[Mollusca • 2023] Parabrachidontes amnicus • A New lineage of Fresh- and Brackish-water Mussels (Bivalvia: Mytilidae) from Southeast Asia

Parabrachidontes amnicus 

K. S. Tan, S. H. M. Tan, Sanpanich, Duangdee & Ambarwati, 2023

DOI: 10.1111/zsc.12585

Abstract

Three species of mussels collected from fresh- and low salinity (10 psu or lower) brackish-water environments in southern Thailand, Singapore, northern Borneo and south Sulawesi formed a new, well-supported and distinct mytilid clade based on molecular phylogeny. All are small (< 30 mm) species with either radially ribbed or smooth shells. Internally, the upper edges of the ascending lamellae of the outer and inner demibranchs are, respectively, fused to the mantle lobes and visceral mass. A new genus Parabrachidontes is proposed to accommodate the three species. Of the species in the new genus, one is described as new (Parabrachidontes amnicus sp. n.), and the other two poorly known species (P. leucostictus and P. cochinensis) are re-described. The Parabrachidontes clade is closely related to Mytella, Perna and Arcuatula. Together, they formed a well-supported clade, most members of which have ctenidial edges attached to the mantle and/or visceral mass. These genera are clearly distinct phylogenetically from two other mytilid clades containing brackish- and fresh-water species with ctenidia free of the mantle: one comprising the genera Limnoperna and Sinomytilus (together constituting the Limnoperninae), and the other Xenostrobus and Vignadula (forming the Xenostrobinae). We therefore suggest the existence of at least three lineages of mytilids living in rivers and estuaries of East Asia and Australasia.

Keywords: Mytiloidea, Pteriomorphia, systematics, taxonomy

Parabrachidontes amnicus sp. n., Khlong Pak Bara, Satun Province, Thailand.
a, b. Holotype, PMBC 30680, SL = 15.2 mm, BET 1 (see Figure 1);
c, d. Paratype, ZRC.MOL 24083, SL = 14.8 mm, BET 2 (see Figure 1);
e, f. Paratype, PMBC 30681, SL = 15.6 mm, BET 3 (see also Table S1).

Parabrachidontes amnicus sp. n.

Koh Siang Tan, Samuel H. M. Tan, Kitithorn Sanpanich, Teerapong Duangdee, Reni Ambarwati. 2023. A New lineage of Fresh- and Brackish-water Mussels (Bivalvia, Mytilidae) from Southeast Asia. Zoologica Scripta. 52(3); 298-313. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/zsc.12585

[Entomology • 2022] Austrocarausius coronatus, A. eirmosus, A. truncatus, etc. • Integrative Taxonomy of the Stick Insect Genus Austrocarausius Brock, 2000 (Phasmatodea: Lonchodidae) reveals Cryptic Species in Remnant Queensland Rainforests, Australia

(a) Austrocarausius mercurius 

(b) Austrocarausius nigropunctatus

 

in Jones, Brock, Mantovani, ... et Lo. 2022.

DOI: 10.1071/IS21076 

 Researchgate.net/publication/363711354

photos by Paul D. Brock & Beth Ripper

Abstract

Austrocarausius Brock, 2000 is a stick insect (Phasmatodea: Lonchodidae) genus containing two species restricted to the tropical rainforests of northern Queensland. Recent specimen collections between the two species’ type localities, Lizard Island and Rockhampton, have suggested that Austrocarausius might represent more than the two nominal species. Here, we apply morphological and molecular analyses to revise the taxonomy of this genus. Using both field-collected and historic museum samples, we developed morphological species hypotheses and descriptions. Genetic sequencing of mitochondrial COI and 16S were undertaken for species delimitation and phylogenetic analysis, including an estimate of the evolutionary timescale of the genus. Based on these results, we propose nine new Austrocarausius species, increasing the number of species in the genus to eleven: A. nigropunctatus (Kirby, 1896), A. mercurius (Stål, 1877), A. coronatus sp. nov., A. decorus sp. nov., A. eirmosus sp. nov., A. gasterbulla sp. nov., A. tuberosus sp. nov., A. macropunctatus sp. nov., A. truncatus sp. nov. A. waiben sp. nov. and A. walkeri sp. nov. Our results suggest Austrocarausius species diversified over the last c. 25–70 Ma, resulting in the now endemic distributions in the tropical rainforests of the central and northern Queensland coasts. This is the first integrative systematic study of an Australian phasmid genus, combining morphological, molecular and biogeographical methods. Additional species of Austrocarausius likely remain undescribed as can be inferred from methodical sampling of rainforest patches along the Queensland coast.

