Thursday, August 31, 2017

[Entomology • 2017] Revision of the Nearctic Parathalassius Mik (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Parathalassiinae), with A Review of the World Fauna


Parathalassius abela 
Brooks & Cumming, 2017

Abstract
The Nearctic species of Parathalassius Mik are revised and the world species are reviewed. Twelve species are recorded from the Nearctic Region including nine new species: P. abela sp. nov., P. aldrichi Melander, P. candidatus Melander, P. dilatus sp. nov., P. infuscatus sp. nov., P. melanderi Cole, P. midas sp. nov., P. sinclairi sp. nov., P. socali sp. nov., P. susanae sp. nov., P. uniformus sp. nov., and P. wheeleri sp. nov. Lectotype designations are made for P. aldrichi Melander and P. melanderi Cole. A key to the 15 world species is provided and the distributions of the Nearctic species are mapped. COI mitochondrial DNA barcode sequences were obtained for 12 species of Parathalassius. A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the included species is presented and known ecological information is summarized.

Keywords: Diptera, Empidoidea, Dolichopodidae, Parathalassiinae, Parathalassius, Nearctic, Palaearctic, new species, morphology, DNA barcodes, cryptic diversity, phylogeny, zoogeography, ecology, sandy coastal beaches, dunes, El Segundo


Males of Parathalassius abela sp. nov., resting on Ambrosia chamissonis (Less.) Greene (beach bur), at Surf Beach, California.
Photo: Alice Abela. 


Scott E. Brooks and Jeffrey M. Cumming. 2017. Revision of the Nearctic Parathalassius Mik (Diptera: Dolichopodidae: Parathalassiinae), with A Review of the World Fauna. Zootaxa. 4314(1); 1–64. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4314.1.1

[Botany • 2017] Bulbophyllum physometrum sect. Physometra • A New Species and New Section in Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Malaxideae) from northern Thailand


Bulbophyllum physometrum J.J.Vermeulen, Suksathan & Watthana

สิงโตต่างหู  || DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.302.2.7 

In 2010, the second author found a possible new species of Bulbophyllum in Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand. Three years later, Pitak Panyachan (Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden) found the same species on a fallen tree some six km from the first locality. Living plants were collected and brought back to QSBG in Chiang Mai for further investigation. A year later, the plants flowered and proved to be a species of Bulbophyllum new to science.

Keywords: Orchidaceae, Bulbophyllum, Thailand, Monocots


FIGURE 2. Bulbophyllum physometrum; flowering inflorescense.
(origin: Thailand, Suksathan 4243). Photo by P. Suksathan.

Bulbophyllum sect. Physometra J.J.Vermeulen, Suksathan & Watthana, sect. nov. 

Bulbophyllum physometrum J.J.Vermeulen, Suksathan & Watthana, sp. nov.  

Etymology:— Physos (Gr.) = blister, metra (Gr.) = womb.

Vernacular name:— “Sing to tang hoo (สิงโตต่างหู)”, meaning “Dangle Earings ู Bulbophyllum”. 




Jaap J. Vermeulen, Piyakaset Suksathan and Santi Watthana. 2017. A New Species and New Section in Bulbophyllum (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Malaxideae). 
Phytotaxa. 302(2); 174–180. DOI:  10.11646/phytotaxa.302.2.7


อ.ส.พ. พบกล้วยไม้ไทยชนิดใหม่ของโลก 
หวั่นสูญพันธุ์ในไม่ช้าหลังมีประกาศขายในเว็บชื่อดัง

