[Entomology • 2024] Hercostomus obtusus & H. squamatus • New Species and Records of the Genus Hercostomus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from Thailand Mangroves, with Notes on the Hercostomus Fauna of Singapore Mangroves

 Hercostomus obtusus

Samoh & Grootaert, 2024

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5446.2.2

 facebook.com/AbdullahSamoh

(photos: A. Samoh).

 

Abstract

The long-legged fly genus Hercostomus Loew, 1857 is reported for the first time from mangrove habitats in Thailand. Two new species, H. obtusus sp. nov. and H. squamatus sp. nov. are described based on external morphology and supported by NGS barcoding. Four described species, namely, H. brevicornis Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, H. brevidigitalis Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, H. lanceolatus Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, and H. plumatus Zhang, Yang & Grootaert, 2008, previously known only from Singapore mangroves, are recorded for the first time from Thailand mangroves. In addition, species distributions are mapped and taxonomic notes are provided.

Diptera, taxonomy, NGS barcodes, Southeast Asia

 Hercostomus obtusus sp. nov. Male and female habitus

(photos: Abdulloh Samoh).

Hercostomus squamatus sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet, squamatus refers to the numerous squamiform bristles on the apical border of the cercus.

Bionomics. This species was collected from shaded areas of mangrove creeks and back mangroves, which had an abundance of small pebbles, sand, and muddy soils in their vicinity.

Distribution. THAILAND: Phang Nga and Satun provinces, SINGAPORE: Pulau Semakau (Semakau Island).

 Hercostomus squamatus sp. nov. Male and female habitus

 (photos: Abdulloh Samoh).

 

Hercostomus obtusus sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet, obtusus refers to the obtuse tip of the first flagellomere.

Bionomics. This species was collected from shaded areas of the back mangrove.

Distribution. THAILAND: Phang Nga and Satun provinces (Andaman Seacoasts, southern Thailand). SINGAPORE: common in the back mangrove all over the country.

 

Abdullah Samoh and Patrick Grootaert. 2024. New Species and Records of the Genus Hercostomus Loew (Diptera: Dolichopodidae) from Thailand Mangroves, with Notes on the Hercostomus Fauna of Singapore Mangroves.  Zootaxa. 5446(2); 179-204. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5446.2.2

 facebook.com/AbdullahSamoh/posts/7486445694724499

Researchgate.net/publication/380208310_New_species_and_records_of_the_genus_Hercostomus_from_Thailand_Singapore_mangroves

[Botany • 2023] Ardisia anamalaiana (Primulaceae: Myrsinoideae) • A New Species from southern Western Ghats, India

Ardisia anamalaiana V.Ravich., Murug. & P.S.S.Rich., 

in Ravichandran, Maruthakkutti et Paulraj, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1111/njb.03646

Abstract

Ardisia anamalaiana is a new species described from Anamalai Hills, the southern Western Ghats of India. The new species is morphologically similar to A. gardneri C.B.Clarke, but differs in its leaves, petiole, inflorescence, bract, flower and pedicel. Ardisia anamalaiana is described and illustrated in detail. Morphological comparison between the new species and related taxa, a key to the genus Ardisia from the Western Ghats, colour photographs and conservation status is also provided.

Keywords: Acrardisia, Anamalai Hills, endemic, Myrsinoideae, Tamil Nadu, taxonomy

 

Vellingiri Ravichandran, Murugesan Maruthakkutti and Selva Singh Richard Paulraj. 2023. Ardisia anamalaiana (Primulaceae), A New Species from southern Western Ghats, India. Nordic Journal of Botany. 2023(2); e03646. DOI: 10.1111/njb.03646

Researchgate.net/publication/366011543_Ardisia_anamalaiana_a_new_species_from_southern_Western_Ghats_India

[Botany • 2021] Opilionanthe magdalenae (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) • A New Species and New Records in the Lepanthes clade for Perú

 Opilionanthe magdalenae  A. Damian & N. Mitidieri, 

in Parizaca, Rivera et Rimarachin, 2021.

DOI: 10.1111/njb.03307 

 Researchgate.net/publication/354992933

 

Abstract

A new species of Opilionanthe, viz O. magdalenae, from the montane forest of Perú is described and illustrated. Opilionanthe magdalenae is the second species of the genus and is distinguished from its congener O. manningii by its narrow leaves (only 0.7 mm wide), reddish flowers with petals about half the length of the sepals, and a lip with rounded lateral lobes. Additionally, eleven new country records of species in the Lepanthes clade are presented based on field explorations and herbarium revision. Information about the habitat and distribution of all species treated are provided.

