Thursday, March 28, 2024

[Herpetology • 2024] Trimeresurus kraensis • A New Species of Karst-associated Pitviper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Trimeresurus) from the Isthmus of Kra, Peninsular Thailand


Trimeresurus kraensis
Idiiatullina, Pawangkhanant, Suwannapoom, Tawan, Chanhome, Nguyen, David, Vogel & Poyarkov, 2024

งูหางแฮ่มชุมพร | Kra Isthmus Pitviper || DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.930.2489 

ABSTRACT
We describe a new species of karst-dwelling pitviper from Chumphon Province of Peninsular Thailand, in the Isthmus of Kra, based on morphological and molecular data (2427 bp from cyt b, ND4 and 16S rRNA mitochondrial DNA genes). Morphologically, Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: a dark/bottle-green dorsum with reddish-brown or purple crossbands; pale green venter lacking dark dots; stripes present on the lateral sides of the ventrals; internasals generally in contact; one large supraocular scale on each side of the head; iris pale copper; tail brown with dark purplish-brown crossbars; dorsal scales in 21–21–15 rows; ventral scales 167 in a single male, 169–171 in females; subcaudal scales 62 in a single male, 52–54 in females, all paired. White vertebral spots present in males, located on approximately every two or four dorsal scales; dark brown spots forming discontinuous pattern present on 1–3 lateral dorsal scale rows; males with reddish-brown postocular stripe with jagged edges. The new species differs from the morphologically similar species Trimeresurus venustus s. str. by a notable divergence in cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA gene sequences (p = 5.9%).

Keywords: Crotalinae, Trimeresurus kanburiensis complex, Peninsular Thailand, karst, taxonomy

Class Reptilia Laurenti, 1768
Order Squamata Oppel, 1811
Suborder Serpentes Linnaeus, 1758

Family Viperidae Oppel, 1811
Subfamily Crotalinae Oppel, 1811

Genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804



Comparison of body colouration between members of the Trimeresurus kanburiensis species complex (males). 
A. Trimeresurus ciliaris Idiiatullina  et  al.,  2023  from  Trang  Province,  Thailand.  B. T.    kanburiensis  Smith,  1943  from  Kanchanaburi  Province,  Thailand. 
C. Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. from Chumphon Province, Thailand. D. T. cf. venustus Vogel, 1991 from Langkawi Island, Kedah State, Malaysia.
E. T. kuiburi Sumontha et al., 2021 from Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. F. T. venustus from Krabi Province, Thailand.
Photographs by P. Pawangkhanant (A–C, F), T. Chalton (D), and T. Woranuch (E).

Comparison of head colouration (left profile and dorsal view of the head) between members of the Trimeresurus kanburiensis species complex (males).
A–B. Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov.  C–D. T. ciliaris Idiiatullina et   al., 2023. E–F. T. kanburiensis Smith, 1943. G–H. T.   kuiburi Sumontha et   al., 2021. I–J. T.  venustus  Vogel,  1991. 
 Photographs  by  P.  Pawangkhanant  (A–F),  A.  Kaosung  (G–H,  J)  and  M. Naiduangchan (I).

The holotype of Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. in life (AUP-02036, adult female) from Wat Tham Sanook, Chumphon Province, Thailand.
A.  Dorsolateral view. B.  Ventrolateral view. C.  Close-up of dorsal scales. D. Left side of the head. E. Dorsal view of the head. F.  Ventral view of the head.
Photographs by P. Pawangkhanant.

Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is assigned to the subgenus Trimeresurus based on the following morphological attributes: a long papillose hemipenis and partially fused first supralabial and nasal scales (Malhotra & Thorpe 2004a; Idiiatullina et al. 2023). The new species Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the subgenus Trimeresurus by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) a dark olive-green or bottle green dorsum; (2) dorsal pattern consisting of about 60 reddish-brown or purple blotches, transversally elongate but not reaching the lower part of the flanks, two or three series of dark brown spots forming a discontinuous pattern on the 1st to 3rd dorsal scale rows and white vertebral spots present in males, located approximately on every two or four dorsal scales; (3) venter creamish-green with some dark brown spots; (4) tips of the ventral plates both cream and dark brown, forming a discontinuous, alternating pale and dark, ventrolateral stripe; (5) males with a reddish-brown postocular stripe; (6) internasals generally in contact behind the posteror tip of the rostral; (7) single large supraocular scale; (8) iris pale copper, (9) tail brown with dark purplish-brown crossbars; (10) dorsal scales in 21–21–15 rows; (11) ventral scales 167 in a single male, 169–171 in females; (12) subcaudal scales 62 in a single male, 52–54 in females, all paired.

Etymology: The species name is the modern Latin adjective ʻkraensisʼ in the nominative singular, masculine gender, combining the noun ʻKraʼ, from the name of the Kra Isthmus in Peninsular Thailand where the type locality of the species is located, and the Latin suffix ʻ-ensisʼ (-is, -e),meaning ʻfromʼ. The species name therefore means, ʻfrom Kraʼ. We suggest the following common names for the new species: งูหางแฮ่มชุมพร (Ngu Hang Ham Chumphorn) (in Thai), and Kra Isthmus Pitviper (English).

Habitat of Trimeresurus kraensis sp. nov.  A. Macrohabitat of the new species near the Wat Tham Sanook, Chumphon Province, Thailand.
B. Photos in life in situ, adult male (uncollected). C. Subadult female (paratype, ZMMU Re-17665).
Photographs by P. Pawangkhanant (A), Rupert Grassby-Lewis (B), and N.A. Poyarkov (C).


Sabira S. Idiiatullina; Parinya Pawangkhanant, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Tanapong Tawan, Lawan Chanhome, Tan Van Nguyen, Patrick David, Gernot Vogel and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2024. Another New Species of Karst-associated Pitviper (Serpentes, Viperidae: Trimeresurus) from the Isthmus of Kra, Peninsular Thailand. European Journal of Taxonomy. 930(1), 20–52. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2024.930.2489

[Botany • 2024] Cyrtandromoea sudhansui (Phrymaceae) • A New Species from Northeast India

 

Cyrtandromoea sudhansui 
  
in Chowlu, Shenoy et Nuraliev, 2024.
 
Abstract
Cyrtandromoea sudhansui, a new species of Phrymaceae, is described and illustrated. The species was discovered in the Eastern Himalayas in 2023 during a botanical survey in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Cyrtandromoea sudhansui is unique within the genus in having blue corolla; it also differs from the other species of Cyrtandromoea in the following combination of morphological traits: winged stem, calyx ca. 1.5 cm long and hairy along ridges, hairy stamens, hairy ovary and style. The new species is assessed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria. The new discovery represents the second species of the genus known in the flora of India, and a new generic record for the state of Arunachal Pradesh and for the mainland India in general.

Eudicots, Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas, IUCN



Cyrtandromoea sudhansui


Krishna Chowlu, Akshath Shenoy and Maxim S. Nuraliev. 2024. Cyrtandromoea sudhansui (Phrymaceae), A New Species from Northeast India.  Phytotaxa. 642(1); 104-110. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.642.1.9

[Herpetology • 2024] Cnemaspis vangoghi & C. sathuragiriensis • Two New Species of the Cnemaspis galaxia complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the eastern slopes of the southern Western Ghats


Cnemaspis vangoghi 
 Khandekar, Thackeray & Agarwal, 2024


Abstract
Two new species allied to Cnemaspis galaxia are described from the eastern slopes of the south Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. Both new species are members of the ornata subclade within the beddomei clade. The two new species can be easily distinguished from all other members of the beddomei clade and each other by a combination of nonoverlapping morphological characters such as small body size, distinct colouration of both sexes, the number of dorsal tubercles around the body, the number or arrangement of paravertebral tubercles, the number of midventral scales across the belly and longitudinal ventral scales from mental to cloaca, besides uncorrected pairwise ND2 and 16S sequence divergence of ≥ 7.4% and ≥ 2.7%. The two new species are distributed from low elevation, deciduous forests of Srivilliputhur, and add to the five previously known endemic vertebrates from Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve.

