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Monday, April 28th, 2025

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    1:29a
    [Botany • 2025] Rediscovery of Crepidium parryae After Nearly 100 Years and Taxonomic Notes on Crepidium purpureum and C. khasianum [Notes on Asian Orchidaceae II]

     

    Crepidium parryae (Tang & F.T.Wang) Marg. [1926]

    in Gogoi & Kumar, 2025.

    ABSTRACT
    Crepidium parryae, originally known from Mizoram, has been rediscovered in Arunachal Pradesh after nearly 100 years. This paper provides a comprehensive description of the species, including taxonomic notes, color plates, line drawings, habitat information, and an assessment of its conservation status. Furthermore, Crepidium assamicum K. Gogoi & J. Sharma and C. meghalayense M. Murugesan, Sushil K. Singh, & A. A. Mao are now synonymized under C. purpureum (Lindl.) Szlach., while C. falcifolium Nuammee, Seelanan & H. A. Pedersen, and C. matsudae (Yamam.) Szlach. are synonymized under C. khasianum (Hook.f.) Szlach., based on their morphological similarities. Taxonomic notes supporting these synonymies are also included.

    Keywords: C. metallicumC. octodentatumCrepidium acuminatum, Malaxideae, new synonyms


    Crepidium parryae (Tang & F.T.Wang) Marg.


    Khyanjeet Gogoi and Pankaj Kumar. 2025. Notes on Asian Orchidaceae II: Rediscovery of Crepidium parryae After Nearly 100 Years and Taxonomic Notes on Crepidium purpureum and Crepidium khasianumFeddes Repertorium. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70009 [27 March 2025]

    1:36a
    [Botany • 2025] Piper hongheense (Piperaceae) • A New Species from Yunnan, China

     

    Piper hongheense W.J. Zhao, C.Y. Hao & N.H. Xia, 

    in Fan, Zhao, F. Su, Li, Ji, B.-F. Su, Xia et Hao, 2025.
    Photographs by R. Fan & C.Y. Hao, Illustration by F. Su

    Abstract
    Piper hongheense (Piperaceae), a new species from Yunnan Province of China, is here described and illustrated. Morphologically it is similar to Piper boehmeriifolium and Piper boehmeriifolium var. glabricaule, from which it can be easily distinguished by the combination of characters: height 0.7–1 m, leaves oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, 10–16 cm × 2.5–4 cm, infructescences ±0.6 cm in diam., berries and bracts white when mature. The description of the new species includes photographs, a detailed description, notes on etymology, distribution and habitat, as well as a comparison with morphologically similar species.

    Magnoliids, Asia, Honghe Prefecture, morphology, taxonomy, tropical flora

    Line drawing of Piper hongheense W.J. Zhao, C.Y. Hao & N.H. Xia.
    A branch with female infructescence; B adaxial surface of monopodial leaf on the left, and abaxial surface of sympodial leaf on the right; C detail of the leaf base and the prophyll; D magnified view of male inflorescence; E magnified view of the longitudinal section of male inflorescence; F stamen; G magnified view of female inflorescence; H magnified view of infructescence.
    Illustration by F. Su based on the holotype.

    Piper hongheense W.J. Zhao, C.Y. Hao & N.H. Xia, sp. nov.
     A habit; B adaxial surface of leaf; C abaxial surface of leaf; D adaxial surface of leaf base and petiole; E abaxial surface of leaf base and petiole;
    F male spike; G female spike; H mature infructescence; I close-up of portion of the male spike; J close-up of portion of the female spike (some bracts were removed); K close-up of portion of the mature infructescence.
    Photographs by R. Fan & C.Y. Hao based on the holotype.

    Piper hongheense W.J. Zhao, C.Y. Hao & N.H. Xia, sp. nov. 

