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Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Singapore. Show all posts

Thursday, May 9, 2024

[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

(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

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Tuesday, August 29, 2023

[Cnidaria • 2023] Macrodactyla fautinae • Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny of the Sea Anemone Macrodactyla (Haddon, 1898) (Hexacorallia: Actiniaria), with A Description of A New Species from Singapore


Macrodactyla fautinae Yap, Mitchell, Quek & Huang, 

in Yap, Mitchell, Quek, Tan, Tan et Huang, 2023.

Sea anemones (Cnidaria, Actiniaria) are a successful group of marine invertebrates found in a diverse range of environments globally. In spite of their ubiquity, identities for many sea anemones remain unverified, especially those from the Indo-West Pacific region. Here, we clarify the taxonomy of the poorly known Macrodactyla aspera, a shallow-water species first described from the Torres Straits in northern Australia. We re-describe M. aspera based on new morphological and molecular data gathered from the type specimen, other museum vouchers, and from fresh material collected from Singapore. We tested the monophyly of Macrodactyla using three mitochondrial (12S, 16S and cox3) and one nuclear (28S) marker based on three congeners, recovering this genus to be polyphyletic. As a consequence, we transferred M. doreensis to the genus Heteractis, and describe a new species, Macrodactyla fautinae sp. nov. While both M. aspera and M. fautinae sp. nov. share the same arrangement and number of complete mesenteries, a similar distribution of cnidae, and are not symbiotically associated with any other biota, M. fautinae sp. nov. has perforated, lobe-like verrucae on its column, and lacks nematocyst batteries on its tentacles, unlike M. aspera. These two species also occur in similar habitats in Singapore. Finally, because M. aspera strongly resembles Dofleinia armata, the latter species flagged as a danger to public health due to its ability to inflict painful stings, we tested the relationship between these species and found them not to be closely related. However, tentacles of M. aspera, like D. armata, are densely covered with nematocyst batteries and harbour large nematocysts; we infer that M. aspera may also be capable of delivering stings that endanger public health. This study builds upon a growing number of studies that aim to ascertain identities and systematics of sea anemones historically reported from the Indo-West Pacific. Our findings will facilitate accurate species identification, which is crucial for advancing research, formulating conservation measures, and protecting public health.

Key words: Actinioidea, Anthozoa, Intertidal, Integrative taxonomy, Southeast Asia.


Living individuals of Macrodactyla fautinae sp. nov., external morphology, in situ, top view.
A, an expanded individual with a pale oral disc. B, another expanded colour morph with a dark-brown oral disc. Note that in both A and B, a pair of diametric bright pink dots marks the position of the siphonoglyphs. C, a contracted individual with adhesive, papillae-like verrucae at its distal end. Note that shell fragments are attached to the verrucae. D, an individual with much of its actinopharynx everted, obscuring the animal.
 E, a sea pen (Pteroeides sp.) being swallowed whole by a M. fautinae sp. nov. individual.
Abbreviation: s, siphonoglyph; v, verrucae. Photographs by R Tan.


Macrodactyla fautinae, sp. nov. Yap, Mitchell, Quek, and Huang

Natural history: Occurs as solitary individuals, at the middle intertidal in soft silty, sandy areas, and also found in seagrass meadows (Fig. 8A– E). Animal partially buried in substratum, distal end of animal exposed during the low tides, with small shell pieces, sand and/or rocks adhering to verrucae (Fig. 8C). Oral disc and tentacles typically expanded, with actinopharynx often everted and inflated outwards, in many instances obscuring the animal (Fig. 8D). This species has also been observed to swallow its prey whole (Fig. 8E). When disturbed, animal does not retract completely, tips of tentacles remaining partially exposed (Fig. 8C). In the process of contraction, water may also be expelled from verrucae-like structures, akin to a watering can.

Etymology: The name Macrodactyla fautinae sp. nov. honours the late Emeritus Professor Daphne Gail Fautin. Throughout her career, she had worked tirelessly to advance the knowledge of sea anemones.  
 

