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Copyright of Revista de la Sociedad Entomológica Argentina is the property of Sociedad Entomologica Argentina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Neotropical vine snakes (Oxybelis) have a wide distribution range from southern United States to southeastern Brazil. Notably, the widespread brown vine snake O. aeneus was recently split into eight species, but major geographical areas such as the South American Pacific lowlands remained unsampled. In this paper, we present the largest molecular phylogeny of Oxybelis to date using six mitochondrial and nuclear genes and 10 of the 11 currently recognised species of Oxybelis. Our analyses include the first South American samples from west of the Andes, which we describe as a new species based on molecular and morphological evidence. The new species is morphologically most similar to O. acuminatus, O. aeneus, and O. inkaterra. Although the new species is genetically distinctive and divergent from its congeners, its phylogenetic placement received low support. Our results also suggest that a sample from Escudo de Veraguas Island in Panama represents an undescribed species of Oxybelis. Finally, we clarify the phylogenetic position of O. aeneus sensu stricto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dolichomitus Smith is a widely distributed pimpline genus with more than seventy known species. There are eight species previously reported from South America: D. annulicornis (Cameron), D. bivittatus Townes, D. hypermeces Townes, D. jatai Loffredo & Penteado-Dias, D. longicauda Smith, D. megalourus (Morley), D. moacyri Loffredo & Penteado-Dias and D. zonatus (Cresson). In this paper, we describe five new species: D. mariajosae Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. menai Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. orejuelai Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., D. pimmi Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov., and D. rendoni Araujo & Pádua, sp. nov. All have been collected in cloud forests in the Colombian tropical Andes. An illustrated key to the South American species of the genus is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas is the property of Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Andean swamp rat Neotomys ebriosus is a sigmodontine rodent restricted to the Central Andes of South America. A distribution map of the species in Peru have been previously drawn based on few of the localities where the species has been captured and collected. I update the distribution of the species in Peru based on new records from three different areas surveyed by the author, specimens at Museum collections in the United States and France from VertNet webpage, localities from the collection at the Natural History Museum of Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, and localities from the collection at the Natural History Museum of the Universidad Nacional San Agustín. The northern limit of the species distribution is increased based on new localities with collected individuals. Habitat used by N. ebriosus is mainly high Andean bogs; most individuals caught adjacent to the borders of Andean bogs and along streams near the bogs. Collected individuals leave unclear subspecies division and identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orthotrichum camanchacanum is presented as a newly described species from Chile. The species is primarily distinguished by its emergent capsule with cryptoporous stomata, a double peristome, linear-lanceolate stem leaves with a long hyaline aristae in apex, conspicuously differentiated perichaetial leaves, and a densely hairy vaginula. The species was discovered in the mountain massif of the Andes in the Coquimbo region, notable for its unique climatic conditions. Molecular data and a brief discussion comparing the newly described species with the most closely related taxa are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A faunal overview is presented of the molluscan families Amphibulimidae, Megaspiridae, Odontostomidae, Orthalicidae, Simpulopsidae in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru. These Central Andean countries are known for their biodiverse malacofauna, of which the superfamily Orthalicoidea takes relatively a large share. In this paper the five families containing 103 (sub)species, for which systematic information (original publication, type locality, type depository, summarizing literature) and distributional records are presented. All species are illustrated by photographs of the type material or, if this could not be located, by a reproduction of the original figure. The following new taxon is introduced: Thaumastus (Thaumastus) sumaqwayqu sp. n. Junior subjective synonyms are established for: Plekocheilus (Sparnotion) Pilsbry, 1944 = Plekocheilus (Eudolichotis) Pilsbry, 1896; Scholvienia (Thomsenia) Strebel, 1910 = Scholvienia Strebel, 1910; Sultana (Trachyorthalicus) Strebel, 1909 = Sultana (Metorthalicus) Pilsbry, 1899; Plekocheilus (Eurytus) conspicuus Pilsbry, 1932 = Thaumastus (Thaumastus) hartwegi (Pfeiffer in Philippi, 1846); Zebra gruneri Strebel, 1909 = Orthalicus maracaibensis (Pfeiffer, 1856); Scholvienia jaspidea minor Strebel, 1910 = Scholvienia alutacea (Reeve, 1850); Bulimus bifasciatus unicolor Philippi, 1869 = Scholvienia brephoides (d'Orbigny, 1835). A new status is given to Plekocheilus mcgintyi 'Pilsbry' H.B. Baker, 1963 (subspecies of Bulinus piperitus Sowerby I, 1837); Strophocheilus superstriatus var. prodeflexus Pilsbry, 1895 (subspecies of Bulinus piperitus Sowerby I, 1837); Thaumastus (Quechua) salteri maximus Weyrauch, 1967 (subspecies of Thaumastus (Quechua) olmosensis Zilch, 1954); Pseudoglandina agitata Weyrauch, 1967 (nomen inquirendum). New combinations are: Clathrorthalicus corydon (Crosse, 1869), and Cyclodontina chuquisacana (Marshall, 1930). Lectotypes are now designated for Bulimus incisus Hupé, 1857 and Bulinus piperitus Sowerby I, 1837. