[Botany • 2016] Begonia togashii (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from Central Myanmar

 Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng, 

in Tanaka & Peng, 2016. 

DOI:  10.18942/apg.201608 

 Researchgate.net/publication/310463708

Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng (Begoniaceae), a new species from central Myanmar is described and illustrated. The presence of a rhizome, basal protandrous staminate flowers and distal pistillate flowers, 2-locular ovaries and placentas with two branches place it in sect. Platycentrum A. DC. It is somewhat similar to Begonia thomsonii A. DC., which was described from India, but is also in northern Myanmar. Begonia togashii, however, is distinct in having sub-symmetric basal leaves with a glabrous upper surface, 3-tepalled carpellate flowers and glabrous capsules. Thus far B. togashii is known only from Myanmar.

Key words: Begonia, Begoniaceae, new species, Myanmar, sect. Platycentrum

 Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng.
A, habit in cultivation; B, stipule; C, bract; D, staminate flowers showing variation in tepal number; E, carpellate flowers, front and side views; F, fruit; H, cross section of immature fruit showing two locules and axile placentation.

Begonia togashii Nob. Tanaka & C.-I Peng, sp. nov.

Distribution. Known only from Mandalayand Shan State, central and eastern Myanmar.

Etymology. The specific epithet “togashii” honors Makoto Togashi, who explored Burma in1978.

Nobuyuki Tanaka and Ching-I Peng. 2016. Begonia togashii (Begoniaceae: Sect. Platycentrum), A New Species from Central Myanmar. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 67(3); 191–197.  DOI:  10.18942/apg.201608

  Researchgate.net/publication/310463708_Begonia_togashii_a_New_Species_from_Central_Myanmar

[Paleontology • 2022] Giant Late Triassic Ichthyosaurs from the Kössen Formation of the Swiss Alps and Their Paleobiological Implications

in Sander, Pérez de Villar, Furrer & Wintrich, 2022.

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2021.2046017 

 twitter.com/DennisMHansen 

ABSTRACT

The Late Triassic was populated by the largest ichthyosaurs known to date, reaching lengths of over 20 m. Recent discoveries include the remains of giant ichthyosaurs from the Austroalpine nappes of the eastern Swiss Alps. The finds come from the lower two members of the Kössen Formation (late Norian to Rhaetian). The material consists of a very large tooth lacking most of the crown from the Rhaetian Schesaplana Member, a postcranial bone association of one very large vertebra and ten rib fragments also from the Schesaplana Member, and an association of seven very large vertebral centra from the upper Norian to lower Rhaetian Alplihorn Member. These associations represent the only published partial skeletons of large to giant ichthyosaurs younger than middle Norian. We compare the material with the two largest ichthyosaurs known from partial skeletons, Shonisaurus popularis (15 m) and Shastasaurus sikkanniensis (21 m) from the late Carnian (ca. 230 Ma) of Nevada and the middle Norian (ca. 218 Ma) of British Columbia, respectively. The incomplete tooth confirms that at least some giant ichthyosaurs had teeth. Based on their proportional differences, the two bone associations may represent two different taxa of Shastasaurus-like ichthyosaurs. The larger and geologically younger specimen may have been nearly the size of S. sikkanniensis, and the smaller that of S. popularis. These giant ichthyosaurs from the eastern Swiss Alps indicate that such ichthyosaurs also colonized the western Tethys. The finds also unequivocally document that giant ichthyosaurs persisted to the latest Triassic.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

ICHTHYOSAURIA Blainville, 1835

ICHTHYOSAURIA indet.

Material—One very large tooth lacking most of the crown, PIMUZ A/III 670.

Horizon and Locality—Rhaetian Schesaplana Member, Kössen Formation from Gretji, from scree 900 m southwest of Chrachenhorn Mountain, Davos-Monstein, Canton Grisons, eastern Swiss Alps, Switzerland (coordinates 46.6850323N, 9.8036022E).

    

MERRIAMOSAURIA Motani, 1999

SHASTASAURIDAE Merriam, 1902 sensu Ji et al., 2016

Definition—The last common ancestor of Shastasaurus and Besanosaurus, and all its descendants (from Ji et al., 2016).

