[Mollusca • 2014] Aegista diversifamilia • Taxonomic Revision of Aegista subchinensis (Möllendorff, 1884) (Stylommatophora, Bradybaenidae) and A Description of A New Species of Aegista from eastern Taiwan based on Multilocus Phylogeny and Comparative Morphology

Figure 8. Living snail Aegista diversifamilia sp. n. from Heren, Xiulin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan

doi: 10.3897/zookeys.445.7778

Abstract

Aegista subchinensis (Möllendorff, 1884) is a widely distributed land snail species with morphological variation and endemic to Taiwan. Three genetic markers (partial sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I [COI], the 16S rDNA and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 [ITS2]) were analysed to infer phylogenetic relationships and genetic divergence of closely related species of the genus Aegista, A. vermis (Reeve, 1852) and A. oculus (Pfeiffer, 1850). A new species from A. subchinensis has been recognized on the basis of phylogenetic and morphological evidences. The nominal new species, Aegista diversifamilia sp. n. is distinguished from A. subchinensis (Möllendorff, 1884) by its larger shell size, aperture and apex angle; wider umbilicus and flatter shell shape. The northernmost distribution of A. diversifamilia sp. n. is limited by the Lanyang River, which is presumed to mark the geographic barrier between A. diversifamilia sp. n. and A. subchinensis.

Keywords: Stylommatophora, Helicoidea, Southern Ryukyu Islands, Yaeyama Islands, new species

Systematics

Superfamily Helicoidea Rafinesque, 1815

Family Bradybaenidae Pilsbry, 1939

Genus Aegista Albers, 1850

Type species: Helix chinensis Philippi, 1845, original designation.

Aegista diversifamilia sp. n.

http://zoobank.org/B36A2814-2702-40B0-844B-AC4B12A8BD25

Figures 7, 8, Table 4, Suppl. material 1, Table S1

Aegista subchinensis Hsieh, 2003: 200, figs; Lee and Chen 2003: 234, figs above text, figs 1–2; Lee and Wu 2004: 13–14, figures 2A, 3D; Hsieh et al. 2006: 250, figs; Wu and Jian 2006: fig 33; Hsieh et al. 2013: 335, figs.

Aegista (Aegista) subchinensis Hemmen and Niederhöfer, 2007: figs 67, figs 80; Wen and Hwang 2014: fig 1.

Etymology: Named after the recent efforts supporting equal marriage rights in Taiwan and around the world. Derived from “diversus” (Latin for different) and “familia” (Latin for family), adjective of feminine gender.

Distribution: Endemic to Taiwan and is currently known from I-Lan and Hualian Counties. Aegista diversifamilia sp. n. is absent from Gueishan Island based on our field investigation (Huang et al. 2013). The northernmost distribution is limted by the Lanyang River. We suggest that the Lanyang River is the putative biogeographic boundary between A. diversifamilia sp. n. and A. subchinensis.

Ecology: Live snails are generally found on the ground or under leaf litter in shady, moist environments in lowland hardwood forests (Figure 8). Eggs white and round, approximately 3 mm in diameter with 20–30 eggs in each spawn (personal observation of reared snail in laboratory).

 Huang, Chih-Wei; Lee, Yen-Chen; Lin, Si-Min; and Wu, Wen-Lung. 2014. Taxonomic Revision of Aegista subchinensis (Möllendorff, 1884) (Stylommatophora, Bradybaenidae) and A Description of A New Species of Aegista from eastern Taiwan based on Multilocus Phylogeny and Comparative Morphology. ZooKeys. 445: 31–55. doi: 10.3897/zookeys.445.7778.

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-new-land-snail-species-taiwan-02202.html

[PaleoIchthyology • 2015] A Streamlined Jawless Fish (Galeapida) from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan, China and Its Taxonomic and Paleoecological Implications

Rhegmaspis xiphoidea  Gai, Zhu, Jia & Zhao, 2015 

B. Rhegmaspis xiphoidea with streamlined body, which is more suggestive of a superbenthic habitat

Fig. 2 Photograph of a complete head-shield of Rhegmaspis xiphoidea gen. et sp. nov. (IVPP V 19354.1A, holotype)

Fig. 5 Restoration of Rhegmaspis xiphoidea gen. et sp. nov.

Abstract   

A new genus and species of the Huananaspiformes (Galeaspida), Rhegmaspis xiphoidea, is described from the Posongchong Formation (Pragian, Early Devonian), Zhaotong, Yunnan Province, China. The new taxon is characterized by having a torpedo-shaped head-shield, a long rostral process, ventrolaterally set orbits, and ventrally curved branchial fossae, but no corners, inner corners, and ventral rim of head-shield. It is assigned to the family Gantarostrataspidae that include Gantarostrataspis and Wumengshanaspis. According to the new material and new observation, the Gantarostrataspidae is emended and a fresh look is prososed for Gantarostrataspis and Wumengshanaspis. As a streamlined jawless fish, Rhegmaspis displays an adaptation for a suprabenthic lifestyle with more active feeding behavior among galeaspids. The new form not only enriches the diversity of the Huananaspiformes, but also provides evidence for the last adaptive radiation of galeaspids by occupying an unexploited ecological niche during the Pragian of the Early Devonian.

