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Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022
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| 1:39a | [Herpetology • 2022] Hemidactylus aemulus, H. raya & H. saxicolus • Redescription of Hemidactylus giganteus Stoliczka, 1871 with the Description of Three New Allied Species (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820) from peninsular India
Abstract We revise the systematics of Hemidactylus giganteus—an Indian endemic leaf-toed gecko based on recent collections from the type locality and other localities in peninsular India. We provide a comprehensive redescription of H. giganteus sensu stricto and describe three new allied species from the Karnataka and Telangana states in India. We analysed the phylogenetic relationships between the three new species, H. raya sp. nov., H. saxicolus sp. nov., and H. aemulus sp. nov., and found them to be nested within the H. giganteus sensu lato branch. The pairwise genetic divergence between these new cryptic taxa from H. giganteus sensu stricto ranged from 5.88% to 10.95% for the Cyt b gene. The new species also differ from H. giganteus sensu stricto based on number of femoral pores on each thigh and poreless scales separating them (18–23 femoral pores and seven or eight poreless scales versus 17 femoral pores and seven poreless scales in H. raya sp. nov., 26 or 27 femoral pores and nine poreless scales in H. saxicolus sp. nov., and 22–25 femoral pores and nine to ten poreless scales in H. aemulus sp. nov.), corroborated by linear discriminant analysis based on 29 morphometric and meristic characters. Our species delimitation analysis shows the presence of three additional putative new species awaiting formal description within the H. giganteus sensu lato branch. Keywords: Reptilia, Cryptic species, Deccan plateau, Karnataka, leaf-toed gecko, species novo, Telangana state   Hemidactylus aemulus, Hemidactylus raya, Hemidactylus saxicolus Gandla Chethan Kumar, Aditya Srinivasulu and Chelmala Srinivasulu. 2022. Redescription of Hemidactylus giganteus Stoliczka, 1871 with the Description of Three New Allied Species (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820) from peninsular India. Zootaxa. 5115(3); 301-341. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5115.3.1 | ||||||||
| 3:07a | [Herpetology • 2022] Molecular Taxonomic Identification and Species-level Phylogeny of the Narrow-mouthed Frogs of the Genus Rhombophryne (Anura: Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from Madagascar
Abstract The study of diamond frogs (genus Rhombophryne, endemic to Madagascar) has been historically hampered by the paucity of available specimens, because of their low detectability in the field. Over the last 10 years, 13 new taxa have been described, and 20 named species are currently recognized. Nevertheless, undescribed diversity within the genus is probably large, calling for a revision of the taxonomic identification of published records and an update of the known distribution of each lineage. Here we generate DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene of all specimens available to us, revise the genetic data from public databases, and report all deeply divergent mitochondrial lineages of Rhombophryne identifiable from these data. We also generate a multi-locus dataset (including five mitochondrial and eight nuclear markers; 9844 bp) to infer a species-level phylogenetic hypothesis for the diversification of this genus and revise the distribution of each lineage. We recognize a total of 10 candidate species, two of which are identified here for the first time. The genus Rhombophryne is here proposed to be divided into six main species groups, and phylogenetic relationships among some of them are not fully resolved. These frogs are primarily distributed in northern Madagascar, and most species are known from only few localities. A previous record of this genus from the Tsingy de Bemaraha (western Madagascar) is interpreted as probably due to a mislabelling and should not be considered further unless confirmed by new data. By generating this phylogenetic hypothesis and providing an updated distribution of each lineage, our findings will facilitate future species descriptions, pave the way for evolutionary studies, and provide valuable information for the urgent conservation of diamond frogs. Keywords: amphibians, candidate species diamond frogs, mitochondrial lineages, northern Madagascar, species-identification, systematics   Francesco Belluardo, Mark D. Scherz, Bárbara Santos, Franco Andreone, Alexandre Antonelli, Frank Glaw, A. Jesus Muñoz-Pajares, Jasmin E. Randrianirina, Achille P. Raselimanana, Miguel Vences and Angelica Crottini. 