ดร.ปิยเกษตร สุขสถาน รักษาการรองผู้อำนวยการองค์การสวนพฤกษศาสตร์ เปิดเผยว่า ทางองค์การสวนพฤกษศาสตร์ (อ.ส.พ.) ได้แถลงถึงการค้นพบกล้วยไม้ไทยหายาก สายพันธุ์ใหม่ของโลก “สิงโตต่างหู” ที่มีชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์ว่า Bulbophyllum physometrum J.J. Vermeulen, Suksathan, & Watthana ซึ่งค้นพบโดย ดร. ปิยเกษตร สุขสถาน นักพฤกษศาสตร์ขององค์การฯ และได้ตีพิมพ์ลงในวารสารสากล Phytotaxa ฉบับที่ 302(2) เดือนมีนาคม 2560 นี้ ร่วมกับผู้เชี่ยวชาญกล้วยไม้จากเนเธอร์แลนด์ Dr. Jaap Vermeulen และ ดร. สันติ วัฒฐานะ จากมหาวิทยาลัยเทคโนโลยีสุรนารี
กล้วยไม้ดังกล่าวเป็นกลุ่มกล้วยไม้สิงโตกลอกตา (Bulbophyllum) ขนาดเล็กที่เรียกกันว่า “มินิเอเจอร์ ออร์คิด” มีลำลูกกล้วยรูปร่างกลมแบนและเป็นร่องคล้ายซาลาเปาขนาดเพียง 1.2 – 1.4 เซนติเมตรเท่านั้น มีใบ 2 ใบ ช่อดอกผอมบางแทงออกจากใต้ลำลูกกล้วย ตอนปลายมีดอกเป็นกลุ่ม 5 – 9 ดอก ตัวดอกมีขนาดเล็กมาก มีเส้นผ่านศูนย์กลางราว 2 – 3 มิลลิเมตร ลักษณะพิเศษของสิงโตชนิดนี้คือ ส่วนรังไข่ของดอกปลายยอดที่เป็นหมันนั้นได้พัฒนาขยายตัวบวมพองออกจนมีขนาดใหญ่คล้ายโคมจีนหรือลูกบอลลูน เมื่อประกอบกับดอกปกติอื่นๆ โดยรอบจึงดูเหมือนตู้มหูหรือต่างหูที่มีตุ้มตรงปลายและแกว่งไกวไปมาได้เป็นอิสระ จึงเป็นที่มาของชื่อ “สิงโตต่างหู” ซึ่งมีการวิวัฒนาการของดอกเพื่อล่อแมลงในรูปแบบใหม่ที่ไม่เคยมีรายงานมาก่อนเลยในกล้วยไม้
กล้วยไม้ชนิดนี้เป็นพืชหายากถิ่นเดียวของไทย ซึ่งมีรายงานพบได้เฉพาะในจังหวัดแม่ฮ่องสอนเท่านั้น สถานภาพในธรรมชาติมีจำนวนน้อยมาก เนื่องจากถิ่นที่อยู่ในป่าดิบเขาของมันถูกทำลายจากกิจกรรมต่างๆ ของมนุษย์ รวมถึงการเปลี่ยนแปลงของสภาพภูมิอากาศโลก และเนื่องจากความแปลกประหลาดและหายากนี้เอง ทำให้มีความต้องการจากนักสะสมทั่วโลก กระทั่งมีการประกาศขายแล้วในเว็บไซต์ดังอย่าง eBay ซึ่งถือว่าผิดกฎหมายไซเตสอย่างแน่นอน จากปัจจัยร่วมดังกล่าวจึงน่าเป็นห่วงอย่างยิ่งว่า “สิงโตต่างหู” อาจลดจำนวนลงและสูญพันธุ์ไปจากธรรมชาติในไม่ช้า ทั้งนี้ทาง อ.ส.พ. กำลังทำการศึกษาวิจัยหาทางขยายพันธุ์อย่างเร่งด่วน แข่งกับการลดลงของสายพันธุ์ และกระแสความต้องการเพื่อเป็นหลักประกันความอยู่รอดในอนาคตของกล้วยไม้สุดพิเศษชนิดนี้

น่ายินดี! พบกล้วยไม้ไทยพันธุ์ใหม่ของโลก 'สิงโตต่างหู' มีแค่แม่ฮ่องสอน

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

[Paleontology • 2017] On the Largest Ichthyosaurus: A New Specimen of Ichthyosaurus somersetensis Containing An Embryo


Ichthyosaurus somersetensis Lomax and Massare, 2017
 (NLMH 106234) 
from the Lower Jurassic (lower Hettangian) of Doniford Bay, Watchet, Somerset, UK


A formerly undescribed Ichthyosaurus specimen from the collection of the Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum (Lower Saxony State Museum) in Hannover, Germany, provides valuable new information. The skeleton was collected from the Lower Jurassic strata (lower Hettangian, Blue Lias Formation) of Doniford Bay, Somerset, UK. However, the specimen is a composite as almost the entire tail has been added and other parts are reconstructed. Regardless of the incomplete preservation, the estimated total length of this individual, based on the skull and precaudal length, is between 300 and 330 cm and it is thus the largest unequivocal example of the genus Ichthyosaurus. Cranial and postcranial characters, specifically from the maxilla, lacrimal, jugal, the humerus, and the ilium justify a referral to I. somersetensis. A fork-like shape of the proximal end of the ilium is unusual and has not been reported for any species of Ichthyosaurus. Likewise the presence of four elements in the third row of the hindfin, indicated by the presence of a bifurcation is novel for the species and has wider implications for the taxonomic utility of hindfins within the genus. The specimen also bears an embryo, which is only the third embryo known for Ichthyosaurus and the first to be positively identified to species level.

