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Wednesday, May 21st, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||||
| 1:37a | [Arachnida • 2025] Loxosceles galianoa • A New large violin Spider from Argentina, with a Discussion on the homology and Evolution of female genital structures in Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae)
Abstract Violin spiders are an old, diverse genus of spiders, which includes medically significant species. Among its members, the Neotropical laeta group is particularly notable, as it includes the largest spiders of the genus, such as Loxosceles laeta (Nicolet). In this paper, I describe a new species belonging to this group, Loxosceles galianoa, sp. nov., from male and female specimens collected in the dry Argentinean north-west. The new species is the southernmost native member of the laeta group, and its phylogenetic placement is confirmed by a novel phylogenetic analysis based on molecular data and a taxon sampling including members of all Loxosceles species groups. The morphology of the endogyne of the new species prompted me to survey and characterise the morphological diversity of the female genitalia in Loxosceles. I review the homologies of the parts of the female genitalia in this genus. I argue that an enlarged uterus externus with a narrowed opening is synapomorphic for the laeta species group, whereas in the lineage containing the rufescens and gaucho groups the uterus externus may be sclerotised and bear numerous deep transversal ridges. I here hypothesise that Loxosceles is an example of a clade where female genital morphology is more diverse and has accumulated more morphological novelties than that of males. The geographic origin of the medically significant Loxosceles laeta is briefly discussed. Although this species is commonly referred as the ‘Chilean recluse spider’, I here argue that this species most likely originated in Peru and has been introduced to other South American countries by human action. The type material of Loxosceles accepta Chamberlin, 1920 is examined and illustrated. Loxosceles gaucho Gertsch, 1967 is newly recorded from Argentina and Paraguay. Keywords: endogyne, genitalia, Loxosceles laeta, morphology, recluse spider, Scytodoidea, Synspermiata, taxonomy.    Ivan L. F. Magalhaes. 2025. A New large violin Spider from Argentina, with a Discussion on the homology and Evolution of female genital structures in Loxosceles (Araneae: Sicariidae). Invertebrate Systematics. 39, IS24079. DOI: doi.org/10.1071/IS24079 [13 May 2025] | ||||||
| 7:44a | [PaleoMammalogy • 2024] New insights on the enigmatic Otters from the Late Miocene of Tuscany: Tyrrhenolutra maremmana nov. comb. (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Lutrinae), with A Phylogeny of bunodont otters
Abstract Otters, subfamily Lutrinae (Mustelidae), are predators that thrive in aquatic environments, and have a semiaquatic to fully aquatic lifestyle. While modern otters are found across the globe, their fossil history is limited, primarily documented by fragmented dentognathic remains. In this work, we report on and describe new dental remains of a medium-sized Lutrinae from the Late Miocene of Baccinello and Casteani (Tuscany), improving the poor fossil record of the subfamily in Europe. Tyrrhenolutra helbingi Hürzeler, 1987 is a poorly known species, described on some dental remains from the Baccinello mines and a few other localities. Considering its peculiar morphology, it has often been overlooked in the scientific literature. Description of the material stored at the Naturhistorisches Museum, Basel and Museo di Geologia e Paleontologia dell’Università di Firenze offers new insights on the intraspecific variability and dental morphology of this taxon. The comparative study of these findings highlights several morphological and biometrical similarities between T. helbingi and Paludolutra maremmana Hürzeler, 1987, which allow us to redefine these taxa as Tyrrhenolutra maremmana nov. comb. We carried out a total-evidence cladistic analysis seeking support for morphometric and morphological similarities between T. “helbingi” and “P.” maremmana. The resulting parsimony analyses support the synonymy, excluding a close relationship of T. maremmana with Paludolutra of Italy and Spain, as previously thought. Furthermore, we confirm a long-forgotten hypothesis identifying Limnonyx Crusafont Pairó, 1950 as the possible continental ancestor of Tyrrhenolutra. Keywords: Neogene; Baccinello; Carnivora; mustelid; taxonomy; cladistic.