SHASTASAURIDAE sp. A

Material—Specimen PIMUZ A/III 744, associated partial skeleton (Fig. 3) consisting of a very large anterior or middle dorsal vertebral centrum (PIMUZ A/III 744a) and eight distally incomplete dorsal ribs and two rib fragments (PIMUZ A/III 744b-l). The centrum is strongly tectonically deformed in the transverse plane. The ribs also appear tectonically deformed.

Horizon and Locality—Rhaetian Schesaplana Member, Kössen Formation. East side of Fil da Stidier ridge, Corn da Tinizong Mountain, Filisur, Canton Grisons, eastern Swiss Alps, Switzerland (coordinates 46.6204533N, 9.6816551E).

P. Martin Sander, Pablo Romero Pérez de Villar, Heinz Furrer and Tanja Wintrich. 2022. Giant Late Triassic Ichthyosaurs from the Kössen Formation of the Swiss Alps and Their Paleobiological Implications. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2046017. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2021.2046017

  twitter.com/DennisMHansen/status/1519628909725245440

Huge new ichthyosaur, one of the largest animals ever, uncovered high in the Alps

 phys.org/news/2022-04-huge-ichthyosaur-largest-animals-uncovered.html

[Paleontology • 2022] Cretaceous Dinosaurs across Alaska Show the Role of Paleoclimate in Structuring Ancient Large-Herbivore Populations

Examples of vertebrate fossil data used in this study.
(1) Prince Creek Formation, North Slope, C1, bonebed.
(2) lower Cantwell Formation, Denali National Park, C2, ceratopsian footprint.
(3) Chignik Formation, Aniakchak National Monument, C3 hadrosaur footprint.

in Fiorillo, McCarthy, Kobayashi & Suarez, 2022.

DOI: 10.3390/geosciences12040161 

 twitter.com/dgdt2425 

Abstract

The partially correlative Alaskan dinosaur-bearing Prince Creek Formation (PCF), North Slope, lower Cantwell Formation (LCF), Denali National Park, and Chignik Formation (CF), Aniakchak National Monument, form an N–S transect that, together, provides an unparalleled opportunity to examine an ancient high-latitude terrestrial ecosystem. The PCF, 75–85° N paleolatitude, had a Mean Annual Temperature (MAT) of ~5–7 °C and a Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP) of ~1250 mm/year. The LCF, ~71° N paleolatitude, had a MAT of ~7.4 °C and MAP of ~661 mm/year. The CF, ~57° N paleolatitude, had a MAT of ~13 °C and MAP of ~1090 mm/year. The relative abundances of the large-bodied herbivorous dinosaurs, hadrosaurids and ceratopsids, vary along this transect, suggesting that these climatic differences (temperature and precipitation) played a role in the ecology of these large-bodied herbivores of the ancient north. MAP played a more direct role in their distribution than MAT, and the seasonal temperature range may have played a secondary role.

Keywords: hadrosaurs; ceratopsians; Arctic; ancient Arctic; terrestrial ecosystems; ecosystem reconstruction

Figure 1. Maps showing general locations of study areas. (A) Modern Alaska. (B) Polar projection of tectonic plates during the Late Cretaceous (Base map from PLATES Project, University of Texas Institute of Geophysics). The inner latitudinal ring on map represents 45° N.
 (C) Examples of vertebrate fossil data used in this study. (1) Prince Creek Formation, North Slope, C1, bonebed. (2) lower Cantwell Formation, Denali National Park, C2, ceratopsian footprint, Denali National Park. (3) Chignik Formation, Aniakchak National Monument, C3 hadrosaur footprint.

Examples of vertebrate fossil data used in this study. (1) Prince Creek Formation, North Slope, C1, bonebed. (2) lower Cantwell Formation, Denali National Park, C2, ceratopsian footprint, Denali National Park. (3) Chignik Formation, Aniakchak National Monument, C3 hadrosaur footprint.

