[Herpetology • 2023] Sibon canopy, S. vieirai, Dipsas welborni, etc. • A Consolidated Phylogeny of Snail-eating Snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the Description of Five New Species from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama

Photographs of some species of Sibon and Dipsas in life 

a Sibon canopy sp. nov. from El Valle de Antón, Coclé province, Panama b S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. holotype from Puerto Indio, Darién province, Panama 

c S. marleyae sp. nov. from Verdecanandé, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador d S. vieirai sp. nov. from Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Pichincha province, Ecuador 

e Dipsas sp. from Cerro Gaital, Coclé province, Panama f Dipsas welborni sp. nov. from Vía a Nuevo Paraíso, Zamora Chinchipe province, Ecuador.

Arteaga & Batista, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.93601

Abstract

A molecular phylogeny of the Neotropical snail-eating snakes (tribe Dipsadini Bonaparte, 1838) is presented that includes 60 of the 133 species currently recognized. There is morphological and phylogenetic support for four new species of Sibon Fitzinger, 1826 and one of Dipsas Laurenti, 1768, which are described here based on their unique combination of molecular, meristic, and color pattern characteristics. Plesiodipsas Harvey et al., 2008 is designated as a junior synonym of Dipsas and additional evidence is presented to support the transfer of the genus Geophis Wagler, 1830 to the tribe Dipsadini. Two of the subspecies of S. nebulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) are elevated to full species status. Insight into additional undescribed cryptic diversity within the S. nebulatus species complex is provided. Evidence that supports the existence of an undescribed species previously confused with D. temporalis is provided, as well as the first country record of S. ayerbeorum Vera-Pérez, 2019 in Ecuador with a comment on the ontogenetic variation of the latter. Finally, photographs of Colombian, Ecuadorian, and Panamanian snail-eating snakes are provided.

 

Keywords: Caenophidia, Colubroidea, Dipsas, Plesiodipsas, Sibon, Squamata, systematics, taxonomy

Photographs of some species of Sibon in life
a S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. MHCH 3269 from Chucantí Reserve, Darién province, Panama b S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. from Morromico Reserve, Chocó department, Colombia
 c Sibon canopy sp. nov. from Cerro Gaital, Coclé province, Panama
d, e S. annulatus from Centro Manu, Limón province, Costa Rica f S. ayerbeorum ZSFQ 5066 from Canandé Biological Reserve, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador 
g S. marleyae sp. nov. holotype ZSFQ 5065 h S. marleyae sp. nov. ZSFQ 5068 i S. marleyae sp. nov. neonate from Verdecanandé, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador.

Photographs of some species of Sibon and Dipsas in life 

a Sibon canopy sp. nov. from El Valle de Antón, Coclé province, Panama b S. irmelindicaprioae sp. nov. holotype MHCH 3143 from Puerto Indio, Darién province, Panama c S. marleyae sp. nov. from Verdecanandé, Esmeraldas Province, Ecuador d S. vieirai sp. nov. from Mashpi Amagusa Reserve, Pichincha province, Ecuador e Dipsas sp. from Cerro Gaital, Coclé province, Panama f Dipsas welborni sp. nov. ZSFQ 5060 from Vía a Nuevo Paraíso, Zamora Chinchipe province, Ecuador.

 

 Alejandro Arteaga and Abel Batista. 2023. A Consolidated Phylogeny of Snail-eating Snakes (Serpentes, Dipsadini), with the Description of Five New Species from Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. ZooKeys. 1143: 1-49.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.93601

 khamai.bio/news/dicaprio_sheth_new_species_snakes.html

 twitter.com/ale_field_lab/status/1618348700304297984 

[Paleontology • 2023] Funcusvermis gilmorei • Triassic Stem Caecilian (Lissamphibia: Gymnophionomorpha) supports dissorophoid Origin of Living Amphibians