CONCLUSIONS: 
In this study, morphological and molecular evidence were integrated to re-diagnose the genus Macrodactyla and redescribe M. aspera. Furthermore, we provided historical, nomenclatural evidence to support the continued usage of the genus name. Since its first description by Haddon and Shackleton (1893), there have been very few published accounts of M. aspera, despite its wide geographical range across the Indo-West Pacific. The reason for this, we suspect, is that this species may have been misidentified as D. armata, due to its strong superficial resemblance. Museum vouchers we have examined support this assertion; some were indeed misidentified as D. armata. Herein, we provided molecular evidence to demonstrate that these two species are distantly related. 
Findings from this study add to a growing number of sea anemone species recorded from Singapore. Previous studies have already documented 37 species to occur on the shores and islands of this city-state (e.g., England 1987; Fautin et al. 2009; Yap et al. 2021). Affirming the identities of these sea anemones primes new avenues where more Indo-West Pacific species may be included in future research.


Nicholas Wei Liang Yap, Michela Lee Mitchell, Zheng Bin Randolph Quek, Ria Tan, Koh Siang Tan and Danwei Huang. 2023. Taxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny of the Sea Anemone Macrodactyla (Haddon, 1898) (Cnidaria, Actiniaria), with a Description of A New Species from Singapore. Zool Stud. 62:29. DOI:10.6620/ZS.2023.62-29 
   zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/Journals/62/62-29.html
   twitter.com/NUSReef/status/1678640332039233537

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Sunday, June 18, 2023

[Botany • 2023] Claderia leontocampus • A New Species of Claderia (Orchidaceae: Epidendroideae: Claderiinae)

 
Claderia leontocampus Niissalo,
 
in Niissalo, Leong, Tay, Choo, Kurzweil et Khew, 2023.
Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 75(1) 

A little-studied orchid genus, Claderia Hook.f., has until now contained just one or two species, Claderia viridiflora Hook.f. and its possible synonym, C. papuana Schltr. We describe a new species from Singapore, which differs from these Claderia in having small, cream-yellow flowers that are nodding and presented in a long, unbranched terminal inflorescence, mostly with two flowers open simultaneously. We name the new species Claderia leontocampus Niissalo. Plants of the new species have been collected or recorded in Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and possibly Peninsular Thailand. We carried out population genetics analyses to show distinction between the new species and Claderia viridiflora. The two species occur in the same habitat in Singapore. We used phylogenetic analyses to find out the phylogenetic position of Claderia within Orchidaceae; the genus is here considered to belong to subfamily Epidendroideae Kostel., tribe Epidendreae Lindl., subtribe Claderiinae Szlach. We publish the plastome and ITS sequences of Claderia viridiflora. Two names are lectotypified.

Keywords. Epidendroideae, ITS, plastome, population genetics, Singapore


    


  

Claderia leontocampus Niissalo, sp. nov.

 Similar to Claderia viridiflora Hook. f. but differs from it in having narrower flowers (2.5 cm vs 5 cm in C. viridiflora), which are pendulous and cream-yellow (upright and bright green in C. viridiflora) with narrower lip midlobe (7 mm wide vs 12 mm wide or more in C. viridiflora). The inflorescences mostly have two flowers open simultaneously, along with many developing buds, instead of one flower developing and open at a time in Claderia viridiflora. 

Distribution and ecology. Singapore, Malaysia (Perlis), Indonesia (Sumatra), and possibly Thailand (Nakhon Si Thammarat). In Singapore, it occurs in old secondary lowland forest on well-drained soil, in the area between Upper Seletar Reservoir and Upper Peirce Reservoir.

Etymology. The epithet is our Greek translation of Merlion, a symbol of Singapore, which is the type locality of the species.


  

 
M.A. Niissalo, P.K.F. Leong, F.E.L. Tay, L.M. Choo, H. Kurzweil & G.S. Khew. 2023. A New Species of Claderia (Orchidaceae). Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 75(1); 21–41.  
https://www.nparks.gov.sg/sbg/research/publications/gardens'-bulletin-singapore/-/media/sbg/gardens-bulletin/gbs_75_01_y2023/75_01_02_y2023_v7501_gbs_pg21.ashx

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Tuesday, March 7, 2023

[Entomology • 2023] Nocticola pheromosa • A New macropterous Nocticola Bolivar, 1892 (Blattodea: Nocticolidae) from Singapore


Highlights: 
• The delicate cockroach genus Nocticola is reported for the first time in Singapore.
• The new species of fully-winged Nocticola sp. is described and is compared with the Bornean species.
• This represents the nineth known fully-winged species of the genus.
• A key for known macropterous species of Nocticola is provided.