Keywords: biogeography, dispersal, integrative taxonomy, molecular dating, morphological analysis, phylogenetic, systematics, taxonomy.

 (a) Austrocarausius mercurius in copula from Byfield, note diagnostic whitish knees (photo by Paul D. Brock).
(b) Austrocarausius nigropunctatus from Home Rule Camping, Rossville in copula (photo by Beth Ripper).

 Austrocarausius eggs, lateral and dorsal views.
(a) A. nigropunctatus. (b) A. waiben. (c) A. decorus. (d) A. macropunctatus. (e) A. eirmosus.

Braxton R. Jones, Paul D. Brock, Barbara Mantovani, Perry Beasley-Hall, David K. Yeates and Nathan Lo. 2022. Integrative Taxonomy of the Stick Insect Genus Austrocarausius Brock, 2000 (Phasmatodea: Lonchodidae) reveals Cryptic Species in Remnant Queensland Rainforests. Invertebrate Systematics. 36(9); 849-873. DOI: 10.1071/IS21076

  Researchgate.net/publication/363711354_Integrative_taxonomy_of_Austrocarausius

[Herpetology • 2022] Toxicocalamus longhagen • A New Species of New Guinea Worm-Eating Snake Genus Toxicocalamus Boulenger, 1896 (Serpentes: Elapidae) from Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea

Toxicocalamus longhagen

 Roberts, Iova & C. Austin, 2022

 DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.90520

Abstract

We describe a new species of New Guinea Worm-Eating Snake (Elapidae: Toxicocalamus) from a specimen in the reptile collection of the Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery. Toxicocalamus longhagen sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from other species of this genus by the presence of paired subcaudals, a preocular scale unfused from the prefrontal scale, a prefrontal distinct from the internasal scale that contacts the supralabials, a single large posterior temporal and two postocular scales. The new taxon is currently known only from one specimen, which was collected from Mt. Hagen Town in Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea in 1967. The new species was originally identified as T. loriae, but the unique head scalation and postfrontal bone morphology revealed through micro-computed tomography scanning easily distinguish the new species from T. loriae sensu stricto. This is the first species of this genus described from Western Highlands Province.

Key Words: Australasia, fossorial, Melanesia, micro-computed tomography, morphology

Photographs of A. Dorsal B. Ventral views of the holotype of Toxicocalamus longhagen (PNGM 22160).
 Metallic rectangles in image B are specimen probes used to pin specimen down for ventral scale visualization.

Scale bar indicates 5 cm.

Photograph, line illustrations, and 3D µCT renderings of the right (A–C) and dorsal (E–F) views of the holotype of Toxicocalamus longhagen (PNGM 22160).

 Scale bars: 5 mm.

Toxicocalamus longhagen sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: 

A medium-sized species with moderate habitus (566.0 total length, 12.8 maximum lateral width) with 15-15-15 dorsal scale rows, 200 ventral scales, 43 paired subcaudals, preocular present and not fused to prefrontal, preocular not in contact with internasal or nasal; prefrontal separating preocular from internasal and nasal by contacting second supralabial; frontal not fused with supraoculars; internasals not fused; four circumoculars – one supraocular, one preocular, two postoculars; nasals divided; one anterior temporal not fused with supralabials, one posterior temporal; six supralabials, the second in contact with prefrontal, preventing contact between nasal and preocular; cloacal plate divided; ventrals yellowish with light to dark brown.

...

Etymology: The specific epithet, longhagen, is a combination of “long” – a Tok Pisin word meaning ‘from’ and “hagen” that refers to the type locality of Mt. Hagen Town (Fig. 1). Tok Pisin is a uniting and official language of Papua New Guinea, the most linguistically complex region on the planet with more than 800 unique languages (Foley 2010).

