[Botany • 2023] Artemisia kargilensis (Asteraceae) • A New Species from Ladakh (Trans-Himalaya), India

Artemisia kargilensis L. Ali, A. A. Khuroo & A. H. Ganie, 

in Ali, Khuroo, Ganie et Islam, 2023. 

DOI: 10.11110/kjpt.2023.53.4.294

 www.e-kjpt.org

Abstract

A new species, Artemisia kargilensis, is described here from Ladakh (Trans-Himalaya), India. The new species can be distinguished from its allied congeners Artemisia salsoloides Willd. and A. saposhnikovii Krasch. ex Poljakov in having leaves sessile, leaf rachis winged, leaf segments linear to linear-lanceolate, capitula globose and upright, pedicel 2–5 mm long, bracteole linear, margins flat, apices acuminate, involucre 3-seriate, outermost phyllary ovate, innermost phyllary broadly obovate, number of marginal female florets 8–18, number of disc florets 16–28, and achenes obovoid.

Keywords: Artemisia, Asteraceae, biodiversity, flora, Himalaya, taxonomy

Photographs of Artemisia kargilensis.
 A. Habitat. B. Habit. C. Inflorescence. D. Leaf. E. Bracteole. F. Phyllaries. G. Capitula. H. Receptacle. I. Corolla (marginal female floret). J. Corolla (disc floret). K. Pistil (marginal female florets). L. Pistil (disc floret). M. Achene

Artemisia kargilensis L. Ali, A. A. Khuroo & A. H. Ganie, sp. nov.

 INDIA. Ladakh, Kargil district, Suru valley, ...

Artemisia kargilensis is most similar in morphological with A. salsoloides but differs in having habit 40–70 cm tall, leaf sessile (vs. subsessile), leaf rachis winged (vs. wingless), linear to linear-lanceolate (vs. linear to linear-oblong), marginal female florets 8–18, disc florets 16–28 (vs. marginal female florets 15–20, disc florets 10–14), capitula globose, upright (vs. oblong, upright to nodding), pedicel 2–5 mm long (vs. sessile to shortly pedicellate), bracteole linear, 2–6 mm long, margins flat (vs. oblong, 2–4 mm long, margins recurved), involucre 3-seriate (vs. 4-seriate), outermost phyllary ovate (vs. linear-oblong), innermost phyllary broadly obovoid (vs. ovoid to narrowly obovoid), and achenes obovoid (vs. oblong). In addition, the new species also varies in habitat elevational range of 2,300–3,200 m a.s.l. (vs. 2800– 3900 m a.s.l) (Fig. 4, Table 1).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the study area, i.e., Kargil, where from the taxon is described for the first time.

Liyaqat ALI, Anzar Ahmad KHUROO, Aijaz Hassan GANIE and Tajamul ISLAM. 2023. Artemisia kargilensis (Asteraceae), A New Species from Ladakh (Trans-Himalaya), India. Korean J. Pl. Taxon. 53(4); 294-300. DOI: 10.11110/kjpt.2023.53.4.294

 www.e-kjpt.org/m/journal/view.php?number=5076

[Botany • 2021] Medinilla malabrigoi (Melastomataceae) • A New Species from forests over limestone in Samar Island, Philippines

 

Medinilla malabrigoi Z.D.Meneses, Adorador & Quakenbush, 

in Adorador, Meneses-Adorador et Quakenbush, 2021. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.483.2.2 

 facebook.com/haynayanPH

Abstract

A new species of Medinilla, M. malabrigoi, from forests over limestone in Samar Island, Philippines is described and illustrated. It differs from the species of the M. polillensis alliance, herein defined, which includes M. polillensis s.l. and M. peltata, in its erect shrubby habit; sessile, narrowly lanceolate, 3-plinerved leaf with cordate to subcordate base; umbellate inflorescence; and flared, reflexed calyx at anthesis. Morphological and distributional comparisons with the most similar congeners are provided, as well as information on habitat and conservation status. Likewise, a taxonomic key to the Medinilla of Samar Island is herein devised.

Keywords: Medinilla polillensis alliance, Melastomataceae, Samar Island, Philippines, Eudicots

Medinilla malabrigoi Z.D.Meneses, Adorador & Quakenbush

Jiro T. Adorador, Zhereeleen D. Meneses-Adorador and J. Peter Quakenbush. 2021. Medinilla malabrigoi (Melastomataceae), A New Species from forests over limestone in Samar Island, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 483(2); 95–105. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.483.2.2

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[Entomology • 2024] Hylaeus chuukensis, H. aureaviridis, H. derectus, H. navai, etc. • Canopy Specialist Hylaeus Bees (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) highlight Sampling Biases and resolve Michener’s Mystery

Hylaeus (P.) navai Dorey, Davies & Parslow, 

Mount Tomanivi is Fiji's highest peak at 1,324 m above sea level. It is home to unique bee species, although it has yet to be specifically sampled for new Hylaeus bees. 

photo: James Dorey Photography

in Dorey, Davies, Magnacca, Schwarz, Gilpin, ... et Parslow, 2024. 

 DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2024.1339446

Large parts of the Pacific were thought to host low bee diversity. In Fiji alone, our recent estimates of native bee diversity have rapidly increased by a factor of five (from 4 to >22). Here, we show how including sampling of the forest canopy has quickly uncovered a new radiation of Hylaeus (Hymenoptera: Colletidae) bees in Fiji. We also show that Hylaeus are more common across the Pacific than previously thought and solve one of Charles Michener’s mysteries by linking the previously enigmatic French Polynesian Hylaeus tuamotuensis to relatives in Fiji. We use systematic techniques to describe eight new Hylaeus species in Fiji (n = 6), French Polynesia (n = 1), and Micronesia (n = 1), and discuss impressive dispersal events by this genus. These clades also double the number of Hylaeus dispersals out of Australia from two to four. Our discovery highlights the severe impact of bee sampling methods on ecological interpretations and species discovery, specifically that canopy sampling is needed to correctly assess forest bee diversity even where there is a very long record of sampling. It further highlights the potential for forests to host higher-than-anticipated diversity and conservation value. This has broad methodological and regulatory impacts for land managers seeking to make choices about pollination services and diversity. The new species are Hylaeus (Euprosopoides) chuukensis Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (Prosopisteron) albaeus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) apertus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) aureaviridis Dorey, Magnacca, and Parslow; H. (P.) breviflavus Magnacca; H. (P.) derectus Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; H. (P.) navai Dorey, Davies, and Parslow; and H. (P.) veli Dorey, Davies, and Parslow.

 

James B. Dorey, Olivia K. Davies, Karl N. Magnacca, Michael P. Schwarz, Amy-Marie Gilpin, Thibault Ramage, Marika Tuiwawa, Scott V. C. Groom, Mark I. Stevens and Ben A. Parslow. 2024. Canopy Specialist Hylaeus Bees highlight Sampling Biases and resolve Michener’s Mystery. Front. Ecol. Evol. 12; DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2024.1339446

[This article is part of the Research Topic: Opportunities and Challenges for Wild Bee Conservation]

[Diplopoda • 2024] Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, G. steineri & G. houaphanhensis • Integrated Taxonomy of Three New Species of Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 (Spirostreptida: Cambalopsidae) from Laos

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer from Oudomxay Province,
G. houaphanhensis from Houaphan Province 

Likhitrakarn, Jeratthitikul, Jirapatrasilp & Wesener, 2024

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72

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Abstract

 Three new species of the millipede genus Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 are described and illustrated based on specimens collected from caves in Laos, namely G. pseudocostulifer, new species, from Oudomxay Province, G. steineri, new species, from Khammouan Province, and G. houaphanhensis, new species, from Houaphan Province. All of them belong to the javanicus-group, which share the unique structure of the first pair of legs in males and the carinotaxic formula of midbody rings. However, they differ from each other in the number of ommatidia, body colouration, the carinotaxic formula of the collum, as well as anterior and posterior gonopod structures. Mitochondrial COI sequences were used as DNA barcodes for species delineation, and were successfully obtained for two of the new species (G. pseudocostulifer, new species, and G. steineri, new species). Phylogenetic analyses revealed strong support for all examined Glyphiulus species, even for a pair of species which exhibited high morphological similarity, with mean uncorrected COI p-distances between Glyphiulus species ranging from 15–22%. Two additional Glyphiulus species are listed, but not described, as male material is lacking. One of them occurs in direct sympatry with G. houaphanhensis, new species. An identification key to the species of Glyphiulus so far recorded from Laos and a distribution map are also presented. 

Key words. millipedes, key to species, cave fauna, molecular systematics, COI

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10009A).
Glyphiulus steineri, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR6203).
Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10011C).

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10009A).
A–C, anterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively; D, E, midbody rings, dorsal and lateral views, respectively; F, cross-section of a midbody ring; G–I, posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively

Glyphiulus pseudocostulifer, new species

Etymology. To emphasise the obvious similarities to G. costulifer Golovatch, Geoffroy, Mauriès & VandenSpiegel, 2007. Noun in apposition.

Glyphiulus steineri, new species

Etymology. To honour the German collector and biospeleologist Helmut Steiner, an active explorer of the caves of Laos, noun.

Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species, male holotype (ZFMK MYR10011C).
A–C, anterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively; D, E, midbody rings, dorsal and lateral views, respectively; F, cross-section of a midbody ring; G–I, posterior part of body, lateral, dorsal, and ventral views, respectively

Glyphiulus houaphanhensis, new species 

Etymology. The species is named in allusion to the type locality — Houaphan Province, adjective. 

