scholarly journals Taxonomy of Micronesian monitors (Reptilia: Squamata: Varanus ): endemic status of new species argues for caution in pursuing eradication plans

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 200092
Author(s):  
Valter Weijola ◽  
Varpu Vahtera ◽  
André Koch ◽  
Andreas Schmitz ◽  
Fred Kraus
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Mariana Islands ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Natural Origin ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Human Introduction ◽  
Monitor Lizards

In the light of recent phylogenetic studies, we re-assess the taxonomy and biogeography of the Varanus populations distributed in the Micronesian islands of Palau, the Western Carolines and the Marianas. Whether these populations are of natural origin or human introductions has long been contentious, but no study has fully resolved that question. Here, we present molecular and morphological evidence that monitor lizards of the Varanus indicus Group reached both Palau and the Mariana Islands sometime in the late Pleistocene and subsequently differentiated into two separate species endemic to each geographical region. One species is confined to the Mariana Islands, and for these populations, we revalidate the name V. tsukamotoi Kishida, 1929. The other species has a disjunct distribution in Palau, the Western Carolines and Sarigan Island in the Northern Marianas and is herein described as V. bennetti sp. nov. Both species are most closely allied to each other, V. lirungensis and V. rainerguentheri , suggesting that colonization of Micronesia took place from the Moluccas. We discuss the biogeographic distributions of both species in the light of the likely colonization mechanism and previous arguments for human introduction, and we argue that bounties for Palauan populations are ill-advised and plans for eradication of some other populations must first demonstrate that they are, in fact, introduced and not native.

Problems of species and the features of geographical distribution in colonial volvocine algae (Chlorophyta)

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-311
Author(s):  
A. G. Desnitskiy
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
World Literature ◽  
The Other ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Species Problem ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Volvocine Algae ◽  
Cryptic Taxa

More than ten new species of colonial volvocine algae were described in world literature during recent years. In present review, the published data on taxonomy, geographical distribution and the species problem in this group of algae, mainly from the genera Gonium, Pandorina, Eudorina, and Volvox, are critically discussed. There are both cosmopolitan volvocalean species and species with local or disjunct distribution. On the other hand, the description of new cryptic taxa in some genera of the colonial family Volvocaceae, such as Pandorina and Volvox, complicates the preparation of a comprehensive review on their geography.

Akamboja gen. nov., a new genus of railroad-worm beetle endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest, with five new species (Coleoptera: Phengodidae, Mastinocerinae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4306 (4) ◽  
pp. 501 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDRÉ SILVA ROZA ◽  
HINGRID YARA SOUZA QUINTINO ◽  
JOSÉ RICARDO MIRAS MERMUDES ◽  
LUIZ FELIPE LIMA DA SILVEIRA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Evolutionary History ◽  
New Genus ◽  
Landscape Heterogeneity ◽  
Atlantic Rainforest ◽  
Disjunct Distribution ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies

The Atlantic Rainforest is a hotspot of biodiversity, housing several endemic species. Environmental stasis through broad time scales, vast latitudinal extension and landscape heterogeneity are thought to contribute in explaining the greater species richness of this biome. Unfortunately, it is threatened mainly due to anthropic-driven habitat loss. Ectotherms of low-mobility, such as tropical, small soft-bodied railroad-worms, may be especially threatened by anthropogenic climate changes. Many of such species have narrow climatic niches and therefore might become extinct before we know them. Here we describe a new genus endemic of the Atlantic Rainforest mountain ranges, and five spatially disjunct new species. Akamboja gen. nov. is unique by its ten-segmented antenna, IV to VIII with two short symmetrical branches, branches of antennomere IX fused in a singular flabellum, slightly depressed medially; elytron short, surpassing the second to fourth abdominal segment (depending on species); first tarsomere of anterior leg with a ventral comb; claws with six long and asymmetrical teeth; aedeagus with patch of bristles at paramere apex. We provide a key to species as well as illustrations for the diagnostic features. We highlight that Akamboja cleidae sp. nov., as defined here, has a disjunct distribution and its populations are surrounded by an unsuitable environmental matrix, thus are probably reproductively isolated. Future phylogenetic studies should address the evolutionary history and delimitation of this taxon. We also provide a key to genera of Mastinocerinae with ten antennomeres, including Akamboja gen. nov. 

