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Monday, January 6th, 2025
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| 2:29a | [Ichthyology • 2024] Telmatochromis salzburgeri • Morphological Diversity of the Genus Telmatochromis from the Lake Tanganyika Drainage with the Description of A New riverine Species and the Generic Reassignment of the Malagarasi River lamprologine
Abstract The lamprologine cichlid genus Telmatochromis was long considered primarily lacustrine and endemic to Lake Tanganyika until an undescribed Telmatochromis species was reported from the Lufubu River (Lake Tanganyika drainage, Zambia). A phylogenomic study in 2021 confirmed the association of Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu” with Telmatochromis along with another riverine species, Neolamprologus devosi (Malagarasi drainage, Tanzania). Here, we quantify the morphological diversity of the genus Telmatochromis and the two associated riverine species using a multivariate dataset combining geometric and classical morphometrics, as well as meristics. We identify three distinct morphological clusters: the “Telmatochromis vittatus complex” with highly elongated bodies and short heads, the “Telmatochromis temporalis complex” with deeper bodies, and the two riverine species with intermediate body elongation and large heads. Further, we formally describe the species endemic to the lower Lufubu River as Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. and reassign N. devosi to Telmatochromis. Telmatochromis devosi comb. nov. differs from all congeners by the absence of bi- and tricuspid teeth in the inner tooth rows of the oral dentition. T. salzburgeri sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other Telmatochromis species by a prominent orange stripe along the base of the dorsal fin and from T. devosi comb. nov. by the relatively smaller size of the lower pharyngeal jaw. Both riverine species differ from all lacustrine Telmatochromis by a lower number of dorsal-fin spines. Additionally, the riverine species can be distinguished from the T. vittatus complex by having larger heads and longer oral jaws, and from the T. temporalis complex by their lower relative body depth. With the inclusion of new riverine members, the genus Telmatochromis is revealed to be more morphologically and ecologically diverse than previously recognized. Keywords: Africa, Cichlidae, Great Lakes, ichthyofauna, Lufubu River
 Telmatochromis devosi comb. nov. reassign Neolamprologus devosi to Telmatochromis. Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. = Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu” Differential diagnosis: Adult individuals of T. salzburgeri sp. nov. are distinguished from all other members of the genus Telmatochromis by the presence of a prominent orange stripe along the base of the dorsal fin, extending into the dorsal fin and over the dorsum (see Figure 5a,b). Additionally, T. salzburgeri sp. nov. differs from members of the T. vittatus complex (i.e., T. bifrenatus, T. brichardi, T. vittatus, and allies such as Telmatochromis sp. “longola”) and T. brachygnathus by having a larger head (26.96–30.08 vs. 20.4–26.65 HL%SL) and longer jaws (29.18–40.68 vs. ... Etymology: The species is named in honor of our friend, colleague, and mentor Prof. Dr. Walter Salzburger for his contributions in advancing the field of evolutionary biology and, in particular, cichlid research in Lake Tanganyika. He has supported several projects and numerous field expeditions of all the authors with great enthusiasm, which led, among many other things, to the description of T. salzburgeri sp. nov. Adrian Indermaur, Frederic D. B. Schedel, Fabrizia Ronco. 2024. Morphological Diversity of the Genus Telmatochromis from the Lake Tanganyika Drainage with the Description of A New riverine Species and the Generic Reassignment of the Malagarasi River lamprologine. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.16042 | ||||||||
| 3:45a | [PaleoOrnithology • 2023] Anachronornis anhimops • Basal Anseriformes from the Early Paleogene of North America and Europe
