Species New to Science: ZooKeys

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Sunday, January 5, 2025

[Herpetology • 2022] Prosymna lisima & P. confusa • Taxonomical Review of Prosymna angolensis Boulenger, 1915 (Elapoidea: Prosymnidae) with the Description of Two New Species

Prosymna lisima

Conradie, Keates, Baptista & Lobón-Rovira, 2022

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1121.85693

Abstract

African Shovel-snout snakes (Prosymna Gray, 1849) are small, semi-fossorial snakes with a unique compressed and beak-like snout. Prosymna occur mainly in the savanna of sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 16 currently recognised species, four occur in Angola: Prosymna ambigua Bocage, 1873, P. angolensis Boulenger, 1915, P. frontalis (Peters, 1867), and P. visseri FitzSimons, 1959. The taxonomical status and evolutionary relationships of P. angolensis have never been assessed due to the lack of genetic material. This species is known to occur from western Angola southwards to Namibia, and eastwards to Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The species shows considerable variation in dorsal colouration across its range, and with the lower ventral scales count, an ‘eastern race’ was suggested. In recent years, Prosymna material from different parts of Angola has been collected, and with phylogenetic analysis and High Resolution X-ray Computed Tomography, the taxonomic status of these populations can be reviewed. Strong phylogenetic evidence was found to include the angolensis subgroup as part of the larger sundevalli group, and the existence of three phylogenetic lineages within the angolensis subgroup were identified, which each exhibit clear morphological and colouration differences. One of these lineages is assigned to the nominotypical P. angolensis and the other two described as new species, one of which corroborates the distinct eastern population previously detected. These results reinforce that a considerable part of Angolan herpetological diversity is still to be described and the need for further studies.

Keywords: Africa, Angola, cryptic species, fossorial, Kalahari, Serpentes

Reptilia

Squamata

Prosymnidae

Photos of live Prosymna lisima sp. nov. from eastern Angola
A PEM R23457 from Quembo River Source, Moxico Province, Angola B PEM R23483 from Cuando River Source, Moxico Province, Angola
C PEM R23512 from Cuito Source Lake, Moxico Province, Angola D PEM R27381 from Quembo River bridge camp, Moxico Province, Angola.

Holotype of Prosymna lisima sp. nov. (PEM R23512) from Cuito River source, Moxico Province, Angola
A dorsal and ventral full body B dorsal head C ventral head D lateral head.

Prosymna lisima sp. nov.

Common names: Kalahari Shovel-snout snake (English);

Cobra-de-focinho-de-pá-do-kalahari (Portuguese).

Etymology: The name lisima is derived from the locally spoken Luchaze language in the region of the type locality meaning ‘source’. The full phrase used, ‘Lisima Lwa Mwondo’, is translated as “source of life”. This is a reference to central Angola, a high rainfall area where some of the most important rivers in Angola arise. This water makes it its way to the Okavango Delta, sustaining wildlife and local communities in Angola, Namibia and Botswana.

Live Prosymna confusa sp. nov. (PEM R24013) from 20 km west of Lola on the road northwest to Camacuio and on the edge of Bentiaba River, Namibe Province, Angola (Photo: Bill Branch).

Holotype of Prosymna confusa sp. nov. (PEM R24013) from 20 km west of Lola on the road northwest to Camacuio and on the edge of Bentiaba River, Namibe Province, Angola
A dorsal and ventral full body B dorsal head C ventral head D lateral head.

Prosymna confusa sp. nov.

Common names: Plain Shovel-snout Snake (English);

Cobra-de-focinho-de-pá-lisa (Portuguese).

Etymology: When the late Bill Branch collected the holotype, he was unsure of its identification and referred to it as an unusual specimen that could not be assigned to any known species from Angola. He later referred to it as P. ambigua (Branch 2018), presumably based on its uniform grey colouration. The name confusa is a reflection of the confusion this specimen has caused and of the general confusion in the P. angolensis group.

