[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View]
Friday, January 3rd, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 2:21a | [Entomology • 2024] Tsounkranaglenea cabrasae • A New Species of Tsounkranaglenea Lin & Ge, 2021 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Saperdini) from Davao de Oro, Mindanao, Philippines
Abstract This paper presents Tsounkranaglenea cabrasae sp. nov., a new species of Saperdini from Mt. Candalaga Range in Maragusan, Davao de Oro Philippines. The new species has a peculiar short, recurved rake-like sternite VII and a unique form of aedeagus making the species distinct from its congeners. High-definition images of species habitus, male terminalia, and genitalia are also provided. Keywords: Asia, Beetles, Lamiinae, Mindanao, New Species, Philippines.
Tsounkranaglenea cabrasae sp. nov. Etymology. The new species is named in honor of our dearest colleague Dr. Analyn Cabras [1986-2024], a remarkable Philippine weevil worker, who has been instrumental in advancing Philippine coleopterology. Milton Norman Medina and Arvids Barševskis. 2024. Description of A New Species of Tsounkranaglenea Lin & Ge, 2021 (Coleoptera: Lamiinae: Saperdini) from Davao de Oro, Mindanao, Philippines. Baltic J. Coleopterol. 24(2); 267-272. https://bjc.SGGW.edu.pl/article/view/10225 | ||||||
| 2:28a | [Entomology • 2023] Scolytus unicornis • A New Species of Scolytus Geoffroy (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from Yunnan, China
Abstract Scolytus unicornis, a new species of Scolytus Geoffroy from Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated. Three DNA barcoding sequences (COI, 28S, CAD) of this species are provided. The new species is distinguished from other Asian Scolytus species by the longitudinal wrinkles on the frons only in the area below the eyes, a large median spine situated in the middle of the ventrite 2 base, and female frons with a slightly raised blunt tubercle above the epistoma. Coleoptera, Scolytus unicornis, Scolytus Geoffroy, Yunnan, China, COI, 28S, CAD, bark beetle, Scolytinae, taxonomy, DNA   Yufeng CAO, Guangyu YU, Alexander V. PETROV, You LI, Ting LI, Hagus TARNO, Guanghong CAO, Ye XU and Jianguo WANG. 2023. A New Species of Scolytus Geoffroy (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) from Yunnan, China. Zootaxa. 5284(1); 185-191. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5284.1.9 | ||||||
| 2:30a | [Botany • 2025] Begonia pingxiangensis (Begoniaceae, sect. Coelocentrum) • A New Species from Guangxi, China
Abstract Begonia pingxiangensis, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. The new species resembles B. daxinensis in the leaf blade and flower, but can be distinguished by its leaf blade shape (ovate to broadly ovate vs obliquely ovate to suborbicular), size (4–8 × 3–7 cm vs 10–24 × 10–17 cm), flower color (white vs white or pinkish), smaller staminate flowers (outer two 5–8 × 6–10 mm, inner two ca. 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two 12–19 × 10–16 mm, inner two 12–14 × 4–5 mm) and pistillate flowers (outer two tepals 7–8 × 8–10 mm, inner one 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two tepals 10–15 × 10–12 mm, inner one 5–7.5 × 2–5 mm) sizes. Detailed description is provided. Keyword: Begonia, Begonia daxinensis, China, Guangxi, new taxon, taxonomy
  Begonia pingxiangensis W.G.Wang, F.Y.Nong & H.C.Xi, sp. nov. 凭祥秋海棠 Sect. Coelocentrum Diagnosis: The new species resembles Begonia daxinensis T. C. Ku (Wu and Ku, 1997) in the leaf and flower, but can be distinguished by its leaf blade shape (ovate to broadly ovate vs obliquely ovate to suborbicular), size (4–8 × 3–7 cm vs 10–24 × 10–17 cm), flower color (white vs white or pinkish), smaller staminate flower (outer two 5–8×6–10 mm, inner two ca. 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two 12–19 × 10–16 mm, inner two 12–14 × 4–5 mm) and pistillate flower (outer two tepals 7–8 × 8–10 mm, inner one 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two tepals 10–15 × 10–12 mm, inner one 5–7.5 × 2–5 mm) sizes ... Etymology: The specific epithet “pingxiangensis” refers to the type locality in Pingxiang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Chinese name is proposed here as “凭祥秋海棠” (凭祥-refer to Pingxiang, 秋海棠-refer to Begonia). Hou-Cheng Xi, Fu-Yang Nong, Jian-Yong Shen, Xing-Da Ma, Li-Ju Jiang and Wen-Guang Wang. 2025. Begonia pingxiangensis, A New Species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi, China. Taiwania. 70(1); 1-3. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.1  | ||||||
