[Herpetology • 2017] Seven New Species of Night Frogs (Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot of India, with Remarkably High Diversity of Diminutive Forms

Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis, N. manalari, N. pulivijayani, N. radcliffei, N. robinmoorei, N. sabarimalai & N. webilla 

Garg, Suyesh, Sukesan & Biju. 2017

 DOI:   10.7717/peerj.3007 

 Abstract

The Night Frog genus Nyctibatrachus (Family Nyctibatrachidae) represents an endemic anuran lineage of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, India. Until now, it included 28 recognised species, of which more than half were described recently over the last five years. Our amphibian explorations have further revealed the presence of undescribed species of Nights Frogs in the southern Western Ghats. Based on integrated molecular, morphological and bioacoustic evidence, seven new species are formally described here as Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus manalari sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus radcliffei sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus sabarimalai sp. nov. and Nyctibatrachus webilla sp. nov., thereby bringing the total number of valid Nyctibatrachus species to 35 and increasing the former diversity estimates by a quarter. Detailed morphological descriptions, comparisons with other members of the genus, natural history notes, and genetic relationships inferred from phylogenetic analyses of a mitochondrial dataset are presented for all the new species. Additionally, characteristics of male advertisement calls are described for four new and three previously known species. Among the new species, six are currently known to be geographically restricted to low and mid elevation regions south of Palghat gap in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and one is probably endemic to high-elevation mountain streams slightly northward of the gap in Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, four new species are also among the smallest known Indian frogs. Hence, our discovery of several new species, particularly of easily overlooked miniaturized forms, reiterates that the known amphibian diversity of the Western Ghats of India still remains underestimated.

• Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis sp. nov.

 Athirappilly Night Frog

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/891, adult male, from Thavalakuzhipara (10°16′53″N 76°41′25.6″E, 530 m), Vazhachal forest division, Thrissur district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 11 September 2015.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/892–895, four adult males, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/896, adult female, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 11 July 2016.

Etymology. The species epithet is an adjective that refers to Athirappilly falls, which is in close vicinity of the type locality.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis is currently known only from its type locality in the southern Western Ghats state of Kerala. All the specimens were collected from shallow streams or marshy areas covered with thick vegetation or leaf litter. Collection site was located inside a secondary forest. Calling males were found hiding under vegetation either inside the shallow stream or on the edges. Calls were heard and recorded during the late evening between 18:00–22:00 h.

Remark. Biju et al. (2011) erroneously interpreted the “fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal groove, cover rounded distally” in Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis. In the present study we confirm that the fourth toe disc of N. kempholeyensis has a dorso-terminal groove with cover notched distally.

• Nyctibatrachus manalari sp. nov.

 Manalar Night Frog

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/897, adult male, from Upper Manalar (09°34′29.31″N 77° 20′10.27″E, 1564 m), Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 15 July 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/898–901, four adult males, collected along with the holotype.

Etymology. The species is named after the type locality Upper Manalar in Periyar Tiger Reserve, from where the type series was collected. The specific name manalari is a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus manalari is currently known only from its type locality, which is located south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Animals were found hiding under herbs and grasses growing on or at the edges of a large rocky area inside a primary evergreen forest patch. Calling males were located and recorded at night (between 19:00–21:00 h), but calls were also heard during the day (around 14:00 h). One of the calling males was found next to an egg clutch (eight eggs) deposited under the ground vegetation.

• Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani sp. nov. 

Vijayan’s Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/902, adult male, from Pandipath (08°40′42.0″N 77°11′38.6″E, 1,250 m), Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB, SG and Vijayan on 19 June 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/903–905, three adult males collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/906, adult male, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 29 June 2015.

Etymology. This species is named after Mr. Vijayan Kani for consistently offering tremendous field support over two decades to SDB and his students during studies in the Western Ghats. Vijayan, a tribal from Agasthyamala hills of Kerala, acquired the name ‘Pulivijayan’ after he braved a leopard’s attack. The name is derived from two words; ‘puli’ meaning leopard in Malayalam (official language of Kerala state) and ‘vijayan’. The species epithet ‘pulivijayani’ is used as a noun in the genitive case. The specific word ‘puli’ also refers to leopard-like spots observed on the dorsal surface of this species.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani is currently known only from its type locality, which is located in Agasthyamala Hills, south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Animals were found hiding under herbs and grasses on marshy ground (usually away from water) inside an evergreen forest. Males were observed calling during the day (around 11:00 h) and in the late evening (18:00 h).

