Article
Zoology
Shi-Shi Lin, Yuan -Hang Li, Hong-Lin Su, Hui Yi, Zhong Pan, Yan-Jun Sun, Zhao-Chi Zeng, Jian Wang
Summary: Karstic landscapes are important for biodiversity formation, but site-endemic taxa in these landscapes are threatened by exploitation and weak legal protection. This study describes a new odorous frog species, restricted to limestone karst, with distinct genetic and morphological differences from its congeners. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that it represents an independent lineage grouped with two other species based on mitochondrial genes. The new species is recommended to be listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN categorization due to its limited microhabitats and habitat degradation threats.
Article
Zoology
Antoine Fouquet, Miqueias Ferrao, Rawien Jairam
Summary: Despite a fast rate of species description in the genus Allobates, the actual diversity of anurans in Amazonia, especially in the case of Allobates species, remains only partly described. The availability of DNA sequences has facilitated the taxonomic efforts, revealing the existence of three lineages in the Guiana Shield that may correspond to unnamed species. Morphological and bioacoustic examinations confirmed the genetic and observable differences, leading to the naming and description of two new species.
Article
Plant Sciences
Hamid Moazzeni, Mohammad Mahmoodi, Mohammad Jafari, Gerald M. Schneeweiss, Jalil Noroozi
Summary: Although the mountains in South-West Asia are a global biodiversity hotspot, the biodiversity in the alpine and subnival zones is still poorly understood. This study analyzed morphological and molecular data to reveal the restricted distribution of Aethionema umbellatum in southwestern Iran, while populations from central and western Iran belong to new species, A. alpinum and A. zagricum, respectively. The study emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts in the poorly known alpine flora of the Irano-Anatolian region.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Alexander Tamanini Monico, Miqueias Ferrao, Juan Carlos Chaparro, Antoine Fouquet, Albertina Pimentel Lima
Summary: Pristimantis is already the most speciose genus among vertebrates, and the current number of species is underestimated. A new species from the P. unistrigatus species group in the Guiana Shield, previously misidentified as P. ockendeni, has been described. The new species is distinguished from P. ockendeni by various characteristics including genetic markers, external morphology, vocalization, distribution, and natural history.
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Antoine Fouquet, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Pedro Peloso
Summary: Using a combination of genetic, morphological, and acoustic data, we have confirmed the existence of a new species closely related to Chiasmocleis haddadi in French Guiana and the state of Amapa, Brazil. This species can be distinguished from C. haddadi and other known congeners by its larger body, smaller eyes, and distinct dorsal coloration. We believe the new species breeds in leaf litter and undergoes endotrophic development, while co-occurring C. haddadi and C. hudsoni lay clutches in nearby temporary ponds where exotrophic tadpoles complete their development. This new species contributes to the understanding of the biodiversity in the Guiana Shield region.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan Perret, Oceane Cobelli, Adrien Taudiere, Julien Andrieu, Yildiz Aumeeruddy-Thomas, Jamila Ben Souissi, Guillaume Besnard, Gabriele Casazza, Pierre-Andre Crochet, Thibaud Decaens, Francoise Denis, Philippe Geniez, Michael Loizides, Frederic Medail, Vanina Pasqualini, Claudia Speciale, Vincent Battesti, Pierre Chevaldonne, Christophe Lejeusne, Franck Richard
Summary: The study examines the distribution of biodiversity research efforts within the Mediterranean Basin hotspot and suggests rebalancing sampling efforts towards poorly known regions and using molecular data to refine hotspot definition.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Antoine Fouquet, Killian Leblanc, Marlene Framit, Alexandre Rejaud, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Santiago Castroviejo-Fisher, Pedro L. Peloso, Ivan Prates, Sophie Manzi, Uxue Suescun, Sabrina Baroni, Leandro J. C. L. Moraes, Renato Recoder, Sergio Marques De Souza, Francisco Dal Vecchio, Agustin Camacho, Jose Mario Ghellere, Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic, Giussepe Gagliardi-Urrutia, Vinicius Tadeu De Carvalho, Marcelo Gordo, Marcelo Menin, Philippe J. R. Kok, Tomas Hrbek, Fernanda P. Werneck, Andrew J. Crawford, Santiago R. Ron, Jonh Jairo Mueses-Cisneros, Rommel Roberto Rojas Zamora, Dante Pavan, Pedro Ivo Simoes, Raffael Ernst, Anne-Claire Fabre
Summary: The study investigated the origins and evolution of the rich biodiversity in the Guiana Shield, identifying adaptations of Synapturanus frogs to fossorial life and their dispersal into the Amazon. Through analysis of genetic, morphometric, and acoustic data, more species were delimited and their diversity characterized in detail. Ancient species in the Guiana Shield dispersed multiple times before and after the Miocene, showing different ecological adaptations during their evolution.
BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
Antoine Fouquet, Killian Leblanc, Anne-Claire Fabre, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Marcelo Menin, Elodie A. Courtois, Mael Dewynter, Monique Holting, Raffael Ernst, Pedro Peloso, Philippe J. R. Kok
Summary: The genus Synapturanus includes three new species of fossorial frogs, differentiated from congeners by external morphological, acoustic, and osteological traits. The species exhibit an increase in fossorial habits in the easternmost species, while the relatively conserved morphology of the posterior body suggests fossoriality mainly involves the anterior part. The fusion of tarsal bones in western clade species may indicate locomotory adaptation to more epigean habits.
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Marcos Jose Da Silva
Summary: The new species Ruellia umbrosa, found in the riparian forest in the lowlands of Goiás state, Brazil, is described and illustrated in this article. It shares similarities with South American species R. erythropus and R. epallocaulos in terms of stems, flowers, and capsules, but differs in corolla color, presence of bractlets, calyx lobes, and seed characteristics. Due to its small population and environment being heavily impacted by human activities, it is classified as Critically Endangered.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alexander Damian-Parizaca, Nicole Mitidieri-Rivera
Summary: This study describes a new species of Vanilla from French Guiana, providing detailed illustrations, photographs, and distribution information. The importance of conservation efforts for fragile ecosystems in the Guiana Shield is highlighted, as well as the morphological comparisons with similar species and new geographic range expansions for known species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew L. Gimmel, M. Andrew Johnston, Michael S. Caterino
Summary: This study provides the first enumeration of the beetle fauna of the California Channel Islands in over 120 years. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of digitized specimen records, the authors report 825 unique species from 514 genera and 71 families, comprising the largest list of species published to date for any taxonomic group of animals on the Channel Islands. Despite this, the checklist is considered preliminary and evidence suggests that there are still hundreds of beetle species yet to be recorded from the islands.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Thiago R. Carvalho, Antoine Fouquet, Mariana L. Lyra, Ariovaldo A. Giaretta, C. Eduardo Costa-Campos, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Celio F. B. Haddad, Santiago R. Ron
Summary: The Leptodactylus melanonotus species group was studied to expand the understanding of species diversity using mtDNA sequences, morphological traits, and acoustic traits. The analysis revealed the existence of many unnamed species within the group. The combined use of morphological traits and geographic distribution data was informative for species identification. Additionally, a new species was named and described, and comparisons were made with congeners.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Eli Greenbaum, Daniel M. Portik, Kaitlin E. Allen, Eugene R. Vaughan, Gabriel Badjedjea, Michael F. Barej, Mathias Behangana, Nancy Conkey, Bonny Dumbo, Legrand N. Gonwouo, Mareike Hirschfeld, Daniel F. Hughes, Flix Igunzi, Chifundera Kusamba, Wilber Lukwago, Franck M. Masudi, Johannes Penner, Jess M. Reyes, Mark-Oliver Roedel, Corey E. Roelke, Soraya Romero, J. Maximilian Dehling
Summary: This study utilizes molecular and morphological data to revise the taxonomy of the spiny reed frogs. The results suggest that populations from western Central Africa and Equatorial Guinea represent one species, while populations from the Albertine Rift and neighboring forests represent two new undescribed taxa.
