[Botany • 2020] Centaurea devasiana (Asteraceae) • A New Species from Prespa, NW Greece

 

Centaurea devasiana Bergmeier & Strid,   

in Bergmeier et Strid, 2020. 

 Researchgate.net/publication/348754080 

Abstract

 Centaurea devasiana (Asteraceae) is described as a new species of the section Acrolophus. It is restricted to a small area on Mt Devas, Prespa National Park, NW Greece, and is most closely related to a group of narrow Balkan endemics of the Prespa-Ohrid region. The species is illustrated, and its morphological characteristics, habitat and conservation issues are described. An identification key to C. devasiana and similar local species is also provided. 

Key words: Centaurea sect. Acrolophus, endemic, Mt Devas, plant species, Prespa National Park, taxonomy

Centaurea devasiana Bergmeier & Strid, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Similar to Centaurea galicicae but differing in the following characters: stems erect; leaves grey-green, tomentose, segments linear to linear-lanceolate; phyllary appendages narrowly triangular, suberect, terminal spinule equal or longer than and exceeding the whitish lateral cilia; achenes with pappus much shorter than its body

Bergmeier, E. & Strid, A. 2020. Centaurea devasiana – A New Species from Prespa, NW Greece. Phytologia Balcanica. 25(3):281-286. 

  Researchgate.net/publication/348754080_Centaurea_devasiana_a_new_species_from_Prespa_NW_Greece

[Botany • 2024] Ornithogalum christiniae (Asparagaceae) • A New Species from an offshore islet on the Cretan Area (S. Aegean, Greece)

Ornithogalum christiniae  

in Kypriotakis, Tzanoudakis et Antaloudaki. 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04485

Abstract

Ornithogalum christiniae sp. nov., collected from the offshore islet of Agria Gramvousa (northwestern Crete, Greece), is described and illustrated as a locally endemic species. It is related to Ornithogalum montanum, O. atticum and O. pumilum, however, it differs from these in having wrinkled and corrugated leaf surface, fruiting pedicels thickened at base, flexuose rachis of infructescence and winged capsules. The relationships between the new species and the aforementioned are discussed, while information regarding its ecology, conservation status and karyotype is also given.

Keywords: Aegean Flora, island specialists, karyotypes, new species, Ornithogalum, taxonomy

Ornithogalum christiniae sp. nov. (Asparagaceae).
 (A) Plant habit at the stage of anthesis. (B) plant habit at the stage of fruit, (C) flower shape (apical and bottom view),
(D) leaf surface structure showing the differences between O. montanum leaf (left) and O. christiniae leaf (right).

Ornithogalum christiniae sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species showing some similarities with O. montanum, and to a lesser extent with O. atticum and O. pumilum, in having bulbs with concrescent scales, leaves more than 5 mm wide without a white stripe, a short raceme that is corymbiform at anthesis, entire filaments and hypogeal germination, however, it differs from these three species in having spherical to sub-spherical bulbs, wrinkled and corrugated leaf surface, basally thickened fruiting pedicel and winged capsules.

Etymology: The species epithet is dedicated to Dr Christini Fournaraki, Mediterranean Agronomical Institute of Chania (CIHEAM-MAICh), a well-known botanist and fellow in fieldwork.

 

Zacharias Kypriotakis, Dimitrios Tzanoudakis and Eleftheria Antaloudaki. 2024. Ornithogalum christiniae (Asparagaceae): A New Species from an offshore islet on the Cretan Area (S. Aegean, Greece). Nordic Journal of Botany.DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04485

[Entomology • 2023] Roeseliana epirotica • Data on the Distribution of the Genus Roeseliana Zeuner, 1941 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae) in the southwestern Balkans, with Description of A New Species

 

Roeseliana epirotica 

 Lemonnier-Darcemont & Darcemont, 2023

 

sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/45/14

  x.com/Publi_MNHN

 

This article provides new biogeographical data on the genus Roeseliana Zeuner, 1941 in the southwestern Balkans, with the description of a new species, Roeseliana epirotica n. sp., discovered in four localities of the meso-Mediterranean zone of the Epirus region in Greece and Albania. From the supra-Mediterranean zone and upper, in Albania, Greece and also in the Republic of North Macedonia, we have only observed Roeseliana ambitiosa (Uvarov, 1924), with which R. epirotica n. sp. was probably confused in its most Mediterranean localities. These two taxa are nevertheless well differentiated, especially by the shape of the subgenital plate in the female and the shape in the titillators of the male.

