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Wednesday, July 6th, 2022
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| 2:29a | [Paleontology • 2022] Psammophis odysseus • First Occurrence of Psammophis (Serpentes) from Europe witnesses Another Messinian Herpetofaunal Dispersal from Africa – Biogeographic Implications and A Discussion of the Vertebral Morphology of Psammophiid S
Abstract We here describe abundant new snake material from the late Miocene (MN 13) of Salobreña, Spain. Vertebral morphology suggests a referral of the specimens to the extant psammophiid Psammophis, documenting the first occurrence of this genus in Europe. The diversity and disparity across the vertebral morphology of different psammophiid genera are discussed. We identify vertebral features that could diagnose Psammophis and therefore enable the recognition of the genus in the fossil record. A comparison of the new Spanish form with other taxa is conducted. We provide a detailed review of the psammophiid fossil record. Material previously described from the middle Miocene of Beni Mellal, Morocco is here tentatively referred to as ?Psammophis sp., an action that renders that occurrence as the oldest (probable) record of the genus and Psammophiidae as a whole, providing thus a potential calibration point. On the other hand, Eastern European Pliocene material that had been previously supposedly referred to Psammophis is here discarded as being rather fragmentary, not affording any more precise determination. The two psammophiid genera Psammophis and Malpolon appear almost simultaneously in the European fossil record (MN 13), with the former achieving only a short-lived and apparently geographically limited distribution in the continent, while the latter still exists in its modern herpetofauna. We assess biogeographic implications of the new find, suggesting a direct dispersal event from northwestern Africa to the Iberian Peninsula during the late Miocene, facilitated by the Messinian Salinity Crisis. Keywords: biogeography, Messinian Salinity Crisis, Psammophiidae, Serpentes, vertebral morphology Systematic paleontology Squamata Oppel, 1811 Serpentes Linnaeus, 1758 Alethinophidia Nopcsa, 1923 Caenophidia Hoffstetter, 1939 Colubroides Zaher, Grazziotin, Cadle, Murphy, Cesar de Moura-Leite and Bonatto, 2009 Colubriformes Zaher, Grazziotin, Cadle, Murphy, Cesar de Moura-Leite and Bonatto, 2009 Elapoidea Vidal, Delmas, David, Cruaud, Couloux and Hedges, 2007 Psammophiidae Bourgeois, 1968 Psammophis Boié in Fitzinger, 1826  Psammophis odysseus sp. nov. Type locality. Late Miocene (MN 13, Messinian) of Salobreña, Andalusia, Spain. Etymology. From the Greek mythical hero Odysseus (Ὀδυσσεύς), who, in Homer's “Odyssey” (Ὀδύσσεια), extensively traveled and wandered the seas for 10 years on his way back home after the fall of Troy; during his long voyage, Odysseus visited multiple places but never settled permanently in any of them, eventually finally reaching his homeland Ithaca. The name alludes to the dispersal of Psammophis from northwestern Africa to Iberia, which could potentially have even included also some overseas rafting, as well as its temporary only “stay” in the “new land” of Europe. Gender is masculine. CONCLUSION: We describe a new species of psammophiid snakes, Psammophis odysseus sp. nov., based on abundant vertebral material from the late Miocene (MN 13) Salobreña, Spain. This represents the first documented occurrence of Psammophis in Europe, adding to the considerably poor diversity of psammophiids in the continent. A thorough discussion of the vertebral morphology and intracolumnar variation of extant psammophiids is provided, coupled with detailed figuring of selected extant taxa. We identify vertebral features that could serve as diagnostic for Psammophis. The fossil record of psammophiid snakes is thoroughly reviewed. Taking into consideration the age, geographic location, and faunal composition of Salobreña, we imply that Psammophis odysseus sp. nov. most likely dispersed from northwestern Africa to Iberia, taking advantage of the environmental perturbations of the Messinian Salinity Crisis, but the genus eventually did not manage to settle in Europe and became subsequently extinct from the continent. Georgios L. Georgalis and Zbigniew Szyndlar. 2022. First Occurrence of Psammophis (Serpentes) from Europe witnesses Another Messinian Herpetofaunal Dispersal from Africa – Biogeographic Implications and A Discussion of the Vertebral Morphology of Psammophiid Snakes. The Anatomical Record. DOI: 10.1002/ar.24892 | ||||||