2022. Molecular Taxonomic Identification and Species-level Phylogeny of the Narrow-mouthed Frogs of the Genus Rhombophryne (Anura: Microhylidae: Cophylinae) from Madagascar. Systematics and Biodiversity. 20(1); 1-13. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2039320 | ||||||||
| 4:12a | [Ichthyology • 2022] Astyanax nobre • A New Small-sized Species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Paraguai Basin, Brazil, with Discussion on Its Generic Allocation
Abstract A new species of Astyanax is described from the rio Salobra, tributary of rio Cuiabá, rio Paraguai basin. The new taxon can be distinguished from its congeners by having a well-defined dark midlateral stripe on body extending from the posterior margin of the opercle to the base of middle caudal-fin rays and a single vertical elongate humeral blotch. Although the new species is described in Astyanax, some specimens present an incomplete or a discontinuous series of perforated scales in the lateral line. Therefore, a discussion on its generic allocation is presented. Comments on different patterns of coloration among dark-striped species of Astyanax are also provided. The discovery of a new species in an underwater tourist point relatively near a large urban center underscores that even fish species daily observed by hundreds of people in limpid waters may lack a formal taxonomic identity. Such finding also highlights how the megadiverse Brazilian freshwater ichthyofauna still needs efforts and investments to identify and describe new taxa. Keywords: Lateral line, Nobres, Longitudinal stripe, Taxonomy, Tourist destination.
Astyanax nobre, new species Diagnosis. Astyanax nobre can be distinguished from its congeners, except A. joaovitori Oliveira, Pavanelli & Bertaco, 2017 and A. scintillans Myers, 1928, by the presence of a well-defined, dark midlateral stripe on body extending from opercle to middle caudal-fin rays (vs. longitudinal stripe absent; stripe starting posterior the anterior humeral and never connected to it; stripe starting immediately posterior to the humeral blotch; narrower stripe starting at posterior margin of the opercle, becoming blurred posteriorly and not reaching the caudal fin). The new species can be clearly distinguished from A. scintillans by the presence of a vertical humeral blotch (vs. absence). Astyanax nobre can be distinguished from A. joaovitori by having the dark midlateral stripe ending at the base of the middle caudal-fin rays (vs. reaching the distal tip of the middle caudal-fin rays) and three scale series below the lateral line (vs. five or six). Another remarkable difference between these species is the body size. Astyanax nobre has mature individuals at about 25 mm SL and reaching up to 30 mm SL whereas A. joaovitori reaches a much larger body size, with up to 77 mm SL (see Oliveira et al., 2017). Astyanax nobre fits within the A. scabripinnis species complex sensu Bertaco, Lucena (2006). According to the authors, the group is characterized by species with body deepest and heaviest in area close to middle of pectoral fins, head heavy, snout short and abrupt by tapering, body depth smaller than 41% of SL (mean 30–33% of SL), reduced number of branched anal-fin rays (13–21, usually 17–18, rarely 22 or 23), presence of one or two humeral spots, and a dark, midlateral, body stripe extending to the tip of the middle caudal-fin rays. Except for the midlateral dark stripe that does not reach the tip of the middle caudal-fin rays, all characteristics are found in Astyanax nobre. According to Oliveira et al. (2017), it is impossible to infer about the dark midlateral stripe of A. scabripinnis (Jenyns, 1842) due to the loss of coloration in the holotype. Astyanax nobre differs from the holotype of A. scabripinnis by having 32–36 lateral line scales (vs. 38).
