Night stalkers from above: A monograph of Toxicodryas tree snakes (Squamata: Colubridae) with descriptions of two new cryptic species from Central Africa

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4965 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-44
Author(s):  
ELI GREENBAUM ◽  
KAITLIN E. ALLEN ◽  
EUGENE R. VAUGHAN ◽  
OLIVIER S. G. PAUWELS ◽  
VAN WALLACH ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Demographic Analysis ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Biogeographic Barrier

The genus Toxicodryas, historically included with the renowned Australasian cat-eyed snakes of the colubrid genus Boiga, currently includes two widespread species (T. blandingii and T. pulverulenta) in western, central, and eastern Africa. We leverage findings from a recent phylogenomic and historical demographic analysis of this genus (based on 2848–4471 Rad-seq loci from across the genome), with robust sampling from throughout the ranges of both species, to define two additional taxonomic units, with species boundaries corresponding to river barriers. Additional morphometric data from scores of examined museum specimens and literature records bolster the recognition of these two new cryptic species. We hypothesize that T. blandingii occurs west of the confluence of the Congo and Ubangi rivers, whereas a cryptic new species that is found east of this biogeographic barrier has significantly higher numbers of ventral scale counts in both sexes, additional significant differences in several scale counts, and lower venom toxicity. Toxicodryas pulverulenta occurs west of the Niger Delta in West Africa, whereas a cryptic new species that is found east of this biogeographic barrier has significantly higher numbers of subcaudal scale counts in both sexes. A review of published information regarding morphological variation, ecology, natural history, habitat, and venom is summarized for these four Toxicodryas species. 

Taxonomic evaluation of the Grallaria rufula (Rufous Antpitta) complex (Aves: Passeriformes: Grallariidae) distinguishes sixteen species

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4817 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
MORTON L. ISLER ◽  
R. TERRY CHESSER ◽  
MARK B. ROBBINS ◽  
ANDRÉS M. CUERVO ◽  
CARLOS DANIEL CADENA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Molecular Phylogeny ◽  
Cryptic Species ◽  
Geographic Variation ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
The Andes ◽  
Risk Of Extinction ◽  
Taxonomic Evaluation

Populations in the Rufous Antpitta (Grallaria rufula) complex occupy humid montane forests of the Andes from northern Colombia and adjacent Venezuela to central Bolivia. Their tawny to cinnamon-colored plumages are generally uniform, featuring subtle variation in hue and saturation across this range. In contrast to their conservative plumage, substantial vocal differences occur among geographically isolated or parapatric populations. Working within the framework of a comprehensive molecular phylogeny, we reexamined species limits in the G. rufula complex, basing taxonomic recommendations on diagnostic differences in vocalizations and considering identifiable differences in plumage where pertinent. We identified 16 populations for species designation, including seven populations previously described as subspecies and, remarkably, six new species described herein. Within one of these species, we identified less robust vocal differences between populations that we designate as subspecies. Geographic variation exists within another species, but its critical evaluation requires additional material. Taxonomic revisions of groups consisting of cryptic species, like the Grallaria rufula complex, are imperative for their conservation. Rather than widespread species as currently defined, these complexes can comprise many range-restricted taxa at higher risk of extinction given the continuing human pressures on their habitats.

scholarly journals Cast netting new species: Integrative taxonomy of Distichodus notospilus (Characiformes: Distichodontidae) discovers new species and overlooked areas of endemism in Central Africa

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4952 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-313
Author(s):  
RAY C. SCHMIDT ◽  
ELISE C. KNOBLOCH ◽  
CHRISTIAN BARRIENTOS
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Lateral Line ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Integrative Taxonomy ◽  
Dark Spot ◽  
Caudal Fin ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
River Drainage ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Areas Of Endemism