scholarly journals Semiaquilegia danxiashanensis (Ranunculaceae), a new species from Danxia Shan in Guangdong, southern China

Phytotaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 405 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIAN-JUN ZHOU ◽  
ZHANG-PING HUANG ◽  
JIA-HUI LI ◽  
SCOTT HODGES ◽  
WEI-SHENG DENG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
F Region ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Nuclear Its ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Northern Guangdong

Based on morphological and molecular phylogenetic studies, Semiaquilegia danxiashanensis, a new species from Danxia Shan in northern Guangdong, southern China, is described and illustrated. This species is easily distinguishable from each of other three known species in the genus by characters of the flowers and fruits. In addition, molecular phylogenetic analyses of both the nuclear ITS and the plastid trnL-F region strongly supported S. danxiashanensis as a separate species from other species of Semiaquilegia. We provide a detailed morphological and habitat description, distribution, as well as colour photographs and illustrations of the new species.

scholarly journals Deep-sea ascidians (Chordata, Tunicata) from the SW Atlantic: species richness with descriptions of two new species

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4526 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAMARA MAGGIONI ◽  
ANABELA TAVERNA ◽  
PAOLA B. REYNA ◽  
GASTÓN ALURRALDE ◽  
CLARA RIMONDINO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Deep Sea ◽  
Benthic Communities ◽  
Submarine Canyon ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Ascidian Species ◽  
Sw Atlantic ◽  
New Synonymy ◽  
First Time

The understudied deep-sea benthic communities from the Southwestern Atlantic continental slope (200 m–3000 m depth) were sampled on August 2012 in an area located around 38°S that included the Mar del Plata submarine canyon. In these samplings we found a total of 16 ascidian species from six different families, of which two corresponded to new species. These were: Aplidium meridianum (Sluiter, 1906); Aplidium variabile (Herdman, 1886); Aplidium marplatensis Maggioni & Tatián (sp. nov. present work); Aplidium solitarium Maggioni & Tatián (sp. nov. present work); Synoicum georgianum Sluiter, 1932; Synoicum molle (Herdman, 1886); Synoicum sp.; Polysyncraton trivolutum (Millar, 1960); Sycozoa umbellata (Michaelsen, 1898); Ascidia meridionalis Herdman, 1880; Cnemidocarpa drygalskii (Hartmeyer, 1911); Styela squamosa Herdman, 1881; Pyura pilosa Monniot C. & Monniot F., 1974; Molgula pyriformis Herdman, 1881; Molgula setigera Ärnbäck-Christie-Linde, 1938 and Asajirus indicus (Oka, 1913). Based on morphological evidence, we propose the new synonymy: Molgula setigera Ärnbäck-Christie-Linde, 1938 = Molgula marioni Millar, 1960 = Molgula robini Monniot C. & Monniot F., 1983. We also propose to maintain Molgula pyriformis and Molgula malvinensis as separate species. We report: the extension of the distribution range of Aplidium meridianum, Synoicum georgianum, Polysyncraton trivolutum, Sycozoa umbellata, Cnemidocarpa drygalskii, Pyura pilosa and Molgula setigera, being the first time they are collected off La Plata River; the deepest registers for Synoicum georgianum, Poylsyncraton trivolutum, Sycozoa umbellata, Ascidia meridionalis, Pyura pilosa, Molgula pyriformis and Molgula setigera; and the shallowest register for Synoicum molle. 

scholarly journals The Phalangopsidae crickets (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) of the Seychelles Archipelago: Taxonomy of an ecological radiation

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5047 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-246
Author(s):  
SYLVAIN HUGEL ◽  
BEN H. WARREN ◽  
LAURE DESUTTER-GRANDCOLAS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
The Other ◽  
Phylogenetic Studies ◽  
Extensive Field ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Ecological Radiation ◽  
The One ◽  
First Time

