[Botany • 2015] Thismia hongkongensis • A New Mycoheterotrophic Species (Thismiaceae) from Hong Kong, China, with Observations on Floral Visitors and Seed Dispersal

 Thismia hongkongensis S.S.Mar & R.M.K.Saunders

Flower structure in Thismia hongkongensis sp. nov. A Mature flower, showing outer tepals (ot), inner tepals (it) and abscission zone (ab) at the base of the perianth tube. B Entire plant (S.S. Mar 1, HK).

doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8963

Figure 1. Flower development in Thismia hongkongensis sp. nov.
A, B Root system, with young flowering stalk developing (arrowed). C–G Developing flower, photographed over a 17-day period (10th, 14th, 16th, 19th and 23rd May, respectively) (S.S. Mar 1, HK). I, J Post-fertilization flower, showing abscission of perianth tube.

Photos by S.S. Mar. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8963

Abstract

A new species, Thismia hongkongensis S.S.Mar & R.M.K.Saunders, is described from Hong Kong. It is most closely related to Thismia brunonis Griff. from Myanmar, but differs in the number of flowers per inflorescence, the colour of the perianth tube, the length of the filaments, and the shape of the stigma lobes. We also provide inferences on the pollination ecology and seed dispersal of the new species, based on field observations and interpretations of morphology. The flowers are visited by fungus gnats (Myctophilidae or Sciaridae) and scuttle flies (Phoridae), which are likely to enter the perianth tube via the annulus below the filiform tepal appendages, and exit via small apertures between the filaments of the pendent stamens. The flowers are inferred to be protandrous, and flies visiting late-anthetic (pistillate-phase) flowers are possibly trapped within the flower, increasing chances of pollen deposition on the receptive stigma. The seeds are likely to be dispersed by rain splash.

Keywords: Burmanniaceae, China, mycoheterotrophic, pollination, rain splash dispersal, Thismia, Thismiaceae, new species

Figure 3. Fruit structure in Thismia hongkongensis sp. nov.
A Flower (rear right), immature fruit, shortly after fertilization (left), and mature fruit with exposed seeds (front). B Two fruiting individuals, each with three fruits.

 Photos by S.S. Mar. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8963

Figure 3. Fruit structure in Thismia hongkongensis sp. nov.
C Lateral view of fruiting specimen, illustrating elongated fruit stalk. D Mature fruit with exposed seeds. E Dehydrated fruit. F Rehydrated fruit, after rainfall.

Photos by S.S. Mar. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8963

Shek Shing Mar and Richard Saunders. 2015. Thismia hongkongensis (Thismiaceae): A New Mycoheterotrophic Species from Hong Kong, China, with Observations on Floral Visitors and Seed Dispersal. PhytoKeys 46: 21-33. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8963

[Mammalogy • 2015] Morphology, Genetics and Echolocation Calls of the Genus Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Kerivoulinae) in Thailand

ค้างคาวยอดกล้วยปีกใส Kerivoula hardwickii

photo: PSUNHM via siamensis.org

Abstract

Following extensive field work in Thailand (2010–2013) and the examination of 155 museum specimens, this paper reviews and examines the taxonomy of the genus Kerivoula in Thailand, based on morphology, genetics, and echolocation call characteristics. Seven species (as currently understood), Kerivoula papillosa, K. kachinensis, K. hardwickii, K. titania, K. pellucida, K. krauensis and K. minuta, were analysed in detail. Thai specimens of two species, K. picta and K. whiteheadi, were not available for study. Morphological data suggested a complex pattern of possible cryptic species, with at least five morphotypes, based on cranial data for K. papillosa, and nine for K. hardwickii, as currently understood. An analysis of the mitochondrial DNA (COI) from Thai specimens identified three genetic lineages in K. papillosa and K. hardwickii, respectively. The echolocation calls data differed significantly, albeit with individual acoustic parameters overlapping considerably, among genetic lineages. The taxonomic status of the various lineages and morphotypes are discussed.

Keywords: cryptic species; hardwickii; papillosa; phylogeny; Southeast Asia; taxonomy

Figure 3 Dorsal (left) and ventral (right) pelage of four species of Kerivoula .
(A) Kerivoula hardwickii C, PSUZC-MM2013.22, ♂, Phu Pha Phet Ranger Station, Khao Bantad Wildlife Sanctuary, Satun Province; (B) K. pellucida , PSUZC-MM2013.24, ♂, Phu Pha Phet Ranger Station, Khao Bantad Wildlife Sanctuary, Satun Province; (C) K. krauensis , PSUZC-MM2013.25, ♂, Hala-Bala Wildlife Research Station, Narathiwat Province; (D) K. minuta , BD130825.3, ♂, Phu Pha Phet Ranger Station, Khao Bantad Wildlife Sanctuary, Satun Province. No scale.

DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2014-0004

Bounsavane Douangboubpha, Sara Bumrungsri, Chutamas Satasook, Warapond Wanna, Pipat Soisook and Paul J.J. Bates. 2015. Morphology, Genetics and Echolocation Calls of the Genus Kerivoula (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae: Kerivoulinae) in Thailand. Mammalia. DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2014-0004

[Herpetology • 2015] Systematics and Biodiversity Multilocus Phylogeny and Taxonomic Revision of the Hemidactylus robustus species group (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) with Descriptions of Three New Species – Hemidactylus adensis and H. mandebensis from Yemen and H. awashensis from Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

The gecko genus Hemidactylus, with its 132 currently recognized species, ranks among the most species-rich reptile genera. Recent phylogenetic studies disclosed unexpectedly high genetic variability and complex biogeographic history within its arid clade distributed in the Mediterranean, Northeast Africa, Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Particularly, the species from the Arabian Peninsula have been lately the subject of many taxonomic revisions that have resulted in the descriptions of 16 new taxa. Yet not all detected cryptic lineages have been treated taxonomically and thoroughly investigated morphologically. Based on phylogenetic analyses of two mtDNA (12S, cytb) and four nDNA (cmos, mc1r, rag1, rag2) gene fragments of a total length of 4015 bp in combination with analysis of morphological characters, we reinvestigate the systematics of the H. robustus species group consisting of the widespread H. robustus and three undescribed species, two of which occur in Southwest Yemen and one in central Ethiopia. By comparing two phylogenetic inference methods, concatenated gene trees and species-tree estimation, we reconstruct the phylogeny of the H. robustus species group. The coalescent-based species-tree estimation resulted in different tree topology than the concatenation approach, being probably a result of incomplete lineage sorting of ancestral polymorphism, suggesting that the H. robustus species group is in a stage of incipient speciation. The degree of differentiation of the characters examined within the H. robustus species group allowed us to provide a redescription of H. robustus and formally describe three new species of Hemidactylus – H. adensis sp. nov. and H. mandebensis sp. nov. from Yemen and H. awashensis sp. nov. from Ethiopia.

Key words: Arabia, biogeography, diversity, geckos, Horn of Africa, incipient speciation, radiation, species tree

Jiří Šmíd, Jiří Moravec, Lukáš Kratochvíl, Abdul K Nasher, Tomáš Mazuch, Václav Gvoždík and Salvador Carranza. 2015. Systematics and Biodiversity Multilocus Phylogeny and Taxonomic Revision of the Hemidactylus robustus species group (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) with Descriptions of Three New Species from Yemen and Ethiopia.
Systematics and Biodiversity. 2015:1-23. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2014.996264

researchgate.net/publication/272091403_Systematics_and_Biodiversity_Multilocus_phylogeny_and_taxonomic_revision_of_the_Hemidactylus_robustus_species_group_(Reptilia_Gekkonidae)_with_descriptions_of_three_new_species_from_Yemen_and_Ethiopia

[Botany • 2015] Sirdavidia solannona • An Extraordinary New Genus of Annonaceae from Gabon

Sirdavidia solannona Couvreur & Sauquet.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8937

Photos: TLP Couvreur | Annonaceae.myspecies.info 

Abstract

A distinctive new monotypic genus from Gabon is described in the tropical plant family Annonaceae: Sirdavidia, in honor to Sir David Attenborough. Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm that Sirdavidia, which is very distinct from a morphological standpoint, is not nested in any existing genus of Annonaceae and belongs to tribe Piptostigmateae (subfamily Malmeoideae), which now contains a total of six genera. The genus is characterized by long acuminate leaves, fully reflexed red petals, 16–19 bright yellow, loosely arranged stamens forming a cone, and a single carpel topped by a conspicuous stigma. With just three known collections, a preliminary IUCN conservation status assessment is provided as “endangered” as well as a distribution map. The discovery of Sirdavidia is remarkable at several levels. First, it was collected near the road in one of the botanically best-known regions of Gabon: Monts de Cristal National Park. Second, its sister group is the genus Mwasumbia, also monotypic, endemic to a small area in a forest in Tanzania, some 3000 km away. Finally, the floral morphology is highly suggestive of a buzz pollination syndrome. If confirmed, this would be the first documentation of such a pollination syndrome in Magnoliidae and early-diverging angiosperms in general.

Keywords: Piptostigmateae, Monts de Cristal, buzz pollination, vicariance, Annonaceae, Central Africa, Magnoliidae

Figure 1. Maximum likelihood tree with support values indicated on branches (ML bootstrap above; MP bootstrap below). Flower morphology of the genera in the Piptostigmateae tribe.
a Annickia affinis (Exell) Versteegh & Sosef b Greenwayodendron suaveolens (Engl. & Diels) Verdc c Piptostigma multinervium Engl. & Diels d Polyceratocarpus parviflorus (Baker) Ghesq e Sirdavidia solannona f Mwasumbia alba.

Photos: TLP Couvreur. Note: there is some confusion around the proper identification of the accession Lugas 111 (Woodiellantha sp in this study). | doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8937

Taxonomic description

Sirdavidia Couvreur & Sauquet, gen. nov.

 Diagnosis: Genus with Solanum-like flowers, inflorescences axillary or cauliflorous, sepals valvate, petals valvate, subequal, recurved at anthesis, red; stamens bright yellow; carpel single; monocarp sessile, placentation lateral, ovules uniseriate.

