[Ichthyology • 2024] Enteromius nzigidaherai • A New endemic Enteromius (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the upper Malagarazi in Burundi: Lessons for a protected area under implementation

Enteromius nzigidaherai 

Bigirimana, Kisekelwa, da Costa, Huyghe, Banyankimbona & Vreven, 2024

  DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15652 

 x.com/CharlotteHuygh6

Abstract

Recent collecting efforts in the upper Malagarazi basin (2013–2022) allowed for an integrative study based on qualitative (colour), quantitative (meristic and metric), and barcoding gene [mtDNA, cytochrome c oxidase (COI)] data of specimens similar to Enteromius sp. ‘ascutelatus’, being a previously identified, potentially, new species. Based on these data, the present study confirms its identification as a new species for science, which is here formally described as Enteromius nzigidaherai sp. nov. This new species belongs to the group of Enteromius species for which the last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin is flexible and devoid of serrations along its posterior edge. This species has a horizontal series of black spots at the midlateral level of the sides. Three congeneric species, known from the Congo basin sensu lato, with two of them also found in the upper Malagarazi basin, are most similar to it. However, E. nzigidaherai sp. nov. is distinguished from the two sympatric upper Malagarazi species, that is, E. quadrilineatus and E. lineomaculatus, at least by two meristics and two morphometrics. It is also distinguished from E. urostigma, known from the upper Congo basin, by two meristics and one, apparently related, morphometric. In addition, a barcoding (mtDNA, COI) study revealed that the specimens of E. nzigidaherai sp. nov. form a well-supported, separate lineage, with a K2P genetic distance of more than 10% with specimens identified as E. quadrilineatus and E. lineomaculatus, both originating from the upper Malagarazi basin and for which tissue samples were available. Finally, the new species was found to be endemic to the upper reaches of two left bank affluents of the upper Malagarazi basin: the Muyovozi and the Kinwa. However, both affluents are threatened by human activities, which seem to have resulted in its local disappearance as recent intensive collecting efforts in the latter affluent have remained unsuccessful. The species should thus be considered Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria B1ab(ii,iv)c(i,iii). Therefore, it is hoped that the present description draws renewed attention to the importance of aquatic protection in the region by highlighting the need for the effective establishment of the Malagarazi Nature Reserve and concern for its optimal delimitation to efficiently protect the entire ichthyofauna of the upper Malagarazi, without excluding the fish species confined to its affluent rivers.

Keywords: aquatic protection, COI barcoding, colour pattern, Enteromius nzigidaherai sp. nov., Malagarazi Nature Reserve, Nkoma Massif

 

 Enteromius nzigidaherai sp. nov. 

Anatole Bigirimana, Tchalondawa Kisekelwa, Luis M. da Costa, Charlotte E. T. Huyghe, Gaspard Banyankimbona and Emmanuel J. W. M. N. Vreven. 2024. Description of A New endemic Enteromius (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the upper Malagarazi in Burundi: Lessons for a protected area under implementation. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15652

  x.com/CharlotteHuygh6/status/1841086014271459507

[Ichthyology • 2024] Enteromius niggie • Naming the other Cousin: A New Goldie Barb (Cyprinidae: Smiliogastrininae) from the northeast escarpment in South Africa, with proposed taxonomic rearrangement of the goldie barb group in southern Africa

  

Enteromius niggie

Scheepers, Bragança & Chakona, 2024 

 

 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15870

 

Abstract

A growing body of evidence indicates that the global diversity of freshwater fishes has not been fully documented. Studies of freshwater fishes that were previously thought to be morphologically variable have revealed the existence of deeply divergent lineages, with many distinct species. In southern Africa a number of Enteromius species exhibit either exceedingly wide or divided distribution patterns that should be rare for freshwater fishes with limited dispersal opportunities between river systems. One such species is the sidespot barb, Enteromius neefi. As currently defined, E. neefi has a disjunct distribution that is divided between rivers in the northeast escarpment in South Africa and Eswatini, and tributaries of the Upper Zambezi in Zambia and southern Congo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a large geographic gap between these two populations. With the use of molecular and morphological methods, the level of divergence between the two populations was examined, and a new species was described from the Steelpoort River in the Limpopo River system of South Africa. Findings from this study provide further evidence for a number of taxonomic problems within the goldie barbs of southern Africa, and some taxonomic rearrangements are proposed for this group.

Keywords: color pattern, Cypriniformes, integrative taxonomy, systematics

 

General body features and live colouration of Enteromius niggie sp. nov.
 (a) Male during breeding season, field ID NPEJ21-B081 37.9 mm SL (SAIAB360).
(b) Male during non-breeding season, field ID NPEJ21-B080, 41.1 mm SL, holotype (SAIAB 236359).