Key words: Asia, biodiversity hotspot, dwarf geckos, integrative taxonomy, phylogeny, species complex

Cnemaspis vangoghi sp. nov., in life A adult male (holotype, NRC-AA-8342) B adult female (paratype, NRC-AA-8345), and C subadult male (paratype, NRC-AA-8348).
Photos by Akshay Khandekar.

 Cnemaspis vangoghi sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet is a patronym for Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh (1853–1890). The colouration of the new species is reminiscent of one of Van Gogh’s most iconic paintings, The Starry Night. Suggested common name is Van Gogh’s starry dwarf gecko.


 Cnemaspis sathuragiriensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet is a toponym for the type locality of the new species, Sathuragiri mountain in Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR), Virudhunagar District, Tamil Nadu. Suggested Common name is Sathuragiri dwarf gecko.


Akshay Khandekar, Tejas Thackeray and Ishan Agarwal. 2024. Two New Species of the Cnemaspis galaxia complex (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from the eastern slopes of the southern Western Ghats. ZooKeys. 1196: 209-242. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1196.117947

[Botany • 2024] Magnolia corquinensis (Magnoliaceae: sect. Magnolia) • A New Species and A New Record of Magnolia quetzal for Honduras


Magnolia corquinensis  

in Morales-Molina, Vega-Rodriǵuez, Shalisko, Alemán-Avilez et Vázquez-García. 2024.
 
Abstract
Magnolia corquinensisM. sect. Magnolia (Magnoliaceae) is described and illustrated. A distribution map is provided. The species is critically endangered and endemic to Copán and Lempira, Honduras. It differs from M. celaquensis in many morphological features. In addition, Magnolia quetzal is recorded for the first for the flora of Honduras.

Magnoliids, Magnolia sect. Magnolia, Montaña de Celaque National Park, Talauma, Corquín


Magnolia corquinensis


Sobeida Morales-Molina, Hermes Vega-Rodriǵuez, Viacheslav Shalisko, Maryury Alemán-Avilez and J. Antonio Vázquez-García. 2024. A New Species, Magnolia corquinensis, and A New Record of Magnolia quetzal (Magnoliaceae) for Honduras.  Phytotaxa. 642(2); 191-200. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.642.2.7
Researchgate.net/publication/379333159_A_new_species_Magnolia_corquinensis_from_Honduras
https://asomaincupaco.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2022_Reporte-Anual-PNGR-SINAPH.pdf

[Mammalogy • 2024] Orcinus rectipinnus & O. ater • Revised Taxonomy of eastern North Pacific Killer Whales (Orcinus orca): Bigg’s and Resident Ecotypes deserve Species Status

 

 Bigg’s killer whale Orcinus rectipinnus (Cope in Scammon, 1869)
Resident killer whale Orcinus ater (Cope in Scammon, 1869)

in Morin, McCarthy Fung, Durban, Parsons, Perrin, Taylor, Jefferson & Archer, 2024.

Abstract
Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are currently recognized as a single ecologically and morphologically diverse, globally distributed species. Multiple morphotypes or ecotypes have been described, often associated with feeding specialization, and several studies have suggested taxonomic revision to include multiple subspecies or species in the genus. We review the ecological, morphological and genetic data for the well-studied ‘resident’ and Bigg’s (aka ‘transient’) ecotypes in the eastern North Pacific and use quantitative taxonomic guidelines and standards to determine whether the taxonomic status of these killer whale ecotypes should be revised. Our review and new analyses indicate that species-level status is justified in both cases, and we conclude that eastern North Pacific Bigg’s killer whales should be recognized as Orcinus rectipinnus (Cope in Scammon, 1869) and resident killer whales should be recognized as Orcinus ater (Cope in Scammon, 1869).

