[Arachnida • 2017] Oxyopes godeffroyi • The Australian Lynx Spiders (Araneae: Oxyopidae: Oxyopes) of the Godeffroy Collection, including the Description of A New Species

[A] Oxyopes punctatus L. Koch, 1878; [B] Oxyopes sp. indet.;
[E] Oxyopes sp. indet.; and [F] Oxyopes macilentus L. Koch, 1878. 

in Baehr, Harms, Dupérré et Raven, 2017

 DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.1.14652

Images: Robert Whyte.

Abstract

The historical Godeffroy Collection of spiders at the Centrum für Naturkunde (CeNak) in Hamburg comprises several hundred type specimens from Australia and is an essential source for arachnologists around the world. In this paper, we re-describe and illustrate the Australian Oxyopes material from this collection. Most specimens were collected by C. F. Eduard Dämel for the Godeffroy Museum and described in 1871-1881 by pioneering arachnologist Ludwig Carl Christian Koch as part of the first monograph on Australian spiders: Die Arachniden Australiens. Twelve species are redescribed and properly illustrated for the first time: Oxyopes amoenus L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes attenuatus L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes elegans L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes gratus L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes gracilipes (White, 1849), Oxyopes macilentus L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes molarius L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes mundulus L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes punctatus L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes quadrifasciatus L. Koch, 1878, Oxyopes rubicundus L. Koch, 1878, and Oxyopes variabilis L. Koch, 1878. Oxyopes lautus L. Koch, 1878 is treated as a numen dubium because both palps are lost. The new species Oxyopes godeffroyi sp. n. is described from this historical material and was probably overlooked by Koch. An identification key for these species is provided and the history of these specimens reviewed briefly. A map shows the localities of the redescribed Oxyopes species and the general distribution of the Oxyopes species in Queensland.

Key Words: Taxonomy, systematics, new species, Amalie Dietrich, Eduard Dämel, Lynx Spiders, Australia

Live images of Oxyopes species from Australia:
 A, Oxyopes punctatus L. Koch, 1878; B, Oxyopes sp. indet.; C, Oxyopes sp. indet.; D, Oxyopes sp. indet.; E, Oxyopes sp. indet.; and F, Oxyopes macilentus L. Koch, 1878.

Images: Robert Whyte.

 Barbara C. Baehr, Danilo Harms, Nadine Dupérré and Robert Raven. 2017. The Australian Lynx Spiders (Araneae, Oxyopidae, Oxyopes) of the Godeffroy Collection, including the Description of A New Species. Evolutionary Systematics. 1; 11-37.  DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.1.14652

[Arachnida • 2024] Steriphopus wangala • A New Species of Steriphopus Simon, 1887 (Araneae: Palpimanidae: Chediminae) from India

Steriphopus wangala Kadam, Tripathi & Sankaran,  

in Sankaran, Tripathi et Kadam, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5474.1.10 

 Researchgate.net/publication/381671641

Steriphopus Simon, 1887 is a poorly studied palpimanid genus, currently includes four nominal species distributed in India, Myanmar, Seychelles and Sri Lanka (WSC 2024). Zonstein & Marusik (2023) reviewed and rediagnosed the genus, and recorded it from India for the first time, with the description of a new species from Himachal Pradesh. Simon (1893) described Sarascelis raffrayi based on a single male specimen collected from Singapore. Until now, this species was known from a single taxonomic entry with only textual description that is insufficient to identify it (Simon 1893). In this paper, we describe a new species of Steriphopus from the northeastern part of India, and transfer S. raffrayi to Sceliraptor Zonstein & Marusik, 2022, based on photographs taken from the holotype.

....

Steriphopus wangala Kadam, Tripathi & Sankaran sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition, referring to the harvest festival known as ‘the 100 drums festival’ among the Garo community of Meghalaya. This festival is held in honour of Saljong, the Sun-God of fertility, marking the end of a period of toil, and indicating the beginning of the winter season.

Pradeep M. Sankaran, Rishikesh Tripathi, Gautam Kadam. 2024. A New Species of Steriphopus Simon, 1887 from India (Araneae: Palpimanidae, Chediminae), with the proposal of a new combination.  Zootaxa. 5474(1); 97-100. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5474.1.10

  Researchgate.net/publication/381671641_A_new_species_of_Steriphopus_from_India

[Botany • 2024] Oreocharis hapii (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from central Vietnam

Oreocharis hapii K.S. Nguyen, Aver. & C.W. Lin,

 in Nguyen, Averyanov et Lin, 2024. 