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Neotropical subtribe Pachyphyllinae comprises orchids distributed mainly along the Andes and characterized by the monopodial type of growth. The systematic position of this taxon within Orchidaceae and its generic composition was intensively discussed, but so far no comprehensive morphological study on the group was conducted. In this paper the morphological descriptions of all genera included in Pachyphyllinae are provided and the key to their identification is presented. In addition, the taxonomic position of Raycadenco is discussed. The research revealed the existence of two distinctive species which were classified until now within Pachyphyllum or Fernandezia. Since neither the flower morphology of those two species nor the gynostemium structure fulfils the concept of any known orchid taxon, the new genus is described here under the name Valdiviesoa. The two representatives of the new taxon are illustrated and the photographs of the plants are provided. The information about their distribution and ecology are provided. The morphological characters of all Pachyphyllinae representatives are compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two novel species of Psalmopoeus Pocock, 1895 are described from the north-western and central-western slopes of the Cordillera Occidental of the Andes mountain range in Ecuador. The new species are easily differentiated from other congeners of Psalmopoeus by spermathecae and male palpal bulb morphology and a comparatively distant distribution to the type localities of the geographically nearest known congeners. The diagnosis of P. ecclesiasticus Pocock, 1093 is revised and updated, considering the novel species and observations on spermatheca of this species. Likewise, an evaluation is provided for the new species in terms of conservation due to the various threats impacting ecosystems and ecosystem services of their type localities. Finally, the importance of theraphosid spiders in Ecuador and South America and their possible conservation requirements are discussed and assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aleiodes Wesmael is the most diverse rogadine genus worldwide, with specialized koinobiont endoparasitic development in Lepidoptera caterpillars resulting in mummification of the host remains. This paper focuses on describing new Aleiodes species from the Yanayacu Biological Station, with special interest in those with biological information. We describe 24 new species (Aleiodes albidactyl sp. n., Aleiodes albigena sp. n., Aleiodes albiviria sp. n., Aleiodes bimaculatus sp. n., Aleiodes cacuangoi sp. n., Aleiodes colberti sp. n., Aleiodes delicatus sp. n., Aleiodes dyeri sp. n., Aleiodes elleni sp. n., Aleiodes falloni sp. n., Aleiodes frosti sp. n., Aleiodes kingmani sp. n., Aleiodes longikeros sp. n., Aleiodes luteosicarius sp. n., Aleiodes marilynae sp. n., Aleiodes mirandae sp. n., Aleiodes napo sp. n., Aleiodes nubicola sp. n., Aleiodes onyx sp. n., Aleiodes shakirae sp. n., Aleiodes stewarti sp. n., Aleiodes townsendi sp. n., Aleiodes tzantza sp. n., and Aleiodes yanayacu sp. n.) from Napo Province in Ecuador, 16 of which were reared from host caterpillars. With these results 89 species of Neotropical Aleiodes are now known, with 41 of them having host records. The most commonly reared species were in the circumscriptus/gastritor species-group, and mostly associated with Geometridae hosts (six of ten species). Three species of seriatus species-group, in contrast, were each reared from a different family. One of these species (i.e. A. frosti sp. n.), reared from Notodontidae, cuts a posterior radial opening in the mummy for emergence, a unique behavior in Aleiodes, recorded here for the first time. A. luteosicarius sp. n. is the first described species from Ecuador in the pallidator speciesgroup. Differing from previously described pallidator species, which attack only Lymantriinae larvae, A. luteosicarius sp. n. attacks several species of Arctiinae larvae, being both subfamilies within Erebidae with densely setose caterpillars. We also describe new species of the gressitti and pulchripes species-groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Molossops includes two monotypic species of insectivore bats distributed in South America: Molossops neglectus and Molossops temminckii. Both can be differentiated, based on sizes, M. temminckii being smaller (forearm less than 33 mm). Despite being monotypic, at least two additional subspecies have been described for M. temminckii, of which M. temminckii griseiventer from the inter-Andean Valley of the Magdalena River in Colombia might represent a valid taxon. To test the taxonomic status of M. t. griseiventer, we reviewed specimens of M. temminckii from cis- and trans-Andean localities in Colombia. We used Cytochrome-b and Cytochrome Oxidase I comparisons to test the phylogenetic position of cis- and trans-Andean samples and compared qualitative morphology, morphometric and bioacoustics. Our results show that M. t. griseiventer is differentiated from cis-Andean specimens, providing further evidence of its validity at the species level. Furthermore, M. temminckii (sensu stricto) is also distributed in Colombia, but both M. griseiventer and M. temminckii are allopatric, with the Andes acting as a barrier. The specific identity of the specimens from the Caribbean Region of Colombia needs a new evaluation, but our results clearly show that the diversity of Molossops is underestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Peruana de Biología is the property of Facultad de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Pike cichlids form the largest clade of Neotropical cichlids, with over 100 species presently classified in two genera: Crenicichla (93 species widespread in rivers of South America east of the Andes) and Teleocichla (nine rheophilic Amazonian species). Here, we combined a new dataset of 216 morphological characters with molecular data compiled from published sources, comprising 74 terminal taxa of pike cichlids (68 out of 102 valid species, plus four putative new species), and performed phylogenetic analyses using maximum likelihood, Bayesian inference, and parsimony. Based on a synthesis of our results and previous phylogenies, we propose a new classification in which the clade including all pike cichlids is elevated to the rank of subtribe (Crenicichlina) and the genus Crenicichla is redefined, including three subgenera: Crenicichla (monotypic with the type species), Batrachops (resurected as subgenus), and Lacustria (new subgenus). Teleocichla is maintained as a valid genus and four new genera are proposed: Wallaciia, Saxatilia, Hemeraia , and Lugubria. Our results on character mapping support the hypothesis that resource partitioning in environments with fast-flowing water and rocky beds might have played a role in the origin or maintenance of the great diversity of pike cichlids, resulting in parallel evolution of similar ecomorphs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe two new species of glassfrogs of the genus Centrolene living in syntopy at La Enramada, province of Azuay, southwestern Ecuador. They were found