Abstract We describe nearly complete skeletons of basal Anseriformes from the Latest Paleocene to the early Eocene of North America and Europe. Collectively, these birds appear to be representative of anseriforms near the divergence of Anhimae and Anseres, but their exact positions relative to these clades remains uncertain. A new family, Anachronornithidae nov. fam., is erected on the basis of one of these, Anachronornis anhimops nov. gen., nov. gen. et sp., to which the others cannot be confidently assigned. The new fossils augment a growing collection of early Pan-Anseriformes, which in their diversity do not paint an unambiguous picture of phylogeny or character state evolution on the path to or within crown-Anseriformes. Anachronornis nov. gen. is similar in some aspects of both cranial and postcranial anatomy to other well-represented early Paleogene Anseriformes and members of Anseres, such as Presbyornis Wetmore, 1926. However, it exhibits a more landfowl-like bill, like that of Anhimae and unlike the spatulate bill of Anseres. Additional specimens of similar basal Anseriformes of uncertain affinities from the early Eocene of North America and Europe further complicate interpretation of character state polarity due to the mosaicism of primitive and derived characters they exhibit. Keywords: Anseriformes; Anseres; Anhimidae; Anachronornithidae; Presbyornis; Anatalavis; Nettapterornis; Anachronornis; Danielsavis
Class Aves Linnaeus, 1758 Order Anseriformes Wagler, 1831 Family Anachronornithidae nov. fam. Houde, Dickson, and Camarena Included genus Anachronornis nov. gen. Diagnosis: Anachronornithidae nov. fam. is distinguished from all known Anhimidae and Anseres by a lack of unambiguous synapomorphies diagnosing those respective clades and in many respects is intermediate between the two. Anachronornis nov. gen. Houde, Dickson, and Camarena Etymology: From the Greek ἀναχρονισμός, out of time, and ὄρνις, bird, alluding to the unexpectedly late occurrence of what may be, or may be close to, the most recent common ancestor of the two crown-anseriform lineages, Anhimae and Anseres. Type and only known species: Anachronornis anhimops nov. gen. et sp. Occurrence: Late Paleocene of North America. Diagnosis: As for the family, by monotypy. (Full account of all putative apomorphies by dataset in Supplemental Materials and Supplementary Appendices A3, B2, C2, D2, F3, G6 and G7). Anachronornis anhimops nov. gen. et sp. Houde, Dickson, and Camarena Etymology: From the generic name Anhima, a screamer, and ops (Greek, face, countenance, appearance of the face). The name is intended to refer to the screamer-like bill and appearance of the head, particularly like that of Anhima in which the supraorbital region may be somewhat narrower than in Chauna. Peter Houde, Meig Dickson and Dakota Camarena. 2023. Basal Anseriformes from the Early Paleogene of North America and Europe. Diversity. 15(2); 233. DOI: 10.3390/d15020233   | ||||||||
| 9:22a | [PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Miaojiaaspis dichotomus • A New Genus of galeaspids (Eugaleaspiformes: Tujiaaspidae) from the early Silurian Chongqing Lagerstätte, China
The early Silurian Chongqing Lagerstätte (middle Telychian) yields exceptionally preserved articulated jawless and jawed fishes. Here, we describe a new eugaleaspiform (Galeaspida, jawless stem-Gnathostomata), Miaojiaaspis dichotomus gen. et sp. nov., from the Chongqing Lagerstätte in Xiushan, Chongqing, China. The new form resembles Tujiaaspis vividus in the short medial dorsal canal, and the presence of the branching ends of the lateral transverse canal. They differ in that T. vividus has highly developed subordinate branches of the sensory canals that form a reticulate sensory canal system, and the median dorsal opening is more elongated. Our phylogenetic analysis recovers M. dichotomus and T. vividus as a monophyletic clade (Tujiaaspidae fam. nov.), which is supported by two synapomorphies: the short medial dorsal canal, and the branching ends of the lateral transverse canal. Tujiaaspidae forms a trichotomy with Shuyuidae and a clade comprising Anjiaspis, Sinogaleaspidae, Yongdongaspidae, and the ‘eugaleaspid cluster’. The sensory canal patterns in galeaspids are compared to show the transformation sequence of the sensory canal system in Eugaleaspiformes.