Distichodus notospilus was described from the Ogooué River and is considered to occur throughout the Lower Guinea ichthyofaunal province and the western tributaries of the middle and lower Congo River. Recent expeditions in Equatorial Guinea collected D. notospilus specimens in the Mbini River drainage and the Mbia River; a small coastal river that is located between the Ntem and Mbini river drainages. Detailed morphological analyses and multilocus molecular analyses confirm that these two populations are distinct from one another. Topotypic populations of D. notospilus were included in the analyses and demonstrated that populations in the Mbini and Mbia rivers are distinct and these two new species are described herein. Distichodus microps sp. nov. is endemic to the Mbia River drainage and is distinguished from D. notospilus in having more scales along the lateral line (41, rarely 40 versus 37–39, rarely 40), a nearly inferior mouth versus subterminal in D. notospilus, a curved posterolateral margin of the opercle versus straight in D. notospilus, a smaller eye (56.7–80.4 versus 70.1–104.3 % of snout length), and a less prominent elongated spot at the base of the caudal fin. Distichodus mbiniensis sp. nov. is endemic to the upper Mbini River drainage and distinguished from D. notospilus in having more scales along the lateral line (41–42, rarely 40 versus 37–39, rarely 40), a much less prominent elongated dark spot at the base of the caudal fin, and a shorter dorsal fin (21.4–27.2 versus 22.7–34.2% standard length). Distichodus microps is distinguished from D. mbiniensis in having a shallower body (usually six scales from lateral line to the pelvic fin versus seven), fewer anal-fin rays (usually 12 total rays versus 13 or 14), a more inferior mouth, a deeper and longer caudal peduncle, a smaller eye, and differences in several features associated with the head. In addition to the two new species described this study also revealed potential undescribed diversity in the D. notospilus species complex in the Ntem River and Dja River (Congo R. basin) in Cameroon. The biogeography of these fishes in the rivers of Lower Guinea suggests that the Mbini River and smaller coastal rivers are overlooked areas of endemism. Studies of other reported widespread species will likely reveal additional diversity and further elucidate the processes promoting and maintaining freshwater diversity in Central Africa. 

scholarly journals Taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group with the description of four new species (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae)

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 963 ◽  
pp. 45-79
Author(s):  
William F. Englund ◽  
Laban Njoroge ◽  
Olof Biström ◽  
Kelly B. Miller ◽  
David T. Bilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Species Group ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
Western Cape ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Diagnostic Characters ◽  
Quantitative Measurements

We revise the Afrotropical Agabus raffrayi species group, motivated by the discovery of new diversity in Kenya and South Africa. Whilst Agabus is mainly a holarctic genus, the Agabus raffrayi group is restricted to high altitude regions of eastern Africa and temperate parts of South Africa, from where we describe the southernmost Agabus in the world. The following new species are introduced: Agabus anguluverpussp. nov. from Mount Kenya in central Kenya, Agabus austellussp. nov. a widespread species in South Africa, Agabus riberaesp. nov. from the Kamiesberg and northeastern Cederberg ranges in the Northern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa and Agabus agulhassp. nov. from the Agulhas Plain, Western Cape Province, South Africa. We provide a distribution map, a determination key for males, quantitative measurements of diagnostic characters, habitus photos and detailed photos of male genitalia for all described species in the group, as well as images of diagnostic characters and habitats. The presence or absence of an elongated section between the subapical broadening and the base of the apical and subapical teeth of the male aedeagus is a useful novel character, first revealed by our study. In contrast with the most recent revision of Afrotropical Agabus, we show that Agabus ruwenzoricus Guignot, 1936 is restricted to eastern Africa; South African records of this species having been based on misidentifications, no species of the group being common to southern and eastern Africa. We speculate that the raffrayi group may display phylogenetic niche conservatism, being restricted, as an originally temperate taxon, to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa, but occurring at lower altitudes in temperate South Africa.

scholarly journals New species of smiley-faced spider Spintharus (Araneae, Theridiidae) from Brazil, and comments on unobserved diversity in South America

ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 915 ◽  
pp. 17-24
Author(s):  
Gabriel A. LeMay ◽  
Ingi Agnarsson
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
South America ◽  
Short Range ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
The Caribbean ◽  
A New Species ◽  
Independent Species ◽  
Geographically Isolated