The Phalangopsidae crickets (Grylloidea) of the Seychelles are examined following extensive field sampling on several main islands of the archipelago (Mahé, Silhouette, Praslin, La Digue). Despite the small area of these islands, six genera (12 species) are documented, including one new genus and five new species. The type species of the genus Seychellesia Bolivar, 1912 is transferred to the genus Paragryllodes Karny, 1909 as Paragryllodes nitidula (Bolivar, 1912) n. comb. The other species described in Seychellesia are transferred to the genus Seselia Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., as Seselia longicercata (Bolivar, 1912) n. comb. and Seselia patellifera (Bolivar, 1912) n. comb. Two new species are also described in the genus Seselia Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., Seselia coccofessei Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., n. sp. (type species of the genus) and Seselia matyoti Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., n. sp. The genera Phaeogryllus Bolivar, 1912 and Phalangacris Bolivar, 1895 are redescribed, including Phalangacris ferlegro Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp. and Phalangacris sotsote Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp. that are new to science. The genus Gryllapterus Bolivar, 1912 is redescribed and transferred from the Landrevinae (Gryllidae) to the Cachoplistinae (Phalangopsidae). New tribes are defined for the genus Paragryllodes (Paragryllodini Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. tribe) on the one hand, and for Seselia Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen., Phalangacris, Phaeogryllus and Gryllapterus (Seselini Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. tribe) on the other, using morphological characters and the results of molecular phylogenetic studies (Warren et al. 2019). Phaloria (Papuloria) insularis (Bolivar, 1912) (Phaloriinae) is redescribed and restricted to Mahé, and its calling song is documented for the first time, while Phaloria (Papuloria) bolivari Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. sp. is newly described from Silhouette. Identification keys are proposed for the genera of Seselini Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. tribe, and for the species of Seselia Hugel & Desutter-Grandcolas, n. gen. and Phalangacris. The confusion between the Mogoplistidae Ornebius succineus Bolivar, 1912 and the Phalangopsidae Heterotrypus succineus Bolivar, 1910 is discussed, and the name Subtiloria succineus (Bolivar, 1912) considered a nomen nudum.  

Clarification of the concept of Aframmi (Heteromorpheae, Apiaceae) and a new monotypic genus, Normantha

Phytotaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 298 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
PIETER J.D. WINTER ◽  
PATRICIA M. TILNEY ◽  
BEN-ERIK VAN WYK
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Type Specimen ◽  
The Other ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Monotypic Genus ◽  
Undescribed Species ◽  
The Third

Aframmi is a mixed concept made up of disparate elements from three different genera. Recent studies of Aframmi angolense, the type species of Aframmi, provide evidence that the species belongs to the genus Heteromorpha. An examination of the type specimen of Aframmi longiradiatum shows it to be fundamentally different from the generitype, A. angolense, and better placed in Physotrichia, in which it was originally described. The third element, previously misidentified as A. longiradiatum, is an as yet undescribed species with populations from both sides of the Zambia-Tanzania border as well as Angola. This new species is here accommodated in a new monotypic genus and described as Normantha filiformis P.J.D.Winter. The affinities of Normantha P.J.D.Winter & B-E.van Wyk with other genera currently considered to belong in the tribe Heteromorpheae are discussed. A combination of inflorescence and fruit morphological evidence as well as the extended, woody vegetative axis in common with the other (typically woody) genera in the tribe, lead us to postulate an affinity with Pseudocarum.

Two new species of Pentacalia (Compositae, Senecioneae) from northern Andes

Phytotaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 364 (2) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
JOEL CALVO ◽  
ANTONI BUIRA
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
The Other ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Northern Andes ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Southern Ecuador ◽  
Two New Species

Recent collections carried out in southern Colombia (Putumayo) and southern Ecuador (Zamora-Chinchipe) lead us to describe two new species of Pentacalia based on morphological evidence. One of them displays lateral, axillary synflorescences and disciform capitula, whereas the other keys out in the group of terminal synflorescences and disciform capitula. Taxonomically useful characters are provided to easily distinguish each species from its closest relatives, as well as detailed pictures of living plants and distribution maps. Adjusted keys for the Colombian and Ecuadorian species are also presented.

