[Paleontology • 2023] Unktaheela specta • A New Genus of small polycotylid plesiosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of the Western Interior Seaway, North America and A Clarification of the Genus Dolichorhynchops

Unktaheela specta

Clark, O’Keefe & Slack, 2023

DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105812 

twitter.com/RobbieOClark

Abstract
Polycotylids are plesiosaurian marine reptiles that evolved during the Early Cretaceous and radiated into multiple genera during the Late Cretaceous. Here we describe a small new polycotyline polycotylid, Unktaheela specta, gen. et sp. nov., from the Campanian of the Western Interior Seaway in North America. Because its specimens bear a host of features indicating they represent adults, Unktaheela is the smallest known adult polycotylid. Diagnostic features of the orbital region include a large orbit, a supraorbital ledge over the orbit’s anterodorsal margin, and a broad supraorbital ridge bordering the orbit’s posterodorsal rim. Other autapomorphies include an unusually short postorbital region, a uniquely wide occiput, an autapomorphic parasphenoid, unusually wide neural spines, a distinctive pubis morphology, and propodials more convex ventrally than dorsally. A new phylogenetic analysis yields a more stable polycotyline phylogeny and recovers a well-supported clade of derived polycotylines, Dolichorhynchia, clade nov. We find Dolichorhynchops herschelensis and Dolichorhynchops osborni to be united by synapomorphies not shared with other polycotylines and the only valid species of Dolichorhynchops. We erect a new genus for “Dolichorhynchops” bonneri, Martinectes, gen. nov., finding it to be united with Unktaheela and ROM 29010 by several synapomorphies not shared with Dolichorhynchops. Several plesiomorphic traits of “Dolichorhynchops” tropicensis render it basal to Dolichorhynchops and Trinacromerum, and we erect the genus Scalamagnus, gen. nov., for this taxon. Comparisons to extant tetrapods suggest that several features of Unktaheela may be adaptations for visual pursuit predation in a sunlit environment, an interpretation with ecological implications for other aquatic reptiles.

Unktaheela specta, gen. et sp. nov. 

 Robert O. Clark, F. Robin O’Keefe and Sara E. Slack. 2023. A New Genus of small polycotylid plesiosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of the Western Interior Seaway and A Clarification of the Genus Dolichorhynchops. Cretaceous Research. In Press, 105812. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2023.105812

 twitter.com/RobbieOClark/status/1739003975813288039 

 twitter.com/RobbieOClark/status/1739723347103981773

[Herpetology • 2023] Scutiger luozhaensis • A New Asian Lazy Toad of the Genus Scutiger Theobald, 1868 (Anura: Megophryidae) from southern Tibet, China

Scutiger luozhaensis  

Shi, Sui, Ma, Ji, Bu-Dian & Jiang,2023

Luozha Lazy Toad | 洛扎齿突蟾  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.107958

Photographed by Sheng-Chao Shi.

Abstract

In this study, a new species named Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov. is described from Luozha, southern Tibet, China. Genetic analysis based on two mitochondrial genes 16S rRNA and COI and the nuclear gene RAG1 revealed that the new species belongs to an independent phylogenetic clade close to S. gongshanensis and S. nyingchiensis and shares no RAG1 haplotype with other species. Morphological comparisons based on examined specimens and literatures indicated that it can be diagnosed from congeners by the following combination of characters: (1) body moderate, male body length 47.0–67.2 mm (n = 13), female body length 49.8–66.2 mm (n = 8); (2) maxillary teeth and budding absent; (3) numerous tiny dense nuptial spines present on dorsal surface of fingers I, II and inner surface of finger III of males in breeding condition with similar size; (4) spine patches on belly of males in breeding condition absent; (5) spines on inner surface of forearm and upper arm of males in breeding condition absent; (6) small patches of black spines present near armpit of males in breeding condition absent; (7) adult males without vocal sac; (8) some large warts and tubercles on dorsum gathered into short skin ridges with several spines present on top; (9) space between upper eyelids wider than upper eyelids; (10) spots or irregular cross bands on limbs absent; (11) webbing between toes rudimentary; (12) coloration of dorsal body olive brown to bronze.

Key words: Molecular phylogenetic analyses, morphology, Scutiger, taxonomy, Tibet Autonomous Region

Holotype of Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov. (CIB 119115) in life
A dorsolateral body B dorsal body C short skin ridges and tubercles on dorsal body D ventral body E lateral head F ventral feet G ventral hand H ventral view of maxillary showing no vomerine or maxillary teeth.

Photographed by Sheng-Chao Shi.

Variations of Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov.
A, B dorsal and ventral view of an adult male from Lakang Town C, D dorsal and ventral view of an adult female from Lakang Town
E dorsolateral view of an adult female from Lakang Town F dorsolateral view of adult female CIB 119120 from Se Town G, H dorsolateral and ventral view of juvenile CIB QZ2021115 from Shengge Town.