Funcusvermis gilmorei

Kligman, Gee, Marsh, Nesbitt, Smith, Parker & Stocker, 2023 

 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05646-5

Abstract

Living amphibians (Lissamphibia) include frogs and salamanders (Batrachia) and the limbless worm-like caecilians (Gymnophiona). The estimated Palaeozoic era gymnophionan–batrachian molecular divergence suggests a major gap in the record of crown lissamphibians prior to their earliest fossil occurrences in the Triassic period. Recent studies find a monophyletic Batrachia within dissorophoid temnospondyls, but the absence of pre-Jurassic period caecilian fossils has made their relationships to batrachians and affinities to Palaeozoic tetrapods controversial. Here we report the geologically oldest stem caecilian—a crown lissamphibian from the Late Triassic epoch of Arizona, USA—extending the caecilian record by around 35 million years. These fossils illuminate the tempo and mode of early caecilian morphological and functional evolution, demonstrating a delayed acquisition of musculoskeletal features associated with fossoriality in living caecilians, including the dual jaw closure mechanism, reduced orbits and the tentacular organ. The provenance of these fossils suggests a Pangaean equatorial origin for caecilians, implying that living caecilian biogeography reflects conserved aspects of caecilian function and physiology, in combination with vicariance patterns driven by plate tectonics. These fossils reveal a combination of features that is unique to caecilians alongside features that are shared with batrachian and dissorophoid temnospondyls, providing new and compelling evidence supporting a single origin of living amphibians within dissorophoid temnospondyls.

Digital renderings of holotype, paratype, and referred specimens of Funcusvermis gilmorei.
a–c, Composite reconstruction of craniomandibular elements in lateral (a), medial (b) and dorsal (c) views. d,e, Holotype right pseudodentary (PEFO 43891) in medial and ventral views. f, Paratype right pseudodentary (PEFO 46284) in medial view. g–i, Referred left maxillopalatine (PEFO 46481) in medial (g), ventral (h) and dorsal (i) views. j,k, Referred left pseudoangular (PEFO 46480) in medial and lateral views. l–o, Paratype right pseudodentary (PEFO 45800) in medial (l; expanded view in m) and dorsal (n; expanded view in o) views.

abcnV, alveolar branch cranial nerve V; adtr, adsymphyseal tooth row; af, adductor fossa; att, attachment tissue; bp, basal pore; cnV, cranial nerve V insertions; cp, coronoid process; dpaf, dorsal pseudoangular facet; dpdf, dorsal pseudodentary facet; dtr, dentary tooth row; dz, dividing zone; ebcnV, external branch cranial nerve V; fr, facial ramus; hp, hamate process; imf, intramandibular foramen; jas, jaw articulation surface; lcm, lateral choanal margin; lecnV, lateral exit cranial nerve V; mtr, maxillary tooth row; om, orbital margin; pap, posterior pseudoangular process; pc, pulp cavity; pd, pedicel; pgp, preglenoid process; ptr, palatal tooth row; rtl, replacement tooth locus; sf, symphyseal foramen; sp, symphyseal prongs; vpaf, ventral pseudoangular facet; vpdf, ventral pseudodentary facet. Arrows indicate anterior direction.

 

Systematic palaeontology

Lissamphibia Haeckel, 1866

Gymnophionomorpha Marjanović and Laurin, 2008

Funcusvermis gilmorei gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Funcus, Latinized form of the English word funky (funk is an upbeat, rhythmic form of dance music); vermis, worm (Latin); in honour of the 1972 song Funky Worm from the album Pleasure by the Ohio Players. The species name honours N. Gilmore, collections manager at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Holotype. PEFO 43891, right pseudodentary, accessioned at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, USA.

Life restoration of Funcusvermis gilmorei (bottom) and Acaenasuchus geoffreyi (top) in a paleoenvironmental reconstruction of the Chinle Formation, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, USA.

 

Ben T. Kligman, Bryan M. Gee, Adam D. Marsh, Sterling J. Nesbitt, Matthew E. Smith, William G. Parker and Michelle R. Stocker. 2023. Triassic Stem Caecilian supports dissorophoid Origin of Living Amphibians. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05646-5

 

[Botany • 2023] Phylogeny based Generic Reclassification of Muscari sensu lato (Asparagaceae) using Plastid and Genomic DNA

Inflorescences of Muscari species incorporated in this study.
A–H, M. subg. Muscari: A, M. anatolicum; B, M. adilii; C, M. armeniacum; D, M. discolor; E, M. sivrihisardaghlarense; F, M. vuralii; G, M. neglectum; H, M. commutatum.
I, M. subg. Muscarimia: M. macrocarpum.
J–L, Muscari subg. Pulchella (subg. nov.): J, M. latifolium; K, M. pulchellum; L, M. bourgaei.

 — Names listed above follow the new classification here proposed. 

in Böhnert, Neumann, Quandt & Weigend, 2023.

