[Herpetology • 2022] Mesoclemmys sabiniparaensis • A New South American Freshwater Turtle of the Genus Mesoclemmys (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) from the Brazilian Amazon

Mesoclemmys sabiniparaensis 

 Cunha, Sampaio, Carneiro, Vogt, Mittermeier, Rhodin & Andrade, 2022

 meridian.allenpress.com 

 instagram.com/FabioAGCunha 

  instagram.com/ricardo.ilustrador 

 

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of small chelid turtle from perennial streams in the Araguaia River subbasin near Serra das Andorinhas State Park, São Geraldo do Araguaia, Pará, Brazil. It is morphologically distinct and the smallest known member of the genus Mesoclemmys, with an average straight-line carapace length (CL) of 144 mm and maximum recorded CL of 170 mm. The species has a moderate head width of approximately 20% of CL. The carapace and dorsal soft parts are blackish, the plastron is light brownish yellow with a blackish brown central plastral figure, and the ventral soft parts are pale yellow. It has the largest femoral scutes of any Mesoclemmys and its plastral contact formula is Intergular > Anal > Humeral > Femoral > Abdominal > Pectoral > Gular. We describe the shell and skull morphology of the new species and performed genetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome c oxidase, subunits I [COI] and 16S) to build a phylogenetic tree for the genus, which placed the new species as sister to M. vanderhaegei.

Mesoclemmys sabiniparaensis 

Fábio A.G. Cunha, Iracilda Sampaio, Jeferson Carneiro, Richard C. Vogt, Russell A. Mittermeier, Anders G.J. Rhodin and Marcelo C. Andrade. 2022. A New South American Freshwater Turtle of the Genus Mesoclemmys from the Brazilian Amazon (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae).  Chelonian Conservation and Biology. DOI: 10.2744/CCB-1524.1

 meridian.allenpress.com/ccb/article-abstract/doi/10.2744/CCB-1524.1/489299/A-New-South-American-Freshwater-Turtle-of-the

  instagram.com/p/CmaDi11P4Aw 

  instagram.com/p/CmaGNKJMdf1 

  

[Paleontology • 2022] 100 Million Years of Turtle Paleoniche Dynamics enable the Prediction of Latitudinal Range shifts in A Warming World

 3 fossil turtles: Basilemys, Zangerlia and Axestemys are on the left half, 
the extant turtles Geochelone, Trionyx and Carettochelys on the right half 

in Chiarenza, Waterson, Schmidt, ... et Barrett, 2022. 

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.056  

 twitter.com/AAlechiarenza

illustration by Mauricio Anton. 

Highlights: 

• Non-marine turtles invaded higher paleolatitudes several times in the past

• Non-marine turtles reached their highest latitudes in the Cenomanian and Eocene

• Occupation of high paleolatitudes is projected at extreme emission scenarios

• Human occupation at high latitudes may prevent turtle adaptation to climate change

Summary

Past responses to environmental change provide vital baseline data for estimating the potential resilience of extant taxa to future change. Here, we investigate the latitudinal range contraction that terrestrial and freshwater turtles (Testudinata) experienced from the Late Cretaceous to the Paleogene (100.5–23.03 mya) in response to major climatic changes. We apply ecological niche modeling (ENM) to reconstruct turtle niches, using ancient and modern distribution data, paleogeographic reconstructions, and the HadCM3L climate model to quantify their range shifts in the Cretaceous and late Eocene. We then use the insights provided by these models to infer their probable ecological responses to future climate scenarios at different representative concentration pathways (RCPs 4.5 and 8.5 for 2100), which project globally increased temperatures and spreading arid biomes at lower to mid-latitudes. We show that turtle ranges are predicted to expand poleward in the Northern Hemisphere, with decreased habitat suitability at lower latitudes, inverting a trend of latitudinal range contraction that has been prevalent since the Eocene. Trionychids and freshwater turtles can more easily track their niches than Testudinidae and other terrestrial groups. However, habitat destruction and fragmentation at higher latitudes will probably reduce the capability of turtles and tortoises to cope with future climate changes.

