A new plant hopper: Agoo luzdenia

Plant hoppers are insects of the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, which consists of some 12,500 described species worldwide. The name comes from their resemblance to leaves and other plant parts and from the fact that they often jump in a similar way to that of grasshoppers. These animals are feeding on plant sap and are therefore often vectors for plant diseases which are transmitted in the process.

The new species was found at La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica on palms. It was names after the lead authors wife, Luz Denia Bahder.

For the experts: An ongoing survey to document planthopper diversity on palms (Arecaceae) is being conducted in Costa Rica. During these efforts a new species of derbid planthopper belonging to the genus Agoo was found on Astrocaryum alatum Loomis in the Heredia province at La Selva Biological Station and is described here as Agoo luzdenia Bahder & Bartlett sp. n., bringing the genus to four described taxa—A. dahliana, A. luzdenia Bahder & Bartlett sp. n., A rubrimarginata, and A. xavieri. Sequence data for the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 18S genes was generated for the novel taxon and strongly supports its placement in the genus Agoo.

A new fish: Plectranthias purpuralepis

Yes, I do like fish which is why this blog is lightly skewed towards new fish species. However, I do what I can to showcase other lifeforms.

With about 450 species the Serranidae represent a large family of perches. Many of them are brightly coloured, and many are caught for food. They are usually in tropical to subtropical waters along the coasts. Chances are that you've seen many of them in photos or videos of coral reef fauna. Thus new species was found in Northern Taiwan (either by angling or buying them at a local fish market). The species name is a combination of the Latin words “purpura” and “lepis,” meaning purple scales, which is in reference  distinct purple colour scales that only appear after preservation.

For the experts: A new species of Plectranthias Bleeker is described on the basis of 16 specimens collected from northern Taiwan. The new species, Plectranthias purpuralepis sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners in having pectoral and pelvic fins mostly covered with small scales, some white scales on dorsum turn purple when preserved, and the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin elements X, 16–17; 3rd dorsal-fin spine longest; pectoral-fin rays 14, all branched except for uppermost simple ray; principal caudal-fin rays 9+8; pored lateral-line scales 33–36; 6 diagonal rows of large scales on cheek; circumpeduncular scales 14; ca. 7 rows of large predorsal scales, 2 irregular rows of small scales extending to a line through posterior nostrils; no scales on maxilla and chin; posterior margin of preopercle serrated, ventral margin with 2 antrorse spines; and the greatest body depth 2.9–3.0 in SL.

A new seahorse: Hippocampus nalu

Pygmy seahorses are known to science only since 1969 and they were discovered by chance. A researcher was collecting  specimens of Muricella sea fans and he noticed some tiny seahorses while dissecting the coral. Six more species were described after 2000. This one is the first pygmy seahorse ever discovered in African waters. it grows to a maximum size of just 2cm. 

The scientific name has several meanings. First of all, the seahorse was named after Savannah Nalu Olivier who discovered the new species in Sodwana Bay. In the South African languages, Xhosa and Zulu, the word nalu refers to the expression ‘here it is’ and the authors extend its meaning to the simple fact that Hippocampus nalu was there all along until its discovery. In the Hawaiian language nalu refers to the waves of the ocean.

For the experts: A new species and the first confirmed record of a true pygmy seahorse from Africa, Hippocampus nalu sp. nov., is herein described on the basis of two specimens, 18.9–22 mm SL, collected from flat sandy coral reef at 14–17 meters depth from Sodwana Bay, South Africa. The new taxon shares morphological synapomorphies with the previously described central Indo-Pacific pygmy seahorses, H. colemani, H. japapigu, H. pontohi, and H. satomiae, and H. waleananus, including diminutive size, twelve trunk rings, prominent cleithral ring and supracleithrum, spines on the fifth and twelfth superior and lateral trunk ridges, respectively, and prominent wing-like protrusions present on the first and/or second superior trunk rings posterior to the head. Hippocampus nalu sp. nov. is primarily distinguished from its pygmy seahorse congeners by highly distinct spine morphology along the anterior segments of the superior trunk ridge. Comparative molecular analysis reveals that the new species demonstrates significant genetic divergence in the mitochondrial COI gene from the morphologically similar H. japapigu and H. pontohi (estimated uncorrected p-distances of 16.3% and 15.2%, respectively). Hippocampus nalu sp. nov. represents the eighth member of the pygmy seahorse clade to be described from the Indo-Pacific, the first confirmed record from the African continent and the Indian Ocean, and an extension of more than 8000 km beyond the previously known range of pygmy seahorses from the Central and Western Indo-Pacific.

A new plant: Belemia cordata

Nyctaginaceae, better known as the four o'clock family, is a plant family with about 300 species. Several species in this group have flowers which open during the late afternoon, hence the name four o'clock family. During fieldwork in northern Brazil, colleagues founds this new member of the genus Belemia which was so far considered monotypic (only one member).