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.652.3.5 

 facebook.com/Darthvaderiana

Abstract

Oreocharis hapii, a new species endemic to Quang Nam Province in central Vietnam, is described and illustrated here. This species bears a superficial resemblance to O. cotinifolia in its elliptic leaves, campanulate corolla tube, and the stamens protruding from the tube. However, the new species differs in its stoloniferous habit (vs. absent stolons), petioles and stems densely woolly (vs. villous), leaf blade adaxially scabrous (vs. villous), sub-actinomorphic corolla (vs. distinctly zygomorphic) that is white (vs. pink) with 4 stamens (vs. 2). Following IUCN criteria, the conservation status of the new speciesis proposed to be Vulnerable (VU: D1).

Flora of Vietnam, endemism, plant diversity, plant taxonomy, Eudicots

Oreocharis hapii K.S. Nguyen, Aver. & C.W. Lin

 Khang Sinh Nguyen, Leonid V. Averyanov and Che Wei Lin. 2024. Oreocharis hapii (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from central Vietnam.  Phytotaxa. 652(3); 235-240. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.652.3.5

  facebook.com/Darthvaderiana/posts/10225455631561279

[Herpetology • 2024] Cyrtodactylus regicavernicolus • A New Species in the Cyrtodactylus intermedius Group (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from an isolated Limestone Karst formation in southwestern Cambodia

Cyrtodactylus regicavernicolus 

Chhin, Neang, Chan, Kong, Ou, ..., Chhim, Stuart & Grismer, 2024

តុកកែភ្នំព្រះគុហារហ្លូង  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5474.1.1 

 facebook.com/MinistryOfEnvironmentCambodia

Abstract

The gekkonid lizard Cyrtodactylus intermedius was formerly considered to be a single widespread species in hilly areas across eastern Thailand through southern Vietnam but has recently been partitioned into a complex of 12 nominal species across its range. A population belonging to the C. intermedius group was recently found in an isolated limestone karst block in Kampot Province in southwestern Cambodia, part of which lies within the recently designated Phnom Preah Kuhear Loung Natural Heritage Site. Comparisons of morphometric, meristic, qualitative morphological and color pattern data, as well as a molecular analysis using the mitochondrial ND2 gene, revealed that this population differs from all other named members of the C. intermedius group, and so is described here as a new species. The karst-dwelling C. regicavernicolus sp. nov. was recovered as the sister species to C. laangensis, the most geographically proximate member of the complex and one that is also restricted to a small limestone karst habitat.

Reptilia, karst,site-specific endemism, molecular systematics, taxonomy, Touk Meas, Indochina

 

Cyrtodactylus regicavernicolus sp. nov. 

Sophea Chhin, Thy Neang, Somaly Chan, Komsreng Kong, Ratanak Ou, ..., Meng Chhim, Bryan L. Stuart and L. Lee Grismer. 2024. A New Species in the Cyrtodactylus intermedius (Squamata: Gekkonidae) Group from an isolated Limestone Karst formation in southwestern Cambodia. Zootaxa. 5474(1); 1-20. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5474.1.1

  facebook.com/MinistryOfEnvironmentCambodia/posts/785324997122321

[PaleoEntomology • 2018] Cretohister sinensis • Cretohisteridae, a new beetle family (Coleoptera) from the Early Cretaceous of China, and its implications for the early evolution of the basal group of Histeroidea

 

Cretohister sinensis

Zhou, Caterino, Ślipiński & Cai, 2018

 DOI: 10.1111/syen.12300

 x.com/Systematic_Ent

Abstract

A new beetle family Cretohisteridae fam. n. is described from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (∼125 Ma) at Huangbanjigou of Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, Northeastern China based on a well preserved fossil beetle, Cretohister sinensis gen., sp. n. This discovery has established the oldest fossil record for the superfamily Histeroidea, backdating the minimum age of the group by 25 Ma from the earliest Cenomanian (∼99 Ma) to the Barremian of the Cretaceous Period. Based on cladistic analyses of a comprehensive morphological dataset, Cretohisteridae is unambiguously recovered as the sister group of Histeridae, exhibiting several character states that bridge the span between Sphaeritidae, Synteliidae and Histeridae. The discovery of the new fossil family sheds new light on the early evolution and diversity of the Histeroidea in the Early Cretaceous, and provides new clues to solving the long-ambiguous phylogenetic relationships among the modern families of Histeroidea.