Keywords: Testudinata, climate change, distribution, Late Cretaceous, Eocene, ecological niche modeling

 3 fossil turtles: Basilemys, Zangerlia and Axestemys are on the left half,
 the extant turtles Geochelone, Trionyx and Carettochelys on the right half 

illustration by Mauricio Anton

 

Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza, Amy M. Waterson, Daniela N. Schmidt, Paul J.Valdes, Chris Yesson, Patricia A. Holroyd, Margaret E. Collinson, Alexander Farnsworth, David B. Nicholson, Sara Varela and Paul M. Barrett. 2022. 100 Million Years of Turtle Paleoniche Dynamics enable the Prediction of Latitudinal Range shifts in A Warming World. Current Biology. In Press

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.056 

  twitter.com/AAlechiarenza/status/1605608429241901058

[Paleontology • 2022] Annemys variabilis • Xinjiangchelyid Turtles from the Middle Jurassic of the Berezovsk Coal Mine (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia): Systematics, Skeletal Morphology, Variation, Relationships and Palaeobiogeographic Implications

  

 Annemys variabilis 

Obraztsova, Krasnolutskii, Sukhanov & Danilov, 2022

DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2022.2093662

  twitter.com/JournalSystPal 

Artwork by Alexander Ostroshabov.

Abstract

This paper is devoted to the description of a new species of xinjiangchelyid turtle – Annemys variabilis sp. nov. – represented by thousands of isolated bones and several more complete specimens from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Itat Formation of the Berezovsk coal mine, Krasnoyarsk Territory, western Siberia, Russia. The description is based on a sample of the best-preserved specimens. The new species differs from other Annemys spp. by a combination of cranial and shell characters. The basisphenoids (about 200 specimens) of A. variabilis demonstrate variation in 12 characters, some of which are reported in turtles for the first time. About 20 shell characters of A. variabilis are subject to ontogenetic or interindividual variation. Some of these characters are variable in other Annemys spp. and other xinjiangchelyids. The formula of the cervical vertebrae [(2(3()4()5()6()7()8) or (2(3()4()5()6()7()8(] with two opisthocoelous vertebrae (2 and 3), four or five amphicoelous vertebrae (4–7 or 4–8), and one procoelous vertebra is unique for this species among xinjiangchelyids, which were previously known to have only amphicoelous cervicals. Other characters of the non-shell postcranium correspond to those of other xinjiangchelyids. Of the three phylogenetic analyses performed in this study, Analysis 1 does not support the monophyly of either Xinjiangchelyidae or Annemys, Analysis 2 shows paraphyly of Xinjiangchelyidae and monophyly of the Annemys clade (A. latiens, A. levensis, A. variabilis and A. wusu), and Analysis 3 supports monophyly of the Annemys clade with A. latiens, A. levensis and A. variabilis, only in the majority rule consensus tree. The diversity of the turtle assemblage of the Itat Formation is re-assessed as containing 2–3 taxa (A. variabilis [=Testudines indet. 2], Testudines indet. 1 and 3), which is in agreement with similar diversities seen in some other Middle Jurassic Asian turtle assemblages. The known record of Annemys spp. is restricted to the northern part of Asia.

Annemys variabilis 

 

Ekaterina M. Obraztsova, Sergei A. Krasnolutskii, Vladimir B. Sukhanov and Igor G. Danilov. 2022. Xinjiangchelyid Turtles from the Middle Jurassic of the Berezovsk Coal Mine (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia): Systematics, Skeletal Morphology, Variation, Relationships and Palaeobiogeographic Implications. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 20(1); 1-61. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2022.2093662

  twitter.com/JournalSystPal/status/1574689687608107010

[Botany • 2021] Gynochthodes betongensis (Rubiaceae) • Taxonomic Notes on the Genus Gynochthodes Blume from Thailand

Gynochthodes betongensis Chantar.,

 in Chantaranothai, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.490.3.8 

th.KKU.ac.th/123064 

Abstract

Gynochthodes betongensis, a new species from Thailand, is described and illustrated. Gynochthodes cinnamomoea (syn. Morinda cinnamomea) is placed in the synonymy of G. villosa. Gynochthodes hispida is newly recorded for Thailand. Lectotypes are designated for G. puberula and M. cinnamomea. A key to the Thai species is also presented.

