Extended diagnosis of the type species of Pseudogonatodes Ruthven 1915 (Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae)

Pseudogonatodes furvus is an endemic gecko from the region of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, an isolated massif located in the continental Caribbean region of Colombia. Pseudogonatodes furvus is the type species of the genus, and its morphology and natural history remain poorly known. This lizard was described based on two specimens. After its description, the species has only been mentioned in a handful of taxonomic studies of Pseudogonatodes, in which a few morphological characters of P. furvus have been mentioned. One other paper reported two new localities, without providing new information on the external morphology, especially the lepidosis of the newly obtained specimens. Here we review the external morphology of P. furvus, based on examination of the holotype and six additional specimens. We provide an extended diagnosis and definition, description of holotype, variation, comparisons with other Pseudogonatodes, geographic distribution (adding a fourth locality to the known distribution for the species), and conservation status. Additionally, we describe osteological features for the diagnosis of the genus.

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Rediscovery and redescription of Marmosa (Stegomarmosa) andersoni Pine (Mammalia: Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), an endemic Peruvian mouse opossum, with a reassessment of its affinities

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1756.1.2 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1756 (1) ◽

pp. 49 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

SERGIO SOLARI ◽

RONALD H. PINE

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Type Species ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Geographic Range ◽

Single Specimen ◽

New Information ◽

History Of ◽

The Many ◽

Detailed Diagnosis

Mouse opossums of the genus Marmosa Gray (Didelphidae) represent a complex of taxa with poorly understood affinities. Species now placed within this genus are mostly the leftovers from previous taxonomic arrangements. Even the most recent and complete revisions have not fully resolved the relationships among Marmosa and the many taxa previously included in Marmosa or listed as synonyms of it. Herein, we review and discuss one of these taxa, Stegomarmosa, based on new specimens that significantly increase our knowledge of the morphological diversification of the group. Until recently, this genus/subgenus has been known only from a single specimen taken more than 50 years ago in southeastern Peru. In 1997-1998, six additional specimens were collected at two little-separated localities almost 200 km NW of the type locality. We include a detailed diagnosis of the genus-group Stegomarmosa and its type species, M. andersoni, and update the distribution for and provide new information on the natural history of the latter. We also discuss published claims, concerning geographic range, that may be inaccurate and misleading. Finally, we scored the morphological characters used in the most recent phylogenetic analyses of the didelphids, in order to explore the affinities of M. andersoni and to determine the distinctiveness of the taxon Stegomarmosa.

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Taxonomy, natural history, and conservation of the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851) (Thraupidae, Sporophilinae)

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4442.4.4 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4442 (4) ◽

pp. 551 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

FLÁVIO KULAIF UBAID ◽

LUÍS FABIO SILVEIRA ◽

CESAR A. B. MEDOLAGO ◽

THIAGO V. V. COSTA ◽

MERCIVAL ROBERTO FRANCISCO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

South America ◽

Captive Breeding ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Bird Species ◽

Principal Component ◽

Taxonomic Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Morphometric Characters ◽

History Of

Seed-finches are small-sized Neotropical granivorous birds characterized by extremely strong and thick beaks. Among these birds, the Great-billed Seed-Finch Sporophila maximiliani has been selectively and intensively trapped to the extent that has become one of the most endangered bird species in South America, yet its taxonomy remains complex and controversial. Two subspecies have been recognized: S. m. maximiliani (Cabanis, 1851), mainly from the Cerrado of central South America, and S. m. parkesi Olson (= Oryzoborus m. magnirostris), from northeastern South America. Originally, S. m. parkesi was diagnosed as being larger than the Large-billed Seed-Finch, S. c. crassirostris (Gmelin, 1789), but proper comparisons with S. m. maximiliani, which is larger than S. c. crassirostris, were never performed. Here we provide a review of the taxonomic and nomenclatural history of S. maximiliani, reevaluate the validity and taxonomic status of the subspecies based on morphological characters, and significantly revise its geographic distribution. Analyses based on plumage patterns and a Principal Component Analysis of morphometric characters indicated that S. m. parkesi is most appropriately treated as a synonym of the nominate taxon, which results in a monotypic S. maximiliani comprising two disjunct populations. Further, we conducted systematic searches for S. maximiliani in Brazil, in an attempt to obtain natural history information. After more than 6,000 hours of fieldwork in 45 areas of potential and historical occurrence, S. maximiliani was located only in two sites, in marshy environments called veredas, confirming the critical conservation status of this species, at least in Brazil. We discuss the conservation potential for, and the problems involved with, captive breeding of S. maximiliani for reintroduction into the wild.