 Photographed by Sheng-Chao Shi.

 Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Scutiger luozhaensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Scutiger by the followings: (1) maxillary teeth absent or indistinct; (2) vomerine teeth absent; (3) tympanum and tympanic ring entirely absent; (4) pupil vertical, (5) femoral glands indistinct; (6) pectoral and axillary gland present in males, and covered by black spines in males in breeding condition; (7) inner three fingers with black nuptial spines in males in breeding condition (Fei et al. 2009; Fei and Ye 2016).

...

Etymology: The specific epithet luozhaensis is named after the type locality, Luozha county. We propose the English common name Luozha lazy toad and the Chinese name common name 洛扎齿突蟾 (Luò Zhā chǐ Tū Chán).

Sheng-Chao Shi, Lu-Lu Sui, Shun Ma, Fei-Rong Ji, A-Yi Bu-Dian and Jian-Ping Jiang. 2023. A New Asian Lazy Toad of the Genus Scutiger Theobald, 1868 (Anura, Megophryidae) from southern Tibet, China. ZooKeys. 1187: 31-62. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.107958

[Ichthyology • 2023] Tomiyamichthys elliotensis • A New Species of Shrimpgoby (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from Lady Elliot Island, Queensland, Australia

Tomiyamichthys elliotensis

Allen, Erdmann & Dudgeon, 2023

 oceansciencefoundation.org/josf40e.html

A new species of gobiid fish, Tomiyamichthys elliotensis, is described from Lady Elliot Island at the southern end of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, on the basis of 6 specimens, 32.6–52.7 mm SL. Diagnostic features include a sail-like first dorsal fin without filamentous elements; 10 segmented dorsal and anal-fin rays; 17 or 18 pectoral-fin rays; scales all cycloid, 78–84 lateral and 18–24 transverse scale rows, no prepectoral scales; and a cephalic sensory-canal pore system containing pores B’, C, D, E, F, G, H’, M’, N and O’. The fish is overall whitish with a midlateral row of 4 large, ovate, brown spots; diagonal yellow-orange bands on the first dorsal fin; a brown stripe along the mid-second-dorsal fin; several yellow-orange stripes along the anal fin; and bluish pelvic fins with yellow fin rays. Among the 6 species of Tomiyamichthys that have mtDNA COI sequences, interspecific divergences range from 14.4% to 21.5% and the new species is 18.3% different in COI sequence from its putative nearest relative Tomiyamichthys oni. The habitat of the new species consists of relatively flat, sandy bottoms exposed to periodic strong tidal currents in 15–24 m depths.

Key words: taxonomy, ichthyology, coral-reef fishes, gobies, western Pacific Ocean, DNA barcoding, T. oni.

 

Tomiyamichthys elliotensis, n. sp. 

Lady Elliot Shrimpgoby

Diagnosis. Dorsal-fin elements VI-I,10, no dorsal-fin spine elongated, longest spine 1.0–1.3 in HL; analfin elements I,10; pectoral-fin rays 17–18 (usually17); lateral scale series 78–84; scales entirely cycloid; scales absent on cheek, opercle, predorsal, and pectoral-fin base; gill opening extending to about level of posterior edge of preopercle; caudal fin rounded, about equal to head length or 3.2–3.6 in SL; pattern of cephalic sensory-canal pores consisting of B’, C, D, E, F, G, H’, M’, N and O’ pores; gill rakers poorly developed, 2 + 4–6; color in life overall whitish with midlateral row of 4 large, ovate, brown spots, 5 or 6 diagonal yellow-orange bands on first dorsal fin, brown stripe along middle of second dorsal fin, several yellow-orange stripes along anal fin, and bluish pelvic fins with yellow fin rays; largest specimen, female holotype, 52.7 mm SL.

Etymology. The new species is named for the type location, Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef.

 Gerald R. Allen, Mark V. Erdmann and Christine L. Dudgeon. 2023. Tomiyamichthys elliotensis, A New Species of Shrimpgoby (Teleostei: Gobiidae) from Lady Elliot Island, Queensland, Australia. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation. 40, 57-69. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.8404548

  oceansciencefoundation.org/josf40e.html

[Botany • 2023] Agarista revolutissima (Ericaceae: Vaccinioideae) • A New Species endemic to the Chapada Diamantina, Brazil, segregated from A. revoluta by multiple evidence

Agarista revolutissima A.A.Samp. & R.P.Oliveira,  

in Sampaio, Romão, Dorea et Oliveira, 2023.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.583.1.8

Abstract

Agarista is a genus belonging to the family Ericaceae that includes ca. 32 species. It occurs predominantly in South America, mainly in Brazil, where 21 species have been documented. During our floristic and taxonomic studies of Ericaceae from the state of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, we found specimens from the Chapada Diamantina region identified in herbaria as Agarista aff. revoluta. Those samples were clearly distinct from A. revoluta by the greater length and width of the leaves, and the absence of indument on the rachis, flowers, and leaves, as well as leaf anatomy features. Thus, we recognize these as separate taxonomic entities and the new species is herein described as Agarista revolutissima, which is endemic to the campo rupestre of Morro do Chapéu municipality, while A. revoluta occurs along the Atlantic Forest, being known from the restinga and humid forests.

