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Tuesday, July 16th, 2024
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| 3:05p | [Botany • 2024] Polygala qii (Polygalaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Landform in Southern Hunan, China
Abstract Polygala qii, a new species, is described and illustrated from limestone landform in southern Hunan, China. The new species resembles P. fallax and P. arillata in flower structure of the plants, but readily differs from the latter two in having erect and shorter inflorescences (0.2–1cm VS 10–15cm VS 7–10cm), and fewer flowers (1–5 flowers VS 10–30 flowers VS 10–20 flowers), and the latter two have a later flowering period (late March to mid-April VS May to August VS May to October). And it is an extremely unique new species that will hibernate in the hot summer of July and August. Following the IUCN Red List Criteria, P. qii is assessed as ‘Data Deficient (DD)’. Key words: Hunan province, limestone landform, new species, Polygala, taxonomy
Polygala qii X.L.Yu, J.J.Zhou & A.Liu, sp. nov. Diagnosis: This new species is similar to P. fallax Hemsl. and P. arillata Buch.-Ham. & D. Don, but it differs from the latter two in having erect and shorter inflorescences (0.2–1cm VS 10–15cm VS 7–10cm) and fewer flowers (1–5 flowers VS 10–30 flowers VS 10–20 flowers). Its caruncle is foam, and the latter two are helmeted in shape. Please refer to Fig. 3 and Table 1. Etymology: The new species is named after Professor Cheng-jing QI (CSUFT&CSFI), who has made great contributions to the study of Hunan flora (Qi & Yu, 2002). Vernacular name: The Chinese name of the new species is ‘石山远志’,and the pronunciation of the Chinese Pinyin is ‘shí shān yuǎn zhì’. Ang Liu, Jian-jun Zhou, Xiong Li, Xun-lin Yu, Lei Wu. 2024. Polygala qii, A New Species of Polygalaceae from Limestone Landform in Southern Hunan, China. PhytoKeys. 244: 77-87. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.244.121759 | ||||||||
| 3:46p | [Paleontology • 2024] Electroscincus zedi • Compound Osteoderms preserved in Amber reveal the Oldest Known Skink
Abstract Scincidae is one of the most species-rich and cosmopolitan clades of squamate reptiles. Abundant disarticulated fossil material has also been attributed to this group, however, no complete pre-Cenozoic crown-scincid specimens have been found. A specimen in Burmite (99 MYA) is the first fossil that can be unambiguously referred to this clade. Our analyses place it as nested within extant skinks, supported by the presence of compound osteoderms formed by articulated small ostedermites. The specimen has a combination of dorsal and ventral compound osteoderms and overlapping cycloid scales that is limited to skinks. We propose that this type of osteoderm evolved as a response to an increased overlap of scales, and to reduced stiffness of the dermal armour. Compound osteoderms could be a key innovation that facilitated diversification in this megadiverse family.
Systematic Paleontology. Squamata Oppel, 1811. Scincoidea Oppel, 1811. Scincidae Gray, 1825. Electroscincus zedi, gen. et sp. nov. Diagnosis: A small lizard with an estimated snout vent length (SVL) of 30 mm. Electroscincus zedi differs from all other known squamates from the Mesozoic by the presence of imbricate, compound osteoderms arranged in a staggered pattern around the body, supporting its placement in Scincidae (Figs. 2, 3). Its inclusion within Scincidae is also supported by its possession of cycloid scales around the body28 overlying compound osteoderms (in some Cordyliformes compound osteoderms are present in scales of the ventral surface only49,50). The osteoderms are very different from rectangular and imbricated paramacellodid osteoderms. ... Holotype: Peretti Museum Foundation/ GRS GemResearch Swisslab AG (GRS-Ref-51036). Type locality. Specimen comes from mid-Cretaceous (Late Albian/early Cenomanian) outcrops in the Myitkyina District, Hukawng Valley, Kachin Province, northern Myanmar, approximately 100 km west of the town of Myitkyina. Precise location of these mines, history of excavations, and stratigraphy of the Burmese amber deposits are summarized elsewhere51. Etymology. The generic name is a combination of the Latin word for amber (electrum) and skink (scincus). The species epithet zedi refers to the bell-shaped stupas that house relics at Burmese Buddhist temples, referencing the smooth-sided amber housing the fossil remains, while also honoring David Temple, Curator of Paleontology at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences (HMNS), for his contributions to palaeontology and public awareness of Burmite fossils (including the social conflict associated with its mining in Myanmar) by developing the exhibit “Amber Secrets, Feathers from the Age of Dinosaurs”.
Juan D. Daza, Edward L. Stanley, Matthew P. Heinicke, Chuck Leah, Daniel S. Doucet, Kelsey L. Fenner, J. Salvador Arias, Ru D. A. Smith, Adolf M. Peretti, Nyi Nyi Aung and Aaron M. Bauer. 2024. Compound Osteoderms preserved in Amber reveal the Oldest Known Skink. Scientific Reports. 14, 15662. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66451-w |
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