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Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 2:03a | [Botany • 2024] Agapetes rhuichengiana (Ericaceae) • A New Species from Southeast Xizang, China
Abstract Agapetes rhuichengiana Bin Yang & Y.H.Tan (Ericaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from Southeast Xizang, China. It is morphologically similar to A. huangiana Bin Yang, Y.H.Tan & Y.H.Tong, but differs in having flowers densely covered with white to light yellowish brown villi, shorter stamens, and fruits that are smaller, depressed subglobose, and villous and verrucose. Keyword: Agapetes huangiana, Floristic exploration, Graciles, Mêdog, Taxonomy, Vaccinieae 
Agapetes rhuichengiana Bin Yang & Y.H.Tan, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Agapetes rhuichengiana is morphologically similar to A. huangiana in having spirally alternate small, ovate leaves and branchlets, densely covered with spreading setae. A. rhuichengiana, however, can be clearly distinguished from A. huangiana by its sparsely puberulent corolla with dense white to light yellowish brown villi along the ridges (vs. densely white puberulent), shorter stamens (7.0–7.5 mm vs. 10.0– 10.5 mm), depressed subglobose (vs. globose) berry, ca. 8 mm (vs. 12–13 mm) in diam. in vivo, villous and verrucose (vs. densely white puberulent) (Table 1, Fig. S1). Etymology: The specific epithet is named in honor of Prof. Rhui-Cheng Fang from the Kunming Institute of Botany, who made significant contributions to the flora of Ericaceae in China. Chinese name: 瑞征树萝卜(Rui Zheng Shu Luo Bo).
Bin Yang, Meng-Kai Li, Ping-Yuan Wang, Bing-Mou Wang, Yun-Juan Zuo and Yun-Hong Tan. 2023. Agapetes rhuichengiana (Ericaceae), A New Species from Southeast Xizang, China. Taiwania. 69(1); 16-19. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.16 | ||||||||
| 2:34a | [Ornithology • 2024] When colors Mislead: Genomics and Bioacoustics prompt re-classification of Asian Flycatcher Radiation (Aves: Muscicapidae: Niltavinae)
Highlights • Current classification of birds in the flycatcher subfamily Niltavinae based on plumage is misleading. • Bioacoustics along with genome-wide data provide an accurate picture of diversification in this subfamily. • Bird song can also be used to differentiate at the level of the genus. • Extensive taxonomic revision of the flycatcher subfamily Niltavinae. Abstract Traditional classification of many animals, including birds, has been highly dependent on external morphological characters like plumage coloration. However, both bioacoustics and genetic or genomic data have revolutionized our understanding of the relationships of certain lineages and led to sweeping taxonomic re-organizations. In this study, we present a case of erroneous delimitation of genus boundaries in the species-rich flycatcher subfamily Niltavinae. Genera within this subfamily have historically been delineated based on blue versus brown male body plumage until recent studies based on a few mitochondrial and nuclear loci unearthed several cases of generic misclassification. Here we use extensive bioacoustic data from 43 species and genomic data from 28 species for a fundamental reclassification of species in the Niltavinae. Our study reveals that song is an important trait to classify these birds even at the genus level, whereas plumage traits exhibit ample convergence and have led to numerous historic misattributions. Our taxonomic re-organization leads to new biogeographic limits of major genera, such that the genus Cyornis now only extends as far east as the islands of Sulawesi, Sula, and Banggai, whereas Eumyias is redefined to extend far beyond Wallace’s Line to the islands of Seram and Timor. Our conclusions advise against an over-reliance on morphological traits and underscore the importance of integrative datasets. Keywords: Niltavinae, bioacoustics, genome-wide data, taxonomic re-organization  Kritika M. Garg, Chyi Yin Gwee, Balaji Chattopadhyay, Nathaniel S. Ng, Dewi M. Prawiradilaga, Gabriel David, Jérôme Fuchs, Hung Le Manh, Jonathan Martinez, Urban Olsson, Vuong Tan Tu, Sophea Chhin, Per Alström, Fumin Lei and Frank E. Rheindt. 2024. When colors Mislead: Genomics and Bioacoustics prompt re-classification of Asian Flycatcher Radiation (Aves: Niltavinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press, 107999. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107999 | ||||||||
| 3:00a | [Herpetology • 2022] Chiasmocleis jacki • A New Chiasmocleis (Anura: Microhylidae) from the eastern Guiana Shield with an amended definition of C. haddadi
Abstract The existence of an unnamed (candidate) species from French Guiana and the state of Amapá (Brazil) closely related to Chiasmocleis haddadi has been hypothesized in previous DNA-based studies. With an integrative use of genetic, morphological and acoustic data we confirm that these populations are indeed distinct from C. haddadi and all other known congeners. We herein describe and name this new species, and amend the definition of C. haddadi since the type-series and its original diagnosis included specimens of the new species. Geographically, the new species occurs eastward of its sister species C. haddadi from which it can be distinguished by having a larger body, a proportionally smaller eye and a distinct dorsal colouration. We suspect that the new species breeds in the leaf litter and that tadpoles undergo endotrophic development whereas co-occurring C. haddadi and C. hudsoni lay clutches in the leaf litter nearby standing water of temporary ponds where exotrophic tadpoles complete their development. This new species is a new addition to the already long list of animals being endemic to the easternmost part of the Guiana Shield, a region identified as a singular bioregion within Amazonia by previous research. Key words: acoustics, Amazonia, Amphibia, DNA, morphology, Neotropics, taxonomy