Keywords: Morindeae, lectotypification, new species, synonymy, taxonomy, Eudicots

 ยอย่านเบตง

Gynochthodes betongensis Chantar.,

ยอย่านใบสาก

Gynochthodes hispida (K.M.Wong) Razafim. & B.Bremer 

Pranom Chantaranothai. 2022. Taxonomic Notes on the Genus Gynochthodes Blume (Rubiaceae) from Thailand. Phytotaxa. 490.3; 291–297. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.490.3.8

  

พืชชนิดใหม่ของโลกและพืชที่พบเป็นครั้งแรกของวงศ์เข็ม [Rubiaceae] และวงศ์ฟ้าทะลายโจร [Acanthaceae] ในประเทศไทยและประเทศเพื่อนบ้าน

 th.KKU.ac.th/123064 

 ยอย่านเบตง (Gynochthodes betongensis Chantar.) เป็นพืชในวงศ์เข็ม พบพืชชนิดนี้จากหมู่บ้านจุฬาภรณ์พัฒนา 10 เขตอุทยานแห่งชาติบางลาง อ.เบตง จ.ยะลา  โดยตัวอย่างพืชหมายเลข Pooma et al. 4434 ซึ่งเก็บในปี ค.ศ. 2004 จัดเป็นตัวอย่างต้นแบบแรก (holotype) เก็บรักษาที่หอพรรณไม้ กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช (BKF) และตัวอย่างคู่ตัวอย่างต้นแบบ (isotype) เก็บไว้ที่พิพิธภัณฑ์พืชมหาวิทยาลัยออร์ฮูส เดนมาร์ก (AAU) และพิพิธภัณฑ์พืชสวนพฤกษศาสตร์เอดินเบอเรอ สก๊อตแลนด์ (E) ยอย่านเบตงมีสัณฐานวิทยาคล้ายกับยอเลื้อยขน (G. cochinchinensis (DC.) Razafim. & B. Bremer) และยอย่าน (G. umbellata (L.) Razafim. & B. Bremer) โดยมีดอกเกิดรวมกันเป็นช่อกระจุกและช่อเหล่านี้เรียงตัวคล้ายช่อซี่ร่ม เกิดที่ปลายกิ่ง แต่ยอย่านเบตงนี้ต่างจากพืชทั้งสอง เนื่องจากมีโคนใบรูปหัวใจ และก้านยาว 10–15 มม. โดยพืชอีกสองชนิดนั้นมีโคนใบรูปลิ่มหรือค่อนข้างเบี้ยว  และมีก้านใบยาว 3–10 มม. นอกจากนี้ยอย่านเบตงมีเส้นแขนงใบ 12–14 คู่ ขณะที่ยอเลื้อยขนมี 7–12 คู่ และยอย่านมี 6–8 คู่

พบพืชเป็นครั้งแรกในประเทศไทย (new record)

(ยอย่านใบสาก) Gynochthodes hispida (K.M.Wong) Razafim. & B.Bremer 

[Botany • 2022] Aphyllorchis periactinantha (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Neottieae) • A New Mycoheterotrophic Species from peninsular Thailand

Aphyllorchis periactinantha A.Chantanaorr. & Chantanaorr., 

in Chantanaorrapint & Chantanaorrapint, 2022. 

