[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View]
Wednesday, April 20th, 2022
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 12:48a | [Paleontology • 2022] The First Fossil Toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Cura-Mallín Formation (Río Pedregoso Member, middle Miocene) of Lonquimay, Araucania Region, Central Chile
Abstract This work describes the first record of a fossil anuran from the Neogene of Chile, found in miocene outcrops of the Río Pedregoso Member of the Cura-Mallín Formation, near the town of Lonquimay, Araucanía Region. The material consists of a distal half of left humerus and the proximal half of a radioulnae preserved in natural articulation. These elements present several similarities with extant members of Rhinella, which allow to confer the specimen to this genus. These similarities are the greater development of the ulnar epicondyle with respect to the radial, which may also have a great development of the medial crest, and the presence of a lateral crest and a humeral head slightly laterally displaced from the shaft of the diaphysis. Rhinella is a well-represented genus in the current batrachofauna of South America, but with a poor fossil record. The finding represents the southernmost fossil record of Bufonidae in South America for the Miocene. This discovery increases the knowledge about the distribution of the members of Rhinella during this epoch. Juan Pablo Guevara, Felipe Suazo Lara, Jhonatan Alarcón-Muñoz, Karina E. Buldrini, Sergio Soto-Acuña and David Rubilar-Rogers. 2022. The First Fossil Toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Cura-Mallín Formation (Río Pedregoso Member, middle Miocene) of Lonquimay, Araucania Region, Central Chile. Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 115, 103753. DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2022.103753 The skull is from Meganhinga chilensis, and those mammals from behind are Protypotheriums. The toad is a "cf. Rhinella" in our study | ||||||||
| 4:38a | [Mammalogy • 2022] Chilomys carapazi, C. georgeledecii, etc. • Unlocking Andean sigmodontine Diversity: Five New Species of Chilomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from the Montane Forests of Ecuador
Abstract The Andean cloud forests of Ecuador are home to several endemic mammals. Members of the Thomasomyini rodents are well represented in the Andes, with Thomasomys being the largest genus (47 species) of the subfamily Sigmodontinae. Within this tribe, however, there are genera that have escaped a taxonomic revision, and Chilomys Thomas, 1897, constitutes a paradigmatic example of these “forgotten” Andean cricetids. Described more than a century ago, current knowledge of this externally unmistakable montane rodent is very limited, and doubts persist as to whether or not it is monotypic. After several years of field efforts in Ecuador, a considerable quantity of specimens of Chilomys were collected from various localities representing both Andean chains. Based on an extensive genetic survey of the obtained material, we can demonstrate that what is currently treated as C. instans in Ecuador is a complex comprising at least five new species which are described in this paper. In addition, based on these noteworthy new evidence, we amend the generic diagnosis in detail, adding several key craniodental traits such as incisor procumbency and microdonty. These results indicate that Chilomys probably has a hidden additional diversity in large parts of the Colombian and Peruvian territories, inviting a necessary revision of the entire genus.
Family Cricetidae Fischer, 1817 Subfamily Sigmodontinae Wagner, 1843 Tribe Thomasomyini Steadman and Ray, 1982 Genus Chilomys Thomas, 1897 Chilomys carapazi sp. nov. Brito and Pardiñas Carapaz’s Forest Mouse, Ratón del bosque de Carapaz (in Spanish) Etymology: Named in honor of Richard Carapaz Montenegro, an Ecuadorian professional cyclist born in the Provincia de Carchi. The species epithet is formed from the surname “Carapaz,” taken as a noun in the genitive case, adding the Latin suffix “i” (ICZN 31.1.2). Diagnosis: A species of Chilomys which can be identified by the following combination of characters: Head and body length ~95 mm; dorsal surface of foot covered with round scales and without interspaces; long nasal (~8.5 mm); long diastema (~8.2 mm); M2 with broad hypoflexus (similar in width to mesoflexus); m1 without anteromedian flexid. Natural history: The type locality is located in the headwaters of the Gualpi River in the lower montane ecosystem (Cerón et al., 1999). The local expression of the montane cloud forest is characterized by a tree canopy that reaches 30 m high. The understory is luxurious and mostly composed of species belonging to Araceae, Melastomataceae, Cyclanthaceae, Bromeliaceae, and ferns. From the same pit falls where Chilomys carapazi sp. nov., was obtained, we also collected the sigmodontines C. georgeledecii, Pattonimus ecominga, Melanomys caliginosus, Microryzomys minutus, Nephelomys cf. pectoralis, and Thomasomys bombycinus, the heteromyid Heteromys australis, the marsupials Caenolestes convelatus, Mamosops caucae, and the soricid Cryptotis equatoris.