Key words: Ichthyosauria, Ichthyosaurus somersetensis, embryo, Jurassic, Hettangian, UK, Somerset.


Artist impression of pregnant Ichthyosaurus.
ILLUSTRATION: Joschua Knüppe

Fig. 2.  Skeleton of Ichthyosaurus somersetensis Lomax and Massare, 2017 (NLMH 106234) from the Lower Jurassic (lower Hettangian) of Doniford Bay, Watchet, Somerset, UK. 


Systematic palaeontology

Order Ichthyosauria de Blainville, 1835
Family Ichthyosauridae Bonaparte, 1841
Genus Ichthyosaurus De la Beche and Conybeare, 1821
Type species: Ichthyosaurus communis De la Beche and Conybeare, 1821; upper Hettangian–lower Sinemurian, Lower Jurassic of England, UK.

Ichthyosaurus somersetensis Lomax and Massare, 2017

 .....


Dean R. Lomax and Sven Sachs. 2017.  On the Largest Ichthyosaurus: A New Specimen of Ichthyosaurus somersetensis Containing An Embryo. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. in press.  DOI: 10.4202/app.00376.2017

Largest 'Sea Dragon' Fossil Accidentally Discovered in Museum
on.natgeo.com/2wNrj9z   @NatGeo


[Herpetology • 2017] Species Delimitation with Gene Flow: A Methodological Comparison and Population Genomics Approach to Elucidate Cryptic Species Boundaries in Malaysian Torrent Frogs


DOI: 10.1111/mec.14296 

Abstract

Accurately delimiting species boundaries is a non-trivial undertaking that can have significant effects on downstream inferences. We compared the efficacy of commonly-used species delimitation methods (SDMs) and a population genomics approach based on genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to assess lineage separation in the Malaysian Torrent Frog Complex currently recognized as a single species (Amolops larutensis). First, we used morphological, mitochondrial DNA and genome-wide SNPs to identify putative species boundaries by implementing non-coalescent and coalescent-based SDMs (mPTP, iBPP, BFD*). We then tested the validity of putative boundaries by estimating spatiotemporal gene flow (fastsimcoal2, ABBA-BABA) to assess the extent of genetic isolation among putative species. Our results show that the A. larutensis complex runs the gamut of the speciation continuum from highly divergent, genetically isolated lineages (mean Fst = 0.9) to differentiating populations involving recent gene flow (mean Fst = 0.05; Nm > 5). As expected, SDMs were effective at delimiting divergent lineages in the absence of gene flow but overestimated species in the presence of marked population structure and gene flow. However, using a population genomics approach and the concept of species as separately evolving metapopulation lineages as the only necessary property of a species, we were able to objectively elucidate cryptic species boundaries in the presence of past and present gene flow. This study does not discount the utility of SDMs but highlights the danger of violating model assumptions and the importance of carefully considering methods that appropriately fit the diversification history of a particular system.

Keywords: Amolops, migration rate, fastsimcoal2, site frequency spectrum, gene flow, single-nucleotide polymorphism 




Kin Onn Chan, Alana M. Alexander, Lee L. Grismer, Yong-Chao Su, Jesse L. Grismer, Evan S. H. Quah and Rafe M. Brown. 2017. Species Delimitation with Gene Flow: A Methodological Comparison and Population Genomics Approach to Elucidate Cryptic Species Boundaries in Malaysian Torrent Frogs.  Molecular Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/mec.14296 

[Botany • 2017] Gastrodia bambu • A New Species of Gastrodia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae) from Mount Merapi, Java, Indonesia


Gastrodia bambu  Metusala


Abstract

Gastrodia bambu Metusala, a new species of Gastrodia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae, Gastrodieae) from Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta Province, Java, Indonesia, is described and illustrated. This new species is morphologically close to Gastrodia abscondita J.J.Sm, but differs in having a larger dark brown flower, a longer perianth tube, ovate petals, a longer and oblong-lanceolate lip, a different shape keels on lip, and a different shape column.