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.215.91458

photographed by S. Chantanaorrapint

Abstract

A new orchid species from southern Thailand, Aphyllorchis periactinantha, is described and illustrated. The novelty is characterized by the subactinomophic flowers, the concave labellum, not divided into hypochile and epichile, the reduced staminodes, the shallowly bilobed stigma and the semicircular rostellum. A key to the species of Aphyllorchis in Thailand is updated.

Keywords: achlorophyllous orchid, dipterocarp forest, Epidendroideae, peloric flower, Thai-Malay Peninsula, Ton Nga Chang Wildlife Sanctuary

Aphyllorchis periactinantha A.Chantanaorr. & Chantanaorr.
A flower, lateral view B flower, top view C floral bract D column and labellum, side view E dorsal sepal F, G lateral sepals H, I petals J labellum K column and anther cap in ventral view L, M anther caps.

Drawn by S. Chantanaorrapint.

Aphyllorchis periactinantha A.Chantanaorr. & Chantanaorr. in situ
 A habit B inflorescence C flower in front view D flower in oblique view with stingless bee (Tetragonula sp.) E column in ventral view F immature fruits G rhizome and roots

A–E, G photographed by S. Chantanaorrapint F by C. Leeratiwong.

 

 Aphyllorchis periactinantha A.Chantanaorr. & Chantanaorr., sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Similar to A. anomala, but differs in having a concave labellum without purple veins, acute at the apex, and a semicircular rostellum.

Etymology: Greek prefix peri-, about, actis, ray or radiate, and anthos, flower, alluding to subactinomorphic flowers.

 Amonrat Chantanaorrapint and Sahut Chantanaorrapint. 2022. Aphyllorchis periactinantha (Orchidaceae, Neottieae), A New Mycoheterotrophic Species from peninsular Thailand. PhytoKeys. 215: 107-115. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.215.91458

[Paleontology • 2022] Europasaurus holgeri • Neurovascular Anatomy of Dwarf Dinosaur implies Precociality in Sauropods

  Europasaurus holgeri Mateus et al. in Sander et al., 2006

Schade, Knötschke, Hörnig, et al., 2022

DOI: 10.7554/eLife.82190

Life reconstruction by Davide Bonadonna. 

Abstract

Macronaria, a group of mostly colossal sauropod dinosaurs, comprised the largest terrestrial vertebrates of Earth’s history. However, some of the smallest sauropods belong to this group as well. The Late Jurassic macronarian island dwarf Europasaurus holgeri is one of the most peculiar and best-studied sauropods worldwide. So far, the braincase material of this taxon from Germany pended greater attention. With the aid of micro-computed tomography (microCT), we report on the neuroanatomy of the nearly complete braincase of an adult individual, as well as the inner ears (endosseous labyrinths) of one other adult and several juveniles (the latter also containing novel vascular cavities). The presence of large and morphologically adult inner ears in juvenile material suggests precociality. Our findings add to the diversity of neurovascular anatomy in sauropod braincases and buttress the perception of sauropods as fast-growing and autonomous giants with manifold facets of reproductive and social behaviour. This suggests that – apart from sheer size – little separated Europasaurus from its large-bodied relatives.

Life reconstruction of Europasaurus holgeri.

Image credit: Davide Bonadonna (CC BY 4.0)

Marco Schade, Nils Knötschke, Marie K Hörnig, Carina Paetzel and Sebastian Stumpf. 2022. Neurovascular Anatomy of Dwarf Dinosaur implies Precociality in Sauropods. eLife. DOI: 10.7554/eLife.82190

 

Editor's evaluation: 

The authors provide the first detailed description of the neuroanatomy of the remarkable dwarf sauropod Europasaurus from the Jurassic of Germany, which, at least in this regard, was not very different from some of its much larger relatives. The available evidence is compelling and convincing. The comparative sections of the manuscript are solid and provide a relatively broad overview. Based on remains of different individuals and growth stages, the authors suggest that Europasaurus was likely precocial. The authors also assess the likely auditory capabilities and their relevance to the reproductive and social behaviour of this island-dwelling dinosaur.

