[Fungi • 2018] High Diversity, High Insular Endemism and Recent Origin in the Lichen Genus Sticta (lichenized Ascomycota, Peltigerales) in Madagascar and the Mascarenes

in Simon, Goffinet, Magain & Sérusiaux, 2018. 

   DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.012 

Highlights

•  A lineage of Sticta restricted to the Indian Ocean underwent a rapid radiation.

•  The adaptive radiation gave rise to 31 species, most with small-range endemism.

•  The dramatic diversification followed a single colonization event (c. 11 Mya).

Abstract

Lichen biodiversity and its generative evolutionary processes are practically unknown in the MIOI (Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands) biodiversity hotspot. We sought to test the hypothesis that lichenized fungi in this region have undergone a rapid radiation, following a single colonization event, giving rise to narrow endemics, as is characteristic of other lineages of plants. We extensively sampled specimens of the lichen genus Sticta in the Mascarene archipelago (mainly Réunion) and in Madagascar, mainly in the northern range (Amber Mt and Marojejy Mt) and produced the fungal ITS barcode sequence for 148 thalli. We further produced a four-loci data matrix for 68 of them, representing the diversity and geographical distribution of ITS haplotypes. We reconstructed the phylogenetic relationships within this group, established species boundaries with morphological context, and estimated the date of the most recent common ancestor. Our inferences resolve a robust clade comprising 31 endemic species of Sticta that arose from the diversification following a single recent (c. 11 Mya) colonization event. All but three species have a very restricted range, endemic to either the Mascarene archipelago or a single massif in Madagascar. The first genus of lichens to be studied with molecular data in this region underwent a recent radiation, exhibits micro-endemism, and thus exemplifies the biodiversity characteristics found in other taxa in Madagascar and the Mascarenes.

Keywords: Biogeography; Indian Ocean; Lobariaceae; Photomorph; Radiation

Fig. 1. Representatives of MIOI Sticta species. 
(B) Sticta sp. 20. (C) Sticta sp. 23. (D) S. macrophylla. (E) Sticta sp. 22.

Photographs taken in the field by E. Sérusiaux (A–D) and B. Goffinet (E).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates the existence of a well-supported monophyletic lineage within the genus Sticta, which is endemic to three islands of the Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion (MIOI hotspot). This clade comprises an assemblage of mostly narrow endemic species six times more diverse than previously recognized, highlighting the extent of the undiscovered diversity within lichen-forming fungi in this region, especially in the genus Sticta. Our results strongly support a local species-rich radiation starting in the Late Miocene, that is concomitant with the emergence of the Mascarene archipelago. Thus, the following biogeographic scenario can be tentatively suggested for the MIOI Sticta species: their most recent common ancestor reached either Madagascar or the Mascarenes, via a single long dispersal event, most likely from an area in the Southern Hemisphere; thereafter migrations between the three islands shaped the observed evolutionary patterns and local speciation, including within each Madagascan montane area, giving rise to a rich complex of small-range endemic species.

Antoine Simon, Bernard Goffinet, Nicolas Magain and Emmanuël Sérusiaux. 2018. High Diversity, High Insular Endemism and Recent Origin in the Lichen Genus Sticta (lichenized Ascomycota, Peltigerales) in Madagascar and the Mascarenes. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.  122; 15–28.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2018.01.012

[Herpetology • 2017] Seven New Species of Night Frogs (Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot of India, with Remarkably High Diversity of Diminutive Forms

Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis, N. manalari, N. pulivijayani, N. radcliffei, N. robinmoorei, N. sabarimalai & N. webilla 

Garg, Suyesh, Sukesan & Biju. 2017

 DOI:   10.7717/peerj.3007 

 Abstract

The Night Frog genus Nyctibatrachus (Family Nyctibatrachidae) represents an endemic anuran lineage of the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot, India. Until now, it included 28 recognised species, of which more than half were described recently over the last five years. Our amphibian explorations have further revealed the presence of undescribed species of Nights Frogs in the southern Western Ghats. Based on integrated molecular, morphological and bioacoustic evidence, seven new species are formally described here as Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus manalari sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus radcliffei sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei sp. nov., Nyctibatrachus sabarimalai sp. nov. and Nyctibatrachus webilla sp. nov., thereby bringing the total number of valid Nyctibatrachus species to 35 and increasing the former diversity estimates by a quarter. Detailed morphological descriptions, comparisons with other members of the genus, natural history notes, and genetic relationships inferred from phylogenetic analyses of a mitochondrial dataset are presented for all the new species. Additionally, characteristics of male advertisement calls are described for four new and three previously known species. Among the new species, six are currently known to be geographically restricted to low and mid elevation regions south of Palghat gap in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and one is probably endemic to high-elevation mountain streams slightly northward of the gap in Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, four new species are also among the smallest known Indian frogs. Hence, our discovery of several new species, particularly of easily overlooked miniaturized forms, reiterates that the known amphibian diversity of the Western Ghats of India still remains underestimated.

• Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis sp. nov.