Werner Conradie, Chad Keates, Ninda L. Baptista and Javier Lobón-Rovira. 2022. Taxonomical Review of Prosymna angolensis Boulenger, 1915 (Elapoidea, Prosymnidae) with the Description of Two New Species. ZooKeys. 1121: 97-143. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1121.85693

Resumo: As cobras-de-focinho-de-pá africanas (Prosymna) são pequenas cobras semi-fossoriais com um focinho único, achatado e em forma de bico, que ocorrem principalmente na savana da África subsaariana. Das 16 espécies actualmente reconhecidas, quatro existem em Angola: Prosymna ambigua Bocage, 1873, P. angolensis Boulenger, 1915, P. frontalis (Peters, 1867), e P. visseri Fitz-Simons, 1959. O estatuto taxonómico e as relações evolutivas de P. angolensis nunca foram avaliados devido à falta de material genético. A espécie ocorre desde o oeste de Angola, para sul até a Namíbia, e para este em direcção à Zâmbia, Botswana e Zimbábue. Na sua área de ocorrência, esta espécie tem variação principalmente na coloração dorsal, e com base no menor número de escamas ventrais, foi sugerida a existência de uma raça oriental. Recentemente foi amostrado material de Prosymna de várias partes de Angola, e com recurso a análises filogenéticas e a tomografia computadorizada de raios-X de alta resolução, foi possível rever o estatuto taxonómico destas populações. Encontrámos fortes evidências filogenéticas para incluir o subgrupo angolensis como parte do grupo sundevalli. Revelámos a existência de três linhagens filogenéticas no subgrupo angolensis. Atribuímos uma dessas linhagens ao P. angolensis nominotípico, e descrevemos as outras duas como espécies novas, uma das quais corrobora a população oriental previamente detectada. Estes resultados reforçam a ideia de que uma parte considerável da diversidade herpetológica angolana está ainda por descrever, e a necessidade de mais estudos.

Palavras-chave: África, Angola, espécies crípticas, fossorial, Kalahari, Serpentes

[Crustacea • 2024] Sipadantonius roihani • A New Genus and Species of Pseudocyclopidae Giesbrecht, 1893 (Copepoda: Calanoida) from the marine cave “Turtle Tomb” of Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia

Sipadantonius roihani

Boonyanusith, Wongkamhaeng & Azman, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.133132

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Abstract

A new genus and species of the family Pseudocyclopidae, Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov., was described based on specimens collected using a light trap in the marine cave of Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia. The new genus is most related to Pinkertonius, primarily based on the similarity observed in the armament of ancestral segment IV of the male antennules, the armament of the female P5 Exp-3, the segmentation of the male P5, the armament of the maxillular basal exite, and the relative length of the ancestral segment XXVII of the antennules. Nevertheless, it distinguishes itself from Pinkertonius and all other genera of the family by the absence of the lateral seta of the basis of all swimming legs, the presence of an inner seta on the coxa of the female P5, the reduction of furcal setae I and III, as well as the specific armament of the ancestral segment XX of the antennules and the maxillular coxal endite. The female of Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov. has aesthetascs on the ancestral segments IV and XX of the antennules, as well as six setae on the maxillular coxal endite, exhibiting the most plesiomorphic characteristics of the family Pseudocyclopidae. The latter characteristic has not been recorded in the order Calanoida. It was hypothesised that the new species was a particle feeder living in the pelagic zone of the marine cave. The existence of the new species supported the assumption that the regional distribution of the family Pseudocyclopidae exhibited the Tethyan track, which might have been the subsequent result of the colonisation of the habitats prior to the closure of the Tethys Sea.

Key words: Crustacea, Southeast Asia, systematics, taxonomy, Zooplankton

Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov. female:
A habitus, dorsal view B habitus, lateral view C urosome, ventral view D urosome, lateral view E genital double-somite, ventral view F furcal rami, dorsal view G furcal rami, lateral view. Arrowheads indicate integumental pores.

Scale bars: 200 μm (A, B); 100 μm (C, D); 50 μm (E−G).

Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov. photographs of lateral surface of basis of swimming legs, female (A−E) and male (F):
A posterior hyaline process on basis of P1 (indicated by arrow) B P1 C P3 D P4 E, F P5. Arrowheads indicate cuticular windows on lateral margin of basis. Scale bars: 10 μm.

Order Calanoida Sars, 1903

Superfamily Pseudocyclopoidea Giesbrecht, 1893

Family Pseudocyclopidae Giesbrecht, 1893

Genus Sipadantonius gen. nov.

Etymology: Named after the type locality, Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia, in combination with the -tonius stem from the existing generic name Pinkertonius Bradford-Grieve, Boxshall & Blanco-Bercial, 2014, alluding to the similarity of the genus Pinkertonius. The gender is masculine.

 Sipadantonius roihani sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet was conferred in honour of Mr Roihan Han, a Malaysian deep dive record holder (at a depth of 164 m), who also led the Turtle Tomb exploration activity. Consequently, the name is a noun in the genitive singular.