Keywords: Gastrodia, Java, Mount Merapi, holomycotrophic, Monocots

FIGURE 1. Gastrodia bambu. A, flowering individual in the type locality (Mount Merapi). B, inflorescence. C–E, flower (side view, oblique view and front view).
 Photographs by Destario Metusala.

FIGURE 2. Gastrodia bambu, flowering individual from Mount Gede Pangrango.
Photograph by Reza Saputra.

Gastrodia bambu Metusala, sp. nov. 

Type:— INDONESIA. Java: Yogyakarta Province, Sleman Regency, Mount Merapi, ... c. 800 m, 20 March 2016, RIO 8997 (holotype: BO!).

Diagnosis:— Gastrodia bambu is close to Gastrodia abscondita J.J.Sm., but differs in having larger dark brown flowers (17–20 mm × 14–16 mm), a longer perianth tube (≥ 17 mm), ovate petals, a longer oblong-lanceolate lip (≥ 10 mm), different shape keels on the lip, and a different shape column.

Distribution and phenology:— The distribution of Gastrodia bambu appears to be restricted to Java. Populations have been discovered in Yogyakarta Province on Mount Merapi at c. 800 m., and more recently (28 January 2017) in West Java Province, Sukabumi, Bodogol, Mount Gede Pangrango, at c. 800 m. All these populations were found very close to old bamboo clumps, growing in wet soil containing partly-decomposed bamboo leaf litter, in the very deep shade cast by the bamboo plant’s canopy. Flowering recorded from mid February to mid March (Mount Merapi) and mid January to mid February (Mount Gede Pangrango).

 Etymology:— The specific epithet “bambu” refers to the Indonesian name for bamboo, the dominant plant associated with this new species.

Destario Metusala and Jatna Supriatna. 2017. Gastrodia bambu (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae), A New Species from Java, Indonesia. Phytotaxa. 317(3); 211–218.  DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.317.3.5

Gastrodia bambu,  spesies baru kelompok anggrek hantu - ANTARA News
antaranews.com/berita/649087/gastrodia-bambu-spesies-baru-kelompok-anggrek-hantu



[Herpetology • 2017] Theloderma pyaukkya • A New Cryptic Species of the Theloderma asperum Complex (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Myanmar


Theloderma pyaukkya Dever, 2017


Abstract
I describe a new species of Theloderma from two regions in Myanmar (Chin State in western Myanmar and Kachin State in northern Myanmar). Highly similar in appearance and size to Theloderma albopunctatum and Theloderma asperum, the new species differs by the presence of small, bilateral vocal sac openings absent in T. albopunctatum and T. asperum. Molecular phylogenetic analysis from two mitochondrial and four nuclear gene fragments infers that individuals are members of a unique genetic lineage within the T. asperum Complex.

FIG. 6. Theloderma pyaukkya sp. nov., paratype CAS 234869, adult male, dorsolateral view. 

Theloderma pyaukkya sp. nov. 
Burmese Camouflaged Tree Frog

Etymology.— Specific epithet pyaukkya (pronounced pee-ew-cha) is Burmese for camouflaged, which reflects the frog’s cryptic coloration.


Jennifer A. Dever. 2017. A New Cryptic Species of the Theloderma asperum Complex (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Myanmar. Journal of Herpetology. 51(3); 425–436.  DOI: 10.1670/17-026

    

[Paleontology • 2017] Inquicus fellatus • Host-Specific Infestation in early Cambrian Worms


the worm-like animal Inquicus fellatus, infesting Cricocosmia jinningensis, a marine worm.


Inquicus fellatus 
Cong, Ma, Williams, Siveter, Siveter, Gabbott, Zhai, Goral, Edgecombe & Hou, 2017
 Illustration: Bob Nicholls PaleoCreations.com  DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0278-4 

Abstract
Symbiotic relationships are widespread in terrestrial and aquatic animals today, but evidence of symbiosis in the fossil record between soft-bodied bilaterians where the symbiont is intimately associated with the integument of the host is extremely rare. The radiation of metazoan life apparent in the Ediacaran (~635–541 million years ago) and Cambrian (~541–488 million years ago) periods is increasingly accepted to represent ecological diversification resulting from earlier key genetic developmental events and other innovations that occurred in the late Tonian and Cryogenian periods (~850–635 million years ago). The Cambrian has representative animals in each major ecospace category, the early Cambrian in particular having witnessed the earliest known complex animal communities and trophic structures, including symbiotic relationships. Here we report on newly discovered Cricocosmia and Mafangscolex worms that are hosts to aggregates of a new species of tiny worm in the lower Cambrian (Series 2, Stage 3) Chengjiang Lagerstätte of Yunnan Province, southwest China. The worm associations suggest the earliest known record of aggregate infestation of the integument of a soft-bodied bilaterian, host specificity and host shift.


