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Saturday, December 31st, 2016
| Time | Event | ||||
| 2:12p | [Ichthyology • 2016] Urogymnus acanthobothrium • A New Euryhaline Whipray (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from Australia and Papua New Guinea
Abstract The Mumburarr Whipray, Urogymnus acanthobothrium sp. nov. is described from a single specimen taken from the Cambridge Gulf, Western Australia, and from images of 10 other specimens from northern Australia and Papua New Guinea (all observed but not collected). It is a very large ray that attains at least 161 cm disc width, making it amongst the largest of the whiprays. The ventral tail below the caudal sting has a low, short-based fold. A ventral tail fold (or a dorsal fold) has not been recorded for any other himanturin stingray in the Indo-West Pacific. Molecular data suggest it is most closely related to a similar but more widely distributed cognate, U. granulatus. Both of these species share a suboval disc shape, similar squamation patterns, and the tail posterior to the sting is entirely white (at least in small individuals). U. acanthobothrium sp. nov. differs from U. granulatus in having a longer and more angular snout, longer tail, more posteriorly inserted caudal sting, lacks white flecks on the dorsal surface, and the ventral disc is uniformly white (rather than white with a broad black margin). It co-occurs with two other morphologically distinct Urogymnus in the region (U. asperrimus and U. dalyensis). Like U. dalyensis it occurs in both brackish and marine waters. A key is proved to the members of the genus Urogymnus. Keywords: Pisces, Urogymnus acanthobothrium, Dasyatidae, giant whipray, new species, Australia, Papua New Guinea   Peter R Last, William T White, Peter M Kyne. 2016. Urogymnus acanthobothrium sp. nov., A New Euryhaline Whipray (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from Australia and Papua New Guinea. Zootaxa. 4147(2); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4147.2.4   Scientists name giant stingray from northern Australia New species of rays found in our oceans http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/news-st | ||||
| 2:34p | [Herpetology • 2011] Callulina meteora • A Remarkable New Species of Callulina (Anura: Brevicipitidae) from montane forest of the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania, with Massive, Boldly Coloured Limb Glands
Abstract A large new species of Callulina is described from a series of 22 specimens from the montane and upper montane forest of the Nguru Mountains, Tanzania. The most striking features of Callulina meteora sp. nov. are the massive and boldly coloured glands on the arms and legs and a metallic sheen to the skin. The new species is distinguished further on the basis of acoustic and molecular data. The position, size and conspicuousness of the enlarged glands in the new species are strikingly similar to those of Nectophrynoides viviparus, a toad found also in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania. The new species is known from a single forest reserve and is of high conservation concern. Keywords: aposematism; Eastern Arc; glands; Nectophrynoides; Nguru; Tanzania
Etymology. The specific epithet is used as an adjective and derives from the greek word meteoron, meaning"thing high up," in reference to the type locality of the species, situated close to the top of the Nguru Mountains. Michele Menegon, David J. Gower and Simon P. Loader. 2011. A Remarkable New Species of Callulina (Amphibia: Anura: Brevicipitidae) with Massive, Boldly Coloured Limb Glands. Zootaxa. 3095; 15–26. http://www.mapress.com/j/zt/article/view/1 | ||||
| 2:41p | [Herpetology • 2016] How Draco Lizards Fly: A Novel Type of Wing in Animals
