A New Species of the Genus Tylototriton(Amphibia: Urodela: Salamandridae) from the Southern Dabie Mountains in Anhui Province

A new species of the genus Tylototriton is described,from Yuexi county,Anhui province,in the south of the Dabie Mountains.It is based on morphological and molecular analysis.The new species is identified as belonging to the Tylototriton asperrimus group and shares a number of similarities with T.wenxianensis,T.broadoridgus and T.dabienicus.The diagnostic characteristics of the new species are as follows： the head length is greater than the width of the head; bony ridges on the head are prominent and necked-in; the distal digit ends,ventral digits,peripheral area of the cloaca and the tail＇s lower edge are orange.The result from the molecular analysis of the genus Tylototriton（including the type specimen of the new species） based on three mitochondrial genes（ND1,ND2 and CYTB） indicated that the new species was close to T.wenxianensis,T.dabienicus,and T.broadoridgus,but formed an independent clade.This result was consistent with the morphological analysis above,which supports the theory that the population distributed in the south of the Dabie Mountains,namely in from Yuexi county,Anhui province,represented a distinct species,Tylototriton anhuiensis sp.nov.

A new species of the genus Amolops (Anura： Ranidae) from high-altitude Sichuan, southwestern China, with a discussion on the taxonomic status of Amolops kangtingensis

A new species of the genus Amolops Cope, 1865 is described from Xinduqiao, Kangding, Sichuan. It was previously identified as Amolops kangtingensis, which is synonymized to Amolops mantzorum in this study. The new species, Amolops xinduqiao sp. nov., is distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters： （1） medium body size, adult males SVL 41.2-47.5 mm （n=15, average 43.9 mm）, adult females SVL 48.5-56.6 mm （n=15, average 52.5 mm）; （2） head length equal to width or slightly wider than long; （3） tympanum small, but distinct; （4） vomerine teeth in two tiny rows, separated by a space about one vomerine teeth row; （5） bony projections on lower jaw absent; （6） dorsolateral folds usually absent; （7） tarsal folds or glands on tarsus absent; （8） circummarginal groove on disc of finger I absent; （9） tibiotarsal articulation reaching nostril or beyond; （10） webs of toe IV reaching to distal articulation, other toes fully webbed to disc; and （11） vocal sac absent in males.

A new genus and species of treefrog from Medog,southeastern Tibet,China(Anura,Rhacophoridae)

A new genus and species of threefrog is described from Medog, southeastern Tibet, China based on morphological and phylogenetic data. The new genus can be distinguished from other treefrog genera by the following combination of characters： （1） body size moderate, 45.0 mm in male; （2） snout rounded; （3） canthus rostralis obtuse and raised prominently, forming a ridge from nostril to anterior corner of eyes; （4） web rudimentary on fingers; （5） web moderately developed on toes; （6） phalange ＂Y＂ shaped, visible from dorsal side of fingers and toes; （7） skin of dorsal surfaces relatively smooth, scatted with small tubercles; （8） iris with a pale yellow, ＂X＂ shaped pattern of pigmentation.

Phylogenetic Relationships of the Genus Paramesotriton(Caudata: Salamandridae) with the Description of a New Species from Qixiling Nature Reserve, Jiangxi, Southeastern China and a Key to the species

The matrilineal genealogy of the genus Paramesotriton is hypothesized based on DNA sequences from mitochondrial NADH subunit two （ND2） and its flanking tRNAs （tRN^Arp and a partial tRNA^Ala）. The genealogy identifies a highly divergent, unnamed lineage from Qixiling Nature Reserve, Jiangxi, China and places it as the sister taxon of P. chinensis. The newly discovered population differs from other congeners by several features of external morphology including having large clusters of dark brown conical warts on the dorsum of the head, lateral surface of the body and dorsolateral ridges. Its intermittent dorsal vertebral ridge is the same color as other parts of the dorsum and tail narrows gradually from the base to the tip. Further, the new population differs from all congeners by an uncorrected P-distance of more than 9.38% in ND2. Consequently, we describe the new species of Asian warty newt （Salamandridae） as Paramesotriton qixilingensis sp. nov.

A new species and new recorded species of Lumbrineridae Schmarda,1861(Annelida:Polychaeta)from China

Based on material deposited in the Marine Biological Museum of the Chinese Academy of Sciences （Qingdao）, a new species, Lurnbrineris sinensis sp. nov., as well as Augeneria albidentata （Ehlers, 1908）, which is recorded for the first time from coastal water of China, are reported in the present paper. The specimens examined were collected during 1958 to 1960 from the Yellow Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea at depths of 4 to 182 m.