Fig. 1: Cluster of Inquicus fellatus attached to Cricocosmia jinningensis. a, C. jinningensis (YKLP 13226a) with a minimum of 12 attached I. fellatus (YKLP 13235–13246) on the ventral side. Scale bar: 3 mm.

Clade Bilateria
Clade Protostomia
Inquicus fellatus gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Genus name from inquilinus (Latin) meaning a ‘lodger’ or ‘dweller in another’s house’, plus priscus ancient’. Species from fellator a sucker’ and atus ‘provided with’, alluding to its lifestyle.

Holotype. YKLP 13235 (part and counterpart). A complete speci-men, 3.3 mm long, attached to a Cricocosmia jinningensis specimen, YKLP 13226. Eleven other specimens of I. fellatus (YKLP 13236–13246) are attached to this host.

Locality. Ercaicun (type locality), Haikou, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China.

Horizon. Yu’anshan Member, Chiungchussu Formation, Eoredlichia–Wutingaspis trilobite biozone, Nangaoan Stage of Chinese regional usage, Cambrian Series 2; Stage 3 (ref. 1).


Diagnosis for genus (monotypic) and species. Small, ‘bowling-pin’-shaped worm with a sub-circular-shaped attachment disc at the posterior end of the body and a through gut that is funnel-shaped anteriorly. At the end of the gut near the attachment disc, there is a tiny sub-circular structure, interpreted as the urogenital opening or anus.

Artist's reconstruction of the worm-like animal Inquicus fellatus, infesting Cricocosmia jinningensis, a marine worm that lived in seafloor sediments more than 500 million years ago.
 Illustration: Bob Nicholls PaleoCreations.com 

Peiyun Cong, Xiaoya Ma, Mark Williams, David J. Siveter, Derek J. Siveter, Sarah E. Gabbott, Dayou Zhai, Tomasz Goral, Gregory D. Edgecombe and Xianguang Hou. 2017. Host-Specific Infestation in early Cambrian Worms. Nature Ecology & Evolution.  DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0278-4

 One of the earliest examples of a symbiotic relationship between invertebrates has been found in 520-million-year-old fossils from China.


[Herpetology • 2017] Hynobius mikawaensis • A New Species of Lentic Breeding Salamander (Amphibia, Caudata) from central Japan


Hynobius mikawaensis
Matsui, Misawa, Nishikawa & Shimada, 2017


A new species of salamander, Hynobius mikawaensis, is described from the eastern part of Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. It is a lentic breeder of the so-called H. lichenatus species group, and is phylogenetically closest to H. nigrescens and H. takedai. Morphologically, it differs greatly from H. nigrescens, but is very similar to H. takedai, from which it could be differentiated by some morphological traits such as shorter forelimbs and hindlimbs, but longer axilla-groin length, all relative to snout-vent length. The new species from the southern Pacific side of central Japan is completely separated geographically from H. nigrescens and H. takedai, both from the northern, Japan Sea side, by the intervening high mountains. This north/south disjunctive distributional pattern is highly unique among Japanese fauna. The range of the species is so small that immediate measure of conservation is necessary.

 Keywords: Conservation, Distribution, Hynobius mikawaensis new species, Hynobius takedai, Lentic breeder


photo: Yasuchika Misawa 

Etymology: The specific name “mikawaensis” refers to the old name of the region (=Mikawa), including Shinshiro-shi, Toyota-shi, and Okazakishi, Aichi Prefecture, where the new species was found. [Japanese name: Mikawa-sansyou-uwo] 


Masafumi Matsui, Yasuchika Misawa, Kanto Nishikawa and Tomohiko Shimada. 2017.  A New Species of Lentic Breeding Salamander (Amphibia, Caudata) From Central Japan. Current Herpetology. 36(2); 116-126.  DOI: 10.5358/hsj.36.116



[Crustacea • 2017] Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi • A New Species of Stygobiotic Atyid Shrimp (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Kumistavi Cave, Imereti, Western Georgia, Caucasus


Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinellakumistavi 
Marin, 2017


