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Sunday, October 20th, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 2:35a | [Herpetology • 2024] Gekko alpinus • A New Species of Gekko (Subgenus Japonigekko) (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China
Abstract A new Gekko (subgenus Japonigekko) species, Gekko alpinus sp. nov., is described from the Jinsha River Basin in southwestern China, between the border of Mangkang County, Xizang Autonomous Region and Batang County, Sichuan Province, according to the integrative taxonomic results combining molecular data and morphological characters obtained from the type series comprising 11 specimens. Our molecular phylogeny inferred from the mitochondrial 16S and ND2 gene fragments indicated that this new species is most closely related to Gekko jinjiangensis, but a considerable amount of genetic divergence exists between them (p-distance: 3.6%-4.1% (16S) and 7.1%–9.1% (ND2)). The new species can be distinguished from its congeners via a combination of series morphological characters. The discovery of this new species marks the highest altitudinal range (2400 to 2542 m a.s.l.) recorded for the subgenus Japonigekko and also represents a new provincial record for the genus in Xizang Autonomous Region. Key words: Gekko alpinus sp. nov., Gekko jinjiangensis, Gekkonidae, molecular phylogeny, morphological characters, new provincial genus record   Gekko alpinus sp. nov. Diagnosis: (1) body size moderate, SVL 56.44–74.16 mm in adults; (2) head relatively narrow, HW/HL 0.51–0.79; (3) midbody scale rows 92–114, 98–114 in males and 92–106 in females; (4) interorbital scales between anterior corners of the eyes 22–28; (5) ventral scale rows 32–39; (6) tubercles present on dorsal body, forelimbs, hindlimbs and tails; (7) precloacal pores 4–7 in males and absent in the females; (8) subdigital lamellae on first finger 8–11, on fourth finger 12–14, on first toe 8–11, on fourth toe 12–15, no webbing between the fingers and toes; (9) ventral scales between mental and cloacal slit 158–189; (10) nares in contact with rostral; (11) postcloacal tubercles one or two; (12) dorsal surface of body with six or seven large dark taupe bands between nape and sacrum.
Etymology: The specific name alpinus is derived from Latin, alpinus, -a, -um, meaning from Alpēs (“the Alps”) + -īnus, of or pertaining to the Alps, alpine. This refers to the “great high mountains”, referring to not only its distribution range in the great high Hengduan Mountains, but also the highest distribution elevation for all currently known Japonigekko species. The suggested common English name is “Alpine Gecko” and the Chinese name is “高山壁虎” (Gāo Shān Bì Hŭ). Shun Ma, Sheng-Chao Shi, Cheng Shen, Li-Ming Chang, Jian-Ping Jiang. 2024. Discovery of A New Species of the Subgenus Japonigekko (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Gekko) from the Hengduan Mountains, southwestern China: the Best Japonigekko Mountaineer. ZooKeys. 1215: 289-309. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1215.125043 | ||||||||
| 2:45a | [Ichthyology • 2024] Enteromius cerinus & E. ruforum • Hidden Species Diversity in the Enteromius Cope, 1867 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Aruwimi Basin (Middle Congo) in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (DR Congo)
Abstract Two new African minnow species, Enteromius cerinus sp. nov. and Enteromius ruforum sp. nov., are described for science from the Angadiko River, a left-bank sub-affluent of first order of the Nepoko River, draining the north-eastern part of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR). Both new species belong to the group of Enteromius for which the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray is flexible and underrated. Within this morphological group, both are most similar to Enteromius kamolondoensis, especially in life colour pattern characteristics. However, Enteromius cerinus sp. nov. differs from E. kamolondoensis by its low number of circumpeduncular scales, 10–11 (vs. 12), low maximum body depth, 22.8%–25.7% standard length (Ls) (vs. 26.1%–30.0%), and long anterior and posterior barbel lengths, 32.6%–35.3% head length (LH) (vs. 23.6%–27.2%) and 41.6%–43.9% LH (vs. 30.3%–34.9%), respectively. Further, E. ruforum sp. nov. is also easily distinguished from E. kamolondoensis by its high maximum body depth, 30.6%–33.3% Ls (vs. 26.1%–30.0%), and small, isometric, eye diameter, 26.2%–28.0% LH (vs. 29.1%–31.9%). A barcoding study (mtDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI]) revealed that specimens of both new species form lineages well differentiated from those of other available species. As such, (i) E. cerinus sp. nov. diverges from E. kamolondoensis by a K2P genetic distance (GD) of 10.3% and (ii) E. ruforum sp. nov. by a K2P GD of 11.2%. To the present day, the fish fauna of the left-bank sub-affluents of the Nepoko River, in general, remains poorly known or undocumented. Unfortunately, at the same time, multiple anthropogenic impacts are affecting this fauna, such as (i) the destruction of habitats along the river banks for agriculture and fishing and (ii) the use of illegal fishing practices, such as fishing with plant-based ichthyotoxins during ecopage, which is combined with dam building. As a result of the demographic growth, this ecopage results in overfishing and thus is threatening both new species in particular, but all other co-occurring fish species as well. Both new species, E. cerinus sp. nov. and E. ruforum sp. nov., should thus be considered Vulnerable (VU) according to IUCN criterion D2. It is therefore hoped that their discovery highlights the urgent need for a better protection and further in situ exploration of the reserve's freshwater (fish) biodiversity, in general, and that of those small sub-affluents, in particular.  Wilson Mayo Ilodiri, Charlotte E. T. Huyghe, Luis M. da Costa, Taylor Mambo Baba, Célestin Danadu Mizani and Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven. 2024. Hidden Species Diversity in the Enteromius Cope, 1867 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Aruwimi Basin (Middle Congo) in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15883 | ||||||||