• Nyctibatrachus radcliffei sp. nov. 

Radcliffe’s Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/920, adult male, from Thiashola estate (11°13′48.2″N 76° 37′02.1″E, 1920 m), Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 09 July 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/921–922, two adult males, collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/923–924, two adult males, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 08 July 2016.

Etymology. This species is named after the late Major Richard Radcliffe in recognition of his contribution towards biodiversity conservation in the Nilgiris. The species name radcliffei is a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus radcliffei sp. nov. is currently known only from its type locality, which is located in the Nilgiris, north of Palghat gap in the southern Western Ghats state of Tamil Nadu. All the specimens were found in crevices under rocks in a hill stream inside the tea estate. In our study, we observed tadpoles of this species during the month of October 2014 and confirmed their identity using DNA. Since calls or breeding activity was not observed at the time of collection (in July), we presume that this species breeds during the early monsoon period. Collections were made between 20:00–23:00 h.

• Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei sp. nov. 

Robin Moore’s Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/925, adult male, from Kakkachi (08°33′02.6″N, 77°23′29.6″E, 1290 m), Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu state, India, collected by SDB on 30 August 2002.

Etymology. The species is named for Dr Robin Moore, a wildlife photographer and conservationist, in appreciation of his contribution to amphibian conservation. The species name robinmoorei is considered as a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei is currently known only from its type locality, which is located in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Tamil Nadu. Animals were collected from a marshy area covered with thick ground vegetation, close to a rivulet inside primary forest. Males were heard calling during daytime (12:00–14:00 h) and in the late evening (around 18:00 h).

• Nyctibatrachus sabarimalai sp. nov. 

Sabarimala Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/927, adult male, from Pamba (09°24′17.6″N 77°04′11.6″E, 210 m), Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 17 July 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/928–931, four adult males collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/932, adult female, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB, SG, RS, SS on 02 July 2015.

Etymology. The species is named after Sabarimala, a pilgrim site located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, from the surroundings of which the type series was collected. The species name is considered as a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus sabarimalai is currently known only from its type locality, which is located close to Sabarimala in Periyar Tiger Reserve, south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Individuals were located under leaf litter in a shallow forest stream or under the grasses on wet rocky terrain. A calling male was found positioned next to an egg clutch (10 eggs) deposited inside a slit on a tree stump about one foot above ground. Males were observed calling both during the day (between 15:00–17:00 h) and night (20:00–22:00 h).

• Nyctibatrachus webilla sp. nov. 

Kadalar Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/933, adult male, from Kadalar (10°07′52.0″N 77°00′01.8″E, 1429 m), Idukki district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 08 June 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/934, adult male, collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/935–936, two adult males, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 18 August 2013.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the English term ‘web’ between toes and the Malayalam word ‘illa’, meaning ‘no’— referring to the prominently reduced foot webbing in this species in comparison to its close relative Nyctibatrachus deccanensis. The species name is treated as an invariable noun in apposition to the generic name.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus webilla is currently known only from its type locality, which is located south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Animals were found hidden either under leaf litter or vegetation on marshy ground close to a shallow rivulet. The specific collection site was located inside a disturbed forest patch adjacent to tea estate. Males were collected and observed calling both during the day (around 10:00–12:00 h) and night (between 19:00–22:00 h).

 Figure 12: Phylogenetic relationships and distribution of the seven new Nyctibatrachus species described in the study.
(A) Maximum Likelihood phylogram (GTR +G +I; −Ln L = 3621.582) for the 16S mitochondrial DNA dataset of 540 bp representing 35 Nyctibatrachus species (28 previously known +seven new species) from the Western Ghats of India and an outgroup taxa. Bayesian Posterior Probabilities (BPP) and RaxML bootstrap values of >50 are indicated above and below the branches, respectively. (B) Type localities of the new species in the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India. Distribution points are referenced with species names in Fig. 12A. The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot region is shaded orange. 