KEYWORDS: Epirus, Greece, Albania, description, new species

Michèle Lemonnier-Darcemont & Christian Darcemont. 2023. Data on the Distribution of the Genus Roeseliana Zeuner, 1941 (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae, Tettigoniinae) in the southwestern Balkans, with Description of R. epirotica n. sp. ZOOSYSTEMA. 45(14); 445-450. 

 sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/45/14

  x.com/Publi_MNHN/status/1696496030789894566 

[Entomology • 2023] Phragmacossia bozanoi • A New Species (Lepidoptera: Cossidae: Zeuzerinae) from southern Greece with some notes on Phragmataecia and Phragmacossia

Phragmacossia bozanoi

Saldaitis, Prozorov, Müller & Yakovlev, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5374.2.3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/375666820

Abstract

The taxonomic relationship between the genera Phragmataecia Newman, 1850 and Phragmacossia Schawerda, 1924 is considered. Diagnostic characters and distribution of the species Phragmataecia castaneae (Hübner, 1790), Phragmataecia albida (Erschoff, 1874), Phragmacossia ariana (Grum-Grshimailo, 1899), Phragmacossia territa (Staudinger, 1879), and Phragmacossia minos Reisser, 1963 are studied in detail. A new species, Phragmacossia bozanoi sp. n., is described from the Peloponnese Peninsula and the South Greek mainland.

Lepidoptera, biodiversity, Central Asia, Crete, fauna, Middle east, new species for europe, Peloponnes, taxonomy

  Map with collecting localities of Phragmacossia minos (29, green) and Ph. bozanoi sp. n. (29, red), habitat (30–31) and adults of Ph. bozanoi sp. n. in nature (32–33, pictures of L. Sattin Luca).

 Phragmacossia bozanoi sp. n.: adults, dorsal view.
Depositories of the specimens: 14 in WIGJ; 15 in MWM/ZSM; 16 in GMM; 17 in TMF; 18 in AMM. Scale bar—1 cm.

Aidas Saldaitis, Alexey M. Prozorov, Günter C. Müller, Roman V. Yakovlev. 2023.  Phragmacossia bozanoi—A New Species from southern Greece with some notes on Phragmataecia and Phragmacossia (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Zeuzerinae).  Zootaxa. 5374(2); 211-228. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5374.2.3

  Researchgate.net/publication/375666820_Phragmacossia_bozanoi-a_new_species_from_southern_Greece

[Botany • 2024] Thliphthisa sapphus (Rubiaceae: Rubieae) • A New Species from Lefkada (Ionian Islands, Greece) and its ecological position

Thliphthisa sapphus  Gutermann,

in Gutermann, Jang, Kästner, Prehsler, Reich, Berger, Flatscher, Gilli, Hofbauer, Lachmayer, Sander, Sonnleitner et Mucina, 2024.

DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.241.119144

photographs by M. Sonnleitner, drawings by A. Kästner.

Abstract

The new species, Thliphthisa sapphus sp. nov. (Rubiaceae, Rubieae), a narrow endemic of the white cliffs of Lefkátas on the southwest coast of Lefkada (Greece) is described and illustrated and an IUCN assessment is presented. Vegetation relevés were performed at the single known locality, limestone cliffs facing the sea and revealed a new association, the Thliphthisa sapphus-Lomelosietum dallaportae. The chromosome number of Thliphthisa sapphus was determined as 2n = 4x = 44, being the single tetraploid species in the genus to date. The species also differs markedly morphologically from its morphologically closest relatives, two Greek steno-endemic oreophytes, Th. baenitzii and Th. muscosa by the following characters: densely setose mericarps and corolla, tetraploidy and by its distribution. An identification key for the Greek species of Thliphthisa is provided. Th. sapphus constitutes the westernmost outpost of a group of Greek steno-endemics, highlighting the importance of coastal habitats and their protection as refugia for poorly competitive chamaephytes.

Key words: Asperula, coastal cliff refugia, Greece, Ionian Islands, phytosociology, Rubiaceae, species nova, Thliphthisa

Illustration of Thliphthisa sapphus, based on the type material
A whole plant B whole plant with vegetative and flowering shoots C vegetative shoot D detail of stem of vegetative shoot E flowering shoot F detail of stem of flowering shoot G flower H dissected flower

(drawings by A. Kästner).

Habit and flowers of Thliphthisa sapphus
A old individual of Thliphthisa sapphus with a thick lignified rootstock B flowers of Thliphthisa sapphus exhibiting the characteristic indumentum on the corolla

(photographs by M. Sonnleitner).

 Thliphthisa sapphus Gutermann, sp. nov.