 

 Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul, Parin Jirapatrasilp and Thomas Wesener. 2024. Integrated Taxonomy of Three New Species of Glyphiulus Gervais, 1847 (Diplopoda, Spirostreptida, Cambalopsidae) from Laos. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72; 42–61.

***งานวิจัยใหม่: กิ้งกือถ้ำชนิดใหม่ของโลก 3 ชนิดจาก สปป.ลาว***

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[Herpetology • 2024] Leptobrachella guinanensis • A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella Smith 1925 (Anura: Megophryidae) from Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China

Leptobrachella guinanensis  Chen, Li, Peng & Liu, 

in Chen, Li, Peng, Liu et Huang, 2024. 

Gui Nan Leaf Litter Toad | 桂南掌突蟾  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1192.98352

 

Abstract

A new species of the genus Leptobrachella, L. guinanensis sp. nov., is described in this study based on morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic data. The species was discovered in the Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve in Shangsi County, Guangxi, China. Phylogenetically, L. guinanensis sp. nov. is closely related to L. ventripunctata. However, there are distinct morphological differences betweenisp. nov. and L. ventripunctata, as well as three other sympatric species (L. shangsiensis, L. shiwandashanensis, and L. sungi). These differences include body size (SVL 30.5–32.5 mm in males; 38.7–41.8 mm in females in the new species vs 25.5–28.0 mm in males, 31.5–35.0 mm in females in L. ventripunctata), the absence of brown spots on the ventral surface (vs chest and belly creamy white with many scattered brown spots in L. ventripunctata), 1/3 toe webbing and wide toe lateral fringes (vs no toe webbing and no lateral fringes in L. ventripunctata), and distinct dermal ridges under toes (vs absent in L. ventripunctata). Furthermore, the dominant vocal frequencies of the new species range from 7.3 to 8.3 kHz, which is unique compared to other Leptobrachella species and represents the highest dominant frequencies ever recorded. The Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve is now home to four known sympatric species of Leptobrachella.

Key words: Bioacoustics, morphology, phylogeny, sympatric species

The holotype of Leptobrachella guinanensis sp. nov.
A dorsal view B ventral view C dorsolateral view D rear of the back and dorsal view of thighs E ventral view of hand F ventral view of foot. 1, tubercles on the crossbars; 2, femoral gland; 3, a pair of glands under the vent; 4, toe webbing; 5, wide lateral fringes on toe.

 Leptobrachella guinanensis Chen, Li, Peng & Liu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Leptobrachella guinanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL 30.5–32.5 mm in males; 38.7–41.8 mm in females; (2) 1/3 toe webbing, wide lateral fringes; (3) dorsal surface shagreened with small, raised tubercles and longitudinal ridges; (4) ventral surface creamy white without dark brown spots; (5) throat immaculate creamy white and its margin concentrated brown spots; (6) iris bicoloured, upper half light copper, transitioning to silver in lower half; (7) crossbars of hindlimbs with tubercles; (8) distinct dermal ridges under the toes; (9) a pair of glands under the vent; (10) tibia-tarsal articulation reaching to centre of eye; (11) relatively higher dominant frequency of advertisement calls (7.3–8.3 kHz).

Leptobrachella guinanensis sp. nov.
A more tubercles and longitudinal ridges on dorsum and hindlimbs surfaces (NNU00875) B light brown on dorsum (NNU00569)
C ventral view of the gravid female (NNU00880) D eggs creamy white without black poles.

 

 

Etymology: The species name guinanensis is derived from the geographic distribution of this species, specifically the southern Guangxi region. The suggested English name for this species is Gui Nan Leaf Litter Toad, while the Chinese name is Gui Nan Zhang Tu Chan (桂南掌突蟾).

 

Wei-Cai Chen, Peng Li, Wan-Xiao Peng, You-Jun Liu and Yong Huang. 2024. The Fourth Species of Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) found at Shiwandashan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China. ZooKeys. 1192: 257-279. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1192.98352

[Botany • 2024] Ophiorrhiza reflexa (Rubiaceae) • A New Species from A Karst Region in Guangxi, China

 

Ophiorrhiza reflexa  L.Wu & Q.R.Liu,

in Shang, Xue, Yang, Liao, Liu et Wu, 2024. 

反瓣蛇根草  || DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.238.116767

Abstract

Ophiorrhiza reflexa, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated in this study. It is morphologically similar to O. alatiflora due to the branched inflorescence, distylous flowers and the tubular-funnelform corolla with five longitudinal wings. The new species can be distinguished from O. alatiflora by its erect inflorescence, its smaller and equal-sized calyx lobes 0.5–0.7 mm long, its corolla tubes winged to the middle and the wings straight and its strongly reflexed corolla lobes at anthesis. Ophiorrhiza reflexa is assessed as least concern (LC) according to IUCN Categories and Criteria.

