[Fungi • 2018] Gymnopus nidus-avis • A New Gymnopus Species with Rhizomorphs and Its Record as Nesting Material by Birds (Tyrannidae) in the Subtropical Cloud Forest from eastern Mexico

Gymnopus nidus-avis César, Bandala & Montoya

in César, Bandala, Montoya  & Ramos, 2018. 

  DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.42.28894 

Abstract

A new species of Gymnopus is described on the basis of collections from the subtropical cloud forest of eastern Mexico. Macro- and micromorphological characters, in combination with ITS sequences obtained from fruit body tissues, were used for its taxonomic circumscription. Basidiomata of this species were found growing scattered on fallen twigs of Quercus and also developing abundant long, black, wiry rhizomorphs. The authors discovered that these latter are used as part of nesting material by Mionectes oleaginous (Tyrannidae) inhabiting the subtropical cloud forest studied. A macro- and microscopical description as well as a discussion and illustrations are provided. A new combination in Gymnopus is proposed for Marasmius westii, a synonym of Marasmius brevipes.

Keywords: Marasmioid fungi, Neotropical fungi, nesting biology, Omphalotaceae

Figure 2. Gymnopus nidus-avis: basidiomata (César 36, holotype).

Scale bar: 4 mm 

Gymnopus nidus-avis César, Bandala & Montoya, sp. nov.

Holotype: MEXICO. Veracruz: Municipality of Xalapa, Santuario del Bosque de Niebla, Instituto de Ecología A.C., 1343 m a.s.l., gregarious, on fallen twigs of Quercus, 20 April 2016, Cesar 36 (XAL).

Diagnosis: Pileus pale brown to brown. Lamellae adnexed, distant, very pale brown. Basidiospores ellipsoid to subcylindrical. Basidia 2–4-spored, narrowly clavate. Cheilocystidia 20–39 × 3–8 µm, irregularly cylindrical, with constrictions and small lateral appendages. Pileipellis hyphae with colourless incrustations; terminal elements appendiculate. Pileus and lamellar tissues clampless.

...

Etymology: Referring to the use of rhizomorphs as nesting material by birds.

 Enrique César, Victor M. Bandala, Leticia Montoya and Antero Ramos. 2018. A New Gymnopus Species with Rhizomorphs and Its Record as Nesting Material by Birds (Tyrannidae) in the Subtropical Cloud Forest from eastern Mexico. MycoKeys. 42: 21-34.  DOI: 10.3897/mycokeys.42.28894

[Cnidaria • 2018] Alaskagorgia splendicitrina • An Unusual New Gorgonian (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Plexauridae) from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska

Alaskagorgia splendicitrina

Horvath & Stone, 2018

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4524.1.8 

Abstract
An unusual new species of plexaurid octocoral, Alaskagorgia splendicitrina, is described from a specimen collected in the far west Aleutian Island Archipelago, Alaska, USA. Unusual features that separate it from its only congener include: the vibrant yellow color of the live colony and an arborescent growth form with numerous coiling and twisting branches, the pale yellow color of the sclerites and the lack of small and densely warted double-headed sclerites. The new species is represented by only a single specimen despite extensive sampling in the region during the past several decades; the speculation is that it radiated from the much less explored region to the west.

Keywords: Coelenterata, Taxonomy, new species, cold-water coral, subarctic, Aleutian Islands

Holotype of Alaskagorgia splendicitrina n. sp. Whole, live colony upon collection. 

Taxonomy 

Class Octocorallia
Suborder Holaxonia
Family Plexauridae Gray, 1859

 Genus Alaskagorgia Sánchez and Cairns, 2004

Alaskagorgia splendicitrina sp. nov.

Etymology. The species designation is derived from the Latin word for “bright” or “vibrant” (=splendius) and the Latin for “lemon-yellow” (=citrina).
 Common name. Lemon-yellow Squat Gorgonian.

Type locality. Stalemate Bank, western Aleutian Islands, .... 184 m.


Elizabeth A. Horvath and Robert P. Stone. 2018. Another Unusual New Gorgonian (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Plexauridae) from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. Zootaxa. 4524(1); 112–120. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4524.1.8

[Botany • 2018] Leoheo domatiophorus • Enlarging the Monotypic Monocarpieae (Annonaceae, Malmeoideae): Recognition of A Second Genus from Vietnam informed by Morphology and Molecular Phylogenetics

 Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le

in Chaowasku, Damthongdee, Jongsook, et al., 2018. 