ANDREA FAGGI, SAVERIO BARTOLINI-LUCENTI and LORENZO ROOK. 2024. New insights on the enigmatic Otters from the Late Miocene of Tuscany: Tyrrhenolutra maremmana nov. comb. (Lutrinae, Mustelidae, Carnivora), with A Phylogeny of bunodont otters. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia (Riv. It. Paleontol. Strat. - Research in Paleontology and Stratigraphy). 130(2); 259-284. DOI: doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/22479 [July 2024] | ||||||
| 10:15a | [PaleoIchthyology • 2025] Britosteus amarildoi • A New early diverging lepisosteid Fish (Lepisosteiformes) from the Late Cretaceous of southeastern Brazil
Highlights: • New genus and species of Lepisosteiform fish from Late Cretaceous Bauru Group. • It represents an early diverging lepisosteid. • It comes from continental settings, contributing to fill the temporal gap between Early and Late Cretaceous forms. • The new taxon is not included within the most common genera Lepisosteus and Atractosteus. Abstract The Bauru Group in Brazil is renowned for its rich and diverse fossil record from Late Cretaceous age, which includes a variety of vertebrates such as fishes, anurans, turtles, squamates, mesoeucrocodylians, and dinosaurs. In this study, we present compelling evidence for the existence of a distinct taxon of Lepisosteidae at a paleontological site bearing rocks of the Upper Cretaceous Adamantina Formation (Bauru Group). Based on several specimens, we erect a new genus and species of lepisosteiform fish: Britosteus amarildoi gen. et sp. nov. This discovery provides valuable insights into the anatomical features of this new form, contributing to our understanding of the diversity of Late Cretaceous fishes in Brazil. Historically, Lepisosteiformes had a broader geographic distribution than observed today, but our knowledge of their evolution and diversity remains limited. This is particularly true for the gaps in data between the Early and Late Cretaceous periods. The identification of Britosteus amarildoi gen. et sp. nov. contributes to fill this significant gap, establishing it as an early diverging member of Lepisosteidae and underscoring the complexity of its evolutionary history in South America. By illuminating the anatomical and taxonomic characteristics of this new taxon, we enhance our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of lepisosteiform fishes during a crucial period in the continent's ancient past.   Britosteus amarildoi gen. et sp. nov.  Agustín G. Martinelli, Thiago da Silva Marinho, Karen M. Panzeri, Sergio Bogan, Fabiano V. Iori, João de Magalhães Lopes, Francisco Macedo Neto, Pedro H. Fonseca, Giorgio Basilici, Nahuel Vega and Luiz Carlos Borges Ribeiro. 2025. A New early diverging lepisosteid Fish (Lepisosteiformes) from the Late Cretaceous of southeastern Brazil. Journal of South American Earth Sciences. 152, 105325. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2024.105325 [1 February 2025] www.UFTM.edu.br Novo peixe fóssil é descoberto no Triângulo Mineiro e amplia conhecimento sobre fauna do Cretáceo  | ||||||
| 3:23p | [PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Eophyseter damarcoi • A New Pliocene Sperm Whale (Odontoceti: Physeteridae) from Vigliano D’Asti, Piedmont, Northwest Italy
Abstract A new sperm whale species is described from the late Zanclean (Early Pliocene) of Piedmont, northwest Italy, based on a partial vertebral column and parts of the forelimb. The new taxon, Eophyseter damarcoi gen. nov. sp. nov., is characterized by elongated vertebral centra in the thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column, wider and higher articular facets for the occipital condyles in the atlas, elliptical and dorsoventrally compressed posterior articular facet of the axis-bearing block, ulna with posteriorly convex margin. These characters distinguish Eophyseter damarcoi gen. nov. sp. nov.from other physeteroids and show that the vertebral proportions are differently arranged with respect to those of the extant sperm whale species. A phylogenetic analysis was performed to understand the relationships of Eophyseter damarcoi gen. nov. sp. nov. by adding 20 postcranial characters to a previous character x taxon matrix; it revealed that E. damarcoi gen. nov. sp. nov. forms a clade with P. macrocephalus. A taphonomic analysis suggested that the carcass of the holotype specimen of Eophyseter damarcoi gen. nov. sp. nov. was exploited by sharks and colonized by barnacles and molluscs; however, a quick burial prevented its total destruction by other invertebrates, as usual in the cetacean fossil record from the Pliocene of Piedmont. Keywords: Italy; Physeteridae; Phylogeny; Eophyseter; Physeteroidea; Piedmont; Pliocene; Postcranial skeleton.