 elifesciences.org/digests/82190/balance-and-hearing-from-ancient-skulls

[Botany • 2022] Deamia funis (Cactaceae) • A New Species from Nicaragua

Deamia funis Hammel & S. Arias, 

in Hammel & Arias, 2022.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.576.2.8

Abstract

Deamia funis sp. nov. (Cactaceae) from Nicaragua, in the Mesoamerican region, is described and illustrated based on morphological data. The new species is characterized by its often long, dangling (ropey), and relatively narrow, multiribbed stems with relatively small flowers like those of D. chontalensis, but with the stigma exerted among or slightly beyond the anthers as occurs in D. montalvoae and D. testudo.

Keywords: brevistyly, floral morphology, taxonomy

Deamia funis, reproductive characters (A–D from Stevens & Montiel 39242, E from Stevens & Calero 44070). A. Side-view of flower on specimen. B. Side-view of flower in life. C. Front-view of flower in life (arrow at stigma). D. Close-up of base of flower in life. E. Submature fruit, in life.

Photos: A, Hammel; B–D, Montiel; E, Chamorro.

Deamia funis, vegetative characters.
 A–C. Habitat and habit (Stevens & Montiel 33938). D. Close-up of stem showing cracks in epidermal wax (Stevens & Montiel 39242).

Photos: all Montiel.

Deamia funis Hammel & S. Arias sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:— In its flowers Deamia funis is outwardly similar to D. chontalensis, but has stamens (1.5–3 vs. 0.4–0.7 cm long) and styles (6–8 vs. 2–2.2 cm long) much longer, and with the stigma exerted among or slightly beyond the anthers (vs. the brevistylous flowers of the latter), furthermore, its stems are less than half the diameter of those of the latter, and with more ribs; the stems are similar to those of D. montalvoae, but the flowers are smaller, less than 1/2 (mostly 1/3) as long as in that species.

Etymology:— The epithet refers to the long, dangling, rope-like stems common in this species when found growing on horizontal branches of trees.

Barry Hammel and Salvador Arias. 2022. A New Species of Deamia (Cactaceae) from Nicaragua. Phytotaxa. 576(2); 220-226. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.576.2.8

Resumen: Deamia funis sp. nov. (Cactaceae) de Nicaragua, en la región de Mesoamérica, se describe con base en datos morfológicos y se ilustra. La especie nueva se caracteriza por sus tallos a menudo largos y péndulos (como mecate), relativamente angostos y multicostillados, con las flores relativamente pequeñas parecidas a las de D. chontalensis, pero con el estigma exerto entre o algo más allá de las anteras como ocurre en D. montalvoae y D. testudo. 

[Paleontology • 2022] Shonisaurus popularis • Grouping Behavior in A Triassic Marine Apex Predator

Shonisaurus popularis Camp, 1976

in Kelley, Irmis, de Polo, Noble, Montague-Judd, ... et Pyenson, 2022.

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.005 

 twitter.com/microecos

twitter.com/PyensonLab

Illustration: Gabriel Ugueto

Highlights

• Abundant fossils from Nevada reflect aggregations of a predatory marine reptile

• Nearly all individuals are large adults apart from multiple embryos or neonates

