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Friday, April 19th, 2024
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| 3:48a | [Botany • 2024] Begonia dakrongensis (Begoniaceae) • A New Species from Dakrong Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province, Central Vietnam
Abstract A new species of Begonia (Begoniaceae), B. dakrongensis, from Central Vietnam is described and illustrated. B. dakrongensis resembles B. abbreviata in its rhizomatous habit, short cymose-paniculate inflorescence with congested bracts, 4-tepaled staminate flowers, and 5-tepaled pistillate flowers. However, the new species markedly differs by having obtriangular-spathulate to oblong-obovate or widely obovate lamina (vs. ovate to broadly ovate), not oblique or nearly so (vs. oblique), widely obovate anthers (vs. narrowly obovate), and trigonous-globose ovary (vs. trigonous-ellipsoid). endemism, Plant Diversity, Plant Taxonomy, Quang Tri Province, Dakrong Nature Reserve, Eudicots    Cuong Huu Nguyen, Anh Tuan Le, Van Bac Ha and Che Wei Lin. 2024. Begonia dakrongensis (Begoniaceae), A New Species from Dakrong Nature Reserve, Quang Tri Province in Central Vietnam. Phytotaxa 645(1); 85-90. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.645.1.8  | ||||||||
| 8:17a | [Arachnida • 2024] Sinahahnia eyu, S. fanjingshan & S. yintiaoling • A New Genus and Three New Species of Hahniidae (Araneae) from China
Abstract A new genus of comb-tailed spider (Hahniidae), Sinahahnia gen. nov., is described based on three new species from the high-altitude areas of China: Sinahahnia eyu sp. nov. (♂♀, Chongqing and Hubei), S. fanjingshan sp. nov. (♂♀, Guizhou), and S. yintiaoling sp. nov. (♀, Chongqing). Digital images, illustrations, and a distribution map are provided. Key words: Comb-tailed spider, description, morphology, taxonomy, Wuling Mountains
Family Hahniidae Bertkau, 1878 Sinahahnia gen. nov. Type species: Sinahahnia eyu sp. nov. Etymology: The generic name is a compound noun derived from the Latin sinae (= the Chinese) and ‘-Hahnia’. Diagnosis: Species of Sinahahnia gen. nov. resemble those of Troglohnia in having a similar slender embolus, large and membranous median apophysis, short and strong patellar apophysis, and long, spiral copulatory ducts, but they differ by the long embolus originating at a 6-o’clock position (vs 3-o’clock in Troglohnia), the large membranous median apophysis originating from the prolateral part of the tegulum (vs retrolateral in Troglohnia), RTA not bifurcated (vs bifurcated in Troglohnia) (Figs 2A–C, 3C–E, 5A–C, 6C–E cf. Chu et al. 2023: figs 3C, 10A, B, 12A, B, 15A, B), and the peanut-shaped or spherical spermathecae of the epigyne (vs oval in Troglohnia) (Figs 2E, 3G, 4C, 5E, 6G, 7B, 8C cf. Chu et al. 2023: figs 11B, 13B, 14B, 16B). Sinahahnia eyu sp. nov. Etymology: The specific name is derived from the Chinese word ‘e’ and ‘yu’, E is an abbreviated name for Hubei and Yu is an abbreviated name for Chongqing. Sinahahnia fanjingshan sp. nov. Etymology: The specific name is derived from the type locality [Fanjingshan Nature Reserve in Guizhou, China]; it is a noun in apposition. Sinahahnia yintiaoling sp. nov. Etymology: The specific name is derived from the type locality [Yintiaoling Nature Reserve, in Chongqing, China]; it is a noun in apposition. Lu-Yu Wang and Zhi-Sheng Zhang. 2024. A New Genus and Three New Species of Hahniidae (Araneae) from China. ZooKeys. 1197: 249-259. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.119935 | ||||||||
| 9:30a | [Paleontology • 2024] Vasuki indicus • Largest known madtsoiid Snake (Ophidia: Madtsoiidae) from warm Eocene period of India suggests intercontinental Gondwana dispersal