 DOI: 10.1002/tax.12864 

Images: T. Böhnert. twitter.com/TimBoeh

Abstract

The grape hyacinth (Muscari) represents an important ornamental plant group in Asparagaceae subfamily Scilloideae, comprising some 80 species distributed mainly in the Mediterranean. However, genus delimitation has repeatedly shifted over the past two centuries and a general consensus has not been reached so far. The present study investigates the phylogeny of Muscari s.l. (i.e., including the disputed segregates Pseudomuscari and Leopoldia) with a broad sampling of about half the currently recognized species using both chloroplast markers (trnK(matK)-psbA, trnL-trnF, rpl16) and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data generated by double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRAD). We perform concatenated maximum likelihood inference for both datasets as well as a coalescent-based approach and principal component analysis (PCA) on the ddRAD data. We find that the morphological characters traditionally used to distinguish different genera are not diagnostic for the clades here retrieved. Also, the segregates Pseudomuscari and Leopoldia are deeply nested in Muscari and we therefore propose a broadly defined Muscari with five subgenera. The subgenera roughly correspond to previously recognized entities, with the exception of the newly identified clade here proposed as M. subg. Pulchella subg. nov. We provide a provisional assignment of the 80 currently accepted taxa to these subgenera.

Keywords: ddRAD, geophyte, Leopoldia, Mediterranean, Pseudomuscari, Scilloideae

Inflorescences of 16 Muscari species incorporated in this study.
A–H, M. subg. Muscari: A, M. anatolicum; B, M. adilii; C, M. armeniacum; D, M. discolor; E, M. sivrihisardaghlarense; F, M. vuralii; G, M. neglectum; H, M. commutatum.
I, M. subg. Muscarimia: M. macrocarpum.
J–L, M. subg. Pulchella (subg. nov.): J, M. latifolium; K, M. pulchellum; L, M. bourgaei.
M–P, M. subg. Pseudomuscari: M, M. parviflorum; N, M. chalusicum; O, M. inconstrictum; P, M. coeruleum.

 — Names listed above follow the new classification here proposed. 

Images: T. Böhnert.

CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK: 

Muscari is a very natural group, best recognized as a single genus. The ddRAD data are able to reconstruct a highly resolved and highly supported phylogeny. Comprehensive sampling of the remaining ca. 45 species would be highly desirable to reach a comprehensive understanding of this important geophyte genus. Our data show evidence for lineage admixture and future analyses should be directed towards understanding the role of hybridization in the evolution of the genus by testing for introgression and possibly ongoing gene flow. It would also be expected that the evolution of Muscari is correlated to the geological and climatic history of the Mediterranean basin and this could be tested with a dated phylogeny of this genus. Beyond molecular data, additional and critical morphological analyses are required to hopefully provide a morphological characterization of the different subgenera.

Tim Böhnert, Michael Neumann, Dietmar Quandt and Maximilian Weigend. 2023. Phylogeny based Generic Reclassification of Muscari sensu lato (Asparagaceae) using Plastid and Genomic DNA. TAXON. DOI: 10.1002/tax.12864

 twitter.com/TimBoeh/status/1618211244061884418

[Mollusca • 2023] Nautilus vitiensis, N. samoaensis & N. vanuatuensis • Three New Species of Nautilus Linnaeus, 1758 (Cephalopoda: Nautilidae) from the Coral Sea and South Pacific

A, B Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov. 
C N. vanuatuensis sp. nov. D N. vitiensis sp. nov.

Barord, Combosch, Giribet, Landman, Lemer, Veloso & Ward, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.84427

Abstract

Nautiloids are a charismatic group of marine molluscs best known for their rich fossil record, but today they are restricted to a handful of species in the family Nautilidae from around the Coral Triangle. Recent genetic work has shown a disconnect between traditional species, originally defined on shell characters, but now with new findings from genetic structure of various Nautilus populations. Here, three new species of Nautilus from the Coral Sea and South Pacific region are formally named using observations of shell and soft anatomical data augmented by genetic information: N. samoaensis sp. nov. (from American Samoa), N. vitiensis sp. nov. (from Fiji), and N. vanuatuensis sp. nov. (from Vanuatu). The formal naming of these three species is timely considering the new and recently published information on genetic structure, geographic occurrence, and new morphological characters, including color patterns of shell and soft part morphology of hood, and will aid in managing these possibly endangered animals. As recently proposed from genetic analyses, there is a strong geographic component affecting taxonomy, with the new species coming from larger island groups that are separated by at least 200 km of deep water (greater than 800 m) from other Nautilus populations and potential habitats. Nautilid shells implode at depths greater than 800 m and depth therefore acts as a biogeographical barrier separating these species. This isolation, coupled with the unique, endemic species in each locale, are important considerations for the conservation management of the extant Nautilus species and populations.

