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Thursday, March 7th, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 1:53a | [Arachnida • 2024] Utivarachna angsoduo, U. balonku, etc. • Four New Species of Utivarachna Kishida, 1940 (Araneae: Trachelidae) from Sumatra, Indonesia
Abstract Four new species of trachelid spiders belonging to the genus Utivarachna Kishida, 1940 are described: U. angsoduo sp. nov., U. balonku sp. nov., U. rimba sp. nov., and U. trisula sp. nov. Part of the EFForTS project, the spider specimens were uncovered in a canopy fogging collection of tree crown arthropods along a land-use gradient from rainforest via jungle rubber (rubber agroforestry) to monocultures of rubber and oil palm in Jambi Province, Sumatra, Indonesia. Three of the proposed new species were found exclusively in rainforest or jungle rubber agroforest (U. angsoduo sp. nov., U. rimba sp. nov., U. trisula sp. nov.), and one of them exclusively in monocultures of rubber trees (U. balonku sp. nov.). We provide photographs and distribution maps for the proposed new species, and discuss their potential ecology based on their sampling locations. We also encountered a fifth species of the genus in all four land-use systems, U. phyllicola Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001, one of two species of the genus previously recorded from Sumatra, and also provide photographs and distribution maps for this species in the research area of the EFForTS project. Araneae, EFForTS, sac spiders, canopy fogging, Indonesia, Southeast Asia  Naufal Urfi Dhiya'ulhaq, Nadine Dupérré, Damayanti Buchori, Stefan Scheu and Jochen Drescher. 2024. Four New Species of Utivarachna Kishida, 1940 (Araneae: Trachelidae) from Sumatra. Zootaxa. 5418(5); 551-575. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5418.5.6 | ||||||
| 1:54a | [Paleontology • 2024] Franconiasaurus brevispinus • Exquisite Skeletons of A New transitional Plesiosaur fill gap in the Evolutionary History of plesiosauroids
Plesiosaurs are Mesozoic reptiles fully adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. Throughout their evolutionary history exceeding 140 million years plesiosaurs dispersed globally, achieved substantial diversity, occupied a variety of ecological niches, and experienced multiple faunal turnovers. Of those, the Early/Middle Jurassic transition event (∼175–171 Mya) has recently became of increased interest because it apparently profoundly affected all three major lineages of plesiosaurs. Once dominant Rhomaleosauridae started to vanish, while Pliosauridae and Plesiosauroidea diversified and gave rise to several clades that flourished for tens of millions of years. Here, we report exquisite, three-dimensionally preserved skeletons of a new plesiosaur from the Lower Jurassic of Germany. Franconiasaurus brevispinus gen. et sp. nov. lived during the late Toarcian (∼175 Mya), near the onset of the Early–Middle Jurassic turnover. Franconiasaurus displays an intriguing mixture of features, combining characters almost uniformly distributed among early plesiosaurs with those typically observed in later-diverging members of the clade. Phylogenetic analyses firmly place Franconiasaurus as the sister taxon to Cryptoclidia, bridging an evolutionary gap between early plesiosauroids, such as Plesiosaurus-like forms and microcleidids, and later-diverging representatives of the clade, such as cryptoclidids, leptocleidians, and elasmosaurids.
Systematic paleontology Plesiosauria de Blainville, 1835 Plesiosauroidea Gray, 1825 Franconiasaurus gen. nov. Etymology—After the region of Franconia (Franken in German), located in the northern part of Bavaria in southern Germany, where the specimens were found; and “σαῦρος” (sauros), Greek for “reptile”. Franconiasaurus brevispinus sp. nov. Diagnosis—A plesiosauroid diagnosed through the following unique combination of characters: surangular with transversely narrow dorsal side and convex lateral side, lacking a longitudinal lateral through; cervical centra amphicoelous, being wider than long/high; cervical zygapophyses narrower than centra, having planar facets and being not connected for most of their length; anterior cervical neural spines curve posterodorsally, posterior cervical neural spines inclined straight posterodorsally; posterior cervical and dorsal neural spines only moderately higher than long (height/length ratio approximately 1.6); cervical ribs with reduced anterior processes; dorsal process of scapula with slightly convex medial side, lacking a buttress like medial enforcement; long intercoracoid symphysis, coracoids being only slightly separated posteromedially; coracoid cornu does not extend to the level of the glenoid; ilium shaft straight, dorsal and ventral ends of ilium perpendicular to one another; femora and humeri subequal in length; propodials moderately elongate (length/width ratio 1.7); radius and tibia subquadratic with concave pre- and postaxial sides. Type specimen—BT 011224.00, nearly complete, three-dimensionally preserved, and partly articulated skeleton. Horizon and locality—The specimens were excavated in 2005 (BT 011241.00) and between 2014 and 2018 (BT 011224.00) by one of us (S.E.) in the lower section of the Jurensismergel Formation (Grammoceras thouarsense Zone), upper Toarcian, Lower Jurassic, in the Mistelgau fossil pit, Bayreuth District, Bavaria, Germany. For detailed information on the geological and stratigraphic settings see Electronic Supplementary Material S2. Etymology—The name brevispinus refers to the low neural spines in the posterior cervical and dorsal vertebrae.
