[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View]
Wednesday, May 1st, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||||||
| 3:35a | [Arachnida • 2019] Chaerilus agnellivanniorum • The Cave Population of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae) from Palawan, Philippines, and Description of A New Species
Abstract The study of an important collection of scorpions, belonging to the genus Chaerilus, recently collected from a cave in the Palawan Island, Philippines, allows the clarification of the identity of this population, often misidentified with Chaerilus chapmani Vachon & Lourenço, 1985 known from caves in the Gunong Mulu National Park in Sarawak (Borneo). Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. is described from the Puerto Princesa Underground River Cave in Palawan Island based on 14 specimens, males, females, and juveniles. The new species is totally distinct morphologically from Chaerilus chapmani, a true troglobitic species. Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. may also be a true troglobitic element, but with a less marked degree of regression for several characters. Some comments on the ecology of the new species and on regional biogeography of Borneo and Palawan islands are also proposed. Keywords: Biogeography, Cave-life, Chaerilus, Ecology, Identity   Patronym: the name honours Dr Paolo Agnelli (MZUF) and Dr Stefano Vanni (MZUF), who organised the scientific expedition in Palawan, The Philippines. Wilson R. Lourenço and Andrea Rossi. 2019. The Cave Population of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 from Palawan, Philippines, and Description of A New Species (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae) [La population cavernicole de Chaerilus Simon, 1877 à Palawan, Philippines, avec la description d’une nouvelle espèce (Scorpiones : Chaerilidae)]. Comptes Rendus Biologies. 342(1–2); 45-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.crvi.2018.12.001 Résumé: L’étude d’une importante collection de scorpions appartenant au genre Chaerilus, récemment collectée dans une grotte de l’île de Palawan, aux Philippines, permet désormais de clarifier l’identité de cette population souvent incorrectement identifiée comme Chaerilus chapmani Vachon & Lourenço, 1985 connue des grottes du Gunong Mulu National Park au Sarawak (Bornéo). Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. est décrite de la grotte de Puerto Princesa, dans l’île de Palawan, à partir de 14 spécimens, mâles, femelles et juvéniles. Par sa morphologie, la nouvelle espèce est globalement distincte de Chaerilus chapmani, une véritable espèce troglobie. Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. pourrait également représenter un véritable élément troglobie, mais avec un moindre dégrée de régression pour plusieurs caractères. Des commentaires sont également ajoutés sur l’écologie de la nouvelle espèce et sur la biogéographie de Bornéo et de l’île de Palawan. Mots clés: Biogéographie, Chaerilus, Écologie, Identité, Vie souterraine | ||||||||||
| 7:37a | [Botany • 2015] Paepalanthus magistrae (Eriocaulaceae) • A New Species from Northeastern Brazil
ABSTRACT We describe and illustrate Paepalanthus magistrae, a remarkable new species of Eriocaulaceae from Northeastern Brazil. The species is placed into Paepalanthus subsect. Dichocladus by the presence of trimerous flower, elongated dichotomous branched stem, and small rigid leaves. Within the section it may be easily distinguished by its leaves with glabrescent adaxial surface and lanose abaxial surface. As the species is narrowly distributed and known from a few populations, it is considered endangered. Key words: Caatinga; Paepalanthoideae; Serra das Confusões National Park; taxonomy
 Paepalanthus magistrae Sano, F.N. Costa, Trovó & Echtern. sp. nov. Diagnosis: Paepalanthus magistrae differs from all the other species of P. subsect. Dichocladus by its leaves with glabrescent adaxial surface and lanose abaxial surface. It is morphologically differentiated from Paepalanthus bonsai Trovó & Sano, the most closely related species, also by its leaves with round apex, spathe tip acute, longer scapes, spherical capitula, and involucral bracts completely glabrous. Etymology: The epithet magistrae - belonging to the master - is a tribute to Prof. Ana Maria Giulietti Harley, who has guided three generations of specialists in Eriocaulaceae. As in this species, she has her roots in the Caatinga. To her we offer our gratitude and our acknowledgement. Habitat, Distribution, and Conservation: Paepalanthus magistrae is known from a few populations growing on rock crevices in mountains of Serra das Confusões, Piauí (Fig. 1). The species occurs within the Capivara National Park and is considered endangered according to criteria B1a and B2a of IUCN (2011). Additional populations may be found in the vicinities, as the area is poorly sampled.  Paulo Takeo Sano, Fabiane Nepomuceno Costa, Marcelo Trovó and Lívia Echternacht. 2015. Paepalanthus magistrae (Eriocaulaceae), A remarkable New Species in honor of Ana Maria Giulietti-Harley. Rodriguésia. 66(2);. DOI: 10.1590/2175-7860201566202 | ||||||||||
| 7:52a | [Crustacea • 2019] Alpheus ramosportoae • A New Western Atlantic Snapping Shrimp of the Alpheus macrocheles group (Caridea: Alpheidae) revealed by Morphological, Molecular and Color Data
Abstract Alpheus macrocheles (Hailstone, 1835), a species originally described from the northeastern Atlantic, has been reported from Brazil based on material from the north and northeast coasts and Espírito Santo. However, a thorough morphological comparison between Brazilian material reported as A. macrocheles and eastern Atlantic material of A. macrocheles revealed consistent differences, suggesting that the Brazilian specimens belong to an undescribed species. Alpheus ramosportoae sp. nov. is therefore now described based on material from Amapá to Pernambuco, Brazil. Morphological differences between the new species and A. macrocheles s. str. were supported by the clear divergence of 16S rRNA gene sequences (18% of genetic distance), separating the species in two distinct clades. Differences in the color pattern also were observed and illustrated. Keywords: alpheid; new species; South-West Atlantic; Brazil; 16S. 
