Latest Articles from Evolutionary Systematics Latest 29 Articles from Evolutionary Systematics https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:19:16 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Evolutionary Systematics https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/ Systematic revision of the Eyelash Palm-Pitviper Bothriechis schlegelii (Serpentes, Viperidae), with the description of five new species and revalidation of three https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/114527/ Evolutionary Systematics 8(1): 15-64

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.8.114527

Authors: Alejandro Arteaga, R. Alexander Pyron, Abel Batista, Jose Vieira, Elson Meneses Pelayo, Eric N. Smith, César L. Barrio Amorós, Claudia Koch, Stefanie Agne, Jorge H. Valencia, Lucas Bustamante, Kyle J. Harris

Abstract: We present a taxonomic review and systematic revision of the Eyelash Palm-Pitviper Bothriechis schlegelii (Berthold, 1846) based on examination of 400 museum specimens, a phylogeographic analysis of 818 locality records, and 80 individuals sampled for molecular characters. We find morphological and phylogenetic support for five new species of Bothriechis Peters, 1859, which we describe here based on their unique combination of molecular, meristic, hemipenial, and color pattern characteristics. They are: B. klebbai sp. nov., B. rasikusumorum sp. nov., B. khwargi sp. nov., B. rahimi sp. nov., and B. hussaini sp. nov. Finally, we revalidate the names B. nigroadspersus (Steindachner, 1870), B. nitidus (Günther, 1859), and B. torvus (Posada Arango, 1889a), and provide a redescription of B. schlegelii.

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Research Article Thu, 8 Feb 2024 10:41:45 +0200
A new species of Ninia (Serpentes, Colubridae) from western Ecuador and revalidation of N. schmidti https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/112476/ Evolutionary Systematics 7(2): 317-334

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.112476

Authors: Alejandro Arteaga, Kyle J. Harris

Abstract: We describe a new species of Ninia Baird & Girard, 1853 endemic to the cloud forests of northwestern Ecuador. The new species has previously been confused with N. atrata (Hallowell, 1845) and N. teresitae (Angarita-Sierra and Lynch 2017) but is genetically most closely related to a third species of Ninia endemic to the Chocoan–Tumbesian transition area of western Ecuador. We revalidate the name N. schmidti (Jan, 1862), designate a neotype, and provide a diagnosis of the taxon and a description of its hemipenial morphology based on new material. The new and revalidated species can easily be identified from one another and from other trans-Andean South American Ninia based on ventral and subcaudal scale counts, hemipenial morphology, and coloration of the supralabials, throat, and belly. Finally, we remove N. atrata from the herpetofaunal list of Ecuador.

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Research Article Thu, 7 Dec 2023 15:22:09 +0200
Another new species of Dixonius (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Gia Lai Province in the Central Highlands, Vietnam https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/105850/ Evolutionary Systematics 7(2): 267-284

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.105850

Authors: Vinh Quang Luu, Jesse L. Grismer, Tuoi Thi Hoang, Matthew L. Murdoch, L. Lee Grismer

Abstract: Another new species of Dixonius, D. fulbrighti sp. nov., is described from Gia Lai Province, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, using an integrated approach based on morphological, categorical (color pattern), and mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene (ND2) and its flanking tRNAs data. Phylogenetic analyses recovered Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov. as closely related to D. gialaiensis from Gia Lai Province and part of a clade that includes D. minhlei, D. siamensis, and D. somchanhae. Multivariate (PCA, DAPC, and MFA) and univariate (ANOVA) analyses of 15 meristic (scale counts), six morphometric (mensural), and five categorical (color pattern and morphology) characters from 44 specimens of all eight species of Dixonius from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia clearly demonstrated that Dixonius fulbrighti sp. nov. is statistically different and diagnostically distinct from all closely related species of Dixonius. This new species discovery highlights the underestimated gecko diversity and the importance of continued fieldwork in the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

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Research Article Wed, 23 Aug 2023 16:04:51 +0300
A new species of groundsnake genus Atractus Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes, Dipsadidae) from the Peruvian Andes revealed by unequivocal morphological characters https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/102578/ Evolutionary Systematics 7(2): 257-266

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102578

Authors: Paulo R. Melo-Sampaio, Pablo J. Venegas

Abstract: Based on an exhaustive revision of external morphological characters we describe a new species of Atractus from the humid montane forest of the Andes of northern Peru, Cajamarca department, occurring at elevations of 1641 to 2161 m. This new species was misidentified as A. gigas in the literature and for more than a decade represented the southernmost record of the that species. In the absence of molecular data and limited by a small sample, we use some underreported characters in the genus Atractus such as the presence of apical pits. Thus, the combination of apical pits as well as other characters mentioned in the literature (i.e., head scutellation and number of subcaudals) distinguishes the Peruvian population from A. gigas, and strongly supports the morphological separation of this taxon from the rest of its congeners.