Type species: Sirdavidia solannona Couvreur & Sauquet.

Small trees with distichous, simple pinnately veined leaves with an entire margin and reticulate third-order venation. Species androdioecious (?) (flowers unisexual staminate or bisexual). Inflorescences one to three-flowered, axillary on old branches or at base of trunk, with one to three short sympodial rachilla. Flowers actinomorphic. Perianth of 9 free tepals in 3 alternate, valvate whorls of 3 each, differentiated in outer tepals (sepals) and middle and inner tepals (petals). Petals similar (subequal in length), spreading horizontally or reflexed at anthesis. Stamens 16-19, free, basifixed with a very short filament. Anthers introrse, probably opening by two longitudinal slits, connectives tongue shaped, yellow. Carpel one, densely pubescent, stigma cylindrical coiled, ovules 7–10, uniseriate. Monocarp sessile, cylindrical densely pubescent.

Figure 4. Sirdavidia solannona.
a Opened flower and flower buds (Couvreur 596) b Flower with recurved petals at anthesis (Couvreur 596) c Staminate flower (Couvreur 597) d Flower with all petals and part of the stamens removed, showing the silvery aspect of the carpel and the long stigma (Couvreur 596) e Cauliflorous flower and flower bud (Couvreur 596) f Young fruit, cauliflorous (Couvreur 596).

Photos: TLP Couvreur | Annonaceae.myspecies.info | doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8937

A single species only known to Gabon (Fig. 2).

Etymology: We dedicate this new genus to Sir David Attenborough, British broadcaster and naturalist, in honor of his lifelong dedication to nature, conservation, evolution and natural history programs. His passion for nature have influenced and inspired a generation of biologists and naturalists, including the first and senior authors of this paper. The species name epiteth highlights the striking resemblance with flowers of some species of Solanum, an unusual and new feature for a flower of Annonaceae.

Figure 4. Sirdavidia solannona.
a Opened flower and flower buds (Couvreur 596) b Flower with recurved petals at anthesis (Couvreur 596) c Staminate flower (Couvreur 597) d Flower with all petals and part of the stamens removed, showing the silvery aspect of the carpel and the long stigma (Couvreur 596) e Cauliflorous flower and flower bud (Couvreur 596) f Young fruit, cauliflorous (Couvreur 596).
Photos: TLP Couvreur | Annonaceae.myspecies.info | doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8937

Thomas L.P. Couvreur, Raoul Niangadouma, Bonaventure Sonké and Hervé Sauquet. 2015. Sirdavidia, An Extraordinary New Genus of Annonaceae from Gabon.
PhytoKeys 46: 1-19. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.46.8937

Plant genus named after Sir David Attenborough http://gu.com/p/45fny/stw

Résumé: Un nouveau genre monotypique du Gabon est décrit dans la famille tropicale des Annonaceae: Sirdavidia, en honneur à Sir David Attenborough. Des analyses phylogénétiques confirment que Sirdavidia, caractérisé par une morphologie unique, n’appartient à aucun genre connu d’Annonaceae et se place au sein de la tribu des Piptostigmateae (dans la sous-famille des Malmeoideae), laquelle compte désormais un total de six genres. Le genre est caractérisé par des feuilles avec un long acumen, des pétales rouges réfléchis, 16–19 étamines jaunes qui forment un cône lâche et un carpelle surmonté d’un stigmate bien visible. Avec seulement trois récoltes connues, un statut de conservation préliminaire de “endangered” est proposé sur la base des critères de l’UICN. Une carte de distribution est également fournie. La découverte de Sirdavidia est remarquable pour plusieurs raisons. Tout d’abord le nouveau genre a été collecté près de la route dans l’une des régions les plus connues botaniquement du Gabon: le Parc National des Monts de Cristal. Ensuite, son groupe-frère est le genre, Mwasumbia, également monotypique, endémique d’une petite région en Tanzanie à plus de 3000 km. Enfin, les caractères floraux suggèrent un syndrome de pollinisation appélé « buzz pollination». Si cela se confirme, ce sera la première documentation de ce type de syndrome pour les Magnoliidae et les Angiospermes basales en général.

[Botany • 2014] Revision of the African genus Uvariastrum (Annonaceae)

Figure 2. Species of Uvariastrum.
a Uvariastrum insculptum, Ivory Coast (photo O. Lachenaud, no specimen) b Uvariastrum pierreanum, fruit, Gabon (photo: TLP Couvreur, (Sosef 2034)) c U. pierreanum, Cameroon (photo: TLP Couvreur; Couvreur 454)
d Uvariastrum zenkeri; cauliflorous flowers; Cameroon (photo: XM van der Burgt (van der Burgt 590)) e U. zenkeri, flower bud; Cameroon (photo Sonneck, no specimen) f U. zenkeri, mature flower; Cameroon (photo Sonneck, no specimen) g U. zenkeri, detail of receptacle; Cameroon (photo Sonneck, no specimen).

doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.33.5907

Abstract

The genus Uvariastrum (Annonaceae) is restricted to continental Africa and is characterized by sepals with folded margins, few carpels and numerous stamens. The genus is mainly found in the tropical lowland rain forests of Africa, with one species growing in a drier woodland habitat. The species name Uvariastrum pynaertii De Wild is reduced into synonymy with Uvariastrum zenkeri Engl. & Diels. Uvaraistrum neglectum Paiva and Uvariastrum modestum Dielsare transferred to the genus Uvaria leading to two new combinations: Uvaria modesta (Diels) Couvreur, comb. nov. and Uvaria paivana Couvreur, nom. nov. Five species are currently recognized in Uvariastrum. The present revision, the first of the genus for over 100 years, provides an overview of previously published information and discussions on morphology, taxonomy and palynology. Preliminary conservation status assessments are provided for each species, as well as diagnostic keys for fruiting and flowering material as well as detailed species descriptions. Furthermore, all species are illustrated by line drawings and all species are mapped.

Keywords: Taxonomy, IUCN conservation, Monodoreae, Uvaria

Thomas L.P. Couvreur. 2014. Revision of the African genus Uvariastrum (Annonaceae).

PhytoKeys. 33: 1-40. doi: 10.3897/phytokeys.33.5907

[Botany • 2009] Mwasumbia alba • Molecular and Morphological Characterization of A New Monotypic Genus of Annonaceae from Tanzania

Mwasumbia alba Couvreur & D.M.Johnson

Photos: TLP Couvreur | Annonaceae.myspecies.info 

Abstract

The coastal lowland rain forests of eastern Africa are well known for their high levels of plant endemism. A new genus of Annonaceae, Mwasumbia, is described from Tanzania, underscoring this high biodiversity and represented by a single species, Mwasumbia alba. The new genus presents several morphological characters suggesting a close relationship to two other African genera, Greenwayodendron and Polyceratocarpus. Maximum parsimony and Bayesian molecular phylogenetic analyses based on two plastid markers, rbcL and the trnLtrnF region, strongly support the close relationship of these three genera to one another as well as to two other African genera, Annickia and Piptostigma. Together these five genera form a moderately supported clade within the so-called short-branch clade of Annonaceae. A detailed morphological and palynological comparison between Mwasumbia and the four other genera shows that this new genus exhibits a combination of features unique within this group: intermediate tertiary leaf venation, exclusively bisexual flowers, slightly imbricate sepals, valvate petals, outer and inner petals equal in length, numerous stamens, four carpels, few and uniseriate ovules, few and sessile monocarps, and verrucate sulculate pollen grains. Phylogenetic analyses also suggest the genus Piptostigma, as currently circumscribed, to be paraphyletic. An IUCN conservation status of VU D2 is proposed, reflecting the narrow distribution of the single species.

Keywords: Annonaceae, biodiversity hotspot, coastal forest, East Africa, Kimboza Forest Reserve, pollen, Tanzania, taxonomy, Uluguru Mountains

T.L.P Couvreur, R. W. J. M. Van der Ham, Y.M. Mbele, F. M. Mbago and D. M. Johnson. 2009. Molecular and Morphological Characterization of A New Monotypic Genus of Annonaceae, Mwasumbia, from Tanzania. Systematic Botany. 34:266-276. DOI: 10.1600/036364409788606398

[Mammalogy • 2014] Taxonomy of Rock-Wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). IV: Multifaceted Study of the brachyotis group identifies additional taxa

Abstract

Defining taxonomic units is an important component of understanding how biodiversity has formed, and in guiding efforts to sustain it. Understanding patterns of biodiversity across the monsoonal tropics of northern Australia is limited, with molecular technology revealing deep phylogenetic structure and complex evolutionary histories. The brachyotis group of rock-wallabies (Petrogale spp.), which currently consists of three species (Petrogale brachyotis, P. burbidgei and P. concinna) distributed across north-western Australia, provides an example where current taxonomy does not reflect the true diversity or phylogenetic relationships within the group. We have used an integrative approach, combining morphological data, together with DNA sequences (~1000 bp mitochondrial DNA; ~3000 bp nuclear DNA) to resolve relationships within P. brachyotis. Phylogenetic and morphological analyses indicated that P. brachyotis (sensu lato) represents at least two separate species: P. brachyotis (sensu stricto) from the Kimberley and western Northern Territory, and P. wilkinsi from the northern and eastern Northern Territory. Petrogale brachyotis (sensu stricto) can be separated on genetic and morphological evidence into two subspecies: P. b. brachyotis and P. b. victoriae (subsp. nov.). Distinct genetic lineages have also been identified within both P. brachyotis and P. wilkinsi, as well as within P. burbidgei and P. concinna.

Additional keywords: marsupial, mitochondrial DNA, morphology, northern Australia, nuclear, phylogenetics.

 Petrogale wilkinsi Thomas, 1926
eastern short-eared rock-wallaby or Wilkins' rock-wallaby

photo: Emily Miller | australianmuseum.net.au

Variation in pelage within Petrogale brachyotis (sensu stricto).
Lateral view, top to bottom of: KIM lineage (P. brachyotis brachyotis; Kalumburu, WA), VR lineage (= P. b. victoriae subsp. nov.; Lobby Creek 'Bradshaw', NT) and NT lineage (=P. wilkinsi; Nourlangie Rock, NT).