 Keywords: Vaccinioideae, Espinhaço Range, northeast Brazil, Morro do Chapéu, taxonomy, leaf anatomy, Eudicots

Agarista revolutissima A.A.Samp. & R.P.Oliveira

Ariadne A. Sampaio, Gerson O. Romão, Marcos C. Dorea and Reyjane P. Oliveira. 2023. Revealing A New Species of Agarista (Ericaceae) endemic to the Chapada Diamantina, Brazil, segregated from A. revoluta by multiple evidence. Phytotaxa. 583(1); 81–90. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.583.1.8

[Herpetology • 2023] Calotes wangi • Taxonomic Review of the Calotes versicolor Complex (Sauria: Agamidae) in China, with Description of A New Species and Subspecies

A, C 中国树蜥 Calotes wangi 

B, D 中国树蜥雷公马亚种 C. wangi hainanensis 

E, F habitats G oral cavity view.

Huang, Li, Wang, Li, Hou & Cai, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.110704

 

Abstract

Calotes wangi sp. nov., a new species of the agamid genus Calotes Cuvier, 1817, from southern China and northern Vietnam, is described. This species can be distinguished from all known congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics and genetic divergence in the mitochondrial tRNA, ND2, and CO1 genes. Molecular phylogenetic analysis revealed that the new species was formed as a monophyletic group and that considerable genetic divergence existed between its congeners (minimum p-distance, 4.6%). Calotes wangi sp. nov. is distinguished by a combination of the following characteristics: average SVL < 90 mm for adult males; 10–14 dorsal eyelid scales; scales on side of neck and adjacent shoulder area pointing obliquely upward; keels on neck scales weakly to strongly developed; fold in front of the shoulder absent; pair of dark triangular patches extending from the front of the shoulder to the jaw angles; and orange coloration of the tongue. Calotes wangi sp. nov. is similar to C. irawadi but differs in having scales between the nasal shield and the orbit and a fourth toe with a claw that can reach between the eyes and tympanum (even to the snout when hind the limbs are adpressed forward). Phylogenetic analyses revealed two well-supported subspecies, Lineages A and B in C. wangi sp. nov., with mean uncorrected p-distances between them of 2%. We propose that Lineage A, which is mainly from the central and southern Wuzhi Mountains on Hainan Island, is a subspecies, C. w. hainanensis ssp. nov. Lineage B mainly comprises individuals from other sites on the island plus the adjacent mainland, and is described as subspecies, C. w. wangi ssp. nov. A diagnostic key to all Calotes species of China is also provided.

Key words: Calotes irawadi, Calotes wangi sp. nov., garden lizard, southern China, taxonomic review

Photographs of live specimens and their habitats
A holotype of Calotes wangi GXUCM-H202291534 B holotype of  Calotes wangi hainanensis CIB095629
C allotype of Calotes wangi GXUCM-H202291533 D allotype of C. w. hainanensis CIB095630
E, F habitats G oral cavity view.

 

Calotes wangi sp. nov. 

Etymology: The species name wangi is named after Prof. Yuezhao Wang, a former director of the Amphibian and Reptile Research Laboratory (CIB, CAS) and Museum of Herpetology (CIB, CAS) for his research on Chinese herpetology and his contributions in leading the Amphibian and Reptile Research Laboratory through many difficulties. 

We suggest the English common name Wang’s garden lizard and the Chinese name 中国树蜥 (zhōng guó shù xī).

 Calotes wangi hainanensis ssp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet of hainanensis refers to Hainan Island where the new subspecies was discovered. 

We suggest the English common name Hainan garden lizard and the Chinese name 中国树蜥雷公马亚种 (zhōng guó shù xī léi gōng mǎ yà zhǒng), which comes from a colloquial name for Calotes wangi hainanensis in Hainan Province, China, meaning Thor’s mount that can predict the weather.