 

 Jackson R. Roberts, Bulisa Iova and Christopher C. Austin. 2022. A New Species of New Guinea Worm-Eating Snake (Serpentes, Elapidae, Toxicocalamus Boulenger, 1896) from Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 98(2): 399-409. DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.90520

Abstract in Tok Pisin: Mipela tokaut lon nupela kain sinek I save kaikai ol liklik sinek insait lon graun lon New Guinea (Elapidae: Toxicocalamus) blo wanpela sinek I bin stap lon ol sinek koleksen insait lon Papua New Guinea National Museum and Art Gallery. Toxicocalamus longhagen sp. nov. em u ken lukim isi tru lon ol arapela wankain poro blo em lo ol wantok blo em we u ken lukim tupela aninit lo tel, na polhet blo eye girere or sikin stap em yet lon polhet na nus girere wantem lo antap wisket, na tupela girere stap baksait lo ai blo em. Dispela nupla kain sinek em nau yet ol kisim save lon wanpla sinek ol kisim lon Mt. Hagen Taun lon Western Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea lon 1967. Dispela nupela kain sinek em pastem tru ol givim nem olsem T. loriae tasol em gat wanpela spesol kain girere lo polhet blo em I tok aut lon liklik masin/computa I galasim isi namel lon nupela sinek na T. loriae sensu stricto. Dispela em nambawan kain sinek ol kisim save lo wantok blo em na tok klia olsem em kam lo Western Highlands Province.

[Ornithology • 2022] Population Connectivity Across A highly Fragmented Distribution: Phylogeography of the Chalcophaps Doves (Aves, Columbidae)

Phylogeography of the Chalcophaps Doves

in DeRaad, Manthey, Ostrow, ... et Moyle, 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107333 

Highlights: 

• Phylogenetic reconstruction supports current taxonomy.

• Discordant nuclear and mitochondrial ancestry near contact zone.

• Isolation by distance and hierarchical population structure within clades.

• Low overall diversity despite a large and fragmented geographic distribution.

Abstract

Chalcophaps is a morphologically conserved genus of ground-walking doves distributed from India to mainland China, south to Australia, and across the western Pacific to Vanuatu. Here, we reconstruct the evolutionary history of this genus using DNA sequence data from two nuclear genes and one mitochondrial gene, sampled from throughout the geographic range of Chalcophaps. We find support for three major evolutionary lineages in our phylogenetic reconstruction, each corresponding to the three currently recognized Chalcophaps species. Despite this general concordance, we identify discordant mitochondrial and nuclear ancestries in the subspecies C. longirostris timorensis, raising further questions about the evolutionary history of this Timor endemic population. Within each of the three species, we find evidence for isolation by distance or hierarchical population structure, indicating an important role for geography in the diversification of this genus. Despite being distributed broadly across a highly fragmented geographic region known as a hotspot for avian diversification, the Chalcophaps doves show modest levels of phenotypic and genetic diversity, a pattern potentially explained by strong population connectivity owing to high overwater dispersal capability.

  

 Keywords: Phylogeography, Evolution, Isolation by distance, Mitonuclear discordance, Phylogenetics, Chalcophaps

    

 

 Devon A. DeRaad, Joseph D. Manthey, Emily N. Ostrow, Lucas H. DeCicco, Michael J. Andersen, Peter A. Hosner, Hannah T. Shult, Leo Joseph, John P. Dumbacher and Robert G.. Moyle. 2021. Population Connectivity Across A highly Fragmented Distribution: Phylogeography of the Chalcophaps Doves.  Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 166; 107333. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107333 

Emerald Dove

[Entomology • 2021] A Tree of Leaves: Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography of the Leaf Insects (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae)

(b) female of Phyllium elegans, (d) female of Phyllium hausleithneri,

(e) couple of Phyllium rubrum and

(f) male of Phyllium letiranti.  

in Bank, Cumming, ... et Bradler, 2021. 

 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02436-z

 Photographs by Bruno Kneubühler.

Abstract

The insect order Phasmatodea is known for large slender insects masquerading as twigs or bark. In contrast to these so-called stick insects, the subordinated clade of leaf insects (Phylliidae) are dorso-ventrally flattened and therefore resemble leaves in a unique way. Here we show that the origin of extant leaf insects lies in the Australasian/Pacific region with subsequent dispersal westwards to mainland Asia and colonisation of most Southeast Asian landmasses. We further hypothesise that the clade originated in the Early Eocene after the emergence of angiosperm-dominated rainforests. The genus Phyllium to which most of the ~100 described species pertain is recovered as paraphyletic and its three non-nominate subgenera are recovered as distinct, monophyletic groups and are consequently elevated to genus rank. This first phylogeny covering all major phylliid groups provides the basis for future studies on their taxonomy and a framework to unveil more of their cryptic and underestimated diversity.

