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Tuesday, September 19th, 2023
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Event |
2:17a |
[Ichthyology • 2023] Oreonectes damingshanensis • A New Species of Stream Fish (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi, Southwest China
 | Oreonectes damingshanensis Yu, Luo, Lan, Xiao & Zhou,
in Yu, Luo, Lan, Zhou, Deng, Xiao et Zhou. 2023. |
Abstract In this work, a new species of the genus Oreonectes is described, named Oreonectes damingshanensis Yu, Luo, Lan, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov., collected from the Damingshan Mountains of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Phylogenetic trees constructed based on the mitochondrial Cyt b showed that the new species represents an independent evolutionary lineage, with uncorrected genetic distances (p-distance) from congeners ranging from 6.1% to 8.9%. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from five other species of the genus by a combination of characters. The discovery of this new species raises the number of known species of Oreonectes from five to six. Our study suggests that O. platycephalus may be a complex containing multiple species and that previously recorded areas need to be further delimited and reevaluated.
Key words: Morphology, new species, Oreonectes platycephalus complex, phylogeny, taxonomy
 | Live paratype of Oreonectes damingshanensis sp. nov. |
Oreonectes damingshanensis Yu, Luo, Lan, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. Oreonectes platycephalus (Günther, 1868): Wang 2022 (Guangxi, China); Luo et al. 2023 (Damingshan Mountains, Shanglin County, Guangxi, China).
Diagnosis: Oreonectes damingshanensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Oreonectes based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following characteristics, which are diagnostic for this genus: (1) anterior and posterior nostrils narrowly separated; (2) lips smooth, with furrows; (3) barbel-like elongation of anterior nostrils longer than depth of nostril tube; and (4) caudal fin rounded, dorsal fin with 6 or 7 branched rays (Du et al. 2023).
Etymology: The species epithet damingshanensis refers to the type locality, located within the Damingshan Mountains, Guangxi, China. The suggested English name is the Damingshan Mountains loach, and the Chinese name is Dà Míng Shān Lıˇng Qiū (大明山岭鳅).
Jing Yu, Tao Luo, Chang-Ting Lan, Jia-Jun Zhou, Huai-Qing Deng, Ning Xiao and Jiang Zhou. 2023. Oreonectes damingshanensis (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), A New Species of Stream Fish from Guangxi, Southwest China. ZooKeys. 1180: 81-104. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1180.104645 | 11:49a |
[Arachnida • 2023] Chilobrachys natanicharum • A New Electric-blue Tarantula Species of the Genus Chilobrachys Karsh, 1892 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) from Thailand
 | Chilobrachys natanicharum
Chomphuphuang, Sippawat, Sriranan, Piyatrakulchai & Songsangchote, 2023
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Abstract The enchanting phenomenon of blue coloration in animals arises from the fact that blue is one of the rarest colors found in nature, and it is a structural color that is produced by the arrangement of biological photonic nanostructures, rather than pigments. This unique coloration has evolved independently in many different species, adding to the fascination and diversity of coloration patterns in the animal kingdom. This study describes a new species of Chilobrachys Karsch, 1892 from southern Thailand that exhibits a blue-violet hue resembling the color of electrical sparks. Photographic illustrations, a morphological description, and the natural habitat of the new species are given. The diagnosis, palpal-bulb structures, spermathecae, and stridulatory organ morphology of related species are discussed.