Sonali Garg, Robin Suyesh, Sandeep Sukesan and S.D. Biju. 2017. Seven New Species of Night Frogs (Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot of India, with Remarkably High Diversity of Diminutive Forms. PeerJ. 5:e3007. DOI:   10.7717/peerj.3007

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

 Neoromicia stanleyi 

 Goodman, Kearney, Michèle, Ratsimbazafy & Hassanin, 2017 

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4236.2.10 

Abstract

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

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

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

[Entomology • 2016] A Hidden Pygmy Devil from the Philippines: Arulenus miae sp. nov. (Tetrigidae: Discotettiginae) — A New Species Serendipitously Discovered in An Amateur Facebook Post

Arulenus miae 

Skejo & Caballero, 2016  

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4067.3.7 

Abstract

Arulenus miae Skejo & Caballero sp. nov. is described from Buknidon and Davao, Mindanao, the Philippines. The species was serendipitously found in an amateur photo posted in Orthoptera Facebook group by Leif Gabrielsen. Holotype and paratype are deposited in Nederlands Centrum voor Biodiversiteit in Leiden, the Netherlands. Detailed comparison with Arulenus validispinus Stål, 1877 is given. A new diagnosis of the genus and A. validispinus is given. The paper is part of the revision of the subfamily Discotettiginae. This study provides a good example of how social networks can be used as a modern tool of discovering biodiversity if the regulations of the International Code of the Zoological Nomenclature are followed. A brief insight into habitat and ecology of this rainforest and mountainous species is presented.

Keywords: Orthoptera, social networks, Tetrigoidea, Buknidon, Mindanao, Mia, rainforest, Arulenus validispinus

Order Orthoptera Olivier, 1789

Family Tetrigidae Rambur, 1838

Subfamily Discotettiginae Hancock, 1907

Type genus: Discotettix Costa, 1864

Arulenus miae Skejo & Caballero sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is genitive case of the first Latin declension (a declension) derived from the name Mia, after M. Jurić, JS’s good friend—a student of the fashion and textile design at the Faculty of textile technology (Zagreb, Croatia).  

FIGURE 1. Arulenus miae Skejo & Caballero sp. nov., the very first live female photo of the species taken by Leif Gabrielsen, and posted on Facebook 'Orthoptera' webpage.

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4067.3.7

Josip Skejo and Joy Honezza S. Caballero. 2016. A Hidden Pygmy Devil from the Philippines: Arulenus miae sp. nov. — A New Species Serendipitously Discovered in An Amateur Facebook Post  (Tetrigidae: Discotettiginae).

Zootaxa. 4067(3); 393–393. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4067.3.7

ResearchGate.net/publication/291351065_A_hidden_pygmy_devil_from_the_Philippines_Arulenus_miae_sp_nov_-A_new_species_serendipitously_discovered_in_an_amateur_Facebook_post_Tetrigidae_Discotettiginae

[Paleontology • 2017] Live Birth in An Archosauromorph Reptile, Dinocephalosaurus

Abstract

Live birth has evolved many times independently in vertebrates, such as mammals and diverse groups of lizards and snakes. However, live birth is unknown in the major clade Archosauromorpha, a group that first evolved some 260 million years ago and is represented today by birds and crocodilians. Here we report the discovery of a pregnant long-necked marine reptile (Dinocephalosaurus) from the Middle Triassic (∼245 million years ago) of southwest China showing live birth in archosauromorphs. Our discovery pushes back evidence of reproductive biology in the clade by roughly 50 million years, and shows that there is no fundamental reason that archosauromorphs could not achieve live birth. Our phylogenetic models indicate that Dinocephalosaurus determined the sex of their offspring by sex chromosomes rather than by environmental temperature like crocodilians. Our results provide crucial evidence for genotypic sex determination facilitating land-water transitions in amniotes.