Key words   Zhaotong, Yunnan; Lower Devonian; Galeaspida, Huananaspiformes; taxonomy; paleoecology

Rhegmaspis xiphoidea  Gai, Zhu, Jia & Zhao, 2015
B. Rhegmaspis xiphoidea with streamlined body, which is more suggestive of a superbenthic habitat;
B1. a streamlined body can minimize water pressure drag largely when swimming;
B2. a cross section of the head-shield, showing the ventrally curved branchial fossae and absence of ventral rim.

Abbreviations: bra.c. brain cavity; br.f. branchial fossae; obr.c. oralobrachial chamber; vr. ventral rim.

Fig. 2 Photograph of a complete head-shield of Rhegmaspis xiphoidea gen. et sp. nov. (IVPP V 19354.1A, holotype) 

Fig. 5 Restoration of Rhegmaspis xiphoidea gen. et sp. nov.

A. dorsal view; B. ventral view; C. lateral view. 

Abbreviations: br.f. branchial fossa; md.o. median dorsal opening; obr.f. oralobrachial fenestra; orb. orbital opening; pi. pineal fossa; ro. rostral process; soc2. posterior supraorbital canal; m. mouth.

Systematic paleontology

Subclass: Galeaspida Tarlo, 1967

Supraorder: Polybranchiaspidida Janvier, 1996

Order: Huananaspiformes Janvier, 1975

Family: Gantarostrataspidae Wang & Wang, 1992

Genus: Rhegmaspis gen. nov.

Type species: Rhegmaspis xiphoidea sp. nov.

Etymology: Rhegma, Greek, rupture, breach; aspis Greek, shield.

Rhegmaspis xiphoidea sp. nov.

(Figs. 2−6, 9E, 10B, cover image)

Etymology: Xiphoideus (swordlike).

Holotype: A complete head-shield (IVPP V 19354.1A, B).

Paratype: A nearly complete head-shield (IVPP V 19354.2), an incomplete head-shield (V 19354.4), an incomplete endocast of skull (V 19354.3).

Horizon and type locality: Early Devonian, Pragian, Posongchong Formation,

Zhaotong, Yunnan, China.

Fig. 10 The lifestyle of galeaspids in benthic (A) and superbenthic (B) habitats
A. ‘Dongfangaspis’ qujingensis with a flattened head-shield, which is suggestive of a benthic habitat; A1. a flattened head-shield bears much water pressure drag when swimming, but permit remaining on the bottom without a significant energetic cost; A2. a cross section of the head-shield, showing the transversely elongated branchial fossae and ventral rim;
B. Rhegmaspis xiphoidea with streamlined body, which is more suggestive of a superbenthic habitat; B1. a streamlined body can minimize water pressure drag largely when swimming; B2. a cross section of the head-shield, showing the ventrally curved branchial fossae and absence of ventral rim.

Abbreviations: bra.c. brain cavity; br.f. branchial fossae; obr.c. oralobrachial chamber; vr. ventral rim.

GAI Zhi-Kun, ZHU Min, JIA Lian-Tao and ZHAO Wen-Jin. 2015. A Streamlined Jawless Fish (Galeapida) from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan, China and Its Taxonomic and Paleoecological Implications. VERTEBRATA PALASIATICA. 53(2); 93-109. 

http://www.ivpp.cas.cn/cbw/gjzdwxb/xbwzxz/201504/t20150420_4341614.html

http://www.ivpp.cas.cn/cbw/gjzdwxb/xbwzxz/201504/P020150420387565261949.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/279806349_A_streamlined_jawless_fish_(Galeapida)_from_the_Lower_Devonian_of_Yunnan_China_and_its_taxonomic_and_paleoecological_implications

New jawless fish found from the Lower Devonian of Yunnan, China

http://phy.so/360919467 via @physorg_com

[Cetology / Behaviour • 2015] Whale Killers: Prevalence and Ecological Implications of Killer Whale Orcinus orca Predation on Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Calves off Western Australia

Figure 3. A mother humpback Megaptera novaeangliae and her calf at Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia. Although the killer whales broke off the attack when the pair moved into shallow reef waters, the damage to the calf’s lower jaw during the attack would likely prove fatal (#11).

Photo: J. Totterdell.  doi: 10.1111/mms.12182

Abstract

Reports of killer whales (Orcinus orca) preying on large whales have been relatively rare, and the ecological significance of these attacks is controversial. Here we report on numerous observations of killer whales preying on neonate humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) off Western Australia (WA) based on reports we compiled and our own observations. Attacking killer whales included at least 19 individuals from three stable social groupings in a highly connected local population; 22 separate attacks with known outcomes resulted in at least 14 (64%) kills of humpback calves. We satellite-tagged an adult female killer whale and followed her group on the water for 20.3 h over six separate days. During that time, they attacked eight humpback calves, and from the seven known outcomes, at least three calves (43%) were killed. Overall, our observations suggest that humpback calves are a predictable, plentiful, and readily taken prey source for killer whales and scavenging sharks off WA for at least 5 mo/yr. Humpback “escorts” vigorously assisted mothers in protecting their calves from attacking killer whales (and a white shark, Carcharodon carcharias). This expands the purported role of escorts in humpback whale social interactions, although it is not clear how this behavior is adaptive for the escorts.

