scholarly journals A new protocetid whale offers clues to biogeography and feeding ecology in early cetacean evolution

2021 ◽  
Vol 288 (1957) ◽  
pp. 20211368
Author(s):  
Abdullah S. Gohar ◽  
Mohammed S. Antar ◽  
Robert W. Boessenecker ◽  
Dalia A. Sabry ◽  
Sanaa El-Sayed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Middle Eocene ◽  
Mechanical Processing ◽  
Mandibular Symphysis ◽  
Feeding Style ◽  
Terrestrial Mammals ◽  
Partial Skeleton

Over about 10 million years, the ancestors of whales transformed from herbivorous, deer-like, terrestrial mammals into carnivorous and fully aquatic cetaceans. Protocetids are Eocene whales that represent a unique semiaquatic stage in that dramatic evolutionary transformation. Here, we report on a new medium-sized protocetid, Phiomicetus anubis gen. et sp. nov., consisting of a partial skeleton from the middle Eocene (Lutetian) of the Fayum Depression in Egypt. The new species differs from other protocetids in having large, elongated temporal fossae, anteriorly placed pterygoids, elongated parietals, an unfused mandibular symphysis that terminates at the level of P 3 , and a relatively enlarged I 3 . Unique features of the skull and mandible suggest a capacity for more efficient oral mechanical processing than the typical protocetid condition, thereby allowing for a strong raptorial feeding style. Phylogenetic analysis nests Phiomicetus within the paraphyletic Protocetidae, as the most basal protocetid known from Africa. Recovery of Phiomicetus from the same bed that yielded the remingtonocetid Rayanistes afer provides the first clear evidence for the co-occurrence of the basal cetacean families Remingtonocetidae and Protocetidae in Africa. The discovery of Phiomicetus further augments our understanding of the biogeography and feeding ecology of early whales.

scholarly journals The first North American Propterodon (Hyaenodonta: Hyaenodontidae), a new species from the late Uintan of Utah

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e8136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn P. Zack
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
North American ◽  
Middle Eocene ◽  
North American Species ◽  
New Combination ◽  
Mammalian Fauna ◽  
Critical Interval ◽  
Uinta Basin ◽  
A New Species

The carnivorous mammalian fauna from the Uintan (late middle Eocene) of North America remains relatively poorly documented. This is unfortunate, as this is a critical interval in the transition from “creodont” to carnivoran dominated carnivore guilds. This study reports a new species from the Uinta Formation of the Uinta Basin, Utah, the first North American species of the otherwise Asian hyaenodont genus Propterodon. The new species, Propterodon witteri, represented by a dentary with M2-3 from the late Uintan Leota Quarry, is larger than the well-known P. morrisi and P. tongi and has a larger M3 talonid, but is otherwise very similar. A phylogenetic analysis of hyaenodont interrelationships recovers P. witteri as a hyaenodontine but is generally poorly resolved. A relationship between Hyaenodontinae and Oxyaenoides, recovered by many recent analyses, is not supported. Among the Asian species of Propterodon, P. pishigouensis is reidentified as a machaeroidine oxyaenid and recombined as Apataelurus pishigouensis new combination. Isphanatherium ferganensis may also represent an Asian machaeroidine. Identification of a North American species of Propterodon and an Asian Apataelurus increases the similarity of North American Uintan and Asian Irdinmanhan faunas and suggests that there was substantial exchange of carnivorous fauna during the late middle Eocene.