Keywords: Cetacea, odontocete, speciation
 

  Vertical images of (a) an adult male Bigg’s killer whale (BKW) from the West Coast Transient population of Bigg’s killer whales and (b) an adult male resident killer whale (RKW) from the sympatric Southern Resident population of resident killer whales.
Images are scaled to the estimated asymptotic lengths of 7.3 m and 6.9 m, respectively. Vertical images were collected using an octocopter drone using methods described by Durban et al. [2022], provided by John Durban and Holly Fearnbach.


Order Artiodactyla Montgelard, Catzefils and Douzery, 1997

 Cetacea Brisson, 1762
   Odontoceti Flower, 1867

     Superfamily Delphinoidea Flower, 1865
       Family Delphinidae Gray, 1821

Orcinus rectipinnus (Cope in Scammon, 1869)

Etymology: In Latin, recti means right or upright, and pinna means fin, feather or wing, most likely referring to the tall, erect dorsal fin of males.

Synonymy: Orca rectipinna Cope in Scammon, 1869: 22; original designation.

Common name: We propose continued use of the common name, ‘Bigg’s killer whale’, for this species, to honour Dr. Michael A. Bigg (1939–1990), who pioneered the study of North Pacific killer whales in the 1970s. This ecotype was formerly known as the ‘transient killer whale’.


Orcinus ater (Cope in Scammon, 1869)
Etymology: In Latin, ater means black or dark, which probably refers to the largely black colour of this species.

Synonymy: Orca ater Cope in Scammon, 1869: 22; original designation.

Common name: We are planning on engaging with North American Indigenous tribal groups and expect to eventually have a consensus common name, but in the meantime, we suggest continued use of ‘resident killer whale’ so as to maintain consistency.

 
Phillip A. Morin, Morgan L. McCarthy Charissa W. Fung, John W. Durban, Kim M. Parsons, William F. Perrin, Barbara L. Taylor, Thomas A. Jefferson and Frederick I. Archer. 2024. Revised Taxonomy of eastern North Pacific Killer Whales (Orcinus orca): Bigg’s and Resident Ecotypes deserve Species Status. R. Soc. Open Sci. 11: 231368. DOI: 10.1098/rsos.231368

[Herpetology • 2024] Scincella ouboteri • A New Skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Hoa Binh Province, northern Vietnam

 
Scincella ouboteri
A. V. Pham, C. T. Pham, Le, Ngoc, Ziegler & Nguyen, 2024

Ouboter’s Smooth Skink | Thằn lằn cổ ouboter  ||  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5428.1.4
 
Abstract
A new species of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 is described from northern Vietnam based on morphological and molecular evidence. Scincella ouboteri sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: Size medium (SVL up to 58.6 mm); primary temporals 2; external ear opening present, with 3 or 4 lobules on anterior margin; loreals 2; supralabials 7; infralabials 6 or 7; nuchals in 2–4 pairs; midbody scales in 30–32 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in 6 rows across the back; paravertebral scales 65–73, not widened; ventral scales in 65–71 rows; 10–12 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 18–20 beneath toe IV; toes overlapping fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze-brown with a black vertebral stripe, in width of two dorsal scales, two bright dorsolateral stripes extending from behind the head to middle of tail, a dark stripe running from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank and tail. In phylogenetic analyses, the new species and S. ochracea form an independent lineage sister to all other congeners included in the study.

Reptilia, Scincella ouboteri sp. nov., COI, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy
 
 Holotype of Scincella ouboteri sp. nov. (IEBR 5042) in life
 Photos: T.Q. Nguyen.

Scincella ouboteri sp. nov. 

Etymology. We name the new species in honor of Dr. Paul E. Ouboter, Institute for Neotropical Wildlife and Environmental Studies ( Suriname), who provided the first comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus Scincella of Asia. As common names, we suggest Ouboter’s Smooth Skink (English) and Thằn lằn cổ ouboter (Vietnamese).