Keywords: escorts; humpback whales; killer whales; Megaptera novaeangliae; Orcinus orca; predation; scavenging; Western Australia; top-down forcing

Pitman, R. L., Totterdell, J. A., Fearnbach, H., Ballance, L. T., Durban, J. W. and Kemps, H. 2015. Whale Killers: Prevalence and Ecological Implications of Killer Whale Predation on Humpback Whale Calves off Western Australia. Mar Mam Sci. 31(2); 629–657 doi: 10.1111/mms.12182

ResearchGate.net/publication/268881985_Whale_killers_Prevalence_and_ecological_implications_of_killer_whale_predation_on_humpback_whale_calves_off_Western_Australia

Orcas spotted attacking and killing Humpback calves during a spate of vicious assaults (Wester…
http://wp.me/pRyVc-3Ay

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20141209-orcas-and-whales-in-epic-battle

War of the WHALES: Orcas spotted attacking Humpback cousins http://dailym.ai/1z6DNRK via @MailOnline

[Ichthyology • 2015] Fiddling with the Proof: the Magpie Fiddler Ray is A Colour Pattern Variant of the Common Southern Fiddler Ray (Rhinobatidae: Trygonorrhina)

FIGURE 1. Variation in dorsal patterns of live Magpie Fiddler Rays
A) Normanville jetty, Gulf St Vincent (-35.44, 138.307), courtesy Matthew O’Halloran 16 February 2002, specimen released ; B) Quarantine Jetty, Port River (-34.77, 138.51), courtesy Adam Christie, 30 June 2007, specimen released; C) Broad Creek, Port River (-34.801, 138.549), courtesy Steven Vines, 13 August 2009, specimen released; D) SAMA F13928 from 0.5km NNE Pelican Point, Port River, courtesy John Marsh, 1 March 2013.

Donnellan, Foster, Junge, Huveneers, Rogers, Kilian & Bertozzi, 2015 || DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3981.3.3

Abstract

The Magpie Fiddler ray, Trygonorrhina melaleuca Scott 1954, is presently South Australia’s (SA) rarest fish, represented by only three museum specimens collected near Adelaide over the past 60 years and listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, there is some doubt as to whether the Magpie Fiddler Ray is a different species from the widespread and common Southern Fiddler Ray, Trygonorrhina dumerilii (Castelnau 1873), resulting in two very contrasting scenarios for marine conservation. If the Magpie Fiddler Ray is a black and white patterned variant of the Southern Fiddler Ray then it will be removed from the Red List and appear as a synonym of T. dumerilii. Conversely, if it proves to be a different species then it remains SA’s rarest fish species and highly data deficient. We analysed mtDNA and the largest ever nuclear gene dataset (>4,000 loci) applied to chondrichthyan species level systematics from the most recently collected Magpie Fiddler Ray specimens and a geographically representative selection of Southern Fiddler Rays to determine the species status of this enigmatic ray. We found that the Magpie Fiddler Rays share a mitochondrial haplotype with 23 Southern Fiddler Rays and are not differentiated from 35 Southern Fiddler Rays at more than 4000 SNPs derived from DArTseq data. The morphological trait values that are putatively diagnostic for the Magpie Fiddler Ray fall within the range of variation observed among Southern Fiddler Rays. Our analyses are consistent with the notion that the Magpie Fiddler Ray is a rare colour and pattern variant of the widespread and abundant Southern Fiddler Ray. We also identified two hybrids between the Eastern and Southern Fiddler Rays, only the third time that hybrids have been identified in nature in chondrichthyans. Our results provide critical guidance in the assessment of its conservation status and an ending to a 60 year old conundrum for marine conservation.

Keywords: Rhinobatid, ray, taxonomy, mitochondrial DNA, nuclear genes, hybrid, southern Australia

Donnellan, Stephen C., Ralph Foster, Claudia Junge, Charlie Huveneers, Paul Rogers, Andrzej Kilian & T. Bertozzi. 2015. Fiddling with the Proof: the Magpie Fiddler Ray is A Colour Pattern Variant of the Common Southern Fiddler Ray (Rhinobatidae: Trygonorrhina). Zootaxa. 3981(3): 367–384. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3981.3.3

ResearchGate.net/publication/279854736_Fiddling_with_the_proof_the_Magpie_Fiddler_Ray_is_a_colour_pattern_variant_of_the_common_Southern_Fiddler_Ray_(Rhinobatidae_Trygonorrhina)

The South Australian Museum and the Fiddler Rays: A taxonomic riddler [@AtlasLivingAust @SAMuseum] ALA.org.au/blogs-news/the-south-australian-museum-and-the-fiddler-rays-a-taxonomic-riddler

[Fungi • 2015] Entorrhizomycota: A New Fungal Phylum Reveals New Perspectives on the Evolution of Fungi

Fig 1. Portion of a tussock of Juncus articulatus with root galls caused by Entorrhiza casparyana (arrows).
Note that the older segments of the galls are brown-colored while younger parts are whitish (tips).