    Erect subshrub, 0.7–1 m high, aromatic, dioecious. Stem greenish, terete, 3–4 mm in diameter, young branchlet sparsely puberulent, glabrescent, finely striate when dry, swollen at node. Leaf dimorphism present, prophyll 1–2 cm long. Sympodial leaf membranous to chartaceous, finely glandular, oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, 10–16 cm × 2.5–4 cm, base subequilaterally truncate to oblique, one side rounded, the other tapered and acute; apex acutely acuminate to long acuminate, adaxially green and glabrous, abaxially pale greenish and sparsely puberulent on veins; petioles glabrous, 5–7 mm long; venation plinerved, veins 5–9, reticulate, uppermost distal pair of secondary veins alternate, arising 1–3 cm above base, reaching leaf apex, others basal. Monopodial leaf exhibits morphological similarities to sympodial leaf, with the primary distinction being that the base of monopodial leaf is predominantly ...


    Rui FAN, Wen-Jing ZHAO, Fan SU, Yang LI, Xun-Zhi JI, Bao-Fen SU, Nian-He XIA and Chao-Yun HAO. 2025. Piper hongheense (Piperaceae), A New Species from Yunnan, China. Phytotaxa. 697(1); 129-137. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.697.1.9 [2025-04-10]


    2:09a
    [Botany • 2025] Iris longnanensis (Iridaceae) • A New Species in Iris section Pseudoregelia from Gansu, China

    Iris longnanensis Z.F.Bai, Y.E.Xiao, F.Y.Yu, 

    in Yu, Bai, Chen et Xiao, 2025. 
     
    Abstract
    Iris longnanensis Z.F.Bai, Y.E.Xiao, F.Y.Yu (Iridaceae: Iris subg. Iris sect. Pseudoregelia), a novel herbaceous species native to the arid and thermal valleys of Longnan city, Gansu Province, China, is described and illustrated here. Morphologically akin to I. leptophylla Lingelsheim, I. longnanensis is distinguished by its dense, persistent foliage and notably short new leaves (6.6–15.1 cm) during the blooming season, along with its distinctive purplish-brown flowering stem. Phylogenetic analyses based on chloroplast DNA sequences corroborate the classification of I. longnanensis within the section Pseudoregelia, highlighting the significance of this new species discovery for understanding the evolution and diversity within the genus.

    Keywords: Longnan, plastid DNA, Iris longnanensis, section Pseudoregelia
     


    Iris longnanensis Z.F.Bai, Y.E.Xiao, F.Y.Yu sp. nov. 
     

    Feng-yang Yu, Zengfu Bai, Xuelin Chen and Yuee Xiao. 2025. A New Species in Iris section Pseudoregelia (Iridaceae) from Gansu, China. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04515 [13 February 2025]

    2:16a
    [Botany • 2025] Begonia ducii, B. quangnamensis, B. zonata, ... (Begoniaceae) • Five New Species from Vietnam


    Begonia quangnamensis, B. zonataB. ducii,
    B. thuanchauensis and B. lii 

    in Nguyen, Bui, Le, Pham et Lin, 2025. 

    Abstract
    Over the past decade, our understanding of Begonia diversity in Vietnam has steadily grown, with numerous new taxa described. Most Begonia species in Vietnam exhibit highly restricted to moderately limited distributions, and many others have yet to be formally described and named. As part of our ongoing research on Vietnamese Begonia, we identified several previously unknown species within the country. After thorough morphological examination and a comprehensive review of the literature, we found that the characteristics of these specimens did not match any currently described Begonia species from Indochina, leading us to conclude that they are new to science. Here, we describe five new species: Begonia quangnamensis, B. zonata, B. thuanchauensis, B. lii and B. ducii.

    biodiversity, endemism, Indochina, plant conservation, taxonomy, Vietnam, Eudicots
     



    Cuong Huu NGUYEN, Huong Van BUI, Anh Tuan LE, Dien Van PHAM and Che Wei LIN. 2025. Five New Species of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Vietnam.  Phytotaxa. 698(2); 82-100. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.698.2.2 [2025-04-24]

    2:32a
    [Entomology • 2024] Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi & Neocaledosynthemis gen. nov. • A remarkable new synthemistid from New Caledonia. Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Note on New Caledonian Synthemistidae and erection of a new genus (Odonata: Anisoptera: Synthemist


    Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi 
    Fleck, 2024 

     
    Abstract
    The new species, Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi sp. nov., dedicated to the late Jean Legrand, is described and illustrated based on a single pair of specimens from Mont Panié, New Caledonia. The male of this large species has unusual strongly sinuous and distally down curved white cerci 7 mm long and exhibits on abdominal segment 10 a remarkable clump of strong setae mimicking a dorsal horn. The female wingspan slightly exceeds 100 mm. In addition, on the basis of adult and larval characters, Neocaledosynthemis gen. nov. is erected to accommodate two other New Caledonian synthemistids, Synthemis fenella Campion (type species) and Synthemis ariadne Lieftinck. New Caledonian synthemistids are probably more closely related to Parasynthemis Carle than to Synthemis Selys Longchamps, both from Australia.