 Athirappilly Night Frog

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/891, adult male, from Thavalakuzhipara (10°16′53″N 76°41′25.6″E, 530 m), Vazhachal forest division, Thrissur district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 11 September 2015.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/892–895, four adult males, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/896, adult female, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 11 July 2016.

Etymology. The species epithet is an adjective that refers to Athirappilly falls, which is in close vicinity of the type locality.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus athirappillyensis is currently known only from its type locality in the southern Western Ghats state of Kerala. All the specimens were collected from shallow streams or marshy areas covered with thick vegetation or leaf litter. Collection site was located inside a secondary forest. Calling males were found hiding under vegetation either inside the shallow stream or on the edges. Calls were heard and recorded during the late evening between 18:00–22:00 h.

Remark. Biju et al. (2011) erroneously interpreted the “fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal groove, cover rounded distally” in Nyctibatrachus kempholeyensis. In the present study we confirm that the fourth toe disc of N. kempholeyensis has a dorso-terminal groove with cover notched distally.

• Nyctibatrachus manalari sp. nov.

 Manalar Night Frog

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/897, adult male, from Upper Manalar (09°34′29.31″N 77° 20′10.27″E, 1564 m), Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 15 July 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/898–901, four adult males, collected along with the holotype.

Etymology. The species is named after the type locality Upper Manalar in Periyar Tiger Reserve, from where the type series was collected. The specific name manalari is a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus manalari is currently known only from its type locality, which is located south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Animals were found hiding under herbs and grasses growing on or at the edges of a large rocky area inside a primary evergreen forest patch. Calling males were located and recorded at night (between 19:00–21:00 h), but calls were also heard during the day (around 14:00 h). One of the calling males was found next to an egg clutch (eight eggs) deposited under the ground vegetation.

• Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani sp. nov. 

Vijayan’s Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/902, adult male, from Pandipath (08°40′42.0″N 77°11′38.6″E, 1,250 m), Thiruvananthapuram district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB, SG and Vijayan on 19 June 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/903–905, three adult males collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/906, adult male, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 29 June 2015.

Etymology. This species is named after Mr. Vijayan Kani for consistently offering tremendous field support over two decades to SDB and his students during studies in the Western Ghats. Vijayan, a tribal from Agasthyamala hills of Kerala, acquired the name ‘Pulivijayan’ after he braved a leopard’s attack. The name is derived from two words; ‘puli’ meaning leopard in Malayalam (official language of Kerala state) and ‘vijayan’. The species epithet ‘pulivijayani’ is used as a noun in the genitive case. The specific word ‘puli’ also refers to leopard-like spots observed on the dorsal surface of this species.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus pulivijayani is currently known only from its type locality, which is located in Agasthyamala Hills, south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Animals were found hiding under herbs and grasses on marshy ground (usually away from water) inside an evergreen forest. Males were observed calling during the day (around 11:00 h) and in the late evening (18:00 h).

• Nyctibatrachus radcliffei sp. nov. 

Radcliffe’s Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/920, adult male, from Thiashola estate (11°13′48.2″N 76° 37′02.1″E, 1920 m), Nilgiris district, Tamil Nadu state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 09 July 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/921–922, two adult males, collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/923–924, two adult males, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 08 July 2016.

Etymology. This species is named after the late Major Richard Radcliffe in recognition of his contribution towards biodiversity conservation in the Nilgiris. The species name radcliffei is a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus radcliffei sp. nov. is currently known only from its type locality, which is located in the Nilgiris, north of Palghat gap in the southern Western Ghats state of Tamil Nadu. All the specimens were found in crevices under rocks in a hill stream inside the tea estate. In our study, we observed tadpoles of this species during the month of October 2014 and confirmed their identity using DNA. Since calls or breeding activity was not observed at the time of collection (in July), we presume that this species breeds during the early monsoon period. Collections were made between 20:00–23:00 h.

• Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei sp. nov. 

Robin Moore’s Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/925, adult male, from Kakkachi (08°33′02.6″N, 77°23′29.6″E, 1290 m), Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu state, India, collected by SDB on 30 August 2002.

Etymology. The species is named for Dr Robin Moore, a wildlife photographer and conservationist, in appreciation of his contribution to amphibian conservation. The species name robinmoorei is considered as a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus robinmoorei is currently known only from its type locality, which is located in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Tamil Nadu. Animals were collected from a marshy area covered with thick ground vegetation, close to a rivulet inside primary forest. Males were heard calling during daytime (12:00–14:00 h) and in the late evening (around 18:00 h).

• Nyctibatrachus sabarimalai sp. nov. 

Sabarimala Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/927, adult male, from Pamba (09°24′17.6″N 77°04′11.6″E, 210 m), Pathanamthitta district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 17 July 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/928–931, four adult males collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/932, adult female, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB, SG, RS, SS on 02 July 2015.

Etymology. The species is named after Sabarimala, a pilgrim site located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve, from the surroundings of which the type series was collected. The species name is considered as a noun in the genitive case.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus sabarimalai is currently known only from its type locality, which is located close to Sabarimala in Periyar Tiger Reserve, south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Individuals were located under leaf litter in a shallow forest stream or under the grasses on wet rocky terrain. A calling male was found positioned next to an egg clutch (10 eggs) deposited inside a slit on a tree stump about one foot above ground. Males were observed calling both during the day (between 15:00–17:00 h) and night (20:00–22:00 h).