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128183

Abstract

Entorrhiza is a small fungal genus comprising 14 species that all cause galls on roots of Cyperaceae and Juncaceae. Although this genus was established 130 years ago, crucial questions on the phylogenetic relationships and biology of this enigmatic taxon are still unanswered. In order to infer a robust hypothesis about the phylogenetic position of Entorrhiza and to evaluate evolutionary trends, multiple gene sequences and morphological characteristics of Entorrhiza were analyzed and compared with respective findings in Fungi. In our comprehensive five-gene analyses Entorrhiza appeared as a highly supported monophyletic lineage representing the sister group to the rest of the Dikarya, a phylogenetic placement that received but moderate maximum likelihood and maximum parsimony bootstrap support. An alternative maximum likelihood tree with the constraint that Entorrhiza forms a monophyletic group with Basidiomycota could not be rejected. According to the first phylogenetic hypothesis, the teliospore tetrads of Entorrhiza represent the prototype of the dikaryan meiosporangium. The alternative hypothesis is supported by similarities in septal pore structure, cell wall and spindle pole bodies. Based on the isolated phylogenetic position of Entorrhiza and its peculiar combination of features related to ultrastructure and reproduction mode, we propose a new phylum Entorrhizomycota, for the genus Entorrhiza, which represents an apparently widespread group of inconspicuous fungi.

Taxonomy

Our study indicates that the Entorrhiza lineage does not belong to any of the described phyla of the Fungi. Accordingly, we propose the following new phylum:

Entorrhizomycota R. Bauer, Garnica, Oberw., K. Riess, M. Weiß & Begerow, phylum nov. (Figs 1–7)

[MycoBank no: MB808783]

Members of the Fungi sensu Hibbett et al. infecting roots with regularly septate coiled hyphae. Septal pores without Woronin bodies or membrane caps.

Remarks: Only the genus Entorrhiza C.A. Weber is included. Entorrhizomycetes was proposed by Begerow et al.; Entorrhizomycetidae, Entorrhizales, and Entorrhizaceae were established by Bauer & Oberwinkler in Bauer et al..

Coevolution of Entorrhiza with land plants

The species of Entorrhiza infest members of Cyperaceae and Juncaceae worldwide. The origin of the Dikarya (and thus also of the Entorrhiza lineage as its assumed sister group) was roughly dated at around 600 million years BP, more or less parallel to the first appearance of primitive land plants, whereas the origins of the known extant host groups of the Entorrhiza clade, the core Poales, has been dated at around 100 million years BP. Because of this discrepancy, we hypothesise that the known species of the Entorrhiza clade and their respective host spectra reflect only the tip of the iceberg of a much broader group, comprising perhaps also the lower land plants. Because of the lack of any aboveground signal of infection, the host plants are difficult to detect in nature. There also might be members of the Entorrhiza clade that do not cause galls on the roots. To test this hypothesis, we are currently developing specific primers for an efficient molecular detection of this fascinating group of root-colonizing fungi.

Conclusions

For the phylogenetic placement of Entorrhiza two alternative hypotheses are most plausible: (i) Entorrhiza is the sister group to the rest of the Dikarya, or (ii) Entorrhiza is the sister group to Basidiomycota. The first topology was inferred in our phylogenetic analyses of a five-gene dataset. It is consistent with the interpretation of the Entorrhiza meiosporangium as representing the ancestral meiosporangium of Asco- and Basidiomycota. The second scenario, which is in agreement with ultrastructural similarities, could not significantly be rejected in ML analysis of our five-gene dataset. Based on its peculiar combination of morphological features we therefore propose, a new phylum of root-colonizing fungi, the Entorrhizomycota, which is compatible with both alternative phylogenetic positions discussed in this work.

Robert Bauer, Sigisfredo Garnica, Franz Oberwinkler, Kai Riess , Michael Weiß and Dominik Begerow. 2015. Entorrhizomycota: A New Fungal Phylum Reveals New Perspectives on the Evolution of Fungi. PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128183

ResearchGate.net/publication/281820604_Entorrhizomycota_A_New_Fungal_Phylum_Reveals_New_Perspectives_on_the_Evolution_of_Fungi

[Botany • 2015] Begonia difformis • A New Species (Sect. Platycentrum, Begoniaceae) segregated from B. palmata D. Don. distributed in Yunnan, China

Begonia difformis

  (Irmsch.) W.C. Leong, C.I Peng & K.F Chung

FIGURE 1. Begonia difformis (A, B, E, F) and B. palmata (C, D).
A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Male and female flowers. D, E. Abaxial surface of staminate flower, note the red-m on tepals of B. difformis (E). F. Pistillate flower.

Scale bars A–C. 4 cm. D–F. 1 cm. || DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.227.1.9

Abstract

Begonia palmata D. Don is one of the most widely distributed and morphologically variable species of Asian Begoniaceae. Examinations of its morphological variation indicate that two of its seven varieties, B. palmata var. difformis and B. palmata var. crassisetulosa, both distributed in the Gaoligong Mountain areas of Yunnan, China are indistinguishable and yet distinct from other varieties. Phylogenetic analyses using ITS DNA sequences further reveals that samples identifiable to these two varieties are also distantly related to samples of typical B. palmata. Based on these observations, we combine and elevate these two varieties to the status of species, Begonia difformis (Irmsch.) W.C. Leong, C.I Peng & K.F Chung, comb. & stat. nov..

Key Words: Begonia palmata var. crassisetulosa, flora of China, ITS, Yunnan

FIGURE 1. Begonia difformis (A, B, E, F) and B. palmata (C, D).
A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Male and female flowers. D, E. Abaxial surface of staminate flower, note the red-m on tepals of B. difformis (E). F. Pistillate flower.

Scale bars A–C. 4 cm. D–F. 1 cm. || DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.227.1.9

Taxonomic treatment

Begonia difformis (Irmsch.) W.C. Leong, C.I Peng & K.F Chung, comb. & stat. nov. (Fig. 1)

Chinese name: 刺毛紅孩兒.

