[Botany • 2023] Begonia ranoposoensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from Sulawesi, Indonesia

Begonia ranoposoensis Saleh, Bandjolu & Ardi, 

in Saleh, Bandjolu, Ardi et Thomas, 2023. 

 taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/1924 

 facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice

Abstract

The new species Begonia ranoposoensis Saleh, Bandjolu & Ardi (Begoniaceae, Begonia section Petermannia) is described from material collected in Central and South Sulawesi. A detailed description, photoplate, distribution information and a provisional conservation status assessment are provided.

Keyword: Begonia comestibilis, Begonia vermeulenii, Poso Lake, sect. Petermannia, Wallacea

Begonia ranoposoensis Saleh, Bandjolu & Ardi, sp. nov.
A: Habit. B: Adaxial leaf lamina. C: Abaxial leaf lamina, petiole insertion. D: Leaves. E-F: Stipules. G-H: Male inflorescence. I: Male flowers, front view. J: Female flower, side view. K: Female flower, front view. L: Ovary, cross-section of middle, three-locular with axile, bilamellate placentae. M-N: Fruit, side view. O: Fruit, front views

 (Photographs by Bandjolu, K.P).

Begonia ranoposoensis Saleh, Bandjolu, & Ardi, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: Begonia ranoposoensis vegetatively resembles Begonia vermeulenii Thomas because of the succulent, peltate leaves, but the male inflorescences are composed of up to 18 monochasial partial inflorescences, each with 4–12 flowers (vs composed of 1–3 cymosesubumbellate partial inflorescences composed of 2 compressed monochasia with up to 5 flowers), an androecium of 21–29 stamens (vs 35–44 stamens), the female flower pedicel is 1–4 mm long (vs 5–10 mm long), and the ovaries and fruit (dry capsules) have 3 welldeveloped wings (vs ovaries and fruit wingless; fruit fleshy and indehiscent).

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the local name of the locality where the species was found and collected - Rano Poso (Pamona Language): Poso Lake.

Muhammad F.R.M. Saleh, Kurniawan P. Bandjolu, Wisnu H. Ardi and Daniel C. Thomas. 2023. Begonia ranoposoensis (Begoniaceae), A New Species from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Taiwania. 68(2); 180-184. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2023.68.180

  taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/1924

  facebook.com/TaiwaniaOffice/posts/3354640094757796

[Crustacea • 2023] Cambarus lapidosus & C. burchfielae • Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New narrowly-endemic Crayfish Species (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Yadkin River Basin in western North Carolina, USA

 

 Cambarus lapidosus

 Perkins, Williams & Russ, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5270.2.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/370131162

  twitter.com/BWWilliamsLab

 

Abstract

Two new species of stream-dwelling crayfish, Cambarus lapidosus, the Stony Fork Crayfish, and Cambarus burchfielae, the Falls Crayfish, are described from the Yadkin River basin in western North Carolina, USA, using an integrative taxonomic approach consisting of morphological, genetic, and biogeographic data. Both species were previously considered to be members of the widely distributed Cambarus species C complex, which occurs throughout mid-Atlantic Slope river basins; however, they are in fact morphologically and genetically more similar to the Cambarus robustus species complex from interior basins in the south-central Appalachians, indicating Atlantic basin stream capture of an Interior basin faunal group has occurred in this region. Both new species described herein can be differentiated from these two complexes, and each other, by several morphological characteristics. Cambarus lapidosus and C. burchfielae are differentiated from C. species C by the absence of cervical spines and the presence of 1–2 subpalmar tubercles on the chelae in most specimens; both species are less-punctate across the areola than C. aff. robustus. Cambarus burchfielae is further differentiated from C. lapidosus, C. species C, and C. aff. robustus by the presence of a narrower and sparsely punctate areola, a single weak row of tubercles on the mesial margin of the palm, and the absence of tubercles on the dorsal surface of the dactyl. The newly described species are genetically sister taxa and together are most similar by genetic distance to undescribed members of the C. robustus species complex from the nearby (~30 km) Watauga River basin and most phylogenetically similar to C. aff. robustus from the adjacent New River basin; both are interior basin drainages. The newly-described species are endemic to the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and have restricted distributions (<100 km2–150 km2) in small (<4th order) tributaries to the Yadkin River. Cambarus lapidosus is known only from the upper Stony Fork watershed and C. burchfielae is known only from the upper reaches of the adjacent Lewis Fork watershed; both species likely qualify for conservation status protections under narrow geographic range criteria.

