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Thursday, June 20th, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 1:09a | [Mammalogy • 2024] Molossus paranaensis • Revisiting Molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) Diversity: Exploring Southern Limits and Revealing A Novel Species in Argentina
Abstract Understanding species diversity and delineating their boundaries are crucial for effective management and conservation efforts. In the case of bats, species identification holds particular importance from an epidemiological standpoint. The genus Molossus (Chiroptera: Molossidae) encompasses 15 species distributed across the Neotropics, ranging from the southeastern United States to Argentina. This genus exhibits two contrasting patterns of variation: some species are cryptic, while others are morphologically distinct yet genetically similar. This study explores the diversity of Molossus in Argentina through a molecular phylogenetic approach. We analyzed sequences from three molecular markers (cyt b, COI, and FGB) along with morphology data obtained from a sample of 64 individuals. Uni- and multivariate analyses of external and cranial measurements were conducted, alongside comparisons of external and cranial characteristics among species. Based on molecular and morphological differences, we describe a new species within the Molossus genus. This newly discovered species exhibits a broad distribution spanning the Paraná River basin across three distinct ecoregions. It is noteworthy that this species is pseudo-cryptic with respect to similar-sized species such as M. molossus and M. melini. Additionally, it is important to mention that all species in Argentina have overlapping distribution ranges. In summary, this study provides valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of Molossus bats in Argentina, employing molecular and morphological analyses. The discovery of a new species underscores the ongoing importance of comprehensive research efforts in understanding and conserving bat populations in the Neotropics. Keywords: Mastiff bats, molecular phylogeny, morphology, morphometry, pseudo-cryptic species, South America
Family Molossidae Gervais, 1856 Genus Molossus É. Geoffroy, 1805 Molossus paranaensis Caraballo, Pavé, Argoitia, Schierloh & Chambi Velasquez, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Molossus paranaensis is distinguished from all other Molossus species by the following combination of characters: medium size (FA 39.4–42.8 mm; GLS w.i 17.3–19.2 mm; PC 3.8–4.6 mm; LMxT 6.3–7.4 mm); dorsal coloration medium brown (cinnamon to grayish brown sensu Ridgway 1912) with individual hairs bicolored, with a large and pale basal band reaching 1/4 to 1/2 to of total length of the hair, the venter is paler than dorsum (Fig. 4); in frontal view the rostrum is triangular (Fig. 5B), and the lambdoidal crests are moderately developed (Fig. 5). Etymology: The name paranaensis is bestowed in reference to the extended distribution of the new species along the Paraná River basin, one of the largest rivers in South America. Paraná is a word from the Mbyá people who speak Tupí (one of the native languages in Argentina), pará = “sea” and nã = “similar to” or “like”, which means “that looks like the sea” or “similar to the sea”. This river shelters a great biodiversity and natural beauty. Micaela A. Chambi Velasquez, Romina Pavé, María A. Argoitia, Pablo Schierloh, María G. Piccirilli, Valeria C. Colombo, Fernando J. Beltrán, Daniel M. Cisterna and Diego A. Caraballo. 2024. Revisiting Molossus (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Molossidae) Diversity: Exploring Southern Limits and Revealing A Novel Species in Argentina. Vertebrate Zoology. 74: 397-416. DOI: 10.3897/vz.74.e122822  | ||||||||
| 1:20a | [Botany • 2024] Nymphanthus namkadingensis (Phyllanthaceae) • A New Species from Laos
Abstract A new species of Nymphanthus (Phyllanthaceae), N. namkadingensis from Bolikhamxai Province, central Laos, is described and illustrated, along with its vernacular name and preliminary conservation status. The new species is similar to N. rubescens, but distinguished by having larger stipules, longer pedicels, and connate annular disc glands (vs. free disc glands) of pistillate flowers. Key words: flora, Indochina, Malpighiales, Phyllantheae, taxonomy 
Nymphanthus namkadingensis Tk.Yamam., Tagane & Soulad., sp. nov. Nymphanthus namkadingensis is distinguished from the other members of Nymphanthus by having combination of
following features: branches and branchlets glabrous, stipules of 3–9 × 1–2 mm, ovate-lanceolate laminae of 14–25 ×
5–8 mm with 8–12 pairs of lateral veins, reddish purple sepals with slightly undulate (non-fimbriate) margins, annular
disc glands of pistillate flowers, and glabrous ovaries. Among Nymphanthus species distributed in Laos and its adjoining