| 2:45a | [Botany • 2024] Metagentiana jiangyouensis (Gentianaceae) • A New Species from Sichuan, China
Abstract Metagentiana jiangyouensis, a new species of Gentianaceae from Sichuan, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to Metagentiana villifera, but differs by the fact that the plant is glabrous and has 1–4 flowering stems, well-developed basal vegetative rosettes, a pale purple corolla with dark purple spots on the tube and erose or denticulate, non-fringed plicae margins. It also somewhat resembles M. rhodantha, but can be easily distinguished by having shorter stems, entire leaf margins, smooth, shorter sepal lobes, spotted corolla tubes, non-fringed plicae and narrowly winged seeds. Key words: Gentianaceae, Metagentiana, Morphology, taxonomy
Metagentiana jiangyouensis H.F.Cao, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Metagentiana jiangyouensis is similar to M. villifera and M. rhodantha, but differs from these species by the fact that the plant is completely glabrous and has green flowering stems 8–11 cm long with 6–9 pairs of leaves per stem, well-developed basal vegetative rosettes, glabrous stem leaves with entire margin, spatulate to lanceolate, 1.3–2(–3) mm long calyx lobes with glabrous margins, a pale purple corolla with dark purple spots on the tube, and erose or denticulate, but never fringed plicae margins. Etymology: The specific epithet “jiangyouensis” refers to Jiangyou County, Mianyang City, Sichuan, China, the type locality of Metagentiana jiangyouensis. Vernacular name: Chinese mandarin: jiang you xia rui long dan (江油狭蕊龙胆). Hai-Feng Cao, Jie Cai, Yuan Zou, Hong Sun, Fang-Fang Li, An-dong Xiong and Mei-Jun Xu. 2024. Metagentiana jiangyouensis, A New Species of Metagentiana (Gentianaceae) from Sichuan, China. PhytoKeys. 247: 137-144. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.247.129934 | ||||||||
| 2:56a | [Ichthyology • 2024] Vanmanenia duci • A New loach Species of the Genus Vanmanenia (Cypriniformes: Gastromyzontidae) from hill streams of Vietnam
Abstract Recent ichthyofauna surveys in Phia Oac-Phia Den National Park, Vietnam, yielded 16 specimens of loach representing the genus Vanmanenia. These specimens were uniform in morphology and distinct from known species, leading to the designation of a new species, Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. This species is distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characters: pectoral fin: I, 15; pelvic fin: I, 8; lateral line scales 77–83; the distance from the anus to the posterior insertion of the pelvic fin being greater than from the anus to the anal fin origin; a lateral black stripe from the gill opening to the caudal fin base; a black spot at the caudal fin origin equal to the eye diameter; and a lower lip with three large papillae, with the middle one being larger. The new species differs from Vanmanenia caldwelli (Nichols, 1925) by its mouth soft-tissue structures and lower morphometric values and from Vanmanenia ventrosquamata (Mai, 1978) and Vanmanenia caobangensis Nguyen, 2005 by having more lateral line scales and lower body depth. Additionally, Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. has a larger eye and wider interorbital space compared to other species in Vietnam. This species is found in the Red River basin in Vietnam and the Bang Giang River flowing into China, indicating high potential for freshwater fish diversity in these river systems. Keywords: Bang Giang River, Gam River, new species, northern Vietnam, taxonomy, Vanmanenia Family Gastromyzontidae Genus Vanmanenia Hora, 1932
Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. Diagnosis: Vanmanenia duci sp. nov. can be distinguished from congeners by following combination of characters: pectoral fin rays: I, 15; pelvic fin rays: I, 8; lateral line scales: 77–83; anus farther posterior insertion of pelvic fin than to anal fin origin, caudal peduncle depth approximately as caudal peduncle length (8.2%–8.5%), distance from pelvic fin to pectoral fin (39.1%) larger than distance from pelvic fin to anal fin (29.8%). It has a broad midlateral black stripe running from behind head to caudal-peduncle base. Black dotted stripe stretching from base of pectoral fin to posterior end of anal fin. Lower lip with three large papillae; median wider than two lateral ones. Rostral fold divided into three triangular lobules of same size. Distinct black dot at base of pelvic and pectoral fins, and fleshy black protrusion in pelvic fin base. Etymology: The specific name is in honor of Vietnamese ichthyologist, Prof. Nguyen Huu Duc, who had spent his whole life studying freshwater fishes in Vietnam.
