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Tuesday, January 18th, 2022
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 2:51a | [Botany • 2021] Espeletia ocetana (Asteraceae: Millerieae) • A New Tall Caulirosula from Colombia
Abstract A new species, Espeletia ocetana (Asteraceae), from about 3500 m a. s. l. in Páramo de Ocetá, Mongua, Boyacá department, Colombia, is described and illustrated. The new species exhibits a caulescent rosette habit (0.7–1.8 m tall), sessile leaves, elliptic leaf laminae with greyish indumentum, robust bracteate thyrsoid capitulescences spreading laterally from rosette, each holding 16–37(–69) capitula, external phyllaries 14.2–31.1 mm long, and ray florets 13.9–21.3 mm long arranged in 2.0–2.9 series. It is markedly different from the majority of other members of the genus, and only slightly similar to E. jaramilloi, from which it can be easily distinguished by its taller stems, wider leaves with a smaller length/width ratio, and longer sheaths. Furthermore, E. ocetana has capitula with ray florets arranged in fewer series, and with longer phyllaries, ray corollas, ray corolla limbs, ray styles, ray style branches, disc florets, and disc styles. In addition, E. ocetana is distributed allopatrically in regard to E. jaramilloi, and differs as well in its ecological preference for humid to very humid shrubby páramos. Espeletia ocetana is rather abundant in its type locality, which is a relatively well-conserved páramo located within the limits of Parque Natural Regional Siscunsí-Ocetá. However, it is absent from road margins, abandoned agriculture fields, and other areas impacted by human activities. Further studies will be necessary to know appropriately the extent of the geographic distribution of E. ocetana, its ecological requirements and its phylogenetic affinities with other species.      María Teresa Becerra and Jesús Mavárez. 2021. Espeletia ocetana (Millerieae, Asteraceae), A New Tall Caulirosula from Colombia. Systematic Botany. 46(4); 1095-1106. DOI: 10.1600/036364421X16370109698678 Colombia cierra el 2021 con nueva especie de frailejón  | ||||||
| 3:18a | [Ichthyology • 2022] Evolving in the Darkness: Phylogenomics of Sinocyclocheilus Cavefishes highlights recent Diversification and Cryptic Diversity
Highlights: • Our RADseq based phylogeny suggests six main clades in Sinocyclocheilus cavefish. • The MRCA of the group is of late Miocene (10.2 MYA) origin. • We resolve the identity of disputed species and unearth two cryptic species. • We confirm a late-Pliocene-Pleistocene diversification driven by upliftment and aridification of the region. • This phylogenomic analysis shows introgressive geneflow between some species. Abstract Troglomorphism—any morphological adaptation enabling life to the constant darkness of caves, such as loss of pigment, reduced eyesight or blindness, over-developed tactile and olfactory organs—has long intrigued biologists. However, inferring the proximate and ultimate mechanisms driving the evolution of troglomorphism (stygomorphism) in freshwater fish requires a sound understanding of the evolutionary relationships between surface and stygomorphic lineages. We use Restriction Site Associated DNA Sequencing (RADseq) to better understand the evolution of the Sinocyclocheilus fishes of China. With a remarkable array of derived stygomorphic traits, they comprise the largest cavefish diversification in the world, emerging as a multi-species model system to study evolutionary novelty. We sequenced a total of 120 individuals throughout the Sinocyclocheilus distribution. The data comprised a total of 646,497 bp per individual, including 4378 loci and 67,983 SNPs shared across a minimum of 114 individuals at a given locus. Phylogenetic analyses using either the concatenated RAD loci (RAxML) or the SNPs under a coalescent model (SVDquartets, SNAPP) showed a high degree of congruence with similar topologies and high node support (>95 for most nodes in the phylogeny). The major clades recovered conform to a pattern previously established using Sanger-based mt-DNA sequences, with a few notable exceptions. We