Lèo Heo ||  DOI: 10.15553/c2018v732a11 

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Recent botanical expeditions in central Vietnam yielded an unknown species of Annonaceae that could not be confidently identified to subfamily, tribe, and genus. Preliminary BLAST® searches based on plastid data have suggested that this taxon is genetically closely-related to the following tribes of subfamily Malmeoideae: Malmeeae, Fenerivieae, Maasieae, Phoenicantheae, Dendrokingstonieae, Monocarpieae, and Miliuseae. Using representatives of Piptostigmateae, another tribe of Malmeoideae, as outgroups and including representatives of all other tribes of Malmeoideae, molecular phylogenetic analyses of seven combined plastid markers (rbcL, matK, ndhF, ycf1 exons; trnL intron; trnL-trnF, psbA-trnH intergenic spacers) inferred the enigmatic Vietnamese taxon as belonging to the monotypic tribe Monocarpieae. Detailed morphological comparisons between this taxon and its sister group, Monocarpia Miq., warranted the recognition of a second genus of Monocarpieae to accommodate our unknown taxon: Leoheo Chaowasku with a single species, Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le. The morphology of the new genus agrees well with the diagnostic traits of Monocarpieae, e.g., a percurrent tertiary venation of the leaves, a highly reduced number of carpels per flower, enlarged and lobed stigmas, multiple ovules/seeds per ovary/monocarp, considerably large monocarps with a hardened pericarp when dry, and spiniform ruminations of the endosperm. However, the new genus does not exhibit two characteristic features of Monocarpia: terminal inflorescences and generally distinct intramarginal leaf veins. In addition, the new genus possesses three autapomorphic characters: hairy domatia on the lower leaf surface, longitudinal ridges on the monocarp surface, and subsessile monocarps with a stout stipe. The tribe Monocarpieae is consequently enlarged to include the genus Leoheo. The enlarged Monocarpieae, along with the recently established monotypic tribe Phoenicantheae and two other related tribes, Dendrokingstonieae and Miliuseae, are discussed.

Keywords: ANNONACEAE, Monocarpieae, Leoheo, Vietnam, Molecular phylogeny, New genus, New species, Taxonomy

Fig. 5. – Reproductive organs of Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le:
A. Flower with petals and stamens removed; B. Flower with petals, stamens, and carpels removed, back view, showing outer side of sepals; C. Same as (B), but on another side, showing a volcano-shaped torus and inner side of sepals; D. Inner side of an outer petal; E. Outer side of an outer petal; F. Inner side of an inner petal; G. Outer side of an inner petal; H. Stamen, abaxial side; I. Stamen, adaxial side; J. Carpels, showing enlarged and irregularly lobed stigmas; K. Fruit, showing longitudinal ridges on monocarp surface; L. Seed, lateral view, showing a raphe; M. Seed, lateral view, showing a pitted and slightly rugose surface; N. Cross section of a seed, showing spiniform endosperm ruminations.

 [A–J: HUAF collectors 2009-03-19-ND, CMUB; K: Chaowasku 131, CMUB; L–N: Chaowasku 165, CMUB] 

[Drawing: A. Damthongdee]

Fig. 6. – Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le, showing habit with inflorescences and flowers. [HUAF collectors 2009-03-19-ND,CMUB] [Drawing: A. Damthongdee]

Taxonomy

 Leoheo Chaowasku, gen. nov. 

Typus: Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le. 

Etymology. – The generic epithet Leoheo is from the local Vietnamese name of “Lèo Heo” for this plant and is designated as a masculine noun of nominative singular in third declension with genitive singular “Leoheonis”.

 C–H: Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le; 
C. Leaf without intramarginal veins; D. Fruit, showing monocarps with longitudinal ridges; E. Flowering branches; F. Dissected flower and young fruit; G. Dissected flower, showing detached stamens and stigmas; H. Flower, showing enlarged and irregularly lobed stigmas.

[C–D: Chaowasku 131, CMUB; E–H: HUAF collectors 2009-03-19-ND, CMUB]

 [Photos: A: Arbainsyah; B: S. Gardner & P. Sidisunthorn; C–H: D.T. Ngo]

Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le. 

Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le, spec. nova 

 Holotypus: Vietnam. Prov. Thua Thien-Hue: Nam Đông Distr., ... (CMUB!; iso-: G!, P!). 