Keywords: Conservation, deep-sea, Nautilidae, Nautilus, taxonomy

Class Cephalopoda Cuvier, 1795

Order Ectocochliata Schwartz, 1894

Subclass Nautiloidea Agassiz, 1847

Family Nautilidae de Blainville, 1825

Genus Nautilus Linnaeus, 1758

 Nautilus pompilius Linnaeus, 1758 

(type species of Nautilus)

Underwater photos of living Nautilus
A, B Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov. C N. vanuatuensis sp. nov. D N. vitiensis sp. nov.

 Nautilus vitiensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet, an adjective, refers to the type locality, the island of Viti Levu, Fiji, where the type specimen plus additional released specimens sampled for genetic work were collected.

Habitat and distribution: Nautilus vitiensis sp. nov. inhabits areas along the coast of Viti Levu, Fiji at Suva Harbour and Pacific Harbour. Specimens were collected and filmed (Suppl. material 1: video 1) at depths between 200–400 m (Tajika et al. 2022).

 Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet, an adjective, refers to the type locality, American Samoa.

Habitat and distribution: Nautilus samoaensis sp. nov. inhabits areas near Pago Pago, American Samoa. Specimens were collected and filmed (Suppl. material 2: video 2) at depths between 200 and 400 m.

 Nautilus vanuatuensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet, an adjective, refers to the type locality, Vanuatu, where all the known specimens have been collected.

Habitat and distribution: Nautilus vanuatuensis inhabits sites within Mele Bay, Vanuatu. Specimens were collected and filmed (Suppl. material 3: video 3) at depths of 200–400 m.

Conclusions: 

The three species, Nautilus vitiensis, N. samoaensis, and N. vanuatuensis represent populations of nautiluses on the easternmost edge of the overall habitat range of Nautilus. The designation of these three populations as distinct species provides insight into evolutionary radiation of the genus and clarification for future conservation practices.

Gregory J. Barord, David J. Combosch, Gonzalo Giribet, Neil Landman, Sarah Lemer, Job Veloso and Peter D. Ward. 2023. Three New Species of Nautilus Linnaeus, 1758 (Mollusca, Cephalopoda) from the Coral Sea and South Pacific. ZooKeys. 1143: 51-69. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1143.84427

[Paleontology • 2022] Unusual Sauropod Slipping Tracks preserved on A Biostabilized Tidal Flat from the Lower Cretaceous of northern Patagonia, Argentina

in Heredia, Pazos & Fernández, 2022.  

DOI: 10.1144/SP522-2021-136 

 facebook.com/GeolSoc 

illustration: Gabriel Lio

Abstract

Several elongated and other crescent-shaped impressions interpreted as dinosaur tracks and preserved on Lower Cretaceous tidal flat deposits from the Agrio Formation (northern Patagonia, Argentina) are studied in detail. These tracks were documented on a palaeosurface showing palaeotopographic differences over a short distance, related to the lateral migration of a tidal channel. A genetic order between biostabilization and bioturbation of the palaeosurface is recognized. Ripples generated within the channel during the flood tide were first biostabilized; there, horseshoe crab trace fossils were produced. Then, the area bearing the tracks studied here was subaerially exposed, with the biostabilized substrate generating a slippery surface. Scanning electron microscope analysis of the rims indicates that the microbial mat was disturbed by the trampling. Finally, microbial mats recovered, and some tracks preserved wrinkle marks inside the tracks. Taking into account the substrate properties and track features analysed (morphology, size, depth and orientation), it is concluded that the tracks were produced by dinosaurs, probably small sauropods, trampling on a slippery surface and moving parallel to the channel margin. This study is an unusual case of slipping tetrapod tracks preserved on a biostabilized tidal flat developed in a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic environment.

 

Arturo M. Heredia, Pablo J. Pazos and Diana E. Fernández. 2022. Unusual Sauropod Slipping Tracks preserved on A Biostabilized Tidal Flat from the Lower Cretaceous of northern Patagonia, Argentina. Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 522.