• Nyctibatrachus webilla sp. nov. 

Kadalar Night Frog 

Holotype. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/933, adult male, from Kadalar (10°07′52.0″N 77°00′01.8″E, 1429 m), Idukki district, Kerala state, India, collected by SDB and SG on 08 June 2016.

Paratypes. ZSI/WGRC/V/A/934, adult male, collected along with the holotype, and ZSI/WGRC/V/A/935–936, two adult males, collected from the same locality as holotype, by SDB and SG on 18 August 2013.

Etymology. The species name is derived from the English term ‘web’ between toes and the Malayalam word ‘illa’, meaning ‘no’— referring to the prominently reduced foot webbing in this species in comparison to its close relative Nyctibatrachus deccanensis. The species name is treated as an invariable noun in apposition to the generic name.

Distribution and natural history. Nyctibatrachus webilla is currently known only from its type locality, which is located south of Palghat gap in the Western Ghats state of Kerala. Animals were found hidden either under leaf litter or vegetation on marshy ground close to a shallow rivulet. The specific collection site was located inside a disturbed forest patch adjacent to tea estate. Males were collected and observed calling both during the day (around 10:00–12:00 h) and night (between 19:00–22:00 h).

 Figure 12: Phylogenetic relationships and distribution of the seven new Nyctibatrachus species described in the study.
(A) Maximum Likelihood phylogram (GTR +G +I; −Ln L = 3621.582) for the 16S mitochondrial DNA dataset of 540 bp representing 35 Nyctibatrachus species (28 previously known +seven new species) from the Western Ghats of India and an outgroup taxa. Bayesian Posterior Probabilities (BPP) and RaxML bootstrap values of >50 are indicated above and below the branches, respectively. (B) Type localities of the new species in the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India. Distribution points are referenced with species names in Fig. 12A. The Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot region is shaded orange. 

Sonali Garg, Robin Suyesh, Sandeep Sukesan and S.D. Biju. 2017. Seven New Species of Night Frogs (Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) from the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot of India, with Remarkably High Diversity of Diminutive Forms. PeerJ. 5:e3007. DOI:   10.7717/peerj.3007

[Herpetology • 2017] Ecological Divergence in the Yellow-bellied Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) at Two North American Biodiversity Hotspots

Fig. 1. (A) Approximate range of each species of Yellow-bellied Kingsnake and sampling distribution for the Prairie Kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster (Brown, B), Mole Kingsnake, Lampropeltis rhombomaculata, (Green, C) and South Florida Mole Kingsnake Lampropeltis occipitolineata (Purple, D) and dated species tree. Ranges are estimated based on Ernst and Ernst (2003) and Conant and Collins (1998) as well as environmental niche models produced in this study.

 South Florida species L. occipitolineata diverged from the Eastern clade L. rhombomaculata $0.88 MYA, posterior probability 0.797. An older split between the western group L. calligaster from the two eastern groups occurred $1.56 MYA. Posterior probability values are displayed to the left of each node. 

Photograph B courtesy of Donald Shepard, C Kenneth Krysko and D Kevin Enge. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.)

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.006 

Highlights: 

• The Lampropeltis calligaster complex is composed of three species occupying distinct ecological niches in North America.

• Speciation in the Eastern Nearctic is associated with ecological processes occurring near the Mississippi River.

• Divergence occurred in the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene and was likely ecological rather than allopatric.

• Two of the three species delimited are likely imperiled by urbanization and climate change.

Abstract

Several biogeographic barriers in the Eastern Nearctic appear to reduce gene flow among populations of many species in predictable ways, however these patterns used to infer process of divergence may be deceiving if alternative modes of diversification are not considered. By using a multilocus statistical phylogeographic approach to examine diversity within a North American snake, Lampropeltis calligaster, we find that mode and timing of speciation near the Mississippi River embayment and peninsular Florida, two main biodiversity hotspots in eastern North America, challenge previously held notions of strict vicariance as the causal factor behind patterns of divergence seen among taxa at these locations. We found three species inhabiting distinct ecological niches with divergences dating to the mid- and early-Pleistocene with subsequently stable or increasing effective population sizes, further supporting the idea that the Pleistocene was an important driver of diversification in North America. Our results lead to a revised hypothesis that ecological divergence has occurred in this group across environments associated with the Mississippi River and at the Florida peninsula. Importantly, in their western distributions, we show that species divergence is associated with the ecological transition from distinct forested habitats to grasslands, rather than the nearby Mississippi River, a barrier often implicated for many other organisms. Additionally, we stress the importance of examining each delimited lineage with respect to conservation, since ecological niche models suggest that by the end of the century changes in climate may negatively alter habitat suitability and, barring adaptation, substantially reduce the suitable range of two of the three species we identified.

