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Wednesday, February 12th, 2020
| Time | Event | ||||||||||
| 12:31a | [Botany • 2020] Dendrobium taprobanium (Orchidaceae) • A New Species from Sri Lanka with Taxonomic Notes on Some Species of the Genus
Abstract A new species, Dendrobium taprobanium (Orchidaceae), is described and illustrated from the Sabaragamuwa Province in Sri Lanka. The new species is morphologically similar to D. trinervium from Indochina. However, it can be readily distinguished by having a rounded callus with fine glandular hairs at the seam of the hypochile and epichile, while D. trinervium has three rows of thickened glabrous calli arising from the middle or posterior end of the lip and extending to the apex of the midlobe. Due to its morphological similarities, D. gunnarii, an endemic orchid from the Andaman Islands, India, is synonymised to D. trinervium. Additionally, taxonomic notes are also provided for D. heterocarpum, D. macrostaychum and D. nutantiflorum, and a lectotype is designated for D. panduratum. A key to all the Dendrobium species in Sri Lanka is provided along with colour photographs. Keywords: Dendrobium heterocarpum, D. trinervium, D. gunnarii, IUCN, Stachyobium, Monocots  Dendrobium taprobanium Tharaka Sudesh Priyadarshana, Anusha Gayan Atthanagoda, Ishara Harshajith Wijewardhane, Nimantha Aberathna, Indika Peabotuwage and Pankaj Kumar. 2020. Dendrobium taprobanium (Orchidaceae): A New Species from Sri Lanka with Taxonomic Notes on Some Species of the Genus. Phytotaxa. 432(1); 81–94. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.432.1.7 | ||||||||||
| 1:53a | [Herpetology • 2020] Liolaemus balagueri • A New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) of the group L. montanus from the coastal hills of Southern Peru
Abstract The genus Liolaemus presents great diversity among the current tetrapods. It is the second genus with the highest number of valid species described of the Iguana infraorder. In this study, we described a new species of sand lizard from the coastal lomas of Quilca, La Chira and Ocoña that belongs to the subgenus Eulaemus and group of Liolaemus montanus, all in the province of Camaná, department of Arequipa, Peru. To determine the taxonomic status of this new organism, we analyzed morphological, molecular and geographical characters. The morphological characters allowed the characterization and diagnosis of the new species, the molecular data was used to make a Bayesian inference, and the geographic data served to determine potential distribution areas. This lizard diverges from the other species of the Liolaemus montanus group for its small to medium size, several sets of morphological characters, folidosis and color pattern. It is also the only species of the genus where the males have a pattern of lateral spots of rounded shape with dark border and green interior, from the armpits to the middle of the body. Additionally, the molecular phylogenetic results made with the Cyt-b gene indicate that it has no direct relationship with the phenetically similar species described for the group; nevertheless, there is a relationship with geographically close populations, which has not been properly described. Finally, it was determined that this lizard has a very marked endemism and its populations are not abundant. Keywords: lizard, taxonomy, desert, Camaná, Arequipa
Liolaemus balagueri sp. nov. Etimología: Dedicamos el nombre científico al Dr. Luis Balaguer Núñez (1964-2014), profesor principal e investigador incansable de la Cátedra de Ecología en la Universidad Complutense de Madrid, España. Particularmente, reconocemos su valiosa contribución al conocimiento del funcionamiento de los ecosistemas de las lomas de Atiquipa. Lamentablemente ya ha fallecido, pero dejó una gran escuela de futuros investigadores, tanto en Perú como en España. Luis Villegas Paredes, Ling Huamaní-Valderrama, César Luque-Fernández, Roberto Carlos Gutiérrez Poblete, Aarón Josué Quiróz and Cristian Simón Abdala. 2020. A New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) of the group L. montanus from the coastal hills of Southern Peru [Una nueva especie de Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) perteneciente al grupo L. montanus en las lomas costeras del sur de Perú]. Revista de biologia tropical. 68(1) | ||||||||||
| 2:03a | [Botany • 2020] Dilochia deleoniae (Orchidaceae) • A New Species from Mindanao, Philippines