Keywords: Kosñipata Valley, Neotropics Peruvian, flora, taxonomy

 Floral comparison between Opilionanthe manningii (A-B) and
 Opilionanthe magdalenae sp. nov. (C-E).

Photographs A = W. Driessen, B = Varia, C-E = John Janovec.

 Opilionanthe magdalenae sp. nov.
(A) Habit, (B) flower, (C) dissected perianth, (D) lip and column in lateral view, (E) lip. Drawing by Nicole Mitidieri based in the holotype.

Opilionanthe magdalenae A. Damian & N. Mitidieri sp.nov. 

Alexander Damián Parizaca, Nicole Mitidieri Rivera and Leyda Rimarachin. 2021. A New Species of Opilionanthe (Pleurothallidinae, Orchidaceae) and New Records in the Lepanthes clade for Perú. Nordic Journal of Botany. 39(9) DOI: 10.1111/njb.03307

  Researchgate.net/publication/354992933_A_new_species_of_Opilionanthe_Peru

[Botany • 2024] Behria leonis (Asparagaceae: Brodiaeoideae) • A New Cryptic Species from the Baja California peninsula, Mexico

 

Behria leonis  E. Gándara & Ruiz-Sanchez, 

 Gándara, Ortiz-Brunel, Gómez-Hernández et Ruiz-Sánchez, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.646.3.1 

 twitter.com/EtelBehria

 

Abstract

Behria is a genus of petaloid geophytes endemic to the Cape Region of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It belongs to the Milla clade within the subfamily Brodiaeoideae of the Asparagaceae family. Currently, Behria tenuiflora is the only recognized species within this genus. In our methodological approach, we considered two distinct floral morphotypes: Group A consists of populations found at lowland elevations (10–150 m), while Group B comprises plants growing at mid to high elevations (400–2060 m). The aim of our study was to investigate whether there are discernible morphological differences and correlations with climate variables between Behria Group A and Group B. To address this, we measured nine quantitative characters for 94 plants from seven populations of Behria tenuiflora. Our findings revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in pedicel length, perianth length, perianth base diameter, and perianth aperture diameter of the analyzed Behria groups. Based on these results, we propose the recognition of Behria leonis as a new species. Additionally, we provide a morphological key for distinguishing Behria and Bessera genera, along with illustrations, a distribution map, and photographs.

Key words: Bessera, geophytes, morphological data, climatic preferences, Sierra de la Laguna 

 

Behria leonis (A, C, E), B. tenuiflora (B, D, F).
A. Butterfly (Phoebis sennae) visiting flowers. B. Inflorescence view. C. Close up to hypocrateriform flowers. D. Close up to tubular flowers. E- F. Dissected flowers, external and internal views.

Behria leonis. A. Complete plant with corms, leaves, inflorescence and flowers. B. Inflorescence, flowers and fruits. C. Dissected flower, external and internal views.

Illustration by Miguel Jiménez, based on E. Gándara et al. 3298.

Behria leonis E. Gándara & Ruiz-Sanchez sp. nov., 

 TYPE:—MEXICO. Baja California Sur: Municipio, La Paz, Sierra de La Laguna, Km 11 brecha a Termopilas, Ejido San Antonio, adelante de San José del Rancho, 23.702688, -109.985759, elevation 690 m, 23 September 2021, deciduous tropical forests, E. Gándara et al. 3299 (holotype IBUG!). 

Behria leonis differs from B. tenuifolia in having a longer perianth (2.2–3.2 cm vs. 1.7–2.6 cm) , a wider perianth aperture (8.5–14.3 mm vs. 3.1–6.4 mm), a narrower perianth base (3.9–6.3 mm vs. 4.6–8 mm), hypocrateriform flowers instead of tubular flowers, and perianth slightly saccate at the base vs. perianth prominently saccate.

Etymology:—The species epithet “leonis” is named in honor of the Mexican botanist José Luis León de la Luz. He is a highly regarded researcher who retired from CIBNOR (Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste S.C.) and is known as the foremost botanist in Southern Baja California Sur. Throughout his career, José Luis León de la Luz has extensively collected thousands of plants in the region and has made significant contributions to the field of botany. Notably, he played a role in neotypifying Behria tenuiflora, ensuring a standardized reference specimen for future studies. Furthermore, he collaborated on projects involving the extraction and identification of alkaloids from this species, contributing to the understanding of its chemical composition.