| 3:13a | [Mollusca • 2025] Semisulcospira egretta • A New Species of Semisulcospira O. Boettger, 1886 (Gastropoda: Cerithoidea: Semisulcospiridae) from Fujian, China with mitochondrial genome and its phylogenetic implications
Abstract During our investigation of the diversity and phylogeny of the family Semisulcospiridae in China, we have found a presumed new species in mountain streams of Xiamen, Fujian Province on both morphology and molecular evidence. This new species, Semisulcospira egretta sp. nov., is characterized by its thin and smooth shell, retaining about 0.5 mm long embryonic shells in its brood pouch, and by distinctive features of its radular morphology. Phylogenetic analyses of partial sequences of the mitochondrial markers 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and complete sequences of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS, including internal transcribed spacer 1, 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene, and internal transcribed spacer 2) supported the distinctiveness of S. egretta sp. nov. from other Semisulcospira species. These analyses consistently placed S. egretta sp. nov. in Semisulcospira confirming its monophyly. Phylogenetic analyses based on just COI and 16S exhibited low resolution rendering the phylogenetic position of the new species within the genus uncertain. In contrast, phylogenetic tree analyses of complete mitochondrial genomes, which include 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), were better resolved. However, the mitogenome dataset included a more restricted sampling of taxa (16), impeding a detailed exploration of the phylogenetic position of the new species. To address this deficit, we provide seven complete mitochondrial genomes for S. egretta sp. nov., obtained using the genome skimming sequencing method. This study contributes important molecular and genomic data, aiding in the understanding of semisulcospirid phylogeny, and highlights the need for further taxonomic sampling and phylogenomic methods to resolve the evolutionary relationships within Semisulcospiridae. Key Words: 16S rRNA, COI, mitogenome, phylogenetic analysis, semisulcospirid gastropods
Semisulcospira egretta Y.-Z. Meng, sp. nov. Diagnosis: Viviparous. Shell medium size, up to 25 mm, yellow-brownish, elongate, smooth, thin, comprising seven to nine whorls. Pregnant female bears about 150 embryos. Embryonic shell about 0.5 mm in length. Only known in Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. Etymology: The word egretta means “egret” in Latin. Egret is the city bird of Xiamen, which also suggests the type locality of this species. We suggest the Chinese common name as “白鹭短沟蜷”. Yi-Bin Xu, Yuan-Zheng Meng, Sheng Zeng, Hang-Jun Wang, Shen Zhong, De-Yuan Yang, Xi-Ping Zhou and Christopher J. Glasby. 2025. A New Species of Semisulcospira O. Boettger, 1886 (Gastropoda, Cerithoidea, Semisulcospiridae) from Fujian, China with mitochondrial genome and its phylogenetic implications. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 17-34. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.136882 | ||||||
| 3:38a | [Ichthyology • 2025] Pseudobarbus kubhekai • A New Redfin (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Abstract A recent phylogeographic analysis of the remnant populations of Pseudobarbus quathlambae from Lesotho and South Africa revealed the existence of three allopatrically distributed lineages: (i) one in eastern Lesotho, (ii) one in Mohale, central Lesotho, and (iii) a third lineage in the Umzimkhulu (= Mzimkhulu) River, KwaZulu-Natal, adjacent to the Mkhomazana River (type locality), where the species has gone extinct. The present study provides morphological and osteological evidence corroborating the distinctiveness of the Umzimkhulu River population from all other populations (extant and extinct) of P. quathlambae, supporting their recognition as distinct species. Herein, we describe the Umzimkhulu River population as a new species, Pseudobarbus kubhekai. The new species, a single barbeled redfin, differs from all currently recognized congeners by having 51–56 scales in lateral-line series (vs. 60–72 in P. quathlambae and 25–45 in the other species). Proposed steps to resolve the taxonomic status of P. quathlambae from other localities (Mkhomazana population, Eastern Lesotho Highlands, and Mohale lineages) are presented. Key Words: Cyprinidae, endemic species, freshwater fish, systematics, Umzimkhulu redfin
Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov. Pseudobarbus quathlambae (non-Barnard) —Kubheka et al. 2017: 303; Swartz et al. 2023: 301. Proposed common name: Umzimkhulu Redfin (English); Umzimkhulu Rooivlerkie (Afrikaans). Diagnosis: Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov. is easily distinguishable from P. burchelli, P. burgi, P. skeltoni, and P. verloreni by possessing a single pair of oral barbels (vs. two pairs). The new species differs from all currently recognized congeners by having 51–56 scales in lateral-line series (vs. 60–72 in P. quathlambae and 25–45 in other species). It further differs from its closest relative, P. quathlambae, by having fewer vertebrae (36–37 vs. 38–40) and lacking dark spots on its back (vs. presence of 2–4 rows of dark spots on back; Figs 5–7 for comparison). Etymology: Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov. is named after Skhumbuzo Kubheka from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, who, through extensive sampling efforts in search of Pseudobarbus quathlambae from its type locality and headwater tributaries of the Umkhomazi and adjacent river systems, discovered this new species from the Umzimkhulu River system. This discovery was significant because it helped to resolve a longstanding debate on the natural occurrence of redfin minnows in the KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa. The discovery also highlights the conservation significance of the headwater tributaries of rivers draining the Drakensberg Mountain. Fatah Zarei, Xiluva Mathebula and Albert Chakona. 2025. Pseudobarbus kubhekai sp. nov., A New Redfin (Teleostei, Cyprinidae) from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 1-16. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.134080 | ||||||
| 3:41a | [Ichthyology • 2025] Cobitis beijingensis • A New spined loach (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) from northern China
Abstract A new spined loach, Cobitis beijingensis, is described from Beijing, China. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by a combination of characters: 1) Lamina circularis on pectoral fin of male elongated, posterior margin slightly serrated; 2) possessing 14–18 (mode 15) pre-pelvic myotomes; 3) pelvic fin inserted below 3rd–5th branched dorsal-fin ray; 4) total vertebrae 4+ 36–38 (mode 37); 5) L2 of the Gambetta’s pattern does not exist or is fused with L1. The molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial Cyt b also support C. beijingensis to be a new species. Key Words: Beijing, freshwater fish, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy
Cobitis beijingensis Sun & Zhao, sp. nov. Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished by the combination of the following characters: Lamina circularis on pectoral fin elongated, posterior margin slightly serrated; 14–18 (mode 15) prepelvic myotomes; pelvic fin inserted below 3rd–5th branched dorsal-fin ray; total vertebrae 4+ 36–38 (mode 37); the second Gambetta line (L2) does not exist or is fused with the first line (L1). Zhi-Xian Sun, Xue-Yuan Li, Xue-Jian Li, Jun-Yuan Hao, Dong Sheng and Ya-Hui Zhao. 2025. Cobitis beijingensis, A New spined loach from northern China (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 55-67. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.137363 | ||||||
| 1:54p | [PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Exposed Weapons: A Revised Reconstruction of the Facial Anatomy and Life Appearance of the Saber-toothed Cat Megantereon (Felidae: Machairodontinae)
Abstract Megantereon was a widespread saber-toothed felid from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of the Old World and North America, but its rarity in the fossil record makes it complicated to restore its life appearance. Lack of complete specimens makes it necessary to combine information from fossils of different individuals to reconstruct their facial anatomy. In this work, we combine the analysis of skulls and mandibles of Megantereon from various fossil sites with the study of extant carnivorans through dissection, 3D scans, and the observation of live individuals. Megantereon combined very elongated upper canines with mandibular flanges that were not deep enough to match the length of the sabers, as well as a wide maxilla combined with narrow incisor rows and mandibular symphysis. Such features are compatible with the presence of exposed canines in life, because the narrow symphysis allows room to accommodate lips and other soft tissues medial to the sabers, while the protrusion of the tips of the upper canines beyond the mental flanges makes it unlikely that they would be enveloped in soft tissue sheaths, which would dangle with the inherent risk of puncture. Megantereon was transitional between saber-toothed felids with covered upper canines, where saber length fits with mental flange depth, and the derived Smilodon where the upper canines are much longer than the flanges and the lips fit between upper canines and mandible, leaving the upper canine crowns largely exposed in life. Keywords: anatomy, muscles, Paleobiology, Smilodontini 
