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Tuesday, May 15th, 2018

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    2:01a
    [Herpetology • 2018] Austroablepharus gen. nov. • A New Genus to Accommodate Three Skinks Currently Assigned to Proablepharus (Lacertilia: Scincidae)

    Austroablepharus kinghorni  (Copland, 1947)
    Proablepharus reginae (Glauert, 1960)

    in Couper, Hoskin, Potter, et al., 2018. 
    Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature. 60 

    ABSTRACT
    The genus Proablepharus currently contains five species (P. barrylyoni, P. kinghorni, P. naranjicaudus, P. reginae and P. tenuis). Morphologically, these are readily separated into two groups: the small, almost patternless species (P. reginae and P. tenuis) and the larger, striped species (P. kinghorni, P. barrylyoni and P. naranjicaudus). We present genetic and morphological data to demonstrate that these two groups are generically distinct from each other. As P. reginae is the type species for Proablepharus, we erect a new genus, Austroablepharus gen. nov., for the kinghorni group and designate A. kinghorni as the type species. 

    Keywords:  Proablepharus, Austroablepharus gen. nov., Australia, morphology, genetics. 

     FIG. 2. Austroablepharus kinghorni, type species for the genus, with characteristic stripes and an orange tail; Durham Downs, Queensland (Image: Steve Wilson).

     FIG. 2. Austroablepharus kinghorni, type species for the genus, with characteristic stripes and an orange tail; Durham Downs, Queensland
    FIG. 1. Proablepharus reginae showing a drab brown, relatively uniform pattern; Tennant Creek, Northern Territory

    (Images: Steve Wilson).

    Proablepharus Fuhn, 1969

    Proablepharus reginae (Glauert, 1960)
    Proablepharus tenuis (Broom, 1896)


    Austroablepharus gen. nov.
     Suggested common name. Grassland Striped Skinks. 

    Type species. Austroablepharus kinghorni (Copeland, 1947) 
    Species. A. kinghorni (Copland 1947), A. naranjicaudus (Greer, Fisher & Horner 2004), A. barrylyoni (Couper, Limpus, McDonald & Amey 2010). 

    Etymology. Austro for Australia and ablepharus referring to an immovable lower eyelid that is partially fused to the upper eyelid to form a permanent spectacle.

     Diagnosis. A genus of small skinks (adult SVL ≤ 51mm ) with pentadactyl limbs, ≤ 24 midbody scale rows, ≥ 55 paravertebral scales, and ≥ 30 presacral vertebrae. Limbs narrowly to widely separated when adpressed. Supranasals absent and nasals undivided; prefrontals large, in contact or narrowly separated; eye moderate-sized with lower eyelid immovable, partially fused to upper eyelid to form a permanent spectacle but with a distinct slit between the lower eyelid and the supraciliaries (preablepharine); frontoparietals fused; interparietal free or fused; ear opening very small; parietals in contact; body pattern consisting of alternating pale and dark stripes (each dorsal body scale with a pale centre and dark lateral edges); adult tail colouration red/orange.


    Patrick J. Couper, Conrad J. Hoskin, Sally Potter, Jason G. Braggand Craig Moritz. 2018. A New Genus to Accommodate Three Skinks Currently Assigned to Proablepharus (Lacertilia: Scincidae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature. 60; 227-231. 
    DOI: 10.1082/j.2204-1478.60.2017.2017-15

    2:02a
    [Herpetology • 2018] Amolops yunkaiensis • A New Species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from southwestern Guangdong, China

    Amolops yunkaiensis  Lyu, Wang, Liu, Zeng and Wang, 2018

    in Lyu, Wu, Wang, Sung, Liu, et al., 2018.

    Abstract

    A new species, Amolops yunkaiensis sp. nov. is described based on a series of specimens from Ehuangzhang Nature Reserve and Yunkaishan Nature Reserve, southwestern Guangdong Province, China. The new species can be distinguished from all known congeners by molecular divergence in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA, 12S rRNA and CO1 genes, and a combination of the following characters: relatively small body size, SVL 31.8–34.1 mm in adult males, 35.2–39.0 mm in adult females; numerous raised large warts on dorsum and flanks; dorsal body olive-brown or light brown with dark brown blotches; absence of vomerine teeth; absence of tarsal glands; presence of a pair of subgular vocal sacs, nuptial spines on the first finger, and sparse translucent tubercles on the lower jaw, forechest, posterior belly and ventral thigh in male. Hence, the genus Amolops contains 52 species, 29 of which occur in China.

    Keywords: Amolops torrentis, Amolops yunkaiensis sp. nov., mitochondrial DNA, morphology, Amphibia



    Amolops yunkaiensis Lyu, Wang, Liu, Zeng and Wang, sp. nov.

