[Botany • 2022] Impatiens yunlingensis (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

Impatiens yunlingensis S.X. Yu, Chang Y. Xia & J.H. Yu,  

in Yu, Zhang, Qin, Xia, ... et Yu, 2022. Impatiens 

 DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.212.89347

Abstract

Impatiens yunlingensis S.X. Yu, Chang Y. Xia & J.H. Yu (Balsaminaceae), a species new to science discovered in Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here, along with its phylogenetic position among other Impatiens species. Morphological, micro-morphological and molecular evidence is presented as an attestation of its novelty. Impatiens yunlingensis is similar to I. delavayi in having coarsely crenate leave margins, bracts in the upper part, ca. 4/5 length of the pedicels, saccate lower sepal with shallowly bifid spur, linear capsules, and elliptic-oblong, tuberculate seeds, but differs from I. delavayi with lateral sepals 4 (vs. 2), lateral united petal basal lobes subtriangular (vs. dolabriform), and seeds’ surface equipped with tubercular ornamentation mostly covered with grain shaped appendages (vs. glabrous and without grain shaped appendages on the top).

Keywords: Morphology, phylogeny, pollen grains, seed micromorphology, taxonomy

Impatiens yunlingensis S.X. Yu, Chang Y. Xia & J.H. Yu, sp. nov. 

A branch with leaves, flowers and capsules B flower, front view C flower, lateral view D outer lateral sepal E inner lateral sepal F lower sepal G dorsal petal H lateral united petals (H1) basal lobe (H2) distal lobe I filaments and anthers J capsules

 (Drawing by Wen-Hong Lin).

A–F Impatiens yunlingensis A habitat B plant C branch with flower D flower, front view E flower, lateral view F flower anatomy (a) dorsal petal (b) lateral united petals (c) outer lateral sepal (d) inner lateral sepal (e) lower sepal (f) filaments and anthers 

G Impatiens delavayi branch with flowers H Impatiens delavayi flower.

 Impatiens yunlingensis S.X. Yu, Chang Y. Xia & J.H. Yu, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Similar to I. delavayi Franchet, in having coarsely crenate leave margin, bracts in the upper part, ca. 4/5 length of the pedicels, saccate lower sepal with shallowly bifid spur, but differs from I. delavayi with lateral sepals 4 (vs. 2) and lateral united petal basal lobes subtriangular (vs. dolabriform).

Distribution and ecology: This species is only known to be found in Dêqên County, Yunnan, China (Fig. 3); under evergreen broadleaf forests and along the river; alt. 1780–2500 m.

 

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘yunlingensis’ refers to the locality of the type specimen, Yunling Township, Dêqên County, Yunnan, China.

Jiang-Hong Yu, Wen-Di Zhang, Fei Qin, Chang-Ying Xia, Ying Qin, Ming-Tai An, Sudhindra R. Gadagkar and Sheng-Xiang Yu. 2022. Impatiens yunlingensis (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. PhytoKeys. 212: 13-27.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.212.89347

[Botany • 2022] Tradescantia mixtecana (Commelinaceae) • A Novelty from Oaxaca, Mexico

Tradescantia mixtecana Hern.-Cárdenas, López-Ferr. & Espejo, 

 in Hernández-Cárdenas, López-Ferrari & Espejo-Serna, 2022.

 DOI: 10.1007/s12225-022-10065-w 

 facebook.com/rockdrigoacatl 

Summary

Tradescantia mixtecana, a novelty from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, is here described and illustrated. The proposed taxon is compared with T. exaltata and T. tepoxtlana, species with which it has some similarities. A morphological description and images of the new taxon are presented, along with a distribution map including all the Oaxacan species (T. andrieuxii, T. crassifolia, T. exaltata, T. guiengolensis and T. llamasii) of Tradescantia subgenus Mandonia.

