[Ichthyology • 2016] Characidium clistenesi • A New Species of Characidium Reinhardt, 1867 (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil

Characidium clistenesi 

 Melo & Espíndola, 2016  

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4196.4.5 

Abstract  

A new species of Characidium Reinhardt, 1867 endemic to tributaries of the upper rio Paraguaçu in the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil, is described. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners except C. bahiense, C. bimaculatum, C. laterale, C. nana, C. nupelia, and C. xavante, by having a conspicuous peduncular blotch in addition to the basicaudal spot on the base of the middle caudal-fin rays. Among other features, the new species differs from C. bahiense, C. laterale, C. nana, C. nupelia, and C. xavante by having a complete lateral line with 32–36 perforated scales (vs. lateral line short, with 9–11 perforated scales), and from C. bimaculatum by the body pigmentation pattern, with secondary bars present (vs. absent), total bars 11–16 (vs. 10–12), peduncular blotch rounded (vs. horizontally elongated), and mature males not having a darker dorsal fin (vs. proximal third of dorsal fin darker in mature males). Characidium bimaculatum, a poorly known species from Northeastern Brazil, is redescribed.

Keywords: Pisces, Northeastern Brazil, rio São Francisco, Bacia do Nordeste Oriental, Caatinga, semiarid biome

Field underwater photographs of Characidium clistenesi sp. nov. taken in rio São José (voucher MZUSP 120487)

DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4196.4.5

Characidium clistenesi, new species 

Piaba-charuto, charutinho 

Characidium bimaculatum (non Fowler, 1941): Leitão & Buckup, 2014: 21 (material examined, in part. MNRJ 23757, 23764, both from rio São José, Lençóis, Bahia). 

Characidium cf. bimaculatum (non Fowler, 1941): Santos, 2003: 27, 75, 77, 78 (checklist and estimative of abundance of species from rio Paraguaçu, Chapada Diamantina).

Etymology. The specific name is dedicated to our colleague Dr. Alexandre Clistenes de Alcântara Santos, in recognition of his long time of dedication in researching the natural history of the ichthyofauna of the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, Brazil.

Marcelo R.S. Melo and Vinicius C. Espíndola. 2016. Description of A New Species of Characidium Reinhardt, 1867 (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Chapada Diamantina, Bahia, and Redescription of Characidium bimaculatum Fowler, 1941.

  Zootaxa.   4196(4); 552–568. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4196.4.5

[Botany • 2016] Dendrobium maguanense • A New Species (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae) from Yunnan, China: Evidence from Morphology and DNA

Dendrobium maguanense 

Q. Xu, G.Q. Zhang & Z.J. Liu 

  DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.286.1.6

Abstract

Dendrobium maguanense, a new species from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated in this study. Morphological study indicates that D. maguanense is similar to D. crepidatum, but differs in having much smaller flowers, oblong sepals, obovate-elliptic petals and an obovate lip with three weak longitudinal ridges and a pubescent basal callus. Molecular analysis based on nuclear and plastid markers shows that D. maguanense is closely related to D. crepidatum and this pair to D. crystallinum, D. section Dendrobium.

Keywords: Chinese orchid flora, Dendrobium sect. Dendrobium, Yunnan orchids, Monocots

Qing Xu, Guo-Qiang Zhang, Xin-Yi Wu, Li-Jun Chen, and Zhong-Jian Liu. 2016. Dendrobium maguanense (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae), A New Species from China: Evidence from Morphology and DNA. Phytotaxa. 286(1); 47–53. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.286.1.6

[Ichthyology • 2016] Iranocichla persa • A New Cichlid Species (Teleostei, Cichlidae) from southern Iran

Iranocichla persa 

Esmaeili, Sayyadzadeh & Seehausen, 2016

DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.636.10571 

Abstract

Iranocichla persa sp. n. is described from the Shur, Hasanlangi and Minab River drainages flowing into the Persian Gulf at the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran. It is distinguished from I. hormuzensis, from the Mehran River drainage, by nuptial males having a bright orange breast and lower part of the head (vs. black), a poorly developed or invisible (vs. distinctive) “Tilapia-mark” in the dorsal fin and very clear white spots making almost wavy bars or stripes on the caudal fin (vs. without or with very few white spots). Mitochondrial DNA sequence characters suggest that both Iranocichla species are closely related but form two distinct clades, diagnosable by several fixed mutations in ND2, D-loop and partially by COI sequences. Populations from Kol River drainage, which is situated in-between the Mehran and the Shur River drainages, are more similar to I. hormuzensis in terms of their male nuptial coloration but to I. persa sp. n. in their mitochondrial sequence characters. Their status requires further investigation.

