[Herpetology • 2024] Scinax ritaleeae • A New Species of the Scinax granulatus Group (Anura: Hylidae: Hylinae: Scinaxini) from Northeastern Brazil

  

Scinax ritaleeae

Marinho, Faivovich, Haddad & Araujo-Vieira, 2024

DOI: 10.1643/h2024012 

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We describe a new species in the Scinax granulatus group from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil and include the new species in an updated phylogenetic hypothesis for the group. The new species differs from all other species in the S. granulatus group by a combination of characters, such as a weakly bilobate vocal sac, moderately developed pre- and postaxial webbing of Toe IV, and advertisement call features. The newly described taxon is more similar with S. tropicalia, a species that is not closely related; both can be distinguished by the red-colored iris in the new species and differences in pulse rate of the call. The new species was recovered as the sister taxon of a clade including all other species of the S. granulatus group. However, the low support of some internal clades suggests that the knowledge about relationships in this group is still incomplete.

 

Holotype of Scinax ritaleeae, new species (CFBH 47526, SVL 33.8 mm), in life.
(A) Anterolateral view, (B) belly, thighs, and legs in ventral view; flank and groin in ventrolateral view, (C) left thigh in posterior view.

Scinax ritaleeae, new species 

Etymology.— Rita Lee Jones de Carvalho, known as Rita Lee, was a Brazilian rock singer whose lyrics criticized the conservative, far-right, military dictatorship of the Brazilian government, which lasted from 1964 to 1985. She was a feminist activist, an ally of the LGBTQIAPN+ movement, and an environmentalist. Notably, Rita Lee is famous for her musical compositions and for her red-dyed hair, the latter trait considered unusual in her time. The reddish blotches in the iris of the new species are also an uncommon characteristic when compared to its congeners in the S. granulatus group. In this sense, we propose the new species epithet honoring the Queen of Brazilian rock music.

Pedro Marinho; Julián Faivovich; Célio F. B. Haddad and Katyuscia Araujo-Vieira. 2024. A New Species of the Scinax granulatus Group (Hylinae: Scinaxini) from Northeastern Brazil. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 112(3); 398–417. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/h2024012

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[Entomology • 2024] Ceroptres anzui, C. promethei, C. thrymi, ... • One must imagine Sisyphus happy: Integrative Taxonomic Characterization of 22 New Ceroptres Species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Ceroptresini)

Ceroptres promethei Nastasi, Smith, & Davis, 

in Nastasi, Smith, Davis, Ward, Brown, Zhang, Rollins, Friesen, Tribull, Forbes et Deans, 2024. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5508.1.1

Abstract

We describe new species in the genus Ceroptres Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Ceroptresini) represented by voucher material sequenced by Ward et al. (2024). We describe 22 new species, all authored by Nastasi, Smith, & Davis: C. anansii sp. nov., C. anzui sp. nov., C. bruti sp. nov., C. curupira sp. nov., C. daleki sp. nov., C. dandoi sp. nov., C. demerzelae sp. nov., C. iktomii sp. nov., C. jabbai sp. nov., C. jarethi sp. nov., C. lokii sp. nov., C. lupini sp. nov., C. mallowi sp. nov., C. promethei sp. nov., C. sandiegoae sp. nov., C. selinae sp. nov., C. soloi sp. nov., C. songae sp. nov., C. swiperi sp. nov., C. thrymi sp. nov., C. tikoloshei sp. nov., and C. zorroi sp. nov. After our taxonomic treatment, the genus Ceroptres includes 43 species, all but three of which are known from North America. Among our new species are two reared from cecidomyiid midge galls, an association previously recorded but without valid taxonomic association. We provide new records for two additional previously described species; we record C. ensiger (Walsh, 1864) from Pennsylvania and confirm characters for the male, and we record C. lanigerae Ashmead, 1885 from Texas. We also examined several putative species corresponding to either C. cornigera Melika & Buss, 2002 and/or C. frondosae Ashmead, 1896, which we regard as a species complex that requires elucidation in future studies. To enable further studies on Ceroptres, we provide an updated key to North American females. Overall, we find that species of Ceroptres are host specialists associated with a single host gall species or several galls that are phylogenetically or ecologically related. We suggest that there are many North American species of Ceroptres, possibly hundreds, still awaiting collection and characterization.