Key Words: Commelinales, endemism, Mixteca oaxaqueña, Monocots, Tradescantia subg. Mandonia, Tradescantiinae

Tradescantia mixtecana Hern.-Cárdenas, López-Ferr. & Espejo. 
 A habitat, Boquerón of Santos Reyes Tepejillo; B flower; C – D plants on cliffs; E sepals; F petals; G stamens; H pistil.

 Photos: A – D E. Negri Lavín; E – H R. Hernández Cárdenas.

Tradescantia mixtecana Hern.-Cárdenas, López-Ferr. & Espejo sp. nov. 

ETYMOLOGY. The specific epithet refers to and honours the Mixtec culture from Mexico. One of the regions occupied by the Mixtec ethnic group, is located in northwestern Oaxaca, the area in which the type locality of the new species is found.

 

Rodrigo Alejandro Hernández-Cárdenas, Ana Rosa López-Ferrari and Adolfo Espejo-Serna. 2022. Tradescantia mixtecana (Commelinaceae) A Novelty from Oaxaca, Mexico. Kew Bulletin. DOI: 10.1007/s12225-022-10065-w

  facebook.com/rockdrigoacatl/posts/10159317884713732

Resumen: Se describe e ilustra Tradescantia mixtecana, una novedad del estado de Oaxaca, México. El taxon propuesto se compara con T. exaltata y T. tepoxtlana, especies con las cuales presenta algunas similitudes. Se proporcionan la descripción morfológica e imágenes del nuevo taxon y un mapa de distribución el cual incluye a todas las especies oaxaqueñas (T. andrieuxii, T. crassifolia, T. exaltata, T. guiengolensis y T. llamasii) de Tradescantia subgénero Mandonia.

Palabras Clave: Commelinales, endemismo, Mixteca oaxaqueña, Monocotiledóneas, Tradescantia subg. Mandonia, Tradescantiinae

[Botany • 2022] Croton nagaoi (Euphorbiaceae) • A New Species from southern Laos

Croton nagaoi Tagane, Soulad. & Souvann., 

in Tagane, Souvannakhoummane & Souladeth, 2022. 

ເປົ້າ​ດົງ  ||  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.570.2.1 

facebook.com/BioFNS

 

Abstract

Croton nagaoi (Euphorbiaceae) is described based on a specimen collected from the basin of the Bolaven Plateau, southern Laos. It is most similar to Croton thorelii Gagnep. of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam in size and shape of lamina, short petioles less than 1 cm long, and basal glands lateral on the abaxial midrib base, but different in having densely stellate hairy lower leaf surface (vs. very sparsely pubescent and glabrescent in C. thorelii), smaller sepals and petals of staminate flowers (sepals and petals ca. 2.2 mm long vs. 3 mm long and 2.5 mm long, respectively), and the presence of petals in pistillate flowers (vs. absent). Morphological descriptions, photographs, vernacular name, and preliminary conservation status are provided for C. nagaoi.

Keywords: Angiosperms, flora of Laos, Indochina, Malpighiales, taxonomy

Croton nagaoi Tagane, Soulad. & Souvann.
 A. branches; B. staminate flower with a bracteole; C. petals (outside); D. stamens, back view; E. stamen, front view; F. stamen, lateral view; G. fruit; H. seed.

All from Tagane et al. L2459 (KAG [KAG128559]). 

Scale bars: A = 3 cm, B–F = 1 mm, G = 8 mm, H = 5 mm. 

Line drawing by K. Souvannakhoummane.

Croton nagaoi Tagane, Soulad. & Souvann.
A. Flowering branch; B. portion of abaxial leaf surface; C. base of leaf showing basal gland lateral on base of midrib; D. stellate hairs on lower leaf surface; E. inflorescence consisting of staminate flowers; F. staminate flower; G. petal of staminate flower; H. stamen; J. fruit; K. pistillate flower, lateral view, showing sepals and petals; L. petals of pistillate flower; M. stigma; N. seed.

All from Tagane et al. L2459. Scale bars: D = 0.5 mm, G, H, L, M = 1 mm, N = 5 mm. 

Photographs by S. Tagane.

Croton nagaoi Tagane, Soulad. & Souvann., sp. nov. 