Leoheo domatiophorus Chaowasku, D.T. Ngo & H.T. Le differs from species of the genus Monocarpia Miq. by the lack of intramarginal leaf veins and by having axillary inflorescences, leaf domatia, longitudinal ridges on the monocarp surface, and subsessile monocarps with a stout stipe.

Etymology. – The specific epithet domatiophorus is a masculine adjective in first and second declensions, referring to “domatia” on the lower leaf surface.

  

Tanawat Chaowasku, Anissara Damthongdee, Hathaichanok Jongsook, Dung T. Ngo, Hung T. Le, Duc M. Tran and Somran Suddee. 2018.  Enlarging the Monotypic Monocarpieae (Annonaceae, Malmeoideae): Recognition of A Second Genus from Vietnam informed by Morphology and Molecular Phylogenetics. Candollea. 73(2);  261–275. DOI: 10.15553/c2018v732a11

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[Herpetology • 2018] Three More New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Salween Basin of eastern Myanmar underscore the Urgent Need for the Conservation of Karst Habitats; Cyrtodactylus bayinnyiensis, C. chaunghanakwaensis & C. naungkayaingensis

Cyrtodactylus chaunghanakwaensis  

Grismer, Wood, Thura, Quah, Murdoch, et al., 2018. 

 DOI:  10.1080/00222933.2018.1449911

 fauna-flora.org

ABSTRACT

An integrative phylogenetic taxonomic analysis recovers three additional new species of karst-associated Cyrtodactylus Gray (Squamata: Gekkonidae) – Cyrtodactylus bayinnyiensis sp. nov., C. chaunghanakwaensis sp. nov. and C. naungkayaingensis sp. nov. – from a narrow zone in the Salween Basin of Kayin and Mon states in eastern Myanmar from which nine new species were recently described. This degree of unprecedented diversity and site-specific endemism will no doubt continue to rise when at least 44 unsurveyed karstic habitat-islands in this same area are also explored. These data indicate that karst habitats not only serve as foci for speciation, but their rugged terrain spares them from agricultural development and, as such, they are the only habitats in the Salween Basin wherein much of the pre-agricultural herpetofauna can survive. This continues to underscore the fact that karst habitats in Myanmar harbour a significant portion of that country’s herpetofauna, some of which remains undescribed. Despite eastern Myanmar constituting some of the most extensive karstic regions in South-east Asia, they are the least legally protected, with only 1% of their terrain recognised as vulnerable. Until karst habitats in Myanmar are thoroughly investigated, a significant portion of this country’s herpetological diversity will remain underestimated and unprotected. Therefore, issues associated with karst conservation and management in Myanmar should be elevated to a new level of urgency.

KEYWORDS: Cyrtodactylus, conservation, karst habitats, Myanmar, Salween Basin, new species, phylogenetic taxonomy

Cyrtodactylus bayinnyiensis sp. nov. 

Bayin Nyi Cave bent-toed gecko

Distribution: Cyrtodactylus bayinnyiensis sp. nov. is known only from ..., Hpa-an District, Mon State, Myanmar.

Etymology: The specific epithet, bayinnyiensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Bayin Nyi Cave.

Adult female paratype of Cyrtodactylus chaunghanakwaensis sp. nov. (LSUHC 13299) from Chaunghanakwa Hill, Mawlamyine District, Mon State, Myanmar.  

Chaunghanakwa Hill, Mawlamyine District, Mon State, Myanmar

Cyrtodactylus chaunghanakwaensis sp. nov. 

Chaunghanakwa Hill bent-toed gecko

Distribution: Cyrtodactylus chaunghanakwaensis sp. nov. is known only from ..., Mawlamyine District, Mon State, Myanmar. 

Etymology: The specific epithet, chaunghanakwaensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Chaunghahakwa Hill.

Cyrtodactylus naungkayaingensis sp. nov. 

Naung Ka Yaing Hill bent-toed gecko

Distribution: Cyrtodactylus naungkayaingensis sp. nov. is known only from ..., Hpa-an District, Mon State, Myanmar. 

Etymology: The specific epithet, naungkayaingensis, is a noun in apposition in reference to the type locality of Naung Ka Yaing Hill.