 

   

 Anthony R. Fiorillo, Paul J. McCarthy, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi and Marina B. Suarez. 2022. Cretaceous Dinosaurs across Alaska Show the Role of Paleoclimate in Structuring Ancient Large-Herbivore Populations. Geosciences. 12(4)  (Special Issue: Terrestrial Paleoclimatology and Paleohydrology of the Cretaceous Greenhouse World); 161. DOI: 10.3390/geosciences12040161

  twitter.com/dgdt2425/status/1519512980265652224

Cover Story: The impacts of a changing climate are of major societal concern with great interest on mitigation or modeling how a future, warmer world would look. It is also broadly recognized that the impacts of a warming Earth are most profoundly expressed in the polar regions. Climate change encompasses many components. Our new study reviews the ample evidence for a flourishing ancient Arctic terrestrial ecosystem during the Late Cretaceous greenhouse mode in Earth history, an ecosystem where the local paleoclimate was a primary driver in structuring the relative abundances of large-bodied herbivores in local environments. Further, analysis suggests that mean annual precipitation (MAP) played a more direct role in determining the distribution of herbivorous dinosaurs than mean annual temperature (MAT) did. 

[PaleoOrnithology • 2021] Gallirallus astolfoi • An Extinct New Rail Species (Aves: Rallidae) from Rapa Island, French Polynesia

Gallirallus astolfoi 

 Salvador, Anderson & Tennyson, 2021

DOI: 10.3390/taxonomy1040032  

twitter.com/Kraken_Scholar

 twitter.com/GiovaFavazzi 

Abstract

A new species of rail, Gallirallus astolfoi sp. nov., is described from Rapa Island (Rapa Iti), French Polynesia. The holotype (and single known specimen) is a left tarsometatarsus recovered from Tangarutu Cave. This rail species was apparently endemic to Rapa Iti and potentially flightless. It became extinct after human colonisation of the island.

Keywords: endemic species; flightlessness; Gallirallus astolfoi sp. nov.; Holocene; Rapa Iti

  Left tarsometatarsus (holotype, NMNZ S.044399) of Gallirallus astolfoi sp. nov. in different views:
 (A) anterior, (B) caudal, (C) lateral, (D) medial, (E) proximal, (F) distal.

 

Family Rallidae

Genus Gallirallus Lafresnaye,1841

Gallirallus astolfoi sp. nov.

 

rail (cf. Gallirallus): Tennyson & Anderson, 2012: 108.

 

Holotype: NMNZ S.044399 (left tarsometatarsus; A. Anderson col. 21/vii/2002).

Type locality: French Polynesia, Rapa Island (Rapa Iti), Tangarutu Cave, Section S1 (30–40 cm).

Diagnosis: Tarsometatarsus small (ca. 34.5 mm long), of delicate appearance, with narrow and shallow shaft, and narrow trochleae (particularly the trochlea metatarsi II).

Etymology: The specific epithet honours Astolfo, one of Charlemagne’s fictional paladins. In the epic Orlando Furioso, Astolfo becomes trapped on a remote island because of the sorceress Alcina.

Conclusions: 

Gallirallus astolfoi sp. nov. from Rapa Iti is the seventh extinct species in the genus to be described from French Polynesia (Table 1), excluding the potential undescribed one mentioned above. Excluding the volant G. philippensis, the species geographically closest to G. astolfoi sp. nov. is G. steadmani from Tubuai, ca. 700 km NW from Rapa Iti. As new specimens continue to be discovered and described, the scenario of a multitude of endemic rail species across the Pacific Islands is becoming more evident, offering further evidence in support of the above-mentioned hypothesis [8,30]. Likewise, the list of species extinct after human contact during the past millennia is becoming more extensive, adding to the corpus of data on the demise of insular faunas.

 

 Rodrigo B. Salvador , Atholl Anderson and Alan J. D. Tennyson. 2021. An Extinct New Rail (Gallirallus, Aves: Rallidae) Species from Rapa Island, French Polynesia. Taxonomy. 2021, 1(4), 448-457. DOI: 10.3390/taxonomy1040032

  twitter.com/Kraken_Scholar/status/1519072985763569664

  twitter.com/GiovaFavazzi/status/1519044580595073024

[Botany • 2022] Commiphora omundomba (Burseraceae) • A New Species from the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, Angola and Namibia

Commiphora omundomba Swanepoel & Weeks,

in Swanepoel, Weeks & van Wyk, 2022. 

Iona corkwood | ionakanniedood  || DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.543.4.1

  twitter.com/pterygote

Photographs by W. Swanepoel.

