mohoua albicilla, shown in this image, the Yellowhead Mohoua ochrocephala and the Brown Creeper Mohoua novaseelandiae– belong to a new bird family.

Image: Andrew Hardacre / CC BY 2.0.

Abstract

 The three species of New Zealand’s endemic Mohoua genus are sole hosts of the obligate brood parasitic Long-tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamys taitensis), making their intrageneric phylogenetic relationships particularly important for coevolutionary studies. Also, recent molecular phylogenetic analyses have not identified the family-level placement of this genus. To resolve both intrageneric and family relationships, we generated new nuclear and mitochondrial sequence data and conducted phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian inference among representatives of endemic New Zealand passerines and Australasian ‘core Corvoidea’ lineages. The results establish strong intrageneric relationships of all three Mohoua species, confirm the monophyly of the genus, and suggest its placement in a re-erected monotypic family: Mohouidae.

Zachary Aidala, Nicola Chong, Michael G. Anderson, Luis Ortiz-Catedral, Ian G. Jamieson, James V. Briskie, Phillip Cassey, Brian J. Gill, Mark E. Hauber. 2013. Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Mohoua, endemic hosts of New Zealand’s obligate brood parasitic Long-tailed Cuckoo (Eudynamys taitensis). Journal of Ornithology. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-013-0978-8

Ornithologists Describe New Songbird Family – the Mohouidae – from New Zealand

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-new-songbird-family-new-zealand-01347.html

The make this discovery, the team analyzed DNA of three bird species: the Whitehead (Mohoua albicilla), the Yellowhead (Mohoua ochrocephala) and the Brown Creeper (Mohoua novaseelandiae).

“It’s an achievement that has international significance as the taxonomy of birds, especially Australasian songbirds, is the subject of intense research. By conducting DNA sequencing of three bird species — two of them for the first time — the testing confirmed what had been suspected since the 1950s,” explained Dr Luis Ortiz-Catedral and Dr Michael Anderson, both from Massey University in Auckland, New Zealand, who reported the results in the Journal of Ornithology.

The discovery brings the number of New Zealand endemic songbird families to five and increases the number of endemic vertebrate families from 13 to 14 (11 bird, 1 frog, 1 bat, 1 tuatara).

.....................

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-new-songbird-family-new-zealand-01347.html

[Arachnology • 2005] Revision of the genus Spermophora Hentz in Southeast Asia and on the Pacific Islands, with descriptions of three new genera (Araneae: Pholcidae); Aetana from the Philippines, Borneo and Fiji, Suvarna from Thai-Malay peninsula & Khorata from Khorat plateau & Laos

The main aim of the present paper is to delimit ‘true’ Spermophora, i.e. the group of species most closely related to the type species S. senoculata (Dugès). Apart from the type species, only three previously described species are included in this core group (S. estebani Simon, S. paluma Huber, S. yao Huber), together with nine newly described species: S. kerinci, S. tumbang, S. dumoga, S. maros, S. deelemanae, S. palau, S. kaindi, S. luzonica, and S. sumbawa. Except for the Holarctic and anthropophilic type species, all species have limited distributions in Southeast Asia, northeastern Australia, and the Pacific Islands, where they inhabit the leaf litter layer of tropical forests as well as caves. A tight correlation is documented in Spermophora between the male cheliceral apophyses (distance between the tips) and the pockets on the female external genitalia. In addition, three new Southeast Asian genera are described that appear similar to Spermophora but do not share the synapomorphies of the genus: Aetana n. gen. with three new species from the Philippines (A. omayan), Borneo (A. kinabalu), and Fiji (A. fiji); Savarna n. gen., with one new species from southern Thailand (S. thaleban) and two species from Sumatra and Malaysia transferred from Spermophora [Savarna tessellata (Simon) n. comb., and S. baso (Roewer) n. comb.]; and Khorata n. gen., with four new species from Thailand (K. bangkok, K. schwendingeri) and Laos (K. khammouan, K. jaegeri).