Most similar to Croton thorelii Gagnepain (1921: 560) of Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam in size and shape of lamina, short petioles less than 1 cm long, and basal glands lateral on the abaxial midrib base, but distinguished from it by its lower leaf surface densely covered with persistent yellowish-cream stellate hairs (vs. very sparsely pubescent and glabrescent in C. thorelii) (Fig. 4), and the presence of petals in pistillate flowers (vs. absence).

...

Etymology:—The species epithet is dedicated to the excellent Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (http:// www.nagaofoundation.or.jp/e/) that has promoted nature conservation in Asia-Pacific countries since its establishment in 1989. Thanks to their support, we could have intensive field surveys on the Bolaven Plateau, which resulted in a better understanding of the flora of Bolaven and the discovery of more than 18 new species including the new species of Croton described in this study and 65 new country records (e.g. Souladeth et al. 2020, Tagane et al. 2020, Souvannakhoummane et al. 2021, Vongthavone et al. 2021). 

Vernacular name:— ເປົ້າ​ດົງ Pao Dong (suggested here; ‘Pao’ refers to the genus Croton and ‘Dong’ refers to the forest area).

 

Shuichiro Tagane, Keooudone Souvannakhoummane and Phetlasy Souladeth. 2022. Croton nagaoi, A New Species of Euphorbiaceae from southern Laos. Phytotaxa. 570(2); 102-108. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.570.2.1

 facebook.com/BioFNS/posts/589065596351561

[Botany • 2022] Harveya kiangombensis (Orobanchaceae) • A New Parasitic Species from Kenya, East Africa

Harveya kiangombensis Ngugi, Kirika & Mwachala, 

in Ngugi, Kirika & Mwachala, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.3.7

 twitter.com/EAHerbarium_NMK

Researchgate.net/publication/362910931

Abstract

A new holoparasitic species of Orobanchaceae, Harveya kiangombensis, is here described and illustrated. This species is easily distinguished from the closely related H. liebuschiana by its glandular pubescent pedicels, the position of its flowers that occur singly in the leaf axils, and its acute calyx lobes. An assessment of the conservation status of the new species is provided.

Keywords: Holoparasitic, New Species, Critically Endangered, Eudicots

Harveya kiangombensis Ngugi, Kirika & Mwachala sp. nov.

Grace Ngugi, Paul M. Kirika and Geoffrey Mwachala. 2022. Harveya kiangombensis (Orobanchaceae), A New Parasitic Species from Kenya, East Africa. Phytotaxa. 559(3); 293-297.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.3.7

 twitter.com/EAHerbarium_NMK/status/1564253843646464000

Researchgate.net/publication/362910931_Harveya_kiangombensis_a_new_parasitic_species_from_Kenya

[Botany • 2022] Impatiens nimspurjae • A New Species of Impatiens and Updated Checklist of Balsaminaceae in Nepal

Impatiens nimspurjae Raskoti,   

in  Raskoti & Ale, 2022. 

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274699

Abstract

Impatiens nimspurjae (Impatiens, Balsaminaceae), a new species from Nepal is described based on molecular data and morphological characters. Notes on the diagnostic characters used to distinguish it from allied taxa are provided. I. nimspurjae is closely related with taxon belonging to sect. Racemosae (I. harae, I. radiata, I. wallichii, I. urticifolia) in having many-flowered racemose inflorescences, lateral sepals 2 (very rarely 4 with inner 2 reduced), capsule linear, seed ovoid, but differs by its sessile leaves, upper lobe of lower united petal not truncated, spur flattened at base. With the discovery of this new species and five species new records to Nepal, a checklist of Balsaminaceae having 57 species (8 endemic) in Nepal is updated. An identification key to the species of Imaptiens in Nepal is also provided.

Impatiens nimspurjae Raskoti: 
A. Flowering plant; B. Leaf; C. flower, side view; D. Dorsal petal (dorsal view); E. lateral united sepals (ventral view); F. lateral united sepals (dorsal view); G. Lateral sepal; H. Lower sepal; I. Ovary, pistil, pedicel and bract; J. Capsule; K. seeds.