Abstract

Commiphora omundomba, described here as a new species, is known only from the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, a biogeographical region in southwestern Angola and Northwestern Namibia. It has hitherto been confused with C. dinteri from west-central Namibia, but both morphological and molecular evidence support a distinction between the two species. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequence data indicates that C. omundomba shares most-recent common ancestry with C. buruxa, a species limited to the Gariep Centre of Endemism in southwestern Namibia. Diagnostic morphological characters for C. omundomba include the white, viscous exudate, smooth bark and glabrous, trifoliolate leaves. Photographs of the plant and a distribution map are provided. The new species is mainly confined to near the Atlantic coast of the northern Namib Desert, and is widespread and locally common between Santa Maria in Angola and Puros in Namibia.

Keywords: Commiphora buruxa, Commiphora dinteri, Iona National Park, Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, Namib Desert, phylogeny, Sapindales, systematics, taxonomy

Commiphora omundomba, flower (A, B), fruit (C–E) and stone (F–H) morphology.
A & B. Male flower with three petals and three stamens, viewed from the side (A) and from above (B). C–E. Fruit in posterior (C), anterior (D), and side (E) view. F–H. Stone with pseudo-aril, view of fertile locule (F), sterile locule (G), and as seen from the side (H).

Scale bar = 2 mm. Photographs by W. Swanepoel.

Commiphora omundomba, variation in leaf morphology (A, B) and trunk with thicker branches showing smooth, non-peeling bark (C).
A. Leaves with lamina entire. B. Leaves with lamina crenate to crenate-serrate. C. Plant with short trunk (partly hollowed out), about 200 mm in diameter; note some branches with prominent almost parallel longitudinal ridges.

Scale bar = 5 mm. Photographs by W. Swanepoel.

Commiphora omundomba, habitat and habit.
A. Ascending, leafless shrub-like trees in foreground, ca. 70 km from the Atlantic Coast.
B. Prostrate shrub on top of sandstone cliffs along the coast.

Photographs by W. Swanepoel.

Commiphora omundomba Swanepoel & Weeks, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:— Differs from C. dinteri in the terminal leaflets being oblanceolate or narrowly obovate (vs. obovate); lateral leaflets oblanceolate, narrowly obovate, obovate, elliptic, oblong, or suborbicular (vs. broadly elliptic or suborbicular); ratio length of terminal leaflets to width being 1.9–3.2:1 (vs.1–2:1); ratio length of terminal leaflets to lateral leaflets being 1.1–1.4:1 (vs. 1.5–2.9:1); leaflet margins often entire (vs. always toothed); calyx eglandular (vs. glandular); number of calyx lobes and petals 3 or rarely 4 (vs. 4); number of disc lobes 3 or rarely 4 (vs. 4); in male flowers distal part of disc lobes adnate to hypanthium, obscurely bifid at apex (vs. distal part not adnate to hypanthium, distinctly bifid at apex); pseudo-aril with commissural arms shorter, extending 25–65% the length of putamen (vs. longer, 75–95%).

Etymology and common names:—The specific epithet is the local Ovahimba vernacular name (a dialect of Otjiherero) for the new species. As vernacular names in English and Afrikaans we propose Iona corkwood and ionakanniedood.

Wessel Swanepoel, Andrea Weeks and Abraham E. van Wyk. 2022. Commiphora omundomba (Burseraceae), A New Species from Angola and Namibia. Phytotaxa. 543(4); 207-218. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.543.4.1 

  twitter.com/pterygote/status/1516776706652090368

    

[Entomology • 2022] Ivela yini • A New Species of the Genus Ivela Swinhoe (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Lymantriinae) from Guangdong, China

 Ivela yini Xie & Wang, 

in Xie, Li, Chen & Wang, 2022.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1097.79109

Abstract

Ivela yini sp. nov., is described from Guangdong, China based on morphological characters and molecular data. Adults, including genitalia and wing venation, and pupa are illustrated and compared to those of similar species. A key to Chinese Ivela species is provided. Assignment of the new species to Ivela Swinhoe is based primarily on a molecular phylogenetic analysis and is corroborated by morphology. Life histories of I. yini and Dendrophleps semihyalina Hampson are discussed.

