[Ornithology • 2015] Paragallinula gen. nov. • A New Genus for the Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850 (Aves, Rallidae)

Fig. 2. Lesser Moorhen Paragallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850, 
Kgomo Kgomo, South Africa, Feb. 2011 (photo by Mark Tittley).
This photograph illustrates two diagnostic character states differentiating Paragallinula from the genus Gallinula: the orange colouration on the frontal shield does not cover the entire shield, and the lack of a contrasting reddish band on the legs proximal to the ankle joint.

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2015.153

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetic analysis has demonstrated that the genus Gallinula is not monophyletic and comprises four major lineages. A review of the nomenclature of Gallinula shows that generic names are available for three lineages but that a fourth is as yet unnamed. A new monotypic genus, Paragallinula gen. nov., is described for Lesser Moorhen (Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850).

Key words: Gallinules, morphology, nomenclature, Paragallinula gen. nov., phylogenetics

Class Aves Linnaeus, 1758

Order Gruiformes (Bonaparte, 1854)

Family Rallidae (Rafinesque, 1815)

Paragallinula gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:909AC100-559E-4CA3-BC7E-E6FD87002E30

Type species: Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850. Monotypic.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from the Greek para (beside) and the Latin gallinula (a little hen or chicken). It denotes the resemblance of P. angulata to species of Gallinula but highlights that they are independent evolutionary lineages. The gender of the name is feminine.

Distribution: Paragallinula angulata is found in most of the African continent from Senegal and Gambia to Ethiopia, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

George Sangster, Juan Carlos Garcia-R and Steve A. Trewick. 2015. A New Genus for the Lesser Moorhen Gallinula angulata Sundevall, 1850 (Aves, Rallidae). European Journal of Taxonomy.  153: 1–8. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2015.153

ResearchGate.net/publication/283901793_A_new_genus_for_the_Lesser_Moorhen_Gallinula_angulata_Sundevall_1850_(Aves_Rallidae)

[Herpetology • 2015] Leptolalax isos • A New Species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Vietnam and Cambodia

Leptolalax isos

Rowley, Stuart, Neang, Hoang, Dau, Nguyen & Emmett, 2015

FIGURE 7. (A) Female paratype AMS R 176479, (B) male paratype VNMN A.2015.6/AMS R 176492, (C) unvouchered individual and (D) male paratype AMS R 176475 of Leptolalax isos sp. nov. in situ.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4039.3.1

Abstract

We describe a new, medium-sized Leptolalax species from the Kon Tum Plateau of Vietnam and adjacent Cambodia. Leptolalax isos sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of an absence of distinct dark brown/black dorsolateral markings; toes with rudimentary webbing, wide lateral dermal fringes in males and weak or absent lateral dermal fringes in females; most males with wide lateral dermal fringes on Finger II, a body size of 23.7–27.9 mm in 38 adult males and 28.6–31.5 mm in 9 adult females, near immaculate white chest and belly; absence of white speckling on the dorsum; and a call consisting of 2–3 notes with a dominant frequency of 5.9–6.2 kHz (at 22.4–22.8º C). Uncorrected sequence divergences between L. isos sp. nov. and all homologous 16S rRNA sequences available are >10%. At present, the new species is known from montane evergreen forest between ~650–1100 m elevation in northeastern Cambodia and central Vietnam. Habitat within the range of the new species is threatened by deforestation and upstream hydroelectric dams.

Keywords: Amphibia, Acoustics, Anura, Leptolalax isos sp. nov., Cambodia, Southeast Asia, Vietnam

Rowley, Jodi J. L., Bryan L. Stuart, Thy Neang, Duc H. Hoang, Vinh Q. Dau, Tao T. Nguyen and David A. Emmett. 2015. A New Species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from Vietnam and Cambodia. Zootaxa. 4039(3): 401–417.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4039.3.1 

ResearchGate.net/publication/283565875_A_new_species_of_Leptolalax_(Anura_Megophryidae)_from_Vietnam_and_Cambodia

[Herpetology • 2012] Leptolalax firthi • A New Species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from central Vietnam

Firth's Asian Leaf Litter Toad | Leptolalax firthi 

Rowley, Hoang, Dau, Le & Cao, 2012
AustralianMuseum.net.au 

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of Leptolalax from central Vietnam. Leptolalax firthi sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: an absence of distinct dark brown or black dorsolateral markings; toes with rudimentary webbing and wide lateral dermal fringes in males and weak or absent lateral dermal fringes in females; most males with wide lateral dermal fringes on Finger II; medium size (26.4–29.2 mm in 21 adult males, 25.7–36.9 mm in 14 females); and near immaculate white chest and belly. The male advertisement call of the new species, consisting of 2–5 notes with a dominant frequency of 5.4–6.6 kHz (at 18.3–21.2º C) is also unique among Leptolalax species for which calls are known. Uncorrected sequence divergences between L. firthi and all homologous 16S rRNA sequences available were >10%. At present, the new species is known from montane evergreen forest between ~860–1720 m elevation in Kon Tum and Quang Nam Provinces. The extreme sexual dimorphism observed in L. firthi in terms of lateral dermal fringing, a morphological character often used to distinguish Leptolalax species, highlights the importance of ensuring interspecific comparisons in the genus are performed separately for each sex.

Key words: Bioacoustics, Kon Tum Plateau, Leptolalax firthi sp. nov., Southeast Asia, sexual dimorphism

FIGURE 2. Adult male holotype (AMS R 176524) of L. firthi sp. nov. in life. (A) in situ, frontodorsolateral view
FIGURE 4. Paratypes of L. firthi sp. nov. in life. (E) adult female AMS R 173736, and (F) sub-adultfemale AMS R 173774. 

Etymology: Specific epithet is a patronym honouring Denys Firth, for his support of amphibian biodiversity conservation and scientific capacity building in Asia. 