Etelvina Gándara, Juan Pablo Ortiz-Brunel, Marko Gómez-Hernández and Eduardo Ruiz-Sánchez. 2024. A New Cryptic Species in Behria (Asparagaceae, Brodiaeoideae), from the Baja California peninsula, Mexico.  Phytotaxa. 646(3); 213-229. DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.646.3.1

  twitter.com/EtelBehria/status/1787269156074631554

[Entomology • 2024] Ravenna nivea ssp. ngiunmoiae • A peculiar Insular Race of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) endemic to Yinggeling Mountain of Hainan, suggesting heterogeneous geological history of Mountain Formation of the Island

  

 Ravenna nivea ssp. ngiunmoiae Lo & Hsu,  

 

in Hsu​, Lo et Lin. 2024. 

DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17172

Abstract 

A peculiar population of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) was discovered from the Yinggeling Mountain Mass of central Hainan. Its wing pattern and COI barcode data show considerable distinction from other geographic populations of R. nivea, including that of Bawangling, approximately only 40 km away and also located in Hainan. The p-distance value of the COI barcode between the Yinggeling and Bawangling populations was 1.1%, considerably higher than the value (0.6%) between Bawangling population and populations in eastern China, where the subspecific name howarthi Saigusa, 1993 applies. The population is regarded as a distinct subspecies ngiunmoiae Lo & Hsu, subsp. nov. The distinctness and high degree of COI haplotype diversity of R. nivea found in Hainan and Taiwan suggest continental islands may serve as glacial refugees for the butterfly and other organisms during previous glaciations, and the presence of the relict populations of montane butterflies like R. nivea may provide useful clues towards a better understanding of the geological history of mountain formation within islands.

Adults of Ravenna nivea.
(A) ssp. howarthi Saigusa, male, upperside, Bawangling, Hainan. (B) Undersides. (C) Same, female, upperides. (D) Undersides.
(E) ssp. ngiunmoiae Lo & Hsu, subsp. nov., paratype, male, upperside, Yinggeling, Hainan. (F) Undersides. (G) Same, holotype, female, upperside. (H) Undersides.

Adults of Ravenna nivea ssp. ngiunmoiae Lo & Hsu, subsp. nov., Yinggeling, Hainan. 
paratype, male, (E) upperside, (F) Underside. 
holotype, female,(G) upperside. (H) Underside.

 

Yu-Feng Hsu​, Yik Fui Philip Lo and Rung-Juen Lin. 2024. Discovery of A peculiar Insular Race of Ravenna nivea (Nire, 1920) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae) endemic to Yinggeling Mountain of Hainan, suggesting heterogeneous geological history of Mountain Formation of the Island. PeerJ. 12:e17172 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17172

[Ichthyology • 2024] Microglanis lucenai • The Barcode Trap—Description of A New Species of Microglanis (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae), with A Review of the Status of Microglanis cibelae

Microglanis lucenai

 Albornoz, Bartzen & Malabarba, 2024

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15764

Abstract

In a recent study based on the generalized mixed Yule coalescent method for delimiting species, a threshold of 2% genetic distance using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences was used to delimit the species of Microglanis. That action resulted in assembling several populations of Microglanis from Atlantic coastal rivers between Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo states as a single species, Microglanis cottoides, including Microglanis cibelae as a junior synonym. We reexamined these populations and found three species diagnosed by their morphology and that constitute separate mtDNA lineages, including a new species. The synonym of M. cibelae and M. cottoides is reviewed and refuted based on morphological and molecular evidence. M. cibelae and the new species are sympatric and occasionally syntopic in the Tramandaí, Mampituba, and Araranguá river basins. The new species is distinguished from M. cibelae and M. cottoides by the anterior margin of the posttemporosupracleitrum narrow articulated with the epioccipital, the short mental and maxillary barbels, and depressed head and body.

Keywords: barcode, biodiversity, catfish, GMYC, Microglanis cottoides, Neotropical

 

Microglanis lucenai 

Pablo Lehmann Albornoz, César Sá Bartzen and Luiz R. Malabarba. 2024. The Barcode Trap—Description of A New Species of Microglanis, with A Review of the Status of Microglanis cibelae (Siluriformes: Pseudopimelodidae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15764

[Botany • 2017] Phyllagathis millelunata, P. phyllioides, P. violinifolia, P. wallacei, etc. (Melastomataceae: Sonerileae) • Ten New Species from Sarawak, Borneo

Phyllagathis rivularis, P. wallacei, P. millelunata, 
P. rubrosetosa, P. ulu, P. violinifolia, 
P. yodae, P. phyllioides, 
 P. bicolor, P. lii 

in Lin, Chen & Yang, 2018.

 DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.302.3.1 

   facebook.com/Darthvaderiana

Abstract  

Ten undescribed species of Phyllagathis from southwestern Sarawak, named P. bicolor, P. lii, P. millelunata, P. phyllioides, P. rivularis, P. rubrosetosa, P. ulu, P. violinifolia, P. wallacei and P. yodae are reported in this study. We describe and illustrate the ten new species after a careful study of the literature, herbarium specimens and living plants.

Keywords: Sonerileae, Melastomataceae, Sarawak, Borneo, Eudicots

Phyllagathis bicolor C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov. 

Etymology: “Bicolor” refers to the color of the leaves, with dark maroon background surrounded by an emerald green periphery

 Phyllagathis lii C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet is named in honor of Mr. Weng-Feng Li, who grows this Phyllagathis and provided the specimens for our studies.

 Phyllagathis millelunata C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov.

 Etymology: Latin, mille = thousand, luna = moon, referring to the vesiculate translucent (and scintillating in the sunshine) trichomes on both leaf surfaces, resembling numberless moons. 

Phyllagathis phyllioides C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the resemblance of this new species panduriform leaves to the leaf insect genus “Phyllium”.

 Phyllagathis rivularis C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov. 

Etymology: rivularis means “river”, and the epithet refers to the fact that the new species grows along stream banks.

Phyllagathis rubrosetosa C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov. 

Etymology: “Rubrosetosa” refers to the red hairs on the leaf.

 Phyllagathis ulu C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang. sp. nov. 

Etymology: Malay, ulu= upriver; referring to the new species being discovered in upstream Batang Ai.

  Phyllagathis violinifolia C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov.

Etymology: The epithet refers to the panduriform-obovate leaves.

 Phyllagathis wallacei C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang. sp. nov. 

Etymology: Named in honour of Alfred Russel Wallace, the noted naturalist who explored Simunjan in the19th century, and discovered many wild animals and plants.

 Phyllagathis yodae C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang, sp. nov. 

Etymology: The specific epithet was chosen after “Yoda”, a character in Star Wars movies, who has a furry, wrinkled and greenish appearance. This new species is characterized by the hairy, rugose and greenish leaves that resembles Yoda, therefore we choose this special character as the epithet.

Che-Wei Lin, Chien-Fan Chen and T.Y. Aleck Yang. 2017. Ten New Species of Phyllagathis (Trib. Sonerileae, Melastomataceae ) from Sarawak, Borneo.  Phytotaxa. 302(3); 201–228. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.302.3.1

  facebook.com/Darthvaderiana/posts/10209174950794435

Phyllagathis bicolor, P. lii, P. millelunata, P. phyllioides,  P. rivularis, 
P. rubrosetosa, P. ulu, P. violinifolia, P. wallacei & P. yodae 

  C.W. Lin, C.F. Chen & T.Y.A. Yang

[Botany • 2024] Giuliettia minima • A tiny rediscovery in the Land of Giants: A New Combination in Giuliettia (Poales: Eriocaulaceae) and other implications of finding Paepalanthus minimus again

 Giuliettia minima (Silveira) Andrino, L. H. Rocha & Gonella,

in Andrino, Rocha et Gonella, 2024. 

DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54104

Abstract

Serra do Padre Ângelo, a quartzitic massif in eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil, was nicknamed “Land of Giants” due to the gigantism observed in some plant species found in its campos rupestres. During fieldwork for the floristic inventory of this Serra, a small Eriocaulaceae species was collected. Initially it was believed to be a new species, but a thorough revision of names and type specimens revealed that it was conspecific with Paepalanthus minimus. This taxon was known only from the type specimen collected over 100 years ago and more than 200 km distant from the new collections. It had been overlooked in previous studies dealing with the family in Brazil, which could be explained by its diminutive size and the poor conditions of the type specimen. Here we present the implications of this rediscovery, including the combination of P. minimus in Giuliettia, a genus recently proposed based on general habit, inflorescence and seed morphology. We also present information on distribution and ecology and briefly discuss the biogeographical pattern that could explain this rediscovery far away from the previous record. Considering its likely local extinction at the type locality and threats to the quality of its remaining habitat, the species is preliminarily assessed as Critically Endangered. This highlights the urgent need for conservation actions to protect Serra do Padre Ângelo and its unique biodiversity.