Bernard A. Huber. 2005. Revision of the genus Spermophora Hentz in Southeast Asia and on the Pacific Islands, with descriptions of three new genera (Araneae: Pholcidae). Zool. Med. Leiden. 79–2 (4): 61–114. http://www.repository.naturalis.nl/record/210731

http://www.uni-bonn.de/~bhuber1/PDFs/spermophora_2005.pdf

[Paleontology • 2000] Nanolania anatopretia • A new tiny rhytidosteid (Temnospondyli: Stereospondyli) from the Early Triassic of Australia and the possibility of hidden temnospondyl diversity

 Life restoration of Nanolania anatopretia.

by Smokeybjb http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanolania

A new genus and species of stereospondyl temnospondyl, Nanolcmia anatopretia, is described from the Early Triassic Arcadia Formation (Rewan Group) of Queensland, Australia. N. anatopretia has several character states that suggest it belongs to the group of derived trematosaurian stereospondyls that include the Rhytidosteidae and Brachyopoidea. These include the absence of a lacrimai, an untwisted quadrate ramus of the pterygoid, and a shallow otic notch. It is tentatively referred to the Rhytidosteidae. N. anatopretia is the third temnospondyl taxon from the Arcadia Formation to be represented by a skull less than 50 mm long. The others are the basal stereospondyl Lapillopsis nana, and juveniles of the capitosaurid Parotosuchus aliciae. Given that Lapillopsis nana and Nanolania anatopretia are not known from any larger specimens, and that the temnospondyl fauna from the Arcadia Formation has been well sampled, it is suggested that they are species that never grew large. It seems quite likely that a diverse array of small temnospondyls lived alongside the larger temnospondyls of the Triassic elsewhere in the world but have not been discovered due to biases working against the preservation and collection of small temnospondyl specimens.

 Yates, Adam M. 2000. A new tiny rhytidosteid (Temnospondyli: Stereospondyli) from the Early Triassic of Australia and the possibility of hidden temnospondyl diversity. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 20 (3): 484–489. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1671/0272-4634(2000)020[0484:ANTRTS]2.0.CO;2

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

[Herpetology • 2013] ปาดเรียวมลายู | Polypedates discantus | Malayan Slender Tree Frog • A New Tree Frog in the Genus Polypedates (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Hatyai, Songkhla Province, southern Thailand

ปาดเรียวมลายู | Malayan Slender Tree Frog  

 Polypedates discantus Rujirawan, Stuart & Aowphol 2013

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3702.6.3

Abstract

We describe a new species of Southeast Asian rhacophorid frog belonging to the Polypedates leucomystax species complex from Songkhla Province, southern Thailand. Polypedates discantus sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by the combination of having the skin of the head not co-ossified with the skull; absent or indistinct white dots on the back of the thigh; paired-vocal sac openings; and a round tubercle on the tibiotarsal articulation. The new species is also distinguished from P. leucomystax and P. megacephalus in univariate and multivariate analyses of quantitative morphometric characters, and has uncorrected pairwise distances of 6.61–7.16% from its closest relative, P. leucomystax, in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene The new species has four distinct male advertisement call types, consisting of one-note, two-note, three-note and staccato calls. The new species occurs syntopically with P. leucomystax at the type locality.

Key words: Rhacophoridae; Polypedates; advertisement call; morphology; species complex; Thailand 

FIGURE 6. Polypedates discantus sp. nov. holotype (ZMKU AM 00992) in life.(A) rear of right thigh, (B) ventral view of right hand, and (C) ventral view of right foot. Scale bar = 5 mm.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3702.6.3

Polypedates discantus sp. nov.

Polypedates leucomystax “Morph B” Narins, Feng, Yong and Christensen-Dalsgaard, 1998: 129.

Polypedates sp. “Malay Clade” Kuraishi, Matsui, Hamidy, Belabut, Ahmad, Panha, Sudin, Yong, Jiang, Ota, Thong and Nishikawa, 2013: 1.

Holotype: ZMKU AM 00992, adult male, collected at Thung Tam Sao, Hat Yai District, Songkhla

Province, Thailand, on 15 November 2012 with advertisement calls recorded at 18.35h at 28.4 °C by Anchalee Aowphol, Attapol Rujirawan, Siriporn Yodthong, Korkhwan Termprayoon, and Natee Ampai.