Key words: biodiversity, Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, Cambarus robustus, Cambarus species C, species complex

 Cambarus lapidosus,
 (left) second form male morphotype (NCSM 90224) in life, Stony Fork, Wilkes County, NC;
(right) female allotype (NCSM 90223) in life, Orchard Creek, Watauga County, NC (note: regenerated left chela with single row of mesial tubercles);

(photo credit: Michael A. Perkins, NCWRC).

 Cambarus lapidosus, holotype (NCSM 90222) in life

(photo credit: Michael A. Perkins, NCWRC)

Cambarus lapidosus Perkins, Williams & Russ, sp. nov.

Etymology. The species epithet “lapidosus” (Lat.) as an adjective in the nominative case means stony or rocky, which we use in reference to the Stony Fork, the small tributary of the Yadkin River in western North Carolina which harbors the entire known range of this species.

Common name. We propose Stony Fork Crayfish as the common name for this species in reference to its occurrence in the Stony Fork watershed. 

Cambarus burchfielae, holotype (90219) in life

(photo credit: Michael A. Perkins, NCWRC).

Cambarus burchfielae,
(left) second form male morphotype (NCSM 90221) in life, North Prong Lewis Fork, Wilkes County, NC;
(right) female allotype (NCSM 90220) in life from the type locality, Fall Creek, Wilkes County, NC;

(photo credit: Michael A. Perkins, NCWRC).

 Fall Creek, facing south near the type locality of Cambarus burchfielae, in Wilkes County, NC-29 October 2021

(photo credit: Michael A. Perkins, NCWRC)

Cambarus burchfielae Perkins, Williams & Russ, sp. nov.

Etymology. We chose the species epithet “burchfielae” to honor Morgan Aylett Burchfiel, an avid young malacologist and close friend of the authors. Morgan’s courage, enthusiasm, and perseverance through many challenges continues to be an inspiration.

Common name. We propose Falls Crayfish as the common name for C. burchfielae in reference to the type locality, Falls Creek in Wilkes County, NC. 

Michael A. Perkins, Bronwyn W. Williams and William T. Russ. 2023. Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New narrowly-endemic Crayfish Species (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Yadkin River Basin in western North Carolina, USA. Zootaxa. 5270(2); 207-230. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5270.2.3

  Researchgate.net/publication/370131162_Integrative_taxonomy_reveals_two_new_narrowly-endemic_crayfish_species_from_the_Yadkin_River_Basin_in_western_North_Carolina_USA

  twitter.com/BWWilliamsLab/status/1649408579089358850

 instagram.com/p/CrWA3BDOa60 

 

[PaleoMammalogy • 2023] Amphimachairodus hezhengensis • Origin of Adaptations to Open Environments and Social Behaviour in Sabretoothed Cats (Carnivora: Felidae: Machairodontinae) from the northeastern Border of the Tibetan Plateau

Amphimachairodus hezhengensis

Jiangzuo,  Werdelin, Sanisidro, Yang, Fu, Li, Wang & Deng, 2023

defending their prey (Hezhengia bohlini) 

from two Dinocrocuta gigantea.

 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0019

Artwork by Oscar Sanisidro.

Highlights: 

• The earliest Amphimachairodus discovered exhibits craniodental adaptation to open environment and social behaviour.

• Adaptations to change in habitat and killing behaviour evolved prior to other traits.

• Adaptatons to open environments and social behaviour first occurred near the Tibetan Plateau, probably due to aridification as the plateau was formed.