Enteromius niggie sp. nov. 

[niggie: ‘nᶕᶍi] (g/ch from Afrikaans/Dutch) is pronounced with a hard guttural sound, made at the back of the throat.

 Proposed common names: Southern sidespot barb; 

Suidelike sykol ghieliemientjie (Afrikaans).

  Diagnosis: E. niggie sp. nov. belongs to the goldie barb group in southern Africa, which is characterized by species with a soft primary dorsal-fin ray, a relatively short compact body (<70 mm SL), the presence of two pairs of well-developed barbels, 24–30 lateral line scales, and a bright golden breeding colouration in males. Along with E. niggie the goldie barb group includes the species E. pallidus (Smith 1841), E. brevipinnis (Jubb 1966), E. neefi s.s. (Greenwood, 1962), E. thamalakanensis (Fowler 1935), E. greenwoodi (Poll, 1967), E. lineomaculatus “Malawi” (Boulenger 1903), and E. viviparus (Weber 1897). E. niggie and E. neefi can be readily distinguished from all the aforementioned species by the presence of distinctive pigmentation along the margins of flank scales that are expressed as wavy parallel lines (Figure 4a,b). Further, E. niggie can be distinguished from E. neefi by the lack of wavy parallel lines below the lateral line (Figure 4c) and by the lack of dark bold and rounded spots on the dorsal midline of the body (Figure 4d).

Etymology: When describing the species E. neefi, Greenwood (1962) used the Afrikaans word neef, which means “male cousin,” a humorous acknowledgment to Graham Bell-Cross (1927–1998) who collected the types of E. neefi and often called Greenwood by the Afrikaans word oom which means “uncle” (Paul Skelton, personal communication). Therefore, in keeping with Afrikaans familial terms, the use of nig [‘nᶕᶍ] to name the new species, which means “female cousin,” is a symbolic representation of the historical association between these two species, which were considered to represent disjunct populations of the same species.

Martinus Scheepers, Pedro H. N. Bragança and Albert Chakona. 2024. Naming the other Cousin: A New Goldie Barb (Cyprinidae: Smiliogastrininae) from the northeast escarpment in South Africa, with proposed taxonomic rearrangement of the goldie barb group in southern Africa. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15870

[Ichthyology • 2020] Enteromius yardiensis • A New Species of Enteromius (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Smiliogastrinae) from the Awash River, Ethiopia, and the Re-establishment of E. akakianus

Enteromius yardiensis 

Englmaier, Tesfaye & Bogutskaya, 2020

 

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.902.39606

Abstract

In the present study, populations of small-sized smiliogastrin barbs with a thickened and serrated last simple dorsal-fin ray distributed in the Main Ethiopian Rift were analysed. An integrated approach combining genetic markers and a variety of morphological methods based on a wide set of characters, including osteology and sensory canals, proved to be very productive for taxonomy in this group of fishes. The results showed that Ethiopian Enteromius species with a serrated dorsal-fin ray are distant from the true E. paludinosus (with E. longicauda as a synonym) and the so-called E. paludinosus complex involves several supposedly valid species with two distinct species occurring in the Main Ethiopian Rift area. A new species, Enteromius yardiensis sp. nov., is described from the Afar Depression in the north-eastern part of the Northern Main Ethiopian Rift. Enteromius akakianus is resurrected as a valid species including populations from the Central Main Ethiopian Rift (basins of lakes Langano, Ziway, and Awasa). No genetic data were available for E. akakianus from its type locality. Enteromius yardiensis sp. nov. is clearly distant from E. akakianus from the Central Main Ethiopian Rift by CO1 and cytb barcodes: pairwise distances between the new species and the Ethiopian congeners were 5.4 % to 11.0 %. Morphologically, the new species most clearly differs from all examined Ethiopian congeners by three specialisations which are unique in the group: the absence of the anterior barbel, the absence of the medial branch of the supraorbital sensory canal, and few, 1–3, commonly two, scale rows between the lateral line and the anus.

Keywords: East Africa, Main Ethiopian Rift, morphology, CO1 and cytb sequences, zoogeography

Dorsal fin in Enteromius yardiensis sp. nov., paratype, NMW 99259, side channel of Awash R. at Kada Bada (site 2), 37.6 mm SL, with four unbranched rays. Arrow 1 showing first unbranched dorsal-fin ray, arrow 2 showing relative positions of tip of penultimate (3rd) unbranched dorsal-fin ray and lowermost limit of serrated part of last (4th) unbranched dorsal-fin ray.

Enteromius yardiensis sp. nov. alive, paratype, NMW 99640, Awash R. at Aditu (site 3), 35.4 mm SL.