in a small creek in montane evergreen forests at 2,900 m elevation. The first new species is distinguished from all other members of the genus Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; sloping snout in lateral view; thick, white labial stripe and a faint white line between the lip and anterior í4 of body; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed warts; uniform green dorsum with light yellowish green warts; and green bones. The new species is remarkable by being sister to a species from the opposite Andean versant, C. condor. The second new species is distinguished from all other Centrolene by having the following combination of characters: dentigerous process of vomer absent; round snout in lateral view; thin, yellowish labial stripe with a row of white tubercles between the lip and arm insertion, and a yellowish line between arm insertion and groin; uniform green dorsum; humeral spine in adult males; parietal peritoneum covered by iridophores, visceral peritonea translucent (except pericardium); dorsal skin shagreen with dispersed spicules; ulnar and tarsal ornamentation; and green bones. The second new species is sister to C. sabini and an undescribed species of Centrolene from southeastern Ecuador. Based on nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we present a new phylogeny for Centrolene and comment on the phylogenetic relationships inside the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The montane Argyrogrammana Strand, 1932, fauna (Riodinidae: Symmachiini) of the eastern Andes is reviewed. There are five described species from the region, and an additional three species are described here from Ecuador and Peru: A. janiceae Ahrenholz & Hall, n. sp., A. aurora Hall & Willmott, n. sp. (both occidentalis group), and A. cosnipata Hall, n. sp. (amalfreda group). A ninth species, known from only a single Peruvian female, is figured but not described. These nine east Andean endemics range in elevation from 550 to 2200 m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of PhytoKeys is the property of Pensoft Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The taxonomy of Neotropical bats is constantly changing, with new species being described and junior synonyms elevated, while other taxa are relegated to junior synonyms or subspecies. The genus Platyrrhinus has followed this trend, with some issues persisting about the current status of its subspecies. Here we evaluate variation in cranial shape and size based on geometric morphometric analyses of Platyrrhinus dorsalis and P. umbratus. P. dorsalis occurs at elevations from sea level to above 2,000 m and is found from southern Panama southward into Colombia and along both slopes of the Andes in Ecuador. P. umbratus occurs at elevations from 400 m to above 3,150 m in the Andean from Colombia south through Bolivia and Caribbean Mountain systems of Venezuela and Colombia. Our analyses did not support the recognition of subspecies in either species. The difference in skull size and shape between populations of P. dorsalis is associated with elevation, suggesting that this species exhibits an altitudinal clinal variation, with individuals being larger in the lower elevation and smaller in higher elevations. In P. umbratus the difference in skull size and shape between populations is associated with a latitudinal cline, with individuals tending to be larger in the northern part of their range. Our analyses did not reveal the existence of secondary sexual variation in P. dorsalis nor in P. umbratus. La taxonomía de murciélagos Neotropicales está en un estado de constante cambio, con algunas especies siendo descritas, sinónimos menores siendo elevados o especies siendo reconocidas como sinónimos menores o subespecies. El género Platyrrhinus no ha sido la excepción a esta tendencia, y presenta una larga historia de cambios taxonómicos persistiendo algunas dudas acerca del estado actual de sus subespecies. Evaluamos la variación en forma y tamaño del cráneo en Platyrrhinus dorsalis y P. umbratus basándonos en análisis de morfometría geométrica. P. dorsalis se encuentra presente en elevaciones desde el nivel del mar hasta por encima de los 2,000 m y se distribuye desde Panamá al sur hasta Colombia, y a lo largo de ambas vertientes de los Andes en Ecuador. P. umbratus se encuentra presente en elevaciones desde 400 m hasta los 3,150 m, con distribución en los Andes de Venezuela a Bolivia y el Sistema Montañoso del Caribe de Venezuela y Colombia. Nuestros análisis no apoyan el reconocimiento de subespecies en P. dorsalis o P. umbratus. La diferencia en el tamaño y forma del cráneo entre poblaciones de P. dorsalis está asociada con la elevación, sugiriendo que esta especie presenta una variación clinal altitudinal, con individuos grandes a elevaciones menores y pequeños en las altas. En P. umbratus también el tamaño y forma del cráneo está asociada con una clina latitudinal, con los más grandes en la parte septentrional de la distribución. Nuestros análisis no revelan la presencia de variación sexual secundaria en ninguna de las dos especies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of PhytoKeys is the property of Pensoft Publishers and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Phenotypically similar species – often called cryptic species – represent a challenge for taxonomy and conservation biology because they are usually undetectable to scientists. To unravel these cryptic taxa, studies now employ data from different sources under an integrative approach. We present an assessment of the cryptic diversity of the Lophostoma brasiliense species complex (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) based on multiple lines of evidence (molecular, morphological, morphometric, and geographic data) and using molecular (ABGD, ASAP, GMYC, and bPTP) and phenotypic (distance-based approaches and Normal Mixture Model Analyses) species delimitation methods. Our analyses recognized two distinct lineages with clear allopatric distributions. One lineage corresponds to Lophostoma brasiliense with a cis-Andean distribution and the other to the formerly species Lophostoma nicaraguae with a trans-Andean distribution. The two lineages probably diverged from a vicariant speciation driven by the uplift of the Andes less than six million years ago. Our work also shows that the wide range of environmental conditions during the recent history of South America may have promoted restrictions to gene flow among the populations of Lophostoma brasiliense. Finally, we raised L. nicaraguae to species level clarifying the species limit and