Systematic palaeontology

Superfamily Histeroidea Gyllenhal, 1808

  Cretohisteridae fam. n.

  Cretohister gen. n.

 

 Cretohister sinensis sp. n.

Photographs and schematic drawings of holotype (NIGP166874a, b) of †Cretohister sinensis sp. n. of Cretohisteridae fam. n.:
dorsal habitus (A, C) and ventral habitus (B, D). Scale bar, 3 mm.

 Yu-Lingzi Zhou, Michael S. Caterino, Adam Ślipiński and Chen-Yang Cai. 2018. Cretohisteridae, a new beetle family from the Early Cretaceous of China, and its implications for the early evolution of the basal group of Histeroidea (Coleoptera). Systematic Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12300

 x.com/Systematic_Ent/status/989874566741856256

[Arachnida • 2024] Hottentotta hatamtiorum • Integrative Systematics of the widespread Middle Eastern buthid Scorpion, Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880) (Scorpiones: Buthidae), reveals A New Species in Iran

Hottentotta hatamtiorum 

Amiri, Prendini, Hussen, Aliabadian, Siahsarvie & Mirshamsi, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e98662

Abstract

Morphological and genetic variation among populations of the widespread buthid scorpion, Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), occurring in western and southwestern Iran was explored using morphometric variables, one nuclear marker (28S rDNA) and three mitochondrial markers (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, and Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I). Genetic and morphometric statistical analyses revealed extensive cryptic diversity. Phylogenetic analysis with Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood uncovered two divergent clades, one of which is described as a new species, Hottentotta hatamtiorum sp. nov., from Ilam and Khuzestan Provinces, southwestern Iran. The description of the new species raises the total count of Hottentotta Birula, 1908 species to 61, twelve of which are endemic or subendemic to the Iranian Plateau.

Key words: Cryptic diversity, morphology, morphometrics, taxonomy

Hottentotta hatamtiorum sp. nov., habitus, dorsal aspect (A, C), ventral aspect (B, D).
 A, B Holotype ♂ (ZMFUM 1977). C, D Paratype ♀ (ZMFUM 1981).

Scale bars = 10 mm.

Hottentotta hatamtiorum sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Hottentotta hatamtiorum sp. nov. may be distinguished from H. saulcyi by the wider metasomal segment I (MtIL/WHsau 1.01 ± 0.06; MtIL/WHhat 1.17 ± 0.11) and telson (TWHsau 3.99 ± 0.62; TWHhat 4.25 ± 0.70); from H. akbarii by the infuscate anterior part of the carapace, metasomal segment V, and telson; from H. lorestanus by the uniformly yellowish-brown base color; and from H. khoozestanus by the shorter fingers of the pedipalp chela (ChL/ML 2.35; MFL/ML 1.36) and the infuscate ventral and ventrolateral surfaces of metasomal segment V and telson.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to Hatamti, an ancient civilization centered in the far west and southwest of modern-day Iran (3200–539 BC), in the lowlands of present-day Khuzestan and Ilam provinces and a small part of southern Iraq.

Masoumeh Amiri, Lorenzo Prendini, Fenik Sherzad Hussen, Mansour Aliabadian, Roohollah Siahsarvie and Omid Mirshamsi. 2024. Integrative Systematics of the widespread Middle Eastern buthid Scorpion, Hottentotta saulcyi (Simon, 1880), reveals A New Species in Iran. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 82: 323-341. DOI: 10.3897/asp.82.e98662

[Botany • 2024] Triaspis bicuarensis (Malpighiaceae) • A New Angolan Species from the Triaspis hypericoides complex based on Macromorphology and Palynology

Triaspis bicuarensis R.F.Almeida & Goyder, 

in Almeida, Antonio-Domingues, Gonçalves et Goyder, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1111/njb.04336 

 twitter.com/The_Al_meida

 