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Research Article Wed, 9 Aug 2023 17:49:05 +0300
A new species of spiny-backed tree frog, genus Osteocephalus (Anura, Hylidae), from the Yanachaga Chemillén National Park in central Peru https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/102360/ Evolutionary Systematics 7(2): 237-251

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102360

Authors: Pablo J. Venegas, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Eduardo Toral, José Malqui, Santiago R. Ron

Abstract: We describe a new species of Osteocephalus Fitzinger, 1843 using morphological traits of adult frogs and its larvae, as well as molecular evidence. The new species occurs in the premontane forest of the Cordillera del Yanachaga in the Andes of central Peru, at elevations between 1000 and 1150 m a.s.l. It belongs to the Osteocephalus mimeticus species group and is the sister species of O. mimeticus. It is most similar to three species with predominantly dark irises, tuberculate dorsal skin, and brown dorsal coloration: O. festae Peracca, 1904, O. mimeticus Melin, 1941, and O. verruciger Werner, 1901. Of these three species, the most similar is O. mimeticus. However, the new species can be easily distinguished from O. mimeticus by having a cream or creamy-tan venter with a well-defined pattern of brown chocolate blotches and flecks (venter cream, tan, or brown without marks in O. mimeticus). The tadpoles of O. vasquezi sp. nov. are strikingly different from the tadpoles of O. mimeticus by having a larger oral disk with nine lower labial tooth rows (only six in O. mimeticus). Tadpoles of the new species and those of O. festae are unique among Osteocephalus by belonging to the suctorial ecomorphological guild as shown by their large oral disks. Our time tree suggest that the new species diverged from its sister species at the beginning of the Pleistocene, ~2.5 million years ago.

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Research Article Thu, 6 Jul 2023 19:32:48 +0300
A third species of glassfrog in the genus Chimerella (Anura, Centrolenidae) from central Peru, discovered by an integrative taxonomic approach https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/102950/ Evolutionary Systematics 7(2): 195-209

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.102950

Authors: Jörn Köhler, Pablo J. Venegas, Ernesto Castillo-Urbina, Frank Glaw, César Aguilar-Puntriano, Miguel Vences

Abstract: We studied the taxonomic status of glassfrogs collected in Departamento Huánuco, central Peru, which in the field were tentatively allocated to Chimerella, one of the twelve genera currently recognized in the family Centrolenidae. Detailed analyses of their morphology, bioacoustics, and molecular genetics supported their generic allocation and provided evidence for them representing a divergent and unnamed evolutionary lineage within Chimerella. We herein describe this lineage as a new species, being mainly distinguished from the two other known congeners, C. corleone and C. mariaelenae, by details of colouration in life and preservative, substantial differences in advertisement call, and differentiation in mitochondrial markers (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, cytochrome b) and a nuclear-encoded marker (Rag-1). The new species is the southernmost distributed species in the genus and was found in a swampy habitat at the bank of the Río Patay Rondos, a tributary of the Río Monzon, in rainforest at the Andean-Amazon foothills at 798 m above sea level. Aspects of species delimitation within Chimerella and related future research are briefly addressed and discussed.

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Research Article Tue, 16 May 2023 19:01:14 +0300
A new species of Microteiid Lizard (Gymnophthalmidae, Cercosaurini, Selvasaura) from a remote area in the Peruvian Andes https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/99118/ Evolutionary Systematics 7(1): 123-132

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.99118

Authors: Germán Chávez, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Alessandro Catenazzi

Abstract: We describe a new species of Selvasaura lizard from the western slopes of the eastern Andes of central Peru. Among other characters, the new species differs from congeners in having keeled dorsal scales and more transverse rows of scales on dorsum. We present a phylogeny as additional evidence supporting delimitation of the new species.