Subclass Galeaspida Tarlo, 1967 Order Eugaleaspiformes (Liu, 1965) Liu, 1980 Family Tujiaaspidae fam. nov. Type genus Tujiaaspis Gai et al., 2022. Referred genus Miaojiaaspis gen. nov. Differential diagnosis Tujiaaspidae differs from other families of Eugaleaspiformes in the short medial dorsal canal, and the branching ends of the lateral transverse canal. Remarks Our phylogenetic analysis shows that M. dichotomus and T. vividus form a monophyletic clade supported by two synapomorphies.  Genus Miaojiaaspis gen. nov. Type species Miaojiaaspis dichotomus sp. nov. Etymology From Miaojia, Pinyin for the Miao People, a minority ethnic group in China, which is one of the two main autonomous minority ethnic groups in Xiushan County, Chongqing, and aspis (Gr.), shield. Differential diagnosis M. dichotomus differs from T. vividus in a more subtriangular headshield, no highly developed subordinate branches of sensory canals and a shorter median dorsal opening. Miaojiaaspis dichotomus sp. nov. Holotype An incomplete headshield with the trunk articulated, CIGMR V0125a, b (Figs. 2–3). Referred specimens 8 complete headshields, CIGMR V0126–V0129, IVPP V28714–V28717 (Fig. 4). Etymology From dichotomus (Latin), referring to the dichotomous ends of the lateral transverse canals. Diagnosis Small-sized eugaleaspiform fish with a subtriangular headshield. Spine-shaped cornual and inner cornual processes caudo-laterally or caudally oriented. Longitudinal oval-like median dorsal opening. Pineal opening positioned behind the posterior margin of the orbits. Funnel-shaped supraorbital canals. Short medial dorsal canal.  CHEN Yang, LI Qiang, ZHOU Zheng-Da, SHAN Xian-Ren, ZHU You-An, WANG Qian, WEI Guang-Biao, ZHU Min. 2024. A New Genus of galeaspids (jawless stem-Gnathostomata) from the early Silurian Chongqing Lagerstätte, China. Vertebrata Palasiatica. 62(4); 245-261. DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240820 | ||||||||
| 1:03p | [Herpetology • 2025] Diplolaemus vulcanus • A straightforward workflow to explore species diversity using the Patagonian lizards of the Diplolaemus genus (Iguania: Leiosauridae) as a study case, with the description of a new species
Highlights: • A comprehensive workflow for taxonomic and systematic research, aiding species delimitation. • Utilizing genetic, geometric, and linear morphometric data to assess evolutionary independence within the Diplolaemus clade. • Evaluation of various taxonomic scenarios through grouping lineages into species. • Description of a new species from the Auca Mauida and Tromen volcanic fields, Argentina. Abstract Disputes over species descriptions, stemming from conceptual disparities and arbitrary species boundaries, are among the primary challenges of modern taxonomy. In this study, we introduce a straightforward workflow, grounded in evolutionary theory, designed to tackle these challenges. We exemplified this approach using Patagonian lizards from the Diplolaemus clade. This workflow involves assigning specimens to putative evolutionary lineages, conducting primary species delimitations, constructing a species tree, comparing lineages for evolutionary independence, and using post-hoc analyses to separate well-supported from ambiguous lineages. This approach aims to establish a reliable foundation for exploring the taxonomic and evolutionary diversity of challenging groups. Applying this workflow to the Diplolaemus clade, we used various analytical methods on genetic (mitochondrial and nuclear markers) and phenotypic data (meristic, linear, and geometric morphometrics). We identified ten lineages with varying degrees of evolutionary independence in a clade where only four species had been described. Among the newly identified lineages, two exhibited low support for evolutionary independence, three showed strong support but had non-conclusive information, and one was recognized and described as a new species. In summary, our hierarchical workflow not only facilitated comprehensive comparisons but also enabled us to draw robust conclusions. Keywords: Diplolaemus clade, Evolutionary independence, Species delimitation, Taxonomic workflow 
 Diplolaemus vulcanus sp. nov. Etymology: vulcanus is a Latin word for Vulcan, God of fire, in reference to the volcanic environments in which most of the specimens were found; all localities where the new species was collected are volcanic lava fields. Juan Vrdoljak, Kevin Imanol Sánchez, Andrea González-Marín, Mariana Morando and Luciano Javier Avila. 2025. A straightforward workflow to explore species diversity using the Patagonian lizards of the Diplolaemus genus (Iguania: Leiosauridae) as a study case, with the description of a new species. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 204, 108274. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108274   | ||||||||
| 2:23p | [Arachnida • 2024] Cyclosa xingqing, Guizygiella huahai, Songaraneus jiekou, Wangaraneus yequ, Yinaraneus anhao, ... • Description of Six New Genera and Twenty Species of the Orb-weaver Spider Family Araneidae (Araneae: Araneoidea) from Xishuangbanna, Yun