Hymenoptera, agastoparasitism, Cecidomyiidae, Cynipini, gall, inquiline

Ceroptres promethei Nastasi, Smith, & Davis

 Louis F. Nastasi, Cecil N. Smith, Charles K. Davis, Anna K.G. Ward, Guerin Brown, Guerin Brown, Y. Miles Zhang, Shannon Rollins, Chris Friesen, Carly M. Tribull, Andrew A. Forbes and Andrew R. Deans. 2024. One must imagine Sisyphus happy: Integrative Taxonomic Characterization of 22 New Ceroptres Species (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Ceroptresini). Zootaxa. 5508(1); 1-63. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5508.1.1

 

[Herpetology • 2024] Anguiculus dicaprioi • Phylogeny and Systematics of the colubrid snake Genera Liopeltis and Gongylosoma (Squamata: Colubridae) and Description of A New Himalayan endemic Genus and Species

Anguiculus dicaprioi gen. et sp. nov.

Mirza, Bhardwaj, Pal, Lalremsanga, Vogel, Campbell & Patel, 2024 

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-74271-1 

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Abstract

The colubrid snakes of the genera Gongylosoma Fitzinger, 1843 and Liopeltis Fitzinger, 1843 are distributed across south and southeast Asia with five and eight nominate species, respectively. Despite their wide distribution, members of these genera are among some of the least-known colubrids. The two genera were considered synonymous in the past only to be separated later, and are defined on rather nebulose characters with a lack of support from molecular data. To test the monophyly of the two genera, we generated molecular data for the type species of Gongylosoma and species representing the two genera, including samples of Liopeltis rappii (Günther, 1860) from the western Himalayas. Results recovered paraphyly of Liopeltis, especially with regard to the genus Gongylosoma. Morphological data supports recognizing the western and eastern populations of L. rappii as two distinct species. The findings from our integrative taxonomic approach advocate establishing a new genus to embody Liopeltis rappii and a new allied species from the central and western Himalayas. A rediagnosis and revised classification of the genera Gongylosoma and Liopeltis is presented. The results further hint at cryptic diversity across members of the two genera, warranting scrutiny of the most widespread members of the group.

 

Keywords: Cryptic species, MicroCT, Phylogeny, Reptilia, Serpentes, Taxonomy

 

Anguiculus dicaprioi gen. et sp. nov. in life,
 (a) holotype female NCBS NRC-AA-0013, Photo by Virender Bharadwaj;
(b) uncollected individual from Nainital, Uttarakhand. Photo by Vipul Ramanuj.

Anguiculus gen. nov.

Type species: Anguiculus dicaprioi gen. et. sp. nov.

Species included: Anguiculus rappii comb. nov. (Günther, 1860), 

Anguiculus dicaprioi sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Small-sized snakes characterized by 15 smooth DSR throughout; head not distinct form neck in adults; internasal not fused with nasal; nasal divided bearing a laterally oriented nostril between the two; eye of moderate size (not large) in relation to the head; 177–192 ventral scales; 57–75 subcaudal scales; anal divided; prefrontal not in contact with supralabial, 6 supralabials (rarely 5), extending beyond the angle of the jaw; loreal present; 1 preocular, 2 postoculars and temporals 1 + 1. The supraoccipital is chevron-shaped. The maxilla bears 22–24 subequal functional teeth. The teeth are arranged in a continuous manner, lacking a diastema, and no enlargement of teeth is observed. The basisphenoid bears median foramen. Hemipenis unilobed, distal less than half of the organ calyculate or spinose; numerous subequal spines present except for two large ones at the base; the organ lacks folds.

Etymology: The generic epithet is a Latin masculine noun that refers to a ‘small snake’. The proposed nomen highlights the small size (SVL) of members of the new genus in relation to members of the family Colubridae. Suggested common English name ‘Himalayan snake’.

New genus

𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒖𝒔 ZMirza, Bhardwaj, Pal, Lalremsanga, Vogel, Campbell & Patel, 2024

Species included:

𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒖𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒊 Mirza, Bhardwaj, Pal, Lalremsanga, Vogel, Campbell & Patel, 2024

: Central and Western Himalayas (Nepal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh). 

𝑨𝒏𝒈𝒖𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒖𝒔 𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒊 (Günther, 1860) 

: Eastern Himalayas (Sikkim, Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh)

Zeeshan A. Mirza, Virender K. Bhardwaj, Saunak Pal, H. T. Lalremsanga, Gernot Vogel, Patrick D. Campbell and Harshil Patel. 2024. Phylogeny and Systematics of the colubrid snake Genera Liopeltis and Gongylosoma (Squamata: Colubridae) and Description of A New Himalayan endemic Genus and Species. Scientific Reports. 14: 24743. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74271-1

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[Herpetology • 2024] Boophis janewayae, B. kirki, B. picardi, etc. • Communicator Whistles: A Trek through the Taxonomy of the Boophis marojezensis Complex (Anura: Mantellidae) reveals Seven New, morphologically cryptic Treefrogs from Madagascar

Boophis archeri, Boophis burnhamae,  
Boophis janewayae, Boophis picardi,   
Boophis kirki