Photograph by W. Graf.

Enteromius yardiensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Enteromius yardiensis sp. nov. belongs to a phenotypic group characterised by small size and the last unbranched dorsal-fin ray thickened and serrated. The new species is readily distinguished from its Ethiopian congeners by three unique specialisations: the absence of the anterior barbel, the absence of the medial branch of the supraorbital cephalic canal and few, 1–3, commonly two, scale rows between lateral line and anus. It further differs by posterior barbel usually shorter than half eye diameter; eye large, its diameter 24–34 % HL; snout short and pointed; lateral line complete and strongly curved; scales in the lateral series 32–35; few transversal scale rows between lateral line and pelvic-fin base (1–3); scale rows between dorsal- and pelvic-fin origins 7–10; often four unbranched dorsal-fin rays; few branched pectoral-fin rays, commonly 12 or 13; 17 or 18 abdominal vertebrae; 10–12 predorsal abdominal vertebrae; and 6–9 vertebrae between first pterygiophores of dorsal and anal fins.

 

Etymology: The species name yardiensis refers to Lake Yardi [the Lower Awash River and interconnected lakes], where the new species is abundant.

Alizarin-stained specimens showing cephalic sensory canals and infraorbitals in
A Enteromius yardiensis sp. nov. (same specimen as in Fig. 8)
B Enteromius sp. CMER, NMW 99237, Lake Ziway (site 8), 34.8 mm SL.
Arrows showing part of frontal with no canal in A and medial branch of supraorbital canal (CSO) in B.

 

Gernot K. Englmaier, Genanaw Tesfaye and Nina G. Bogutskaya. 2020. A New Species of Enteromius (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae, Smiliogastrinae) from the Awash River, Ethiopia, and the Re-establishment of E. akakianus. ZooKeys. 902: 107-150. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.902.39606

[Ecology • 2024] A Biogeographical Appraisal of the threatened South East Africa Montane Archipelago Ecoregion

 

Location and extent of the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) 

Examples of SEAMA endemics. (a) Rhinolophus mabuensis (AM), (b) Chamaetylas choloensis (JB), (c) Nothophryne inagoensis (WC), (d) Atheris mabuensis (WRB), (e) Epamera malaikae (TCEC), f) Rhampholeon maspictus (JB), (g) Nadzikambia baylissi (WRB), (h) Maritonautes namuliensis (JB), (i) Euphorbia mlanjeana (ID), (j) Widdringtonia whytei (JB), (k) Encephalartos gratus (JB).

in Bayliss, Bittencourt-Silva, Branch, Bruessow, Collins, Congdon, Conradie, ... et Platts, 2024.

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54671-z

Abstract

Recent biological surveys of ancient inselbergs in southern Malawi and northern Mozambique have led to the discovery and description of many species new to science, and overlapping centres of endemism across multiple taxa. Combining these endemic taxa with data on geology and climate, we propose the ‘South East Africa Montane Archipelago’ (SEAMA) as a distinct ecoregion of global biological importance. The ecoregion encompasses 30 granitic inselbergs reaching > 1000 m above sea level, hosting the largest (Mt Mabu) and smallest (Mt Lico) mid-elevation rainforests in southern Africa, as well as biologically unique montane grasslands. Endemic taxa include 127 plants, 45 vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) and 45 invertebrate species (butterflies, freshwater crabs), and two endemic genera of plants and reptiles. Existing dated phylogenies of endemic animal lineages suggests this endemism arose from divergence events coinciding with repeated isolation of these mountains from the pan-African forests, together with the mountains’ great age and relative climatic stability. Since 2000, the SEAMA has lost 18% of its primary humid forest cover (up to 43% in some sites)—one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa. Urgently rectifying this situation, while addressing the resource needs of local communities, is a global priority for biodiversity conservation.

Location and extent of the South East Africa Montane Archipelago (SEAMA) showing core sites in red, and an outline boundary of the convex hull of the ecoregion (created using QGIS version 3.28.12 LTR https://qgis.org/en/site/).

Examples of SEAMA endemics. (a) Rhinolophus mabuensis (AM), (b) Chamaetylas choloensis (JB), (c) Nothophryne inagoensis (WC), (d) Atheris mabuensis (WRB), (e) Epamera malaikae (TCEC), f) Rhampholeon maspictus (JB), (g) Nadzikambia baylissi (WRB), (h) Maritonautes namuliensis (JB), (i) Euphorbia mlanjeana (ID), (j) Widdringtonia whytei (JB), (k) Encephalartos gratus (JB).