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Research Article Wed, 26 Apr 2023 11:37:18 +0300
Systematics of Trimeresurus popeiorum Smith, 1937 with a revised molecular phylogeny of Asian pitvipers of the genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 sensu lato https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/97026/ Evolutionary Systematics 7(1): 91-104

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.7.97026

Authors: Zeeshan A. Mirza, H. T. Lalremsanga, Harshal Bhosale, Gaurang Gowande, Harshil Patel, Sabira S. Idiatullina, Nikolay A. Poyarkov

Abstract: The pit viper snake genus Trimeresurus Lacépède, 1804 sensu lato, is a diverse group of nocturnal serpents comprising over 61 species. The genus is morphologically heterogeneous and has been divided into several subgenera. We present an updated phylogeny of Asian pitvipers and propose a revised classification. Additionally, we revise the taxonomy of T. popeiorum Smith, 1937 and propose taxonomic changes with support from molecular and morphological data. We restrict T. popeiorum sensu stricto to northeastern India, Bangladesh, southern China, and northern Myanmar; populations beyond these areas require further assessment. We also synonymize T. yingjiangensis Chen et al., 2019 with T. popeiorum based on overlapping morphological characters, molecular data, and distribution. The findings shed new light on the taxonomy of T. popeiorum, warranting the need for assessing the population of T. popeiorum from southeast Asia.

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Research Article Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:18:53 +0200
Description of a new species of leopard geckos, Eublepharis Gray, 1827 from Eastern Ghats, India with notes on Eublepharis hardwickii Gray, 1827 https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/83290/ Evolutionary Systematics 6(1): 77-88

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.83290

Authors: Zeeshan A. Mirza, Chandrashekaruni Gnaneswar

Abstract: A recent molecular phylogenetic study of the genus Eublepharis Gray, 1827 revealed the presence of a genetically divergent lineage sister to Eublepharis hardwickii Gray, 1827. We re-assessed the taxonomy of Eublepharis hardwickii based on museum material in light of the molecular phylogenetic study and the results support the recognization of two species distributed on either sides of the Brahmani River. A redescription of E. hardwickii is presented based on the holotype and additional museum material along-with the description of a new species, Eublepharis pictus sp. nov. from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. The presence of yet another distinct lineage in such close geographical proximity in the northern Eastern Ghats highlights the significance of these relic forests and advocates the need for conservation prioritization.

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Research Article Thu, 26 May 2022 10:37:53 +0300
The sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus) in southwestern Ukraine? Insights from the museum collection https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/81752/ Evolutionary Systematics 6(1): 71-76

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.81752

Authors: Oleksandra Oskyrko, Roman Lysenko, Daniel Jablonski

Abstract: We provide data on the historical record of Pseudopus apodus (Anguidae) from Odesa, Ukraine based on the specimen re-discovered in the museum collection of the National Science and Natural History Museum of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv (NMNH) in 2021. The data show that the specimen belongs most likely to the nominotypical subspecies, P. a. apodus (Pallas, 1775). We discussed the possible origin of the record and we concluded that the specimen was introduced to Odesa most probably from its native range (Crimea or Caucasus). The uniqueness of the record and the past human-mediated interactions thus suggest an allochthonous origin rather than the historical sign of the relict population. Thus, our data clarify the situation on species distribution in the north-western Black Sea region from where we have still limited knowledge.

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Research Article Tue, 19 Apr 2022 09:33:41 +0300
Discovery of frogs of the Stumpffia hara species group (Microhylidae, Cophylinae) on Montagne d’Ambre in northern Madagascar, with description of a new species https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/76382/ Evolutionary Systematics 6(1): 21-33

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.6.76382

Authors: Andolalao Rakotoarison, Frank Glaw, Safidy M. Rasolonjatovo, Jary H. Razafindraibe, Miguel Vences, Mark D. Scherz

Abstract: The stump-toed frogs of the Madagascar-endemic genus Stumpffia are mostly diminutive in size, but there is one group of comparatively large frogs within the genus, which we herein refer to as the Stumpffia hara species group. Each of the four known members of this species group is endemic to a single location of deciduous dry forest with exposed karstic limestone rock. Here, we report on the discovery of members of this species group on Montagne d’Ambre, a rainforest-covered extinct volcano in the North of Madagascar that has a rich Stumpffia fauna but has been thought to lack members of the S. hara species group until now. We found two members of the species group, one at the peak, and one in transitional and dry deciduous forest on the west and northern slopes of the mountain. The high-elevation species is new to science, and we here describe it as Stumpffia bishopi sp. nov. It occupies a highly distinct position in the phylogeny of these frogs, characterized by ≥ 9.8% uncorrected pairwise distance from all other nominal Stumpffia in a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. It is also the smallest of the members of the S. hara species group. Our genetic results show that the low-elevation species is Stumpffia megsoni, constituting a range expansion of that species and considerably expanding our understanding of its morphology and ecology. We report its advertisement call for the first time. Our results highlight the importance of continued surveys of even well-sampled localities, with special attention on the high elevation sites of northern massifs and collection of voucher specimens, and how much there still remains to understand about even the largest of Madagascar’s small frogs.

