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Saturday, September 3rd, 2022
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 12:13a | [PaleoEntomology • 2022] Desyopone hereon • Genomic-Phenomic Reciprocal Illumination: An Exceptional Aneuretine-like Fossil Ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae) from Ethiopian Amber
Abstract Fossils are critical for understanding the evolutionary diversification, turnover, and morphological disparification of extant lineages. While fossils cannot be sequenced, phenome-scale data may be generated using micro-computed tomography (µ-CT), thus revealing hidden structures and internal anatomy, when preserved. Here, we adduce the male caste of a new fossil ant species from Miocene Ethiopian amber that resembles members of the Aneuretinae, matching the operational definition of the subfamily. Through the use of synchrotron radiation for µ-CT, we critically test the aneuretine-identity hypothesis. Our results indicate that the new fossils do not belong to the Aneuretinae, but rather the Ponerini (Ponerinae). Informed by recent phylogenomic studies, we were able to place the fossils close to the extant genus Cryptopone based on logical character analysis, with the two uniquely sharing absence of the subpetiolar process among all ponerine genera. Consequently, we: (1) revise the male-based key to the global ant subfamilies; (2) revise the definitions of Aneuretinae, Ponerinae, Platythyreini, and Ponerini; (3) discuss the evolution of ant mandibles; and (4) describe the fossils as †Desyopone hereon gen. et sp. nov. Our study highlights the value of males for ant systematics and the tremendous potential of phenomic imaging technologies for the study of ant evolution. View Full-Text Keywords: Insecta; ant diversification; poneroid clade; Poneria; Miocene; Ethiopia 
Genus †Desyopone gen. nov. Boudinot and Perrichot Type species. †Desyopone hereon sp. nov., by present designation monotypy. Etymology. The genus name is a portmanteau of the traditional ponerine generic suffix, “-pone”, and the acronym for the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY), whose storage ring and radiation beamline facilities were used to generate the phenomic data that were crucial for the correct identification of the new taxon. Diagnosis. †Desyopone has plesiomorphies 1–4 of Ponerinae and is identifiable as Ponerini at minimum due to the vestigial mandibles and infraaxial helcium. †Desyopone and Cryptopone are uniquely identified among all Ponerinae by: (1) subpetiolar process completely absent, with the poststernite low and nearly flat in profile. The new genus differs from the males of all known Cryptopone by the following: (2) head broader than long, excluding the compound eyes (vs. head narrower than long); (3) mandibles elongate (vs. short); (4) mandibles lobate (vs. spiniform); (5) mesospiracular sclerite evidently absent (vs. this sclerite present); (6) meso- and metatibiae with no spur and one spur, respectively (vs. two spurs each); and (7) petiolar peduncle long, about as long as node is tall (vs. peduncle short, considerable shorter than height of node). †Desyopone hereon sp. nov. Boudinot and Perrichot Etymology. The specific epithet gratefully recognizes the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, the research center which funds and operates the Imaging Beamline (P05) at DESY, thus making the present work possible. Type locality. Exact locality unknown in the Bashilo river gorge near Weldiya, Semien Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Type horizon. A fine siltstone/mudstone of Early Miocene age (16–23 Ma). Diagnosis. †Desyopone hereon is uniquely identifiable among all Ponerinae by the distinctly elongate petiolar peduncle and the enlarged, lobate mandibles. Conclusions: Ethiopian amber generally follows the pattern of other Miocene insect deposits, with almost exclusively extant arthropod genera fossilized in inclusions. This holds true for ants, with at least 15 extant genera reported to date [25] (Table 1 therein), while †Desyopone gen. nov. is the first instance of an extinct, new genus that is endemic to Ethiopian amber to date. It is plausible that †Desyopone gen. nov. may ultimately be discovered alive somewhere in Africa, as male ants are yet largely unknown from the continent. A similar case occurred with Gracilidris Wild and Cuezzo, 2006, a dolichoderine first described from a Dominican amber fossil and later found alive in South America [53,54]. Conversely, Ravavy Fisher, 2009 was described from