countries, the new species is most similar to N. rubescens distributed in Laos and Vietnam in having floriferous
branchlets rather congested near ... Etymology:—The specific epithet namkadingensis is derived from Nam Kading National Protected Area, in
which the species was first discovered. Vernacular name:— ໝາກຍົມນ້ອຍນ້ຳກະດິງ [Mak yom noy namkading (“Mak yom” means Nymphanthus species
in general in Lao; “noy” means small fruit), suggested here].  Takenori Yamamoto, Phetlasy Souladeth, Phongphayboun Phonepaseuth, Deuanta Kongxaisavath, Thyraphon Vongthavone, Truong Ba Vuong, Pham Quoc Trong, Keooudone Souvannakhoummane and Shuichiro Tagane. 2024. Nymphanthus namkadingensis, A New Species of Phyllanthaceae from Laos. Phytotaxa. 650(3); 199-205. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.650.3.1 | ||||||||
| 1:30a | [Botany • 2024] Capurodendron ambanizanense, C. vulcanicola, ... • A Phylogenomic Reconstruction of the Endangered Malagasy Tree Genus Capurodendron (Sapotaceae) with Nine New Species and an Identification Key
Abstract Capurodendron is the second largest endemic genus of vascular plants in Madagascar. It comprises mainly trees that are frequently logged for their valued wood. This, together with deforestation, led to 76% of the known species being Endangered or Critically Endangered. However, a confident species identification is often not possible with the current available literature and many morphotypes do not fit any described taxa, which has impeded the implementation of conservation measures. We performed a phylogenomic revision studying c. 900 collections morphologically, and sequencing 638 nuclear genetic markers of 180 representative specimens up to 90 years old, including all the described species and some undescribed morphotypes. Our results show that Capurodendron may contain up to 21 undescribed species in addition to the 35 already known. Nine of these are confirmed as valid species supported by genetic, morphological, and ecological data, and we describe them here (Capurodendron ainae, C. ambanizanense, C. antilahimenae, C. christeae, C. nataliae, C. ratovosonii, C. razakamalalae, C. sommerae, and C. vulcanicola). For the remaining 12 candidate new species, three are genetically analysed but require more sampling, and nine are only supported by morphological and ecological data so far, and therefore require genetic analyses to confirm their validity. For practical purposes and to assist with conservation assessments we provide an identification key, based mainly on vegetative characters, that also include the undescribed species. conservation assessments, endangered species, gene capture, Madagascar, precious timbers, target capture
Carlos G. Boluda, Yamama Naciri and Laurent Gautier. 2024. A Phylogenomic Reconstruction of the Endangered Malagasy Tree Genus Capurodendron (Sapotaceae) with Nine New Species and an Identification Key. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 205(2); 85–115, DOI: 10.1093/botlinnean/boad073 | ||||||||
| 3:44a | [Botany • 2021] Passiflora jorgeana (Passifloraceae) • A New Species of Passiflora Section Astrophea from Bahia, Brazil
Abstract This work describes a new species of Passiflora L. from the extreme west of the state of Bahia, Brazil. The new species, P. jorgeana Mezzonato, is placed in Passiflora subg. Astrophea (DC.) Mast. and is illustrated and compared to four morphologically similar species. Morphological features, geographic distribution, and conservation status are discussed. Keywords: Cerrado, Passiflora, passion flowers, section Pseudoastrophea
Passiflora jorgeana Mezzonato, sp. nov.
Ana Carolina Mezzonato-Pires, Luana Silva Braucks Calazans and Rodrigo Theófilo Valadares. 2021. Passiflora jorgeana, A New Species of Passiflora (Passifloraceae) from Bahia, Brazil. Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 29; 1-8. DOI: 10.3417/2020630  | ||||||||
| 8:15a | [Entomology • 2024] Homalernis fluctuosa • A New Species of Homalernis Meyrick, 1908 (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Tortricinae) represents the First Record of the Tribe Schoenotenini in Japan
Abstract Homalernis fluctuosa Suzuki & Jinbo, sp. nov., is described and illustrated from Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu, Tsushima Island, Amamiooshima Island, and Okinawajima Island, Japan. This is not only the first record of the genus Homalernis but also of the tribe Schoenotenini from warm temperate zones in the Palaearctic region. The association of males and females of the new species was confirmed based on the mitochondrial gene cytochrome oxidase submit 1 (COI). We discuss the taxonomic positions of two alleged Homalernis species from Malaysia and the taxonomic position of Homalernis within Schoenotenini.