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Research Article Wed, 23 Feb 2022 17:12:11 +0200
A new species of the genus Ptyctolaemus Peters, 1864 (Squamata, Agamidae) from Sagaing, Myanmar https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/75305/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(2): 347-357

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.75305

Authors: Shuo Liu, Mian Hou, Ye Htet Lwin, Dingqi Rao

Abstract: A new species of Ptyctolaemus Peters, 1864 is described from Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary, Sagaing Division, Myanmar. The new species differs from P. gularis and Ptyctolaemus aff. gularis from Tibet, China, by having relatively longer limbs and different colorations of the gular region, and it differs from P. collicristatus by having much longer limbs and a less developed nuchal crest in males. Moreover, the new species differs genetically from Ptyctolaemus aff. gularis from Tibet, China, and P. collicristatus by an uncorrected percentage distance of 23.5% and 24.8%, respectively, inferred from mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene sequences. This discovery increases the number of known Ptyctolaemus species to three.

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Research Article Fri, 10 Dec 2021 15:02:02 +0200
A new species of snake of the genus Oligodon Boie in Fitzinger, 1826 (Reptilia, Serpentes) from the Western Himalayas https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/72564/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(2): 335-345

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.72564

Authors: Zeeshan A. Mirza, Virender Kumar Bhardwaj, Harshil Patel

Abstract: A new species of Oligodon Fitzinger, 1826 is described based on specimens collected from Churah Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The new species is related to O. arnensis based on molecular as well as morphological data, however differs from it in several aspects. The new species shows a pairwise sequence divergence of 6–20% from congeners for mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Lack of pterygoid and palatine teeth of the new species suggests that the diet may largely comprise of eggs. Discovery of the new species is not surprising, as the Western Himalayas has been poorly explored in terms of its herpetofaunal diversity. Considerable genetic divergence in the sampled sequence suggests Oligodon arnensis is a species complex, likely represents multiple species and a revision of the group would be desirable.

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Research Article Tue, 2 Nov 2021 13:30:29 +0200
A new species of wood lizard (Hoplocercinae, Enyalioides) from the Río Huallaga Basin in Central Peru https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/69227/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(2): 263-273

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.69227

Authors: Pablo J. Venegas, Germán Chávez, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Vilma Duran, Omar Torres-Carvajal

Abstract: We report the discovery of a new species of Enyalioides from the premontane forest of the Río Huallaga basin in central Peru. The most similar and phylogenetically related species are E. binzayedi and E. rudolfarndti. However, the new species differs from E. binzayedi (state of character in parentheses) by having dorsal scales strongly keeled on paravertebral region and feebly keeled or smooth elsewhere (prominent medial keel on each dorsal scale), more dorsals in transverse row between dorsolateral crests at midbody 26–39, x̄ = 30.44 (22–31, x̄ = 27.57), and a conspicuous posteromedial black patch in the gular region of males (absent). Contrarily, adult males of the new species and E. rudolfarndti are readily distinguished by having a conspicuous posteromedial black patch in the gular region, absent in E. rudolfarndti, and by lacking a conspicuous orange blotch (faint if present) on the antehumeral region, as in E. rudolfarndti. We also present an updated molecular phylogenetic tree of hoplocercines, which strongly supports both referral of the newly discovered species to Enyalioides and its status as distinct from those recognized previously.

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Research Article Wed, 25 Aug 2021 14:41:38 +0300
An elusive new species of gymnophthalmid lizard (Cercosaurinae, Selvasaura) from the Andes of northern Peru https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/68520/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(2): 177-187

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.68520

Authors: Lourdes Y. Echevarría, Pablo J. Venegas, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Pedro M. Sales Nunes

Abstract: We describe a new species of Selvasaura from the montane forests of the eastern slopes of the Andes in northern Peru, based on external and hemipenial morphological characters and previous phylogenetic analyses. The new species can be differentiated from the other two Selvasaura species in having keeled dorsal scales usually flanked by longitudinal striations, in adults and juveniles; adult males with a yellow vertebral stripe bordered by broad dark brown stripes on each side and a unilobed hemipenis surrounded by the branches of the sulcus spermaticus. The description of the new species contributes information about new states of diagnostic characters of Selvasaura and natural history.

