Taxonomic status of Paraguay’s only endemic bird, the Chaco Nothura Nothura chacoensis (Aves: Tinamidae)

The Chaco Nothura Nothura chacoensis Conover is endemic to the Chaco of western Paraguay. Originally described as a subspecies of the Spotted Nothura N. maculosa (Temminck), it has been regarded by many authorities as a distinct species based on alleged sympatry with N. maculosa. However, an earlier study revealed no differences in cytochrome b sequences between the two taxa. We reanalyzed the geographic distribution and morphological variation of N. chacoensis and N. maculosa in western Paraguay based on museum specimens. There is no locality where specimens of both taxa were collected, thus there is no evidence for sympatry. Morphologically the two taxa did not differ in any size or shape variable. Plumage characters overlapped in a few specimens. We recorded vocalizations from at least four individuals of N. chacoensis within its known range. Its typical territorial song was a very rapid, relatively monotone trill that was virtually identical with the most frequent territorial song of N. maculosa in length, number of notes, rate of notes, and emphasized frequency, and differed substantially from the songs of other species of Nothura. Based on distributional, morphological, biochemical, and especially vocalization data, we conclude that N. chacoensis should be regarded as a subspecies of N. maculosa.

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A new discovery of a long-winged form of Mexican endemic grasshopper Melanotettix dibelonius Bruner, 1904 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Gomphocerinae) and notes on wing polymorphism and geographic distribution

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4838.4.5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4838 (4) ◽

pp. 515-524

Author(s):

RICARDO MARIÑO-PÉREZ ◽

SALOMÓN SANABRIA-URBÁN ◽

BERT FOQUET ◽

MARTINA E. POCCO ◽

HOJUN SONG

Keyword(s):

Geographic Distribution ◽

Morphological Variation ◽

Distribution Range ◽

Statistical Analyses ◽

Museum Specimens ◽

Extensive Review ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Wing Polymorphism ◽

Winged Form ◽

New Discovery

The species Melanotettix dibelonius Bruner, 1904 was previously recorded from Michoacán and Guerrero states in Mexico. This species is characterized by its tegmina, which are always shorter than head and pronotum together and sometimes shorter than the pronotum. After recent field expeditions (2015-2019) and an extensive review of museum specimens from the most important Orthoptera collections in Mexico and USA (291 specimens), we discovered a long-winged form of this species south of its previous known range, which effectively expanded its distribution range into Oaxaca state. We discuss some aspects regarding the patterns of geographic distribution and morphological variation among the long-winged and short-winged morphs. We conduct statistical analyses and observed that on average, the tegmina of long-winged individuals (both females and males) are slightly longer than twice the length of pronotum; whereas in short-winged individuals the tegmina are nearly as long or slightly longer than the length of the pronotum. Moreover, on average, females appear to have longer tegmina than males in both morphotypes. We provide photographic records of both forms live and mounted, the most comprehensive distribution map to date and a discussion of evolutionarily interesting patterns found in this species.

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Phenotypic variation and vocal divergence reveals a species complex in White-eared Ground-sparrows (Cabanis) (Aves: Passerellidae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4291.1.9 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4291 (1) ◽

pp. 155 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

LUIS SANDOVAL ◽

PIERRE-PAUL BITTON ◽

ALANA D. DEMKO ◽

STÉPHANIE M. DOUCET ◽

DANIEL J. MENNILL

Keyword(s):

Maximum Amplitude ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Phenotypic Traits ◽

Museum Specimens ◽

Sound Recordings ◽

Subspecies Level ◽

Morphometric Features ◽

Near Future ◽

The Relationship

The taxonomy of the genus Melozone has recently been analyzed from genus to subspecies level, leading to a significant revision of our understanding of this group of birds. Previous studies quantified differences in phenotypic traits, behavior, and genotypes, to provide a better understanding of the underappreciated diversity within Melozone and the relationship between species within this genus. Yet the relationship between the subspecies of White-eared Ground-sparrows, Melozone leucotis, has not received thorough taxonomic scrutiny. In this study, we evaluate the taxonomic status of the three recognized subspecies of M. leucotis using multiple morphometric characteristics, plumage color features, and vocalizations. We measured plumage patterns and reflectance from museum specimens, morphometric features from museum specimens and live birds, and vocal characteristics from sound recordings. We observed substantial variation between subspecies in plumage, morphometry, and voice, especially between northern and southern birds. The phenotypic and vocal differences exhibited by M. l. occipitalis (from Chiapas, Mexico; Guatemala; and El Salvador) suggest that its taxonomic relationship with the M. l. leucotis and M. l. nigrior complex (from Costa Rica and Nicaragua, respectively) needs to be reevaluated, because these two groups are highly diagnosable from one another. Additionally, M. l. occipitalis is geographically isolated from the other two subspecies, reducing the probability of contact by natural causes in the near future. Based on the clear differences in voice, plumage, and morphometric features reported here, we propose that M. l. occipitalis be recognized as a distinct species, M. occipitalis (Salvin's Ground-sparrow), diagnosed on the basis of its longer tail, longer bill, duller plumage, and songs with a lower frequency of maximum amplitude.