Chilomys georgeledecii sp. nov. Brito, Tinoco, García, Koch and Pardiñas Ledeci Forest Mouse, Ratón del bosque de Ledeci (in Spanish) Etymology: Named in honor of Czech and US international conservationist George Campos Ledeci, who has worked to promote more environmentally friendly infrastructure development projects in Ecuador and other countries. The species epithet is formed from the surname “Ledeci,” taken as a noun in the genitive case, adding the Latin suffix “i” (ICZN 31.1.2). Diagnosis: A species of Chilomys which can be identified by the following combination of characters: Head and body length ~83–90 mm; tail longer than head and body length combined (~144.4–177.7%); dorsal surface of foot with round scales and large interspaces; zygomatic plate slightly tilted backwards; M2 with narrow hypoflexus (distinctly narrower than mesoflexus); m1 with anteromedian flexus. Natural history: Reserva Drácula belongs to the subtropical and lower montane ecosystem (Cerón et al., 1999). The local expression of the cloud montane forest is characterized by a tree canopy that reaches 30 m high. The understory is luxurious and mostly composed of species belonging to Araceae, Melastomataceae, Cyclanthaceae, Bromeliaceae, and ferns. Stomachs from six specimens were dissected to inspect content (Supplemental S4). Sampled C. georgeledecii sp. nov., were insectivorous, preying primarily on fly larva. Identifiable prey items were 50% Diptera, 28.5% Coleoptera, 7.1% Hymenoptera, 7.1% Blattodea, and 7.1% Annelida. From the same pit falls where C. georgeledecii sp. nov., was obtained, we also collected the sigmodontines Chilomys carapazi sp. nov., Pattonimus ecominga, Melanomys caliginosus, Microryzomys minutus, Nephelomys cf. pectoralis, Oecomys sp., Rhipidomys latimanus, Tanyuromys thomasleei, Sigmodontomys alfari, and Thomasomys bombycinus, the heteromyid Heteromys australis, the marsupials Caenolestes convelatus, Mamosops caucae, and Marmosa isthmica, and the soricid Cryptotis equatoris. Chilomys neisi sp. nov. Brito, Tinoco, García, Koch, and Pardiñas Neisi Forest Mouse, Ratón del bosque de Neisi (in Spanish) Etymology: Named in honor of Neisi Dajomes Barrera, an Ecuadorian athlete weightlifting athlete born in the Provincia de Pastaza; Ecuadorian female Olympic gold medalist. The species epithet is formed from the name “Neisi” taken as a noun in apposition. Diagnosis: A species of Chilomys which can be identified by the following combination of characters: long nasal (~8.4–8.8 mm); zygomatic plate straight; M1 without anteromedian flexus; M1–M2 with indistinct mesoloph; M2 with narrowed hypoflexus (similar in width to mesoflexus); m1 without anteromedian flexus; hemal arches absent. Natural history: The zoogeographic area where Chilomys neisi sp. nov., occurs is Temperate (Albuja et al., 2012). The ecosystem corresponds to the montane forest (Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador, 2013), which is characterized by trees with abundant orchids, ferns, and bromeliads. Chilomys neisi sp. nov., was collected in mature forest where the undergrowth is visually dominated by herbaceous families such as Poaceae (Chusquea sp.), Araceae, and Melastomataceae. On the steep slopes, the palm (Ceroxylon sp.) predominates. Stomach content from one specimen revealed Coleoptera (one larva), and Chrysomelidae (one adult). Chilomys neisi sp. nov., was collected in sympatry with the didelphids Marmosops caucae Caenolestes caniventer and C. condorensis, and the rodents Akodon mollis, Nephelomys albigularis, Microryzomys minutus, Oreoryzomys balneator, and Thomasomys taczanowskii.