Key words: China, new taxon, Ophiorrhiza, Rubiaceae, taxonomy

Ophiorrhiza reflexa
A flowering branch B stipule C part of inflorescence D longitudinally dissected short-styled flower E longitudinally dissected long-styled flower F capsules.

Drawn from the holotype by X.Y. Zeng.

Ophiorrhiza reflexa A, B habit C stipule D young inflorescence E inflorescence in lateral view F inflorescences in different development stages G bracts from lower part to upper part of inflorescence H leaves I corollas in lateral view J corollas in top view K longitudinally dissected long-styled flower L longitudinally dissected short-styled flower M infructescence.

Photos by L. Wu. Scale bars: 3 mm (C); 1 cm (G, J–L); 2 cm (E, F, I, M); 10 cm (H).

Ophiorrhiza reflexa L.Wu & Q.R.Liu, sp nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is most similar to O. alatiflora, but can be distinguished from the latter by the inflorescences which are erect from the earliest developmental stages (vs. drooping when young, then erect), the small and equally-sized calyx lobes 0.5–0.7 mm long (vs. 0.9–1.8, sometimes to 2.5 mm long and usually unequal), the longitudinal wings on the corolla tube which run to the middle of the tube and are straight (vs. wings running along entire length and obviously undulate) and the strongly reflexed corolla lobes (vs. spreading) at anthesis.

Etymology: The species epithet refers to the reflexed corolla lobes. The Chinese name is given as ‘fan-ban-she-gen-cao (反瓣蛇根草)’.

 Chao Shang, Jun Xue, Yanjie Yang, Xiaowen Liao, Quanru Liu and Lei Wu. 2024. Ophiorrhiza reflexa (Rubiaceae), A New Species from A Karst Region in Guangxi, China.  PhytoKeys. 238: 231-240. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.238.116767

[Botany • 2021] Phloeophila condorana • A Taxonomic Revision of Genus Phloeophila (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) in Ecuador

 

[A, C] Phloeophila condorana M.M. Jiménez & Vélez-Abarca

[B, D] P. nummularia (Rchb.f.) Garay

in Jiménez, Vélez-Abarca, Baquero et Naranjo, 2021. 

DOI: 10.35535/pfsyst-2021-0002  

Researchgate.net/publication/352384921

 

ABSTRACT

The orchid genus Phloeophila is distributed from southern Mexico to Brazil and Bolivia, as well as Cuba. A taxonomic revision including the three Phloeophila species present in Ecuador is presented. Morphological characteristics, an identification key, maps of known localities and illustrations of the species are also included. In Ecuador, species of Phloeophila are only known from the Amazonian rainforests, growing from 890 to 1600 meters of altitude. Phloeophila condorana is described as a new species based on specimens collected in the Ecuadorian province of Zamora-Chinchipe and compared to Phloeophila nummularia. Phloeophila nummularia is reported for the first time in Peru. A lectotype for Pleurothallis echinantha is selected.

KEYWORDS: Amazon, new species, orchid, rainforests, taxonomy

Leaves and flowers of Phloeophila species from Ecuador. 
A, C – P. condorana; B, D – P. nummularia.

[A, C: Jiménez 991; B, D: Jiménez 998].

Scales: A–C = 2 mm; D = 5 mm.

 Photos: M. Jiménez.

Phloeophila condorana M.M. Jiménez & Vélez-Abarca sp. nov. 

 Diagnosis: This species is similar to P. nummularia from which it differs by its 1 mm long peduncle (vs 8 mm), the sepals yellow and red colored with cinnamon brown stripes (vs whitish gray and yellow sepals with reddish purple stripes), slightly spiculate on the outside (vs sparsely pubescent), the synsepal slightly concave below the middle (vs connate into a broad tube), the inner integument glandular (vs finely pubescent), the petals triangular-ovate with yellow veins (vs oblong with brown stripes), the lip verrucose-glandular adaxially (vs pubescent-verrucose adaxially) and the column yellow, lobed and dentate at the apex (vs yellowish brown with stripes, erose and cucullate at the apex).

 

Etymology. The specific name refers to the Cordillera del Cóndor, an important mountain range in southern Ecuador renowned for its high biological diversity.