New skeletal material of Andrewsiphius and Kutchicetus, two Eocene cetaceans from India

2009 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-663 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. M. Thewissen ◽  
Sunil Bajpap
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Middle Eocene ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Position ◽  
Mandibular Symphysis ◽  
Caudal Vertebrae ◽  
Skeletal Material ◽  
Independent Branch

The Eocene cetacean genera Andrewsiphius and Kutchicetus are systematically revised, their anatomy described, and their phylogenetic position analyzed. Each genus contains a single species, A. sloani and K minimus, and both are known only from the middle Eocene of the Indian Subcontinent. Andrewsiphius and Kutchicetus differ in a number of respects, the most important dental difference being that P2, P3, p2, and p3 are double-rooted in Andrewsiphius and single-rooted in Kutchicetus. Lower molars are separated by diastemata in Kutchicetus, but not in Andrewsiphius. Postcranially, Andrewsiphius has caudal vertebrae that are far more robust than those of Kutchicetus.We propose the new clade Andrewsiphiinae for these two genera, based on their unique characters: the extremely slender jaw, fused mandibular symphysis, narrow palate and rostrum, and lower molars that have a low crown with three cusps lined up rostro-caudally. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that andrewsiphiines are either a subfamily of Remingtonocetidae or an independent branch on the Eocene cetacean lineage. Interpreting conservatively, we classify them as remingtonocetids. Andrewsiphiines have a long, robust, dorso-ventrally flattened tail and short limbs, suggesting that they swam using dorsoventral undulation of the tail.

Culex (Culex) longitubus, A New Species of the Mimeticus Subgroup (Diptera: Culicidae) From Bhutan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pradya Somboon ◽  
Thanari Phanitchakun ◽  
Jassada Saingamsook ◽  
Rinzin Namgay ◽  
Ralph E Harbach
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Immature Stages ◽  
High Altitudes ◽  
Coi Sequences ◽  
Anal Papillae ◽  
A New Species

Abstract Culex longitubus Somboon, Namgay & Harbach is described as a new species of the Mimeticus Subgroup of the subgenus Culex. The larva is most similar to the larva of Cx. tianpingensis Chen from China, but is distinguished by the length of the siphon and the anal papillae, the form of the comb scales and pecten spines, and the development of setae 7-P, 13-T, 1-X, and 4-X. The adults have wing markings and male genitalia similar to those of species of the Mimeticus Complex. Phylogenetic analysis of COI sequences revealed that the new species is closely related to Cx. murrelli Lien of the Mimulus Complex. The immature stages of the new species were found in stagnant pools and marshes at high altitudes in several districts of Bhutan.

scholarly journals Black spicules from a new interstitial opheliid polychaete Thoracophelia minuta sp. nov. (Annelida: Opheliidae)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoto Jimi ◽  
Shinta Fujimoto ◽  
Mami Takehara ◽  
Satoshi Imura
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Biology ◽  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
Research Subject ◽  
Ecological Diversity ◽  
Coelomic Cavity ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic

AbstractThe phylum Annelida exhibits high morphological diversity coupled with its extensive ecological diversity, and the process of its evolution has been an attractive research subject for many researchers. Its representatives are also extensively studied in fields of ecology and developmental biology and important in many other biology related disciplines. The study of biomineralisation is one of them. Some annelid groups are well known to form calcified tubes but other forms of biomineralisation are also known. Herein, we report a new interstitial annelid species with black spicules, Thoracophelia minuta sp. nov., from Yoichi, Hokkaido, Japan. Spicules are minute calcium carbonate inclusions found across the body and in this new species, numerous black rod-like inclusions of calcium-rich composition are distributed in the coelomic cavity. The new species can be distinguished from other known species of the genus by these conspicuous spicules, shape of branchiae and body formula. Further, the new species’ body size is apparently smaller than its congeners. Based on our molecular phylogenetic analysis using 18S and 28S sequences, we discuss the evolutionary significance of the new species’ spicules and also the species' progenetic origin.