  

 

Julian Bayliss, Gabriela B. Bittencourt-Silva, William R. Branch, Carl Bruessow, Steve Collins, T. Colin E. Congdon, Werner Conradie, Michael Curran, Savel R. Daniels, Iain Darbyshire, Harith Farooq, Lincoln Fishpool, Geoffrey Grantham, Zacharia Magombo, Hermenegildo Matimele, Ara Monadjem, Jose Monteiro, Jo Osborne, Justin Saunders, Paul Smith, Claire N. Spottiswoode, Peter J. Taylor, Jonathan Timberlake, Krystal A. Tolley, Érica Tovela and Philip J. Platts. 2024. A Biogeographical Appraisal of the threatened South East Africa Montane Archipelago Ecoregion. Scientific Reports. 14, 5971. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54671-z

  news.mongabay.com/2024/03/new-ecoregion-proposed-for-southern-africas-threatened-sky-islands

  news.mongabay.com/2018/10/secrets-revealed-scientists-explore-unique-isolated-forest-in-mozambique

Subjects: Adaptive radiation, Biodiversity, Biogeography, Climate and Earth system modelling, Conservation biology, Ecological modelling, Ecology, Ecosystem ecology, Ecosystem services, Evolution, Forest ecology, Palaeoecology, Speciation, Taxonomy, Tropical ecology, Zoology

[Herpetology • 2023] Kenyaphrynoides vulcani • A New Genus and Species of Toad (Anura: Bufonidae) from Mount Kenya illuminates East African Montane Biogeography

Kenyaphrynoides vulcani

 Liedtke, Malonza, Wasonga, Müller & Loader, 2023

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad160

Abstract

Discoveries of new species can greatly impact our understanding of the biogeography of a region. For example, groups of amphibian lineages restricted to the Afrotemperate forests of Tanzania and Ethiopia are indicative of a shared biogeographical history of this highly discontinuous ecosystem. Curiously, many of these lineages are absent from the geographically intermediate Kenyan highlands. This phylogeographical interval is generally considered to be attributable to the younger, volcanic origins of much of the Kenyan highlands, and thus an amphibian fauna that is derived largely from recent colonization events rather than comprising older relicts. Contrasting with this view, here we report on the discovery of a single specimen of Bufonidae (true toad) from Mount Kenya. The specimen belongs to a species new to science and deserves recognition at the generic level owing to its notable molecular phylogenetic and morphological divergences from other described taxa. It is most closely related to the Tanzanian genera Churamiti and Nectophrynoides. The discovery of this new toad and its association with Afrotemperate species is significant because it links Kenya to the biogeographically more ancient Tanzanian mountains and supports the potential longevity of the Afrotemperate forests in Kenya. Broadly, it highlights that we are still adding major branches to the phylogeny of anurans.

biogeography, Eastern Arc Mountains, East Africa Rift, Afromontane, Amphibia, Bufonidae, micro-computed tomography

Kenyaphrynoides gen. nov.

Nectophrynoides sp. (Spawls et al. 2019: 15). 

Bufonidae incertae sedis (Malonza and Bwong 2023: 516)

Type species: Kenyaphrynoides vulcani gen. et sp. nov. 

Liedtke, Malonza, Wasonga, Müller and Loader by original designation.

Etymology: The generic name is derived from the words ‘Kenya’, a reference to the country and to the eponymous mountain, from which the name for the country was originally derived, and ‘phrynoides’, meaning toad-like. For nomenclatural purposes, we consider it to be neutral.

Mount Kenya forest toad

Diagnosis: Kenyaphrynoides can be distinguished from other bufonid genera by the combination of the following characters: lack of continuous parotoid glands (similar in Churamiti and different from some Nectophrynoides); eyelids lack glandular masses (glandular in Churamiti); lack of tympanum; forearms without a large glandular mass (present in Churamiti and some Nectophrynoides); spatulate toe tips (differently shaped in Churamiti and Nectophrynoides); toes with marginal webbing; toe tips without lamellae on ventral edge (present in Churamiti); nuptial spines on thumbs in males (similar to Nimbaphrynoides, absent in Churamiti and Nectophrynoides); distinct green/brown dorsal coloration and cream ventrum (somewhat similar in Churamiti, different in Nectophrynoides); eight presacral vertebrae (seven in Churamiti, eight in Nectophrynoides); tips of terminal phalanges broadly T-shaped, chisel-like (T-shaped with slender, curved crossbar in Churamiti, more knob-like or slightly T-shaped in Nectophrynoides); an unossified sternum (ossified in Churamiti, not ossified in Nectophrynoides); and lack of an ossified columella (absent in Churamiti, present in Nectophrynoides).

Distribution: Kenyaphrynoides is only known from Chogoria Forest Block on Mount Kenya.

Kenyaphrynoides vulcani sp. nov.