 Abstract Flying lizards of the genus Draco are famous for their gliding ability, using an aerofoil formed by winglike patagial membranes and supported by elongated thoracic ribs. It has remained unknown, however, how the lizards manoeuvre during flight. Here, I show that the patagium is deliberately grasped and controlled by the forelimbs while airborne. This type of composite wing is unique inasmuch as the lift-generating and the controlling units are formed independently by different parts of the body and are connected to each other only for the duration of the flight. The major advantage for the lizards is that the forelimbs keep their entire movement range and functionality for climbing and running when they are not used as the controlling unit of the wing. These findings not only shed a new light on the flight of Draco lizards but also have implications for the interpretation of gliding performance in fossil species. KEYWORDS: Draco, flying lizard, gliding flight, patagium    J Maximilian Dehling. 2016. How Lizards Fly: A Novel Type of Wing in Animals. BioRxiv. DOI: 10.1101/086496 Dragon lizards fly by grabbing their fold-up wings with ‘hands’ newscientist.com/article/2114847-dragon-l  | ||||
| 3:19p | In Memoriam: King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 1927-2016 | พระบาทสมเด็จพระปรมินทรมหาภูมิพลอดุลยเดชฯ บรมนาถบพิตร  Bhumibol Adulyadej (Thai: ภูมิพลอดุลยเดช; pronounced [pʰuːmípʰon ʔàdunjádèːt], 5 December 1927 – 13 October 2016), conferred with the title King Bhumibol the Great in 1987, was the ninth monarch of Thailand from the Chakri Dynasty as Rama IX. Having reigned since 9 June 1946, he was, at the time of his death, the world's longest-serving head of state and the longest-reigning monarch in Thai history, serving for 70 years, 126 days.  • หมึกสายราชา Amphioctopus rex (Nateewathana & Norman, 1999) • 'ปูเจ้าพ่อหลวง' Indochinamon bhumibol (Naiyanetr, 2001) เพื่อเป็นการเฉลิมพระเกียรติพระบาทสมเด็จพ ลักษณะเด่นของปูเจ้าพ่อหลวงมี 3 สี คือ สีน้ำตาลเข้ม สีม่วง และสีส้ม โดยกระดองจะเป็นสีน้ำตาลเข้ม ขาเดิน 4 คู่ และขาก้ามทั้งสองข้างเป็นสีน้ำตาลเข้ม ยกเว้นด้านในของก้ามหนีบอันล่างเป็นสีม่วง • 'เต่าทรงพระเจริญ' Basilochelys macrobios Tong, Claude, Naksri, et al, 2009  • เทียนพระบารมี Impatiens charisma Suksathan & Keerat. (2009) • มะลิเฉลิมนรินทร์ Jasminum bhumibolianum Chalermglin (2013) • ภูมิพลินทร์ Paraboea bhumiboliana Triboun & Chuchan (2012)    • Nateewathana, A. and Norman, M.D. 1999. Phuket Mar. Biol. Center Special Publ. 19(2); 445-462. http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3489e.pdf • Naiyanetr, P. 2001. Potamon bhumibhol n. sp., a new giant freshwater crab from Thailand (Decapoda, Brachyura, Potamidae). Crustaceana 74(3); 309-316. • Haiyan Tong, Julien Claude, Wilailuck Naksri, Varavudh Suteethorn, Eric Buffetaut, Sasidhorn Khansubha, Kamonrak Wongko and Phisit Yuangdetkla. 2009. Basilochelys macrobios n. gen. and n. sp., A Large Cryptodiran Turtle from the Phu Kradung Formation (latest Jurassic-earliest Cretaceous) of the Khorat Plateau, NE Thailand. In: Buffetaut, E.; Cuny, G.; Le Loeuff, J. & Suteethorn, V. (eds.). Late Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Ecosystems in SE Asia. Geological Society, London, Special Publications. 315: 229-243. DOI: 10.1144/SP315.12 • Suksathan, P. and P. Triboun. 2009. Ten new species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from Thailand. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 61 (1): 159-184. • Pramote Triboun and David J. Middleton. 2012. Twenty new species of Paraboea (Gesneriaceae) from Thailand. Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 64(2): 333–370. • Chalermglin, P. and Kiew, R. 2013. A new species of Jasminum (Oleaceae) from Thailand. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants. 58 (3); 80-81. DOI: 10.3767/000651913X673216        พันธุ์สัตว์และพรรณพืช อันเนื่องด้วยพระปรมาภิไธย พระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยู่หัวภูมิพลอดุลยเดช ชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์สิ่งมีชีวิต ตั้งขึ้นเพื่อถวายเป็นเกียรติพระบรมวงศานุ           | ||||
| 4:11p | [Botany • 2016] Nepenthes krabiensis • A New Species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from Thailand
ABSTRACT This paper describes and illustrates a new species of Nepenthaceae, Nepenthes krabiensis. The new species is closely related to N. rosea which has been found in the same habitat of the wildlife sanctuary of Krabi Province in Southern Thailand. KEYWORDS: Thailand, Krabi, Peninsular Thailand, taxonomy.