Keywords: Barcode region, inland fish, Middle East, Persian Gulf

Figure 3. Iranocichla persa, ZM-CBSU-IP66, male, holotype, 89.54 mm SL; Hormuzgan prov.: Shur River.   

Iranocichla persa sp. n.

Diagnosis: Iranocichla persa is distinguished from I. hormuzensis by its nuptial coloration in males. In I. persa, the lower part of the head and breast are orange (vs. black), the background colour of the flank is grey with an orange hue (vs. black), each scale is furnished with an iridescent patch and these patches take up more space (vs. less) than the space between them, a poorly developed or invisible (vs. distinctive) “Tilapia-mark” in the dorsal fin, and very clear white spots making almost wavy bars or stripes on the caudal fin (vs. without or with very few white spots). Both species are also distinguished by multiple fixed molecular characters in mitochondrial ND2, D-loop (see Schwarzer et al. 2016).

Figure 1. Geographic distribution map of Iranocichla populations in four river drainages of Iran.
Symbols indicate our sampling sites and the different taxa. Asterisk = I. hormuzensis, rectangle = I. persa sp. n., circle = Iranocichla sp. “Kol”. 

Distribution: Iranocichla persa is known from the Shur (Fig. 9), Hasanlangi and Minab River drainages flowing to the Persian Gulf at the Strait of Hormuz (Fig. 1).

Etymology: The species is named for Persia, the ancient name of Iran.

  

 Hamid Reza Esmaeili, Golnaz Sayyadzadeh and Ole Seehausen. 2016. Iranocichla persa, A New Cichlid Species from southern Iran (Teleostei, Cichlidae).

ZooKeys. 636: 141-161. DOI:  10.3897/zookeys.636.10571

  

[Herpetology • 2007] Amolops caelumnoctis • A New Species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from southwest China

Amolops caelumnoctis 

 Rao & Wilkinson, 2007    
 DOI:  10.1643/0045-8511(2007)7[913:ANSOAA]2.0.CO;2

Abstract  

A new species of Amolops is described from a mountainous area of southern Yunnan Province, China. The species is unique in having a dark purple dorsum with small light yellow spots. The spots are smaller than the smallest finger disk. Other characters that distinguish this species from other species of Amolops include smooth skin (lacking tubercles) over the entire body and lack of dorsolateral folds, transverse bars on the legs, and a visible pineal body.  

Diagnosis.— The new species differs from all other species of this genus by a combination of the following characters: numerous small round light yellow spots, irregularly distributed, on a dark purple background on dorsum, head, limbs,fingers, and toes; smooth skin (lacking tubercles)over entire body; lack of dorsolateral folds; lack of transverse bars on limbs; and lack of visible pineal body on top of head.

 Etymology.— The specific name is derived from Latin for the sky of the night. The name refers to the numerous tiny rounded irregularly arranged light yellow spots on a dark purple dorsal background resembling stars in the night sky.

 Ding-Qi Rao and Jeffery A. Wilkinson. 2007. A New Species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from Southwest China. Copeia. 2007(4); 913-919.
 DOI:  10.1643/0045-8511(2007)7[913:ANSOAA]2.0.CO;2

ResearchGate.net/publication/250067645_A_New_Species_of_Amolops_Anura_Ranidae_from_Southwest_China

  

[Herpetology • 2013] Aparasphenodon pomba • A New and Possibly Critically Endangered Species of Casque-headed Tree Frog Aparasphenodon Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920 (Anura, Hylidae) from southeastern Brazil

Aparasphenodon pomba  

Assis, Santana, Silva, Quintela & Feio, 2013 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3716.4.6  

Abstract

A new species of casque-headed tree frog of the genus Aparasphenodon is described from the municipality of Cataguases (21º20’S, 42º45’W; 288 m a.s.l.) in the Atlantic Rain Forest of Minas Gerais State, southeastern Brazil. Aparasphenodon pomba sp. nov. is characterized by medium size (males, snout-vent length, SVL 51.6–60.5 mm; females, SVL 58.7–62.1 mm); snout almost round in dorsal view; dorsum and limbs with cream-colored reticulation on dark-brown background; spots on ventral surface cream-colored; lips white; cream-colored dorsolateral stripe originating on the snout, crossing the upper eyelid and extending posteriorly to the axilla level; and red iris.