Rowley, J. J. L., Hoang D. H., Dau Q. V., Le T. T. D., and Cao T. T. 2012. A New Species of Leptolalax (Anura: Megophryidae) from central Vietnam. ZOOTAXA 3321(3321):56-68  

ResearchGate.net/publication/274016300_A_new_species_of_Leptolalax_(Anura_Megophryidae)_from_central_Vietnam

Finding frogs: it's all about timing - Australian Museum 

http://australianmuseum.net.au/blogpost/science/finding-frogs-its-all-about-timing

[Ichthyology • 2015] Hoplias mbigua • A New Species of the Genus Hoplias (Characiformes, Erythrinidae), A Tararira from the lower Paraná River, in Misiones, Argentina

Hoplias mbigua

Azpelicueta, Benítez, Aichino & Mendez, 2015

Fig. 3. Hoplias mbigua, lateral views. Different pigmentation patterns:
 a) opercular membrane completely pigmented, 293 mm SL (standard length, snout to hypural joint); b) 77 mm SL; c) specimen with 270 mm SL, very concave head and extremely large eye.

Abstract

We describe Hoplias mbigua, a new species of the genus from the lower Paraná, in Misiones, with tooth-bearing plates on dorsal surface of basihyal and basibranchials and medial margins of contralateral dentaries converging towards the mandibular symphysis in ventral view, characters that permit to include the species in the H. malabaricus group. The presence of five brown bands transversely placed on lower jaw distinguishes the new species from its congeners, excluding H. microlepis (vs. lower jaw straight or with small black or brown dots uniformly distributed). The number of circunpeduncular scales in H. mbigua is 20 whereas H. teres and H. malabaricus have 18 circunpeduncular scales and H. microlepis 22-24 and 12-16 gill rakers on first epibranchial (vs. about 9). Hoplias mbigua has convex dorsal profile between head and dorsal fin whereas H. teres has straight dorsal profile. Hoplias mbigua has a large supraopercle, with its anterior margin contacting the infraorbitals 5 and 6 whereas H. cf. malabaricus has a short supraopercle, with an anterior margin scarcely extended before anterior opercular margin. Hoplias mbigua has a large toothplate on basihyal and basibranchials instead of two lines of tooth-plates at sides of bones in H. cf. malabaricus.

Keywords: Characiformes, Hoplias, lower Paraná.

Fig. 3. Hoplias mbigua, lateral views. Different pigmentation patterns: a) opercular membrane completely pigmented, 293 mm SL (standard length, snout to hypural joint); b) 77 mm SL; c) specimen with 270 mm SL, very concave head and extremely large eye.

ETYMOLOGY: The name mbigua is a guaraní word that refers to an aquatic, riverine bird. This word is the nickname of Isabelino Rodríguez, who worked during many years in the Proyecto Biología Pesquera Regional. A noun in apposition.

DISTRIBUTION: Hoplias mbigua is known from different localities in the lower Paraná: arroyo Yabebiry, Nemesio Parma, Corpus, Garupá, Puerto Maní in the province of Misiones and Ituzaingó in the province of Corrientes.

Azpelicueta, M. de las Mercedes; Benítez, Mauricio F.; Aichino, Danilo R. and Mendez, C. M. Damián. 2015. A New Species of the Genus Hoplias (Characiformes, Erythrinidae), A Tararira from the lower Paraná River, in Misiones, Argentina. Acta zoológica lilloana, 59(1-2): 71–82.

http://www.lillo.org.ar/revis/zoo/59-1-2/04.pdf

Resumen “Una nueva especie del género Hoplias (Characiformes, Erythrinidae), una tararira del Río Paraná bajo, en Misiones, Argentina”. Describimos Hoplias mbigua, una nueva especie del género, procedente del bajo Paraná en Misiones, con dientes en la superficie dorsal de los basibranquiales y basihial y los márgenes del dentario convergiendo hacia la sínfisis mandibular en vista ventral, caracteres que permiten incluirla en el grupo de H. malabaricus. La presencia de 5 bandas pardas transversales en la mandíbula inferior distinguen esta especie de sus congéneres, excluyendo H. microlepis (vs. mandíbula inferior lisa o con pequeñas manchas negras o pardas uniformemente distribuidas). El número de escamas circunpedunculares en H. mbigua es 20 mientras que H. teres y H. malabaricus tienen 18 y H. microlepis 22-24 escamas circunpedunculares y 12-16 rastrillos branquiales en el primer epibranquial (vs. alrededor de 9). Hoplias mbigua tiene perfil dorsal convexo entre cabeza y aleta dorsal y H. teres tiene perfil dorsal recto entre cabeza y aleta dorsal. Hoplias mbigua tiene supraopérculo grande, con su margen anterior en contacto con los infraorbitales 5 y 6 mientras H. cf. malabaricus tiene supraopérculo corto, con el margen anterior apenas extendido delante del margen anterior del opérculo. Hoplias mbigua tiene placa grande con dientes, sobre basihial y basibranquiales en lugar de las dos hileras de placas dentadas en los laterales de los huesos en H. cf. malabaricus.

Palabras clave: Characiformes, Hoplias, bajo Paraná.

[Botany • 2015] Thismia brunneomitra Hroneš, Kobrlová & Dančák • Another New Species of Thismia (Thismiaceae) from Ulu Temburong, Brunei Darussalam

Thismia brunneomitra

 Hroneš, Kobrlová & Dančák

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.234.2.7

Abstract

A new species of Thismia (Thismiaceae) from northwest Borneo is described and illustrated. Thismia brunneomitra was discovered in 2015 in lowland mixed dipterocarp forest in the Ulu Temburong National Park, Temburong district of Brunei Darussalam. The new species is characterized by brown to blackish flowers with twelve darker vertical stripes on the perianth tube, inner tepal lobes that are connate to form a mitre with three very short processes at the apex, three-toothed apical margin of the connective and large wing-like appendage of the connective. An updated determination key of Thismia species found in Borneo is included.

Keywords: mycoheterotrophy, Malesia, mixed dipterocarp forest, Sarcosiphon, Monocots

Introduction

Primary tropical rainforests of Borneo are one of the most species-rich ecosystems in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots (Myers et al. 2000). The island harbours some 15,000 vascular plant species in an area of 743,330 sq.km, of which ca. 37% are endemic (Raes et al. 2009). The lowland mixed dipterocarp forest represents the dominant natural forest habitat in Borneo (Primack & Corlett 2005). Unfortunately, these forests are threatened by large-scale timber extraction, as they contain several economically important tree species (Bryan et al. 2013). Thus, a combination of unique biodiversity and rapid deforestation has highlighted Borneo as a priority for nature conservation.

One of the most intriguing inhabitants of the primary tropical forests of Borneo are small mycoheterotrophic herbs from the genus Thismia Griffith (1844: 221; Thismiaceae, or alternatively Burmanniaceae; for discussion see Merckx et al. 2006). Species of this genus are achlorophyllous plants with very specific and complex morphology. 