DOI: 10.1144/SP522-2021-136 

 facebook.com/GeolSoc/posts/6549148951767902/

Descubren en Patagonia inusuales “patinadas” fosilizadas de dinosaurios saurópodos

El equipo de especialistas del CONICET y de la UBA identificó 23 huellas de 130 millones de años de antigüedad que corresponden a pisadas de esos animales en una región que era una antigua línea de costa de la Cuenca Neuquina.

 conicet.gov.ar/descubren-en-patagonia-inusuales-patinadas-fosilizadas-de-dinosaurios-sauropodos

 

[Botany • 2023] Liparis tianchiensis (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species from Gansu, China

Liparis tianchiensis  X.J.Liu & X.G.Sun,

in Liu & Sun, 2023.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.219.90351

 

Abstract

Liparis tianchiensis (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), a new species from Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated, based on morphological characters. Liparis tianchiensis is morphologically similar to L. damingshanensis, L. pauliana and L. mengziensis with erect, lax flowered-inflorescences, small persistent floral bracts, small greenish-purple flowers, spreading sepals, free reflexed and linear petals, a lip with 2 calli near the base and an arcuate column. Liparis tianchiensis differs from L. pauliana by the single and much smaller leaf, shorter sepals and petals, smaller and reflexed oblong lip. It differs from L. mengziensis by having fewer and larger flowers and not connate lip apex. The novelty mostly resembles L. damingshanensis, but can be readily identified by having longer sepals and a reflexed oblong lip. Liparis tianchiensis only occurs in evergreen broad-leaved forest around a mountain lake in Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China.

Keywords: Malaxideae, morphology, new species, Wenxian County

Liparis tianchiensis sp. nov.
 A individual in bloom B flower, lateral view C dorsal sepal D lateral sepal E petal F pedicel, ovary and column G lip H anther-cap, abaxial view I anther-cap, adaxial view.

 Scale bars: 1 cm (A, B); 0.5 cm (C–G); 1 mm (H, I). 

Drawn by Hui Lin from the holotype.

Liparis tianchiensis sp. nov.
A habit B non-flowering plants in situ C flowering individual D dissected floral parts E leaf, adaxial view F leaf, abaxial view G flower, lateral view.

 Scale bars: 10 cm (B); 1 cm (C–G).

 Liparis tianchiensis X.J.Liu & X.G.Sun, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Liparis tianchiensis is similar to L. damingshanensis with single small leaf, erect, lax flowered-inflorescences, small greenish purple flowers, spreading sepals, free reflexed and linear petals, a lip with 2 calli near the base and an arcuate column. It, however, differs from the latter by having a longer dorsal sepal (9.0–11.0 mm vs 6.0–8.0 mm) and a longer (8.0–10.0 vs 5.0–7.0 mm) and oblong (vs obovate-triangular) lip.

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the type locality Tianchi Lake, Wenxian County, Gansu Province, China.

Distribution and habitat: Liparis tianchiensis is terrestrial and grows in shaded and damp moss-covered areas in evergreen broad-leaved forest, forming scattered colonies on the slopes of Tianchi Lake at 1680 m a.s.l. For the time being, Liparis tianchiensis is only known from the type locality. The subpopulation is small, with less than 200 individuals.

  

 Xiao-Juan Liu and Xue-Gang Sun. 2023. Liparis tianchiensis (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Gansu, China. PhytoKeys. 219: 27-33. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.219.90351

[Mammalogy • 2023] Pseudoromicia mbamminkom • A Review of Bats of the Genus Pseudoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the Description of A New Species from Cameroon

 

Pseudoromicia mbamminkom 

Grunwald, Demos, Nguéagni, Tchamba, Monadjem, Webala, Peterhans, Patterson & Ruedas, 2023

Mbam Minkom Serotine  ||  DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2156002 