Abstract

The iconic sabretooth Homotherium is thought to have hunted cooperatively, but the origin of this behaviour and correlated morphological adaptations are largely unexplored. Here we report the most primitive species of Amphimachairodus (Amphimachairodus hezhengensis sp. nov.), a member of Machairodontini basal to Homotherium, from the Linxia Basin, northeastern border of the Tibetan Plateau (9.8–8.7 Ma). The long snout, laterally oriented and posteriorly located orbit of Amphimachairodus suggest a better ability to observe the surrounding environment, rather than targeting single prey, pointing to an adaptation to the open environment or social behaviour. A pathological forepaw of Amphimachairodus provides direct evidence of partner care. Our analyses of trait evolutionary rates support that traits correlated with killing behaviour and open environment adaptation evolved prior to other traits, suggesting that changes in hunting behaviour may be the major evolutionary driver in the early evolution of the lineage. A. hezhengensis represents one of the most important transitions in the evolution of Machairodontini, leading to adaptation in open environments and contributing to their further dispersal and radiation worldwide. This rapid morphological change is likely to be correlated with increasingly arid environments caused by the rise of the Tibetan Plateau, and competition from abundant large carnivores in this area.

Keywords: Machairodus, Amphimachairodus, Linxia basin, Eastern Asia, competition

 

(a) Cranium of Amphimachairodus hezhengensis sp. nov. HMV2041. a1, dorsal view; a2, anterior view; a3, ventral view; a4, postero-ventral view; a5, lateral view.
(b) Geography of fossil locality.
(c) Pathology of the MC2 and MC3 of Amphimachairodus sp. HMV2047 forepaw.
(d) Large predator contemporary with A. hezhengensis in the Linxia Basin. d1, A. hezhengensis, HMV2041; d2, Dinocrocuta gigantea, HMV2044; d3, Agriotheriini ursid, HMV2046.

 Systematics

Order Carnivora Bowdich, 1821

Family Felidae Batsch, 1788

Subfamily Machairodontinae Gill, 1872

Tribe Machairodontini Gill, 1872

Amphimachairodus Kretzoi, 1929

Diagnosis: machairotont of large size. Rostrum long, and forehead wide. Orbit anterior border located at P4. Glenoid fossa overhung above basicranium. Mastoid process large, and paroccipital moderate to highly reduced. Mandibular flange weak or moderate, cornoid process small. Incisors large with serration, and upper I1 and I2 with laterally posited accessory cusps. P2 variably present. P3 with distinct anterior accessory cusp. P4 with distinct preparastyle and moderate to very small protocone. m1 with metaconid-talonid complex mostly absent.

Included species: Amphimachairodus giganteus (Wagner, 1848), Amphimachairodus horribilis (Schlosser, 1903), Amphimachairodus palanderi (Zdansky, 1924), Amphimachairodus coloradensis (Cook, 1922), Amphimachairodus alvarezi Ruiz-Ramoni et al. 2019 and Amphimachairodus hezhengensis sp. nov.

Amphimachairodus hezhengensis sp. nov.

Machairodus palanderi p.257, Deng et al. 2013

Amphimachairodus sp. p.11 Jiangzuo et al. 2023

Holotype: HMV2041, a nearly complete cranium  

Etymology: After the place (Hezheng Paleozoological Museum, Hezheng, China) where the specimen was found and is currently stored.

Type locality: Houshan, Linxia Basin, Gansu province of northern China.

Chronology and distribution: Thus far only known from the early Late Miocene of northern China.

Diagnosis: medium-sized Amphimachairodus with small incisors and I1 with lingually posited accessory cusps; long C-P3 diastema; presence of P2; relatively small cheek teeth; small P4 preparastyle and moderate protocone.

Differential diagnosis: differs from Machairodus and Nimravides in having different cranial morphology, e.g. lower angle between facial and neurocranial part, wide forehead, retracted orbit and long rostrum, shorter and dorsally arched zygomatic arch, slightly overhanging glenoid fossa, more arched incisor row and more separated lingual accessory cusps in I2, presence of P2, more distinct P4 preparastyle and smaller protocone; differs from Lokotunjailurus in having larger size, longer C-P3 diastema, stronger P3 anterior accessory cusp and more robust P4; differs from other species of Amphimachairodus in having smaller incisors, I1 with two closely located lingual accessory cusps, longer C-P3 diastema, smaller cheek teeth, smaller P4 preparastyle and slightly larger protocone.