Abstract

A new species of stygobiotic atyid shrimp genus Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) Dormitzer, 1853 from underground stream and lakes of Kumistavi (Prometheus) Cave, Tskaltubo, Imereti region, Western Georgia is described based on morphology and DNA analysis. Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinellakumistavi sp. nov. clearly differs from all Caucasian congeners by (1) long slender dorsally and ventrally armed rostrum with sting-like tip turned upward, (2) very slender fingers of pereiopod II both in males and females and (3) distally expanded telson with 5–7 pairs of distal spines. These features are rather unique within the known Caucasian Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) and show some morphological similarities with Dinaric species of the genus. Neotype of Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kutaissiana (Sadowsky, 1930) is also designated based on the material from Tskaltsitela Cave, Kutaisi, Georgia.

Keywords: Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae, Troglocaris, Xiphocaridinella, stygobiotic, stygobiont, shrimps, new species, Georgia, Caucasus



Ivan Marin. 2017. Troglocaris (Xiphocaridinella) kumistavi sp. nov., A New Species of Stygobiotic Atyid Shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from Kumistavi Cave, Imereti, Western Georgia, Caucasus.
 Zootaxa. 4311(4); 576–588. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4311.4.9

[Entomology • 2017] Redescription of Seira pallidipes Reuter, 1895 and Its Synonymization with Seira pillichi Stach, 1930 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirini)


 Seira pallidipes Reuter, 1895


Abstract

Detailed and fully illustrated redescription of Seira pallidipes Reuter, 1895 is given based on specimens from the type locality. Examination of further specimens from the type locality of Seira pillichi Stach, 1930 has shown the identity of these two species justifying their synonymization: that Seira pillichi Stach, 1930 is a junior subjective synonym of Seira pallidipes Reuter, 1895 (syn. nov.). Variability in chaetotaxy is documented and discussed as well.

Keywords: Collembola, Seirinae, taxonomy, chaetotaxy variation, Hungary




Dániel Winkler and László Dányi. 2017. Redescription of Seira pallidipes Reuter, 1895 and Its Synonymization with Seira pillichi Stach, 1930 (Collembola, Entomobryidae, Seirini). Zootaxa. 4312(3); 497–514. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4312.3.5

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

[Gastropoda • 2017] A Review of the Land Snail Genus Alycaeus (Gastropoda, Alycaeidae) in Peninsular Malaysia


 Alycaeus alticola sp. n., BOR/MOL 8398 Alycaeus charasensis sp. n., BOR/MOL 8399 Alycaeus clementsi sp. n., BOR/MOL 8364 Alycaeus costacrassa sp. n., BOR/MOL 6811 Alycaeus expansus sp. n., BOR/MOL 6367Alycaeus kurauensis sp. n., BOR/MOL 6851  T Alycaeus regalis sp. n., BOR/MOL 6881 V Alycaeus senyumensis sp. n., BOR/MOL 6249.
All photographs by Junn Kitt Foon.

Foon & Liew, 2017

Abstract
A total of 11 species and 1 subspecies of Alycaeus were recognised in Peninsular Malaysia prior to this study. However, these taxonomic descriptions of Alycaeus taxa were based on limited numbers of examined materials, where a whole spectrum of morphological variations were not accounted for and diagnoses were often provided without sufficient comparison between congeners from across the peninsula. We reviewed Peninsular Malaysian Alycaeus through the examination of 5137 specimens in 522 collection lots from all major museum collections and literature sources. Based on these examined materials, we utilised a more comprehensive revised set of 39 shell and operculum characters, as well as living animal colour to describe all Alycaeus species in this paper. We also noted their habitat and ecology, as well as updated the distribution of each species. Of the 12 previously described taxa, 10 are reconfirmed as present on Peninsular Malaysia (Alycaeus balingensis, Alycaeus carinata, Alycaeus conformis, Alycaeus gibbosulus, Alycaeus kapayanensis, Alycaeus kelantanensis, Alycaeus liratulus, Alycaeus perakensis perakensis, Alycaeus perakensis altispirus and Alycaeus thieroti) and 2 are confirmed as absent from the peninsula (Alycaeus jagori and Alycaeus pyramidalis). A new record of Alycaeus robeleni is reported for Peninsular Malaysia. One species, Chamalycaeus jousseaumei is confirmed as present on the peninsula and is reassigned to Alycaeus. The subspecies Alycaeus perakensis altispirus Möllendorff, 1902, is elevated to species. Examined Peninsular Malaysian materials that do not fit previously recognised species are described as new species. A total of 11 new species are proposed (Alycaeus selangoriensis sp. n., Alycaeus costacrassa sp. n., Alycaeus ikanensis sp. n., Alycaeus alticola sp. n., Alycaeus charasensis sp. n., Alycaeus kurauensis sp. n., Alycaeus regalis sp. n., Alycaeus virgogravida sp. n., Alycaeus senyumensis sp. n., Alycaeus expansus sp. n., Alycaeus clementsi sp. n.). Overall, 23 species of Alycaeus are now recognised in Peninsular Malaysia.