Yong Huang, Hongyu Li, Yilin Wang, Maojin Li, Mian Hou and Bo Cai. 2023. Taxonomic Review of the Calotes versicolor Complex (Agamidae, Sauria, Squamata) in China, with Description of A New Species and Subspecies. ZooKeys. 1187: 63-89.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.110704

[Herpetology • 2023] Vietnamophryne aurantifusca • A New Species of Vietnamophryne (Anura: Microhylidae) from Northeastern Vietnam

Vietnamophryne aurantifusca

Ninh, Le, Bui, H.Q. Nguyen, Orlov,  Moseyko, Le, S.N. Nguyen, Hoang, Ziegler & T.T. Nguyen, 2023

  

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5374.4.3

Abstract

A new species of the genus Vietnamophryne is described from Vietnam on the basis of two specimens collected from Tuyen Quang Province, Northeastern Vietnam. The new species is morphologically most similar to Vietnamophryne occidentalis from Thailand, however, it differs from the latter by having large black blotches in the lower jaw region, and a yellow-orange chest and belly. The genetic distance between the new species and other Vietnamophryne taxa is > 2.13% (16S mtDNA gene fragment). Vietnamophryne aurantifusca sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other species of Vietnamophryne by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: Size medium (SVL 17.6–18.2 mm in males); head wider than long; tympanum medium; finger I longer than half of finger II; dorsal skin relatively smooth with some round nodules, concentrated in the middle of the back, arranged along the length of the back, with a prominent ridge along the spine; Dorsum orangish-brown entirely and paler on margin of back with a small brownish ridge along the spine; sides brownish with creamy patches and orange spots; ventral surface orange, with grey marbling, most intense on the throat, ventral side of arms and thighs, and ventral surfaces of limbs dark grey with some orange spots.

Keywords: Amphibia, Genetic distance, morphology, Vietnamophryne aurantifusca sp. nov., taxonomy, Tuyen Quang Province

Vietnamophryne aurantifusca sp. nov. 

Nhái bầu lùn nâu cam

Hoa Thi Ninh, Linh Tu Hoang Le, Hai Tuan Bui, Huy Quoc Nguyen, Nikolai Orlov, Olga Bezman Moseyko, Manh Van Le, Sang Ngoc Nguyen, Chung Van Hoang, Thomas Ziegler and Tao Thien Nguyen. 2023. A New Species of Vietnamophryne (Anura: Microhylidae) from Northeastern Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5374(4); 505-518. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5374.4.3

 facebook.com/luongcubosatVietnam/posts/1043440833707079

Researchgate.net/publication/375767969_A_new_species_of_Vietnamophryne_from_NE_Vietnam

[Herpetology • 2023] Rhinella kuka • Misjudged for Long: A New toad of the Rhinella veraguensis species group (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Yungas Forests of Bolivia

Rhinella kuka 

Köhler, Vences, Padial, Plewnia & Lötters, 2023

  www.salamandra-journal.com 

Abstract

We re-evaluate the taxonomic status of specimens of Rhinella collected from rainforests on the eastern Andean slopes and foothills of central Bolivia. The respective populations have been allocated to different nominal taxa, namely Rhinella fissipes and R. leptoscelis, in the past. By detailed morphological comparisons, including the type specimens of crucial taxa, as well as a phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, we here demonstrate that the focal populations represent a divergent lineage within the Rhinella veraguensis species group, being apparently closely related to R. rumbolli from northern Argentina, but only distantly related to R. leptoscelis, with which they share several morphological character states. Also, the specimens of the focal lineage differ by a unique combination of morphological character states from all known nominal species currently assigned to the R. veraguensis group. Consequently, we describe this lineage as a new species. We discuss the history of its changing taxonomic allocations and demonstrate that former conclusions were barely justified and wrong. We also provide a description of the osteology of this species using computer tomography (micro-CT). Furthermore, we discuss the status of the nominal taxon Bufo pleuropterus Schmidt, 1857, currently considered to represent a junior synonym of Rhinella margaritifera (Laurenti, 1768), and provide arguments for the specific distinctness of these two taxa. Consequently, we regard Rhinella pleuroptera (Schmidt, 1857) a valid species. Based on its external morphology, which is rather similar to that of R. inca, we speculate that R. pleuroptera is possibly related to species in the R. veraguensis group, although this remains in need of further research. 

Key words. Amphibia, Bufo pleuropterus, computer tomography (micro-CT), molecular genetics, morphology, osteology, Peru, taxonomy, systematics

Rhinella kuka sp. n.
Dorsolateral views (left column) and ventral views (right column) of paratypes in life:
 (A, B) female ZFMK 72670; (C, D) female ZFMK 80036; and (E, F) male ZFMK 80035.

Rhinella kuka sp. n. 

 

Definition: A large-sized species in the Rhinella veraguensis species group, based on morphological similarities and phylogenetic relationships. The new species is characterized by (1) large size, SVL 62.8 mm in adult male (n = 1), SVL 66.0–72.1 mm in adult females (n = 5); (2) eight presacral vertebrae, presacrals I and II (atlas and axis) fused; skull hyperossified; (3) snout short, acuminate in dorsal view, rounded in lateral profile; (4) canthal, preorbital, supraorbital, and postorbital crests distinct and continuous; pretympanic crest present; supratympanic crest distinct, short; occipital crests prominent, elevated; (5) tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus distinct; tympanum slightly higher than wide, its diameter slightly more than ...

Etymology: The specific epithet kuka is the Quechuan word for the coca plant (Erythroxylum coca). It refers to the fact that the known distribution of the new species is largely equivalent to the major range of coca plantations in the Bolivian Yungas. The name is treated as a noun in apposition.