Reconstruction of two Amphimachairodus hezhengensis defending their prey (Hezhengia bohlini) from two Dinocrocuta gigantea.

Artwork by Oscar Sanisidro.

Qigao Jiangzuo, Lars Werdelin, Oscar Sanisidro, Rong Yang, Jiao Fu, Shijie Li, Shiqi Wang and Tao Deng. 2023. Origin of Adaptations to Open Environments and Social Behaviour in Sabretoothed Cats from the northeastern Border of the Tibetan Plateau. Proc. R. Soc. B. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0019

https://phys.org/news/2023-04-trait-tibetan-saber-toothed-cat.html

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] Eornithoica grimaldii • The earliest Pupipara (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea): A New Genus and Species from the lower Eocene of the Green River Formation

 

Eornithoica grimaldii 

Nel, Garrouste & Engel, 2023

 DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.6.1.9 

twitter.com/ISYEB_UMR

 

Abstract

Eornithoica grimaldii gen. et sp. nov., the currently earliest Pupipara, is described from the lower Eocene of the Green River Formation. The previously oldest representative of this clade was from the Oligocene. The new fossil has some plesiomorphic character states, suggesting a ‘basal’ position in the clade. Its age, around 52 Ma, suggests that these epizooic ectoparasitic flies originated during the Paleocene or even the latest Cretaceous, prior to the first bats, if the latter. As is the case for several early diverging hippoboscids that feed on birds, E. grimaldii possibly victimized birds or terrestrial mammals. This study is a further example of the quantity of new information that can be obtained by the examination of fossil insects under UV light.

Keywords: Diptera, Hippoboscoidea, Insecta, Muscomorpha, ectoparasitism, dating, evolution

Eornithoica grimaldii gen. et sp. nov. 

André Nel, Romain Garrouste, Michael S. Engel. 2023. The earliest Pupipara (Diptera: Hippoboscoidea): A New  Genus and Species from the lower Eocene of the Green River Formation. Palaeoentomology. 6(1); 058–063. DOI: 10.11646/palaeoentomology.6.1.9

 twitter.com/ISYEB_UMR/status/1631592931109879808

[Botany • 2023] Struthanthus ibe-dzi (Loranthaceae) • A New Species from Oaxaca, Mexico

Struthanthus ibe-dzi  Mald. & Cerros,

in Maldonado-Borja, Cerros-Tlatilpa et Galván-González, 2023. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.225.101238

Abstract

Struthanthus ibe-dzi sp. nov. is a new species described and illustrated from the cloud and pine-oak forests of the Sierra Madre del Sur in Oaxaca, Mexico. This species shares similarities of leaf shape and inflorescence type with S. deppeanus, S. quercicola, and S. ramiro-cruzii. However, S. ibe-dzi can be recognized by its glaucous branches, leaves and inflorescences; compressed nodes; convoluted distal half of styles in pistillate flowers; and staminate flowers with asymmetrical thecae and an extended connective forming an apiculate horn in both anther series. A distribution map and an identification key are provided to separate S. ibe-dzi from morphologically similar congeners present in the region.

Keywords: Endemic, hemiparasitic, mistletoes, taxonomy

Struthanthus ibe-dzi (Loranthaceae)
A base of stem and disk of secondary haustoria (sh) B epicortical root (er) and swollen stem of host plant by the penetration of secondary haustoria (sh)
C staminate inflorescences with caducous bracts (bra) and bracteoles (brc) D dissected petals of staminate flower showing two series of stamens (S1, S2), with anthers in the lower series (S1) displaying a prominent connectival horn (cn); receptacle showing an undifferentiated pistilloid and a nectary (ne) surrounded by the calyculus
E pistillate inflorescences and compressed node (arrow) F dissected pistillate flower showing vestigial staminodes (st) opposite to petals, and an inferior ovary with convoluted style and calyculus (ca)
G upper view of ovary in a pistillate flower showing its calyculus (ca) and nectary (ne) H immature fruits crowned by the calyculus.