Vences, Köhler, Hutter, Preick, Petzold, Rakotoarison, Ratsoavina, Glaw & Scherz, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.74.e121110 

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Abstract

The Malagasy stream-breeding treefrog species Boophis marojezensis contains bioacoustically and genetically highly divergent populations. Some of these populations have been defined as candidate species and emit somewhat bizarre advertisement calls consisting of multiple whistle-notes. We here enable a long-overdue taxonomic revision of this species complex by applying a museomics approach to sequence DNA from the holotype of B. marojezensis. Based on an integrative approach that combines divergence levels in mitochondrial DNA and in three nuclear-encoded genes, morphological data, and bioacoustic comparisons, we conclude that eight different species exist in this complex, seven of which are formally described herein as new. Although morphological differences between species are small and mainly separate small-sized from larger-sized species, conclusive evidence for the new species comes from their sympatric and sometimes syntopic occurrence without haplotype sharing in three nuclear genes and under maintenance of bioacoustic differences. Uncorrected genetic divergences in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene are >3% in almost all cases, and in some cases up to 8%. In reference to the otherworldly sounds by which these frogs fill Malagasy rainforests, some of them reminiscent of sounds of technical equipment in the fictional “Star Trek” universe, we here name and describe the seven new species in honor of fictional captains of starships, namely B. kirki sp. nov., B. picardi sp. nov., B. siskoi sp. nov., B. janewayae sp. nov., B. archeri sp. nov., B. pikei sp. nov., and B. burnhamae sp. nov. The majority of these species occur in northern Madagascar, where up to three species can occur in immediate geographical proximity, e.g., B. marojezensis, B. burnhamae sp. nov. and B. pikei sp. nov. at different elevations in the Marojejy Massif. South of 16°S latitude, only B. janewayae sp. nov., B. picardi sp. nov., and B. kirki sp. nov. are found, with the latter extending southwards to Ranomafana National Park. Our study confirms the existence of numerous morphologically cryptic and microendemic species among Madagascar’s amphibians, some of which are known only from unprotected sites and require adequate conservation management.

Keywords: Bioacoustics, Boophis archeri sp. nov., Boophis burnhamae sp. nov., Boophis janewayae sp. nov., Boophis kirki sp. nov., Boophis picardi sp. nov., Boophis pikei sp. nov., Boophis siskoi sp. nov., cryptic species, integrative taxonomy, molecular genetics, museomics, systematics

Individuals of Boophis marojezensis in life.
A Male holotype (ZFMK 57401) from Marojejy (low elevation). B Male paratype (ZSM 567/1999, previously ZFMK 57402).
C Individual from Masoala probably assignable to this species (not sequenced). D Male from Masoala (ZSM 250/2016, FGZC 5439).

 

Boophis siskoi, Boophis pikei, 
Boophis archeri, Boophis burnhamae

 

 Miguel Vences, Jörn Köhler, Carl R. Hutter, Michaela Preick, Alice Petzold, Andolalao Rakotoarison, Fanomezana M. Ratsoavina, Frank Glaw amd Mark D. Scherz. 2024. Communicator Whistles: A Trek through the Taxonomy of the Boophis marojezensis Complex reveals Seven New, morphologically cryptic Treefrogs from Madagascar (Amphibia: Anura: Mantellidae). Vertebrate Zoology. 74: 643-681. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/vz.74.e121110

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[Crustacea • 2024] Gothus teemo • Morphological and Molecular Evidence for A New xanthid Crab (Brachyura: Xanthoidea: Xanthidae) from Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, with A Review of the Taxonomy of Actaeodes consobrinus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867)

Gothus teemo 

Yuan, Jiang & Sha, 2024 

 

DOI: 10.3897/zse.100.117859

Abstract

A new genus and species within the family Xanthidae MacLeay, 1838, are described from coral reefs in the South China Sea. The new genus, Gothus, with its type species G. teemo sp. nov., is distinguishable from allied genera by characteristics of the carapace, chelipeds, and male pleon. Based on morphological evidence, we tentatively place this genus within the subfamily Euxanthinae Alcock, 1898. However, molecular systematic analysis based on COI, 12S, 16S, and H3 indicates that it does not form a stable monophyletic group with any related subfamily. Another species, Actaeodes consobrinus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1873), is also reclassified into this new genus, based on both morphological and molecular evidence.

Key Words: Euxanthinae, integrative taxonomy, Nansha Islands, Xanthidae, Xisha Islands

Gothus teemo sp. nov.
A–C. Holotype, male, CW 3.7 mm, CL 2.6 mm, MBM287027; D–F. Paratype, CW 3.2 mm, CL 2.2 mm, MBM287026;
A, D. Dorsal view; B, E. Frontal view; C, F. Carapace.