Photographs by Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti.

Line drawings of Impatiens nimspurjae Raskoti:
A. Flowering plant; B. Leaf; C. flower, side view; D. Flower (front view); E. Dorsal sepal; F. lateral sepals; G. Lateral united sepals (front view); H. Lateral united sepal (back view); I. Lower sepal; J. Ovary, pistil, pedicel and bract; K. Capsule; L. Seeds.

 Line drawings assisted by Neera Joshi Pradhan.

Impatiens nimspurjae Raskoti, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Impatiens nimspurjae is closely related to I. harae, I. radiata, I. wallichii but differ from these species by having sessile oblong-lanceolate leaves, flowers less than 3 in each peduncle, base of the spur flattened, apex of dorsal petal rounded, basal lobe of lateral united petal widely ovate, not truncated.

Etymology: The species epithet ‘nimspurjae’ refers to the name of Mr. Nirmal Purja (nickname Nimsdai) for his initiation on conservation through climate change champion. Mr. Purja is a world-renowned mountaineer from Nepal and has dozens of Guinness book world records in the field of mountaineering.

Distribution and habitat: Impatiens nimspurjae is known from the type locality in western Nepal where it occurs in the temperate forest and forest margins at an elevation range of 2800–2900 m. It grows on moist humus rich slopes.

Conclusions: 

With the discovery of this new species and five additional species new records to Nepal, a total 57 species of Impatiens (8 endemic species) were confirmed in the updated checklist of Balsaminaceae in Nepal. We strongly recommend that the future authors should integrate morphological and molecular data for the recognition and description of new species of Impatiens. Furthermore, we propose more robust studies (sampling population level) for the clarification of taxonomic position of I. bicornuta as well as taxonomic identity of its different polymorphic forms.

Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Rita Ale. 2022. A New Species of Impatiens and Updated Checklist of Balsaminaceae in Nepal. PLoS ONE. 17(10): e0274699. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274699

[Herpetology • 2022] Chiasmocleis abofoa • A New Species of Chiasmocleis Méhely, 1904 (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Peruvian Amazonia

  

Chiasmocleis abofoa 

Rojas-Padilla, Gagliardi-Urrutia, Rios-Alva & Castroviejo-Fisher, 2022

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.1.2 

  Researchgate.net/publication/364290382

 

Abstract

We describe a new species of Chiasmocleis from the Amazonian forest of Peru. The new species is characterized by its medium size (snout-to-vent length = 18.2–20.8 mm in females, and 16.5 mm in one male), hands and feet with slightly developed fridges in females (more developed in male), and presence of a femoral line in all individuals. We also infer its phylogenetic position using DNA sequences of fragments of the mitochondrial genes for 16S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI), and describe the mineralized skeleton through 3D models generated by computed tomography (CT-scan). Based on our results, we discuss the variation of some osteological characters traditionally used in the systematics of the genus.

Keywords: Amphibia, CT-scan, morphology, osteology, phylogeny, subgenus, taxonomy 

Holotype adult female of Chiasmocleis abofoa sp. nov.  (CRBIIAP 2507) in life.
Dorsolateral (A), ventral (B), and dorsal (C) views.

 Adult male paratype of Chiasmocleis abofoa sp. nov. (CRBIIAP 2506) in life.
 Dorsolateral (A), ventral (B), and dorsal (C) views.

  Localization of the type locality of Chiasmocleis abofoa sp. nov. 

  Individuals of Chiasmocleis abofoa sp. nov. on a pond in their natural habitat.
Two females non-collected females (A) and the male paratype, CRBIIAP 2506, (B) floating near to palm tree leaves.

Chiasmocleis abofoa sp. nov.