KEYWORDS: Campos rupestres, conservation, Eriocaulaceae, Giuliettia, monocots, Paepalanthus, Poales

 Giuliettia minima. – A: habitat on shaded rock crevices, with some capitula presenting apparent vivipary; B: habitat under rocks in shade with mosses; C: close-up of plants in habitat; D: plants in a humid rock crevice with organic matter in more exposed site; E: collected specimen, P. M. Gonella 3474; F, G: capitula; F: posterior view, showing involucral bracts; G: front view.

– Photographs: A: Serra da Palha Branca, March 2023, by Júlio César Ribeiro; B, C: Serra da Palha Branca, June 2020, by Gabriele A. da Silva; D–G: Pico da Bela Adormecida, May 2022, by Paulo Minatel Gonella.

Giuliettia minima (Silveira) Andrino, L. H. Rocha & Gonella, comb. nov. 

≡ Paepalanthus minimus Silveira, 

Floral. Mont. 1: 107, t. 66. 1928. 

 

Habitat of Giuliettia minima and conservation threats.
 A: Pico da Bela Adormecida, one of the highest peaks of Serra do Padre Ângelo and habitat of G. minima, May 2022; B: Serra da Palha Branca, part of Serra do Padre Ângelo, August 2022; C: habitat of Pico da Bela Adormecida population in June 2020, before the fire; D: same area as C in October 2020, immediately after the fire; E: invasion of molasses grass, Melinis minutiflora, in Pico da Bela Adormecida, with individuals of Vellozia gigantea in background, July 2017; F: area of Serra da Palha Branca invaded by bracken fern, Pteridium aquilinum, February 2021; G: pastures and degraded areas surrounding Pico da Bela Adormecida, April 2023.

 – All photographs by Paulo Minatel Gonella.

Proposed vernacular name — “sempre-viva-mínima” (Portuguese). Following the suggestion of Marinho & Scatigna (2022), we propose a vernacular name for this species as a way to promote knowledge about it to the local communities and to address the urgency of promoting conservation actions to protect the species and its habitat. The proposed name considers the common name of many Eriocaulaceae species in Brazil (“sempre-viva” – Portuguese for “everlasting”) plus the specific epithet, which is easily relatable in Portuguese, meaning “minimal” or “very small”.

Caroline Oliveira Andrino, Luiz Henrique Rocha and Paulo Minatel Gonella. 2024. A tiny rediscovery in the Land of Giants: A New Combination in Giuliettia (Eriocaulaceae, Poales) and other implications of finding Paepalanthus minimus again. Willdenowia. 54(1):81-93. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54104

A Serra do Padre Ângelo, um maciço quartzítico no leste de Minas Gerais, Brasil, foi apelidada de “Terra de Gigantes” devido ao gigantismo observado em algumas espécies de plantas encontradas em seus campos rupestres. Durante o trabalho de campo para o inventário florístico desta Serra, uma pequena espécie de Eriocaulaceae foi coletada. Inicialmente, acreditava-se ser uma nova espécie, mas uma revisão minuciosa dos nomes e espécimes tipo revelou que ela era na verdade conspecífica com Paepalanthus minimus. Esse táxon era conhecido apenas pelo espécime tipo, coletado há mais de 100 anos e a mais de 200 km das novas coletas, tendo passado despercebido em estudos anteriores sobre a família no Brasil, o que pode ser explicado pelo seu tamanho diminuto e pelas condições precárias do espécime tipo. Aqui, apresentamos as implicações dessa redescoberta, incluindo a combinação de P. minimus em Giuliettia, um gênero recentemente proposto, com base em seu hábito geral, morfologia da inflorescência e da semente. Também fornecemos informações sobre a distribuição e ecologia, e discutimos brevemente o padrão biogeográfico que poderia explicar essa redescoberta tão distante do registro anterior. Considerando sua provável extinção local na localidade tipo e as ameaças à qualidade de seu habitat remanescente, a espécie é preliminarmente avaliada como Criticamente em Perigo. Isso destaca a necessidade urgente de ações de conservação para proteger a Serra do Padre Ângelo e sua biodiversidade única.