  Researchgate.net/publication/367245410

  twitter.com/TDemos7

  twitter.com/BatConIntl

Abstract

The Cameroon Volcanic Line, which divides the Congo Basin fauna from the West African fauna, is a known area of high endemism for various taxa, but the region’s bat fauna has received little attention. We review variation in morphological and molecular (mitochondrial Cytochrome b) characters in the Tropical African vespertilionid bat genus Pseudoromicia. Assessment of this variation indicates the existence of a new species of Pseudoromicia, from the Mbam Minkom Massif in the Centre Region of Cameroon. The new species is diagnosable by sequence data and is morphologically similar to its putative sister taxon, P. kityoi, from Uganda. Although we suggest that it be assigned to the IUCN category of Data Deficient, there should be some concern as to the conservation status of this species: the Mbam Minkom Massif ecosystem is threatened due to lack of legal conservation frameworks and exposure to increasing human pressure. The new species is in a clade with P. roseveari and P. kityoi. These three species may be relicts of a single widespread species originating in the West African “white-winged” group of Pseudoromicia that then spread east across the tropical moist broadleaf forest into East Africa, and are now restricted to a few upland rainforest patches in West Africa (P. roseveari), in outliers of the Cameroon Volcanic Line region (Pseudoromicia sp.), and the Lake Victoria area (P. kityoi). The smaller, white-winged species are hypothesized to be ancestral, with one extant putative species (P. rendalli) also extending into East and southern Africa (Van Cakenberghe & Happold, 2013). The larger, dark-winged taxa likely dispersed to East Africa and subsequently back to West Africa (e.g., Pseudoromicia sp., P. roseveari). Our data illustrate the potential importance of the Dahomey Gap and climatic changes in the evolution of this group of species.

 

Key words: Africa, bat, biodiversity, Cameroon, mitochondrial DNA, systematics, taxonomy

 Dorsal view of the body of the holotype of Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp.nov.
 The frosted look is an effect of the lighting: the coloration is homogeneous. 

  Map of the type localities of Pseudoromicia species. Species marked with an asterisk ( Ã ) are part of the white-winged group. Map created using ArcGIS software by Esri (2020); basemap created by subsetting ESRI's RESOLVE Ecoregions dataset (2017) containing 846 terrestrial ecoregions grouped into 14 biomes.

 Dorsal, ventral, and lateral view of the skull of
the holotype of Pseudoromica kityoi (right) and
the holotype of Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp.nov. (left).

Pseudoromicia mbamminkom sp. nov.

Mbam Minkom Serotine

Etymology. A noun in apposition, named for the type locality, the most prominent summit in its namesake Mbam Minkom Massif, an isolated gneiss inselberg formation emerging from the surrounding lowland forest matrix.

Distribution. Based on a single record at an elevationof 785 m on Mount Mbam Minkom in the Centre Region of Cameroon (Fig. 1) 

 

Amanda L. Grunwald, Terrence C. Demos, Yvette Nguéagni, Martin N. Tchamba, Ara Monadjem, Paul W. Webala, Julian C. Kerbis Peterhans, Bruce D. Patterson and Luis A. Ruedas. 2023. A Review of Bats of the Genus Pseudoromicia (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) with the Description of A New Species. Systematics and Biodiversity. 21(1); 2156002. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2156002 

  Researchgate.net/publication/367245410_A_review_of_Pseudoromicia

  twitter.com/TDemos7/status/1616617460030996483

  twitter.com/BatConIntl/status/1617585661653159941

[Paleontology • 2023] Turnersuchus hingleyae • A New early Diverging thalattosuchian (Crocodylomorpha: Thalattosuchia) from the Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) of Dorset, U.K. and Implications for the Origin and Evolution of the Group

Turnersuchus hingleyae

Wilberg, Godoy, Griffiths, Turner & Benson,  2023

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2022.2161909 

 twitter.com/PedroLGodoy 

Illustration: Júlia d'Oliveira twitter.com/tupandactylus 

ABSTRACT

Among archosaurs, thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs experienced the most extensive adaptations to the marine realm. Despite significant attention, the phylogenetic position of the group remains uncertain. Thalattosuchians are either the sister-group to Crocodyliformes, basal mesoeucrocodylians, or nest among longirostrine neosuchians. The earliest definite thalattosuchians are Toarcian, and already possess many synapomorphies of the group. All phylogenetic hypotheses imply a ghost lineage extending at least to the Sinemurian, and a lack of older or more plesiomorphic forms may contribute to the uncertain phylogenetic placement of the group. Here we describe a new species, Turnersuchus hingleyae, gen. et sp. nov., from the early Pliensbachian Belemnite Marl Member of the Charmouth Mudstone Formation (Dorset, U.K.). The specimen includes partially articulated cranial, mandibular, axial, and appendicular elements. It can be attributed to Thalattosuchia based on the following features: distinct fossa on the posterolateral corner of the squamosal; broad ventrolateral process of the otoccipital covering the dorsal surface of the quadrate; large supratemporal fenestrae lacking a flattened skull table; broadly exposed prootic; orbital process of quadrate lacking bony attachment with the braincase. This specimen represents the earliest thalattosuchian currently known from diagnostic material. Phylogenetic analyses of two published datasets recover Turnersuchus as the earliest diverging thalattosuchian, and sister to Teleosauroidea + Metriorhynchoidea. Bayesian tip-dating analyses suggest a Rhaetian or Sinemurian divergence of Thalattosuchia from other crocodylomorphs, depending on topology, with confidence intervals spanning from the Norian to the Pliensbachian. The new specimen extends the fossil record of Thalattosuchia, but the time-scaling analyses demonstrate that a significant ghost lineage remains.