 

Jörn Köhler, Miguel Vences, José M. Padial, Amadeus Plewnia and Stefan Lötters. 2023. Misjudged for Long: A New toad of the Rhinella veraguensis species group (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Yungas Forests of Bolivia. SALAMANDRA. 59(4): 307–326. 

  www.salamandra-journal.com/index.php/home/contents/2023-vol-59 

[Entomology • 2021] Resolving A Century-old Case of generic mistaken Identity: Polyphyly of Chitoniscus sensu lato resolved with the Description of the endemic New Caledonia Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae)

  Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. 

in Cumming, Le Tirant & Büscher, 2021. 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1055.66796

Abstract

With every molecular review involving Chitoniscus Stål, 1875 sensu lato samples from Fiji and New Caledonia revealing polyphyly, the morphology from these two distinct clades was extensively reviewed. Morphological results agree with all previously published molecular studies and therefore Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. is erected to accommodate the former Chitoniscus sensu lato species restricted to New Caledonia, leaving the type species Chitoniscus lobiventris (Blanchard, 1853) and all other Fijian species within Chitoniscus sensu stricto. Erection of this new genus for the New Caledonian species warrants the following new combinations: Trolicaphyllium brachysoma (Sharp, 1898), comb. nov., Trolicaphyllium erosus (Redtenbachher, 1906), comb. nov., and Trolicaphyllium sarrameaense (Größer, 2008a), comb. nov. Morphological details of the female, male, freshly hatched nymph, and egg are illustrated and discussed alongside the Chitoniscus sensu stricto in order to differentiate these two clades which have been mistaken as one for decades.

Keywords: Camouflage, Drehu, Grande Terre, Ile de Bélep, L’Île-des-Pins, Lifou, Lifu, Maré, mimicry, new combination, Phasmida, Tiga, walking leaf

Figure 31. Unidentifiable Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. male nymph photographed on Tiga Island in August 2020 by Damien Brouste (New Caledonia) (iNaturalist user: damienbr)
A dorso-anterior view B same nymph, dorsal habitus C unidentified host plant on which the nymph was recorded.

Figure 30. Live nymphs of Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. which could not be identified to species. Images from endemia.nc (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
A Frédéric Desmoulins, Plaine des Lacs, April 2014 B Hendrik Oesterlin, Koé (Dumbéa) elevation 185 meters, June 2006 C Julien Barrault, Hienghène, November 2010
D Daniel and Irène Létocart, Tchamba, October 2009 E Bernard Suprin, Dumbéa, April 2004 F Gildas Gâteblé, Ouenghi, October 2012.

Royce T. Cumming, Stephane Le Tirant and Thies H. Büscher. 2021. Resolving A Century-old Case of generic mistaken Identity: Polyphyly of Chitoniscus sensu lato resolved with the Description of the endemic New Caledonia Trolicaphyllium gen. nov. (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae). ZooKeys. 1055: 1-41. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1055.66796

[Herpetology • 2023] Pristimantis similaris • A New Cryptic Species of Terrestrial Breeding frog of the Pristimantis danae Group (Anura: Strabomantidae) from montane forests in Ayacucho, Peru

Pristimantis similaris 

Herrera-Alva, Catenazzi & Aguilar-Puntriano, 2023

 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.104536

Photos by V. Diaz-Vargas and E. Castillo-Urbina.

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular characters, we describe a new species of terrestrial breeding frog of the Pristimantis danae Group from montane forests of La Mar Province, Ayacucho Department in southern Peru, at elevations from 1200 to 2000 m a.s.l. The phylogenetic analysis, based on concatenated sequences of gene fragments of 16S rRNA, RAG1, COI and TYR suggests that the new species is a sister taxon of a clade that includes one undescribed species of Pristimantis from Cusco, Pristimantis pharangobates and Pristimantis rhabdolaemus. The new species is most similar to P. rhabdolaemus, which differs by lacking scapular tubercules and by its smaller size (17.0–18.6 mm in males [n = 5], 20.8–25.2 mm in females [n = 5] in the new species vs. 22.8–26.3 mm in males [n = 19], 26.0–31.9 mm in females [n = 30] of P. rhabdolaemus). Additionally, we report the prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) in this species.

Key words: Chytridiomycosis, cryptic species, montane forests, morphology, phylogeny

Pristimantis similaris sp. nov. (A–D) male. SVL: 17.0 mm. Holotype. MUSM 41030.

Photos by Vladimir Diaz-Vargas.

A–H colour and pattern variation of Pristimantis similaris sp. nov. 
 Specimen from A–F collected in Cajadela:
A, B male MUSM 41029 C, D female MUSM 41031
E, F female MUSM 41032. Specimen G, H male MUSM 41326 collected in Machente.

Photos by V. Diaz-Vargas and E. Castillo-Urbina.

 Pristimantis similaris sp. nov.