    Amolops torrentis (Smith, 1923): Fei et al. 2009 (Xinyi, Guangdong). Amolops torrentis: Wei et al. 2010 (Yunkaishan Nature Reserve, Xinyi, Guangdong).

    ....

    Etymology. The specific name, yunkaiensis, refers to the locality of the new species, the Yunkai Mountains. We suggest its English common name “Yunkai Torrent Frog” and Chinese name “Yun Kai Tuan Wa”.


    FIGURE 3. Morphological features of the adult male holotype SYS a004705 of Amolops yunkaiensis sp. nov. in life.
    (A) dorsolateral view; (B) ventral view; (C) left hand; (D) left foot; (E) nuptial pad and nuptial spines; (F) sparse translucent tubercles on the lower jaw and forechest.

    FIGURE 4. Comparisons of morphological characteristics among Amolops yunkaiensis sp. nov., A. torrentis and species in the A. ricketti species group.
    (A) Amolops yunkaiensis sp. nov.; (B) A. torrentis; (C) A. albispinus; (D) A. ricketti; (E) A. wuyiensis.
    (1) dorsolateral view; (2) close-up of the head; (3) ventral view of the hand; (4) ventral view of the leg.


     Zhi-Tong Lyu, Jun Wu, Jian Wang, Yik-Hei Sung, Zu-Yao Liu, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Xin Wang, You-Yu Li and Ying-Yong Wang. 2018. A New Species of Amolops (Anura: Ranidae) from southwestern Guangdong, China. Zootaxa. 4418(6); 562–576.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4418.6.4

       

    2:48a
    [Entomology • 2018] Gasteruption tomanivi • First Record of Gasteruption Latreille (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea: Gasteruptiidae) from Fiji with the Description of A New Species

    Gasteruption tomanivi 
    Parslow, Stevens & Schwarz, 2018

    Abstract

    A new Gasteruption Latreille species, Gasteruption tomanivi, is described from Viti Levu, Fiji. The new species is the first record of the genus for Fiji and can be distinguished from other Oceanian Gasteruption species by the length of the mesosoma and the large malar space compared with the length of the pedicel. DNA Barcode (mtDNA—COI) sequence is provided.

     Keywords: Hymenoptera, taxonomy, Viti Levu, Mt Tomanivi, Gasteruption tomanivi, DNA barcode

    FIGURE 1. Gasteruption tomanivi sp. nov. holotype ♀. lateral habitus.
    Scale bars = 1.0 mm.



    Ben A. Parslow, Mark I. Stevens and Michael P. Schwarz. 2018.  First Record of Gasteruption Latreille (Hymenoptera: Evanioidea: Gasteruptiidae) from Fiji with the Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 4407(1); 111–116. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4407.1.7

    Nature’s secrets abound in Fiji highlands http://indai.ly/267424 via @indaily

    3:51a
    [Botany • 2018] Alsobia baroniae (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species of Alsobia from Belize, with a Synopsis of the Genus

    Alsobia baroniae L. E. Skog & Barrie

    in Barrie, Skog & Clark, 2018.

    Abstract 
    Alsobia baroniae L. E. Skog & Barrie, a new species of Alsobia Hanst. (Gesneriaceae: Episcieae), is described from the karst region of central Belize. The new species is endemic to Belize, known from but a few collections, and is distinguished from the other three known species of Alsobia mainly by its larger leaves, 10–26 cm long, and its densely pilose corolla. The genus is now expanded to four species. A synopsis of the genus is given, including descriptions of the genus and known species and a key to species.

    Keywords: Alsobia, Belize, Gesneriaceae, karst

     Alsobia baroniae L. E. Skog & Barrie.
     —A. Corolla face showing spotting in corolla tube and on limb. —B. Erect stem apex showing opposite leaves of equal size. —C. Side view of mature corolla showing ventral pouch. —D. Habit with lateral stolons.

    Alsobia baroniae L. E. Skog & Barrie

    ....

    Etymology. Alsobia baroniae is named in honor of Ms. Ella Baron, founder and director of Ian Anderson’s Caves Branch Botanical Garden, Belmopan, Belize. Ms. Baron and her husband, Mr. Anderson, have collaborated with the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in expeditions that have greatly expanded our knowledge of the epiphytic flora of Belize. As a consequence, the number of epiphytic species recorded has increased from ca. 400 in 2000, the year the Belize checklist was published (Balick et al., 2000), to some 650 today.

