[Arachnida • 2020] First Record of Synagelides Strand, 1906 (Araneae: Salticidae) from Sri Lanka: Description of Four Endemic Species from Tropical Wet Forest of the Island

Synagelides rosalindae  

Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4790.1.2 

Abstract

Synagelides Strand, 1906 is recorded for the first time in Sri Lanka. Four new species are described and illustrated: S. hortonensis sp. nov., S. lakmalii sp. nov., S. rosalindae sp. nov. and S. orlandoi sp. nov. A key to the four new species is given.

Keywords: Araneae, Arachnida, Biodiversity, ground spiders, leaf litter, threatened species

Synagelides rosalindae sp. nov. male from Kodigala Summit.

Nilani Kanesharatnam and Suresh P. Benjamin. 2020. First Record of Synagelides Strand, 1906 (Araneae: Salticidae) from Sri Lanka: Description of Four Endemic Species from Tropical Wet Forest of the Island. Zootaxa. 4790(1); 43–56.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4790.1.2

The world’s a stage for these four new jumping spiders from Sri Lanka

 news.mongabay.com/2020/06/the-worlds-a-stage-for-these-four-new-jumping-spiders-from-sri-lanka

[Herpetology • 2020] Phyllodytes magnus • A New Large Canopy-dwelling Species of Phyllodytes Wagler, 1930 (Anura, Hylidae) from the Atlantic Forest of the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil

Phyllodytes magnus

Dias, Novaes-e-Fagundes, Neto, Zina, Garcia, Recoder, Vechio, Rodrigues & Solé, 2020

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8642 

Abstract 

The known diversity of treefrogs of the genus Phyllodytes has rapidly increased in recent years, currently comprising 14 species. Recent field work in the Atlantic Rainforest of the state of Bahia lead to the discovery of a new large species of Phyllodytes which is herein described based on multiple evidence including morphological, acoustical and genetic data. Phyllodytes sp. nov. is one of the largest species within the genus and presents immaculate yellowish dorsum and limbs. The advertisement call of the species is composed of 7–31 notes (half pulsed/pulsatile-half harmonic) with frequency-modulated harmonics. Phyllodytes sp. nov. has a karyotype of 2n = 22 chromosomes, as also found in other species of the genus. Genetic distance values of the 16S mitochondrial rRNA among Phyllodytes sp. nov. and its congeners range between 6.4 to 10.2%. The description of another new species for this state reinforces the need for further taxonomic work with Phyllodytes in this region that has been revealed as a priority area for research and conservation of this genus.

Figure 3: Phyllodytes magnus sp. nov. (A, B, C, D), P. maculosus (E) and P. kautskyi (F) in life. Phyllodytes magnus sp. nov, holotype (MZUESC 18264) in (A) dorsal and (C) ventral view and paratype (MZUESC 18265) in (B) dorsal and (D) ventral view. In (E) P. maculosus and (F) P. kautskyi.

Phyllodytes magnus sp. nov.

Phyllodytes kautskyi—(Freitas, 2015)

Phyllodytes cf. kautskyi—(Freitas et al., 2018)

  

Diagnosis. — A large species (SVL 36.4 to 41.1 mm in males, n = 3) characterized by (1) snout mucronate in dorsal view, acute in profile; (2) mandible with two anterior large odontoids on each side in adults; (3) adults males with dorsum of body and limbs immaculate, uniformly pale yellow; (4) dorsal skin granular; (5) ventral skin cream and evenly granular, lacking distinct rows of tubercles; (6) a row of tubercles along lateral surface of forearm and tarsus; (7) tubercle subarticular from second segment of finger IV single and rounded shape; (8) canthus rostralis immaculate; (9) tympanum size corresponding to 6.6–7.1% of SVL; (10) advertisement call consisting of a series of 7–31 composite notes (half pulsed/pulsatile–half harmonic).

Etymology. — The specific epithet is an adjective from Latin meaning “great” or “large” (Lewis & Short, 1891), and refers to the large size of the adult males collected from this species, which are among the largest known in the genus.

Geographic Distribution and Natural history. — Phyllodytes magnus is known from three localities from the Atlantic Rainforest of Bahia (Fig. S5). Calls of this species have also been heard in the municipalities of Almadina, Ilhéus, Igrapiúna and Camacan, state of Bahia, but as no vouchers or recordings were obtained, these records need to be confirmed.