 

Common name: English: Similar Rubber Frog.

 Spanish: Rana cutín similar.

Diagnosis: A new species of Pristimantis assigned to the P. danae species Group having the following combination of characters: (1) Skin on dorsum shagreen, skin on venter areolate; discoidal and dorsolateral folds present, weak; thoracic fold present; (2) tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus present, distinct, visible externally; (3) snout subaccuminated in dorsal view, round in lateral view; (4) upper eyelid lacking tubercles; EW smaller than IOD; cranial crest absent; two small and flat tubercles above the snout near the eyes; (5) dentigerous processes of vomers low, oblique in five of the paratypes, absent in four paratypes and the holotype; (6) males with vocal slits, subgular vocal sac large extending on to chest and without nuptial pads; (7) Finger I slightly shorter than Finger II; discs of digits expanded, flat and truncated; (8) fingers without lateral fringes; (9) ulnar tubercles present, but diffuse; (10) heel with two to three small and flat tubercles; inner tarsal fold present, small; (11) inner metatarsal tubercle ovoid, 2–3 times larger ...

Etymology: The specific name corresponds to the Latin word “similar”. This refers to the similarity of the new species and its close phylogenetic relationship with P. rhabdolaemus and P. pharangobates.

 Valia Herrera-Alva, Alessandro Catenazzi and César Aguilar-Puntriano. 2023. A New Cryptic Species of Terrestrial Breeding frog of the Pristimantis danae Group (Anura, Strabomantidae) from montane forests in Ayacucho, Peru. ZooKeys. 1187: 1-29.  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1187.104536

Resumen: Describimos una nueva especie de rana terrestre de desarrollo directo del grupo Pristimantis danae de bosques montanos procedentes de la provincia de La Mar, departamento de Ayacucho al sur de Perú con rango de distribución altitudinal entre los 1200–2000 msnm, en base a caracteres morfológicos y moleculares. El análisis filogenético basado en las secuencias concatenadas de los fragmentos de genes ARNr 16S, COI, RAG1 y TYR sugiere que la nueva especie es un taxón hermano del clado que incluye a una especie de Pristimantis no descrita de Cusco, Pristimantis pharangobates y Pristimantis rhabdolaemus. La nueva especie se asemeja más a P. rhabdolaemus; de la cual difiere por la ausencia de tubérculos escapulares y su menor tamaño corporal (17.0–18.6 mm en machos [n=5], 20.8–25.2 mm en hembras [n=5] en la nueva especie vs 22.8–26.3 mm en machos [n=19], 26.0–31.9 mm en hembras [n=30] de P. rhabdolaemus). Adicionalmente, reportamos la prevalencia de Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) en esta especie de Terrarana.

Palabras clave: Bosques montanos, especies crípticas, filogenia, morfología, quitridiomicosis

[Botany • 2022] Globba pelecanthera & G. securifer (Zingiberaceae: Globbeae) • Phylogeny of Globba section Nudae and Taxonomic Revision of the new Globba subsection Pelecantherae

Globba pelecanthera Sangvir. & M.F.Newman, 

in Sangvirotjanapat, Fér, Denduangboripant et Newman, 2022.

  DOI: 10.1007/s00606-021-01789-6

  Researchgate.net/publication/357070458

Abstract

A molecular systematic study of Globba section Nudae (Zingiberaceae) using ITS and matK sequences identifies three major clades, Globba subsection Nudae, G. subsection Mediocalcaratae and a new subsection, Globba subsection Pelecantherae, which is described here. The two species belonging in this subsection, Globba pelecanthera and Globba securifer, which are both new, are described. Rectangular anther appendages are reported in Globba for the first time. Evidence of hybridisation is given. The morphological characters of the flowers, which are likely to be important in pollination, are discussed.

Keywords: Anther appendages, Floral evolution, Hybridisation, Taxonomy

Flower colour variation in Globba section Nudae.
a–e Plain yellow or orange flower: a G. expansa (subsection Nudae), b G. lithophila (subsection Nudae), c G. aranyaniae with red-brown spot on labellum (subsection Nudae), d G. pelecanthera (subsection Pelecantherae), e G. newmanii (subsection Mediocalcaratae).
Yellow with red spot on labellum: f G. decora. g–h Mixture of yellow and white: g G. argyrocycnos, h G. nitens.
i–l White with orange-red or greenish brown or yellow spot: i G. albiflora, j G. lilacina, k G. macrocarpa, l G. chrysochila

Globba subgenus Globba 

section Nudae 

subsection Pelecantherae Sangvir., subsect. nova.

Diagnosis: Belonging to Globba section Nudae by the occurrence of andromonoecy, the ellipsoid fruit with deep, longitudinal furrows and resembling subsection Mediocalcaratae by the anthers with two appendages but differing by the rectangular appendages (not acute) and elliptic to obovate lateral staminodes.