Figure 3: Skeleton of the new Dinocephalosaurus specimen LPV 30280.
(a) Photograph. The three separate blocks are arranged following their original positions in the field. (b) Interpretive drawing. Dotted line indicates the rough course of the vertebral column of the adult. The different colour in the cervical region aims to facilitate the association of cervical ribs with corresponding vertebrae. (c) Photo showing a close-up of the embryo preserved in the stomach region of LPV 30280. (d) Interpretive drawing of the embryo. (e) Photo showing a close-up of the perleidid fish preserved in the stomach region of LPV 30280. (f) Artist's reconstruction of Dinocephalosaurus showing the rough position of the embryo within the mother. ax, axis; car, caudal rib; crh, cervical rib head; cv, cervical vertebrae; d4, fourth digit; f, perleidid fish; fe, femur; fi, fibula; h, humerus; ha, haemal arch; m, mandible; mt1, metatarsal 1; mt5, metatarsal 5; poz, postzygapophysis; prz, prezygapophysis; ra, radius; ti, tibia; ul, ulna. Scale bar, 20 cm. 

Jun Liu, Chris L. Organ, Michael J. Benton, Matthew C. Brandley and Jonathan C. Aitchison. 2017. Live Birth in An Archosauromorph Reptile. Nature Communications. 8, 14445. DOI:  10.1038/ncomms14445

Everyone thought this ancient reptile only laid eggs. They were wrong. http://ti.me/2l7PeKT

  

[Ichthyology • 2016] Pempheris gasparinii • A New Species of Sweeper Fish (Teleostei, Pempheridae) from Trindade Island, southwestern Atlantic

Pempheris gasparinii 

 Pinheiro, Bernardi & Rocha, 2016

 DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.561.7263 

Abstract

Pempheris gasparinii sp. n. is described from five specimens, 59.1–68.0 mm in standard length. It is only known to occur in the shallow reefs of Trindade Island, 1200 km east of the Brazilian coast, in the southwestern Atlantic. Pempheris gasparinii is the third recognized species of Pempheris in the Atlantic Ocean. This new species is morphologically similar to its close relative, P. poeyi, differing by the number of lateral-line scales (51–54 in P. gasparinii vs. 47–49 in P. poeyi), scales below lateral line (10–11 vs. 9), circumpeduncular scales (11–12 vs. 13), head and caudal peduncle lengths (2.7–3.3 vs 3.5–4.0 in head length). Moreover, Pempheris gasparinii shows a 4% genetic divergence from P. poeyi at the cytochrome oxidase I locus (COI), consistent with a lineage split at the beginning of the Pleistocene. This new species represents the 12th endemic fish species from Trindade Island.

Keywords: Endemism, COI, Vitória-Trindade Chain, oceanic island, Brazil, reef fish

   

Figure 1. Underwater picture of Pempheris gasparinii sp. n. at the Parcel Pool, Trindade Island (top; photo J.L. Gasparini), and a specimen shortly after death (bottom; photo T. Simon). 

Diagnosis: Pempheris gasparinii differs from its congeners by the following combination of character states: Head 3.2–3.7 in SL; body depth 2.7 in SL; head length 3.2–3.7 in SL; orbit diameter 1.9–2.7 in HL; caudal-peduncle depth 2.7–3.3 in HL; dorsal rays IV, 8–9; anal-fin rays III, 24–25; pectoral rays 15; lateral-line scales 51–54; scales below the lateral line 10–11; circumpeduncular scales 11–12; and gill rakers 23–25. Color in life mostly silvery, darker from mid-body to the lateral line and greenish above; fins are translucent with a darker tail. Color in alcohol light brown to silvery with darker dorsum and translucent fins; caudal fin darker. Additionally, mitochondrial DNA COI sequences show a divergence of at least 4% from all Atlantic congeners.

Etymology: The specific name honors our ichthyologist colleague and friend João Luiz Rosetti Gasparini, one of the pioneers on the study of taxonomy and biodiversity of reef fishes in Brazil and Trindade Island. “Gaspa” has contributed to nearly half of the descriptions of reef-fish species from Brazilian waters in the last two decades. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

Distribution and habitat: Pempheris gasparinii sp. n. is known only from the type locality, Trindade Island, Espírito Santo, Brazil. It has only been found schooling in the very shallow waters of the rocky Parcel pools (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Parcel Pool, Trindade Island, Brazil, type locality of Pempheris gasparinii sp. n. (photo H.T. Pinheiro). 