Etymology. The specific epithet discantus taken from dis L. for separate and cantus L. for song, in reference to the new species’ differing call from the syntopic P. leucomystax.

Suggested common name. Malayan slender tree frog (English). ปาดเรียวมลายู: Paad-Reaw-Ma-La-Ewu (Thai), taken from Paad for tree frog, Reaw for slender, Ma-La-Ewu for Malayan.

ปาดเรียวมลายู | Malayan Slender Tree Frog  | Polypedates discantus

photo by V.Lauhachinda:  554231751308544

Malayan Slender Tree Frog  | Polypedates discantus

male from Wang Prachan, Thai-Malay border

photo by P. Pawangkhanant: 10201387063430364

Rujirawan, Attapol, Bryan L. Stuart & Anchalee Aowphol. 2013. A New Tree Frog in the Genus Polypedates (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from southern Thailand. Zootaxa. 3702(6): 545–565. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3702.6.3

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03702p565f.pdf

http://www.bryanlstuart.com/site/Publications_files/Rujirawan%20et%20al.%202013.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2009] ปลาค้างคาวคุณสืบ | Oreoglanis nakasathieni • a new Torrent Catfish Genus Oreoglanis (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from northern Thailand

photo: N. Panitvong

ปลาค้างคาวคุณสืบ Oreoglanis nakasathieni Vidthayanon, Saenjundaeng & Ng, 2009

 ปลาเฉพาะถิ่นของลุ่มน้ำแม่แตง พบในเขตรักษาพันธุ์สัตว์ป่าดอยเชียงดาวและใกล้เคียงเท่านั้น
ตั้งชื่อเพื่อเป็นเกียรติแก่ สืบ นาคะเสถียร (พ.ศ. 2492 - 2533)

http://facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=583223628386537 

"In honor to the late Mr. Seub Nakasathian (1949 - 1990), the Thai wildlife biologist who devoted his life for wildlife research and awareness rising on conservation and management of Thai Western Forest Complex."

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Abstract

We describe eight new species of the sisorid catfish genus Oreoglanis from the Chao Phraya, Mekong and Salween river drainages in northern and western Thailand. The new species are diagnosed by a combination of morphology of maxillary-barbel tip, lower-lip morphology, extent of pectoral fin, fusion of the adipose fin with the upper procurrent caudal-fin rays, caudal-fin morphology, and the relative proportions of the head, snout, nasal barbel, interorbital distance, eye, body depth at anus, adipose fin, caudal peduncle and post-adipose distance. The taxonomy of O. pumatensis, a poorly known species from Vietnam is also discussed; it is considered a junior subjective synonym of O. infulatus here.

Original description:

Vidthayanon, C., Saenjundaeng, P., and Ng, H. H. 2009. Eight new species of the Torrent Catfish Genus Oreoglanis (Teleostei: Sisoridae) from Thailand. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters. 14: 127-156. http://www.pfeil-verlag.de/04biol/pdf/ief20_2_04.pdf

http://www.manager.co.th/QOL/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9480000071813

[Mammalogy • 2007] Kerivoula krauensis | ค้างคาวยอดกล้วยหลังสีทอง | Krau Woolly Bat • A new species of Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from peninsular Malaysia

Kerivoula krauensis : Krau Woolly Bat

photo: http://www.ttu-mbea.org/

Abstract

A new species of small Kerivoula is described from peninsular Malaysia. It is similar in size and form to Kerivoula hardwickii Miller 1898 or K. intermedia Hill and Francis 1984, but is distinguished by its distinctive colouration — dorsal fur has extensive black bases with shiny golden tips, ventral fur has dark grey bases with whitish-buff tips — as well as several characters of dentition and skull shape. Sequence analysis of the first 648 base pairs of cytochrome oxidase I gene (DNA barcode) indicates a divergence of at least 11% from all other species of Kerivoula, a difference comparable to that between other species of Kerivoula.

