A new subspecies of giant sengi (Macroscelidea: Rhynchocyon) from coastal Kenya

A new subspecies of giant sengi or elephant-shrew, first documented in 2008, is described from northern coastal Kenya. All five currently described species and most known subspecies of Rhynchocyon are compared to this new lineage. Molecular analyses using mitochondrial and nuclear markers from the single DNA sample available for the new lineage show differences from other forms and reveal a close relationship with the allopatric golden-rumped sengi R. chrysopygus (0.43% divergence at the 12S mitochondrial locus). This level of 12S divergence is similar to that between other subspecies pairs within Rhynchocyon. Based on three voucher specimens and 843 images from camera traps, the new lineage is similar to R. chrysopygus in the rufous-maroon sides and shoulders but is distinguished by the lack of the golden rump, the presence of jet-black distal rump and thighs, dark dorsal line, and a pronounced nuchal crest of hairs. Though it also shows superficial pelage similarities to two Tanzania species, R. udzungwensis and the dark coastal form of R. cirnei macrurus, the new form has differences in pelage coloration that are clearly diagnosable from all other taxa. This new lineage has an allopatric distribution to all known Rhynchocyon taxa, with the closest congener being R. chrysopygus located 140 km apart. We estimate a potential range size for the new taxon of ~1980 km2 in the Boni and Dodori National Reserves with habitat consisting of mixed thickets and dry forests. Because of its close genetic relationship with R. chrysopygus, its allopatric distribution, and divergent coloration, the new subspecies is designated Rhynchocyon chrysopygus mandelai. The previously described populations of R. chrysopygus from southern coastal Kenya are now designated R. chrysopygus chrysopygus. As the current severe political insecurity in the area threatens the new taxon, we hope that its description will help establish immediate conservation priorities and action for the subspecies and its habitat.

Taxonomic composition and monophyly of the genus Magnificus (Lepidoptera: Hepialoidea: Hepialidae)

The genus Magnificus Yan, 2000 was originally established to include M. jiuzhiensis Yan, 2000 and M. zhiduoensis Yan, 2000. Here we also include the species M. bouvieri (Oberthür, 1913) comb. n., M. dirschi (Bang-Haas, 1939) comb. n., M. miniatus (Chu & Wang, 1985a) comb. n., M. regius (Staudinger, 1896) comb. n., and M. roseus (Oberthür, 1911) comb. n. Monophyly of Magnificus is supported by the shared presence of a unique shape of the tergosternal sclerite in the anterio-abdominal region and pseudoteguminal arm in the male genitalia. We also provide evidence for the inclusion of Magnificus and the northern Eurasian genera Hepialus Fabricius, Pharmacis Hübner, Triodia Hübner and Zenophassus Tindale as members of a larger monophyletic group supported by the shared presence in the male genitalia of a deep U-shaped medial notch in the posterior margin of the saccus and an expanded triangular flange at the lateral corners of the notch. The reciprocally allopatric distribution of Magnificus and its probable sister group is consistent with each originating locally by vicariance over different parts of a widespread ancestral range. This divergence may be the result of tectonic uplift in central Asia.

Pythons in the Eocene of Europe reveal a much older divergence of the group in sympatry with boas

Extant large constrictors, pythons and boas, have a wholly allopatric distribution that has been interpreted largely in terms of vicariance in Gondwana. Here, we describe a stem pythonid based on complete skeletons from the early-middle Eocene of Messel, Germany. The new species is close in age to the divergence of Pythonidae from North American Loxocemus and corroborates a Laurasian origin and dispersal of pythons. Remarkably, it existed in sympatry with the stem boid Eoconstrictor . These occurrences demonstrate that neither dispersal limitation nor strong competitive interactions were decisive in structuring biogeographic patterns early in the history of large, hyper-macrostomatan constrictors and exemplify the synergy between phylogenomic and palaeontological approaches in reconstructing past distributions.

The genus Octarrhena (Orchidaceae, Thelasiinae) in Vietnam with description of two new species

The genus Octarrhena (Orchidaceae) is distributed predominantly in Malesia and Papuasia. Its presence in eastern Indochina was uncovered as recently as in 2015 simultaneously with a description of O. minuscula from the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Here, we describe two more species of the genus, O. emarginata and O. perpusilla, also endemic to this mountain system. All three Vietnamese species of Octarrhena are local endemics with very limited allopatric distribution. We summarize the current knowledge on the genus in Vietnam and present a key for their identification, and a map with location of all known populations. Finally, we briefly discuss modern views on the worldwide species diversity of Octarrhena.

Species limits in the Tawny-crowned Pygmy-tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus complex (Aves: Passeriformes: Tyrannidae)

Euscarthmus pygmy-tyrants include two species of tiny passerines that inhabit semi-open landscapes in South America. One of these, Euscarthmus meloryphus is a taxonomic complex comprising three recognized subspecies for which previously proposed splits and lumps were not founded on proper taxonomic analysis. We assessed morphology (morphometrics and plumage), distribution models, and vocalizations of a substantial dataset with the aim of evaluating species limits within the E. meloryphus complex. Our results support the recognition of two species, the widespread E. meloryphus from east-central South America, and E. fulviceps from Ecuador and Peru, which are clearly diagnosable on morphological and vocal characters. We consider that E. meloryphus paulus from Colombia and Venezuela is a synonym of the nominotypical taxon based on the absence of diagnostic vocal and morphological characters. The allopatric distribution of the two populations of E. meloryphus may be related to the savannah connections during the LGM in South America. Further, we show that Lepturus ruficeps Swainson, 1838 is a synonym of E. rufomarginatus instead of E. meloryphus as it has long been treated.