A New Brown Frog of the Genus Rana(Anura,Ranidae)from North China,with a Taxonomic Revision of the R.chensinensis Species Group

The Rana chensinensis species group is widely distributed throughout North China.However,its taxonomy and composition remain controversial.In recent field investigations of the Taihang Mountains,a series of Rana specimens were collected,which were once identified as R.chensinensis.However,these samples showed significant differences from R.chensinensis of the type locality(Shaanxi Province in the Qinling Mountains)in both morphology and genetics.In this paper,based on analyses of seventeen geographic populations from the Taihang and Qinling Mountains,we describe a new species(namely R.taihangensis sp.nov.)in the R.chensinensis species group.A phylogenetic analysis of the R.chensinensis species group based on mitochondrial genes—COI,16S rRNA and Cytb—revealed the monophyly of the cryptic species,which formed the sister taxon to R.kukunoris.Morphological comparisons indicated that the cryptic species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characteristics.Additionally,the distribution patterns of the Rana species in North China were clarified.The populations of the southwestern Taihang Mountains,Xiaoqinling Mountains,and Funiu Mountains in Henan Province remain R.chensinensis,whereas the populations recorded as R.chensinensis in Beijing City,Hebei Province,and the southeastern Taihang Mountains of Henan Province should be revised as R.taihangensis sp.nov.

Two new species of the genus Rhopalopsole (Plecoptera:Leuctridae) from China

Two Rhopalopsole species from China are described as new to science： R. intonsa Qian ＆ Du sp. nov. and R. siculiformis Qian ＆ Du sp. nov..

A new species of genus Fejervarya (Anura:Dicroglossidae) from northern Thailand

We describe a new species of frog in the dicroglossid genus Fejervarya from Ban Monjong, Omkoi District, Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand. Analysis of DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial gene 16S, advertisement calls, and morphological distinctiveness support recognition of the new species. Matrilineal genealogy suggests that the new population from Chiang Mai is a sister taxon to the South Asian clade that includes F. syhadrensis, F. granosa, and F. pierreL The new species, Fejervarya chiangmaiensis sp. nov., differs morphologically from its congeners by its relatively small body size and proportions and the presence of dorsal warts and dermal ridges. Discovery of this new species indicates that the biodiversity of amphibians in this region remains underestimated.

Two new species of Family Prasiolaceae (Prasiolales,Chlorophyta) from China Sea

Amomg the BO known species of the algal family Prasiolaceae （Prasiolales, Chlorophyta}, nine marine species have been found in marine environments but none in China seas. We reported here two new species Prasiola fangchengensis Luan et Ding sp. nov. and Prasiola volcanica Luan et Ding sp. nov. from subtropical coastal water of southern China.

A new species of Micryletta (Amphibia: Microhylidae) from southern Thailand

DEAR EDITOR,We report on a new species,Micryletta dissimulans sp.nov.,from the lowland forests of southern Thailand,which is described based on molecular and morphological evidence.The new species is characterized by a combination of the following characters:small body size (20.3-22.4 mm in males,24.4-26.7 mm in females);slender body habitus.

Description of a New Species of Amolops (Anura:Ranidae) from Tibet,China

A new species,Amolops pallasitatus sp.nov.is described based on specimens collected from Chentang Town,Dinggyê County,southern Tibet,China.The new species can be distinguished from other known congeners by mitochondrial divergence and morphological characteristics including:(1)medium body size,SVL 70.6–72.3 mm in adult females;(2)skin smooth over the entire body;(3)absence of dorsolateral fold;(4)tympanum small,edge indistinct,less than half of eye diameter;(5)vomerine teeth in two short oblique;(6)circummarginal and transverse grooves absent on disk of the first finger;(7)presence of inner metacarpal tubercle;(8)toes fully webbed,webbing formula Ⅰ0-0^-Ⅱ0-1/2Ⅲ0-1^+Ⅳ1^+-0Ⅴ;(9)absence of outer metatarsal tubercle and tarsal glands;(10)tibiotarsal articulation of the hind limb reaches posterior corners of the eye;(11)dorsum yellow-green,with irregular dark brown blotches without margins;(12)blotches concentrated on the dorsum,less on the flanks.In morphology,Amolops pallasitatus sp.nov.is similar to A.himalayanus and A.formosus,the difference between them is length of hind limbs,web of toe and dorsal colour pattern.The systematic placement of the new species within the genus is unresolved and it is not assigned to any recognized species group,for the lack of convictive evidences.