Alpheus ramosportoae sp. nov. Guidomar O. Soledade, Mariana Terossi, Justin A. Scioli, Fernando Luis Mantelatto and Alexandre O. Almeida. 2019. A New Western Atlantic Snapping Shrimp of the Alpheus macrocheles group (Caridea, Alpheidae) revealed by Morphological, Molecular and Color Data. European Journal of Taxonomy. 581; 1–21. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2019.581  | ||||||||||
| 8:14a | [Botany • 2019] Neobartsia matuy (Orobanchaceae) • A New Species from the Colombian Andes
Abstract A new species of Neobartsia endemic to the eastern Andes of Colombia is described, illustrated, and compared with related species. This species belongs to section Orthocarpiflorae and morphologically it is characterized by having floral bracts light green with glandular hairs, corolla yellowish green, the galea cucullate, longer than the lip, retrorsely glandular-puberulous, the lip three-lobed, glabrous and the corolla tube decurved. Currently, it is only known from two localities in the Colombian department of Boyacá, where it grows in the páramo ecosystem between 3528 and 3639 meters above sea level on rocky soil with grassy vegetation. Keywords: Eudicots, Bartsia, Boyacá, Colombia, endemism, Orthocarpiflorae, páramo
Neobartsia matuy Malagón, Humberto Mend. & Uribe-Convers, sp. nov. Diagnosis:—This species belongs to the sect. Orthocarpiflorae and differs from Neobartsia alba (Molau) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016: 678), N. elachophylla (Diels) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016: 679), N. filiformis (Wedd.) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016: 679), N. laniflora (Benth.) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016:680), N. laticrenata (Benth.) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016: 680), N. orthocarpiflora (Benth.) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016:681), N. santolinifolia (Kunth) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016: 681), N. sericea (Molau) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016: 682) and N. trichophylla (Wedd.) Uribe-Convers & Tank (2016: 681) by the following combination of characters: stems green, retrorsely hirsute with colorless eglandular hairs in two rows; leaves linear to lanceolate, retrorsely hirsute on the veins on both sides, hairs eglandular, margins revolute, evenly crenate with 8–9 lobes on each side; floral bracts light green with glandular hairs, lanceolate, cuneate at base; calyx light green, glandular hirsute; flowers 13–13.6 mm long (without pedicel); corolla yellowish green, tube decurved, galea cucullate longer than the lip, retrorsely glandular-puberulous, hairs yellowish green. Distribution and habit:—Neobartsia matuy is only known from two localities in the Northeastern Andean Cordillera in the department of Boyacá (Colombia), suggesting it is endemic to a few closely distributed páramos (Figure 4). It is possible that this species is also found in the Flora and Fauna Sanctuary of Iguaque, a protected natural national area adjacent to El Valle. It grows in the páramo ecosystem between 3550 and 3639 m above sea level on rocky soil with grassy vegetation. Etymology:— The specific epithet is established to honor Uribe-Convers’ parents, Maria Luisa Convers and Ernesto Uribe, whose support was invaluable during the author’s dissertation on the genus Neobartsia. His parents do not use their given names and are better known by their nicknames “Marily” and “Tuchi”, respectively, and the word “Matuy”—a combination of their nicknames—has been used for years among family and friends to refer to both of them.