Karyotype of Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) eriwanensis Forster, 1960 and taxonomic position of P. (A.) interjectus de Lesse, 1960 (Lepidoptera, Lycaenidae)

The karyotype of Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) eriwanensis Forster, 1960 from the type locality (“Eriwan” [Yerevan, Armenia]) and other localities in Armenia was investigated. The number of chromosomal elements (bivalents+ multivalents) observed in male meiosis I was found to vary from 29 to 34. In individuals with n = 34, all observed elements were represented by bivalents. In other specimens, heterozygosity for different number of chromosomal fusions resulted in multivalent formation at MI stage and consequently in a lower number of recognizable chromosomal elements. We show that all karyotype peculiarities of P. (A.) interjectus de Lesse, 1960 (n = 29–32) from Turkey are similar to those in A. eriwanensis. The butterflies of these taxa have allopatric distribution and can be considered as conspecific.

A taxonomic review of the pericaline ground-beetles in Taiwan, with descriptions of new species (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Lebiini)

A taxonomic review of the known Taiwanese taxa of the pericaline Lebiini, this paper includes a key to the genera, keys to species, descriptions, and redescriptions of all species, illustrations, geographic range maps, re-rankings, and new synonymies. In total 34 species are treated, nine of which are described as new. A new genus and new species are as follows:Bellavalentisgen. n., (type speciesDolichoctiskuzugamiiShibata, 1967);Amphimenesabsensacidussp. n.;Amphimenesbeichatiensissp. n.;Amphimenescarinacaulissp. n.; Catascopus(s. str.)asahartisp. n.; Catascopus(s. str.)viridiorchissp. n.; Coptodera (Coptoderina) occultasp. n.;Dolichoctisbadiadorsissp. n.;Dolichoctisdilatatasp. n.;Moctherusobscurabasissp. n.After close examination of the type material of several species, we were able to determine thatCoptoderinachaudoirianguilipennis(Nakane and Okhura) is a junior synonym of Coptodera (Coptoderina) chaudoiri Andrewes,syn. n.andCoptoderanobilisJedlička is also a junior synonym ofC.chaudoiri,syn. n.DolichoctisstriatusformosanusHabu is a junior synonym ofDolichoctisrotundata(Schmidt-Goebel),syn. n.Dolichoctis (Mochtherus) uenoi Habu is a junior synonym ofMochtherusluctuosusPutzeys,syn. n.PericalusformosanusDupuis was recently ranked as a subspecies ofPericalusornatusformosanusDupuis. After consideration of the several consistent taxonomic characteristics and also considering its allopatric distribution with all other species ofPericalus, we believePericalusformosanusDupuis to be a valid species,stat. resurr.The monobasic genusPseudomenarus(type speciesPseudomenarusflavomaculatusShibata, 1964) is established as conspecific with members of the genusFormosiellaJedlička, 1951,comb. n.Species previously recorded from Taiwan that are not present here include:AmphimenespiceolusBates;CatascopusaequatusDejean;Catascopusfacialis(Wiedemann)CoptoderainterruptaSchmidt-GoebelCoptoderaflexuosaSchmidt-Goebel andPeripristusater(Laporte). The pericaline taxa of Taiwan are arranged in 14 genera, five subgenera, and 34 currently known species. Notes on collecting circumstances, habits, and habitat are included when known.

Genetic evidence supports Sylvilagus mansuetus (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) as a subspecies of S. bachmani

Since Sylvilagus bachmani (Lagomorpha: Leporidae) from the Baja California Peninsula and S. mansuetus from San Jose Island, Mexico, display an allopatric distribution and are closely related, their taxonomy is unclear. The phylogenetic relationships among specimens of both species were evaluated using two mitochondrial genes (Cyt b, COI) and the beta-fibrinogen nuclear gene intron 7 (β-fib I7). The genetic analyses revealed that S. mansuetus was included within the S. bachmani clade as the sister-group of S. b. cerrosensis. The genetic distances among S. b. cerrosensis and mansuetus were relatively low (1.3% with Cyt b), similar to intraspecific distances observed within other species of Sylvilagus. We consider mansuetus to be a subspecies of S. bachmani, and the morphological traits previously used to differentiate the two taxa should be used to distinguish S. b. mansuetus from the other subspecies of S. bachmani.

Massonia amoena (Asparagaceae, Scilloideae), a striking new species from the Eastern Cape, South Africa

As part of an ongoing study towards a taxonomic revision of the genus Massonia Houtt., a new species, Massonia amoena Mart.-Azorín, M.Pinter & Wetschnig, is here described from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. This new species is characterized by the leaves bearing heterogeneous circular to elongate pustules and the strongly reflexed perigone segments at anthesis. It is at first sight related to Massonia jasminiflora Burch. ex Baker, M. wittebergensis U.Müll.-Doblies & D.Müll.-Doblies and M. saniensis Wetschnig, Mart.-Azorín & M.Pinter, but differs in vegetative and floral characters, as well as in its allopatric distribution. A complete morphological description of the new species and data on biology, habitat, and distribution are presented.