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Thursday, June 23rd, 2022
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| 10:12a | [Herpetology • 2022] Darevskia salihae • Hidden Diversity in A Narrow Valley: Description of New Endemic Palearctic Rock Lizard Darevskia (Squamata: Lacertidae) Species from Northeastern Turkey
Darevskia is a particularly species-rich radiation of Palearctic rock lizards from the Caucasus region. Thanks to intense systematic and taxonomic research, the knowledge of species – level diversity within this genus has increased over the last quarter century. Here, we described a new species, Darevskia salihae sp. nov. from northeastern Turkey. The new taxon is differentiated from other nearby taxon by the low number of dorsal scales in the middle of the body, the shorter body length, and the absence of blue dots both on the lateral region above the forelimbs and on the margin of the ventral plates. In addition to their morphological differences, the new taxon is phylogenetically different from close groups. It is located in a separate subclade from the rudis-valentini-portschinskii subclade. This distinction is supported by both a high bootstrap value (100) and a high posterior probability value (1.00). These two subclades are separated from each other by a genetic distance of almost 4%. This separation is supported not only genetically and morphologically, but also geographically. Since the habitat of the new taxon is limited to a high mountain and a narrow valley, it does not provide an opportunity for a different Darevskia species to shelter because it creates geographical isolation. However, Darevskia parvula that live closest to the habitat of the new taxon live only at the habitat boundaries and do not enter areas where the new taxon is found. Therefore, it might be possible that while it was separated from the rudis-valentini-portschinskii group during the evolutionary transformation, it remained as a refuge and relict in a narrow area as a result of the collapse of the valleys and the partial uplift of the Kaçkar Mountains. Key words: Darevskia salihae sp. nov., Caucasian rock lizards, New species, Phylogeny, Morphology, Isolation, Relict endemic, Anatolia.
Family: Lacertidae Oppel, 1811 Genus: Darevskia Arribas, 1999 Darevskia salihae sp. nov. Kurnaz, Şahin and Eroğlu, 2022 Diagnosis: Darevskia salihae sp. nov. is small sized (SVL: 51.79–58.98 mm) (Fig. 4a, b). Rostral and internasal is rarely in contact. Suboculars on both sides reach the mouth, four supralabials in anterior of suboculars. The first supratemporal plates are bigger than the others on each side of the head. All individuals have 4 supraocular plates on each side of the head. The supranasal plate is separated from anterior loreal plates above nostrils in all specimens. The postnasal plate is single on each side in all specimens. Massetericum is large and present in each side of temporal region. The row of supraciliar granules for all individuals is complete. 23–25 gularia between the third inframaxillary and collars. Generally, 6 longitudinal rows of ventral plates, and 24–30 ventral series in a longitudinal row along the belly between collar and preanal; 39–43 (mean 41) smooth dorsal midbody scales. 17–19 femoral pores exist on the right side. 22–25 lamellae exist beneath the 4th toe. The dorsal body scales in the midbody are tiny and flat. Subdigital lamellae in the 4th toe is smooth. The anal plate is singular in all specimens. Tibial scales are not carinated. Etymology: The name of the new taxon was given in honor of Saliha Şahin, who is the mother of one of the authors, Mehmet Kürşat Şahin, who passed away recently.  Muammer Kurnaz, Mehmet Kürşat Şahin and Ali İhsan Eroğlu. 2022. Hidden Diversity in A Narrow Valley: Description of New Endemic Palearctic Rock Lizard Darevskia (Squamata: Lacertidae) Species from Northeastern Turkey. Zoological Studies. 61; 44. zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/61/61-44.h | ||||||||||
| 4:43p | [Herpetology • 2022] Cyrtodactylus phukhaensis • A New Cyrtodactylus Species (Reptila: Gekkonidae) from Nan Province, Northern Thailand
Abstract Here, a new species of bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus phukhaensis sp. nov., is described from Doi Phu Kha, Nan province, Thailand based on molecular and morphological evidence. A phylogeny based on NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) and its flanking tRNAs places the new species in the chauquangensis group as a sister taxon to Cyrtodactylus wayakonei. The new species can be differentiated from other members of the chauquangensis group by having a unique combination of 7 or 8 supralabials, 23–28 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles, 8–10 infralabials, 9 femoral pores, 7 precloacal pores, 40–47 ventral scales, and a lack of bands crossing the temporal area. In addition, results from a chromosome study of C. phukhaensis sp. nov. showed that the new species has a diploid chromosome number of 40 with a fundamental number of 46. The formula of the karyotype was as follows: 2n (40) = 2m + 4sm + 34t. Our findings suggest that further studies of Cyrtodactylus biodiversity in northern Thailand are needed. Keywords: bent-toed gecko; Cyrtodactylus wayakonei; Cyrtodactylus chauquangensis; karyotype; phylogeny; taxonomy 