Currently, almost 60 species are recognized in the genus (Hroneš 2014, Hunt et al. 2014, Mar & Saunders 2015, Chantanaorrapint & Sridith 2015). Species of Thismia have scattered distribution through the (sub-)tropical areas of the Asia, Australia, New Zealand and South America (Jonker 1938, Maas et al. 1986, Hunt et al. 2014). Along with Thailand, Borneo represents one of the species diversity centres of the genus (Dančák et al. 2013, Chantanaorrapint et al. 2015).

According to Jonker (1938), Bornean species with free perianth lobes and creeping rhizomes are treated as section Thismia, while species with connate perianth lobes forming mitre-like flowers and dense coralliform rhizomes are treated as section Sarcosiphon (Blume 1850: 65) Jonker (1938: 251). In Borneo, two species from this section are known: T. episcopalis (Beccari 1877: 250) F. Mueller (1891: 235) and T. goodii Kiew (1999: 179). 

During our recent expedition to Ulu Temburong in January and February 2015, we found a species of Thismia with fused tepals, which turned out to be another taxonomic novelty. This finding is only the second record of the family Thismiaceae for Brunei Darussalam (see Dančák et al. 2013).

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

FIGURE 2. Thismia brunneomitra.
A–B. Habit of the plant. C. Habit of the immature plant. D. Elongated stem with a capsule after the anthesis. 

Habitat and ecology:— Shaded understory of lowland mixed dipterocarp forest. The only known site is in a ravine of a small stream. The terrain is steep, rocky and somewhat disturbed, with patches of bare mineral soil. Plants were found primarily in these bare patches with several individuals growing on a rock crevice just next to the stream in association with Diplazium cordifolium Blume (1828: 190), Epipremnum falcifolium Engler (1898: 11), Mapania monostachya Uittien (1935: 194), Schismatoglottis asperata Engler (1879: 297) and Selaginella involvens agg. Several other mycoheterotrophic species were recorded around, within a distance of 5 m: Epirixanthes elongata Blume (1823: 82), E. papuana J.J.Smith (1912: 486), Sciaphila densiflora Schlechter (1912: 87), S. secundiflora Thwaites ex Bentham (1855: 10) and Gymnosiphon aphyllus agg.

Distribution:— Thismia brunneomitra was found near the Kuala Belalong Field Studies Centre in the Temburong district of Brunei Darussalam. The only known population occurs on the right bank of the small stream Sungai Mata Ikan, approximately 100 m from its confluence with the Belalong River and near the “Ashton trail” forest circuit.

Conservation status:— Population of T. brunneomitra occurs within the designated research zone of Ulu Temburong National Park, to which public access is restricted. The type locality and its surroundings are thus protected from logging or other destructive anthropogenic activities. However, given that after a thorough search, no more than 15 individuals were noticed, and that the population is situated near relatively frequented forest trail, we suggest evaluating the species as critically endangered (CR) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria (IUCN 2012).

Etymology:— Name of the species is composed from Latin words brunneus (brown) and Greek mitra, referring to the typical colour and shape of the flowers.

Michal Hroneš, Lucie Kobrlová, Vojtěch Taraška, Ondřej Popelka, Radim Hédl, Rahayu Sukmaria Sukri, Faizah Metali and Martin Dančák. 2015. Thismia brunneomitra, Another New Species of Thismia (Thismiaceae) from Ulu Temburong, Brunei Darussalam. Phytotaxa. 234(2): 172–178. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.234.2.7

http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00234p178.pdf

[Botany • 2014] Thismia hexagona var. grandiflora • A New Variety of Thismia hexagona (Thismiaceae) from Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Fig. 1. Thismia hexagona var. grandiflora Tsukaya, M. Suleiman & H. Okada var. nov. in its native habitat (type locality). A, Flowers of T. h. var. grandiflora. B, Gross morphology of T. h. var. grandiflora (scale = 1 cm).

http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110009922438

Thismia hexagona Dančák, Hroneš, Koblová et Sochor was recently reported from Brunei Darussalam. It is characterized by its unique yellow and brown coloration and sharply hexagonal flower annulus. Here, we also report its discovery during a botanical expedition in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. The Malaysian individuals differ from the original description of T. hexagona in the opening angle and size of the perianth lobes. We therefore propose it as a new variety, T. hexagona var. grandiflora Tsukaya, M. Suleiman & H. Okada var. nov. Detailed morphological characters are provided. 

Key words: Borneo, mycoheterotroph, new locality, Sabah, Thismia hexagona, Thismiaceae

Taxonomic treatment

Thismia hexagona var. grandiflora Tsukaya, M.Suleiman & H. Okada, var. nov. —Fig. 1.

Thismia hexagona var. grandiflora differs from T. hexagona var. hexagona in having much longer perianth lobes that open perpendicularly to the floral axis.

Typus. MALAYSIA, Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah: 04°44'29"N, 116°57'55"E, 235 m alt., from the Studies Center to Seraya Camp, Maliau Basin Conservation Area, 15 Aug. 2013, H. Tsukaya, M. Suleiman & H. Okada KKT-1 (holo-BORH, iso-TI, KYO; part of specimen preserved in 50% ethanol, at all three herbaria).

Fig. 1. Thismia hexagona var. grandiflora Tsukaya, M. Suleiman & H. Okada var. nov. in its native habitat (type locality).

 A, Flowers of T. h. var. grandiflora. B, Gross morphology of T. h. var. grandiflora (scale = 1 cm).

http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110009922438

The genus Thismia Griff. (Thismiaceae) comprises more than 45 mycoheterotrophic species (Jonker 1948; Merckx 2008; Merckx et al. 2013), including several species described within the past decade, such as T. mullarensis from Central Kalimantan (Tsukaya & Okada 2005), T. betung-kerihunensis from West Kalimantan (Tsukaya & Okada 2012a), and T. hexagona from Brunei (Dančák et al. 2013). The majority of these species appear to have been collected only once or a few times. Since mycoheterotrophs are highly dependent on the activities of both the fungi and the trees that sustain them, the richness of the mycoheterotroph flora is a good indicator of the floristic richness of the forests in which they occur (Merckx et al. 2013). In other words, mycoheterotrophs are easily affected by ecosystem destruction.

