[Most Recent Entries] [Calendar View]
Thursday, September 25th, 2025
| Time | Event | ||||||||
| 12:34a | [Entomology • 2024] Chloecolora vergetaria • 130 years from Discovery to Description: micro-CT Scanning applied to construct the Integrative Taxonomy of A forgotten Moth from Southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)
Abstract X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) of dried and pinned museum specimens combined with advanced image processing can provide a useful, novel and non-destructive tool for integrative insect taxonomy. This paper demonstrates how micro-CT can be applied to provide unambiguous illustrations of diagnostic morphological characters for new taxa description and to understand how micro-CT imaging may complement other imaging techniques. Following micro-CT scanning, a semi-automatic segmentation and volume rendering protocol was used to portray the wing venation and diagnostic structures and ornamentation of male genitalia from multiple angles. Using micro-CT images, we provide the description of a conspicuous geometrid moth from southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), which has been present in collections since 1894, but left without an available name. Using a multigenetic dataset comprising 273 terminal taxa from the superfamily Geometroidea, we constructed a molecular phylogeny to place our study species to an isolated lineage in Geometridae: Larentiinae, tribe Xanthorhoini sensu lato. We describe it as Chloecolora vergetaria new genus, new species Englund & Staude, and provide diverse ecological information on its distribution, habitat, host plant, adult and immature stages, and parasites. We found micro-CT imaging particularly useful in two- and three-dimensional imaging of wings, providing detailed information for instance on non-tubular folds that may be difficult to distinguish using other techniques. Keywords: Geometridae, integrative taxonomy, Lepidoptera, micro-CT, non-destructive imaging 
Chloecolora Englund & Staude gen. n. Type species: Chloecolora vergetaria Englund & Staude sp. n.; description below. Diagnosis: Monotypic Southern African genus of subfamily Larentiinae (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) and tribus Xanthorhoini sensu lato. Larvae phytophagous on S. harveyanus (Acanthaceae: Acantheae). Multivoltine nocturnal mid-sized moths with conspicuous, persistent, widespread green dorsal coloration on wings, head, antennae, thorax and abdomen. Male antenna bipectinate, female antenna unipectinate, with setose branches each ending in straight, stiff and long spine. Male coremata vestigial and assumedly defunct. Barcode 658 bp sequence K2P minimum distance to closest species (Euphyia unangulata and E. intermediata) > 8.6%. Closest sister genus Scotopteryx based on multigene 4989 bp maximum likelihood phylogenetic estimation. Morphologically Chloecolora differs from Scotopteryx by the following characters: persistent green coloration of scales on wings, body and flagellomeres in Chloecolora, not present in Scotopteryx, single strong spine in the apex of each ramus of antennae in Chloecolora, not present in Scotopteryx, male coremata vestigial and defunct in Chloecolora, generally well developed and functional in Scotopteryx. Etymology: Chloe (Greek) young, green foliage or shoots of plants in spring, yellowish green colour in general; refers to the persistent, conspicuous coloration of the type species; color (Latin) tint, colour. Chloecolora vergetaria Englund & Staude sp. n. Systematics: Based on molecular data and morphology, C. vergetaria is classified in Geometridae: Larentiinae, Xanthorhoini sensu lato (Figure 12), as sister to Scotopterygini. The classification of Xanthorhoini sensu lato lineage needs further research. Etymology: Vergeet (Afrikaans) to forget; refers to the so far incomplete and forgotten efforts to describe this species.  Mikael Englund, Kyung Min Lee, Hermann Staude, Anne Duplouy, Axel Hausmann, Elina Laiho, Max Söderholm and Pasi Sihvonen. 2024. 130 years from Discovery to Description: micro-CT Scanning applied to construct the Integrative Taxonomy of A forgotten Moth from Southern Africa (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Systematic Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12627 | ||||||||
| 1:48a | [Paleontology • 2025] Thikarisuchus xenodentes • A New, diminutive, heterodont Neosuchian from the Vaughn Member of the Blackleaf Formation (Cenomanian), southwest Montana, and Implications for the Paleoecology of heterodont neosuchians