Key words: Arboreal theraphosid, habitat, mangrove forests, mountainous, rainforests
Mygalomorphae Pocock, 1892
Theraphosidae Thorell, 1869 Selenocosmiinae Simon, 1889
Chilobrachys Karsh, 1892
 | Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov. live A paratype ♀ ELB03 B holotype ♂ THNHM-At-00000062. |
 | Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov. A type locality B habitat in the type locality of THNHM-At-00000062: Bang Nai Si, Takua Pa District Phang-Nga, elevation 5 m C habitat in the type locality of ELB02: Khuekkhak, Takua Pa District Phang-Nga, elevation 57 m D juvenile build asymmetric funnel webs live in tree holes. |
Chilobrachys natanicharum Chomphuphuang, Sippawat, Sriranan, Piyatrakulchai & Songsangchote, sp. nov. Diagnosis: C. natanicharum sp. nov. was included in Chilobrachys based on the maxillary lyra of the stridulation organ comprising 1–3 rows of heavy claviform bacillae (West et al. 2012). The male of C. natanicharum sp. nov. can be distinguished from C. dominus, C. hardwickei, C. himalayensis, C. hubei, C. jonitriantisvansickleae, C. liboensis, C. lubricus, and C. qishuoi, by the wide base of the embolus, which is flat and knife-like in shape (Figs 6–9) (long and slender in all other known congeners). Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov. similar to those of C. dominus, C. guangxiensis, C. hubei, C. jinchengi, C. liboensis, C. lubricus, and C. qishuoi, in having developed apical (A), prolateral inferior (PI), and prolateral superior keels (PS), but it can be distinguished by the presence of parallel longitudinal keels of PI and PS on the distal spine of the embolus (Fig. 8A, C) (not parallel on the distal spine in other species) and the appearance of a groove at the beginning tip of the apical keel (Fig. 9A, B). The males of C. natanicharum sp. nov. can be further distinguished from those of C. dominus by the angle between the lowest and highest points of the embolus (ALH), which is 40° (Fig. 14A–D) (compared to 90° in C. dominus). Females of C. natanicharum sp. nov. resemble C. fimbriatus in the form of the spermathecae, which have fused spermathecae. However, they can be distinguished from C. fimbriatus by the shape of the spermathecae. In C. natanicharum sp. nov., the spermathecae are raised and trapezoidal, with a thick, rounded upper edge (Fig. 12A, B). On the other hand, C. fimbriatus has M-shaped spermathecae, characterized by a shallow hump and a middle hollow (see West et al. 2012: fig. 30). Females of this species can be distinguished from several other species, namely C. assamensis, C. dyscolus, C. guangxiensis, C. hardwickei, C. hubei, C. huahini, C. jonitriantisvansickleae, C. khasiensis, C. lubricus, C. nitelinus, C. paviei, C. qishuoi, C. sericeus, and C. stridulans, by the presence of two separate spermathecae receptacles. Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov. differs from all other Chilobrachys species, except C. jonitriantisvansickleae Nanayakkara, Sumanapala & Kirk, 2019, in that female and male juveniles have a metallic color on the legs, carapace, and chelicerae. The new specieds differs from C. jonitriantisvansickleae in terms of color shades. Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov. shows a violet-blue metallic color (Fig. 1), whereas C. jonitriantisvansickleae has a shade of metallic grayish-turquoise-blue sheen (Nanayakkara et al. 2019: fig. 1a).
Etymology: Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov. The specific epithet for this species was provided by Nichada Properties Co., Ltd., Thailand, the winner of the auction campaign for choosing the scientific name of the new species. The name is a combination of the names of Mr Natakorn Changrew and Ms Nichada Changrew, who are company executives. All proceeds from the auction were donated to support the education of Lahu children in Thailand and poor cancer patients. The Lahu people are an indigenous hill tribe in northern Thailand (Musoe) and are known for their vibrant culture and traditional way of life. Unfortunately, many Lahu children are denied access to education due to poverty, leaving them with limited opportunities for their future. The goal is to help change this by providing educational opportunities for Lahu children, giving them a chance to break out of the cycle of poverty. Additionally, cancer remains a significant public health issue globally, affecting millions of people each year. Many cancer patients struggle with financial hardship, which can make accessing quality care even more difficult. We believe that everyone deserves access to quality healthcare, regardless of their financial situation.