    Odonata, Mont Panié, Calesynthemis jeanlegrandi sp. nov., Neocaledosynthemis gen nov.





    Günther FLECK. 2024. A remarkable new synthemistid from New Caledonia (Odonata: Anisoptera: Synthemistidae s. str.). Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Note on New Caledonian Synthemistidae and erection of a new genus.  Zootaxa. 5403(3); 320-330. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5403.3.2 [2024-01-22]
      facebook.com/Opie.odonates/posts/400401169316415


    3:04a
    [Ichthyology • 2024] Gigantactis paresca • A New Species of the Anglerfish Genus Gigantactis (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) from the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, an Ecosystem Threatened by Deep-Sea Mining

     

    Gigantactis paresca
    Rickle, 2024

    Abstract  
    A new species of Gigantactis is described from a single female collected from the eastern North Pacific. As with others of this genus, this species is distinguished by its unique luring apparatus, most obviously through the presence of a relatively short illicium, bearing a secondary escal-like appendage.



    Gigantactis paresca sp. nov.


    Samantha Z. Rickle. 2024. A New Species of the Anglerfish Genus Gigantactis (Lophiiformes: Ceratioidei) from the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, an Ecosystem Threatened by Deep-Sea Mining. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(2); 153-155. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2023056 (17 May 2024) 
    https://www.soest.hawaii.edu/soestwp/announce/news/new-deep-sea-anglerfish-top-10-2024/

    4:37a
    [PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Megafauna Mobility: Assessing the Foraging Range of an extinct macropodid from central eastern Queensland, Australia

     

      Fossil Protemnodon individuals recovered from cave deposits at Mt Etna 

    in Laurikainen Gaete, Dosseto, Arnold, Demuro, Lewis et Hocknull, 2025. 
     
    Abstract
    Understanding the factors that influence the geographic range of extinct megafaunal species is crucial for reconstructing their ecology and extinction dynamics. For extant herbivores, it has been demonstrated that large body mass provides the potential for greater geographic range. Allometric scaling relationships are observed in placental mammals but have not been well-established for marsupials, in particular, extinct marsupial megafauna. Here, we employ a phylogenetic generalised least squares regression model using extant macropodids to estimate home ranges for individuals from the extinct genus Protemnodon. The regression model predicts a mean home range of 11.6 ±  5.8 km2 This prediction, centred on Mt Etna caves, incorporates several distinct geological features with variable, known 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratios. Fossil Protemnodon individuals recovered from cave deposits at Mt Etna returned 87Sr/86Sr values similar to that of the host limestone, in which the cave systems formed, and the broader Mount Alma Formation. This similarity suggests that individuals foraged close to where they were fossilised, indicating a smaller home range than predicted. Smaller home ranges for individuals with a large body-mass were unexpected, attributed to a unique combination of individual behaviour, diet and/or locomotion regime within stable rainforest environments. Our results suggest that, foraging ranges in marsupial megaherbivores may be more strongly associated with environmental quality rather than body mass. New in-situ uranium-thorium and single-grain TT-OSL ages refine, and are in agreement with, previous interpretations of chronology, indicating that rainforest-adapted fauna persisted at Mt Etna until at least 280 ka. We propose that small home ranges in a stable environment, such as rainforests, predisposed these megafauna macropodids to extinction after 280ka, driven by an increasingly dry and unstable climate. Our results underscore the need for regionally specific biologies of individuals, populations and species when considering extinction pathways for Pleistocene fauna.
     
    Cross sections of megafauna enamel. Samples QML1311H-WIGL8543 to QML1312-WIGL8554. Strontium transects can be identified by a series of large depressions running along the enamel/dentine. 