Abstract A new species, Dilochia deleoniae Tandang & Galindon (Orchidaceae), from Mindanao Island, Philippines is described and illustrated herein. This species is distinct from other known Philippine Dilochia species by its terrestrial habit and is distinguished from all known Dilochia species by its monopodial inflorescence, rarely branching in two, and a pale yellow to dull orange or brownish-yellow labellum devoid of purple spots. Keywords: biodiversity, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary, orchid taxonomy, world heritage site
Dilochia deleoniae Tandang & Galindon, sp. nov. Diagnosis: This species is distinct from the two known epiphytic Philippine species by having an entirely terrestrial habit. Further, among the characters that separate it from other known Dilochia species, the new species has a monopodial inflorescence or rarely branching in two. It is similar to D. beamanii Ormerod (Ormerod 2015) of Sabah, Malaysia in its reproductive structures. Both species have a terminal flower, with similarity in shape and color of bracts, sepals, and petals. Furthermore, their columns are both winged and with small variation in length. However, the new species has a monopodial inflorescence or rarely branching in two, bearing 7 to 9 flowers (vs. a 3- to 6-branched inflorescence bearing ≥ 13 flowers in D. beamanii); dorsal sepal 11-veined, lateral sepal 10-veined, and petal 8-veined (vs. dorsal sepal 5-veined, lateral sepal 5-veined, and petal 7-veined in D. beamanii). In addition, the labellum of D. beamanii is yellow-ochre with white margins and apex, and with purple spots, whereas the new species has a labellum with a white base and a pale yellow to dull orange or brownish-yellow lip from the disc to the margins and is consistently devoid of purple spots.
Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. Mindanao Island, Davao Oriental, San Isidro Municipality, Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary. Habitat and ecology: This terrestrial orchid species prefers open to partly shaded habitat, where it is found in clumps or scattered. The populations rarely occur in forest over ultramafic rocks between elevations ca. 1100–1200 meters above sea level (m a.s.l.) but is common in the pygmy forest ecosystem at the mountain summit between 1560 and 1650 m a.s.l. This new species was recorded inside a sampling quadrat, growing with other native orchid species such as Appendicula tembuyukenensis J.J.Wood and Dendrochilum kopfii Lückel., and with other species such as Agathis sp., Dacrydium beccarii Parl., Dacrydium elatum (Roxb.) Wall. ex Hook., Falcatifolium gruezoi de Laub., Gleichenia vulcanica Blume, Leptospermum javanicum Blume, Machaerina disticha (C.B.Clarke) T.Koyama, M. glomerata (Gaudich.) T.Koyama, Medinilla myrtiformis (Naudin) Triana, M. theresae Fernando, Myrsine amorosoana Pipoly, Scaevola micrantha C.Presl, Symplocos polyandra (Blanco) Brand, Tasmannia piperita (Hook.f.) Miers, and Vaccinium spp. Etymology: The new species is named after Ms Josefina De Leon, the former Chief of the Wildlife Resources Division under the Biodiversity Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, who has pursued wildlife conservation for more than 35 years and who remains a biodiversity conservation advocate. During her time in the Bureau, the FORIS project was launched and researchers from the National Museum of the Philippines were invited to be part of the technical working group that led to the discovery of the new species. Danilo N. Tandang, John Michael M. Galindon, Edwin R. Tadiosa, Fulgent P. Coritico, Victor B. Amoroso, Noel E. Lagunday, Rene Alfred Anton Bustamante, Darin S. Penneys and Peter W. Fritsch. 2020. Dilochia deleoniae (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Mindanao, Philippines. PhytoKeys. 139: 91-97. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.139.46935 | ||||||||||
| 2:05a | [Botany • 2020] Curcuma papilionacea (Zingiberaceae) ปทุมมาถิ่นใต้ • An Unusual New Species from southern Thailand
Abstract Curcuma papilionacea, an unusual new species of Curcuma subgenus Hitcheniopsis (Zingiberaceae) is described and illustrated here. It is known only from Satun province in southern Thailand, and is easily distinguishable among all species of subgenus Hitcheniopsis by its inflorescence of green bracts and pea-like flowers with a small labellum and very prominent lateral staminodes. It also has prominently developed anther spurs, a character not yet recorded in this subgenus. It is compared to the four morphologically closest species which are Curcuma alismatifolia, C. harmandii, C. rhabdota and C. saraburiensis. A preliminary IUCN conservation assessment of Critically Endangered (CR), and notes on its distribution and ecology are also provided. Keywords: Curcuma alismatifolia, C. harmandii, C. rhabdota, C. saraburiensis, C. subgenus Hitcheniopsis, Satun province, Monocots 