DOI: 10.1071/ZO13095 | Potter, et al. 2014

Potter S., Close R.L., Taggart D.A., Cooper S.J.B. and Eldridge M.D.B. 2014. Taxonomy of Rock-Wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). IV. Multifaceted Study of the brachyotis group identifies additional taxa.
Australian Journal of Zoology. 62(5) 401-414. DOI: 10.1071/ZO13095

researchgate.net/publication/269875108_Taxonomy_of_rock-wallabies_Petrogale_(Marsupialia_Macropodidae)._IV._Multifaceted_study_of_the_brachyotis_group_identifies_additional_taxa 

Hiding in plain sight: a new marsupial species for Australia -- Australian Museum http://shar.es/1oAP4k  @AustMus

http://customstoday.com.pk/australian-scientists-find-new-species-of-rock-wallaby-in-2014/

facebook.com/MuseumKoenig/posts/742748492467851

[Ornithology • 2015] Rapid Diversification and Secondary Sympatry in Australo-Pacific Kingfishers (Aves: Alcedinidae: Todiramphus)

Figure 3. Time-calibrated maximum clade credibility tree with 95% highest posterior density bars from the BEAST analysis. Node support is given as Bayesian posterior probability (PP): black circles at nodes denote PP=1.0, grey circles denote 0.95≤PP≤0.99. Unlabelled nodes denote PP<0.95. The red vertical line denotes the bGMYC species delimitation estimate (i.e. the bGMYC analysis identified as species all clades to the right of the line). Sympatric lineages are identified by colour-coded labels that correspond to their respective distributions on the map.
Note that T. sanctus is distributed across two coloured areas (green Australia and orange Solomon Islands). Actenoides hombroni, Syma and Todiramphus nigrocyaneus were removed from the base of the tree to save space.
Lettered clades (A–I) are discussed in the text and correspond to the same clades in figure 2. Illustrations of the sampled lineages from Palau (T. c. teraokai) and Vanuatu (T. c. santoensis) were not available, so representative taxa from their respective clades were used (T. c. chloris and T. c. juliae, respectively).

Illustrations courtesy of the Handbook of the Birds of the World, Lynx Edicions.   Andersen, et al. 2015 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140375

Abstract

Todiramphus chloris is the most widely distributed of the Pacific's ‘great speciators’. Its 50 subspecies constitute a species complex that is distributed over 16 000 km from the Red Sea to Polynesia. We present, to our knowledge, the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of this enigmatic radiation of kingfishers. Ten Pacific Todiramphus species are embedded within the T. chloris complex, rendering it paraphyletic. Among these is a radiation of five species from the remote islands of Eastern Polynesian, as well as the widespread migratory taxon, Todiramphus sanctus. Our results offer strong support that Pacific Todiramphus, including T. chloris, underwent an extensive range expansion and diversification less than 1 Ma. Multiple instances of secondary sympatry have accumulated in this group, despite its recent origin, including on Australia and oceanic islands in Palau, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. Significant ecomorphological and behavioural differences exist between secondarily sympatric lineages, which suggest that pre-mating isolating mechanisms were achieved rapidly during diversification. We found evidence for complex biogeographic patterns, including a novel phylogeographic break in the eastern Solomon Islands that separates a Northern Melanesian clade from Polynesian taxa. In light of our results, we discuss systematic relationships of Todiramphus and propose an updated taxonomy. This paper contributes to our understanding of avian diversification and assembly on islands, and to the systematics of a classically polytypic species complex.

KEYWORDS: island biogeography, diversification rates, divergence time estimation, great speciators, Todiramphus chloris

Michael J. Andersen, Hannah T. Shult, Alice Cibois, Jean-Claude Thibault, Christopher E. Filardi and Robert G. Moyle. 2015. Rapid Diversification and Secondary Sympatry in Australo-Pacific Kingfishers (Aves: Alcedinidae: Todiramphus).

  Ibis. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140375  

[Herpetology • 2015] Telmatobius ventriflavum • A New Species of Telmatobius (Anura, Telmatobiidae) from the Pacific Slopes of the Andes, Peru

 Telmatobius ventriflavum Catenazzi, Vargas & Lehr, 2015

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.480.8578

Abstract

We describe a new species of Telmatobius from the Pacific slopes of the Andes in central Peru. Specimens were collected at 3900 m elevation near Huaytará, Huancavelica, in the upper drainage of the Pisco river. The new species has a snout–vent length of 52.5 ± 1.1 mm (49.3–55.7 mm, n = 6) in adult females, and 48.5 mm in the single adult male. The new species has bright yellow and orange coloration ventrally and is readily distinguished from all other central Peruvian Andean species of Telmatobius but T. intermedius by having vomerine teeth but lacking premaxillary and maxillary teeth, and by its slender body shape and long legs. The new species differs from T. intermedius by its larger size, flatter head, and the absence of cutaneous keratinized spicules (present even in immature females of T. intermedius), and in males by the presence of minute, densely packed nuptial spines on dorsal and medial surfaces of thumbs (large, sparsely packed nuptial spines in T. intermedius). The hyper-arid coastal valleys of Peru generally support low species richness, particularly for groups such as aquatic breeding amphibians. The discovery of a new species in this environment, and along a major highway crossing the Andes, shows that much remains to be done to document amphibian diversity in Peru.