Omar Rojas-Padilla, Giussepe Gagliardi-Urrutia, Ehiko J. Rios-Alva and Santiago Castroviejo-Fisher. 2022. A New Species of Chiasmocleis Méhely, 1904 (Anura: Microhylidae) from the Peruvian Amazonia. Zootaxa. 5195(1); 24-50. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5195.1.2 

  Researchgate.net/publication/364290382_A_new_species_of_Chiasmocleis_from_the_Peruvian_Amazonia

    

[Paleontology • 2022] Cranial Osteology and Palaeobiology of the Early Cretaceous Bird Jeholornis prima (Aves: Jeholornithiformes)

Jeholornis 

in Hu, Wang, Fabbri, O’Connor, ... et Benson, 2022. 

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac089

https://twitter.com/tetaneuron

Artistic reconstruction by Michael Rothman

Abstract

Jeholornis is a representative of the earliest-diverging bird lineages, providing important evidence of anatomical transitions involved in bird origins. Although ~100 specimens have been reported, its cranial morphology remains poorly documented owing to poor two-dimensional preservation, limiting our understanding of the morphology and ecology of the key avian lineage Jeholornithiformes, in addition to cranial evolution during the origin and early evolution of birds. Here, we provide a detailed description of the cranial osteology of Jeholornis prima, based primarily on high-quality, three-dimensional data of a recently reported specimen. New anatomical information confirms the overall plesiomorphic morphology of the skull, with the exception of the more specialized rostrum. Data from a large sample size of specimens reveal the dental formula of J. prima to be 0–2–3 (premaxillary–maxillary–dentary tooth counts), contrary to previous suggestions that the presence of maxillary teeth is diagnostic of a separate species, Jeholornis palmapenis. We also present evidence of sensory adaptation, including relatively large olfactory bulbs in comparison to other known stem birds, suggesting that olfaction was an important aspect of Jeholornis ecology. The digitally reconstructed scleral ring suggests a strongly diurnal habit, supporting the hypothesis that early-diverging birds were predominantly active during the day.

Keywords: dentition, diurnality, Jehol Biota, neurocranium

Han Hu, Yan Wang, Matteo Fabbri, Jingmai K O’Connor, Paul G Mcdonald, Stephen Wroe, Xuwei Yin, Xiaoting Zheng, Zhonghe Zhou and Roger B J Benson. 2022. Cranial Osteology and Palaeobiology of the Early Cretaceous bird Jeholornis prima (Aves: Jeholornithiformes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlac089. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlac089

 twitter.com/tetaneuron/status/1584544150405251074

https://phys.org/news/2022-10-fossil-bird-skull-reconstruction-reveals.html

[Botany • 2022] Allmania multiflora (Amaranthaceae) • A New Species from India; First Molecular and Morphometric Data for the Genus Allmania

Allmania multiflora  

in Sindhu, Iamonico, Suresh & Kumar, 2022

DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.559.3.1

 facebook.com/AryaSindu33

Abstract

First molecular and morphometric investigations for the genus Allmania are presented. A new species of Allmania from the granite hillocks of Palakkad district (Kerala state, India), is described as A. multiflora. It differs from A. nodiflora by shape and length of tepals, diameter of the gynoecium, diameter and hairiness of seeds, length of bracts, length and hairiness of peduncles, number of flowers per synflorescence, colour of stigma, and occurrence of setae associated with the aril. Furthermore, sequence analysis of chloroplast genes (rbcL and matK) also support the distinctness of the new taxon. Original illustrations, photographs, and ecological data are also provided, as well as an evaluation of the conservation status.

Keywords: Eudicots, Allmania nodiflora, Caryophyllales, Palakkad, typification

Allmania multiflora

Arya Sindhu, Duilio Iamonico, Veerankutty Suresh and  Venugopalan Nair Saradhamma Anil Kumar. 2022. First Molecular and Morphometric Data for the Genus Allmania (Amaranthaceae), with the Description of A New Species from India. Phytotaxa. 559(3); 221-237. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.559.3.1

 facebook.com/AryaSindu33/posts/5280711125381514

[Herpetology • 2022] Slow and Steady wins the Race: Diversification Rate is Independent from Body Size and Lifestyle in Malagasy Skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Scincinae)