Geographical distribution. Astyanax nobre is so far known only from the rio Salobra, tributary of rio Cuiabá, rio Paraguai basin (Fig. 5). Ecological notes. Astyanax nobre was collected in clear water river, with moderate water flow, over bottoms typically composed of rock and sand (Fig. 6). Vegetation includes areas with dense aquatic macrophytes and well preserved riparian forest. The species is one of the most abundant fish species in the locality. Individuals are very used to the human presence; frequently approaching the swimmers to nibble skin from the legs and arms. Etymology. The specific name nobre refers to the municipality of Nobres (Mato Grosso State, Brazil) where the species occurs. Additionally, “nobre” means noble in Portuguese, in allusion to the beauty of the type locality and of being a noteworthy species of Astyanax. A noun in apposition.  Fernando C. P. Dagosta and Manoela M. F. Marinho. 2022. New Small-sized Species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from the upper rio Paraguai Basin, Brazil, with Discussion on Its Generic Allocation. Neotropical Ichthyology. 20(1); e210127. DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2021-0127 ni.bio.br/1982-0224-2021-0127  | ||||||||
| 8:36a | [Botany • 2016] Impatiens pseudocitrina (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India
Abstract Impatiens pseudocitrina from Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh, North-East India, is newly described and illustrated. Detailed descriptions, distribution, and ecological information, along with colour photographs and key to the closely related species, are provided for identification of the species. Keywords: Impatiens, Balsaminaceae, New species, India, Eudicots.  Impatiens pseudocitrina Hareesh, M.Sabu & Gogoi sp. nov. Vadakkoot Sankaran Hareesh, Rajib Gogoi and Mamiyil Sabu. 2016. Impatiens pseudocitrina (Balsaminaceae), A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. Phytotaxa. 282(3); 231-234. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.282.3.8 [2016-10-28] | ||||||||
| 9:00a | [Botany • 2018] Ceropegia boonjarasii (Apocynaceae: Asclepiodoideae) • A New Species from eastern Thailand
Abstract Ceropegia boonjarasii Kidyoo, a new species from eastern Thailand is here described, illustrated and compared morphologically and ecologically to C. sootepensis Craib and C. laotica Rodda & Meve, its putative close relatives. These three species display clear differences in habitat choice, hairiness of leaf surface and corolla lobes, and in the shape of interstaminal corona segments. Keywords: Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, eastern Thailand, open sandy area, Eudicots   Manit Kidyoo. 2018. A New Species of Ceropegia (Asclepiadoideae, Apocynaceae) from eastern Thailand. Phytotaxa. 385(1); 31–36. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.385.1.4 | ||||||||
| 9:35a | [Botany • 2022] Pinanga leonardcoi (Arecaceae) • A New Species from Mt. Cagua in northeast Luzon, Philippines
Abstract A new species of Pinanga, P. leonardcoi, from Mt. Cagua in northeastern Luzon, Philippines is described and illustrated. This novel palm belongs to the Urosperma group but is unique in having the combination of the following characters: clustered stems with stoloniferous off-shoots, few rachillae (2–3), spirally arranged fruits throughout the rachillae, and fruiting perianth with imbricate calyx lobes. Relevant morphological and ecological notes, and an updated key for the Urosperma group are also included. P. leonardcoi is a narrow-endemic species and is hereby assessed as Critically Endangered. Keywords: Cagayan, palms, taxonomy, Pinanga, Urosperma group, Monocots     Jiro T. Adorador and Edwino S. Fernando. 2022. Pinanga leonardcoi (Arecaceae), A New Species from Mt. Cagua in northeast Luzon, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 536(2); 183-189. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.536.2.7 "A slender new species of Pinanga, a genus of palms native to eastern and southern Asia across to New Guinea, has been recently described from the volcanic slopes of Mt. Cagua, Cagayan by botanists Jiro T. Adorador and Edwino S. Fernando. Adorador and Fernando are assistant professor and Professor Emeritus, respectively from the University of the Philippines Los Baños." Prof. Fernando is also the UPLB Museum of Natural History's curator for forest palms. Their discovery has been published in the journal Phytotaxa last 24 February 2022. | ||||||||