Anh Van Pham, Cuong The Pham, Minh Duc Le, Hai Ngo Ngoc, Thomas Ziegler and Truong Quang Nguyen. 2024. A New Skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Hoa Binh Province, northern Vietnam.  Zootaxa. 5428(1); 91-106. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5428.1.4

[Botany • 2020] Biophytum agasthyamalayanum (Oxalidaceae) • A New Species from the Western Ghats (Kerala, India)

 

Biophytum agasthyamalayanum Jisha, E.S.S.Kumar, Decruse & Rajendrapr., 

in Daniel, Kumar, Decruse et Rajendraprasad, 2020.

Abstract
A new branched species of Biophytum from the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (Kerala region, SW-India), named B. agasthyamalayanum, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to B. intermedium and B. nudum, but clearly distinct from both these two species especially by the dwarf and slender habit, the smaller leaves, and the obliquely obovate terminal leaflets.

Keywords: Biophytum agasthyamalayanum, endemic, Indian flora, novelty, Oxalidales, Eudicots


Biophytum agasthyamalayanum Jisha, E.S.S.Kumar, Decruse & Rajendrapr.


Jisha Daniel, Ettickal Sukumaran Santhosh Kumar, Sabarimuthan William Decruse and Madhavan Rajendraprasad. 2020. A New Species of Biophytum (Oxalidaceae) from the Western Ghats (Kerala, India). Phytotaxa. 438(1); 49–52. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.438.1.6 

[Botany • 2024] Oxalis xishuiensis (Oxalidaceae) • A New Species from Danxia landforms in Guizhou, China


Oxalis xishuiensis Y.B. Yang, M.T. An & H. Li,  

in Yang, Li, An, Huang, Hu, Yang et Dai, 2024.
习水酢浆草  ||  DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.239.119046

Abstract
Oxalis xishuiensis, a new species of Oxalidaceae from Danxia landforms of Xishui County, Guizhou, China, is described and illustrated. It is morphologically similar to O. wulingensis by the two lateral leaflets arranged at about 180° angle and oblong pink petals with lilac veins, but clearly differs from the latter by leaflets almost as long as wide, obliquely obcordate lateral leaflets, shorter peduncles, longer capsule (1.2–1.5 cm vs. 0.5–0.7 cm) and alveolate seeds.

Key words: China, Danxia landforms, Oxalidaceae, Oxalis, Xishui

Oxalis xishuiensis Y.B. Yang, M.T. An & H. Li 
A, B habitat C plants D rhizome E upper surface of leaves F lower surface of leaves G flowering plant H lateral view of the flower I frontal view of the flower J dissected flower K bract L capsule M seeds.

Oxalis xishuiensis Y.B. Yang, M.T. An & H. Li, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is most morphologically similar to Oxalis wulingensis, but differs from the latter by its leaf blade ca. as long as wide, obliquely obcordate lateral leaflets (vs. long obtriangular), shorter peduncle (ca. 3–4 cm long, shorter than leaves vs. 10–12 cm long, longer than leaves), longer capsule (1.2–1.5 cm long vs. 0.5–0.7 cm long) and alveolate seeds (vs. only with longitudinally ridge).


Yan-Bing Yang, He Li, Ming-Tai An, Lang Huang, Guo-Xiong Hu, Cheng-Hua Yang and Zheng-Xian Dai. 2024. Oxalis xishuiensis (Oxalidaceae), A New Species from Danxia landforms in Guizhou, China. PhytoKeys. 239: 267-273. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.239.119046