  Marco Marcelo Jiménez, Leisberth Alexis Vélez-Abarca, Luis Enrique Baquero and Carlos James Naranjo. 2021. A Taxonomic Revision of Genus Phloeophila (Orchidaceae, Pleurothallidinae) in Ecuador.  Plant and Fungal Systematics. 66(1): 37-45. DOI: 10.35535/pfsyst-2021-0002 

 Researchgate.net/publication/352384921_A_taxonomic_revision_of_genus_Phloeophila_in_Ecuador

[Herpetology • 2024] Cyrtodactylus luci • A New Species of the Cyrtodactylus chauquangensis Species Group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Lao Cai Province, Vietnam

 

Cyrtodactylus luci

Tran, Do, Pham, Phan, Ngo, Le, Ziegler & Nguyen, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1192.117135

 Abstract

We describe a new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus based on five adult specimens from Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province, northern Vietnam. Cyrtodactylus luci sp. nov. is distinguished from the remaining Indochinese bent-toed geckos by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: medium size (SVL up to 89.5 mm); dorsal tubercles in 17–19 irregular transverse rows; ventral scales in 32–34 longitudinal rows at midbody; precloacal pores present in both sexes, 9 or 10 in males, 8 or 9 in females; 12–15 enlarged femoral scales on each thigh; femoral pores 9–12 in males, 5–10 in females; postcloacal tubercles 2–4; lamellae under toe IV 21–23; dorsal pattern consisting of 5 or 6 irregular dark bands, a thin neckband without V-shape or triangle shape in the middle, top of head with dark brown blotches; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged. Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered the new species as the sister taxon to C. gulinqingensis from Yunnan Province, China, with strong support from all analyses and the two taxa are separated by approximately 8.87–9.22% genetic divergence based on a fragment of the mitochondrial ND2 gene. This is the first representative of Cyrtodactylus known from Lao Cai Province.

Key words: Cyrtodactylus luci sp. nov., gecko, molecular phylogeny, morphology, ND2 gene, taxonomy

Cyrtodactylus luci sp. nov. in life.
Male holotype (IEBR R.5237); Female paratype(IEBR R.5241).

 Photos: T.Q. Phan.

Cyrtodactylus luci sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished from other members of the genus Cyrtodactylus by a combination of the following characteristics: Size medium (SVL up to 89.5 mm); dorsal tubercles in 17–19 irregular transverse rows; ventral scales in 32–34 longitudinal rows at midbody; precloacal pores present in both sexual, 9 or 10 in males, 8 or 9 in females; 12–15 enlarged femoral scales on each thigh; femoral pores 9–12 in males, 5–10 in females; postcloacal tubercles 2–4; lamellae under toe IV 21–23; dorsal pattern consisting of 5 or 6 irregular dark bands, a discontinuous thin neckband without V-shape or triangle shape in the middle, dorsal head surface with dark brown blotches; subcaudal scales transversely enlarged.

Etymology: The species was named after the zoologist from the Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, late Associate Professor Doctor Luc Van Pham, who contributed greatly to the biodiversity study in Vietnam. For the common names, we suggest Luc’s Bent-toed Gecko (English) and Thạch sùng ngón lực (Vietnamese).

A macrohabitat B microhabitat of Cyrtodactylus luci sp. nov.
 Coc Ly Commune, Bac Ha District, Lao Cai Province, Vietnam.

Photos: T.Q. Phan.

Tung Thanh Tran, Quyen Hanh Do, Cuong The Pham, Tien Quang Phan, Hanh Thi Ngo, Minh Duc Le, Thomas Ziegler and Truong Quang Nguyen. 2024. A New Species of the Cyrtodactylus chauquangensis Species Group (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Lao Cai Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1192: 83-102. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1192.117135

 

[PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Aureia rerehua • A New platanistoid Dolphin (Cetacea: Odontoceti) from the Oligocene of New Zealand with a unique feeding method

 

Aureia rerehua

Meekin, Fordyce & Coste, 2024

DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2024.2314505

  Researchgate.net/publication/378366471

 

ABSTRACT

Pre-Miocene, stem odontocetes are known for their procumbent incisors and their function has been the subject of much speculation. Notable among these were Waipatia and several related taxa from New Zealand. Though some studies hypothesise the function of these teeth was for thrusting, the here described Aureia rerehua has unique teeth which might have formed a cage around small fish. These teeth, along with a weak vertex, flexible neck, and the smallest size among its relatives would make it a capable hunter in shallow waters. The addition of A. rerehua along with other taxa to phylogenetic analyses show three broad groups within taxa related to Waipatia and Otekaikea based on the divergence of the function of their teeth and the possible feeding strategies employed to catch prey.

KEYWORDS: Platanistoid, dental splay, waipatiid, Waipatiidae, Waitaki Valley

  

 A, The skull of Aureia rerehua in dorsal. B, Ventral, C, Left lateral view.
Note the splay of the teeth and facial topography.

Systematic palaeontology

Cetacea (Brisson, 1762)

Odontoceti (Flower, 1867)

Aureia rerehua gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name derives from Māori aurei, ‘cloak pin’, referring to the shape of the teeth. The specific name, rerehua, means ‘beautiful’, referring to its well-preserved face.