 Hudson T. Pinheiro, Giacomo Bernardi and Luiz A. Rocha. 2016. Pempheris gasparinii, A New Species of Sweeper Fish from Trindade Island, southwestern Atlantic (Teleostei, Pempheridae). ZooKeys. 561; 105-115. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.561.7263

[Ichthyology • 2017] Melanorivulus nigropunctatus & M. ofaie • Two New Species of Melanorivulus (Cyprinodontiformes: Cynolebiidae) from Rio Verde drainage, Upper Rio Paraná Basin, Brazil

Melanorivulus nigropunctatus 

Volcan, Klotzel & Lanés, 2017    

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4236.1.4 

Abstract

Two new species of the genus Melanorivulus are herein described from the middle Rio Verde drainage, upper Rio Paraná basin, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Both new species are members of the Melanorivulus pictus clade, diagnosed by having ventral process of angulo-articular vestigial and flanks intense greenish blue or greenish golden to purplish blue above anal fin base in males. Melanorivulus nigropunctatus, new species, from wetlands of a small drainage tributary of right side of the Rio Verde, differs from all other congeners by possessing black dots over the head and body in both sexes and pectoral fin orange with a dark grey margin in males. Melanorivulus ofaie, new species, is found in a similar environment, but at the opposite margin of the Rio Verde. It is distinguished by males presenting flank greenish blue to light blue, with seven to nine oblique chevron-like red bars, ventral portion of head whitish with dark brown spots, dorsal fin yellow with two to three transverse broad red oblique stripes and distal region red, anal fin light orangish yellow, basal area light blue with short red bars and distal portion with a dark red margin, and caudal fin yellow or orangish yellow with three to four vertical red bars in the dorsal and middle portions, sometimes with a orange distal margin. Both new species are considered endangered due to the loss and degradation of their habitat.

Keywords: Pisces, killifish, Cerrado biome, conservation, taxonomy, Neotropical region

Matheus Vieira Volcan, Bruno Klotzel and Luis Esteban Krause Lanés. 2017. Two New Species of Melanorivulus (Cyprinodontiformes: Cynolebiidae) from Rio Verde drainage, Upper Rio Paraná Basin, Brazil.
Zootaxa.  4236(1); 82–94.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4236.1.4

[Entomology • 2017] New Species of the Damselfly Genus Argia (Odonata: Coenagrionidae) from Mexico, Central America and Ecuador with An Emphasis on Costa Rica

Argia elongata 

Garrison & von Ellenrieder, 2017

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4235.1.1 

Abstract

Seven new species of Argia are described, five of which occur in Costa Rica: Argia calverti n. sp. (Holotype ♂, Costa Rica, Cartago Prov., Tapantí Reserve, 1,310 m, 6 vii 1963, F. G. Thompson leg., in FSCA); Argia carolus n. sp. (Holotype ♂, Costa Rica, San José Prov., El Rodeo Biological Reserve, 7 km W of Villa Colón, 9°54' N, 84°16' W, 561 m, 10–13 vii 1990, T. W. Donnelly leg., in FSCA); Argia elongata n. sp. (Holotype ♂, Costa Rica, Cartago Prov., Reventazón river, SE of Turrialba by highway 10, 9°52'56'' N, 83°38'49'' W, 561 m, 10 viii 1979, R. W. & J. A. Garrison leg., in CSCA); Argia haberi n. sp. (Holotype ♂, Costa Rica, San José Prov., Bosque del Tolomuco, km 118 on Pan American highway, in seeps and trickles through brushy pasture on forested hillside, 9°28'18'' N, 83°41'48'' W, 1,710 m, 27 iii 2006, F. Sibley leg., in FSCA); Argia schorri n. sp. (Holotype ♂, Costa Rica, Puntarenas Prov., 2.8 mi E of Golfito, 8°39' N, 83°7' W, 35 m, 4 vii 1967, O. S. Flint, Jr. & M. A. Ortiz B. leg., in USNM), and two which are so far only known from Mexico and Ecuador respectively: Argia rudolphi n. sp. (Holotype ♂, Mexico, Puebla State, Zihuateutla, Sierra de Huauchinango, La Unión, in drainage area, 20°14'25'' N, 97°53'38'' W, 596 m, 21 v 1987, R. Novelo & A. Gómez leg., in CSCA) and Argia schneideri n. sp. (Holotype ♂, Ecuador, Napo Prov., Las Palmas, on Anzu river in Napo river watershed, 11 xii 1936, W. Clark-MacIntyre leg., in UMMZ). All the new species, as well as closely related species needed for diagnosis including A. anceps Garrison, A. cupraurea Calvert, A. cuprea (Hagen), A. extranea (Hagen), A. fissa Selys, A. fulgida Navás, A. oenea Hagen in Selys, A. popoluca Calvert, A. rhoadsi Calvert, and A. westfalli Garrison, are illustrated and diagnosed from their congeners and their known distribution areas are mapped.