Abstract Here we report the discovery of fossils representing partial vertebral column of a giant madtsoiid snake from an early Middle Eocene (Lutetian, ~ 47 Ma) lignite-bearing succession in Kutch, western India. The estimated body length of ~ 11–15 m makes this new taxon (Vasuki indicus gen et sp. nov.) the largest known madtsoiid snake, which thrived during a warm geological interval with average temperatures estimated at ~ 28 °C. Phylogenetically, Vasuki forms a distinct clade with the Indian Late Cretaceous taxon Madtsoia pisdurensis and the North African Late Eocene Gigantophis garstini. Biogeographic considerations, seen in conjunction with its inter-relationship with other Indian and North African madtsoiids, suggest that Vasuki represents a relic lineage that originated in India. Subsequent India-Asia collision at ~ 50 Ma led to intercontinental dispersal of this lineage from the subcontinent into North Africa through southern Eurasia.   Systematic paleontology Squamata Oppel, 1811 Ophidia Brongniart, 1800 Madtsoiidae (Hoffstetter 1961) McDowell, 1987 Vasuki indicus gen. et sp. nov. Etymology: Generic name after the well-known Hindu mythical serpent ‘Vāsuki’ around the neck of Lord Shiva; specific name is for the country of origin i.e., India. Holotype: IITR/VPL/SB 3102-1-21; a partial vertebral column representing the precloacal region Horizon and locality: Naredi Formation; Panandhro Lignite Mine, district Kutch, Gujarat state, western India. Diagnosis: Vasuki exhibits a unique combination of the following characters: presence of prominent paracotylar foramina (shared with Madtsoiidae); middle-sized cotyle (shared with Madtsoiidae); median prominence on ventral margin of centrum (shared with Madtsoiidae); prezygapophyseal process absent; high angle of synapophysis with horizontal in anterior view (avg. 71.5°); MTV diapophysis level with dorsoventral midpoint of neural canal (shared with Madtsoia madagascariensis, Madtsoia camposi, Wonambi barriei and Adinophis); prezygapophyseal buttress succeeded posteriorly by elliptical fossa (shared with Madtsoia pisdurensis); deep V-shaped embayment (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); oval precloacal cotyle (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); transversely wide vertebrae (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); neural spine posteriorly canted (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); broad hemal keel with posterior process (shared with Gigantophis garstini and Madtsoia pisdurensis); strongly notched anterior zygosphenal margin; endozygantral foramen present (shared with Madtsoia madagascariensis, Powellophis and Gigantophis garstini). Autapomorphies: exceptionally large vertebrae [centrum length (cL): 37.5–62.7 mm and prezygapophyseal width (prW): 62.4–111.4 mm]; neural spine cross-section spade-shaped; poorly developed hemal keel which remains dorsal to the parapophyses; chisel-shaped posterior process of the hemal keel.  Debajit Datta and Sunil Bajpai. 2024. Largest known madtsoiid Snake from warm Eocene period of India suggests intercontinental Gondwana dispersal. Scientific Reports. 14, 8054. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58377-0 www.scientificamerican.com/article/t  | ||||||||
| 3:33p | [Botany • 2023] Ceropegia stylesii (Apocynaceae: Ceropegieae, sect. Bowkerianae) • A Novel Species with rotate flowers from Ngome, South Africa
Abstract A novel species of Ceropegia sect. Bowkerianae (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae-Ceropegieae-Stapeliinae) Keywords: Bowkerianae, Brachystelma gerrardii, Ceropegieae, critically endangered, endemism, KwaZulu-Natal, mistbelt grassland, Stapeliinae, Eudicots  Ceropegia stylesii Heiduk, sp. nov. Annemarie Heiduk. 2023. Ceropegia stylesii (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae)—A Novel Species with rotate flowers from Ngome, South Africa. Phytotaxa. 579(2); 117–124. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.579.2.5 Introducing Ceropegia stylesii – a novel species of “Brachystelma” from South Africa | ||||||||