       

    Conclusions: 
    New TT-OSL ages and open system U-Th ages support previous site chronologies established for the Mt Etna caves, and further constrain fossil accumulation in stratigraphic units QML1311H, QML1311C/D, to ~ 280 – 330 ka. Whilst linear regression models predict species of Protemnodon should have occupied relatively large ranges, strontium isotope measurements of teeth indicate that Protemnodon from Mt Etna Caves had a limited foraging range with movements restricted to the local Mount Alma Formation, with the exception of one specimen originating at least 1 km away. Limited foraging ranges and therefore home range in Mt Etna Protemnodon contrast modelled ranges based on body mass. These differences are suggested to have been driven by resource availability, dietary preferences, and/or locomotory biomechanics, that limited the terrestrial dispersal capacity. Limited foraging ranges support conclusions drawn from extant macropodids suggesting foraging ranges may be more strongly associated with climate and environment. There is potential these limiting ranges may have also been a contributing factor to extinction of Protemnodon at Mt Etna caves. Localised, restricted, populations of Protemnodon may have been well-adapted to a closed-forest environment, however, they were unable to sustain this as intensifying aridification and resource degradation, predisposed them to localised extinction due to their limited dispersal capabilities.


    Christopher Laurikainen Gaete, Anthony Dosseto, Lee Arnold, Martina Demuro, Richard Lewis and Scott Hocknull. 2025. Megafauna Mobility: Assessing the Foraging Range of an extinct macropodid from central eastern Queensland, Australia. PLoS ONE. 20(4): e0319712. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319712  [April 23, 2025]
    https://theconversation.com/fossil-teeth-show-extinct-giant-kangaroos-spent-their-lives-close-to-home-and-perished-when-the-climate-changed-250057

    8:30a
    [Entomology • 2022] Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae), the Bowenia-Pollinating Cycad Weevils in Australia, with Description of a New Species and Implications for the Systematics of Bowenia


    Miltotranes wilsoni 

    Hsiao & Oberprieler, 2022
     
    Simple Summary: 
    Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 is a genus of weevils pollinating Bowenia cycads belonging to two small endemic Australian species included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and CITES Appendix II. We provide the first taxonomic revision of Miltotranes resulting in the identification of two previously described species and a newly recognised speciesM. wilsoni sp. n. from the McIlwraith Range of the Cape York Peninsula. Morphological comparison reveals its affinity to Tranes, whose species are the pollinators of Macrozamia and Lepidozamia cycads. It appears that the association of Miltotranes with Bowenia may represent a secondary host switch in the Tranes group due to a closer relationship between Macrozamia, Lepidozamia and African Encephalartos than with Bowenia. The coincidence of the geographic ranges of Miltotranes weevils with distribution of their cycad hosts indicates that the isolated Bowenia population in the McIlwraith Range may represent a distinct, third species of Bowenia. Likely, the conspecificity of the Miltotranes weevils occurring in the Wet Tropics also suggests that several morphologically enigmatic localised populations represent B. spectabilis, confirming earlier botanical conclusions. The present study highlights the significance of systematic study of tightly plant-associated insects and its relevance for the taxonomy of their host plants.

    Abstract
    The Australian endemic weevils of the genus Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 (Curculionidae: Molytinae: Tranes group), comprising two species, M. prosternalis (Lea, 1929) and M. subopacus (Lea, 1929), are highly host-specific and the only known pollinators of Bowenia cycads, which comprise two CITES-protected species restricted to Tropical Queensland in Australia. In the present study, the taxonomy of Miltotranes is reviewed, a lectotype for the name Tranes prosternalis Lea, 1929 is designated and a new species associated with the Bowenia population in the McIlwraith Range is described as M. wilsoni sp. n. The descriptions and diagnoses of all species are supplemented with illustrations of their habitus and salient structures, and an identification key to all species and a distribution map are provided. Potential implications of the new species and of the taxonomy and biogeography of Miltotranes overall on the systematics and conservation of Bowenia are discussed. 