| 9:53a | [Botany • 2022] Over A Century Later and 400 Kilometers Apart: Rediscovery of Bulbophyllum barbatum (Orchidaceae) in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil --2020_Menezes_Giordani___@PauloGonella.jpg)
Abstract Fieldwork focused on the Orchidaceae family from the Diamantina Plateau of the Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil, resulted in the rediscovery of Bulbophyllum barbatum almost 140 years after its original description, in 1882. The species, known only from the original illustration by Barbosa Rodrigues, was originally described from the region known as Zona da Mata Mineira, and its rediscovery is reported from over 400 km to the northwest of that region. The new record allowed a more detailed study of its morphology, the first photographs of the species, as well as the preliminary assessment of its conservation status as Critically Endangered. Such unexpected rediscovery highlights the importance of conservation actions in the Brazilian campos rupestres given its high diversity and endemism, the deficient knowledge on the taxonomy and distribution of its species, and the increasing pressure of human activities. Keywords: campos rupestres, Diamantina Plateau, Espinhaço Range, micro-endemism, threatened species, Monocots --2020_Menezes_Giordani___@PauloGonella.jpg) --2020_Menezes_Giordani___@PauloGonella.jpg) Bulbophyllum barbatum Barb.Rodr. Euler L. F. Menezes, Samuel C. O. Giordani, Mauro S. Rosim and Paulo M. Gonella. 2022. Over A Century Later and 400 Kilometers Apart: Rediscovery of Bulbophyllum barbatum (Orchidaceae) in Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 536(2); 175-182. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.536.2.6 | ||||||||
| 2:05p | [Phycology • 2021] Acetabularia jalakanyakae (Chlorophyta: Dasycladales) • A New Species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
Abstract Acetabularia (Dasycladales) is an extant genus of a single-celled green alga. There are four species of this genus reported from India, three reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. For this study, Acetabularia isolate was collected from a rocky intertidal habitat in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Light microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy were used for the morphological characterization. The distinct traits of caps of the thalli were prioritized because, traditionally, species delimitations in Acetabularia mainly were based on cap morphology. Our isolate showed morphological similarity with Acetabularia crenulata. However, the number of hairs in the inner ring of lobes of caps and the stalk length were observed to be different from A. crenulata and other closely related species. The phylogenetic tree constructed for partial 18S rDNA using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) method revealed the evolutionary affinity of this new species with Acetabularia dentata. Based on morphological and molecular synapomorphy, a new species of Acetabularia, Acetabularia jalakanyakae is formally proposed herein, and the further implications of this species discovery are discussed. Keywords: 18S rDNA; Maximum Likelihood (ML) method ;New species; Phylogenetic tree; Scanning electron microscopy; Seaweed
Acetabularia jalakanyakae sp. nov. Etymology: Specific epithet which is feminine noun in genitive means "mermaid" in Sanskrit to refer the aesthesis of the cap that resembles mermaid‘s umbrella.  K. C. Sainia, A. Madhub, R. K. Kohlia, K. Guptac and F. Bast. 2021. Morpho-Molecular Assessment of Acetabularia jalakanyakae sp. nov. (Dasycladales, Chlorophyta), A New Species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences. 50(9); 701-708. nopr.niscair.res.in/handle/123456789/586 | ||||||||
| 2:31p | [Herpetology • 2022] Cyrtodactylus kamengensis • A New Species of Bent-toed Geckos of the Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from western Arunachal Pradesh, India
Abstract A new species of bent-toed geckos of the genus Cyrtodactylus is described from western Arunachal Pradesh. The new species is a member of the Indo-Burma clade and is embedded within the “peguensis” group, a relationship deduced contingent on a partial fragment of mitochondrial NADH subunit 2 gene. Cyrtodactylus kamengensis sp. nov. is morphologically similar to C. himalayicus from which it differs in bearing a distinct ventrolateral fold and 6–8 basal lamellae on digit IV of pes. Genetically, the new species is sister to the Indian lineage of the “peguensis” group containing C. bhupathyi and C. gubernatoris. The Indian lineage of the “peguensis” group diverged from its Burmese relatives during the mid-Oligocene likely followed by the beginning of the Himalayan uplift, highlighting the role of the Himalayas in the diversification of biota. Key Words: biodiversity hotspot, Gekkonidae, Himalayas, northeast India, taxonomy