Keywords: Huancavelica, amphibian, Andean water frog

the water frog Telmatobius ventriflavum
Photograph by A. Catenazzi. | DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.480.8578

Figure 2. Live holotype of Telmatobius ventriflavum sp. n., male CORBIDI 14685 (SVL 48.5 mm) in dorsolateral (A) and ventral (B) views. Live paratypes, female CORBIDI 14684 (SVL 52.9 mm; C, D),
and female CORBIDI 14686 (SVL 51.5 mm; E, F) in dorsolateral and ventral views.

Photographs by A. Catenazzi. | DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.480.8578

Etymology: The specific name ventriflavum is derived from Latin nouns venter, meaning belly, and flavus, meaning yellow. The species epithet refers to the golden yellow and orange coloration on the ventral parts of the body and limbs.

Figure 5. Habitat of T. ventriflavum at the type locality (A) and detail of stream pool used by adults and tadpoles (B).

Photographs by V. Vargas García (A) and A. Catenazzi (B). 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.480.8578

 Alessandro Catenazzi, Victor Vargas and Edgar Lehr. 2015. A New Species of Telmatobius (Amphibia, Anura, Telmatobiidae) from the Pacific Slopes of the Andes, Peru.
ZooKeys. 480: 81-95. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.480.8578 

http://zoobank.org/E7402169-3339-4218-858A-9CD8DA05A81C

Resumen

Describimos una nueva especie de Telmatobius de la vertiente Pacífica de los Andes en el centro de Perú. Los especímenes tipo fueron colectados a una elevación de 3900 m cerca de Huaytará, Huancavelica, en la parte alta de la cuenca del río Pisco. La nueva especie tiene una longitud hocico–cloaca de 52.5 ± 1.1 mm (49.3–55.7 mm, n = 6) en las hembras adultas y de 48.5 mm en un macho adulto. La nueva especie tiene coloración brillante amarilla y naranja en las partes ventrales y se diferencia fácilmente de todas las demás especies peruanas de Telmatobius de los Andes centrales a excepción de T. intermedius por tener dientes vomerianos y carecer de dientes maxilares y premaxilares, y por su forma del cuerpo delgada y sus patas largas. La nueva especie se diferencia de T. intermedius por su mayor tamaño, por tener la cabeza más plana, y por la ausencia de espículas queratinizadas cutáneas (presentes incluso en hembras inmaduras de T. intermedius), y en los machos por la presencia de pequeñas espinas nupciales compactadas en la superficie dorsal y medial de los pulgares (espinas nupciales grandes y dispersas en T. intermedius). Los valles costeros hiper-áridos de Perú se caracterizan en general por tener baja riqueza de especies, especialmente para grupos como los anfibios de reproducción acuática. El descubrimiento de una nueva especie en este tipo de ecosistema, y a lo largo de una de las carreteras principales que cruzan los Andes, muestra que aún queda mucho por hacer para documentar la diversidad de los anfibios en Perú.

Palabras clave: Huancavelica, anfibio, rana acuática Andina

A bright-yellow new species of water frog from the Peruvian Andes http://phy.so/342266075 via @physorg_com

New species of bright-yellow water frog discovered in Peru http://smithsonianscience.org/2015/02/new-species-bright-yellow-water-frog-discovered-peru/ via @smithsonian

[Botany • 2015] Sarcolobus cambogensis • A New rheophytic Shrub (Marsdenieae, Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) from the Central Cardamom Region, Koh Kong Province, Cambodia

Sarcolobus cambogensis McHone & Livsh.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.197.1.5

Abstract

A new species of Apocynaceae from Cambodia, Sarcolobus cambogensis McHone & Livsh., is described and illustrated. Specimens of the new species, all from the Central Cardamom Region, Koh Kong Province, have morphological characters diagnostic of Sarcolobus (truncate stylehead apices and oblong corpuscula). Like Sarcolobus luzonensis (Warb.) P.I. Forst. and S. borneensis (van Steenis) P.I. Forst., S. cambogensis has a rheophytic, shrubby habit, unusual in both Sarcolobus and Apocynaceae. It differs from the latter two species in its broader leaves, larger corona, and wider caudicles.

