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Sunday, May 4th, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 3:52a | [Herpetology • 2020] Megophrys xianjuensis • A New Megophrys Kuhl & Van Hasselt (Anura: Megophryidae) from southeastern China
Abstract A new species of the genus Megophrys from Zhejiang Province, China is described. Molecular phylogenetic analyses supported the new taxon as an independent clade nested into the Megophrys clade and sister to M. lishuiensis. The new species could be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characteristics: (1) small size (SVL 31.0–36.3 mm in male and 41.6 mm in female); (2) vomerine ridge present and vomerine teeth absent; (3) tongue not notched behind; (4) a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of each upper eyelid; (5) tympanum distinctly visible, rounded; (6) two metacarpal tubercles in hand; (7) relative finger lengths: II < I < IV < III; (8) toes with rudimentary webbing at bases; (9) heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (10) tibiotarsal articulation reaching tympanum to eye when leg stretched forward; (11) an internal single subgular vocal sac in male; (12) in breeding male, the nuptial pads with black nuptial spines on the dorsal bases of the first and second fingers. Keywords: Taxonomy, new species, molecular phylogenetic analysis, morphology, Zhejiang Province, China
Megophrys xianjuensis sp. nov. Diagnosis: Megophrys xianjuensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Megophrys based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and the following generic diagnostic characters: snout shield-like; projecting beyond the lower jaw; canthus rostralis distinct; chest gland small and round, closer to the axilla than to midventral line; femoral gland on rear of thigh; vertical pupils. The new species could be identified from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) small size (SVL 31.0–36.3 mm in males and 41.6 mm in female); (2) vomerine ridge present and vomerine teeth absent; (3) tongue not notched behind; (4) a small horn-like tubercle at the edge of each upper eyelid; (5) tympanum distinctly visible, rounded; (6) two metacarpal tubercles in hand; (7) relative finger lengths: II < I < IV < III; (8) toes with rudimentary webbing at bases; (9) heels overlapping when thighs are positioned at right angles to the body; (10) tibiotarsal articulation reaching tympanum to eye when leg stretched forward; (11) an internal single subgular vocal sac in male; (12) in breeding male, the nuptial pads with black nuptial spines on the dorsal bases of the first and second fingers. 
Distribution and habitats: Megophrys xianjuensis sp. nov. is known from the type locality, Xianju County, Zhejiang Province, China at elevations between 320–480 m a.s.l. This new species is frequently found on stones in the streams in the subtropical montane forests (Fig. 5E; Fig. 9). Six sympatric amphibian species, i.e., Amolops wuyiensis, Odorrana tianmuensis, O. graminea, O. tormota, Limnonectes fujianensis, and Quasipaa spinosa, were found. Etymology: The specific epithet xianjuensis refers to Xianju County, Zhejiang Province, China, where the type locality of the species is located. We propose the common name “Xianju horned toad” in English and Xian ju Jiao Chan in Chinese.   Bin Wang, Yan-Qing Wu, Jun-Wei Peng, Sheng-Chao Shi, Ning-Ning Lu and Jun Wu. 2020. A New Megophrys Kuhl & Van Hasselt (Amphibia, Megophryidae) from southeastern China. ZooKeys. 904: 35-62. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.904.47354 | ||||||||
| 3:58a | [Botany • 2025] Bulbophyllum thaithongiae (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) • A New Species of Bulbophyllum sect. Racemosae from Thailand
Abstract During an exploration for the diversity of orchids in Thong Pha Phum National Park, Kanchanaburi Province, a new species of Bulbophyllum in section Racemosae was discovered. It is described here as Bulbophyllum thaithongiae. This new species can be characterized by having sub-densely arranged inflorescences, short floral bracts which never completely hide the flowers and long papillae up to 0.53 mm on the labellum which are clearly visible by naked eye. A detailed description and illustrations are provided together with notes on taxonomy and conservation status. Bulbophyllum section Racemosae, Thong Pha Phum, Kanchanaburi Province, Monocots   Bulbophyllum thaithongiae sp. nov. สิงโตรวงข้าวไทยทอง    Neeranud TAOSIRI and Tosak SEELANAN. 2025. Bulbophyllum thaithongiae (Orchidaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Phytotaxa. 698(3); 178-186. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.698.3.4 [2025-04-30] facebook.com/thongpong.saardjai.5/posts/1447059513331292 | ||||||||
| 8:21a | [Ichthyology • 2025] Titanolebias calvinoi • The Rise of a Titan: A New Species of the giant Titanolebias Killifishes (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae), and its phylogeny