    Keywords: Australia; cycad systematics; cycad pollinators; new taxa; taxonomy; conservation



    Yun Hsiao and Rolf G. Oberprieler. 2022. Taxonomic Revision of the Genus Miltotranes Zimmerman, 1994 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Molytinae), the Bowenia-Pollinating Cycad Weevils in Australia, with Description of a New Species and Implications for the Systematics of BoweniaInsects. 13(5); 456. DOIL doi.org/10.3390/insects13050456 [12 May 2022]
    twitter.com/YHsiaoBeetle/status/1524924081526964224
    (This article belongs to the Section Insect Systematics, Phylogeny and Evolution)

    10:41a
    [Entomology • 2023] Cyana karsticola, C. khami, ... • Taxonomic Review of the Cyana adelina (Staudinger) Species-group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with Descriptions of Three New Species and One New Subspecies from Laos, Thailand and China

     

    Cyana khami sp. n.C. bacilllaC. karsticola sp. n. 

    Volynkin, Černý, Huang et Saldaitis, 2023. 
     
    Abstract
    The Cyana adelina (Staudinger, 1887) species-group is established and reviewed. Three new species and one new subspecies are described: Cyana yunnanensis regia ssp. n. (Northern Thailand and northern Laos), Cyana dubernardi sp. n. (China: Yunnan), Cyana khami sp. n. (central Laos), and Cyana karsticola sp. n. (northern Laos). Two new synonyms are established: Cyana yunnanensis yunnanensis (Hampson, 1903) (Chionaema) = Chionaema hoenei Daniel, 1952, syn. n., and Cyana griseilinea de Joannis, 1930 = Cyana succincta Černý, 2016, syn. n. Lectotypes are designated for Bizone adelina Staudinger, 1887 and Bizone pratti Elwes, 1890. Adults, male and female genitalia are illustrated.

    Lepidoptera, Asia, lectotype, Lithosiini, new synonym, Nudariina, Vietnam

     Cyana spp.: adults.
    Cyana khami sp. n.Cyana bacilllaCyana karsticola sp. n. 
    Depositories of the specimens: 26, 30 and 32 in MWM/ZSM (26 and 32 ex CKC); 27 and 33 in CKC; 28, 29 and 31 in GMF-B.


    Anton V. VOLYNKIN, Karel ČERNÝ, Si-Yao HUANG and Aidas SALDAITIS. 2023. Taxonomic Review of the Cyana adelina (Staudinger) Species-group (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) with Descriptions of Three New Species and One New Subspecies from Laos, Thailand and China. Zootaxa. 5323(4); 477-498. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5323.4.2 [2023-08-03]

    2:37p
    [Botany • 2025] Herpetospermum motuoensis (Cucurbitaceae) • A New Species from Xizang, China

     

    Herpetospermum motuoensis Y. S. Chen & B. Y. Zhang,

    in Zhang, Liu, Xu, Song et Chen, 2025. 
     
    Abstract
    Herpetospermum motuoensis (Cucurbitaceae: Schizopeponeae) is described and illustrated as a new species. It is similar to Herpetospermum operculatum but can be easily distinguished by the inconspicuous bracts of the male flowers (vs. bract of male flowers prominent), petals subrounded to elliptical (vs. petals ovate to obovate), ovules 6 per locule (vs. ovules 8 per locule), stigma subrounded to broadly elliptic (vs. stigma oblong–ovate), fruits are chartreuse, fusiform to ellipsoid–fusiform and glabrous (vs. oblong to ellipsoid–fusiform and pubescent), seeds are irregular oblong-hexagonal, margin with protrusion at each corner (vs. seed ± round, margin with irregular acute erose).

    Eudicots, new species, Cucurbitaceae, taxonomic, Xizang

    Herpetospermum motuoensis.
    A. Habitat; B. Habit; C. Tendril; D. Leaves; E. Male inflorescence;
    F. Top view of male flower; G. Back view of male flower; H. Longitudinal section of male flower;
    I. Top view of female flower; J. Back view of female flower; K. Longitudinal section of female flower;
    L. Fruits; M. Longitudinal section of fruit; N. Cross section of fruit; O. Seeds.
    A-O: all photos by Bu-Yun Zhang based on the type, B. Y. Zhang, Y. D. Xu, G. F. Liu et X. R. Zheng JZ20231191 (IBSC).

    Herpetospermum motuoensis Y. S. Chen & B. Y. Zhang, sp. nov.