Scale bar: 1 mm.

 

Gothus teemo sp. nov.
A, B. Holotype, male, CW 3.7 mm, CL 2.6 mm, MBM287027;
C–E. Paratypes, 2 juvenile, CW 1.8–2.2 mm, CL 1.3–1.5 mm, MBM287023;
A–D. Live coloration; E. Habitat and substrate conditions. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Family Xanthidae MacLeay, 1838

Subfamily Euxanthinae Alcock, 1898

 Gothus gen. nov.

 

Diagnosis: 

Small species, CW under 10 mm. Carapace broader than long, dorsal surface bearing round granules, regions clearly defined; front wide, not protruding, divided into two slightly triangular lobes by a V-shaped notch; frontal lobes and dorsal inner orbital angle separated by shallow depression; eyestalks densely granulated; area beneath outer orbital angle slightly concave, not forming a subhepatic cavity; anterolateral margin with four teeth, first tooth flattened, sometimes completely reduced to appear as three teeth; posterolateral margin almost straight; subhepatic region densely granulated.

Epistome central region with low median projection on posterior margin. Maxilliped 3 granulated, anterior edge of ...

Etymology: The genus is named after the game of Go, alluding to the intermingled black and white patterns on the carapace, beneath which lie circular granules resembling the pieces of the game. “-thus” is a common suffix for species names within the Xanthidae family. Gender masculine.

 Gothus teemo sp. nov.

Etymology: The new species is named after Teemo, a character from the MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) video game League of Legends. This character, modeled after a raccoon, has a fluffy, diminutive stature with a brown and white intermingled fur coat. This alludes to the new species’ small size, densely covered short setae, and brown-striped coloration.

Distribution: Currently known from the type locality at Triton Island, Xisha Islands (Paracel Islands), and Meiji Reef (Mischief Reef), Nansha Islands (Spratly Islands), it inhabits crevices in shallow coral reefs.

 Zi-Ming Yuan, Wei Jiang and Zhong-Li Sha. 2024. Morphological and Molecular Evidence for Gothus teemo gen. et sp. nov., A New xanthid Crab (Crustacea, Brachyura, Xanthoidea) from Coral Reefs in the South China Sea, with A Review of the Taxonomy of Actaeodes consobrinus (A. Milne-Edwards, 1867). and Evolution. 100(3): 965-987. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.100.117859

[Ichthyology • 2024] Myloplus aylan & M. sauron • Integrative Taxonomy of the Black-barred Disk Pacus (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), including the Redescription of Myloplus schomburgkii and the Description of Two New Species

Myloplus sauron Pereira, Ota, Machado, Collins, Ândrade, Garcia-Ayala, Jégu, Farias & Hrbek, 
Myloplus aylan Pereira, Ota, Machado, Collins, Ândrade, Garcia-Ayala, Jégu, Farias & Hrbek, 
Myloplus schomburgkii (Jardine, 1841) 

in Machado, Pereira, Ota, Collins, Ândrade, Garcia-Ayala, Jégu, Farias et Hrbek, 2024

DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0095 

Abstract

Presently, Myloplus schomburgkii is the most easily recognized species among the serrasalmids by having a vertical black bar in the middle of the body. However, through a broad taxonomic review, including DNA barcoding and morphological analyses, we were able to identify and describe two new species that also share a dark vertical bar on the flank. In addition, we redescribe M. schomburgkii, designating a neotype and restricting the type-locality to rio Negro in Barcelos, Amazonas State, Brazil. The three lineages of black-barred pacus present high molecular divergences (7.9–11%) and can be distinguished by differences in the shape of the vertical bar, shape of females’ anal fin, number of total vertebrae, number of total branched dorsal-fin rays, among other characters. Although the existence of these two new species has been hidden due to many morphological similarities, mainly the presence of the black bar, the three lineages do not compose a monophyletic group, with one of the new species being recovered as sister to Ossubtus xinguense. This result reinforces the necessity of the redefinition of the Myleini genera.

Keywords: Amazon basin; COI; DNA barcoding; Myleini; Neotype

 

Myloplus sauron, color pattern in life. Young specimen from Xingu River basin, specimen not preserved.

Myloplus schomburgkii, color pattern immediately after capture. 

A. INPA 60149, neotype, 203.9 mm SL, male, with second lobe well developed and remarkable breeding coloration. 

B. INPA 52507, 197.1 mm SL, female. Both from Amazonas, Barcelos municipality, rio Negro.

Myloplus aylan, coloration immediately after capture. Mature female, lago Uauaçu, Purus River basin. Photographed by Lucia Rapp Py-Daniel.