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Study on the origin and taxonomic status of yak (Poephagus) using cytochrome b gene of mitochondrial DNA

Frontiers of Agriculture in China ◽

10.1007/s11703-007-0055-2 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 329-333 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qifa Li ◽

Yinxia Li ◽

Xingbo Zhao ◽

Zhenshan Liu ◽

Yefen Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Dna ◽

Cytochrome B ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Cytochrome B Gene

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A reassessment of Dioon merolae (Zamiaceae) leads to the description of Dioon salas-moralesae, a new cycad species from Southeastern Oaxaca, Mexico

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.528.2.3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 528 (2) ◽

pp. 93-110

Author(s):

JOSÉ SAID GUTIÉRREZ-ORTEGA ◽

MIGUEL ANGEL PÉREZ-FARRERA ◽

JEFFREY CHEMNICK ◽

TIMOTHY J. GREGORY

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Morphological Variation ◽

Related Species ◽

Statistical Tests ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Closely Related Species ◽

Morphometric Variation ◽

Isthmus Of Tehuantepec ◽

Morphological Differences ◽

Recent Evaluation

The cycad genus Dioon comprises 17 species from Mexico and Honduras, all of them delimited based on their morphological variation and geographic distribution. A recent evaluation of the biological variation among Dioon populations from Oaxaca and Chiapas, Mexico, demonstrated that the concept of the species Dioon merolae actually consists of three lineages that should be recognized as different taxa. One lineage was already described as Dioon oaxacensis, leaving the concept of Dioon merolae comprising two lineages distributed on both sides of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. However, there are conspicuous morphological differences between these two lineages. Here, we tested whether such a differentiation within the concept of Dioon merolae merits the differentiation of two different taxa. We evaluated the qualitative and morphometric variation among populations belonging to the Dioon merolae lineages, and compared it with the closely related species Dioon oaxacensis. Morphological observations and statistical tests demonstrated that the populations of southeastern Oaxaca, traditionally considered as part of Dioon merolae, represent a distinct species that we described as Dioon salas-moralesae. Identifying the diagnostic characters of this new species helps enable an understanding of the criteria that should be considered to delineate the boundaries between other cycad species.

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Taxonomy and distribution of the Brazilian species of Thylamys (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) / La taxonomie et la distribution des espèces brésiliennes du genre Thylamys (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae)

Mammalia ◽

10.1515/mamm.70.1-2.126 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 70 (1-2) ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Ana Paula Carmignotto ◽

Talitha Monfort

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Skull Morphology ◽

Geographic Variations ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Brazilian Species ◽

New Information ◽

Capture Method ◽

Scientific Collections

AbstractThe recent increase in mammal inventories and the widespread use of pitfall traps as a major capture method in Brazil have increased the number of non-volant small mammal specimens in scientific collections, providing new information on natural history, geographical range, and taxonomic status of many marsupials and rodents. To date, however, little is known about the Brazilian species of the marsupial genus Thylamys : the number of species in the country is disputed, as are their names and geographic distribution. Thus, the aim of this study was to define the Brazilian species of the genus, delimiting their taxonomic status and distributional range. We provide qualitative and quantitative data on external and skull morphology for specimens housed in scientific collections. A study of the material available allowed us to recognize the occurrence of three species in Brazil: Thylamys karimii (Petter, 1968), T. macrurus (Olfers, 1818) and T. velutinus (Wagner, 1842). For each of these we provide redescriptions, a discussion of local and geographic variations, geographic distribution, taxonomy, age class differentiation, sexual dimorphism, and natural history.