 Malagasy Scincinae diversity
(A) Pseudoacontias menamainty, Berara. (B) Brachyseps macrocercus, Ankaratra. (D) Madascincus igneocaudatus, Ifaty.
(F) Amphiglossus astrolabi, Sainte Luce. (G) Voeltzkowia yamagishii, Ankarafantsika. (H) Voeltzkowia mira, Matsedroy.
(I) Paracontias vermisaurus, Makira. (K) Pygomeles braconnieri, near Ifaty. (L) Grandidierina sp. aff. rubrocaudata Andranomaitso.

in Belluardo, Muñoz-Pajares, Miralles, ... et Crottini, 2022.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107635 

 (photos: A - Franco Andreone; B - Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences; D, L - Gonçalo M. Rosa; F, H - Sam Hyde Roberts; G - Falk Eckhard; I - Miguel Vences; K - Aurélien Miralles)

Highlights: 

• A new species-level phylogenetic hypothesis and time-tree of the Malagasy Scincinae are provided.

• Diversification rate was constant until a sharp decrease around 6–4 million years ago.

• Body size evolved homogenously across sub-clades and did not influence diversification rate.

• Fossorial lifestyle evolved 5 independent times from quadrupedal ancestors and did not influence diversification rate.

• Diversification of fossorial sand-swimmer genera might be related to the aridification of Madagascar’s climate around 20 million years ago.

Abstract

Most of the unique and diverse vertebrate fauna that inhabits Madagascar derives from in situ diversification from colonisers that reached this continental island through overseas dispersal. The endemic Malagasy Scincinae lizards are amongst the most species-rich squamate groups on the island. They colonised all bioclimatic zones and display many ecomorphological adaptations to a fossorial (burrowing) lifestyle. Here we propose a new phylogenetic hypothesis for their diversification based on the largest taxon sampling so far for this group. We estimated divergence times and investigated several aspects of their diversification (diversification rate, body size and fossorial lifestyle evolution, and biogeography). We found that diversification rate was constant throughout most of the evolutionary history of the group, but decreased over the last 6–4 million years and independently from body size and fossorial lifestyle evolution. Fossoriality has evolved from fully quadrupedal ancestors at least five times independently, which demonstrates that even complex morphological syndromes – in this case involving traits such as limb regression, body elongation, modification of cephalic scalation, depigmentation, and eyes and ear-opening regression – can evolve repeatedly and independently given enough time and eco-evolutionary advantages. Initial diversification of the group likely occurred in forests, and the divergence of sand-swimmer genera around 20 Ma appears linked to a period of aridification. Our results show that the large phenotypic variability of Malagasy Scincinae has not influenced diversification rate and that their rich species diversity results from a constant accumulation of lineages through time. By compiling large geographic and trait-related datasets together with the computation of a new time tree for the group, our study contributes important insights on the diversification of Malagasy vertebrates.

 

Keywords: Biogeography, Evolutionary radiations, Fossoriality, In situ diversification, Islands, Madagascar

Fig. 1. An overview of the Malagasy Scincinae diversity.
 (A) Pseudoacontias menamainty, Berara. (B) Brachyseps macrocercus, Ankaratra. (C) Madascincus CaNew Betampona (of the Madascincus “nanus” group), Betampona. (D) Madascincus igneocaudatus, Ifaty.
 (E) Flexiseps ornaticeps, Ifaty. (F) Amphiglossus astrolabi, Sainte Luce. (G) Voeltzkowia yamagishii, Ankarafantsika. (H) Voeltzkowia mira, Matsedroy.
 (I) Paracontias vermisaurus, Makira. (J, K) Pygomeles braconnieri, near Ifaty. (L) Grandidierina sp. aff. rubrocaudata Andranomaitso.

 (Credits: A - Franco Andreone; B - Frank Glaw and Miguel Vences; C, D, E, L - Gonçalo M. Rosa; F, H - Sam Hyde Roberts; G - Falk Eckhard; I - Miguel Vences; J, K - Aurélien Miralles).