Although one specimen of Phyllodytes magnus was in a ground bromeliad, most calling males were in canopy bromeliads. At Parque Estadual da Serra do Conduru, Phyllodytes magnus is syntopic with four congeners (P. maculosus, P. megatympanum, P. melanomystax and P. praeceptor), although apparently less abundant than its relatives. In an area of 52 ha we heard only five males in a one-night search. All were calling from epiphytic giant bromeliads of the genus Hohenbergia with diameter superior to 1.50 m and at heights between 3.10 m and 11.30 m (x = 7.72 m ± 3.56 m). We found a male of Phyllodytes melanomystax in the same bromeliad where we collected the paratype MZUESC 18265, though in a different axil.

Conclusions: 

Almost 60% (nine species) of the known diversity of Phyllodytes can be found in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, the region with the highest concentration of representatives of this genus. Over half of these species are endemic to the state: P. wuchereri, P. praeceptor, P. megatympanum, P. amadoi and P. magnus, the latter three are known from a few localities or only from the type locality (Cruz, Marciano & Napoli, 2014; Marciano-Jr, Lantyer-Silva & Solé, 2017; Vörös, Dias & Solé, 2017; this study). The high diversity of Phyllodytes in this part of the central corridor of the Atlantic Forest (Carnaval et al., 2009) is not unique. Other genera like Adelophryne (Fouquet et al., 2012; Lourenço-de Moraes et al., 2018), Adenomera (Fouquet et al., 2014), Gastrotheca (Teixeira-Jr et al., 2012) or the gymnophthalmid lizard genus Leposoma (Rodrigues et al., 2013), to cite a few, have their highest species diversity in this part of the biome. The high diversity of Phyllodytes and endemism brings support to this pattern and highlights the evolutionary importance of this area. Furthermore, together with the scarce available biological information and habitat specificity (bromeliads), it makes the Atlantic Forest of the state of Bahia a priority area for research and conservation of Phyllodytes.

Iuri R. Dias, Gabriel Novaes-e-Fagundes, Antonio Mollo Neto, Juliana Zina, Caroline Garcia, Renato Sousa Recoder, Francisco Dal Vechio, Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues and Mirco Solé. 2020. A New Large Canopy-dwelling Species of Phyllodytes Wagler, 1930 (Anura, Hylidae) from the Atlantic Forest of the State of Bahia, Northeastern Brazil. PeerJ. 8:e8642. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.8642

[Arachnida • 2020] Loureedia phoenixi • A New and easternmost Species of Loureedia (Aranei: Eresidae) from Iran

Loureedia phoenixi  

Zamani & Marusik, 2020

   twitter.com/Persian_Spiders 

Abstract 

A new species, Loureedia phoenixi sp.n., is described and illustrated on the basis of two male specimens from Alborz Province of Iran and its distribution is mapped based on the type locality and photographic records. These records represent the easternmost distribution limit of the genus.

Taxonomy: 

Family Eresidae C.L. Koch, 1845 

Genus Loureedia Miller, Griswold, Scharff, Řezáč, Szűts et Marhabaie, 2012

Loureedia phoenixi sp.n., Tehran Province: Pardisan Park.

 (photo: A. Zamani) 

Loureedia phoenixi sp.n. 

DIAGNOSIS. The new species differs from congeners by the prolateral arm of the conductor (Pa) which is pointed and almost the same length as the retrolateral arm of the conductor (Ra). The conductor arms are not as pointed and retrolateral arm is distinctly longer than the prolateral one in other species (cf. Figs 3f and 3g–i).

ETYMOLOGY. The new species is named after the American actor, producer and animal rights activist Joaquin Phoenix in recognition of his praised portrayal of the title character in the 2019 movie “Joker” and as a reference to the male abdominal pattern of the new species, which resembles the famous facial makeup of this character. 

Alireza Zamani and Yuri M. Marusik. 2020. A New and easternmost Species of Loureedia (Aranei: Eresidae) from Iran. Arthropoda Selecta. 29(2); 239–243. DOI: 10.15298/arthsel.29.2.09

Researchgate.net/publication/342313071_A_new_and_easternmost_species_of_Loureedia_from_Iran

  twitter.com/Persian_Spiders/status/1273927718174969857

[Cnidaria • 2020] There are Three Species of Chrysaora (Scyphozoa: Discomedusae) in the Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem, not Two; Chrysaora fulgida, C. africana & C. agulhensis

