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Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 3:40a | [Herpetology • 2024] Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis • Taxonomic Revision of Achalinus ningshanensis (Serpentes: Xenodermidae), with Description of a New Subspecies from Western China
Simple Summary: The odd-scaled snake genus Achalinus Peters, 1869 is widely distributed in northern Vietnam, China, and Japan, but is a group of snakes about which there is meager information. Achalinu ningshanensis was first described in 2022 and is only known from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China. However, we detected a clear contradiction in the phylogenetic position between the type series and our newly collected topotypes. To solve this, we combined a mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis and morphological comparisons to revise the taxonomic status of A. ningshanensis in this study. Based on four mitochondrial combined gene fragments, molecular phylogenetic analyses indicated that A. ningshanensis is nested within a highly supported monophyletic group, forming a sister taxon to A. spinalis, which also revealed two well-supported lineages of A. ningshanensis. Based on morphology and phylogenetic methods, the lineage composed of the population from western Sichuan and southwestern Shaanxi represents a new subspecies, Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov., and the other lineage represents the original species from southern Shaanxi and northeastern Sichuan, which we allocated as Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis. Finally, we provide a further discussion of the phylogenetic and taxonomic issues among the genus Achalinus. Abstract Achalinu ningshanensis (Yang, Huang, Jiang, Burbrink, and Huang, 2022) was first described in Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China in 2022, based on seven female specimens. In this study, based on phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (12S), 16S ribosomal RNA (16S), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), cytochrome b (cyt b) gene fragments, and morphological examinations of specimens, we revise the taxonomic status of A. ningshanensis, and provide additional data on this species. The molecular phylogeny indicated that A. ningshanensis is nested in a highly supported monophyletic group, forming a sister taxon to A. spinalis, and is divided into two well-supported lineages, A and B, with an uncorrected p-distance between lineages from 3.6 to 4.3% for CO1. Therefore, we proposed that Lineage B from western Sichuan and southwestern Shaanxi is a new subspecies, Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov., and Lineage A from southern Shaanxi and northeastern Sichuan is allocated as Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis. Morphologically, the new subspecies can be distinguished from its congeners, especially from Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis, by the following characteristics: (1) the tail is relatively short, with a TAL/TL ratio of 0.202–0.226 in males, and 0.155–0.178 in females; (2) there are two pairs of chin-shields; (3) there are 21–22 maxillary teeth; (4) the length of the suture between internasals is significantly shorter than that between prefrontals, with an LSBI/LSBP ratio of 0.502–0.773; (5) there are six supralabials, with the fourth and fifth in contact with the eye; (6) there are five to six infralabials, and the first to third or fourth touches the first pair of chin-shields; (7) there is one hexagonal loreal, with an LorH/LorL ratio of 0.612–1.040; (8) the two anterior temporals are in contact with the eye; (9) there are 155–160 ventrals in males, and 165–174 in females; (10) there are 60–65 subcaudals in males, and 49–53 in females, which are not paired; and (11) the dorsum is iridescent and uniformly charcoal black, lacks a longitudinal vertebral line, and has a dark brown or dark gray ventral area. Keywords: Achalinus ningshanensis occidentalis ssp. nov.; Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis; mitochondrial DNA; morphological characters; taxonomy; molecular phylogeny
Achalinus ningshanensis ningshanensis Yang, Huang, Jiang, Burbrink and Huang, 2022 Ningshan odd-scaled Snake Níng Shǎn Jǐ Shé Zhǐ Míng Yà Zhǒng (宁陕脊蛇指名亚种)
Yuhao Xu, Shun Ma, Bo Cai, Diancheng Yang, Tianyou Zhang,Tianxuan Gu,Fengcheng Zhu,Song Huang and Lifang Peng. 2024. Taxonomic Revision of Ningshan Odd-Scaled Snake, Achalinus ningshanensis (Serpentes, Xenodermidae), with Description of a New Subspecies from Western China. Animals. 14(23); 3425. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/ani14233425 Yang, D.C.; Huang, R.Y.; Jiang, K.; Burbrink, F.T.; Gong, Y.A.; Yu, J.; Zhang, Y.; Huang, T.Q.; Huang, S. 2022. A New Species of the Genus Achalinus (Squamata: Xenodermidae) from Ningshan County, Shaanxi Province, China. Zootaxa.5190(1); 127–140. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5190.1.5 | ||||||||
| 8:51a | [Botany • 2021] Lippia raoniana (Verbenaceae) • Checklist and A New Species of Lippia from the Diamantina Plateau, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Abstract The Diamantina Plateau is located in the central region of the Espinhaço Range, in the State of Minas Gerais, which is dominated by campo rupestre formations. We describe a new species of Lippia L., endemic to the Diamantina Plateau, and provide an annotated checklist and identification key for the 17 species of the genus occurring in the area. Lippia raoniana P.H.Cardoso & Salimena sp. nov. is mainly distinguished by its ovate leaves with adaxial and abaxial surfaces densely covered by sessile glandular trichomes, and drupaceous fruits with two pyrenes. It is known only from two populations, and thus can be provisionally considered as Critically Endangered. Details on the species’ ecology, as well as a comparison with morphologically similar species, a distribution map, and field photographs, are provided. In this work, we also present pictures of the 17 species in their habitats, and we hope that these illustrations will help in the identification and conservation of these taxa. Keywords: endangered species, endemism, Espinhaço Range, Lamiales, Lantaneae