Keywords: Odonata, Damselfly, Neotropics, new species, diagnoses, distribution maps

Male of Argia elongata at La Lindora, Monteverde Province, Costa Rica,

photo: William A. Haber 

Rosser W. Garrison and Natalia von Ellenrieder. 2017. New Species of the Damselfly Genus Argia from Mexico, Central America and Ecuador with An Emphasis on Costa Rica (Insecta: Odonata: Coenagrionidae).  Zootaxa. 4235(1); 1–93. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4235.1.1

[Paleontology • 2017] Yehuecauhceratops mudei, A New Ceratopsid Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Coahuila, Mexico • Mexican Ceratopsids: Considerations on their Diversity and Evolution

Yehuecauhceratops mudei 

Rivera-Sylva, Frey, Stinnesbeck, Guzmán-Gutiérrez & González-Gonzáleza, 2017
 

 DOI:  10.1016/j.jsames.2017.01.008  

Abstract

During the past decade, three new endemic taxa of ceratopsian ornithischians have been described from Mexico. Apparently, this group experienced a regional diversification in this area. To date Mexican Ceratopsia are represented by three species, one of which is a centrosaurine and two are chasmosaurines. Here we provide a critical review on Mexican ceratopsians and formally name a new centrosaurine ceratopsid species from the Aguja Formation as Yehuecauhceratops mudei. We also discuss possible causes for the rapid endemic diversification of Mexican ceratopsians.

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Héctor E. Rivera-Sylva, Eberhard Frey, Wolfgang Stinnesbeck, José Rubén Guzmán-Gutiérrez and Arturo H. González-Gonzáleza. 2017. Mexican Ceratopsids: Considerations on their Diversity and Evolution.  Journal of South American Earth Sciences. DOI:  10.1016/j.jsames.2017.01.008

ResearchGate.net/publication/313114304_Mexican_Ceratopsids_Considerations_on_their_Diversity_and_Evolution

twitter.com/MuseodelDesiert/status/830106760102944770

http://www.edomexaldia.com.mx/2016/12/portada-de-national-geographic-es-autoria-de-estudiante-uaem/

[Herpetology • 2010] Cyrtodactylus dumnuii • A New Cave-dwelling Gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

ตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ย, Cyrtodactylus dumnuii 

 Bauer, Kunya, Sumontha, Niyomwan, Pauwels, Chanhome & Kunya, 2010

Abstract

A new cave-dwelling species of Cyrtodactylus is described from Chiang Mai Province in northern Thailand. Cyrtodactylus dumnuii sp. nov. may be distinguished from all other congeners by the possession of a series of enlarged femoral scales, disjunct precloacal and femoral pores in males (minute precloacal pores variably present in females), a relatively high number (18–22) of closely spaced, regularly arranged dorsal tubercle rows, well-defined non-denticulate ventrolateral folds, transversely enlarged subcaudal plates, and a color pattern of approximately six pairs of alternating light and dark transverse bands on the trunk. It is the nineteenth member of the genus recorded from Thailand and the eighth Thai Cyrtodactylus known to be a facultative troglophile.

Keywords: Thailand; Chiang Mai; Reptilia; Gekkonidae; Cyrtodactylus dumnuii; new species; taxonomy; cave-dwelling

Aaron M. Bauer, Kirati Kunya, Montri Sumontha, Piyawan Niyomwan, Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Lawan Chanhome and Tunyakorn Kunya. 2010.