Keywords: Amphibia, Aparasphenodon pomba sp. nov., Southeastern Brazil, Atlantic Rain Forest, taxonomy

FIGURE 3. Aparasphenodon pomba sp. nov., holotype (MZUFV 10438; SVL 60.5 mm) in life, from Sítio Boa Sorte, Municipality of Cataguases, Minas Gerais, Brazil. 

Geographic distribution. Known only from the type locality, in the Municipality of Cataguases, State of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil (Fig. 5).

Natural history. The holotype was collected during the day inside a bamboo culm (Bambusa vulgaris) that had a small slit. All paratypes were found active during the night, during or after rains, occupying the same bamboo grove, at heights from 0.8 to 5.0 m. Bambusa vulgaris is native to Asia (Lima Neto 2010); the bamboo grove where the type series was collected has been in the area for about 70 years and its origin is unknown. Aparasphenodon pomba closes its eyes and contracts its body when manipulated (Fig. 4B). The new species occurs in sympatry with other three hylid species, Hypsiboas faber, Scinax eurydice, and Scinax sp. (gr. catharinae). We did not find A. pomba males in calling activity.

Habitat. Aparasphenodon pomba was found in a locality named Sítio Boa Sorte (21º20’20”S, 42º45’43”W; 288 m a.s.l.), which comprises an area of 135.52 hectares located on the border of the municipalities of Cataguases and Dona Euzébia, in the “Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais. This area is within an Atlantic Rain Forest fragment characterized as Submontane Seasonal Semideciduous Forest (Veloso et al. 1991). This region is currently highly fragmented, with mainly pastureland between forest remnants.

Remarks. The environment of the only known locality of Aparasphenodon pomba covers only a small area, and its known range is less than 10 km2 (actually only 1.36 km2 ). There are no protected areas close to the A. pomba type locality (Sítio Boa Sorte), a forest fragment that is highly impacted by human activities because of its proximity to the urban area of the municipality of Cataguases. The Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil is the most intensively studied region in the country, and since the 1990s areas close to the type locality of this new species have been repeatedly surveyed for amphibians. Apparently, A. pomba is at critical risk of becoming extinct within a very short period of time, as its presumed range is not included in any conservation unit and is entirely within privately owned land.

However, the finding of the new species only in a specific climatic conditions and associated with a bamboo grove environment also suggests subsampling in previous studies conducted in the Atlantic Forest in southeastern Brazil. Based on the criteria and categories of the IUCN Red List (Version 3.1, 2007), these data justify the assignment of A. pomba both the Critically Endangered category (CR) as in the Data Deficient category (DD).

Etymology. The specific name of the new species, a noun in apposition, refers to its discovery in an Atlantic Rain Forest fragment near the Pomba River, Cataguases, Minas Gerais.

Assis, Clodoaldo L. DE, Diego J. Santana, Fabiano A. D. Silva, Fernando M. Quintela and Renato N. Feio. 2013. A New and Possibly Critically Endangered Species of Casque-headed Tree Frog Aparasphenodon Miranda-Ribeiro, 1920 (Anura, Hylidae) from southeastern Brazil. Zootaxa. 3716(4); 583-591.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3716.4.6

http://diegojsantana.weebly.com/uploads/2/0/6/0/20601370/assis_et_al._2013._aparasphenodon_pomba_sp._n.pdf

Ora "Pombas": Será mais uma para a lista?
http://www.wildlifepreservation.tk/2016/04/ora-pombas-sera-mais-um-pra-lista.html

[Paleontology • 2016] Janosikia ulmensis • Fossil Lizard from central Europe Resolves the Origin of Large Body Size and Herbivory in Giant Canary Island Lacertids

Janosikia ulmensis   (Gerhardt, 1903).

DOI:  10.1111/zoj.12340  

Abstract

The endemic Canary Island lizard clade Gallotia, which includes the largest members of Europe's dominant reptile group, Lacertidae, is one of the classic examples of insular gigantism. For the first time we use fossil data to test the evolutionary reasons for the association between gigantism and herbivory. We describe an almost completely preserved skeleton of Janosikia ulmensis  comb. nov. from the early Miocene of Ulm, Germany (MN 2a, ∼ 22 Mya). We show that this species and Oligocene Pseudeumeces cadurcensis (Filhol, 1877) are in fact crown lacertids, and the first known pre-Quaternary record of the total clade of Gallotia. Pseudeumeces confirms the early origin of crown Lacertidae in the Palaeogene of Europe. More importantly, these fossil taxa show that large body size was already achieved on the European mainland by the early Miocene. Furthermore, Pseudeumeces and Janosikia were faunivorous, thus demonstrating that insularity, not large body size, was crucial to the evolution of herbivory in this lineage. Body size change in Gallotia was more complex than previously thought, encompassing size increase [e.g. in the extinct Gallotia goliath (Mertens, 1942)], but more commonly involving miniaturization. The physical environment may play a crucial role in modulating the evolution of body size in this natural laboratory.