   

Francesco Belluardo, A .Jesus Muñoz-Pajares, Aurélien Miralles, Daniele Silvestro, Walter Cocca, Fanomezana Mihaja Ratsoavina, Andrea Villa, Sam Hyde Roberts, Marcello Mezzasalma, Alexander Zizka, Alexandre Antonelli and Angelica Crottini. 2022. Slow and Steady wins the Race: Diversification Rate is Independent from Body Size and Lifestyle in Malagasy Skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Scincinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 107635, In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107635 

[Herpetology • 2022] Quasipaa taoi • Hidden in the jungle of Vietnam: A New Species of Quasipaa (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from Ngoc Linh Mountain

Quasipaa taoi  

 Pham, Hoang, Phan, Nguyen & Ziegler, 2022

Tao’s Spiny Frog | Ếch gai sần tạo  ||  DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1124.89282

Abstract

A new species of Quasipaa is described from Ngoc Linh Mountain of the Kon Tum Massif in central Vietnam. The new species is morphologically distinguishable from its congeners on the basis of a combination of the following diagnostic characters: SVL 79.6–84.3 mm in males and 64.6–69.9 mm in females; head broader than long; vomerine teeth present; external vocal sacs absent; tympanum slightly visible; dorsum with lines of thick ridges and small round tubercles; flanks covered by oval and round tubercles; supratympanic fold present; dorsolateral fold absent; ventrolateral sides, ventral surface of arms, and all fingers with spines in males; the absence of spines on chest and belly in males; toes fully webbed to distal portion of terminal phalanx; in life, dorsum dark brown, chest and belly immaculate white. Phylogenetic analyses found that the genetic divergence of the new species and its congeners ranged from 4.2–5.1% (compared with Quasipaa boulengeri) to 7.6–8.1% (compared with Q. shini) in the 16S gene.

Keywords: Kon Tum Province, molecular phylogeny, Quasipaa taoi sp. nov., taxonomy

 

Quasipaa taoi sp. nov., holotype (IEBR A.4997, male) in life
A dorsolateral view B ventral view.

Quasipaa taoi sp. nov., holotype (IEBR A.4997, male)
 A upper right hand B lower right hand C lower right foot.

 Quasipaa taoi sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis: Both morphological characters (body very stout, skin rough with dermal ridges and tubercles, forelimbs of males strongly enlarged, with inner side of arms or fingers or chest and belly with black spines (see Fei et al. 2009) and molecular data revealed the new species to be nested within Quasipaa. Quasipaa taoi sp. nov. is distinguishable from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) SVL 79.6–84.3 mm in males, 64.6–69.9 mm in females; (2) head broader than long (HL/HW 0.90 in males, 0.92 in females); (3) vomerine teeth present; (4) external vocal sacs absent; (5) tympanum slightly visible; (6) dorsum with lines of thick ridges and small round tubercles; (7) flanks covered by oval and round tubercles; (8) supratympanic fold present; (9) dorsolateral fold absent; (10) ventrolateral sides, ventral surface of arms, and all fingers with spines in males; (11) the absence of spines on chest and belly in males; (12) toes fully webbed to distal end of terminal phalanx; (13) in life, dorsum dark brown, chest and belly immaculate white.

Etymology: The new species is named in honor of our colleague and friend, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tao Thien Nguyen from the Institute of Genome Research, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, in recognition of his numerous scientific contributions towards a better understanding of the amphibians of Vietnam. 

We recommend “Tao’s Spiny Frog” as the common English name of the new species and the common name in Vietnamese as “Ếch gai sần tạo”.

Habitat of Quasipaa taoi sp. nov. in Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Kon Tum Province, Viet Nam
 A evergreen forest B microhabitat.

Distribution: Quasipaa taoi sp. nov. is currently known from Ngoc Linh Mountain of the Central Highlands in Vietnam (Fig. 6). Data obtained from GenBank show that this species was also recorded from Xekong Province, Lao PDR (Yan et al. 2021; see Discussion below).