A new species of Macandrewia(Demospongiae,Tetractinellida,Macandrewiidae)from a seamount in the Western Pacific Ocean

A new species of Macandrewia Gray from a seamount near Yap Trench in the Western Pacific Ocean was described.Macandrewia yapensis sp.nov.is distinct from its congeners by possessing a foliate shape with contorted lamellae,tuberculiform terminations of desmas,and unique size of spicules.This is the third species of Macandrewia described from the Pacific Ocean.In addition a partial sequence of COI gene was obtained from the new specimen and then it submitted to GenBank.Phylogenetic tree constructed with the partial COI sequences appears to exhibit a more congruent relationship with morphological data of macandrewiid species compared to 28 S gene tree.

Identification and DNA Barcoding of a New Sillago Species in Beihai and Zhanjiang,China,with a Key to Related Species

A new Sillago species,Sillago parasihama sp.n.,is identified based on 127 specimens collected from the southern coast of China.We compared the morphological characters between Sillago parasihama and all other 11 Sillago species with two posterior extensions on the swim bladder.The new species is like S.sihama in the countable characters and color pattern,but is different from the latter by the distinct swim bladders.The swim bladder of S.parasihama is without lateral process.The posterior sub-extensions of anterolateral extensions are unique with some dendritic or sometimes stunted blind tubule,which are unilateral and outward,ex-tending along the abdominal,and are about one-third to half of the body of swim bladder in length.But the swim bladder of S.si-hama with 8-10 lateral processes,the posterior sub-extensions of anterolateral extensions are kinky,long and complicated,extend-ing along the abdominal wall below the peritoneum to the base of posterior extensions.S.parasihama can be distinguished from other species in this group by color pattern,meristic,and morphometric characters.Moreover,the results of genetic analysis using sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I(COI)fragment show significant interspecific-level genetic distances(0.159-0.231)between S.parasihama and 8 congeners in the group,which also support the validity of new species.We also provide a distribution map and a key of the related species.

Redefinition of the Odorrana versabilis Group,with a New Species from China(Anura,Ranidae,Odorrana)

Taxonomic studies of the Odorrana versabilis group have been consistently disorganized,and they have often been incorrectly associated with an abandoned subgenus or genus Bamburana in existing literature.In this study,we conducted an integrative taxonomic analysis using molecular phylogenetic analysis of two mitochondrial gene fragments(16S rRNA and CO1)and morphological examination of 41 specimens collected during herpetological surveys in southern China.Our results confirmed the monophyly of O.versabilis group which exhibited distinct morphological traits.We also identified a cryptic lineage sister with O.exiliversabilis.Additionally,our study revealed that O.trankieni was nested within O.nasuta.Consequently,we redefined the morphological characteristics of the O.versabilis group,described a new species in this group,O.confusa sp.nov.,and proposed that O.trankieni be considered a junior synonym of O.nasuta.One of the most significant findings of this study was the observation of distinct morphological changes in adult males across all species within the O.versabilis group between the non-breeding and breeding seasons.This study contributes to research on various aspects of Asian amphibian fauna,including taxonomy,ecology,evolution,and physiology.

A new species of interstitial polychaete Hesionura shandongensis sp. n. (Polychaeta, Phyllodocidae) from Yantai, the Huanghai Sea

In a study of meiofauna polychaete from the Huanghai Sea, a previously undescribed species belonging to Hesionura has been found and described. The new species differs from the other species of the genus Hesinura mainly by the chaetation.

A new species,Gerres septemfasciatus(Perciformes:Gerreidae) from the Chinese coastal waters of the South China Sea

We describe a new species of gerreid fish,Gerres septemfasciatus,based on four specimens collected from the northern South China Sea.G.septemfasciatus most closely resembles G.limbatus in general appearance.However,G.septemfasciatus is distinguished from the latter and other congeners by having 3 to 3.5 scales between the base of the fifth dorsal spine and lateral line.This species has a distinctive color pattern,including 7-8 regular,vertical,blue-grayish bands on its side.The distribution of this species is currently known to include the Chinese coastal waters of the South China Sea,but may be also include the coastal waters of southeastern Asia.