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Research Article Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:24:11 +0300
A new cryptic species of the Pristimantis lacrimosus group (Anura, Strabomantidae) from the eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/62661/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(2): 151-175

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.62661

Authors: Julio C. Carrión-Olmedo, Santiago R. Ron

Abstract: With 566 species, the neotropical genus Pristimantis is the most speciose vertebrate genus. As a result of its striking diversity, taxonomic reviews remain a challenge. Herein, we present an updated phylogeny of the Pristimantis lacrimosus group and describe a new species from Llanganates and Sangay National Parks. We also report, for the first time, the phylogenetic position of Pristimantis degener, P. eugeniae, P. katoptroides, and P. petersi. Based on our phylogeny, we add two species to the Pristimantis lacrimosus group. Through the integration of molecular and bioacoustic evidence, we describe a new species which was hidden under “Pristimantis petersi”. Pristimantis petersioides sp. nov. is most closely related to Pristimantis petersi and an undescribed species from Peru. It can be distinguished from P. petersi by its advertisement call and large genetic differences (uncorrected p-genetic distances 7.9% to 8.4% for gene 16S). Moreover, the new species and P. petersi are not sister species. We suggest assigning the new species to the Endangered Red List category because it has a small distribution range with deforestation as result of agriculture and other anthropogenic influences.

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Research Article Fri, 23 Jul 2021 08:15:27 +0300
On the systematics and the phylogenetic position of the poorly known, montane dragon-lizard species Pseudocalotes austeniana (Annandale, 1908) (Squamata, Agamidae, Draconinae) https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/67137/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(1): 141-150

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.67137

Authors: Gaurang G. Gowande, Harshal S. Bhosale, Pushkar U. Phansalkar, Mandar Sawant, Zeeshan A. Mirza

Abstract: The montane agamid species Pseudocalotes austeniana has had a complicated taxonomic history, as the species was initially described as a member of the genus Salea Gray, 1845. Later, the species was placed in a monotypic genus Mictopholis Smith, 1935, which was erected only to include this species; however, the species was later on transferred to the genus Pseudocalotes Fitzinger, 1843, owing to the morphological similarities, and lack of strong characters to diagnose the genus Mictopholis. Nonetheless, its precise phylogenetic and systematic position has remained unresolved due to the lack of molecular sequence data. During a herpetological expedition to Arunachal Pradesh, specimens of P. austeniana were collected from the hills near the type locality. The mitochondrial 16S rRNA, ND2 and ND4, and the nuclear RAG1 regions were subjected to molecular phylogenetics. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference gene trees revealed that P. austeniana is a member of the subfamily Draconinae. The analyses showed that the genus Pseudocalotes is polyphyletic, and P. austeniana was embedded within the genus Japalura Gray, 1853 sensu stricto. We here, thus, propose to transfer the species P. austeniana to the genus Japlaura, as Japalura austeniana comb. nov. Biogeographic and evolutionary significance of the findings are discussed.

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Research Article Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:11:30 +0300
A new species of Gonyosoma Wagler, 1828 (Serpentes, Colubridae), previously confused with G. prasinum (Blyth, 1854) https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/66574/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(1): 129-139

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.66574

Authors: Shuo Liu, Mian Hou, Ye Htet Lwin, Qiaoyan Wang, Dingqi Rao

Abstract: A new species of the genus Gonyosoma Wagler is described from Yunnan Province, China. The new species closely resembles G. prasinum (Blyth), but it is differentiated from the latter species by the following characters: precloacal plate divided, iris blue and inside of mouth greyish-white in life. Based on phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence data, the new species is recovered as the sister species to G. prasinum by Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood analyses. The uncorrected pairwise distance between the new species and other species of the genus Gonyosoma ranged from 11.78% to 17.07% calculated using the mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence. This discovery increases the number of Gonyosoma species to seven.

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Research Article Tue, 22 Jun 2021 08:14:28 +0300
Return of the walking dead: First verified record of the shrew Crocidura leucodon (Hermann, 1780) in Hamburg, Germany https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/67302/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(1): 121-128

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.67302

Authors: Robert Klesser, Frederik Jessen, Jörgen Ringenberg, Matthias Preuß, Thomas Kaiser, Martin Husemann

Abstract: The bicolored shrew Crocidura leucodon so far has not been reported in Hamburg with certainty. Some plausible historical records before 1920 are present; in turn, two more recent records are doubtful for different reasons. Hence, the Red List status of the species for Hamburg has to be considered uncertain (either not present, or extinct). A citizen scientist provided a specimen of an unknown shrew, an accidental catch by a snap trap, to the Centrum für Naturkunde. The specimen was caught on the 12th of September 2019 in Tatenberg, Hamburg. It was morphologically and genetically clearly determined as C. leucodon. This find represents the first confirmed record of C. leucodon for the federal state of Hamburg and increases the number of shrew species recorded in Hamburg to five. The Red List status of the species will have to be reevaluated.