Myloplus aylan Pereira, Ota, Machado, Collins, Ândrade, Garcia-Ayala, Jégu, Farias & Hrbek, new species

Diagnosis. Myloplus aylan can be distinguished from all congeners, except M. schomburgkii and M. sauron n. sp. (described below), by the presence of a vertical black bar on the flank commonly extending from the dorsal-fin base to the pelvic-fin distal end (vs. absence of any conspicuous mark on the flank in the rest of the congeners). The new species can be diagnosed from M. schomburgkii and M. sauron by the following characters: parietal bone with dorsal surface markedly concave in lateral view (vs. straight to slightly concave), 82–95 (mode 84) total perforated scales on lateral line [vs. 68–87 (mode 79) in ...

Etymology. The specific name honors the late Aylan Moraes Andrade, Carine Moraes and Marcelo Andrade’s son, born on December 23, 2022, who passed away prematurely on July 6, 2023. Marcelo is one of the authors of this manuscript and this is a tribute to record all the love and dedication of his parents who will never forget him. A noun in apposition.

Myloplus sauron Pereira, Ota, Machado, Collins, Ândrade, Garcia-Ayala, Jégu, Farias & Hrbek, new species

Etymology. The specific name sauron alludes to the Eye of Sauron, from J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”. The elliptical body of Myloplus sauron, marked with a vertical, black bar tapering toward both ends, resembles the famous vertical-pupilled eye from the novel. A noun in apposition.

Sympatric occurrence of Myloplus schomburgkii (left) and M. aylan (right) in rio Água Boa do Univini, tributary of rio Branco. Both specimens are mature males, the specimens has not being preserved.

Myloplus schomburgkii (Jardine, 1841) 

Etymology. Myloplus schomburgkii was described in honor of Robert H. Schomburgk, who, during an expedition to English Guyana, collected individuals of the species, took notes, and illustrated (Fig. 14) the specimen used by Jardine (1841) to describe the new species. A genitive noun.

 

  Valéria N. Machado, Victória D. Pereira, Rafaela P. Ota, Rupert A. Collins, Marcelo Ândrade, James R. Garcia-Ayala, Michel Jégu, Izeni P. Farias and Tomas Hrbek. 2024. Integrative Taxonomy of the Black-barred Disk Pacus (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae), including the Redescription of Myloplus schomburgkii and the Description of Two New Species.   Neotrop. ichthyol. 22 (2); DOI: 10.1590/1982-0224-2023-0095 

[Paleontology • 2024] Torukjara bandeirae & Caiuajara dobruskii • A Taxonomic Note on the tapejarid Pterosaurs from the Pterosaur Graveyard Site (Caiuá Group, ?Early Cretaceous of Southern Brazil): Evidence for the Presence of Two Species

Torukjara bandeirae

 Pêgas, 2024

DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2355664

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Artwork by Matheus F. Gadelha

 

ABSTRACT

The Caiuá Group (Cretaceous of Southern Brazil) is famous for the Pterosaur Graveyard site, a location that has yielded hundreds of tapejarid specimens, among other taxa. Previous works had already presented various specimens of Pterosaur Graveyard (PG) tapejarids, reporting on several cranial elements showing substantial anatomical variations. These variations have been interpreted as intraspecific in nature, with all tapejarid specimens having been attributed to a single species, Caiuajara dobruskii. The present contribution reassesses the morphological diversity found in PG tapejarid specimens. Evidence is provided for the interpretation of several variations as interspecific in nature, particularly regarding rostral, palatal, occipital, and third cervical morphology. The present data indicate a segregation of the PG tapejarid specimens between two consistent morphotypes, which are interpreted here as two distinct, coexisting species: Caiuajara dobruskii and Torukjara bandeirae gen. et sp. nov.

KEYWORDS: Pterosauria, Tapejaridae, taxonomy, osteology, morphological variation, Caiuá Group

 

Rodrigo V. Pêgas. 2024. A Taxonomic Note on the tapejarid Pterosaurs from the Pterosaur Graveyard Site (Caiuá Group, ?Early Cretaceous of Southern Brazil): Evidence for the Presence of Two Species. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2024.2355664

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[Paleontology • 2024] Ophiactis hex • Fossil Evidence for the ancient link between clonal fragmentation, Six-fold Symmetry and an epizoic lifestyle in asterozoan echinoderms (Echinodermata: Asterozoa: Ophiuroidea)

  Ophiactis hex 

Thuy, Numberger-Thuy, Härer, Kroh, Winkler & Schweigert, 2024

DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2832

 