Abstract
A new epigean Nocticola Bolivar, N. pheromosa n. sp., is described from Singapore. This serves as the first record of the genus in Singapore. The new species closely resembles N. adebratti Roth in Roth & McGavin, 1994 in terms of macroptery and the shape of the ocelli but differs in terms of wing venations and male genital structure. Nocticola adebratti Roth from Borneo is redescribed. A key to known macropterous Nocticola is provided.
 
Keywords: Cockroach, Epigean, Macroptery, New genus record



Nocticola pheromosa n. sp.

Etymology: named after the Lissome Ultra Beast, Pheromosa, from the Pokemon Franchise. Pheromosa is a cockroach-like Pokemon, where its design and colour may have been inspired by the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana (L.)) that has molted.


 
Cristian C. Lucañas and Foo Maosheng. 2023. A New macropterous Nocticola Bolivar, 1892 (Blattodea: Nocticolidae) from Singapore. Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology. 26(2); 102062. DOI: 10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102062


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Saturday, July 9, 2022

[Herpetology • 2022] Micryletta subaraji • Morphology, Phylogeny, and Species Delimitation of Micryletta (Anura: Microhylidae) reveals A New Species from Singapore


Micryletta subaraji
 Sankar, Law, Law, Shivaram, Abraham & Chan, 2022


Abstract
The genus Micryletta, also known as paddy frogs, ranges across much of south, east, and southeast Asia. Due to their relatively broad distribution and overall morphological similarities, many species have gone undetected until recently, largely owing to the use of molecular data. Consequently, the species diversity within this genus has quadrupled in just three years from three species prior to 2018, to 12 species in 2021, indicating that the systematics of this genus is still poorly understood. As such, we assembled the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of Micryletta hitherto including novel sequences from a previously unsampled population from Singapore to assess the species diversity within this genus. In particular, we investigate the population from Singapore whose specific identity remains in question due to the lack of voucher specimens and genetic material. Our results show that the Singapore population represents a strongly supported and distinct lineage that is most closely related to M. inornata sensu stricto from Sumatra, Indonesia. Morphological and species delimitation analyses corroborate its distinction as a new species, which we describe herein as Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. This and recent new taxon discoveries in Singapore demonstrate that the biodiversity of the highly urbanized island-state is still far from being fully realized and underscores the need for continued systematic surveys and protection of remaining habitats.

Keywords: Amphibian, Kranji Marshes, Micryletta subaraji sp. nov., Systematics, Taxonomy


A Distribution of confirmed localities of Micryletta inornata s.s. from Sumatra and Myanmar (blue diamonds) and M. cf. inornata from Kranji Marshes (green circle), and Central Catchment Nature Reserve (white circle) in Singapore.
B Photo showing M. cf. inornata in life. 
C Degraded habitat at Kranji Marshes that M. cf. inornata specimens were detected in. 
Photos by Law Ingg Thong.



Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. 
Micryletta inornata Law, Thomas, and Law, 2019: 5

Suggested Common Name: Subaraj’s Paddy Frog.

Diagnosis: Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. is a member of Micryletta based on its sister relationship to Micryletta inornata s.s. (Fig. 3). It can be distinguished from other members of the genus by a combination of the following characters: small body size (SVL 18.90 mm in males, 23.04 mm in females), an abruptly rounded snout, lack of webbing between fingers and toes, lack of distinct supratympanic fold, tympanum hidden, the presence of a circular inner metatarsal tubercle, and the absence of an outer metatarsal tubercle. Males of Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. can be distinguished from males of its sister species M. inornata s.s. from their significantly larger head proportions (head width, head length, snout length, nostril-eye length, snout-nostril length, upper eye-lid diameter) and shorter tibiofibula length.

Distribution: Micryletta subaraji sp. nov. is so far only known from Singapore where it occurs in Kranji Marshes and putatively in the Central Catchment Nature Reserve. It may also occur in other parts of the island where suitable habitat is present.

Etymology: The specific epithet honours the late Mr. Subaraj Rajathurai, who is a pioneer of conservation in Singapore.