    Bu-Yun ZHANG, Hou-Zhou LIU, Ye-Chun XU, Zhu-Qiu SONG and You-Sheng CHEN. 2025. Herpetospermum motuoensis (Cucurbitaceae), A New Species from Xizang, China.  Phytotaxa. 697(3); 288-293. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.697.3.8 [2025-04-17]
    http://english.scib.ac.cn/news/202504/t20250418_1041501.html
    https://english.cas.cn/newsroom/research_news/life/202504/t20250418_1041512.shtml

    2:40p
    [Arachnida • 2025] Scorpiops bahunetra • In the Rocks: An Integrative Assessment of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) in peninsular India with A Description of A New Species

    Scorpiops bahunetra 
    Deshpande, Joshi, Ukale, Bastawade, Tang, Gowande, Monod & Sulakhe, 2025

     
    Abstract
    The genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861 exhibits significant diversity, especially in Peninsular India. From our continued arachnological surveys in the Western Ghats and Peninsular India, we describe a new species based on molecular and morphological data. Furthermore, additional sampling revealed new species with distinct molecular signatures, but future investigation is warranted to gather additional data before species are formally described.

    Keywords: 16S, COI, integrated taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, systematics

    Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov. male holotype (BNHS SC 401) in vivo habitus (A, B).

    Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov. male holotype (BNHS SC 401) under white light:
    A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view; C, sternopectinal area; D, metasomal segment V and telson, lateral view; E, chelicera, dorsal view <scale bars: 5 mm (A); 2 mm (C)>.

    Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov.
     
    Diagnosis (♂♀). Total length 50.32-55.82 mm. Base color light brown. Median ocular islet morphology conforms to Type 2 (OI-2). Pectine morphology conforms to type P3; pectinal teeth number 7-8 in both sexes; fulcra reduced to absent. Pedipalp patella with 20-26 (5 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 6-11 est, 5-6 et) external and 14-16 ventral trichobothria. Pedipalp chela with 4 ventral trichobothria. Chelal trichobothrium Eb3 located in proximal half of manus between trichobothria Dt and Db. Pedipalp movable finger margins strongly undulate in male and weakly undulate in female. Chela length-to-width ratio 3.0-3.2 in males. Total pedipalp length to total tergite length ratio 1.3-1.4 in males. Tarsomere II of legs with 4-6 stout ventromedian ventral spinules. Metasoma I–V with 10-10-10-10-7 carinae. Dorsal lateral carinae on metasoma III-IV ending posteriorly into a moderately developed spine. Telson elongate and smooth, length to depth ratio 2.8-3.2; annular ring weakly developed.

    Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘bahunetra’, ‘bahu’ (=many) and ‘netra’ (=eyes). The word is an adjective reflecting the unique feature of scorpions having multiple ocelli.

    Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov. male holotype (BNHS SC 401) under UV light:
    A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view <scale bar: 5 mm>.

     
    Shubhankar Deshpande, Mihir Joshi, Sajiri Ukale, Deshabhushan Bastawade, Victoria Tang, Gaurang Gowande, Lionel Monod and Shauri Sulakhe. 2025. In the Rocks: An Integrative Assessment of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) in peninsular India with A Description of A New Species. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.02.004  [8 March 2025]

    2:41p
    [Mollusca • 2025] Molecular Phylogeny of the Operculated Land Snail Family Pupinidae (Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoroidea) in mainland Southeast Asia

     

    Molecular Phylogeny of the Family Pupinidae

    in Jirapatrasilp, Tongkerd, Páll-Gergely, Lee, Panha, Becher, Hausdorf et Sutcharit, 2025.

