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Wednesday, April 17th, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 6:00a | [Botany • 2023] Dalea verticillata (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae: Amorpheae) • A New Species from Oaxaca, Mexico
Abstract Dalea verticillata is described and illustrated as a new species from Oaxaca, Mexico. Dalea verticillata is similar to D. filiciformis, but it is distinguished by having whorled leaves (vs. alternate in D. filiciformis), with a greater number of leaflets ((31–)39–63(–69) vs. (11–)13–29(–37)), longer stipules (4.5–8 mm vs. 0.3–1.5 mm), reflexed (vs. ascending), persistent (vs. deciduous), terminal panicle inflorescences (vs. axillary racemes), and the wing petals subelliptic (vs. ovate). This is the second species of the hitherto monospecific subgenus Psoropteris, and the whorled-leaf character is recorded for the first time in the genus Dalea. Keywords: Dalea, Amorpheae, subgenus Psoropteris, flora, Oaxaca, Mexico  Dalea verticillata Cruz Durán, D. Sandoval & García-Mend., sp. nov. Diagnosis.— Dalea verticillata is similar to D. filiciformis, however it is distinguished from that species by having whorled leaves (vs. alternate in D. filiciformis), with a greater number of leaflets ((31–)39–63(–69) vs. (11–) 13–29 (–37)), longer stipules (4.5–8 mm vs. 0.3–1.5 mm), reflexed (vs. ascending), persistent (vs. deciduous), terminal panicle inflorescences (vs. axillary racemes), and the wing petals subelliptic (vs. ovate). Etymology.— The specific epithet refers to the whorled arrangement of the leaves, a unique character within the genus Dalea. Ramiro Cruz Durán, Daniel Sandoval Gutiérrez and Abisaí García Mendoza. 2023. [Dalea verticillata (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Amorpheae), una nueva especie de Oaxaca, México y segunda para el subgénero Psoropteris] Dalea verticillata (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Amorpheae), A New Species from Oaxaca, Mexico. Brittonia. DOI: 10.1007/s12228-023-09768-6 | ||||||
| 6:02a | [Botany • 2023] Begonia noraaunorae (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species endemic to Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines
Abstract Begonia noraaunorae is described as a new species endemic to the Philippines from the limestone forest of Surigao del Sur. It grows on limestone rocks in semi-shaded broadleaf forest along a national highway. B. noraaunorae resembles B. negrosensis in having erect stems and obovately oblong leaves with sparse hairs and an acuminate apex, but differs in having shorter stems, larger leaves with light green patches, and capsules longer than wide (vs. wider than long), without large bracteoles directly beneath (vs. with), on longer peduncles. The new species is named after Nora Aunor, National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. Based on IUCN criteria, B. noraaunorae is considered Vulnerable. Keywords: Eudicots, limestone, medicinal plants, Surigao provinces, taxonomy.   Freddie A. Blasco, Danilo N. Tandang, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Mark Angelo C. Bucay, Junelito C. Cortes and Rosario R. Rubite. 2023. Begonia noraaunorae (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae) A New Species endemic to Surigao del Sur, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Phytotaxa. 620(2); 193-197. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.620.2.8 | ||||||
| 6:12a | [Botany • 2022] Dryopteris gaoligongensis • A Revision of Dryopteris sect. Diclisodon (Dryopteridaceae) based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence with Description of A New Species
Highlights: • We reconstruct the first phylogeny of Dryopteris sect. Diclisodon using combined plastid regions and nuclear gene AK1. • A revision of Dryopteris sect. Diclisodon in China is proposed based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. • Phylogenetic studies confirm the distinctiveness of Dryopteris gaoligongensis, D. renchangiana, and D. sinonepalensis. • Our study show that the morphological characteristics of the rhizome should be taken into more account in Dryopteris. Abstract Dryopteris sect. Diclisodon is a small section of ferns with about 12 species mainly distributed in East Asia. Here, we carried out morphological and phylogenetic analyses of this section. A new species from southwest China, D. gaoligongensis, is described and illustrated. Dryopteris