[Herpetology • 2024] Systematics and Taxonomy of the Northern Banjo Frog (Anura: Limnodynastidae: Limnodynastes terraereginae) and Allied Taxa


 the Northern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes terraereginae) and Allied Taxa

in Parkin, Rowley, Gillard, Sopniewski, Shea & Donnellan, 2024

Abstract
The Australian banjo frogs are a distinctive group of medium to large, terrestrial, and burrowing limnodynastid frogs known for their conspicuous, single-note advertisement calls which are often likened to the pluck of a banjo string. Preliminary analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences had previously indicated that the present taxonomy of the group, based primarily on morphology and advertisement calls, may not best reflect the true evolutionary relationships among taxa. In this study, we use comprehensive geographic sampling and integrative analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences, nuclear single-nucleotide polymorphisms, adult morphology, and advertisement call data to re-evaluate the systematics and taxonomy of the Northern Banjo Frog (Limnodynastes terraereginae) and allied taxa. Our study reveals the presence of three evolutionarily distinct, morphologically divergent, and narrowly allopatric lineages that replace each other in a north–south series from the tip of Cape York Peninsula to the Sydney Basin in the south. Our findings demonstrate that our understanding of the systematics and taxonomy of Australian frogs remains incomplete, even for large and apparently “well-known” species that live in densely populated areas.

Distribution of genotyped samples for the eastern Australian Limnodynastes dorsalis group examined in this study. Purple circles = CYP lineage; red circles = WS lineage; green circles = EC lineage; gray circles = L. dumerilii (including all subspecies); and black circles = L. interioris. Surface hydrology in blue.

 
Tom Parkin, Jodi J. L. Rowley, Grace L. Gillard, Jarrod Sopniewski, Glenn M. Shea and Stephen C. Donnellan. 2024. Systematics and Taxonomy of the Northern Banjo Frog (Anura: Limnodynastidae: Limnodynastes terraereginae) and Allied Taxa. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(1); 76-105. DOI: 10.1643/h2023025

[Botany • 2024] Lilium shenxianjuense (Liliaceae) • A New Species from Zhejiang, China


Lilium shenxianjuense Yue L.Xu & X.F.Jin, 

in Ye, Zhou, Peng, Zhu, Li, Xu et Jin. 2024. 
 
Abstract
Lilium shenxianjuense, a new species of Liliaceae from Zhejiang, China, is described with illustrations. Phylogenetic analysis based on complete plastomes places the new species as sister to a clade that comprises species of L. sect. Sinomartagon. Morphologically, L. shenxianjuense is like L. concolor and L. lancifolium, but differs in habitat preferences and morphology. The plastome is like those of other species of Lilium in gene content and structure. The new species is critically endangered and in need of urgent protection.

 Lilium concolor, Lilium lancifolium, Lilium sect. Sinomartagon, plastome structure, plastid phylogenetics, Monocots

Lilium shenxianjuense, sp. nov. 
 A habit (showing lower part and bulb); B habit (showing upper part and inflorescence); C papillose indumentum on stem and leaf; D outer tepal; E inner tepal; F stamen; G ovary and style; H capsule; I seed.
(Drawn by Xiao-Feng Jin from Y.L. Xu & Z.M. Zhu 1453, ZM.)

Lilium shenxianjuense, sp. nov.
A, B habitat; C habit; D bulb; E alternative leaves; F indumentum; G inflorescence; H tepals, stamens and pistil; I stamens and pistil.

Lilium shenxianjuense Yue L.Xu & X.F.Jin

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘shenxianjuense’ refers to the type locality, Mount Shenxianju of Xianju County, which is situated in central Zhejiang Province, east China.


Ming-Yue Ye, Xin Zhou, Ya-Jun Peng, Zhi-Ming Zhu, Pan Li, Yue-Liang Xu and Xiao-Feng Jin. 2024. Lilium shenxianjuense (Liliaceae), A New Species from Zhejiang, China.  Phytotaxa. 640(2); 161-170. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.640.2.4


[Paleontology • 2024] Myrmarachne colombiana • A New Species of Ant-mimic Spider (Araneae: Salticidae) in Copal from Colombia, South America


 Myrmarachne colombiana
Poinar, 2024


ABSTRACT 
Ant-mimicking spiders (Araneae: Salticide) are fascinating creatures that have evolved modified morphology and behaviours to resemble those of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ant-mimicking spiders are cosmopolitan but currently, there are no records of such spiders in fossilised resin, nor any records of extant ant- mimicking spiders in Colombia, S.A. The present study describes Myrmarachne colombiana sp. n. (Araneae: Salticidae) as the first species of ant-mimicking spider in fossilised resin (copal) from Colombia, discusses possible ages of copal inclusions around the world, and examines various scenarios showing why spiders have become ant mimics.
 