Keywords: DNA barcode, Kerivoula, new species, Malaysia

Kerivoula krauensis was discovered for the first time in the 1990s in Krau Wildlife Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. In 2007 it was officially described and given the name K. krauensis. When “ensis” is added to a name it means that the animal is from, or belongs to that place. So Kerivoula krauensis is the Kerivoula belonging to, or from Krau. So far it has only been found in Krau Wildlife Reserve, so it would be described as endemic to Krau, although there are some recent possible records from Borneo and Sumatra.

Charles M. Francis, Tigga Kingston & Akbar Zubaid. 2007. A new species of Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) from peninsular Malaysia. Acta Chiropterologica. 9(1):1-12. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.3161/1733-5329(2007)9[1:ANSOKC]2.0.CO;2

http://www.ttu-mbea.org/meet-the-bats/kerivoula-krauensis/

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/136572/0

[Paleontology • 2013] Brasilotitan nemophagus • A New Titanosaur Sauropod from the Late Cretaceous of Brazil

Brasilotitan nemophagus
Machado, Avilla, Nava, Campos & Kellner 2013

http://rodolfonogueira.daportfolio.com

Abstract

A new titanosaur dinosaur, Brasilotitan nemophagus gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Adamantina Formation (Turonian-Santonian, Bauru Basin). The specimen consists of a dentary, cervical and sacral vertebrae, one ungual and remains of the pelvic region, that were collected near Presidente Prudente city, São Paulo State. It shows a mandible with an ‘L’ shaped morphology, with the symphyseal region of the dentary slightly twisted medially, a feature never recorded before in a titanosaur. Brasilotitan nemophagus can be further separated from other members of this clade by: (1) the dorsal portion of the dentary symphyseal contact is broader anteroposteriorly than the ventral part; (2) the ventral portion of the cervical centrum is arched dorsally; (3) the presence of an anteriorly directed accessory prezygapophyseal articulation surface on the cervical vertebrae; (4) the intraprezygapophyseal laminae of the cervical vertebrae are ‘V’ shaped in dorsal view; and other features. Although the phylogenetic position of Brasilotitan nemophagus is difficult to establish, the new species is neither a basal nor a derived member of the Titanosauria and, based on the lower jaw morphology, appears to be closely related to Antarctosaurus wichmannianus and Bonitasaura salgadoi. This discovery enriches the titanosaur diversity of Brazil and further provides new anatomical information on the lower jaws of those herbivorous dinosaurs.

Key words: Dinosauria, Titanosauria, Brasilotitan, Bauru Basin

Introduction

Except for one diplodocoid (Carvalho et al. 2003), all other named sauropod dinosaurs from Brazil belong to the clade Titanosauria, a rather diversified Cretaceous group of herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs that are mainly found in parts of Gondwana (González Riga et al. 2009; Bittencourt & Langer 2011). At present, eight named titanosaur species from Brazilian deposits are considered valid (Kellner & Campos 2000; Santucci & Arruda-Campos 2011; Mannion & Otero 2012). Besides the exceptional skull of Tapuiasaurus macedoi Zaer et al., 2011 and the partial upper jaw of Maxakalisaurus topai Kellner et al., 2006, all other taxa lack cranial elements.

Here we present the description of a new species, Brasilotitan nemophagus gen. et sp. nov., which is based on an incomplete lower jaw and postcranial elements. The specimen was collected by one of us (WRN) in the year 2000 at the Raposo Tavares state road, near Presidente Prudente city, São Paulo State. At this region, the main stratigraphic unit is the Late Cretaceous Adamantina Formation whose age is disputed, being regarded as Turonian Santonian (Dias Brito et al. 2001) or Campanian-Maastrichtian (Gobbo Rodrigues et al. 1999).