Curcuma papilionacea Soonthornk., Ongsakul & Škorničk. sp. nov., subgen. Hitcheniopsis. Curcuma papilionacea is unique in the genus by the following combination of characters: absence of epigynous glands, presence of L-shaped anthers, inflorescences composed of green bracts without coma, and flowers with a pea-like appearance. Distribution and ecology:— Known only from Satun province in southern Thailand. It grows in sandy clay loam at the edge of disturbed forest and rubber tree plantations. Some populations were found in humus pockets in limestone under semi-shade at 0–50 m a.s.l. Etymology:— The specific epithet is derived from Latin ‘papilionaceus’, which means butterfly-like. It refers to the pea-like appearance of the flower. Vernacular names and uses:— No uses were reported, except occasional sale of the plant as an ornamental. As this species is likely to become more widespread in horticulture we propose Thai vernacular name Pathumma-Thin-Tai (Bpà-Tum-Maa-Tìn-Dtâi; ปทุมมาถิ่นใต้) [Pathumma = the Thai common name for Curcuma species, Thin-Tai = native to the southern part of Thailand]. Note:—As mentioned in the diagnosis, this species is very easy to distinguish from all other species of Curcuma by its pea-like flower. By its flower colour, which combines violet, dark red, white and yellow, it resembles three species in subgen. Hitcheniopsis, namely C. rhabdota, C. saraburiensis and C. alismatifolia Gagnep. With the first two species, it also shares the prominently plicate leaf blades, but it is easily distinguished from both of them by its inflorescences with no coma. From C. alismatifolia, it can also be distinguished by the lack of coma bracts, and plicate leaves (compared to narrowly elliptic and rather smooth leaf blades in C. alismatifolia). It may also be considered somewhat similar to Curcuma harmandii, which has inflorescences composed of green bracts without coma, but these bracts are very different in shape with narrowly acute apices, and the flowers are greenish white overall, with a yellow median band on a labellum bordered by a pink tinge, and narrowly oblong lateral staminodes. In addition, C. papilionacea occurs only in southern Thailand, while the above four species are confined to Central, Eastern and Northeastern Thailand. Sutthinut Soonthornkalump, Annop Ongsakul, Aumdah Dolaji and Jana Leong-Škorničková. 2020. Curcuma papilionacea (Zingiberaceae), An Unusual New Species from southern Thailand. Phytotaxa. 432(1); 11–16. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.432.1.2 | ||||||||||
| 2:11a | [Herpetology • 2020] Asthenodipsas borneensis • A Taxonomic Revision of Asthenodipsas malaccana Peters, 1864 (Squamata: Pareidae) with A Description of A New Species from Borneo
Abstract A reappraisal of the taxonomic status of the Dark-necked Slug Snake (Asthenodipsas malaccana Peters, 1864) across its range revealed that populations from Borneo are not conspecific with true A. malaccana from the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, and is therefore described herein as new. Asthenodipsas borneensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from A. malaccana and other congeners by the absence of a preocular and suboculars, seven or eight supralabials with 3rd and 4th in contact with orbit, 4–7 infralabials with 2nd or 3rd pair in contact, two pairs of posterior inframaxillaries, 15/15/15 rows of dorsal scales, presence of sharp vertebral keel, divided subcaudals, maximum recorded SVL=441 mm, 166–179 ventrals, 35–48 subcaudals, head white to greyish brown and dorsum beige to orange-brown with a conspicuous dark-brown or black patch on the neck followed by multiple, narrow, vertical, dark bands along the rest of the body and tail. This discovery adds to a growing number of new slug snake species recently described from Southeast Asia and highlights the underestimated diversity in this family, especially in Borneo. Taxonomic revisions of the reptiles and amphibians of Borneo are still needed before the true diversity of the island and the relationships of the various taxa can be fully understood. Keywords: Reptilia, Pareas, Sundaland, slug snake, systematics, discovery, reptile, conservation, endemic biodiversity, Malaysia, Indonesia
Asthenodipsas borneensis sp. nov. Bornean Dark-necked Slug Snake Etymology. The specific epithet borneensis is in reference to its restriction to the island of Borneo. The suffix ensis is a Latin derivation meaning “from” or “inhabiting.” It renders the specific epithet an adjective that must be in grammatical accord with the gender of Asthenodipsas that is feminine (Frank Tillack in litt. 2019).