morphological characteristics of lineages, and we provide an emended diagnosis and comparisons between the two taxa. We highlight the need for multiple lines of evidence to solve the remaining taxonomic problems among the remaining species complexes in Lophostoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of oribatid mites of the family Scheloribatidae – Urubambates jakobisp. nov. and Pachygena annaesp. nov. – are described, based on adults collected from upper soil and leaf litter in primary mountain forests in the Andes, Central Peru. Pachygena makarovae is supposedly a member of the genus Perscheloribates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allopatric speciation has been posed as the main mechanism affecting amphibian diversification. In contrast, the role of alternative mechanisms such as ecological speciation has received less attention, and empirical evidence of this mechanism in shaping species richness gradients remains elusive in the tropics. Highly heterogeneous landscapes can favor both allopatric and ecological speciation either by producing physical barriers to dispersal or by inducing selective pressures on lineages distributed along environmental gradients (e.g., climatic gradients). Based on explicit predictions under the ecological speciation hypothesis, we tested whether the phylogeographic, acoustic, morphological, and climatic features differ across the range of Pristimantis viejas, a frog species distributed along a wide altitudinal gradient in the northern Andes of Colombia. In agreement with our predictions, we found two highly differentiated lineages within P. viejas, showing striking differences in molecular diversity, acoustic, and climatic distribution. Importantly, we found that variation of such characteristics is highly congruent with variation in elevational ranges of these two lineages (P. viejas distributed in the lowlands and a cryptic sister lineage distributed in the highlands), and our evidence suggest that the divergence of these lineages was influenced by temperature-related variables. These results support a temperature-driven speciation process which may influence the amphibian diversity patterns in tropical mountains. Last, we describe and name the new cryptic lineage distributed in the highlands. We highlight that an integrative framework in phylogeographic studies should not only focuses on the identification of hidden lineages and their associated processes but also, when multiple lines of evidence are available, it should conduct to their formal description as species are the units for multiple biodiversity disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butterflies associated with xerophytic environments of the Andes have been little studied, and they exhibit high levels of endemism. Herein Dione (Agraulis) dodona Lamas & Farfán, sp. nov. (Nymphalidae; Heliconiinae) is described, distributed on the western slopes of the Andes of Peru and northern Chile, between 800 and 3,000 m elevation. Adults of both sexes, and the immature stages, are described and illustrated based on light and scanning electron microscopy. The immature stages are associated with Malesherbia tenuifolia D. Don (Passifloraceae) found in xeric environments, representing a new record of this genus as a host plant for the subfamily Heliconiinae. Conspicuous morphological differences are presented for all stages at the generic level. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the COI barcode mitochondrial gene fragment, D. (A.) dodona Lamas & Farfán, sp. nov. is distinguished as an independent lineage within the Agraulis clade of Dione, with ca. 5% difference to congeneric species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the genus Diachea (order Physarales, Myxomycetes, Amoebozoa) is described from Peru. Relevant details on spore germination, as well as morphological and phylogenetic data, are provided. At first glance, the new species shares some morphological similarities with both D. leucopodia, type of the genus, and D. koazei, but it strikingly differs from all other species of its genus by combining a short dark stalk, with a reticulate columella, and clustered spores. Moreover, it seems to be the only species of Diachea exclusively associated with Polylepis tropical forests at elevations above 3500 m. Apart from a comprehensive morphological study of 31 specimens, we here provide phylogenetic evidence to confirm the inclusion of this species in the genus Diachea. Specifically, our phylogenetic analyses of the nuclear 18S rDNA (18S), mitochondrial 17S rDNA (17S), and elongation factor-1 alpha (EF-1α) genes show that the new species is related to D. leucopodia and D. bulbillosa. The remarkably different morphological characters distinguishing the new Diachea from all other species of its genus, along with its particular ecological preferences and geographic distribution, indicate that it is a distinct entity deserving recognition as an independent species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of the neotropical genus Amboroppia (Oribatida, Oppiidae), A. andensis sp. nov. is described, based on adults collected from upper soil and leaf litter in primary mountain forest in the Andes, Central Peru. Additions to the generic diagnosis of Amboroppia are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Popilius gibbosus (Burmeister, 1847) was known only from localities in the Cordillera Oriental of the northern Andes in Colombia and Venezuela and the southern section in Colombia between 1,350-3,000 m. Herein, we provide the first record for Bolivia at low elevations (< 1,000 m), thus extending the geographic and altitudinal range of this species. Information about characters not yet used and the first description of the aedeagus are provided, accompanied with figures of those characters that facilitate the identification of the species. An identification key for Popilius species in Bolivia and a P. gibbosus distribution map are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new species of Neotropical spiny-lizard of the genus Echinosaura from the Imbabura and Carchi Provinces on the western slopes of the Andes in northwestern Ecuador. The new species mostly resembles E. horrida. However, it can be distinguished from all congeners by having keeled enlarged dorsal scales forming a paired vertebral row, two paravertebral series of short oblique rows of projecting scales, and a pair of spine-like scales on temporal and nuchal regions. We also provide a detailed description of the osteology of the skull and pectoral girdle of the new species and present a phylogenetic hypothesis for Echinosaura based on three mitochondrial genes (12S, 16S, ND4) and one nuclear gene (c-mos). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antikuna, a new genus from Peruvian Andes, was proposed, diagnosed and described, to include seven new species: Antikuna cernickai sp. nov., A. cimrmani sp. nov., A. cyanofemur sp. nov., A. majkusi sp. nov., A. sapallanga sp. nov., A. urayrumi sp. nov. and A. valladaresi sp. nov. Antikuna gen. nov. is characterised by having the type III urticating setae concentrated in one dorsal patch, ventral side of maxillae with short spiniform setae in apical half, the male bulb carrying four keels, prolateral superior, prolateral inferior, apical and subapical keel terminating in a short tooth, and the female spermathecae consisting of two separate divergent seminal receptacles, carrying one or more ventral keels, and dorsally with distinct oval apical lobe, which is narrower than the receptacle neck. In the males of Antikuna gen. nov. the flexion of metatarsi I is between both branches of tibial apophyses and prolateral cymbial lobe is distinctly larger than retrolateral one. Antikuna gen. nov. inhabits altitudes above 3,800 m a.s.l. and A. valladaresi sp. nov. was found in the altitude of 4,689 m a.s.l. representing a new highest altitude record for the family Theraphosidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A revised assessment of Croton L. sect. Geiseleria (A. Gray) Baill. is provided. The section as now circumscribed includes 84 species ranging across warm areas of the Americas. A nuclear ITS phylogeny of 150 accessions from 83 species and a chloroplast trnL-F phylogeny of 89 accessions from 65 species were generated to confirm correct phylogenetic placement of the species and to determine if any species previously included in the section should now be excluded. Seven new species are described, and we present a taxonomic synopsis that lists all currently accepted species along with their synonyms, distributions, and pertinent comments. We also recognize four subsections within Croton sect. Geiseleria and list their corresponding species. Based on both morphological and molecular criteria, we now recognize C. lagunillae Croizat as a distinct species, rather than as a variety of C. guildingii Griseb. (now treated as C. suavis Kunth), and we treat C. ramillatus Croizat var. magniglandulifer V. W. Steinm. as a species, C. magniglandulifer (V. W. Steinm.) B. W. van Ee. We also exclude C. tetradenius Baill. from Croton sect. Geiseleria (A. Gray) Baill. along with related species such as C. pulegiodorus Baill. and C. leptobotryus Müll. Arg., which are either members of Croton sect. Adenophylli Griseb. or else may merit new sectional status. We also exclude C. waltherioides Urb., although it is not clear to which section of Croton it belongs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Eleutherodactylus" bilineatus has long been an enigma. Recent phylogenetic analyses have recovered this species as part of a clade including Barycholos and Noblella, but the relationship among these groups still remains contentious. In this study, we test the phylogenetic position and reassess the taxonomic status of this long‐term incertae sedis species. We use phylogenetic analyses of nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences and data for external morphology and osteology of "E." bilineatus and its related genera. We recover the species as an independent lineage forming a fully supported clade with Barycholos and Noblella. The combination of inferred relationships and morphological traits supports the erection of a new genus that we name and diagnose. Our analyses also recover a non‐monophyletic Noblella and the species of the genus, although morphologically similar, are part of different clades: one including species from central Andes and the other one including species from northern Andes. Moreover, distribution patterns point out connections among distant biogeographical areas of South America and a widespread distribution of an ancestor for the clade including Barycholos, "E." bilineatus, and Noblella. We also compare the relationships among clades of Brachycephaloidea and, hence, the family and subfamily classifications in different studies. We show that the family classification is probably far from becoming stable, mostly due to arbitrary selections of hierarchy of the clades. However, we show that by assigning a family to each of the highly supported and frequently recovered clades would render a more stable taxonomy of Brachycephaloidea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Vampyressa melissa species complex comprises three rare bat species poorly represented in museum collections. Vampyressa melissa and V. sinchi are restricted to the eastern slope of the Andes, while V. elisabethae only is known from Panama, in Central America. The species complex has received recent attention in terms of systematic reviews, which concluded in the description of two species: one from Panama (V. elisabethae) and one from Colombia (V. sinchi). Vampyressa melissa recently was reported from the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, in the department of Casanare. However, morphological and genetic (Cytochrome b) comparisons showed that these specimens belong to an undescribed species of the genus. The new species is the smallest member of the V. melissa complex and has a unique set of morphological characters compared to other Vampyressa species. Molecular evidence shows that the new species is sister to V. melissa (sensu stricto) from Colombia and Peru, albeit with high genetic divergence (7.9%). Nevertheless, Cytochrome b sequences of V. elisabethae and V. sinchi still are unknown. This new species increases to six the number of species in the genus. Vampyressa melissa , V. sinchi , and the new species, exhibit restricted distributions in the eastern slopes of the Andean Cordillera, in specific altitudinal ranges. Because of geographic constraints, their biological rarity, and the high deforestation rates in their distributional area, we suggest that these three species must be considered as taxa threatened with extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new genus and species of rhinatrematid caecilian, Amazops amazops gen. et sp. nov., is described based on a single specimen from Orellana, Ecuador collected in 1990. Among other features the new taxon differs from all other rhinatrematid caecilians in having less than four annular grooves interrupted in the region of the vent and in the squamosal contributing to the bony margin of the orbit. A consideration of its distinctive morphology suggests that it is plausible that the new taxon is the sister taxon of all other rhinatrematid caecilians. That the genus is known from a single specimen, and that this is the first new rhinatrematid species from the Andes described for more than 50 years, highlights the poor sampling (collecting) of rhinatrematid caecilians and limited knowledge of their diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Five new species of Campyloneurum are described: C. castaneum, C. filiforme, C. jamaicense, C. parvisquama, and C. pichinchae. Each is illustrated and compared to similar species. Distribution maps are given for each. This brings the number of generally accepted species in the genus to about 65. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new species of the sciophiline genus Eudicrana Loew are described for the Eastern and Central Andes of Colombia-Eudicrana silvaandina sp. nov., E. chingaza sp. nov., E. maculata sp. nov. and E. merizaldei. These are the first species of Eudicrana described from the extreme northern range of the Andes. The altitudinal distribution of these species in the paramos and high Andean forest ecosystems is restricted to 1750-3660 m a.s.l. and some other information on the environment is briefly discussed. A key for the Colombian species of Eudicrana is provided and a discussion is elaborated on the position of these species within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Pristimantis (Craugastoridae, subgenus Pristimantis) is described from a relict and unexplored cloud forest in the western slope from Cordillera Oriental of the Colombian Andes. The specific name was chosen by consensus expert scientists and local people. Pristimantis chamezensis sp. nov. is easily distinguished from congeneric species by having a gray iris with black reticulations in life, subconical tubercles on the upper eyelid, the chin edged with irregular, dark-brown blotches, and conical heel tubercles. The phylogenetic analyses suggest that the origin and radiation of its clade may have occurred in the highlands. With the description of P. chamezensis sp. nov., we identify 14 species distributed throughout the eastern slope of the Andes that are associated with the Orinoco Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on two adult specimens collected in the Río León (Azuay, Ecuador), we describe a new highland species of a small crab-eating rat of the genus Ichthyomys Thomas (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Ichthyomyini). It is distinguishable from Ichthyomys hydrobates (Winge, 1891), the species phenetically closest to it, by its smaller size, bicolored tail (unicolored in I. hydrobates), broad and heavily fringed hindfoot (narrower and moderately fringed in I. hydrobates), and several craniodental traits (e.g. rostrum short broad; nasals anteriorly truncated; interorbital region narrow; supraorbital margins smoothly rounded; supraorbital foramina small, zygomatic plate very narrow; incisors opisthodont; length of M3 half that of M2). The new species occurs in the western Andes in southern Ecuador and is allopatric with Ichthyomys stolzmanni Thomas, 1893, which also has a bicolored tail but is larger. The new species brings the number of Ecuadorean Ichthyomys to four, Ecuador thus becoming the country with the greatest diversity of Ichthyomyini (four genera and eight species). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new riodinid species in the tribe Nymphidiini, Periplacis perisama Hall, Ahrenholz & Aldas n. sp., is described from lower montane forest in the eastern Andes of Ecuador. An updated phylogenetic analysis for the genus suggests that the new taxon is sister to the Transandean species P. laobotas (Hewitson, 1875). These two species form the laobotas group, defined by the presence of setose eyes and a proximally isolated pale postdiscal band on the dorsal forewing of males. Periplacis perisama is externally dissimilar to all other members of the genus, and bears an apparently mimetic resemblance to several sympatric species of Nymphalidae, most notably in the genus Perisama Doubleday, 1849. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phylogenetic studies revealed a high level of diversity within the lichen-forming fungus so far identified with the name Maronina multifera (Protoparmelioideae, Parmeliaceae), currently accommodated in the genus Neoprotoparmelia. Here, six new species of Neoprotoparmelia are described as new to science based on morphological and molecular data, mostly from northeastern Brazil. The new species are: Neoprotoparmelia nigra (Brazil), with 32-spored asci, lacking alectoronic acid, and with pale, K-negative apothecial base, and blackish apothecial disc; N. paramultifera (Brazil), with 64-spored asci, alectoronic acid, pale, K-negative apothecial base, and purplish brown apothecial disc and thick apothecial margins; N. pseudomultifera (Brazil), with 32-spored asci, lacking alectoronic acid, and with pale, K-negative apothecial base and brown apothecial disc (no reddish or purplish tinge); N. purpurea (Brazil), with 32-spored asci, lacking alectoronic acid, and with pigmented, K+ purplish-violet apothecial base and purplish brown apothecial disc; N. rubrofusca (Colombia), with 32-spored asci, lacking alectoronic acid, and with pigmented, K+ purplish-violet apothecial base, and red-brown apothecial disc and thin, evanescent margins; and N. sexdecimspora (Brazil), with 16-spored asci, alectoronic acid, pale, K-negative apothecial base, and purplish brown apothecial disc. The name N. multifera is restricted to a species from the northern Andes with 64-spored asci, alectoronic acid, pale, K-negative apothecial base, and purplish brown apothecial disc with thin margins, while the new combination N. camptotheca is adopted for a species in eastern Brazil with 32-spored asci, alectoronic acid, pale, K-negative apothecial base, purplish brown apothecial disc, and smooth margin (all other species in the complex having crenulate margins). The following two new combinations are also proposed: Neoprotoparmelia saxicola and N. rogersii (syn.: N. capensis V.J.Rico, A.Crespo & Garima Singh). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Andes harbours a rich diversity of Muscidae. A new muscid genus, Polletella de Carvalho & Haseyama, gen. nov., is described from the Ecuadorian and Peruvian highlands, and it comprises three new species: Polletella polleti de Carvalho, Haseyama & Gomes, sp. nov. (type species) and Polletella norrbomi de Carvalho, Haseyama & Gomes, sp. nov., both from Loja, Cajanuma, Ecuador, and Polletellainca de Carvalho, Haseyama & Gomes, sp. nov. from Cuzco, Peru. Collected data indicate that species of Polletella are probably confined to high‐altitude cloud Andean forests and may be abundant at 3000 m. A key to the species of Polletella is provided. The morphological features and a morphology‐based phylogenetic analysis indicate that Polletella is monophyletic and that it does not concur with the current concepts of any of the Neotropical Phaoniinae genera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species of Ladenbergia (Rubiaceae) has been found in the Cordillera de Sira in the eastern Andes of central Peru. It is here described as Ladenbergia siranensis, and it is morphologically similar to L. acutifolia, L. graciliflora and L. shawistigma. It differs from these by a shrubby habit, coriaceous, narrowly elliptic leaves, few-flowered inflorescences, the hypanthium hirtellous outside, small and deeply lobed calyx, a glabrous style, and fruits with reddened hirtellous pubescence. A key to these four species is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eriosyce is one of most species‐rich genera within Notocacteae (Cactaceae) harboring a variety of stem and flower morphologies, and fruits with basal abscission. The lack of a well‐sampled molecular phylogeny contributes to the current taxonomic instability of the genus, where its circumscription and infrageneric classification has been questioned. Specimens of Eriosyce (63 taxa) plus 19 outgroups were analyzed through sequencing three plastid noncoding introns (rpl32‐trnL, trnL‐trnF, trnH‐psbA), one plastid gene (ycf1), and one nuclear gene (PHYC). Individual markers and concatenated matrices were analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian approaches. Phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of Eriosyce s.l. Furthermore, seven clades within Eriosyce s.l. were defined based on supported branches, although one of them was weakly supported. Our results suggest that some past taxonomic proposals have low phylogenetic support and should no longer be used, e.g., based on their scattered positions in the phylogenetic reconstruction, several infraspecific taxa appear unrelated to the typical form of the species in which they had been placed. We present a phylogeny‐informed infrageneric classification of the genus Eriosyce, and new combinations are proposed to update the nomenclature of species and sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new species of minute, terrestrial-breeding frog in the genus Noblella. We collected a single specimen in the leaf litter of primary montane forest (2,225 m a.s.l.) near Thiuni, in the Provice of Carabaya, Department of Puno, in the upper watershed of a tributary of the Inambari River of southern Peru, the same locality where we found the types of Psychrophrynella glauca Catenazzi & Ttito 2018. We placed the new species within Noblella on the basis of molecular data, minute size, and overall morphological resemblance with the type species N. peruviana and other species of Noblella, including having three phalanges on finger IV (as in N. coloma, N. heyeri, N. lynchi, N. madreselva, N. peruviana, and N. pygmaea), and terminal phalanges T-shaped and pointed. Noblella thiuni sp. n. is distinguished from all other species of Noblella by having ventral surfaces of legs bright red, and chest and belly copper reddish with a profusion of silvery spots. The new species further differs from known Peruvian species of Noblella by the combination of the following characters: tympanic membrane absent, eyelids lacking tubercles, dorsal skin finely shagreen, tarsal tubercles or folds absent, three phalanges on Finger IV, tips of digits not expanded, no circumferential grooves on digits, inguinal spots present. The new species has a snout-vent length of 11.0 mm in one adult or subadult male. Our new finding confirms the high levels of endemism and beta diversity of small, terrestrial-breeding frogs inhabiting the moss layers and leaf litter in the montane forests of the Amazonian slopes of the Andes and adjacent moist puna grasslands, and suggests much work remains to be done to properly document this diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, renewed fieldwork in poorly explored areas of the tropical Andes has dramatically increased the comparative material available to study patterns of inter- and intraspecific variation in tropical plants. In the course of a comprehensive study of the genus Escallonia, we found a group of specimens with decumbent branching, small narrowly elliptic leaves, inflorescences with up to three flowers, and flowers with red petals. This unique combination of traits was not present in any known species of the genus. To evaluate the hypothesis that these specimens belonged to a new species, we assessed whether morphological variation between the putative new species and all currently known Escallonia species was discontinuous. The lack of overlap in tolerance regions for vegetative and reproductive traits combined with differences in habit, habitat, and geographic distribution supported the hypothesis of the new species, which we named Escallonia harrisii. The new species grows in sandstone inter-Andean ridges and cliffs covered with dry forest, mostly on steep slopes between 1,300-2,200 m in southern Bolivia. It is readily distinct in overall leaf and flower morphology from other Escallonia species in the region, even though it does not grow in sympatry with other species. Because E. harrisii is locally common it may not be threated at present, but due to its restricted geographic distribution and the multiple threats of the tropical dry forests it could become potentially vulnerable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glassfrog Centrolene buckleyi has been recognized as a species complex. Herein, using coalescence-based species delimitation methods, we evaluate the specific diversity within this taxon. Four coalescence approaches (generalized mixed Yule coalescents, Bayesian general mixed Yule-coalescent, Poisson tree processes, and Bayesian Poisson tree processes) were consistent with the delimitation results, identifying four lineages within what is currently recognized as C. buckleyi. We propose three new candidate species that should be tested with nuclear markers, morphological, and behavioral data. In the meantime, for conservation purposes, candidate species should be considered evolutionary significant units, in light of observed population crashes in the C. buckleyi species complex. Finally, our results