A new species of Cynomops (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from the northwestern slope of the Andes

Mammalia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Arenas-Viveros ◽  
Pamela Sánchez-Vendizú ◽  
Alan Giraldo ◽  
Jorge Salazar-Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Mtdna Sequences ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Western Side ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Lines Of Evidence

Abstract The systematics and taxonomy of the broadly distributed bats of the genus Cynomops has changed considerably in the last few years. Among the major changes, Cynomops abrasus was split into two species of large-bodied forms (Cynomops mastivus and C. abrasus) distributed east of the Andes. However, large Colombian specimens identified as C. abrasus from the western side of the Andes had yet to be included in any revisionary work. Phylogenetic analysis performed in this study, using mtDNA sequences (Cytochrome-b), revealed that these Colombian individuals are more closely related to Cynomops greenhalli. Morphological and molecular data allowed us to recognize populations from western Colombia, western Ecuador and northwestern Peru, as members of a new species of Cynomops. Characters that allow for its differentiation from C. greenhalli include a larger forearm, paler but more uniform ventral pelage, more globular braincase, and well-developed zygomatic processes of the maxilla (almost reaching the postorbital constriction). This study serves as another example of the importance of including multiple lines of evidence in the recognition of a new species. Given its rarity and the advanced transformation of its habitat, this new species is particularly important from a conservation perspective.

Description of a new species of Auriculostoma (Digenea: Allocreadiidae) from Characidium heirmostigmata (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from Argentina, using morphological and molecular data

2021 ◽  
Vol 95 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Montes ◽  
J. Barneche ◽  
Y. Croci ◽  
D. Balcazar ◽  
A. Almirón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Molecular Data ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
28S Rrna ◽  
The Family ◽  
Parasitological Survey ◽  
Morphological And Molecular Data ◽  
A New Species

Abstract During a parasitological survey of fishes at Iguazu National Park, Argentina, specimens belonging to the allocreadiid genus Auriculostoma were collected from the intestine of Characidium heirmostigmata. The erection of the new species is based on a unique combination of morphological traits as well as on phylogenetic analysis. Auriculostoma guacurarii n. sp. resembles four congeneric species – Auriculostoma diagonale, Auriculostoma platense, Auriculostoma tica and Auriculostoma totonacapanensis – in having smooth and oblique testes, but can be distinguished by a combination of several morphological features, hosts association and geographic distribution. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from both A. diagonale and A. platense by the egg size (bigger in the first and smaller in the last); from A. tica by a shorter body length, the genital pore position and the extension of the caeca; and from A. totonacapanensis by the size of the oral and ventral sucker and the post-testicular space. Additionally, one specimen of Auriculostoma cf. stenopteri from the characid Charax stenopterus (Characiformes) from La Plata River, Argentina, was sampled and the partial 28S rRNA gene was sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. guacurarii n. sp. clustered with A. tica and these two as sister taxa to A. cf. stenopteri. The new species described herein is the tenth species in the genus and the first one parasitizing a member of the family Crenuchidae.

scholarly journals Revision of the femoralis group of Blepharoneura Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2374 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALLEN L. NORRBOM ◽  
MARTY CONDON
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Costa Rica ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Key To Species ◽  
Northwestern Argentina ◽  
New Synonym ◽  
Northern Brazil ◽  
Plant Data