Diagnosis: 

A. rerehua has features common in other stem odontocetes and some platanistoids; a subcircular fossa in the periotic fossa sensu de Muizon (1987), ventrally deflected anterior processes on the periotics, anterior spines on the tympanic bullae, distinct premaxillary clefts, and well developed antorbital notches (de Muizon, 1987; Geisler and Sanders, 2003; Geisler et al. 2011, 2012; Murakami et al. 2012a, 2012b; Tanaka and Fordyce 2014; Tanaka and Fordyce 2015b; Gaetán et al. 2018). A. rerehua is most like Otekaikea and Waipatia, with an attenuated rostrum, procumbent incisors, fossa for the articular rim of the periotic, and shallow fossae for the sternomastoid muscle (Moore, 1968; de Muizon, 1987; Tanaka and Fordyce, 2015b, 2014, 2017).

A. rerehua has unique basioccipital crests with posteroventral projections, a rectangular nuchal crest, flat ventral surfaces on the posterior process of the periotic, laterally splayed teeth, and a process on the subtemporal crest. Waipatiid-like odontocetes have developed vertices. The vertex of A. rerehua is less pronounced than W. maerewhenua or Otekaikea, shown in Figure 1C, possessing a flatter face like Papahu taitapu (Fordyce, 1994; Aguirre-Fernández and Fordyce, 2014; Tanaka and Fordyce 2014, 2015b). The posterior skull is straighter and steeper than that of other waipatiid-like odontocetes, making the lateral profile of the skull triangular.

  The teeth of Aureia rerehua.
 A series of the best-preserved teeth A are shown along with a section of in situ teeth preserved in the left mandible B.

Conclusion: 

OU22553 is the holotypes for a new species, A. rerehua, closely related to Otekaikea. It differs from other related odontocetes by its weak vertex, laterally splayed and recurved teeth, rectangular nuchal crest, and posterior flange on the basioccipital processes. Its widely splayed teeth are hypothesised to have clasped rather than strike fish. The unique dentition, small size, limited sense of smell, and dorsoventrally shallow skull illustrate a small dolphin foraging along shallow waters where speed and mobility are essential.

Shane Meekin, R. Ewan Fordyce and Amber Coste. 2024. Aureia rerehua, A New platanistoid Dolphin from the Oligocene of New Zealand with a unique feeding method. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. DOI: 10.1080/03036758.2024.2314505

[Special issue: Fossil vertebrates from southern Zealandia]

  Researchgate.net/publication/378366471_Aureia_rerehua_a_new_platanistoid_dolphin_from_the_Oligocene_of_New_Zealand

[Botany • 2022] Ceropegia vietnamensis (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) • A New Species from Vietnam

 Ceropegia vietnamensis Nguyen-Phi & Luu, 

in Luu, Le et Nguyen, 2022. 

DOI: 10.15625/2615-9023/17594 

 facebook.com/groups/VietnamFlora

ABSTRACT

Ceropegia vietnamensis is described as a new species from Binh Chau - Phuoc Buu Nature Reserve in the Xuyen Moc district of Ba Ria- Vung Tau province. It is morphologically close to Ceropegia laotica in general appearance and coloration of flowers but differs in many vegetative and reproductive characteristics and grows in a different habitat. The new taxon is described, illustrated with field photographs of detailed botanical characteristics and compared to related species.

Keywords: Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae, Ceropegia vietnamensis, new species, Vietnam

 Ceropegia vietnamensis Nguyen-Phi & Luu, sp. nov.
A. Whole plant. B. Tuber yellowish inside and with fleshy roots. C. Leaf shapes. D. Inflorescence. E. Details of one inflorescence. F. Flowers and longitudinal section showing inside structure. G. Corona, side view and top view. H. Pollinarium. I. Ovary. J. Follicles. K. Seeds with coma

Ceropegia vietnamensis Nguyen-Phi & Luu, sp. nov. 

Ceropegia vietnamensis is morphologically close to Ceropegia laotica Rodda & Meve in general appearance and coloration of flowers but differs in having longer petioles (5–14 vs. 5–7 mm), lanceolate to linear-lanceolate (vs. linear-lanceolate) leaf lamina, longer bracts (3–3.5 vs. 1–2 mm), 3–30 (vs. 1–2)-flowered inflorescences, longer (45–57 vs. 35–45 mm) corolla with shorter (vs. longer) tube than lobes, narrowly triangular (vs. triangular) outer corona lobules, longer inner corona lobes(3–4 vs. 1–1.2 mm long) and ovate (vs. broadly ovoid) pollinaria.