Evan S. H. Quah, L. Lee Grismer, Kelvin K. P. Lim, Shahrul Anuar and Kin Onn Chan. 2020. A Taxonomic Revision of Asthenodipsas malaccana Peters, 1864 (Squamata: Pareidae) with A Description of A New Species from Borneo. Zootaxa. 4729(1); 1–24. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4729.1.1 | ||||||||||
| 3:28a | [Herpetology • 2018] Rhadinella xerophila • A New Species of Rhadinella (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Dry Forest of Motagua Valley, Guatemala
Abstract We describe a new species of Rhadinella from the dry forest and thorn scrub of Valle del Motagua, Guatemala, a region and habitat where the congeners were previously unrecorded. This species is related to the group of Rhadinella that have dark dorsal coloration, which mostly or completely obscures a pattern of longitudinal striping characteristic of the majority of species of Rhadinella. The new species has dark gray, almost black, dorsal coloration with barely discernible slightly darker striping. Top of the head is mostly blackish with irregular auburn-orange markings on the internasals, prefrontals, frontal, parietals, loreals, postoculars, temporals, and two ultimate supralabials. Most conspicuous features are an orange-auburn Y-shaped marking along frontal-parietal and interparietal sutures, followed by an orange nuchal collar. The closest relative of the new species, based on morphological similarities, appears to be Rhadinella pilonaorum, which occurs in a relatively mesic habitat of pine-oak forest located about 90 km southwest from the type-locality of the new species. Key words: Rhadinaea godmani species group, Rhadinella pilonaorum, color pattern, lepidosis, restrict endemism
Rhadinella xerophila sp. nov. Etymology. The specific name is a feminine noun in apposition from the Greek ξηρός (xeros), meaning dry and the Latin phila, meaning loving, in reference to its characteristic of being the sole known member of Rhadinella that inhabits in forest experiencing the harsh and extended dry season characterizing the Motagua Valley. It also represents the urgent need that people and governments take the dry forest seriously as a biodiversity relevant forest that deserves the same levels of protection and love as other more known and charismatic forests such as rainforest. Daniel Ariano-Sánchez and Jonathan A Campbell. 2018. A New Species of Rhadinella (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Dry Forest of Motagua Valley, Guatemala. Zootaxa. 4442(2); DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4442.2.10 | ||||||||||
| 3:44a | [Botany • 2019] Zamia stenophyllidia (Zamiaceae) • Disentangling the Identity of Zamia from Mexican Pacific Seaboard, with A Description of A New Species
Abstract We present a revision based on qualitative and quantitative morphological comparisons including all populations of Zamia from the coastal plain of Pacific Mexico. We recognize four species in this area: Z. paucijuga, Z. herrerae, Z. spartea and the new species Zamia stenophyllidia which is described from Michoacán, Mexico. Zamia stenophyllidia has is distinct with respect to both vegetative and reproductive structures; namely, linear, lanceolate, papyraceous and narrow leaflets (up to 0.8 cm wide), robust and short prickles (up to 2 mm), and ovoid, yellowish, ovulate strobili. The description of this species implies a recircumscription of Z. paucijuga; on this basis, an epitype for Z. paucijuga is designated here. We also introduce a key for all species of Zamia from Mexico. Biogeographically, the new species is interesting for its sympatry with Dioon stevensonii, a species that has been a model for the study of the formation of modern Neotropical forests. Keywords: Balsas depression, circumscription typification, Zamia paucijuga