Sven Sachs, Stefan Eggmaier and Daniel Madzia. 2024. Exquisite Skeletons of A New transitional Plesiosaur fill gap in the Evolutionary History of plesiosauroids. Front. Earth Sci. 12. DOI: 10.3389/feart.2024.1341470 | ||||||
| 3:21a | [Botany • 2019] Pteroceras dalaputtuwa (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae) • A New Species from Sri Lanka and Re-collection of Pteroceras viridiflorum after 150 years
Abstract Pteroceras dalaputtuwa, a new species, is described from the lowland-wet zone of Sri Lanka. For the first time in the history of plant nomenclature, a new species is named after an elephant, ‘Galgamuwa Dala Puttuwa’, which was killed for its majestic ivory. The new species shows a close morphological affinity with P. philippinense from the Philippines. However, P. dalaputtuwa sp. nov. can be readily distinguished by having small and partially opened flowers (10 mm long × 5 mm wide), short petals (4 mm long × 1 mm wide), short sepals (4.9 mm long × 3.0 mm wide) and elongated rectangular-oval spur (7 mm long × 3 mm wide). P. viridiflorum, which is considered as a “Critically Endangered Possibly Extinct” [CR(PE)] orchid, is also re-collected after after a gap of nearly 150 years with a record of a new colour form (white colour variant) and, is re-described with designation of a lectotype and an epitype. Keywords: conservation, epitype, lectotype, orchid, tusker, wet zone, Monocots   Pteroceras dalaputtuwa Atthanagoda, Priyadarshana, Wijewardana, Aberathna & Kumar, sp. nov. Etymology:—This specific epithet, ‘dalaputtuwa’, means entwined and is chosen in honor of an iconic entwined tusker (Galgamuwa Dala Puttuwa, Fig. 3) from Sri Lanka, which was killed by poachers for its majestic ivory. Thereason for this choice of name is to attract wider public and government attention pertaining to the need for improved conservation policies to protect Sri Lankan biodiversity.  Tharaka S. Priyadarshana, Anusha G. Atthanagoda, Ishara H. Wijewardhane, Kawshalya S. Siriweera, Nimantha Aberathna and Pankaj Kumar. 2019. Pteroceras dalaputtuwa (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Vandeae: Aeridinae), A New Species from Sri Lanka and Re-collection of Pteroceras viridiflorum after 150 years. Phytotaxa. 399(1); 65–76. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.399.1.7 | ||||||
| 3:08p | [Botany • 2024] Campanula bergomensis (Campanulaceae) • A New Species from Bergamo Prealps (Northern Italy)
Abstract A new species of Campanula (Campanulaceae), C. bergomensis sp. nov., is described from the Bergamo Prealps (Orobic Prealps, Lombardy, Northern Italy), based on both morphological and molecular evidence. The new species was considered in the past as an isolated population of C. cespitosa, which presents an eastern Alpine distribution. C. bergomensis is morphologically well distinguishable from C. cespitosa on the number of flowers in the racemose inflorescence, the corolla shape, and the whitish-yellow pollen surface with many spinulae. Genetically, the presence of an insertion of 81-bp in the trnL-F sequences is very characteristic. Further studies are needed to better define the phylogenetic relationship among the three closely related species, C. bergomensis, C. cespitosa and C. cochleariifolia. C. bergomensis inhabits dolomitic debris cones at low elevations. The species is range-restricted and is severely threatened by human activities. Therefore, it is urgent to adopt protection and conservation measures for the new species. Key words: Biodiversity, Campanula cespitosa, Endemism, Genetics, Morphology 
Campanula bergomensis F. Mangili & L. Mangili sp. nov. Etymology:—The epithet refers to the Province of Bergamo (called “Bergomum” in Roman antiquity), where all
known populations of the new species are found.