Chaichat Boonyanusith, Koraon Wongkamhaeng and Abdul-Rahim Azman. 2024. Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov., A New Genus and Species of Pseudocyclopidae Giesbrecht, 1893 (Copepoda, Calanoida) from the marine cave “Turtle Tomb” of Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia. ZooKeys. 1219: 303-329. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.133132

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Wednesday, January 1, 2025

[Arachnida • 2024] Sinodromus gen. nov. • A New Genus with Two New Species (Araneae: Philodromidae) and the first description of the female of Philodromus guiyang Long & Yu, 2022 from China

[C, E] Sinodromus fujianensis Yao & Liu,
[A, B] Philodromus guiyang Long & Yu, 2022,

in Wang, Yao, Tang, Li, Liu et Xu, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1221.137930

Abstract

Three species of the spider family Philodromidae are reported from the south of China. A new genus, Sinodromus gen. nov., is described from Jiangxi, Fujian, and Hunan Provinces. It can be distinguished from other genera of Philodromidae by the tegular apophysis of the palp and the cymbial process, as well as by its uniquely striped abdomen. The type species, S. fujianensis sp. nov., and a second species, S. perbrevis sp. nov., are described and illustrated; these species occur in bamboo forests in hilly areas. Additionally, the female of Philodromus guiyang Long & Yu, 2022 is described for the first time from Jiangxi and Hunan Provinces. All species are illustrated with SEM micrographs, and their distributions are mapped.

Key words: Distribution, hilly land, running crab spiders, taxonomy

A, B living specimen of Philodromus guiyang Long & Yu, 2022
C, D Sinodromus fujianensis sp. nov., male E, F S. fujianensis, female.

Genus Philodromus Walckenaer, 1826

 Philodromus guiyang Long & Yu, 2022

Genus Sinodromus Yao & Liu, gen. nov.

Type species: Sinodromus fujianensis Yao & Liu, sp. nov.

Zhong-jing Wang, Yan-bin Yao, Zi-ying Tang, Wen-hui Li, Ke-ke Liu, Xiang Xu. 2024. A New Genus, Sinodromus gen. nov., with Two New Species and the first description of the female of Philodromus guiyang Long & Yu, 2022 (Arachnida, Araneae, Philodromidae) from China. ZooKeys. 1221: 279-296. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1221.137930

Sunday, December 22, 2024

[Diplopoda • 2018] Desmoxytes aurata, D. corythosaurus, D. octoconigera, ... • A Revision of Dragon Millipedes I: Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae), with the Description of Eight New Species

Desmoxytes aurata Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,

D. corythosaurus Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,

D. euros Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha,

in Srisonchai, Enghoff, Likhitrakarn et Panham 2018.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.761.24214

Abstract

The dragon millipede genus Desmoxytes s.l. is split into five genera, based on morphological characters and preliminary molecular phylogenetic analyses. The present article includes a review of Desmoxytes s.s., while future articles will deal with Hylomus Cook and Loomis, 1924 and three new genera which preliminarily are referred to as the ‘acantherpestes’, ‘gigas’, and ‘spiny’ groups. Diagnostic morphological characters of each group are discussed. Hylomus is resurrected as a valid genus and the following 33 species are assigned to it: H. asper (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. cattienensis (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. cervarius (Attems, 1953), comb. n., H. cornutus (Zhang & Li, 1982), comb. n., H. draco Cook & Loomis, 1924, stat. rev., H. enghoffi (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. eupterygotus (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n., H. getuhensis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. grandis (Golovatch, VandenSpiegel & Semenyuk, 2016), comb. n., H. hostilis (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994), comb. n., H. jeekeli (Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994), comb. n., H. lingulatus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. laticollis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. longispinus (Loksa, 1960), comb. n., H. lui (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n., H. minutuberculus (Zhang, 1986), comb. n., H. nodulosus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. parvulus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2014), comb. n., H. phasmoides (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. pilosus (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. proximus (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. rhinoceros (Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015), comb. n., H. rhinoparvus (Likhitrakarn, Golovatch & Panha, 2015), comb. n., H. scolopendroides (Golovatch, Geoffroy & Mauriès, 2010), comb. n., H. scutigeroides (Golovatch, Geoffroy & Mauriès, 2010), comb. n., H. similis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. simplex (Golovatch, VandenSpiegel & Semenyuk, 2016), comb. n., H. simplipodus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. specialis (Nguyen, Golovatch & Anichkin, 2005), comb. n., H. spectabilis (Attems, 1937), comb. n., H. spinitergus (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n., H. spinissimus (Golovatch, Li, Liu & Geoffroy, 2012), comb. n. and H. variabilis (Liu, Golovatch & Tian, 2016), comb. n. Desmoxytes s.s. includes the following species: D. breviverpa Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. cervina (Pocock,1895); D. delfae (Jeekel, 1964); D. des Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. pinnasquali Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. planata (Pocock, 1895); D. purpurosea Enghoff, Sutcharit & Panha, 2007; D. takensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, 2016; D. taurina (Pocock, 1895); D. terae (Jeekel, 1964), all of which are re-described based mainly on type material. Two new synonyms are proposed: Desmoxytes pterygota Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994, syn. n. (= Desmoxytes cervina (Pocock, 1895)), Desmoxytes rubra Golovatch & Enghoff, 1994, syn. n. (= Desmoxytes delfae (Jeekel, 1964)). Six new species are described from Thailand: D. aurata Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. corythosaurus Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. euros Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. flabella Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. golovatchi Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., D. octoconigera Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., as well as one from Malaysia: D. perakensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n., and one from Myanmar: D. waepyanensis Srisonchai, Enghoff & Panha, sp. n. The species can mostly be easily distinguished by gonopod structure in combination with other external characters; some cases of particularly similar congeners are discussed. All species of Desmoxytes s.s. seem to be endemic to continental Southeast Asia (except the ‘tramp’ species D. planata). Some biological observations (relationship with mites, moulting) are recorded for the first time. Complete illustrations of external morphological characters, an identification key, and distribution maps of all species are provided.