 Turnersuchus hingleyae, gen. et sp. nov.

 

Eric W. Wilberg, Pedro L. Godoy, Elizabeth F. Griffiths, Alan H. Turner and Roger B. J. Benson. 2023. A New early Diverging thalattosuchian (Crocodylomorpha) from the Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian) of Dorset, U.K. and Implications for the Origin and Evolution of the Group. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.  e2161909. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2022.2161909  

  twitter.com/PedroLGodoy/status/1616568227936538624

[Paleontology • 2023] Balaenognathus maeuseri • A New pterodactyloid Pterosaur (Ctenochasmatidae) with A unique Filter-feeding Apparatus from the Late Jurassic of Germany

 

Balaenognathus maeuseri 

Martill, Frey, Tischlinger, Mäuser, Rivera-Sylva & Vidovic, 2023

DOI: 10.1007/s12542-022-00644-4

Abstract

A new long-legged, spatula-beaked, filter-feeding pterodactyloid pterosaur from Upper Jurassic plattenkalk limestones at Wattendorf, Bavaria, Southern Germany, is remarkable for its completeness, unusual dentition and hints of the preservation of soft tissues, including wing membranes. The fully articulated specimen displays both jaws each side with over one hundred sub-parallel-sided teeth with a small, slightly hooked expansion at the crown tip. There are at least 480 teeth in total. The tip of the rostrum widens to a spatula-like, laterally concave structure with teeth only along its lateral margins. The straight anterior margin is devoid of teeth allowing plankton-rich water to stream in, while the teeth interdigitate forming a fine mesh trap. A slightly up swept rostrum assisted filtering by probable pulsating movements of the long neck, while wading or swimming through shallow water.

Keywords: Pterosauria, Ctenochasmatidae, Jurassic, Lagerstätte, Filter-feeding, Germany

Systematic palaeontology

Pterosauria Kaup, 1834

Monofenestrata Lü et al., 2010

Pterodactyloidea Plieninger, 1901

Family Ctenochasmatidae Nopcsa, 1928.

Genus Balaenognathus n. gen.

Derivation of generic name. Balaena is the generic name of the bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) a ram filter feeding cetacean. Thus balaena (Latin) for the bowhead whale and gnathus (Latin) for jaw. The genus name refers to the filter mechanism of bowhead whales that have superficially similar feeding strategies.

Balaenognathus maeuseri n. g., n. sp.

Derivation of specific name. “maeuseri” after our coauthor and good friend Matthias Mäuser who so sadly passed away during the writing of this paper.

Holotype. A single articulated specimen housed at the Naturkunde-Museum Bamberg (Natural History Museum Bamberg) under collection number NKMB P2011-633 (Fig. 2).

Type locality. Quarry of Andreas Schorr GmbH & Co. KG near Wattendorf, Bavaria, Southern Germany (Fig. 1B), at coordinates 50° 02′ 17″ N 11° 06′ 57″ E.

Type horizon and age. Bed 12 of the Wattendorf Plattenkalk, Torleite Formation, Eudoxus ammonite Biozone, Upper Jurassic, Upper Kimmeridgian to Tithonian (~ 157–145 mya).

Diagnosis: Autapomorphies: The new specimen is distinguished as a new taxon on account of two conspicuous apomorphies: 1. terminal end of the jaws forming a triangular spatulate platform lacking teeth on its anterior border, 2. teeth long, slender and with a hook on the crown tip, 3. a unique combination of wing and hindlimb bone ratios typical of the Ctenochasmatidae.

