A new Radix species from Qinling Mountains, China (Gastropoda: Lymnaeidae)

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 137-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga V. Aksenova ◽  
Maxim V. Vinarski ◽  
Alexander V. Kondakov ◽  
Alyona A. Tomilova ◽  
Valentina S. Artamonova ◽  
...  

A new representative of the genus Radix has been recorded from eastern China, Radix dgebuadzei sp. nov. This peculiar species was recorded from the Qinling Mountains, a remote highland region sharing the high levels of faunal and floral endemism. The phylogeny indicate that the new species belongs to the Radix alticola species group, being sister to the widespread species R. plicatula (Yunnan and Gansu in China and Southeast Asia) and R. euphratica (Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe). At first glance, we could assume that Radix dgebuadzei sp. nov. represents a local lineage endemic to the Qinling Region, while this preliminary hypothesis needs to be confirmed in the future. Our novel discovery highlights that China harbors a largely endemic fauna of the Lymnaeidae and that isolated mountain ranges in East Asia could be considered evolutionary hotspots of the radicine pond snails.

Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4344 (3) ◽  
pp. 465 ◽  
Author(s):  
BENJAMIN TAPLEY ◽  
TIMOTHY CUTAJAR ◽  
STEPHEN MAHONY ◽  
CHUNG THANH NGUYEN ◽  
VINH QUANG DAU ◽  
...  

The Asian frog genus Megophrys is a diverse group of morphologically conserved, forest-dwelling frogs. The genus harbours highly localised species diversification and new species continue to be described on a regular basis. We examined the taxonomic status of a population of Megophrys frogs from the Hoang Lien Range in northern Vietnam and southern China previously identified as M. kuatunensis (subgenus Panophrys). Preliminary phylogenetic analyses using a fragment of 16S rDNA places the species in question within the Megophrys (subgenus Panophrys) species group, a primarily Chinese radiation within the genus. On the basis of morphological, molecular and bioacoustic data, we conclude that this population does not represent M. kuatunensis, or any known species in the genus. We herein describe this species of Megophrys as new. Known only from Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province in Vietnam and Jinping County, Yunnan Province in China, the new species is likely to be threatened by ongoing deforestation in the region. We provide an updated species description of M. kuatunensis based on type specimens, and suggest that M. kuatunensis is likely to be restricted to eastern China.  


Author(s):  
Hsuan-Ching Ho ◽  
Peter Last

A taxonomic review of the batfish genus Malthopsis in the Australian waters is provided. Eleven valid species are recognized in this study: Malthopsis gigas Ho and Shao, 2010, Malthopsis parva Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis asperata Ho, Roberts and Shao, 2013, Malthopsis lutea Alcock, 1891, Malthopsis mitrigera Gilbert and Cramer, 1897, Malthopsis provocator Whitley, 1961, and an additional five species new to science. Four of these new species, Malthopsis apis sp. nov., Malthopsis bulla sp. nov., Malthopsis oculata sp. nov., and Malthopsis tetrabulla sp. nov. belong to a species group lacking spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface, whereas Malthopsis mcgroutheri sp. nov. belongs to another species group characterized by having spinules on the interspaces between bucklers of the ventral surface. Four other taxa were identified during this study that may be undescribed but require further investigation. The Australian endemic species M. provocator, formerly considered to be a synonym of Malthopsis kobayashii Tanaka, 1916, is resurrected herein and two widespread species, M. asperata and M. lutea, are newly recorded from Australia. A key to all Australian species is provided.


Zootaxa ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 3098 (1) ◽  
pp. 26 ◽  
Author(s):  
PHILIPPE GENIEZ ◽  
JOSÉ M. PADIAL ◽  
PIERRE-ANDRÉ CROCHET

We studied the taxonomic status of the north African Agama species A. impalearis, A. castroviejoi, and A. boueti. The study of recently collected specimens and museum material, as well as phylogenetic analyses of a short 16S ribosomal RNA gene fragment, revealed the presence of an undescribed species in Adrar des Ifoghas (Mali), Aïr Mountains (Niger), Ahaggar Mountains (Algeria) and Tassili n’Ajjer (Algeria, Lybia), previously mistaken either as A. impalearis or A. agama. The new species, Agama tassiliensis n. sp., clearly belongs to the impalearis – boueti – spinosa species group but differs from these species, among other characters, by its red, reddish-orange or orange vertebral stripe in males, long and angular head, long limbs and toes (with 4 th toe usually slightly longer than 3 rd toe), long but low nuchal crest made of 10 to 15 spines (rarely 8–9 spines) and large number of supralabials (10–16, usually around 12). Interspecific uncorrected p- distances based on the 16S rDNA gene fragment are high, ranging from 3.9% between A. boueti and A. impalearis to 7.9% between A. spinosa and A. impalearis. The new species is sympatric with A. boueti at least in the Aïr Mountains and exhibits average mtDNA divergences of 6.2%, 7.4%, and 7.6% with A. spinosa, A. impalearis, and A. boueti, respectively. Agama boueti is paraphyletic relative to A. castroviejoi in the mtDNA tree, and mtDNA genetic divergences between populations of both species are lower than 1.0%, suggesting that A. castroviejoi is better treated as a junior synonym of A. boueti pending more detailed analyses. Scattered mountain ranges in the Sahara seem to have promoted lineage divergence and ultimately speciation in this group. Further work should be done to study species taxonomy and evolution in those areas.