 

Hong Truong Luu, Van Son Le and Phi Nga Nguyen. 2022. Ceropegia vietnamensis (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae), A New Species from Vietnam. Academia Journal of Biology. 44(4); 19-26. DOI: 10.15625/2615-9023/17594  vjs.ac.vn/index.php/VJBio/article/view/17594

  facebook.com/groups/VietnamFlora/permalink/2400024676827441

[Paleontology • 2024] Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, 2003: A remarkable marine archosauromorph (Diapsida: Archosauromorpha) from the Middle Triassic of southwestern China

 

Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, 2003

Restoration of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis depicted among a shoal of the large, predatory actinopterygian fish, Saurichthys.

in Spiekman, Wang, Zhao, et al., 2024. 

DOI: 10.1017/S175569102400001X

Artwork by Marlene Donnelly.

 

Abstract

The non-archosauriform archosauromorph Dinocephalosaurus orientalis was first described from the Upper Member of the Guanling Formation (late Anisian, Middle Triassic) of Guizhou Province by Li in 2003 on the basis of a complete articulated skull and the first three cervical vertebrae exposed in dorsal to right lateral view. Since then, additional specimens have been discovered in southwestern China. Here, five newly discovered specimens are described for the first time, and redescriptions of the holotype IVPP V13767 and another referred specimen, IVPP V13898, are provided. Together, these permit the description of the complete skeleton of this remarkable long-necked marine reptile. The postcranial skeleton is as much as 6 metres long, and characterised by its long tail and even longer neck. The appendicular skeleton exhibits a high degree of skeletal paedomorphosis recalling that of many sauropterygians, but the skull and neck are completely inconsistent with sauropterygian affinities. The palate does not extend back over the basisphenoid region and lacks any development of the closed condition typical of sauropterygians. The arrangement of cranial elements, including the presence of narial fossae, is very similar to that seen in another long-necked archosauromorph, Tanystropheus hydroides, which at least in part represents a convergence related to an aquatic piscivorous lifestyle. The long and low cervical vertebrae support exceptionally elongate cervical ribs that extend across multiple intervertebral joints and contribute to a ‘stiffening bundle of ribs’ extending along the entire ventral side of the neck, as in many other non-crocopodan archosauromorphs. The functional significance of the extraordinarily elongate neck is hard to discern but it presumably played a key role in feeding, and it is probably analogous to the elongate necks seen in pelagic, long-necked plesiosaurs. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis was almost certainly a fully marine reptile and even gave birth at sea.

Keywords: late Anisian, marine reptile, non-archosauriform, southern China,   

Diapsida Osborn, 1903

Archosauromorpha von Huene, 1946

Dinocephalosauridae Spiekman et al. , 2021

Dinocephalosaurus Li, 2003

Type species: Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li,2003. 

Distribution: Upper Member of the Guanling Formation (late Anisian, Middle Triassic) near Xinmin in Panxian County, southwestern Guizhou Province, and in Luoping County, eastern Yunnan Province, P.R. China.

Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, 2003

Type locality: Xinmin, Panxian County, Guizhou Province, southwestern China.

Horizon: Upper Member of Guanling Formation, Pelsonian, Anisian, Middle Triassic.

 Restoration of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis depicted among a shoal of the large, predatory actinopterygian fish, Saurichthys.

Artwork by Marlene Donnelly.

Summary: 

The Middle Triassic (latest Anisian) marine reptile Dinocephalosaurus orientalis is fully described in detail on the basis of seven beautifully preserved specimens from southwestern Guizhou Province, southern China, five of which are presented for the first time. Characters in the skull and neck are consistent with Dinocephalosaurus orientalis being included within Archosauromorpha. With 32, mostly elongate, cervical vertebrae, it had an extraordinarily long neck that draws comparison with the neck of Tanystropheus hydroides, another aquatic non-crocopodan archosauromorph that has been recorded from the Middle Triassic of both Europe and China. Both taxa share several other cranial features, including a fish-trap type dentition, a distinct antorbital recess and a wide palatal ramus of the pterygoid. The phylogenetic placement of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis is hampered by high levels of homoplasy, but our analysis suggests that the similarities between Dinocephalosaurus orientalis and Tanystropheus hydroides are largely convergent. Instead, the results corroborate the presence of a monophyletic Dinocephalosauridae outside Tanystropheidae. A greater expression of paedomorphosis in the appendicular skeleton and the presence of paddle-shaped autopodia in Dinocephalosaurus orientalis also suggest an adaptation to more open waters than in Tanystropheus hydroides. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis and Tanystropheus sp. were not contemporaries in the eastern Tethys based on current fossil occurrences: all finds of Tanystropheus sp. to date being from latest Ladinian or earliest Carnian sequences. The exact function of the extraordinary long neck of Dinocephalosaurus orientalis is unclear but it almost certainly aided in catching fish, which are preserved in the stomach contents of one of the specimens.

