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Monday, September 23rd, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||
| 12:14a | [Arachnida • 2024] Assamhoplites martensis • African Highland Harvestman: New Genus and New Species of Filopalpinae Martens, 2022 (Opiliones: Assamiidae) from Wonchi Crater, Oromia Province, Ethiopia
The family Assamiidae Sørensen, 1884, within the suborder Laniatores Thorell, 1876, of Opiliones remains poorly studied, with challenges arising from typology-based systematics and limited sampling, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The recent discovery of Filopalpinae Martens, 2022, a new subfamily, highlighted the underexplored richness in Ethiopia. In this study, we describe a new genus and species, Assamhoplites martensis n. gen., n. sp., from the northwestern Ethiopian Highlands, adding a crucial piece to the understanding of the diversity of harvestmen in the region. Our findings reveal the unique distribution of Filopalpinae within the Ethiopian Montane Moorlands ecoregion, a biodiversity hotspot. This area high altitudes, humidity, and temperate climate make it an ideal refuge for harvestmen. This discovery prompts further exploration to determine if Filopalpinae represents altitude relicts or a widespread lineage. The sexual dimorphism in pedipalp morphology, observed not only in Assamhoplites martensis n. gen., n. sp. but also in related species, raises intriguing questions about the evolutionary significance of such extreme modifications. The study underscores the importance of considering both morphological and biogeographical factors in taxonomic classifications, illustrated by the creation of the monotypic genus Assamhoplites n. gen. based on differences in pedipalp morphology and distribution. The northwestern Ethiopian Highlands, separated by the Great Rift Valley, act as a possible biogeographical barrier influencing the diversification of these harvestmen. This study provides insights into the intricate evolutionary processes shaping the unique diversity of the fauna of the Ethiopian highlands. Keywords: Afrotropics, genital morphology, Grassatores, sexual dimorphism, new species, new genus
Assamhoplites martensis n. gen., n. sp. Willians PORTO, Panagiotis KONTOS and Abel PÉREZ-GONZÁLEZ. 2024. African Highland Harvestman: New Genus and New Species of Filopalpinae Martens, 2022 (Opiliones, Assamiidae) from Wonchi Crater, Oromia Province, Ethiopia. Zoosystema. 46(22); 577-587. zoosystema.com/46/22 | ||||
| 2:20a | [Botany • 2024] Fritillaria yalcinii (Liliaceae) • A New Species from southeastern Turkey
Abstract Fritillaria yalcinii (Liliaceae) is described as a new species from Diyarbakır Province, southeastern Turkey. It is superficially similar to F. carica, F. forbesii, F. minima, F. minuta, F. mughlae and F. sibthorpiana, but differs in several morphological characters, such as leaves, perigon, nectary, filament, stigma and anther. Diagnostic characteristics, a comprehensive description, photographs, geographical distribution, conservation assessment, observations and a distribution map are provided. Keywords: Çermik, Diyarbakır, Mesopotamia, taxonomy    Mehmet Maruf Balos, Cahit Çeçen, Mehtap Tekşen, Hasan Yıldırım and Veysel Sonay. 2024. Fritillaria yalcinii (Liliaceae), A New Species from southeastern Turkey. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04220 | ||||
| 3:12p | [Mollusca • 2024] Cenonovaculina siamensis • Molecular phylogeny reveals Cenonovaculina gen. nov. (Adapedonta: Pharidae), A New freshwater razor clam Genus from Indochina
Abstract The razor clam genus Novaculina is a secondary marine-derived freshwater taxa within the otherwise exclusively marine family Pharidae. Novaculina currently comprises four valid species that are distributed allopatrically across several drainages in Asia. We employed an integrated approach, combining morphology and molecular phylogenetic analyses to elucidate the taxonomic placement of members within this genus. The multi-locus phylogenetic trees based on cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S rRNA and 28S rRNA gene sequences demonstrate that Novaculina is polyphyletic. Specimens identified as N. siamensis form a distinct clade that is not sister group to other currently recognised congeners. Furthermore, morphological