• No evidence for significant environmental perturbation is found

Summary

Marine tetrapods occupy important roles in modern marine ecosystems and often gather in large aggregations driven by patchy prey distribution, social or reproductive behaviors, or oceanographic factors. Here, we show that similar grouping behaviors evolved in an early marine tetrapod lineage, documented by dozens of specimens of the giant ichthyosaur Shonisaurus in the Luning Formation in West Union Canyon, Nevada, USA. A concentration of at least seven skeletons closely preserved on a single bedding plane received the bulk of previous attention. However, many more specimens are preserved across ∼106 square meters and ∼200 stratigraphic meters of outcrop representing an estimated >105–6 years. Unlike other marine-tetrapod-rich deposits, this assemblage is essentially monotaxic; other vertebrate fossils are exceptionally scarce. Large individuals are disproportionately abundant, with the exception of multiple neonatal or embryonic specimens, indicating an unusual demographic composition apparently lacking intermediate-sized juveniles or subadults. Combined with geological evidence, our data suggest that dense aggregations of Shonisaurus inhabited this moderately deep, low-diversity, tropical marine environment for millennia during the latest Carnian Stage of the Late Triassic Period (237–227 Ma). Thus, philopatric grouping behavior in marine tetrapods, potentially linked to reproductive activity, has an antiquity of at least 230 million years.

Adult and young of the ichthyosaur species Shonisaurus popularis chase ammonoid prey 230 million years ago, in what is now Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park, Nevada, U.S.A. 

Illustration: Gabriel Ugueto

 Neil P. Kelley, Randall B. Irmis, Paige E. de Polo, Paula J. Noble, Danielle Montague-Judd, Holly Little, Jon Blundell, Cornelia Rasmussen, Lawrence M.E. Percival, Tamsin A.Mather and Nicholas D. Pyenson. 2022. Grouping Behavior in A Triassic Marine Apex Predator. Current Biology. 32(24); 5398-5405.e3. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.11.005

  twitter.com/microecos/status/1604921404226314240

twitter.com/PyensonLab/status/1604895555615719424

  phys.org/news/2022-12-analysis-giant-extinct-marine-reptile.html

   

[Herpetology • 2022] Hoplobatrachus salween • A New Species of the Genus Hoplobatrachus Peters, 1863 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from northwestern Thailand

Hoplobatrachus salween

Thongproh, Chunskul, Sringurngam, Waiprom, Makchai, Cota, Duengkae, Duangjai, Hasan, Chuaynkern & Chuaynkern, 2022

Salween Bullfrog | กบสาละวิน  ||  kasetsartjournal.ku.ac.th

  facebook.com/ForestBiologyForestry 

Abstract

Importance of the work: Northwestern Thailand lacks any intensive survey of amphibian fauna; thus, this area is suspected to have undiscovered populations of amphibians. Therefore, conducting field surveys in such areas is essential to fill knowledge gaps about species richness in this animal group. Objectives: To describe a new species of frog genus Hoplobatrachus as new to science. Materials & Methods: A new species was described based on specimens collected from Salawin National Park, Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Son province, northwestern Thailand. The new species was separated from its congeners inferred from molecular (16S and Cytb genes) and morphological information. Results: The new species was distinguished from its congeners based on mitochondrial DNA sequence analyses and morphological comparisons. The species was characterized by the following characters: pointed snout; large size (snout-vent length [SVL] of adult males = 94.8–102.4 mm, SVL of females = 93.2–96.3 mm); presence of mid-dorsal stripe; absence of thin stripe on inner side of tibia; presence of sexual dichromatism; yellow external vocal sac; presence of nuptial pad on base of first finger in adult males; relative length of finger II < IV < I < III, toe I < II < V < III < IV.  

Keywords: Hoplobatrachus, Hoplobatrachus litoralis, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus, Tiger frog

Photographs of a live adult Hoplobatrachus salween sp. nov. male paratype (KKUC 01176/THNHM 26832) showing the coloration and pattern: 
 (A) dorsolateral view; (B) ventral part of head and body; (C) lateral view; (D) posterior thigh. 

Hoplobatrachus salween sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hoplobatrachus salween sp. nov. is characterized by the following combination of characters: body slightly stout; pointed snout; SVL of adult males 98.6 ± 5.42 (94.8–102.4 mm, n = 2), females 94.1 ± 1.49 (93.2–96.3 mm, n = 4); presence of mid-dorsal stripe; absence of thin stripe on inner side of tibia; presence of sexual dichromatism (completely yellow in whole body and limbs); presence of external vocal sac and vocal sac opening in adult males; presence of nuptial pad on base of the first finger in adult males; relative finger lengths II < IV < I < III, toe I < II < V < III < IV; phylogenetic topological position close to H. litoralis (3.1% of 16S and 11.5% of Cytb) and H. tigerinus (5.1% of 16S and 12.3% of Cytb).

