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Saturday, November 13th, 2021
| Time | Event | ||||||||||||||
| 3:32a | [Botany • 2021] Begonia occulta, B. phycoduroides, B. rubroflabellata, et al. • A Revision of Begonia (Begoniaceae) in the Solomon Islands, Including Four New Species
Abstract The Solomon Islands in Melanesian region of South Pacific lie in an equatorial climate and harbour diverse habitats covered by forests. Based on field surveys and specimens examination, six Begonia species were confirmed from the Solomon Islands, and a key of the species is provided for identification. Besides the two widespread species, B. somervillei Hemsl. and B. weigallii Hemsl., four new species, B. choiseulensis, B. occulta, B. phycoduroides and B. rubroflabellata, are described and illustrated. All species belong to sect. Petermannia, and five are endemic to the Solomon Islands. Their conservation status following IUCN criteria are also assessed. Keyword: Begoniaceae, biodiversity, endemism, Melanesia, new record, Petermannia, taxonomy
Begonia choiseulensis C.W. Lin, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Most resembling Begonia weigallii Hemsl. in its erect stems, glabrous ovate leaves and 2-tepaled staminate flowers, but different in its smaller stature, ca. 30 cm tall (vs. often to 100 cm or taller), smaller leaves that are 5–9 cm (vs. usually more than 10 cm, up to 36 cm) long, and persistent (vs. deciduous) stipules and bracts. Distribution and ecology: Begonia choiseulensis is only known from the Sirovaga area of Choiseul Island. Plants growing on semi-shaded moist limestone cliffs or outcrops at lowland evergreen forest, up to 800 m elevation. Etymology: Named after its type locality, Choiseul Island. Begonia occulta C.W. Lin, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Similar to Begonia torricellensis Warb. in its habit and hairy foliage. However, B. occulta is sharply distinct from B. torricellensis in its stem being hispidvillous up to 2 mm (vs. dense pilose ca. 4 mm) and inflorescence cymose (vs. racemose-cyme). Begonia occulta is also similar to B. vitiensis A.C.Sm., but is distinct in its short-petiolated by 1–4 cm (vs. 10–15 cm), obovate (vs. broadly orbicular) leaves and inflorescence terminal (vs. axillary). Distribution and ecology: Growing on deeply shaded moist rocks by a stream. Etymology: The specific epithet occulta means “secret”, because it is known only from the type specimen and was not found in our field works.
Begonia phycoduroides C.W. Lin, sp. nov. Diagnosis: In habit and multi-branched stems and pinnately divided laminae, Begonia phycoduroides is most similar to B. pinnatifida Merr. & L.M. Perry, but the former is different in its 2-pinnatifid (vs. pinnatipartite on the upper half, entire on the lower half) foliage and deciduous (vs. persistent) stipules. Distribution and ecology: Begonia phycoduroides is endemic to Mt. Sanabe in Choiseul Island. Growing on steep slopes in primary forest at 300 m elevation. Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the genus name of Phycodurus eques, the leafy seadragon, and -oides, resembling, referring to the deeply pinnatifid leaves which resemble the leaf-like protrusions on the body of P. eques.
Begonia rubroflabellata C.W. Lin & T.C. Hsu, sp. nov. Diagnosis: In sharing moderately dissected lamina and 2-tepaled staminate flower, this new species resembles Begonia serratipetala Irmsch. However, B. rubroflabellata is different in its palmatipartite (vs. pinnatifid) leaf blades, entire (vs. toothed) pistillate tepals, and bracteoles present (vs. absent) in the base of ovary. Distribution and ecology: Begonia rubroflabellata is endemic to the mountainous area around Mt. Popomanaseu in Guadalcanal Island. Plants grow under deeply shaded lower montane forests at elevation 800– 1,000 m. Etymology: The specific epithet rubroflabellata is derived from the reddish foliage that is fan-shaped. 
Begonia somervillei Hemsl., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 109: 17 (1896). Type: SOLOMON ISLANDS. Western Province, New Georgia Island, May 1894, B.T. Somerville et al. 222 (holotype K 000761001!). Distribution and ecology: Begonia somervillei is endemic to the Solomon Islands. It is commonly found growing on steep slopes or along streams from sea level to ca. 850 m elevation.