Etymology: The name vulcani is in reference to the more recent, volcanic origins of Mount Kenya, the only locality from which this species is known. The species name is a noun in the genitive form (‘of the volcano’).

Common name: Kenyan Volcano toad.

 

H Christoph Liedtke, Patrick K Malonza, Domnick V Wasonga, Hendrik Müller and Simon P Loader. 2023. A New Genus and Species of Toad from Mount Kenya illuminates East African Montane Biogeography. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. zlad160. DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlad160

 phys.org/news/2023-11-kenyan-volcano-toad-species-reveals.html

[Ichthyology • 2023] Labeo mbimbii & L. manasseeae • Two New Labeo (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae: Labeoninae) Endemic to the Lulua River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kasai Ecoregion); a Hotspot of Fish Diversity in the Congo Basin

 Labeo mbimbii & L. manasseeae

 Liyandja & Stiassny, 2023

DOI: 10.1206/3999.1 

URI: hdl.handle.net/2246/7321 

 Researchgate.net/publication/370855834

Abstract 

Labeo mbimbii, n. sp., and Labeo manasseeae, n. sp., two small-bodied Labeo species, are described from the lower and middle reaches of the Lulua River (Kasai ecoregion, Congo basin) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The two new species are members of the L. forskalii species group and are genetically distinct from all other species of that clade. Morphologically they can be distinguished from central African L. forskalii group congeners except L. dhonti, L. lukulae, L. luluae, L. parvus, L. quadribarbis, and L. simpsoni in the possession of 29 or fewer (vs. 30 or more) vertebrae and from those congeners by a wider interpectoral, among other features.

The two new species are endemic to the Lulua River and, although overlapping in geographical range and most meristic and morphometric measures, are readily differentiated by differing numbers of fully developed supraneural bones, predorsal vertebrae, snout morphology, and additional osteological features. The description of these two species brings the total of Labeo species endemic to the Lulua basin to three. The third endemic species, L. luluae, was previously known only from the juvenile holotype, but numerous additional specimens have now been identified. The cooccurrence of 14 Labeo species in the Lulua River, three of which are endemic, highlights this system as a hotspot of Labeo diversity in the Congo basin and across the continent.

Keywords: Labeo mbimbii, Labeo manasseeae, Labeo, Classification, Cyprinida, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo, Classification, Fishes

 Labeo mbimbii, n. sp. Holotype (AMNH 277862, AMCC 249232): 
A. lateral view, immediately postmortem; B. in preservation, lateral view; C. ventral view; and D. dorsal view. Scale bar = 1 cm.
 Labeo manasseeae, n. sp. Holotype (AMNH 269110, AMCC 249240):
A. immediately postmortem; B. in preservation, lateral view; C. ventral view; and D. dorsal view. Scale bar = 1 cm

Labeo mbimbii, n. sp.

Labeo manasseeae, n. sp.

Tobit L.D. Liyandja and Melanie L.J. Stiassny. 2023. Description of Two New Labeo (Labeoninae; Cyprinidae) Endemic to the Lulua River in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Kasai Ecoregion); a Hotspot of Fish Diversity in the Congo Basin. American Museum Novitates. (3999); 1-22. DOI: 10.1206/3999.1 URI: hdl.handle.net/2246/7321  

Researchgate.net/publication/370855834_Description_of_two_new_Labeo_endemic_to_the_Lulua_River_in_DR_Congo

[Herpetology • 2023] Philothamnus chifunderai • Systematics of the Thirteen-scaled Green Snake Philothamnus carinatus (Serpentes: Colubridae), with the Description of A Cryptic New Species from Central and East Africa

Philothamnus chifunderai

Greenbaum, Pauwels, Gvoždík, Vaughan, Chaney, Buontempo, Aristote, Muninga & Engelbrecht, 2023

DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2245840  

  facebook.com/EliGreenbaum5

  

ABSTRACT

Recent molecular phylogenies of African green snakes suggested the geographically widespread species Philothamnus carinatus includes at least two distinct lineages. We utilised an integrative taxonomic approach with morphological and genetic data to reconcile the taxonomic status of these cryptic lineages, including the recently described taxon P. brunneus from West Africa. We sequenced three mitochondrial (16S, cyt b and ND4) and two nuclear (c-mos and RAG1) genes from several Central African populations of P. carinatus and combined our data with other closely related species to infer a maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree with IQ-TREE. Our results are consistent with previous studies that showed P. cf. carinatus populations from Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) represent a cryptic lineage that is distinct from P. carinatus sensu stricto in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea (including Bioko Island), Gabon, eastern Nigeria, Republic of the Congo, and extreme western DRC. In our preferred tree, P. brunneus (limited to 16S molecular data) was recovered as a relatively long branch in a moderately supported clade with P. carinatus sensu stricto, whereas P. cf. carinatus populations from northern Angola, most of DRC, and East Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda) were described as a new species. A possible hybrid population between south-eastern Cameroon and north-western DRC is consistent with an increasing body of evidence suggesting the Ubangi River might represent a hybrid zone area.