support the validity of C. venezuelense, formerly considered as a subspecies of C. buckleyi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New specimens of the genus Hapalotremus (Theraphosinae) are revised based on the examination of types and additional material collected in Argentina, Bolivia and Peru. A new generic diagnosis is proposed. New information and illustrations are provided for known species and seven new species were recognized and are newly described and illustrated. Hence, Hapalotremus comprises 10 valid species, distributed along the Andes and Yungas in western South America. All species are keyed and mapped. New taxonomic features are included in the descriptions and the detail of embolus keels morphology and positions are described for the first time for the genus. Information on species habitat is included. The highest altitude record for a Theraphosidae spider, living at 4524 m above sea level, is reported. www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1C028676-CCD9-4654-A755-6ACA3BCE3E98 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that Elaphoglossum megalurum, previously thought endemic to Peru and Bolivia, and E. subciliatum, previously thought endemic to Costa Rica and Panama, are later heterotypic synonyms of E. litanum, a species described from northwestern Ecuador. The revised distribution of this species is now construed as Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. The species has a wide elevational range, occurring from (20-)100-1400 m. In South America, it occurs on both the eastern and western sides of the Andes. A complete list of synonyms and their types, a description, specimens examined, and a distribution map is given for E. litanum as recognized in this new, more inclusive sense. A lectotype is designated for E. carillense, which has long been considered a synonym of E. subciliatum, and a second-step lecotype is designated for E. litanum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The male and female of a new species of long-horned caddisfly, Nectopsyche paramo, are described from the high Andes of Ecuador. The new species was found above 4,000 m, representing the highest recorded elevation for a species in the genus. The larval stage of the species is also described. Only a total of 13 larvae were collected during a 17-month sampling program and 11 adults, suggesting that the species is rare. Larvae were found mainly in leaf packs. A male and female were observed in a mating swarm ca. 3 m above a stream during late afternoon. In addition, we redescribe the adult male of Nectopsyche spiloma (Ross), previously known from Ecuador from unsubstantiated literature records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new species of short-tailed whip-scorpions (schizomids),Calima emberasp. nov. andCalima nutabesp. nov. are described based upon collected material from the Natural Park Planes de San Rafael, Risaralda department, and the Natural Reserve El Romeral, Antioquia department, Colombia, increasing the number of known species for the genus to four; an identification key and a distribution map forCalimaspecies, are provided. The voluminous spermathecal lobes in females and the presence of a small dorsal eminence basal toDm4in the male flagellum of some species, could represent diagnostic characters forCalimaand are therefore included in its diagnosis. The microsetae of the male flagellum of Hubbardiinae, continues be excluded from the setal homologies; we suggest that they must be taken into consideration in a future homology proposal.www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:1D3A97A4-29A6-46E2-AD78-EE6C7036D251 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Contulma Flint (Trichoptera: Anomalopsychidae) is composed mostly of regionally endemic species occurring above 2,000 m, with a few more widespread species and some that are found at lower elevations. Adults of three new species of Contulma are described and illustrated from the Andes of Ecuador, Contulma lina, new species, Contulma quito, new species, and Contulma sangay, new species. These species are similar to previously described species from the region, including C. paluguillensis, C. nevada, and C. lancelolata. New provincial records are provided for C. bacula, C. cataracta, and C. echinata. Contulma duffi Oláh, 2016 is considered a junior, subjective synonym of C. penai, Holzenthal & Flint, 1995. Also, we provide an identification key to males of the 30 Contulma species now known. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated if two sigmodontine rodent taxa (Abrothrix olivacea and Phyllotis darwini) from the Andes and Coastal mountaintops of central Chile, experienced distributional shifts due to altitudinal movements of habitat and climate change during and after the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We tested the hypothesis that during LGM populations of both species experienced altitudinal shifts from the Andes to the lowlands and the coastal Cordillera, and then range retractions during interglacial towards higher elevations in the Andes. These distributional shifts may have left remnants populations on the mountaintops. We evaluated the occurrence of intraspecific lineages for each species, to construct distribution models at LGM and at present, as extreme climatic conditions for each lineage. Differences in distribution between extreme climatic conditions were interpreted as post-glacial distributional shifts. Abrothrix olivacea displayed a lineage with shared sequences between both mountain systems, whereas a second lineage was restricted to the Andes. A similar scenario of panmictic unit in the past was recovered for A. olivacea in the Andes, along with an additional unit that included localities from the rest of its distribution. For P. darwini, both lineages recovered were distributed in coastal and Andean mountain ranges at present as well, and structuring analyses for this species recovered coastal and Andean localities as panmictic units in the past. Niche modeling depicted differential postglacial expansions in the recovered lineages. Results suggest that historical events such as LGM triggered the descending of populations to Andean refuge areas (one of the A. olivacea’s lineages), to the lowlands, and to the coastal Cordillera. Backward movements of populations after glacial retreats may have left isolates on mountaintops of the coastal Cordillera, suggesting that current species distribution would be the outcome of climate change and habitat reconfiguration after LGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]