Huong Thi Thanh Dang, Huyen Thi Duong, Fan Li, Huy Quang Nguyen and Hau Duc Tran. 2024. A New loach Species of the Genus Vanmanenia (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Gastromyzontidae) from hill streams of Vietnam. Acta Ichthyologica et Piscatoria. 54: 177-187. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/aiep.54.121328  | ||||||||
| 6:23a | [Botany • 2024] Typhonium fornicatum • A New Species from Bueng Kan Province, Northeastern Thailand [Studies on Typhonium (Araceae) of Thailand II]
Abstract Typhonium fornicatum from Bueng Kan Province (Northeastern Thailand) is described and illustrated as a species new to science. Detailed description, color plates, discussion of similar taxa, phenology, distribution, and conservation status assessment are provided. Keyword: Aroideae, Areae, Indochina, plant taxonomy, Typhonium circinnatum, Typhonium khonkaenense
Typhonium fornicatum P.Saensouk, K.Z.Hein & Saensouk, sp. nov. Diagnosis: This new species differs from all other Typhonium species by having the fewest staminodes (only three) covering the lower portion of the sterile interstice. Typhonium fornicatum is most similar to T. khonkaenense A. Galloway & Charoenwong (Galloway, 2015) (Fig. 2B), but can be readily distinguished by its fornicate spathe limb (vs. recurved spathe limb), much shorter spadix (ca. 7 cm vs. ca. 15 cm), fewer staminodes on the lower portion of the sterile interstice (3 vs. 8–10), and a spreading-declinate appendix (vs. erect appendix). Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Latin "fornicatus" (arched), referring to the shape of the spathe limb.
Piyaporn Saensouk, Surapon Saensouk, Khant Zaw Hein, Thawatphong Boonma, Anousone Sengthong, Sarayut Rakarcha and Tri Warseno. 2024. Studies on Typhonium (Araceae) of Thailand II: Typhonium fornicatum, A New Species from Bueng Kan Province, Northeastern Thailand. Taiwania. 69(4); 487-490. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2024.69.487 taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2027 | ||||||||
| 9:33a | [PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Miodelphinus miensis • A New platanistoid (Odontoceti: Squalodelphinidae) from the Early Miocene of Japan
Abstract Extant Ganges and Indus river dolphins are endangered species, but their relatives were more diverse in the past. The family Squalodelphinidae is a group of Miocene relatives of Ganges and Indus river dolphins. Our knowledge of squalodelphinids increased slowly in the nineteenth century and has expanded dramatically since the 2010s. Italy, Switzerland, eastern USA, Argentina, and Peru are fossil localities of named and well-preserved squalodelphinid fossils. Squalodelphinids are also known from New Zealand, Germany and Venezuela. However, only two specimens of this family have been reported from the North Pacific, in Washington State, USA, and Japan. Here, a new fossil dolphin (including the skull, right and left periotics and bullae, malleus, incus, hyoid bones and ribs) from the Haze Formation, Ichishi Group, Early Miocene (18.7–18.5 Ma) of Mie Prefecture, Japan is named as the new genus and species Miodelphinus miensis. Phylogenetic analysis places Miodelphinus miensis among squalodelphinids. The periotic of Miodelphinus miensis shows a large, posteriorly widened, ventrally opening, funnel-like articular depression between the posterior and articular processes of the periotic. Miodelphinus miensis contributes to expanding our knowledge of squalodelphinid diversity. Squalodelphinids were distributed widely not only in the Atlantic but also the South and North Pacific by the Early Miocene. This suggests that the family had a chronologically deeper origin such as the beginning of the Early Miocene or older. Keywords: Cetacea, Odontoceti, Burdigalian, epitympanic hiatus, Squalodelphinidae, new genus and species   Miodelphinus miensis Yoshihiro Tanaka and Ryohei Nakagawa. 2024. A New platanistoid (Odontoceti: Squalodelphinidae) from the Early Miocene of Japan. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 22(1); 2378783. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2024.2378783 www.city.sapporo.jp/museum/curator/docum | ||||||||