    Figure 2. A–E. Alsobia baroniae L. E. Skog & Barrie. —A. Corolla face showing spotting in corolla tube and on limb. —B. Erect stem apex showing opposite leaves of equal size. —C. Side view of mature corolla showing ventral pouch. —D. Habit with lateral stolons. —E. Habit showing mature flower.
    —F. Alsobia chiapensis Mart.-Mel., L. E. Skog & P´erez-Farr. Mature flowers showing fimbriations along corolla lobe margins.
     A, D, and F photographs by Ron Myhr; B and C photographs by Steven Brewer of S. W. Brewer 5176.


    Fred R. Barrie, Laurence E. Skog and John L. Clark. 2018. A New Species of Alsobia (Gesneriaceae) from Belize, with a Synopsis of the Genus. Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 26(1); 1-8. DOI: 10.3417/2017043
    https://selby.org/wp-content/uploads/Gesneriaceae-of-Belize-DRAFT.pdf
    https://www.breakingbelizenews.com/2018/05/14/new-plant-species-found-in-belize/
    twitter.com/belizemedia/status/996143182541828096

    8:11a
    [Ornithology • 2017] Heliangelus zusii • An Extinct Hummingbird Species That Never Was: A Cautionary Tale About Sampling Issues in Molecular Phylogenetics

    Phylogenetic relationships among species and populations of Aglaiocercus, Taphrolesbia, the Rogitama hybrid hummingbird, and Heliangelus zusii based on sequences of the ND2 mitochondrial gene. Strongly supported nodes (0.95 Bayesian posterior probability, 80% maximum-likelihood bootstrap) are indicated with black dots. Although nodal support for deep branches is low, note that both the Rogitama bird and H. zusii have haplotypes closely allied to those of A. kingii from the Eastern Andes of Colombia, indicating they are both hybrids sharing A. kingii as female parent.
    in Perez-Eman, Ferreira, Gutierrez-Pinto, et al., 2017.
     DOI:  10.1101/149898  

    Illustrations courtesy of Lynx Edicions; Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 15, 1999.

    Abstract
    The Bogota Sunangel (Heliangelus zusii) was described based on a historical specimen lacking locality data as a striking - and potentially extinct - new species of hummingbird more than two decades ago. However, it was considered a dubious taxon by some researchers until a molecular study with strong species-level taxon sampling revealed its phylogenetic affinities and validated its status as a distinct species. We reanalysed existing mitochondrial DNA data together with a new data set sampling multiple populations of the Long-tailed Sylph (Aglaiocercus kingii), a species broadly distributed in the Andes of South America. In contrast to previous work, we found that H. zusii shares a haplotype with specimens of A. kingii from the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, which is phylogenetically nested within a clade formed by populations of A. kingii from the Colombian Andes. These results suggest that H. zusii is not a distinct species, but is most likely the result of hybridization between a female A. kingii and a male of another hummingbird species. These findings highlight the importance of thorough taxonomic and geographic sampling when assessing the likelihood of hybrid origin of an organism, particularly in cases potentially involving wide-ranging species in areas where deep phylogeographic structure is likely.
    Keywords: Aglaiocercus, geographic sampling, Heliangelus zusii, hybridization, phylogeography.


    Figure 1. (A) Geographic ranges of Aglaiocercus kingii, A. coelestis, and Taphrolesbia griseiventris in northern South America (polygons), and geographic provenance of specimens of these species and of the Rogitama hybrid hummingbird included in molecular phylogenetic analyses (dots and star).

    Figure 1. (A) Geographic ranges of Aglaiocercus kingii, A. coelestis, and Taphrolesbia griseiventris in northern South America (polygons), and geographic provenance of specimens of these species and of the Rogitama hybrid hummingbird included in molecular phylogenetic analyses (dots and star).
    (B) Phylogenetic relationships among species and populations of Aglaiocercus, Taphrolesbia, the Rogitama hybrid hummingbird, and Heliangelus zusii based on sequences of the ND2 mitochondrial gene. Strongly supported nodes (0.95 Bayesian posterior probability, 80% maximum-likelihood bootstrap) are indicated with black dots. Although nodal support for deep branches is low, note that both the Rogitama bird and H. zusii have haplotypes closely allied to those of A. kingii from the Eastern Andes of Colombia, indicating they are both hybrids sharing A. kingii as female parent.

     Illustrations courtesy of Lynx Edicions; Handbook of the Birds of the World, Vol. 15, 1999.



    Jorge L. Perez-Eman, Jhoniel Perdigon Ferreira, Natalia Gutierrez-Pinto, Andres M. Cuervo, Laura N. Cespedes, Christopher C. Witt and Carlos Daniel Cadena. 2017. An Extinct Hummingbird Species That Never Was: A Cautionary Tale About Sampling Issues in Molecular Phylogenetics. bioRxiv. DOI:  10.1101/149898 

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