Balaenognathus maeuseri gen. et sp. nov. (NKMB P2011-633):
 holotype and only reported specimen, Torleite Formation of Wattendorf (Late Jurassic).
 Some small gaps in the slab have been infilled with minor restoration of some bones. A portion of the distal extremity of the left metacarpal IV and part of the left anterior ilium process are known to be missing. Some other missing elements (e.g., the pteroids) may be concealed under larger bones

Balaenognathus maeuseri gen. et sp. nov.: possible methods of suspension feeding.
A Surface thrust feeding; notice that the filter zone should be above the water surface; B B′, gular pump feeding, B, intake phase, B′, filter phase with lingual assistance. C, D Range of water depth for passive ram feeding. C minimum water level; D maximum water level

Balaenognathus maeuseri gen. et sp. nov.: tentative line reconstruction of the skull

Conclusions: 

A Late Jurassic pterosaur from the Wattendorf Plattenkalk of the Torleite Formation of Wattendorf, southern Germany, represents a new genus and species of ctenochasmatid pterosaur, Balaenognathus maeuseri. It is diagnosed on three apomorphies: 1, long and slender teeth terminating in a small hook or knob; 2, a truncated edentulous anterior jaw termination, and 3, a tooth count greater than 480. The immense number of fine, slender teeth that interdigitate in occlusion mechanically precludes any mode of feeding other than filter feeding. In a cladistic analysis, Balaenognathus nests within the Ctenochasmatidae together with other well-known forms such as Pterodaustro, Ctenochasma and Gnathosaurus; however, the group remains rather unresolved. Within the Ctenochasmatoidea, Balaenognathus appears to be a sister taxon to the clade Moganopterinae sensu Longrich et al. (2018) comprising Aurorazhdarcho, Gladocephaloides, Feilongus, Moganopterus and Lonchodectes. The unique jaw morphology, especially of the anterior terminus of the rostrum reveals a wide, edentulous rostral spatula narrowing posteriorly in the manner of a funnel for the ingress of plankton that was filtered out over its array of interlocking needle-shaped teeth. The function of the hooked tooth crowns remains an enigma, but they appear to have limited the gape of the jaws.

 

David M. Martill, Eberhard Frey, Helmut Tischlinger, Matthias Mäuser, Héctor E. Rivera-Sylva and Steven U. Vidovic. 2023. A New pterodactyloid Pterosaur with A unique Filter-feeding Apparatus from the Late Jurassic of Germany. PalZ. DOI: 10.1007/s12542-022-00644-4

[Botany • 2021] Ceratostema zamorana (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae) • A New Species from Ecuador

Ceratostema zamorana M.M. Jiménez & Vélez-Abarca,

in Jiménez, Vélez-Abarca, Horna, Jaramillo & Baquero, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.520.3.5 

 Researchgate.net/publication/354731283

 

Tribe Vaccinieae Reichenbach with more than 800 species contains most of the neotropical taxa of Ericaceae Jussieu (Pedraza-Peñalosa 2015a: 35). Species of genus Vaccinium Linneaus (1753: 349) known as blueberries or mortiños in Spanish, are members of Vaccinieae well-known for their economic importance (Pedraza-Peñalosa 2015b: 100). The genus Ceratostema Jussieu (1789: 163) was created by Antoine Jussieu and Ceratostema peruvianum Gmelin (1791: 676) was designated as the type species (Luteyn 1986: 485). It was first treated by Smith in 1952, who published a brief description and an artificial key, recognizing 16 species at that time (Smith 1952). Luteyn (1986) reviewed the genus and provided an updated artificial key to 23 species, including three new ones. Subsequently, a new species from Peru was added and thirteen more from Ecuador were included in the genus (Luteyn 1992, 1996, 2005).

...

The Cordillera of the Andes, in southeastern Ecuador, is part of a biodiversity hotspot that contains the highestdiversity of plant species of any similar sized area in the Neotropics (Gerique 2011). A recent study of the paramosand montane forests near the Podocarpus National Park demonstrated that Ericaceae are one of the most importanttaxonomic groups of the pioneer flora with 18 species of nine genera recorded (Lozano et al. 2007). The present workpresents a new species of Ceratostema as a result of a study on the Ericaceae of the upper basin of the Zamora Riverin the province of Zamora-Chinchipe, which is compared to Ceratostema reginaldii (Sleumer 1941: 400) Smith (1952:59), possibly the most closely related species. 

Ceratostema zamorana M.M. Jiménez & Vélez-Abarca, sp. nov.

Etymology:—This new species is named after the town of Zamora, the capital of Zamora-Chinchipe Province in Ecuador, where the new species was found.

Marco M. Jiménez, Leisberth Vélez-Abarca, Luis Ocupa Horna, Nelson Jaramillo and Luis E. Baquero. 2021. A New Species of Ceratostema (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae) from Ecuador.  Phytotaxa. 520(3); 265-272. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.520.3.5

  Researchgate.net/publication/354731283_A_new_species_of_Ceratostema_from_Ecuador