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Tuesday, January 16th, 2024
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| 12:22a | [Entomology • 2023] Cigaritis meghamalaiensis • A New Species of Cigaritis Donzel, 1847 (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Aphnaeinae) from the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India
ABSTRACT A new species Cigaritis meghamalaiensis sp. nov. (Lycaenidae, Aphnaeinae) is described from the Meghamalai hills of the Periyar landscape of the southern Western Ghats. Images of adults and illustrations of male genitalia are presented. Information on myrmecophilous immature stages is provided and its ecology is discussed. The new species is very distinct from all the known Cigaritis species in WG, and is diagnosed based on the following combination of characters–upper side of both wings marked extensively in blue; discal and post-discal bands on forewing underside conjoined and lying parallel from their origin at the costa; post-basal band in hindwing underside continuous and not broken into three smaller bands and this post-basal band ends at vein1b, is not continued along it to reach discal band. The discal and post-discal bands on the underside of the forewing is conjoined and lying parallel from their origin at the costa which is a unique feature that distinguishes the new species from all other Cigaritis species occurring in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. A key to all known species of Cigaritis from the Western Ghats is provided. Family Lycaenidae Leach, 1815 Subfamily Aphnaeinae Distant, 1884 Genus Cigaritis Donzel, 1847
Cigaritis meghamalaiensis Sadasivan & Naicker sp. nov. Etymology: The new species is named after the Meghamalai region where it was discovered. Meghamalai means ‘cloud mountain’, reflecting the montane habitat of this very local species, which is restricted to the sub-tropical evergreen ‘sholas’ or cloud forests of the Periyar landscape. We suggest the common name ‘Cloud-forest Silverline’.
   S. Ramasamy Kamaya Naicker, Sujitha Prabhakaran Chandrika, Baiju Kochunarayanan, Jebine Jose, Manoj Kripakaran, Rajkumar Chidambaram Palaniappan, Vinayan Padmanabhan Nair and Kalesh Sadasivan. 2023. A New Species of Cigaritis Donzel, 1847 (Lycaenidae, Aphnaeinae) from the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India. ENTOMON. 48(4); 553–566. DOI: 10.33307/entomon.v48i4.991 www.entomon.in/index.php/Entomon/article/v  | ||||||||
| 7:54a | [Botany • 2023] Oreocharis yangjifengensis (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Yangjifeng National Nature Reserve of Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province, China
Abstract Oreocharis yangjifengensis F.Wen & B.Chen, a new species of Gesneriaceae from Yangjifeng National Nature Reserve, Yingtan city, Jiangxi province, East China, is described and illustrated. It can be easily distinguished from other Oreocharis species by having a zygomorphic and urceolate corolla, and peduncle, bracts, pedicel and calyx densely pale brown woolly to pubescent. Didymocarpoideae, Flora of Jiangxi, morphology, new taxon, Oreocharis, Eudicots, Oreocharis maximowiczii   Oreocharis yangjifengensis F.Wen & B.Chen sp. nov. Rui-Feng Li, Xin-Gui Le, Lin Xu, Stephen Maciejewski, Bin Chen and Fang Wen. 2023. Oreocharis yangjifengensis (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Yangjifeng National Nature Reserve of Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province, China. Phytotaxa. 583(2); 213–218. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.583.2.10 www.csnbgsh.cn/sites/chenshan2020/static/g www.sohu.com/a/640682082_160318 | ||||||||
| 10:26a | [Paleontology • 2024] Stenokranio boldi • A New eryopid temnospondyl (Temnospondyli: Eryopidae) from the Carboniferous–Permian Boundary of Germany
Abstract A new eryopid temnospondyl, Stenokranio boldi n. gen. n. sp. is described based on well-preserved cranial and postcranial material from fluvio-lacustrine deposits of the Permo-Carboniferous (Gzhelian/Asselian) Remigiusberg Formation at the Remigiusberg quarry near Kusel, Saar–Nahe Basin, southwest Germany. The new taxon is characterized by three autapomorphies within the Eryopidae: (1) the relatively narrow posterior skull table, therefore nearly parallel lateral margins of the skull; (2) the short postparietals and tabulars; and (3) the wide ectopterygoid. Phylogenetic analysis reveals a monophyletic Eryopidae with the basal taxa Osteophorus, Glaukerpeton, and Onchiodon labyrinthicus forming a polytomy. Actinodon may be either a basal eryopid or a stereospondylomorph, and the genus Onchiodon is not monophyletic. Stenokranio n. gen. is found as a more derived eryopid forming the sister taxon to Eryops. Stenokranio n. gen. was among the largest predators of the Saar–Nahe Basin. Its semiaquatic lifestyle enabled Stenokranio n. gen. to browse riverbanks and lake shorelines for prey, but most likely it fed on aquatic vertebrates. Stenokranio n. gen. was part of a faunal assemblage of aquatic, semiaquatic, and fully terrestrial vertebrates, such as sarcopterygian and actinopterygian fishes, xenacanthid sharks, a dvinosaurian temnospondyl, different “lepospondyls”, diadectomorphs, and synapsids. This is in general accordance with the vertebrate community from the Permo-Carboniferous of North America and from the early Permian localities of Manebach (Thuringian Forest Basin) and Niederhäslich (Döhlen Basin). It is notable that the occurrence of Stenokranio n. gen. and other eryopids in these localities excluded the presence of other large temnospondyls such as Sclerocephalus. However, a previously described isolated eryopid mandible from the Remigiusberg locality differs from that of Stenokranio n. gen. in several characters, implying that probably two different eryopid taxa lived at the same locality.