Basionym:— Begonia laciniata Roxb. subsp. diffromis Irmsch. (1939: 531).

Distribution & habitat:— Begonia difformis occurs at the elevation at 1500–3200 m in western and southwestern Yunnan (Fig. 3), commonly found on sandstone rock crevices of the moist environments by streams or on mountain slopes under evergreen broadleaved forests or coniferous forests.

Phenology:—Flowering June–October; Fruiting August–November.

Wai-Chao LEONG, Tao DENG, Hang SUN, Ching-I PENG and Kuo-Fang CHUNG. 2015. Begonia difformis comb. & stat. nov. (Sect. Platycentrum, Begoniaceae), A New Species

segregated from B. palmata D. Don. Phytotaxa. 227(1): 83–91. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.227.1.9

http://mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00227p091.pdf

[Botany • 2015] Curcuma woodii • A New Species of Curcuma subg. Ecomata (Zingiberaceae) from Thailand

Curcuma woodii N. H. Xia & J. Chen, sp. nov.  
B. Flower dissection. C. Flowers. F. Terminal inflorescence emerging from the base of the pseudostems. G. Whole plants showing leaves and terminal inflorescence.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.227.1.8

ABSTRACT

  

Curcuma woodii, a new species of Curcuma subg. Ecomata (Zingiberaceae) from Thailand is described and illustrated here. It differs from C. rhomba by the leaf blades abaxially pubescent, the bracts whitish green, the labellum white with orange bands at the center, the lateral staminodes white with orange dots at the apex, and the ovary nearly glabrous.

Key words: Curcuma, Thailand, new taxa, Ecomata, molecular diagnosis, DNA barcode

Curcuma woodii N. H. Xia & J. Chen, sp. nov.

Similar to Curcuma rhomba J. Mood & K. Larsen (subgen. Ecomata) in several characters but differs in the leaf blades abaxially pubescent, the bracts whitish green, the labellum white with orange bands at the center, the lateral staminodes white with orange dots at the apex, and the ovary nearly glabrous. 

Type:— China, Guangdong, Guangzhou, South China Botanical Garden (cultivated, introduced from Thailand), 28 September 2010, J. Chen & T. Wood 201010 (holotype: IBSC). Figs. 1 & 2.

Distribution and Habitat:— This species was purchased at the local wild plant market in Sae Kaeow, just at the border of Cambodia. Its natural range is unknown. 

Phenology:— Flowering from July to September at South China Botanical Garden. 

Etymology:— The specific epithet, ‘woodii’, was named after Tom Wood, who brought this species to South China Botanical Garden. Tom Wood made a great contribution to collecting gingers from South Asia, Australia, America and Africa to South China Botanical Garden.

Juan CHEN, Anders J. LINDSTROM and Nian-He XIA . 2015. Curcuma woodii (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Phytotaxa. 227(1): 075–082. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.227.1.8

http://mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00227p082.pdf

[Arachnology • 2015] May gen. n. (Araneae: Sparassidae): A Unique Lineage from southern Africa supported by Morphological and Molecular features

May bruno  Jäger & Krehenwinkel, 2015
Figs 46–49. May bruno gen. n. sp. n. from Witsand, South Africa: (46) habitat; (47) burrow with opened lid; (48–49) habitus of live spider.

(Figs 46–47, 49) by Jon Leroy; (48) by Dirk Kunz.

Abstract

A new genus of huntsman spiders, May gen. n. is described from southern Africa, together with four new species: M. bruno sp. n. (♂, ♀; South Africa), M. ansie sp. n. (♂; Namibia), M. rudy sp. n. (♂; Namibia) and M. norm sp. n. (♀; Namibia). Diagnostic characters proposed include not only those for the genus but also for the so-called African clade. Unique within the entire family are the reduction of the gnathocoxal serrula and the prolaterad embolus. Special claw tuft setae and metatarsi I to III with three prolateral and retrolateral spines, respectively, occur in the entire African clade. A proximal cymbial shoulder in the male palp, the fused lateral lobes of the epigyne and the prolateral proximal spine of leg I shifted to a median position is characteristic for May gen. n. A family-wide analysis of genetic distance in the nuclear 28SrDNA gene (28s), including M. bruno sp. n., supports its isolated placement and thus the genus hypothesis.

Special tufts of setae allow the spider to remain on the sand’s surface.

photo: Senckenberg/Kunz

May bruno gen. n. sp. n. from Witsand, South Africa

photo: Jon Leroy

P. Jäger and H. Krehenwinkel. 2015. May gen. n. (Araneae: Sparassidae): A Unique Lineage from southern Africa supported by Morphological and Molecular features. African Invertebrates. 56(2); 365–392. 

AfricanInvertebrates.org/ojs/index.php/AI/article/view/383

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3C292625-7B54-434F-9F24-819DE8D3FF15

New Genus, Four New Species of Huntsman Spiders Discovered in Southern Africa:
  Sci-News.Com/biology/science-genus-may-huntsman-spiders-03248.html

Four new species of huntsman spiders have been discovered in southern Africa
phy.so/361614058 via @physorg_com

[Ichthyology • 2015] Stiphodon palawanensis • A New Species of the Genus Stiphodon (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae) from Palawan, Philippines

Stiphodon palawanensis  Maeda & Palla, 2015
FIGURE 5. Males (a, c) and females (e) of live Stiphodon palawanensis observed in Balsahan Stream, Puerto Princesa City (e, 18 May 2015; a, c, 19 May 2015).