Barbara Valle, Elena Eustacchio, Guido Roberto Gallo, Mario Beretta, Marco Bonelli, Alice Zanzottera, Luca Gianfranceschi, Germano Federici, Federico Mangili, Luca Mangili, Giovanni Perico, Myriam Traini and Marco Caccianiga. 2024. Campanula bergomensis (Campanulaceae), A New Species from Bergamo Prealps (Northern Italy). Phytotaxa. 637(2); 120-132. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.637.2.1 | ||||||
| 3:08p | [Herpetology • 2024] Pseudogonatodes quihuai • A New Dwarf Gecko of the Genus Pseudogonatodes (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from the eastern slope of the Andean Cordillera de Mérida in northern South America
Abstract Pseudogonatodes is a poorly known genus of small bodied, diurnal, ground-dwelling geckos widely distributed in northern South America. No additional species have been described in over two decades. Herein we describe a new species from the eastern slope of the Cordillera de Mérida in the Venezuelan Andes. The new species is readily diagnosable morphologically from the other seven recognized species of Pseudogonatodes by having a single postnasal scale—a putative autapomorphy. Furthermore, it is characterized by a unique combination of phenotypic characters that includes granular dorsal scales, three large postrostrals, five to six loreals, mental U-shaped, four to six postmentals, 26–29 ventrals between anterior levels of fore- and hind limbs, third lamella under fourth toe not distinctly enlarged, and subcaudal pattern 1’1”. In addition to characterizing the external morphology, we present a description of the skull, based on 3D digital models reconstructed from high resolution computed microtomography scans. The discovery of this new species highlights the still underestimated diversity of this group of Neotropical dwarf geckos and underscores the need for further studies on its systematics and taxonomy. Reptilia, Gekkota, lizard, Neotropics, new species, osteology, reptile, Venezuela    Pseudogonatodes quihuai  Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic, Claudia Koch, Santiago Castroviejo-Fisher and Ana L. C. Prudente. 2024. A New Dwarf Gecko of the Genus Pseudogonatodes (Squamata: Sphaerodactylidae) from the eastern slope of the Andean Cordillera de Mérida in northern South America. Zootaxa. 5418(4); 301-327. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5418.4.1 | ||||||
| 3:09p | [Paleontology • 2024] Asiatosuchus oenotriensis • A New Crocodyloidea from the middle Eocene of Zamora (Duero Basin, Spain)
Abstract The eusuchian crocodyliforms recorded in the Eocene levels of the Spanish Duero Basin belong to three lineages: Planocraniidae, with the species Duerosuchus piscator; Alligatoroidea, represented by several specimens of the genus Diplocynodon; and Crocodyloidea, which includes several specimens traditionally attributed to Asiatosuchus. The genus Asiatosuchus, established in 1940 based on a middle Eocene species from Mongolia, has subsequently served as a wastebasket taxon for Paleogene remains belonging to several species, not only from Asia but also belonging to the European and North American records. Many of these species are known by highly fragmentary remains, sharing the presence of characters such as a flat and triangular skull, and long symphyses in the lower jaw, recognized as characteristic for the crocodyloids. In addition to isolated cranial remains, among the material traditionally attributed to Asiatosuchus at the Duero Basin stands out a nearly complete skull and a left mandible, from the middle Eocene area of Casaseca de Campeán (Zamora Province). The present study analyses in detail these specimens, previously reported during the 1980s, but analyzed in a very preliminary way. They are included for the first time in a phylogenetic analysis to establish the systematic position of this Spanish form. The results confirm that it corresponds to a new species of basal crocodyloid, defined here as Asiatosuchus oenotriensis sp. nov. Keywords: Asiatosuchus oenotriensis sp. nov., Crocodylidae, Lutetian, Spanish record, Zamora Province 
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY Crocodylomorpha Walker, 1970. Crocodyliformes Hay, 1930. Eusuchia Huxley, 1875. Crocodylia Gmelin, 1789. Crocodyloidea Fitzinger, 1826. Asiatosuchus Mook, 1940. Type species: A. grangeri Mook, 1940. Distribution: Lutetian (middle Eocene) of Asia and Europe. Asiatosuchus oenotriensis sp. nov. Diagnosis. Basal crocodyloid characterized by the following exclusive combination of characters respect to other non Crocodylidae and non Mekosuchinae Crocodyloidea (sensu Rio & Mannion, 2021): nasals not contacting the external naris; palatine process extending significantly beyond the anterior margin of the suborbital fenestrae, reaching anteriorly the level of the eighth maxillary alveoli; ectopterygoid maxillary ramus forming more than two-thirds of the suborbital fenestra lateral margin; and presence of shallow depressions on the sutural intersection of the frontal with the postorbital and parietal. ... Etymology. oenotri- refers to Oenotria (from the Greek, “the Land of Wine”) in reference to Tierra del Vino, the name of the natural region where the type locality is located; and -ensis, from the Latin, “belonging to.” Type locality and horizon. Lutetian (middle Eocene) of Casaseca de Campeán (Zamora Province, Duero Basin, Castile and Leon Autonomous Community, central Spain) (see Ortega et al., 2022; and references therein).  