    Abstract
    The operculated land snail family Pupinidae from mainland Southeast Asia has been systematically revised based on shell morphology. Despite previous morphological studies, the evolutionary relationships within this family remained unclear. This study represents the first comprehensive molecular phylogeny of this snail group, utilising two mitochondrial (COI and 16S rRNA) and two nuclear (5.8S rRNA + ITS2 and 28S rRNA) genetic markers. Additionally, we conducted phylogenetic analyses of Pupina species from 1106 loci generated through double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq). It turned out that Southeast Asian Pollicaria emerged as a sister clade to Central American Aperostoma of the Megalomastomatidae, leading to the resurrection of the Pollicariidae. Among the remaining pupinid genera, Tortulosa was nested within the Coptocheilus clade, while Pupina and Pupinella were not monophyletic. The previously recognised Pupina arula species group was found to be monophyletic and was reclassified into Tylotoechus (formerly a Pupina subgenus), based on distinctive conchological characters such as an extending parietal tooth from a parietal callus and a wide, outward-curving posterior canal. However, some Pupina and Tylotoechus species were not retrieved as monophyletic, suggesting the presence of multiple ‘cryptic species’. Divergence time estimation indicated that the Pupinidae split could date back to the Late Triassic to Early Cretaceous, with the first diversification of pupinid genera occurring during the Middle Jurassic and Early Cretaceous. This successful reconstruction of a robust phylogeny using ddRADseq loci demonstrates the significant potential of RADseq techniques in elucidating the evolutionary relationships of deeply divergent taxa. Further studies incorporating the type species Tylotoechus destructus and Pupina keraudrenii are necessary to justify the usage of these genera.

    Keywords: cryptic species, ddRADseq, divergence time estimation, Pollicariidae, systematics


    A-C Pollicaria [Pollicariidae]
    Tortulosa [Pupinidae] E-H Pupina [Pupinidae]
     Jirapatrasilp et al. (2022)

    Jirapatrasilp et al. (2022)


     Parin Jirapatrasilp, Piyoros Tongkerd, Barna Páll-Gergely, Chi-Tse Lee, Somsak Panha, Elisa Becher, Bernhard Hausdorf and Chirasak Sutcharit. 2025. Molecular Phylogeny of the Operculated Land Snail Family Pupinidae (Caenogastropoda, Cyclophoroidea) in mainland Southeast Asia. Zoologica Scripta. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12727 [07 April 2025]

     A-C หอยหูช้างสกุล Pollicaria D หอยเกลียวเชือกฝาสปริงสกุล Tortulosa E-H หอยเปลือกมันสกุล Pupina 

    3:18p
    [Botany • 2025] Begonia gigang (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao Island, Philippines

     

    Begonia gigang Mazo & Rubite, 

    in Mazo et Rubite, 2025. 

    Abstract
    A new species of Begonia from Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao Island, Philippines, is described. Begonia gigang is morphologically similar to Begonia corazoniae but can be distinguished by having smaller leaves which are hirsute on both surfaces, longer panicles and peduncles, shorter pedicels for both staminate and pistillate flowers, and trigonous-ellipsoid ovary. Begonia gigang is assessed as Endangered under the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. A detailed description, photographs, and ecological notes, and are provided.

    Keywords: Begonia corazoniae, Begonia tinuyopensis, endangered, endemic, taxonomy

    Begonia gigang Mazo & Rubite.
    A. Habit; B. Leaf adaxial surface; C. Leaf abaxial surface showing leaf margin; D. Stem and stipules; E. Staminate and pistillate flowers, inset 3-tepaled staminate flower; F. Cross-section of the ovary; G. Capsules.
    All from K. R. F. Mazo 112.

    Begonia gigang
     
    Mazo & Rubite, sp. nov.  
    Section Petermannia

    Diagnosis: A species similar to Begonia corazoniae Naive (Naive et al. 2024) in having lamina with greenish to yellowish spots and variegations on the veins but differs in having smaller leaves (10.0–14.5 × 5–7 cm vs. up to 21 × 10.0–13.3 cm) which are hirsute on both surfaces (vs. glabrous), longer panicles and peduncles (15–23 cm vs. 8–13 cm; 9–12 cm vs. up to 4 cm), shorter pedicels for both staminate and pistillate flowers, and trigonous-ellipsoid ovary (vs. trapezoid to obovoid).

    Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the Subanen dialect refers to the rock formations where the new species was found.
     
     
    Kean Roe F. Mazo and Rosario R. Rubite. 2025. Begonia gigang (section Petermannia: Begoniaceae), A New Species from Zamboanga Peninsula, Mindanao Island, Philippines. Webbia. Journal of Plant Taxonomy and Geography. 80(1); 89-94. DOI: doi.org/10.36253/jopt-17444 [2025-04-17]

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