| 3:33p | [Botany • 2024] Boesenbergia ashihoi (Zingiberaceae) • A New Species from northeast India
Abstract A new species of Boesenbergia, B. ashihoi Suparna, Sameer Patil & V.Deepu is described from Lumdiengsai, Meghalaya, India. Boesenbergia ashihoi resembles B. siphonantha (King ex Baker) M.Sabu, Prasanthk. & Škornick. and B. tillandsiodes (Baker) Kuntze in bearing a small globular rhizome, long-petioled leaves, horn-like spike and anther connectives without crest, but differs in having elliptic leaves (versus oblong-lanceolate), bracteoles much shorter than bracts (versus almost equalling bracts), labellum orbicular with orangish throat (versus ovate to obovate or cuneate with reddish or yellowish throat), and corolla tube 9–10 cm long (versus 1–6 cm long). The new species is described and illustrated in detail. A key to species of Boesenbergia in India is provided. Keywords: Boesenbergia, new species, northeast India  Suparna Debnath, Sameer Patil and Deepu Vijayan. 2024. Boesenbergia ashihoi (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from northeast India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: 10.1111/njb.04319   | ||||||||
| 3:33p | [Botany • 2024] Chlorohiptage vietnamensis (Malpighiaceae, Tetrapteroids) • A distinct New Genus endemic to Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data
Abstract Background and aims – Vietnam is one of the leading diversity centres for Asian Malpighiaceae, comprising 24 accepted species and three native genera (i.e. Aspidopterys, Hiptage, and Tristellateia). During recent fieldwork towards completing the taxonomic revision of Malpighiaceae for the Flora of Vietnam, we have collected specimens from two populations that could not be placed in any of the three native genera of this family. We performed morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies to test the generic placement of those specimens. Material and methods – We sampled 27 genera (including the Asian Acridocarpus, Aspidopterys, Brachylophon, Hiptage, Stigmaphyllon, and Tristellateia, out of a total of 75) of Malpighiaceae representing all phylogenetic clades comprising paleotropical lineages (i.e. acridocarpoids, bunchosioids, tetrapteroids, malpighioids, and stigmaphylloids), the unusual specimen recently collected in Vietnam, and the two genera of Elatinaceae as outgroups. Maximum Likelihood analysis was carried out based on a molecular matrix alignment of the internal transcribed spacer marker (ITS). Comprehensive morphological analyses were also carried out based on the collected specimens and additional herbarium specimens. Key results – Our molecular phylogeny strongly supported the unusual specimen from Vietnam placed as sister to Hiptage in the tetrapteroid clade. Key morphological traits differing these Vietnamese specimens from Hiptage were identified related to the floral bud imbrication, shape, colour, posture of sepals and petals, length of stamen filaments, number of styles, and shape of mericarps, allowing the proposition of a new monospecific genus. Conclusions – Chlorohiptage vietnamensis is proposed as a new monospecific genus closely related to Hiptage but differing in several key morphological traits. A complete morphological description is provided alongside photographic illustrations and notes on its conservation, distribution, ecology, etymology, and taxonomy. Additionally, an updated identification key to the genera of the tetrapteroid clade is provided. Keywords: Asia, Hiptage, Malpighiales, systematics, taxonomy, tetrapteroid