L. Lee Grismer, Perry L. Wood Jr., Myint Kyaw Thura, Evan S.H. Quah, Matthew L. Murdoch, Marta S. Grismer, Mark W. Herr, Aung Lin and Htet Kyaw. 2018. Three More New Species of Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Salween Basin of eastern Myanmar underscore the Urgent Need for the Conservation of Karst Habitats. Journal of Natural History. 52(19-20); 1243-1294. DOI:  10.1080/00222933.2018.1449911

 ResearchGate.net/publication/324713009_Three_more_new_species_of_Cyrtodactylus_from_the_Salween_Basin_of_eastern_Myanmar

Geckos galore – Myanmar’s lizard bonanza yields record numbers of new species

  fauna-flora.org/news/geckos-galore-myanmars-lizard-bonanza-yields-staggering-numbers-new-species  

[Entomology • 2018] New Data on the Iberian Endemic Bee Genus Flavipanurgus Warncke (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Andrenidae): Ecological and Genomic Data reveal A Hidden Species

Flavipanurgus ibericus (Warncke, 1972)

in Cross & Wood, 2018. 

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.5 

Abstract

Flavipanurgus is a small genus of panurgine bees known only from the Iberian Peninsula. Despite its status as one of the few bee genera endemic to Europe, Flavipanurgus are poorly represented in collections and until recently, their ecology had been almost unknown. Flavipanurgus ibericus (Warncke, 1972) was described from southern Iberia, with a northern subspecies F. i. kastiliensis (Warncke, 1987) later described from the north. Recent collections in Portugal have revealed clear differences in the pollen collecting patterns of the two taxa, with southern females collecting exclusively from Jasione montana and northern females from Sedum species. In combination with this ecological difference, COI and 28S barcode data indicate that Flavipanurgus kastiliensis stat. nov. should be raised to full species status. The male of Flavipanurgus ibericus s. str. is described for the first time, and updated keys to Flavipanurgus species are provided. Flavipanurgus fuzetus Patiny, 1999 is recorded for the first time from Spain. Further significant records and new floral associations for Flavipanurgus are also presented.

Keywords: Hymenoptera, DNA barcoding, host plant choice, identification key, oligolecty, taxonomy

 Ian Cross and Thomas J. Wood. 2018. New Data on the Iberian Endemic Bee Genus Flavipanurgus Warncke (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Andrenidae): Ecological and Genomic Data reveal A Hidden Species. Zootaxa. 4521(4); 563–572. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4521.4.5

[Paleontology • 2019] Lisowicia bojani • An Elephant-sized Late Triassic Synapsid with Erect Limbs

Lisowicia bojani 

Sulej & Niedźwiedzki, 2018

 DOI:  10.1126/science.aal4853 

Abstract

Here, we describe the dicynodont Lisowicia bojani, from the Late Triassic of Poland, a gigantic synapsid with seemingly upright subcursorial limbs that reached an estimated length of more than 4.5 meters, height of 2.6 meters, and body mass of 9 tons. Lisowicia is the youngest undisputed dicynodont and the largest nondinosaurian terrestrial tetrapod from the Triassic. The lack of lines of arrested growth and the highly remodeled cortex of its limb bones suggest permanently rapid growth and recalls that of dinosaurs and mammals. The discovery of Lisowicia overturns the established picture of the Triassic megaherbivore radiation as a phenomenon restricted to dinosaurs and shows that stem-group mammals were capable of reaching body sizes that were not attained again in mammalian evolution until the latest Eocene.

Illustration: Julius Csotonyi 

Lisowicia bojani gen. et sp. nov., hind limb elements (femur, fibula, tibia) preserved in situ, upper bone-bearing interval, Lipie Śląskie clay-pit at Lisowice.

Artistic reconstruction of Lisowicia bojani, front view.

Illustration: Karolina Suchan-Okulska

Systematic paleontology

 Synapsida Osborn, 1903 

Therapsida Broom, 1905 

Anomodontia Owen, 1860 

Dicynodontia Owen, 1860 

Placeriinae King, 1988 

Lisowicia gen. nov. 

Type species. Lisowicia bojani sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The dicynodont differs from all other dicynodonts as it possesses the following unique combination of character states, visible in the holotype (ZPAL V.33/96, left humerus): 1) the humerus has a narrower entepicondyle in comparison with other dicynodonts (autapomorphy); 2) the entepicondylar foramen of the humerus is absent (autapomorphy); 3) the supinator process is longer (it is 31% of the total humerus length) than in other dicynodonts. 

Lisowicia bojani sp. nov. 