Maria Del Pilar Malagon, Humberto Mendoza-Cifuentes, Sofia Gómez-Parra and Simon Uribe-Convers. 2019. Neobartsia matuy (Orobanchaceae), A New Species from the Colombian Andes. Phytotaxa. 424(2); 87–96. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.424.2.2 Resumen: Una nueva especie de Neobartsia endémica a los Andes orientales de Colombia es descrita, ilustrada y comparada con especies afines. Esta especie pertenece a la sección Orthocarpiflorae y morfológicamente se caracteriza por tener brácteas florales verde claro con pelos glandulares, corola verde amarillenta, galea cuculada y mayor que el labio, glandularpubérula con pelos retrorsos, el labio con tres lóbulos, glabro y el tubo de la corola curvado. Hasta el momento, solo se conoce de dos localidades en el departamento colombiano de Boyacá, donde crece en ecosistemas de páramo entre los 3528 y 3639 metros sobre el nivel del mar, sobre suelos rocoso con vegetación herbácea.  | ||||||||||
| 9:32a | [Entomology • 2018] Microphontes gaiophanes, M. kryphios, etc. • Taxonomic Revision of the Assassin-fly Genus Microphontes Londt, 1994 (Diptera, Asilidae)
Abstract The genus Microphontes Londt, 1994 (Diptera: Asilidae: Brachyrhopalinae) is revised. Currently, three species are known from Namibia and western South Africa, i.e. Microphontes megoura Londt, 1994 from north-western South Africa, Microphontes safra Londt, 1994 from Namibia and Microphontes whittingtoni Londt, 1994 from western South Africa. Four new species, Microphontes ericfisheri sp. n. from the Little Karoo of South Africa, Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. from the Namib desert of Namibia and Microphontes jasonlondti sp. n. and Microphontes kryphios sp. n. from western South Africa, are described. Distribution, occurrence in biodiversity hotspots sensu Conservation International and seasonal incidence are discussed. Descriptions/redescriptions, photographs and identification keys are provided and made openly accessible in data repositories to support future studies of the included taxa. An unusual flight pattern of male Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. is discussed. A unique morphological feature on tergite 8 of Microphontes females, termed postero-paramedian T8 pores, is described, illustrated and discussed. Keywords: Assassin fly, robber fly, cybertaxonomy, open-access, male flight behaviour, female postero-paramedian T8 pores 
Microphontes ericfisheri sp. n. Etymology: The species is named after Eric M. Fisher who is one of the most knowledgeable Nearctic and Neotropical Asilidae taxonomists, present and past, to recognise his contributions to the study of assassin flies. This species was unveiled at the 9th International Congress of Dipterology (25–30 November 2018) in Windhoek, Namibia during the Asilidae symposium organised to honour a contemporary colleague, Jason Londt and entitled, “Taxonomy and phylogeny of Asilidae – honouring 40 years of Afrotropical research by Jason Londt” on 27 November 2018. Distribution, biodiversity hotspots, phenology and biology: Known only from the type locality in the Little Karoo of South Africa (Fig. 71). A rarely collected species known only from a single specimen and collecting event in 2015 (Table 1). The species is endemic to the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot. Adult flies are active in mid summer in a winter rainfall region (Table 2). Nothing is known of the biology.
Microphontes gaiophanes sp. n. Etymology: Greek gaiophanes = earth-coloured. Refers to the beautiful earth tone colouration of this species. Diagnosis: The species is distinguished from congeners by the more or less square abdominal tergites, the short macrosetose dorsal anepisternum, the extensively macrosetose ante- and postpronotum, the overall brown colouration and the grey pubescent female abdominal tergite 8.