 Antoine Fouquet, Miguel T. Rodrigues and Pedro Peloso. 2022. A New Chiasmocleis (Anura: Microhylidae) from the eastern Guiana Shield with an amended definition of C. haddadi Peloso, Sturaro, Forlani, Gaucher, Motta, & Wheeler, 2014. Zootaxa. 5200(1); 1-23. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5200.1.1 https://zenodo.org/record/7251958 www.faune-guyane.fr/index.php?m_id=1 | ||||||||
| 4:37a | [Herpetology • 2023] Pseudopaludicola javae • A New Species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from Tocantins State, Brazil
Abstract The number of described species of Pseudopaludicola has increased at unprecedented rates over the past two decades. This increase was mainly driven by the sampling effort in regions historically neglected and the use of evidence from bioacoustic, genetic, and morphological datasets combined. Here, we describe a new species of Pseudopaludicola from a transitional zone between Amazonia and Cerrado in western Tocantins State as revealed through morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic analysis. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners by its small size; knobbed terminal phalanges; smooth upper eyelids and heel; relatively short hind limbs; smooth, whitish, and subgular inflated vocal sac with few melanophores around the jaw; and advertisement call composed of an irregular series of multipulsed notes with 10–17 nonconcatenated pulses separated by intervals of 3–55 ms, emitted at a rate of 27–51 pulses/sec. The new species occurs in four Tocantins municipalities, all in the Araguaia–Tocantins interfluve. We also provide the first records of Pseudopaludicola jazmynmcdonaldae outside the type locality (Caseara Municipality, Tocantins State), extending its distribution nearly 245 km southward from Caseara. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. is the second species of Pseudopaludicola described recently from western Tocantins. 
Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. Etymology.—The Javaé are an ethnic group that has been historically present in the regions surrounding the middle Araguaia River, primarily on the world’s largest fluvial island, Bananal Island. This island is flanked on its west side by the Araguaia River and to the east by the Javaés River, which is an anabranch of the Araguaia, also known as ‘‘Braço Menor do Araguaia.’’ Besides the Javaé, Bananal Island is also home to two other indigenous groups, as follows: Karaja ́ and Xambioa ́ . The Javaé people refer to themselves as Iñy, meaning ‘‘human being.’’More than 10 Javaé villages are present on Bananal Island, and the closest village to the type locality is ‘‘Boto Velho’’ village (Inãwébohona in the Iñy language), about 100 km away. Thus, the specific name is in recognition of this singular Brazilian ethnic group that historically occupied the region where the new speciesis found. Leandro Alves Silva, Felipe Silva De Andrade, Ennio Painkow Neto, Silionamã Pereira Dantas, Isabelle Aquemi Haga and Adrian Antonio Garda. 2023. A New Species of Pseudopaludicola Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 (Anura, Leptodactylidae) from Tocantins State, Brazil. J. of Herpetology. 57(3):297-314. DOI: 10.1670/22-062 Researchgate.net/publication/376371785_A_New_Species_of_Pseudopaludicola_from_ O número de espécies de Pseudopaludicola descritas cresceu a taxas sem precedentes nas últimas duas décadas. Esse aumento foi impulsionado principalmente pelo esforço de amostragem em regiões historicamente negligenciadas e pelo uso de evidências bioacústicas, genéticas e morfológicas. Nós descrevemos uma nova espécie de Pseudopaludicola de uma zona de transição entre a Amazônia e o Cerrado no oeste do estado do Tocantins revelada através de análises morfológicas, moleculares e bioacústicas. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. é diagnosticada de seus congêneres por seu pequeno tamanho, falanges terminais simples, pálpebras superiores e calcanhar lisos, membros posteriores relativamente curtos, saco vocal subgular, liso e esbranquiçado quando inflado com poucos melanóforos ao redor da mandíbula, e canto de anúncio composto por séries irregulares de notas com 10–17 pulsos não concatenados separados por intervalos de 3–55 ms, emitidos a uma taxa de 27–51 pulsos/s. A nova espécie ocorre em quatro municípios do Tocantins, todos no interflúvio Araguaia-Tocantins. Também fornecemos aqui os primeiros registros de P. jazmynmcdonaldae fora da localidade tipo (município de Caseara, estado do Tocantins), estendendo sua distribuição em cerca de 245 km em linha reta ao sul de Caseara. Pseudopaludicola javae sp. nov. é a segunda espécie de Pseudopaludicola descrita para o oeste do Tocantins nos últimos anos. | ||||||||
| 2:23p | [Herpetology • 2023] Gekko kaiyai • A New Species of the Genus Gekko (Japonigekko) (Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Dabie Mountains, China