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Redescription of the monotypic genus Cubacanthozomus (Schizomida: Hubbardiidae) and conservation status of its type-species

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.4323.4.6 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 4323 (4) ◽

pp. 534 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

LUIS F. DE ARMAS ◽

RENÉ BARBA DÍAZ ◽

AYLÍN ALEGRE BARROSO

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Type Species ◽

New Genus ◽

Additional Data ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Original Description ◽

Morphological Evidence ◽

Monotypic Genus ◽

True Type ◽

Made In

Some of the taxonomic characters originally argued for the Cuban monotypic genus Cubacanthozomus Teruel, 2007, are unsubstantial. Others were misinterpretations of drawings given in the original description of Schizomus rowlandi Dumitresco, 1973, the only source of taxonomic information on which Teruel (2007) based the new genus. Recently a new collection of this species was made in a small cave about 350 m from one of the caves mentioned in the original description: Cueva de Majana, Baracoa municipality, Guantánamo province. On the basis of new morphological evidence found during examination of two females and a male, both the genus Cubacanthozomus and its type-species are herein redescribed. Cueva de Majana is recognized as the true type locality of C. rowlandi, which male holotype was erroneously listed as being collected in a cave from central Cuba, 600 km away. Additional data are provided on the morphology, natural history and conservation status of C. rowlandi, which is now being proposed as an endangered species.

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Notes on some Glass Frogs (Anura: Centrolenidae) from Western Ecuador: Taxonomy, natural history and conservation status, with the description of a new species

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2159 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Diego F Cisneros-Heredia ◽

Roy W. McDiarmid

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Natural History ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Habitat Destruction ◽

Undescribed Species ◽

Science Center ◽

Amphibian Species ◽

Forest Remnants ◽

History Of

Ecuador has the biggest number of amphibian species per unit of area in the world (425 species in 283,560 km2). In the last decade, conservative estimates indicate that at least 26 species of Ecuadorian amphibians have declined or gone extinct. The reasons for this crisis are not clear but have been related to habitat destruction, climate change, and/or diseases, such as chytridiomycosis. The Río Palenque Science Center (RPSC) was among the last remnants of tropical rainforest in the western lowlands of Ecuador. Twenty years ago, investigations done by R. McDiarmid, Ken Miyata and others lead to the discovery of an amazing herpetofauna, including several undescribed species. However, the expansion of the agricultural frontier and transformation of the forest remnants into oil palm and banana plantations destroyed this site. Among the species identified from RPSC were five species of glass frogs (family Centrolenidae): Centrolene prosoblepon, Cochranella spinosa, Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni, Hyalinobatrachium sp. (cf. valerioi), and an undescribed species of the genus Centrolene. This research analyzed the morphological characters and natural history of the five glass frogs of RPSC in order to describe the new species of Centrolene from RPSC, which seems to be critically endangered, if not extinct. The new species is characterized by a combination of the following characters: 1) distinctive coloration in life with dark flecks and yellow dorsolateral stripes on a green dorsum; 2) parietal peritoneum white, covering about ½ of the venter, pericardium white, liver and stomach without guanophores, large intestine with guanophores; 3) presence of exposed prepollical spines; 4) humeral spines in males; 5) unique glandular nuptial pad between fingers I and II; and 5) reddish iris.

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New diagnostic characters for Amphiodia and Ophiophragmus (Amphiuridae, Ophiuroidea, Echinodermata)

Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom ◽

10.1017/s0025315420000521 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 100 (5) ◽

pp. 759-781

Author(s):

Gisella C.S. Chagas ◽

Renata A.S. Alitto ◽

Helena Serrano ◽

Gabriela Granadier ◽

Pablo D.B. Guilherme ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electron Microscopy ◽

Scanning Electron Microscopy ◽

New Records ◽

External Morphology ◽

Diagnostic Characters ◽

Comparative Analyses ◽

Phylogenetic Studies ◽

New Information ◽

Taxonomic Studies ◽

Scanning Electron

AbstractThe genera Ophiophragmus and Amphiodia are amphiurids that are considered taxonomically difficult due to their great resemblance, few diagnostic characters and synonymy problems. Our aim is to redescribe the species using scanning electron microscopy and morphometry of diagnostic structures, and to provide new information for the identification of these Ophiuroidea. Five Amphiodia spp. and six Ophiophragmus spp. recorded in Brazil were rigorously redescribed. The descriptions include new diagnostic characters derived from external morphology, arm microstructures and morphometry. We also provided comparative analyses of species with shared characters such as Amphiodia riisei and Amphiodia trychna. The geographic and bathymetric distributions of the studied species were updated, and new records are provided. All the information presented may be used in taxonomic, ecological and phylogenetic studies, helping to fill gaps in the knowledge of the biodiversity, ecology and evolution of these Ophiuroidea. Conclusively, all the tools applied here assisted in the identification of genera and species and could be useful in other taxonomic studies of Echinodermata.

