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Tuesday, March 18th, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 12:14a | [Botany • 2025] Lithocarpus graniticus (Fagaceae) • A New Species from the Granitic Mountain Valleys of Southern Fujian, China
Abstract An elegant new species of Fagaceae, Lithocarpus graniticus S. P. Chen & Y. Z. Lin, was discovered in the valley of a granite mountain in southern Fujian, China. The new species is most similar to L. cucullatus C. C. Huang & Y. T. Chang in having grayish-white waxy scales on abaxial leaf surfaces, cupules enclosing more than 1/2 of the nut, and the seed scar convex and ca. 1/3 of the nut. It is distinguished by its cupular cupule, relatively densely pilose inflorescences, ovate or ovate-elliptic leaves, and sparsely pilose indument on branches and abaxial surfaces of young leaves. Photographs, a line drawing, and a description of the new species are provided. Keywords: Fagales, Lithocarpus, Southeast China, stone oak
Lithocarpus graniticus S. P. Chen & Y. Z. Lin, sp. nov. Diagnosis. Lithocarpus graniticus S. P. Chen & Y. Z. Lin is distinguished from L. cucullatus C. C. Huang & Y. T. Chang by its sparsely pilose (vs. tomentose) branchlets and abaxial surfaces of young leaves; ovate or ovate-elliptic (vs. narrowly oblong to lanceolate) leaves; relatively densely pilose (vs. to-mentose) inflorescences; and cupular (vs. cucullate) cupules. Etymology and common name. The epithet “graniticus” indicates the new species was discovered growing in granite mountains. The proposed Chinese name of Lithocarpus graniticus is 岩柯 (yan ke). Yi-Zhe Lin, Xin-Yan Chen, Liang Ma, Yi-Yao Zhu and Shi-Pin Chen. 2025. Lithocarpus graniticus (Fagaceae), a New Species from the Granitic Mountain Valleys of Southern Fujian, China. Novon, A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 33; 16 - 23. DOI: doi.org/10.3417/2025955 | ||||||
| 4:04a | [Herpetology • 2025] Notes on the rare Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) (Squamata: Homalopsidae) endemic to Peninsular Malaysia with comments on its taxonomy and a range extension for the species
Abstract The Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) is a rare species of homalopsid known only from four specimens. In this study we report on a relatively recently collected specimen from Merapoh, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia, compared with previously collected material. Variations in pholidosis and colour pattern were noted and discussed. The species is morphologically similar in body shape and colour pattern to the sympatric Hypsiscopus plumbeus, for which additional data is presented for Peninsular Malaysian specimens to clarify possible taxonomic confusions. The new record represents a range extension for the species of ~ 47 km to the west and is the third report of the species from the state of Pahang. Reptilia, reptile, Serpentes, Enhydris, conservation, endemic, biodiversity, Herpetology, herpetofauna   Evan S.H. QUAH, Muhamad F. SYAFIQ, Perry L. WOOD Jr., L. Lee GRISMER, Baizul H. BADLI-SHAM and Amirrudin AHMAD. 2025. Notes on the rare Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) (Squamata: Homalopsidae) endemic to Peninsular Malaysia with comments on its taxonomy and a range extension for the species. Zootaxa. 5588(1); 161-173. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.1.7 [2025-02-13]   | ||||||
| 9:05a | [PaleoIchthyology • 2025] Ferruaspis brocksi • The Paleobiology of A New osmeriform Fish Species (Teleostei: Osmeriformes) from Australia
ABSTRACT Osmeriformes represent an important component of freshwater ecosystems in Australia and New Zealand and yet are poorly represented in the fossil record in these countries. Here we describe a new species of fossil osmeriform from the Miocene of New South Wales. Australia. Phylogenetic analyses place the species as an early diverging member of the southern radiation of Osmeriformes. The fossils are embedded and mineralized in the iron oxide-hydroxide mineral goethite, resulting in an unusual degree of preservation. Preserved stomach contents indicate an opportunistic benthopelagic diet, evidenced by the remains of numerous phantom midge larvae (Chaoborus abundans), two insect wings, and a bivalve. Another bivalve (Unionidae) was found attached to the tail of one of the specimens. The distribution of melanophores indicates that the species was counter-shaded with two lateral stripes. Discovering this species west of the Great Dividing Range, with a population that includes a range of body sizes, suggests that at least this population if not the species spent its entire life in fresh water, unlike most extant Osmeriformes. The description of Ferruaspis brocksi highlights the ability of specimens with preserved soft tissues to reveal aspects of the paleobiology of extinct species.  SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY TELEOSTEI Müller, 1846 EUTELEOSTEI Greenwood et al., 1967 OSMERIFORMES sensu Nelson, 2016 FERRUASPIDAE fam. nov. Diagnosis: Slender, fusiform fish with an adipose fin. Distinguished from Stokellia and Retropinna and most Galaxiidae by the position of the dorsal fin that is positioned above pelvic fins in Ferruaspis and further posteriorly in other species. Distinguished from members of Retropinnidae, that have 17 or 18 primary caudal fin rays, by the presence of 19 primary caudal fin rays, the absence of a horny ventral keel, the slender structure of the last few neural spines and an absence of fusion of the first hypural and parhypural. Distinguished from Osmeridae, that possess 7–14 dorsal fin rays, by the presence of 16 dorsal fin rays as well as the tapered posterior margin of the anal fin. Distinguished from Galaxiidae, that have <16 primary caudal rays, by the number of primary caudal rays and a greater depth of the body. FERRUASPIS gen. nov. FERRUASPIS BROCKSI gen. et sp. nov.
Etymology—‘Ferru,’ from ferrum (Latin), meaning ‘iron,’ in relation to the iron-rich matrix that it was found in and ‘aspis,’ (Greek) meaning ‘shield,’ commonly applied to fossil fish. The specific epithet is named for Professor Jochen J. Brocks of Canberra, Australia, who discovered several of the specimens.
Matthew R. McCurry, Anthony C. Gill, Viktor Baranov, Lachlan J. Hart, Cameron Slatyer and Michael Frese. 2025. The Paleobiology of A New osmeriform Fish Species from Australia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2445684. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2024.2445684 |
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