Keywords: Cambodia; Indochina; Cardamom Region; Koh Kung Province

Elizabeth McHone, Hyosig Won and Tatyana Livshultz. 2015. Sarcolobus cambogensis (Marsdenieae, Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae): A New rheophytic shrub from Cambodia. Phytotaxa. 197 (1): 45–53. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.197.1.5

http://mapress.com/phytotaxa/content/2015/f/pt00197p053.pdf

[Herpetology • 2015] Sitana bahiri & Sitana devakai • Two New Species of the Genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from Sri Lanka, including a Taxonomic Revision of the Indian Sitana Species

Sitana bahiri Amarasinghe, Ineich & Karunarathna 2015
live breeding male with expanded throat-fan from Kumana National Park, Sri Lanka 

[photo: Harsha Matarage in 2011]  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3915.1.3

Abstract

The genus Sitana was described by Cuvier (1829) on the basis of a single species, S. ponticeriana. The secondly described, Sitana minor Günther, 1864, is identical to S. ponticeriana Cuvier, 1829, and should be considered as a junior objective synonym of the latter. The syntypes of S. deccanensis Jerdon, 1870 have been rediscovered, misplaced among the syntypes of S. minor (sensu Boulenger 1885) at the Natural History Museum (London) and the former taxon is here recognised as a valid species and redescribed. There is some doubt surrounding the taxon Sitana ponticeriana mucronata Deraniyagala, 1957. Its type is lost and no live populations have been found since its original description; therefore, we here consider this trinomen as a nomen dubium. The Sitana populations which are distributed in drier and warmer areas of the lower peneplain of Sri Lanka are sufficiently different from the known Indian species and are thus herein described as new species. The two new species, Sitana bahiri sp. nov. and Sitana devakai sp. nov., differ from mainland Indian congeners by having the following combination of characters: SVL 40.0–50.0 mm; axilla-dewlap length 28.3–32.5% of axilla-groin length; snout length 54.7–63.2% of head width; femur length 70.6–78.4% of tibia length; foot length 154.7–180.2% of head length; 49–59 midbody scales; 87–108 ventral scales; unequal and irregular lateral scales with intermediate enlarged scales; 7–9 supralabials; 14–17 subdigital lamellae on toe III; 21–26 subdigital lamellae on toe IV; enlarged scales above the tympanum; a single pale stripe from the snout up to the shoulder. Sitana bahiri sp. nov. differs from Sitana devakai sp. nov. by having ventrals 87–89 (vs. 100–108), mucronate lateral scales (vs. rounded) in males, and rounded (vs. mucronate) ventral scales in females, plus several other characters discussed later . The remaining Sitana populations in India seem to represent several undescribed species, but extensive field work and molecular studies are needed in order to obtain better knowledge. We believe this study, which provides descriptions for all the recognised Indian species, will go some way in stabilizing the nomenclature for this group of common agamid lizards.

Keywords: biogeography, fan-throated lizard, lectotype, Sitana ponticeriana, syntype, taxonomy

Sitana bahiri Amarasinghe, Ineich & Karunarathna 2015

Sitana devakai Amarasinghe, Ineich & Karunarathna 2015

Amarasinghe, A. A. T., Ivan Ineich, D. M. S. S. Karunarathna, W. M. S. Botejue & Patrick D. Campbell. 2015. Two New Species of the Genus Sitana Cuvier, 1829 (Reptilia: Agamidae) from Sri Lanka, including a Taxonomic Revision of the Indian Sitana species. 

Zootaxa. 3915(1): 67–98. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3915.1.3

http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:9717FBD7-EA26-4EDD-BBEA-5E2E22B11140
researchgate.net/publication/271654852_Two_new_species_of_the_genus_Sitana_Cuvier_1829_(Reptilia_Agamidae)_from_Sri_Lanka_including_a_taxonomic_revision_of_the_Indian_Sitana_species

facebook.com/233680374671/photos/10153121655904672

[Ichthyology • 2014] Ituglanis boticario • A New Troglomorphic Catfish (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Mambaí Karst Area, central Brazil

Ituglanis boticario Rizzato & Bichuette, 2014
Figures 2-6. Ituglanis boticario, new species, holotype (LIRP-11010B, 69,7 mm SL).
Brazil: Goiás state, Mambaí municipality, Tarimba cave system; Mambaí karst area, upper Tocantins River Basin. Left lateral (2), dorsal (3) and ventral (4) views of body, and dorsal (5) and ventral (6) views of head.  Scale bars: 2-4 = 10 mm, 5-6 = 5.0 mm. 

DOI: 10.1590/S1984-46702014000600006

ABSTRACT

 A new subterranean and troglomorphic species of Ituglanis Costa and Bockmann, 1993 is described from the carbonatic karst area of northeastern Goiás state, upper Tocantins River Basin, central Brazil, representing the sixth subterranean species of the genus described from the same region. Ituglanis boticario sp. nov. is diagnosed by a combination of unusual characters for the genus: body pigmentation forming longitudinal stripes, 7-8 pairs of ribs, presence of the anterior segment of the infraorbital laterosensory canal, and usually 8 pectoral-fin rays. Due to the absence of epigean populations and the presence of some degree of morphological specialization to the subterranean environment, it can be classified as a troglobite (i.e., exclusively subterranean). The description of this species increases the importance of the northeastern Goiás region as a biodiversity spot for subterranean ichthyofauna, mainly Ituglanis. The region demands urgent political efforts to ensure the preservation of its speleobiological patrimony, including the Tarimba cave system, one of the largest caves in Brazil and type-locality of I. boticario sp. nov.