Article
Plant Sciences
Pedro Fiaschi, Fernando Santos Cabral, Duane Fernandes Lima
Summary: A new species of Oxalis sect. Thamnoxys, Oxalis jacobinensis, is introduced from the State of Bahia in Brazil. It is distinguished from other species in the section by its leaf arrangement, leaflet shape, pedicel articulation, and capsule characteristics. The paper provides a detailed description, illustrations, distribution map, conservation status evaluation, and taxonomic notes.
Article
Plant Sciences
Eliane de lima Jacques
Summary: This study describes three endemic species of Begonia from the Brazilian Atlantic Coastal Forest. These newly described species share similarities with other known species in terms of leaf shape and other morphological characteristics. They are classified within a section of the Begonia genus, although further research is needed to determine their specific taxonomic placement.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Joao C. L. Costa, Roberta Graboski, Felipe G. Grazziotin, Hussam Zaher, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Ana Lucia da C. Prudente
Summary: This study investigates the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of Leptodeira spp. and proposes a new taxonomic arrangement based on morphological and genetic evidence. The study also highlights the presence of hidden species diversity within the genus.
Article
Zoology
Marcos J. M. Dubeux, Ubiratan Goncalves, Cristiane N. S. Palmeira, Pedro M. S. Nunes, Jose Cassimiro, Tony Gamble, Fernanda P. Werneck, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Tami Mott
Summary: Two new species of Brazilian geckos belonging to the genus Phyllopezus are described in this study, based on morphological and molecular data. These two species are found in different regions of Bahia state in Brazil and display distinct morphological and genetic characteristics from their closely related species.
Article
Zoology
Renato Sousa Recoder, Sergio Marques-Souza, Thiago Silva-Soares, Carolina Nisa Ramiro, Thiago Marcial Castro, Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues
Summary: The study evaluated population-level variation in Calyptommatus in the sandy habitats of the Caatinga in Brazil using morphological and molecular data. A new species of Calyptommatus was discovered and evidence of potential historical and/or current introgressions or incomplete lineage sorting was found.
Correction
Evolutionary Biology
Manuela V. V. dos Santos, Ana L. C. Prudente, Miguel T. T. Rodrigues, Marcelo J. J. Sturaro
EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. N. D. R. E. L. G. CARVALHO, A. L. E. J. A. N. D. R. O. LASPIUR, J. U. L. I. A. KLACZKO, L. U. I. S. R. O. L. A. N. D. O. RIVAS, M. I. G. U. E. L. T. R. E. F. A. U. T. RODRIGUES, M. A. R. C. O. A. U. R. E. L. I. O. DE SENA, R. I. C. A. R. D. O. CESPEDES
Summary: Only recently have lizard specialists started incorporating phylogenetic information into the classification of leiosaurids, a group of enigmatic South American lizards. To assess their relationships, multiple analyses were conducted using morphological and DNA data, revealing the monophyly of major leiosaurid clades and challenging the classification of certain genera. A new leiosaurid species, Urostrophus chungarae, was also described, emphasizing the need for further systematic investigation.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Letter
Zoology
Vanessa K. Verdade, Diego Almeida-Silva, Miguel T. Rodrigues
Article
Zoology
Angele Martins, Manuella Folly, Guilherme Nunes Ferreira, Antonio Samuel Garcia da Silva, Claudia Koch, Antoine Fouquet, Alessandra Machado, Ricardo Tadeu Lopes, Roberta Pinto, Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues, Paulo Passos
Summary: This article describes a new species and reassigns a known species, which is significant for the taxonomic and evolutionary research of threadsnakes. It also emphasizes the importance of protected areas in maintaining vertebrate populations.
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Philippe J. R. Kok
Summary: The Pantepui biogeographical region in the Guiana Shield Highlands of northern South America is home to the ancient genus Stefania, which is a (near-) endemic lineage of vertebrates. Previous molecular analysis showed incongruence between species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships in the genus Stefania. A new species from the isolated population on Wei-Assipu-tepui is described, which is genetically distinct but phenotypically similar to S. riveroi found on Yuruani-tepui.
ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Philippe J. R. Kok
Summary: Previous molecular analyses have shown that species boundaries are difficult to determine in the frog genus Stefania based solely on morphology. A new species, belonging to the S. ginesi clade, has been discovered in the highlands of Murisipan-tepui in southern Venezuela. This new species is phenotypically similar to S. satelles but phylogenetically distinct, with high molecular divergences (> 8%). The new species should be classified as critically endangered according to IUCN criteria.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer A. Luedtke, Janice Chanson, Kelsey Neam, Louise Hobin, Adriano O. Maciel, Alessandro Catenazzi, Amael Borzee, Amir Hamidy, Anchalee Aowphol, Anderson Jean, Angel Sosa-Bartuano, Ansel G. Fong, Anslem de Silva, Antoine Fouquet, Ariadne Angulo, Artem A. Kidov, Arturo Munoz Saravia, Arvin C. Diesmos, Atsushi Tominaga, Biraj Shrestha, Brian Gratwicke, Burhan Tjaturadi, Carlos C. Martinez Rivera, Carlos R. Vasquez Almazan, Celsa Senaris, S. R. Chandramouli, Christine Strussmann, Claudia Fabiola Cortez Fernandez, Claudio Azat, Conrad J. Hoskin, Craig Hilton-Taylor, Damion L. Whyte, David J. Gower, Deanna H. Olson, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Diego Jose Santana, Elizah Nagombi, Elnaz Najafi-Majd, Evan S. H. Quah, Federico Bolanos, Feng Xie, Francisco Brusquetti, Francisco S. Alvarez, Franco Andreone, Frank Glaw, Franklin Enrique Castaneda, Fred Kraus, Gabriela Parra-Olea, Gerardo Chaves, Guido F. Medina-Rangel, Gustavo Gonzalez-Duran, H. Mauricio Ortega-Andrade, Ibere F. Machado, Indraneil Das, Iuri Ribeiro Dias, J. Nicolas Urbina-Cardona, Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailovic, Jian-Huan Yang, Jiang Jianping, Jigme Tshelthrim Wangyal, Jodi J. L. Rowley, John Measey, Karthikeyan Vasudevan, Kin Onn Chan, Kotambylu Vasudeva Gururaja, Kristiina Ovaska, Lauren C. Warr, Luis Canseco-Marquez, Luis Felipe Toledo, Luis M. Diaz, M. Monirul H. Khan, Madhava Meegaskumbura, Manuel E. Acevedo, Marcelo Felgueiras Napoli, Marcos A. Ponce, Marcos Vaira, Margarita Lampo, Mario H. Yanez-Munoz, Mark D. Scherz, Mark-Oliver Rodel, Masafumi Matsui, Maxon Fildor, Mirza D. Kusrini, Mohammad Firoz Ahmed, Muhammad Rais, N'Goran G. Kouame, Nieves Garcia, Nono Legrand Gonwouo, Patricia A. Burrowes, Paul Y. Imbun, Philipp Wagner, Philippe J. R. Kok, Rafael L. Joglar, Renoir J. Auguste, Reuber Albuquerque Brandao, Roberto Ibanez, Rudolf von May, S. Blair Hedges, S. D. Biju, S. R. Ganesh, Sally Wren, Sandeep Das, Sandra V. Flechas, Sara L. Ashpole, Silvia J. Robleto-Hernandez, Simon P. Loader, Sixto J. Inchaustegui, Sonali Garg, Soumphthone Phimmachak, Stephen J. Richards, Tahar Slimani, Tamara Osborne-Naikatini, Tatianne P. F. Abreu-Jardim, Thais H. Condez, Thiago R. De Carvalho, Timothy P. Cutajar, Todd W. Pierson, Truong Q. Nguyen, Ugur Kaya, Zhiyong Yuan, Barney Long, Penny Langhammer, Simon N. Stuart
Summary: The second Global Amphibian Assessment reveals that amphibians, especially salamanders in the Neotropics, are the most threatened vertebrate class, with 40.7% of species globally threatened. The deteriorating status of amphibians is predominantly driven by climate change, disease, and habitat loss.