Systematic paleontology Tetrapoda Jaekel, 1909 Amphibia Linneaus, 1758 Temnospondyli von Zittel, 1888 Eryopidae Cope, 1882 Stenokranio new genus Etymology: Greek στενός (stenos) for narrow, κρανίο (kranio) for skull. Stenokranio boldi new species Etymology: The species name honors the late Rudolf Bold from Rammelsbach near Kusel who found the holotype and only known specimen of the Remigiusberg sphenacodontid Cryptovenator hirschbergeri Fröbisch et al., 2011, in 2002.  Ralf Werneburg, Florian Witzmann, Larry Rinehart, Jan Fischer and Sebastian Voigt. 2024. A New eryopid temnospondyl from the Carboniferous–Permian Boundary of Germany. Journal of Paleontology. FirstView. pp. 1 - 31. DOI: 10.1017/jpa.2023.58  | ||||||||
| 10:26a | [Ichthyology • 2024] Channa rakhinica, C. rubora, C. coccinea & C. pyrophthalmus • Four New Species of Channa (Teleostei: Labyrinthici: Channidae) from Myanmar
Abstract We describe four new species of Channa from Myanmar, all members of the Gachua group. Channa rakhinica, new species, is a species endemic to west-flowing streams on the western slope of the Rakhine Yoma in Rakhine State; C. rubora, new species, occurs in mountain streams south of Mogaung, Kachin State; C. coccinea, new species, co-occurs with C. burmanica in streams north of Putao, also Kachin State, at the foothills of the Himalayas; and C. pyrophthalmus, new species, is found in streams in Tanintharyi Region at the southernmost tip of Myanmar, bordering Thailand. All four species are readily diagnosed by their colour pattern from other Gachua group taxa. They show genetic distances of 3.5–19.9% in the COI barcoding gene to other Myanmar members of the Gachua group. Key words. snakehead fishes, Channoidei, Indo-Burman ranges, Tenasserim ranges, Himalayan foothills
Channa rakhinica, new species Diagnosis. A member of the Gachua group readily distinguished from other Myanmar members by its colour pattern in life including reddish cheek, series of up to 5 semicircular concentric maroon pectoral bands wider than interbands, series of 6–7 saddle-like blotches, orange subdistal and white distal rim on dorsal- and caudal fins (vs. different colour pattern). It is further distinguished from C. stewartii by fewer dorsal-fin rays (34–38 vs. 39–41), and generally fewer anal-fin rays (23–25, rarely 22 or 26 vs. 26–27) and from C. burmanica by presence of pelvic fins (vs. absence). It also differs substantially from all Myanmar Gachua group snakeheads by a genetic distance of 12.9–18.5% in the COI gene. Etymology. The species name is derived from the name of the area where it occurs, the Rakhine Yoma in western Myanmar, an adjective. Remarks. This species has been traded as an ornamental fish since at least 2012 under the name “Channa sp. mimetic pulchra” and has been referred to as Channa sp. Rakhine Yoma in Conte-Grand et al. (2017) and Rüber et al. (2020). Aquarium reports suggest that this is a mouthbrooding species. Channa rubora, new species Diagnosis. A member of the Gachua group distinguished from all other Myanmar members except C. ornatipinnis, C. pulchra, and C. stewartii by the presence of numerous black spots on the head and body (vs absence). It differs from the latter by the size of the spots (tiny, a quarter of pupil size vs. almost pupil size or larger) and by its unique fin colouration in life, consisting of a pectoral fin with orange fin rays, a bluish proximal blotch and 3–6 brown distal semicircular concentric bands, of dorsal-, anal- and caudal-fins with a blue middle section of the fin membranes margined by a proximal dark brown and distal bright orange rim in the dorsal and caudal fins and white rim in the anal fin (vs different colour pattern). It also differs substantially from all Myanmar Gachua group snakeheads by a genetic distance of 11.6–19.3% in the COI gene. Etymology. The species name, rubora, a noun in apposition, is derived from the Latin nouns ‘rubor’ for redness, and ‘ora’ for rim. The name was inspired by the orange-red rim of the dorsal and caudal fins. Remarks. This species has been traded as an ornamental fish since at least 2012 under the name “Channa sp. red fin” and has been referred to as Channa sp. Mogaung in Conte-Grand et al. (2017) and Rüber et al. (2020). Aquarium reports suggest that this is a mouthbrooding species, in which larvae and small juveniles are of a yellow colour. Among the Gachua group species in Myanmar, C. rubora is readily distinguished from all other species by its colour pattern, specifically the numerous tiny spots on the head and flanks. It is also clearly distinguished from C. burmanica by presence of pelvic fins (vs. absence). From the other three species described in this paper, C. coccinea, C. pyrophthalmus, and C. rakhinica, C. rubora also differs in lacking caniniform teeth on the palatine and dentary.