 Cyrtodactylus dumnuii (Squamata: Gekkonidae), A New Cave-dwelling Gecko from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand.
 Zootaxa. 2570: 41–50.   mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/9399

Researchgate.net/publication/233780497_Cyrtodactylus_dumnuii_Squamata_Gekkonidae_A_New_Cave-Dwelling_Gecko_From_Chiang_Mai_Province_Thailand

ตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ย Cyrtodactylus dumnuii (Squamata : Gekkonidae)

ตุ๊กกายถ้ำสายพันธุ์ใหม่ที่พบในจังหวัดเชียงใหม่(2551)

ตุ๊กกายตัวแรกที่ได้ตั้งชื่อให้ ตั้งเป็นเกียรติ กับนายโสภณ ดำนุ้ย ขณะที่ดำรงตำแหน่งผู้อำนวยการองค์การสวนสัตว์ในพระบรมราชูปถัมภ์

ค้นพบตุ๊กกายสายพันธุ์ใหม่ในสกุล Cyrtodactylusที่จังหวัดเชียงใหม่ สามารถแยกตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ย (Cyrtodactylus dumnuii sp. nov.) จากตุ๊กแกในชั้นเดียวกันโดย การมีเกล็ดขา (femoral scales) ขนาดใหญ่ การมีรูเปิดหน้าทวารร่วม (precloacal pore) และรูเปิดขาพับใน (femoral pore) ที่ไม่ต่อกันในเพศผู้ (สามารถพบรูเปิดหน้าทวารร่วม (precloacal pore) ขนาดเล็กได้บ้างในเพศเมีย) แนวปุ่มนูนกลางหลัง (dorsal tubercle) เรียงชิดกันอย่างเป็นระเบียบจำนวนมาก (18-22) รอยพับข้างลำตัว (ventrolateral folds) ชัดเจน subcaudal platesขยายขนาดในแนวข้าง และลายแถบขวางบริเวณช่วงลำตัว (trunk) สลับสีอ่อนเข้มจำนวน 6คู่ ตุ๊กกายดำนุ้ยเป็นตุ๊กกายในสกุล Cyrtodactylus ชนิดที่ 19 ที่พบในประเทศไทย และเป็นตุ๊กกายไทยชนิดที่ 8ในกลุ่มตุ๊กกายที่อาศัยอยู่ในถ้ำ (facultative troglophile)

Key words:Thailand, Chiang Mai, Reptilia, Gekkonidae, Cyrtodactylus dumnuii, new species, taxonomy, cave-dwelling

สกุล Cyrtodactylus Gray เป็นสกุลที่มีจำนวนชนิดของตุ๊กกายมากที่สุดในวงศ์ตุ๊กแก โดยมีประมาณ 120 ชนิด ประมาณครึ่งหนึ่งของสกุลนี้ถูกค้นพบในทศวรรษที่ผ่านมา (Uetz 2010) แหล่งที่มีการค้นพบมากที่สุดอยู่ในแถบเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ ตัวอย่างเช่น การศึกษาในประเทศเวียดนาม ได้มีการค้นพบตุ๊กกายทั้งหมด 19 ชนิด ซึ่งส่วนใหญ่เป็นสัตว์ท้องถิ่น และส่วนมากพบในเขตหินปูน หรือตามถ้ำหินปูน (e.g., Nazarov et al. 2008; Ngo 2008; Ngo & Bauer 2008; Ngo et al. 2008; Ziegler et al. 2010 และอ้างอิงอื่นๆที่มีการกล่าวถึง) ในประเทศไทย Baueret al.(2002) ค้นพบ Cyrtodactylus จำนวนทั้งสิ้น 13ชนิด อีก 5ชนิดได้มีการค้นพบในพื้นที่ต่างๆทั่วประเทศในเวลาต่อมา (Baueret al.2003; Pauwels et al. 2004; Baueret al. 2009; Sumontha et al. 2010) ซึ่งหลายชนิดมาจากถ้ำหินปูน (Sumontha et al. 2010) ในครั้งนี้จะทำการอธิบายลักษณะของตุ๊กกายชนิดใหม่ที่ค้นพบในถ้ำหินปูนในจังหวัดเชียงใหม่

