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Thursday, September 26th, 2024
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| 1:36a | [Diplopoda • 2024] Zephronia chantaburiensis & Z. macula • Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Giant Pill-millipedes of the Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 (Sphaerotheriida: Zephroniidae) from eastern Thailand
Abstract A large amount of material of the millipede genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 was collected during 2014–2023 from many parts of eastern Thailand. An integrative study of morphological characters and genetic data (COI gene) revealed two new species: Z. chantaburiensis Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. and Z. macula Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. The two new species clearly differ from other congeners by their unique characteristics, especially in their colour pattern and telopod shape. The interspecific genetic distances of the 658 bp COI gene barcoding fragment between these new species and all other species of giant pill-millipede from Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are 12.01–23.49% for Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. and 17.93–25.13% for Z. macula sp. nov. While relationships among species remain preliminary, the phylogenetic tree shows that species of Zephronia are interspersed with species of Sphaerobelum Verhoeff, 1924 and Prionobelum Verhoeff, 1924. Phylogenetic analyses place both new species in a clade termed Zephronia s.s., which receives support also from morphological data, showing a unique position of the organ of Tömösváry. Z. macula sp. nov. appears to occur over a broad distribution whereas Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. was found only at the type locality. Given that all known records are in the eastern part of Thailand, we thus regard both species as endemic. Morphological illustrations based on SEM micrographs and a distribution map are also provided. Key words: Biodiversity, limestone, Myriapoda, Southeast Asia, taxonomy
Zephronia chantaburiensis Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. กิ้งกือกระสุนจันทบุรี ค้นพบที่วัดเขาสุกิม จ.จันทบุรี Diagnosis: The position of the organ of Tömösváry at the brim and not inside the antennal groove (Fig. 3B) identifies this species as a member of the Zephronia s.s. species group (see Semenyuk et al. 2018), with which it also aligns genetically (Fig. 1). This small brown species (body length ca 20 mm) with short golden hair (Fig. 2A–F) differs from all other Zephronia s.s. species, except for Z. macula sp. nov. found in direct sympatry, described below, in the presence of only a single apical spine on the tarsus of legs 4–21 (2 or 3 in the other species). Midbody endotergum with one row of marginal bristles with longest bristles reaching up to posterior margin, immovable finger (process) of telopoditomere 2 on anterior telopod relatively long and slender. Similar in these respects only to Z. macula sp. nov. but differs from the latter species by the tergite coloration lacking dark or greenish-dark colour spots, the operculum of the female being more slender, the femur of the walking legs being slightly wider than long (slightly longer than wide in Z. macula sp. nov.), and the female subanal plate having a strongly concave margin. Genetically distant from other species by 18.94–26.82% p-distance in the COI barcoding fragment. Etymology: The name is an adjective referring to the province (Chantaburi) where the type locality is located.
Zephronia macula Srisonchai & Wesener, sp. nov. กิ้งกือกระสุนลายด่าง พบได้ในหลายพื้นที่ในภาคตะวันออกของประเทศ Diagnosis: The position of the organ of Tömösváry in this small Zephronia with an axe-shaped antennomere 6 identifies Z. macula sp. nov. as a member of the Zephronia s.s. species-group (Semenyuk et al. 2018). Z. macula sp. nov. differs from all other known species of the group except for the syntopic Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov., in the presence of only a single apical spine on the tarsi of legs 4–21 (at least 2 or 3 in the other Zephronia). Z. macula sp. nov. differs from Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov. by having a combination of distinct characters, viz. tergite with dark or greenish dark spots, femur of walking legs less strongly widened, slightly longer than wide (wider than long in Z. chantaburiensis sp. nov.), bristles of midbody endotergum reaching to posterior margin, operculum of female vulva not protruding and round, and immovable finger (process) of telopoditomere 2 of the anterior telopod more curved and much longer. Genetically distant from others by a p-distance of the COI barcoding fragment of 17.93–25.13%. Etymology: The name is a noun referring to the pattern of spots on the body. Ruttapon Srisonchai, Natdanai Likhitrakarn, Chirasak Sutcharit and Thomas Wesener. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy reveals Two New Giant Pill-millipedes of the Genus Zephronia Gray, 1832 from eastern Thailand (Diplopoda, Sphaerotheriida, Zephroniidae). ZooKeys. 1212: 29-64. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1212.126536 | ||||||||
| 8:18a | [Entomology • 2024] Integrative Taxonomy of A New Species of A Bumble Bee-mimicking Brood parasitic Bee, Tetralonioidella mimetica (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Apidae), investigated through phylogenomics
Abstract A new species of bumble bee-mimicking brood parasitic bee, Tetralonioidella mimetica Orr & Zhu, sp. nov., is described from China. The systematic placement of this species was initially challenging but was resolved using a combination of phylogenomic and COI barcode analyses, which strongly support the new species as a member of the genus Tetralonioidella Strand. Interestingly, the new species mimics the color pattern of both a bumble bee (Bombus Latreille), and its host Habropoda Smith species, a mimicry format previously unknown for bees. A review of the other Tetralonioidella species revealed three additional bee mimics, including two further likely model-host-brood parasite mimicry complexes. To our knowledge, these represent the first documented three-tiered mimetic systems in bees. Several additional taxonomic actions recently became necessary in these and related taxa: Tetralonioidella meghalayensis Dohling & Dey, 2024 is synonymized syn. nov. with Habropoda radoszkowskii (Dalla Torre, 1896) and Varthemapistra Engel, stat. rev. is again synonymized with Habrophorula Lieftinck. Our results also highlight issues with the generic classification of the tribe Melectini as currently used, as Melecta Latreille was found paraphyletic in relation to the remaining melectine genera. As a first step toward resolving this issue, we return the Melecta subgenus Eupavlovskia Popov, stat. rev. to genus level and discuss the ongoing systematic uncertainties regarding melectine taxonomy. Keywords: Anthophila, brood parasite, Melectini, mimicry, Nomadinae, taxonomy
Tetralonioidella mimetica Orr & Zhu, sp. nov.