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4018.3.3

Abstract

Palawan is an island in the western Philippines, and the freshwater fish fauna of this island has received limited research attention. In the present study, a new goby species, Stiphodon palawanensis, is described on the basis of 57 specimens collected from freshwater streams on the island. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by having nine segmented rays in the second dorsal fin, 15 rays in the pectoral fin, a pointed first dorsal fin in males, premaxilla with 45–71 tricuspid teeth, the nape and posterior half of the occipital region covered by cycloid scales, 9–11 dusky transverse bars laterally on the trunk and tail, a line of black blotches (in male) or a black band (in female) on the distal part of the second dorsal fin, and the first dorsal and pectoral fins lacking distinctive markings. The new species has been found only on the Sulu Sea side of central Palawan. Three congeners, S. percnopterygionus, S. atropurpureus, and S. pulchellus have also been recorded from Palawan.

Keywords: Pisces, Stiphodon palawanensis, taxonomy, freshwater fish

FIGURE 5. Males (a, c) and females (e, f) of live Stiphodon palawanensis observed in Balsahan Stream, Puerto Princesa City (e, f, 18 May 2015; a, c, 19 May 2015).

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4018.3.3

Ecology. The new species was one of the dominant fish species observed in the middle reaches of Balsahan Stream (Puerto Princesa City) and Barake Stream (Aborlan) in May 2015. Stiphodon palawanensis inhabits pools with a substrate that is a mixture of boulders, gravel, and pebbles with exposed bedrock in some places. It also inhabits rapids. The water was clear. The fish were clinging to the rocks while feeding on algae. When disturbed, they swam to nearby rocks or hid in crevices under or between rocks. The maximum water depth of the sites was 1.5 m in May, but it could reach 3.0 m during the wet season. Normally, that occurs from June to December, while the dry season runs from January to May. In these two sites sampled, two cyprinid species Barbodes palavanensis (Boulenger) and Rasbora everetti Boulenger were very abundant with S. palawanensis. Other common species at these sites were two gobioids, Glossogobius illimis Hoese & Allen and Redigobius sp., and a halfbeak Dermogenys palawanensis Meisner.

Etymology. The name of the new species is derived from Palawan, the type locality, and the Latin suffix -ensis.

FIGURE 8. Stiphodon percnopterygionus (a) with Stiphodon palawanensis observed in Balsahan Stream, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, on 18 May 2015.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4018.3.3

Other Stiphodon species found in Palawan. During our two-day exploration in the type locality of the new species (Balsahan Stream in the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm, Sulu Sea side of Puerto Princesa City) in May 2015, two other Stiphodon species were found; three female individuals of S. atropurpureus and one male individual of S. percnopterygionus Watson & Chen (Fig. 6). Two of the three S. atropurpureus individuals were collected (Fig. 7c) and listed as comparative material in this paper. Stiphodon percnopterygionus was not collected, however a wild individual was identified on site by snorkel based observation of characteristic markings of the body and fins (Fig. 8) and its unique, high triangular first dorsal fin. While S. palawanensis was very abundant, both S. atropurpureus and S. percnopterygionus were rare at this site.

Four Stiphodon specimens collected in the Iwahig River at Puerto Princesa City in 1988 have been deposited in the National Museum of Nature and Science (Ibaraki, Japan). The Iwahig is a relatively large river next to the Balsahan Stream. The specimens are composed of three S. palawanensis (NSMT-P 45091, 45092, and 45094) and one S. pulchellus (NSMT-P 45093), but the latter species was not found in our exploration in Balsahan Stream in May 2015.

In Barake Stream (Sulu Sea side of Aborlan), the only Stiphodon species found during our one-day exploration was S. palawanensis. All collections from Aborlan and Narra, examined in the present study (CMK and URM), also comprised entirely of individuals of S. palawanensis (Fig. 6). 

We also explored another river bearing the name Iwahig at Quezon, on the South China Sea side of the island (Fig. 6) in May 2015. Stiphodon pulchellus (Fig. 7a, b) was abundant, but S. palawanensis could not be found there.

Thus, the species composition of any Stiphodon assemblage seems to depend on the location on the island. Stiphodon palawanensis may be the dominant species in some areas, whereas S. pulchellus may be dominant in others. However, because only a small survey effort has been applied at each site and only a small part of the island has been explored so far, comprehensive surveys will be required to understand the distribution of Stiphodon species on Palawan.

Ken Maeda and Herminie P. Palla. 2015. A New Species of the Genus Stiphodon from Palawan, Philippines (Gobiidae: Sicydiinae). Zootaxa. 4018(3): 381–395. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4018.3.3

http://mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/zt04018p395.pdf

FIGURE 5. Males (a–d) and females (e, f) of live Stiphodon palawanensis observed in Balsahan Stream, Puerto Princesa City (e, f, 18 May 2015; a, c, 19 May 2015) and Barake Stream, Aborlan (d, 15 May 2015).