 Keywords: Ecological speciation; Statistical phylogeography; Biodiversity; Environmental niche modeling; Snakes; Conservation

Fig. 1. (A) Approximate range of each species of Yellow-bellied Kingsnake and sampling distribution for the Prairie Kingsnake, Lampropeltis calligaster (Brown, B), Mole Kingsnake, Lampropeltis rhombomaculata, (Green, C) and South Florida Mole Kingsnake Lampropeltis occipitolineata (Purple, D) and dated species tree. Ranges are estimated based on Ernst and Ernst (2003) and Conant and Collins (1998) as well as environmental niche models produced in this study. South Florida species L. occipitolineata diverged from the Eastern clade L. rhombomaculata $0.88 MYA, posterior probability 0.797. An older split between the western group L. calligaster from the two eastern groups occurred $1.56 MYA. Posterior probability values are displayed to the left of each node.

Photograph B courtesy of Donald Shepard, C Kenneth Krysko and D Kevin Enge. (For interpretation of the references to color in this figure legend, the reader is referred to the web version of this article.) DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.006

 A.D. McKelvy and F.T. Burbrink. 2017. Ecological Divergence in the Yellow-bellied Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) at Two North American Biodiversity Hotspots. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 106; 61–72. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2016.09.006

ResearchGate.net/publication/308132000_Ecological_divergence_in_the_yellow-bellied_kingsnake_Lampropeltis_calligaster_at_two_North_American_biodiversity_hotspots

Common US snake actually three different species http://phy.so/394888790 @physorg_com

[Herpetology • 2016] Exploration into the Hidden World of Mozambique’s Sky Island Forests: New Discoveries of Reptiles and Amphibians

Herpetofauna of northern Mozambique inselbergs

Figure 3. A selection of amphibians from northern Mozambique inselbergs.
A – Arthroleptis francei (Mt. Namuli, PEM A11303), B – Arthroleptis xenodactyloides (Mt. Mabu), C – Arthroleptis stenodactylus (Mt. Mabu), D – Amietia delalandii (Mt. Namuli, PEM A11319), E – Nothophryne cf. broadleyi (Mt. M’pàluwé, PEM A11370), F – Nothophryne cf. broadleyi (Mt. Namuli), G – Strongylopus cf. fuelleborni (Mt. Mabu, PEM A11184), H – Scolecomorphus cf. kirkii (Mt. Mabu, PEM A11248).

Figure 4. A selection of reptiles from northern Mozambique inselbergs.
A – Nadzikambia baylissi (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21165), B – Rhampholeon tilburyi (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21157), C – Rhampholeon sp. (Mt. M’pàluwé, PEM R21209), D – Lygodactylus cf. rex (Mt. Mabu, PEM R21147), E – Holaspis laevis (Mt. Mabu, PEM R21146), F – Dipsadoboa cf. shrevei shrevei (Mt. Mabu, PEM R21123), G – Duberria shirana (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21184), H – Psammophylax variabilis (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21186).

 DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9948 

Abstract

We carried out a survey of reptiles and amphibians within Afromontane forest and woodland slopes of three inselbergs in northern Mozambique (Mount Mabu, Mount Namuli, and Mount Ribáuè). A total of 56 species (22 amphibians and 34 reptiles) were recorded during the current survey. Our findings substantially increase the number of herpetofaunal species recorded from these mountains (Mount Ribáuè 59%, Mount Mabu 37%, and Mount Namuli 11% of the total species), including one new country record and several putative new species. An updated checklist of the herpetofauna of these mountains is presented.

Key Words: Amphibia, Reptilia, conservation, diversity, new species

Figure 2. Study area, northern Mozambique sky islands.
A – Mount Mabu, B – Mount Namuli, C – Mount M’pàluwé to the left. 

Figure 3. A selection of amphibians from northern Mozambique inselbergs. 
A – Arthroleptis francei (Mt. Namuli, PEM A11303), B – Arthroleptis xenodactyloides (Mt. Mabu), C – Arthroleptis stenodactylus (Mt. Mabu), D – Amietia delalandii (Mt. Namuli, PEM A11319), E – Nothophryne cf. broadleyi (Mt. M’pàluwé, PEM A11370), F – Nothophryne cf. broadleyi (Mt. Namuli), G – Strongylopus cf. fuelleborni (Mt. Mabu, PEM A11184), H – Scolecomorphus cf. kirkii (Mt. Mabu, PEM A11248). 

 DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9948 

Figure 4. A selection of reptiles from northern Mozambique inselbergs.
 A – Nadzikambia baylissi (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21165), B – Rhampholeon tilburyi (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21157), C – Rhampholeon sp. (Mt. M’pàluwé, PEM R21209), D – Lygodactylus cf. rex (Mt. Mabu, PEM R21147), E – Holaspis laevis (Mt. Mabu, PEM R21146), F – Dipsadoboa cf. shrevei shrevei (Mt. Mabu, PEM R21123), G – Duberria shirana (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21184), H – Psammophylax variabilis (Mt. Namuli, PEM R21186). 

 DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9948  

Conclusions

We have found eight putative new species through field identification, added additional species known from northern inselbergs (13 species to Mt. Mabu, five species to Mt. Namuli, and 19 species to Mt. M’pàluwé), and one new country record. Additional analyses are necessary, including barcoding and phylogenetic analyses, to determine whether these mountains are exceptionally high in species richness. We now know there are at least 30-40 species of reptiles and amphibians on each of these sky islands, many of which are montane endemics. Although the state of knowledge is growing for Mt. Mabu and Mt. Namuli and can be considered to be relatively well sampled, it is clear that Mt. Ribáuè isolates requires more work given the brevity of our survey. In addition, several other sky islands in the area have received little or no attention in terms of the herpetofaunal survey (e.g. Mt. Inago and Mt. Chiperone).

The present collection is essentially a preliminary assessment of amphibian and reptile diversity in the region and does not account for seasonal variation in activity of herpetofauna. Future surveys that are more comprehensive in space and over time should considerably increase our understanding of the regional diversity, endemism, and richness of these inselbergs. Although the state of biodiversity knowledge has grown for Mts. Mabu and Namuli, there is an urgent need for a clear understanding of the nature of threats, and mitigation measures that will directly improve protection of habitat. At Mt. Ribàué additional surveys are imperative, given the comparatively limited exploration on that mountain coupled with the apparent high rate of forest clearing. Overall, the sky islands of Mozambique clearly require additional surveys to quantify species richness and endemism for a broad range of taxonomic groups. Ultimately, a better understanding of the threats to biodiversity will allow for prioritisation of conservation interventions.

 Werner Conradie, Gabriela Bittencourt-Silva, Hanlie M. Engelbrecht, Simon P. Loader, Michele Menegon, Cristóvão Nanvonamuquitxo, Michael Scott and Krystal A. Tolley. 2016. Exploration into the Hidden World of Mozambique’s Sky Island Forests: New Discoveries of Reptiles and Amphibians.   Zoosystematics and Evolution. 92(2); 163-180. DOI: 10.3897/zse.92.9948

ResearchGate.net/publication/308699847_Exploration_into_the_hidden_world_of_Mozambique's_sky_island_forests_new_discoveries_of_reptiles_and_amphibians

[Arachnida • 2016] Spider Diversity and Endemism in A South American Hotspot: 20 New Species of Carapoia (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

Carapoia patafina 

Huber, 2016

   DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4177.1.1 

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest along the eastern South American coast is widely recognized as a hotspot with extreme levels of diversity, endemism, and threat. A megatransect study (2003–2015) focusing on pholcid spiders and covering 48 localities across a large part of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest resulted in 132 morphospecies, of which 81% were new to science. The present paper deals with the species of Carapoia González-Sponga, 1998 collected during this campaign. The endemism level is 100%, i.e. all 26 species of Carapoia in the Atlantic Forest are not known from (and not likely to occur) anywhere else. While few species (all of them with non-overlapping ranges) occur in the most southern and northern regions, the central region (between Rio Doce and Rio Paraguaçu; largely equivalent to what has been called the ‘Bahia refuge’) is characterized by high diversity and up to five species per locality. The following species are newly described (from South to North): Carapoia voltavelha (Santa Catarina); C. macacu, C. divisa (Rio de Janeiro); C. nairae, C. capixaba, C. mirim, C. patafina (Espírito Santo); C. pau, C. gracilis, C. zumbii, C. dandarae, C. marceloi, C. viridis, C. jiboia, C. carvalhoi, C. carybei (Bahia); C. alagoas (Alagoas); C. saltinho, C. abdita (Pernambuco); C. septentrionalis (Pernambuco to Rio Grande do Norte). New records and amendments are given for most previously described Atlantic Forest species.

Keywords: Araneae, Atlantic Forest, Brazil, Carapoia, taxonomy, distribution ranges, endemism

Bernhard A. Huber. 2016. Spider Diversity and Endemism in A South American Hotspot: 20 New Species of Carapoia (Araneae: Pholcidae) from Brazil’s Atlantic Forest. Zootaxa. 4177(1); 1-69. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4177.1.1

[Herpetology • 2016] Glaciations, Gradients, and Geography: Multiple Drivers of Diversification of Bush Frogs in the Western Ghats Escarpment

Figure 2. Geographical ancestral range reconstruction on a chronogram of Western Ghats bush frogs Raorchestes shows two sister clades, North and South, divided by an ancient barrier, the Palghat Gap (PG), with limited dispersal (see map). The range on the map does not incorporate dispersal across the PG and an isolated lineage from one of the eastern massifs. Inset map shows global geographical extent of the lineages used in the reconstruction. 

Abstract

The historical processes underlying high diversity in tropical biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats of Peninsular India remain poorly understood. We sampled bush frogs on 13 massifs across the Western Ghats Escarpment and examined the relative influence of Quaternary glaciations, ecological gradients and geological processes on the spatial patterns of lineage and clade diversification. The results reveal a large in situ radiation (more than 60 lineages), exhibiting geographical structure and clade-level endemism, with two deeply divergent sister clades, North and South, highlighting the biogeographic significance of an ancient valley, the Palghat Gap. A majority of the bush frog sister lineages were isolated on adjacent massifs, and signatures of range stasis provide support for the dominance of geological processes in allopatric speciation. In situ diversification events within the montane zones (more than 1800 m) of the two highest massifs suggest a role for climate-mediated forest-grassland persistence. Independent transitions along elevational gradients among sub-clades during the Miocene point to diversification along the elevational gradient. The study highlights the evolutionary significance of massifs in the Western Ghats with the high elevations acting as centres of lineage diversification and the low- and mid-elevations of the southern regions, with deeply divergent lineages, serving as museums.

