[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View]
Thursday, January 13th, 2022
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 6:09a | [Crustacea • 2022] Pseudomma kryotroglodytum • First Report of the Order Mysida in Antarctic Marine Ice Caves, with Description of A New Species of Pseudomma and Investigations on the Taxonomy, Morphology and Life Habits of Mysidetes Species
Abstract SCUBA diving explorations of three islands off Dumont d’Urville Station at the coast of Adélie Land, East Antarctica, enabled the observation of marine ice caves. Sampling in this unusual habitat yielded a total of three species of Mysidae, altogether previously poorly known or unknown to science. Pseudomma kryotroglodytum sp. nov. is described, based on the structure of the antennal scale, telson and on cornea-like lateral portions set off against the main body of eyeplates. Mysidetes illigi is re-established at species level after almost a century in synonymy. Re-descriptions are provided for M. illigi and M. hanseni, based on types and ice cave materials. Keys to the Southern Ocean species of Pseudomma and to the world-wide species of Mysidetes are given. Phylogenetic trees are provided for the genera Pseudomma and Mysidetes. 18S rDNA sequences of P. kryotroglodytum differ from GenBank sequences of other Pseudomma species. First sequence data are given for species of the genus Mysidetes: 18S differs between the two examined species and COI is quite diverse between and within species. We found previously unknown, probably sensorial structures in these ice cave species: in P. kryotroglodytum, the basal segment of the antennula shows a pit-like depression with striated pad on the bottom and a median cyst, connected with the bottom of the eyeplate cleft. M. illigi shows a female homologue of the appendix masculina bearing a field of modified setae. Subsequent investigations demonstrated these structures also in species from other habitats. The feeding apparatus and stomach contents of the three ice cave species point to brushing of small particles (detritus, microalgae) from available surfaces, such as sediment, rock and the ice surface. Differences in the feeding apparatus are very subtle between the two Mysidetes species. The high content of fat bodies in M. hanseni could help it to survive periods of starvation. The large storage volume of the foregut in P. kryotroglodytum points to the collection of food with low nutritional quality and could help to balance strongly fluctuating food availability. Summer specimens of M. hanseni showed a bimodal frequency of developmental stages in the marsupium and bimodal size-frequency distribution of free-living stages. The females with younger brood (embryos) were, on average, larger and carried more marsupial young than those with older brood (nauplioid larvae). All examined incubating and spent females showed (almost) empty foreguts and empty ovarian tubes, suggesting possible semelparity and death following the release of young. The absence of juveniles and immature females from summer samples suggests that growth and accumulation of fat and yolk occur outside ice caves, while such caves could be used by fattened adults as shelter for brooding. A provisional interpretation proposes a biannual life cycle for M. hanseni, superimposed with shifted breeding schedules, the latter characterised by early breeding and late breeding females, probably in response to harsh physical and trophic conditions along the continental coast of Antarctica. Keywords: Development, feeding, key to species, life cycle, marine caves, molecular systematics, polar biology, sensory organs Order Mysida Boas, 1883 Family Mysidae Haworth, 1825 Subfamily Erythropinae Hansen, 1910 Tribe Pseudommini Wittmann, Ariani & Lagardère, 2014 Genus Pseudomma G.O. Sars, 1870