Cyrtodactylus kamengensis sp. nov. Cyrtodactylus khasiensis Agarwal et al. 2010: 89 Cyrtodactylus sp. Agarwal et al. (2014):147 Cyrtodactylus “KM255196” Mirza et al. (2021):21 Diagnosis: Cyrtodactylus kamengensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all congeners by its moderate body size (SVL 70.2–78.6 mm, mean 73.84); 9–12 supralabials; 9–10 infralabials; 20–24 bluntly conical, feebly keeled dorsal tubercles; 49–58 paravertebral tubercles; 30–34 ventral scales between distinct ventrolateral folds; no precloacal groves; 7–11 precloacal pores in a continuous series; three to four rows of enlarged scales below pored scales, slightly larger than pored scales, femoral pores absent; 9–13 distal subdigital lamellae on digit IV of pes; subcaudal scalation of original tail without enlarged plates. Dorsum with paired irregular dark brown blotches on a light brown background. Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the Kameng River in western Arunachal Pradesh close to which the new species was discovered. Zeeshan A. Mirza, Harshal S. Bhosale, Tejas Thackeray, Pushlar Phansalkar, Mandar Sawant, Gaurang G. Gowande and Harshil Patel. 2022. A New Species of Bent-toed Geckos of the Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from western Arunachal Pradesh, India. Herpetozoa. 35: 65-76. DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.35.e80610  | ||||||||
| 2:31p | [Botany • 2022] Colocasia spongifolia (Araceae) • A New Species from southern China and central Vietnam
Abstract Colocasia spongifolia sp. nov. (Araceae) is a large herb in forest edges on mountain slopes in southern China and central Vietnam. The plant is remarkable for its distinct vegetative morphology, while floral morphology places it as a close wild relative of C. esculenta (taro), among other closely-related species. The name given here reflects a thick, rubbery, spongy leaf blade unlike the blades in other Colocasia species known to us. The blade has exceptionally large spongy mesophyll cavities that are visible to the naked eye. Vegetative reproduction appears to be limited to direct (though shy) sprouting of lateral buds to form new erect stems, without production of side-tubers or stolons. In contrast to other Colocasia species, dense spreading colonies (clumps or patches) were not seen. Keywords: Aroideae, new species, substomatal cavity, marginal vein, peduncle, staminodes, fruit
Colocasia spongifolia P.J.Matthews, V.D.Nguyen, Q.Fang & C.L.Long, sp. nov. In contrast to Colocasia esculenta, C. formosana, C. gongii and other species, C. spongifolia has a thick, rubbery leaf blade with smooth underside (vs thin, not-rubbery, with raised interprimary veins on underside). It differs from C. esculenta, C. formosana, C. lihengiae and other species by having a stem without side-tubers or stolons (vs with side-tubers or stolons) and staminodes absent or rare at base of female zone (vs many or abundant throughout the male zone). It differs from C. lihengeae, C. yunnanensis, and some cultivars of C. esculenta by having a sterile appendix (vs much reduced or absent). Etymology:—The specific epithet is derived from the distinct character of the leaf blade (visibly spongy appearance and rubbery to touch). Ecology:—In contrast to other Colocasia species, dense spreading colonies (clumps or patches) were not seen. The persistent adaxial buds of C. spongifolia may support regeneration from fallen, decumbent stems. During ex situ cultivation, it has been possible to force buds to sprout by removing the stem apex and placing the stem horizontally on damp soil. At Bach Ma, immature fruiting heads were marked by the teeth of an unknown terrestrial frugivore (possibly a seed disperser, and likely a small mammal), and living larvae of a specialist pollinator (Colocasiomyia sp.) were found between berries on mature fruiting heads.
Peter J. Matthews, Van Du Nguyen, Qiong Fang and Chun-Lin Long. 2022. Colocasia spongifolia sp. nov. (Araceae) in southern China and central Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 541(1); 1-9. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.541.1.1     |
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