Fig. 1: Photographs of leaf insect specimens (Phylliidae).
a, b phenotypic variations of Phyllium elegans females, c female of Phyllium letiranti, d female of Phyllium hausleithneri, e couple of Phyllium rubrum and (f) male of Phyllium letiranti.

   Photographs by Bruno Kneubühler.

Fig. 6: Schematic overview of the historical biogeography of Phylliidae.
a–c Palaeogeography of SE Asia and the SW Pacific (adapted from Hall72) showing the northward movement of the Sahul shelf and the drift of the fragments of the Philippines and Wallacea. The dotted line in (a) indicates which landmasses will be connected via the Vitiaz arc (~30 mya). Note that the depiction of landmasses does not necessarily imply that they were emergent at that time. Both Sunda and Sahul shelves may have been exposed as dry land during low sea–level stands. d Main dispersal events of extant leaf insects with origin in the Australasian/Pacific region (0). The numbering illustrates our suggested chronological order of colonisation. Colour code corresponds to Fig. 5. Bo Borneo, Ha Halmahera, Ja Java, Pa Palawan, NC New Caledonia, NG New Guinea, SCA South Caroline arc, So Solomon Islands, Su Sulawesi, Sum Sumatra.

Sarah Bank, Royce T. Cumming, Yunchang Li, Katharina Henze, Stéphane Le Tirant and Sven Bradler. 2021. A Tree of Leaves: Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography of the Leaf Insects (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae). Communications Biology. 4: 932. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02436-z

[Arachnida • 2020] The Systematics and Phylogenetic Position of the Troglobitic Australian Spider Genus Troglodiplura (Araneae : Mygalomorphae), with A New Classification for Anamidae

An adult female of Troglodiplura sp. ‘MYG602’.

in Harvey, Rix, Hillyer & Huey, 2020.

DOI: 10.1071/IS20034 

 (Image by Paul Devine) museum.WA.gov.au 

Abstract

Compared with araneomorph spiders, relatively few mygalomorph spiders have evolved an obligate existence in subterranean habitats. The trapdoor spider genus Troglodiplura Main, 1969 and its sole named species T. lowryi Main, 1969 is endemic to caves on the Nullarbor Plain of southern Australia, and is one of the world’s most troglomorphic mygalomorph spiders. However, its systematic position has proved to be difficult to ascertain, largely due to a lack of preserved adults, with all museum specimens represented only by cuticular fragments, degraded specimens or preserved juveniles. The systematic placement of Troglodiplura has changed since it was first described as a member of the Dipluridae, with later attribution to Nemesiidae and then back to Dipluridae. The most recent hypothesis specifically allied Troglodiplura with the Neotropical subfamily Diplurinae, and therefore was assumed to have no close living relatives in Australia. We obtained mitochondrial sequence data from one specimen of Troglodiplura to test these two competing hypotheses, and found that Troglodiplura is a member of the family Anamidae (which was recently separated from the Nemesiidae). We also reassess the morphology of the cuticular fragments of specimens from several different caves, and hypothesise that along with T. lowryi there are four new troglobitic species, here named T. beirutpakbarai Harvey & Rix, T. challeni Harvey & Rix, T. harrisi Harvey & Rix, and T. samankunani Harvey & Rix, each of which is restricted to a single cave system and therefore severely threatened by changing environmental conditions within the caves. The first descriptions and illustrations of the female spermathecae of Troglodiplura are provided. The family Anamidae is further divided into two subfamilies, with the Anaminae Simon containing Aname L. Koch, 1873, Hesperonatalius Castalanelli, Huey, Hillyer & Harvey, 2017, Kwonkan Main, 1983, Swolnpes Main & Framenau, 2009 and Troglodiplura, and the Teylinae Main including Chenistonia Hogg, 1901, Namea Raven, 1984, Proshermacha Simon, 1909, Teyl Main, 1975 and Teyloides Main, 1985.

 

Keywords: Australasia, Avicularioidea, molecular phylogenetics, Nemesioidina, taxonomy.

Family Anamidae Simon, 1889

Subfamily Teylinae Main, 1985, stat. nov. 

Included genera: Chenistonia Hogg, 1901, Namea Raven, 1984, Proshermacha Simon, 1909, Teyl Main, 1975 and Teyloides Main, 1985. 