ABSTRACT Although crocodyliforms from the Campanian–Maastrichtian of North America have received considerable attention, taxa occurring earlier in the Cretaceous have only recently begun to be more thoroughly studied. Of particular interest amongst these recent discoveries is the heterodont neosuchian Wannchampsus kirpachi Adams 2014 and the similar, undescribed ‘Glen Rose Form’ (USNM 22039). Both hold an unclear phylogenetic position, either forming a clade sister to Atoposauridae, a group of small, heterodont neosuchians from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Laurasia, or to Paralligatoridae, a clade of larger, platyrostral, homodont neosuchians from the Cretaceous of Asia and North America. Here we describe a new species of diminutive, heterodont neosuchian, Thikarisuchus xenodentes gen. et sp. nov., from the early–middle Cenomanian Vaughn Member of the Blackleaf Formation of southwest Montana. The specimen includes cranial, mandibular, axial, and appendicular elements in articulation and dense concentration. It is recovered in a sister relationship with Wannchampsus and USNM 22039. We propose the name Wannchampsidae (clade nov.) for this group of small, heterodont neosuchians endemic to the Cretaceous of North America. Wannchampsidae is more confidently recovered sister to Atoposauridae due to the recognition of new synapomorphies. The new taxon provides greater clarity on the potential diet and paleoecology of Wannchampsidae and Atoposauridae and displays similar craniomandibular and dental characteristics to the notosuchian group Uruguaysuchidae, strongly suggesting these neosuchian groups were also omnivorous or insectivorous and terrestrially adapted, respectively representing a unique diet and reversion to terrestriality within Neosuchia. SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY CROCODYLOMORPHA Hay, 1930 (sensu Nesbitt, 2011) CROCODYLIFORMES Hay, 1930 (sensu Clark, 1986) NEOSUCHIA Clark in Benton and Clark, 1988 WANNCHAMPSIDAE, family nov. Type Genus—Wannchampsus kirpachi Adams, 2014. Etymology—'The family of Wannchampsus.’ The stem Wannchamps- is based on the designated type genus Wannchampsus. -idae, is a Latin patronymic suffix. Under Article 29.2 of the Zoological Code, the suffix -idae denotes a family rank within the family-group. Phylogenetic Definition—Branch-based clade comprising all taxa more closely related to Wannchampsus kirpachi Adams, 2014 than to Theriosuchus pusillus Owen, 1878 or Shamosuchus djadochtaensis Mook, 1924. 
THIKARISUCHUS XENODENTES, gen. et sp. nov. Locality, Horizon, and Age—Vaughn Member of the upper portions of the Blackleaf Formation (early–middle Cenomanian). Material originates from The Mound (BL-9) in the Lima Peaks area of southwest Montana, southeast of the town of Lima, MT and was recovered on the surface in float or was surface screened, sifted, and later identified/recovered within the lab. Diagnosis—A small neosuchian crocodyliform with the following unique combination of characters (autapomorphies denoted by an asterisk): longitudinal groove on posterior dentary laterally adjacent to dentary toothrow for reception of posterior maxillary teeth*; extreme mesiodistal elongation and low apicobasal height of posterior ‘low crowned’ maxillary and dentary teeth*; development of frontoparietal midline ridge into a symmetric, elongate hexagonal boss at frontal-parietal suture*; extension of lateral angular ridge onto lateral surface of posterior dentary*; oreinirostral snout; anteriorly oriented external nares; small, anteroposteriorly aligned sulcus present posterior to triple junction of sutures of the premaxilla, maxilla, and nasals; orbitonasal sulcus (sensu Turner, 2015) on lateral surface of maxilla; occlusal pit on palatal process of maxilla adjacent to 4th and 5th maxillary teeth; ventral surface of posterolateral portion of palatal process of maxilla possesses a shallow groove that accommodates some posterior dentary teeth; internal choana bounded almost entirely by pterygoids, with palatines contributing to anterior margin; procoelous cervical, dorsal, and caudal vertebrae; humeral head convex, with the center of the humeral head positioned proximally above the rest of the surface; humerus proximal to deltopectoral crest strongly deflected medially at ∼45° compared with humeral shaft; highly reduced postacetabular process of ilium; elongate proximal process on fibula. Etymology—After “thikari,” the diminutive form of the Greek word “thiki” meaning sheath, referring to the way in which the posterior maxillary teeth ‘sheath’ within the longitudinal groove on the dentary adjacent to the dentary toothrow as well as the diminutive size of the specimen, and “suchus,” from the Latinized form of “soukhos,” Greek for crocodile. After “xeno,” Greek for strange, and “dentes,” Latin for teeth, referring to the strange heterodont dentition and extremely mesiodistally elongate and apicobasally low posterior teeth.
