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Friday, December 13th, 2024
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| 4:25a | [Herpetology • 2024] Rana minuscula • A New Species of Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China based on morphological and molecular data
Abstract We described a new species of Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China, based on morphological and molecular analyses. The new species, Rana minuscula sp. nov. clusters with R. ulma, R. kobai and R. tsushimensis and can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: body size small, snout-vent length less than 40 mm in adults; dorsolateral fold narrow and slightly curved, extending from above temporal fold to groin, not connecting to posterior corner of eye; vocal sac absent; tibiotarsal articulation extends forward to anterior corner of eye; lateroventral grooves absent; nuptial pad present and divided into two groups: the larger part is nearly rectangular and close to the tip of finger I and the basal part is smaller and round.
Rana minuscula sp. nov.
Baoquan Liu, Yufan Wang, Junkai Huang, Xiaolong Liu, Jing Che and Zhiyong Yuan. 2024 .Description of A New Species of Rana (Anura: Ranidae) from Zhejiang, China based on morphological and molecular data. Asian Herpetological Research. www.sciengine.com/AHR/home | ||||||||||
| 10:53a | [Ichthyology • 2024] Zenarchopterus takaoensis • A New estuary Garfish (Perciformes: Zenarchoperidae) from southwestern Taiwan
Abstract Species of the genus Zenarchopterus are marine, brackish, and freshwater fishes that have modified dorsal-fin and anal-fin rays in adult males. There are 19 valid species worldwide. Three species have been recorded from Taiwan, namely Zenarchopterus buffonis (Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1847), Z. dispar (Valenciennes, in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1847), and Z. dunckeri Mohr, 1926. However, Collette and Su (1986) noted one uncertain species (female, labeled “Zenarchopterus sp., Takao, Formosa, Hans Sauter, V–VII 1907”) in the Museum of Nature Hamburg (ZMH) from southern Taiwan. This species has only nine pectoral-fin and anal-fin rays, a longer snout, and does not agree well with any other species. In this study, Zenarchopterus takaoensis sp. nov. is described based on seven newly collected specimens from southwestern Taiwan and one (ZMH 6543, 59.4 mm SL) from southern Taiwan. This new species differs from its congeners by the following combination of characters: snout slightly longer, prominent pigmentation or dark mark on snout; nine anal-fin rays, 6th anal-fin ray not elongated or thickened in adult male; dorsal body pigmented with three longitudinal dashed lines, oval-like dashed pigmentation on dorsal lateral series scales; anterior lateral stripe on body in dashed line, ventral body with one longitudinal dashed line. In this study, specimens were examined and compared; morphological evidence revealed it is a hidden species. Taxonomic accounts, distribution, and a key to the congener species of Taiwan, along with color photographs of the new species, are provided. Pisces, Actinopterygii, Taxonomy, new species, cryptic species
Zenarchopterus takaoensis sp. nov. Diagnosis. A species of genus Zenarchopterus, snout length slightly longer than width, prominent stripe on middle snout absent, prominent pigmentation or dark mark on snout. Anal-fin with 9 rays that is distinct from other congener species. Sixth anal-fin not elongated or thickened in adult males; dorsal body pigmented with three longitudinal dashed lines, with oval-like dashed pigmentation on dorsal lateral series scales; anterior lateral stripe on body in dashed line, ventral body with one longitudinal dashed line (FIGURES 4–5). No sexual dimorphism except anal papilla in adult (FIGURE 6). Yun-Chih LIAO, Ralf THIEL and Chih-Wei CHANG. 2024. Zenarchopterus takaoensis (Perciformes: Zenarchoperidae), A New estuary Garfish from southwestern Taiwan. Zootaxa. 5550(1); 7-16. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5550.1.4 | ||||||||||
| 2:34p | [Botany • 2024] Petrocodon mirus (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from southwest Guangxi, China
Abstract Based on morphological observations, molecular phylogenetic analyses and literature consultations, a new species of Gesneriaceae, Petrocodon mirus, is described and illustrated here. This new species exhibits morphological similarity with P. pulchriflorus and P. hechiensis, but is easily distinguished from the latter two by its slightly leathery leaf blade, liner to ligulate-oblong lip lobes, and shorter tube with constriction at middle. In addition, the new species differs from P. pulchriflorus by its reflexed adaxial lip lobes, and from P. hechiensis by its included stamen and pistil. However, the stigma of P. mirus is much similar to the chiritoid stigma diagnostic for Chirita Buch.-Ham. ex Don (now mostly included in Primulina); based on this observation a new hypothesis for the evolution of the chiritoid stigma is proposed. Keywords: Flora of Guangxi, Karst, morphology, subfamily Didymocarpoideae, taxonomy   Petrocodon mirus X.Z.Shi, J.X.Fu & Li H.Yang, sp. nov. Xi-Zuo Shi, Jia-Xin Fu, Xiu-Ling Huang, Min-Hang Huang, Ming Kang and Li-Hua Yang. 2024. Petrocodon mirus (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from southwest Guangxi, China. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04522  | ||||||||||
| 2:43p | [Botany • 2024] Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae) • Sabah’s Hidden Giant: A micro-endemic Tropical Pitcher Plant from northern Borneo