Homalernis fluctuosa Suzuki & Jinbo, sp. nov. Japanese name: Sazanami-tatege-hamaki Diagnosis: Homalernis fluctuosa, sp. nov., is most similar to H. arystis in characteristics of the forewings and female genitalia. The two species can be distinguished based on the following: in H. fluctuosa, the apical third of the forewing has three distinct narrow fasciae, and the hindwing is approximately 3/4 the length of the forewing, whereas in H. arystis, the apical third of the forewings has scattered dark scales and the hindwing is approximately 2/3 the length of the forewing. In addition, the pair of signa of the female genitalia of H. fluctuosa is narrower and less sclerotised than those in H. arystis. Etymology: The specific name fluctuosa refers to the three narrow fasciae in the apical third of the forewing that appear as ripples (Latin: flucticulus).  Shinya Suzuki, Utsugi Jinbo, Sadahisa Yagi and Toshiya Hirowatari. 2024. A New Species of Homalernis Meyrick, 1908 (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae, Tortricinae) represents the First Record of the Tribe Schoenotenini in Japan. Nota Lepidopterologica. 47: 113-123. DOI: 10.3897/nl.47.120384 | ||||||||
| 8:44a | [Entomology • 2024] Allorhogas lavraensis & A. margitae • Two New Species of Allorhogas (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Doryctinae) from southeast Brazil reared from Seed Pods of Inga vera and Anadenanthera colubrina (Fabaceae)
Abstract Two new species of Allorhogas (Braconidae: Doryctinae), Al. lavraensis sp. nov and Al. margitae sp. nov., which were reared from seed pods of Fabaceae species, are described from southeast Brazil. Allorhogas lavraensis forms seed galls on Inga vera Willd., whereas Al. margitae predates on seeds of Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) without making galls. The latter represents the first report of seed predation by a species of Allorhogas on the genus Anadenanthera. Hymenoptera, Fabaceae, COI, phytophagous, Integrated taxonomy  Tamires Camila Talamonte de Oliveira, Ernesto Samacá Sáenz, Lucas Del Bianco Faria and Alejandro Zaldivar Riveron. 2024. Two New Species of Allorhogas (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Doryctinae) from southeast Brazil reared from Seed Pods of Inga vera Willd. and Anadenanthera colubrina (Vell.) (Fabaceae). Zootaxa. 5415(1); 106-116. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5415.1.4 | ||||||||
| 1:13p | [Paleontology • 2024] Lokiceratops rangiformis gen. et sp. nov. (Ceratopsia: Ceratopsidae: Centrosaurinae) from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Montana reveals Rapid Regional Radiations and Extreme Endemism within centrosaurine dinosaurs
Abstract The Late Cretaceous of western North America supported diverse dinosaur assemblages, though understanding patterns of dinosaur diversity, evolution, and extinction has been historically limited by unequal geographic and temporal sampling. In particular, the existence and extent of faunal endemism along the eastern coastal plain of Laramidia continues to generate debate, and finer scale regional patterns remain elusive. Here, we report a new centrosaurine ceratopsid, Lokiceratops rangiformis, from the lower portion of the McClelland Ferry Member of the Judith River Formation in the Kennedy Coulee region along the Canada-USA border. Dinosaurs from the same small geographic region, and from nearby, stratigraphically equivalent horizons of the lower Oldman Formation in Canada, reveal unprecedented ceratopsid richness, with four sympatric centrosaurine taxa and one chasmosaurine taxon. Phylogenetic results show that Lokiceratops, together with Albertaceratops and Medusaceratops, was part of a clade restricted to a small portion of northern Laramidia approximately 78 million years ago. This group, Albertaceratopsini, was one of multiple centrosaurine clades to undergo geographically restricted radiations, with Nasutuceratopsini restricted to the south and Centrosaurini and Pachyrostra restricted to the north. High regional endemism in centrosaurs is associated with, and may have been driven by, high speciation rates and diversity, with competition between dinosaurs limiting their geographic range. High speciation rates may in turn have been driven in part by sexual selection or latitudinally uneven climatic and floral gradients. The high endemism seen in centrosaurines and other dinosaurs implies that dinosaur diversity is underestimated and contrasts with the large geographic ranges seen in most extant mammalian megafauna.