Channa coccinea, new species Diagnosis. Channa coccinea can be distinguished from all other Myanmar species of the Gachua group by its colour pattern consisting of oblique reddish saddle-like markings and lines (vs. different colour pattern). It can be distinguished from C. burmanica, which occurs in the same area, by presence of pelvic fins (vs absence). It also differs from all Myanmar Gachua group snakeheads by a genetic distance of 3.5–19.9% in the COI gene. Distribution. The new species was found in streams near Putao, Kachin State, northern Myanmar. Etymology. The species name is derived from the Latin adjective ‘coccineus’, -a , -um, red, alluding to the reddish markings on the head and sides of the body. Channa pyrophthalmus, new species (Figs. 14–16) Diagnosis. Channa pyrophthalmus is distinguished from other Myanmar species of the Gachua group by the colour pattern of its head consisting of a bright orange suborbital patch combined with steel blue lips. It is further distinguished from them by generally having fewer dorsal- (32–34 vs. 34–40) and anal-fin rays (20–22 vs. 22–27) and vertebrae (40–41 vs. 41–48). It also differs substantially from all Myanmar Gachua group snakeheads by a genetic distance of 10.1–18.8% in the COI gene. Distribution. The new species is known from the area around Lon Phaw, Kra Buri River drainage, southern Tanintharyi Region, close to the border with Thailand. Etymology. The species name is derived from the Greek words πῦρ (pyr), fire, and ὀφθαλμός (ophthalmos), eye. It was inspired by the bright orange area under the eye, a colour reminiscent of that of glowing embers. Used as a noun in apposition. Remarks. This species has been traded as an ornamental fish since 2009 under the name “Channa sp. ice & fire” or “Channa sp. fire and ice” and has been referred to as Channa sp. Tenasserim in Conte-Grand et al. (2017) and Rüber et al. (2020). Aquarium reports suggest that this is a mouthbrooding species. Among the Gachua group species in Myanmar, C. pyrophthalmus is readily distinguished from all other species by its colour pattern which includes a bright orange are around the eye combined with light blue lips and throat and a light blue margin of the anterior infraorbitals. Among Myanmar Gachua group snakehead fishes, it has the lowest dorsal- (32–34) and anal-fin ray (20–22), as well as vertebral counts (40–41). Ralf Britz, Tan Heok Hui and Lukas. 2024. Four New Species of Channa from Myanmar (Teleostei, Labyrinthici, Channidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 72; Pp. 1–25.   | ||||||||
| 10:28a | [PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Magerifelis peignei • Unraveling the Diversity of early felines: A New Genus of Felinae (Carnivora: Felidae) from the Middle Miocene of Madrid (Spain)
ABSTRACT We describe a hemimandible of a medium-sized feline from the Middle Miocene (middle Aragonian, MN 5, local biozone Dc, around 15.5 Ma) site of Príncipe Pío-2, a recently discovered fossil locality placed in the urban limits of Madrid city (Spain), within an area previously known for its rich paleontological findings. The specimen is very well preserved, showing the complete hemimandible, as well as all the teeth except the incisors. Some characters, such as the missing talonid in m1, the high p3, the large mesial cuspid in p4, and the presence of a vestigial m2, prevent its adscription to other known feline taxa such as Styriofelis turnauensis or Miopanthera lorteti, previously recorded in the Middle Miocene faunas from Europe, but absent in the central basins of Spain. The hemimandible has robust mandibular corpus and ramus compared with these latter and to extant felines of similar size, and exhibits a relatively stronger ridged masseteric line, which points towards the existence of a proportionally larger and more powerful m. masseter that generated a strong bite when hunting. These characters suggest that the Príncipe Pío-2 feline could have preyed upon relatively larger prey than those of extant, similarly sized felines. We propose the new genus and species Magerifelis peignei for the studied specimen, a species that would also include the material from the French Middle Miocene localities of Bézian and Artenay.   Magerifelis peignei  Manuel J. Salesa, Jesús Gamarra, Gema Siliceo, Mauricio Antón and Jorge Morales. 2024. Unraveling the Diversity of early felines: A New Genus of Felinae (Carnivora, Felidae) from the Middle Miocene of Madrid (Spain). Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2288924. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2023.2288924 Descubren un nuevo felino que habitó Madrid hace más de 15 millones de años  |
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