now recognize six major clades in this group, elevating the blind cavefish S. tianlinensis and the micro-eyed S. microphthalmus as two new distinct clades due to their deep divergence from other clades. PCA plots of the SNP data also support the recognition of six major clusters of species congruent with the identified clades in ordination space. A Bayes factor delimitation (BFD) analysis showed support for 21 species, recognizing 19 previously described species and two putative new cryptic ones. Two species whose identities were previously disputed, S. furcodorsalis and S. tianeensis, are supported here as distinct species. In addition, our multi-species calibrated tree in SNAPP suggests that the genus Sinocyclocheilus originated around 10.16 Mya, with most speciation events occurring in the last 2 Mya, likely favored by the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and cave occupation induced by climate-driven aridification during this period. These results provide a firm basis for future comparative studies on the evolution of Sinocyclocheilus and its adaptations to cave life. Keywords: Phylogenomics, RADseq, Diversification, Cavefish, Species delimitation, Introgression    Tingru Mao, Yewei Liu, Mariana M. Vasconcellos, Marcio R. Pie, Gajaba Ellepola, Chenghai Fu, Jian Yang and Madhava Meegaskumbura. 2022. Evolving in the Darkness: Phylogenomics of Sinocyclocheilus Cavefishes highlights recent Diversification and Cryptic Diversity. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 168, 107400. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107400 | ||||||
| 3:32a | [Herpetology • 2022] Phylogenomic Analysis of Evolutionary Relationships in Ranitomeya Poison Frogs (Dendrobatidae) using Ultraconserved Elements
Highlights: • We present the first comprehensive genome-scale phylogeny for the Ranitomeya genus. • R. toraro and R. defleri are not sister species. • R. uakarii is paraphyletic, segregating based on geography and color pattern. • We designate R. amazonica from French Guiana and eastern Brazil as R. variabilis. • We describe two biogeographic hypotheses for Ranitomeya based on divergence times. Abstract The use of genome-scale data in phylogenetics has enabled recent strides in determining the relationships between taxa that are taxonomically problematic because of extensive morphological variation. Here, we employ a phylogenomic approach to infer evolutionary relationships within Ranitomeya (Anura: Dendrobatidae), an Amazonian lineage of poison frogs consisting of 16 species with remarkable diversity in color pattern, range size, and parental care behavior. We infer phylogenies with all described species of Ranitomeya from ultraconserved nuclear genomic elements (UCEs) and also estimate divergence times. Our results differ from previous analyses regarding interspecific relationships. Notably, we find that R. toraro and R. defleri are not sister species but rather distantly related, contrary to previous analyses based on smaller genetic datasets. We recover R. uakarii as paraphyletic, designate certain populations formerly assigned to R. fantastica from Peru as R. summersi, and transfer the French Guianan and eastern Brazilian R. amazonica populations to R. variabilis. By clarifying both inter- and intraspecific relationships within Ranitomeya, our study paves the way for future tests of hypotheses on color pattern evolution and historical biogeography. Keywords: Ranitomeya, UCEs, Divergence time estimation, Phylogenomics, Dendrobatidae, Amphibians  Morgan R. Muell, Germán Chávez, Ivan Prates, Wilson X. Guillory, Ted R. Kahn, Evan M. Twomey, Miguel T. Rodrigues and Jason L. Brown. 2022. Phylogenomic Analysis of Evolutionary Relationships in Ranitomeya Poison Frogs (Family Dendrobatidae) using Ultraconserved Elements. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 168, 107389. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107389 | ||||||
| 3:54a | [Ichthyology • 2022] Redescription of Parapercis moki Ho & Johnson, 2013 (Trachiniformes: Pinguipedidae), with Its First Fresh Coloration Information