Zootaxa ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 2044 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
REUBER ALBUQUERQUE BRANDÃO ◽  
GUILHERME FAJARDO R. ÁLVARES

Some species in the Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis species group have a reticulated pattern on the hidden parts of the flanks and limbs. These species are quite interesting given their characteristic distribution on mountain ranges, reproduction occurring in streams and rivulets, and by the surprising richness of the group. Four new species of Phyllomedusa were described in the last five years; three were species with reticulated pattern on flanks, endemic to restricted mountain ranges (Brandão 2002, Caramaschi et al., 2006, Giaretta et al., 2007). The most recently described species is Phyllomedusa araguari (Giaretta et al., 2007). However, some information reported in this description in relation to the original description of Phyllomedusa oreades (Brandão 2002) deserves further comments. Phyllomedusa araguari was described based on only three individuals and the authors stated that it can be easily distinguished from the very similar P. oreades by: 1) the presence of a reticulated pattern bordering the upper jaw and encircling the eyes (absent in P. oreades), 2) by having a broader reticulated strip in flanks, 3) a well defined reticulated pattern on throat, belly and ventral surfaces of limbs, 4) less projected nostrils, and 5) white ventral surface in life (pink in P. oreades). Phyllomedusa araguari was also reported as a pond breeder, while P. oreades is a stream breeder.


Zootaxa ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 3985 (3) ◽  
pp. 391-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Valdesalici ◽  
Stefan van der Voort

Four new species of Badis are described from West Bengal, India. Badis andrewraoi, new species, is diagnosed by a combination of characters which include absence of a black caudal-fin margin, absence of a conspicuous dark blotch on pectoral-fin base, absence of cleithral and opercular blotches, absence of a blotch on the dorsolateral aspect of the caudal peduncle, absence of an ocellus on the caudal-fin base, presence of a conspicuous median black caudal peduncle blotch, a medially broader posterior-most bar, displaying as a partially absorbed second median caudal peduncle blotch, presence of an additional bar anteriorly, and vertical bars restricted to lower half of body and never forming large blocks. Badis autumnum, new species, is diagnosed by a combination of characters which include two autapomorphies: presence of a blotch above the base of the opercular spine, and of a conspicuous dark blotch on pectoral-fin base. Additionally, it presents a black caudal-fin margin, outlining entire fin, absence of a cleithral blotch, absence of a blotch on the dorsolateral aspect of the caudal peduncle, absence of an ocellus on the caudal-fin base, presence of a conspicuous median black caudal peduncle blotch, a medially broader posterior-most bar, displaying as a partially absorbed second median caudal peduncle blotch, and presence of an additional bar anteriorly. Badis kyanos, new species, is diagnosed by a combination of characters which include absence of a conspicuous dark blotch on pectoral-fin base, absence of cleithral and opercular blotches, absence of a blotch on the dorsolateral aspect of the caudal peduncle, absence of an ocellus on the caudal-fin base, presence of a conspicuous median black caudal peduncle blotch, a medially broader posterior-most bar, displaying as a partially absorbed second median caudal peduncle blotch, presence of an additional bar anteriorly, its vertical bars forming large, fragmented black blocks dorsolaterally and ventrolaterally, and a unique stress colouration consisting of a dark grey body, metallic dark blue operculum, flanks almost entirely devoid of bars, large, fragmented black blocks dorsolaterally, and absence of a black caudal-fin margin. Based on similarities in colour pattern and biometrics they are deduced to be closely related and form a new species group, which we herein define. The three species are divergent and diagnosable from each other and represent valid evolutionary species. The fourth species represents a cryptic unit that was heretofore unrecognised and considered as the most widespread species of the genus, B. badis. We describe this lineage as Badis soraya, new species, and find it belongs to the B. badis species group. It can be diagnosed by a combination of characters which include absence of opercular blotches, absence of a blotch on the dorsolateral aspect of the caudal peduncle, absence of an ocellus on the caudal-fin base, presence of a cleithral blotch, presence of a small oval black blotch medially on caudal peduncle, interorbital width 6.3–8.8 % SL, dorsal-fin spines XIV–XVI, scales in lateral row 25–27, and vertebrae number 27. 