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Research Article Tue, 25 May 2021 14:42:39 +0300
A new species of geckos of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 from Arunachal Pradesh, India https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/61667/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(1): 13-23

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.61667

Authors: Zeeshan A. Mirza, Harshal Bhosale, Faizan Ansari, Pushkar Phansalkar, Mandar Sawant, Gaurang Gowande, Harshil Patel

Abstract: We here describe a new species of bent-toed geckos from the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, which is widespread across the Dafla and Mishmi hills, occurring at elevations ranging from 179 m to 1400 m. The new species is recovered as sister to the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis clade based on a molecular phylogeny inferred from mitochondrial NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase, subunit 2 gene. Intraspecific uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence (p-distance) for the new species was found to be between 0 and 5%, whereas the interspecific divergence from the closely-related congeners was between 19 and 30%. The new species can be differentiated from members of the C. khasiensis clade using a suite of morphological characters: moderate body size (SVL 64.9–81.7); 8–11 supralabials; 8–10 infralabials; 24–26 bluntly conical, feebly keeled dorsal tubercles; 50–60 paravertebral tubercles; ~38 ventral scales between ventrolateral folds; no precloacal groves; 6–10 precloacofemoral pores in a continuous series; 10–16 distal subdigital lamellae on IV of pes; subcaudal scalation of original tail without enlarged plates. This is the fourth reptile species described from Arunachal Pradesh from the expedition led by the team, and this further highlights the need for further herpetological investigations into the region.

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Research Article Thu, 28 Jan 2021 07:43:13 +0200
A new vine snake (Reptilia, Colubridae, Oxybelis) from Peru and redescription of O. acuminatus https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/60626/ Evolutionary Systematics 5(1): 1-12

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.5.60626

Authors: Robert C. Jadin, Michael J. Jowers, Sarah A. Orlofske, William E. Duellman, Christopher Blair, John C. Murphy

Abstract: The Brown Vine Snake, Oxybelis aeneus, was until recently considered a single species, distributed from southern Arizona through the Neotropics into southeastern Brazil. However, newly conducted research restructured the species with a substantial taxonomic revision, recognizing five additional taxa (i.e. O. koehleri, O. microphthalmus, O. potosiensis, O. rutherfordi, O. vittatus) in this species complex. This revision focused on populations in North America, Central America, and northern South America while neglecting the southern portion of its distribution. Here, we examine the taxonomic history of the complex and use it along with specimen data to resurrect O. acuminatus from southeastern Brazil. Finally, we describe a new species from the Peruvian Amazon based on morphological characters. This work increases the species diversity of the O. aeneus complex to eight, and we expect further increases in biodiversity discoveries with continued exploration of the New World vine snakes.

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Research Article Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:47:54 +0200
On the taxonomy and systematics of the recently described Lycodon deccanensis Ganesh, Deuti, Punith, Achyuthan, Mallik, Adhikari, Vogel, 2020 (Serpentes, Colubridae) from India https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/60570/ Evolutionary Systematics 4(2): 109-118

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.4.60570

Authors: Yatin Kalki, Sachin Gowda, Manu Agnivamshi, Karthik Singh, Harshil Patel, Zeeshan A. Mirza

Abstract: Lycodon deccanensis Ganesh, Deuti, Punith, Achyuthan, Mallik, Adhikari, Vogel, 2020 was recently described from the Mysore plateau of Karnataka based solely on morphology but lacking in-depth descriptions and comparisons. A scrutiny of the description reveals that the type series, of two specimens, comprise specimens of two different species along with discrepancies throughout the paper. Surveys conducted near the type locality of the species led to the discovery of additional specimens, which allow us to provide an elaborate description of the species and present data on its phylogenetic relationship with members of the genus and comments on the systematics of Lycodon of India. Results from molecular phylogenetics suggest that Lycodon deccanensis is a member of the L. aulicus clade based on molecular data for mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and shows an un-corrected p-distance (sequence divergence) of 14–17% from other members of the Lycodon aulicus clade.