Keywords: Canary Islands; Europe; island rule; lacertid phylogeny– Palaeogene; Squamata

Systematic Palaeontology

Squamata Oppel, 1811 

Lacertidae Oppel, 1811 

Gallotiinae Cano, Baez, López-Jurado & Ortega, 1984 

Janosikia gen. nov.

Etymology: After Juraj Jánošík (20? January 1688–17 March 1713), famed leader of a Slovak band of highwaymen. They took from the rich and gave to the poor, but did not kill and even helped an injured priest. Jánošík was eventually captured and executed.

Type species: Janosikia ulmensis comb. nov. (Gerhardt, 1903).

Comment: Based on our phylogenetic analyses (see below), a new generic name is required for this species despite its similarity to Pseudeumeces cadurcensis. The attribution of the species to Pseudeumeces would render the latter paraphyletic.

Janosikia ulmensis (Gerhardt, 1903) comb. nov.  

Locality and horizon: Type locality of Ophisaurus ulmensis Gerhardt, 1903, north-west of Ulm, Germany. The fossils derive from white or grey calcareous marls of the of the Lower Freshwater Molasse, dated to the middle Agenian (MN 2a), lower Miocene (Heizmann et al., 1989).

Figure 3.  Janosikia ulmensis  comb. nov., SMNS 96582.
 A, main prepared block of sediment, containing most cranial elements. B, reconstruction of the skull in dorsal view. C, life reconstruction of J. ulmensis comb. nov. from the early Miocene of Germany. 

Figure 9.  A, phylogenetic relationships of Pseudeumeces and Janosikia gen. nov. with other lacertid lizards. Single most-parsimonious tree. Bootstrap values shown on branches subtending nodes. B, evolution of size in Gallotiinae. Average skull size (and so average body size) increases progressively on stem of Gallotia, such that Janosikia ulmensis comb. nov. equals basal Gallotia stehlini in size. Skull size decreases several times in Gallotia, including Gallotia atlantica and the Gallotia galloti group. Nodes 1 (Gallotiinae), 2, 3, and 4 (Gallotia) are labelled. 

.....

 Andrej Čerňanský, Jozef Klembara and Krister T. Smith. 2016. Fossil Lizard from central Europe Resolves the Origin of Large Body Size and Herbivory in Giant Canary Island Lacertids. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 176(4); 861–877. DOI:  10.1111/zoj.12340 

ResearchGate.net/publication/282844665_Fossil_lizard_from_central_Europe_resolves_the_origin_of_large_body_size_and_herbivory_in_giant_Canary_Island_lacertids

Extinct Giant Lizards of the Canary Islands: Gallotia goliath & G. auaritae
 http://www.carlosvphotography.com/single-post/2018/01/16/Extinct-Giant-Lizards-of-the-Canary-Islands

http://tech.sme.sk/c/20061797/slovensky-vedec-objavil-novu-jastericu-nazval-ju-po-janosikovi.html

[Ichthyology • 2016] Parotocinclus dani • A New Species of Parotocinclus (Siluriformes, Hypoptopomatinae) from the rio Tapajós basin, Brazil

 Parotocinclus dani 

Roxo, Silva & Oliveira, 2016  

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.634.991

Abstract

A new species of Parotocinclus is described from three small tributaries of the rio Tapajós basin, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by presenting the following characters: (1) a triangular dark blotch at the anterior base of the dorsal fin, (2) the absence of an adipose fin but presence of one small platelet at typical adipose-fin region, (3) the abdomen completely covered by dermal plates, (4) a pectoral girdle totally exposed, (5) a single series of bicuspid teeth, and (6) the higher number of bicuspid premaxillary and dentary teeth.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Cascudinhos, freshwater, Neotropical fish, taxonomy

Figure 1. Parotocinclus dani, MZUSP 120737, 27.3 mm SL, holotype from small tributary of rio Peixoto de Azevedo, rio Tapajós basin, municipality of Peixoto de Azevedo, Mato Grosso State, Brazil. 

Distribution: The new species is known from three drainages of rio Tapajós in Mato Grosso State, Brazil (Fig. 4). Two from the rio Teles Pires, in the municipality of Paranaíta and from a small tributary of rio Peixoto de Azevedo, in the municipality of Peixoto de Azevedo.