Abstract

Triaspis hypericoides currently comprises three accepted subspecies endemic to woodland savannas of southern continental Africa. After an unusual population belonging to this complex was collected in southwestern Angola, we re-evaluated the classification of this group. This study was based on the analysis of type specimens, protologues, field photographs and herbarium sheets of all subspecies within T. hypericoides. We reinstate T. canescens, T. hypericoides and T. nelsonii based on differences in leaf, flower and fruit traits. Additionally, the Angolan population is proposed here as a new species of Triapis endemic to the dry miombo woodlands of Bicuar National Park, Huíla Province, southwestern Angola. Triaspis bicuarensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from T. nelsonii by its alternate (versus opposite) leaves, ovate to widely ovate (versus widely ovate to very widely ovate) leaf laminas, rounded (versus sagittate) leaf base, flat (versus undulate) margins, sparsely white-tomentose (versus glabrous to glabrescent) abaxial leaf surface, petiole 4–8 mm long (versus 2–3 mm long), compound inflorescences in thyrses (versus corymbs) and bracteoles inserted below apex of peduncles (versus in the middle of peduncles). An identification key to all species belonging to this species complex is presented alongside a complete morphological description for the new species, photographic plates and comments on the distribution, ecology, palynology and taxonomy. These results underline the need for continued revisions of the taxonomy of the neglected African genera of Malpighiaceae.

Keywords: Angola, Malpighiales, Malpighioid clade, savanna, tropical Africa

Triaspis bicuarensis R.F.Almeida and Goyder, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species differing from T. nelsonii due to its alternate (versus opposite) leaves, with ovate to widely ovate (versus widely ovate to very widely ovate) lamina, rounded at base (versus sagittate), with flat margin (versus undulate), abaxially sparsely white-tomentose (versus glabrous to glabrescent), petiole 4–8 mm long (versus 2–3 mm long), flowers in thyrses (versus corymbs) and bracteoles inserted below apex of peduncles (versus inserted at the middle of peduncles).

Etymology: The epithet refers to the restricted distribution of the new species, known only from Bicuar National Park in Huíla Province, southwestern Angola.

Rafael Felipe de Almeida, Higor Antonio-Domingues, Francisco Maiato P. Gonçalves and David J. Goyder. 2024. A New Angolan Species from the Triaspis hypericoides complex (Malpighiaceae) based on Macromorphology and Palynology. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.04336

  twitter.com/The_Al_meida/status/1773323873204744489

[Crustacea • 2024] Parapleurocrypta duofratres • A New Species of Parapleurocrypta Chopra, 1923 (Isopoda: Epicaridea: Bopyridae) Parasitizing Shrimps of the Genus Synalpheus (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

Parapleurocrypta duofratres sp. nov.,
female [A] holotype (MZUSP #44176) and male [D] allotype (MZUSP #44177),
and host [D] Synalpheus herricki Coutière, 1909 (DZ/UFRGS #7079).

Horch, Williams & Terossi, 2024

 zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/63/63-13.html 

 x.com/JasonDWilliams 

A new species of Parapleurocrypta Chopra, 1923, a parasitic isopod genus of the family Bopyridae found parasitizing two species of the snapping-shrimp genus Synalpheus Spence Bate, 1888, is described from Brazil. This is the first record of Parapleurocrypta in the Atlantic Ocean, and the first species of bopyrid parasite recorded from the Fernando de Noronha archipelago in northeastern Brazil. Females of Parapleurocrypta duofratres sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other two species of the genus, P. alphei Chopra, 1923 and P. digitata Bourdon, 1976, by the structure of the barbula, the reduced pleopods, the number of dorsolateral bosses, the absence of the frontal lamina (present in P. digitata), and pleomeres with lateral plates (vs. lateral plates absent in P. digitata). Males can be distinguished from those of P. alphei by the number of antennal articles. Variation in the specimens is discussed and ecological and reproductive data are provided. To accommodate the new features of P. duofratres sp. nov., the diagnosis of the genus is expanded. A review of the branchial bopyrids of Synalpheus is included, as well as a discussion of parasitism by members of Parapleurocrypta.

Key words: Atlantic Ocean, Bopyrinae, Bopyroidea, Parasitism, Taxonomy

Parapleurocrypta duofratres sp. nov., female holotype (MZUSP #44176) and male allotype (MZUSP #44177), and host Synalpheus herricki Coutière, 1909 (DZ/UFRGS #7079).
A, Female parasite habitus, dorsal view; B, Female parasite habitus, ventral view (with four eggs remaining in brood chamber); C, Host shrimp lateral view, arrow shows parasite in branchial chamber; D, Male parasite habitus, dorsal view. Scale bars: A–B = 0.5 mm; C = 0.5 cm; D = 0.3 mm.