Keywords: adults, Dendrophleps, Leucomini, molecular data, phylogenetic analyses, pupae

Adults 3‒6 Ivela yini sp. nov. (3 male, holotype 4 female, paratype 5 male, paratype 6 female, paratype)
7, 8 Dendrophleps semihyalina (7 male 8 female). Scale bars: 10 mm.

Field images of adults 9‒11 Ivela yini sp. nov. male (9 dorsal view 10 lateral view 11 ventral view of head)
12, 13 Dendrophleps semihyalina (12 male, dorsal view 13 female, dorsal view).

 Ivela yini Xie & Wang, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: This new species is diagnosed by a combination of characters. Superficially, the thorax and abdomen of the adult are white without black markings (Figs 3–6, 9, 10), the palpi are white (Fig. 11), and the forelegs are orange with white rings on the tarsal segments (Figs 9–11). In the male, the asymmetrical valvae are wide and truncated, with a deeply concave cucullus (Fig. 15). The uncus of I. yini (Fig. 15) is more than twice as long as the uncus of I. auripes (Fig. 17) and I. ochropoda (Inoue 1956: fig. 25). The female corpus bursae of I. yini has a pair of caudal projections (Fig. 16). The pupa has white hairs on the prothorax, on segments A2 and A3, and near the posterior end (Figs 21–24).

Etymology: The species is named after Ran Yin, who discovered the pupa of the new species. The name is in the genitive case.

Pupa of Ivela yini sp. nov.
21 dorsal view 22 lateral view 23 ventral view
24 pupa on Idesia polycarpa Maxim.

 Lin-Zhe Xie, Kun-Yuan Li, Liu-Sheng Chen and Hou-Shuai Wang. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Ivela Swinhoe (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Lymantriinae) from Guangdong, China. ZooKeys. 1097: 103-116. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1097.79109

[Mammalogy • 2022] Is Malaysia’s “Mystery Monkey” A Hybrid between Nasalis larvatus and Trachypithecus cristatus? An Assessment of Photographs

“mystery monkey”  evidence for a possible hybridization event between Nasalis larvatus and Trachypithecus cristatus

in Lhota, Yap, Benedict, ... et Ruppert, 2022.

DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00293-z 

  facebook.com/MarkLouisBenedict 

Abstract

Interspecific hybridization in primates is common but hybridization between distantly related sympatric primate species is rarely observed in the wild. We present evidence for a possible hybridization event between Nasalis larvatus and Trachypithecus cristatus in the Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sabah, through assessment of photographs. We used a set of categorical characters and metric measurements to compare the putative hybrid with the likely parent species. Nonmetric comparison showed that this “mystery monkey” is intermediate in several characters. Measurements of limb proportions on photographs showed that the brachial, humerofemoral, and intermembral indexes are above 100 for N. larvatus and below 100 for T. cristatus on all photographs, whereas the crural index is higher than 100 in both species and the distributions of this index in the two species overlap. Brachial and intermembral indices of the putative hybrid were similar to those of N. larvatus. Crural and humerofemoral indices were closer to the values for T. cristatus than those of N. larvatus. Multiple observers confirmed the occurrence of mixed-species groups in the area, and interspecific mating has been photographed. The putative hybrid is now an adult female and was last photographed in September 2020 with an infant and swollen breast, suggesting lactation. We propose further noninvasive fecal sampling for genetic analyses to confirm the origins of this “mystery monkey.” This case of hybridization may be related to anthropogenic changes to the landscape, whereby expansion of oil palm plantations confines N. larvatus and T. obscurus to narrow riverine forest patches along the Kinabatangan. This observation therefore also may have conservation implications, indicating limited mate access and dispersal opportunities for these threatened primates.

 

Keywords: Hybrid, Hybridization, Colobines, Proboscis monkey, Silvery lutung, Silvery langur, Interspecies interactions, Sabah

A. Juvenile “mystery monkey” near Kampung Bilit, Kinabatangan, Sabah, groomed by adult female Trachypithecus cristatus (likely the mother) (photo by Ken Ching, June 19, 2017). B. Subadult “mystery monkey,” alone (photo by Ben Duncan Angkee, November 17, 2018). In this photo, the individual may appear younger, because the phone camera had an automatic softening filter activated.