Etymology and other names: The specific name “salween” refers to the Salween River (known in Myanmar as the Thanlyin River and in China as the Nu River). The Salween, which is the 26th longest river (about 2,880 km) in the world, is a very important river for China, Myanmar and Thailand. The river flows from the Tibetan Plateau through China, Myanmar, and Thailand into the Andaman Sea. 

An English name “Salween Bullfrog” and a Thai name “กบสาละวิน - Kob Salawin” are suggested by the current study.

กบเหลืองสาละวิน; อุทยานแห่งชาติสาละวิน อำเภอแม่สะเรียง จังหวัดแม่ฮ่องสอน 

Prapaiporn Thongproh, Jidapa Chunskul, Yutthana Sringurngam, Likhit Waiprom, Sunchai Makchai, Michael Cota, Prateep Duengkae, Sutee Duangjai, Mahmudul Hasan, Chantip Chuaynkern and Yodchaiy Chuaynkern. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Hoplobatrachus Peters, 1863 (Anura, Dicroglossidae) from northwestern Thailand. Agriculture and Natural Resources -- formerly Kasetsart Journal (Natural Science). 56(6); 1135-1152.  kasetsartjournal.ku.ac.th/abstractShow.aspx?param=YXJ0aWNsZUlEPTcwODZ8bWVkaWFJRD03NTI2 

 facebook.com/ForestBiologyForestry/posts/5725387250873564

[Paleontology • 2022] Dental Form and Function in the early Feeding Diversification of Dinosaurs

Lesothosaurus is an omnivore, Buriolestes is a carnivore and Thecodontosaurus is an herbivore.

in Ballell, Benton & Rayfield, 2022. 

 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq5201

Reconstruction by Gabriel Ugueto  twitter.com/SerpenIllus

 twitter.com/BallellPalaeo 

Abstract

Dinosaurs evolved a remarkable diversity of dietary adaptations throughout the Mesozoic, but the origins of different feeding modes are uncertain, especially the multiple origins of herbivory. Feeding habits of early dinosaurs have mostly been inferred from qualitative comparisons of dental morphology with extant analogs. Here, we use biomechanical and morphometric methods to investigate the dental morphofunctional diversity of early dinosaurs in comparison with extant squamates and crocodylians and predict their diets using machine learning classification models. Early saurischians/theropods are consistently classified as carnivores. Sauropodomorphs underwent a dietary shift from faunivory to herbivory, experimenting with diverse diets during the Triassic and Early Jurassic, and early ornithischians were likely omnivores. Obligate herbivory was a late evolutionary innovation in both clades. Carnivory is the most plausible ancestral diet of dinosaurs, but omnivory is equally likely under certain phylogenetic scenarios. This early dietary diversity was fundamental in the rise of dinosaurs to ecological dominance.

Early dinosaurs and their diets.
Lesothosaurus is an omnivore, Buriolestes is a carnivore and Thecodontosaurus is an herbivore.

Reconstruction by Gabriel Ugueto

 

Antonio Ballell, Michael J. Benton and Emily J. Rayfield. 2022. Dental Form and Function in the early Feeding Diversification of Dinosaurs. SCIENCE ADVANCES. 8(50); DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abq5201

 twitter.com/BallellPalaeo/status/1603829958694010896

 twitter.com/SerpenIllus/status/1603833563039793154

 phys.org/news/2022-12-scientists-menu-dinosaurs.html

[Botany • 2022] Gastrochilus heminii (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species from Sichuan, China, based on Molecular and Morphological Data

 Gastrochilus heminii M.Liao, B.Xu & Yue H.Cheng, 

in Liao, Cheng, Zhang, Feng, Liu, ... et Xu, 2022. 