ABSTRACT The genus Titanolebias comprises the largest-bodied seasonal killifishes, inhabiting temporary wetlands of the La Plata Basin and adjacent areas in South America. Here, we describe a new species from the Eastern Chacoan region, representing the first record of the genus in this area, providing important biogeographic and evolutionary insights. Phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Titanolebias, placing T. monstrosus as the sister species to the remaining species of the genus and recovering the new species as sister to a clade composed of T. prognathus, T. elongatus, and T. cheradophilus. Titanolebias species, exhibits reduced sexual dimorphism, potentially associated with a trophic shift toward larger prey in the origin of this genus and presents several potential cases of aggressive mimicry. Megalebias genus represents a case of convergent evolution towards ichthyophagy with Titanolebias. Morphological analyses reveal that the new species present the diagnostic characters of the genus Titanolebias and can be distinguished by its unique coloration and other morphological traits. Behavioral and ecological data are also provided. Despite its restricted distribution and the vulnerability of ephemeral wetlands to habitat loss, the species is found within a National Park. This discovery provides valuable insights into convergent evolution linked to trophic shifts and contributes to the understanding of the evolution, phylogeny, ecology, and biogeography of Neotropical fishes, offering new avenues for future research and conservation policies for this threatened group of fishes. Key words: sexual dimorphism, aggressive mimicry, biogeography, endemisms, temporary wetlands, annual fishes, conservation, Aplocheiloidei
Titanolebias calvinoi, new species Etymology: The specific epithet is dedicated to Pablo Andrés Calviño, in recognition of his notable contributions to Neotropical ichthyology and his pioneering efforts in the study and promotion of knowledge about killifish. Calviño has not only actively participated in scientific research on this group of fish but has also distinguished himself as one of the most notable aquarists and breeders in the region. Additionally, he has significantly contributed to the training of human resources in this field, enhancing public awareness and understanding through the organization of activities, creation of dissemination materials, and his dedicated teaching efforts, being one of the founders of the Killi Club Argentino (KCA). The term calvinoi is a patronymic in the genitive case. Felipe Alonso, Guillermo Enrique Terán, Wilson Sebastián Serra Alanís, Marcos Martin Waldbillig, Martin Miguel Montes, Baltazar Bugeau, Jorge Adrian Barneche, Marina Ibañez Shimabukuro, Francisco González Táboas, Malena Maroli and Matías Jesús Almeida. 2025. The Rise of a Titan: A New Species of the giant Titanolebias Killifishes, and its phylogeny (Cyprinodontiformes: Rivulidae). Zoologischer Anzeiger. In Press DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2025.04.009 [3 May 2025] x.com/FelipeAlonsoBio/status/1918744426244899293 | ||||||||
| 10:51a | [PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Bone Microstructure supports A Mesozoic Origin for a semiaquatic burrowing lifestyle in Monotremes (Mammalia)
Significance The egg-laying monotremes have played a central role in our understanding of mammalian evolution, but their fossil record is poor and their evolutionary history is controversial. Living monotremes are ecologically very distinct from each other: The platypus is well adapted for a semiaquatic lifestyle, whereas echidnas are fully terrestrial. Here, we show that an isolated mammal humerus from the Early Cretaceous of Australia, from a species called Kryoryctes cadburyi, belongs to a monotreme, and that microscopic features of this bone indicate that this monotreme was a semiaquatic burrower. This suggests that the amphibious lifestyle of the modern platypus had its origins at least 100 Mya, during the Age of Dinosaurs, and that echidnas evolved from semiaquatic ancestors. Abstract The platypus and four echidna species are the only living egg-laying mammals and the sole extant representatives of Order Monotremata. The platypus and echidnas are very disparate both morphologically and ecologically: The platypus is a specialized semiaquatic burrowing form that forages for freshwater invertebrates, whereas echidnas are fully terrestrial and adapted for feeding on social insects and earthworms. It has been proposed that echidnas evolved from a semiaquatic, platypus-like ancestor, but fossil evidence for such a profound evolutionary transformation has been lacking, and this hypothesis remains controversial. Here, we present original data about the Early Cretaceous (108 to 103 Ma) Australian mammal Kryoryctes cadburyi, currently only known from a single humerus, that provides key information relating to this question. Phylogenetic analysis of a 536-character morphological matrix of mammaliaforms places Kryoryctes as a stem-monotreme. Three-dimensional whole bone comparisons show that the overall shape of the humerus is more similar to that of echidnas than the platypus, but analysis of microstructure reveals specializations found in semiaquatic mammals, including a particularly thick cortex and a highly reduced medullary cavity, present in the platypus but absent in echidnas. The evidence suggests Kryoryctes was a semiaquatic burrower, indicating that monotremes first evolved an amphibious lifestyle in the Mesozoic, and providing support for the hypothesis that this is ancestral for living monotremes as a whole. The lineage leading to the modern platypus appears to have been characterized by extremely long term (>100 My) niche conservatism, with echidnas representing a much later reversion to a fully terrestrial lifestyle.
Suzanne J. Hand, Laura A. B. Wilson, Camilo López-Aguirre , Alexandra Houssaye, Michael Archer, Joseph J. Bevitt, Alistair R. Evans, Amalia Y. Halim, Tzong Hung, Thomas H. Rich, Patricia Vickers-Rich and Robin M. D. Beck. 2025. Bone Microstructure supports A Mesozoic Origin for a semiaquatic burrowing lifestyle in Monotremes (Mammalia). PNAS. 122 (19) e2413569122. DOI: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2413569122  |
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