Pseudomma kryotroglodytum sp. nov. Diagnosis: Covers females only. Species of the genus Pseudomma G.O. Sars, 1870, with cornea-like lateral portions separated by sulci from main part of eyeplate (Figs 2B, 4C, 23A), no visual elements. Disto-median fissure penetrates one third of eyeplate. Distal margin of eyeplates with series of minute teeth along sublateral sector (‘shoulders’, Fig. 23A, D). Basal segment of antennular trunk without medio-ventral carina. Antennal scale (Fig. 4B) with setose apical lobe contributing about 1/4 scale length. Mandibular palp (Fig. 4E) 3-segmented, very large, about as long as antennal scale. Three pairs of oostegites (Fig. 5I) contributing to wall of brood pouch. Pleopods (Fig. 6H–L) reduced to setose rods with residual differentiation of endopod (pseudobranchial lobes). Telson (Figs 3A, 6N) trapezoid, as long as ultimate pleonite. Its length twice maximum width at basis and four times width at apex. Lateral margins of telson without setae and spines, only minute scales present. Transversely truncate terminal margin with only two pairs of spines, both hispid due to minute scales (Fig. 3B) along more than proximal 2/3 spine length. Large latero-apical and same-sized submedio-apical spines flank median pair of closely set setae (Fig. 3C) with twice spine length. Margin with short, well-rounded indentation between each spine, median indentation largest. Disto-lateral edge without tooth, with spine only. Etymology: The species name is an adjective with Latinised neutral ending formed by adjectivation of the amalgamated Ancient Greek adjective κρύος (cold) with the noun τρωγλοδύτης (cave dweller). The adjectivation has precedence in the name of the butterfly Macroglossum troglodytus Boisduval, l875, listed by Kemal et al. (2019) as M. troglodytum. Karl J. Wittmann and Pierre Chevaldonné. 2022. First Report of the Order Mysida (Crustacea) in Antarctic Marine Ice Caves, with Description of A New Species of Pseudomma and Investigations on the Taxonomy, Morphology and Life Habits of Mysidetes Species. ZooKeys. 1079: 145-227. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1079.76412 | ||||||
| 6:34a | [Herpetology • 2021] Pelodiscus huangshanensis • A New Species of the Genus Pelodiscus Fitzinger, 1835 (Testudines: Trionychidae) from Huangshan, Anhui, China
Abstract A new species of the soft-shelled turtle genus Pelodiscus is described based on seven specimens from Huangshan, southern Anhui Province, China. The new species, Pelodiscus huangshanensis sp. nov., is distinguished from other species in the genus Pelodiscus by the following characteristics: (1) Small size (maximum carapace length of 101.16 mm and maximum body length of 190 mm); (2) keel high; (3) tiny yellowish-white spots on the throat; (4) no black pinstripes around the eyes; (5) white longitudinal bands on both sides of the neck in juveniles, absent in adults; (6) plastron yellowish-white, and only a dark patch on each side of the armpit; (7) many tubercles on the dorsal surface, but indistinct in the center; and (8) entoplastron “⌒” shaped. The phylogenetic relationships of the species in Pelodiscus were reconstructed using the sequences of cytochrome b (cyt b) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (ND4) genes. The new species formed a monophyletic clade with strong support. The uncorrected pairwise distances between the new species and other representatives of Pelodiscus ranged from 5.4% to 9.2% for cyt b and 4.1% to 7.6% for ND4. The new species brings the number of species of the genus Pelodiscus to six; five species are distributed in China, with three species endemic to China. Key words: soft-shelled turtle, Pelodiscus huangshanensis sp. nov., phylogeny, taxonomy, morphology    Pelodiscus huangshanensis sp. nov. Gong, Peng, Huang & Nie, 2021 Suggested English name: Huangshan soft-shelled turtle Suggested Chinese name: 黄山马蹄鳖 (Huáng Shān Mǎ tí Biē) Yan-An Gong, Li-Fang Peng, Song Huang, Yan-Feng Lin, Ru-Yi Huang, Yu-Hao Xu, Dian-Cheng Yang and Liu-Wang Nie. 2021. A New Species of the Genus Pelodiscus Fitzinger, 1835 (Testudines: Trionychidae) from Huangshan, Anhui, China. Zootaxa. 5060(1); 137-145. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5060.1.7 | ||||||
| 9:29a | [Botany • 2022] Ceropegia jilongensis (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) • A New Species from Xizang, China
Abstract Ceropegia jilongensis, a new species from Jilong, Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. This species is similar to C. hookeri, but clearly differs in its indumentum of pedicel and corolla tube, ovoid cage size, corolla lobes and interstaminal corona lobes shape. It is also similar to C. salicifolia and C. angustifolia, but easily distinguished by its leaf shape, peduncle length, indumentum of pedicel and corolla tube, interstaminal corona lobes shape. A comparison table of related species is provided. Keyword: Affinities, Ceropegia angustifolia, C. hookeri, C. salicifolia, distribution, Jilong, sect. Chionopegia   