Zamia stenophyllidia Nic.-Mor., Mart.-Domínguez & D.W. Stev., sp. nov. Etymology The specific epithet is derived from the Greek (stenós “arrow”) a d all des to the restricted width of the leaflets. Zamia paucijuga Wieland, American Fossil Cycads 2: 212. 1916. Etymology: The specific epithet alludes to few leaflet pairs per leaf. Zamia herrerae Calderón & Standl., Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci. 14(4): 93. 1924. Etymology: The specific epithet honors Hector Herrera, a scientist from El Salvador, in recognition of his scientific contributions. Zamia spartea A. DC., Prodr. 16 (2): 539. 1868. Etymology: The epithet is from the broom genus Spartium L. (Fabaceae), in reference to the narrow and tapered leaflets of this species. Fernando Nicolalde‐Morejón, Lilí Martínez‐Domínguez, Dennis Wm. Stevenson and Francisco Vergara‐Silva. 2019. Disentangling the Identity of Zamia from Mexican Pacific Seaboard, with A Description of A New Species. Nordic Journal of Botany. 37(9) DOI: 10.1111/njb.02430 | ||||||||||
| 10:27a | [Entomology • 2019] A Proposal Towards Classification of the Raspy Crickets (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatoidea: Gryllacrididae) with Zoogeographical Comments: An Initial Contribution to the Higher Classification of the Gryllacridines
Abstract In this contribution to the study of gryllacridines or raspy crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllacrididae), a new proposal for classification of this family is provided, dividing it into two subfamilies and ten tribes that includes most of the 114 known genera to date (including the new genera described here). It describes and redefines two subfamilies: Hyperbaeninae n. subf. and Gryllacridinae n. sensu, ten tribes: Phryganogryllacridini n. trib., Capnogryllacridini n. trib., Asarcogryllacridini n. trib., Hyperbaenini n. trib., Paragryllacridini n. trib., Ametrini n. trib., Ametroidini n. trib., Gryllacridini n. sensu., Eremini n. trib. and Progryllacridini n. trib.; ten genera: Claudiagryllacris n. gen., Griffinigryllacris n. gen., Gorochovgryllacris n. gen., Ingrishgryllacris n. gen., Rentzgryllacris n. gen., Willemsegryllacris n. gen., Karnygryllacris n. gen., Brunnergryllacris n. gen., Bianigryllacris n. gen. and Hugelgryllacris n. gen.; seven genera groups: Gryllacrae n. group. (placed under Gryllacridini n. trib. comprising ten genera: Caustogryllacris, Eugryllacris, Gryllacris, Lyperogryllacris, Nesogryllacris, Ocellarnaca, Phlebogryllacris, Prosopogryllacris, Willemsegryllacris n. gen. and Xanthogryllacris), Metriogryllacrae n. group. (under Gryllacridini grouped Metriogryllacris, Homogryllacris, Pseudasarca n. stat. and Furcilarnaca), Anancistrogerae (Anancistrogera, Ancistrogera, Angustogryllacris, Aphanogryllacris, Celebogryllacris), Triaenogryllacrae n. group. (under Gryllacridinae only comprising Triaenogryllacris) the next groups under Ametrini n. trib.: Ametrae n. group. (comprising two genera: Ametrus and Pareremus), Apotrechae n. group. (including three genera: Apotrechus, Apterolarnaca and Bianigryllacris n. gen.) and Apteronomae n. group. (comprising two genera: Ametrosomus and Apteronomus). The status of Dictogryllacris reinst. stat., was restored, previously transferred by Gorochov 2003 as subgenus of Capnogryllacris and to Pseudasarca n. stat. as full genus status is proposed. One genera, one subgenus and one fossil species are synonymized: Xiphogryllacris n. syn. (under Hyalogryllacris) and †Gryllacris brevippennis n. syn. (under †Macrelcana ungeri). The subgenus Glolarnaca n. stat. (included under Zalarnaca), is considered as full genus in Gryllacridinae (Gryllacridini). 