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4018.3.3

[Herpetology • 2012] Molecular Phylogeny of the Softshell Turtle Genus Nilssonia revisited, with First Records of N. formosa for China and Wild-living N. nigricans for Bangladesh

Fig. 2. (A) Nilssonia formosa, juvenile (pet trade, Yangon, Myanmar), photo: P. Praschag; (B) N. gangetica (Brahmaputra clade), subadult (Biswanath Ghat, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (C) N. gangetica (Brahmaputra clade), adult (Nagsankar Temple, east of Tezpur, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (D) N. gangetica (Mahanadi clade), adult (Mahanadi River, Narsinghpur, Odisha, India), photo: P. Praschag; (E) N. hurum, juvenile (Subarnarekha River, Sibirpur, Odisha, India), photo: P. Praschag; (F) N. leithii, subadult (Supa River, Karnataka, India), photo: K. Vasudevan; (G) N. nigricans, juvenile (Jia Bhoroli River, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (H) N. nigricans, subadult (Biswanath Ghat, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (I) N. nigricans, adult (Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur, Tripura, India), photo: P. Praschag; (J, K) N. nigricans, unusually pale-coloured subadult (Manikchhari near Chittagong, Bangladesh), photos: S.M.A. Rashid.

Abstract

Based on 2354 bp of mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA, ND4, cyt b) and 2573 bp of nuclear DNA (C-mos, ODC, R35), we re-examine the phylogenetic relationships of Nilssonia species. Individual and combined analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian approaches confirm the monophyly of the genus. While mitochondrial data alone could not resolve the phylogenetic position of N. formosa, nuclear data support a sister group relationship of N. formosa and the remaining Nilssonia species. Combined analyses of mitochondrial and nuclear DNA suggest the following branching pattern, with N. formosa as the sister taxon of the remaining species: N. formosa + ((N. gangetica + N. leithii) + (N. hurum + N. nigricans)). Among the samples we studied is the first record of N. formosa for Yunnan, China, and the first record of wild-living N. nigricans for Bangladesh. In N. gangetica, each of the studied major river basins harbours a genetically distinct population, suggesting that at least three distinct management units should be distinguished: (1) Brahmaputra River; (2) Indus and Ganges Rivers plus Ganges Delta; and (3) Mahanadi River.

Key words: Reptilia, Testudines, Trionychidae, Asia, Bangladesh, China, India, Myanmar, Pakistan.

Fig. 2. (A) Nilssonia formosa, juvenile (pet trade, Yangon, Myanmar), photo: P. Praschag; (B) N. gangetica (Brahmaputra clade), subadult (Biswanath Ghat, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (C) N. gangetica (Brahmaputra clade), adult (Nagsankar Temple, east of Tezpur, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (D) N. gangetica (Mahanadi clade), adult (Mahanadi River, Narsinghpur, Odisha, India), photo: P. Praschag; (E) N. hurum, juvenile (Subarnarekha River, Sibirpur, Odisha, India), photo: P. Praschag; (F) N. leithii, subadult (Supa River, Karnataka, India), photo: K. Vasudevan; (G) N. nigricans, juvenile (Jia Bhoroli River, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (H) N. nigricans, subadult (Biswanath Ghat, Assam, India), photo: P. Praschag; (I) N. nigricans, adult (Tripura Sundari Temple, Udaipur, Tripura, India), photo: P. Praschag; (J, K) N. nigricans, unusually pale-coloured subadult (Manikchhari near Chittagong, Bangladesh), photos: S.M.A. Rashid.

Nicole Liebing, Peter Praschag, Rupali Gosh, Karthikeyan Vasudevan, S.M.A. Rashid, Ding-qi Rao, Heiko Stuckas and Uwe Fritz. 2012. Molecular Phylogeny of the Softshell Turtle Genus Nilssonia revisited, with First Records of N. formosa for China and Wild-living N. nigricans for Bangladesh. 

Vertebrate Zoology. 62(2); 261–272. 

http://www.senckenberg.de/files/content/forschung/publikationen/vertebratezoology/vz62-2/06_vertebrate_zoology_62-2_liebing_et_al_261-272.pdf

Das, I., Sirsi, S., Vasudevan, K., and Murthy, B.H.C.K. 2014. Nilssonia leithii (Gray 1872) – Leith’s Softshell Turtle. In: Rhodin, A.G.J., Pritchard, P.C.H., van Dijk, P.P., Saumure, R.A., Buhlmann, K.A., Iverson, J.B., and Mittermeier, R.A. (Eds.). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs. No. 5, pp. 075.1–5, doi: dx.doi.org/10.3854/crm.5.075.leithii.v1.2014, IUCN-TFTSG.org/cbftt/.

http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/wp-content/uploads/file/Accounts/crm_5_075_leithii_v1_2014.pdf

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/rare-appearance-50855

[PaleoMammalogy • 2015] Tokarahia kauaeroa • A New Genus and Species of Eomysticetid (Cetacea: Mysticeti) and A Reinterpretation of ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus Marples, 1956: Transitional Baleen Whales from the upper Oligocene of New Zealand

Tokarahia kauaeroa  Boessenecker & Fordyce, 2015
Life restoration of Tokarahia kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov.