Madagascar before being recently found fossilized in Ethiopian amber. The present study is a direct instance of genomic–phenomic reciprocal illumination. Moreover, it provides an object lesson in the interpretation of unusual fossils—particularly those with appealing stories, such as the Aneuretinae, for which petiolar tergosternal fusion must be evaluated. Arising from the µ-CT renders of †Desyopone hereon gen. et sp. nov., the global male-based key to ant subfamilies is revised, as well as the definitions of Ponerinae, Platythyreini, Ponerini, and Cryptopone. The new species displays an extreme lost phenotype, albeit one which is biased toward underappreciation as the taxon is known only from males. Systematic reevaluation of male mandibular morphology, however, strongly suggests that the derivation of shovel-shaped mandibles is a synapomorphy of the Poneroformicia clade, with male mandibles themselves representing a largely untapped source of information at the genus level. We anticipate that synchrotron micro-computed tomography and combined-evidence phylogenetics will transform insect systematics. Brendon E. Boudinot, Adrian K. Richter, Jörg U. Hammel, Jacek Szwedo, Błażej Bojarski and Vincent Perrichot. 2022. Genomic-Phenomic Reciprocal Illumination: Desyopone hereon gen. et sp. nov., an Exceptional Aneuretine-like Fossil Ant from Ethiopian Amber (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae). Insects. 3(9), 796. DOI: 10.3390/insects13090796 https://phys.org/news/2022-09-scientists-e Simple Summary: We describe a new species of extinct ants from Miocene-aged Ethiopian amber, based on males that resemble species of the relictual lineage Aneuretinae, but which effectively belong to the Ponerinae, as revealed by advanced 3D-imaging technology (synchrotron radiation micro-computed tomography, SR-µ-CT). We subsequently propose a revision of ant classification at the subfamily level. We also recognize that the new species belongs to a new genus based on recent phylogenomic results that have clarified the generic boundaries of Ponerini ants. Our work, therefore, represents an example of reciprocal illumination between phenomic and genomic data. | ||||||
| 3:34a | [Invertebrate • 2022] Eunice dharastii • A New Species of Giant Eunice (Annelida: Polychaeta: Eunicidae) from the east coast of Australia
Abstract A new giant species is described from New South Wales, Australia. Eunice dharastii sp. nov. differs from described Australian species and is most similar to E. aphroditois (Pallas, 1788), E. flavopicta Izuka, 1912, and E. kinbergi Ehlers, 1868. The unique combination of features that characterizes the new species is irregular articulated prostomial appendages; antennae reaching back beyond chaetiger 4; branchiae starting at chaetiger 10, initially button-shaped and distinctly longer than notopodial cirri where best developed; dorsal fleshy knobs on anterior chaetal lobes; notopodial cirri pendulous, abrupt tapering from inflated bases; bidentate compound falcigerous chaetae with both teeth directed laterally, distal tooth much shorter than proximal tooth in median and posterior chaetigers; and dark bidentate subacicular hooks starting at chaetiger 58, tapering to a small head with both teeth directed distally, and proximal tooth much larger than minute and spur-like distal tooth. This new species lives in sandy sediments in coastal waters 1–8 m deep. It is highly mobile and not easy to collect, which may explain why it was not described before. Keywords: Bobbit worm, Eunice aphroditois, Port Stephens, taxonomy
Eunice dharastii sp. nov Habitat and specific density: Water depth, 1–8 m, in tubes in coarse sand substrates; also occurs in sandy habitats to the west and east of the type locality in same depth range. Average specific density in Nelson Bay main beach 3.5 ± 0.6 individuals per 30 m2. Type locality: Nelson Bay Main Beach (...), Port Stephens, New South Wales, Australia. Etymology: The species is named in honor of Dr David Harasti, who collected the specimens, donated them to the Australian Museum, and first suspected they were a species new to science. Joana Zanol and Pat Hutchings. 2022. A New Species of Giant Eunice (Eunicidae, Polychaeta, Annelida) from the east coast of Australia. ZooKeys. 1118: 97-109. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1118.86448  | ||||||
| 8:55a | [Botany • 2022] Utricularia elephanthoides (Lentibulariaceae) • A New Species from the Guayana Shield