Chlorohiptage T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, gen. nov. Chlorohiptage vietnamensis T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Distinguished from Hiptage by its floral buds valvate (vs imbricate), petals pale-green to yellowish-green (vs white to yellow) with margins erose and velutine (vs dentate to fimbriate and glabrous), stamens 9 long + 1 short (vs 9 short + 1 long), styles 3 (vs 1-2), shorter than filaments of the stamens (vs longer than filaments of the stamens), mericarps with 1 lateral wing, 3-lobed (vs 3 free lateral wings). Etymology: The name Chlorohiptage is the combination of the Greek words “chlorós” (= green) and “hiptamai” (= to fly), referring to the unique green flowers of this Hiptage look-alike new genus. Notes: Chlorohiptage is endemic to open subtropical broad-leaved evergreen forests and limestone-steeped mountains in Central Vietnam at ca 100–250 m. Chlorohiptage vietnamensis T.V.Do, T.A.Le & R.F.Almeida, sp. nov. Truong Van Do, Ngan Thi Lu, Anh Tuan Le, Mai Xuan Thi Lam, Xuan Thi Trinh, Jean-Philippe Deguine, Thao Thi Hoang and Rafael Felipe de Almeida. 2024. Chlorohiptage (Tetrapteroids, Malpighiaceae), A distinct New Genus endemic to Vietnam based on morphological and molecular data. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 157(2): 125-136. DOI: 10.5091/plecevo.115623 | ||||||||
| 3:34p | [Botany • 2023] Gesneria clasei (Gesneriaceae) • A New lithophilous Species from the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic
Abstract A new lithophytic species of Gesneria was discovered during a recent research expedition to the Dominican Republic. Gesneria clasei J.L.Clark is a locally endemic species known from a single population in the Sierra de Bahoruco in the southwestern province of Barahona in the Dominican Republic. Images and a discussion are provided to differentiate Gesneria clasei from congeners that share tubular red corollas. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status of Critically Endangered (CR) is assigned to G. clasei. Keywords: Biodiversity, Gesneria, lithophyte, Sierra de Bahoruco, taxonomy
Gesneria clasei J.L.Clark, sp. nov. Diagnosis.—Differs from all other Gesneria taxa by the presence of uniformly red tubular corollas, ribbed floral tubes, narrow calyx lobes that are nearly as long as the corolla tube, and a lithophytic subshrub habit. Etymology.—The specific epithet clasei honors Teodoro Clase (Fig. 1F), a Dominican botanist from the Jardín Botánico Nacional “Dr. Rafael M. Moscoso” (JBSD) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Clase’s heroic efforts have facilitated and promoted plant biodiversity studies in the Dominican Republic, including the discovery of the species here. Clase is also an active plant collector, currently one of the most extensive for Hispaniola (more than 14,000 field collections throughout Haiti and the Dominican Republic). John L. Clark. 2023. Gesneria clasei (Gesneriaceae), A New lithophilous Species from the Sierra de Bahoruco, Dominican Republic. Brittonia. DOI: 10.1007/s12228-023-09766-8 | ||||||||
| 3:58p | [Entomology • 2024] Exanimus somniator, Fijixistra drobnaki, Gammonotus draudrau, Salomonotettix vincekae, etc. • Atlas of Fijian Pygmy Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with New Taxa Descriptions and an Identification Key
Abstract Fiji is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean from which only four species in four genera of Tetrigidae had previously been reported. We report the results of our examination of the Fijian Tetrigidae from the Queensland Museum, Brisbane, and additionally the Nederlands Centrum voor Biodiversiteit (Naturalis Biodiversity Center, formerly Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum Naturalis), Leiden. The Fijian fauna is found to be similar to, and therefore likely derived from, the New Guinean fauna. The validity of Asian Metrodorinae is called into question. The following new taxa are described: tribe Exanimini trib. nov. including genera Exanimus gen. nov. (including E. somniator sp. nov. and E. torviscriba sp. nov.) and Fijixistra gen. nov. (including F. abbreviata (Bolívar, 1887) comb. nov. of Amphinotus abbreviatus, F. drobnaki sp. nov., F. teo sp. nov., and F. tvrtkovici sp. nov.); tribe Fijitettigini trib. nov. including genera