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Research Article Tue, 15 Dec 2020 12:19:47 +0200
Four new species of Stenocercus Duméril & Bibron, 1837 (Squamata, Iguania) from the Department of Amazonas in northeastern Peru https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/57578/ Evolutionary Systematics 4(2): 79-108

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.4.57578

Authors: Pablo J. Venegas, Luis A. García-Ayachi, Juan C. Chávez-Arribasplata, Germán Chávez, Iván Wong, Antonio García-Bravo

Abstract: The tropical Andes are known to be the richest and most diverse place on earth. This mountainous region covers almost one third of the Peruvian territory, and its herpetofauna remains poorly known. The lizard genus Stenocercus Duméril & Bibron, 1837 contains 69 species and most of them occur in the tropical Andes, although some exist as high as 4000 m a.s.l. The examination of newly collected material from the Andes of northern Peru in the Department of Amazonas reveals four new species of Stenocercus which we describe below. Of these four new species, three inhabit the ecoregion of Peruvian Yungas at elevations of 1460 to 2370 m a.s.l., and one the Marañón dry forest ecoregion at elevations of 1340 to 1470 m a.s.l. Additionally, we provide new data about coloration, natural history and distribution of the poorly known S. aculeatus O’Shaughnessy, 1879; and discuss the identity of some populations of S. prionotus Cadle, 2001 and S. scapularis Boulenger, 1901.

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Research Article Wed, 18 Nov 2020 09:17:52 +0200
An annotated list of reptiles and amphibians from the 1905 Hamburg expedition to southwest Australia deposited in the Zoological Museum Hamburg https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/52270/ Evolutionary Systematics 4(2): 61-70

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.4.52270

Authors: Jakob Hallermann

Abstract: The herpetological material of the 1905 Hamburg expedition to southwest Australia is redetermined and listed with precise locality data and habitat details. Of this material, 275 specimens of 57 species are still part of the herpetological collection of the Zoological Museum Hamburg (ZMH). A map showing 47 (out of 167) collecting points is provided. Some of the type specimens described in the original material by Prof. Franz Werner have been destroyed. A single paratype of Crinia michaelseni (Werner, 1914) now Geocrinia leai (Flecher, 1898), formerly thought to be lost, was recovered in the ZMH collection. This historical collection is a valuable resource for understanding the composition of the herpetofauna of the previous century.

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Research Article Wed, 15 Jul 2020 08:09:36 +0300
Lophyrus spinosus C. Duméril & A. Duméril, 1851, a case of mistaken identity https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/49023/ Evolutionary Systematics 4(1): 45-52

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.4.49023

Authors: Wolfgang Denzer, Jakob Hallermann, Ulrich Manthey, Annemarie Ohler

Abstract: Lophyrus spinosus Duméril & Duméril, 1851 has been considered synonymous with Bronchocela marmorata Gray, 1845 since its original description. The name-bearing type of Lophyrus spinosus is the specimen collected by Hombron and Jacquinot (MNHN 6896) by original designation and the holotype by monotypy of Bronchocela marmorata is the specimen deposited under NHMUK 1946.8.11.16. Accordingly, these two scientific names do not share name-bearing types. Prior to the original descriptions of Lophyrus spinosus and Bronchocela marmorata Hombron & Jacquinot (1843) published a plate depicting Lophyrus spinosus, but only naming the species in French. The nomenclatural implications of this publication are discussed. Our comparison of the holotypes reveals that these two species are not identical. Therefore we resurrect Lophyrus spinosus from its synonymy with Bronchocela marmorata and show that the specimen collected by Hombron and Jacquinot actually belongs to the genus Hypsilurus. Duméril and Duméril (1851) were the first to make the name Lophyrus (= Hypsilurus) spinosus available and the authorship has to be assigned to them. Based on evidence from original travel reports and biogeography we propose that the collection locality of Lophyrus spinosus, i.e. Hypsilurus spinosus Duméril & Duméril (1851), should be corrected to Triton Bay, Kaimana, West Papua, Indonesia.

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Research Article Wed, 18 Mar 2020 14:27:01 +0200
Rare or misidentified? On the external identification of the neglected Artibeus inopinatus Davis & Carter, 1964 (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae) in Honduras https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/49377/ Evolutionary Systematics 4(1): 35-43

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.4.49377

Authors: Manfredo Alejandro Turcios-Casco, Hefer Daniel Ávila-Palma, Eduardo Javier Ordoñez Trejo, José Alejandro Soler Orellana, Diego Iván Ordoñez Mazier, David Eduardo Meza-Flores, Alejandro Velásquez

Abstract: For years, the identification of Artibeus species has been controversial due to the overlap of morphometric characteristics between species. From February 2015 to September 2019, we sampled 25 sites in 10 departments of Honduras, and captured 81 Artibeus individuals using mist-nets. We determined the morphometric measurements that may be helpful in the identification of adult individuals of the Honduran Fruit-eating Bat, Artibeus inopinatus, in the field. We analyzed 648 morphometric measurements using a linear discriminant analysis, and determined that the forearm length, third metacarpal length, the length of the second phalanx of digit III, and body length are the main characteristics for the external identification of A. inopinatus.