Begonia weigallii Hemsl., Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 109: 17 (1896). Type: SOLOMON ISLANDS. Western Province, New Georgia Island, May 1894, S. Weigall et al. 223 (holotype K 000761002!). Begonia salomonensis Merr. & L.M.Perry, J Distribution and ecology: Begonia weigallii is widespread in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville and the Bismarck Archipelago (Hughes, 2008). Growing on gentle soil slopes, sandstone or limestone boulders, or on the edge of primeval or secondary forests, from sea level to ca. 1,000 m elevation. Che-Wei Lin, Tian-Chuan Hsu, Tsung-Yu Aleck Yang, Moffat Fanerii, Fred Pittisopa and Chia-Wei Li. 2021. A Revision of Begonia (Begoniaceae) in the Solomon Islands, Including Four New Species. Taiwania. 66(4); 478 - 495. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2021.66.478 | ||||||||||||||
| 3:51a | [Herpetology • 2021] Micryletta menglienica • Taxonomic Reassessment of the poorly Known Microhylid, Kalophrynus menglienicus Yang & Su, 1980 (Anura, Microhylidae)
Abstract The taxonomic status of Kalophrynus menglienicus Yang & Su, 1980 was evaluated based on newly collected topotype specimens. Phylogenetic analysis showed that this species should be assigned to the genus Micryletta Dubois, 1987. In addition, morphological diagnosis and descriptions based on the newly collected topotype specimens were provided. Key Words: 16S rRNA, Menglian County, Paddy Frog, taxonomy
  Micryletta menglienica (Yang & Su, 1980) Diagnosis: Small body size; head width approximately equal to head length; tympanum small and indistinct; supratympanic fold distinct; vomerine teeth absent; tongue oval, with no notch at posterior tip; forelimbs slender and long, hindlimbs slender and relatively short, tibiotarsal articulation of adpressed limb reaching eye or level of between eye and tympanum; subtle longitudinal median ridge present on dorsum; dorsolateral fold absent; dorsum of body purple brown, blueish gray, or dark brown, with small or large black spots, black stripes, or no pattern; no bands on dorsum of limbs; a black streak extending from tip of the snout to crotch; upper lip white; Ventral side of head, body, and limbs grayish brown or purple gray, white marbling patterns on chest and belly, some white spots on chin region and ventral side of limbs. Type locality: Jingmao Village, Jingxin Township, Menglian County, Puer City, Yunnan Province, China. Distribution: Menglian County, Puer City, Yunnan Province, China. Shuo Liu, Bin Yang, Qianyan Wang and Mian Hou. 2021. Taxonomic Reassessment of the poorly Known Microhylid, Kalophrynus menglienicus Yang & Su, 1980. Herpetozoa. 34: 223-232. DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e72627 | ||||||||||||||
| 7:50a | [PaleoOrnithology • 2021] Kaririavis mater • A New Ornithuromorph Bird from the Lower Cretaceous of South America
ABSTRACT The fossil record of Early Cretaceous birds in South America has been restricted to members of Enantiornithes from the Crato Formation (Aptian) of Brazil. Here we describe a new genus and species of bird discovered at Pedra Branca Mine, Nova Olinda County, Ceará State, Brazil, which adds to the avian fossil record from the Crato Formation. The specimen is represented by an isolated foot that is exposed in plantar view. A plantarly displaced metatarsal III with a well-developed hypotarsus supports its referral to Ornithuromorpha, representing the oldest member of the clade reported for Gondwana. Its unique foot conformation indicates that it may belong to an unknown ornithuromorph clade with some cursory similarities to extant flightless ratites. The presence of Early Cretaceous ornithuromorphs in Brazil indicates that the clade was widespread in Gondwana during the Mesozoic.   Kaririavis mater Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Federico L. Agnolin, Sebastián Rozadilla, Fernando E. Novas, José A. Ferreira Gomes Andrade and José Xavier-Neto. 2021. A New Ornithuromorph Bird from the Lower Cretaceous of South America. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e1988623. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2021.1988623 "Kaririavis mater": nova espécie de pássaro cearense dá pistas sobre origem das aves O fóssil da "Kaririavis mater" coloca o Ceará como uma das possíveis regiões de origem das aves modernas, antes limitada à Ásia  |
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