Fijitettix gen. nov. (including F. godeffroyi (Günther, 1939), comb. nov. of Salomonotettix godeffroyi) and Salomonotettix Günther, 1939 (including S. vincekae sp. nov.); genus Gammonotus gen. nov. including Gammonotus draudrau sp. nov. Exanimini trib. nov. and Fijitettigini trib. nov. are of uncertain taxonomic placement, Gammonotus gen. nov. is assigned to Cladonotini Bolívar, 1887, and Thyrsus tiaratus Bolívar, 1887 is transferred from Cleostratini Bolívar, 1887 to Clinophaestini Storozhenko, 2013. KEYWORDS: Orthoptera, Melanesia, Cladonotinae, Metrodorinae, New Guinea, island biogeography  The following new taxa are described: tribe Exanimini trib. nov. Exanimus gen. nov. (including E. somniator sp. nov. and E. torviscriba sp. nov.) Fijixistra gen. nov. (including F. abbreviata (Bolívar, 1887) comb. nov., F. drobnaki sp. nov., F. teo sp. nov., and F. tvrtkovici sp. nov.); tribe Fijitettigini trib. nov. Fijitettix gen. nov. (including F. godeffroyi (Günther, 1939), comb. nov. of Salomonotettix godeffroyi) and Salomonotettix Günther, 1939 (including S. vincekae sp. nov.); Cladonotini Bolívar, 1887 Gammonotus gen. nov. including Gammonotus draudrau sp. nov. Clinophaestini Storozhenko, 2013 Thyrsus tiaratus Bolívar, 1887  Niko Kasalo, Josef Tumbrinck, Marko Pavlović, and Josip Skejo. 2024. Atlas of Fijian Pygmy Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) with New Taxa Descriptions and an Identification Key. Annales Zoologici. 74(1); 43-70. DOI: 10.3161/00034541ANZ2024.74.1.003 | ||||||||
| 3:58p | [Mollusca • 2023] Meretrix taiwanica (Bivalvia: Veneridae) • a previously misidentified New Species in Taiwan
ABSTRACT This paper describes a new Asian hard clam, Meretrix taiwanica sp. n., found in the Tamsui River estuary in northern Taiwan. This species was formerly identified as M. lusoria, and was considered to be a descendant of a clam that originated in Japan. A molecular phylogenetic analysis, however, demonstrated that Meretrix taiwanica sp. n. is closely related to M. petechialis and M. lusoria. Meretrix taiwanica is distinguished by its smaller socket width and shorter posterior dorsal margin. This species is distributed throughout the coast of Taiwan on the southern coast of China. KEYWORDS: Asian hard clams, COI-DNA barcoding, Meretrix lusoria, Meretrix petechialis, Tamsui River
Systematics Superfamily Veneroidea Rafinesque, 1815 Family Veneridae Rafinesque, 1815 Genus Meretrix Lamarck, 1799 Meretrix taiwanica Hsiao & Chuang, sp. n. Diagnosis: Shell surface of M. lyrata has commarginal ribs; ventral margins of M. taiwanica sp. n., M. lamarckii and M. lusoria smooth, flat and round, respectively. Meretrix taiwanica sp. n. similar in shape to M. lusoria and M. petechialis (Figure 6A–C) but differs in several morphological features. Posterior dorsal margin of M. lusoria relatively straight, causing rear shell angle to be sharper, socket narrower. Shell-shaped posterior margin of M. petechialis rounded,with wider socket. Posterior margin of M. taiwanica sp. n. rounded with narrower socket than M. petechialis. Etymology: We name this species ‘taiwanica’ in reference to the collection locality in Taiwan. Additionally, this species is the most abundant and widely distributed hard clam in Taiwan.  Sheng-Tai Hsiao and Shih-Chang Chuang. 2023. Meretrix taiwanica (Bivalvia: Veneridae), a previously misidentified New Species in Taiwan. Molluscan Research. DOI: 10.1080/13235818.2023.2189428 | ||||||||
| 3:58p | [Diplopoda • 2024] Scolopocryptops longisetosus • Taxonomic Re-appraisal of Scolopocryptops quadristriatus (Verhoeff, 1934) (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Scolopocryptopidae) and A Description of A New Species from Japan and Taiwan