KEYWORDS: Congo River, Ubangi River, Congo Basin, endemism

Philothamnus chifunderai

northern Angola, most of DRC, and East Africa (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda)

Eli Greenbaum, Olivier S. G. Pauwels, Václav Gvoždík, Eugene R. Vaughan, Teslin Chaney, Michael Buontempo, Mwenebatu M. Aristote, Wandege M. Muninga and Hanlie M. Engelbrecht. 2023. Systematics of the Thirteen-scaled Green Snake Philothamnus carinatus (Squamata: Colubridae), with the Description of A Cryptic New Species from Central and East Africa. African Journal of Herpetology. DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2023.2245840  

  facebook.com/EliGreenbaum5/posts/10232194338061485

[Entomology • 2023] Dioncomena flavoviridis, D. magombera, D. sanje, etc. • Bush-crickets with very special Ears and Songs – Review of the East African Phaneropterinae Genus Dioncomena Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae), with Notes on its Biogeography and the Description of New Species

 (D-F) Dioncomena flavoviridis;
(G-I) D. magombera; 
 (J-L) D. sanje 

 Hemp, Montealegre-Z, Woodrow et Heller, 2023. 

DOI:  10.3897/dez.70.100804

Abstract

This study focuses on the genus Dioncomena and its acoustics, particularly the unique songs produced by male Dioncomena that consist of several distinct elements in a fixed sequence, culminating in a coda that typically elicits a response from a receptive female. We also examine the inflated pronotal lobes, which we term prebullae, that are prominently developed in some Dioncomena species but not in others. We discuss the role of prebullae in the context of acoustic communication in Dioncomena and other related Phaneropterini genera that have similar lateral pronotal lobes. We found that prebullae size is correlated with habitat distribution, with larger prebullae occurring in isolated species while aggregation-prone species have smaller or less pronounced prebullae. Using micro-computer tomography we show sexual dimorphism in the 3D geometry of the acoustic tracheae, being larger in the male. Interestingly, the tracheae are coupled by a septum, like in field crickets, which suggests potential cross talk.

We define three groups of Dioncomena based on altitude preferences, ecology, color patterns, and songs: the jagoi-, tanneri-, and ornata-groups. We describe the songs of several species, including newly identified species such as D. flavoviridis sp. nov., D. magombera sp. nov., D. ngurumontana sp. nov., D. sanje sp. nov., D. tanneri, D. versicolor sp. nov., and D. zernyi. We also provide information on the nymphs, development time, and mating behavior of various species reared in the laboratory, shedding light on their phenology and adaptations to their habitats.

Key Words: bioacoustics, biogeography, biology, Eastern Arc Mountains, morphology, phenology, Tanzania

 

Dioncomena species of the D. jagoi-group:
A–C. Male (A, B) and female (C) of D. jagoi, East Usambara Mountains;
D-F. Male (D, E) and female (F) of D. flavoviridis sp. nov.;
G–I. Male (G, H) and female (I) of D. magombera sp. nov.;
 J–L. Male (J, K) and female (L) of D. sanje sp. nov.

   

 Claudia Hemp, Fernando Montealegre-Z, Charlie Woodrow and Klaus-Gerhard Heller. 2023. Bush-crickets with very special Ears and Songs – Review of the East African Phaneropterinae Genus Dioncomena Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1878, with Notes on its Biogeography and the Description of New Species. Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift. 70(2): 221-259. DOI:  10.3897/dez.70.100804

[Botany • 2022] Harveya kiangombensis (Orobanchaceae) • A New Parasitic Species from Kenya, East Africa

Harveya kiangombensis Ngugi, Kirika & Mwachala, 

in Ngugi, Kirika & Mwachala, 2022. 

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.3.7

 twitter.com/EAHerbarium_NMK

Researchgate.net/publication/362910931

Abstract

A new holoparasitic species of Orobanchaceae, Harveya kiangombensis, is here described and illustrated. This species is easily distinguished from the closely related H. liebuschiana by its glandular pubescent pedicels, the position of its flowers that occur singly in the leaf axils, and its acute calyx lobes. An assessment of the conservation status of the new species is provided.

Keywords: Holoparasitic, New Species, Critically Endangered, Eudicots

Harveya kiangombensis Ngugi, Kirika & Mwachala sp. nov.