 
George Poinar. 2024. Myrmarachne colombiana sp. n. (Araneae: Salticidae), A New Species of Ant-mimic Spider in Copal from Colombia, South America. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2320190
  phys.org/news/2024-03-uncovers-rare-resin-fossil-spider.html

[Herpetology • 2024] Rhinella kumanday • A New Species of Terrestrial Toad of the Rhinella festae group (Anura: Bufonidae) from the highlands of the Central Cordillera of the Andes of Colombia


 Rhinella kumanday
Caicedo-Martínez, Henao-Osorio, Arias-Monsalve, Rojas-Morales, Ossa-López, Rivera-Páez & Ramírez-Chaves, 2024


Abstract
The genus Rhinella (Bufonidae) comprises 92 species of Neotropical toads. In Colombia, Rhinella is represented by 22 recognized species, of which nine belong to the Rhinella festae group. Over the past decade, there has been increasing evidence of cryptic diversity within this group, particularly in the context of Andean forms. Specimens of Rhinella collected in high Andean forests on both slopes of the Central Cordillera in Colombia belong to an undescribed species, Rhinella kumanday sp. nov. Genetic analyses using the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene indicated that the individuals belong to the festae species group. However, they can be distinguished from other closely related species such as Rhinella paraguas and Rhinella tenrec by a combination of morphological traits including the presence of tarsal fold, a moderate body size, and substantial genetic divergence in the 16S rRNA gene (> 5%). Through this integrative approach, the specimens from the Central Cordillera of Colombia are considered an evolutionary divergent lineage that is sister to R. paraguas, and described as a new species. Rhinella kumanday sp. nov. is restricted to the Central Cordillera of Colombia inhabiting both slopes in the departments of Caldas and Tolima, in an elevational range between 2420 and 3758 m. With the recognition of this new species, the genus Rhinella now comprises 93 species with 23 of them found in Colombia, and ten species endemic to the country.

Key words: Andes, Central Cordillera, distribution, diversity, endemism, systematics


Family Bufonidae Gray, 1825

Genus Rhinella Fitzinger, 1826

Female (MHN-UCa-Am 1698; paratype) of Rhinella kumanday sp. nov. in life (SVL 35.01 mm).

 Rhinella kumanday sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A moderate-sized species of the Rhinella festae group sensu Pereyra et al. (2021), and which can be distinguished from other members of the genus by the following combination of characters: males SVL 36.4–37.8 mm (x– = 37.1; n = 2); females SVL 32.5–40.1 mm (x– = 37.1; n = 5). (1) seven presacral vertebrae; (2) sacral vertebrae no fused with the coccyx, but fused with the urostyle; (3) sagittal ridge present; (4) snout long, protuberant and directed anteroventrally; (5) canthal crest present but weak; (6) preorbital crest present; (7) supraorbital present; (8) postorbital crest weak; (9) pretympanic crests weak; (10) supratympanic crest distinct; (11) parietal crest present; (12) dorsal surface with scattered tubercles, small and round with some conical ones; (13) parotoid glands well developed and ovoid; (14) lateral row of tubercle variable from scattered conical tubercle from ...

Etymology: The name “kumanday” means “white beautiful”, a word given by the indigenous Quimbaya to the snow-covered volcano that towers over the Central Cordillera in the coffee growing region of Colombia.