Abstract Centipedes of the genus Scolopocryptops Newport, 1844 are blind species mostly described from the New World and East Asia. In this study, a Japanese species, S. quadristriatus (Verhoeff, 1934), which is characterised by four longitudinal keels on the tergites, is re-described, based on the likely holotype preserved in the Zoologische Staatssammlung München and specimens newly collected from near the type locality. In addition, S. longisetosus sp. nov., a new species that bears tergal keels like S. quadristriatus, is described from the Ryukyu Islands in Japan and Taiwan. Although the presence of four keels on tergites is unique to these two species, phylogenetic analyses using nuclear and mitochondrial markers showed that S. longisetosus sp. nov. is not sister to S. quadristriatus. The obtained phylogeny indicates that the tergal longitudinal keels evolved in parallel within Scolopocryptops or that the presence of keels represents a plesiomorphic character of the clade containing these species. Key Words: molecular phylogeny, nomenclature, plesiomorphic character, Ryukyu Islands, tergal keels
Scolopocryptops longisetosus sp. nov. Suggested Japanese name: Kuromadara-akamukade Diagnosis: Antenna with sparse hairs and setae of various lengths dorsally on two basal articles, subsequent articles densely covered with long setae and minute setae. Cephalic plate with complete lateral marginal sulci. Tergites lacking paramedian sutures, tergites 5–20 with four longitudinal keels and median depression bordered by paramedian keels. Etymology: The specific name is derived from the Latin compound adjective, “longus” (long) and “setosus” (hairy), referring to the long antennal setae of this new species. Taro Jonishi and Takafumi Nakano. 2024. Taxonomic Re-appraisal of Scolopocryptops quadristriatus (Verhoeff, 1934) and A Description of A New Species from Japan and Taiwan (Chilopoda, Scolopendromorpha, Scolopocryptopidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 100(2): 405-423. DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.119297  | ||||||||
| 4:42p | [PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Macroprosopon hiltoni • A Long-snouted marine Bonytongue (Teleostei: Osteoglossidae) from the early Eocene of Morocco and the Phylogenetic Affinities of Marine osteoglossids
Abstract Osteoglossid bonytongues (arapaimas, arowanas, and relatives) are extant tropical freshwater fishes with a relatively abundant and diverse fossil record. Most osteoglossid fossils come from a 25-million-year interval in the early Palaeogene, when these fishes were distributed worldwide in both freshwater and marine environments. Despite their biogeographic and palaeoecological relevance, and a relative abundance of well-preserved material, the evolutionary relationships between these Palaeogene forms and extant bonytongues remain unclear. Here we describe a new genus of bonytongue from early Eocene marine deposits of Morocco, represented by an articulated, three-dimensionally preserved skull with associated pectoral girdle. This taxon is characterized by an elongated snout, contrasting with the short jaws usually found in marine representatives of the clade. A revision of morphological characters in bonytongues allows us to place this new genus, together with other marine and freshwater Eocene taxa, within crown osteoglossids and closely related to extant arapaimines. The discovery of the new Moroccan taxon hints at a previously underestimated eco-morphological diversity of marine bonytongues, highlighting the diverse trophic niches that these fishes occupied in early Palaeogene seas. computed tomography, fish, fossil evidence, Palaeogene, phylogeny, Osteoglossoidei   Macroprosopon hiltoni    Alessio Capobianco, Samir Zouhri and Matt Friedman. 2024. A Long-snouted marine Bonytongue (Teleostei: Osteoglossidae) from the early Eocene of Morocco and the Phylogenetic Affinities of Marine osteoglossids. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlae015. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae015   |
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