A New Species of the Genus Nanorana Günther,1896(Anura:Dicroglossidae)from Hengduan Mountains of China

An integrative study based on morphological data and mitochondrial molecular data of all known Nanorana(sensu stricto)species have revealed a new species from the Hengduan Mountains,N.huangi sp.nov.The new species can be distinguished from its congers by its:(1)medium body size,SVL 31.3–40.6 mm in adult males(n=12),39.2–48.1 mm in adult females(n=8);(2)absence of subarticular tubercles on fingers,with supernumerary tubercles below the base of the fingers small but distinct;(3)presence of dark dorsal patches without pale margins,generally creamy yellow ventral body basically,bright yellow ventral limbs;(4)small but prominent tympanum;(5)tibio-tarsal joint that reaches to the tympanum or the shoulder when hindlimbs adpressed forward towards body;(6)head length more than 30%of SVL.In addition,the new species can be separated from all other congeners by uncorrected genetic distances:ranging from 2.8%–7.5%of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA,1.1%–2.1%of the 16S rRNA,and 7.5%–11.5%of the COI.

A new species of the genus Paramisophria（Copepoda，Calanoida，Arietellidae） from the China Seas

Holotypic and Paratypec specimens (female) of the present new species, Paramisophria sinica n.sp. were collected from the waters of the southeastern South Huanghai Sea and northern South China Sea, respectively. Compared with the previously known congeneric species,this new species remarkably differs from any one of them in some characters, such as in female: each side of posterolateral margin of last thoracic segment with two pointed processes; the genital segment asymmetrical and with fusion line clearly visible; leg 5 : endopod with four plumose setae, exopod with three or four outer marginal and one terminal spines.

A new radiolarian species Clathrocorys gracilis from northern South China Sea

A new species, Clathrocorys gracilis nov. spec., of Tripocyrtidae (Radiolarians: Nassellaria) from surface water in northern South China Sea, is described in this paper. The new species has four radial beams arising from the cephalic base centre, each foot with cup-shaped structure and ramified bar in the proximal section (near cephalic base), and each wing with a large mesh in the middle, a medium mesh and a small mesh on each side respectively.

DNA Barcoding and Systematic Review of Minervaryan Frogs(Dicroglossidae:Minervarya) of Peninsular India:Resolution of a Taxonomic Conundrum with Description of a New Species

The genus Minervarya is among the most widely distributed,commonly occurring,and taxonomically confusing groups of dicroglossid frogs in India.Recent studies have provided evidence that this genus contains complexes of morphologically conserved but genetically divergent taxa—some widely distributed across South and Southeast Asia,and many particularly restricted to the Western Ghats region of the Indian Peninsula—posing several challenges in resolving long-standing taxonomic confusions.Here,we present a systematic review of minervaryan species found in Peninsular India,based on extensive DNA barcoding with nearly 400 samples from the entire range of the genus,including 277 new samples and topotypic material for most available names from the study area,combined with detailed morphological studies.As a result,we recognise 18 species in Peninsular India,including a new species described herein as Minervarya pentali sp.nov.Due to the comprehensive nature of the study,including comparisons with all available types,certain long-standing taxonomic uncertainties on the status of ten previously known taxa are resolved Rana(Tomopterna)parambikulamana Rao,1937(=Minervarya parambikulamana),Rana(Hylorana)sauriceps Rao,1937(=Minervarya sauriceps),and Fejervarya kudremukhensis Kuramoto,Joshy,Kurabayashi,and Sumida,2008"2007"(=Minervarya kudremukhensis),are considered as junior subjective synonyms of Rana(Rana)limnocharis mysorensis Rao,1922(=Minervarya mysorensis);Nyctibatrachus sanctipdustris var.modestus Rao,1920(=Minervarya modesta)is proposed to be a synonym of Rana limnocharis syhadrensis Annandale,1919(=Minervarya syhadrensis);while Rana murthii Pillai,1979(=Minervarya murthii)and Fejervarya mudduraja Kuramoto,Joshy,Kurabayashi,and Sumida,2008"2007"(=Minervarya mudduraja)are considered as junior subjective synonyms of Rana nilagirica Jerdon,1853(=Minervarya nilagirica).At the same time,Rana brevipalmata Peters,1871(=Minervarya brevipalmata),previously known only from its original description and the type specimen,is recognised as a distinct species referable to live populations in the Western Ghats.The study results in taxonomic stability of all the currently recognised members of the genus in Peninsular India.Significant geographical range extensions of species previously known from single localities are also provided based on morphologically and genetically confirmed records.Additionally,we classify all the recognised species into eight species-groups,with the aim of facilitating a better working taxonomy and future systematic studies on minervaryan frogs across their entire known range in Asia.