 Chrysaora agulhensis

Ras, Neethling, Engelbrecht, Morandini, Bayha, Skrypzeck & Gibbons, 2020

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4778.3.1 

Abstract

Chrysaora (Pèron & Lesueur 1810) is the most diverse genus within Discomedusae, and 15 valid species are currently recognised, with many others not formally described. Since Chrysaora fulgida (Reynaud 1830) was first recognised as occurring off the south west (SW) coast off South Africa, the species has been variously synonymised with Chrysaora hysoscella (Linnaeus 1767) and Chrysaora africana (Vanhöffen 1902). Using DNA evidence alongside multivariate tools to analyse quantitative morphometric and meristic data, as well as information from the cnidome, we unambiguously separate C. fulgida from C. hysoscella; we resurrect C. africana as a valid species and recognise a new species, Chrysaora agulhensis sp. nov. Full descriptions of C. fulgida, C. africana and C. agulhensis sp. nov. are provided. The species have different geographical patterns of distribution around the region, with restricted areas of overlap: C. agulhensis sp. nov. is found along the southern coast of South Africa and over the Agulhas Bank, C. fulgida extends from Cape Point in South Africa to southern Angola, and C. africana can be found from southern Namibia northwards to the Gulf of Guinea. The species can be readily separated in the field by a combination of tentacle/lappet number and shape, colour patterns and the form of the oral arms.

Keywords: Coelenterata, Agulhas Bank, Benguela upwelling region, Namibia, New species, Pelagiidae, Scyphozoa, Taxonomy

SYSTEMATICS

Subclass DISCOMEDUSAE Haeckel, 1880

Order SEMAEOSTOMEAE L. Agassiz, 1862

FAMILY Pelagiidae Gegenbaur, 1856

GENUS Chrysaora Péron and Lesueur, 1810

 Chrysaora agulhensis sp. nov. collected at Whale Rock during November 2012
side-view of a larger specimen in situ displaying deep purple colouration of the central apex, long trailing oral arms and ribbon-like tentacles. 

 Chrysaora agulhensis sp. nov.

 Diagnosis. Chrysaora of medium size; 32 rounded marginal lappets, four per octant; no more than 24 persistent tentacles; tentacles laterally flattened with pronounced bases, and ribbon-like; oral arms longer than bell, folded spirally at base; characteristic star shape pattern on exumbrella surface always visible, created by the radial pattern of deep maroon/purple triangles; white spots scattered across the surface of the exumbrella; mouth becomes substantially larger as organism grows. Lappets with network of gastrovascular canals. Oral arms spirally arranged basally.

Distribution. Range stretches from Table Bay along the west coast of South Africa towards Port Elizabeth along the south east coast of South Africa (Agulhas Bank): endemic.

Etymology. “agulhensis” referring to its distribution across the Agulhas Bank along the South coast of South Africa.

    

V. Ras, S. Neethling, A. Engelbrecht, A.C. Morandini, K.M. Bayha, H. Skrypzeck and M.J. Gibbons. 2020. There are Three Species of Chrysaora (Scyphozoa: Discomedusae) in the Benguela Upwelling Ecosystem, not Two. Zootaxa. 4778(3); 401-438. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4778.3.1

UWC researcher discovers new jellyfish species

uwc.ac.za/News/Pages/UWC%20researcher%20discovers%20new%20jellyfish%20species.aspx

[Herpetology • 2020] Second Specimen of the Rare Bornean Snake Xenophidion acanthognathus (Serpentes: Xenophidiidae) and Confirmation as A Distinct Species from X. schaeferi

Xenophidion acanthognathus Günther & Manthey, 1995

in Fukuyama, Hossman & Nishikawa, 2020.

 Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 68

Abstract

We report a second specimen of Xenophidion acanthognathus, collected from Lambir Hills National Park, Malaysian Borneo. We investigate the taxonomic status and relationship between this species and its only other congener X. schaeferi, as possible synonymy was suggested. Morphological and genetic analysis confirmed that X. acanthognathus and X. schaeferi are heterospecific. Here, we provide a detailed morphological description and novel natural history observations of this rare species. 

Key words. cyt b, Southeast Asia, Squamata, Sundaland, taxonomy, Xenophidion

....

Snakes of the family Xenophidiidae consist of one genus, Xenophidion Günther & Manthey, 1995, which includes two species: X. acanthognathus Günther & Manthey, 1995, and X. schaeferi Günther & Manthey, 1995, both of which are rare and enigmatic snakes. 

...

Interspecific comparisons: 

Xenophidion acanthognathus can be differentiated from its sister species, X. schaeferi by the following characteristics: larger number of ventrals (181–185 vs. 176–178); larger number of subcaudals (51–55 vs. 43–45); and shorter tail (SVL/tail length = 4.20–4.52 vs. 4.69–4.84).

Fig. 2. The live juvenile of Xenophidion acanthognathus (SRC 00961).

Fig. 1. The juvenile Xenophidion acanthognathus (SRC 00961) trying to escape under the bark in situ. 

Fig. 3. Ventral colouration of Xenophidion acanthognathus (SRC 00961) in life. Scale bar = 10 mm. 

Fig. 4. A, right-lateral; B, dorsal; C, ventral; and D, left-lateral aspects of the head of Xenophidion acanthognathus (SRC 00961). Scale bar = 10 mm. 