Keywords: aposematic, dragon millipede, new species, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Photographs of live Desmoxytes aurata sp. n. and habitat.
A, B male paratype C female paratype D mating couple E habitat.

Photographs of live Desmoxytes corythosaurus sp. n. and habitat
A, B male paratypes C female paratype D juvenile E habitat.

Photographs of live Desmoxytes euros sp. n. and habitat.
A, B male paratypes C female paratype D juvenile E egg cluster F cluster of stadium 1 juveniles G habitat.

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Henrik Enghoff, Natdanai Likhitrakarn and Somsak Panha. 2018. A Revision of Dragon Millipedes I: Genus Desmoxytes Chamberlin, 1923, with the Description of Eight New Species (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae). ZooKeys. 761: 1-177. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.761.24214

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Uropterygius hades • A New uniformly brown estuarine Moray Eel (Anguilliformes: Muraenidae) from the Central Indo-Pacific Ocean

Uropterygius hades

Huang, Hibino, Balisco & Liao, 2024

ZooKeys. Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Fishes in Taiwan and adjacent waters

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1220.129685

Abstract

A new estuarine moray eel, Uropterygius hades sp. nov., is described based on 14 specimens from Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, southern Indonesia, and Fiji. It is a small-bodied, slender, uniformly dark-brown moray separated from congeners within the U. concolor species complex. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by the anteriorly positioned small eyes (5.0–7.2% of head length), absence of branchial pores, and extended inner rows of teeth which reach the posterior end of the jaws. Uropterygius hades sp. nov. represents a rare species of moray eel that inhabits turbid estuarine environments, preferring soft, muddy substrates, and burrowing and hiding among rocks or in fallen mangrove leaves. Additionally, Uropterygius mactanensis Huang, Balisco, Evacitas & Liao, another species recently separated from the U. concolor species complex, is reported for the first time from Iriomote Island in the Ryukyu Archipelago based on two specimens; this new record expands the geographic range of U. mactanensis from the central Philippines to southern Japan.

Key words: DNA barcoding, mangroves, unicolor snake moray, Uropterygiinae, Uropterygius mactanensis

Fresh colorations of Uropterygius hades sp. nov.
A NMMB-P039570, holotype, 349 mm TL, male
B PNM 15806, paratype, 313 mm TL, female.

Arrows indicate the position of the anus.

Live photos of Uropterygius hades sp. nov.
A NMMB-P039570, holotype, 349 mm TL, male B PNM 15806, paratype, 313 mm TL, female.

 Uropterygius hades sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A small, slender moray eel, possible maximum TL <350 mm, female mature at 171 mm TL. Anus at mid-length of body. Eyes small and anteriorly placed. Snout pointed. Upper jaw slightly longer than lower jaw. Teeth sharply pointed with smooth edges and recurved tips; intermaxillary teeth in 5 rows; maxillary and dentary teeth biserial, inner rows extending to about posterior end of jaws; vomerine teeth in single row. No branchial pore. Body uniformly dark brown; head pores, oral cavity, and inner skin of posterior nostril and gill opening whitish; iris reddish-brown. Total vertebrae 117–122.