 Systematic Paleontology Dinosauria Owen, 1842; sensu Padian & May, 1993 Ornithischia Seeley, 1887; sensu Sereno, 1998 Ceratopsia Marsh, 1890; sensu Dodson, 1997 Ceratopsidae Marsh, 1888; sensu Sereno, 1998 Centrosaurinae Lambe, 1915; sensu Dodson, Forster & Sampson, 2004 Albertaceratopsini clade nov. Diagnosis—Albertaceratopsini is defined as a stem-based clade that consists of all taxa more closely related to Albertaceratops nesmoi than to Centrosaurus apertus. Lokiceratops gen. nov. Lokiceratops rangiformis gen. et sp. nov. Diagnosis—Lokiceratops rangiformis is an albertaceratopsin centrosaurine ceratopsid distinguished from other centrosaurines by the following autapomorphies: presence of unadorned nasal; elongate, uncurved ep1 epiossification directed in plane of frill along posterior margin of parietosquamosal frill; hypertrophied, lateral curving epiparietal ep2 directed in plane of frill. The hypertrophied ep2 is relatively larger than any other parietal epiossification within Centrosaurinae. Both ischia are distinctly kinked distally at about two-thirds of the length of the shaft, at the point where the two ischia contact medially. Postorbital horncore bases are deeply excavated by sinuses penetrating a distance equivalent to the orbital diameter of each horncore, to an extent unobserved in other long horned centrosaurs. Etymology— The generic name refers to the god Loki from Norse mythology, and ceratops, (Greek) meaning “horned face.” The species name refers to the bilateral asymmetry of frill ornamentations, similar to the asymmetry in antlers of the reindeer/caribou genus Rangifer.      Holotype Locality—EMK 0012 was recovered from the Loki Quarry in Kennedy Coulee, south of the Milk River in Hill County, northern Montana (Fig. 1). The quarry is 3.6 km from the Montana-Alberta border and 922 m above sea level. Exact coordinates are available at the Evolutionsmuseet, Knuthenborg, Maribo, Denmark, and the Natural History Museum of Utah, United States of America. Holotype Horizon—EMK 0012 was recovered from lower Judith River Formation horizons that correlate to the McClelland Ferry Member to the south, and to the lower part of the Oldman Formation of southern Alberta, 3.6 km to the north. EMK 0012 was located 11.4 m above the Marker A Coal equivalent to the Taber Coal Zone (at the top of the Foremost Formation) and laterally equivalent to the Herronton Sandstone Zone near the base of the Oldman Formation 3.6 km to the north in Alberta. Age—High-precision U–Pb analyses of zircons by the CA-ID-TIMS method in a bentonite within the Marker A Coal (KC061517-1; 11.4 m below the Loki Quarry) date to 78.549 ± 0.024 Ma (Ramezani et al., 2022). Using the median Bayesian age model developed by Ramezani et al. (2022) for the stratigraphic position of the Loki Quarry recovers a date of roughly 78.1 Ma, with a lower modeled bound of 78.38 Ma and an upper modeled bound of 77.18 Ma.       Mark A. Loewen, Joseph J. W. Sertich, Scott Sampson, Jingmai K. O’Connor, Savhannah Carpenter, Brock Sisson, Anna Øhlenschlæger, Andrew A. Farke, Peter J. Makovicky, Nick Longrich and David C. Evans. 2024. Lokiceratops rangiformis gen. et sp. nov. (Ceratopsidae: Centrosaurinae) from the Campanian Judith River Formation of Montana reveals Rapid Regional Radiations and Extreme Endemism within centrosaurine dinosaurs. PeerJ. 12:e17224. DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17224  |
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