Type species: Globba pelecanthera Sangvir. & M.F.Newman.

Distribution: Cambodia (Mondul Kiri), Laos (Bolikhamxay, Attapeu), Thailand (Ubon Ratchathani).

Notes: Globba pelecanthera and G. securifer belong to Globba section Nudae by their erect inflorescences, small, caducous bracts, the occurrence of andromonoecy and ellipsoid, deeply ridged fruits but both species bear rectangular anther appendages which distinguish them from all species of subsections Nudae and Mediocalcaratae which bear triangular or linear anther appendages. This character, taken with the molecular systematic evidence presented above, justifies the recognition of a new subsection.

Globba pelecanthera Sangvir. & M.F.Newman:
a habit, b front view of functionally male flower, c front and side views of hermaphrodite flower, d anther and appendages of hermaphrodite flower, e ligule.

Scale bars: a = 10 cm; b and c = 1 cm; d and e  = 2 mm.

 All photographs by S. Sangvirotjanapat

Globba pelecanthera Sangvir. & M.F.Newman, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Similar to Globba ranongensis Picheans. & Tiyaw. by its obovate to elliptic lateral staminodes, but differing by its rectangular anther appendages, 2.5 × 1.5 mm (vs. subtriangular (⚥) or linear (♂)), narrowly rectangular lip, 8.5 × 2.5 mm (vs. deltoid, 5–7 × 7–9 mm), and sandstone habitat (vs. limestone plant).

Etymology: Greek, combining ‘pelekus’ (axe) and ‘anthera’, describing the axe-shaped anther appendages.

Globba securifer Sangvir. & M.F.Newman:
 a habit, b a population in the habitat, c anther and appendages of hermaphrodite and functionally male flowers, d front view of hermaphrodite flower, e side view of hermaphrodite flower Front view of functionally male flower, f front view of functionally male flower, g side view of functionally male flower.

Scale bars: a = 10 cm; c = 2 mm; d–g = 1 cm. 

All photographs by S. Sangvirotjanapat

Globba securifer Sangvir. & M.F.Newman, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Similar to Globba ranongensis Picheans. & Tiyaw. in its elliptic blades and plain yellow flowers, but differing by its rectangular anther appendages, 2.5 × 1.5 mm (vs. triangular (⚥) or linear (♂)) and sandstone habitat (vs. limestone plant).

Etymology: Securifer means ‘axe-bearing’ in Latin. This epithet, like pelecanthera, refers to the axe-shaped anther appendages of the flower.

Conclusions: 

By adding a much more complete representation of the species and geographical range of section Nudae, we have demonstrated the need for a new subsection, as well as confirming that the two existing subsections are monophyletic.

There are now 28 species in Globba section Nudae, classified among three subsections. Globba subsection Nudae is most diverse in the Northern Floristic Province of Thailand and extends north and westwards, while Globba subsection Mediocalcaratae has a more southerly distribution with species north and south of the Isthmus of Kra. Lastly, the new subsection Pelecantherae is found further east in areas with a very strong dry season.

More study is required, particularly in Myanmar, Bangladesh and India to complete our knowledge of species distributions in these countries and to clarify the status of the doubtful species mentioned by Sangvirotjanapat et al. (2019a).

Hybridisation has been observed, but our methods do not allow much more to be said at present. Further studies using population genetics techniques will shed light on this question.

Sunisa Sangvirotjanapat, Tomáš Fér, Jessada Denduangboripant and Mark F. Newman. 2022. Phylogeny of Globba section Nudae and Taxonomic Revision of the new Globba subsection Pelecantherae. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 308: 5.  DOI: 10.1007/s00606-021-01789-6

  Researchgate.net/publication/357070458_Phylogeny_of_Globba_section_Nudae_and_taxonomic_revision_of_the_new_Globba_subsection_Pelecantherae

[Botany • 2023] Vaccinium usneoides (Ericaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

Vaccinium usneoides Y.H.Tong, Y.J.Guo & Ting Zhang,

in Guo, Zhang, Ya, Zhang, Shen, Han, Ni, Su et Tong, 2023. 

松萝越橘  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.236.112658

Abstract

Vaccinium usneoides (Ericaceae), a new species from Fugong County of Yunnan Province, China is described and illustrated. This new species belongs to Vaccinium sect. Calcicolus and is most similar to V. brachyandrum, but differs in its branches hanging down, much smaller leaf blades, shorter inflorescences and pedicels, non-glandular tomentellate or densely pubescent inflorescence rachis and pedicels, densely white-pubescent hypanthium and pilose filaments.

Key words: Gaoligong Mountain, morphology, Vaccinieae, Vaccinium arbutoides

Vaccinium usneoides sp. nov.
 A flowering branchlet B trichomes on abaxial surface of leaf blades C fruiting branchlet D flower E flower with corolla and calyx limb removed, showing androecium and gynoecium F stamens, adaxial (left), abaxial (middle) and lateral (right) view G seeds.