The species was named for it heart-shaped leaves (cordate leaves).

For the experts: Investigations following the discovery of an unusual new collection from the Amazon lead to a phylogenetic investigation in order to ascertain its position within the Nyctaginaceae. Two different approaches were used: gene trees from nucleotide sequences of ndhF and ITS aiming to check the phylogenetic position of the new species in the genus Belemia (Nyctaginaceae), using mostly the available data; and a phylogenomic analysis based on full plastome sequences of Caryophyllales and related orders. Following that, a description of the new species, Belemia cordata

Harley & Giul., complete with illustrations, comments and conservation status are provided. Distinct from B. fucsioides, the only other species of the genus, the new species has branches and flowers covered in multicellular glandular trichomes, leaves with cordate base, inflorescences in congested cymes and included stamens. The species is classified as Critically Endangered as it has been found in a single location and subsequent expeditions to locate the plant were not successful. The second description of the chloroplast genome of Nyctaginaceae is also provided.

A new plant: Jasminum parceflorum

Jasminum is a genus of shrubs and vines in the olive family (Oleaceae). About 200 species are known for this group, among them are the common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) which is used as perfume, and the Arabic Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) which is the main flavouring ingredient in jasmine tea.

This new species was found in Mengla County and Jinghong City, Yunnan Province, China. The specific name refers to the fact that it has fewer flowers in comparison with most other jasmine species. 

For the experts: Jasminum parceflorum (Oleaceae), a new species from tropical limestone habitats in Yunnan, China, is described and illustrated here. The new species is similar to J. pierreanum and J. rarum, but can be distinguished by its linear calyx lobes, dry calyces without ridges, terminal 1 (or 3)-flowered cymes and axillary solitary flowers.

A new gecko: Cnemaspis lineatubercularis

This little (< 4 cm) guy belongs to one of the most diverse genera of geckos (>100 species). Most of the species in this group live in South East Asia and so does our newcomer, found in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Province in southern Thailand. Unlike many other geckos, members of the genus Cnemaspis are active during the daytime.

The species name of our newcomer is quite a mouthful and it is a combination of the latin words linea (for line) and tubercularis (for having tubercles), in reference a row of tubercles linearly arranged.

For the experts: The rock-dwelling gecko genus Cnemaspis is one of the most species-diverse genera of gekkonid in Thailand. Earlier studies relied on morphological data to identify species, but cryptic morphology often obscured species diversity in Cnemaspis. In this study, an integrative taxonomic approach based on morphological characters and sequences of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) gene were used to clarify current taxonomy of the Cnemaspis siamensis complex and delimit a new species from Lan Saka District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, southern Thailand. Cnemaspis lineatubercularis sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeneric species by the combination of morphological characters: (1) maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of 40.6 mm (mean 38.8 ± SD 1.4, N = 12) in adult males and maximum SVL of 41.8 mm (mean 39.5 ± SD 1.9, N = 7) in adult females; (2) 8–9 supralabial and infralabial scales; (3) gular, pectoral, abdominal, and subcaudal scales keeled; (4) rostral, interorbitals, supercilium, palmar scales, and ventral scales of brachia smooth; (5) 5–6 small, subconical spine-like tubercles present on flanks; (6) 19–21 paravertebral tubercles linearly arranged; (7) 27–29 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe; (8) 4–7 pore-bearing precloacal scales, pores rounded arranged in chevron shape and separated only in males; (9) one postcloacal tubercles each side in males; (10) ventrolateral caudal tubercles present anteriorly; (11) caudal tubercles restricted to a single paravertebral row on each side; (12) single median row of subcaudal scales keeled and lacking enlarged median row; and (13) gular region, abdomen, limbs and subcaudal region yellowish only in males. Genetically, the uncorrected pairwise divergences between the new species and their congeners in the C. siamensis group were between 15.53–28.09%. The new species is currently known only from granitic rocky streams at Wang Mai Pak Waterfall in the Nakhon Si Thammarat mountain range. Its discovery suggests that additional unrecognized species of Cnemaspis may still occur in unexplored areas of southern Thailand.

A new plant hopper: Haplaxius dougwalshi

Planthoppers are insects of the infraorder Fulgoromorpha, which consists of some 12,500 described species worldwide. The name comes from their resemblance to leaves and other plant parts and from the fact that they often jump in a similar way to that of grasshoppers.

Planthoppers are feeding on plant sap and are therefore often vectors for plant diseases which are transmitted in the process.

The new species was named in reference to Dr. Doug Walsh at Washington State University, who’s signature moustache resembles the colour pattern observed on the frons of the new species.