Abstract Six new genera, Pengaraneus gen. nov., Songaraneus gen. nov., Tangaraneus gen. nov., Wangaraneus gen. nov., Yinaraneus gen. nov. and Zhuaraneus gen. nov., and twenty species, including sixteen new, of the family Araneidae from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, south-west China are described: Cyclosa anjing sp. nov. (♂♀), C. daodai sp. nov. (♂♀), C. longquan sp. nov. (♂♀), C. xingqing sp. nov. (♂♀), Gasteracantha diadesmia Thorell, 1887 (♂♀), Guizygiella huahai sp. nov. (♂♀), Neoscona jinghongensis Yin, Wang, Xie & Peng, 1990 (♂♀), N. piaoyi sp. nov. (♂♀), N. wuding sp. nov. (♂♀), Pengaraneus qingtian sp. nov. (♂♀), Poltys waipo sp. nov. (♂♀), Songaraneus jiekou sp. nov. (♂♀), S. tuihou sp. nov. (♂♀), Talthybia depressa Thorell, 1898 (♂♀), Tangaraneus geqian sp. nov. (♂♀), Wangaraneus yequ sp. nov. (♂♀), W. zioni (Mi, Li & Pham, 2023) (♂♀) comb. nov., Yinaraneus anhao sp. nov. (♂♀), Y. caihong sp. nov. (♂♀), Zhuaraneus daoxiang sp. nov. (♂♀). Wangaraneus zioni is newly recorded in China. Mature males of the monotypic genus Talthybia Thorell, 1898 (for the type species T. depressa) and Gasteracantha diadesmia, W. zioni, N. jinghongensis are described for the first time. Four new synonyms are proposed, Neoscona nautica (L. Koch, 1875)=Neoscona polyspinipes Yin, Wang, Xie & Peng, 1990 syn. nov., Neoscona nautica (L. Koch, 1875)=Neoscona flavescens Zhang & Zhang, 2011 syn. nov., Neoscona vigilans (Blackwall, 1865)=Neoscona xiquanensis Barrion, Barrion-Dupo & Heong, 2013 syn. nov, and Songaraneus ejusmodi (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906)=Araneus qianshan Zhu, Zhang & Gao, 1998 syn. nov. Six new combinations are proposed, Songaraneus ejusmodi (Bösenberg & Strand, 1906) comb. nov., S. perpolita (Thorell, 1893) comb. nov., Wangaraneus ryani (Mi, Li & Pham, 2023) comb. nov., W. zioni (Mi, Li & Pham, 2023) comb. nov., Zhuaraneus ethani (Mi, Li & Pham, 2023) comb. nov. and Z. eugenei (Mi, Li & Pham, 2023) comb. nov. Keywords: Arachnida, Diagnosis, Morphology, New species, Taxonomy
Xiao-Qi Mi, Cheng Wang and Shu-Qiang Li. 2024. Description of Six New Genera and Twenty Species of the Orb-weaver Spider Family Araneidae (Araneae, Araneoidea) from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. Zoological Research: Diversity and Conservation. 1(4): 290-341. DOI: doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2097-3772.2024.0 20 new spider species described, 16 were named after songs by Jay Chou, such as C. xingqing sp. nov., C. longquan sp. nov., and Pengaraneus qingtian sp. nov.  | ||||||||
| 2:31p | [PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Nanxiongilambda yei • First Asian Paleocene pantolambdid pantodont (Mammalia) and its implications to intercontinental faunal exchange
Pantodonta was one of the first groups of eutherians to evolve at the beginning of Cenozoic era, including the largest herbivores at that time. Pantodonta shows considerable diversity during the Paleocene and Eocene, with most of the species having been discovered in Asia and North America. Here, we report on a new pantodont, represented by lower jaws with well-preserved dentition, discovered from the Middle Paleocene Nongshan Formation of the Nanxiong Basin, Guangdong Province, China. Its unique dental and mandibular characteristics distinguish it well from any known Asian pantodont, but are quite consistent with North American taxa, especially Pantolambda and Titanoides. The new specimen is identified as Nanxiongilambda yei gen. et sp. nov., characterized by the combination of the following morphological features: thick and robust mandible with a conspicuous anteroexternal flange, high positioned condyloid process, posteriorly protruding angular process, robust but not elongated lower canines, double-rooted p1, small but distinct talonids on posterior lower premolars, talonids nearly as wide as trigonids on lower molars, and m3 with a well-developed hypoconulid and a distinct entoconid. The new discovery marks the first record of a pantolambdid pantodont outside of North America, suggesting a broader geographical distribution and intercontinental dispersal of this clade during the Paleocene. Considering the more primitive Pantolambda only found from Torrejonian to early Tiffanian NALMA (equivalent to middle-late Shanghuan to early Nongshanian ALMA), which is slightly earlier than Nanxiongilambda (early Nongshanian ALMA), pantolambdids have likely undergone a particular wave of migration from North America to Asia during the Early-Middle Paleocene. Previous researches have suggested that pantodonts had dispersed only from Asia to North America during the Early Paleocene, but our new specimen indicates the biotic dispersal may have occurred in the opposite direction. The new specimen also contributes to the renewal of the evolutionary history of pantodonts and provides further insights into the migration and dispersal of Paleocene mammals.
QUAN Shuo-Shuo and WANG Yuan-Qing. 2024. First Asian Paleocene pantolambdid pantodont (Mammalia) and its implications to intercontinental faunal exchange. Vertebrata Palasiatica. 62(4); 291-312. DOI: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.240829  |
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