Subfamily Anaminae Simon, 1889

Included genera: Aname L. Koch, 1873, Hesperonatalius Castalanelli, Huey, Hillyer & Harvey, 2017, Kwonkan Main, 1983, Swolnpes Main & Framenau, 2009 and Troglodiplura Main, 1969 (the latter tentatively included; see Results and Discussion, above). 

Genus Troglodiplura Main, 1969 

Type species: Troglodiplura lowryi Main, 1969, by monotypy.

Troglodiplura lowryi Main, 1969

Troglodiplura challeni Harvey & Rix, sp. nov. 

 Etymology: This species is named for Dr Craig Challen, in recognition of his contributions to cave diving and in particular his role in the rescue of 12 students and their coach from Tham Luang Nang Non cave, Thailand, in 2018. 

Troglodiplura harrisi Harvey & Rix, sp. nov.

Etymology: This species is named for Dr Richard Harris, in recognition of his contributions to cave diving and in particular his role in the rescue of 12 students and their coach from Tham Luang Nang Non cave, Thailand, in 2018. 

Troglodiplura beirutpakbarai Harvey & Rix, sp. nov. 

Etymology: This species is named for the late Beirut Pakbara, who assisted in the rescue of 12 students and their coach from Tham Luang Nang Non cave, Thailand, in 2018, but tragically died from a resulting infection in 2019. 

Troglodiplura samankunani Harvey & Rix, sp. nov.

Etymology: This species is named for the late Saman Kunan (1980–2018), in memory of his role in the rescue of 12 students and their coach from Tham Luang Nang Non cave, Thailand, in 2018. 

An adult female of Troglodiplura sp. ‘MYG602’.

 (Image by Paul Devine museum.WA.gov.au)

Troglodiplura sp. ‘MYG602’

Mark S. Harvey, Michael G. Rix, Mia J. Hillyer and Joel A. Huey. 2020. The Systematics and Phylogenetic Position of the Troglobitic Australian Spider Genus Troglodiplura (Araneae : Mygalomorphae), with A New Classification for Anamidae. Invertebrate Systematics. 34(8); 799-822. DOI: 10.1071/IS20034

 B. Y. Main.1969. A blind mygalomorph spider from a Nullarbor Plain cave. Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Western Australia. 52: 9–11.

Rare species of cave-dwelling spiders named in honour of Thai cave rescuers

museum.WA.gov.au/about/latest-news/rare-species-cave-dwelling-spiders-named-honour-thai-cave-rescuers

[Herpetology • 2020] Cryptic Diversity and Non-adaptive Radiation of Montane New Guinea Skinks (Papuascincus; Scincidae)

Papuascincus sp.

in Slavenko, Tamar, Tallowin, et al., 2020. 

  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106749 

Highlights: 

• Papuascincus is a genus of skinks endemic to montane regions of New Guinea.

• Papuascincus contains up to 20 previously undescribed distinct genetic lineages.

• High degrees of cryptic diversity highlight the need for taxonomic revision.

 • Divergent body sizes of sympatric lineages are suggestive of character displacement.

Abstract

New Guinea, the world’s largest and highest tropical island, has a rich but poorly known biota. Papuascincus is a genus of skinks endemic to New Guinea’s mountain regions, comprising two wide-ranging species and two species known only from their type series. The phylogeny of the genus has never been examined and the relationships among its species – as well as between it and closely related taxa – are hitherto unknown. We performed the first large-scale molecular-phylogenetic study of Papuascincus, including sampling across the genus' range in Papua New Guinea. We sequenced three mitochondrial and two nuclear markers from 65 specimens of Papuascincus and reconstructed their phylogenetic relationships. We also performed species-delimitation analyses, estimated divergence times and ancestral biogeography, and examined body-size evolution within the genus. Papuascincus was strongly supported as monophyletic. It began radiating during the mid-Miocene in the area now comprising the Central Cordillera of New Guinea, then dispersed eastward colonising the Papuan Peninsula. We found evidence of extensive cryptic diversity within the genus, with between nine and 20 supported genetic lineages. These were estimated using three methods of species delimitation and predominantly occur in allopatry. Distribution and body-size divergence patterns indicated that character displacement in size took place during the evolutionary history of Papuascincus. We conclude that the genus requires comprehensive taxonomic revision and likely represents a species-rich lineage of montane skinks.