Parapleurocrypta duofratres sp. nov.

Amanda P. Horch, Jason D. Williams and Mariana Terossi. 2024. A New Species of Parapleurocrypta Chopra, 1923 (Isopoda, Epicaridea, Bopyridae) Parasitizing Shrimps of the Genus Synalpheus Spence Bate, 1888 (Decapoda, Caridea, Alpheidae) from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. Zool Stud. 63:13. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2024.63-13

  zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/63/63-13.html

  x.com/JasonDWilliams/status/1800590089338450124

[Ichthyology • 2024] Sinobdella longitubulus • A New Species of Spiny Eel (Pisces: Mastacembelidae) from the Zhu-Jiang Basin, southern China, with A Note on the Type Locality of S. sinensis (Bleeker, 1870)

 

 Sinobdella longitubulus Shan & Zhang,   

in Shan, Li et Zhang, 2024.

长管华刺鳅  ||  DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e123990

Abstract

Background: The spiny eel genus Sinobdella belongs to the family Mastacembelidae of the order Synbranchiformes. Kottelat and Lim (1994) utilised Rhynchobdella sinensis as the type species to propose the genus. Currently, it contains a single species widespread in eastern and southern China and northern Vietnam.

New information: Sinobdella longitubulus, a new species of spiny eel, is here described from the Xi-Jiang of the Zhu-Jiang Basin in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, southern China. It differs from the single congeneric species S. sinensis in having a more or less white-brown reticulated pattern on the flank, two tubular anterior nostrils longer than or equal to the rostral appendage, an anal fin heavily mottled with dark brown markings and white spots and bearing a narrow white distal margin; shorter pre-anal length; and fewer abdominal vertebrae. The validity of this new species is corroborated by its monophyly recovered in a COI gene-based phylogenetic analysis and its significant sequence divergence with S. sinensis. A note on the type locality of S. sinensis is also given; its type specimen is possibly from mountain streams of Jiangxi Province, in the lower Chang-Jiang Basin.

Keywords: Sinobdella, new species, taxonomy, Zhu-Jiang Basin

 Sinobdella longitubulus, holotype, IHB 202303066738, 153.3 mm SL, dorsal (a), lateral (b) and ventral (c) views. China: Guangxi Province: Guigang City: Pingnan County: Lilia Village: Datong-Jiang, a stream tributary to Meng-Jiang flowing into Xi-Jiang of Zhu-Jiang basin.

 Sinobdella longitubulus, IHB 202303066740, 148.7 mm SL, China: Guangxi Province: Guigang City: Pingnan County: Lilia Town: Datong-Jiang: Zhu-Jiang Basin;

Sinobdella longitubulus Shan & Zhang sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Sinobdella longitubulus is clearly distinguished from the single congeneric species (S. sinensis) by having a more or less white-brown reticulated pattern (vs. many dark brown vertical bars, with very narrow light yellow interspaces) on the flank (Fig. 2), two tubular anterior nostrils longer than or equal to (vs. shorter than) the rostral appendage (Fig. 3), an anal fin heavily mottled with dark brown markings and white spots and bearing a narrow white distal margin (vs. black with a relatively wide light white distal margin) (Fig. 2); shorter pre-anal length (53.3-56.2 vs. 56.3-60.6 % SL; see Fig. 4) and fewer abdominal vertebrae (32-33, mean = 32.9 vs. 34-36, mean = 35.1) (Table 1).

...

Etymology: The epithet name, used here as a noun, is derived from the Latin word longus (= long) and tubulus (= pipe), alluding to two longer tubes modified from anterior nostrils. The common Chinese name here suggested for this new species is “长管华刺鳅”.

 Peng Shan, Guangyu Li and E Zhang. 2024. Sinobdella longitubulus, A New Species of Spiny Eel (Pisces, Mastacembelidae) from the Zhu-Jiang Basin, with A Note on the Type Locality of S. sinensis (Bleeker, 1870). Biodiversity Data Journal. 12: e123990. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e123990

[Herpetology • 2024] Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis • A New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1927 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) of the angularis group from the Karstic Landscape of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, central Vietnam

[A] Holotype of Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis sp. nov. 

Duong, L. V. Vu, H. T. Vu, Mulcahy, Bragin, Poyarkov & Grismer, 2024

 [B] C. cryptus.  [C] C. roesleri.  [E] C. phongnhakebangensis  

 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5471.5.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/381582908

 Photograph by Tang Duong & Thomas Ziegler. 