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Phylogenetic analysis and taxonomy of the subgenus Gnathopaederus Chapin and related groups of Paederus s.l. (Coleoptera:Staphylinidae:Paederinae)

Invertebrate Systematics ◽

10.1071/is09015 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 422

Author(s):

Xiao-Yan Li ◽

Hong-Zhang Zhou

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Type Species ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Character State ◽

Robust Solution ◽

Current Classification ◽

The Status ◽

Definition Of ◽

Taxonomic Studies ◽

First Time

The paederine genus Paederus s.l. (Coleoptera : Staphylinidae) is a hyperdiverse group of some 500 species worldwide. Although the subtribe Paederina, in which the genus resides, is monophyletic the status of numerous genera and subgenera is questionable and the current classification is likely to be flawed. As part of detailed studies on the paederine fauna of China, we undertook a preliminary morphologically-based phylogenetic analysis to determine the relationships of Paederus (Gnathopaederus) and related subgenera, as a basis for a revision of the subgenus, and as an attempt to provide a better framework for future taxonomic studies on the group as a whole. The analysis was based on 66 adult morphological characters for 30 ingroup taxa, including all six species of P. (Gnathopaederus). The results show that P. (Gnathopaederus) and P. (Paederus), and the genera Megalopaederus, Pachypaederus and Paederidus are monophyletic, and that P. (Eopaederus) and P. (Harpopaederus) are paraphylyetic. However, our analysis did not offer a robust solution to relationships among other clades within Paederus s.l. although it seems clear that Paederus s.l. is not monophyletic with respect to the above genera. The monophyly of P. (Gnathopaederus) is supported by the mandibular basal medial tooth having two cuspids separated dorsoventrally. Based largely on this character state, the definition of the subgenus is refined; six species are recognized, including two new species described from China as follows: P. (G.) daozhenensis, sp. nov. from Guizhou, and P. (G.) jilongensis, sp. nov. from Xizang; three species, P. bursavacua Willers, P. yunnanensis Willers and P. solodovnikovi Willers, are newly assigned to the subgenus according to a revised subgeneric definition. New morphological characters including important secondary sexual characters and sexual dimorphism are described and male genitalia are illustrated for the first time for the type species of the subgenus, P. (G.) szechuanus (Chapin). A key to the six species is presented and the distribution of each species is documented and discussed.

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DESCRIPTION OF PARABROCHYMENA, NEW GENUS, AND REDEFINITION AND REVIEW OF BROCHYMENA AMYOT AND AUDINET-SERVILLE (HEMIPTERA: PENTATOMIDAE), WITH CONSIDERATIONS ON NATURAL HISTORY, CHOROLOGICAL AFFINITIES, AND EVOLUTIONARY RELATIONSHIPS

Memoirs of the Entomological Society of Canada ◽

10.4039/entm124163fv ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 124 (S163) ◽

pp. 3-75 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marie-Claude Larivière

Keyword(s):

Natural History ◽

Type Species ◽

New World ◽

New Genus ◽

Original Description ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Generic Level ◽

Species Groups ◽

Systematic Relationships ◽

First Time

AbstractFrom the endemic New World halyine genus Brochymena, two genera are recognized. New morphological characters at the generic level are described. Parabrochymena, new genus, with Pentatoma arborea Say as type species, is erected to contain 10 taxa formerly included in Brochymena. New combinations are Parabrochymena aculeata (Distant), P. apiculata (Van Duzee), P. arborea (Say), P. barberi barberi (Ruckes), P. barberi diluta (Blatchley), P. cuspidata (Distant), P. enigmatica (Ruckes), P. florida (Ruckes), P. haedula (Stål), and P. poeyi (Guérin-Méneville). Brochymena is redefined with 20 taxa: B. affinis Van Duzee, B. cariosa Stål, B. carolinensis (Westwood), B. chelonoides Ruckes, B. dilata Ruckes, B. exardentia Ruckes, B. hoppingi Van Duzee, B. humeralis Ruckes, B. laevigata Ruckes, B. lineata Ruckes, B. marginella Stål, B. myops Stål, B. parva Ruckes, B. punctata punctata Van Duzee, B. punctata pallida Blatchley, B. pilatei Van Duzee, B. quadripustulata (Fabricius), B. splendida Ruckes, B. sulcata Van Duzee, and B. tenebrosa Walker. Four synonymies are established: B. marginella Stål = B. carolinensis (Westwood); B. pilatei Van Duzee = B. sulcata Van Duzee; B. laevigata Ruckes = B. myops Stål; B. exardentia Ruckes = B. lineata Ruckes. Lectotypes are designated for B. affinis Van Duzee, B. cariosa Stål, B. myops Stål, B. punctata pallida Blatchley, and B. p. punctata Van Duzee. Species groups of Brochymena are characterized, and a key to all taxa is presented for the first time. As appropriate, for each species of Brochymena, the following are provided: citation of original description, synonymies, type material, diagnosis, description, geographical distribution, taxonomic comments, natural history, and illustrations of important structural characters. Chorological affinities are presented and systematic relationships are hypothesized.