CONCLUSIONS: A detailed study of the remains of a crocodyloid from the middle Eocene of Casaseca de Campeán (Province of Zamora, Spain) reveals a set of exclusive characters allowing the establishment of a new crocodyloid taxon, A. oenotriensis sp. nov. Regardless of the phylogenetic analysis carried out, A. oenotriensis sp. nov. is recovered as an early branching crocodyloid closely related to the German synchronous species A. germanicus. Asiatosuchus oenotriensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other “Asiatosuchus-like complex” taxa from the European Paleogene on the basis of a unique combination of characters such as the absence of contact between the nasals and the external naris, the presence of a palatine process that extends significantly beyond the anterior end of the suborbital fenestrae, an ectopterygoid maxillary ramus forming more than two-thirds of the lateral margin of the suborbital fenestra, and shallow depressions on the sutural intersection of the frontal with the postorbital and parietal. In addition, A. oenotriensis sp. nov. shares several characters widely observed in specimens related to the “Asiatosuchus-like complex”, such as the length of the mandibular symphysis, a large medial jugal foramen, the position of the surangular-angular suture, and a short dorsal premaxillary process. Among the “Asiatosuchus-like complex,” A. oenotriensis sp. nov. shows features only shared with the species A. germanicus, such as the participation of the splenial in the mandibular symphysis, a splenial having an anterior perforation for the mandibular branch of cranial nerve V, the presence of 16 mandibular alveoli, a lingual dental occlusion, and a linear frontoparietal suture with a modest entry into the supratemporal fenestrae. Finally, the recognition of this new middle Eocene basal crocodyloid species increases knowledge on the diversity and distribution of the “Asiatosuchus-like complex” taxa, and adds valuable information to the knowledge of the systematics of the relatively diverse crocodyliform fauna from the Spanish Duero Basin. Iván Narváez, Ane de Celis, Fernando Escaso, Santiago Martín de Jesús, Adán Pérez-García and Francisco Ortega. 2024. A New Crocodyloidea from the middle Eocene of Zamora (Duero Basin, Spain). The Anatomical Record. DOI: 10.1002/ar.25422 twitter.com/Godzillin/status/1713834021421986095 | ||||||
| 3:10p | [Botany • 2024] Begonia floriprolifera (Begoniaceae, sect. Coelocentrum) • A New Species from Southwestern Guangxi of China and Northern Vietnam
Abstract Begonia floriprolifera is a new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum distributed in the karst area of southwestern Guangxi of China and northern Vietnam. Morphologically, it is mostly similar to B. bonii, but differs mainly by its nearly glabrous stipules, shorter inflorescence, bilaterally symmetric and upward curved androecium with fewer stamens, and concave apex of anthers. Due to the narrow distribution area and unfavorably environmental changes of its natural habitat, the new species is assigned to Endangered according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Keyword: Begonia bamaensis, Begonia bonii, Coelocentrum, South China, Northern Vietnam, karst region, new taxon
Begonia floriprolifera J.Y.Zhou & D.K.Tian, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Begonia floriprolifera is morphologically close to B. bonii Gapnep. in the same section, but can be mainly distinguished from the latter by its nearly glabrous (vs. pilose) stipules, short shorter inflorescence (2.5–20 cm vs. over 20 cm), bilaterally symmetric and upward curved (vs. radially symmetric and capitate) androecium, fewer (up to 32 vs. usually over 40) stamens, and anther apex (concave vs. rounded) (Table 1, Fig. S2). Moreover, this species showed rich variation in leaf color (adaxially green to brownish red, abaxially light green to deep red), size and color of variegation patches (absent to large), and flower color (white to pink) (Fig. 2 and 3). In addition, this species is also morphologically similar to B. bamaensis Yan Liu & C.I Peng and B. lui S.M.Ku, C.I Peng & Yan Liu in the same section. However, it differs from B. bamaensis by leaf size and color, indumentums of leaf and flower, stamen number and fruit morphology (Liu et al., 2007). It could be also distinguished from B. lui in plant size, leaf morphology (blade color, leaf maculations, etc.), morphology of flower and fruit, and flowering time (Liu et al., 2020). Etymology: The epithet is derived from the long flowering period (blooming twice a year) and a large number of flowers of this species (Fig. 2E). The Chinese name is given as “丰花秋海棠”. Jinye Zhou, Qian Song, Feicheng Zhao, Thanh Son Hoang, Dayan Tao, Shikai Guan, Haixia Yan, Daike Tian. 2024. Begonia floriprolifera, A New Species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Southwestern Guangxi of China and Northern Vietnam. Taiwania. 69(1); 83-88. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.83 |
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