Cyrtodactylus phukhaensis sp. nov. Chomdej, Pradit, Pawangkhanant, Naiduangchan, and Suwannapoom Phukha Bent-toed Gecko Diagnosis Cyrtodactylus phukhaensis sp. nov. differs from all other species in the C. chauguangensis group by having a combination of 8 or 9 supralabials; 8–10 infralabials; 36–44 paravertebral tubercles; 23–28 longitudinal rows of dorsal tubercles; 40 –47 ventral scales; 7 expanded subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe, 11 or 12 unmodified subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe, and 18 or 19 total subdigital lamellae on the fourth toe; 27–34 enlarged femoral scales; 10 –12 pore-bearing femoral scales in males; 8–11 enlarged precloacal scales; 7 pore-bearing precloacal scales in males; 3 rows of enlarged postprecloacal scales; 4–7 broken to hour glass-shaped dorsal body bands; 4–8 light-colored caudal bands (n = 2); 3–8 dark colored caudal bands (n = 2); raised and strongly keeled dorsal tubercles that extend beyond the base of the tail; enlarged femoral and precloacal scales that are nearly the same size and continuous; pore-bearing femoral and precloacal scales that are not continuous; medial subcaudals 2–3 times wider than long and extending onto the lateral side of the tail; green irises; a nuchal loop lacking an anterior azygous notch and bearing a jagged posterior border; dorsal bands bearing paravertebral elements that are generally equal in width to the interspaces, bear lightened centers, and are edged with white tubercles; dark markings in the dorsal interspaces; light caudal bands in adults bearing dark-colored markings; light-colored caudal bands that do not encircle the tail, and a mature regenerated tail that is not spotted (Table 3). Etymology The specific epithet, phukhaensis, is derived from the place name of Doi Phu Kha where the type series was collected.  Siriwadee Chomdej, Waranee Pradit, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Chakkrapong Kuensaen, Apichaya Phupanbai, Mali Naiduangchan, Promporn Piboon, Korakot Nganvongpanit, Zhiyong Yuan, Yinpeng Zhang, Jing Che, Phuping Sucharitakul and Chatmongkon Suwannapoom. 2022. A New Cyrtodactylus Species (Reptila: Gekkonidae) from Nan Province, Northern Thailand [96-108] Asian Herpetological Research. 13(2); 96–108. DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.210055 AHR-journal.com/en/oa/darticle.aspx?type=v | ||||||||||
| 4:48p | [Botany • 2022] Nepenthes pudica (Nepenthaceae) First Record of Functional Underground Traps in A Pitcher Plant: A New Species from North Kalimantan, Borneo
Abstract Nepenthes pudica, a new species from North Kalimantan, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. The species belongs to the N. hirsuta group (sensu Cheek and Jebb 1999) but exhibits some characters that are unique within the group or even within the genus. Above all, it produces underground, achlorophyllous shoots with well-developed, ventricose lower pitchers that form in soil cavities or directly in the soil. No lower pitchers are formed above ground. The main part of its prey are ants, besides other litter- and soil-inhabiting species of invertebrates. A number of infaunal species were found in both aerial and underground pitchers, mainly Diptera and nematodes. Nepenthes pudica is known only from a few neighbouring localities in the Mentarang Hulu district of North Kalimantan, where it grows on ridgetops at an elevation of 1100–1300 m. Its discovery underlines the natural richness of Borneo’s rainforest and the necessity to preserve this important ecosystem with its enormous and still undiscovered biodiversity. Keywords: Borneo, carnivorous plant, Caryophyllales, Mentarang Hulu, prey composition, taxonomy, underground trap
 Nepenthes pudica Dančák & Majeský, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Nepenthes pudica differs from N. hispida Beck in producing short basal underground (vs. aboveground) shoots; ± glabrous (vs. hairy) stems; petiolate (vs. sessile) climbing shoot leaves with auriculate, shortly decurrent (vs. decurrent-amplexicaul) bases; rare (vs. common) upper pitchers; red (vs. green or red blotched) lower pitchers; ± glabrous (vs. hairy) mature pitchers; ventricose (vs. ovoid-ellipsoid) lower pitchers; infundibular (vs. subcylindrical, tapering) upper half of the lower pitcher; 3–5.5 cm (vs. 1.5–3 cm) wide lower pitchers; male flowers in pairs (vs. single or rarely in pairs) and androphore c. 4 mm (vs. 1.5–2 mm) long. Distribution: The species is known only from a few adjoining localities in the western part of the Mentarang Hulu district of North Kalimantan, Indonesia. The exact locations have been withheld in order to prevent poaching by unscrupulous commercial collectors. Etymology: The specific epithet pudica (bashful, shy), is a feminine adjective and alludes to the fact that lower pitchers remain concealed from direct view. Martin Dančák, Ľuboš Majeský, Václav Čermák, Michal R. Golos, Bartosz J. Płachno and Wewin Tjiasmanto. 2022. First Record of Functional Underground Traps in A Pitcher Plant: Nepenthes pudica (Nepenthaceae), A New Species from North Kalimantan, Borneo. PhytoKeys. 201: 77-97. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.201.82872  |
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