Michael C. Orr, Douglas Chesters, Paul H. Williams, Thomas J. Wood, Qingsong Zhou, Silas Bossert, Trevor Sless, Natapot Warrit, Pierre Rasmont, Guillaume Ghisbain, Mira Boustani, A’rong Luo, Yuan Feng, Ze-Qing Niu and Chao-Dong Zhu. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy of A New Species of A Bumble Bee-mimicking Brood parasitic Bee, Tetralonioidella mimetica (Hymenoptera, Apoidea, Apidae), investigated through phylogenomics. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 97: 755-780. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jhr.97.129470 | ||||||||
| 3:06p | [Ichthyology • 2024] New insights into the Phylogeny of Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971 (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) with the Description of Three New Species: Carasobarbus doadrioi, C. hajhosseini & C. saadatii
Abstract Fishes from the genus Carasobarbus, widely distributed throughout the river systems of North Africa and West Asia, are commonly referred to as Himris. In the Persian Gulf basin, they are widespread and are also found in fast-flowing rivers or the deeper regions of lakes. In this region, representation of these fishes in scientific collections is scarce, and except for C. luteus, the other species are very poorly documented and frequently misidentified due to their similarities. In this study we analysed the relationships among Carasobarbus species using mitochondrial genes (Cyt b, COI) and present morphological characters based on examinations. Our results revealed three new species which we describe here. Carasobarbus doadrioi, new species, is distinguished by 40–44 scales on the lateral line and a prominent black blotch on end of caudal peduncle in specimens < 85 mm SL. Carasobarbus hajhosseini, new species is distinguished by 32–34 scales on the lateral line and long head length (20–24% SL). Carasobarbus saadatii, new species, is distinguished by 38–40 scales on the lateral line and short head length (19–20% HL). In the Persian Gulf basin, Carasobarbus species exhibit uncorrected genetic distances of 1.6 to 5.5% in the COI barcode region and 2.6% to 9.9% in the Cyt b gene. This study highlights the importance of investigating the unexplored diversity that exists within poorly sampled and understudied freshwater fish group. Such investigations are essential for developing a comprehensive understanding of the true extent of biodiversity, which is critical for informing effective conservation and protection strategies. Keywords: Himri, Freshwater fish, Morphology, Integrative taxonomy, Western Asia, Phylogeny  Carasobarbus doadrioi, new species Distribution: Known from the lower Dez and Karun drainages. Etymology: This species name derives from the name of the Spanish ichthyologist Ignacio Doadrio Villarejo, in honour of his invaluable contribution to the study of the fishes of the world. Carasobarbus hajhosseini, new species Distribution: The new species is known from the Gamasiab, Kahman, Kashkan and Seymareh in Karkheh drainage. Etymology: The species is named in honour of Haj Hossein Javadi Pour (HHJP), who is the father of the first author of this study (Arash Jouladeh-Roudbar). Carasobarbus saadatii, new species Distribution: The new species distributed in the lower Karun drainage as well as the Great Zab in the Tigris drainage. Etymology: The species is named in honour of Mohamadali Saadati (Mashhad), acknowledging his significant contributions to the taxonomy of freshwater fishes in Iran. He holds the distinction of being the first Iranian Ichthyologist, conducting a systematic study on the taxonomy and distribution of freshwater fishes in Iran in 1977. To this day, his findings continue to be utilized by several Ichthyologists in Iran. Arash Jouladeh-Roudbar, Cüneyt Kaya, Saber Vatandoust and Hamid Reza Ghanavi. 2024. New insights into the Phylogeny of Carasobarbus Karaman, 1971 (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) with the Description of Three New Species. Scientific Reports. 14: 21801. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71463-7  |
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