Distribution.― Southern Thailand, founded only at Khao Pra-Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary, Krabi Province, Thailand. Ecology.― On summit areas, in sandy or mool soil, often growing in limestone rock crevices, at 600–700 m above sea level. Etymology.― The species is named after Krabi Province, to which it is endemic. Phenology.― Flowering June to August. Proposed IUCN conservation outlook assessment(2012).― Nepenthes krabiensis is assessed as Critically Endangered [CR B2ab (ii)]. It distributed in an area of 500 m2 and only on a single site on the summit of Mt Nor Ju Jee. Notes.― Nepenthes krabiensis is similar to N. rosea which grows in the same province and also on limestone mountains. The species share lanceolate, pseudo-petiolate and decurrent leaves, but N. krabiensis differs from N. rosea in the conspicuous coloration of the lower pitchers: being orange with red stripes, with red blotches over the inner surface and absent in the glandular zone, the green to orange or red peristome, the green to red lid upper surface, and the green to yellow or orange lid lower surface. The lower pitchers of N. rosea are green to light pink with dark pink stripes outside, and uniformly green to dark pink over the inner surface. Sanya Nuanlaong, Sarayut Onsanit, Vutthipong Chusangrach, Potjamarn Suraninpong. 2016. A New Species of Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) from Thailand. THAI FOREST BULL., BOT. 44(2); : 128–133. DOI: 10.20531/tfb.2016.44.2.08 | ||||
| 4:32p | [Ichthyology • 2016] Rasbora ataenia • A New Freshwater Fish from Kerala, India
Abstract Taxonomic analysis of five specimens of a cyprinid fish collected from Alappuzha, Kerala, India revealed that they present several taxonomic differences from their congeners. The new species, Rasbora ataenia, is diagnosed by a combination of the following characters: dorsal fin with seven branched rays, anal fin with five branched rays, body slender and without any lateral color stripe, head deeper and snout shorter. Keywords: Taxonomy, New description, Cyprinids, Rasbora dandia, Alappuzha.  Etymology: Feminine Latin noun 'taenia' meaning ribbon or band; prefix ‘a’ means ‘without’; the name 'ataenia' used here in reference to the absence of a mid lateral color band on the body of the new fish. Mathews Plamoottil. 2016. Rasbora ataenia, A New Freshwater Fish from Kerala, India. International Journal of Innovative Studies in Aquatic Biology and Fisheries (IJISABF). 2(5); 20-24.  | ||||
| 4:39p | [Ornithology • 2017] Improved Sampling at the Subspecies Level Solves A Taxonomic Dilemma - A Case Study of Two Enigmatic Chinese Tit Species (Passeriformes, Paridae, Poecile) Highlights • Increased density of subspecific taxon sampling and complementary biometric analysis clarifies sister species relationships in tits. • Our genetic assignment of type specimens proves a sister group relationship between P. weigoldicus and P. montanus. • We refute the hypothesis of a close relationship between P. montanus and P. hypermelaenus who is sister to P. palustris. • Haplotype distribution suggests mitochondrial introgression among P. hypermelaenus and Eastern Palearctic P. palustris. • P. songarus is paraphyletic and treatment as a separate species does not conform to various species concepts. • Patterns of biometric and genetic differentiation are congruent in P. palustris but not in P. montanus. Abstract A recent full species-level phylogeny of tits, titmice and chickadees (Paridae) has placed the Chinese endemic black-bibbed tit (Poecile hypermelaenus) as the sister to the Palearctic willow tit (P. montanus). Because this sister-group relationship is in striking disagreement with the traditional affiliation of P. hypermelaenus close to the marsh tit (P. palustris) we tested this phylogenetic hypothesis in a multi-locus analysis with an extended taxon sampling including sixteen subspecies of willow tits and marsh tits. As a taxonomic reference we included type specimens in our analysis. The molecular genetic study was complemented with an analysis of biometric data obtained from museum specimens. Our phylogenetic reconstructions, including a comparison of all GenBank data available for our target species, clearly show that the genetic lineage previously identified as P. hypermelaenus actually refers to P. weigoldicus because sequences were identical to that of a syntype of this taxon. The close relationship of P. weigoldicus and P. montanus – despite large genetic distances between the two taxa – is in accordance with current taxonomy and systematics. In disagreement with the previous phylogenetic hypothesis but in accordance with most taxonomic authorities, all our P. hypermelaenus specimens fell in the sister clade of all western and eastern Palearctic P. palustris. Though shared haplotypes among the Chinese populations of the two latter species might indicate mitochondrial introgression in this part of the breeding range, further research is needed here due to the limitations of our own sampling. Keywords: Poecile hypermelaenus; Poecile weigoldicus; multi-locus phylogeny; phylogeography; DNA barcoding
Christian Tritsch, Jochen Martens, Yue-Hua Sun, Wieland Heim, Patrick Strutzenberger and Martin Päckert. 2017. Improved Sampling at the Subspecies Level Solves A Taxonomic Dilemma - A Case Study of Two Enigmatic Chinese Tit Species (Aves, Passeriformes, Paridae, Poecile) Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.12.014    |
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