Etymology: The epithet commemorates Sappho, the most famous poetess of the Classical Hellenic Era and refers to the traditional (though non-historical) believe she suicidally threw herself from the white cliffs of Lefkátas because of unrequited love for beautiful young Phaon. The epithet is in genitive spelling. The genitive in classical Latin also is "Sapphūs", as testified in the poem delivered as "incerti avctoris epistvla Sapphvs ad Phaonem" in Ovid’s Epistolae Heroidum no. 15.

 Walter Gutermann, Tae-Soo Jang, Arndt Kästner, David Prehsler, Dieter Reich, Andreas Berger, Ruth Flatscher, Christian Gilli, Markus Hofbauer, Margarita Lachmayer, Ruth Sander, Michaela Sonnleitner and Ladislav Mucina. 2024. Thliphthisa sapphus (Rubiaceae, Rubieae), A New Species from Lefkada (Ionian Islands, Greece) and its ecological position. PhytoKeys. 241: 65-79. DOI: 10.3897/phytokeys.241.119144

[Arachnida • 2023] Euscorpius olympus • Glacial Relicts? A New Scorpion (Scorpiones: Euscorpiidae: Euscorpius) from Mount Olympus, Greece

Euscorpius olympus

Blasco-Aróstegui & Prendini, 2023

 DOI: 10.1206/4003.1

 

Abstract

Mediterranean mountains and Pleistocene glacial cycles are responsible for much of the unique biodiversity of the Western Palearctic, acting respectively as refugia and drivers of diversification. Mount Olympus, a legendary Greek landmark, is a perfect example. This massif provided a glacial refugium for many species, resulting in a unique biota. In the present contribution, a new euscorpiid scorpion with a distinctive morphology, Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., is described from an isolated population in the foothills of Mount Olympus. This new species raises the number of species in the genus Euscorpius Thorell, 1876, to 74, in Greece to 32, and in the vicinity of Mount Olympus, to three. The roles of climatic oscillations, altitudinal gradients and habitat heterogeneity on the diversity and distributions of the three species occurring around Mount Olympus are briefly discussed.

Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., live habitus, dorsal aspect.
A. Holotype ♂ (AMNH). B. Paratype ♀(AMNH).

Family Euscorpiidae Laurie, 1896 

Euscorpius Thorell, 1876 

Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., most closely resembles E. aquilejensis, a widespread species distributed from the southeastern Italian Peninsula to Slovenia and Croatia (Tropea, 2013a). The two species are somewhat similar in coloration, with a slender, elongated pedipalp chela, similar trichobothrial patterns, and a broad telson in both sexes. However, E. olympus differs from E. aquilejensis in the following respects. Euscorpius olympus is a proportionally larger species, measuring 38.2–48.4 mm in length (fig. 5; tables 2, 3), whereas E. aquilejensis is medium-sized, usually measuring 29–38 mm but occasionally reaching 41 mm (Tropea, 2013a). The subdistal teeth on the movable finger of the chelicera are clearly separated in E. olympus, but almost united, forming a bicuspid in E. aquilejensis. The carapace anterior margin possesses a shallow median notch in E. olympus (fig. 6) but is sublinear in E. aquilejensis. The carapace surface is almost asetose in the male of E. olympus (fig. 6), but noticeably more setose in the male of E. aquilejensis. The carapace lateral surfaces and pedipalp femur prodorsal surface are less finely and sparsely granular in E. olympus (figs. 6, 7A, B) than E. aquilejensis. The medial lobe of the pedipalp chela movable finger is rounded in the male of E. olympus (fig. 8B) but slightly conical in the male of E. aquilejensis. The ventromedian row of spinules on the leg IV telotarsi comprise 10–13 short, blunt spinules in E. olympus (fig. 10A–D) and 9–11 elongate spinules in E. aquilejensis. The median lateral carinae of metasomal segment I are obsolete and incomplete, restricted to the anterior half of the segment in E. olympus (figs. 11B, 12B), but distinct and complete in E. aquilejensis.

Euscorpius olympus, sp. nov., habitat at type locality. 
A. Peaks and mixed forests on slopes of Mount Olympus, Greece. B. Microhabitat, crevices in limestone rocks in predominantly deciduous forest in northern foothills of Mount Olympus.

 

Javier Blasco-Aróstegui and Lorenzo Prendini. 2023. Glacial Relicts? A New Scorpion from Mount Olympus, Greece (Euscorpiidae: Euscorpius). American Museum Novitates. (4003):1-36. DOI: 10.1206/4003.1

[Botany • 2024] Limonium artelariae (Plumbaginaceae) • A New endemic Species and further Taxonomic and Floristic Notes on the Genus in the Island of Crete

 

Limonium artelariae Koutr.,

in Koutroumpa. 2024. 

  DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54103

  photographs taken by K. Koutroumpa.

 Abstract 

Some amendments of our knowledge of the taxonomically complex genus Limonium (Plumbaginaceae) in Crete, Greece are presented, based on field work and morphological study of herbarium specimens, including types. The circumscriptions of the closely related Cretan endemics L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae are clarified. The former species is actually restricted to the type population in Moni Kapsa (SE Crete) and a newly found population in Pacheia Ammos (NE Crete). The latter species comprises populations in SE Crete that extend from Moni Kapsa to Dermatos, and also includes the populations previously assigned to L. chrisianum and L. minoicum that are found to be conspecific. Limonium artelariae from SE Crete, similar and related to L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae, is described as a new species. It is rather unique among Greek Limonium species for its height (up to 110 cm tall) and its large, broadly spathulate leaves. Limonium cythereum previously known from the islands of Kythira and Antikythira is newly recorded for Crete, represented by two populations in NW Crete. The report of L. fragile from Crete is found to be erroneous, based on misidentified material of L. virgatum. All accepted taxa are described, and their types, chromosome number or ploidy level, distribution and ecology are also indicated. Photographs, distribution maps and an identification key are added to facilitate further identification.

KEYWORDS: Aegean, Crete, Greece, Limonium, Limonium artelariae, Limonium cornarianum, Limonium cythereum, Limonium hierapetrae, Mediterranean endemics, new species, PLUMBAGINACEAE, species circumscriptions, taxonomy

Limonium artelariae growing on fine marls of coastal cliffs (A), habit (B) and inflorescence (C).

 All photographs taken by and © Konstantina Koutroumpa.

Limonium artelariae Koutr., sp. nov. 

Diagnosis — Limonium artelariae is distinguished from its closely related species in SE Crete, L. cornarianum and L. hierapetrae, by its broadly spathulate, rounded leaves and broadly obovate and wider inner spikelet bracts. Limonium artelariae is rather unique among all other Aegean Limonium endemics for its predominantly tall habit combined with longer and wider, spathulate leaves.

Eponymy — The specific epithet “artelariae” honours Dr. Rea Artelari, a former Associate Professor of the University of Patras, Greece, for her invaluable contributions to the systematics of Limonium in Greece and Cyprus throughout her academic career.

Konstantina Koutroumpa. 2024. Limonium artelariae (Plumbaginaceae), A New endemic Species and further Taxonomic and Floristic Notes on the Genus in the Island of Crete. Willdenowia. 54 (1), 65-79. DOI: 10.3372/wi.54.54103

[Entomology • 2024] Eupholidoptera kekrops • A New Bush-cricket Species (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Greece

 

Eupholidoptera kekrops

Alexiou, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.103790

Abstract

Eupholidoptera kekrops sp. nov. belonging to the E. prasina group, is described from mainland Greece. The new species is the first known member of this group from mainland Greece and mainland Europe. Differentiating morphological characteristics, mainly of the subgenital plate and titilator, are presented.

Keywords: Attiki, Eupholidoptera prasina group, new species, taxonomy

Eupholidoptera kekrops, paratype, just before collection, 11.vi.2013, Vravrona, Attiki, Greece.

Family Tettigoniidae Krauss, 1902

Subfamily Tettigoniinae Riek, 1952

Tribe Decticini Herman, 1874

Genus Eupholidoptera Mařan, 1953 

 Eupholidoptera kekrops sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is well defined in morphological terms and easily recognizable. The absence of a tooth at the cerci of the male place it within the E. prasina group (Ҫiplak et al. 2009, 2010). The species of this group are distributed in the Aegean islands as well as west and south Anatolia, usually having a very restricted distribution (Ҫiplak et al. 2010).

Distribution.— Known only from Greece, East Sterea Ellas (Attiki: eastern slopes of Mt. Imittos and the area of Vravrona).

Etymology.— The new species is named after Kekrops (Cecrops), Κέκρωψ, the mythical first king of Attiki and founder of the city of Athens.

 Sotiris Alexiou. 2024. Eupholidoptera kekrops sp. nov. (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae), New Bush-cricket from Greece. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 33(1): 67-70. DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.103790

[PaleoMammalogy • 2023] Chilotherium schlosseri & Eochilotherium samium • Revision of the Late Miocene hornless rhinocerotids from Samos Island (Greece) with the Designation of Neotypes and Implications for the European chilotheres

Chilotherium schlosseri (Weber, 1905) and
 Eochilotherium samium (Weber, 1905)

in Kampouridis, Svorligkou, Kargopoulos, Spassov et Böhme, 2023. 

DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2023.2254360

 uni-tuebingen.de

 

ABSTRACT

Extant rhinoceroses are represented only by five species and are characterized by the presence of a nasal horn. In the past, they were much more diverse, with one of the best-known groups being the aceratheriines, i.e., hornless rhinoceroses. Chilotheres are a group of hornless rhinos that inhabited Eurasia during the Late Miocene. Their westernmost geographic range reached Eastern Europe, where overall eight species have been erected. Four of these were described based on material from the Upper Miocene of Samos Island (Greece), two of which are not considered valid anymore. Unfortunately, the type skulls of all four species are lost and there are several issues concerning their taxonomy. Therefore, we herein designate two skulls housed in historical collections from Samos as neotypes for the first two species, Chilotherium schlosseri (Weber, 1905) and Eochilotherium samium (Weber, 1905), and provide detailed comparisons for the separation of the species from each other and from any other chilotheres. Our results prove that the two species are valid and justify their separation on a generic level. Chilotherium schlosseri seems to be more closely affiliated with the other European Chilotherium species, whereas E. samium is more similar to the Chinese ‘Chilotherium’ wimani and ‘Chilotherium’ primigenium, based on their more plesiomorphic characters.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

Class MAMMALIA Linnaeus, 1758

Order PERISSODACTYLA Owen, 1848

Family RHINOCEROTIDAE Gray, 1821

Subfamily ACERATHERIINAE Dollo, 1885 (sensu Lu, Deng, & Pandolfi, 2023)

Tribe ACERATHERIINI Dollo, 1885 (sensu Lu, Deng, & Pandolfi, 2023)

Subtribe CHILOTHERIINA Qiu, Xie, and Yan, 1987

Included Genera—Chilotherium Ringström, 1924, 

Shansirhinus Kretzoi, 1942, and 

Eochilotherium Geraads and Spassov, 2009.

CONCLUSIONS: 

The European chilotheres have a very complicated taxonomic history, with the erection of over eight species. Herein, we attempt to solve some of the issues involving this group by designating neotypes for the first two described chilothere species from Europe, Chilotherium schlosseri and Eochilotherium samium, both from the Upper Miocene deposits of Samos Island (Greece). The revision showed that they represent two distinct taxa, with E. samium being placed in a distinct genus, based on some cranial features such as the missing depression in the frontal bones and its less complex dental morphology, such as the less pronounced protocone constriction. Chilotherium schlosseri represents one of the most derived species of the genus, based on its very widely separated parietal crests and its very complex tooth morphology, which frequently includes enamel plications. This species is closely allied with other Eastern European Chilotherium species, Chilotherium kowalevskii, Chilotherium sarmaticum from Ukraine and the Asian species Chilotherium orlovi from Kazakhstan. Eochilotherium samium on the other hand, seems to be more similar to the Chinese ‘Chilotherium’ wimani and ‘Chilotherium’ primigenium.

Panagiotis Kampouridis, Georgia Svorligkou, Nikolaos Kargopoulos, Nikolai Spassov and Madelaine Böhme. 2023. Revision of the Late Miocene hornless rhinocerotids from Samos Island (Greece) with the Designation of Neotypes and Implications for the European chilotheres. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.  e2254360. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2023.2254360

 uni-tuebingen.de/en/university/news-and-publications/press-releases/press-releases/article/when-hornless-rhinos-lived-in-europe/

phys.org/news/2023-11-fossilized-skulls-reveal-today-rhinos.html

[Botany • 2020] Odontarrhena stridii (Brassicaceae: Alysseae) • A New Nickel-hyperaccumulating Species from mainland Greece

Odontarrhena stridii L.Cecchi, Španiel & Selvi,   

in Cecchi, Španiel, Bianchi, Coppi, Gonnelli & Selvi, 2020.