Keywords: Island diversity, Molecular phylogeny, Mountains, Species-delimitation, Tropics

 

Alex Slavenko, Karin Tamar, Oliver J.S. Tallowin, Allen Allison, Fred Kraus, Salvador Carranza and Shai Meiri. 2020. Cryptic Diversity and Non-adaptive Radiation of Montane New Guinea Skinks (Papuascincus; Scincidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 146; 106749. DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106749 

[Herpetology • 2020] Emydocephalus orarius • A New Species of Turtle-headed Sea Snake (Emydocephalus: Elapidae) endemic to Western Australia

Emydocephalus orarius 

Nankivell, Goiran, Hourston, Shine, Rasmussen, Thomson & Sanders, 2020

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.6

  facebook.com: James Nankivell

Photo: Brad Maryan

Abstract

We describe a new species of turtle-headed sea snake Emydocephalus orarius sp. nov. (Elapidae) from Western Australia’s Coral Coast, Pilbara and Kimberley regions. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial markers places the new species as the sister lineage to the two currently recognised species in Emydocephalus: E. annulatus from the Timor Sea reefs and Coral Sea, and E. ijimae from the Ryukyu Islands. Analysis of nuclear SNP data from the new species and E. annulatus from Australia and New Caledonia provides additional independent evidence of their evolutionary distinctiveness. The new taxon is usually morphologically diagnosable from its congeners using a combination of scalation and colour pattern characters, and appears to reach greater total lengths (>1 m in the new species versus typically ~80 cm in E. annulatus/E. ijimae). The new species is known largely from soft-bottomed trawl grounds, unlike E. annulatus and E.ijimae which usually inhabit coral reefs. The discovery of this new species brings the number of sea snake species endemic to Western Australia to six.

Keywords: Reptilia, Hydrophiinae, marine,mitochondrial, RADseq, Australia, systematics

Emydocephalus orarius

Etymology. The species epithet ‘orarius’ (Latin, ‘coastal’) refers to the coastal Western Australian distribution of the new species. Other species of Emydocephalus are found on coral reefs, typically on clear oceanic reefs some distance away from coastlines of major landmasses. 

James H. Nankivell, Claire Goiran, Mathew Hourston, Richard Shine, Arne R. Rasmussen, Vicki A. Thomson and Kate L. Sanders. 2020. A New Species of Turtle-headed Sea Snake (Emydocephalus: Elapidae) endemic to Western Australia. Zootaxa. 4758(1); 141–156. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.6

  facebook.com/JNanks/posts/3180605565292803

twitter.com/NankivellJames/status/1244574582041743360

sciences.adelaide.edu.au/news/list/2020/04/01/scientists-discover-new-species-of-turtle-headed-sea-snake

[Arachnida • 2020] Seven New Species of Australian Peacock Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini: Maratus Karsch, 1878)

Maratus azureus 

Schubert, 2020

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.1  

 twitter.com/J_Schubert__

Abstract

Seven new species of the Australian peacock spider genus Maratus Karsch, 1878 are described from Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia: Maratus azureus sp. nov., Maratus constellatus sp. nov., Maratus inaquosus sp. nov., Maratus laurenae sp. nov., Maratus noggerup sp. nov., Maratus suae sp. nov., and Maratus volpei sp. nov.

Keywords: Araneae, salticid, euophryine, jumping spider, taxonomy, systematics, courtship, display, Bush Blitz, Maratus azureus, Maratus constellatus, Maratus inaquosus, Maratus laurenae, Maratus noggerup, Maratus suae, Maratus volpei

Maratus inaquosus 

Maratus volpei  

Joseph Schubert. 2020. Seven New Species of Australian Peacock Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini: Maratus Karsch, 1878). Zootaxa. 4758(1); 1–44. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.1

   twitter.com/J_Schubert__/status/1243325001853329409

   twitter.com/NVolpeWild/status/1243442188068859904

Seven new species of colorful Peacock Spider join the dance party 

newatlas.com/science/new-peacock-spider-species-joseph-schubert

[Ichthyology • 2020] Plectranthias cruentus • A New Species of Anthiadine Perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea

Plectranthias cruentus Gill & Roberts. 2020

Plectranthias pelicieri Randall & Shimizu, 1994

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4750.4.6 

AustralianMuseum.net.au

Abstract

Plectranthias cruentus new species is described from the holotype and two paratypes collected off Ball’s Pyramid and a paratype from Lord Howe Island. It resembles P. pelicieri Randall & Shimizu 1994 in live coloration and most morphological details, including absence of predorsal scales anterior to the supratemporal commissure, but differs in having the fifth or sixth (versus third) dorsal-fin spine longest, at least some pectoral-fin rays branched (versus all unbranched), and inconspicuous (versus distinct) serrations on the interopercle. It also differs in live coloration details.