To conserve the biodiversity of tropical forests, we need additional information on the distribution of such vulnerable mycoheterotrophs. In our floristic studies in the Kalimantan area of Borneo we found one new genus, several new species, and a new variety of mycoheterotrophs (Tsukaya & Okada 2005, 2012a, 2012b, 2013a, 2013b, Tsukaya et al. 2011). Because Kalimantan has a rich diversity of mycoheterotrophs, we compared the mycoheterotroph floras of Kalimantan and Sabah, Borneo, starting with a botanical expedition in Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, with permission from the Maliau Basin Management Committee (YS/MBMC/2013/50) and Sabah Biodiversity Council [access license JKM/MBS.1000-2/2(152)]. We chose this area because Dr. Tim Utteridge, of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, kindly showed one of us (HT) photographs of Thismia that he took in the conservation area. We suspected the photos to represent a new species of Thismia, based on other photos of Thismia taken by a professional photographer in Sabah, until the report of a new species T. hexagona, which looks similar, was published by Dančák et al. (2013). During our survey, we found three populations of T. hexagona flowering in the Maliau Basin Conservation Area. This is the first report of T. hexagona from Sabah. Because our collections have much longer perianth lobes than the typical variety, we describe them as T. hexagona var. grandiflora Tsukaya, M. Suleiman et H. Okada.

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

Hirokazu Tsukaya, Monica Suleiman and Hiroshi Okada. 2014. A New Variety of Thismia hexagona Dančák, Hroneš, Koblová et Sochor (Thismiaceae) from Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 65(3): 141–145. http://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/110009922438

ResearchGate.net/publication/272747680_A_New_Variety_of_Thismia_hexagona_Dank_Hrone_Koblov_et_Sochor_(Thismiaceae)_from_Sabah_Borneo_Malaysia

[Paleontology • 2015] Probrachylophosaurus bergei • A New Brachylophosaurin Hadrosaur (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) with an Intermediate Nasal Crest from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Northcentral Montana

Probrachylophosaurus bergei 

Fowler & Horner, 2015

  Illustration: John Conway  JohnConway.co || DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141304

Abstract

Background

Brachylophosaurini is a clade of hadrosaurine dinosaurs currently known from the Campanian (Late Cretaceous) of North America. Its members include: Acristavus gagslarsoni, which lacks a nasal crest; Brachylophosaurus canadensis, which possesses a flat paddle-shaped nasal crest projecting posteriorly over the dorsal skull roof; and Maiasaura peeblesorum, which possesses a dorsally-projecting nasofrontal crest. Acristavus, from the lower Two Medicine Formation of Montana (~81–80 Ma), is hypothesized to be the ancestral member of the clade. Brachylophosaurus specimens are from the middle Oldman Formation of Alberta and equivalent beds in the Judith River Formation of Montana; the upper Oldman Formation is dated 77.8 Ma.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A new brachylophosaurin hadrosaur, Probrachylophosaurus bergei (gen. et sp. nov.) is described and phylogenetically analyzed based on the skull and postcranium of a large individual from the Judith River Formation of northcentral Montana (79.8–79.5 Ma); the horizon is equivalent to the lower Oldman Formation of Alberta. Cranial morphology of Probrachylophosaurus, most notably the nasal crest, is intermediate between Acristavus and Brachylophosaurus. In Brachylophosaurus, the nasal crest lengthens and flattens ontogenetically, covering the supratemporal fenestrae in large adults. The smaller nasal crest of Probrachylophosaurus is strongly triangular in cross section and only minimally overhangs the supratemporal fenestrae, similar to an ontogenetically earlier stage of Brachylophosaurus. Sutural fusion and tibial osteohistology reveal that the holotype of Probrachylophosaurus was relatively more mature than a similarly large Brachylophosaurus specimen; thus, Probrachylophosaurus is not simply an immature Brachylophosaurus.

Conclusions/Significance

The small triangular posteriorly oriented nasal crest of Probrachylophosaurus is proposed to represent a transitional nasal morphology between that of a non-crested ancestor such as Acristavus and the large flat posteriorly oriented nasal crest of adult Brachylophosaurus. Because Probrachylophosaurus is stratigraphically and morphologically intermediate between these taxa, Probrachylophosaurus is hypothesized to be an intermediate member of the Acristavus-Brachylophosaurus evolutionary lineage.

Systematic Paleontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Ornithischia Seeley, 1888

Ornithopoda Marsh, 1881

Hadrosauridae Cope, 1869

Hadrosaurinae Cope, 1869

Brachylophosaurini Gates et al., 2011

Definition: Modified from Gates et al. [3]: Hadrosaurine ornithopods more closely related to Brachylophosaurus, Probrachylophosaurus, Maiasaura, or Acristavus than to Gryposaurus or Saurolophus.

Referred material: UCMP 130139, a partial skull and skeleton originally described as the holotype of Brachylophosaurus goodwini [9], and later assigned to Brachylophosaurus canadensis [1, 23]. Due to the lack of a preserved nasal, and the presence of deep frontal depressions, the specimen cannot be confidently assigned to any current genus of Brachylophosaurini.

Horizon and locality: UCMP 130139 was collected from the Judith River Formation of Kennedy Coulee, Hill County, northcentral Montana, in beds equivalent to the lower Oldman Formation, with a published height of approximately 15 m above the Marker A Coal of the Taber Coal Zone of the Foremost Formation [9]. However, a remeasured section shows that the site was actually only a few meters above the Marker A Coal, and lies within the Herronton Sandstone Zone (Mark Goodwin and David Evans personal communication, 2014).

Brachylophosaurus canadensis Sternberg, 1953

Holotype: CMN 8893

Referred Material: FMNH PR 862 (partial skull); MOR 720 (braincase); MOR 794 (nearly complete articulated skeleton); MOR 940 (braincase); MOR 1071 (monodominant bonebed); TMP 90.104.01 (complete skull and articulated partial skeleton).