 DOI: 10.1007/s00606-020-01687-3 

 Researchgate.net/publication/342450832 

Abstract

Odontarrhena is a taxonomically difficult genus of the tribe Alysseae, including a number of critical species complexes in the Balkan Peninsula. One of these is O. baldaccii, which was previously included in the inconsistent taxon Alyssum fallacinum but recently shown to be distinct from it. In this paper, we analyzed the still uncertain taxonomic circumscription of O. baldaccii by a comparative analysis of the population from the type locality in Crete and other populations from mainland Greece, which were previously attributed to A. fallacinum or dubitatively included in O. baldaccii s.l. The results supported the separation of these mainland populations in a new distinct species, here described as Odontarrhena stridii, sp. nov. Plant habit, leaf shape and size and silicle shape were the major distinguishing morphological characters. Molecular data also suggested divergence between the two groups of populations, while supporting their phylogenetic affinity. The two species are diploid schizo-endemics with 2n = 16, allopatric distribution and specialization for serpentine soils. Shoot Ni concentrations well above 1000 µg g−1 dry weight were confirmed for the Cretan population of O. baldaccii and found for the first time in two populations of O. stridii, which is therefore a new hyperaccumulating species of the Balkan Mediterranean flora. An updated key to the Greek Odontarrhena taxa is provided.

Keywords: Alyssum, Balkan flora, Cruciferae, Nickel-hyperaccumulators, Serpentine endemics

Odontarrhena stridii (= O. baldaccii s.l.) from Mt. Kallidromo and Sterea Ellas, mainland Greece (a–c)
and O. baldaccii s.s. from Mt. Psiloritis, Crete (d–g), showing, respectively:
habit (a, d); variability of the leaves of the basal sterile shoots (b, e; in b, the small leaf to the right is seen from below; the other two are seen from above; in e, the right half of the blade shows the abaxial side with denser trichomes); open silicle with seed inside (c, g); petal (f; only O. baldaccii s.s.).

Scale bars: a, d = 50 mm; b, e = 10 mm; c, g, f = 5 mm. 

Original drawing by L. Cecchi

Field photos of Odontarrhena stridii (= O. baldaccii s.l.) from mainland Greece, Kedhros (a, c, e)
and O. baldaccii s.s. from Crete (b, d, f)

Odontarrhena stridii L.Cecchi, Španiel & Selvi, sp. nov. 

 

Lorenzo Cecchi, Stanislav Španiel, Elisabetta Bianchi, Andrea Coppi, Cristina Gonnelli and Federico Selvi. 2020. Odontarrhena stridii (Brassicaceae), A New Nickel-hyperaccumulating Species from mainland Greece. Plant Systematics and Evolution. 306: 69. DOI: 10.1007/s00606-020-01687-3

  Researchgate.net/publication/342450832_Odontarrhena_stridii_a_new_Nickel-hyperaccumulating_species_from_mainland_Greece

[PaleoMammalogy • 2022] Rododelphis stamatiadisi • The Origins of the Killer Whale Ecomorph: A New False Killer Whale (Odontoceti: Delphinidae) from the Pleistocene of Rhodes (Greece)

 Rododelphis stamatiadisi

Bianucci, Geisler, Citron & Collareta, 2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.041

  twitter.com/NYITAnatomy 

 

Highlights: 

• New fossil false killer whale, Rododelphis stamatiadisi, found on island of Rhodes

• Discovered with fish remains as its last meal and unlikely that it fed on other dolphins

• Killer whales are the sole survivors of a clade that flourished 4 million years ago

• Tooth wear in fossil killer whales suggest preying on dolphins evolved recently

Summary

The killer whale (Orcinus orca) and false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) are the only extant cetaceans that hunt other marine mammals, with pods of the former routinely preying on baleen whales >10 m in length and the latter being known to take other delphinids. Fossil evidence for the origins of this feeding behavior is wanting, although molecular phylogenies indicate that it evolved independently in the two lineages. We describe a new extinct representative of the killer whale ecomorph, Rododelphis stamatiadisi, based on a partial skeleton from the Pleistocene of Rhodes (Greece). Five otoliths of the bathypelagic blue whiting Micromesistius poutassou are associated with the holotype, providing unexpected evidence of its last meal. The evolutionary relationships of R. stamatiadisi and the convergent evolution of killer whale-like features were explored through a broad-ranging phylogenetic analysis that recovered R. stamatiadisi as the closest relative of P. crassidens and O. orca as the only living representative of a once diverse clade. Within the clade of Orca and kin, key features implicated in extant killer whale feeding, such as body size, tooth size, and tooth count, evolved in a stepwise manner. The tooth wear in Rododelphis and an extinct species of Orcinus (O. citoniensis) are consistent with a fish-based diet, supporting an exaptative Pleistocene origin for marine mammal hunting in both lineages. If correct, predation by the ancestors of Pseudorca and Orca did not play a significant role in the evolution of baleen whale gigantism.