Natural History: In addition to the collected specimens, male advertisement calls were heard at an ephemeral pool in a depression created by an uprooted tree. The calling individuals were perched amidst dense undergrowth surrounding this puddle. These ephemeral depressions may be used by male frogs as a means to amplify their advertisement calls. Several other Microhylids (both native and introduced) were recorded in sympatry at the type locality including Microhyla heymonsi, Microhyla butleri, Microhyla cf. mukhlesuri, and Kaloula pulchra.

 Ananthanarayanan Sankar, Ingg Thong Law, Ing Sind Law, Rasu Shivaram, Robin K. Abraham and Kin Onn Chan. 2022. Morphology, Phylogeny, and Species Delimitation of Micryletta (Anura: Microhylidae) reveals A New Species from Singapore. Vertebrate Zoology. 72: 457-467. DOI: 10.3897/vz.72.e85020


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Friday, December 31, 2021

[Ichthyology • 2021] Barbodes sellifer & B. zakariaismaili • Two New Species of Barbodes (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Malay Peninsula and Comments on ‘Cryptic Species’ in the B. binotatus Group


 Barbodes sellifer  
Kottelat & Lim, 2021

 RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69;  

Abstract
 Barbodes sellifer, new species, is described from Singapore, the southern Malay Peninsula and Riau (Sumatra). It is distinguished by having, among others, a large triangular to rectangular blotch between the dorsal fin and the midlateral row of scales (+1). Barbodes zakariaismaili, new species, is described from the Jelai watershed of the Pahang drainage. It is distinguished, among others, by having an elongated blotch on the anterior third of scale rows 0 and +1, and a narrow, faint bar between dorsal-fin origin and scale row +1. The existence of the supposed B. binotatus cryptic species is discussed; it does not satisfy any of the criteria under different concepts and this terminology should not be used. Among others, it is made of diagnosable units, and the morphological disparity among the supposed ‘cryptic’ taxa is not substantially lower than among non-‘cryptic’ relatives. It is simply a taxonomically difficult group. 

Key words. Barbodes, Singapore, Malaysia, cryptic species


Fig. 3. Barbodes sellifer, new species, ZRC 21699, 42.4 mm SL; Malaysia: Terengganu: Sekayu. (Photograph by M. Kottelat).
Fig. 3. Barbodes sellifer, new species, about 60 mm SL; Singapore: Nee Soon swamp forest (type locality). Live specimen, in situ, January 2005, not preserved. (Photograph by Nick Baker).

 Barbodes sellifer, new species 

Diagnosis. Barbodes sellifer, new species, is distinguished from all other species that have been placed in the B. binotatus group by the presence in adults of a large triangular to rectangular blotch extending downwards from in front of and below the base of the dorsal fin in adults (sometimes incomplete or narrower); juveniles have a midlateral row of 3–5 black spots, with the second spot vertically elongated, contacting a small spot below branched dorsal-fin rays 1–2.

 Etymology. Sellifer is a Latin adjective meaning ‘bearing a saddle’ (feminine: sellifera, neuter: selliferum).

The forest stream (a) inhabited by Barbodes sellifer, new species, in the type locality, Nee Soon swamp-forest in Singapore; 
and a view from the surface (b) showing a congregation of many individuals of B. sellifer (with the distinct black subdorsal blotch) with a few Rasbora elegans (with the two black spots on the side).
(Photographs by K. K. P. Lim, March 2005).

 
Barbodes zakariaismaili, new species 

Diagnosis. Barbodes zakariaismaili, new species, is distinguished from all other species of the B. binotatus group by its unique colour pattern in adults, including a faint longitudinally elongate blackish midlateral mark from the upper extremity of the gill opening to below the dorsal-fin origin; a black spot below the anterior part of the dorsal-fin base, extending downwards to the midlateral row as a narrow triangular mark; and a blackish spot at the end of the caudal peduncle. Other characters useful for identification, but not unique to the species, are: slender body (depth 2.9–3.1 times in SL); interobital area convex; eye not flush with dorsal profile, relatively small (4–5 times in head length, 1.5–1.9 times in interorbital distance); juveniles with a conspicuous reticulate pattern made of black pigments on scale pockets.

 Etymology. The species is named for Mohd. Zakaria-Ismail in appreciation for his work on the fish fauna of Malaysia. A noun in the genitive, indeclinable.