gaoligongensis resembles D. indonesiana and D. sparsa, but differs by having a creeping rhizome and large 4-pinnate fronds. We also show that D. glabrior Ching & Z.Y. Liu is a distinct species; however, because it is a later homonym of D. glabrior Copel., it should be renamed D. renchangiana. We conclude that a species previously known as D. nitidula, also an illegitimate homonym, should be recognized with a new name, D. sinonepalensis. We resolve the phylogenetic position of D. yoroii as sister to other sampled species of D. sect. Diclisodon. Our phylogenetic analyses confirm the distinctiveness of D. gaoligongensis, D. renchangiana, and D. sinonepalensis. A key to species of D. sect. Diclisodon in China is provided. Keywords: Dryopteris gaoligongensis, Dryopteris renchangiana, Dryopteris sect. Nephrocystis, Dryopteris sinonepalensis, Molecular phylogeny, Nomenclatural novelties
Dryopteris gaoligongensis Z.Y. Zuo, Jin Mei Lu & D.Z. Li, sp. nov. 高黎贡山鳞毛蕨 【gāo lí gòng shān lín máo jué】 Diagnosis: Dryopteris gaoligongensis is different from other species in D. sect. Diclisodon by being a large plant with a creeping rhizome. It is similar to some species of D. sect. Marginatae (e.g., D. subimpressa Loyal.) in leaf shape. However, it can be identified as a member of D. sect. Diclisodon by typical asymmetrical bases of pinnales, basiscopic pinnule of basal pair of pinnae elongated as pinnatifid. Etymology: The specific epithet “gaoligongensis” refers to its type locality, the Gaoligong Mountains, on the border of Yunnan of China and Myanmar. Zheng-Yu Zuo, Ting Zhao, Xin-Yu Du, Yun Xiong, Jin-Mei Lu and De-Zhu Li. 2022. A Revision of Dryopteris sect. Diclisodon (Dryopteridaceae) based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence with Description of A New Species. Plant Diversity. 44(2); 181-190. DOI: 10.1016/j.pld.2021.09.005 | ||||||
| 6:30a | [Herpetology • 2024] Morphological and Genetic Data challenge Species and Subspecies in the Lerista microtis group (Squamata: Scincidae)
Abstract The subspecies rank has been widely applied by taxonomists to capture infraspecific variation within the Linnaean classification system. Many subspecies described throughout the 20th century were recognised largely based on perceived variation in single morphological characters yet have since been found not to correspond to separately evolving population lineages, thus requiring synonymy or elevation to full species under lineage-based views of species. These modern lineage-based taxonomic resolutions have resulted from a combination of new molecular genetic techniques, improved geographical sampling of specimens, and more sophisticated analyses of morphological variation (e.g., statistical assessments rather than solely univariate descriptive ones). Here, we revisit the current taxonomic arrangement of species-level and subspecific taxa in the Lerista microtis (Gray) group, which is distributed along a narrow ~2000 km strip on the southern coast of Australia. From specimens of the L. microtis group, an additional species (Lerista arenicola) and two additional subspecies (L. m. intermedia and L. m. schwaneri) were described. We collected data on mensural, meristic, and colour pattern characters to explore morpho-spatial relationships among these taxa. Although our morphological analyses revealed some distinctiveness among specimens from locations assigned to each taxon, this variation is continuous along Australia’s southern coastline, assuming the form of a geographic cline rather than discrete forms. For many characters, however, spatial patterns were inconsistent with the original descriptions, particularly of the subspecies. Moreover, analysis of genome wide restriction-associated DNA loci revealed multiple instances of paraphyly among taxa, with phylogenetic clustering of specimens assigned to distinct species and subspecies. These emerging patterns provide no support for L. arenicola as a species evolving separately from L. microtis. Additionally, our findings challenge the presumed distinctiveness and coherence of the three subspecies of L. microtis. We thus synonymise L. arenicola and the L. microtis subspecies with L. microtis and provide a redescription of a single yet morphologically variable species—an arrangement that best reflects evolutionary history and the continuous nature of morphological variation across space. Squamata, Australia, clinal variation, colour pattern, mitochondrial and nuclear DNA, Reptilia, south-coast five-toed slider, subspecies, taxonomy  Lerista microtis Jules E. Farquhar, Ivan Prates, Paul Doughty, Daniel L. Rabosky and David G. Chapple. 2024. Morphological and Genetic Data challenge Species and Subspecies in the Lerista microtis group (Squamata: Scincidae). Zootaxa. 5437(3); 336-362. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5437.3.2   | ||||||