Ceropegia jilongensis X. D. Ma & J. Y. Shen, sp. nov. 吉隆吊燈花 Diagnosis: This species clearly differs from C. hookeri by its densely pubescent pedicel (vs. glabrous pedicel); pubescent exterior of corolla tube, interior glabrous (vs. glabrous exterior, interior hairy); bigger ovoid cage, 12–15 mm in diameter, ca. 2 times as wide as the inflated basal tube (vs. 4.5–6.5 mm in diameter, as wide as the inflated basal tube); obovate corolla lobes (vs. linear-spatulate lobes); interstaminal corona lobes divided into pairs of linear teeth (vs. reduced to ciliate flanges). Etymology: This new species is named after the type locality, Jilong County. Distribution and habitat: This new species is currently known only from Sale Township, Jilong County, Xizang Autonomous Region, China, growing in temperate coniferous forests close to a road. Xing-Da Ma, Yao-Wu Xing, Yun-Hong Tan, Jian-Wu Li, Shi-Shun Zhou, Hong-Bo Ding and Jian-Yong Shen. 2022. Ceropegia jilongensis, A New Species of Apocynaceae from Xizang, China. Taiwania. 67(1); 93-96. | ||||||
| 10:35a | [Botany • 2021] Notes on the Systematics of Cuscuta Sect. Subulatae (Subg. Grammica) with the Description of Cuscuta mantiqueirana, A New Species from Brazil
Abstract Cuscuta mantiqueirana Costea, S.S. Silva & Sim.-Bianch. a new species from montane cloud forests of the Serra da Mantiqueira, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The morphological and phylogenetic analyses revealed that the new species belongs to sect. Subulatae of subg. Grammica. The new species is related to C. odorata var. botryoides, C. rotundiflora and C. globiflora from which it differs in narrower calyx lobes and the presence of four stomatiferous lobes or projections at the distal part of the ovary. A detailed morphological comparison with C. odorata var. botryoides, morphologically the most similar taxon, is provided along with the geographical distribution, ecology and host range of the species. The morphological and phylogenetic relationships of the new species, as well as the diversity of stomatiferous projections, are discussed in the broader context of sect. Subulatae and subg. Grammica. Cuscuta boliviana var. paranensis is considered a synonym of C. odorata var. botryoides. Keywords: Convolvulaceae, dodders, ITS, morphology, parasitic plant, phylogeny, systematics
  Cuscuta mantiqueirana Costea, S.S.Silva, Sim.-Bianch., sp. nov. Diagnosis: Cuscuta mantiqueirana is similar to C. odorata var. botryoides, C. rotundiflora and C. globiflora because of their corolla that becomes globose at fructification and their well-developed scales with numerous fimbriae, but it differs from all these taxa in narrower calyx lobes, the presence of four stomatiferous lobes or projections, 0.4–0.6 mm long at the ovary apex, which form a collar at the fruit stage, as well as 3-colpate pollen grains with reticulate tectum. It differs from C. odorata var. botryoides in the obconical pedicels and larger flowers, 4.5–7 mm long (pedicels are cylindrical and flowers 5.5–5 mm long in C. odorata var. botryoides). From C. rotundiflora it differs in the infrastaminal scales equalling or exceeding the corolla tube, cylindrical stamen filaments and styles, as well as stigmas 0.5–0.6 mm wide (in C. rotundiflora the scales are shorter than corolla tube, filaments and styles are subulate and stigmas 1–1.5 mm wide. From C. globiflora it differs in the spreading to reflexed corolla lobes and globose-depressed stigmas (in C. globiflora, corolla lobes are erect-connivent and stigmas conical). Etymology: The specific epithet is a feminine adjective that comes from the name of the mountain range to which the species is apparently endemic. The word “Mantiqueira” is derived from Tupi-Guarani meaning “mountains that cry” alluding perhaps to the plethora of dripping water, streams and rivers that are present during the wet season with abundant rainfall (Mendes Júnior et al. 1991). Vernacular names: The common names used in the area are: Cipó-chumbo, fios-de-ovos, erva-de-passarinho (although also commonly used for other species of Cuscuta that occur in the region).  Mihai Costea, Simone Soares da Silva, Rosangela Simao-Bianchini, Ana Rita G. Simoes and Sasa Stefanovic. 2021. Notes on the Systematics of Cuscuta sect. Subulatae (subg. Grammica) with the Description of Cuscuta mantiqueirana, A New Species from Brazil. PhytoKeys. 184: 27-44. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.184.69037 | ||||||