Article
Zoology
Anna V. Albano de Mello, Renato S. Recoder, Antoine Fouquet, Miguel T. Rodrigues, Pedro M. S. Nunes
Summary: In this study, the taxonomic status of lizards of the Iphisa elegans complex were reevaluated based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA analysis, as well as morphological characteristics. The results revealed the presence of nine operational taxonomic units within the genus Iphisa and these units could be distinguished by external and hemipenial morphology. A new taxonomic rearrangement of the genus was proposed, including the elevation of Iphisa elegans soinii to the specific level, and the naming and description of five new species.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Quentin Martinez, Jan Okrouhlik, Radim Sumbera, Mark Wright, Ricardo Araujo, Stan Braude, Thomas B. Hildebrandt, Susanne Holtze, Irina Ruf, Pierre-Henri Fabre
Summary: This article investigates the evolution of endothermy in vertebrates and explores the relationship between turbinal bones and endothermy. Through analysis of a large number of mammalian samples, the study found important variations in the relative surface area, morpho-anatomy, and complexity of turbinal bones across mammalian phylogeny and species ecology.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael J. Jowers, Utpal Smart, Santiago Sanchez-Ramirez, John C. Murphy, Aaron Gomez, Renan J. Bosque, Goutam C. Sarker, Brice P. Noonan, J. Filipe Faria, D. James Harris, Nelson Jorge da Silva Jr, Ana L. C. Prudente, John Weber, Philippe J. R. Kok, Gilson A. Rivas, Robert C. Jadin, Mahmood Sasa, Antonio Munoz-Merida, Gregorio Moreno-Rueda, Eric N. Smith
Summary: This study provides new insights into the phylogenetic relationships within Micrurus nigrocinctus by examining sequence data from a broad sampling of specimens from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. The findings suggest that Micrurus nigrocinctus is a species complex originating from the Pliocene and composed of at least three distinct species-level lineages. Furthermore, some currently recognized subspecies may be elevated to the full species rank based on the recovery of highly divergent clades.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Katyuscia Araujo-Vieira, Ana Carolina C. Lourenco, Joao Victor A. Lacerda, Mariana L. Lyra, Boris L. Blotto, Santiago R. Ron, Diego Baldo, Martin O. Pereyra, Angela M. Suarez-Mayorga, Delio Baeta, Rodrigo Barbosa Ferreira, Cesar L. Barrio-Amoros, Claudio Borteiro, Reuber A. Brandao, Cinthia A. Brasileiro, Maureen A. Donnelly, Marcos J. M. Dubeux, Jorn Kohler, Francisco Kolenc, Felipe Sa Fortes Leite, Natan M. Maciel, Ivan Nunes, Victor G. D. Orrico, Pedro Peloso, Tiago L. Pezzuti, Steffen Reichle, Fernando J. M. Rojas-Runjaic, Helio R. Da Silva, Marcelo J. Sturaro, Jose A. Langone, Paulo C. A. Garcia, Miguel Trefaut Rodrigues, Darrel R. Frost, Ward C. Wheeler, Taran Grant, Jose P. Pombal, Celio F. B. Haddad, Julian Faivovich
Summary: Scinax is a genus of Neotropical treefrogs with the most species diversity. It consists of 129 recognized species divided into two major clades, the S. catharinae and S. ruber clades. The relationships within and among these clades and their species groups are poorly understood. A phylogenetic analysis was conducted using genetic and phenotypic data, resulting in the partitioning of Scinax into three genera and the recognition of 13 species groups in the S. ruber clade and seven species groups in the S. catharinae clade. The study also identified 57 candidate species, highlighting the incomplete understanding of the diversity of this treefrog clade.
SOUTH AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HERPETOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Quentin Martinez, Maxime Courcelle, Emmanuel Douzery, Pierre-Henri Fabre
Summary: This study is the first to examine the potential relationship between olfactory turbinals and olfactory receptor (OR) genes. Despite using similar data acquisition methods, the study found that OR genes do not correlate with the relative and absolute surface area of olfactory turbinals. These results challenge the interpretations of several studies based on different proxies related to olfaction and their potential relation to olfactory capabilities.