| 8:30a | [Entomology • 2024] Leptanilla voldemort • Leptanilla from the Pilbara, with A Key to Australian Leptanilla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Abstract The genus Leptanilla Emery, 1870 of the family Formicidae, subfamily Leptanillinae, comprises miniscule, pale, blind ants that are rarely collected and poorly understood due to their hypogaeic (i.e. underground) lifestyles. Here we describe a new Leptanilla species from two workers collected via subterranean scraping in the arid Pilbara region of Western Australia. Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov. is the second leptanilline species documented in Australia after the elusive Leptanilla swani Wheeler, 1932. Workers of L. voldemort sp. nov. display a remarkably gracile morphology characterised by elongated legs, antennae, and mandibles, and they are easily differentiated from other Leptanilla species. We also provide new measurements for L. swani from two workers found proximally to the type locality of L. voldemort sp. nov. A key to the worker caste of Leptanilla species of the Australian continent is presented. Key words: Australia, hypogaeic, Leptanilla, Milieu Souterrain Superficiel, subterranean
Leptanilla voldemort Wong & McRae, sp. nov. Etymology: The species epithet pays tribute to the antagonist in the Harry Potter book series, Lord Voldemort, a terrifying wizard who, like the new ant, is slender, pale, and thrives in darkness. The species epithet is a noun, and thus invariant. Distribution: Only known from the type locality within the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Mark K. L. Wong and Jane M. McRae. 2024. Leptanilla (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Pilbara, with A Key to Australian Leptanilla. ZooKeys. 1197: 171-182. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114072 | ||||||
| 9:36a | [Herpetology • 2022] Leptobrachella yunyangensis • A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Chongqing City, Southwest China
Abstract Herein we describe a new species, Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov., from Yunyang County, Chongqing City, China, based on a combination of molecular and morphological data. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene and six nuclear genes indicated that this new species represented an independent evolutionary lineage. The uncorrected genetic distance between the new species and its closest congener species, L. oshanensis, was 5.4 % for 16S rRNA. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) moderate body size (SVL 28.3–30.6 mm in males); (2) rough dorsal skin, with sparse large granules and tubercles and short longitudinal ridges on the shoulder; (3) distinctly discernible tympanum with a diameter smaller than that of the eye (TMP/EYE ratio: 0.51) and a distinct black supratympanic line present; (4) an internasal distance almost equal to interorbital distance (IND/IOD ratio: 1.05); (5) flanks with several dark spots arranged longitudinally in two rows; (6) distinctly visible supra-axillary, femoral, pectoral, and ventrolateral glands; (7) bicolored iris, with the upper 1/3 of the iris being copper orange and the lower 2/3 a light silvery grey; (8) relative finger lengths of I < II = IV < III and relative toe lengths of I < II < V < III < IV; (9) absence of webbing and lateral fringes on fingers, and toes with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral fringes; (10) heels overlapping when the thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (11) tibiotarsal articulation reaching to the anterior corner of the eye when the leg is stretched forward; (12) ventral surfaces of the throat, chest, and belly greyish white with purple-brown speckling; (13) lacking distinct blackish dorsolateral markings; and (14) transverse dark brown bars on the surfaces of limbs and digits. Keywords: mitochondrial DNA; morphology; new species; nuclear gene; taxonomy
Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov. Luo, Deng and Zhou Diagnosis: Leptobrachella yunyangensis sp. nov. can be
distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the
following characters: (1) moderate body size (SVL 28.3–30.6 mm
in males); (2) rough dorsal skin, with sparse large granules
and tubercles and short longitudinal ridges on the shoulder;
(3) distinctly discernible tympanum with a diameter smaller
than that of the eye (TMP/EYE ratio: 0.51) and a distinct
black supratympanic line present; (4) an internasal distance
almost equal to interorbital distance (IND/IOD ratio: 1.05); (5)
flanks with several dark spots arranged longitudinally in two
rows; (6) distinctly visible supra-axillary, femoral, pectoral, and
ventrolateral glands; (7) bicolored iris, with the upper 1/3 of
the iris being copper orange and the lower 2/3 a light silvery
grey; (8) relative finger lengths of I < II = IV < III and relative
toe lengths of I < II < V < III < IV; (9) absence of webbing and
lateral fringes on fingers, and toes with rudimentary webbing
and narrow lateral fringes; (10) heels overlapping when the thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (11) tibiotarsal
articulation reaching to the anterior corner of the eye when
the leg is stretched forward; (12) ventral surfaces of the throat,
chest, and belly greyish white with purple-brown speckling;
(13) lacking distinct blackish dorsolateral markings; and (14)
transverse dark brown bars on the surfaces of limbs and digits. Etymology: The specific epithet yunyangensis is in reference to the type locality, Lianhua Village, Renhe Town, Yunyang County, Chongqing, China. For the common name, we suggest “Guishi Leaf Litter Toad”, and for the Chinese name “Gui Shi Zhang Tu Chan (贵师掌突蟾)”. The year 2021 marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of Guizhou Normal University, which has made outstanding contributions to the training of teachers in Guizhou Province and the promotion of zoological research in China, and I would like to express my heartfelt wishes to Guishi, which comes from the abbreviation of Guizhou Normal University. Tao LUO, Weifeng WANG, Dong PENG, Bo LEI, Huaiqing DENG, Shengnan JI, Heqing HUANG and Jiang ZHOU. 2022. A New Species of the Asian Leaf Litter Toad Genus Leptobrachella (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae) from Chongqing City, Southwest China. Asian Herpetological Research. 13(2); 75-95. https://link.oversea.cnki.net/doi/10.163 DOI: 10.16373/j.cnki.ahr.210052 | ||||||
| 9:50a | [Botany • 2024] Begonia abhak (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines
Abstract A new Begonia species, Begonia abhak, from section Petermannia is described and illustrated. Growing on shady, moist, rocky slopes alongside a small creek of Bujon, Lanuza, Surigao del Sur. The new species resembles Begonia panayensis in having glabrous stems, membranous, shiny leaves, oblong to oblanceolate lamina, acuminate apex and green ovary with pink wings but is distinct in having short stems, broadly ovate stipules, acute leaf base, serrated margins, and the slashed or jagged to almost entire margins of the capsule wings. Based on IUCN criteria, B. abhak is hereby proposed as Least Concern (LC). Keywords: Begonia panayensis, Mindanao, medicinal plants, Surigao provinces, Taxonomy 
Begonia abhak Blasco, Alejandro, Tandang & Rubite, sp. nov. Sect. Petermannia. Diagnosis: Begonia abhak resembles B. panayensis Merril in having tall, erect and glabrous stems, oblanceolate leaves, glossy surface adaxially, light green abaxially, acuminate apex, acute base, 2 tepaled staminate flowers, 5 tepaled pistillate flowers and green ovaries with pink wings. However, B. abhak differs in having shorter stems at 1.3 m (vs. 1.5 m), stipules broadly ovate at 19–20 × 9–10 mm (vs. oblanceolate 15–20 mm long), smaller lamina at 14–15 × 5.5–6 cm (vs. 16–20 × 4–6 cm.) with serrated margins (vs. dentate), broadly ovate male tepals (vs. orbicular), shorter and narrower capsules at 16–17 × 14–15 mm. (vs. longer and wider 25 × 20 mm). Etymology: The specific epithet abhak is derived from the Bisayan/Cebuano word, which means sliced or slashed, referring to the margin of the capsule wings. Freddie A. Blasco, Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, Danilo N. Tandang and Rosario R. Rubite. 2024. Begonia abhak (section Petermannia, Begoniaceae), A New Species from Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines. Webbia. 79(1); 47-50. DOI: DOI: 10.36253/jopt-15356 |
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