 Harrison J. Allen, Eric W. Wilberg, Alan H. Turner and David J. Varricchio. 2025. A New, diminutive, heterodont Neosuchian from the Vaughn Member of the Blackleaf Formation (Cenomanian), southwest Montana, and Implications for the Paleoecology of heterodont neosuchians. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2542185. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2025.2542185 [22 Sep 2025]  | ||||||||
| 2:14a | [Botany • 2025] Aphelandra bracteopectinata (Acanthaceae) • A beautiful New Species from northwestern Ecuador
Abstract Aphelandra bracteopectinata Cornejo, Wassh., & Cohen from the wet montane forests of northwestern Ecuador is described as new and illustrated with photographs. It is an attractive shrub with yellow corollas and pectinate floral bracts. Keywords: endemics, Los Cedros Biological Station, Neotropics, ornamental   Aphelandra bracteopectinata Cornejo,Wassh., & Cohen Xavier Cornejo, Dieter Wasshausen and Brandon Cohen. 2025. Aphelandra bracteopectinata (Acanthaceae): A beautiful New Species from northwestern Ecuador. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. 19(2); 95-99. DOI: doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v19.i2.1401 | ||||||||
| 8:43a | [Botany • 2025] Strobilanthes sharavathiensis (Acanthaceae) • A New Species from Ambaragudda, a high-altitude shola grassland, central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India
Abstract Strobilanthes sharavathiensis, a newly discovered species from the high-altitude shola grasslands of the Sharavathi river basin in the central Western Ghats, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, this species is closely allied to Strobilanthes jomyi, particularly in its pendulous spike inflorescence, exerted stamens and glandular hairs near the capsule apex. However, it is distinct in having smaller leaves, crenate-margined bracts, distinctive longer hairs on each bract notch, shorter inflorescence, a non-villous peduncle during the fruiting stage, black dots on the calyx and the unique colouration of bracts. It is also similar to Strobilanthes ixiocephala in its echinulate, spheroidal pollen, but differs in its pendulous inflorescence, exerted stamens, and non-viscid bracts. The pollen morphology is considered as a critical diagnostic feature for describing this new species. Comprehensive notes on its taxonomy, ecology, conservation status and distinguishing characters in comparison with similar species are also provided. Keywords: Biodiversity heritage site, Endemic flora, Sharavathi catchment, Shola, Strobilanthes, Western Ghats
Strobilanthes sharavathiensis M.S.Savinaya, B.Shreyas & B.S.Shreeloka sp. nov. Diagnosis: A species resembling Strobilanthes jomyi P.Biju, Josekutty, Rekha & J.R.I.Wood (Biju et al. 2017), but differing in its growth form of small to medium-sized habit (versus large shrub), small-sized leaf (versus bigger-sized leaf), rarely branched, short, wider inflorescence (versus branched, long inflorescence), crenate-margined bracts (versus entire), smaller flower, bigger pollen (as witnessed through longitudinal and latitudinal diameter, shorter exine spine length, smaller distance between two hoods, and more frequently two exine spines on a single hood non-villous peduncle during fruiting (versus villous peduncle), not having mucilaginous hairs on seed (versus presence of mucilaginous hairs). Another closely related species S. ixiocephala Benth is distributed in the same locality although at a lower altitude (in the foothills) and from it the new species differs in having exerted stamens (versus stamen inside corolla), 4-seeded capsules (versus 2-seeded), and non-viscid bracts (versus viscid bracts). It also resembles S. ciliata Nees. but S. ciliata is not recorded in this particular shola and differs in bract structure, ovary (glandular hairs near apex versus glabrous) and echinulate, spheroidal pollen (versus ellipsoidal, bireticulate) pollen. Etymology: The newly identified species is named after the west-flowing Sharavathi river, known for its valley landscapes, diverse habitat and vegetation. The species was discovered in its catchment within the Ambaragudda shola grassland, Sagar Taluk, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India. Savinaya Malve Sathisha, Shreyas Betageri and Shreeloka Bennatte Shreeharsha. 2025. Strobilanthes sharavathiensis (Acanthaceae), A New Species from Ambaragudda, a high-altitude shola grassland, central Western Ghats, Karnataka, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04888 [18 September 2025] | ||||||||
| 9:28a | [Botany • 2025] Pternopetalum wulingense (Apiaceae) • A New Species from the Wuling Mountains, China