Keywords: land snail, shell morphology, operculum, Alycaeinae, limestone karsts, Southeast Asia


Figure 7. Photographs of 18 living Alycaeus species. 
AAlycaeus balingensis Tomlin, 1948, BOR/MOL 8356 Alycaeus liratulus (Preston, 1907), BOR/MOL 8334 Alycaeus thieroti Morgan, 1885b, BOR/MOL 6835 Alycaeus conformis Fulton, 1902, BOR/MOL 6809 Alycaeus gibbosulus Stoliczka, 1872, BOR/MOL 6850 Alycaeus gibbosulus Stoliczka, 1872, BOR/MOL 8526 Alycaeus jousseaumei Morgan, 1885a, BOR/MOL 8341 Alycaeus jousseaumei Morgan, 1885a, BOR/MOL 8336 J Alycaeus alticola sp. n., BOR/MOL 8398 K Alycaeus charasensis sp. n., BOR/MOL 8399 L Alycaeus clementsi sp. n., BOR/MOL 8364 
All photographs by Junn Kitt Foon.

Figure 7. Photographs of 18 living Alycaeus species.  
Alycaeus costacrassa sp. n., BOR/MOL 6811 N Alycaeus expansus sp. n., BOR/MOL 6367 O Alycaeus kapayanensis Morgan, 1885b, BOR/MOL 13005 P Alycaeus kelantanensis Sykes, 1902, BOR/MOL 8325 Q Alycaeus kelantanensis Sykes, 1902, BOR/MOL 6200 R Alycaeus kurauensis sp. n., BOR/MOL 6851 S Alycaeus perakensis Crosse, 1879a, BOR/MOL 6852 T Alycaeus regalis sp. n., BOR/MOL 6881 U Alycaeus selangoriensis sp. n., BOR/MOL 6371 VW Alycaeus senyumensis sp. n., BOR/MOL 6249.
 All photographs by Junn Kitt Foon.



 Junn Kitt Foon and Thor-Seng Liew. 2017. A Review of the Land Snail Genus Alycaeus (Gastropoda, Alycaeidae) in Peninsular Malaysia. 
 ZooKeys. 692; 1-81. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.692.14706


[PaleoMammalogy • 2017] Xibalbaonyx oviceps • A New Megalonychid Ground Sloth (Folivora, Xenarthra) from the Late Pleistocene of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, and Its Paleobiogeographic Significance


Xibalbaonyx oviceps 
Stinnesbeck, Frey, Olguín, Stinnesbeck, Zell, Mallison, González, Núñez, Morlet, Mata, Sanvicente, Hering & Sandoval, 2017.

 DOI: 10.1007/s12542-017-0349-5 

Abstract
Here we describe a new genus and species of giant ground sloth, Xibalbaonyx oviceps (Megalonychidae, Xenarthra), from the drowned cave system of the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula. The specimen is Late Pleistocene in age and was discovered in the Zapote sinkhole (cenote) near Puerto Morelos in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Xibalbaonyx oviceps differs significantly from all hitherto known Megalonychidae including those from the Greater Antilles and South America. The new taxon suggests a local Caribbean radiation of ground sloths during the Late Pleistocene, which is consistent with the dispersal of the group along a Mexican corridor.

Keywords: Ground sloths, Pleistocene, Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico 


Systematic palaeontology
Superorder Xenarthra Cope, 1889
Order Pilosa Flower, 1883

Superfamily Megatherioidea Gray, 1821
Family Megalonychidae Gervais, 1855

Diagnosis of the family. Xibalbaonyx oviceps is identified as a member of Megalonychidae based on the following features: dorsal contour of skull evenly convex in lateral view. The glenoid fossa is mediolaterally widened, its posterior surface smooth and the fossa is well separated from the porus acusticus. The lateral plate of the entotympanic is thin with a medial expansion and weak participation in the floor of the tympanic cavity. The paroccipital process is well developed (Patterson et al. 1992; Gaudin 1995, 2004; McDonald et al. 2013b).