 

Abstract

The Phong Nha-Ke Bang (PNKB National Park in the Central Highlands of Vietnam is a bastion for the protection and conservation of Vietnam’s natural heritage. Thus, the discovery of yet another new species of Cyrtodactylus, C. hangvaensis sp. nov., within the PNKB continues to underscore the parks ever-growing importance. Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis sp. nov. is a karst dwelling species of the angularis group that based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis, is most closely related to C. roesleri from the PNKB and C. sommerladi from karstic areas in nearby Laos. Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis sp. nov. occupies a unique position in morphospace where it is well separated from closely related species and other species within the PNKB. It is potentially diagnosable from all other members of the angularis by having a unique combination of morphological and color pattern characters and bearing an uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence of 9.5%–25.5%.

Reptilia, Bent-toed geckos, conservation, Indochina, limestone, molecular phylogenetics

Species comparisons. A. Holotype of Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis sp. nov. from Hang Va cave, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam. Photograph by Tang Duong. B. C. cryptus from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (PNKB). Photograph by Thomas Ziegler. C. C. roesleri VNUH 220509 from PNKB. Photograph by Thomas Ziegler.
D. C. sommerladi VNUF R.2013.22 from Hin Nam No NPA, Khammouane Province, Laos. Photograph by Vinh Quang Luu. E. C. phongnhakebangensis from PNKB. Photograph by Thomas Ziegler.

Cyrtodactylus hangvaensis sp. nov.

Tang Van Duong, Lien Van Vu, Hien Thi Thu Vu, Dan Mulcahy, Andrey M. Bragin, Nikolay A. Poyarkov and L. Lee Grismer. 2024. Another New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1927 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) of the angularis group from the Karstic Landscape of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, central Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5471(5); 555-571. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5471.5.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/381582908_A_new_species_of_Cyrtodactylus_from_karst_PNKB_central_Vietnam

[Entomology • 2024] Planiculus angulatus • A New Species of xyleborine ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) from Thailand

  Planiculus angulatus  Sittichaya & Cognato, 2024
P. shiva (Maiti & Saha 1986)

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5471.4.7

 facebook.com: AJ Wisut

 

Abstract

A new species, Planiculus angulatus sp. nov., is described and P. shiva is reported from Thailand for the first time. A list of Planiculus species found in Thailand with distributions, habitat types and a key to species are also provided.

Coleoptera, diversity, new species, Oriental region, Thai fauna

Wisut Sittichaya and Anthony I. Cognato. 2024. Planiculus angulatus, A New Species of xyleborine ambrosia beetle from Thailand (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Xyleborini).  Zootaxa. 5471(4); 482-488. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5471.4.7

 facebook.com/100008154040199/photos/3821856441429453

[Entomology • 2024] Thaictenopelma splendida • A New enigmatic Genus of the ichneumonid (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae: Ctenopelmatinae) from northern Thailand

Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, 

 

 in Ranjith, Quicke, Reshchikov et Butcher, 2024. 

  DOI: 10.3897/jhr.97.121436

Abstract

The Ctenopelmatinae is one of the least explored groups of Ichneumonidae in South East Asia. We describe and illustrate an enigmatic new genus, Thaictenopelma Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke with the type species, T. splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, sp. nov., from a moderately high altitude site in northern Thailand. The new genus shows a unique set of morphological characters that distinguishes it from all other ctenopelmatine genera. The presence of a pair of complete latero-median as well as complete dorso-lateral carinae on the T2 are considered autapomorphic characters of the new genus. Affinities of the new genus within the Ctenopelmatinae are discussed and a note on the taxonomic placement is provided.

Keywords: Malaise trap, new species, parasitoid wasp, South East Asia, taxonomy

Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, gen. et sp. nov., holotype, female
A habitus, lateral view B head, anterior view C head, antero-lateral view.

Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, gen. et sp. nov., holotype, female
A head, dorsal view B head, ventro-lateral view C mesosoma, lateral view D mesosoma, dorsal view E propodeum, dorsal view F T1, dorsal view. Abbreviations: dlc, dorso-lateral carina, lmc, latero-median carina.