Abstract

Asexual reproduction by means of splitting, also called fissiparity, is a common feature in some asterozoan groups, especially in ophiactid brittle stars. Most fissiparous brittle stars show six instead of the usual five rays, live as epibionts on host organisms, and use clonal fragmentation to rapidly colonize secluded habitats and effectively expand the margins of their distribution area. While the biology and ecology of clonal fragmentation are comparatively well understood, virtually nothing is known about the evolution and geological history of that phenomenon. Here, we describe an exceptional fossil of an articulated six-armed brittle star from the Late Jurassic of Germany, showing one body half in the process of regeneration, and assign it to the new species Ophiactis hex sp. nov. Phylogenetic inference shows that the fossil represents the oldest member of the extant family Ophiactidae. Because the Ophiactis hex specimen shows an original six-fold symmetry combined with a morphology typically found in epizoic ophiuroids, in line with recent fissiparous ophiactid relatives, we assume that the regenerating body half is an indication for fissiparity. Ophiactis hex thus shows that fissiparity was established as a means of asexual reproduction in asterozoan echinoderms by the Late Jurassic.

Keywords: Ophiuroidea, late Jurassic, fissiparous, phylogeny, Ophiactidae

  Ophiactis hex sp. nov., holotype SMNS 70508; from the Nusplingen Lithographic Limestone (Nusplingen Formation), Beckeri Zone, Ulmense Subzone, late Kimmeridgian, Late Jurassic, Nusplingen, Germany.
 Light photographs of the complete specimen exposing the dorsal side 

Systematic palaeontology

Class Ophiuroidea Gray, 1840

Superorder Ophintegrida O'Hara et al., 2017

Order Amphilepidida O'Hara et al., 2017

Superfamily Ophiactoidea Ljungman, 1867

Family Ophiactidae Matsumoto, 1915

Genus Ophiactis Lütken, 1856

Ophiactis hex sp. nov.

 Species diagnosis: Small ophiactid with six arms, dorsal side of disc with a dense cover of granules and spinelets; lateral arm plates with outer surface covered by small tubercles arranged in a faint vertical striation; arm spines large and slightly flattened; distalmost arm segments with at least one hook-shaped arm spine.

  Etymology: Species name (used as noun in apposition) referring to Hex, the organic/inorganic/magical super-computer of Terry Pratchett's Unseen University, capable of thinking the unthinkable.

 

Ben Thuy, Lea D. Numberger-Thuy, Jürgen Härer, Andreas Kroh, Viola Winkler and Günter Schweigert. 2024. Fossil Evidence for the ancient link between clonal fragmentation, Six-fold Symmetry and an epizoic lifestyle in asterozoan echinoderms. Proc. R. Soc. B. 291: 20232832. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2832

[Entomology • 2024] Leptanilla voldemort • Leptanilla from the Pilbara, with A Key to Australian Leptanilla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Leptanilla voldemort

Wong & McRae, 2024

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114072

Abstract

The genus Leptanilla Emery, 1870 of the family Formicidae, subfamily Leptanillinae, comprises miniscule, pale, blind ants that are rarely collected and poorly understood due to their hypogaeic (i.e. underground) lifestyles. Here we describe a new Leptanilla species from two workers collected via subterranean scraping in the arid Pilbara region of Western Australia. Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov. is the second leptanilline species documented in Australia after the elusive Leptanilla swani Wheeler, 1932. Workers of L. voldemort sp. nov. display a remarkably gracile morphology characterised by elongated legs, antennae, and mandibles, and they are easily differentiated from other Leptanilla species. We also provide new measurements for L. swani from two workers found proximally to the type locality of L. voldemort sp. nov. A key to the worker caste of Leptanilla species of the Australian continent is presented.

Key words: Australia, hypogaeic, Leptanilla, Milieu Souterrain Superficiel, subterranean

Full-face view of Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov. (holotype) from Western Australia.

Profile view and Dorsal view of Leptanilla voldemort sp. nov. (holotype) from Western Australia.  
The postpetiole and gaster of the specimen, which were disconnected from the main body during mounting, were imaged separately and subsequently attached to the body digitally while ensuring consistency of scale.

 Leptanilla voldemort Wong & McRae, sp. nov.

Etymology: The species epithet pays tribute to the antagonist in the Harry Potter book series, Lord Voldemort, a terrifying wizard who, like the new ant, is slender, pale, and thrives in darkness. The species epithet is a noun, and thus invariant.

Distribution: Only known from the type locality within the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

 Mark K. L. Wong and Jane M. McRae. 2024. Leptanilla (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from the Pilbara, with A Key to Australian Leptanilla. ZooKeys. 1197: 171-182. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1197.114072

[PaleoIchthyology • 2024] Toarcocephalus morlok • First Occurrence of A coccolepidid fish (?Chondrostei: Coccolepididae) from the Upper Lias (Toarcian, Early Jurassic) of southern Germany

Toarcocephalus morlok 

Cooper,  López-Arbarello & Maxwell, 2024

DOI: 10.26879/1326 

 palaeo-electronica.org  twitter.com/PalaeoE

Artwork by S. Cooper.