Etymology: The specific name “dani” is in honor of Daniela Fernandes Roxo, FF Roxo’s sister.

Fábio Fernandes Roxo, Gabriel Souza da Costa e Silva and Claudio Oliveira. 2016. Description of A New Species of Parotocinclus (Siluriformes, Hypoptopomatinae) from the rio Tapajós basin.
ZooKeys. 634; 125-136 DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.634.9917

[Ichthyology • 2016] Opistognathus ensiferus • A New Species of Jawfish (Opistognathidae) from the Gulf of Mannar, India, with Redescription of O. solorensis

Opistognathus solorensis, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi 

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4196.2.6

Abstract

A new species of jawfish, Opistognathus ensiferus n. sp., is described based on a single specimen from Manauli Reef in the Gulf of Mannar, India. It is a member of a species group that also includes Opistognathus solorensis Bleeker (Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Palau) and O. verecundus Smith-Vaniz (northwestern Australia). From these two species O. ensiferus n. sp. differs in lacking dark oral pigmentation, except inner lining of upper jaw and adjacent membranes with a single dark stripe (vs. two stripes) and in having a lateral line ending below the 6th or 7th segmented dorsal-fin ray (vs. below the 1st to 4th ray). Opistognathus solorensis is redescribed and in the absence of extant type specimens a neotype is designated. Two strikingly different color morphs are documented for O. solorensis, including the less common one which is almost entirely yellow.

Keywords: Pisces, Opistognathidae, jawfish, Opistognathus ensiferus new species, India

FIGURE 8. Opistognathus solorensis, Lembeh Strait, Sulawesi.

 Photograph by Ned DeLoach. 

W.F. Smith-Vaniz. 2016. Opistognathus ensiferus, A New Species of Jawfish (Opistognathidae) from the Gulf of Mannar, India, with Redescription of O. solorensis Bleeker. Zootaxa. 4196(2); 278-288.  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4196.2.6

[Paleontology • 2015] The Cranial Morphology of the Temnospondyl Australerpeton cosgriffi (Tetrapoda: Stereospondyli) from the Middle–Late Permian of Paraná Basin and the Phylogenetic Relationships of Rhinesuchidae

  Australerpeton cosgriffi in its environment (Middle–Late Permian [260 million years ago], Rio do Rasto Formation, Paraná Basin, Brazil)

Reconstruction by Rodolfo Nogueira.

DOI:  10.1111/zoj.12339 

  

Abstract

Stereospondyls are a diverse and morphologically distinctive clade of basal tetrapods that rapidly reached a global distribution and high abundance during the Early Triassic. Yet, the first stereospondyls appeared in the Middle–Late Permian of Gondwana, mostly represented by Rhinesuchidae. Australerpeton cosgriffi is a long-snouted representative of the group and one of the most complete temnospondyls known from the Permian of South America. The elements attributed to Au. cosgriffi were recovered from the Middle-Late Permian deposits of the Rio do Rasto Formation (Paraná Basin), in the Serra do Cadeado area of Brazil. Here, we review the cranial anatomy of the species, providing a comparative redescription, new anatomical data and previously unrecognized characters. Australerpeton cosgriffi is nested within Rhinesuchidae based on the anatomy of the tympanic cavity, but its long-snouted condition is unique amongst rhinesuchids. Based on the recovered information and new morphological data, the systematic position of Au. cosgriffi was assessed using a new matrix of 221 characters; of which 196 were selected from previous studies and the remaining are newly proposed. The results show Rhinesuchidae divided into Rhinesuchinae and Australerpetinae. A unique tympanic cavity formed by a well posteroventrally projected tabular horn, stapedial groove, well-developed oblique crest on the pterygoid, and a dorsal pterygoid crest (new term) characterizes the ear region of Rhinesuchidae. Australerpeton cosgriffi is the only undisputed Rhinesuchidae record outside southern Africa and the first long-snouted Stereospondyli, and thus is useful in helping to understand the diversification of the stereospondyls during the Middle/Late Permian of Gondwana.