Mauricio Antón, Gema Siliceo, Juan Francisco Pastor, Qigao Jiangzuo and Manuel J. Salesa. 2024. Exposed Weapons: A Revised Reconstruction of the Facial Anatomy and Life Appearance of the Saber-toothed Cat Megantereon (Felidae, Machairodontinae). The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25622  | ||||||
| 3:59p | [Ichthyology • 2024] Horabagrus obscurus • A New sympatric Species of Horabagrus (Siluriformes: Horabagridae) from the Chalakkudy River basin in Kerala, India
Abstract We describe a new species of Horabagrus, found in sympatry with H. nigricollaris, from the Chalakkudy river basin in Kerala, South India. Horabagrus obscurus, new species, differs from the two other known species in the genus in its colour pattern, lesser body width at the pectoral girdle, shorter barbels and total vertebral counts. Differences in partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI and CytB genes also serve to distinguish the new species from congeners. The new discovery reasserts the importance of the Chalakkudy river basin as a hotspot of piscine diversity in the Western Ghats. Keywords: Chalakkudy River, Horabagridae, Western Ghats, Kerala, Mitochondrial CO1 
Horabagrus obscurus, new species Diagnosis: Horabagrus obscurus is distinguished from its congeners by a distinctive colour pattern in life, consisting of a greenish-brown ground colour mottled with black and a small black humeral blotch with a yellow to white region immediately anteroventral to the blotch (vs. a yellow ground colour with a large circular black humeral blotch, larger than eye diameter, ringed with pale yellow to white in H. brachysoma; and a distinct black “collar” covering the humeral region and nape, margined by a pale yellow to white band in H. nigricollaris). Horabagrus obscurus can additionally be distinguished from ... Etymology: From the Latin obscurus, meaning dark or cloudy, a reference to the colour pattern of the fish. The word obscure in english also means cryptic or ambiguous and refers to the confusion between H. obscurus and the sympatric H. nigricollaris. Rahul G. Kumar, Charan Ravi, N. P. Krishna Prasoon, V. S. Basheer. 2024. A New sympatric Species of Horabagrus (Siluriformes: Horabagridae) from the Chalakkudy River basin in Kerala, India. Indian Journal of Fisheries. 71(4); https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF/article/view/146333 facebook.com/InAgrisearch/posts/925666563086400 | ||||||
| 5:21p | [Ichthyology • 2024] Hypancistrus parkateje • A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins
Abstract The Hypancistrus genus is recognized in the Río Orinoco basin and Rio Xingu in the Guiana and Brazilian Shields, respectively. Some of its species are important in ornamental fishing. Despite this significance, many other undescribed species are still awaiting to be named. Here we describe a new species of Hypancistrus found on bedrock in the Rio Tocantins, representing an extension of the distribution of the genus. Also, a multigene phylogeny is presented to evaluate the taxonomic position of this species concerning congeners. The new species differs from all congeners by (1) hypertrophied odontodes on cheeks reaching beyond the cleithrum, (2) a supraoccipital crest conspicuously elevated, (3) a supraorbital crest slightly convex, (4) oblique bars on the anterior part of the body, (5) a dark E-shaped mark on the snout, (6) three oblique dark bars on the anterior part of the body and horizontal vermicular bars from the pectoral girdle to the posterior insertion of the dorsal fin, (7) a thin light gray bar on the posterior of the head extending across the branchial opening, (8) a tan background color, (9) a developed suspensorium with a diminished appendix in the metapterygoid, and (10) a dentary plate robust significantly fused with the angulo-articular bone. The molecular phylogenetic results show the new species forming a group with Hypancistrus zebra (Brazilian Shield—Rio Xingu) as a clade, a sister group of a monophyletic group consisting of all congeners from the Río Orinoco. Keywords: armored catfish, molecular phylogeny, new taxon, rheophilic fish
Hypancistrus parkateje Felipe Araújo, Marlon Ferreira, Iann Monteiro and Wolmar Wosiacki. 2024. A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15971 |
| << Previous Day |
2025/01/03 [Calendar] |
Next Day >> |