Maurice Kottelat and Kelvin K. P. Lim. 2021. Two New Species of Barbodes from the Malay Peninsula and Comments on ‘Cryptic Species’ in the B. binotatus Group (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).  RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 69; 522–540.

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Friday, March 12, 2021

[Entomology • 2021] Luciola singapura • Molecular Systematics of the Firefly Genus Luciola (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) with the Description of a New Species from Singapore


Luciola singapura Jusoh & Ballantyne

in Jusoh, Ballantyne, Chan, et al., 2021.  

Abstract
The firefly genus Luciola sensu McDermott contains 282 species that are distributed across major parts of Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific islands. Due to phenotypic similarities, species identification using external morphological characters can be unreliable for this group. Consequently, decades of piecemeal taxonomic treatments have resulted in numerous erroneous and contentious classifications. Furthermore, our understanding of the group’s evolutionary history is limited due to the lack of a robust phylogenetic framework that has also impeded efforts to stabilize its taxonomy. Here, we constructed molecular phylogenies of Luciola and its allies based on combined mitogenomes and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) sequences including a newly sequenced mitogenome of an unidentified taxon from Singapore. Our results showed that this taxon represents a distinct and hitherto undescribed evolutionary lineage that forms a clade with L. filiformis from Japan and L. curtithorax from China. Additionally, the Singaporean lineage can be differentiated from other congeners through several external and internal diagnostic morphological characters, and is thus described herein as a new species. Our phylogeny also strongly supported the paraphyly of Luciola with regard to L. cruciata and L. owadai, which were inferred to be more closely related to the genus Aquatica as opposed to other members of Luciola sensu stricto. The genus Hotaria was inferred as a derived clade within Luciola (sister to L. italica), supporting its status as a subgenus of Luciola instead of a distinct genus. This is the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore, highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied and highly developed countries, such as Singapore.

Keywords: Hotaria; Luciola cruciata; Luciola owadai; Nee Soon Swamp Forest; taxonomy; phylogenetics; conservation

Map of Singapore showing the location of Luciola singapura Jusoh & Ballantyne sp. nov. in the Nee Soon Swamp Forest (NSSF) (inset). Numbered dots represent type localities of Luciola species in Asia and the Pacific islands that were examined and/or analysed in this study. 

Males of Luciola singapura sp. nov.
Habitus (A, B), head and pronotum (C); Tergite 8 after dissection (D). A. Holotype male, from recent collection preserved in ethanol, light organ (LO) located on ventrite 6 (V6) and ventrite 7 (V7), presence of fat body along apex of suture, arrowed; (B). Habitus of paratype male. Coloration of paratype male collected 30 years ago preserved as dry specimen, arrow indicated presence of fat body along suture, tergite 8 (T8) from dorsal view and pronotum (inset); (C). Top: Head and pronotum of paratype male, below: Mouthpart and some parts of antenna; (D). Dissection parts of holotype male: tergites 7‐8 indicated with aedeagus and aedeagal sheath.




Luciola singapura Jusoh and Ballantyne sp. nov. 
English name: Singapore firefly 
Malay name: Kunang‐kunang Singapura

Diagnosis: A small species (less than 5 mm long) with distinctive dorsal coloration of black head, orange to yellowish brown with dark markings on pronotum, and orange to yellowish brown elytra which have diffuse darker brown to black markings towards the apex, with paler basal markings restricted to basal area near suture and an accumulation of whitish fat body along apex of suture and round elytral apex. Metasternum with median dark marking.   

Etymology: The specific epithet, singapura, is the Malay name for the country Singapore, which is the type locality of the new species. 

Distribution: Known only from the type locality of NSSF, Central Catchment Nature Reserve in Singapore but may also occur in other parts of the island where habitat is suitable.

Conclusions:
The discovery of a new species of firefly from the last remaining freshwater swamp forest in Singapore—one of the most developed and urbanized countries in the world— highlights the importance of continued biodiversity research in the region. This study also underscores the utility of molecular approaches to resolve taxonomic problems and better understand the evolutionary history of fireflies.