For the experts: The genus Haplaxius is a large taxon of cixiid planthoppers that is of economic importance due to the ability of Haplaxius crudus to transmit lethal yellowing in coconut palms. Haplaxius dougwalshi sp. n. is established as a new taxon of Cixiidae in the tribe Oecleini collected from native palms in lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica. Placement in the genus Haplaxius is supported both by molecular evidence based on the COI and 18S genes as well as by morphological characters. This novel taxon was discovered during survey work in Costa Rica to look for phytoplasmas and document planthopper diversity on palms. Furthermore, Haplaxius skarphion was also collected from coconut palms during survey work and is reported for the first time in Costa Rica.

A new fish: Limia mandibularis

Livebearing fish are quite famous among people with aquariums. The most known are guppies, platys, swordtails, and mollies. Livebearing means that the female provisions for the fertilized yolked eggs and gives birth to live young, which have a higher chance of survival than eggs. Fertilization is achieved internally with the male's gonopodium, a modified anal fin used for sperm transfer.

The genus Limia contains 21 species, most of them are endemic to Hispaniola and so is our new species that was found in Haiti. 

The new species name  is in reference to the well-developed lower jaw, a character that distinguishes the species.

For the experts: Limia mandibularis, a new livebearing fish of the family Poeciliidae is described from Lake Miragoane in southwestern Haiti on Hispaniola. The new species differs from all other species in the genus Limia by the presece of a well-developed lower jaw, the absence of preorbital and preopercular pores, and preorbital and preopercular canals forming an open groove each. The description of this new Limia species from Lake Miragoane confirms this lake as an important center of endemism for the genus with a total of nine described species so far.

A new fungus: Trametes parvispora

Trametes is a genus of wood-decaying fungi which is widely distributed across the planet and contains about fifty species. Some of those species have a long history as medicinal fungi in many cultures (e.g. in Namibia or India). This new species was found in Benin and its name refers to the small size of its spores.

For the experts: Trametes is a globally distributed genus of white-rot polypores and well sampled in temperate and boreal areas. However, the diversity, taxonomy, and phylogenetic positions of Trametes spp. are poorly known in tropical Africa. This study aims at documenting the diversity of Trametes species in Benin (tropical Africa) and their phylogenetic positions with a focus on the T. elegans species complex. Therefore, we collected specimens of Trametes from different forest types across Benin. To infer phylogenetic relationships between Trametes species, we investigated sequences of five gene regions and added available sequences from GenBank. Using Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogeny inference methods, we found eight supported species clades. For the T. elegans species complex, we re-establish the name Trametes palisotii for species previously known as T. elegans in tropical Africa. Furthermore, we propose Trametes parvispora as a species new to science and provide the description of this species. Our molecular phylogeny of Trametes with a focus on tropical Benin contributes to taxonomic clarity of an important wood-decay fungal genus, which is the basis for biodiversity assessments of Trametes in the tropics.

A new centiped: Lithobius varioporus

Centipeds are predatory arthropods that are often venomous and can inflict painful bites. Despite their name referring to the number 100, centipedes can have a varying number of legs, ranging from 30 to 354. Actually, they always have an odd number of pairs of legs which means they never can have 100 legs. Their size ranges from a few millimetres to 30 cm. This new species belongs to the smaller ones as it is only a little over a centimetre long. Its name refers to a varying number of pores on their hip joints.

For the experts: Lithobius (Ezembius) varioporus sp. nov. (Lithobiomorpha, Lithobiidae), recently discovered from Longquanguan Town, Fuping County, Baoding City, Hebei Province, China, is described. Morphologically it resembles to Lithobius (Ezembius) laevidentata Pei, Ma, Hou, Zhu & Gai, 2015 from the Xinjiang Autonomous Region, but can be easily distinguished from the latter by the Tömösváry’s organ, slightly smaller than the adjoining ocelli, no secondary sexual modifications on male tibia 14 and 15, posterior accessory spine of legs 14 and 15 present and the number of coxal pores varying considerably from three to eight. The main morphological characters of the known Chinese species of the subgenusEzembius Chamberlin, 1919 based on adult specimens are presented.

Two new goblin spiders: Promolotra shankhaung and Promolotra hponkanrazi

Promolotra shankhaung

The spider family Oonopidae, commonly known as goblin spiders, consists of over 1,800 described species. Most of them are tiny, measuring only about 1 to 3 millimeters. As a result they are seldom seen by people as they are too small to be noticed. They are generally found in leaf litter and under rocks, but they also make up a significant component of the spider fauna living in the canopy of tropical rainforests.

Both spiders were found in the area of the Putao township in Kachin State, Myanmar. They were names after the respective discovery sites.   

For the experts: A new genus, Promolotra gen. nov., including two new species, P. hponkanrazi sp. nov. (♂♀) and P. shankhaung sp. nov. (♂), is described from Myanmar. The new genus is similar to Molotra Ubick & Griswold, 2011 but can be distinguished by the completely fused bulb and cymbium, the presence of a receptacle, the absence of grooves connecting either the anterior or posterior pairs of spiracles, and the incised labium of both sexes.