| 10:41a | [Paleontology • 2022] In the Shadow of Dinosaurs: Late Cretaceous Frogs are Distinct Components of A Widespread Tetrapod Assemblage Across Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia
Highlights: • First Mesozoic frogs from Chilean Patagonia and southernmost pipids are reported. • Known pipid frogs from the Campanian–Maastrichtian of Patagonia are Kuruleufenia. • Kuruleufenia and calyptocephalellids are typical of the Allenian tetrapod assemblage. • Humeral morphology proves valuable in diagnosing and identifying Cretaceous frogs. Abstract Frogs (Anura) are nowadays common and abundant constituents of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems near globally and their fossil record shows that they were already important during Cretaceous times. However, their fossils are often very incomplete, challenging their identification, which, coupled to historical reasons, has led to their marginalization in studies of Cretaceous tetrapod assemblages. We here report on the identities of frogs from three upper Campanian–lower Maastrichtian assemblages from Chilean (Dorotea Formation) and Argentinean (Allen and Los Alamitos formations) Patagonia, with focus on humeral morphology. Records from the Dorotea Formation represent the first described Mesozoic frogs from Chile and include the southernmost record of pipids worldwide. In the three assemblages we have identified humeri of the pipid Kuruleufenia and of calyptocephalellid frogs, proving humeral morphology valuable in diagnosing and identifying Cretaceous frogs from Patagonia. These frogs are diagnostic components of the South American Allenian tetrapod assemblage that was widespread across Patagonia near the end of the Cretaceous. Keywords: Anura, Pipidae, Calyptocephalellidae, Campanian–Maastrichtian, Tetrapod assemblages, Humerus  F. Suazo Lara and R.O. Gómez. 2022. In the Shadow of Dinosaurs: Late Cretaceous Frogs are Distinct Components of A Widespread Tetrapod Assemblage Across Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia. Cretaceous Research. 131, 105085. DOI: 10.1016/j.cretres.2021.105085 Descubren en Chile fósiles de ranas que habitaron la Patagonia hace más de 70 millones de años  | ||||||
| 3:29p | [Herpetology • 2022] Rediscovery of the rare Phrynomedusa appendiculata (Lutz, 1925) (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil
Abstract The genus Phrynomedusa Miranda-Ribeiro, 1923 comprises rare and little known phyllomedusid species from southern Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Phrynomedusa appendiculata (Lutz, 1925) is known from three localities since its description and considered a “lost species” because it was last sighted 51 years ago. This pervasive lack of knowledge raised a significant concern about its threat status. Here, we present the rediscovery of P. appendiculata from a breeding population in the Atlantic Plateau forests of the state of São Paulo. This new record allowed the gathering of novel ecological, acoustic and morphological data for this species. Most of the novel data agreed with the variation historically reported for the species, but we found subtle divergences that we interpret as intraspecific variation. Moreover, this record also allowed a reassessment of geographic distribution of the species, and the first inference of its phylogenetic relationships based on molecular data (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA). The resulting phylogeny corroborated the generic placement and evolutionary distinctiveness of P. appendiculata, evidencing the species as sister to the clade P. marginata + P. dryade. Based on novel and historical data, we discuss some putative factors influencing the rarity of P. appendiculata and its congeners, and provide conservation perspectives. We expect that the novel data can support further assessments of threat status for this rare species, as well as initiatives aiming its conservation. Key words: Amphibia, Alto Paranapanema, Continuum of Paranapiacaba, lost species, Parque Estadual Nascentes do Paranapanema—PENAP, protected area
Leandro J. C. L. Moraes, Délio Baêta, Renata C. Amaro, Alexandre C. Martensen and Dante Pavan. 2022. Rediscovery of the rare Phrynomedusa appendiculata (Lutz, 1925) (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) from the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Zootaxa. 5087(4); 522-540. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5087.4.2 |
| << Previous Day |
2022/01/13 [Calendar] |
Next Day >> |