Chilomys percequilloi sp. nov. Brito, Tinoco, García and Pardiñas Percequillo Forest Mouse, Ratón del bosque de Percequillo (in Spanish) Etymology: This species is named in honor of Alexandre Reis Percequillo (nickname PC), Brazilian contemporary biologist devoted to the study of Neotropical mammal fauna and a specialist in oryzomyine rodents. The species epithet is formed from the surname “Percequillo,” taken as a noun in the genitive case, with the Latin suffix “i” (ICZN 31.1.2). Diagnosis: A species of Chilomys identified by the following combination of characters: tail with 18–20 rows of scales per centimeter on axis; zygomatic plate sloping backwards; M1–M2 with mesoloph; M2 with broader hypoflexus (similar in width to mesoflexus); m1 with anteromedian flexus; hemal arches present. Natural history: The zoogeographic area where C. percequilloi sp. nov., occurs is Eastern Sub-Tropical, Temperate and Altoandino (Albuja et al., 2012). The ecosystem corresponds to the montane forest (Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador, 2013), which is characterized by trees with abundant orchids, ferns, and bromeliads. Chilomys percequilloi sp. nov., was collected in mature forest where the undergrowth is visually dominated by herbaceous families such as Poaceae (Chusquea sp.), Araceae, and Melastomataceae. On the steep slopes, the royal palm (Dictyocaryum lamarckianum) predominates. Stomach contents of three specimens were analysed. Identifiable prey items were 25% Lepidoptera, 25% Blattodea, 25% Diptera, and 25% Acari (Supplemental S4). Chilomys percequilloi sp. nov., was collected in sympatry with the didelphids Marmosa germana, Marmosops caucae and Monodelphis adusta, and the rodents Akodon aerosus, A. mollis, Nephelomys auriventer, N. nimbosus, Oreoryzomys balneator, Rhipidomys albujai, Thomasomys pardignasi, T. cinnameus, T. erro, and T. salazari. Chilomys weksleri sp. nov. Brito, García, Pinto and Pardiñas Weksler Forest Mouse, Ratón del bosque de Weksler (in Spanish) Etymology: This species is named in honor of Marcelo Weksler, Brazilian contemporary biologist devoted to the study of living and fossil Neotropical cricetids. The species epithet is formed from the surname “Weksler,” taken as a noun in the genitive case, with the Latin suffix “i” (ICZN 31.1.2). Diagnosis: A species of Chilomys which can be identified by the following combination of characters: Head and body length ~74–85 mm; tail longer than head and body length combined (~143–153%); dorsal surface of foot with round scales and small interspaces; zygomatic plate leaning forward; M2 with broader hypoflexus (similar in width to mesoflexus); m1 with anteromedian flexus. Natural history: The zoogeographic area where Chilomys weksleri sp. nov., occurs is Temperate (Albuja et al., 2012). The ecosystem corresponds to the montane forest (Ministerio del Ambiente del Ecuador, 2013), which is characterized by trees with abundant orchids, ferns, and bromeliads. Chilomys weksleri sp. nov., was collected in mature forest where the undergrowth is visually dominated by herbaceous families such as Poaceae (Chusquea sp.), Araceae, and Melastomataceae. The species was collected in sympatry with the didelphids Marmosops caucae, Caenolestes caniventer and C. fuliginosus, and the rodents Akodon mollis, Nephelomys moerex, Microryzomys minutus, Thomasomys aureus, T. baeops, and T. silvestris. Family Cricetidae Fischer, 1817 Subfamily Sigmodontinae Wagner, 1843 Tribe Thomasomyini Steadman and Ray, 1982 Genus Chilomys Thomas, 1897 Type species (by monotypy).—Oryzomys instans Thomas, 1895. Etymology.—None originally, but Néstor Cazzaniga (in litteris) suggested that Thomas (1897) employed the Greek noun τιλός (chilos), meaning “grass” to distinguish Chilomys from Oryzomys, whose generic epithet is composed of ὄρσζα (oryza), meaning “rice.” Geographic distribution.—Known from Andean montane forests and Páramo-forest ecotone from northwestern Venezuela in the north to northern Perú in the south, generally ranging between 1,000 and 4,050 m above sea level. Chronological distribution.—Recent; no fossils are known. Contents.