Grace Ngugi, Paul M. Kirika and Geoffrey Mwachala. 2022. Harveya kiangombensis (Orobanchaceae), A New Parasitic Species from Kenya, East Africa. Phytotaxa. 559(3); 293-297.

DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.559.3.7

 twitter.com/EAHerbarium_NMK/status/1564253843646464000

Researchgate.net/publication/362910931_Harveya_kiangombensis_a_new_parasitic_species_from_Kenya

[Entomology • 2022] Phlogis kibalensis • A New Species of the Unusual Leafhopper Genus Phlogis Linnavuori (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Signoretiinae) from Uganda

Phlogis kibalensis

Helden, 2022

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5093.4.1

 

Abstract

Phlogis kibalensis sp. nov. from Kibale National Park, Uganda is described and illustrated. It differs from the other species of the genus known from Africa (P. mirabilis) in the shape of the aedeagus, in particular the shape of the sub-apical lateral processes, as well as in style shape and some aspects of colouration.

Keywords: Hemiptera, Auchenorrhyncha, new species, East Africa, Phlogisini.

  

 

Alvin J. Helden. 2022. A New Species of the Unusual Leafhopper Genus Phlogis Linnavuori (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae: Signoretiinae) from Uganda. Zootaxa. 5093(4); 401-413. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5093.4.1

theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/27/british-scientist-finds-new-species-of-rare-leafhopper-in-uganda

[Entomology • 2021] Physocrobylus venetus • A New Species of Physocrobylus (Caelifera: Acridoidea: Acrididae: Coptacrinae) from the Nguru Mountains of Tanzania

Physocrobylus venetus 

Hemp, 2021

DOI: 10.3897/jor.30.53375

Abstract

A new species of Physocrobylus, Physocrobylus venetus sp. nov., is described from the Nguru Mountains of Tanzania. It is the third species in the genus restricted to Tanzanian localities. While P. venetus sp. nov. and P. tessa Hochkirch prefer moister forest communities from lowland to submontane forest in the East Usambara and Nguru Mountains, P. burtti Dirsh is an inhabitant of Miombo woodlands.

Keywords: East Africa, grasshopper, lowland forest, submontane forest, Tanzania, taxonomy

Fig. 1. Physocrobylus venetus sp. nov.
 A–C. Male; and D. Female.

Physocrobylus venetus sp. nov.

Etymology.— From latin: -venetus = green, blue–green, because of the blue tibiae and partly green body and legs.

 Distribution.— Tanzania, Nguru Mountains.

 Claudia Hemp. 2021. A New Species of Physocrobylus (Caelifera: Acridoidea: Acrididae: Coptacrinae), with Notes on the Phenology and Habitat of the Genus. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 30(1): 1-6. DOI: 10.3897/jor.30.53375

[Herpetology • 2021] Agama wachirae • A New Species of the Agama lionotus Boulenger, 1896 Complex (Squamata: Agamidae) from northern Kenya

 Agama wachirae 

Malonza, Spawls, Finch & Bauer, 2021

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4920.4.5 

facebook.com/StephenSpawls

Abstract

Kenya has a high diversity of agamid lizards and the arid northern frontier area has the highest species richness. Among the Kenyan agama species, Agama lionotus has the widest distribution, occurring from sea level to inland areas in both dry and moist savanna as well as desert areas. This species mostly prefers rocky areas, both in granitic/metamorphic and volcanic rocks, although it also makes use of tree crevices as well as man-made structures. Recently in Marsabit, northern Kenya, a small-sized agama species, distinct from A. lionotus, was collected within a rocky lava desert area. This new species is characterized by its small size (mean SVL ~83 mm) as compared to typical A. lionotus (mean SVL ~120 mm). Past studies have shown the value of adult male throat coloration for the identification of species within the A. lionotus complex. Herein we also highlight female dorsal color pattern, which is a key character for distinguishing the new species from others in the group, including the similar A. hulbertorum. As in A. lionotus, displaying adult males have an orange to yellow head, a vertebral stripe, a bluish body coloration and an annulated white/blue tail. But the most diagnostic character is the coloration of females and non-displaying males, which exhibit a series of regular pairs of dark spots along the vertebrae as far posterior as the tail base. In addition, females have a pair of elongated orange or yellow marks on the shoulders and another on the dorsolateral margins of the abdomen. This study shows that more cryptic species in the Agama lionotus complex may still await discovery. The new species was found inhabiting dark desert lava rocks but should additionally be present in suitably similar sites in the northern frontier area. This underscores the need to re-examine populations of Agama lionotus from different microhabitats in this country.