Keywords: Gondwana; long-snouted rhinesuchid; Palaeozoic; phylogenetics; Rio do Rasto Formation; systematics; Temnospondyli; tympanic cavity

Estevan Eltink, Eliseu V. Dias, Sérgio Dias-da-Silva, Cesar L. Schultz and Max C. Langer. 2015. The Cranial Morphology of the Temnospondyl Australerpeton cosgriffi (Tetrapoda: Stereospondyli) from the Middle–Late Permian of Paraná Basin and the Phylogenetic Relationships of Rhinesuchidae.  Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 176(4);   835–860.  DOI: 10.1111/zoj.12339

ResearchGate.net/publication/282870755_The_cranial_morphology_of_the_temnospondyl_Australerpeton_cosgriffi_Tetrapoda_Stereospondyli_from_the_Middle-Late_Permian_of_Parana_Basin_and_the_phylogenetic_relationships_of_Rhinesuchidae

Paleontologists describe giant amphibian that lived 260 million years ago http://agencia.fapesp.br/paleontologists_describe_giant_amphibian_that_lived_260_million_years_ago/22285/

[Botany • 2013] Rhododendron mechukae • A New Species (Ericaceae) from Arunachal Pradesh, India

Rhododendron mechukae 

A.A.Mao & A.Paul  

DOI:  10.1017/S0960428612000364

Abstract

The new species Rhododendron mechukae A.A.Mao & A.Paul (Ericaceae) is described from India.

A. A. Mao, Moonmoon Bhaumik, Ashish Paul, Sanjeeb Bharali and Mohammed Latif Khan. 2013. Rhododendron mechukae (Ericaceae), A New Species from  India.  Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 70(1); 57-60. DOI:  10.1017/S0960428612000364
 ResearchGate.net/publication/235671584_Rhododendron_mechukae_ERICACEAE_A_NEW_SPECIES_FROM_INDIA

  

[Ichthyology • 2013] Spectrolebias brousseaui • A New Annual Fish (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae: Cynolebiatinae) from the upper río Mamoré basin, Bolivia

Spectrolebias brousseaui  

Nielsen, 2013 
  DOI: 10.1590/S1679-62252013000100009  

ABSTRACT

Spectrolebias brousseaui is described from a temporary pool from the upper río Mamoré basin, Departamento Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The new species is distinguished from all congeners, by the overall dark blue coloration on the posterior two-thirds of body with bright blue iridescent spots vertically aligned in males. Spectrolebias brousseaui differs from all other species of the genus, except S. filamentosus, for having pelvic fins separated by a space (vs. pelvic fins in contact), long filaments at the tip of the dorsal and anal fins in males (vs. absence of filaments or presence only on dorsal fin in S. semiocellatus and S. inaequipinnatus, or the presence on the anal fin in S. chacoensis), and presence of contact organs on the scales of the flanks in males (vs. absence of contact organs on flanks in all remaining Spectrolebias species).

Key words: Phylogeny; Spectrolebias filamentosus; Temporary pool

Distribution. Known from the type locality in río San Pablo basin, a tributary of the río Mamoré, Departamento Santa Cruz, Bolivia.

Habitat. The type locality lies at the plateau area (316 m.a.s.l.), just southwest of Llanos de Mojos, which occupy much of the río Mamoré basin in Bolivia (see Loubens et al., 1992). Water temperature at the surface of the pool was 31ºC, while at the depth of 1 m, 22ºC. In the marginal area of the pool, at the depth of 15 cm, water temperature was 35ºC. Only small specimens of Trigonectes sp. were collected in marginal areas. Specimens of Simpsonichthys brousseaui were collected in the deepest areas, at about 1 m deep. The pool presented dark water, pH 6.8 and water hardness 80 ppm. Other fish species collected syntopically were Trigonectes sp.

Etymology. The specific name is in honor to Roger D. Brousseau, discoverer of the species.

Nielsen, D.T.B. 2013. Spectrolebias brousseaui (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae: Cynolebiatinae), A New Annual Fish from the upper río Mamoré basin, Bolivia.

 Neotropical Ichthyology. 11(1); 81-84.  DOI: 10.1590/S1679-62252013000100009 

facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151519428589672

RESUMO: Spectrolebias brousseaui é descrita de uma poça temporária localizada na região superior da bacia do río Mamoré, departamento de Santa Cruz, Bolívia. A espécie nova distingue-se de todos os congêneres pelo padrão de cor azul escuro nos dois terços posteriores do corpo com pontos azuis claros iridescentes alinhados verticalmente em machos. Spectrolebias brousseaui difere das outras espécies do gênero, exceto S. filamentosus, por ter as nadadeiras pélvicas separadas por um espaço (vs. nadadeira pélvicas juntas), longos filamentos nas extremidades das nadadeiras dorsal e anal em machos (vs. ausência de filamentos ou a presença apenas na nadadeira dorsal em S. semiocellatus e S. inaequipinnatus, ou pela presença de filamentos na nadadeira anal em S. chacoensis), e presença de órgão de contato nas escamas do flanco em machos (vs. ausência)