Natural history. The new specimen (SRC 00961) was found moving slowly on the trunk of a tree ca. 20 cm above the ground in a lowland dipterocarp forest, at 2117 h (Figs. 1, 5). The air temperature at the site was 24.7°C and it had not rained for several days except for a very light rain during the day, thus the ground was dry. When the first author spotted the snake under the beam of his flashlight, it tried to escape under the bark (Fig. 1). The holotype of the species was collected under moss covering a rock, 10 m from a stream, at 0815 h (Günther & Manthey, 1995). One photographed individual was found lying vertically on a damp, mossy log, at 2015 h (Rowntree et al., 2017). The only known food item of the species is a skink (Sphenomorphus sp.) that was found in the gut of the holotype (Wallach & Günther, 1998).

DISCUSSION: 

 The results of our study demonstrate that Xenophidion acanthognathus and X. schaeferi are sufficiently distinct morphologically and genetically to warrant specific status. With the acquisition of a second specimen of X. acanthognathus, this study is the first to examine the intraspecific variation within the species. However, additional specimens of both species are still needed to clarify their interspecific and intraspecific morphological variations. Genetic material of Xenophidion from Sumatra is also urgently needed to clarify its taxonomic status and phylogenetic placement. The distribution of the genus that is spread across Borneo, Peninsular Malaysia, and presumably Sumatra reflects the connection between these land masses until 400 kya as indicated by recent biogeographical and geological studies (Husson et al., 2019; Sarr et al., 2019). In addition, Xenophidion was shown to be closely related phylogenetically to the family Bolyeridae that is found only in the Mauritius (Lawson et al., 2004; Figueroa et al., 2016). Only a few genera of reptiles show similar relictual distributions in Sundaland like Xenophidion, such as the cat gecko, Aeluroscalabotes, which is the most basal linage and the only genus distributed in Sundaland in the family Eublepharidae, and the false gharial, Tomistoma, which is the sister species of Gavialis in South Asia (Willis et al., 2007; Jonniaux & Kumazawa, 2008). Comprehensive molecular phylogenetic analyses of these taxa may provide new insights into the biogeographical history of Sundaic fauna.

 Inger & Voris (2001) regarded X. acanthognathus as fossorial or secretive, but Quah et al. (2018) discussed the possible ecological niche of the genus and suggested that they may be of semiaquatic or semi-scansorial habit, and not burrowers. Our observation of the new specimen crawling on the trunk of a tree may support the hypothesis of Quah et al. (2018) that they are semi-scansorial by nature. Although many herpetological surveys were conducted in Malay Peninsula and Borneo, this genus has only been documented six times. It is possible that the extremely low encounter rate in the field with members of this genus is related to their low density as suggested by Günther & Manthey (1995), or may be due to specialised ecological habits. Further observations are essential to understand the natural history of the genus.

Ibuki Fukuyama, Mohamad Yazid Hossman and Kanto Nishikawa. 2020. Second Specimen of the Rare Bornean Snake Xenophidion acanthognathus (Xenophidiidae, Serpentes, Reptilia) and Confirmation as A Distinct Species from X. schaeferi. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 68; 214–219.

lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2020/01/RBZ-2020-0018.pdf

twitter.com/lkcnhm/status/1272381987303550976

    

[Ichthyology • 2020] Protomelas krampus • A New Paedophagous Cichlid (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from Lake Malawi

Protomelas krampus 

Dierickx & Snoeks, 2020

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.672  

 facebook.com: Katrien Dierickx

Abstract

A new paedophagous species of Protomelas, Protomelas krampus sp. nov., is described from Lake Malawi. It has been found in Lukoma Bay in Tanzania, near Mara Point in Mozambique, and at Otter Point, Chizumulu, the Likoma Islands and Mazinzi Reef in Malawi. This species is placed in the genus Protomelas based on its melanin pattern, which comprises a continuous midlateral stripe. A morphometric study was done to compare this species with its congeners and similar species of Hemitaeniochromis and Caprichromis. It differs from most congeners by having only one inner tooth row. Furthermore, P. krampus sp. nov. differs from P. insignis, P. spilopterus, H. brachyrhynchus, H. urotaenia, Caprichromis liemi and C. orthognathus by its shorter premaxillary pedicel, shorter prepectoral distances and dentition. It also differs largely in its melanin pattern from the paedophagous species C. liemi, C. orthognathus, Diplotaxodon greenwoodi and Naevochromis chrysogaster, as well as H. brachyrhynchus and H. urotaenia. Protomelas krampus sp. nov. has been observed to ram mouth-brooding cichlids from above to feed on their eggs or larvae.