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A preliminary phylogeny of the lichen moth tribe Lithosiini (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae) based on morphological characters

Insect Systematics & Evolution ◽

10.1163/1876312x-04303006 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 43 (3-4) ◽

pp. 321-369 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Clare H. Scott ◽

Marc A. Branham

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Maximum Parsimony ◽

Type Species ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

External Morphology ◽

Female Genitalia ◽

Male And Female ◽

Phylogenetic Methods ◽

Monophyletic Lineage

A phylogeny of the lichen moth tribe Lithosiini has been constructed based on adult morphological characters. Specimens of 76 species representing 49 genera and each of the seven subtribes that have been proposed, as well as genera that have yet to be placed within a subtribe, were examined. When possible the type species of each genus was included in the analysis. Eighty-two characters from the external morphology and male and female genitalia were coded. The dataset was analyzed using both Maximum Parsimony and Bayesian phylogenetic methods with outgroup taxa selected from the subfamily Aganainae and tribe Arctiini. The morphological characters show the tribe Lithosiini as a monophyletic lineage, but could not assess the monophyly of the seven subtribes that have been hypothesized. The clades that are resolved by our phylogenetic analysis were composed only of genera representing a single subtribe or those that have not previously been placed in a subtribe. These results provide support for the existence of subtribes within the Lithosiini and represent the most extensive examination of the phylogeny of this tribe to date.

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Review of the genera of Conoderinae (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.683.12080 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 683 ◽

pp. 51-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Salvatore S. Anzaldo

Keyword(s):

North America ◽

Natural History ◽

Central America ◽

Type Species ◽

Morphological Character ◽

External Morphology ◽

South American ◽

Incertae Sedis ◽

History Information ◽

The Caribbean

The thirty-nine extant genera of Conoderinae known to occur in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean are reviewed based on external morphology. An identification key is provided along with diagnoses, distributions, species counts, and natural history information, when known, for each genus. Morphological character systems of importance for weevil classification are surveyed, potential relationships among the tribes and genera are discussed, and groups most in need of taxonomic and phylogenetic attention are identified. The following genera are transferred to new tribes: Acoptus LeConte, 1876 from the Lechriopini to the Othippiini(new placement) and the South American genus Hedycera Pascoe, 1870 from the Lechriopini to the Piazurini(new placement). Philides Champion, 1906 and Philinna Champion, 1906 are transferred from the Lechriopini to Conoderinaeincertae sedis(new placement) although their placement as conoderines is uncertain. The species Copturomimus cinereus Heller, 1895 is designated as the type species of the genus Copturomimus Heller, 1895.

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A revision of the genus Audantia of Hispaniola with description of four new species (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae)

Novitates Caribaea ◽

10.33800/nc.v0i14.201 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 1-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Gunther Köhler ◽

Caroline Zimmer ◽

Kathleen McGrath ◽

S. Blair Hedges

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

Natural History ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Genetic Data ◽

Distinct Species ◽

External Morphology ◽

Distribution Maps ◽

Dichotomous Key

We revise the species of Audantia, a genus of dactyloid lizards endemic to Hispaniola. Based on our analyses of morphological and genetic data we recognize 14 species in this genus, four of which we describe as new species (A. aridius sp. nov., A. australis sp. nov., A. higuey sp. nov., and A. hispaniolae sp. nov.), and two are resurrected from the synonymy of A. cybotes (A. doris comb. nov., A. ravifaux comb. nov.). Also, we place Anolis citrinellus Cope, 1864 in the synonymy of Ctenonotus distichus (Cope, 1861); Anolis haetianus Garman, 1887 in the synonymy of Audantia cybotes (Cope, 1863); and Anolis whitemani Williams, 1963 in the synonymy of Audantia saxatilis (Mertens, 1938). Finally, we designate a lectotype for Anolis cybotes Cope, 1863, and for Anolis riisei Reinhardt & Lütken, 1863. Our main focus is on the populations of anoles formerly referred to as Audantia cybotes which we demonstrate to be a complex of seven distinct species. For these seven species we provide a standardized description of external morphology, color descriptions in life, color photographs in life, description and illustration of hemipenis morphology (if available), distribution maps based on the specimens examined, comments on the conservation status, and natural history notes. Finally, we provide a dichotomous key for the identification of the 14 species of the genus Audantia occuring on Hispaniola.

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