Horizons and localities: CMN 8893, FMNH PR 862, and TMP 90.104.01 were collected from the Oldman Formation of southeastern Alberta. CMN 8893 and FMNH PR 862 were collected in Dinosaur Provincial Park; TMP 90.104.01 was collected near Onefour and the Milk River. Of these Albertan specimens, the exact stratigraphic position is known only for CMN 8893: the Comrey Sandstone Zone (Unit 2) of the Oldman Formation. MOR 720 was collected from the upper Judith River Formation in badlands surrounding the Missouri River north of Winifred, Fergus County, central Montana. MOR 794, MOR 940, and MOR 1071 were collected from the Judith River Formation of Malta, northern Montana, in beds equivalent to the Comrey Sandstone Zone of the Oldman Formation.

Probrachylophosaurus gen. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:7B7C87AC-2EFE-4587-9A24-A5D48C908941

Etymology: Pro- (Latin) before, -brachylophosaurus (Greek) short-crested lizard, in reference to the new taxon’s stratigraphic position below that of Brachylophosaurus canadensis.

Probrachylophosaurus bergei sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:49D503CB-7FA6-4D66-8FC0-0B4E2A3EE106

Etymology: Species name bergei in memory of Sam Berge, co-owner of the land where the specimen was discovered, and friend and relative of many members of the Rudyard, Montana community, who have supported paleontologic research for decades. Pronunciation: berg-ee-i

Conclusions

In the early years of dinosaur paleontology, specimens were collected as isolated points, each so morphologically unique that their evolutionary relationships were difficult to determine. As more fossil specimens are collected, the gaps in morphology that previously separated species are being filled. With larger sample sizes resulting in more continuous series of fossils with good stratigraphic resolution, variations in morphology can be analyzed in a more complete context, and attributed to ontogeny, evolution, taphonomic alteration, biogeography, or individual variation. A better understanding of stratigraphy and advancements in radiometric dating enable precise temporal correlation of geographically separated localities. Taxa can then be placed in temporal sequence, allowing tests of evolutionary hypotheses.

A precise stratigraphic framework is critical for determining whether morphological variations of adult specimens are due to evolution or are variations within a roughly contemporaneous population. If closely related taxa do not overlap stratigraphically, the pattern is more parsimonious with anagenesis than cladogenesis. Recent research has greatly increased the sample size and stratigraphic resolution of specimens from the Judith River and Hell Creek Formations of Montana and their Canadian equivalents, revealing several potential anagenetic lineages in Campanian and Maastrichtian ornithischians.

Because Probrachylophosaurus bergei is stratigraphically older than all Brachylophosaurus canadensis specimens, it is hypothesized to represent a basal brachylophosaur morphology, early in the evolution of this lineage from a non-crested ancestor. Thus, the small crest of Probrachylophosaurus would represent a transitional nasal morphology between a non-crested ancestor such as Acristavus and the larger crests of adult Brachylophosaurus. The fourth member of Brachylophosaurini, Maiasaura, would represent a cladogenic event, diverging from the lineage that led to Brachylophosaurus at a currently unknown point.

Elizabeth A. Freedman Fowler and John R. Horner. 2015. A New Brachylophosaurin Hadrosaur (Dinosauria: Ornithischia) with an Intermediate Nasal Crest from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Northcentral Montana. PLoS ONE. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0141304  @PLOSPaleo @theJohnConway

MSU News - MSU team finds new dinosaur species, reveals evolutionary link: http://www.montana.edu/news/15858/msu-team-finds-new-dinosaur-species-reveals-evolutionary-link

New 'short-crested lizard' found in Montana http://phy.so/366472776 via @physorg_com

[Herpetology / Behaviour • 2015] Avian Deception Using An Elaborate Caudal Lure in Pseudocerastes urarachnoides (Serpentes: Viperidae)

ABSTRACT

  Pseudocerastes urarachnoidesis a fascinating viper and as yet has been reported only in western Iran. An elaborated arachnid-like caudal structure is a unique feature of this viper, hence gives it the common name “Iranian spider-tailed viper”. During tail wagging, the structure is reminiscent of a moving spider. Tail movements are used for two different purposes in snakes: defense via tail vibration and hunting via both caudal luring and caudal distraction. Caudal luring in snakes is the wriggling or wagging of the posterior part of tail, in the presence of a potential prey, with conspicuous color pattern while the rest of body is cryptically colored. Previous studies have speculated on the role of caudal structure of P. urarachnoides in hunting. Our 2.5-year study has revealed that development of the structure of the caudal lure is commenced after birth and is linearly correlated to snout-vent length. The caudal lure attracts some species of birds. Caudal luring behavior is carried out both in the presence and absence of birds. The findings are reported for the first time and confirmed by direct observation of undisturbed individuals in the field.

  Keywords: caudal luring, Iranian spider-tailed viper, prey attraction, Pseudocerastes urarachnoides.

http://figshare.com/articles/Avian_deception_using_an_elaborate_caudal_lure_in_Pseudocerastes_urarachnoides_Serpentes_Viperidae_/1454446

 Behzad Fathinia, Nasrullah Rastegar-Pouyani, Eskandar Rastegar Pouyani, Fatemeh Todehdehghan and Fathollah Amiri. 2015. Avian Deception Using An Elaborate Caudal Lure in Pseudocerastes urarachnoides (Serpentes: Viperidae).
AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA. 36(3); 223 – 231. DOI:  10.1163/15685381-00002997

ResearchGate.net/publication/280348452_Avian_deception_using_an_elaborate_caudal_lure_in_Pseudocerastes_urarachnoides_(Serpentes_Viperidae)

[Herpetology • 2015] Revision of the Western Australian Pebble-mimic Dragon Species-Group (Tympanocryptis cephalus: Reptilia: Agamidae)

FIGURE 5. Photographs in life of Tympanocryptis cephalus species-group members (left to right, top to bottom):
 a) T. cephalus (photo—G. Harold), b) T. gigas (M. Peterson), c) T. diabolicus sp. nov. (M. Peterson), d) T. fortescuensis sp. nov. (G. Harold), e) T. pseudopsephos sp. nov. —plain form (G. Harold), f) T. pseudopsephos sp. nov.—with charcoal wash on dorsum (G. Harold).