Keywords: Cichliformes; East Africa; mouth-brooding cichlids; Mozambique; trophic ecology

Taxonomy

 Class Actinopterygii Klein, 1885
Order Cichliformes Betancur et al., 2013

Family Cichlidae Bonaparte, 1840
Subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae Fowler, 1934
Tribe Haplochromini Poll, 1986

Genus Protomelas Eccles & Trewavas, 1989

Protomelas Eccles & Trewavas, 1989: 40

(type species: Chromis kirkii Günther, 1894, 

by original designation).

Photograph of live specimen of Protomelas krampus sp. nov. (specimen not preserved; length unknown)

(photo: Ad Konings).

Fig. 4. Photographs of preserved specimens of Protomelas krampus sp. nov. A. Holotype (RMCA 99- 041-P-4768). B. Paratype (RMCA 99-041-P-4767). Melanin pattern strongly faded.
Fig. 5. Photograph of preserved paratype (RMCA 99-041-P-4767) of Protomelas krampus sp. nov., shortly after preservation.

Protomelas krampus sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Protomelas krampus sp. nov. differs from most species of Protomelas, i.e., P. annectens (Regan, 1922), P. fenestratus (Trewavas, 1935), P. kirkii (Günther, 1894), P. labridens (Trewavas, 1935), P. macrodon Eccles, 1989, P. marginatus (Trewavas, 1935), P. pleurotaenia (Boulenger, 1901), P. similis (Regan, 1922), P. spilonotus (Trewavas, 1935), P. taeniolatus (Trewavas, 1935), P. triaenodon (Trewavas, 1935) and P. virgatus (Trewavas, 1935), by having only one inner tooth row, whereas the other species have two rows.
....

 Etymology: The specific name, ʻkrampusʼ, is a noun in apposition and was chosen in reference to the European folklore character Krampus. This demon puts naughty children in a bag and takes them away, which is reminiscent of a paedophagous behaviour. The goat-like appearance of Krampus also implicitly refers to the head-butting behaviour of the species. The same implicit reference to this behaviour is also found in the genus name Caprichromis of other paedophagous species of Lake Malawi.

Fig. 7. Distribution map of Protomelas krampus sp. nov. Red star = holotype; red dot = paratype; green triangles = possible sightings by Konings (2016); orange square = possible sighting by McKaye & Kocher (1983); yellow diamond = possible sighting by Stauffer (pers. comm.). Inset: map of Africa with indication of area of Lake Malawi.

Geographical distribution (Fig. 7): The specimens of P. krampus sp. nov. were found in Lukoma Bay (11°22.50′ S, 34°52.00′ E), south of Mbamba Bay, Lake Malawi (Tanzania) and at rocks just south of Mara Point (12°11.34′ S, 34°41.73′ E), Aldeia Mala, Lake Malawi (Mozambique), at depths of 32.5–33.2 m. Three others specimens that also may belong to this species were caught near Otter Point (14°03′ S, 34°49′ E), Mangochi, Lake Malawi (Malawi), at a depth of 7–20 m (McKaye & Kocher 1983). It has also been observed near Chizumulu and Likoma Islands (Konings 2016) and Mazinzi Reef (Stauffer, pers. comm.). Hence the species has a confirmed distribution in the central-eastern part of the lake, but it may also occur in the southern part.

 Ecology: The behaviour and ecology of specimens most likely belonging to this species have been observed by McKaye & Kocher (1983) and Konings (1989, 2016). They observed this species feeding on eggs and fry while stealing them from mouth-brooding females of other cichlid species. The paedophage rams these females from above on the snout and the brooding females may release some eggs or larvae upon this impact. The brood can then be snatched by P. krampus sp. nov. The inclined position of the mouth enables the fish to immediately grab the brood since it is already in a good position relative to the prey after ramming from above (Konings 1989, 2016).

Katrien Dierickx and Jos Snoeks. 2020. Protomelas krampus, A New Paedophagous Cichlid from Lake Malawi (Teleostei, Cichlidae). European Journal of Taxonomy. 672: 1–18. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2020.672   

facebook.com/KatrienDierickx98/posts/3567861593230129

[Herpetology • 2020] Phrynopus remotum • A New Species of Frog (Terrarana, Strabomantidae) from the Peruvian Andean Grasslands

Phrynopus remotum  

Chávez​, García Ayachi & Catenazzi, 2020

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9433 

Abstract 

We describe a new, medium-sized species of terrestrial frog of the genus Phrynopus from a single locality in the central Andes of Peru (Departamento de Huánuco) at 3,730 meters of elevation. Phylogenetic analyses supported Phrynopus remotum sp. nov. as an independent lineage, sister to most of its congeners. The new species is morphologically distinguishable by the presence of small tubercles on upper eyelids and heels, an areolate venter, and the absence of dorsolateral folds or ridges. This species inhabits the highlands adjacent to the Marañón Dry valley. The only sympatric amphibian species recorded is the marsupial frog Gastrotheca peruana.