Stephan N.F. SPIEKMAN, Wei WANG, Lijun ZHAO, Olivier RIEPPEL, Nicholas C. FRASER and Chun LI. 2024. Dinocephalosaurus orientalis Li, 2003: A remarkable marine archosauromorph from the Middle Triassic of southwestern China. Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh. First View; 1 - 33. DOI: 10.1017/S175569102400001X

[Herpetology • 2024] Atelopus calima • A New Species of Harlequin Toad (Anura: Bufonidae: Atelopus) from the Western Cordillera of Colombia, with comments on other forms

 Atelopus calima 

 Velásquez-Trujillo, Castro-Herrera, Lötters & Plewnia, 2024

  salamandra-journal.com 

 Researchgate.net/publication/378241393

Abstract

The harlequin toads (Bufonidae, Atelopus) from the Cordillera Occidental of Colombia are poorly understood, with several species being known only from few specimens and a single locality. Material from the Yotoco area, Departamento Valle del Cauca, has been addressed in previous studies and was allocated ambiguously to different available names. We here describe the Yotoco Atelopus as a species new to science as it is readily distinguished from all congenerics by a combination of morphological characters (i.e., snout profile, cranial crests, skin texture, pattern and coloration). In addition, we comment on the taxonomy of three Atelopus populations from the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Central of Colombia; two of them we tentatively assign to A. nicefori and A. sonsonensis, respectively. The third one remains of unclear status. The need for further examination of the harlequin toads from the Andes of Colombia in an integrative taxonomic framework is emphasized. 

Key words. Amphibia, Anura, Atelopus calima sp. n., conservation, morphology, taxonomy

 Amplectant couple of Atelopus calima sp. n. in life (individuals not collected), photographed in March 1988 at Reserva Nacional Forestal Bosque de Yotoco.

Photograph: F. Castro-Herrera.

Atelopus calima sp. n.

Diagnosis: Atelopus calima (Figs 2–4) can be readily distinguished from all other described species by the combination of medium body size, projected snout with a knob-like protuberance on the tip and dorsal as well as lateral skin smooth with few scattered large and flat warts which are covered with clustered spiculae on the flanks and whitish brown to cream flanks with dark brown warts in preservative. It is most similar to the central Cordillera endemics A. nocturnus and A. sonsonensis. Further, A. calima resembles the western Cordillera endemics A. carauta, A. chocoensis, A. famelicus (including its junior synonym A. negreti), A. galactogaster, A.  longirostris (including its junior synonyms A.  boussingaulti and A. longirostris marmorata), A. lynchi sensu stricto, A. nicefori and A. pictiventris, and the central Cordillera endemics A. quimbaya, A. sanjosei and A. sernai.

Etymology: The specific name calima is a noun in apposition in dedication to the Calima culture (ca. 1600 BC to 1700 AD), which during their early Ilama and Yotoco phases exclusively inhabited the upper Río Calima region and its vicinities in the Cordillera Occidental where the new species is found. The Calima people honoured anurans, which they also depicted in the form of jewellery. We propose to use the English common name ‘Calima Harlequin Toad’ and the Spanish common name ‘Rana Arlequín de Calima’ for this new species.

 

David Andrés Velásquez-Trujillo, Fernando Castro-Herrera, Stefan Lötters and Amadeus Plewnia. 2024. A New Species of Harlequin Toad from the Western Cordillera of Colombia (Bufonidae: Atelopus), with comments on other forms. SALAMANDRA. 60(1): 67–81   

 salamandra-journal.com/index.php/contents/2024-vol-60 

Researchgate.net/publication/378241393_A_new_species_of_harlequin_toad_from_the_Western_Cordillera_of_Colombia

 

Resumen. Los sapos arlequín (Bufonidae, Atelopus) de la Cordillera Occidental de Colombia son poco conocidos, con varias especies conocidas sólo a partir de unos pocos especímenes y una sola localidad. El material del área de Yotoco, Departamento del Valle del Cauca, ha sido abordado en estudios previos y fue asignado de manera ambigua a diferentes nombres disponibles. Aquí describimos al Atelopus de Yotoco como una especie nueva para la ciencia, ya que se distingue fácilmente de todos los congenéricos por una combinación de características (i.e., perfil del hocico, crestas craneales, textura de la piel, patrón y coloración). Adicionalmente, comentamos la taxonomía des tres poblaciones de Atelopus de la Cordillera Occidental y Central de Colombia. Asignamos tentativamente dos de ellos a A. nicefori y A. sonsonensis, respectivamente. El tercero sigue sin estar claro. Se enfatiza la necesidad de realizar un examen más profundo de los sapos arlequín de los Andes de Colombia en un marco taxonómico integrador. 

Palabras clave. Amphibia, Anura, Atelopus calima sp. n., conservación, morfología, taxonomía.