On the distribution of Gonyosoma prasinum (Blyth, 1854) and Gonyosoma coeruleum Liu, Hou, Ye Htet Lwin, Wang & Rao, 2021, with a note on the status of Gonyosoma gramineum Günther, 1864 (Squamata: Serpentes: Colubridae).

Zootaxa 5154 (2): 175-197 · June 2022. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5154.

Volltext

Abstract:

Based on 85 examined specimens, photographs of living specimens and illustrations published in the literature, we refine
the distribution ranges of both Gonyosoma prasinum (Blyth, 1854) and of the recently described species Gonyosoma
coeruleum Liu, Hou, Ye Htet Lwin, Wang & Rao, 2021, which was not clearly addressed in its original description. We
also redescribe the syntypes of Coluber prasinus Blyth, 1854 and the holotype of Gonyosoma gramineum Günther, 1864,
we discuss the status of this latter taxon, and we describe the hemipenial morphology of G. coeruleum.

david-biblio

Notes on the Sika Deer.

Journal of Mammalogy 37 (1): 99-105.

Extract:

When two men undertake so large a task as compiling a checklist of palae-arctic and Indian mammals, they cannot fairly be expected to escape some oversights. Such seem to have occurred in J. R. Ellerman's and T. C. S. Morrison-Scott's treatment of the sika deer.

First, they list Sika dugenneanus (sic) as a synonym, with “no locality,” for the South China Sika, Cervus nippon kopschi Swinhoe, 1873. Alike in their spelling of “dugenneanus” in making it a synonym for kopschi, and in declaring it had no locality, they seem to follow the statement of Allen (1940), but on all three points Allen would appear to mislead them.

The name dugennianus was coined by the French missionary, Father P. M. Heude, who gathered a large collection of mammals at the Sikawei Museum in Shanghai, and created infinite confusion among Chinese fauna by proliferating synonyms with an almost...

glover-biblio

Natural genetic polymorphism and phylogeography of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii Brandt, 1869.

Russ. J. Genet. 53: 358–368. https://doi.org/10.1134/S1022795417030024

Abstract:

Five populations of Siberian sturgeon Acipenser baerii collected throughout the species distribution range (Lake Baikal, Lena, Yenisei, Kolyma, and Irtysh rivers) were examined for genetic polymorphism using five tetraploid microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial DNA control region. It was demonstrated that Siberian sturgeon was represented by genetically well-differentiated groups that corresponded to hydrographic basins, Ob–Irtysh, Baikal–Yenisei, Lena, and Kolyma. Population assignment of the Siberian sturgeon broodstock should be considered in the restocking programs.

barmintseva-biblio

Improved systematics of lorikeets reflects their evolutionary history and frames conservation priorities.

Emu - Austral Ornithology 120 (3): 201–215. doi:10.1080/01584197.2020.1779596. S2CID 222094508.

Abstract:

A well-supported genus-level classification of any group of organisms underpins downstream understanding of its evolutionary biology and enhances the role of phylogenetic diversity in guiding its conservation and management. The lorikeets (Psittaciformes: Loriini) are parrots for which genus-level systematics (phylogenetic relationships and classification) has long been unstable and unsatisfactory. Instability has manifested through frequently changing compositions of some genera (e.g. Trichoglossus and Psitteuteles). Other genera (e.g. Charmosyna, Vini) have become so large that their phenotypic heterogeneity alone at least questions whether they are monophyletic assemblages that genera should comprise. Recent molecular phylogenetic and phenotypic studies have improved the framework with which to rationalise genus-level systematics in lorikeets but some trenchant uncertainty has remained. Here we utilise published genomic data and tetrahedral analysis of plumage colour to develop a full review of the genus-level classification of lorikeets. Using existing phylogenetic relationships and a newly estimated time-calibrated tree for lorikeets, we show where paraphyletic assemblages have misled the classification of genera. We assign six species to three new genera and six other species to four previously described generic names that have been in synonymy in recent literature. Our taxonomic revision brings a new perspective informing and guiding the conservation and management of the lorikeets and their evolutionary biology.

joseph-biblio

A phylogenetic analysis of Brycon and Henochilus (Characiformes, Characidae, Bryconinae) based on the mitochondrial gene 16S rRNA.

Genetics and Molecular Biology, 31 (1,  suppl): 366-371

Abstract:

The genus Brycon, the largest subunit of the Bryconinae, has 42 valid species distributed from southern Mexico to the La Plata River in Argentina. Henochilus is a monotypic genus, comprising a single species (H. wheatlandii) found in the upper Rio Doce basin. In the present study, partial sequences of the mitochondrial gene 16S were obtained for fifteen species of Brycon and for Henochilus wheatlandii. The results showed that the genus Brycon is paraphyletic, since Henochilus is the sister-group of B. ferox and B. insignis. The most basal species analyzed were the trans-Andean species B. henni, B. petrosus, and B. chagrensis.

wagner-biblio

Genome size variation in Rana arvalis and some related brown frog species, including taxonomic comments on the validity of the R. arvalis subspecies.

Zeitschrift für Feldherpetologie, Supplement 13: 95–112.