 Thaictenopelma Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, gen. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Thaictenopelma gen. nov. can be separated from all other ctenopelmatine genera by its putatively autapomorphic carination pattern of T1 and T2. In particular, the pairs of complete latero-median and dorso-lateral carinae on T2 are completely unknown for the subfamily (Townes 1970). Additionally, the new genus can be distinguished from other ctenopelmatines by a combination of characters viz., the lower tooth of mandible being longer than upper tooth, propodeum with distinct carination, fore wing with rhombic areolet, T2 and T3 with posteriorly diverging groove basally, and T3 with distinct medio-basal protuberances.

Etymology: The generic name derived from a combination of ‘Thai’ for Thailand and ‘Ctenopelma’, type genus of the subfamily Ctenopelmatinae.

Thaictenopelma splendida Ranjith, Reshchikov & Quicke, sp. nov.,

Etymology: The species is named after the magnificent combination of morphological characters which are completely unknown from the members of the subfamily.

 Avunjikkattu P. Ranjith, Donald L. J. Quicke, Alexey Reshchikov and Buntika A. Butcher. 2024. A New enigmatic Genus of the ichneumonid subfamily Ctenopelmatinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae) from Thailand. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 97: 491-504. DOI: 10.3897/jhr.97.121436

[Arachnida • 2024] Heteropoda lebar • A New Species (Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae) from the highlands in Pahang State, Malaysia with a distinct sexual colour dimorphism

 

 Heteropoda lebar 

 Chen, Jäger, Zhu, Yu & Zhang, 2024

 

DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e125745

 Abstract

Background: The genus Heteropoda Latreille, 1804, is ranked as the second within the family Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872. Up to now, sixteen species of this genus have been described from Malaysia.

New information: A new species of this genus in the highlands of Pahang State, Malaysia is described under the name of Heteropoda lebar sp. nov.. Individuals of the new species live in primary forests on forest floor, active in the night on the leaf litter.

Keywords: high diversity, Heteropodinae, sexual colour dimorphism, taxonomy

 

 

 Heteropoda lebar sp. nov., from Bukit Fraser, Pahang State, Malaysia.
holotype male and female paratype.  

(pictures were taken by Peter Jäger). 

Heteropoda lebar sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The males of H. lebar sp. nov. can be distinguished from those of all other congeners by the widened apical part of the conductor with retrolaterad, acuminate, triangular and rounded part (Figs 1, 4a–c). Females of H. lebar sp. nov. resemble H. aemulans Bayer & Jäger, 2009 (Bayer and Jäger 2009) by the shape of median septum in ventral view, but can be recognised by the following combination of characters (Figs 2, 3, 4d–e): 1. Width of anterior part of median septum one fifth of maximal width of median to posterior part, 2. Glandular appendages elongate, small rounded in ventral view, situated at lateral margin of first winding, 3. Posterior part of internal duct system wider than long.

 Etymology: The specific name is derived from the Malay word lebar (ليبار), meaning broad and referring to the fact that the males with a widened conductor; adjective.

 Wenqin Chen, Peter Jäger, Yang Zhu, Long Yu and He Zhang. 2024. Heteropoda lebar sp. nov.: A New Species from the highlands in Pahang State, Malaysia (Sparassidae, Heteropodinae) with a distinct sexual colour dimorphism. Biodiversity Data Journal. 12: e125745. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.12.e125745

[Arachnida • 2024] Typhlonesticus angelicus & T. santinellii • Two New Subterranean Typhlonesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) from the Alps with Notes on their Ecology, Distribution and Conservation

[A, D] Typhlonesticus angelicus sp. nov., [B, F] T. morisii (Brignoli) and [C, H] T. santinellii sp. nov. 

in Isaia, Nicolosi, Infuso et Ribera, 2024.

 DOI: 10.3897/asp.81.e106948

Abstract

The spider genus Typhlonesticus Kulczyński, 1914 (Araneae: Nesticidae) includes seven species, most of which exhibiting strict preference for caves, abandoned mines and other subterranean habitats. In Italy the genus is represented by two species: T. morisii (Brignoli, 1975), an extremely narrow endemic species from SW-Alps with a very high level of subterranean adaptation and T. idriacus (Roewer, 1931), showing a much wider distribution in NE-Italy and poor adaptations to subterranean life. Our recent biospeleological surveys in the Alps lead to the discovery of new populations of highly troglomorphic Typhlonesticus that proved to belong to two new species based on morphological and molecular data. Considering the rarity of these new species, we provide general information on their ecology and distribution, including a comparative analysis of troglomorphic traits in Typhlonesticus in relation to biogeographic factors. Information on the conservation status, useful for assessing their extinction risk based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines, is also provided.