The femoralis species group of the genus Blepharoneura is revised. The following 42 species, including 32 new species, are recognized: amplihyalina, n. sp. (northwestern Argentina), apaapa, n. sp. (Bolivia), aspiculosa, n. sp. (Mexico), bidigitata, n. sp. (southern Brazil), bipunctata, n. sp. (Ecuador), biseriata Wulp (Mexico), bivittata, n. sp. (Nicaragua, Costa Rica), brevivittata, n. sp. (Costa Rica to Peru), chaconi, n. sp. (Costa Rica), cornelli, n. sp. (Costa Rica), cyclantherae, n. sp. (Mexico), femoralis Wulp (Mexico to Brazil), fernandezi, n. sp. (Venezuela, northern Brazil), furcifer Hendel (Venezuela to Bolivia and Brazil), hirsuta Bates (Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil), hyalinella, n. sp. (Bolivia), io Giglio-Tos (Mexico), isolata, n. sp. (Guatemala), lutea, n. sp. (Costa Rica), macwilliamsae, n. sp. (Costa Rica), marshalli, n. sp. (northwestern Argentina), mexicana, n. sp. (Guatemala, Mexico), mikenoltei, n. sp. (Costa Rica), multipunctata, n. sp. (Ecuador), nigriapex, n. sp. (Bolivia), nigrifemur, n. sp. (Bolivia), osmundsonae, n. sp. (Mexico), punctistigma, n. sp. (Mexico to Costa Rica), quadristriata Wulp (Mexico to Costa Rica; possibly Colombia), quetzali, n. sp. (Guatemala), regina Giglio-Tos (Mexico), rupta (Wulp) (Mexico to Costa Rica), ruptafascia, n. sp. (Ecuador), septemdigitata, n. sp. (Peru, Bolivia), sinepuncta, n. sp. (Costa Rica), splendida Giglio-Tos (Mexico to Ecuador), tau, n. sp. (Costa Rica), thetis Hendel (southern Brazil), unifasciata, n. sp. (Ecuador), variabilis, n. sp. (Mexico), wasbaueri, n. sp. (Ecuador), and zumbadoi, n. sp. (Costa Rica). Blepharoneura amazonensis Lima & Leite, 1952 is considered a new synonym of B. hirsuta Bates, 1933, and a lectotype is designated for Blepharoneura furcifer Hendel, 1914. A key to species and phylogenetic analysis are provided, as well as descriptions, illustrations, distributions, and host plant data (as available) for each species.

New olenelline trilobites from the Northwest Territories, Canada, and the phylogenetic placement of Judomia absita Fritz, 1973

Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2918 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. WESLEY GAPP ◽  
BRUCE S. LIEBERMAN ◽  
MICHAEL C. POPE ◽  
KELLY A. DILLIARD
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Northwest Territories ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Early Cambrian ◽  
Phylogenetic Placement ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
One New Species

The Early Cambrian olenelline trilobites are a diverse clade and have been the subject of several phylogenetic analyses. Here, three new species of Bradyfallotaspis Fritz, 1972 (B. coriae, B. nicolascagei, and B. sekwiensis) and one new species of Nevadia Walcott, 1910 (N. saupeae) are described from the Sekwi Formation of the Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, Canada. In addition, new specimens potentially referable to Nevadia ovalis McMenamin, 1987 were recovered that may expand that species’ geographic range, which was thought to be restricted to Sonora, Mexico. The results of a phylogenetic analysis incorporating several olenelline taxa, including Judomia absita Fritz, 1973 from the Sekwi Formation, are also presented herein. This species has been assigned to various olenelline genera, including Judomia Lermontova, 1951 and Paranevadella Palmer & Repina, 1993. Phylogenetic analysis suggests this species is closely related to Judomia tera Lazarenko, 1960 from Siberia. This phylogenetic relationship provides further support for the hypothesis that a close biogeographic relationship existed between Laurentia and Siberia during the Cambrian.

A large new species of Rhinella (Anura: Bufonidae) from Cerrado of Brazil

Zootaxa ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 1627 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
NATAN M. MACIEL ◽  
REUBER A. BRANDÃO ◽  
LEANDRO A. CAMPOS ◽  
ANTONIO SEBBEN
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
New Species ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Morphological Features ◽  
Advertisement Call ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Rhinella Marina ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Morphometric Feature ◽  
Distrito Federal

A new toad, Rhinella cerradensis, is described, including its tadpole and the advertisement call. The new species occupies Cerrado habitats in the Brazilian states of Piauí, Bahia, Goiás, Minas Gerais, and Distrito Federal. The species is characterized by its large size; absence of tibial glands; well developed cranial crests; short hands; sexually dimorphic coloration; and by the absence of a spiracle tube of the tadpole. The new species is included in the Rhinella marina group by the presence of a jagged suture formed by the articulation between the pterygoid medial ramus and the parasphenoid alae, as well as other shared morphological features. Morphological characters and statistical analyses inferred by morphometric feature suggest the existence of two subgroups of species within R. marina group. However, taxonomic rearrangements are not made here and await phylogenetic analysis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document