—The type species (C. instans) and, in order of nomination, C. fumeus Osgood, 1912, C. carapazi sp. nov. Brito & Pardiñas, C. georgeledecii sp. nov. Brito, Tinoco, García, Koch & Pardiñas, C. neisi sp. nov. Brito, Tinoco, García, Koch, & Pardiñas, C. percequilloi sp. nov. Brito, Tinoco, García & Pardiñas, and C. weksleri sp. nov. Brito, García, Pinto & Pardiñas (this paper). Conclusions: After more than a century of stasis in alpha taxonomy an integrative approach supported by extensive field sampling reveals that the poorly-known Andean thomasomyine Chilomys instans constitutes a complex of species. Five new species are described here, from Ecuadorian populations inhabiting montane forests on both sides of the Andes. Preliminarily, the newly revealed diversity can be attributed to allopatric speciation associated with the effect of Quaternary glacial-interglacial cycles on vegetation belts. Chilomys emerges as a morphologically distinctive Andean thomasomyine that exhibits unique specializations related to the procumbency of the incisors and probably associated to an invertebrate feeding strategy. Jorge Brito, Nicolás Tinoco, C. Miguel Pinto, Rubí García, Claudia Koch, Vincent Fernandez, Santiago Burneo and Ulyses F. J. Pardiñas. 2022. Unlocking Andean sigmodontine Diversity: Five New Species of Chilomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae) from the Montane Forests of Ecuador. PeerJ. 10:e13211. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13211 | ||||||||
| 8:49a | [Ichthyology • 2021] Vanmanenia marmorata • A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China
Abstract Background: The gastromyzontid genus Vanmanenia was established by Hora in 1932, based on the type species Vanmanenia stenosoma. The genus is a loach group adapted to running waters of streams from southern China, northern Vietnam and Laos. Currently, 19 valid species of the genus have been recognised. The northernmost distribution of the genus is the Yangtze River (= Chang-Jiang in Chinese) Basin and five species (V. maculata, V. intermedia, V. stenosoma, V. pseudostriata and V. gymnetrus) have been reported from the Basin. New information: Vanmanenia marmorata, a new hillstream species of loach, is here described from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China. It is distinguished from its congeners by having a combination of the following characters: three triangular-shaped rostral lobules; postdorsal saddles wider than interspaces; a more backwards-placed anus (the vent to anal distance 30.5–36.9% of the pelvic to anal distance); a larger gill opening with its upper extremity reaching the level of the middle of the orbit; anal-fin base length 5.6–6.4% of SL; caudal-peduncle length 11.6–12.9% of SL; prepelvic length 51.1–53.4% of SL. Its validity is also affirmed by its distinct cyt b gene sequence divergence with all sampled congeners and its monophyly recovered in a cyt b gene-based phylogenetic analysis. Keywords: freshwater fish, new taxon, morphology, cyt b gene, phylogenetic analysis
Vanmanenia marmorata Deng & Zhang 2021, sp. n. Diagnosis: Vanmanenia marmorata resembles the four species (V. caldwelli, V. maculata, V. intermedia and V. stenosoma) in having three triangular-shaped rostral lobules whose apical portions are in the barbel-like form, but not modified into secondary rostral barbels. It is distinct from these species in having postdorsal dark black saddles wider (vs. narrower) than their interspaces, further from V. caldwelli in having no longitudinal black stripe extending from the snout tip to the caudal-fin base along the lateral line on flank (vs. present) and a more backwards-placed anus [the vent to anal distance 30.5–36.9% (mean 34.6) vs. 60.0–70.3% (mean 68.5) of the pelvic to anal distance]; from V. maculata in having a dark black vermiculated mark (vs. large brown blotch; see Yi et al. 2014: Page 90, fig. 2) on the submargin of the gill cover and a more backwards-positioned anus [the vent to anal distance 30.5–36.9% (average 34.6) vs. 36.4–48.4% (average 43.0) of the pelvic to anal distance] (see Table 3); and from V. intermedia in having a larger gill opening with its upper extremity reaching the level of the middle of the orbit (vs. smaller, closer to the level of the lower margin of the orbit; see Deng and Zhang 2020 : Page 117: fig. 2), a shorter (vs. longer) anal-fin base [length 5.6–6.4 (mean 6.0) vs. 7.5–9.5 (mean 8.3) % of SL) and a longer (vs. shorter) caudal peduncle [length 11.6–12.9 (average 12.0) vs. 8.4–11.1 (average 9.9) % of SL]; and from V. stenosoma in having a longer (vs. shorter) caudal peduncle [length 11.6–12.9 (mean 12.0) vs. 9.0–11.1 (mean 10.0) % of SL] and a more forwards-positioned pelvic fin [prepelvic length 51.1–53.4 (mean 51.7) vs. 54.7–59.2 (mean 57.2) % SL]. Etymology: The specific epithet is from the Latin word marmor referring to the unique body colouration of irregular marbled markings. Distribution: This new species is presently known from the upper reaches of the Chen-Shui, a stream tributary to the Yuan-Jiang of the Dongting Lake system in the middle Chang-Jiang Basin, at Jiangkou County, Guizhou Province, south China (Fig. 3). It inhabits fast-flowing waters with a gravelly and pebbly substrate (Fig. 4). Co-existing species are Discogobio yunnanensis (Regan, 1907), Onychostoma barbatum (Lin, 1931) and Rhinogobius cliffordpopei (Nichols, 1925). Shuqing Deng and E. Zhang. 2021. Vanmanenia marmorata, A New Species of Loach (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae) from the middle Chang-Jiang Basin in Guizhou Province, south China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 9: e72432. DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e72432 | ||||||||