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Research Article Thu, 20 Feb 2020 09:26:04 +0200
A new yellow-toed Platypelis species (Anura, Microhylidae, Cophylinae) from the Maroantsetra region, northeastern Madagascar https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/33417/ Evolutionary Systematics 3(1): 75-83

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.3.33417

Authors: Mark D. Scherz, Jörn Köhler, Miguel Vences, Frank Glaw

Abstract: We describe a new species of arboreal narrow-mouthed frog, genus Platypelis, from Ambodivoangy near Maroantsetra in northeastern Madagascar. The new species, Platypelis ando sp. nov., is characterised by small body size (under 19 mm), a generally rather slender body, yellowish finger and toe tips, and a dark brown dorsal chevron. Its advertisement call is a single, moderately long, high-pitched whistle repeated at regular intervals. It is the sister species of P. ravus from Marojejy National Park, but differs from that species by considerable pairwise genetic distances (7.9%) in a fragment of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, and also in bioacoustic and morphological features, especially the absence of yellow on the posterior abdomen. It is also surprisingly similar in external appearance to Cophyla occultans and C. maharipeo, to which it is not, however, closely related; these species are most easily discerned based on their calls. Platypelis ando sp. nov. joins the ranks of several species recently described from Ambodivoangy with close affiliations to species in the nearby Marojejy National Park, that are still divergent at species level. The species qualifies as Critically Endangered according to the IUCN Red List criteria, in line with other species recently assessed from this area, but we urge that more research be conducted in the nearby forests to extend the range of this and other species known only from Ambodivoangy.

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Research Article Wed, 26 Jun 2019 14:12:26 +0300
An updated diagnosis of the rare Amphisbaena slateri Boulenger, 1907, based on additional specimens (Squamata, Amphisbaenia, Amphisbaenidae) https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/28059/ Evolutionary Systematics 2(2): 125-135

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.2.28059

Authors: Henrique C. Costa, Luke J. Welton, Jakob Hallermann

Abstract: Amphisbaena slateri is a rare species of worm lizard from Peru and Bolivia, known only from three specimens. We found two additional specimens of this taxon, housed at the herpetological collections of the Zoological Museum (Cenak), Universität Hamburg, and the University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute, updating its known geographic distribution and morphological variation. We also discovered an unpublished manuscript by late Carl Gans reporting the finding of the Hamburg specimen, which we reproduce here with the permission of his family. Amphisbaena slateri can be identified by a combination of characters including counts of annuli, segments, and pores, the shape of head scales and color pattern. Basic morphological data is given for all species of Amphisbaenia known for Bolivia and Peru to aid in the identification of specimens from those countries.

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Research Article Wed, 19 Sep 2018 09:49:46 +0300
An updated checklist of the amphibian diversity of Maliau Basin Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia https://evolsyst.pensoft.net/article/27020/ Evolutionary Systematics 2(1): 89-114

DOI: 10.3897/evolsyst.2.27020

Authors: Alexander Haas, Kueh Boon-Hee, Alvinus Joseph, Masliadi bin Asri, Indraneil Das, Reto Hagmann, Loraine Schwander, Stefan Hertwig

Abstract: The current account presents the results of a 14-day amphibian survey at Maliau Basin Conservation Area (MBCA). With a total of approximately 170 man-hrs, 44 species were detected at four study sites during the field period; four more species were later discovered outside the two-week campaign. The results are compared to the results of previous surveys. Apart from adults, we present the first photographic documentation of the larval stages of Chiromantis inexpectatus and Bornean Phrynoidis juxtaspera, along with a brief tadpole description; the better-known tadpoles of four more species were recorded. The results of our expedition suggest that nine more species are present at MBCA than reported by previous studies. We present an updated list of known species in the MBCA, comprising 61 species. The species accumulation curve over the 14 days period of the core survey did not show signs of asymptotic saturation. We conclude that the definitive species number for MBCA amphibians has the potential to increase with more thorough surveys in the future.

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Research Article Fri, 13 Jul 2018 11:26:12 +0300