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5040 (3) ◽  
pp. 388-403
Author(s):  
KALESH SADASIVAN

A new species of Pomponia Stål, 1866 (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from the P. linearis group is described from the Western Ghats of southern India. The hitherto unknown species, P. pseudolinearis sp. nov., is easily diagnosed from the other Pomponia species of the Western Ghats based on the unique structure of its male genitalia, low to mid-altitudinal distribution, and the characteristic male song. The new taxon is a member of the P. linearis species group according to its morphology and the distinctly protruding paramedian basal pygofer lobe suggests its affiliation to the linearis species complex inside the P. linearis species group. The divergent basal lobes of pygofer of males of this species are the critical characteristic feature that can be used to distinguish it from all the other members of the P. linearis species complex. It appears that this cryptic, common, and widespread species of the southern Western Ghats region was confused with P. linearis in the past. Pomponia linearis may not occur in the Western Ghats and its records are possibly a result of erroneous identification due to species lumping with similar taxa of linearis species complex distributed from Northeast India to Vietnam. In addition, some new morphometric indices are introduced. Notes on other known Pomponia species of the Western Ghats, namely P. cyanea Fraser, 1948 and P. zebra Bliven, 1964 are also provided with P. folei Fraser, 1948 treated as a nomen nudum.  


ZooKeys ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 963 ◽  
pp. 45-79
Author(s):  
William F. Englund ◽  
Laban Njoroge ◽  
Olof Biström ◽  
Kelly B. Miller ◽  
David T. Bilton ◽  
...  

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.


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4915 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-546
Author(s):  
ANTON V. VOLYNKIN ◽  
KAREL ČERNÝ

The new genus Cabardites gen. n. is erected for the Adites maculata (Poujade, 1886) species-group with Asura limbata Wileman, 1911 as the type species. Four new species are described: Cabardites phifa Volynkin & Černý, sp. n. (North Thailand), C. auco Volynkin & Černý, sp. n. (North Vietnam), C. guanyin Volynkin & Černý, sp. n. (East China), C. tiendung Volynkin & Černý, sp. n. (North Vietnam) and C. varanagara Volynkin & Černý, sp. n. (North Thailand). Cabardites pica (Wileman, 1911), stat. & comb. n. is excluded from the synonymy with C. limbata stat. rev. & comb. n. and raised to the species level. Parasiccia fuscipennis Hampson, 1914 is synonymized with C. pica. Parasiccia karenkonis Matsumura, 1930 is excluded from the synonymy with C. maculata (Poujade, 1886), comb. n. and its belonging to the genus Metaemene Hampson (Erebidae, Boletobiinae) proposed by Poole (1989) is confirmed: Metaemene karenkonis (Matsumura, 1930), comb. rev. A new combination is established: Cabardites maculata (Poujade, 1886), comb. n. The lectotypes are designated for Parasiccia maculata var. formosibia Strand, 1917 and Asura limbata Wileman, 1911. Adults, male and female genitalia of all species of the genus are illustrated. 


1979 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 973 ◽  
Author(s):  
PA Parsons ◽  
IR Bock

The Drosophila fauna of Lord Howe I. is depauperate compared with that of equivalent mainland latitudes, consisting only of the two cosmopolitan species D. immigrans and D. simulans, the widespread species D. serrata, and a new species of the subgenus Scaptodrosophila here described as D. howensis. The last species belongs to the coracina species-group, all members of which are attracted to baits. The coracina group is widespread in Australia, and holds particular promise for future genetic and evolutionary studies. Species of this group, unlike most members of the subgenus Scaptodrosophila, are amenable to laboratory culture by special techniques.


ZooKeys ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 808 ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihai Li ◽  
Raorao Mo ◽  
Wenbin Dong ◽  
Ding Yang ◽  
Dávid Murányi

Two new species of the genusAmphinemura,A.albicaudasp. n.andA.dingoideasp. n.from the southern Qinling Mountains, Foping County of Shaanxi Province, western China, are described based on both sexes and the larval stage. The new species are compared with related taxa, and theA.sinensisspecies group is defined for an Oriental lineage of the genus.Amphinemurasinensis(Wu, 1926) andA.unihamata(Wu, 1973) are reported from Shaanxi for the first time, and the hitherto unknown female ofA.unihamatais described. A distribution map of the Amphinemurinae known from Qinling Mountains is given.


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