scholarly journals Three new subterranean species of Baezia (Curculionidae, Molytinae) for the Canary Islands

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Rafael García ◽  
Carmelo Andújar ◽  
Pedro Oromí ◽  
Brent Emerson ◽  
Heriberto López
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Canary Islands ◽  
The Other ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
La Palma ◽  
Mesovoid Shallow Substratum ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Subterranean Species ◽  
Subterranean Environment ◽  
The Continuum

The genus Baezia Alonso-Zarazaga & García, 1999 is endemic to the Canary Islands, where four species were known to date. Based on morphological evidence, three new species of Baezia are described in this study: Baezia aranfaybo García & López, sp. nov. from El Hierro island, and Baezia madai García & Oromí sp. nov. and Baezia tizziri García & Andújar, sp. nov. from La Palma island. Notes on their biology, habitat, and distribution are presented. The number of taxa in this endemic Canarian genus increases to seven eyeless species. One species has been reported from the soil (endogean environment), with the other six associated with caves and the mesovoid shallow substratum (hypogean or subterranean environment). Frequent association with the presence of roots suggests that species of Baezia may inhabit the continuum represented by the endogean and hypogean environments. Identification key to the seven species are provided.

Two new species of bent toed geckos, Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northeast India with comments on name-bearing types from the region

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4420 (3) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
ISHAN AGARWAL ◽  
STEPHEN MAHONY ◽  
VARAD B. GIRI ◽  
R. CHAITANYA ◽  
AARON M. BAUER
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Northeast India ◽  
The Other ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Continuous Series ◽  
Two New Species

Two new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus are described based on collections from Northeast India, and descriptions and diagnoses of previously described species and synonyms from the region are provided. One of the new species from lowland habitats in Tripura is medium sized, with a continuous series of precloacal pores, and is allied to C. ayeyarwadyensis from Myanmar; while the other new species from West Bengal is smaller, with both femoral and precloacal pores, and is related to C. gubernatoris from West Bengal and Sikkim. We designate a lectotype for Cyrtodactylus khasiensis and recognize the C. khasiensis synonym Gymnodactylus himalayicus as a valid species of Cyrtodactylus based on morphological evidence, and suggest the recognition of the last remaining subspecies of C. khasiensis, C. k. cayuensis, as a valid species based on geography and morphology. The stabilization of the taxa Cyrtodactylus khasiensis and C. gubernatoris with a limited subset of characters and specific distributional data, as well as the elevation of Cyrtodactylus himalayicus comb. nov. from synonymy, will allow the descriptions of many more Cyrtodactylus species from the region. 

scholarly journals Brasileirinidae, a new isopod family (Crustacea: Isopoda) from the cave in Bahia (Brazil) with a discussion on its taxonomic position

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3452 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
SIMONA PREVORČNIK ◽  
RODRIGO LOPES FERREIRA
Keyword(s):  
Nature Conservation ◽  
New Species ◽  
New Genus ◽  
The Other ◽  
Morphological Evidence ◽  
Karst Cave ◽  
New Genus And Species ◽  
Locality Record ◽  
Total Absence ◽  
New Family

The aquatic troglobiont Brasileirinho cavaticus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Calabozoidea), new genus and species is described from the karst cave of the State of Bahia, Brazil. Based on its unique pleonal features i.e. the total absence of female pleopods I–II, uniramous male pleopods I–II, minute, uniramous respiratory pleopods III–V in both sexes and pleotelson not exceeding 45% of the pleon length, a new family, Brasileirinidae, is created. Some biological, ecological and behavioral data for the species are provided together with the nature conservation issues. Additionally, an assignment of the new species to the suborder Calabozoidea is discussed through comparison with the other two calabozoid species, Calabozoa pellucida and Pongycarcinia xiphidiourus. For the latter species, some previously missing morphological details, as well as a new locality record, are provided. According to the updated morphological evidence, the previously assumed relationships of Calabozoidea are discussed and, consequently, the diagnostic characters of some taxa emended.

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