Campos rupestres, conservação, Eriocaulaceae, Giuliettia, Paepalanthus, Poales, monocotiledôneas, espécie ameaçada

[Herpetology • 2021] Xenorhina ventrimaculata • A New Xenorhina species (Anura: Microhylidae) from northwestern Papua New Guinea

Xenorhina ventrimaculata

 Günther, Dahl & Richards, 2021

DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e66954

Abstract

We describe a new species of the asterophryine microhylid genus Xenorhina from the lowlands of northwestern Papua New Guinea. It is a medium-sized species (SUL of two males 29.2 and 29.9 mm; of four females 29.9–33.0 mm) that can be distinguished from congeners by having a single short, triangular odontoid spike (palatal tooth) on each vomeropalatine bone, moderately short legs (TL/SUL 0.40–0.44) and ventral surfaces heavily spotted with reddish-brown blotches or reticula. The advertisement call comprises 7–10 loud, melodious hooting notes lasting 141–165 ms and produced at a repetition rate of 2.19–2.35 notes/s. Description of this species brings to 41 the number of Xenorhina known from New Guinea and surrounding islands.

Key words: Amphibia, New Guinea, Sepik River Basin, new species, advertisement call, taxonomy, ecofaunistics

 Holotype (SAMA R71741) of Xenorhina ventrimaculata sp. nov. (a) dorsolateral view in life, (b) ventral view in life; (c) ventral view of right hand of preserved specimen, (d) ventral view of right foot of preserved specimen.
 Ventral view of the preserved type series of Xenorhina ventrimaculata sp. nov.  

Xenorhina ventrimaculata sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: A species of Xenorhina characterized by the unique combination of: medium size (SUL of two males 29.2–29.9 mm; of four females 29.9–33.0 mm); vomeropalatines each with one short triangular odontoid spike; legs moderately short (TL/SUL 0.40–0.44); all fingers and toe 1 without, and toes 2–5 with, expanded terminal discs; eye-naris distance greater than internarial distance (END/IND 1.10–1.21); tympanum about same size as eye (TyD/ED 0.95–1.16); dorsal surfaces in life different tones of brown with small blackish spots; ventral surfaces light ivory heavily spotted with reddish-brown blotches or reticula; advertisement calls uttered in series containing 7–10 loud hooting calls = notes each lasting 141–165 ms and produced at a rate of 2.19–2.35 calls/s.

Etymology: The specific epithet is an adjective compound of two Latin words. Venter is a substantive and means belly or underside of the body and maculata is a feminine adjective meaning flecked or spotted. The specific epithet refers to the conspicuously spotted ventral surfaces of most specimens of the new species.

 

 Rainer Günther, Chris Dahl and Stephen J. Richards. 2021. Description of A New Xenorhina species (Anura, Microhylidae) from northwestern Papua New Guinea. Vertebrate Zoology. 71: 621-630. DOI: 10.3897/vz.71.e66954

[Entomology • 2024] Arixyleborus halabala, A. vellus, etc. • Four New Species of Arixyleborus Hopkins, 1915, ambrosia Beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) from Thailand and Malaysian Borneo

Arixyleborus halabala, A. longicauda, A. vellus & A liratus 

Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith, 2024

. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5446.1.3 

 facebook.com: Wisut Sittichaya

Researchgate.net/publication/380166473

 

Abstract

Four new species, Arixyleborus halabala Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov., Arixyleborus longicauda Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov., Arixyleborus vellus Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov. are described from Thailand, and Arixyleborus liratus Sittichaya, Beaver & Smith sp. nov. from Thailand and East Malaysia (Sabah). With the inclusion of the species described here, the diversity of Arixyleborus is increased to 46 species, of which 20 occur in Thailand. A synoptic list with distributions and habitat types is provided.

Coleoptera, diversity, Oriental region, Thai fauna, Malaysia, Sabah, new species.

  

Wisut Sittichaya, Roger A. Beaver, Sarah M. Smith. 2024. Four New Species of Arixyleborus Hopkins, 1915, ambrosia Beetles from Thailand (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini). Zootaxa. 5446(1); 65-76. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5446.1.3

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Researchgate.net/publication/380166473_Four_new_species_of_Arixyleborus_ambrosia_beetles_from_Thailand

[Botany • 2021] Sonerila erectifolia & S. souvannii (Melastomataceae) • Two New Species from Laos

Sonerila erectifolia Phonep., Soulad. & Tagane, 

Sonerila souvannii Phonep. & Soulad., 

 

in Phonepaseuth, Souladeth, Souvannakhoummane, Vongthavone et Tagane, 2021. 