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A NEW SPECIES OF THE Pareas hamptoni COMPLEX (SQUAMATA, SERPENTES, PAREIDAE) FROM THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

TAPROBANICA The Journal of Asian Biodiversity ◽

10.47605/tapro.v9i2.230 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 174-193

Author(s):

Li Ding ◽

Zening Chen ◽

Chatmongkon Suwannapoom ◽

Tan Van Nguyen ◽

Nikolay A. Poyarkov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Yunnan Province ◽

Southern China ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Molecular Data ◽

Lower Number ◽

Actual Distribution ◽

Golden Triangle ◽

Morphological And Molecular Data

An investigation of the taxonomic status of Pareas hamptoni (Hampton's Slug snake) based on morphological and molecular data revealed a new distinct species from the Golden Triangle region (comprising parts of southern China, and adjacent Laos and Thailand). The new species is shown to be a sister species to P. hamptoni but can be separated from the latter by having 3–5 dorsal scale rows at midbody slightly keeled (vs 5–9 scales strongly keeled); a lower number of ventrals, 170–188 (vs 185–195); and a lower number of subcaudals, 67–91 (vs 91–99). The new species is currently known from northwestern Thailand, northern Laos, and the southern part of Yunnan Province in China at elevations of 1,160–2,280 m a.s.l. We suggest that the new species to be considered of Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN‘s Red List categories. Problems of taxonomy and actual distribution of the P. hamptoni complex are briefly discussed; our results show P. hamptoni is now reliably known only from Myanmar and Vietnam, but its occurrence in Yunnan Province of China is likely.

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New records of the William’s Jerboa, Paralactaga cf. williamsi (Thomas, 1897) (Rodentia: Dipodidae) from northeastern Iran with notes on its ecology

Check List ◽

10.15560/12.2.1855 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 1855 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Kordiyeh Hamidi ◽

Jamshid Darvish ◽

Maryam M. Matin

Keyword(s):

Species Identification ◽

Cytochrome B ◽

New Record ◽

New Records ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

First Record ◽

External Morphology ◽

Western Iran ◽

Eastern Iran ◽

Molar Teeth

Paralactaga williamsi, a five-toed jerboa, is known to occur in Anatolian Turkey, northern Lebanon, Armenia, Azerbaijan and western Iran. Here, we report the first record of this species in Kopet-Dag Mountains, northeastern Iran. Species identification was based on external morphology, skull and molar teeth morphology and morphometrics studies, as well as molecular analyses. Brief notes on the ecology of the species are also provided. This new record expands the distribution of P. williamsi in Iran about 850 km eastward, however further sampling will be needed for a better judgment on the taxonomic status of this species in eastern Iran and to determine the patterns of its distribution. Since the specimen did not group with other P. williamsi in the cytochrome b analysis, we provisionally classify the specimens as P. cf. williamsi.

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Taxonomic implications of morphological variation in three species of Trinomys (Rodentia: Echimyidae) from eastern Brazil

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.3919.1.3 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3919 (1) ◽

pp. 61 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

JERONYMO DALAPICOLLA ◽

YURI L. R. LEITE

Keyword(s):

Morphological Variation ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

The State ◽

Geographic Ranges ◽

Espírito Santo ◽

Eastern Brazil ◽

North Bank ◽

Taxonomic Implications ◽

The Right ◽

Espirito Santo

Trinomys is a genus of terrestrial spiny rats from the Atlantic Forest, and three species occur in the state of Espírito Santo, eastern Brazil: T. gratiosus, T. paratus, and T. setosus. The levels of morphological variation within and among these species are virtually unknown, and their geographic ranges have not been properly assessed. These three species are externally very similar, hampering their identification in surveys and ecological studies that are not based on voucher specimens. We evaluated 162 specimens of Trinomys spp. from eastern Brazil, especially from the state of Espírito Santo, and used data from skulls, skins, and bacula to examine morphological variation and its taxonomic implications. We found extensive morphological variation in the skins and skulls even when diagnostic characters were examined, such as the number of dental lophs and bones contributing to the postorbital process. We also found variation in bacular shape among and within species, including polymorphism among individuals from the same population. The geographic range of each species in Espírito Santo was well defined: T. setosus occurred on the left (north) bank of the Doce River, and the other two species, T. gratiosus and T. paratus, occurred on the right (south) bank of this river; however, T. gratiosus was found at altitudes above 500 m, whereas T. paratus occurred below 580 m. Despite difficulties in species identification, the results of morphological and morphometric analyses are compatible with the current classification of these three species. In addition, the level of morphological variation found in specimens identified as T. g. panema—including types—falls within the range of T. g. gratiosus, confirming the taxonomic status of the former as a junior synonym of the latter.

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