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4039.1.3

Abstract

Recent work on species complexes of the pebble-mimic dragons of the Australian genus Tympanocryptis has greatly clarified evolutionary relationships among taxa and also indicated that species diversity has been severely underestimated. Here we provide a morphological and molecular appraisal of variation in the T. cephalus species-group and find evidence for recognizing five species-level lineages from Western Australia. Four species-level lineages are strongly supported with a combined mitochondrial and nuclear DNA Bayesian analysis (a fifth population from the Gascoyne region lacked tissue samples). Morphologically, we found subtle, yet consistent, differences among the populations in scalation, color and pattern. True T. cephalus Günther is restricted to the coastal Pilbara region and characterized by five dark blotches on the dorsum, keeled ventrals, and other characters. Two other lineages within the Pilbara, from the Hamersley range and Fortescue/northern Pilbara region, differed from T. cephalus senso stricto by possessing a more elongate body and a plain dorsum. Furthermore, the Hamersley lineage differed from the Fortescue lineage by possessing slightly more reddish coloration and feeble keeling on the snout. Although there are few specimens and no tissue samples available for the Gascoyne population, these individuals are larger, have rugose scales on the snout, and possess scattered enlarged tubercles with three large blotches on the dorsum. The name T. cephalus gigas Mitchell is available for this population. The most widespread lineage, and the one best represented in collections and in field guides, occurs throughout central Western Australia. These Goldfield populations are characterized by a protruding snout, narrow rostral, and uniform reddish-brown coloration, often with a dark wash. Based on the genetic and morphological differences, we redescribe T. cephalus, resurrect and elevate T. gigas to a full species and designate a neotype for this taxon, and describe three lineages as new species (T. diabolicus sp. nov., T. fortescuensis sp. nov., T. pseudopsephos sp. nov.).

Keywords: Reptilia, agamid lizard, cryptic species, Gascoyne, morphology, mtDNA, nDNA, neotype, Pilbara, taxonomy, Tympanocryptis diabolicus sp. nov., Tympanocryptis fortescuensis sp. nov., Tympanocryptis gigas, Tympanocryptis pseudopsephos sp. nov.

Doughty, Paul, Luke Kealley, Luke Shoo & Jane Melville. 2015. Revision of the Western Australian Pebble-mimic Dragon Species-Group (Tympanocryptis cephalus: Reptilia: Agamidae). Zootaxa. 4039(1): 85–117. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4039.1.3

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/zt04039p117.pdf

FIGURE 5. Photographs in life of Tympanocryptis cephalus species-group members (left to right, top to bottom):
  a) T. cephalus (photo—G. Harold), b) T. gigas (M. Peterson), c) T. diabolicus sp. nov. (M. Peterson), d) T. fortescuensis sp. nov. (G. Harold), e) T. pseudopsephos sp. nov. —plain form (G. Harold), f) T. pseudopsephos sp. nov.—with charcoal wash on dorsum (G. Harold).

[Cetology / Behaviour • 2015] Omura’s Whales (Balaenoptera omurai) off northwest Madagascar: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation Needs

Omura’s whale Balaenoptera omurai

from Cerchio et al. 2015,  DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150301
courtesy of New England Aquarium || news.NEAq.org

Abstract

The Omura’s whale (Balaenoptera omurai) was described as a new species in 2003 and then soon after as an ancient lineage basal to a Bryde’s/sei whale clade. Currently known only from whaling and stranding specimens primarily from the western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans, there exist no confirmed field observations or ecological/behavioural data. Here we present, to our knowledge, the first genetically confirmed documentation of living Omura’s whales including descriptions of basic ecology and behaviour from northwestern Madagascar. Species identification was confirmed through molecular phylogenetic analyses of biopsies collected from 18 adult animals. All individuals shared a single haplotype in a 402 bp sequence of mtDNA control region, suggesting low diversity and a potentially small population. Sightings of 44 groups indicated preference for shallow-water shelf habitat with sea surface temperature between 27.4°C and 30.2°C. Frequent observations were made of lunge feeding, possibly on zooplankton. Observations of four mothers with young calves, and recordings of a song-like vocalization probably indicate reproductive behaviour. Social organization consisted of loose aggregations of predominantly unassociated single individuals spatially and temporally clustered. Photographic recapture of a female re-sighted the following year with a young calf suggests site fidelity or a resident population. Our results demonstrate that the species is a tropical whale without segregation of feeding and breeding habitat, and is probably non-migratory; our data extend the range of this poorly studied whale into the western Indian Ocean. Exclusive range restriction to tropical waters is rare among baleen whale species, except for the various forms of Bryde’s whales and Omura’s whales. Thus, the discovery of a tractable population of Omura’s whales in the tropics presents an opportunity for understanding the ecological factors driving potential convergence of life-history patterns with the distantly related Bryde’s whales.

 KEYWORDS: Omura’s whale, Balaenoptera omurai, distribution, feeding ecology, breeding ecology, acoustic behaviour

Figure 3. Images of Madagascar Balaenoptera omurai displaying details of pigmentation and external appearance.
Five different individuals are pictured: underwater video frame captures of an adult female with calf sighted on 9 November 2013 that had just completed a feeding lunge (first row), and a lone adult on 22 October 2014 (second row), and above surface photographs from three adults sighted on 13 November 2014 (third row), 9 November 2013 (fourth row) and 12 December 2012 (fifth row). Visible features: (A) asymmetrical coloration of the lower jaw, with lightly pigmented right jaw and darkly pigmented left jaw; (B) asymmetrical coloration of the gape (inferred by inner lower lip), with lightly pigmented left gape and darkly pigmented right gape; (C) leading edge of pectoral fin white from tip to shoulder; (D) the apparent absence of lateral rostral ridges, with only faint indications detectable at some angles; (E) lightly pigmented blaze originating anterior to the eye, present only on the right side, with dark eye and ear stripe, two additional dark stripes and a light inter-stripe wash; (F) lightly pigmented chevron anterior to dorsal fin, present on both sides but asymmetrical and most prominent on right where it displays a double banded pattern; (G) highly falcate dorsal fin with gradual sloping insertion into dorsum.

 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150301

Figure 4. An Omura’s whale subsurface lunge feeding, displaying several of the features detailed in figure 3.

 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150301

Discussion

Prior to our discovery of Omura’s whales in Madagascan waters, there was a complete absence of field data on this species. Here we have presented evidence supporting the species identification of the small rorqual that we have observed as B. omurai, along with details on the external body appearance, and initial observations on habitat use, local distribution, feeding ecology, reproductive ecology and vocal behaviour. Notably, this represents to our knowledge, the first identified population tractable for field study. In the absence of a detailed description of the external appearance of B. omurai, it has been difficult for field biologists to confidently distinguish the species from congeners, particularly Bryde’s whales. We believe that this difficulty was primarily because of the lack of observations, and now with the detailed description we have provided it should be no more difficult to distinguish Omura’s whales in the field than it would be to distinguish fin whales from sei whales, or sei whales from Bryde’s whales, provided adequate observations and documentation.