Abstract Pternopetalum wulingense (Apiaceae) is described as a new species from the Wuling Mountains in Guizhou Province and Chongqing Municipality, China. Both phylogenetic analyses and diagnostic morphological traits support its placement within Pternopetalum and confirm its distinction from close relatives. It closely resembles P. trichomanifolium in having finely dissected 3–4-pinnate basal leaves and a preference for moist habitats, but differs in having a rhombic leaf blade outline, ultimate segments of uniform width and oblong-ovoid fruits with both mericarps fully developed. Key words: Apiaceae, phylogeny, Pternopetalum, taxonomy
Pternopetalum wulingense J.F.Ye, X.Y.Yue & Ying Liu, sp. nov. Etymology. The specific epithet wulingense refers to the Wuling Mountains (武陵山), where the new species was discovered. Diagnosis. Pternopetalum wulingense differs from P. trichomanifolium by having a rhombic leaf blade outline, ultimate segments of uniform width and oblong-ovoid fruits with both mericarps fully developed (Table 1, Figs 2–4). Xuyang Yue, Xiaotian Pan, Ying Liu and Jianfei Ye. 2025. Pternopetalum wulingense (Apiaceae), A New Species from the Wuling Mountains, China. PhytoKeys. 263: 61-70. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.263.163711 | ||||||||
| 10:05a | [Ichthyology • 2025] Apterichtus kanniyakumari • A New Species of finless Snake Eel (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Arabian Sea
Abstract Apterichtus kanniyakumari sp. nov., a new species of finless snake eel, is described based on two specimens collected from deep-sea trawl landings at the Colachel fish landing centre from the southwest coast of India. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by the following characteristics: head length 9.6–9.7% TL, tail length 1.8–1.9% TL, and body depth at gill openings 42.1–54.8% TL; 3 preopercular and 9 supratemporal pores, conical uniserial teeth on jaws and vomer; distinct golden-yellow body coloration, ventral side of head pale white with yellow lines along lower jaw, and three black blotches, one behind eyes followed by one in rictus and other behind origin of rictus and mean vertebral formula: 52-131. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial CO1 gene exhibits that this new species forms distinct clade with its sympatric species Apetrichtus nanjilnaduensis. Pisces, Taxonomy, deep-sea, western India, molecular analyses, sympatric species   Apterichtus kanniyakumari sp. nov. Ahamed RASHEEQ, Paramasivam KODEESWARAN, Ayyathurai KATHIRVELPANDIAN and T. T. Ajith KUMAR. 2025. Apterichtus kanniyakumari, A New Species of finless Snake Eel (Anguilliformes: Ophichthidae) from the Arabian Sea. Zootaxa. 5696(2); 260-268. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.2.5 [2025-09-24] | ||||||||
| 5:24p | [Diplopoda • 2025] Scaptodesmus manengouba, S. kala & S. vandenspiegeli • Taxonomic Review of the Afrotropical Millipede Genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896 (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae), with Integrative Descriptions of Three New Species from Cameroon
Abstract The genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896, is revised based on recent material collected from Cameroon. Three new species are described and illustrated: Scaptodesmus kala sp. nov., S. manengouba sp. nov., and S. vandenspiegeli sp. nov. Additionally, the diagnoses of two old and well-defined species of the genus, S. porati Cook, 1896, and S. granulosus (Attems, 1931), are revised. The species Scaptodesmus dentatus Silvestri, 1909, previously regarded as incertae sedis, is here confirmed as such, since its taxonomic affiliation remains uncertain. An identification key to and a distribution map for all Scaptodesmus species known so far are provided. Barcoding base on COI sequencing was successfully performed for all three new species and compared with previously published sequences from the family Chelodesmidae. The results reveal that the three new species are all genetically distinct from one another. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree constructed using the dataset of available species resulted in a well-resolved and well-supported phylogeny. In all cases, barcoding data were consistent with traditional morphological taxonomic classifications. This work highlights the importance of integrated taxonomy in resolving relationships within millipede species groups below the family level. Myriapoda, taxonomy, COI, DNA barcoding, millipede, Pepodesminae, Afrotropical Region
Armand Richard Nzoko FIEMAPONG, Quentin BLANDENIER, Joseph Lebell TAMESSE and Edward A. D. MITCHELL. 2025. Taxonomic Review of the Afrotropical Millipede Genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Chelodesmidae), with Integrative Descriptions of Three New Species from Cameroon. Zootaxa. 5696(3); 361-384. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.3.3 [2025-09-25] |
| << Previous Day |
2025/09/25 [Calendar] |
Next Day >> |