Etymology: The new moray eel is named after Hades, the ancient Greek god of the underworld, in reference to its habitation in turbid estuarine waters, high sensitivity to light, and its uniformly dark coloration, reminiscent of the underworld god. A noun in apposition.

Wen-Chien Huang, Yusuke Hibino, Rodulf Anthony Balisco and Te-Yu Liao. 2024. Description of A New uniformly brown estuarine Moray Eel (Anguilliformes, Muraenidae) from the Central Indo-Pacific Ocean. In: Ho H-C, Russell B, Hibino Y, Lee M-Y (Eds) Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Fishes in Taiwan and adjacent waters. ZooKeys. 1220: 15-34. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1220.129685

Sunday, December 8, 2024

[Herpetology • 2024] Pristimantis vrazi • A New Species of Pristimantis (Anura: Strabomantidae) from a montane forest of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru

Pristimantis vrazi

Lehr, Moravec, Wang & Uvizl, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.129773

Abstract

Herpetological inventories conducted in the Pui Pui Protected Forest in the central Peruvian Andes between 2012 and 2014 revealed unusually high local anuran richness and endemism. Herein, we describe a new species of Pristimantis discovered in the buffer zone of the protected area between 1550 and 1730 m a.s.l. The description is based on one subadult male (snout–vent length 14.4 mm), one adult female (snout–vent length 26.4 mm), and six juvenile specimens collected in the montane forest between 1550 and 1730 m a.s.l. DNA barcoding placed P. vrazi sp. nov. as the sister taxon to P. rhabdocnemus and in the clade also containing P. lindae, P. sinschi, P. quaquaversus, and one still unnamed Pristimantis species. Pristimantis vrazi sp. nov. differs from all these closely related species by the combination of the following characters: tuberculate dorsum, presence of the tympanum, presence of dentigerous processes on the vomer, absence of vocal slits, a red median horizontal streak across the iris, a narrow black median vertical streak on the lower half of the eye, cream to dark brown dorsal ground coloration, and cream to gray ventral ground coloration.

Key words: Andes, cryptic species diversity, Enrique Stanko Vráz, Pristimantis vrazi new species

Life adult female holotype (MUSM 41581, SVL = 26.4 mm) of Pristimantis vrazi sp. nov.
A dorsolateral view B dorsal view C lateral view D ventral view.

Photos by E. Lehr.

Juvenile referred specimens of Pristimantis vrazi sp. nov.
A MUSM 31929, SVL = 12.3 mm B MUSM 31933, SVL = 12.0 mm
C MUSM 41583, SVL = 14.1 mm D MUSM 31937, SVL = 11.9 mm
E MUSM 31932, SVL = 14.3 mm F MUSM 31938, SVL = 12.1 mm.

Photo A by J. Moravec, all others by E. Lehr.

Pristimantis vrazi Moravec, Lehr, Wang & Uvizl, sp. nov.

Suggested English name: Vráz’s Robber Frog

Suggested Spanish name: Rana cutín de Vráz

Diagnosis: A new species of Pristimantis not assigned to any species group having the following combination of characters: (1) skin on dorsum shagreen with scattered conical tubercles; skin on venter areolate; weak discoidal fold present; short dorsolateral ridges present; (2) tympanic membrane and tympanic annulus present; (3) snout moderately long, acutely rounded in dorsal view, rounded in profile; (4) upper eyelid bearing small conical tubercles; EW narrower than IOD; cranial crest absent; (5) dentigerous processes of vomers present, oblique; (6) vocal slits and nuptial pads absent; (7) finger I shorter than finger II; discs of digits broadly expanded, round, bearing ...

Etymology: We dedicate this new species to the Czech explorer and patriot Enrique Stanko Vráz (1860–1932), who explored Africa, South America, and eastern Asia (Todorová 2006). In South America, he spent several years working in Venezuela and traveling by boat from Venezuela to Peru via the Rio Orinoco, Rio Negro, and Rio Amazonas before crossing the Andes and working around Cajamarca. His specimen collections (animals, artifacts) were sent to the National Museum in Prague. He published his travels and observations in South America in a book (Vráz 1900) that provides valuable original insights into South American nature and indigenous peoples at the end of the 19th century and still inspires people. The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition.