[Botany • 2016] Begonia henrilaportei Scherber. & J. Duruisseau • A New Endemic Species (Begoniaceae) from the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar

Begonia henrilaportei 

Scherber. & J. Duruisseau  

  DOI:  10.15553/c2016v711a3

Abstract

Begonia henrilaportei Scherber. & J. Duruisseau, new species of Begoniaceae from the Masoala peninsula, in north-east Madagascar, is described and illustrated. It is provisionally placed in section Nerviplacentaria A. DC. and compared with Begonia lyallii A. DC. with which it presents morphological affinities. It is also compared with Begonia nana L’Hér. and Begonia bogneri Ziesenh. with which it has been mistaken in herbarium. A comparative table of characters is provided. The new species differs from these three species by having a caulescent habit with a creeping stem and linear-lanceolate blades with pinnate venation. The diagnostic characters, geographic distribution and a preliminary conservation assessment of the new species using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria are presented.

Keywords: Begoniaceae; Begonia; Madagascar; Masoala; Taxonomy

Fig. 2. – Begonia henrilaportei Scherber. & J. Duruisseau.
A. Habit in the type locality; B. Leaf adaxial surface; C. Apex of stem; D. Leaf abaxial surface; E. Inflorescence showing female flower and male flower bud; F. Stamens.

[Photos: A: J. Duruisseau; B-F: D. Scherberich]     DOI:  10.15553/c2016v711a3

Begonia henrilaportei Scherber. & J. Duruisseau differs from all other Malagasy species by the unique combination of creeping stem, linear-lanceolate blades with pinnate venation, male flowers composed of 2 perianth segments and female flowers with 4 segments.

Etymology. – This new species is dedicated to Henri Laporte, explorer, keen Begonia grower and collector, who discovered and introduced into cultivation many species from Madagascar. Henri died of severe malaria in December 2001, which he contracted on a trip to Madagascar.

 David Scherberich and Jacky Duruisseau. 2016. Begonia henrilaportei Scherber. & J. Duruisseau (Begoniaceae), A New Endemic Species from the Masoala Peninsula, Madagascar.  Candollea. 71(1); 13-18.    DOI:  10.15553/c2016v711a3

http://afabego.fr/recits-de-voyages/expedition-to-madagascar-2015

[PaleoMammalogy • 2011] Aegyptocetus tarfa • A New Eocene Protocetid Archaeocete (Mammalia, Cetacea) from the Middle Eocene of Egypt: Clinorhynchy, Olfaction, and Hearing in a Protocetid Whale

Aegyptocetus tarfa 

Bianucci & Gingerich 2011


DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2011.607985

Abstract

A new protocetid archaeocete, Aegyptocetus tarfa, is represented by a nearly complete cranium and an associated partial skeleton. The specimen was recovered when marbleized limestone was imported commercially to Italy and cut into decorative facing stone. It came from middle Eocene Tethyan marine strata of the Gebel Hof Formation of Wadi Tarfa in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Exceptional preservation and preparation enables study of some internal features of the skull as well as its external morphology. The skull of Aegyptocetus is unusual in having the rostrum and frontal portions of the cranium deflected more ventrally relative to the braincase than is typical for archaeocetes. This ventral deflection, clinorhynchy, is a rare specialization related to feeding or hearing that is widely distributed across mammals. Aegyptocetus has well-developed ethmoidal turbinal bones, indicating retention of a functional sense of smell. It also has cranial asymmetry, thinning of the lateral walls of the dentaries, enlarged mandibular canals, and thinning of the anterolateral walls of the tympanic bullae, indicating enhanced ability to hear in water. Neural spines are long on thoracic vertebrae T1 through T8, suggesting that Aegyptocetus was able to support its weight on land like other protocetids. This combination of terrestrial and aquatic characteristics is consistent with interpretation of protocetids as semiaquatic. The pattern of tooth marks preserved on the ribs of Aegyptocetus indicates that the individual studied here was attacked by a large shark, but it is not certain whether this was the cause of death.