 Wan F. A. Jusoh, Lesley Ballantyne, Su Hooi Chan, Tuan Wah Wong, Darren Yeo, B. Nada and Kin Onn Chan. 2021. Molecular Systematics of the Firefly Genus Luciola (Coleoptera: Lampyridae: Luciolinae) with the Description of a New Species from Singapore. Animals. 11(3), 687. DOI: 10.3390/ani11030687   

Researchers from the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, National University of Singapore, have discovered a new species of firefly from the last remaining freshwater swamp forest in Singapore. This is the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore—highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied, and highly developed countries such as Singapore.

 
Simple Summary: Fireflies have a scattered distribution in Singapore but are not as uncommon as many would generally assume. A nationwide survey of fireflies in 2009 across Singapore documented 11 species, including “Luciola sp. 2”, which is particularly noteworthy because the specimens were collected from a freshwater swamp forest in the central catchment area of Singapore and did not fit the descriptions of any known Luciola species. Ten years later, we revisited the same locality to collect new specimens and genetic material of Luciola sp. 2. Subsequently, the mitochondrial genome of that population was sequenced and specimens were subjected to rigorous morphological examinations. We then collated published mitogenomes and shorter mitochondrial markers from closely related taxa to infer a phylogeny for the subfamily Luciolinae. Our results reveal that Luciola sp. 2 is both genetically and morphologically distinct from other congeners and is thus described herein as a new species Luciola singapura sp. nov. This marks the first time since 1909 that a new species of luminous firefly has been discovered in Singapore, highlighting the need for continued biodiversity research, even in small, well-studied and highly developed countries such as Singapore that can still harbor undescribed biodiversity.


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Monday, April 8, 2019

[Crustacea • 2018] Parasesarma peninsulare • Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidence for A New Species of Parasesarma De Man, 1895 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from the Malay Peninsula, previously referred to as Parasesarma indiarum (Tweedie, 1940)


 Parasesarma peninsulare 
Shahdadi, Ng & Schubart, 2018

RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66; 

Abstract 
A colourful crab currently referred to as Parasesarma indiarum (Tweedie, 1940) is a relatively common species in Southeast Asian mangroves and has been recorded from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The present study compares the material from Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia to the type specimens from Ambon, and recognises two species based on their morphology and genetic distances. The structure of the chelar dactylar tubercles and molecular data support the distinction of specimens originating from Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore from those of Ambon corresponding to P. indiarum sensu stricto. We here describe them as a separate species, Parasesarma peninsulare new species, and compare it with allied congeners. 

Key words. taxonomy, mangrove crab, pseudocryptic species, new species, Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia

SYSTEMATICS 
Family Sesarmidae Dana, 1851 
Genus Parasesarma De Man, 1895, 
sensu Shahdadi & Schubart, 2017 

Type species. Cancer quadratus Fabricius, 1798, 
subsequent designation by Rathbun (1918). 

Fig. 10.  Parasesarma peninsulare new species,
holotype, male (25.5 × 22.2 mm) (ZRC 2017.1075). A, dorsal habitus; B, ventral habitus.

 Parasesarma peninsulare new species

Sesarma (Chiromantes) bidens indica: Tweedie, 1936: 66. (not Sesarma bidens var. indica De Man, 1902) 
Sesarma bidens indiarum: Tweedie, 1940: 93 (part) (not Sesarma bidens indiarum Tweedie, 1940). 
Chiromantes indiarum: Tan & Ng, 1994: 82 (list).
Perisesarma indiarum: Boon et al., 2008; Huang et al., 2008; Boon et al., 2009; Ng et al., 2008: 225, fig. 162 (not Sesarma bidens indiarum Tweedie, 1940).

Etymology. This species is named after its known area of distribution, the Malay Peninsula. 

Fig. 14. Parasesarma peninsulare new species, colour in life.
 A–D, male; E–F, female; specimens not collected.
 A, E, dorsal habitus; B, F, ventral habitus; C, D, G, front view; H, left chela, outer view.

Distribution. Based on present material, so far known from both coasts of the Malay Peninsula, including the western coast to Thap Lamu, eastern side Chumphon (both Thailand), southward to Singapore and Batam Island (Riau Archipelago, Indonesia).

Habitat. In its distribution range, P. peninsulare new species is a relatively common species in mangroves swamps and can sometimes be found in good numbers, occasionally in partial sympatry with P. eumolpe, on muddy substrates. They are active burrowers, with burrow mouths often found within the aerial root systems of mangrove tree (Huang et al., 2008; Boon et al., 2009).