| 9:02a | [Botany • 2022] Begonia longlingensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Diploclinium) • A New Species from Yunnan, China
Abstract Begonia longlingensis Y.H.Tan & H.B.Ding, a new species of Begoniaceae from Southwest Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it is primarily similar to B. wenshanensis in same section but differs by its hairy inflorescences and ovary (vs. glabrous), five tepals of pistillate flower (vs. three tepals), bracteoles under the ovary (vs. without) and rhizomes well developed (vs. poorly developed). Keyword: Begonia sect. Diploclinium, B. wenshanensis, bracteole, morphology, new taxon 
Begonia longlingensis Y.H.Tan & H.B.Ding, sp. nov. 龙陵秋海棠 Diagnosis: Begonia longlingensis is morphologically similar to B. wenshanensis C.M.Hu ex C.Y.Wu & T.C.Ku (Wu and Ku, 1995: 262) in having similar leaves and caulescent habit. But it can be distinguished from the similar species by the following characters: puberulous inflorescences (vs. glabrous), five tepals of pistillate flower (vs. three tepals), bracteoles under the ovary (vs. without), ovary densely red succulent strigose (vs. glabrous) and rhizomes well developed (vs. poorly developed). Etymology: The specific epithet ‘longlingensis’ refers to the name of Longling County, which includes the type locality of the new species. Habitat and Distribution: The new species is currently known from Longling Xiaoheishan Provincial Natural Reserve of Baoshan City, and, Linxiang District of Lincang City, Yunnan Province, China. It grows in moist environment in broad-leaved evergreen forests, at 2100–2300 m elevation. Hong-Bo Ding, Xing-Run Hu, Yan-Xiong Gong, Yao-Ke Li, Hai-Zhong Liu, Guo-Qi Luo and Yun-Hong Tan. 2022. Begonia longlingensis, A New Species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Yunnan, China. Taiwania. 67(3); 377-379. | ||||||
| 9:34a | [Ichthyology • 2022] Glaridoglanis ramosa • A New Glyptosternine Catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from Myanmar
Abstract Glaridoglanis ramosa, new species, is described from a cryptorheic basin in northern Shan State, Myanmar. The new species can be distinguished from G. andersonii, the sole congener, in having fewer vertebrae (39–40 vs. 42–44), more branched pectoral-fin rays (13–14 vs. 8–10), a longer maxillary barbel (reaching beyond proximal half vs. not more than proximal third of first pectoral-fin element; 87–101% head length vs. 75–79), a shorter pelvic fin (10.8–16.3% standard length vs. 18.0–22.4) and dorsal-to-adipose distance (7.1–11.7% standard length vs. 17.5–20.0), absence (vs. presence) of a thin, pale midlateral stripe, and an adipose fin that is strongly incised (vs. without incision or with a weak incision) at the posterior extremity of its base. We also investigated the taxonomic status of Glyptosternon malaisei, and conclude that it is a junior subjective synonym of Glaridoglanis andersonii.  Glaridoglanis ramosa, new species Heok Hee Ng and Maurice Kottelat. 2022. A New Glyptosternine Catfish from Myanmar (Actinopterygii: Siluriformes: Sisoridae). Ichthyology & Herpetology. 110(2); 262-267. DOI: 10.1643/i2021056 [10 May 2022] | ||||||
| 10:36a | [Paleontology • 2022] Eoscansor cobrensis • A Scansorial Varanopid Eupelycosaur (Synapsida: Eupelycosauria: Varanopidae) from the Pennsylvanian of New Mexico, USA
Abstract An incomplete skeleton of a small tetrapod from the Upper Pennsylvanian of New Mexico represents a new genus and species of varanopid eupelycosaur named Eoscansor cobrensis. This skeleton is from the Cobrean (Virgilian) interval of the El Cobre Canyon Formation in the Cañon del Cobre of Rio Arriba County, New Mexico. Eoscansor is a small varanopid distinguished from other varanopids primarily by the unique structure of its manus and pes metapodials and phalanges. Diverse aspects of its anatomy indicate that Eoscansor was a climber, and possibly arboreal, the oldest such tetrapod now known. These features include: claw, phalangeal, and metapodial adaptations indicative of grasping, clinging, and climbing ability; equivalence of high claw curvature and limb length between the fore- and hind limbs; body mass per SVL within the range of extant climbing lizards; very low tibia length/femur length ratio; and a low center of gravity to facilitate an inclined surface-hugging posture.
Eoscansor cobrensis Spencer G. Lucas, Larry F. Rinehart, Matthew D. Celeskey, David S Berman and Amy C. Henrici. 2022. A Scansorial Varanopid Eupelycosaur from the Pennsylvanian of New Mexico. Annals of Carnegie Museum. 87(3); 167-205. DOI: 10.2992/007.087.0301 [3 June 2022]   |
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