 

Keywords: macropredation, apex predator, killer whales, Delphinidae

 Rododelphis stamatiadisi

Giovanni Bianucci, Jonathan H. Geisler, Sara Citron and Alberto Collareta. 2022. The Origins of the Killer Whale Ecomorph. Current Biology. In Press. DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.02.041

  twitter.com/NYITAnatomy/status/1501246681895120900

[Entomology • 2021] Giavarhynchus amicorum • A New Genus and Species of Anophthalmous Otiorhynchini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Entiminae) from Greece, with A New Synonymy and New Combinations

Giavarhynchus amicorum Bellò, Osella et Ruzzier,

in Bellò, Colonnelli, ... et Ruzzier, 2021.

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4938.1.3

twitter.com/EnricoRuzzier 

 

Abstract

A new genus of Entiminae, an endogean weevil of the tribe Otiorhynchini, Giavarhynchus Bellò, Osella & Ruzzier, gen. n., and its type species Giavarhynchus amicorum Bellò, Osella & Ruzzier, sp. n. are described. The new taxon is readily distinguished from all other members of the tribe due to the unique combination of lack of eyes, elongate rostrum with a ventral transverse furrow and excised lateral margins located at apical third, punctation of pronotum of two distinct sizes arranged in a distinctive pattern, interval 7 of elytra protruding from base of pronotum and crenulate basally, metafemora bearing a spine-like tooth much larger than that of pro- and mesofemora, female tibiae granulate on inner margin, bisinuous mesotibiae. The following synonymy is proposed: Nematocerus Reiche, 1849 (= Cyrtozemia Pascoe, 1872, syn. n.; = Holcorhinosoma Voss, 1939, syn. n.). New combinations are: Nematocerus cognatus (Marshall, 1916), comb. n.; Nematocerus dispar (Pascoe, 1872), comb. n.; Nematocerus pilipes (Morimoto, 2015), comb. n., all from Cyrtozemia; Nematocerus subtuberculatus (Voss, 1939), comb. n. from Holcorhinosoma. New tribal placement is: Pseudocratopus Hustache, 1921 from Otiorhynchini to Peritelini. New subgeneric placement is that of Otiorhynchus deceptorius Białooki, Germann & Pelletier, 2017 and of Otiorhynchus incisirostris Białooki, Germann & Pelletier, 2017 from Otiorhynchus (Lixorrhynchus) Reitter, 1914 to Otiorhynchus (Aranihus) Reitter, 1912.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Entiminae, Otiorhynchini, taxonomy, new genus, new species, new synonymy, new combinations, Greece

Cesare Bellò, Enzo Colonnelli, Leonardo Forbicioni, Giuseppe Osella and Enrico Ruzzier. 2021. A New Genus and Species of Anophthalmous Otiorhynchini from Greece, with A New Synonymy and New Combinations (Coleoptera: Curculionidae, Entiminae).  Zootaxa. 4938(1); 69–84. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4938.1.3

twitter.com/EnricoRuzzier/status/1364857655785848832

 twitter.com/weevil_forbix/status/1364860313036873728

[Entomology • 2019] Katara connexa • Hidden European Diversity: A New Monotypic Hoverfly Genus (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae)

Katara connexa Vujić & Radenković

in Vujić, Ståhls & Radenković, 2019. 

DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zly066 

 twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc

Abstract

For the first time in more than 30 years, a new European hoverfly genus has been discovered, Katara gen. nov. Its type species Katara connexa sp. nov. (Diptera: Syrphidae) is described from the Pindos Mountains (Greece), and the systematic position of the monotypic taxon within the tribe Rhingiini is analysed using morphological and molecular data. Phylogenetic analyses resolved Katara connexa gen. et sp. nov. as sister taxon to Pelecocera latifrons. We assert based on the molecular phylogenetic results and the morphological distinctness of Pelecocera latifrons that this taxon merits a generic rank, thus we erect the genus Pseudopelecocera gen. nov. and also place Pelecocera persiana in this new genus based on shared characteristics. Based on our results, we place Chamaesyrphus in subgeneric rank and as a sister group to the nominal subgenus Pelecocera. We provide an identification key to the Rhingiini genera. Our phylogenetic analyses recovered all speciose Rhingiini genera as monophyletic and support existence of three main lineages within the tribe: (1) genus Rhingia with two groups, Palaearctic+Neotropical and Afrotropical taxa, (2) genus Cheilosia with its subgenera, and (3) lineage with remaining genera (Pseudopelecocera gen. nov., Katara gen. nov., Ferdinandea, Psarochilosia, Psarus, Portevinia and Pelecocera).