Abstract Context: A poorly characterised carnivorous tropical pitcher plant (Nepenthes) was identified from old reports of a rarely visited low-elevation ultramafic peak in central Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Potentially apomorphic characters in the limited photographic evidence available led the authors to hypothesise that the taxon represented an undescribed species. Aims: To locate and document the unknown taxon in situ and, if appropriate, gather sufficient data and voucher material to enable its formal description and associated conservation status assessment. Methods: An expedition was made to the type locality to make field observations of the taxon, record habitat, population and ecological data such as infauna, prey spectra and numbers of individuals, and to collect representative vouchers, minimising negative impacts on the small population by taking material in the form of terminal cuttings to allow for the in situ regeneration of sampled individuals from axillary nodes. Key results: Nepenthes pongoides is described and illustrated as new to science. The species is characterised by its large size, peltate tendril exsertion, absence of upper pitchers and extremely well-developed, persistent indumentum of long, coarse, dark reddish trichomes, the extent of which is unsurpassed in any other known Bornean Nepenthes species. Conclusions: One of the largest species of Nepenthes described in recent years, N. pongoides is endemic to the relatively low-elevation ultramafic Meliau Range of central Sabah. Only 39 mature individuals have been observed across two subpopulations, therefore the species is here assessed as CR (Critically Endangered) under the IUCN Red List criteria owing to its extremely small population size, limited area of occurrence and very high threat of unsustainable poaching for the horticultural trade. As is the case for many microendemic species, the taxon is extremely vulnerable to stochastic events such as fire which, on sufficient scale, could represent extinction level events. Implications: The documentation of such remarkable new species in comparatively well-explored rainforest regions such as those of northern Borneo highlights the importance of targeted exploration in remaining wilderness areas to uncover hidden biodiversity. Doing so closes gaps in scientific knowledge, and specifically increases the critical taxonomic and ecological knowledge necessary to support the development and implementation of conservation measures required to reduce the risk of species extinction and concomitant loss of biodiversity. Keywords: biodiversity, Borneo, carnivorous, plants, Malesia, Nepenthes, new species, non-core Caryophyllales, Taxonomy, threatened species. 
Nepenthes pongoides Damit, Yusof, Jumian & A.S.Rob., sp. nov. Diagnosis: Nepenthes pongoides superficially resembles the nothospecies N. × alisaputrana (Fig. 6a, b) but differs in the production of (differences in parentheses): stems, phyllodes and pitchers covered with long, rufous hairs (stems, phyllodes and pitchers minutely pubescent to glabrescent); phyllodes elliptic in shape with obtuse, deeply and uniformly peltate phyllode apices in the rosette stage, becoming non-peltate in phyllodes of long, scrambling stems (oblong to lanceolate with apices more or less acute to narrowly retuse, in some individuals sometimes slightly peltate — see Additional specimens examined); petiole bases that clasp the stem for the entirety of its circumference at rosette stage, and 4/5 its circumference and decurrent for 1/3–1/2 of internode length in scrambling stems (clasping stem for 2/3 its circumference, only shortly decurrent even in climbing stems); spurs often reduced to swellings, appearing absent, or relatively squat and subconic, ≤6 mm long, ≤4 mm wide (spur ±filiform, 7–15 mm long, 1.5–2 mm wide); lower pitchers only, ventrally to laterally attached, with a greatly expanded peristome column orientated from vertical to overarching (true upper pitchers with dorsal attachment commonly produced post rosette phase, peristome column relatively short, slightly wider than remainder of peristome, suberect to erect). Etymology: The specific epithet pongoides is derived from the primate genus name Pongo (the orangutans) and the Greek suffix –oides (resembling). This name was chosen in light of the highly developed, persistent reddish indumentum covering the stems, phyllodes, tendrils and pitchers; the long, dark, rufous hairs of living plants are similar in colour to those of this critically endangered great ape, a population of which persists within the area of the Ulu Tungud Forest Reserve, as evidenced by a fleeting encounter with a single individual during the expedition.  
 Alviana Damit, Nur Adillah Mohd Yusof, Jemson Jumian, Charles Clarke and Alastair S. Robinson. 2024. Sabah’s Hidden Giant: Nepenthes pongoides (Nepenthaceae), A micro-endemic Tropical Pitcher Plant from northern Borneo. Australian Journal of Botany. 72, BT24050. DOI: doi.org/10.1071/BT24050   | ||||||||||
| 10:14p | [Botany • 2024] Aeschynanthus pentatrichomatus (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species of Lipstick Vine from the Banao Protected Landscape of Luzon Island in the Philippines
Abstract Aeschynanthus pentatrichomatus sp. nov. (Gesneriaceae), a new species from the tropical lower montane rain forests of the Banao Protected Landscape in Luzon Island in the Philippines is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it is most similar to A. batesii in having glabrous vegetative parts, polysepalous calyx, and distinctly mottled internal corolla throat and lobes. However, it differs from this species in its smaller lamina, longer peduncle, smaller calyx lobes, whitish pink external corolla tube, and presence of five tufts of trichomes near the basal portion of the internal surface of the corolla tube. Aeschynanthus pentatrichomatus differs from A. philippinensis by its externally whitish pink, internally white corolla tube with mottled maroon markings throughout the limb and lobes, smaller calyx lobes, and internal surface of corolla tube with five tufts of trichomes basally. Aeschynanthus pentatrichomatus sp. nov. is the 33rd species of lipstick vines to be described in the Philippines. The new species is provisionally assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) following the IUCN criteria. Keywords: epiphyte, Kalinga, Lamiales, Southeast Asia, taxonomy   Pastor L. MALABRIGO, Adriane B. TOBIAS, Chris J. THOROGOOD, Jayson A. MANSIBANG. 2024. Aeschynanthus pentatrichomatus (Gesneriaceae), A New Species of Lipstick Vine from the Banao Protected Landscape of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04580 DOI: doi.org/10.5061/dryad.8sf7m0d04 |
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