Illustrated by Ding-Han Cui.

Vaccinium usneoides sp. nov.
A habitat, the red ovals indicating this species B habit C leafy branches, the arrow showing the indumentum on young branchlets and leaf blades D flowering branchlets with young inflorescences E flowering branchlet F fruiting branchlet.

A, B taken by Yi-Hua Tong C, F taken by Yong-jie Guo D taken by Ji-Dong Ya E taken by Ting Zhang.

 Vaccinium usneoides Y.H.Tong, Y.J.Guo & Ting Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: This new species is close to V. brachyandrum in the short and hairy inflorescences (less than 3.5 cm) with many flowers and the abaxially glandular leaf blades with one basal gland per side and a caudate-acuminate apex, but can be immediately distinguished by its hanging-down (vs. scrambling) branches, much smaller leaf blades (2.5–5.5 × 0.9–1.8 cm vs. 8.5–11 × 4–6 cm) with fewer pairs of secondary veins (3–4 vs. 6–7), shorter inflorescence (1–1.5 cm vs. 1.5–3.5 cm), non-glandular tomentellate or densely pubescent (vs. glandular pubescent) inflorescence rachis and pedicel, shorter pedicel (0.7–1 mm vs. ca. 2 mm), densely white-pubescent (vs. glabrous) hypanthium and pilose (vs. glabrous) filament. A detailed morphological comparison between the two species is presented in Table 1.

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from the genus of beard lichen “Usnea” and the suffix “-oides”, which means the habit of this new species looks very much like beard lichen on trees from a distance. Chinese name is given as 松萝越橘 (Pinyin: sōng luó yuè jú).

 Yong-Jie Guo, Ting Zhang, Ji-Dong Ya, Wei Zhang, Xiu-Ying Shen, Zhou-Dong Han, Jing-Bo Ni, Jian-Yong Su and Yi-Hua Tong. 2023. Vaccinium usneoides (Ericaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 236: 187-195. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.236.112658

[Paleontology • 2023] Giant Baleen Whales emerged from A Cold southern Cradle

Chaeomysticete mandible fragments NMV P218462 (Museums Victoria) from the Aquitanian–Burdigalian of South Australia.

in Rule, Duncan, Marx, Pollock, Evans & Fitzgerald, 2023.

 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2177

 twitter.com/Palaeo_JRule

Abstract

Baleen whales (mysticetes) include the largest animals on the Earth. How they achieved such gigantic sizes remains debated, with previous research focusing primarily on when mysticetes became large, rather than where. Here, we describe an edentulous baleen whale fossil (21.12–16.39 mega annum (Ma)) from South Australia. With an estimated body length of 9 m, it is the largest mysticete from the Early Miocene. Analysing body size through time shows that ancient baleen whales from the Southern Hemisphere were larger than their northern counterparts. This pattern seemingly persists for much of the Cenozoic, even though southern specimens contribute only 19% to the global mysticete fossil record. Our findings contrast with previous ideas of a single abrupt shift towards larger size during the Plio-Pleistocene, which we here interpret as a glacially driven Northern Hemisphere phenomenon. Our results highlight the importance of incorporating Southern Hemisphere fossils into macroevolutionary patterns, especially in light of the high productivity of Southern Ocean environments.

Keywords: Mysticeti, Chaeomysticeti, Southern Hemisphere, body size, gigantism

Systematic palaeontology

Cetacea Brisson 1762

Neoceti Fordyce & Muizon 2001

Mysticeti Gray 1864

Chaeomysticeti Mitchell 1989

Chaeomysticeti gen. et sp. indet.

Referred specimen. NMV P218462, symphyseal regions of both mandibles, plus fragments of the left premaxilla and maxilla.

Locality and horizon. NMV P218462 was found by F.A. Cudmore (on 15 February 1921) eroding from limestone cliffs on the east bank of the Murray River, opposite Wongulla, about 5 km south of Devon Downs, South Australia. ...

 

Conclusion: 

Baleen whales first evolved large body size in the Southern Hemisphere, perhaps facilitated by the onset of the ACC and high seasonal productivity in the Southern Ocean. Previous suggestions of an abrupt global Plio-Pleistocene shift towards mysticete gigantism are hampered by a strong collection bias against austral localities that obscures more gradual and regional trends. Medium-large mysticetes may have helped to engineer ocean ecosystems, albeit in a comparatively limited fashion, since the beginning of the Neogene. Further exploration of the Southern Hemisphere is crucial to constructing a truly global picture of the nature, timing and impacts of whale evolution.

James P. Rule, Ruairidh J. Duncan, Felix G. Marx, Tahlia I. Pollock, Alistair R. Evans† and Erich M.G. Fitzgerald. 2023. Giant Baleen Whales emerged from A Cold southern Cradle. Proc. R. Soc. B. 290: 20232177. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2177

 twitter.com/Palaeo_JRule/status/1737286061276242142