| 4:44p | [Botany • 2024] Salvia guidongensis (Lamiaceae) • Unraveling A critical evolutionary link in East Asian Salvia from Central China integrating morphology, phylogeny, and plastid genomics
Introduction: Salvia L., representing the largest genus within the mint family, is noted for its global distribution of approximately 1000 species, with East Asia, and particularly China, recognized as a critical center of diversity for the genus. Methods: Our research was conducted through extensive fieldwork in Guidong County, Hunan Province, China, where we identified a previously undescribed species of Salvia. The identification process involved detailed morphological observations, phylogenetic analyses, and plastid genomics. Results: The newly discovered species, Salvia guidongensis, exhibits unique characteristics not commonly observed in the East Asian lineage of Salvia, including dual floral colors within natural populations—either pale purple or pale yellow. Morphologically, while it shares similarities with members of sect. Glutinaria, S. guidongensis is distinct in its floral morphology, stature, and specific foliar traits. Phylogenetic analysis places S. guidongensis in a unique clade within the East Asian lineage of Salvia, suggesting it may serve as an important evolutionary link. Additionally, we explored the plastome features of S. guidongensis, comparing them with those of closely related species. Discussion: The discovery of S. guidongensis not only entriches the taxonomic tapestry of Salvia but also provides critical insights into the biogeography and evolutionary pathways of the genus in East Asia. By integrating morphological and molecular data, we validate the novel status of S. guidongensis and highlight its significance in bridging taxonomic and evolutionary gaps within Sect. Glutinaria of Salvia. Keywords: biogeography, East Asia, lamiaceae, plastome, phylogenetic analysis, Sino-Japanese flora, taxonomical link
Salvia guidongensis C.Z. Huang, Yan.B. Huang, B.J. Ge, & Z.C. Qi, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Salvia guidongensis is distinguished from other species in sect. Glutinaria by a unique combination of morphological traits: - Leaves: Ovate to elliptic, markedly longer in both blade and petiole compared to congeners, exhibiting a dark green or yellow-green coloration. Leaf indumentum varies from sparsely villous to glabrous, similar to S. nubicola. - Floral structures: The corolla is characterized by a narrower angle between the upper and lower lips. The middle lobe of the corolla exhibits a pronounced inward curl. Corolla length is relatively short, comparable to S. nubicola and S. glabrescens, with pedicel length typically shorter than in other species of the section. - Floral coloration: Exhibits a rare dual floral coloration within natural populations, alternating between pale purple and pale yellow, a distinctive feature within sect. Glutinaria. - Plant habit: Characterized by a multi-branched upright stem, in contrast to the predominantly unbranched stems of S. glabrescens, S. chanryoenica, and S. nipponica. The plant ranges from 50–88 cm, placing it between the taller S. nubicola and S. glutinosa and the shorter species like S. glabrescens and S. nipponica. Etymology: The species is named after the location of its first discovery, Guidong County, where it is currently exclusively distributed, making it an endemic species to this region. The specific epithet “guidongensis” is derived from “Guidong”, emphasizing its unique geographical association. Due to its morphological resemblance to S. nubicola, known in Chinese as ‘云生丹参’ (Yunsheng Danshen), we propose the Chinese name for S. guidongensis as ‘桂东丹参’ (Guidong Danshen). Yan-Bo Huang, Zhe-Chen Qi and Jie-Ying Feng. 2024. Salvia guidongensis sp. nov.: Unraveling A critical evolutionary link in East Asian Salvia from Central China integrating morphology, phylogeny, and plastid genomics. Front. Plant Sci. 15; DOI: doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2024.1332443 |
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