Microphontes jasonlondti sp. n. Etymology: The species is named after Jason G.H. Londt who is without doubt the most knowledgeable Afrotropical Asilidae taxonomist, present and past, to recognise his contributions to the study of assassin flies and who also collected the type series. This species was unveiled at the 9th International Congress of Dipterology (25–30 November 2018) in Windhoek, Namibia during the Asilidae symposium organised in his honour entitled, “Taxonomy and phylogeny of Asilidae – honouring 40 years of Afrotropical research by Jason Londt” on 27 November 2018. Diagnosis: The species is distinguished from congeners by the only slightly transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, the general brown colouration and a long gonocoxite extending beyond midpoint of the epandrium (in lateral view) in the male terminalia. Microphontes kryphios sp. n. Etymology: Greek kryphios = hidden, secret. Refers to the fact that this species was hidden amongst the type series of M. whittingtoni. Diagnosis: The species is distinguished from congeners by the small size with a wing length of 3–4 mm, distinctly wider than long and transversely rectangular abdominal tergites, partly macrosetose postpronotal lobes, setose dorsal and posterior anepisternum and features of the male terminalia such as the long postero-median projection on the hypandrium and shape of the gonostyli. Seasonal incidence: Species of Microphontes have been collected in the Southern Hemisphere spring to summer (Table 2). M. ericfisheri sp. n. is restricted in imago flight activity to summer (December), M. gaiophanes sp. n. to spring (September), M. jasonlondti sp. n., M. kryphios sp. n., M. megoura and M. whittingtoni to early summer (November) and M. safra to late summer (February). Biodiversity hotspots: Two species, M. ericfisheri sp. n. and M. whittingtoni, occur in and are endemic to the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot sensu Conservation International (Fig. 72). M. jasonlondti sp. n. and M. kryphios sp. n. occur within the same hotspot, but have also been collected outside of it in the adjacent Nama Karoo biome. M. megoura occurs in and is endemic to the Cape Floristic Region biodiversity hotspot (Fig. 72). The other two species, M. gaiophanes sp. n. and M. safra, lie well outside any hotspot in the Namib Desert (Fig. 72). The unidentified specimen from Willie Nel Farm (32°10'47"S, 018°53'29"E) occurs within the Cape Floristic Region hotspot (Fig. 71). Amanda Markee and Torsten Dikow. 2018. Taxonomic Revision of the Assassin-fly Genus Microphontes Londt, 1994 (Insecta, Diptera, Asilidae). African Invertebrates. 59(2): 195-237. DOI: 10.3897/afrinvertebr.59.30684   | ||||||||||
| 10:29a | [Paleontology • 2024] Osteology, Phylogenetic Affinities, and Palaeobiogeographic Significance of the bizarre ornithischian Dinosaur Ajkaceratops kozmai from the Late Cretaceous European Archipelago
Abstract At the climax of their evolutionary history in the latest Cretaceous, ceratopsian dinosaurs were among the most dominant components of North American and Asian land ecosystems. In other continental landmasses, however, ceratopsians were extraordinarily rare and the affinities of their proposed representatives often turned out to be inconclusive. Arguably the most significant evidence of Ceratopsia from outside North America and Asia is represented by Ajkaceratops kozmai from the Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) of Hungary. We provide a detailed osteological description of Ajkaceratops and highlight its bizarre anatomy. Ajkaceratops has been ‘traditionally’ interpreted to represent a Bagaceratops-like coronosaur, and its occurrence on the European islands was hypothesized to probably result from an early Late Cretaceous dispersal event from Asia. However, while the snout of Ajkaceratops may resemble that of some ceratopsians, closer inspection of the preserved elements indicates that these similarities are largely superficial. While it cannot be ruled out that Ajkaceratops represents a highly peculiar member of the clade, its placement is far from certain. Still, the discovery of Ajkaceratops exemplifies the importance and uniqueness of European dinosaur faunas. Ceratopsia, Late Cretaceous, Ornithischia, osteology, palaeobiogeography, phylogeny   Łukasz Czepiński and Daniel Madzia. 2024. Osteology, Phylogenetic Affinities, and Palaeobiogeographic Significance of the bizarre ornithischian Dinosaur Ajkaceratops kozmai from the Late Cretaceous European Archipelago. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlae048. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae048 | ||||||||||
| 10:38a | [Botany • 2017] Trigonostemon honbaensis (Euphorbiaceae) • A New Species from Mt. Hon Ba, Southern Vietnam
A new species, Trigonostemon honbaensis Tagane & Yahara (Euphorbiaceae), sp. nov., from Hon Ba Nature Reserve in Khanh Hoa Province, southern Vietnam, is described and illustrated. DNA barcoding data of the rbcL and matK regions is provided. Trigonostemon honbaensis is most similar to T. longifolius Baill. ex Müll.Arg., but distinguished by its less hairy leaves, truncate leaf base (attenuate to obtuse in T. longifolius), larger petals, shorter staminal column, and anthers lacking appendages. Key words: Euphorbiaceae, Hon Ba Nature Reserve, new species, Trigonostemon, Vietnam
Shuichiro Tagane, Tetsukazu Yahara, Van-Son Dang, Hironori Toyama and Hop Tran. 2017. Trigonostemon honbaensis (Euphorbiaceae), A New Species from Mt. Hon Ba, Southern Vietnam. Acta Phytotax. Geobot. 68(1): 39–44.  |
| << Previous Day |
2024/05/01 [Calendar] |
Next Day >> |