กีรติ กันยาและมนตรี สุมณฑา

http://www.zoothailand.org/index.php/site/Article/617

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[Crustacea • 2017] Diyutamon cereum • A New Genus and New Species of Potamidae (Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamoidae), the First Stygomorphic Cave Crab Known from China and East Asia

Diyutamon cereum  

Huang, Shih & Ng, 2017 

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4232.1.5 

Diyutamon cereum 

 tweets.seraph.me/user/mshuangchao/2245250241

Abstract

A new genus and species of freshwater crab, Diyutamon cereum n. gen., n. sp., is described from a cave in Guizhou, China. This is the first record of a true stygomorphic crab from China and East Asia, possessing pale body coloration, strongly reduced eyes, and long ambulatory legs. While superficially similar to Chinapotamon Dai & Naiyanetr, 1994, and Tiwaripotamon Bott, 1970, the new genus possesses a diagnostic combination of carapace, ambulatory leg, thoracic sternal, and male abdominal characters that easily distinguishes it from other genera. Molecular data derived from the mitochondrial 16S rDNA supports the establishment of the new genus.

Keywords: Crustacea, Diyutamon cereum, new genus, new species, caves, stygobite, 16S rDNA

tweets.seraph.me/user/mshuangchao/2245250241

Chao Huang, Hsi-Te Shih and Peter K. L. Ng. 2017. A New Genus and New Species of Potamidae (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Potamoidae), the First Stygomorphic Cave Crab Known from China and East Asia.

  Zootaxa. 4232(1); 71–84. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4232.1.5

[Ichthyology • 2017] Astyanax brucutu • A New Remarkable and Critically Endangered Species of Astyanax Baird & Girard (Characiformes: Characidae) from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil, with A Discussion on Durophagy in the Characiformes

Astyanax brucutu 

 Zanata, Lima, Dario & Gerhard, 2017

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.4.2 

Abstract

Astyanax brucutu is described from the rio Pratinha, rio Paraguaçu basin, Bahia, Brazil. The new species is promptly distinguished from other characids by having four, rarely three, robust, rounded, and usualy tricuspid teeth on inner premaxillary series and similar teeth on dentary. The species is furthermore characterized by a series of unusual character states in the Characidae, including head blunt in lateral and dorsal views, longitudinal foreshortening of lower jaw, ventral margin of third infraorbital distinctly separated from horizontal limb of preopercle, leaving a broad area without superficial bones, mesethmoid anteroventrally expanded, and adductor mandibulae and primordial ligament remarkably developed. Analysis of gut contents of adults revealed the almost exclusive presence of crushed shells of tiny gastropods of the family Hydrobiidae. The robust anatomy of jaws, teeth, muscles and associated ligaments are likely adaptations to durophagy, a feeding strategy unusual among characids. Astyanax brucutu is known only from its type locality, an approximately 670 m long, transparent and isolated perennial epigean watercourse surrounded by subterranean or intermittent rivers. The distinctive combination of environmental features characterizing the area of occurrence of the new species is not observed elsewhere in the basin or adjacent basins. A series of severe anthropogenic impacts, associated with the restricted geographic range of the species, implies that A. brucutu should be regarded as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN Red List Criteria.

Keywords: Pisces, Neotropical fish, taxonomy, rio Paraguaçu, Dentition, Conservation

Astyanax brucutu  Zanata, Lima, Dario & Gerhard, 2017

paratype, UFBA 8095, not measured, collected with holotype and photographed alive.

Etymology. The specific epithet “brucutu” is a Portuguese adjective, meaning a strong and rough person, in reference to the blunt and massive general aspect of the anterior portion of the cranium and lower jaw of the new species. A name in apposition. 

....

Angela M. Zanata, Flávio C.T. Lima, Fabio di Dario and Pedro Gerhard. 2017. A New Remarkable and Critically Endangered Species of Astyanax Baird & Girard (Characiformes: Characidae) from Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil, with A Discussion on Durophagy in the Characiformes. Zootaxa.  4232(4); 491–510. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4232.4.2