Etymology. Lisowicia, from the name of the village Lisowice where the bones were found; bojani, in honor of Ludwig Heinrich Bojanus (1776–1827), comparative anatomist and paleontologist.

Age. Late Norian-earliest Rhaetian, Late Triassic.

....

Tomasz Sulej and Grzegorz Niedźwiedzki. 2018. An Elephant-sized Late Triassic Synapsid with Erect Limbs. Science. 363(6422); 78-80.  DOI:  10.1126/science.aal4853

Scientists find remains of huge ancient herbivore phys.org/news/2018-11-scientists-huge-ancient-herbivore.html via @physorg_com

[Herpetology • 2019] Diversification of Shrub Frogs (Rhacophoridae, Pseudophilautus) in Sri Lanka – Timing and Geographic Context

in Meegaskumbura, Senevirathne, Manamendra-Arachchi, et al., 2019. 

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.11.004 

Highlights

• Pseudophilautus diversification, begins during Oligocene (31 MYA)

• A stately pace of lineage accumulation despite orogeny and climate change.

• Assemblages in most regions comprise of species arising from diverse clades.

• MRCA of a back-migrating clade to India (8.8 MYA), reconstructs as a lowland form.

 • Island’s mountains serve as species pumps and refuges for Pseudophilautus evolution.

Abstract

Pseudophilautus comprises an endemic diversification predominantly associated with the wet tropical regions of Sri Lanka that provides an opportunity to examine the effects of geography and historical climate change on diversification. Using a time-calibrated multi-gene phylogeny, we analyze the tempo of diversification in the context of past climate and geography to identify historical drivers of current patterns of diversity and distribution. Molecular dating suggests that the diversification was seeded by migration across a land-bridge connection from India during a period of climatic cooling and drying, the Oi-1 glacial maximum around the Eocene-Oligocene boundary. Lineage-through-time plots suggest a gradual and constant rate of diversification, beginning in the Oligocene and extending through the late Miocene and early Pliocene with a slight burst in the Pleistocene. There is no indication of an early-burst phase of diversification characteristic of many adaptive radiations, nor were there bursts of diversification associated with favorable climate shifts such as the intensification of monsoons. However, a late Miocene (8.8 MYA) back-migration to India occurred following the establishment of the monsoon. The back migration, however, did not trigger a diversification in India similar to that manifest in Sri Lanka, likely due to occupation of available habitat, and consequent lack of ecological opportunity, by the earlier radiation of a sister lineage of frogs (Raorchestes) with similar ecology. Phylogenetic area reconstructions show a pattern of sister species distributed across adjacent mountain ranges or from different parts of large montane regions, highlighting the importance of isolation and allopatric speciation. Hence, local species communities are composed of species from disparate clades that, in most cases, have been assembled through migration rather than in situ speciation. Lowland lineages are derived from montane lineages. Thus, the hills of Sri Lanka acted as species pumps as well as refuges throughout the 31 million years of evolution, highlighting the importance of tropical montane regions for both the generation and maintenance of biodiversity.

Keywords: Ancestral-area reconstruction, Biogeography, Ecological opportunity, Diversification, Molecular dating, Speciation

 Madhava Meegaskumbura, Gayani Senevirathne, Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, Rohan Pethiyagoda, James Hanken and Christopher J. Schneider. 2019. Diversification of Shrub Frogs (Rhacophoridae, Pseudophilautus) in Sri Lanka – Timing and Geographic context. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.11.004

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[Ichthyology • 2018] Spatuloricaria terracanticum • A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia

Spatuloricaria terracanticum 

Londoño-Burbano, Urbano-Bonilla, Rojas-Molina, Ramírez-Gil, & Prada-Pedreros, 2018

DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087 
 twitter.com/ASIHCopeia

A new species of Spatuloricaria is described from the Orinoco River basin, Colombia. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following characters: a broad, dark brown stripe on the first pre-dorsal plate, which occupies the entire plate, reaching the preopercle, and sometimes reaching the second pre-dorsal plate; the possession of a small group of plates posterior to the urogenital pore; the abdominal surface with scattered, very small plates leaving naked areas; the possession of five transverse dark brown bands on the dorsal region; and four to five premaxillary teeth. The new species is the first valid species of Spatuloricaria distributed in the Orinoco River basin. Ecological notes of the species and comments regarding the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships of the genus are offered.

Fig. 2. Spatuloricaria terracanticum, coloration in life; MPUJ 13401, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, Guayuriba River, tributary to the upper Meta River, Orinoco basin.