Adnan Shahdadi, Peter K. L. Ng and Christoph D. Schubart. 2019. Morphological and Phylogenetic Evidence for A New Species of Parasesarma De Man, 1895 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Sesarmidae) from the Malay Peninsula, previously referred to as Parasesarma indiarum (Tweedie, 1940). RAFFLES BULLETIN OF ZOOLOGY. 66; 739–762.   lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/app/uploads/2018/01/66rbz739-762.pdf


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Thursday, January 3, 2019

[Arachnida • 2018] Cyclosa bulla • A New Species of Cyclosa (Araneae: Araneidae) from Southeast Asia


Cyclosa bulla  
Tanikawa & Petcharad, 2018

  DOI: 10.2476/asjaa.67.87 

Abstract
A new species of Cyclosa is described under the name of Cyclosa bulla n. sp. using specimens collected from Thailand, Singapore and Brunei. Females of the species can be easily distinguished from other congeners by the shape of the abdomen, which has a globose posterior end. In contrast, males cannot be distinguished from those of Cyclosa bifida, which seems to be the most closely related species, even by the shape of the palpal organ. In this study, male specimens are identified by DNA barcoding.

Keywords: Cyclosa bulla, taxonomy, COI, barcoding, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei



 Cyclosa bulla n. sp. 
A, female (holotype), dorsal view; B, same, lateral view; C, paratype (male), dorsal view..
 Scales: A–C, 1 mm.

Cyclosa bulla new species 
[Thai name: Mangmoum-Taai-Klom-Cyclosa]

Diagnosis. The new species seems to be closely related to Cyclosa bifida, but females can be easily distinguished from Cyclosa bifida by the posteriorly globose abdomen (Figs. 2A–B). Males of these species cannot be separated morphologically, even by the shape of the palpal organ. Male specimens of the new species can be identified only by DNA sequencing data, e.g. mt-COI.

Etymology. The specific name is derived from the knob-like shaped posterior part of the abdomen; “bulla” is a Latin word that means “globe”. 


Akio Tanikawa and Booppa Petcharad. 2018. A New Species of Cyclosa (Araneae: Araneidae) from Southeast Asia. Acta Arachnologica. 67(2); 87-90. DOI: 10.2476/asjaa.67.87


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Monday, December 10, 2018

[Arachnida • 2018] Ovia macritchie • A New Ovia Species (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Singapore, with the Transfer of Pardosa alboannulata Yin et al., 1997


Ovia macritchie
Lu, Koh, Zhang & Li, 2018

 photo:  Joseph Koh   facebook.com/JosephKoh7161 

Abstract
A new species of wolf spiders, Ovia macritchie sp. nov., is discovered in Singapore. It is closely related to O. procurva (Yu & Song, 1988), hitherto the only species of Ovia Sankaran, Malamel & Sebastian, 2017. O. macritchie also resembles Pardosa alboannulata Yin et al., 1997 from China, which is herein transferred to Ovia. All of them share a uniquely hooked terminal apophysis on the male pedipalp. Colour photos, line drawings, SEM photos and detailed descriptions are provided for both the new species O. macritchie and the newly combined species O. alboannulata.

Keywords: Araneae, Pardosa, diversity, taxonomy, copulatory organs

 Taxonomy 
Family Lycosidae Sundevall, 1833 
Subfamily Lycosinae Sundevall, 1833 

Genus Ovia Sankaran, Malamel & Sebastian, 2017


 photo:  Joseph Koh   facebook.com/JosephKoh7161  

Ovia macritchie sp. nov. 

Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to the type locality, which is commonly known as the “MacRitchie Forest” within the species-rich Central Catchment Nature Reserve in Singapore. The name of this forest is becoming a catch-phrase epitomizing an evolving habit towards constructive engagement, in the spirt of mutual respect, among government agencies, the scientific community and civil society seeking to finetune a balance between safeguarding the shared natural heritage of all Singaporeans and meeting the infrastructure needs in land-scarce Singapore.


 Tian Lu, Joseph K. H. Koh, Zhi-Sheng Zhang and Shu-Qiang Li. 2018. A New Ovia Species (Araneae, Lycosidae) from Singapore, with the Transfer of Pardosa alboannulata Yin et al., 1997. Zootaxa. 4527(3); 436–450.  DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4527.3.12  
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