Salvatore Cerchio, Boris Andrianantenaina, Alec Lindsay, Melinda Rekdahl, Norbert Andrianarivelo and Tahina Rasoloarijao. 2015. Omura’s Whales (Balaenoptera omurai) off northwest Madagascar: Ecology, Behaviour and Conservation Needs.
Royal Society Open Science. 2: 150301.   DOI: 10.1098/rsos.150301

[Herpetology • 2014] Hemiphyllodactylus engganoensis • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Pulau Enggano, southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

A new species of gekkonid lizard Hemiphyllodactylus engganoensis sp. nov. from Pulau Enggano, southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia is differentiated from all other congeners by having the unique combination of a maximum SVL of 37.3 mm; six chin scales; no enlarged postmentals; five circumnasal scales; three or four scales between the supranasals; 12 supralabials; 24 dorsal scales; 15 ventral scales; a lamellar hand formula of 4554 or 4454; a lamellar foot formula of 4555; four subdigital lamellae on the first finger; four or five subdigital lamellae on the first toe; a continuous, femoroprecloacal pore series of 42; five cloacal spurs in males; no enlarged subcaudal scales; no dark postorbital stripes or striping on body; small dark blotches on dorsum; a yellowish postsacral mark bearing anteriorly projecting arms; and a pigmented caecum and gonads. Hemiphyllodactylus engganoensis sp. nov. is part of the speciose H. typus group.

Key words: Gekkonidae, Hemiphyllodactylus, Hemiphyllodactylus engganoensis sp. nov., Sumatra, new species

Hemiphyllodactylus engganoensis sp. nov.

Pulau Enggano Dwarf Gecko | Cicak Kerdil Enggano 

 L Lee Grismer, Awal Riyanto, Djoko T Iskandar and Jimmy A Mcguire. 2014. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Pulau Enggano, southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia. Zootaxa. 3821(1):485-95.

ResearchGate.net/publication/263746291_A_new_species_of_Hemiphyllodactylus_Bleeker_1860_(Squamata_Gekkonidae)_from_Pulau_Enggano_southwestern_Sumatra_Indonesia

http://ib.berkeley.edu/labs/mcguire/Grismer_et_al_2014_Hemiphyll.pdf

[Herpetology • 2014] Hemiphyllodactylus kiziriani • A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from northern Laos

ABSTRACT

A new species of the genus Hemiphyllodactylus is described from Luang Prabang Province, northern Laos. Hemiphyllodactylus kiziriani sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining congeners by morphology, coloration, and a significant genetic divergence of greater than 20% (ND2 gene). The new species from Laos is characterized by the following features: SVL of adult males 35.1–40.1 mm, of adult females 36.3–40.8 mm; dorsal scale rows 18–27; ventral scale rows 11–15; chin scales bordering mental and first infralabial distinctly enlarged; digital lamellae formulae 3-4-4-4 (forefoot) and 4-4/5-4/5-4 (hindfoot); femoral pores 0–4, total precloacal pores 10–13 in males, 8–10 pitted precloacal scales in females; cloacal spurs present in both sexes; dorsal trunk pattern dark brown with two rows of irregular transverse bands; dark lateral head stripe distinct; upper zone of flank with a dark brown stripe; caecum and gonadal ducts unpigmented.

Keywords: Slender Gecko, karst forest, phylogeny, taxonomy, Luang Prabang Province

Truong Q. Nguyen, Andreas Botov, Minh D. Le, Liphone Nophaseud, George Zug, Michael Bonkowski and Thomas Ziegler. 2014. A New Species of Hemiphyllodactylus (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from northern Laos. Zootaxa. 3827(1):45-56. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3827.1.4

ResearchGate.net/publication/263544120_A_new_species_of_Hemiphyllodactylus_(Reptilia_Gekkonidae)_from_northern_Laos

[Herpetology • 2013] Integrative Taxonomy uncovers High Levels of Cryptic Species Diversity in Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and the Description of A New Species, Hemiphyllodactylus tehtarik, from Peninsular Malaysia

Hemiphyllodactylus tehtarik 
Grismer, Wood, Anuar, Muin, Quah, McGuire, Brown, Tri & Thai, 2013

 DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12064

Conserving the planet's biodiversity is greatly handicapped, in that only a small fraction of it (∼14–75%) has been described so far. Integrative taxonomy is making significant inroads in light of this challenge by incorporating multiple data sets across a wide range of disciplines that simultaneously elucidate phylogenetic structure and delimit species-level lineages within a unified species concept. An integrative taxonomic approach to the classification of the gekkonid genus Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 reveals that it is far more diverse than posited by a recent taxonomic revision based solely on morphology, and that it is composed of at least 19 species, most of which are montane upland or insular endemics. Three new species (Hemiphyllodactylus dushanensis sp. nov., Hemiphyllodactylus jinpingensis sp. nov., and Hemiphyllodactylus longlingensis sp. nov.) from southern China previously considered to be subspecies of Hemiphyllodactylus yunnanensis (Boulenger, 1903) are elevated to full species status, and 10 new species-level lineages ranging from Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia are identified. One new species, Hemiphyllodactylus tehtarik sp. nov. from Gunung Tebu, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia, is described herein, and is differentiated from all other species of Hemiphyllodactylus on the basis of morphology, colour pattern, and an 18.1–31.5% sequence divergence from all other congeners. Hemiphyllodactylus larutensis (Boulenger, 1900) is removed from the synonymy of H. harterti (Werner, 1900). Using an integrative taxonomic approach imbues the revised classification of Hemiphyllodactylus with more objectivity, stability, and phylogenetic history, while identifying undescribed species-level lineages in potential need of conservation.