Class Magnoliopsida Brongn. Order Lamiales Bromhead Family Verbenaceae J.St.-Hil. Genus Lippia L. Lippia raoniana P.H.Cardoso & Salimena sp. nov. Diagnosis: The new species is similar to Lippia spiraeastrum (Mart. & Schauer) T.R.S.Silva, but differs by ovate leaves (vs oblong or oblong-elliptic), slightly discolorous (vs strongly discolorous), matte adaxial surface (vs shiny), glandular abaxial surface (vs tomentose-glandular), shorter peduncle (0.8‒1.3 vs 3.2‒10.5 cm long) and slender (vs thick), ovate bracts (vs lanceolate). Etymology: The specific epithet is in homage to Raoni Metuktire, an important indigenous leader of Brazil, internationally known as a symbol of environmental preservation. Raoni is dedicated to the fight for the rights of native indigenous people and conservation of the tropical forest, mainly Amazonia. His legacy is a symbol of the daily struggle for Brazilian biodiversity, constantly threatened. Pedro Henrique Cardoso, Luiz Menini Neto, Marcelo Trovó and Fátima Regina Gonçalves Salimena. 2021. Checklist and A New Species of Lippia (Verbenaceae) from the Diamantina Plateau, Minas Gerais, Brazil. European Journal of Taxonomy 733; 42-55. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2021.733.1219 | ||||||||
| 10:30a | [Botany • 2024] Columnea conopurpurea (Gesneriaceae) • A New Pendulous Epiphytic Species from the Colombian Massif in the Southern Andes of Colombia
Abstract Recent field expeditions to the Upper Magdalena Valley of Colombia resulted in the discovery of a new species of Columnea L. (Gesneriaceae). Columnea conopurpurea J. L. Clark, Y. Ramos-Arias & J. L. Peña, sp. nov., is described as a narrow endemic from the Colombian Massif in southern Colombia. The new species is an epiphyte with pendent shoots, shallow bilabiate corolla tubes, and a purple elongate cone-shaped berry. An overview of fruit shapes throughout Columnea is summarized to demonstrate the uniqueness of the purple cone-shaped berry in C. conopurpurea. Description, distribution map, illustration, and field images are provided. Based on IUCN guidelines, a preliminary conservation status of Endangered (EN) is provided for C. conopurpurea. Keywords: Colombia, Columnea, Gesneriaceae, Magdalena Valley, taxonomy   Columnea conopurpurea J. L. Clark, Y. Ramos-Arias & J. L. Peña, sp. nov. Jorge L. Peña, Yennifer Ramos-Arias and John L. Clark. 2024. Columnea conopurpurea (Gesneriaceae), A New Pendulous Epiphytic Species from the Colombian Massif in the Southern Andes of Colombia. Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 32(1); 179 - 185. DOI: doi.org/10.3417/2024914 | ||||||||
| 5:57p | [Herpetology • 2024] Colubroelaps adleri • A New endemic insular species of the Genus Colubroelaps (Serpentes: Colubroidea) from Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam
Abstract A new species of the poorly known genus Colubroelaps Orlov, Kharin, Ananjeva, Nguyen & Nguyen, 2009, is described based on a single female specimen collected from Hon Tre Island, Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. The new species, Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov., can be distinguished from its sister species Colubroelaps nguyenvansangi Orlov, Kharin, Ananjeva, Nguyen & Nguyen, 2009 by the following combination of morphological characters: small body size (TL 402 mm); tail relatively short (ratio TaL/TL 0.10); dorsal scales in 14–14–14 rows; supralabials six, third and fourth entering orbit; infralabials seven; loreal present; ventral scales 234; subcaudals 30, all divided; cloacal plate divided; dorsal coloration pale brown, with narrow and interrupted dark stripe along spine; body flanks dark-gray lacking bluish iridescence; ventrally uniform off-white; head black with rostral, nasals, prefrontals, preoculars, loreal, and the two anterior supralabials, as well as anterior parts of supraoculars and frontal dirty yellowish-brown with dark-brown spots. This discovery represents the second known species of the genus Colubroelaps and the first record of the genus in the coastal areas of southern-central Vietnam. The new species is likely micro-endemic to the small island of Hon Tre within Nha Trang Bay in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam, at an elevation of 30 m a.s.l., and was recorded only from the heavily disturbed secondary forest area of the island. The new species is under threat due to the intensifying development of tourist infrastructure on Hon Tre Island. We suggest that the new species be considered Endangered (EN) following the IUCN’s Red List categories. Key Words: Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov., conservation, Hon Tre Island, morphology, Nha Trang Bay, taxonomy
 Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov. Diagnosis: Colubroelaps adleri sp. nov. can be distinguished from C. nguyenvansangi by the following combination of morphological characters: body size small (TL 402 mm); tail relatively short (ratio TaL/TL 0.10); dorsal scales in 14–14–14 rows; supralabials six, third and fourth entering orbit; infralabials seven; loreal present; ventral scales 234; subcaudals 30, all divided; cloacal plate divided; dorsal coloration pale brown with narrow and interrupted dark stripe along spine; body flanks dark gray lacking bluish iridescence; ventrally uniform off-white; head black with rostral, nasals, prefrontals, preoculars, loreal, and the two anterior supralabials, as well as the anterior parts of supraoculars and frontal shields dirty yellowish-brown with dark brown spots.  Etymology: The species epithet ‘adleri’ is a patronymic adjective in genitive singular. We name the new species in honor of Dr. Kraig Adler, Professor Emeritus at Cornell University (New York, USA), in recognition of his outstanding support to the international herpetological community as well as his remarkable scientific contribution to Asian herpetology. We suggest the following common names for the new species: “Adler’s lace snake” (in English), “Shnurkovaya zmeya Adlera” (Шнурковая змея Адлера, in Russian), and “Rắn hổ nước Át-Lơ” (in Vietnamese). Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Andrey M. Bragin and Tan Van Nguyen. 2024. A New endemic insular species of the Genus Colubroelaps (Squamata, Serpentes, Colubroidea) from Khanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. Herpetozoa. 37: 379-390. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.37.e137809 |
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