Abstract This study describes a novel species of Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) based on its distinct morphological features and molecular evidence, which was identified in the Dabie Mountains on the border of Anhui and Henan provinces of Central China. Gekko kaiyai sp. nov. could be distinguished from its congeners owing to its morphological characteristics, such as being a medium body sized gecko species (snout–vent length, 56.98–64.99 mm, n = 4, females; 50.03–61.56 mm, n = 11, males); nostrils scale in contact with rostral scale; tubercles on the dorsal and limb, while the upper forelimb is smooth with no tubercles; 22–33 interorbital scales between the anterior corners of the eyes; 157–209 ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit; 90–121 midbody scale rows; 30–43 ventral scale rows; 7–9 sub-digital lamellae on first fingers, 8–13 fourth fingers, 7–9 first toes, and 7–11 fourth toes; free of webbing in the fingers and toes; 9–12 pre-cloacal pores in males, which are absent in females; post-cloacal unilateral tubercles 1 (few 2); and a dorsum that is greyish white to dark brown, with 6–7 brown markings between the nape and sacrum. The phylogenetic tree based on the mitochondrial DNA sequences (16S, CYTB, and COI) indicated that Gekko kaiyai sp. nov. form an independent clade with strong support (100/1) and are a sister group to G. hokouensis. At the inter-species level, the genetic distances were all large, further confirming that an independent species had been identified. The discovery of this species implies that there are now 87 identified species in the genus Gekko, 22 of which can be found within China. Keywords: Gekko kaiyai sp. nov.; Gekkonidae; Central China; molecular phylogenetic analysis; morphology
Gekko (Japonigekko) kaiyai sp. nov. Zhang, Wu, and Zhang Diagnosis. Gekko kaiyai sp. nov. is distinguished from the subgenus Japonicgekko by its morphological characteristics: (1) medium body size (SVL 56.98–64.99 mm, n = 4, females; 50.03–61.56 mm, n = 11, males); (2) nostrils in contact with rostral scale; (3) tubercles on the dorsal, hindlimb and lower forelimb, but the upper forelimb smooth without tubercles; (4) interorbital scales between the anterior corners of the eyes 22–33; (5) ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 157–209; (6) midbody scale rows 99–121; (7) ventral scale rows 30–43; (8) sub-digital lamellae on first fingers 7–9, on fourth fingers 8–13, on first toes 7–9, on fourth toes 7–11; (9) free of webbing in the fingers and toes; (10) 9–12 pre-cloacal pores in males and absent in females; (11) post-cloacal unilateral tubercles 1 (few 2); (12) and dorsum greyish white to dark brown, with 6–7 brown markings between the nape and sacrum. Etymology. The specific, Gekko kaiyai sp. nov., a Latinized adjective, was named after Professor Kaiya Zhou of the School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, China, who has made great contributions to the classification of the Gekkonidae family species, especially Gekko hokouensis. The suggested common English name is “Dabie Mountains Gecko” and the Chinese name is “Dà Bié Shān Bì Hŭ”, both of which indicate the location from where the new species was collected (Figure 1).
Conclusions: We described a new species of the gecko, Gekko kaiyai sp. nov., based on the analysis of phylogeny and morphology. The discovery of this new species has brought the total number of known species in the genus Gekko to 87 and the number identified within China to 22. Gekko kaiyai sp. nov. appears currently only known to be distributed in the northwest of the Dabie Mountains, and with the G. hokouensis and G. japonicus are sympatric. However, the detailed distribution range, population size, and feeding habits of these three species in the Dabie Mountains has not yet been elucidated, and further investigations will be required to enhance our understanding of the interspecific relationships and sympatric distributions of these three species of gecko. Caiwen Zhang, Afang Wu, Bo Cai, Lanrong Wang, Dapeng Pang, Haohao Ma, Lei Yu, Xiangyang Li, Hua Huang, Lin Zeng, Li Li, Jie Yan, Peng Li and Baowei Zhang. 2023. A New Species of the Genus Gekko (Squamata: Sauria: Gekkonidae) from the Dabie Mountains, China. Animals. 13(24); 3796. DOI: 10.3390/ani13243796   Simple Summary: The genus Gekko Laurenti, 1768, currently comprises approximately 86 species, of which 21 are native to China, that commonly live on walls, rocks, and trees, and are distributed across Southeast Asia, western Oceania, and Melanesia. This article describes a new species of Gekko (Squamata: Gekkonidae) based on its distinct morphological features and molecular evidence, which was identified in the Dabie Mountains on the border of Anhui and Henan provinces of Central China. The analysis of phylogeny based on a mitochondrial DNA fragment (16S, CYTB, and COI) indicated that the new taxon is different from its congeners. Morphologically, the new species can be diagnosed from the other subgenus Japonigekko species by a combination of 34 (14 mensural and 20 meristic) morphological characteristics, and Principal component analysis (PCA) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the new species can be clearly distinguished from its sister species G. hokouensis. Based on the above multiple lines of evidence, we describe this gecko from the Dabie Mountains as a new species, Gekko kaiyai sp. nov. The discovery of this species implies that there are now 87 identified species in the genus Gekko, 22 of which can be found within China. |
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