Keywords: Alpine subterranean fauna, Biogeography, Endemic species, Extinction risk, Systematics, Troglomorphism

Live specimens of Typhlonesticus angelicus sp. nov. (A male), T. morisii (Brignoli) (B female) and T. santinellii sp. nov. (C female) in their natural habitats.
The entrance of Grotta superiore delle Camoscere [Pi 250], type locality of T. angelicus sp. nov. (D), the military bunker of Sotterranei di Vernante, type locality of T. morisii (Brignoli) (E, F);
the walls of “Galleria del Pozzo’’ within the mining complex of Gorno, type locality of T. santinellii sp. nov. (G); the entrance of Murdosso cave [Lo BG 7407], where the first female of T. santinellii sp. nov. was collected during the unblocking operations of the cave conducted by the local speleological groups “Underland” and “I Tassi” (H).

Family Nesticidae Simon, 1894

Genus Typhlonesticus Kulczyński, 1914

 Typhlonesticus angelicus Isaia and Ribera, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is dedicated to Angelo Morisi (1943–2016) beloved Piedmontese natural scientist, expert in reptiles, amphibians, cave-dwelling invertebrates, freshwater macroinvertebrates, fishes and lichens. Angelo was a kind-hearted, altruist and caring natural scientist, pioneer of the biospeleological research in Piedmont, and first collector of several rare troglobiont species that still carry his name, including Typhlonesticus morisii, sister species of T. angelicus sp. nov. The specific epithet is in form of adjective and conjugates the name of Angelo and the features of benevolent immortal beings with a translucent body of light, barely visible to the human eye.

  Typhlonesticus santinellii Isaia and Ribera, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species is dedicated to the speleologist Roberto “Robertone” Santinelli, who first collected the female specimen in Murdosso cave, allowing the diagnosis of the new species. Noun in genitive.

Conclusions: 

Combining morphological and genetic evidence, we revealed the existence of two new species of Typhlonesticus, the oldest evolutionary lineage of Nesticid spiders in Europe. The new species are characterised by a high level of adaptation to the subterranean environment, confirming the extraordinary richness of subterranean diversity in the Alps. Using a trait-based approach, we inferred how highly troglomorphic Typhlonesticus are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes, and in particular we interpreted their isolation and their small distribution ranges as critical conditions amplifying their extinction risk, especially from a global warming perspective. We particularly address this issue by recommending further studies focusing on the thermal tolerance of these species, aiming at understanding their possible response to increasing global temperatures.

  Marco Isaia, Giuseppe Nicolosi, Alessandro Infuso and Carles Ribera. 2024. Two New Subterranean Typhlonesticus (Araneae: Nesticidae) from the Alps with Notes on their Ecology, Distribution and Conservation. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 81: 801-818. DOI:  10.3897/asp.81.e106948

[Botany • 2024] Didymocarpus janakiae (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from the eastern Himalayas, India

 

Didymocarpus janakiae Rhuthuparna & V.Gowda, 

in Rhuthuparna et Gowda, 2024.  

DOI: 10.1111/njb.04353

Abstract

We describe a new species, Didymocarpus janakiae Rhuthuparna & V.Gowda from the eastern Himalayas of India. We provide a detailed description of the species' morphology, diagnostic characters, and colour photographs to support its classification as a new taxon. The new species shows morphological affinities with D. middletonii Souvann., Soulad. & Tagane, D.cinereus D.Don, and D. punduanus var. pulchrus (C. B. Clarke) Su.Datta & B.K.Sinha. It is similar to D. middletonii in its calyx shape but can be distinguished by its glabrous calyx and glandular hairy corolla (versus calyx sparsely covered with multi-cellular hairs and glabrous corolla). Similarly, it resembles D. punduanus var. pulchrus and D. cinereus D.Don in the shape and purplish colour of the corolla, but D. janakiae can be distinguished from these two species by its urceolate calyx (versus campanulate), and longer calyx tube (6.7–10.4 mm versus ca 6 mm in D. cinereus and 3–6 mm in D. punduanus var. pulchrus). Currently D. janakiae is only known from its type locality, therefore we assess it as Critically Endangered as per the IUCN guidelines.

S. B. Rhuthuparna and Vinita Gowda. 2024. Didymocarpus janakiae (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from the eastern Himalayas, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.04353