Keywords: Pisces, ichthyology, taxonomy, osteology, distributions

Plectranthias cruentus new species, AMS I.42725-007, 57.3 mm SL, freshly dead holotype, off Ball’s Pyramid, Lord Howe Island, Australia.

Photo by Robin McPhee/Kerryn Parkinson, NORFANZ voyage 2003

Plectranthias cruentus new species 

Common name: Bloody Perchlet

Etymology. The specific epithet is from the Latin, meaning stained or spotted with blood, and alludes to the bright red markings in life. 

 Plectranthias pelicieri, aquarium individual from New Caledonia.

Photo by Y.K. Tea.

 Anthony C. Gill and Clive D. Roberts. 2020. Plectranthias cruentus, A New Species of Anthiadine Perchlet (Teleostei: Serranidae) from the Lord Howe Rise, Tasman Sea. Zootaxa. 4750(4); 560–566. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4750.4.6 

The jigsaw: putting together the Bloody Perchlet puzzle

australianmuseum.net.au/blog/amri-news/the-jigsaw-putting-together-the-bloody-perchlet-puzzle/

reefbuilders.com/2020/03/13/plectranthias-cruentus-a-new-perchlet-species-from-lord-howe-island

[Herpetology • 2019] Relicts and Radiations: of An Australasian Lizard Clade (Gekkota: Diplodactyloidea) with east Gondwanan Origins

in Skipwith, Bi & Oliver, 2019.

 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106589 

Highlights: 

• Ultraconserved elements resolve nearly all problematic relationships of diplodactyloid geckos.

• Phylogenenomic estimates differs greatly from Sanger estimates at species-level rather than reaffirms previously proposed relationships.

• Molecular dating confirms young crown ages of New Caledonian and New Zealand diplodactylids relative to mainland Australian radiations.

• No mass extinction event associated with Eocene-Oligocene cooling detected.

• Tail moprhology suggests that the environment has influenced tail shape extensively.

Abstract

Australasia harbors very high squamate diversity and is a center of endemicity for a number of major lineages. However, despite this diversity, the diplodactyloid geckos of Australia, New Caledonia, and New Zealand (comprised of three endemic families and > 200 species) are the only extant squamates with unequivocal Mesozoic origins in the region. Diplodactyloid geckos also exhibit notable phenotypic and ecological diversity, most strikingly illustrated by the functionally limbless pygopods. Here, we present the first phylogenomic analyses of the pattern and timing of diplodactyloid evolution, based on a dataset of more than 4,000 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) from 180 species. These analyses fully resolve nearly all nodes, including a number of intergeneric relationships that have proven problematic in previous studies. The hypothesis that New Caledonia and New Zealand clades represent independent post-KT boundary colonization events of Tasmantis from Australian ancestors is confirmed. Phylogenetic relationships recovered here further highlight contrasting patterns of diversity, most strikingly between insular and/or morphologically highly derived clades that have diversified rapidly, as opposed to other species poor and phylogenetically divergent relictual lineages on mainland Australia. Our new timetree suggests slightly older branching times than previous analyses and does not find a mass extinction event in the early Cenozoic. Finally, our new phylogeny highlights caudal variation across the clade. Most strikingly, the distinctive leaf-tail morphology shown by one family may in fact be plesiomorphic.

Conclusion: 

This study represents the first phylogenomic attempt to address the higher-level relationships of an Australasian group of squamates. Our findings resolve many problematic relationships for a biogeographically unique and ecomorphologically diverse lineage. In so doing they highlight both remarkable phylogenetic relicts and instances of marked and potentially convergent ecomorphological evolution. Our study highlights the power of implementing genome-scale data to address questions in macroevolution, and the need for similar frameworks for other diverse and highly endemic Australasian radiations.

 Phillip L. Skipwith, Ke Bi and Paul M. Oliver. 2019. Relicts and Radiations: of An Australasian Lizard Clade with east Gondwanan Origins (Gekkota: Diplodactyloidea). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. In Press.  DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.106589 

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