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Wednesday, June 12th, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 1:30a | [Paleontology • 2023] Theatops groehni • An Eocene Fossil plutoniumid Centipede: A New Species of Theatops (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha: Plutoniumidae) from Baltic Amber
Abstract Four specimens of the same species of scolopendromorph centipede from Eocene Baltic amber provide the first fossil occurrence of the family Plutoniumidae, a clade represented by seven extant species. The fossil material, documented by light microscopy and computed microtomography, is assigned to the genus Theatops Newport, Citation1844, which currently has a disjunct distribution in temperate North America, the Mediterranean region, and central China. The Eocene species is diagnostically distinct from extant congeners and is formally described as Theatops groehni sp. nov. Phylogenetic analysis of combined morphological and molecular data for three loci finds T. groehni to be nested within crown-group Plutoniumidae. The discovery of T. groehni constrains the minimal divergence date for crown-group Plutoniumidae and is consistent with hypotheses regarding the extent and nature of tropical to warm temperate European forests during the Eocene. The fossil reinforces the hypothesis that the distribution of Plutoniumidae, once more geographically widespread, has been pruned by extinction. Keywords: Scolopendromorpha, Plutoniumidae, Theatops, Baltic Amber, Eocene    Theatops groehni sp. nov. Gregory D. Edgecombe, Susan E. Strange, George Popovici, Taylor West and Varpu Vahtera. 2023. An Eocene Fossil plutoniumid Centipede: A New Species of Theatops from Baltic Amber (Chilopoda: Scolopendromorpha). Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 21(1): 2228796. DOI: 10.1080/14772019.2023.2228796 | ||||||
| 3:32a | [Ichthyology • 2020] Megaleporinus gaiero • A New endangered Species of Megaleporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Rio de Contas Basin, eastern Brazil
Abstract A new species of Megaleporinus is described from the Rio de Contas, a coastal drainage of eastern Brazil, and its phylogenetic relationships are studied using molecular data. The new species is unique among Anostomidae by possessing two exclusive features: an irregular dark longitudinal stripe from supracleithrum to second midlateral blotch and anterior cranial fontanel partially closed. In addition, the new species is diagnosed by having three premaxillary teeth, three dentary teeth, 37 or 38 scales in lateral line, 16 scale rows around caudal peduncle, three dark midlateral blotches on body, and red fins in life. The new species is closely related to M. obtusidens from the São Francisco basin, corroborating previous studies that indicated that the latter represents a species complex as currently defined. The new species exhibits the first rib enlarged in mature males, a feature described for some congeners. The new species is herein considered to be Endangered under the IUCN criteria. Keywords: anostomoidea, neotropical, phylogeny, systematics, taxonomy
MEGALEPORINUS GAIERO, new species Etymology: The specific name gaiero is in reference to the vernacular name of the species, “piau-gaiero”, which means a species of Megaleporinus (“piau”) with preference for tree trunks, in allusion to the fact that specimens when caught (especially when using hook and line) tend to hide below submerged tree trunks. In Brazilian Portuguese, “gaio” is a vernacular word for “galho”, meaning tree branches. A noun in apposition. José L. O. Birindelli, Heraldo A. Britski and Jorge L. Ramirez. 2020. A New endangered Species of Megaleporinus (Characiformes: Anostomidae) from the Rio de Contas Basin, eastern Brazil. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14299 | ||||||
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| 4:16a | [Ichthyology • 2024] Myloplus aylan & M. sauron • Integrative Taxonomy of the Black-barred Disk Pacus (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), including the Redescription of Myloplus schomburgkii and the Description of Two New Species
Abstract Presently, Myloplus schomburgkii is the most easily recognized species among the serrasalmids by having a vertical black bar in the middle of the body. However, through a broad taxonomic review, including DNA barcoding and morphological analyses, we were able to identify and describe two new species that also share a dark vertical bar on the flank. In addition, we redescribe M. schomburgkii, designating a neotype and restricting the type-locality to rio Negro in Barcelos, Amazonas State, Brazil. The three lineages of black-barred pacus present high molecular divergences (7.9–11%) and can be distinguished by differences in the shape of the vertical bar, shape of females’ anal fin, number of total vertebrae, number of total branched dorsal-fin rays, among other characters. Although the existence of these two new species has been hidden due to many morphological similarities, mainly the presence of the black bar, the three lineages do not compose a monophyletic group, with one of the new species being recovered as sister to Ossubtus xinguense. This result reinforces the necessity of the redefinition of the Myleini genera. Keywords: Amazon basin; COI; DNA barcoding; Myleini; Neotype
Myloplus aylan Pereira, Ota, Machado, Collins, Ândrade, Garcia-Ayala, Jégu, Farias & Hrbek, new species Diagnosis. Myloplus aylan can be distinguished from all congeners, except M. schomburgkii and M. sauron n. sp. (described below), by the presence of a vertical black bar on the flank commonly extending from the dorsal-fin base to the pelvic-fin distal end (vs. absence of any conspicuous mark on the flank in the rest of the congeners). The new species can be diagnosed from M. schomburgkii and M. sauron by the following characters: parietal bone with dorsal surface markedly concave in lateral view (vs. straight to slightly concave), 82–95 (mode 84) total perforated scales on lateral line [vs. 68–87 (mode 79) in ... Etymology. The specific name honors the late Aylan Moraes Andrade, Carine Moraes and Marcelo Andrade’s son, born on December 23, 2022, who passed away prematurely on July 6, 2023. Marcelo is one of the authors of this manuscript and this is a tribute to record all the love and dedication of his parents who will never forget him. A noun in apposition. Myloplus sauron Pereira, Ota, Machado, Collins, Ândrade, Garcia-Ayala, Jégu, Farias & Hrbek, new species Etymology. The specific name sauron alludes to the Eye of Sauron, from J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”. The elliptical body of Myloplus sauron, marked with a vertical, black bar tapering toward both ends, resembles the famous vertical-pupilled eye from the novel. A noun in apposition.