 Struthanthus ibe-dzi Mald. & Cerros, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Struthanthus ibe-dzi morphologically resembles S. deppeanus and S. quercicola in having epicortical roots on stems, similar leaf shapes, and inflorescences in racemes. However, the new taxon differs by its compressed nodes, stems, leaves, and inflorescence glaucous; leaf blade with base cuneate to oblique; staminate flowers 6–9 mm long with asymmetrical thecae and an extended horn-shaped apiculate connective in both anther series; and pistillate flowers with distally convoluted styles.

Etymology: The epithet ibe-dzi refers to the common name given to any mistletoe in Zapotec language (Ibë-dzí) in the San Juan Mixtepec region, which means “hair(s) on top of”, where “ibé” denotes “hair(s)” and “dzi” indicates “on top of”.

Maria Guadalupe Maldonado-Borja, Rosa Cerros-Tlatilpa and Luis Gil Galván-González. 2023. A New Species of Struthanthus Mart. (Loranthaceae) from Oaxaca, Mexico. PhytoKeys. 225: 69-81. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.225.101238  

Struthanthus ibe-dzi sp. nov., es una nueva especie descrita e ilustrada de los bosques de niebla y de pino-encino de la Sierra Madre del Sur en Oaxaca (México). La nueva especie se puede confundir con S. deppeanus, S. quercicola, y S. ramiro-cruzii por la forma de la hoja y el tipo de inflorescencia. Sin embargo, S. ibe-dzi se distingue por sus ramas, hojas e inflorescencias glaucas; sus nodos comprimidos; flores pistiladas con el estilo convoluto desde la mitad hacia la parte distal; y flores estaminadas con tecas asimétricas y un conectivo extendido apiculado en forma de cuerno en la serie baja de las anteras. Se incluye un mapa de distribución y una clave de identificación para separar S. ibe-dzi de sus congéneres regionales morfológicamente similares.

[Botany • 2023] Strobilanthes sripadensis (Acanthaceae) • A New Species from Sri Lanka

Strobilanthes sripadensis Nilanthi, Gopallawa & Jayawardane, 

 in Nilanthi, Gopallawa, Jayawardana et Jayasinghe, 2023. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.592.2.6

 facebook.com/BathiyaGopallawa 

Researchgate.net/publication/370106595

Abstract

Strobilanthes sripadensis, a new species of Acanthaceae from Peak Wilderness Nature Reserve, Sri Lanka is described and illustrated. Both morphological and palynological evidence clearly indicate that S. sripadensis is a distinct species. The new species is closely related to S. pentandra, but differs by having short acuminate leaf apex, entire or slightly sinuate leaf margin, 5–7 pairs of lateral veins, outermost bract longer than the inner one, bract, bracteole, and calyx pubescent, white corolla with prominent dark purple lines at throat and fertile stamens 4.The full description, line drawings, photographs, and information on habitat and ecology, distribution, phenology are also provided. It is accessed to be Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Keywords: taxonomy, pollen, plant morphology, wet zone, Eudicots

   

Strobilanthes sripadensis Nilanthi, Gopallawa & Jayawardane

 

Rajapakse Mudiyanselage Renuka Nilanthi, Bhathiya Gopallawa, Nuwan Jayawardana and Himesh Dilruwan Jayasinghe. 2023. Strobilanthes sripadensis, A New Species of Acanthaceae from Sri Lanka.  Phytotaxa. 592(2); 127-134. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.592.2.6

 facebook.com/BathiyaGopallawa/posts/6121050357974332

Researchgate.net/publication/370106595_Strobilanthes_sripadensis_a_new_species_from_Sri_Lanka

[PaleoEntomology • 2023] Bilebullephlebia legendrei • A New Genus and Species of the Damsel-dragonfly Family Burmaphlebiidae (Odonata: Epiproctophora) from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin Amber

Bilebullephlebia legendrei 

Jouault et Nel, 2023

DOI: 10.1080/00379271.2023.2193825 

  twitter.com/JouaultCorentin

Bilebullephlebia legendrei n. gen., n. sp. is described, illustrated, and placed into the small epiproctophoran family Burmaphlebiidae. This family was previously known from the mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber by two monotypic genera, but the new fossil shows that its diversity is underestimated. At least one additional genus with an enigmatic wing venation remains to be described from the same deposit. Nothing is known about the genitalia configuration of the Burmaphlebiidae but new fossils are expected to clarify the position of the family which is currently only discussed in light of wing venation characters.