KEY WORDS: Cave fauna; taxonomy; troglobite; upper Tocantins River Basin.

Figure 1. Northeastern Goiás State, with main rivers (blue lines), municipalities (black dots), and localities of occurrence of the subterranean Ituglanis species (red dots). Only the rivers from the eastern margin of Paranã river are shown. Gray areas represent the Bambuí geomorphologic formations. Rivers highlighted in dark blue are related to the localities of occurrence of the subterranean species, and the dotted portions represent the subterranean traject of these rivers.

DOI: 10.1590/S1984-46702014000600006

Distribution. Ituglanis boticario sp. nov. is known only from subterranean streams on the Mambaí karst area, belonging to the Rio Vermelho sub-basin, a tributary of Rio Paranã, upper Tocantins River Basin, on the northeastern region of Goiás state. Its presence was reported for at least two cave systems on the Mambaí municipality region (from north to south): the Tarimba cave system and the Nova Esperança cave system. 

Etymology. The specific epithet – boticario – is in honor of Fundação O Boticário de Proteção à Natureza (FBPN) which financially supported a project for effective protection of Tarimba cave system, including the proposition of a Conservation Unit at Goiás State. A noun in apposition.

Pedro Pereira Rizzato and Maria Elina Bichuette. 2014. Ituglanis boticario, A New Troglomorphic Catfish (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Mambaí Karst Area, central Brazil. ZOOLOGIA. 31 (6): 577–598, December, 2014
DOI: 10.1590/S1984-46702014000600006

http://www.scielo.br/pdf/zool/v31n6/06.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2014] Ituglanis australis • A New Species of Ituglanis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) Representing the southernmost Record of The Genus, with Comments on Phylogenetic Relationships

Ituglanis australis Datovo & de Pinna, 2014

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12285

ABSTRACT

Ituglanis australis new species, is described from tributaries of the Laguna dos Patos and Río Uruguay, in Brazil and Uruguay. This represents the southernmost record of the genus and the first occurrence of a species of Ituglanis in those systems. It is distinguished from all its congeners, except Ituglanis parahybae and Ituglanis cahyensis, by its body pigmentation with three well-defined dark brown stripes running along each flank. Ituglanis australis differs from I. parahybae and I. cahyensis in the pectoral- and pelvic-fin ray counts, the pattern of the cephalic laterosensory system and the number of dorsal-fin basal radials. The new species, as well as several other examined congeners, has the levator internus IV muscle attached to the dorsal face of the posttemporo-supracleithrum; a condition that corroborates the inclusion of Ituglanis into a large trichomycterine clade that also includes Bullockia, Hatcheria, Scleronema and several species of Trichomycterus. Previous proposals of the affinities within Ituglanis are reviewed and, despite some advances, the phylogenetic relationships among species of the genus remain largely unknown.

Keywords: catfish; Loricarioidea; musculature; phylogeny; systematics; taxonomy

 Datovo, A. & de Pinna, M.C.C. 2014. A New Species of Ituglanis Representing the southernmost Record of The Genus, with Comments on Phylogenetic Relationships (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae). Journal of Fish Biology. 84 (2): 314–327. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12285

 researchgate.net/publication/259845752_A_new_species_of_Ituglanis_representing_the_southernmost_record_of_the_genus_with_comments_on_phylogenetic_relationships_(Teleostei_Siluriformes_Trichomycteridae)

[Ichthyology • 2014] Ituglanis apteryx • A New Species of Ituglanis from the Rio Xingu basin, Brazil, and the Evolution of Pelvic Fin Loss in Trichomycterid Catfishes (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae)

Ituglanis apteryx Datovo, 2014

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3790.3.5

ABSTRACT 

A new species of the trichomycterid catfish genus Ituglanis is described from the Rio Curuá, Rio Xingu basin, Rio Amazonas drainage, Brazil. Ituglanis apteryx, new species, is promptly distinguished from congeners, except some specimens of I. parahybae (Eigenmann), by the absence of pelvic fins, girdle, and muscles. The new species differs from I. parahybae in the pattern of the cephalic laterosensory system; the absence of a posterior cranial fontanel; the presence of an epural; and the number of branchiostegal rays, ribs, and vertebrae. Ituglanis apteryx is one among the several trichomycterids lacking pelvic fins. Analysis reveals that pelvic fin loss independently evolved several times during the trichomycterid radiation.

Keywords: Loricarioidea, catfish, taxonomy, systematics, phylogeny, musculature

 Alessio Datovo. 2014. A New Species of Ituglanis from the Rio Xingu basin, Brazil, and the Evolution of Pelvic Fin Loss in Trichomycterid Catfishes (Teleostei: Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae).  Zootaxa. 3790(3):466-476.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3790.3.5

researchgate.net/publication/261759653_A_new_species_of_Ituglanis_from_the_Rio_Xingu_basin_Brazil_and_the_evolution_of_pelvic_fin_loss_in_trichomycterid_catfishes_(Teleostei_Siluriformes_Trichomycteridae)