Volltext (PDF)

Zusammenfassung:

Der DNA-Gehalt des diploiden Zellkerns von Rana arvalis und acht nahe verwandter Braunfroscharten wurde mittels Durchflusszytometrie bestimmt. Auf Grund der Genomgrößen konnten wir drei Gruppen von Braunfröschen unterscheiden. Die erste Gruppe wies geringere Kern-DNA-Gehalte auf (10,04–11,76 pg) und bestand aus R. temporaria, R. dalmatina, R. asiatica, R. amurensis, R. dybowskii und R. pirica. Die zweite Gruppe mit intermediären Werten (12,52–13,76 pg) umfasste R. arvalis und R. macrocnemis, und die dritte Gruppe enthielt nur R. graeca (15,24–15,44 pg). Rana arvalis wies überlappende Genomgrößen nur zu R. macrocnemis auf. Bei den Unterarten von R. arvalis bestand der größte Unterschied zwischen R. a. arvalis und R. a. wolterstorffi (2,0 %); zwischen R. a. arvalis und R. a. issaitschikovi unterschieden sich die Genomgrößen um 1,7 %, und zwischen R. a. arvalis und R. a. altaica um 0,4 %. Die Taxonomie von R. arvalis wird diskutiert.

litvinchuk-biblio

Structure of an African Red-Billed Hornbill (Tockus Erythrorhynchus Rufirostris and T. E. Damarensis) Hybrid Zone as Revealed by Morphology, Behavior, and Breeding Biology.

The Auk 121 (2): 565–586. https://doi.org/10.1093/auk/121.2.565

Abstract:

The distributions of southern African (Tockus erythrorhynchus rufirostris) and Damaraland (T. e. damarensis) Red-billed Hornbills overlap in northern Namibia. Allopatric populations of the taxa have diagnosable differences in habitat, morphology, vocalizations, and displays. We investigated the structure of the hybrid zone using data from morphology, behavior, and breeding biology. The morphological characteristics—eye color and facial plumage color—were summarized as hybrid index scores, which showed a significant positive regression against distance from southwest to northeast across the hybrid zone. Vocalizations also showed a positive relationship between the first principal component (extracted from 12 call variables) and distance across the hybrid zone. However, there appears to be introgression of a T. e. damarensis call into T. e. rufirostris, but not vice versa. In addition, female T. e. damarensis-male T. e. rufirostris breeding pairs occur more frequently than male T. e. damarensis-female T. e. rufirostris pairs. The asymmetrical call introgression may result either from asymmetry in mating or from genetic control of call inheritance. Finally, heterospecific pairs show lower fitness, in the form of reduced hatching success, even when female fitness attributes are included as covariates. Although we are uncertain whether the Red-billed Hornbill hybrid zone is stable, the apparent biological processes operating within it conform to predictions of both the “mosaic” and the “tension zone” models, because both habitat characteristics and a balance of dispersal and selection appear to determine its structure

delport-biblio

A new subspecies of Ottoman viper, Montivipera xanthina (Gray, 1849), (Squamata: Viperidae) from Geyik Mountains, Mediterranean Turkey.

Ecologica Montenegrina 22: 214-225.

Volltext: https://www.biotaxa.org/em/article/view/em.2019.22.17/56943

Abstract:

A new Ottoman viper subspecies, M. xanthina varoli n. subsp., is described from the higher altitudes of Gündoğmuş (Antalya). The new  subspecies differs from  the  other M. xanthina populations by pholidosis;  higher number of intercanthals and lowernumber of subcaudalia. Also, the whiteness between windings or spots on dorsum pattern were observed in new subspecies, similar to the southern populations. Furthermore, the spots on the ventrals became denser in the mid-body and forms darker colorizationat the end of body of the males and the tail tips are yellowish-orange or light orange on both sexes.

afsar-biblio

Gibbon Systematics and Species Identification.

International Zoo News 42(8): 467-501.

Abstract:

A study of wild and captive gibbons and museum specimens, and a survey of the literature suggests that gibbons (genus Hylobates) include at least 11, possibly 12 species, which form 4 distinct groups (subgenera Hylobates, Bunopithecus, Nomascus, and Symphalangus): These are the 44-chromosome gibbons (including the Hylobates lar group and H. klossii: 5 species); the hoolock ( H. hoolock, 1 species); the H. concolor group (3, possibly 4 species); and the siamang ( H. syndactylus, 1 species). A key for the identification of adult gibbons based on visual characteristics is presented, together with colour photographs and distribution maps of all recognised species (11). In addition, diagnostic vocal characteristics of all species are described and illustrated with sonagrams.

geissmann-biblio

Mixed herds of Common and Defassa waterbuck, Kobus ellipsiprymnus (Artiodactyla: Bovidae), in northern Kenya.

Bonn. zool. Beitr. 37(3): 183-193.

Summary:

Observations of two mixed herds of Common and Defassa Waterhuck with potential hybrids of the two forms in Buffalo Springs Game Reserve, northern Kenya, are reported. Current theories published in the literature as to the distributional history and taxonomic status of the two forms are discussed.

Zusammenfassung:

Die Beobachtung von 2 gemischten Herden mit Ellipsen- und Defassa-Wasserböcken und möglichen Hybriden zwischen beiden Formen in Buffalo Springs Game Reserve, N-Kenia, ist Anlaß für eine Diskussion der in der Literatur publizierten Vorstellungen zu ihrer Verbreitungsgeschichte und zu ihrem taxonomischen Status.

peters-biblio