Keywords: Amber, Insecta, Kachin, taxonomy, Cretaceous

Corentin Jouault and André Nel. 2023. A New Genus and Species of the Damsel-dragonfly Family Burmaphlebiidae (Odonata: Epiproctophora). Annales de la Société entomologique de France (N.S.): International Journal of Entomology. DOI: 10.1080/00379271.2023.2193825  

 twitter.com/JouaultCorentin/status/1648723324963377152

  Researchgate.net/publication/370117941_A_new_genus_and_species_of_family_Burmaphlebiidae_Odonata

Résumé. Un nouveau genre et une nouvelle espèce de la famille des Burmaphlebiidae (Odonata : Epiproctophora). Bilebullephlebia legendrei n. gen., n. sp. est décrite, illustrée et placée dans la petite famille des Burmaphlebiidae. Cette famille était auparavant connue de l'ambre Kachin du Crétacé moyen par deux genres monotypiques, mais le nouveau fossile montre que sa diversité est sous-estimée. Au moins un genre supplémentaire avec une nervation alaire énigmatique reste à décrire à partir du même gisement. On ne sait rien de la configuration des organes génitaux des Burmaphlebiidae mais de nouveaux fossiles devraient clarifier la position de la famille qui est actuellement uniquement discutée à la lumière des caractères de nervation des ailes.

[Cnidaria • 2023] Telmatactis profundigigantica • Gigantic Anemone Species in the Deep ‘Churaumi’—Description of A New Species of the Genus Telmatactis (Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Metridioidea) from the deep sea off Okinawa Island, Japan

 Telmatactis profundigigantica  

Izumi & Higashiji, 2023 

many shrimps of Plesionika sp. 

are observed around the anemones (arrows).

DOI: 10.12782/specdiv.28.99 

 twitter.com/Species_Divers

 

Abstract

Although the members of the genus Telmatactis Gravier, 1916 have been reported from broad area of the world including Japanese waters, the localities of the species have been limited to shallow areas. In this study, we report a new species in this genus, Telmatactis profundigigantica sp. nov., collected from the deeper area than 200 m of the East China Sea off Okinawa Island, discovered by ROV, and taken care of in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. This new species is chiefly characterized by its comparatively huge size of its body, over 10 cm in diameter and height, far larger than the other known species of this genus. Moreover, this species has characteristic multiple-headed tentacles and large cnidae in its acrospheres. In the present article, we also discuss the severe toxicity of this species and touch on the ecology of deep-sea anemones.

Keywords: sea anemone, Andvakiidae, Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, deep sea, capitate, multiple-headed, hemolytic toxin, sting, taxonomy

External morphology of the holotype (NSMT-Co 1820) of  Telmatactis profundigigantica sp. nov. 
 A, Living polyp of T. profundigigantica sp. nov.; B, oral view of the specimen; C, aboral view (basal disc is damaged); D, enlarged view of a double-headed tentacle.

Bold scale bars indicate 5 cm and a narrow bar 1 cm. 

Abbreviations: Acr, acrosphere; Bd, basal disc; Mo, mouth; Te, tentacle.

    

Living images of Telmatactis profundigigantica sp. nov. in situ.
 A, A polyp adhering to a rock; B, a polyp buried in sponge. In both pictures, many shrimps of Plesionika sp. are observed around the anemones (arrows).
Dates and Localities: A, [polyp no. 1], 19 September 2017, northeast off Ie island, Okinawa Pref.; B, [polyp no. 2], 7 January 2019, off Motobu-cho Town, Okinawa Island.