Keywords: Reptilia, Agama lionotus complex, Agamidae, cryptic species, rock outcrops, Marsabit

 Agama wachirae 

Marsabit Rock Agama

Patrick K. Malonza, Stephen Spawls, Brian Finch and Aaron M. Bauer. 2021. A New of Species of the Agama lionotus Boulenger, 1896 Complex (Squamata: Agamidae) from northern Kenya. Zootaxa. 4920(4); 543–553. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4920.4.5

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[Herpetology • 2019] Kladirostratus gen. nov. & Psammophylax kellyi • A Snake in the Grass: Genetic Structuring of the Widespread African Grass Snake (Psammophylax Fitzinger 1843), with the Description of A New Genus and A New Species

 

 Kladirostratus acutus (Günther 1888) 

in Keates, Conradie, Greenbaum & Edwards, 2019. 

DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12337 

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Abstract

Psammophylax (Fitzinger 1843) is a widespread yet poorly studied genus of African grass snakes. A genetic phylogeny of six of the seven species was estimated using multiple phylogenetic and distance‐based methods. To support the genetic analyses, we conducted morphological analyses on the body (traditional morphology) and head (geometric morphometrics) separately. Phylogenetic analyses recovered a similar topology to past studies, but with better resolution and node support. We found substantial genetic structuring within the genus, supported by significantly different head shapes between P. a. acutus and other Psammophylax . Psammophylax a. acutus was recovered as sister to its congeners, and sequence divergence values and morphometrics supported its recognition as a new genus. Increased sampling in East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia) revealed that Psammophylax multisquamis is polyphyletic, necessitating the description of a new, morphologically cryptic species from northern Tanzania. The distribution of P. multisquamis sensu stricto is likely restricted to Kenya and Ethiopia. The study has further resolved multiple aspects of Psammophylax systematics, including the taxonomic validity of two central African subspecies, P. variabilis vanoyei (Laurent 1956) and P. tritaeniatus subniger (Laurent 1956). Inclusion of specimens from the more remote parts of Africa, in future analyses, may result in the recovery of additional diversity within Psammophylax .

Keywords: geometric morphometrics, grass snake, molecular biology, phylogenetic analysis, Psammophiinae, taxonomy

Kladirostratus acutus comb. nov. 

 Kladirostratus acutus (Günther 1888) 

Kladirostratus gen. nov. Conradie, Keates & Edwards 

Proposed common group name: Branch's Beaked Snakes.

Type species: Psammophis acutus Günther 1888.

Etymology: The name Kladirostratus is derived from the combination of the Greek word κλάδος (klados) meaning “branch,” and the Latin word “rostratus” meaning beaked. The name honors Professor William R. Branch (1947–2018), Curator Emeritus of herpetology at Port Elizabeth Museum, in recognition of his many contributions to the herpetology of Africa, especially regarding snakes. We benefitted from his generosity as a mentor and he helped shape our careers, for which we are thankful. The name is masculine in gender.

Members of this genus: Kladirostratus acutus (Günther 1888) comb. nov. including the currently recognized subspecies Kladirostratus a. acutus and Kladirostratus a. jappi (Broadley, 1971); Kladirostratus togoensis (Matschie 1893) comb. nov. The latter is provisionally included in this genus based on morphological similarities, but this requires confirmation through molecular phylogenetic analysis.

Distribution: Kladirostratus a. acutus comb. nov. is known from most of Angola through northwestern Zambia, southern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), into western Tanzania, northern Malawi, and north to Rwanda (fide Broadley, 1971). Kladirostratus a. jappi comb. nov. is known only from western Zambia and northeastern Angola (fide Broadley, 1971). Kladirostratus togoensis comb. nov. is known from Ghana, Togo, Central African Republic, northern DRC, and western Uganda (fide Broadley, 1971; Spawls et al., 2002). Occurs at elevations of 450–1,800 m.

Psammophylax kellyi sp. nov.

 Psammophylax kellyi sp. nov. Conradie, Keates & Edwards  

 

Proposed common name: Tanzanian Grass Snake or Tanzanian Skaapsteker.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honor of Christopher M. R. Kelly for his considerable contribution to the systematics of the snake family Lamprophiidae.

Chad Keates, Werner Conradie, Eli Greenbaum and Shelley Edwards. 2019. A Snake in the Grass: Genetic Structuring of the Widespread African Grass Snake (Psammophylax Fitzinger 1843), with the Description of A New Genus and A New Species. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research.  57(4); 1039-1066.  DOI: 10.1111/jzs.12337 

grocotts.co.za/2020/07/14/a-snake-named-kelly

 facebook.com/nextgenherpetologist/posts/995049124288489

Eastern Cape researchers discover new snake species

 dispatchlive.co.za/news/2020-06-20-eastern-cape-researchers-discover-new-snake-species