Abstract: Background and Aims: Utricularia (Lentibulariaceae) includes ca. 240 carnivorous species of cosmopolitan distribution. The Guayana Shield has 48 species, about 20% of the world total. Of the 35 groups into which the genus is divided, Utricularia sect. Orchidioides is one of the best known and studied, as it usually has large and striking flowers. In this paper, the identity of one of the species in this section, present in the Guayana Shield, is clarified. Methods: The taxonomic literature, herbarium material, and photographs of cultivated plants from the study area (Bolívar and Amazonas states of Venezuela, in the central portion of the Guayana Shield) available on the internet, were reviewed. Additionally, and for comparative purposes, material from the most closely related species (Utricularia asplundii, U. jamesoniana and U. uxoris) was also reviewed. Key results: Utricularia elephanthoides sp. nov., which is characterized by the photosynthetic organs with an acute apex, upper lip of the corolla shallowly tetralobulate, applied to the lower lip, and spur ≤1.5 times the length of the lower lip of the corolla, is described and illustrated. This new species, together with Utricularia asplundii, U. jamesoniana and U. uxoris, forms a natural group with relatively small flowers and deeply trilobulate lower corolla lobe, which is named here “U. jamesoniana complex”. A table of morphological characters, a key and two maps are presented, by means of which these four species can be compared and differentiated. Conclusions: The Guayanan populations of Utricularia sect. Orchidioides with a deeply trilobulate lower corolla lip and a spur with basal (conical) and apical (subulate) portions of similar length should be assigned to the new concept (U. elephanthoides), so far only known from Venezuela. This species is part of the “Utricularia jamesoniana” complex, which is monophyletic and widely distributed in the Neotropics. Key words: Guayana, Pantepui, tepui, Utricularia sect. Orchidioides, Venezuela.
Utricularia elephanthoides J.R. Grande, sp. nov. Etymology: the epithet “elephanthoides” (from Greek ἐλέφας, elephant; ἄνθος, flower; -ειδής, similar) alludes to the curious morphology of the flowers, which resemble the head of a proboscis. José Ramón Grande Allende. 2022. Utricularia elephanthoides (Lentibulariaceae), especie nueva del Escudo Guayanés. [Utricularia elephanthoides (Lentibulariaceae), A New Species from the Guayana Shield]. Acta botánica mexicana. 129[Epub 30-Jun-2022]. DOI: 10.21829/abm129.2022.2049  | ||||||
| 9:38a | [Botany • 2022] Campanula dersimensis (Campanulaceae: Campanuleae) • A New Bellflower from E Anatolia, Turkey
Abstract Campanula dersimensis Fırat & Yıldırım, a new species endemic to the E Anatolian region of Turkey, is described and illustrated. It is currently known from two localities in Tunceli province (Dersim). Campanula dersimensis shows similarities to C. quercetorum Hub.-Mor. & C. Simon and C. yildirimlii Kit Tan & Sorger. A close relationship of the three taxa is also supported by phylogenetic analyses based on the nuclear-encoded ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Diagnostic morphological characters are discussed and compared with those of closely related taxa. Campanula dersimensis is easily distinguished from related species, especially by its retrorsely hairy stem and leaf surface, to 1 mm long calyx appendages and glabrous and light greenish yellow to yellowish white corollas.
Campanula dersimensis Fırat & Yıldırım, sp. nov. Diagnosis — Campanula dersimensis is similar to C. quercetorum and C. yildirimlii. It is easily distinguished from them mainly by having stems erect, dark green, unbranched or shortly branched in upper half, retrorsely hirtulous to pubescent-puberulent, rarely subglabrous above; bracts 4–20 mm long, distinctly hairy; calyx lobes pointed backward, linear-lanceolate, retrorsely hispidulous toward apex; calyx appendages present, to 1 mm long; corolla light greenish yellow to yellowish white, mostly glabrous outside; capsule broadly ovoid-cylindric when mature, glabrous, membranous structure between veins breaking down and capsule opening with (9 or)10 valves. Etymology — The specific epithet is derived from Dersim, which is the former name of Tunceli province. Mehmet Fırat, Barış Özüdoğru and Hasan Yıldırım. 2022. A New Bellflower, Campanula dersimensis (Campanulaceae), from E Anatolia, Turkey. Willdenowia. 52(2)167-177. DOI: 10.3372/wi.52.52202 Researchgate.net/publication/361649561_A_new_bellflower_Campanula_dersimensis_from_E_Anatolia_Turkey   |
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