Abstract Two specimens of Parapercis moki Ho & Johnson were collected recently and detailed descriptions of their morphology and fresh coloration are provided. Its diagnosis is now revised as: band across head, six transverse bands on body and blade-like bar below eye; numerous small pores connected by canals forming about 9–10 vertical rows on cheek, opercle, and subopercle; scales on nape extending anteriorly to level of posterior margin of eyes; large spine on posteroventral corner of subopercle; very narrow interorbital space (1.7‒2.0% SL); 4 dorsal-fin spines, each spine progressively longer, last spine entirely connected by membrane to first dorsal-fin ray; four pairs of canine teeth anteriorly in lower jaw; and palatine teeth present, in two rows, and vomerine teeth stout, in two rows. Key words: Teleostei, Actinopteri, taxonomy, ichthyology, Taiwan
Parapercis moki Ho & Johnson, 2013 Mok’s sandperch Diagnosis. A species of Parapercis with band across head, six transverse bands on body and blade-like bar below eye; numerous small pores connected by canals forming about 9–10 vertical rows on cheek, opercle, and subopercle; scales on nape extending anteriorly to level of posterior margin of eyes; large spine on posteroventral corner of subopercle; very narrow interorbital space (1.7‒2.0% SL); 4 dorsal-fin spines, each spine progressively longer, last spine entirely connected by membrane to first dorsal-fin ray; four pairs of canine teeth anteriorly in lower jaw; palatine teeth present, in two rows; and vomerine teeth stout, in two rows (revised from the original description). Distribution. Known from southwestern Taiwan off Chong-chou and Ke-tzu-liao, Kaohsiung. Depth assumed not more than 100 m. It likely inhabits shallow waters in the southeastern Taiwan Strait. Hsuan-Ching Ho, Chi-Ngai Tang, Hsiang-Chieh Chuang. 2022. Redescription of Parapercis moki Ho and Johnson, 2013 (Family Pinguipedidae), with Its First Fresh Coloration Information. Zootaxa. 5092(1); 127-133. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5092.1.7 | ||||||
| 7:50a | [Entomology • 2020] Onychogomphus cazuma ( Odonata: Gomphidae) from Spain: Molecular and Morphological Evidence supports the Discovery of A New European Dragonfly Species
Abstract Onychogomphus cazuma Barona, Cardo & Díaz sp. nov. is described from the mountainous inland area of Valencia in central-eastern Spain. The new species presents a combination of morphological characters that distinguishes it from all other species of the genus and can be readily identified by the morphology of the male appendages and the female vulvar scale, and by the shape of the median lobe of the prementum and the labial palps of the exuvia. Molecular analysis of two genetic markers, one nuclear and one mitochondrial (PRMT and COII), supports the full species rank for this new taxon, which is sister to the north-western African endemic O. boudoti. Despite its small known distribution and the vulnerability of its habitat, available data are still insufficient to place this new species into an IUCN Red List of Threatened Species category. Key words. Anisoptera, Iberia, Valencia, taxonomy, phylogeny  
Onychogomphus cazuma Barona, Cardo & Díaz sp. nov. Etymology: The epithet cazuma (noun in apposition and, therefore, invariable) refers to the type locality, which was also the site where we first realized that it could be a new species. E. Karen López-Estrada, Javier Barona Fernández, Nuria Cardo-Maeso, Santiago Teruel Montejano and Cecilia Díaz-Martínez. 2020. Onychogomphus cazuma sp. nov. from Spain: Molecular and Morphological Evidence supports the Discovery of A New European Dragonfly Species (Odonata: Gomphidae). Odonatologica. 49(1-2); 125-154. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.3823337 | ||||||
| 8:57a | [Ichthyology • 2022] Tanichthys albiventris & T. flavianalis • Two New Species of Tanichthys (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from China