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2021.755.1403 

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ABSTRACT

Two new species of Sonerila Roxb. (Melastomataceae), S. erectifolia Phonep., Soulad. & Tagane sp. nov. from southern Laos, and S. souvannii Phonep. & Soulad. sp. nov. from central Laos, are described and illustrated. Comparisons with morphologically similar species are presented, along with ecological information and preliminary conservation status. A key to the species of Sonerila in Laos is also provided.

 

Keywords: Bolaven Plateau, flora, Indochina, taxonomy, Vientiane Capital

Class Magnoliopsida Brongn.

Order Myrtales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl.

Family Melastomataceae Juss.

Genus Sonerila Roxb.

Sonerila erectifolia Phonep., Soulad. & Tagane sp. nov.
A. Habitat (on open moss-covered bedrock). B. Close-up of plant (left: pink flowers, common; right: white flowers, rare). C. Habit. D. Inflorescence (left: pink flowers; right: white flowers). E. Young fruits. F. Top view of young fruit. G. Cross sections of young fruit. H. Rhizome. I. Upper surface of lamina. J. Lower surface of lamina.

 Photos by P. Phonepaseuth on 17 September 2020.

Sonerila erectifolia Phonep., Soulad. & Tagane sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Sonerila erectifolia sp. nov. is similar to Sonerila violifolia in its scorpioid or subumbelliform inflorescence, but it differs in the length of stem (ca 1 cm long in S. erectifolia sp. nov. vs 10–18 cm long in S. violifolia), the venation of the leaves (2 veins running from the base of lamina vs pinnately veined with 2–3 lateral primary veins), hairiness of leaves (sparsely covered with whitish hairs on veins abaxially vs glabrous), the length of the petiole (6–10 cm long vs 1–7 cm long), and number of flowers per inflorescence (5–12(–18) flowers vs 1–9 flowers). For further comparison see Table 1.

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the plant having erect leaves.

Vernacular name: ຊີດິນໃບຕັ້ງ [ʻSeedin Baitungʼ 

(meaning: ʻSonerila with erect leavesʼ)]

Sonerila souvannii Phonep. & Soulad. sp. nov. 
A. Habit. B. Front view of flower. C. Petals. D. Hypanthium and style, with portion of pedicel. E. Cross section of ovary. F. Stamens. G. Style and stigma. H. Capsule. I. Rachis and minute bracts.

Line drawings from holotype (Phonepaseuth P012) by K. Souvannakhoummane.

Sonerila souvannii Phonep. & Soulad. sp. nov.
A. Habitat (on sandstone rock). B. Habit. C. Petiole densely covered withvillous hairs. D. Rhizome and stem with rudimentary leaves. E. Flowers. F. Inflorescence (scorpioid cyme). G. Lateral view of flower. H. Back view of flower. I. Longitudinal section of fruit. J. Top view of fruit. K. Cross section of fruit. L. Infructescence of the last season.

Photos by P. Phonepaseuth on 12 September 2020.

Sonerila souvannii Phonep. & Soulad. sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Sonerila souvannii sp. nov. is similar to S. cardamomensis, described from Cambodia, in its acaulescent habit and in the shape of its leaves, but it differs in the shape of its rhizome (cylindrical in S. souvanii vs bulbous in S. cardamomensis), larger leaves (8–10 × 6–9 cm vs 1–4 × 0.9–2.7 cm), petiole length and color (8–15 cm long and light green vs 0.4–2.5 cm long and reddish brown), greater number of flowers per cyme (20–25 vs 5–11), and petal length and pubescence (9–10 × 6–7 mm and glabrous vs 5.5–6 × 3.5–4 mm with glandular trichomes on midveins abaxially). Sonerila souvannii sp. nov.is also similar to S. dongnathamensis from Thailand in the shape of its inflorescences, but differs in the rhizome shape (cylindrical vs globose), the shape of the leaf base (cordate vs obtuse to rounded), pedicel length (10–25 mm long vs 1–4 mm long), the number of flowers per cyme (20–25 vs 5–12), and in the length and outline of the petals (9–10 × 6–7 mm, acute vs 3–5 × 3–4 mm, acuminate with long seta).The new species is also related to S. tuberosa from Cambodia, but distinguished in the rhizome shape (cylindrical vs slightly bulbous), the shape of the leaf base (cordate vs very broadly ovate to orbicular), pedicel length (10–25 mm long vs 5–6 mm long), the number of flowers per cyme (20–25 vs 4–8), and in the length and outline of the petals (9–10 × 6–7 mm, acute vs 5 × 2.7 mm, elliptic, apiculate, pink) (Table 2)

Etymology: The specific epithet honours Keooudone Souvannakhoummane (Centre for Development and Environment), a plant taxonomist who has greatly contributed to our understanding of plant diversity in Laos through the description of many new species in various families for the flora of Laos.