examination reveals distinct characteristics in ‘N. siamensis’, namely a fused, fringed siphon, in contrast to the separated, smooth siphons observed in other species. Based on these findings, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Cenonovaculina gen. nov., to accommodate ‘N. siamensis’. The new genus is distinguished from other genera in having a short shell, deep pallial sinus, elongate, oval to bean-shaped anterior adductor scar and long fused siphons surrounded by conical tentacles. Keywords: freshwater razor clams, Indochina, marine-derived freshwater taxa, multi-locus phylogeny, new taxa, Pharidae, siphon anatomy, Thailand.    Ekgachai Jeratthitikul and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2024. Molecular phylogeny reveals Cenonovaculina gen. nov. (Adapedonta: Pharidae), A New freshwater razor clam Genus from Indochina. Invertebrate Systematics 38, IS24024. DOI: 10.1071/IS24024 The taxonomic status of the freshwater razor clam Novaculina siamensis Morlet, 1889 is determined using molecular and morphological analyses. Phylogenetic analyses placed the species separately from other currently recognised Novaculina species. Additionally, N. siamensis also possesses distinct morphological characteristics including fused, fringed siphons instead of separated, smooth siphons, as found in the type species of Novaculina s.s. Therefore Cenonovaculina gen. nov. is proposed to accommodate ‘N. siamensis’. | ||||
| 4:19p | [Paleontology • 2024] Cranial Anatomy of Acynodon adriaticus and extreme durophagous adaptations in Eusuchia (Reptilia: Crocodylomorpha)
Abstract Acynodon adriaticus, a small eusuchian from the Late Cretaceous of Italy, is known for its well-preserved cranial and postcranial material. Despite its excellent preservation, many details remain hidden due to the physical overlap between the elements and matrix obliteration. We used Micro-CT scans to reveal previously overlooked anatomical features and describe in detail the cranial and dental anatomy of this taxon, shedding new light on its palaeoecology. The holotypic specimen, SC 57248, represents a mature individual exhibiting signs of hyperossification, developed ornamentation, and various pathologies, including jaw arthritis and a possible dental anomaly. Acynodon adriaticus exhibits significant durophagous adaptations, including a robust, brevirostrine skull optimized for powerful biting and stress-load capacity. Its specialized dentition, lacking caniniform teeth, features anterior chisel-like teeth and hypertrophic posterior molariforms with thick enamel, indicative of a diet specializing in hard-shelled prey. The dentition pattern, accelerated molariform replacement rate, and reduced orbit size suggest adaptations for durophagous foraging in turbid, densely vegetated aquatic environments. The paleoecological context during the Late Cretaceous, characterized by increased freshwater habitats and high invertebrate diversity, likely facilitated the evolution of such specialized traits in A. adriaticus. This small crocodylomorph likely foraged slowly in shallow, benthic environments, using its powerful bite to process mollusks and large arthropods. The study of A. adriaticus, along with comparisons with other crocodylomorphs and ecomorphologically similar taxa like Iharkutosuchus makadii and Gnatusuchus pebasensis, provides a valuable morphofunctional model for understanding the evolutionary pathways of extinct crocodylians to durophagy. Keywords: Acynodon, Cretaceous, durophagy, Hylaeochampsidae, paleobiology Systematic paleontology Crocodylomorpha Hay, 1930 sensu Nesbitt, 2011. Neosuchia Benton & Clark, 1988. Eusuchia Huxley, 1875 sensu Brochu, 2003. Hylaeochampsidae Andrews, 1913. Acynodon Buscalioni et al., 1997. Acynodon adriaticus Delfino et al., 2008.  
 Marco Muscioni, Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza, Diego Bladimir Haro Fernandez, Diego Dreossi, Flavio Bacchia, Federico Fanti. 2024. Cranial Anatomy of Acynodon adriaticus and extreme durophagous adaptations in Eusuchia (Reptilia: Crocodylomorpha). The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25574 Nuove scoperte sul fossile di un coccodrillo di 80 milioni di anni al Villaggio del Pescatore www.nationalgeographic.it/nuove-scopert |
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