| 10:33a | [Botany • 2021] Anemopaegma kawense (Bignoniaceae) • A New Species from the Kaw Mountain (French Guiana), with Notes on related Species and A Key to the Genus in the Guianas
Abstract Background and aims – The genus Anemopaegma (Bignoniaceae) includes around 47 species and has its centre of diversity in Brazil. Here, we describe and illustrate a new species from French Guiana, Anemopaegma kawense, and compare it to the two most similar species, A. foetidum and A. granvillei. We further assess the conservation status of all three species. Material and methods – Morphological descriptions are based on herbarium specimens deposited at BM, BR, CAY, INPA, K, MO, P, SPF, and U, and, in the case of the newly described species, also on field observations. The conservation status assessments follow the IUCN Red List criteria. Key results – Anemopaegma kawense differs from both A. foetidum and A. granvillei by its densely villose twigs, longitudinally plicate leaflets with secondary veins not or hardly prominent below, and tertiary veins impressed below. It is further separated from A. foetidum by the leaflets that are villose below and the calyx that is entirely pubescent outside. On the other hand, A. kawense differs from A. granvillei by the densely lepidote outer surface of the corolla, shorter petiolules, leaflets with midrib impressed above, shorter bracts and bracteoles, inflorescence peduncle exceeding the rachis, and pedicels densely puberulous, not lepidote or only sparsely so at the apex. This species is endemic to the Kaw Mountain in north-eastern French Guiana, where it grows in low stunted forest on laterite; it is assessed as Endangered according to the IUCN criteria. New descriptions are provided for A. granvillei, which is newly reported from Suriname, and for A. foetidum, which is newly reported from French Guiana; these two species are assessed as Endangered and Least Concern, respectively. Lectotypes are designated for A. maguirei, which is here synonymised with A. foetidum, and for A. umbellatum, another synonym of that species. A key to the 12 species of Anemopaegma occurring in the Guianas is presented. impressed above (vs prominent), tendrils with trifid apices (vs simple), bracts and bracteoles ca 1 mm long (vs 2–3.5 mm long), inflorescence peduncle exceeding the rachis (vs shorter than rachis), and pedicels densely puberulous, not or sparsely lepidote at apex (vs glabrous to sparsely puberulous and densely lepidote). Keywords: Anemopaegma, Bignoniaceae, Bignonieae, French Guiana, Guiana Shield, Kaw Mountain, new species, rainforest, Suriname, taxonomy
Anemopaegma kawense O.Lachenaud & Firetti-Legg., sp. nov. Diagnosis – Anemopaegma kawense resembles A. foetidum and A. granvillei in its contracted and few-flowered inflorescences, truncate calyx, minute prophylls of the axillary buds, and leaflets with pinnate venation and weakly ascending secondary veins. It differs from both species by its densely villose twigs, longitudinally plicate leaflets with secondary veins not or hardly prominent on the lower surface, and tertiary veins impressed on the lower surface (vs twigs glabrous or minutely puberulous, leaflets flat with secondary and tertiary veins prominent below). It is further separated from A. foetidum by the villose lower surface of leaflets (vs glabrous) and the calyx which is entirely pubescent outside (vs glabrous towards the apex, except for the ciliate margin). It additionally differs from A. granvillei by the following characters: corolla densely lepidote outside (vs glabrous), petiolules 1–4 mm long (vs 5–10 mm long), leaflet midrib Olivier Lachenaud, Fabiana Firetti and Lúcia G. Lohmann. 2021. Anemopaegma kawense (Bignoniaceae), A New Species from the Kaw Mountain (French Guiana), with Notes on related Species and A Key to the Genus in the Guianas. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 154(2); 296-306. DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.2021.1775 |
| << Previous Day |
2022/04/20 [Calendar] |
Next Day >> |