Taxonomy

Order Actiniaria Hertwig, 1882

Suborder Enthemonae Rodríguez and Daly in Rodríguez et al., 2014

Superfamily Metridioidea Carlgren, 1893

Family Andvakiidae Danielssen, 1890

Genus Telmatactis Gravier, 1916

[Japanese common name: Mamire-isoginchaku-zoku]

Telmatactis profundigigantica sp. nov.

 

Taxonomic remarks. The morphological features of this anemone are corresponded to the latest diagnosis of Telmatactis in den Hartog (1995) as below: body wall without any structures; clavate 96 tentacles; mesogleal sphincter; two siphonoglyphs on actinopharynx; and presence of acontia. In this genus, Telmatactis profundigigantica sp. nov. is characterized by three characters: (1) enormously large body sizes (Fig. 2A–C); (2) numerous tentacles (Fig. 2A) with some peculiar multiple-headed ones (Fig. 2D); and (3) large tentacle basitrichs (Fig. 3C). As mentioned below, Telmatactis is distributed across a broad area of the world, and thus in this study we have mainly compared with the species of Telmatactis living in the western Pacific.

...

Etymology. This new species is characterized by its comparatively far larger size and its deep-sea habitat. Thus, the species epithet is an adjective, composed of “profund-” (Latin profundus = deep) + “gigantica” [latinized Ancient Greek giganticus (gigantikos) = huge].

 Japanese name: Ryugu-no-goten  

Derivation of Japanese name. Ryugu (= castle under the deep sea) + no (= of) + goten (= palace). Associated the reddish color to the palaces of Okinawa covered with red roof tiles.

  

Takato Izumi and Takuo Higashiji. 2023. Gigantic Anemone Species in the Deep ‘Churaumi’—Description of A New Species of the Genus Telmatactis (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Actiniaria: Metridioidea), Telmatactis profundigigantica sp. nov. Species Diversity. 28(1); 99-106. DOI  10.12782/specdiv.28.99

 twitter.com/Species_Divers/status/1648825102971318272

[Invertebrate • 2023] Phylogeny of Sea Spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) inferred from mitochondrial Genome and 18S ribosomal RNA Gene Sequences

A glimpse of Pycnogonida diversity.

in Sabroux, Corbari et Hassanin, 2023.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107726 

twitter.com/CorbinRainbolt

twitter.com/ISYEB_UMR 

Highlights: 

• 152 mitogenomes and 120 18S ribosomal genes of sea spiders were sequenced.

• Phylogenetic signal extraction is impacted when high levels of missing data are included.

• Strong support for four superfamilies, six families, four subfamilies.

• Most cephalic appendage characters have evolved by convergence in different families.

• Poorly resolved deep relationships may be due to radiation before Jurassic.

Abstract

The phylogeny of sea spiders has been debated for more than a century. Despite several molecular studies in the last twenty years, interfamilial relationships remain uncertain. In the present study, relationships within Pycnogonida are examined in the light of a new dataset composed of 160 mitochondrial genomes (including 152 new sequences) and 130 18S rRNA gene sequences (including 120 new sequences), from 141 sea spider morphospecies representing 26 genera and 9 families. Node congruence between mitochondrial and nuclear markers was analysed to identify the most reliable relationships. We also reanalysed a multilocus dataset previously published and showed that the high percentages of missing data make phylogenetic conclusions difficult and uncertain.

Our results support the monophyly of most families currently accepted, except Callipallenidae and Nymphonidae, the monophyly of the superfamilies Ammotheoidea (Ammotheidae + Pallenopsidae), Nymphonoidea (Nymphonidae + Callipallenidae), Phoxichilidioidea (Phoxichilidiidae + Endeidae) and Colossendeoidea (Colossendeidae + Pycnogonidae + Rhynchothoracidae), and the sister-group relationship between Ammotheoidea and Phoxichilidioidea. We discuss the morphological evolution of sea spiders, identifying homoplastic characters and possible synapomorphies. We also discuss the palaeontological and phylogenetic arguments supporting either a radiation of sea spiders prior to Jurassic or a progressive diversification from Ordovician or Cambrian.