KEYWORDS: diversification; bush frogs; Western Ghats; Earth processes

Figure 1. Alternative processes driving diversification in a mountain setting and expected patterns of sister-lineage distributions (summarized in the electronic supplementary material, table S1). 

S. P. Vijayakumar, Riya C. Menezes, Aditi Jayarajan and Kartik Shanker. 2016. Glaciations, Gradients, and Geography: Multiple Drivers of Diversification of Bush Frogs in the Western Ghats Escarpment. Proc. R. Soc. B 283: 20161011.  DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1011

An evolutionary museum of bush frogs - Nature India DOI: 10.1038/nindia.2016.105

[Herpetology • 2006] Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, as A Refuge for Borneo’s Montane Herpetofauna

Abstract

Crocker Range National Park in Sabah (East Malaysia), northern Borneo, is an exceptional area for herpetological diversity. Inventories of the Park are incomplete, but show high diversity, as well as regional endemicity shared with the adjacent and more well-known Gunung Kinabalu National Park. The montane ecosystem of the Range offers refuge for a number of rare herpetofaunal taxa, including Stoliczkia borneensis, Rhabdophis murudensis, Oligodon everetti, Philautus bunitus, Ansonia anotis, Sphenomorphus aesculeticola, and undescribed species of squamates of the genera Sphenomorphus and Gongylosoma. The 59 species of amphibians and 45 species of reptiles now recorded from the Range represent 39 and 16.2 per cent of the total Bornean amphibian and reptile fauna, respectively. The high levels of deforestation of the surrounding regions of Borneo, particularly lowland rainforests, highten the importance of protection of primary forests of northern Borneo’s Crocker Range.

Key words. Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, Malaysia, herpetofauna, conservation

Indraneil Das. 2006. Crocker Range National Park, Sabah, as A Refuge for Borneo’s Montane Herpetofauna. Amphibian and Reptile Conservation. 4(1):3-11. DOI:  10.1514/journal.arc.0040015  http://amphibian-reptile-conservation.org/pdfs/Volume/Vol_4/ARC_4_3-11_e15.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2015] An Update to the Inland Fishes of Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

 Abstract

 Sixty-two species of inland fishes are recorded from Pulau Tioman, Malaysia, representing an increase of 14 species (29%) since the last published checklist in 1999. Nine native species are recorded for the first time, viz., Neotrygon kuhlii (Dasyatidae), Chanos chanos (Chanidae), Lates calcarifer (Latidae), Selaroides leptolepis (Carangidae), Kraemeria cunicularia, Mangarinus waterousi, Mugilogobius chulae, Pandaka pygmaea, and Stiphodon multisquamus (Gobiidae). An additional five introduced species are also recorded for the first time, viz., Barbonymus schwanenfeldii (Cyprinidae), Hypsibarbus sp. (Cyprinidae), Poecilia reticulata (Poeciliidae), Oreochromis hybrid (Cichlidae), and Channa striata (Channidae); their likely modes of introduction and potential impacts of the introduced species are briefly discussed. Additional distributional data and natural history observations are also included.

Key words. Biodiversity, Pulau Tioman, Southeast Asia, inland fishes, alien species

 Heok Hui Tan, Bi Wei Low, Darren C. J. Yeo and Kelvin K. P. Lim. 2015. An Update to the Inland Fishes of Pulau Tioman, Malaysia. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 63:555–563. 

https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/nus/images/data/raffles_bulletin_of_zoology/vol63/63rbz555-563.pdf

ResearchGate.net/publication/292984791_An_update_to_the_Inland_Fishes_of_Pulau_Tioman_Malaysia

[Herpetology • 2015] Life in the Spray Zone – Overlooked Diversity in West African Torrent-Frogs (Anura, Odontobatrachidae, Odontobatrachus)

 Odontobatrachus arndti 

Barej, Schmitz, Penner, Doumbia, Sandberger-Loua, Emmrich, Adeba & Rödel, 2015

Odontobatrachus arndti sp. n. in life: a) and c) Nimba Mts, Guinea; b) Mt. Sangbé, Côte d’Ivoire. Non vouchered specimens. Note parasitic mites (minuscule red dots) close to the cloaca in (c).

DOI: 10.3897/zse.91.5127

Abstract

West African torrent-frogs of the genus Odontobatrachus currently belong to a single species: Odontobatrachus natator (Boulenger, 1905). Recently, molecular results and biogeographic separation led to the recognition of five Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) thus identifying a species-complex. Based on these insights, morphological analyses on more than 150 adult specimens, covering the entire distribution of the family and all OTUs, were carried out. Despite strong morphological congruence, combinations of morphological characters made the differentiation of OTUs successful and allowed the recognition of five distinct species: Odontobatrachus natator, and four species new to science: Odontobatrachus arndti sp. n., O. fouta sp. n., O. smithi sp. n. and O. ziama sp. n. All species occur in parapatry: Odontobatrachus natator is known from western Guinea to eastern Liberia, O. ziama sp. n. from eastern Guinea, O. smithi sp. n. and O. fouta sp. n. from western Guinea, O. arndti sp. n. from the border triangle Guinea-Liberia-Côte d’Ivoire. In addition, for the first time the advertisement call of a West African torrent-frog (O. arndti sp. n.) is described.