Fig. 4: Xibalbaonyx oviceps (Za2014-01) skull in lateral view (left side). 

Fig. 3: Xibalbaonyx oviceps in situ within the Zapote cenote; Skull and mandible (Za2014-01, -05)

Xibalbaonyx oviceps gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. For the genus: Xibalbá = Maya for “underground” or “place of fear,” dedicated to the cave divers who dive into the “underworld,” the cenotes, and collect the fossils under risky conditions, but also in honor of the Yucatán Peninsula, which is also called the Maya region; “őνυξ” (onyx) = Greek for “claw” or “finger nail;” for the species: oviceps from ovum = Latin for “egg” and caput = “head,” “egghead,” referring to the regularly domed skull roof of the specimen.

Stratigraphic and geographic distribution. The Cenote Zapote 16 Q 0486971 UTM 2305968, Ruta de los Cenotes Puerto Morelos Quintana Roo, Mexico. Late Pleistocene and/or Early Holocene (9.305 ± 35 14C bp, 10.647–10.305 cal bp).

.....


 Conclusions: 
The well-preserved skull and mandible of a ground sloth discovered in the Zapote cenote Cave near Puerto Morelos on the northeastern Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico is here described as a new genus and species of Megalonychidae. The individual, here named Xibalbaonyx oviceps, has a dental formula of 5/4 including a greatly enlarged caniniform tooth of triangular cross-section. This caniniform is separated by a long diastema from the molariform tooth rows in both the lower and upper jaw. The molariform teeth show oval, rounded rectangular to reniform (McDonald et al. 2013b) occlusal shapes with transverse crests. All teeth except for the upper caniniforms, show striations and apicobasal sulci that may be expressed as shallow grooves or deep sulci. The ascending process of the jugal is longer than the descending and middle process of the jugal. The pterygoids are inflated. The glenoid fossa is transversally widened. The skull is elongated and narrow, with a nasional impression on the nasals. The temporal lines are widely separated and do not form a sagittal crest. The skull is narrow and gracile compared that of other Megalonychidae of similar size, such as Megalonyx or Ahytherium. The Zapote ground sloth was a subadult individual, based on the degree of suture fusion in the skull, faint temporal lines and the condition of the occlusion faces of the molariforms. To present knowledge Xibalbaonyx appears to have been endemic on the Yucatán Peninsula, suggesting a local microevolution on this karst desert during the Late Pleistocene.


Sarah R. Stinnesbeck, Eberhard Frey, Jerónimo Avíles Olguín, Wolfgang Stinnesbeck, Patrick Zell, Heinrich Mallison, Arturo González González, Eugenio Aceves Núñez, Adriana Velázquez Morlet, Alejandro Terrazas Mata, Martha Benavente Sanvicente, Fabio Hering and Carmen Rojas Sandoval. 2017. Xibalbaonyx oviceps, A New Megalonychid Ground Sloth (Folivora, Xenarthra) from the Late Pleistocene of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico, and Its Paleobiogeographic Significance. PalZ [Paläontologische Zeitschrift]. 91(2); 245–271.   DOI: 10.1007/s12542-017-0349-5

Ancient species of giant sloth discovered in Mexico  ctv.news/M8rqjqN

Kurzfassung: Die Unterwasserhöhlen auf der nordöstlichen Halbinsel Yukatan zeigen eine artenreiche Ansammlung von Großsäugern aus dem späten Pleistozän und frühen Holozän. Hier beschreiben wir die neue Gattung und Art eines Riesenfaultiers, Xibalbaonyx oviceps (Megalonychidae, Xenarthra), aus der Zapote Doline (Cenote) in der Nähe von Puerto Morelos im mexikanischen Bundesstaat Quintana Roo. Das Exemplar unterscheidet sich signifikant von allen bisher dokumentierten Megalonychidae einschließlich derjenigen von den Großen Antillen und aus Südamerika. Das neue Taxon deutet auf eine lokale karibische Radiation von Bodenfaultieren währen des Spätpleistozäns hin, die mit der Ausbreitung der Gruppe entlang des mexikanischen Korridors übereinstimmt.

Schlüsselwörter: Bodenfaultiere Pleistozän Yukatan Halbinsel Mexiko