Keywords: conservation; cryptic species; Gekkonidae; Hemiphyllodactylus tehtarik sp. nov.; Hemiphyllodactylus; integrative taxonomy; Malaysia; new species

Systematics and taxonomy

The Harterti group

Currently, there are three species of Hemiphyllodactylus recognized from Peninsular Malaysia (Grismer, 2011a): the widely distributed unisexual H. typus and the bisexual, upland species Hemiphyllodactylus harterti (Werner, 1900) from the Banjaran Bintang, and Hemiphyllodactylus titiwangsaensis Zug, 2010, from the Banjaran Titiwangsa. The latter two species are endemic to their respective mountain ranges, and make up the harterti group (Fig. 4). We report on a gravid gekkonid collected during an expedition to Gunung Tebu in the Banjaran Timur found at 600 m a.s.l. We assign this specimen to the genus Hemiphyllodactylus for having undivided, U-shaped, terminal lamellar pads on digits 2–5 of the hands and feet, free terminal phalanges that are not united with the lamellar pad, a clawless, vestigial first digit on the hands and feet, lidless eyes with vertical pupils, and for lacking a ventrolateral fringe or fold of skin extending between the axilla and the groin. However, this specimen is not referable to any known species of Hemiphyllodactylus in that it has a rust–orange, unicoloured dorsal body pattern, no white postorbital spots, and a lamellar foot formula of 3-4-5-4: characters not known from any other Hemiphyllodactylus. Additionally, it bears a unique combination of other morphological and colour pattern characters that separate it from all other known congeners. We consider this specimen to be a member of the harterti group given that it is the sister lineage of H. larutensis (see below), and describe it herein as a new species.

Tebu Mountain Slender-toed Gecko

Distribution: Hemiphyllodactylus tehtarik sp. nov. is known only from the type locality on Gunung Tebu, Terengganu, Peninsular Malaysia (Fig. 4), but is expected to range more widely throughout this portion of the Banjaran Timur.

Natural history: The holotype was seen at night on the leaf of a palm tree (Licuala sp.), approximately 1 m above the ground, along the edge of a small stream coursing through large granite boulders. During a first attempt to capture it, the lizard dropped to the ground and escaped, but was captured later that night on a different leaf of the same tree. The holotype is an adult female carrying two eggs, indicating that the reproductive season of this species extends at least through August. From only a single female, it cannot be determined if H. tehtarik sp. nov. is unisexual or bisexual.

Etymology: This species is named after a traditional Malaysian tea, Teh Tarik, which bears the rich orangish coloration of the holotype.

Discussion

It is a well-established fact that the world's biodiversity is woefully underestimated (Mora et al., 2011), and that most species with broad distributions across environmentally heterogeneous regions are rarely a single species, but rather complexes of generally cryptic species. This is especially true in tropical regions such as Southeast Asia, the dynamic and complex environmental history of which (Hall, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2012; Woodruff, 2003, 2010; Bird, Taylor & Hunt, 2005; Outlaw & Volker, 2008; Reddy, 2008; Cannon, Morley & Bush, 2009; Cannon, 2012; Gower et al., 2012; Morley, 2012; Richardson, Costion & Muellner, 2012) has contributed greatly to the phylogenetic and phylogeographic structuring of a number of wide-ranging clades thought previously to be single species (e.g. Matsui et al., 2005; Stuart, 2006; Inger, Stuart & Iskandar, 2009; Wood et al., 2009, 2010; Grismer et al., 2010b, 2012a; Malhotra et al., 2011; Brown et al., 2012; Johnson et al., 2012; Nishikawa et al., 2012; Loredo et al., 2013). The infusion of a molecular phylogenetic data set into the morphology-based classification of the wide-ranging genus Hemiphyllodactylus not only contributes to this growing body of knowledge, but highlights the inherent tendency of morphological data sets to underestimate biodiversity in taxonomic revisions of widespread groups. Zug's (2010) characterization of Hemiphyllodactylus as a ‘low diversity taxon’ is emblematic of this problem, in that this group's diversity was underestimated conservatively by as much as 113–162%. The molecular phylogeny of Hemiphyllodactylus (Fig. 1) facilitated an independent test of the morphology-based taxonomy (Zug, 2010), identified a minimum of ten (perhaps as many as 13) additional lineages for consideration of species-level designation, and resulted in a less subjective and more stable classification upon which others can build. Some (i.e. Isaac, Mallet & Mace, 2004) posit that studies such as these: (1) result in taxonomic inflation because they tend to use lineage-based species concepts as opposed to a more ‘stable’ biological species concept; (2) impede macroevolutionary studies because they generate asymmetric taxonomies across groups, making them incomparable; and (3) generate unnecessary challenges for conservation efforts. We argue that rather than inflating taxonomies, an integrative approach based on a unified lineage concept (de Queiroz, 1998) actually reveals the true structure of biodiversity, and will ultimately enhance conservation efforts by bringing to the forefront the entities (i.e. species, management units, etc.) in actual need of conserving. The resulting taxonomies are not only more species rich, but are more stable because they are inextricably bound to methodologically and conceptually less biased molecular data sets, and are delivered from the pluralistic outdated biological species concept that is difficult or impossible to apply to allopatric lineages, and often misrepresents the history (e.g. see Frost & Kluge, 1994).

Recent taxonomic work across the broad spectrum of life is revealing that nature is considerably more diverse than a polytypic species concept (Mayr, 1963) would lead us to believe. And if we are to forward a sincere effort in an attempt to stem the biodiversity crisis, we need to know upon what to focus our efforts. The very broad distribution (from the Mascarene Islands to Hawaii) and generally conserved morphology of Hemiphyllodactylus illustrates the limits of a morphological taxonomy in the delimitation of species boundaries for such groups. Considerable work on this group is still necessary before we gain a clear understanding of its diversity. The genetics of many of the known populations from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and throughout the islands of Indonesia, for example, remain unsampled. As additional material becomes available, we will use the phylogentic taxonomy hypothesized here as a foundation upon which to build future taxonomies. Infusing this taxonomy with molecular estimates of phylogeny allows for a more fine-grained analysis and greater potential for discovering species-level lineages and distinct management units that may be of special concern and in need of conservation (Hodkinson et al., 2012).

L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood Jr, Shahrul Anuar, Mohd Abdul Muin, Evan S. H. Quah, Jimmy A. McGuire, Rafe M. Brown, Ngo Van Tri and Pham Hong Thai. 2013. Integrative Taxonomy uncovers High Levels of Cryptic Species Diversity in Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and the Description of A New Species from Peninsular Malaysia. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 169(4); 849–880. DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12064

http://ib.berkeley.edu/labs/mcguire/Grismer_et_al_Hemiphyllo_2013.pdf