C. Subadult “mystery monkey,” alone, feeding (photo by Bob Shaw, November 17, 2018). D. Subadult “mystery monkey” with juvenile T. cristatus (in color change phase), adult female T. cristatus, and another T. cristatus individual while grooming (photo by Ken Ching, November 22, 2018).

 E. Adult male Nasalis larvatus mating with adult female T. cristatus in the same area (photo by Jean-Jay Mao, September 10, 2017). F. Adult putative hybrid now clearly identifiable as female with swollen breasts, holding an infant, which appears to be her offspring (photo by Nicole Lee, September 7, 2020)

Stanislav Lhota, Jo Leen Yap, Mark Louis Benedict, Ken Ching, Bob Shaw, Ben Duncan Angkee, Nicole Lee, Vendon Lee, Jean-Jay Mao and Nadine Ruppert. 2022. Is Malaysia’s “Mystery Monkey” A Hybrid between Nasalis larvatus and Trachypithecus cristatus? An Assessment of Photographs. International Journal of Primatology. DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00293-z

facebook.com/MarkLouisBenedict/posts/10227273555413697

 

[Botany • 2021] Luvunga subanense (Rutaceae) • A New Species from Mindanao, southern Philippines

Luvunga subanense K.R. Mazo & Tahil,

in Mazo & Tahil, 2021. 

DOI: 10.3100/hpib.v26iss2.2021.n7 

 huh.harvard.edu

  twitter.com/Kean_Roe 

 Abstract

 After 113 years since the only Luvunga species was described from the Philippines and after 36 years since the latest species of the genus was formally described from Sabah, Borneo, a species new to science of Luvunga from Zamboanga del Norte, Southern Philippines, L. subanense, is described and illustrated. The new species differs from similar species, L. philippinensis and L. crassifolia, by having longer thorns, longer petioles and an inflorescence of four-flowered cymes. It further distinguishes from its most similar species, L. philippinensis, by having nine stamens (vs. 10), shorter filaments (4–4.5 mm vs. 6 mm) and ovoid ovary (vs. oblong) which is globular in cross-section (vs. quadrangular). Figures, a table of comparing the new species to L. philippinensis and L. crassifolia, notes on distribution, habitat and conservation status are provided. This novelty brings the total number of Luvunga species to 15 of which four are found in the Philippines. 

Keywords: Luvunga philippinensis, Mindanao, morphology, Rutaceae, taxonomy, Zamboanga

Luvunga subanense K.R. Mazo & Tahil, sp. nov.

A similar species to both L. philippinensis Merr. and L. crassifolia Tan. by having generally oblongate leaflets and pubescent filaments, but differing in the length of thorns (2.5–3.0 vs. 1.2–1.5 vs. 2.0–2.5 cm) and petioles (14–24 vs. 9–13 vs. 11–14.5 cm) and the number of flower being produced in each cyme (4 vs. 3 vs. 6). It is further distinguished from a much closer species, L. philippinensis, by having nine stamens (vs. 10), shorter filaments (4–4.5 vs. 6 mm) and ovoid ovary (vs. oblong) which is globular in cross-section (vs. quadrangular).

Etymology: This taxonomic novelty is named in honor of the indigenous Subanen people of Zamboanga Peninsula. 

Distribution and habitat: Luvunga subanense is only known in the disturbed tropical lowland forest of barangay Tinuyop, Leon B. Postigo, Zamboanga del Norte, the Philippines along the river at elevation from 300–330 m elevation.

Kean Roe F. Mazo and Arkady A. Tahil. 2021. Historic Discovery of A New Species of Luvunga (Rutaceae) from Mindanao, southern Philippines. Harvard Papers in Botany. 26(2); 427–431. DOI: 10.3100/hpib.v26iss2.2021.n7 

 huh.harvard.edu/pdf-downloads

  twitter.com/Kean_Roe/status/1517697104063655936

[Botany • 2019] Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species from Tibet, China

Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense Jian W. Li, Xi L. Wang & X. H. Jin,

 Li, Wang, Wang, .. et Jin, 2019. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.404.2.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/333174505 

Abstract

Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense, a new species of Orchidaceae from Tibet, China is described and illustrated, it is morphologically similar to B. gamblei and B. shweliense, but can be easy distinguished from the later by petals ovate-oblong, stelidis triangular, base of column foot with V-shape cushion. The new species is tentatively assigned to sect. Desmosanthes based on morphological characters.