Edgar Lehr, Jiří Moravec, Yingtong Wang and Marek Uvizl. 2024. A New Species of Pristimantis (Amphibia, Anura, Strabomantidae) from a montane forest of the Pui Pui Protected Forest in central Peru. ZooKeys. 1219: 143-163. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.129773

Monday, December 2, 2024

[Ichthyology • 2024] Chromis abadhah • A New Species of Damselfish (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives

Chromis abadhah

L.A. Rocha, Pinheiro, Najeeb, C.R. Rocha & Shepherd, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.126777

Abstract

A new species of Chromis (Teleostei, Pomacentridae) is described from four specimens collected between 95 and 110 m depth in mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Maldives, Indian Ocean. Chromis abadhah sp. nov. can be distinguished from all of its congeners by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays XIII, 12–13; anal-fin rays II,11–12; pectoral-fin rays 17–18; tubed lateral-line scales 17; gill rakers 7+17–18 = 24–25; pearly white body with a large black marking covering the anterior two-thirds of the anal fin. The closest DNA barcode sequence (5.1% average uncorrected genetic distance on the mitochondrial COI gene), among those available, is Chromis woodsi, a similar mesophotic species known from the coastal western Indian Ocean (Somalia to South Africa). The new species is easily distinguished from C. woodsi by having 13 dorsal spines (versus 14 in C. woodsi), the absence of a black band on the base of the tail (present in C. woodsi), and by the genetic difference.

Key words: COI, deep reefs, ichthyology, Indian Ocean, rebreather diving, taxonomy

Holotype of Chromis abadhah, CAS 248401, 68.7 mm SL, shortly after collection.

Photo by Luiz Rocha.

Chromis abadhah in its natural habitat in Faadhippolhu Atoll, Maldives, at approximately 110 m depth.

Photo by Luiz Rocha.

 Chromis abadhah sp. nov.

Suggested Maldivian name: Abadhah Chromis

Suggested English name: Perpetual Chromis

Diagnosis: The following combination of characters distinguishes Chromis abadhah sp. nov. from all of its congeners: dorsal-fin rays XIII, 12–13; anal-fin rays II,11–12; pectoral-fin rays 17–18; tubed lateral-line scales 17; gill rakers 7+17–18 = 24–25; body pearly white; large black marking covering anterior two-thirds of anal fin; small black spot on upper edge of pectoral-fin base; no markings on caudal peduncle.

Etymology: The work that led to the discovery of this species was funded by the Rolex Perpetual Planet initiative through a Rolex Award for Enterprises to LAR. To honor this initiative, we name this species “abadhah” (pronounced aa-BAH-duh), which means “perpetual” in Dhivehi, the local language of the Maldives. We also hope that this species and its habitat remain perpetual. To be treated as a noun in apposition.

Luiz A. Rocha, Hudson T. Pinheiro, Ahmed Najeeb, Claudia R. Rocha and Bart Shepherd. 2024. Chromis abadhah (Teleostei, Pomacentridae), A New Species of Damselfish from mesophotic coral ecosystems of the Maldives. ZooKeys. 1219: 165-174. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.126777

Friday, November 29, 2024

[Herpetology • 2024] Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis • A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China

Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis Chen, Yu, Meng & Qin,

in Yu, Qin, Meng, Li, Peng & Chen, 2024

大瑶山掌突蟾 || DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.121027

Abstract

A new species of the Asian leaf litter toad genus Leptobrachella, L. dayaoshanensis sp. nov., is described based on phylogenetic analysis, morphological characters, and bioacoustic data. This species occurs in the Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve located in Jinxiu County, Guangxi, China. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that this new species is closely related to L. verrucosa, as demonstrated by phylogenetic trees. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) medium size (mean snout–vent length (SVL) of 27.9 ± 0.7 mm, range 26.6–28.9 mm in males; 34.4 mm in female); (2) rough dorsal surface featuring small, raised tubercles and ridges; (3) flanks adorned with irregular black spots and creamy white glands; (4) creamy white ventral surface with sparse light-brown spots and irregular tiny textures; (5) brown throat and chest; (6) rudimentary toe webbing; (7) wide lateral fringes on toes; (8) distinct continuous ventrolateral glandular line; (9) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the midpoint of eye when the leg is extended forward; (10) heels that do not meet when thighs are appressed at right angles to body; (11) bicolored iris, with the upper half being copper and gradually transitioning to silver in the lower half; and (12) advertisement calls consisting of two model types, with dominant frequencies of 4.2–6.8 kHz at 21.0 °C. The new species has a breeding season that occurs from March to April and is found in evergreen forests at elevations between 1,000 and 1,600 m.