 Cuong The Pham, Chung Van Hoang, Tien Quang Phan, Truong Quang Nguyen and Thomas Ziegler. 2022. Hidden in the jungle of Vietnam: A New Species of Quasipaa (Amphibia, Anura, Dicroglossidae) from Ngoc Linh Mountain. ZooKeys. 1124: 23-42. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1124.89282

[Botany • 2022] Desmopsis ibarrarum (Annonaceae) • Naming the Long-known: A New Species endemic to Mexico

Desmopsis ibarrarum G.E. Schatz ex Ortiz-Rodr., 

in Ortiz-Rodriguez, 2022. 

DOI:  10.21829/abm129.2022.2110  

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Abstract

Background and Aims: A frequently collected species of Desmopsis (Annonaceae) in Mexico has remained indeterminate for more than 30 years. Its floral characteristics are similar to those present in the Asian genus Guamia (now Meiogyne), and for many years it has been named “Guamia mexicana”, but not formally described. Recently, it was shown that “Guamia mexicana” is phylogenetically related to Desmopsis and Stenanona and not to Guamia. However, and despite being frequently collected, its taxonomic status has not been clarified. Here, the phylogenetic relationships and the morphological and ecological characteristics that distinguish “Guamia mexicana” from other species were studied. As a result, this new species is herein described.

Methods: The new species was recognized using the unique combination of features through comparisons with morphologically similar species and a literature review. Its pollen characteristics were analysed using scanning electron microscopy. Its phylogenetic relationships were determined based on previously published phylogenies. Lastly, its conservation status was tentatively assessed by calculating extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) using the GeoCAT tool and applying the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Key results: A new species of Annonaceae endemic to Mexico, namely Desmopsis ibarrarum, is described and illustrated. It is distinguished from other Desmopsis species by the combination of long and cylindrical fruits with many seeds, with a hard and woody testa and densely covered by very small sericeous hairs (velvety), glabrous leaves with percurrent tertiary venation, the absence of leafy bracts on the pedicels, the morphological differentiation of internal and external petals, and the partial fusion of the sepals.

Conclusions: Desmopsis ibarrarum is only closely related to Desmopsis dubia and both species are here considered members of a particular lineage within the Desmopsis-Stenanona clade, the “Desmopsis dubia group”.

Key words: Chiapas, IUCN Red List, karst forests, Neotropical region, pollen grains, tribe Miliuseae.

Desmopsis ibarrarum G.E. Schatz ex Ortiz-Rodr.
 A. main trunk bark; B. upper leaf surface; C. lower leaf surface; D. inflorescence with solitary, yellow flower; E. lateral view of the flower, the surface covered with sericeous hairs can be appreciated; F. front view of the flower, note the differentiation in the position and shape of the petals whorls; G. H. infructescences, the whitish or yellowish color of the fruits is due to the fact that they are densely covered by very small sericeous or golden, persistent hairs; I. open fruit, the thick and woody wall can be observed, as well as the numerous discoid seeds.

Desmopsis ibarrarum G.E. Schatz ex Ortiz-Rodr., sp. nov.

Similar to Desmopsis dubia in the leaves with percurrent tertiary venation, short-pedicellate flowers without leafy bracts at base of pedicels, food bodies at base of inner petals, the partially fused sepals, and the cylindrical fruits with hard, woody testa, but different in its glabrous leaves above and below, flowers with longer petals, and smaller fruits with fewer seeds.

Etymology: the specific epithet honors Guillermo Ibarra Manríquez and his wife Guadalupe Cornejo Tenorio (“Los Ibarras”), two prolific Mexican botanists who for many years have contributed to the knowledge of the Mexican flora, in particular to the region of Los Tuxtlas in Veracruz.

 

Andrés Ernesto Ortiz-Rodriguez. 2022. Naming the Long-known: A New Species of Desmopsis (Annonaceae) endemic to Mexico. Acta  Botanica Mexicana 129: e2110. DOI:  10.21829/abm129.2022.2110 

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