Keywords: Katara connexa, new genus, new species, Pelecocera latifrons, Pindos Mountains, Pseudopelecocera

Figure 9. Katara connexa Vujić & Radenković sp. nov., male, lateral view. Scale in mm.

Family Syrphidae Latreille, 1802 

Tribe Rhingiini Meigen, 1822 

Genus Katara Vujić & Radenković gen. nov.

Etymology: The new genus is named based on type locality, an area between Katara pass and Kampos Despoti, in PindosMountains, central Greece. Word ‘Katara’ is latinized from the Greek word ‘Kataras’. The name is to be considered as feminine. It means ‘curse’ in Greek language, indicating the dangerous high mountain pass.

Katara connexa Vujić & Radenković sp. nov.

Etymology: The new species is named according to the Latin word ‘connexa’ indicating the connection of the taxon to the other taxa of the tribe based on its characters. It is the participle of the verb ‘connecto’ in the nominative singular and agrees in feminine gender with the corresponding genus name.

Ante Vujić, Gunilla Ståhls and Snežana Radenković. 2019. Hidden European Diversity: A New Monotypic Hoverfly Genus (Diptera: Syrphidae: Eristalinae: Rhingiini). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 185(4); 1188–1211.  DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zly066

twitter.com/ZoolJLinnSoc/status/1111598369732997120

[Entomology • 2018] New Species of Dolichopoda Bolívar, 1880 (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) from the Aegean Islands of Andros, Paros and Kinaros (Greece); Dolichopoda kikladica, D. margiolis & D. christos-nifoni

Dolichopoda kikladica Di Russo & Rampini

in Di Russo, Rampini, Chimenti & Alexiou, 2018.

DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2018v40a20 

 twitter.com/Publi_MNHN

In this paper two new species of Dolichopoda Bolívar, 1880 from the Cyclades islands of Andros and Paros and one from the Dodecanissos island of Kinaros, are described, increasing the total number of Greek species to 32. The new species from Paros (Dolichopoda kikladica Di Russo & Rampini, n. sp.) and Kinaros (Dolichopoda margiolis Di Russo & Rampini, n. sp.) show strong similarities with D. naxia Boudou-Saltet, 1972 from Naxos forming an homogenous group limited to the central Aegean islands. On the other hand the species D. christos-nifoni Di Russo & Rampini, n. sp. from Andros shows a combination of morphological characters that partly resemble characters found in Evvian Dolichopoda, and partly in species from the Cyclades. Relationships among these three new taxa and the other adjacent Dolichopoda species are discussed on the basis of the paleogeological and paleoclimatic events that shaped the present geography of the Aegean area.

KEYWORDS: Cyclades, Dodecanese, Aegean Sea, biogeography, new species

Habitus female Dolichopoda kikladica Di Russo & Rampini, n. sp. 

 Claudio Di Russo, Mauro Rampini, Claudio Chimenti and Sotiris Alexiou. 2018. New Species of Dolichopoda Bolívar, 1880 (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) from the Aegean Islands of Andros, Paros and Kinaros (Greece). ZOOSYSTEMA. 40(20); 469-479.  DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2018v40a20 

 twitter.com/Publi_MNHN/status/1052135634062708736

RÉSUMÉ: Nouvelles espèces de Dolichopoda Bolívar, 1880 (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae) des îles égéennes d'Andros, de Paros et de Kinaros (Grèce).  Dans cet article, deux nouvelles espèces de Dolichopoda Bolívar, 1880 sont décrites des îles Cyclades, Andros et Paros, et une autre des îles Dodecanissos, Kinaros, portant à 32 le nombre total d'espèces grecques. Deux de ces espèces, D. kikladica Di Russo & Rampini, n. sp. de Paros et D. margiolis Di Russo & Rampini, n. sp. de Kinaros, présentent de fortes similitudes avec D. naxia Boudou-Saltet, 1972 endémique de Naxos, formant un groupe homogène limité aux îles égéennes centrales. D'autre part, l'espèce D. christos-nifoni Di Russo & Rampini, n. sp. d'Andros présente une combinaison de caractères morphologiques, qui ressemblent en partie à des caractères trouvés dans les Dolichopoda d'Eubée, et, en partie, à des caractères des espèces des Cyclades. Les relations entre ces trois nouveaux taxons et les autres espèces de Dolichopoda proches géographiquement sont discutées sur la base des événements paléogéologiques et paléoclimatiques qui ont façonné la géographie actuelle de la région égéenne.

 Mot clés: Cyclades, Dodecanese, mer Égée, biogeographie, espèces nouvelles