Vernacular name: ຊີດິນສຸວັນ [ʻSouvan’s Seedinʼ 

(meaning: ʻSouvan’s Sonerilaʼ)].

 

Phongphayboun Phonepaseuth, Phetlasy Souladeth, Keooudone Souvannakhoummane, Thyraphon Vongthavone and Shuichiro Tagane. 2021. Two New Species of Sonerila Roxb. (Melastomataceae) from Laos. European Journal of Taxonomy. 755(1), 136-148. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2021.755.1403

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Researchgate.net/publication/352657670_Two_new_species_of_Sonerila_from_Laos

[Ichthyology • 2024] Malagodon honahona • A New Extinct Species of Malagodon (Cyprinodontiformes: Pantanodontidae) from Southeastern Coastal Madagascar, with a Discussion of its Phylogenetic Relationships and a Redescription of the Genus

Malagodon honahona

 Carr, Martin & Sparks, 2024

DOI: 10.1206/4012.1

Abstract  

A new species belonging to the recently described genus Malagodon Meinema and Huber, 2023, is herein described from specimens collected in a single, small, isolated Pandanas swamp in southeastern coastal Madagascar, located within the Réserve Spéciale de Manombo, south of the town of Farafangana, its only known locality. The new species was last collected in the late 1990s, and despite repeated attempts over the past three decades, no additional specimens have been collected at the type locality or from any other suitable habitats within the region, and the species is presumed to be extinct. The new species is distinguished from its only congener, Malagodon madagascariensis, formerly known from forested swamps in northeastern coastal Madagascar, and also now considered to be extinct, by the following apomorphic features: a lower anal-fin ray count (15–17 vs. 18–19), a longer caudal peduncle (26.8%–39.8% vs. 21.9%–26.7% SL), and the presence of a platelike (vs. thin and spinelike) neural spine on the fifth vertebral centrum in both sexes. Additionally, the new species exhibits neural spines on both the sixth and seventh vertebral centra that are also somewhat expanded and platelike dorsally compared with those in M. madagascariensis, which are narrow and spinelike. We also provide a rediagnosis of Malagodon based on the examination of additional material unavailable in the original description, which was based on only three specimens (two males of M. madagascariensis and one female of the new species).

Live adult male Malagodon honahona, UMMZ 240245, holotype, 23.9 mm SL, photographed shortly after capture. (Photo by P. Reinthal and J.S. Sparks.)

Malagodon honahona, new species, holotype, UMMZ 240245, adult male, 23.9 mm SL. Réserve Spéciale de Manombo, southeastern coastal Madagascar. Preserved in ethanol.

Malagodon honahona, new species

Diagnosis: The new species is readily distinguished from Malagodon madagascariensis, its only congener, by the following apomorphic features: lower anal-fin ray count (15–17 vs. 18–19), longer caudal peduncle (26.8–39.8 vs. 21.9–26.7% SL), and notably expanded and platelike neural spine on arch of fifth vertebral centrum in both sexes (vs. thin and spinelike in M. madagascariensis). In addition, neural spines on both sixth and seventh vertebral centra in new species also somewhat expanded and platelike dorsally versus narrow and spinelike in P. madagascariensis.

Etymology: Named for the swampy Pandanas dominated habitat in which this species occurred within the Réserve Spéciale de Manombo, in southeastern coastal Madagascar. Hohahona translates as swamp or swampy in Malagasy. The epithet, honahona, is used as a noun in apposition.

Emily M. Carr, Rene P. Martin and John S. Sparks. 2024. A New Extinct Species of Malagodon (Cyprinodontiformes: Pantanodontidae) from Southeastern Coastal Madagascar, with a Discussion of its Phylogenetic Relationships and a Redescription of the Genus. American Museum Novitates. (4012), 1-16. DOI: 10.1206/4012.1