Artwork by Christopher Gaskin || DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12297

The early evolution of toothless baleen whales (Chaeomysticeti) remains elusive, despite a robust record of Eocene–Oligocene archaeocetes and toothed mysticetes. Eomysticetids, a group of archaic longirostrine and putatively toothless baleen whales, fill in a crucial morphological gap between well-known toothed mysticetes and more crownward Neogene Mysticeti. A historically important but perplexing cetacean is ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus (upper Oligocene South Island, New Zealand). The discovery of new skulls and skeletons of eomysticetids from the Oligocene Kokoamu Greensand and Otekaike Limestone permit a redescription and modern reinterpretation of ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus, and indicating that this species may have retained adult teeth. Tokarahia kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov. is erected on the basis of a well-preserved subadult to adult skull with mandibles, tympanoperiotics, and cervical and thoracic vertebrae, ribs, sternum, and forelimbs from the Otekaike Limestone (> 25.2 Mya). ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus is relatively similar and recombined as Tokarahia lophocephalus. Phylogenetic analysis supports the inclusion of Tokarahia within the Eomysticetidae, alongside Eomysticetus, Micromysticetus, Yamatocetus, and Tohoraata, and strongly supports the monophyly of Eomysticetidae. Tokarahia lacked extreme rostral kinesis of extant Mysticeti, and primitively retained a delicate archaeocete-like posterior mandible and synovial temporomandibular joint, suggesting that Tokarahia was capable of, at most, limited lunge feeding in contrast to extant Balaenopteridae, and used an alternative as-yet unspecified feeding strategy.

Keywords: Baleen whales; Oligocene; cetacea; Mysticeti; Eomysticetidae

Figure 2. Excavation of the Tokarahia kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov. holotype skull and skeleton:
  A, exposure of the skull and mandibles in a ventral-up position; B, removal of the large jacket containing the skull.

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12297

Figure 4. Holotype (OU 22235) skull, mandibles, vertebrae, and sternum of Tokarahia kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov.
A, orthogonal image derived from photogrammetry. B, interpretive line drawing.

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12297

Figure 34. Life restoration of Tokarahia kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov.

Artwork by Christopher Gaskin, ©Geology Museum, University of Otago.

  twitter.com/CoastalPaleo || DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12297 

Systematic Palaeontology

CETACEA Brisson, 1872

MYSTICETI Gray, 1864

CHAEOMYSTICETI Mitchell, 1989

Family EOMYSTICETIDAE Sanders & Barnes, 2002b

Type species: Eomysticetus whitmorei.

Included genera: Eomysticetus, Micromysticetus, Tohoraata, Tokarahia, and Yamatocetus.

TOKARAHIA new genus

Etymology: Named after the Tokarahi township, located near Island Cliff, North Otago, the type locality of T. kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov., meaning large (or panoramic) rock, referring to a mesa-like geographic feature. From the Māori ‘toka’ (rock) plus ‘rahi’ (large). Pronunciation: To-kah-rah-hi-ah, with o as in English ‘toe’, a as in ‘far’, and i as in ‘we’.

Type species: Tokarahia kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov.

Included species: Tokarahia kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov. and Tokarahia lophocephalus Marples, 1956.

TOKARAHIA KAUAEROA gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: Kauaeroa, meaning long jaw (referring to the elongate, delicate mandibles and rostrum of the holotype), from the Māori ‘kauae’ (jaw) and ‘roa’ (long). Pronunciation: Kau-ae-roa, with au as in English ‘hoe’, ae as in ‘I’, o as in ‘toe’, and a as in ‘far’.

Figure 3. Silhouetted skeletal reconstructions of the three primary specimens of Tokarahia described in this study, with a human figure shown for scale. Skeletal reconstruction based in part on Eomysticetus whitmorei and Yamatocetus canaliculatus.

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12297

Figure 33. Comparison of skeletal reconstructions, crania, and tympanic bullae of the protocetid Georgiacetus vogtlensis, the basilosaurid Dorudon atrox, the aetiocetid Aetiocetus weltoni, Tokarahia kauaeroa, and extant Balaenoptera edeni.

Sources for illustrations include Emlong (1966), Barnes et al. (1995), Hulbert et al. (1998), Uhen (2004), Deméré & Berta (2008), and photographs courtesy F.G. Marx and C.H. Tsai.

DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12297

Conclusion

New fossil material, including a well-preserved skull, tympanoperiotics, mandibles, and postcrania, is described as a new genus and species T. kauaeroa gen. et sp. nov. within the archaic chaeomysticete family Eomysticetidae. The problematic taxon ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus is transferred to this new genus and recombined as T. lophocephalus, resolving decades of uncertainty regarding the taxonomic affinities and phylogenetic significance of this historically puzzling taxon. Referred material suggests that both species existed at the same time from at least 27.3–25.2 Mya, and were perhaps sympatric. Phylogenetic analysis using a large and exhaustive data set of extant and extinct Mysticeti places both species of Tokarahia within Eomysticetidae, and robustly confirms the monophyly of Eomysticetidae. Micromysticetus is also confirmed as an eomysticetid and removed from the Cetotheriopsidae, which is not possible to diagnose and at present is restricted to the holotype of Cetotheriopsis lintianus. Incipient rostral fusion and a delicate and synovial tempromandibular joint seem to preclude lunge feeding in Tokarahia and other eomysticetids, but the uniquely elongate rostrum and comparatively enormous temporal fossae and crests for temporalis attachment suggest an uncertain but highly specialized adaptation for an as-yet unidentified feeding strategy.

Robert W. Boessenecker and R. Ewan Fordyce. 2015. A New Genus and Species of Eomysticetid (Cetacea: Mysticeti) and A Reinterpretation of ‘Mauicetus’ lophocephalus Marples, 1956: Transitional Baleen Whales from the upper Oligocene of New Zealand. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12297

CoastalPaleo.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-in-review-advances-in-marine.html