Key Words: Upper Guinea, biodiversity hotspot, rainforest, taxonomy, Amphibia, new species

Systematics of the Odontobatrachus natator-complex

Figure 4. Odontobatrachus natator in life: a) female ZMB 78303, Ziama Forest, Guinea; b) male ZMB 78214, N’Zérékoré Region, Guinea; c) Gola Rainforest National Park, Sierra Leone; d) Freetown Area (type locality of Petropedetes natator Boulenger, 1905), Sierra Leone; e) ZMB 80504, Nimba County, Liberia; f) colouration of male femoral glands hardly visible (male shown in d); g) colouration distinctly contrasted against the femur (male shown in e).

Odontobatrachus natator (Boulenger, 1905)

Distribution: Odontobatrachus natator has the widest distribution of all congeners (Fig. 1). The species is known from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. While the species distribution overlaps with O. ziama and O. arndti in eastern Guinea, westernmost localities reach extensions of the Fouta Djallon area, close to the range of O. fouta. Two distinct molecular clades have been uncovered in O. natator (Barej et al. 2015), one of them being restricted to the Freetown Peninsula in coastal Sierra Leone (FP sensu Barej et al. 2015) and the other covering all remaining localities (IL sensu Barej et al. 2015) of this taxon.

Conservation status: The EOO, combining both subclades of O. natator (Barej et al. 2015; therein natator) sums up to 180,231 km2, resulting in the IUCN Red List category “Least Concern (LC)”. However, due to the habitat requirements of this family the AOO is restricted to 224 km2 and thus classifies the species as “Endangered (EN)”. When considering the genetic subdivision of O. natator (see Barej et al. 2015), the distribution areas further diminish dramatically, especially for the Freetown Peninsula subclade. While IUCN categories remain constant for the widely distributed subclade, the Freetown Peninsula subclade possesses an AOO of only 20 km2 classifying it as EN and an EOO of 34 km2 placing it as “Critically Endangered (CR)” if treated as its own taxonomic unit.

Figure 6. Odontobatrachus ziama sp. n. in life: a) female paratype ZFMK 95465 Ziama Forest, Guinea; b) female paratype MHNG 2731.46, from Ziama Forest, Guinea; c) female ZMB 78267, Kankan Region, Guinea; d) female ZMB 78263, Kankan Region, Guinea; e) ventral view of ZFMK 95465; f) colouration of femoral glands in male ZMB 78269. Mind the variation in shape of snout in lateral view from rounded (b) to pointed (d) and the variation in shape of dorsal ridges ranging from sub-elliptical (a, b), elongated (c) to conic (d).

Odontobatrachus ziama Barej, Schmitz, Penner, Doumbia, Hirschfeld, Brede, Bangoura & Rödel, sp. n.

Distribution: Distribution of Odontobatrachus ziama is restricted to isolated mountains north of the Nimba Mts. in south-eastern Guinea (Fig. 1). Its range apparently overlaps with O. natator as the latter is found in proximity to the Simandou Mountain Range, Massif du Ziama or Mt. Going. However, no syntopic populations are known so far. At present no differing habitat requirements or ecological adaptations are known (Barej et al. 2015), which could explain their spatial separation. Presence of O. natator in lower altitudes (e.g. Liberia, Grand Gedeh 250-500 m a.s.l.) could be a factor but both species co-occur in altitudes of app. 500–1300 m a.s.l. in the distribution range of O. ziama.

Natural history remark: Odontobatrachus ziama is known as a host of the endoparasitic mite Endotrombicula pillersi, otherwise known from members of the family Phrynobatrachidae (Wohltmann et al. 2007).

Etymology: The species epithet ziama is a noun in apposition, therefore invariable, referring to the species' type locality, the Ziama Forest, in eastern Guinea.

Common name: We advise to use the term ‘‘Ziama torrent-frog’’ in English and ‘‘grenouilles des torrents de Ziama’’ in French.

Conservation status: The EOO of O. ziama is 7797 km2, placing the species in the category “Vulnerable (VU)” while the AOO of 104 km2 classifies the species as “Endangered (EN)” (Barej et al. 2015).

Figure 8. Odontobatrachus smithi sp. n. in life: a) male ZMB 78307, Kindia Region, Guinea; b) female paratype MHNG 2731.47, Fouta Djallon: Pita, Hörè Binti, Guinea); c) colouration of femoral glands in ZMB 78307; d) ventral view of female paratype MHNG 2731.47.

Odontobatrachus smithi 

Barej, Schmitz, Penner, Doumbia, Sandberger-Loua, Hirschfeld, Brede, Emmrich, Kouamé, Hillers, Gonwouo, Nopper, Adeba, Bangoura, Gage, Anderson & Rödel, sp. n.