Myloplus schomburgkii (Jardine, 1841) Etymology. Myloplus schomburgkii was described in honor of Robert H. Schomburgk, who, during an expedition to English Guyana, collected individuals of the species, took notes, and illustrated (Fig. 14) the specimen used by Jardine (1841) to describe the new species. A genitive noun. Valéria N. Machado, Victória D. Pereira, Rafaela P. Ota, Rupert A. Collins, Marcelo Ândrade, James R. Garcia-Ayala, Michel Jégu, Izeni P. Farias and Tomas Hrbek. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy of the Black-barred Disk Pacus (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), including the Redescription of Myloplus schomburgkii and the Description of Two New Species. Neotrop. ichthyol. 22 (2); DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0095  | ||||||
| 2:23p | [Entomology • 2024] Rondotia melanoleuca • A New wild-mulberry Silkworm (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) from China
Abstract Several yellow larvae with black spots were discovered in the wild of Chinese Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, and were further raised in captivity. Reared adults exhibit a striking black and white wing pattern, and they represent unequivocally a new species, here described as Rondotia melanoleuca sp. nov. Molecular analyses suggest that this species could be sister to all previously known species of Rondotia.
Rondotia melanoleuca Cao & Liu, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Adults of R. melanoleuca sp. nov. have wings with distinct white patches placed between black vertical stripes and black wing-veins, which enables easy distinction from all other bombycids without dissection of genital structures. Wang et al. (2015) provided a diagnosis for R. menciana, R. diaphana and R. lineata, in which they noted “forewing with outer margin concave below apex and a projection at the end of M3 […] uncus divided into three lobes; valval apex broader with a large and a small tooth”. In contrast, the new species has a straighter forewing termen, a biforked uncus, and a rounded dorsodistal edge of the valva.
Etymology: This feminine adjective in modern Latin means “black and white”; interestingly, the Sichuanese giant panda carries the same specific name. Distribution: The specimens in this study are all from Leshan (Sichuan) and Fugong (Yunnan), but the new species may be more widely distributed in montane broadleaf forests in both provinces. However, due to the presence of similar environments, we presume the species may also be found in the northern Indochina Peninsula, e.g., in Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. Zhengyang Liu and Xiwen Cao. 2024. Rondotia melanoleuca sp. nov., A New wild-mulberry Silkworm from China (Lepidoptera, Bombycidae). Nota Lepidopterologica. 47: 49-56. DOI: 10.3897/nl.47.109920  | ||||||
| 3:21p | [Paleontology • 2024] Haliskia peterseni • A New anhanguerian Pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea: Anhangueridae) from the late Early Cretaceous of Australia
Abstract Pterosaur remains have been reported from every continent; however, pterosaur skeletons remain rare. A new pterosaur is presented here, Haliskia peterseni gen. et sp. nov., constituting the most complete specimen from Australia from the upper Albian Toolebuc Formation of the Eromanga Basin (Queensland, Australia). A combination of features, including the presence of a premaxillary crest and curved teeth, and the morphology of the scapulocoracoid, support its referral to Anhangueria. Haliskia can be distinguished from all other anhanguerian pterosaurs based on two dental characters: the 4th and 5th tooth pairs are smaller than the 3rd and 6th, and the 2nd and 5th alveoli are smaller than 3–4 and 6–8. Moreover, the hyoid is 70% the total length of the mandible. The phylogenetic analyses presented here place Haliskia within Anhangueria. In one analysis, Haliskia and Ferrodraco are resolved as sister taxa, with Tropeognathus mesembrinus sister to that clade. The other resolves Haliskia, Mythunga and Ferrodraco in a polytomy within Tropeognathinae. The new Australian pterosaur attests to the success of Anhangueria during the latest Early Cretaceous and suggests that the Australian forms were more taxonomically diverse and palaeobiogeographically complex than previously recognized. Systematic palaeontology PTEROSAURIA Kaup, 1834 PTERODACTYLOIDEA Plieninger, 1901 PTERANODONTOIDEA Marsh, 1876 sensu Kellner, 2003 ANHANGUERIA sensu Rodrigues and Kellner, 2013 ANHANGUERIDAE Campos and Kellner, 1985
Haliskia peterseni gen. et sp. nov. Diagnosis. Haliskia peterseni can be distinguished from other anhanguerians by the following combination of characters (autapomorphies marked with an asterisk): anterior margin of the premaxilla flattened; anterior portions of jaws not laterally expanded; alveolar borders inflated relative to jawline; subtle palatal ridge which begins at the 2nd tooth pair and extends until the 8th; premaxillary crest level with anterior margin of skull, rises steeply at an angle of 30°; comparatively short mandibular crest; ceratobranchial: skull length ratio 70%*; 4th and 5th teeth smaller than 3rd and 6th*; 2nd and 5th alveoli smaller than pairs 3–4 and 6–8*; marked increase in interalveolar spacing after the 6th alveoli.