Class MAMMALIA Linnaeus, 1758 Order Cetacea Brisson, 1762 Clade Neoceti Fordyce & Muizon, 2001 Parvorder Odontoceti Flower, 1867 Superfamily Physeteroidea Gray, 1868 Family Physeteridae Gray, 1821 Genus Eophyseter gen. nov. Etymology: Eo is a Greek word (ήώς) that means dawn, meaning ancestral, old. Physeter derives from the Greek φυσώ meaning blower. Diagnosis of genus: Eophyseter damarcoi gen. nov. sp. nov. shows a unique morphology of the atlas, in the axis-bearing cervical block, in the proportions of the vertebral column and in the ulna. Diagnostic characters are the following: (1) the atlas is characterized by articular facets for the occipital condyles that protrude dorsally to the body of the vertebra and reach the height of the superior surface of the neural arch; (2) the articular surface for occipital condyles are comparatively wider than those of all the other physeteroids in which the atlas is preserved, and their ventromedial portion is comparatively longer; (3) in the axis-bearing cervical block, the epiphysis of the 7th cervical vertebra is dorsoventrally compressed and transversely widened to form showing an elliptical outline (it is transversely narrow and rounder in all the other physeteroids in which the axis-bearing block is preserved); (4) the lengths of the vertebral centra are comparatively more elongated than those of physeterids in which the vertebral column is known; in particular, in a long portion of the thoracic and lumbar regions of the vertebral column, the lengths of the centra are almost equal to the corresponding widths and heights (this pattern contrasts with that of extant sperm whales in which the length values are lower than those of heights and widths); (5) the posterior border of the ulna is posteriorly convex rather than being straight or concave as in other physeterids in which the ulna is preserved. Eophyseter damarcoi gen. nov. sp. nov. Etymology: The patronymic damarcoi is to honor Piero Damarco (Fig. 2B) who coordinated and executed extensive preparation of the specimen and who dedicated his life to the discovery and curation of the fossil treasures of Piedmont, Northwest Italy Michelangelo Bisconti, Riccardo Daniello, Riccardo Stecca and Giorgio Carnevale. 2025. A New Pliocene Sperm Whale from Vigliano D’Asti, Piedmont, Northwest Italy. RIVISTA ITALIANA di PALEONTOLOGIA e STRATIGRAFIA. 131(1): 139-175. DOI: doi.org/10.54103/2039-4942/22338 | ||||||
| 4:43p | [Botany • 2025] Begonia blaan (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia) • A New Species from the Island of Mindanao, southern Philippines
Abstract A new species to science, Begonia blaan Naive sp. nov., discovered by a citizen scientist and posted on Facebook, is herein described and illustrated. This species closely resembles B. quercifolia but can be distinguished by its sparsely scabrid stem, falcately ovate and glabrous stipules, deciduous floral bracts, and 2-flowered, pedunculate pistillate flowers. Below, we provide a detailed description, color plates, and information on phenology, habitat, geographical distribution, and a preliminary conservation assessment. Keywords: Blaan tribe, endangered, endemic, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat   Begonia blaan Naive sp. nov.  Mark Arcebal K. Naive, Ceferino M. Occeña III, Bryll L. Espeja. 2025. Begonia blaan (Begoniaceae, sect. Petermannia), A New Species from the Island of Mindanao, southern Philippines. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04838 [20 May 2025]  |
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