 

Keywords: Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense, New species, Orchidaceae, section Desmosanthes, China, Monocots

Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense Jian W. Li, Xi L. Wang & X.H. Jin
Note. A. Habitat. B. Plant with inflorescence (type specimen). C–D. Flowers. 

(photographed by Jianwu Li)

Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense Jian W. Li, Xi L. Wang & X.H. Jin 
 A. Plant with inflorescence (type specimen). B. Flower. C. Flora bract. D. Dorsal sepal. E. Petal. F. Lateral sepal. g. Lip (with faceand side view). H. Column foot (show cushion). I. Pollinia.

(Bar: A = 1 cm; B–H = 1 mm; I = 2 mm) 

(draw from type specimen by Bo Pan)

Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense Jian W. Li, Xi L. Wang & X. H. Jin, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense is morphologically similar to B. gamblei and B. shweliense, but differsfrom them by having conical pseudobulbs, ovate-oblong leaves, 1.0–1.3 cm long, ovate-rhombic petals with acuteapex, triangular stelidia, apex acute, column foot with a V-shape cushion.

Etymology. The new species is named after Yarlungzangbo Grand Canyon where it was discovered.

Jian-Wu Li, Xi-Long Wang, Cheng-Wang Wang, Bo Pan, Zhu-Qiu Song and Xiao-Hua Jin. 2019. Bulbophyllum yarlungzangboense (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Malaxideae), A New Species from Tibet, China. Phytotaxa. 404(2); 79–84. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.404.2.3

  Researchgate.net/publication/333174505_Bulbophyllum_yarlungzangboense_a_new_species_from_Tibet_China

A New Species of Orchid Found in Tibet 

 english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/201905/t20190517_209858.shtml

[Ichthyology • 2022] Haplochromis aquila, H. kimondo, H. rex, H. simba, etc. • From A Pair to A Dozen: The Piscivorous Species of Haplochromis (Cichlidae) from the Lake Edward System

Haplochromis rex, H. aquila,  

Haplochromis simba, H. kimondo, 

Haplochromis glaucus, H. falcatus,  

Vranken, Van Steenberge, Heylen, Decru & Snoeks, 2022

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.815.1749 

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ABSTRACT

Piscivory is a common trophic niche among cichlids of the East African Great Lakes, including Lakes Edward and George. From these two lakes, we examined the taxonomic diversity of cichlid species with a piscivorous morphology. Prior to this study, two piscivorous species were formally described, Haplochromis squamipinnis and H. mentatus. We redescribe both species and describe an additional ten new species of Haplochromis with a piscivorous morphology: H. latifrons sp. nov., H. rex sp. nov., H. simba sp. nov., H. glaucus sp. nov., H. aquila sp. nov., H. kimondo sp. nov., H. falcatus sp. nov., H. curvidens sp. nov., H. pardus sp. nov., and H. quasimodo sp. nov. All twelve species differ in dominant male colour pattern (unknown for H. latifrons sp. nov. and H. curvidens sp. nov.) and morphological traits. The species can be divided into two morphological groups: the macrodontic piscivores and the microdontic piscivores. This division potentially reflects an ecological differentiation in habitat use, hunting technique, prey species, and prey size. We conclude that some 12–20% of the species from the cichlid assemblage of Lake Edward have a piscivorous morphology.

Keywords: Adaptive radiation, haplochromines, Harpagochromis, Prognathochromis, new species

Phylum Chordata Haeckel, 1874

Class Actinopterygii Klein, 1885

Order Cichliformes Betancur-R et al., 2013

Family Cichlidae Bonaparte, 1840

Subfamily Pseudocrenilabrinae Fowler, 1934

Tribe Haplochromini Poll, 1986

Genus Haplochromis Hilgendorf, 1888

Haplochromis Hilgendorf, 1888: 76 

(as a subgenus of Chromis Cuvier, 1814).