Horizon and locality. Toolebuc Formation, middle–upper uppermost Albian28; Dig Site 3, NW of Richmond, Queensland, Australia. Etymology. The genus epithet (pronounced ‘hay-li-sky-ah’) Haliskia derived from Ancient Greek ἅλς (háls) = ‘sea’; and σκῐᾱ́ (skiā́) = shadow, phantom, or evil spirit; thus, a flying creature that cast a shadow on the sea, or a phantom that haunted the long-vanished Eromanga Sea. The species epithet honours Kevin Petersen, who recovered and prepared the specimen. Adele H. Pentland, Stephen F. Poropat, Ruairidh J. Duncan, Alexander W. A. Kellner, Renan A. M. Bantim, Joseph J. Bevitt, Alan M. Tait and Kliti Grice. 2024. Haliskia peterseni, A New anhanguerian Pterosaur from the late Early Cretaceous of Australia. Scientific Reports. 14: 11789. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60889-8 | ||||||
| 7:18p | [Botany • 2024] Amalophyllon miraculum (Gesneriaceae) • An exceptionally small lithophilous New Species from the western Andean Slopes of Ecuador
Abstract Recent exploratory field expeditions to the western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes resulted in the discovery of a new species of Amalophyllon (Gesneriaceae). Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark, sp. nov. is described from two localities in the Centinela region in the Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas province. The new species is differentiated from congeners by the pendent habit, basal rosette of leaves, leaf blades with deeply serrate margins, and miniature size. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status is assigned as Critically Endangered (CR). Key words: Andes, Amalophyllon, Centinela, Chocó, Conservation, Ecuador, endemic, lithophyte, Montañas de Ila 
Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Similar to Amalophyllon clarkii, differing in larger and broadly ovate leaves in A. clarkii (>8 cm long) vs. smaller elongate to lanceolate leaf blades in A. miraculum (< 6 cm long); calyx lobes elongate in A. clarkii vs. broadly oblong in A. miraculum; and abaxial leaf surface green with purple venation in A. clarkii vs. uniformly dark purple in A. miraculum. Etymology: The specific epithet reflects the extraordinary and unexpected persistence of remnant forest patches of an area broadly defined as “Centinela” (see next section). Dodson and Gentry (1991) popularized this legendary biodiversity hotspot and brought it to prominence when they reported a mass extinction of plant species from this region. Many of the presumed “extinct” species were recently documented, including Gasteranthus extinctus L.E.Skog & L.P.Kvist (Gesneriaceae) (Pitman et al. 2022). Amalophyllon miraculum is sympatric with Gasteranthus extinctus. The presence of several critically endangered species and the recent discovery and description of new species from Centinela represent a miraculous discovery that has shattered a prevailing assumption that the once-thought-lost biodiversity of Centinela had vanished entirely. The heroic efforts of local landowners who maintained small patches of forests (usually surrounding waterfalls) were instrumental in conserving remnant forest fragments. Also crucial are current conservation initiatives by foundations and academic institutions such as the Ecuadorian conservation NGO Fundación de Conservación Jocotoco and the Jardín Botánico Padre Julio Marrero (JBJM) of the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador in the nearby city of Santo Domingo. John L. Clark, Andrea Fernández, J. Nicolás Zapata, Camilo Restrepo-Villarroel, Dawson M. White and Nigel C. A. Pitman. 2024. Amalophyllon miraculum (Gesneriaceae), An exceptionally small lithophilous New Species from the western Andean Slopes of Ecuador. PhytoKeys. 242: 307-316. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.242.118069 Resumen: Recientes expediciones exploratorias de campo a las laderas occidentales de los Andes ecuatorianos dieron como resultado el descubrimiento de una nueva especie de Amalophyllon (Gesneriaceae). Amalophyllon miraculum J.L.Clark, sp. nov. se describe de dos localidades de la región de Centinela en la provincia de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas. La nueva especie se diferencia de otros congéneres por el hábito colgante, la roseta basal de las hojas, las láminas foliares con márgenes profundamente aserrados y su tamaño en miniatura. Según las directrices de la UICN, se le asigna el estado de conservación preliminar de En Peligro Crítico (CR). |
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