57 new combinations are proposed, with particular emphasis on Niphetogryllacris, placing 36 of the 43 existing species of the genus: Pissodogryllacris tesellata n. comb., Willemsegryllacris barnesi n. comb. (previously placed under Gryllacris), Afrogryllacris nigripceps n. comb. (previously placed under in Barombogryllacris), Anancistrogera nigroscutata n. comb., A. cornualis n. comb. and A. genualis n. comb. (included by Karny in Caustogryllacris and by Gorochov in the subgenus Pseudolarnaca, here transfered to Anancistrogera), Hugelgryllacris tchancha n. comb. (before in Psilogryllacris), Diaphanogryllacris annandalei n. comb., D. barkudensis n. comb., D. dravida n. comb., D. gravelyi n. comb., Claudiagryllacris finoti n. comb. C. stigmata n. comb., C. lemur n. comb., C. fryeri n. comb., Stictogrtllacris pungens n. comb., S. madagassa n. comb., S. genufuscata n. comb., S. vosseleri n. comb., S. difficilis n. comb., S. paulani n. comb., Stictogryllacris signoreti n. comb., S. indecisa n. comb., S. conspersa n. comb., S. pittarellii n. comb., S. ametroides n. comb., S. jacobi n. comb., S. kilimandjarica n. comb., S. meruensis n. comb.; S. neglecta n. comb.; S. submutica n. comb., Griffinigryllacris reunionis n. comb., G. adelungi n. comb., G. mauritiana n. comb., Karnygryllacris occipitalis n. comb., K. atriceps n. comb., K. brevipennis n. comb., K. humilis n. comb., K. scurra n. comb., K. triocellata n. comb., K. pittarellii n. comb., K. grylloides n. comb., Brunnergryllacris testaceus n. comb. and B. eximia n. comb (previously placed under Niphetogryllacris), Rentzgryllacris sechellensis n. comb. (before in Prosopogryllacris and the three subspecies are treated as full species), Gorochovgryllacris navicula n. comb. (transferred from Brachybaenus), Bianigryllacris trilobus n. comb., B. bilobus n. comb., B. digitatus n. comb., B. fallax n. comb., B. nigrigeniculatus n. comb., B. parvospinus n. comb., B. quadratus n. comb. and B. transversus n. comb. (previously placed under Apotrechus), Hyalogryllacris orthoxipha n. comb. (previously placed under Xiphogryllacris), Afroneanias glauningi n. comb., A. sphinix n. comb. and Ingrishgryllacris brevifalcatus n. comb. (previously placed under Ametroides and Glomeremus respectively). A key to the identification of the subfamilies and tribes is provided, plus historical background of the major taxonomic works on the group and the few contributions on ecology, morphology, and behavior is also done. It also discusses the status of fossil taxa thought to belong to the family. A preliminary analysis of the zoogeography of the family from the parameters of richness, diversity and distribution patterns of different groups studied, and also, some final comments on what has been achieved in this contribution are give, what is missing to the study of gryllacridines to the future and some problems that still affect the taxonomy to genera and species level. Finally, a check list in which all family taxa are included with the new classification is provided, with some comments on their distribution and taxonomic status if necessary. Keywords: Orthoptera, New classification, new subfamilies, new tribes, new genera, new combinations, new synonyms, Zoogeography, morphological convergence, Niphetogryllacris
Oscar J. Cadena-Castañeda. 2019. A Proposal Towards Classification of the Raspy Crickets (Orthoptera: Stenopelmatoidea: Gryllacrididae) with Zoogeographical Comments: An Initial Contribution to the Higher Classification of the Gryllacridines. Zootaxa. 4605(1); 1-100. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4605.1.1 |
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