Figure 3: Holotype of Phrynopus remotum sp nov. in life.
Dorsal and ventral view of the holotype in life (CORBIDI 20533, SVL =28.7 mm). 

Figure 5: Paratypes of Phrynopus remotum sp nov. in life.
 Dorsal (left column) and ventral (right column) views of the paratypes:
(A–B) CORBIDI 20531 (SVL =23.3 mm); (C–D) CORBIDI 20532 (SVL =19.3 mm).

Phrynopus remotum sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A species of Phrynopus having the following combination of characters: (1) Skin on dorsum shagreened with scattered low subconical tubercles, skin on venter areolate; discoidal fold absent, thoracic fold absent; postocular fold absent, dorsolateral folds absent; (2) tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus absent; (3) snout short, rounded in dorsal view, curved anteroventrally from lateral view; (4) upper eyelid with small rounded tubercles; width of upper eyelid 1.9–2 mm; (5) dentigerous process of vomers present, oblique; (6) vocal slits and nuptial pads absent; (7) Finger I slightly shorter than Finger II; tips of digit bulbous, rounded, lacking discs; (8) fingers without lateral fringes; (9) ulnar and tarsal tubercles absent; (10) heels with one or two small rounded tubercles, inner tarsal fold absent; (11) inner metatarsal tubercle rounded, about 1.3 times as large as ovoid outer metatarsal tubercle; supernumerary plantar tubercles absent; (12) toes without lateral fringes, basal webbing absent, Toe V slightly shorter than Toe III, toe tips bulbous, lacking discs; (13) in life, dorsum saffron yellow, brownish-orange or dark brown with dark brown or black blotches, dark spots on flanks; throat, chest and venter yellowish-white with dark brown blotches or spots, groin grayish-white with liver brown or dark brown spots and blotches; iris olive gray with fine dark brown reticulations; (14) SVL 19.3 and 23.3 mm in two males, and 28.7 mm in a single female.

Etymology. The specific name remotum is the neutral form derived from the Latin word “remotus”, in reference to the long journey required to reach the type locality of this species. This journey consisted of more than 30 h traveling through roadways, hiking trails and steep slopes of rocky mountains. 

Figure 6: Habitat of Phrynopus remotum sp nov. in the Puna grasslands of the central Pruvian Andes (Huánuco Department).

Distribution, natural history, and conservation status. This species is known only from the type locality at 3,700 m a.s.l. in the eastern Andean slopes of Central Peru (Fig. 1). The habitat is a transitional area between wet grasslands and some remaining patches of cloud forest and bushes. We found all specimens around 12:30 pm under stones surrounded by moss and lichens, alongside a temporary stream bordering a wet grassland. The only sympatric amphibian found was Gastrotheca peruana, which was frequently spotted under stones and also beneath the moss; however none of these frogs were found sharing a stone with P. remotum sp. nov. We noticed heavy presence of livestock (Fig. 6). Local people annually burn the grassland to trigger regrowth of grass plants (Festuca, Stipa spp.) and to open new pasture grounds for cattle. Despite these threats (Catenazzi & von May, 2014), the paucity of data on the geographic distribution of this species prevents assessment of its threat status. Therefore, we recommend the Category Data Deficient for the IUCN Red List. Future surveys should document the range of the species and assess the importance of threats.

Germán Chávez​, Luis Alberto García Ayachi and Alessandro Catenazzi. 2020. A New Species of Frog (Terrarana, Strabomantidae, Phrynopus) from the Peruvian Andean Grasslands. PeerJ. 8:e9433. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.9433

      

[Botany • 2020] Rehderodendron microcarpum • Taxonomic Reassessment of Rehderodendron gongshanense (Styracaceae) based on Herbarium Specimens and Field Observations

Rehderodendron microcarpum K.M.Feng ex T.L.Ming 

in Zhao, Fritsch, Fan & Liao, 2020. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.450.1.1 

Abstract

Since its publication in 1988, Rehderodendron gongshanense (Styracaceae) has been considered endemic to Gongshan County, Yunnan Province, China and northern Myanmar. Based on morphological data from detailed field observations and examination of herbarium specimens, we demonstrate that R. gongshanense is actually a synonym of R. microcarpum, a species until now neglected taxonomically. We provide an updated description of R. microcarpum that accommodates the variation in the newly expanded concept of the species, along with comments on distribution and ecology, conservation status, specimens cited, and images of the living plants.