Photograph by A. Ortega-Lara. 

Spatuloricaria terracanticum, new species

Spatuloricaria sp.—Urbano-Bonilla et al., 2018:74 [listed; included in identification key for Loricariidae genera and species of the Cusiana River, Orinoco River basin].

Etymology.—The specific epithet is from the latin terra [earth] and canticum [song]. It is dedicated to the Llanos work songs (cantos de vaquería). Its origin dates back to the 16th century and has been transferred from generation to generation in the Llanos region of Colombia and Venezuela. Sung a cappella, melodies reflect the feeling and the close relationship of the llanero with their myths, beliefs, nature, climate, and animals. Although these songs have been gradually lost within modern society due to economic, political, and social causes, UNESCO has declared them as intangible cultural heritage of humanity

Alejandro Londoño-Burbano, Alexander Urbano-Bonilla, Yecid Rojas-Molina, Hernando Ramírez-Gil, and Saúl Prada-Pedreros. 2018. A New Species of Spatuloricaria Schultz, 1944 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), from the Orinoco River Basin, Colombia. Copeia. 106(4); 611-621. DOI: 10.1643/CI-18-087   

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Una nueva especie de Spatuloricaria, proveniente del río Orinoco, Colombia, es descrita. La nueva especie se distingue de sus congéneres por los siguientes caracteres: una banda transversal ancha en la primera placa predorsal, la cual ocupa toda la placa y el preopérculo, alcanzado algunas veces la segunda placa predorsal; un grupo de pequeñas placas posterior al poro urogenital; abdomen cubierto por placas pequeñas y dispersas, las cuales dejan áreas desnudas; presencia de cinco bandas transversales marrón oscuro en la región dorsal; y cuatro a cinco dientes en el premaxilar. La nueva especie es la primera especie válida de Spatuloricaria distribuida en la cuenca del río Orinoco. Se presentan notas ecológicas de la especie, y comentarios con relación a la taxonomía y relaciones filogenéticas del género.

[Botany • 2018] Utricularia biceps (Lentibulariaceae) • A New Carnivorous Species Endemic to the Campos Rupestres of Brazil

Utricularia biceps Gonella & Baleeiro

in Gonella & Baleeiro, 2018.

 DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.376.5.4 

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Abstract

Utricularia biceps (Lentibulariaceae), a new species belonging to U. sect. Foliosa, is here described and illustrated. This new species is endemic to the campos rupestres of eastern Brazil, an extremely biodiverse and endangered vegetation. Notes on phenology, ecology, habitat, and conservation are provided, along with a discussion on the features that distinguish this species from the other taxa of the genus. The recent discovery of this and many other new species in the Botumirim region, in northern Minas Gerais, highlight this area as a priority for biodiversity conservation and emphasize the importance of extensive studies on the flora of the region.

Keywords: carnivorous plants, conservation, Lamiales, taxonomy, Eudicots

Paulo Minatel Gonella and Paulo César Baleeiro. 2018. Utricularia biceps (Lentibulariaceae), A New Carnivorous Species Endemic to the Campos Rupestres of Brazil. Phytotaxa. 376(5);  214–222. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.376.5.4

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[Arachnida • 2018] Systematics of the Australian Spiny Trapdoor Spiders of the Genus Blakistonia Hogg (Araneae: Idiopidae)

Blakistonia sp.

in Harrison, Rix, Harvey & Austin, 2018

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4518.1.1

Abstract

A combined molecular and morphological approach was used to revise the Australian spiny trapdoor spiders of the genus Blakistonia Hogg. Where possible, our molecular approach used sequence data from the COI barcoding gene, which were analysed using Bayesian, RAxML and neighbour-joining approaches. These molecular data were combined with morphology to describe and diagnose the genus, to redescribe the type (and only previously valid) species, B. aurea Hogg, 1902, and to diagnose, describe and map 19 new species: Blakistonia bassi sp. n., B. bella sp. n., B. birksi sp. n., B. carnarvon sp. n., B. emmottiorum sp. n., B. gemmelli sp. n., B. hortoni sp. n., B. mainae sp. n., B. maryae sp. n., B. newtoni sp. n., B. nullarborensis sp. n., B. olea sp. n., B. parva sp. n., B. pidax sp. n., B. plata sp. n., B. raveni sp. n., B. tariae sp. n., B. tunstilli sp. n., and B. wingellina sp. n. The genus Blakistonia is found to be distributed throughout the Australian arid and semi-arid zones, from the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia to central Queensland and western Victoria.