Haplochromis mentatus Regan, 1925

Etymology: Specific name not explained in original description, probably derived from the Latin ‘mentum’ for ‘chin’; probably referring to the protruding lower jaw (i.e., projecting lower jaw sensu Regan 1925).

Haplochromis squamipinnis Regan, 1921

Etymology: Specific name not explained in original description, from the Latin ‘squamus’ for ‘scale’, and ‘pinnis’ for ‘fin’; probably referring to minute scales on basal parts of dorsal and anal fins.

Haplochromis latifrons sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from Latin ‘latus’ for ‘wide’ and ‘frons’ for ‘forehead’; referring to very broad interorbital area for a piscivorous species.

Haplochromis rex sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘rex’ for ‘king’ (one that holds a preeminent position); referring to very small eyes, deep cheeks, and strong jaws set with large and acute teeth indicating this piscivore has most specialised morphology among all piscivores from the Lake Edward system to hunt on large prey (Barel et al. 1977).

Haplochromis simba sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from Swahili ‘simba’ for ‘lion’; referring to yellow body, orange cheeks that resemble manes, and predatory morphology.

Haplochromis glaucus sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘glaucus’ for ‘greyish blue’; referring to grey and light-blue colour pattern of all adult specimens.

Haplochromis aquila sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘aquila’ for ‘eagle’; referring to predatory morphology and large eyes.

Haplochromis kimondo sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Swahili ‘kimondo’ for ‘meteor’; referring to blunt head, pyriform body with mid-lateral band, and yellow colouration of ventral part of body.

Haplochromis falcatus sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘falcatus’ for ‘sickle-shaped’; referring to acutely pointed sickle-like outer oral teeth.

Haplochromis rex sp. nov. a. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Holotype, a dominant male. d. A female (RMCA 2017.006.P.0355; 135.7 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.  

Haplochromis simba sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male (RMCA 2016.035.P.0224; 97.9 mm SL). d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P.0348; 109.0 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.  

Haplochromis glaucus sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male,  the  holotype.  d.  Female  (RMCA  2019.002.P.0017;  102.1  mm  SL)  to  illustrate  the  live  colour  patterns.  

Haplochromis aquila sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male,  the  holotype.  d.  Female  (RMCA  2018.008.P.0352;  108.7  mm  SL)  to  illustrate  the  live  colour  patterns.  
Haplochromis kimondo sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Holotype, a dominant male. d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P.0364; 128.1 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.  
Haplochromis falcatus sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male (RMCA 2017.006.P.0416; 119.1 mm SL). d. Female (RMCA 2016.035.P.0257; 112.8 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.

Haplochromis curvidens sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Holotype, an adult male. d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P.0340); 90.2 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.

Haplochromis quasimodo sp. nov. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c. Dominant male (RMCA 2018.008.P(HP3072); 123.7 mm SL). d. Female (RMCA 2018.008.P(HP3064); 116.6 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns.

Haplochromis squamipinnis Regan,  1921. c–d. Photographs of freshly caught specimens. c.  Dominant  male  (RMCA  2016.035.P.0250;  169.7  mm  SL).  d.  Female  (RMCA  2016.035.P(HP823);  129.6 mm SL) to illustrate the live colour patterns. 

 The contrast was slightly enhanced.

Haplochromis curvidens sp. nov. 

Etymology: Specific name from the Latin ‘curvus’ for ‘curvature’, and ‘dentatus’ for ‘tooth’; referring to strongly recurved oral teeth.

Haplochromis pardus sp. nov.

EtymologySpecific name from the Latin ‘pardus’ for ‘leopard’; referring to nearly uniform black to yellow-pink flanks with clear black blotches, i.e., interrupted horizontal and vertical stripes.

Haplochromis quasimodo sp. nov.

Etymology: Specific name from Quasimodo, hunchbacked character in Victor Hugo’s novel ‘Notre-Dame de Paris’ (1831); referring to rather shallow head and deep and rhomboid bodies of large specimens.

Nathan Vranken, Maarten Van Steenberge, Annelies Heylen, Eva Decru and Jos Snoeks. 2022. From A Pair to A Dozen: The Piscivorous Species of Haplochromis (Cichlidae) from the Lake Edward System. European Journal of Taxonomy. 815(1), 1-94. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.815.1749

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