Key words: Bioacoustics, cryptic diversity, morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy

The holotype of Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis sp. nov.
A dorsal view B ventral view C dorsolateral view D calling in the field E ventral view of hand F ventral view of foot.

 Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis Chen, Yu, Meng & Qin, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Leptobrachella dayaoshanensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: (1) medium size (SVL mean 27.9 ± 0.7 mm, range 26.6–28.9 mm in males; 34.4 mm in female); (2) dorsal surface rough with small, raised tubercles and ridges; (3) flanks with irregular black spots and creamy-white glands; (4) ventral surface creamy-white with sparse, light-brown spots and irregular, tiny textures; (5) brown throat and chest; (6) rudimentary toe webbing; (7) wide toes lateral fringes; (8) distinct continued ventrolateral glandular line; (9) tibiotarsal articulation reaching the midpoint of eye when the leg is pressed forward; (10) heels not meeting when thighs are appressed at right angles to body; (11) bicolored iris, with upper half copper, gradually transitioning to silver in lower half; and (12) advertisement calls consisting of two types models, with dominant frequencies of 4.2–6.8 kHz (21.0 °C).

Etymology: The species name dayaoshanensis refers to the type locality, Mount Dayaoshan. The suggested English name is Dayaoshan Leaf Litter Toad, and the Chinese name is Da Yao Shan Zhang Tu Chan (大瑶山掌突蟾).

Gui-Dong Yu, Kun Qin, Tao Meng, Peng Li, Wan-Xiao Peng and Wei-Cai Chen. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Amphibia, Anura, Megophryidae) from Dayaoshan National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China. ZooKeys. 1219: 105-122. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.121027

Wednesday, November 27, 2024

[Entomology • 2024] Eccoptopterus formosanus & E. intermedius • Two New Species of Eccoptopterus Motschulsky, 1863 Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) from Taiwan and Thailand

Eccoptopterus formosanus Lin, Sittichaya & Smith,

in Sittichaya, Lin, Smith, Pornsuriya et Cognato, 2024.

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1217.129707

Abstract

Two xyleborine ambrosia beetles, Eccoptopterus formosanus sp. nov. and E. intermedius sp. nov. are described from Taiwan and Thailand, respectively, based on DNA sequences (COI and CAD) and morphological characteristics. A key to the Eccoptopterus species of Southeast Asia is provided.

Key words: Ambrosia beetle, molecular, new species, Taiwan, taxonomy, Thailand, xyleborine

Eccoptopterus Motschulsky, 1863

Eccoptopterus formosanus sp. nov.
A–E holotype female A dorsal view B lateral view C frons D posterolateral view of abdomen E declivital face;
F–I paratype male F dorsal view G lateral view H frons I posterolateral view of abdomen.

 Eccoptopterus formosanus Lin, Sittichaya & Smith, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Female, 2.56−2.64 mm long (mean = 2.61 mm; N = 4), 2.13−2.17× as long as wide (mean = 2.14×; N = 4). Medium body size, declivital armature composed of a pair of major spines on declivital summit and 2–4 minor denticles unevenly spaced on each lateral margin; protibiae slender, broadest at apical 1/3, outer margin armed with six or seven moderated socketed denticles; scutellum broadly linguiform; elytra tapering laterally.

Etymology: Formosa, the former name of Taiwan island, in reference to the collection locality of types. An adjective.

Distribution: Taiwan (Nantou County).

Eccoptopterus intermedius sp. nov.
Holotype, female, A dorsal view B lateral view C posterolateral view D frons E antenna.

 Eccoptopterus intermedius Sittichaya, Lin & Smith, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Female, 1.70−1.90 mm long (mean = 1.80 mm; N = 6), 2.03−2.38× as long as wide (mean = 2.13×; N = 6). Small body size, declivital armature composed of a pair of major spines at interstriae 3 on declivital summit and four minor spines unevenly spaced on each lateral margin, declivity covered with flattened scale-like setae; protibiae slender, broadest at apical 1/3, outer margin armed with four or five moderated socketed denticles, elytra tapering laterally.

Etymology: L. inter + medius = in the middle. The name refers to the morphological characters of the species which lie between those of E. limbus and E. spinosus. An adjective.

Distribution: Thailand (Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Tak, Ubon Ratchathani provinces).