Keywords: Araneae, taxonomy, morphology, arid zone, Arbanitinae, Arbanitini

 Sophie E. Harrison, Michael G. Rix, Mark S. Harvey and Andrew D. Austin. 2018. Systematics of the Australian Spiny Trapdoor Spiders of the Genus Blakistonia Hogg (Araneae: Idiopidae). Zootaxa.  4518(1); 1–76.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4518.1.1

[Botany • 2018] Splitting Echinocactus: Morphological and Molecular Evidence support the Recognition of Homalocephala as A Distinct Genus in the Cacteae

Figure 1. A Echinocactus platyacanthus from Querétaro B E. horizonthalonius from Chihuahua C Homalocephala texensis from Chihuahua D H. parryi from Chihuahua E H. polycephala subsp. polycephala from Sonora F Kroenleinia grusonii from Querétaro. Line bar in fruit photographs is 1 mm.

in Vargas-Luna, Hernández-Ledesma, Majure, et al., 2018.

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.111.26856

Abstract

Molecular phylogenetic studies of the six currently accepted species in the genus Echinocactus have partially clarified certain aspects of its phylogeny. Most of the studies lack a complete sampling of Echinocactus and are based only in one source of data. Phylogenetic uncertainties in Echinocactus, such as the recognition of Homalocephala as a different genus from Echinocactus, the exclusion of E. grusonii or the affinities of E. polycephalus, are here resolved. Phylogenetic relationships of Echinocactus were reconstructed with a maximum parsimony, a maximum likelihood and a Bayesian approach including 42 morphological characters, four chloroplast markers (atpB-rbcL, trnH-psbA, trnL-trnF and trnK/matK) and two nuclear genes. The utility of these two nuclear regions related to the betalain cycles (DODA and 5GT) are explored and discussed in relation to their potential as phylogenetic markers. Concatenated analyses with morphological and molecular data sets, plus 13 indels (2847 characters and 26 taxa), show general agreement with previous independent phylogenetic proposals but with strong support in order to propose the recognition of a reduced Echinocactus and the recognition of Homalocephala at the generic level. These results recovered a polyphyletic Echinocactus as currently defined. The here-named HEA clade, recovers the species of Homalocephala, Echinocacuts and Astrophytum as a monophyletic group with strong internal support. The Homalocephala (H. texensis, H. parryi and H. polycephala), was recovered as sister to the Echinocactus clade (E. platyacanthus and E. horizonthalonius), plus the Astrophytum clade. Consequently, we propose here to recognise a monophyletic Echinocactus and a monophyletic Homalocephala as two distinct genera with their own molecular and morphological synapomorphies. The evolution of some morphological characters supporting these clades are discussed, the necessary new taxonomic combinations for Homalocephala are proposed and an identification key for the genera, the species and the subspecies of the HEA clade are presented.

Keywords: Cactaceae, HEA clade, morphological character evolution, North American Deserts

Figure 1. A Echinocactus platyacanthus from Querétaro B E. horizonthalonius from Chihuahua C Homalocephala texensis from Chihuahua D H. parryi from Chihuahua E H. polycephala subsp. polycephala from Sonora F Kroenleinia grusonii from Querétaro. Line bar in fruit photographs is 1 mm.

Conclusions: 

This is the first phylogenetic study that has evaluated and combined molecular data from chloroplast and nuclear genomes with morphology to test the monophyly of all species and subspecies of Echinocactus currently accepted. Here we reinforce the proposal of excluding Echinocactus grusonii from the genus. Nevertheless, the recognition of Kroenleinia grusonii must be deeply evaluated since phylogenetic relationships of the Ferocactus clade (including K. grusonii, Leuchtenbergia, Stenocactus, Thelocactus and Glandulicactus) are still unresolved. The well-known HEA clade was recovered as monophyletic with strong support. This clade is morphologically and molecularly well defined, suggesting its taxonomic recognition. Our results also support the proposal that Echinocactus, as currently accepted (excluding K. grusonii), should be considered as two independent lineages, the Homalocephala and the Echinocactus clades, each one with its own molecular and morphological diagnostic characters, and each one representing different genera. In this study, all of the analyses recovered E. polycephalus within the Homalocephala clade, supporting its inclusion in this taxon. Here we present the new taxonomic combinations for the species of Homalocephala and an identification key for the genera of the HEA clade and for all of their species and subspecies.