ABSTRACT

The non-neopterygian group †Coccolepididae, a moderately diverse predominantly freshwater family, remains an imperfectly known Mesozoic group of actinopterygians, currently classified within Chondrostei based on the presence of several acipenseriform synapomorphies. Coccolepidids first appear during the Early Jurassic in marine sediments, although their fossils are poorly known from this time, and none have yet been described from the Toarcian (Upper Lias). Here, we describe a new genus and species of coccolepidid fish, †Toarcocephalus morlok gen. et sp. nov. from the Lower Jurassic (Toarcian) Posidonienschiefer Formation of Holzmaden in southern Germany. †Toarcocephalus morlok is diagnosed by a unique combination of characters including a shallow lower jaw with a massive angular, opercle and subopercle equal in size, preopercle that only borders the subopercle but does not reach the opercle; dermal skull bones strongly punctate, with externally smooth upper and lower jaw bones. Discovery of a coccolepidid at Holzmaden represents the first occurrence of the group from a Toarcian deposit, as well as the oldest record of the family in mainland Europe. Both described specimens of †T. morlok were victims of successful predation events: one individual was likely decapitated (pabulite) and the other preserved within a regurgitalite (fossilized oral ejecta). The evolution of Coccolepididae is discussed briefly in relation to a marine/freshwater origin.

Keywords: Coccolepididae; Chondrostei; Posidonienschiefer Formation; Early Jurassic; paleobiogeography; regurgitalite

 Cranial reconstruction of †Toarcocephalus morlok gen. et sp. nov. with missing regions based on reconstruction of ‘Coccolepis’ liassica in Gardiner (1960). Missing or speculative areas are indicated with a dashed line and coloured in grey.

 Abbreviations: ag = angular; an = antorbital; br = branchiostegal rays; cl = cleithrum; d = dentary; dpt = dermopterotic; dsph = dermosphenotic; esc = extrascapular; g = gular plate; hyo = hyomandibula; io.c = infraorbital sensory canal; j = jugal; msc = mandibular sensory canal; mx = maxilla; na = nasal; nar = external naris; op = opercle; poc = postorbital canal; pop = preopercle; ro = rostral; scl = supracleithrum; scr = sclerotic ring; sop= subopercle.

SYSTEMATIC PALAEONTOLOGY 

Class ACTINOPTERYGII Cope, 1887

Subclass ?CHONDROSTEI Müller, 1845 sensu Grande and Bemis (1996)

Family †COCCOLEPIDIDAE Berg, 1940 sensu López-Arbarello et al. (2013)

†Toarcocephalus gen. nov.

†Toarcocephalus morlok gen. et sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. †Toarcocephalus morlok gen. et sp. nov. is diagnosed from all other coccolepidid fishes by the following unique combination of characters: upper and lower jaws smooth and unornamented; mandible well elongated and gracile, longer than maxilla and shallow posteriorly; angular large and lenticular; large postorbital expansion of maxilla strongly convex and twice as long as deep with a strongly recurved ventral margin; short premaxilla holding several recurved teeth that are slightly larger than those on the maxilla; skull roof very weakly tuberculated with pronounced striated ridges that are marginally serrated; subopercle trapezoidal and equal in size to opercle; preopercle slender, forming a posteroventral lobular expansion, only as tall as the subopercle and extending no further than the midpoint of the postorbital plate of the maxilla; operculum and supracleithrum mostly smooth with fine, regularly spaced punctae; supracleithrum massive, accounting for more than 80% of operculum height; large triangular dorsal process on the supracleithrum; nine branchiostegal rays, each thin, lacking distal expansions and confined to the posterior corner of the mandible; gular plate egg-shaped and placed roughly at the midpoint of the lower jaw length; elongated hyomandibula obliquely inclined forward, thin and weakly bow-shaped; ceratohyal well elongated but thin; hypohyals short and robust; sclerotic ring thin and delicate; scales weakly developed; vertebral column aspondylous, composed of simple arcocentral arches with proportionately short spines.

Etymology. Generic name chosen for its discovery in Toarcian-aged strata, with suffix -cephalus for head, denoting the diagnostic cranium. Species epithet morlok named after the savage subterranean antagonists in H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine (1895), due to their similarly grotesque appearance characterised by large eyes, a blunt face and pointed teeth.

 Palaeoart depiction of †Toarcocephalus morlok gen. et sp. nov. swimming in the twilight of the Posidonia Shale Sea.
The post-cranium is based on †‘Coccolepis’ liassica and †Coccolepis bucklandi.