 | Metallic-blue and violet coloration of Chilobrachys natanicharum sp. nov. |
Narin Chomphuphuang, Zongtum Sippawat, Patipan Sriranan, Paveen Piyatrakulchai and Chaowalit Songsangchote. 2023. A New Electric-blue Tarantula Species of the Genus Chilobrachys Karsh, 1892 from Thailand (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Theraphosidae). ZooKeys. 1180: 105-128. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1180.106278
| 12:01p |
[Paleontology • 2023] Lusognathus almadrava • A New gnathosaurine (Pterosauria: Archaeopterodactyloidea) from the Late Jurassic of Portugal  | Lusognathus almadrava
Fernandes, Beccari, Kellner & Mateus, 2023 Reconstruction by Jason Brougham. |
Abstract An incomplete, yet remarkably-sized dentated rostrum and associated partial cervical vertebrae of a pterosaur (ML 2554) were recently discovered from the Late Jurassic (Late Kimmeridgian-Early Tithonian) Lourinhã Formation of Praia do Caniçal, of central west Portugal. This specimen exhibits features such as a spatulated anterior expansion of the rostrum, robust comb-like dentition, and pronounced rims of the tooth alveoli, indicating gnathosaurine affinities. Based on its further unique tooth and dentary morphology, a new genus and species, Lusognathus almadrava gen. et spec. nov., is proposed, making this the first named pterosaur species found within Portugal. The presence of this taxon adds yet another element to the fluvio-deltaic lagoonal environment that has been suggested as representative of the Lourinhã Formation in the Late Jurassic, further contributing to the diversity and distribution of gnathosaurines worldwide.
 | The upper jaw of the holotype (ML 2554) of Lusognathus almadrava gen. et sp. nov. (ML 2554). (A) Photography of both jaw fragments; (B) CT-scan reconstruction of the jaw in dorsal view, showing minimum possible preserved length, in dorsal view; (C) ventral view; (D) left lateral view; (E) right lateral view; (F) anterior view. |
 | Comparison of the ventral rostra of: (A) Gnathosaurus subulatus Meyer, 1833 (JME-SOS 4580); (B) Lusognathus almadrava gen. et sp. nov. (ML 2554), and (C) Plataleorhynchus streptophorodon Howse & Milner, 1995 (BMNH R 11957). |
Systematic Paleontology
PTEROSAURIA Owen, 1842 PTERODACTYLOIDEA Plieninger, 1901
ARCHAEOPTERODACTYLOIDEA Kellner, 2001
CTENOCHASMATIDAE Nopsca, 1928 sensu Unwin, 2003 GNATHOSAURINAE Nopsca, 1928 sensu Unwin, 2002
Lusognathus, gen. nov.
Lusognathus almadrava, sp. nov.
Locality and Horizon: Praia de Caniçal, county of Lourinhã, Portugal. Lourinhã Formation, late Kimmeridgian-early Tithonian, about 149.2 Ma (Schneider, Fürsich & Werner, 2009).
Diagnosis: A gnathosaurine pterosaur with the following combination of characters: a rounded-triangular anterior expansion of the premaxilla, constriction of the maxilla directly posterior to the spatulate anterior expansion, robust laterally-projected teeth (spaced at 1.3 teeth per cm) with a subcircular to oval cross-section, and posterior teeth projected anterolaterally.
Etymology: Lusognathus is derived from the Latin “Luso”, after the prefix used for referencing things relating to Lusitania (the former name for the area of Portugal in Roman times) and “gnathus” meaning “jaw”; an “almadrava” is the name of a traditional Portuguese fishing trap for catching seafood.
 | Reconstruction of Lusognathus almadrava and its paleoenvironment
by Jason Brougham. |
Alexandra E. Fernandes, Victor Beccari, Alexander W. A. Kellner and Octávio Mateus. 2023. A New gnathosaurine (Pterosauria, Archaeopterodactyloidea) from the Late Jurassic of Portugal. PeerJ 11: e16048. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16048
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