和民盆距兰  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.215.91061

Abstract

Gastrochilus heminii (Orchidaceae), a new orchid species from Sichuan Province, Southwest China, is described and illustrated. It morphologically resembles G. affinis and G. yei, but differs markedly from the former in having a thinner and slightly rolled downwards reniform epichile and the central thickened purple-red mat with irregular folds (vs. subtriangular epichile curves upwards, with 2 thick, brown to purplish-brown median ridges from base to apex), and can be clearly distinguished from the latter by having reniform epichile with lobed apex and subconical hypochile with bilobed apex that splits into two conical protrusions (vs. semi-rounded epichile not lobed and subconical hypochile not bilobed). The results of molecular phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosome internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and four chloroplast DNA fragments (matK, psbA-trnH, psbM-trnD, and trnL-F) of 36 Gastrochilus species showed that G. heminii was closely related to G. affinis and G. distichus.

Keywords: Gastrochilus, morphological, Orchidaceae, phylogeny, taxonomy

 Gastrochilus heminii M.Liao, B.Xu & Yue H.Cheng, 
A flowering plant B young leaves (B1: front view; B2: reverse view) C old leaves (C1: front view; C2: reverse view) D raceme and capsule (side view) E–I flowers (different views) J anatomy of flower (J1: dorsal sepals; J2 and J3: lateral sepals; J4 and J5: petals; J6: labellum) K hypochile (dorsal view) L stamens.

Comparison of three taxa of Gastrochilus
A, B Gastrochilus heminii C, D G. affinis E, F G. distichus G, H G. yei.

[Images C, D cited from Jalal et al. 2020; image E reproduced from website (http://www.orchidspecies.com/gastdistichus.htm); image F cited from Kumar et al. 2014, which was photographed by Xiao-Hua Jin; images G and H cited from Li et al. 2021].

 Gastrochilus heminii M.Liao, B.Xu & Yue H.Cheng, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Gastrochilus heminii is morphologically related to G. affinis and G. yei based on vegetative and floral characteristics such as similar habit, distichous and alternate leaves, epichile surface smooth and glabrous, sepals and petals with purplish-red patches. However, it can be differentiated from G. affinis on the basis of flower numbers (1–2 in the former vs. 1–4 in the latter), peduncle length (0.4–0.7 cm in the former vs. 1.5–2.0 cm in the latter) and an additional morphological characteristic: young leaves are densely covered with purple-red spots and old leaves have hardly any purple-red spots in the former (both have purple-red spots in the latter); the reniform epichile is rolled downwards, smooth and glabrous above, and central thickened purple-red mat with irregular folds in the former (subtriangular epichile curves upwards, with 2 thick, brown to purplish-brown median ridges from base to apex in the latter). It differs from G. yei by having reniform and lobed epichile (not lobed in the latter), apex of hypochile bilobed and splits into two conical protrusions (not bilobed in the latter), apex of the leaf with 1–2 lobules, lobes setaceous (apex of leaf with a tine in the latter).

Etymology: Named in honor of Mr. He-Min Zhang, the advocate of the panda “Release to the Forest”, one of the pioneers of panda research in China, renowned as the “father” of pandas, in recognition of his contribution to the conservation of flora and fauna in the region which was one of the earliest reserves dedicated to preserving the habitat of wild pandas. A Chinese name, he min peng ju lan (和民盆距兰), is suggested here.

Min Liao, Yue-Hong Cheng, Jun-Yi Zhang, Yu Feng, Gui-Ying Liu, Ping Ye, Sen-Long Jin, Hong-Qiang Lin and Bo Xu. 2022. Gastrochilus heminii (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae), A New Species from Sichuan, China, based on Molecular and Morphological Data. PhytoKeys. 215: 95-106.  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.215.91061