Abstract Tanichthys albiventris, new species, from the River Jiangping in Dongxing City, Guangxi Province is distinguished from Tanichthys albonubes by the presence of a reddish-orange dorsal-fin margin (vs. white) and 9-10 (9 in mode) branched anal-fin rays (vs. 8 in mode). Tanichthys flavianalis, new species, from the River Jiuqu in Qionghai City, Hainan Province is distinguished from T. albiventris and T. albonubes by the presence of a golden anal-fin margin (vs. white) and 7 (rarely 6) branched dorsal-fin rays (vs. 6 in mode). In T. albiventris, T. albonubes, and T. flavianalis the black lateral stripe is located on the dorsal half of the flank, distinguishing them from Tanichthys kuehnei and Tanichthys micagemmae, in which it is mid-lateral. Tanichthys thabacensis is different from all other species of Tanichthys in the shape of the mouth and insertion of the anal fin; it is tentatively referred to as Aphyocypris. KEYWORDS: Cyprinidae, Tanichthyidae, white cloud mountain minnow, cytochrome b, phylogeny, taxonomy
 Tanichthys albiventris Li F., Bohlen J. & Liao T.-Y., new species Diagnosis: Tanichthys albiventris is distinguished from T. albonubes by the presence of more branched anal-fin rays (9-10 vs. 8 in mode), and the colour of the dorsal-fin margin (reddish-orange vs. white); from T. kuehnei and T. micagemmae by the presence of a black lateral stripe located on the dorsal half of the flank (vs. on middle of flank), and a reddish-orange dorsal-fin margin (vs. white); from T. thacbaensis by the origin of the anal fin, anterior to the base of the last dorsal-fin ray (vs. posterior), and mouth superior (vs. terminal). Etymology: The specific name, albiventris, is constructed from the Latin words albus, meaning white, and venter, meaning belly, an adjective, alluding to the distinctive white belly. A suggested Chinese vernacular is 白腹唐鱼. Distribution and habitat: To date, known only from the upper reaches of the Rivers Jiangping and Huangzhu, in Jiangping Town, Dongxing City, Guangxi Province, China (Fig. 1). The type locality at the time of sampling was a small hill stream, about 2 m wide on average, located in the depths of the forest. Water depth varied from approximately 0.4 to 1 m. The bottom consisted of mud mixed with sand. Some aquatic plants (Cryptocoryne crispatula and Blyxa sp.) in the lower part of the habitat. Other fish species encountered were Oryzias pectoralis, Macropodus hongkongensis and Rhinogobius cf. duospilus.
 Tanichthys flavianalis Li F., Liao T.-Y. & Shen Z.-X., new species Diagnosis: Tanichthys flavianalis is distinguished from T. albonubes by the presence of more branched anal-fin rays (9-10, 9 in mode vs. 8 in mode), more branched dorsal-fin rays (7 in mode vs. 6 in mode), and a reddish-orange dorsal-fin margin (vs. white); from T. albiventris by the presence of more branched dorsal-fin rays (7 in mode vs. 6 in mode), and a golden anal-fin margin (vs. white); from T. kuehnei and from T. micagemmae by the presence of a black lateral stripe located on the dorsal half of the flank (vs. on middle of the flank), and a reddish-orange dorsal-fin margin (vs. white); from T. thacbaensis by the origin of the anal fin anterior to the base of the last dorsal-fin ray (vs. posterior), and mouth superior (vs. terminal). Distribution and habitat: To date, known only from the upper reach of the River Jiuqu, in Qionghai City, Hainan Province, China (Fig. 1). The type locality at the time of sampling was a small stream (about 1.5 m wide on average) with a mixed mud and gravel substrate. The depth was mostly less than 0.4 m. There was no aquatic vegetation, but a lot of leaf litter. Coexisting fishes were O. pectoralis, Channa cf. gachua, M. hongkongensis, Rhinogobius wanchuangensis and Misgurnus anguillicaudatus. Etymology: The specific name, flavianalis, is constructed from the Latin words flavus, meaning yellow, and analis, meaning anal, an adjective, alluding to the diagnostic light yellow anal fin with golden margin. A suggested Chinese vernacular is 黄臀唐鱼.   Fan Li, Te-Yu Liao, Jörg Bohlen, Zhi-Xin Shen, Liang-Jie Zhao and Shan Li. 2022. Two New Species of Tanichthys (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from China. Journal of Vertebrate Biology 71 (21067), 21067.1-13. DOI: 10.25225/jvb.21067 |
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