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Elaine B. Machado, Leonardo dos S. Avilla, William R. Nava, Diogenes de A. Campos and Alexander W. A. Kellner. 2013. A New Titanosaur Sauropod from the Late Cretaceous of Brazil. Zootaxa. 3701(3): 301–321

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/z03701p321f.pdf

http://dennonychus.blogspot.com/

http://dennonychus.blogspot.com/2013/08/new-taxon-brasilotitan-nemophagus.html

[Cetology / Behaviour • 2013] Spontaneous Ejaculation in a Wild Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops aduncus off Mikura Island, Japan

Figure 1. Spontaneous ejaculation by a wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin off Mikura Island, Japan.(A) Dense seminal fluid was ejaculated from the tip of the penis with initial contraction of the peduncle muscle downward. (B) A few seconds after the first ejaculation of seminal fluid, the remaining seminal fluid was ejaculated for 0.86 s

Abstract

Spontaneous ejaculation, which is defined as the release of seminal fluids without apparent sexual stimulation, has been documented in boreoeutherian mammals. Here we report spontaneous ejaculation in a wild Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), and present a video of this rare behavior. This is the first report of spontaneous ejaculation by an aquatic mammal, and the first video of this behavior in animals to be published in a scientific journal.

 Morisaka T, Sakai M, Kogi K, Nakasuji A, Sakakibara K, et al. 2013. Spontaneous Ejaculation in a Wild Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops aduncus). PLoS ONE 8(8): e72879. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0072879

[Ecology / Marine ecosystem • 2013] Recovery of a Top Predator mediates negative Eutrophic Effects on Seagrass | Sea Otters Enhydra lutris Promote Recovery of Seagrass Beds (eelgrass) Zostera marina

Crabs are a favorite prey item for sea otters Enhydra lutris in Elkhorn Slough.

Photo by Ron Eby

Fig. 2. (A) Interaction web of top-down and bottom-up effects in the eelgrass study system. The top predator is the sea otter (E. lutris), the mesopredators are crabs (Cancer spp. and Pugettia producta), the epiphyte mesograzers are primarily an isopod (I. resecata) and a sea slug (P. taylori), and algal epiphyte competitors of eelgrass primarily consist of chain-forming diatoms, and the red alga Smithora naiadum.

Abstract

A fundamental goal of the study of ecology is to determine the drivers of habitat-forming vegetation, with much emphasis given to the relative importance to vegetation of “bottom-up” forces such as the role of nutrients and “top-down” forces such as the influence of herbivores and their predators. For coastal vegetation (e.g., kelp, seagrass, marsh, and mangroves) it has been well demonstrated that alterations to bottom-up forcing can cause major disturbances leading to loss of dominant vegetation. One such process is anthropogenic nutrient loading, which can lead to major changes in the abundance and species composition of primary producers, ultimately affecting important ecosystem services. In contrast, much less is known about the relative importance of apex predators on coastal vegetated ecosystems because most top predator populations have been depleted or lost completely. Here we provide evidence that an unusual four-level trophic cascade applies in one such system, whereby a top predator mitigates the bottom-up influences of nutrient loading. In a study of seagrass beds in an estuarine ecosystem exposed to extreme nutrient loading, we use a combination of a 50-y time series analysis, spatial comparisons, and mesocosm and field experiments to demonstrate that sea otters (Enhydra lutris) promote the growth and expansion of eelgrass (Zostera marina) through a trophic cascade, counteracting the negative effects of agriculturally induced nutrient loading. Our results add to a small but growing body of literature illustrating that significant interactions between bottom-up and top-down forces occur, in this case with consequences for the conservation of valued ecosystem services provided by seagrass.

Keywords: eutrophication, food web, estuary, resilience

Eelgrass beds in Elkhorn Slough benefit from the presence of sea otters.

Photo by Ron Eby

  

Both sea slugs and Idotea (the crustacean between the two sea slugs above) feed on algae and increase in numbers when the crab population is controlled by sea otters.

Photo by Brent Hughes

  

Brent B. Hughes, Ron Eby, Eric Van Dyke, M. Tim Tinker, Corina I. Marks, Kenneth S. Johnsone and Kerstin Wasson. 2013. Recovery of a Top Predator mediates negative Eutrophic Effects on Seagrass. PNAS. http://pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1302805110

Sea Otters Promote Recovery of Seagrass Beds

— Scientists studying the decline and recovery of seagrass beds in one of California's largest estuaries have found that recolonization of the estuary by sea otters was a crucial factor in the seagrass comeback. Led by researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

http://news.ucsc.edu/2013/08/sea-otters-seagrass.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/08/130826182759.htm

http://otter501webstory.com/chapter/chapter-9-a-wild-sea-otter/#