Artwork by S. Cooper.

Samuel L.A. Cooper,  Adriana López-Arbarello and Erin E. Maxwell. 2024. First Occurrence of A †coccolepidid fish (?Chondrostei: †Coccolepididae) from the Upper Lias (Toarcian, Early Jurassic) of southern Germany. Palaeontologia Electronica. 27(1):a23. DOI: 10.26879/1326  

palaeo-electronica.org/content/2024/5197-new-toarcian-coccolepidid-fish

 twitter.com/PalaeoE/status/1779937780576952622

[Entomology • 2024] Miripella & Arrakis gen. nov. • Museomics, Molecular Phylogeny and Systematic Revision of the Eurepini Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae), with Description of Two New Genera

Arrakis Robillard, Tan & Su gen. nov. 

in He, Su, Tan, Zwick, Warren et Robillard, 2024. 

DOI: 10.1111/syen.12622 

twitter.com/TonyRobillar

 

Abstract

Natural history collections worldwide house billions of specimens, representing one of the most globally important biobanks. In recent years, the advent of next-generation sequencing has significantly reduced the challenges of obtaining considerable genetic information from historical museum specimens. Crickets in the Australian tribe Eurepini Robillard are a good example of a taxon in which such museomic data have particularly strong potential to advance systematic knowledge, because comprehensive sampling requires decades of work over a very wide area. The tribe currently comprises 64 described species in five genera. Previous studies conflict in the generic relationships inferred for this tribe, all of which are poorly resolved, being based on limited data and sampling. In addition, there has so far been no systematic research for this tribe with extensive taxon sampling, and therefore, the consequence for genus boundaries remains to be investigated. To investigate phylogenetic relationships within Eurepini, we first applied the genome skimming approach to obtain molecular data from a comprehensive sample of Eurepini museum specimens. Of the 69 specimens sampled representing 61 described species, mainly including holotype specimens, we obtained 50 complete and 11 partially complete mitogenomes. Three nuclear genes (H3, 18S, and 28S) were also partially recovered for nearly all of these specimens. Phylogenetic analyses performed with mitogenomes plus three nuclear genes using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference generated well-supported and highly congruent topologies. Eurepini was strongly recovered monophyletic with eight well-defined groups. These groups are used to revise the systematics of the tribe based on a combination of molecular phylogenetics and morphology. The phylogenetic results support the current definition of three genera (Eurepa Walker, Arilpa Otte & Alexander and Eurepella Otte & Alexander), lead us to redefine three genera (Salmanites Chopard, Napieria Baehr and Piestodactylus Saussure), and define and describe two new genera: Miripella Robillard, Tan & Su gen. nov. and Arrakis Robillard, Tan & Su gen. nov. Our results reinforce the importance of natural history collections as a repository for information on biodiversity and genetics, and provide the first comprehensive and robust phylogenetic framework for future systematic and evolutionary studies of Eurepini.

Keywords: Australia, genome skimming, mitogenomes, natural history collections, Orthoptera, taxonomy, type materials

 

Shilin He, You Ning Su, Ming Kai Tan, Andreas Zwick, Ben H. Warren and Tony Robillard. 2024. Museomics, Molecular Phylogeny and Systematic Revision of the Eurepini Crickets (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Eneopterinae), with Description of Two New Genera. Systematic Entomology. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12622

 twitter.com/TonyRobillar/status/1752720326222319937

[Arachnida • 2023] Castianeira swiftay • A New Species of Ant-mimicking Spider (Araneae: Corinnidae) from Costa Rica, and further new records of castianeirines from Central America

 

Castianeira swiftay

Pett. 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5389.3.8 

 twitter.com/BroganConBio

Castianeirinae (Araneae, Corinnidae) are often ant-like or ant-mimicking spiders, generally regarded as good Batesian or Müllerian mimics. Reiskind (1969) proposed the subfamily with his pioneering work on the fauna of North and Central America, describing 17 new species in the process. Eight genera of Castianeirinae are currently known from the New World (WSC 2023), with five endemic genera and three intercontinental. Between August and September 1983, John and Frances Murphy visited numerous localities in Costa Rica and Panama collecting spiders (Logunov, 2022), among their collections were numerous castianeirines. I examined this collection (housed at the Manchester Museum, UK: Dmitri Logunov) and identified several species as new records and a new species from Costa Rica.

...

 

Araneae, Ant-mimicking spider, Castianeira swiftay, Central America, new species

Brogan L. Pett. 2023. Castianeira swiftay sp. nov., A New Species of Ant-mimicking Spider from Costa Rica, and further new records of castianeirines from Central America.  Zootaxa. 5389(3); 396-400. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5389.3.8

  twitter.com/BroganConBio/status/1737395215571296727