Homalocephala parryi (Engelm.) Vargas & Bárcenas, comb. nov.

Homalocephala polycephala (Engelm. & J.M. Bigelow) Vargas & Bárcenas, comb. nov.

Homalocephala polycephala subsp. xeranthemoides (J.M. Coult.) Vargas & Bárcenas, comb. nov.

 Mario Daniel Vargas-Luna, Patricia Hernández-Ledesma, Lucas Charles Majure, Raúl Puente-Martínez, Héctor Manuel Hernández Macías and Rolando Tenoch Bárcenas Luna. 2018. Splitting Echinocactus: Morphological and Molecular Evidence support the Recognition of Homalocephala as A Distinct Genus in the Cacteae.  PhytoKeys. 111: 31-59.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.111.26856

[Herpetology • 2018] Cryptic Diversity within the Megophrys major Species Group (Megophryidae) of the Asian Horned Frogs: Phylogenetic Perspectives and A Taxonomic Revision of South Asian Taxa, with Descriptions of Four New Species

Megophrys himalayana 

Mahony, Kamei, Teeling & Biju, 2018

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4523.1.1 

 instagram.com/FrogsIndia

 Abstract

The Megophrys major species group (MMSG) is composed of typically medium to large sized frogs. Within the genus, it is the most geographically widespread clade ranging from the western Himalayas to southern Indochina. In this study, we examined in detail the extent of cryptic diversity within the MMSG-Indian populations based on molecular data (up to ten genes) using multigene concatenation and coalescent-based phylogenetic techniques, species delimitation analyses and extensive morphological data.

Molecular evidence suggests a high level of hidden cryptic diversity within the MMSG, particularly within the M. major species complex (MMC), highlighting overlapping distributions, a case of potential mitochondrial transfer between two species, and tree topology discordance between phylogenetic methods and mitochondrial and nuclear data sets. Most analyses indicated distinct eastern and western clades in the MMC, and that the western clade may further divide into a northern and a southern subclade.

A detailed taxonomic review of Indian members of the Megophrys major species group is provided. Previously undocumented complex nomenclatural issues involving known species are highlighted and resolved. Megophrys monticola is taxonomically redefined for the first time as a valid species since its synonymy with M. parva in 1893. The taxonomic status of two recently described species, Xenophrys katabhako and X. sanu are discussed in light of increased molecular and morphological sampling, and are synonymised with M. monticola. Megophrys monticola and M. robusta are redescribed based on their original type specimens and recently collected material. Megophrys major is neotypified and M. robusta lectotypified to remove prevailing nomenclatural instability. Four new large sized Indian MMC species are formally described from the Northeast Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, and Myanmar. All South Asian MMSG species are morphologically diagnosed from known congeners in the group. The geographic distributions of all taxa discussed are significantly redefined based on the revised taxonomy and extensive literature review. Morphological and molecular evidence suggests that Megophrys major sensu stricto might be endemic to Northeast India; M. glandulosa is formally removed from the Indian and Bhutan species checklists. Numerous misidentifications in literature are highlighted and corrected. In order to reduce future misidentifications of species reported from surrounding regions, high definition images of the holotypes of three Chinese species, M. glandulosa, M. medogensis and M. zhangi are provided for the first time, and a detailed description of Myanmar specimens of M. glandulosa is also given. This study provides the principle foundation for further research into the taxonomic status of the remaining, currently undescribed MMC taxa from Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Reptilia, nomenclature, molecular systematics, integrative taxonomy, morphology, conservation, natural history

Stephen Mahony, Rachunliu G. Kamei, Emma C. Teeling and S. D. Biju. 2018. Cryptic Diversity within the Megophrys major Species Group (Amphibia: Megophryidae) of the Asian Horned Frogs: Phylogenetic Perspectives and A Taxonomic Revision of South Asian Taxa, with Descriptions of Four New Species. Zootaxa. 4523(1); 1–96.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4523.1.1

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Deuti K, Grosjean S, Nicolas V, Vasudevan K and Ohler A. 2017. Nomenclatural puzzle in early Xenophrys nomina (Anura, Megophryidae) solved with description of two new species from India (Darjeeling hills and Sikkim). Alytes. 34:20-48.  alytes-journal.org/xenophrys-new-species-india/