Wisut Sittichaya, Ching-Shan Lin, Sarah M. Smith, Chaninan Pornsuriya and Anthony I. Cognato. 2024. Two New Species of Eccoptopterus Motschulsky, 1863 Ambrosia Beetle from Taiwan and Thailand (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae, Xyleborini). ZooKeys. 1217: 247-262. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1217.129707

Monday, November 25, 2024

[Arachnida • 2024] Maimuna antalyensis, Tegenaria beyazcika, T. egrisiana, ... • New Taxonomic and Faunistic Data on the Funnel-weavers (Araneae: Agelenidae) of Turkiye and the Caucasus, with Five New Species

Habitus of Tegenaria egrisiana sp. nov. (A, B), T. dalmatica (C), T. beyazcika sp. nov. (D), and T. tekke (E), dorsal view.
A, D males B, C, E females.

in Zamani, Kaya et Marusik, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1218.135249

Abstract

New taxonomic and faunistic data on the agelenid spiders of Turkiye and the Caucasus are provided. Five species are described as new to science: Maimuna antalyensis sp. nov. (♂♀; Turkiye: Antalya), Tegenaria ballarini sp. nov. (♂♀; Turkiye: Antalya), T. beyazcika sp. nov. (♂; Turkiye: Antalya), T. egrisiana sp. nov. (♂♀; Georgia: Imereti), and T. hoeferi sp. nov. (♂♀; Armenia: Kotayk). Tegenaria lazarovi Dimitrov, 2020, syn. nov. is proposed as a new junior synonym of T. averni Brignoli, 1978. Persiscape caucasica (Guseinov, Marusik & Koponen, 2005) is newly reported from Armenia, and T. chumachenkoi Kovblyuk & Ponomarev, 2008 is reported for the first time from Turkiye. New distribution records for T. dalmatica Kulczyński, 1906, T. hamid Brignoli, 1978, T. longimana Simon, 1898 and T. percuriosa Brignoli, 1972, and topotype material for T. tekke Brignoli, 1978 are reported. The record of Eratigena fuesslini (Pavesi, 1873) from Turkiye is found to be based on a misidentification, and is herein attributed to T. hamid. The presence of an embolic spine, unknown in any other species of Tegenaria, is documented in T. anhela Brignoli, 1972 for the first time. Photographs are provided for all treated species.

Key words: Anatolia, Armenia, Georgia, Maimuna, new record, new synonymy, Persiscape, Tegenaria

Habitus of Tegenaria egrisiana sp. nov. (A, B), T. dalmatica (C), T. beyazcika sp. nov. (D), and T. tekke (E), dorsal view.
A, D males B, C, E females.

Alireza Zamani, Rahşen S. Kaya, Yuri M. Marusik. 2024. New Taxonomic and Faunistic Data on the Funnel-weavers (Araneae, Agelenidae) of Turkiye and the Caucasus, with Five New Species. ZooKeys. 1218: 251-286. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1218.135249

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

[Mollusca • 2024] Landouria bella & L. monodon • Two New Species of Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 (Gastropoda: Camaenidae) from Thailand, with A Key to Thai Species

Landouria bella

Nahok, Chanlabut, S. Tumpeesuwan & C. Tumpeesuwan, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1208.117056

Abstract

The present work contains descriptions of two new species of Landouria and a key to Thai species of this genus. Landouria bella sp. nov. is described from isolated limestone hills in Ratchaburi and Phetchaburi provinces, western Thailand. This new species is characterized by its small depressed-globose shell without a peripheral keel, the presence of a small, thin lamella on the columellar side of the inner aperture, a long, cylindrical distally bent flagellum, a short penis with a rounded verge, and a short, thick free oviduct and vagina. The second new species, Landouria monodon sp. nov. is described from sandstone hills in Kalasin Province, northeastern Thailand. This species has a depressed-conic shell with a blunt peripheral keel, a thick prominent lamella on the columellar side of the inner aperture, a short, finger-shaped, distally bent flagellum, and a long penis with a small, short verge.

Key words: Aegistini, Bradybaeninae, radula, reproductive anatomy, shell morphology

Landouria bella sp. nov. A holotype (NHMSU-00056) B paratype (ZCPRU-0042) C, D empty shell from Khao Nang Panthurat Forest Park, Phetchaburi Province (NHMSU-00058).

Benchawan Nahok, Utain Chanlabut, Sakboworn Tumpeesuwan and Chanidaporn Tumpeesuwan. 2024. Two New Species of Landouria Godwin-Austen, 1918 (Gastropoda, Camaenidae) from Thailand, with A Key to Thai Species. ZooKeys. 1208: 347-362. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1208.117056