Spintharus is a genus of spiders that contained only two species until 2018 when it was demonstrated that a ‘widespread’ species was instead composed of multiple short-range endemics. This note redescribes Spintharus gracilis Keyserling and describes a new species of Spintharus (Araneae, Theridiidae), S. levergersp. nov., both based on specimens from Brazil. We also examine specimens from several additional localities in Brazil displaying variation consistent with patterns previously found within the Caribbean: geographically isolated and unique localities may contain independent species lineages. Given the limited number of specimens, profuse variation, and lack of DNA data from museum specimens, it is challenging to gauge the number of species in the observed material. Instead of describing these as new species here, we highlight this variation and hypothesize that in South America, a greater diversity of the genus across the geographical landscape will be found than predicted based on Levi’s “widespread Spintharus flavidus” hypothesis. Our results suggest that continental efforts to sample the genus would be profitable, as this charismatic group likely harbors unappreciated diversity throughout the continent.

On the taxonomy of Afrotropical Coleophoridae (III). New or little known species from Central and Oriental Africa (Lepidoptera, Coleophoridae)

Zootaxa ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4763 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-174
Author(s):  
GIORGIO BALDIZZONE ◽  
HUGO W. VAN DER WOLF
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Male Genitalia ◽  
Eastern Africa ◽  
First Time

This work presents a review of the Coleophoridae of Central and Eastern Africa. A lectotype is designated for Coleophora psychropa Meyrick, 1920, and the male genitalia of C. crossanthes Meyrick, 1938, are illustrated for the first time. Coleophora sabaea Baldizzone, 2007, previously known only from Yemen, is added to the African fauna. Nine new species of Coleophora Hübner, 1822 are described: C. schouteni sp. nov., C. giustii, sp. nov., C. centrafricana sp. nov., C. riftella sp. nov., C. camerunensis sp. nov., C. ensifera sp. nov., C. gilgilensis sp. nov., C. nyanzaensis sp. nov., C. silvestris sp. nov. 

Revision of Banded Knifefishes of the Gymnotus carapo and G. tigre clades (Gymnotidae Gymnotiformes) from the Southern Neotropics

Zootaxa ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 4379 (1) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
JACK M. CRAIG ◽  
LUIZ R. MALABARBA ◽  
WILLIAM G. R. CRAMPTON ◽  
JAMES S. ALBERT
Keyword(s):  
Lateral Line ◽  
Electric Organ ◽  
Valid Species ◽  
Species Boundaries ◽  
Multivariate Statistical ◽  
Widespread Species ◽  
Statistical Framework ◽  
Fin Ray ◽  
Taxonomic Confusion ◽  
Electric Organ Discharges

Banded Knifefishes (Gymnotus, Gymnotidae) comprise the most species-rich, ecologically tolerant (eurytopic), and geographically widespread genus of Neotropical electric fishes (Gymnotiformes), with 40 valid species occupying most habitats and regions throughout the humid Neotropics. Despite substantial alpha-taxonomic work in recent years, parts of the genus remain characterized by taxonomic confusion. Here we describe and delimit species of the G. carapo and G. tigre clades from the southern Neotropics, using body proportions (caliper-based morphometrics), fin-ray, scale and laterosensory-pore counts (meristics), quantitative shape differences (geometric morphometrics), osteology, color patterns and electric organ discharges. We report these data from 174 Gymnotus specimens collected from 100 localities throughout the southern Neotropics, and delimit species boundaries in a multivariate statistical framework. We find six species of the G. carapo clade (G. carapo australis, G. cuia n. sp., G. chimarrao, G. omarorum, G. pantanal, and G. sylvius), and two species of the G. tigre clade (G. inaequilabiatus and G. paraguensis) in the southern Neotropics. The new species G. cuia is readily distinguished from the morphologically similar and broadly sympatric G. c. australis by a shorter head and deeper head and body, and from the morphologically similar and sympatric G. omarorum by fewer lateral-line ventral rami and fewer pored lateral-line scales anterior to the first ventral ramus. We also review the geographic distributions of all eight species of the G. carapo and G. tigre clades in the southern Neotropics, showing that G. cuia is the most widespread species in the region. These results affirm the importance of understanding the structure of variation within and between species, both geographic and ontogenetic, in delimiting species boundaries. 

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