Distribution: Distribution of Odontobatrachus smithi is restricted to localities in western Guinea on the western and southern edge of the Fouta Djallon Highlands and its western extensions to the Kindia region (Fig. 1). Its easternmost localities are in proximity of O. fouta. However, O. smithi seems to occupy lowland to mid-altitudes (app. 100–650 m a.s.l.) while O. fouta occurs in mid-altitudes (app. 650–900 m a.s.l.).

Etymology: The species epithet smithi refers to Major F. Smith of the Royal Army Medical Corps (R.A.M.C.). In addition to his studies on blackwater fever he contributed to our knowledge on West African amphibians and collected the first specimens of Petropedetes natator Boulenger, 1905 in Sierra Leone during his military service in West Africa.

Common name: We advise to use the term ‘‘Smith’s torrent-frog’’ in English and ‘‘grenouilles des torrents de Smith” in French.

Conservation status: The EOO of Odontobatrachus smithi is 12673 km2, placing the species in the category “Vulnerable (VU)” while the AOO of 40 km2 even classifies the species as “Endangered (EN)” (Barej et al. 2015).

Figure 10. Odontobatrachus fouta sp. n. in life: a) female paratype ZMB 78315, Fouta Djallon: Labé, Sala, Guinea; b) male holotype ZMB 78314, Fouta Djallon: Labé, Sala, Guinea; c) male Dalaba\Chute de Ditinn, Guinea; d) colouration of femoral glands in the male holotype ZMB 78314.

Odontobatrachus fouta 

Barej, Schmitz, Penner, Doumbia, Brede, Hillers & Rödel, sp. n.

Distribution: The distribution of Odontobatrachus fouta is restricted to isolated peaks in the central Fouta Djallon Highlands in western Guinea (Fig. 1). Localities of O. natator at the southern edge and of O. smithi close to western-central of the Fouta Djallon Highlands are in close proximity to O. fouta. However, O. fouta occurs in higher altitudes (southern edge: O. natator app. 500 m a.s.l. and O. smithi app. 92 m a.s.l. vs. O. fouta app. 650 m a.s.l.; western-central: O. smithi app. 510–650 m a.s.l. vs. O. fouta app. 750–900 m a.s.l.).

Etymology: The species epithet fouta is a noun in apposition, therefore invariable, referring to the species' type locality, the Fouta Djallon Highlands, in western Guinea.

Common name: We advise to use the term ‘‘Fouta Djallon torrent-frog’’ in English and ‘‘grenouilles des torrents de Fouta Djallon” in French.

Conservation status: Both, the EOO of 1318 km2 and the AOO of 20 km2 classify O. fouta as “Endangered (EN)” (Barej et al. 2015).

Figure 12. Odontobatrachus arndti sp. n. in life: a) and c) Nimba Mts, Guinea; b) Mt. Sangbé, Côte d’Ivoire. Non vouchered specimens. Note parasitic mites (minuscule red dots) close to the cloaca in (c).

Odontobatrachus arndti 

Barej, Schmitz, Penner, Doumbia, Sandberger-Loua, Emmrich, Adeba & Rödel, sp. n.

Distribution: Odontobatrachus arndti is known to occur on the Nimba Mts. in Guinea and Liberia, the adjacent areas at Mt. Gangra (Liberia) and Déré (Guinea), as well as the Mt. Sangbé in western Côte d’Ivoire (Fig. 1). This taxon represents the easternmost representative of the family. Localities at the southern end of the Nimba Mts. and along Mt. Gangra are in very close proximity to O. natator. Both species inhabit similar altitudes at the foot of the Nimba Mts. However, at present no differing habitat requirements or ecological adaptations are known (Barej et al. 2015), which could explain their spatial separation.

Etymology: The species epithet arndti was chosen in order to honour Prof. emerit. Dr. Rudolf G. Arndt, New Jersey USA, for his trust in young academics and his invaluable support of this study.

Common name: We advise to use the term ‘‘Arndt’s torrent-frog’’ in English and ‘‘grenouilles des torrents d’Arndt” in French.

Conservation status: Both, the EOO of 2595 km2 and the AOO of 156 km2 classify O. arndti as “Endangered (EN)” (Barej et al. 2015).

Michael F. Barej, Andreas Schmitz, Johannes Penner, Joseph Doumbia, Laura Sandberger-Loua, Mareike Hirschfeld, Christian Brede, Mike Emmrich, N’Goran Germain Kouamé, Annika Hillers, Nono Legrand Gonwouo, Joachim Nopper, Patrick Joel Adeba, Mohamed Alhassane Bangoura, Ceri Gage, Gail Anderson and Mark-Oliver Rödel. 2015. Life in the Spray Zone – Overlooked Diversity in West African Torrent-Frogs (Anura, Odontobatrachidae, Odontobatrachus). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 91(2): 115-149. DOI: 10.3897/zse.91.5127

Life in the fast spray zone: Four new endemic tooth-frog species in West African forests
http://phy.so/357196640 via @physorg_com