Keywords: Rehderodendron microcarpum, synonymy, taxonomy, Eudicots

Rehderodendron microcarpum.
Flowers opening before leaves expand, panicle densely stellate-tomentose.

Rehderodendron microcarpum K.M.Feng ex T.L.Ming (1983: 410). 

Type:—CHINA. Yunnan: Gongshan County, Dulong River, Dudu Village, open forest, ca. 1400 m, 14 September 1956, P.Y. Mao 451 (holotype KUN0026252!, isotypes KUN1293804!, KUN0026253!, KUN0026251!). 

= Rehderodendron gongshanense Y.C.Tang (1988: 350), syn. nov. 

Type:—CHINA. Yunnan: Gongshan County, Dulongjiang, Qinlangdang Village, in evergreen broad-leaved forest, ca. 1500 m, 11 August 1982, Exped. Qinghai-Xizang 9227 (holotype PE00027882!, isotypes KUN0774015!, KUN0774014!, PE00027880!, PE00028881!).

Distribution, ecology, and phenology:— Rehderodendron microcarpum has been documented as distributed in Gongshan, northwestern Yunnan Province in Southwest China, and Kachin State in northern Myanmar. It grows as a deciduous tree in montane monsoon forests at 500–2500 m a.s.l. It is known to flower in March and April, and fruit in June through October

Notes:— Some morphological characters of Rehderodendron microcarpum exhibit a high level of variation. The number of ribs varies from 5 to 12, and pubescence on the abaxial surface of the leaf blade varies from moderately dense to nearly glabrous. Floral characters, however, are relatively stable (panicles densely stellate-tomentose, style densely pubescent). The flowers of R. microcarpum are very similar to those of R. truongsonense P.W.Fritsch, W.B.Liao & W.Y.Zhao in Zhao et al. (2019: 159). These two species share such features as a pubescent style and filaments that are connate to the middle or distally beyond. However, R. microcarpum differs from R. truongsonense in its deciduous habit (versus evergreen), and longer inflorescence and pedicels. All other species of Rehderodendron have a glabrous style and filaments that are connate merely to just beyond the base. Therefore, R. microcarpum is easily distinguished from other species of Rehderodendron by the combination of its deciduous habit, a densely pubescent style, and filaments that are connate to the middle or distally beyond.

 Wan-Yi Zhao, Peter W. Fritsch, Qiang Fan and Wen-Bo Liao. 2020. Taxonomic Reassessment of Rehderodendron gongshanense (Styracaceae) based on Herbarium Specimens and Field Observations. Phytotaxa. 450(1); 1–7. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.450.1.1

[Entomology • 2020] Neophisis (Indophisis) montealegrei • Taxonomy and Bioacoustics of Meconematinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Laguna, Luzon, Philippines

Neophisis (Indophisis) montealegrei 

Tan, Jin, Baroga-Barbecho & Yap, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.4.2 

 twitter.com/ISYEBsp

Abstract

Katydids from the subfamily Meconematinae sing at ultrasonic frequencies. Owing that many of them are nocturnal, elusive and low in abundance (since they are predatory), there is a dearth of information on these katydids and their bioacoustics, especially for species in the understudied yet mega-diverse Southeast Asia. Recent orthopteran surveys in Laguna, Luzon Island in the Philippines led to the discovery of two interesting Meconematinae katydids. Based on the collection, we describe a new species of Phisidini: Neophisis (Indophisis) montealegrei sp. nov. We also describe the male for the first time and redescribe the female of Asiophlugis philippina. The ultrasonic calling songs of both Meconematinae are also recorded, analysed and described here.

Keywords: Orthoptera, Asiophlugis, new species, Phisidini, Southeast Asia, stridulation, ultrasonic frequencies

Neophisis (Indophisis) montealegrei new species

Etymology. This species is named after a renowned Orthopterist, Fernando Montealegre-Zapata, who has made immense contribution to the bioacoustics of katydids.

 Ming Kai Tan, Xing-Bao Jin, Jessica B. Baroga-Barbecho and Sheryl A Yap. 2020. Taxonomy and Bioacoustics of Meconematinae (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Laguna (Philippines: Luzon). Zootaxa. 4732(4); 527–544. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4732.4.2

  twitter.com/ISYEBsp/status/1240318229525999616/

twitter.com/chapuis_jul/status/1242389529312604162

[Herpetology • 2020] Phylogenomics of Monitor Lizards and the Role of Competition in Dictating Body Size Disparity

Varanus spp.

in Brennan, Lemmon, Lemmon, Portik, et al., 2020. 

DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa046  

 twitter.com/Keogh_Lab

Abstract

Organismal interactions drive the accumulation of diversity by influencing species ranges, morphology, and behavior. Interactions vary from agonistic to cooperative and should result in predictable patterns in trait and range evolution. However, despite a conceptual understanding of these processes, they have been difficult to model, particularly on macroevolutionary timescales and across broad geographic spaces. Here we investigate the influence of biotic interactions on trait evolution and community assembly in monitor lizards (Varanus). Monitors are an iconic radiation with a cosmopolitan distribution and the greatest size disparity of any living terrestrial vertebrate genus. Between the colossal Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis and the smallest Australian dwarf goannas, Varanus length and mass vary by multiple orders of magnitude. To test the hypothesis that size variation in this genus was driven by character displacement, we extended existing phylogenetic comparative methods which consider lineage interactions to account for dynamic biogeographic history and apply these methods to Australian monitors and marsupial predators. Incorporating both exon-capture molecular and morphological datasets we use a combined evidence approach to estimate the relationships among living and extinct varaniform lizards. Our results suggest that communities of Australian Varanus show high functional diversity as a result of continent-wide interspecific competition among monitors but not with faunivorous marsupials. We demonstrate that patterns of trait evolution resulting from character displacement on continental scales are recoverable from comparative data and highlight that these macroevolutionary patterns may develop in parallel across widely distributed sympatric groups.

Keywords: comparative methods, phylogenetics, Varanus, trait evolution, character displacement

Figure 2. Body size among Varanus species varies across multiple orders of magnitude. Bar plots at tips of the tree show total length of sampled monitor lizards broken down into snout-vent length (SVL) and tail length. The smallest monitor species Varanus sparnus reaches just over 200 mm long from snout to tail tip and may weigh only 20 g, while the largest living species Varanus komodoensis can reach well over 2 meters long (2000+ mm) and top the scales at 100 kg (100,000 g). By all accounts, the recently extinct Varanus priscus was even larger than the Komodo dragon and may have reached over 4 m long (Wroe 2002; Conrad et al. 2012). Inset map shows a rough global distribution of monitor lizards and the extinct relative Saniwa ensidens. Colored circles at nodes indicate primary distribution of the major clades of Varanus and correspond to distributions on the map (blue–North America; green–Africa and the Middle East; light orange–Indian Subcontinent; dark orange–Indochina and China; red–Sundaland and Wallacea; purple–AustraloPapua).

     

Ian G. Brennan, Alan R. Lemmon, Emily Moriarty Lemmon, Daniel M. Portik, Valter Weijola, Luke Welton, Stephen C. Donnellan and J.Scott Keogh. 2020. Phylogenomics of Monitor Lizards and the Role of Competition in Dictating Body Size Disparity. Systematic Biology. syaa046. DOI: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa046  

 twitter.com/Keogh_Lab/status/1274177215790383104/

[Herpetology • 2020] Cnemaspis avasabinae • A New Species of South Asian Cnemaspis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Eastern Ghats, India

Cnemaspis avasabinae

Agarwal, Bauer & Khandekar, 2020 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4802.3.3  

facebook.com: Akshay Khandekar

Abstract

We describe a new species from within the South Asian clade of the polyphyletic gekkonid genus Cnemaspis from the Velikonda Range, in the Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh, India. The new species is the smallest known Indian gekkonid and can be diagnosed from all Indian congeners by its small body size (SVL <29 mm), the absence of spine-like scales on flank, heterogeneous dorsal pholidosis, presence of precloacal pores and no femoral pores in males, tail with enlarged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls, median row of sub-caudals smooth and slightly enlarged, and a distinct colour pattern. This is the 12th species of Cnemaspis to be described from outside the Western Ghats and is the first endemic from the Velikonda region of the Eastern Ghats. The new species is only known from its type locality, a lowland riparian habitat (<200 m asl.) in dry evergreen forest at the base of a ~1200 m asl. peak. This discovery extends the range of the genus in peninsular India by ~130–150 kilometres to the northeast and suggests the genus is likely to be even more widely distributed than understood. The new species is clearly allied to C. mysoriensis, C. otai and C. yercaudensis with which it shares superficial colour pattern and similar body size, but is the first species from outside the Western Ghats in which males lack femoral pores.

Keywords: Reptilia, Cnemaspis avasabinae sp. nov., dwarf geckos, peninsular India, tropics, taxonomy

Cnemaspis avasabinae sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet “avasabinae” honors Ava Sabin of the Sabin family, philanthropic supporters of herpetofaunal conservation.

Suggested Common Name. Sabin’s Nellore dwarf gecko

Ishan Agarwal, Aaron M. Bauer and Akshay Khandekar. 2020.  A New Species of South Asian Cnemaspis (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Eastern Ghats, India. Zootaxa. 4802(3); 449–462. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4802.3.3

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