 

Keywords: Pantopoda, Molecular systematics, Missing data, Suprafamilial synapormophies, Homoplasy, Radiation

A glimpse of Pycnogonida diversity.
Ammothea sp., Antarctica (a); Ammothella exornata, Martinique (b); imuscosa, Papua New Guinea (c); Ascorhynchus sp., Papua New Guinea (d); Eurycyde kaiouti, Martinique (e);
Austrodecus stocki, Madagascar (f); Pallenoides amazonicus, French Guiana (g); Austropallene cornigera, Antarctica (h);
Colossendeis cf. macerrima, Mozambique Channel (i); Endeis sp., Papua New Guinea (j); Nymphon australe, Antarctica (k); Pallenopsis schmitti, Martinique (l);
Anoplodactylus sp., Papua New Guinea (m); Pycnogonum cesairei, Martinique (n); Pentapycnon geayi, Martinique (o); Rhynchothorax crenatus, Martinique (p).

All scale bars 1 mm. 

pictures T.Y. Chan, L. Corbari, Z. Ďuriš, R. Sabroux, S. Soubzmaigne; ©REVOLTA-IPEV 1124, ©MNHN – La Planète Revisitée, ©MNHN – Tropical Deep-Sea Benthos.

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Romain Sabroux, Laure Corbari and Alexandre Hassanin. 2023. Phylogeny of Sea Spiders (Arthropoda: Pycnogonida) inferred from mitochondrial Genome and 18S ribosomal RNA Gene Sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 182, 107726. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107726

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[Botany • 2023] Epidendrum petacaense (Orchidaceae) • A New Species from Sinaloa, Mexico

Epidendrum petacaense Hágsater, J.Duarte & Pío-León, 

in Hágsater, Salinas, Machorro, Pío-León et Otero, 2023. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.592.2.1 

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Abstract

A new, unusual species of the Epidendrum anisatum group, Epidendrum petacaense is described from the extreme northern range of this genus, and is illustrated in full color, and compared with some of the closely related species: E. anisatum, E. vandifolium, and E. lowilliamsii. Photographs in parallel are presented for the four species in a figure to facilitate comparisons. With other recent discoveries, the total count for the genus Epidendrum is 127 species and two natural hybrids in Mexico.

Keywords: Epidendrum vandifolium, Anisatum group, lithophytic, Bletia santosii, Monocots

Habitat of Epidendrum petacaense Hágsater, J.Duarte & Pío-León. 
The yellow arrows indicate some of the individual plants in the natural habitat.

Photographs by J.F. Pío-León.

Lankester Composite Dissection Plate of Epidendrum petacaense Hágsater, J.Duarte & Pío-León.
A Habit. B. Inflorescence. C. Flower. D. Dissected perianth. E. Ovary and longitudinal section of column. F. Column, lateral and ventral view. G. Anther cap and pollinarium.

 Prepared by Anaís Cisneros from the images of the pretype by J.F. Pío-León.

Epidendrum petacaense Hágsater, J.Duarte & Pío-León, sp. nov.

Epidendrum petacaense is similar to E. vandifolium but the flowers are bright lilac-magenta, calli white (vs. flowers red to pale magenta, occasionally green, the calli red), margin of sepals and petals spreading (vs. margins revolute), lateral lobes of the lip dolabriform to flabellate (vs. lateral lobes widely rectangular, more or less rounded), mid-lobe sub-orbicular, forming a narrow isthmus at the base, bilobed, the apical lobes rounded (vs. mid-lobe oblong-cuneate), clinandrium-hood surpassing the body of the column (vs. clinandrium-hood reduced, not surpassing the column), and the ovary inflated ventrally behind the perianth (vs. ovary terete, only slightly inflated towards the apex).

Etymology:—The specific epithet is coined in reference to the locality near where the type was collected, La Petaca, in the State of Sinaloa, close to the border with the state of Durango, Mexico.

 

Eric Hágsater, Julian Duarte Salinas, Rolando Jiménez Machorro, Juan F. Pío-León and Manuel G. Millán Otero. 2023. Epidendrum petacaense, A New Species of Orchidaceae from Sinaloa, Mexico. Phytotaxa. 592(2); 81-87. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.592.2.1   

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