Giovanni Bianucci and Philip D. Gingerich. 2011. Aegyptocetus tarfa, n. gen. et sp. (Mammalia, Cetacea), from the Middle Eocene of Egypt: Clinorhynchy, Olfaction, and Hearing in a Protocetid Whale. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 31(6); 1173–1188. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2011.607985

ResearchGate.net/publication/241731136_Aegyptocetus_tarfa_n_gen_et_sp_Mammalia_Cetacea_from_the_Middle_Eocene_of_Egypt_Clinorhynchy_Olfaction_and_Hearing_in_a_Protocetid_Whale

Whale fossils show important characters of the transition to water
http://phy.so/239994395 via @physorg_com

[Ichthyology • 2012] Puntigrus (Systomus) navjotsodhii • A New Cyprinid Fish from Central Kalimantan, Borneo

Puntigrus (Systomus) navjotsodhii  

(Tan, 2012)

 Systomus navjotsodhii: MZB 17198, holotype, 41.7 mm SL, life colour.

A, a pair near the rocky substratum; B, male near submerged river bank vegetation. In situ photographs in type location, a hill stream habitat (Aug.2007).

Abstract

A deep-bodied tiger barb with broad black bars is described from hill stream habitats in the headwaters of the Katingan River in Central Kalimantan, Borneo. Systomus navjotsodhii differs from other tiger barbs in having four complete broad black bars and the deepest body (body depth at dorsal-fin origin 53.6–59.2 % SL). The species is named in memory of Navjot Sodhi.

Key words:  taxonomy, tiger barb, cypriniformes, Southeast Asia, biodiversity

Distribution. — Systomus navjotsodhii is currently only known from both the upper Katingan and Barito river basins in Central Kalimantan, Borneo (Fig. 4).

Etymology. — Named after the late Professor Navjot S. Sodhi (1962–2011), for his inputs to conservation and ecological research in Southeast Asia, also for his considerable contributions and services to the editorship of the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology (as Editor-in-Chief from 1996 to 2001, Associate Editor from 2001 to 2005, and Editorial Board member from 2006 to 2011). 

Discussion. — Systomus navjotsodhii belongs to the group of tiger barbs with a rhomboidal body, which include S. anchisporus (Fig. 5A), S. partipentazona (Fig. 5B), S. pulcher (Fig. 5C), and S. tetrazona (Fig. 5D). These are unlike the tiger barbs with an elongated body form, viz. S. endecanalis, S. foerschi, S. hexazona, S. pentazona, and S. rhomboocellatus. This former (rhomboid) group possesses a unique colour pattern, consisting of four or five black bars, with a dorsal fin with black pigmentation; whereas the group with the elongate body has five or six black bars, with a hyaline dorsal fin. 

......

Heok Hui Tan. 2012. Systomus navjotsodhii, A New Cyprinid Fish from Central Kalimantan, Borneo.  THE RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 25: 285–289.  

https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/pdf/PUBLICATION/Raffles%20Bulletin%20of%20Zoology/Supplements/Supplement%2025/s25rbz285-289.pdf

[Botany • 2016] Myrcianthes roncesvallensis • Effectiveness of DNA Barcoding Markers in the Description of A New and Unusual Calyptrate Species of Myrcianthes (Myrtaceae)

Myrcianthes roncesvallensis 

 C. Parra-O. & Bohórquez-Osorio 

  (A) Closed calyx detaching as a unit (C. Parra-O. & A. F. Bohórquez 853), (B) closed calyx tearing in two or three more or less regular lobes (C. Parra-O. & A. F. Bohórquez 849), (C) both types of calyx opening in flowers of the same inflorescence (C. Parra-O. & A. F. Bohórquez 857), (D) tissue remnants from the calyx opening that persist attached to the hypanthium (C. Parra-O. & A. F. Bohórquez 852), (E) remnants of the calyx in the fruit (C. Parra-O. & A. F. Bohórquez 852), (F) remnants of the calyx in the fruit (C. Parra-O. & A. F. Bohórquez 856).

Photos: A. F. Bohórquez (A); C. Parra-O. (B, C, D, E, and F). Scale bar = 5 mm.

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.284.3.5

Abstract

A new species, Myrcianthes roncesvallensis is described and illustrated from Andean forests of Tolima, Colombia. Due to the unusual combination of morphological characters in this new species never been found previously in a Colombian Myrtaceae, such as having a closed calyx, dichasial inflorescence and an eugenioid embryo, three DNA barcoding markers (rbcL, matK and ITS) were used to confirm the genus in which this species should be described. Taxonomic affinities of the new species within the genus are discussed.

Keywords: Calyx morphology, Colombia, Eugenia group, Neotropics, Eudicots

 Carlos Parra-O and A. F. Bohórquez-Osorio. 2016. Effectiveness of DNA Barcoding Markers in the Description of A New and Unusual Calyptrate Species of Myrcianthes (Myrtaceae).
Phytotaxa. 284(3); 203–210.   DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.284.3.5