 
 Luis Santiago Caicedo-Martínez, Jose J. Henao-Osorio, Héctor Fabio Arias-Monsalve, Julián Andrés Rojas-Morales, Paula A. Ossa-López, Fredy A. Rivera-Páez and Héctor E. Ramírez-Chaves. 2024. A New Species of Terrestrial Toad of the Rhinella festae group (Anura, Bufonidae) from the highlands of the Central Cordillera of the Andes of Colombia. ZooKeys. 1196: 149-175. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1196.114861

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

[Mollusca • 2023] Kodama jujutsu & Idiosepius kijimuna • Two New Pygmy Squids (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae) from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan


Kodama jujutsu 
 Reid, Sato, Jolly & Strugnell, 2023


Abstract
Two new pygmy squid from the Ryukyu archipelago, Japan, are described: Kodama jujutsu, n. gen., n. sp. and Idiosepius kijimuna, n. sp. They differ from all other nominal species in a combination of traits, including the number of tentacular club suckers, shape of the funnel-mantle locking-cartilage, modification of the male hectocotylus and the structure of the gladius and nuchal-locking cartilage, in addition to mitochondrial DNA markers (12S, 16S and COI). They are both known from Okinawa Island and there is some overlap in their distributions. In a molecular phylogeny that includes all nominal Idiosepiidae, Kodama jujutsu, n. gen., n. sp. is sister taxon to a clade containing Xipholeptos Reid & Strugnell, 2018 and Idiosepius Steenstrup, 1881. Xipholeptos and Idiosepius are sister taxa. Idiosepius spp. now includes seven nominal species. In addition, aspects of the behaviour of the new species are described.

Keywords: Pygmy squid, KodamaIdiosepiusIdiosepius kijimunaKodama jujutsu, Ryukyu archipelago

Live Idiosepius kijimuna n. sp.
 attached to vegetation using dorsal adhesive pad.
Photo by Brandon Hannan 

Idiosepius kijimuna n. sp.

Etymology: The species name is used for creatures in Okinawan mythology. The Kijimunā are said to be elfin creatures that make their home in the banyan trees that grow over the Ryukyu Archipelago. Their diet consists entirely of seafood and they are excellent fishers. They avoid octopuses at all costs. The name is used as a noun in apposition.



Kodama n. gen.

Etymology: The generic name Kodama refers to a tree spirit in Japanese folklore. It has a reputation of being rounded in shape. The presence of Kodama is a sign of a healthy forest. We have chosen this name to suggest its extension to representing a healthy reef.

 Kodama jujutsu, n. sp.

Etymology: The specific name jujutsu is derived from the Japanese word jūjutsu that is a martial art of the same name, translating to ‘gentle art’. The goal of the sport is to control your opponents by grappling them. This pygmy squid has been seeing grappling shrimp in a similar fashion. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Kodama jujutsu n. gen., n. sp.
 a–h, live animals photographed in the wild. i laboratory reared hatchling, dorsal view. j ventral view same specimen. The large white testis toward the posterior end of the mantle is clearly visible in images c, e and h. Prominent skin tags posterior to the eyes can be seen in c, e, g and h, and the nipple-like posterior tip of the mantle apparent in some postures is shown in a, c, and h. Curling and recurving the arms appears to be a common posture.
Photos: a, c, d–h, © Shawn Miller; b © Brandon Hannan; i, j © Jeff Jolly

Kodama jujutsu n. gen., n. sp. a stuck to a hydroid that is being consumed by the nudibranch Bornella anguilla. b side view and c antero-lateral foreshortened view, capturing ovigerous caridean shrimp.
Photos: © Brandon Hannan


Amanda Reid, Noriyosi Sato, Jeffrey Jolly & Jan Strugnell. 2023. Two New Pygmy Squids, Idiosepius kijimuna n. sp. and Kodama jujutsu n. gen., n. sp. (Cephalopoda: Idiosepiidae) from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.  Marine Biology. 170: 167. DOI: 10.1007/s00227-023-04305-1
 phys.org/news/2023-10-pygmy-squids-corals-japan.html