Kalbreyeracanthus kirkbridei (acanthaceae), a new species from Colombia

A new species Kalbreyeracathus kirkbridei, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, is described, illustrated, and compared with K. atropurpureus, the only other species in the genus.     

Lepidochitona bullocki, a new species of chiton (Polyplacophora: Ischnochitonidae) from the Colombian Caribbean

The genus Lepidochitona is one of the most diverse in the Southern Caribbean. In order to describe this new species, twenty specimens of L. bullocki sp. nov. were collected by hand on the rocky coast, from 0.25 to 1.5m depth, and a shore distance of 1 to 5m, between the Northern section of Rodadero beach and Puerto Luz, in Santa Marta, Colombia. The specimens were small, with maximum observed size of 7.3mm. This is the fourth species of the genus Lepidochitona described for the Caribbean. The previously known species were L. liozonis (Dall & Simpson 1901), L. rosea (Kaas 1972) and L. rufoi (Garcia-Ríos 2010). L. bullocki differs from L. liozonis and L. rosea in having a rough tegmentum and color. It differs from L. rufoi in having longer and numerous hyaline spicules, bigger size and broader central radula tooth. Lepidochitona bullocki is the only Caribbean species of the genus frequently located on the illuminated side of rocks in the shallow sublitoral zone.     

A revision of the neotropical genus ischioscia verhoeff,with descriptions of four new species (isopoda,philosciidae)

A revision of the species of the Proischioscia‐Ischioscia‐group revealed the necessity to synony‐mize the genus Proischioscia Vandel, 1968 with Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928. The following previously described species are accepted and included in the genus Ischioscia: Ischioscia lobifera Verhoeff, 1928,Ischioscia amazónica Lemos de Castro, 1955, Proischioscia andina Vandel, 1968, Ischioscia bolivari Vandel, 1968, and Proischioscia sturmi Vandel, 1972. Four new species are described: I. stenocarpa, I. hanagarthi and I. longicauda from Peru, and I. irmleri from Brazil. An analysis of the generic and specific characters is given from a viewpoint of phylogenetic systematics.     

A new species of Fuchsia L.

Fuchsia lampadaria , a new species from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Northern Colombia, is described and illustrated.     

Two new species of Aa (Orchidaceae,Spiranthoideae) from Colombia

Two new species of the Andean genus Aa (Orchidaceae, Spiranthoideae) are described: Aa lozanoi Szlach. and S. Nowak, and Aa figueroi Szlach. and S. Nowak. They are restricted in distribution mainly to Cordillera Oriental in the department of Cundinamarca, however, A. lozanoi was also collected in Cordillera Central and A. figueroi in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in northern part of Colombia. Each species is described and illustrated, detailed habitat and distribution data are provided. A distribution map of the new species is presented. A dichotomous key for determination of the Colombian species of Aa is provided. Brief discussion about the most important threats for plants in Andes is presented.     

Pronophiline butterflies (Satyridae) of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Abstract. The twenty-four species of Pronophilini known from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, a small, isolated and very high north Colombian mountain range, are listed. The ecology of the tribe in northern South America, where these butterflies are exclusively montane, is described. The evolutionary relationships of the thirteen endemic species are analysed. Three new genera, three new species, and four new subspecies are described. Four new synonymies are established, the status of three taxa revised, six new combinations made, lished, the status of three taxa and one original combination re-instated.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Valeriana neglecta</Emphasis> (Valerianaceae), a new species from Colombia

Valeriana neglecta R. Bernal (Valerianaceae) from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in northern Colombia, is described as new, and illustrated, based on two specimens collected in 1844. It belongs to subgenus Valeriana sect. Porteria (Hook.) Benth. & Hook f., and differs from other species of the group in its corymboid inflorescence, with dense, capitoid, partial inflorescences, and in its narrowly spathulate leaves that are remotely dentate towards apex.     

Opisthobranchia von Santa Marta,Colombia

The classification of a collection of opisthobranchs from Santa Marta, Colombia, resulted in 36 species, two of which, Chromodoris perola and Calmella bandeli, are new to Science. For comparison a specimen of Chromodoris clenchi from Puerto was studied. The disjunctive characters of some species of Aplysia are discussed.     

Relative abundance and microhabitat use by the frog Geobatrachus walkeri (Anura: Strabomantidae) in two habitats of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia

Geobatrachus walkeri belongs to a monotypic frog genus endemic to the San Lorenzo area, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. This species has been categorized as endangered because of its small distribution area and the decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. It inhabits two forest types with different composition and structure, the native secondary forest and a pine plantation (dominated by Pinus patula). To compare the relative abundance and microhabitat use of this species in these habitat types, 30 quadrants/environment were distributed randomly. The individual number, microhabitat use and other aspects of its natural history were registered using visual encounter surveys in both sites, including non-sampled areas in the quadrants. The relative abundance of frogs was significantly different between habitats and among seasons. The highest abundance of G. walkeri relative to the total area was found in the pine plantation, being 2.3 times higher than in the natural forest. More frogs were significantly found during the rainy season; nevertheless, active individuals were also found during the dry season. Significant differences were found in the microhabitat use with respect to the forest type and season. The most frequently microhabitat used in the two forest types was the pine leaf-litter; besides, in the native forest, the microhabitat occupied more frequently presented medium and large size stones. Geobatrachus walkeri is a successful species in pine plantations, associated permanently to its leaf-litter environment where it seems to develop its entire life cycle. The clear modifications in the soils and water, derived from the introduction of the pine plantation in this area, seem not to have negatively affected the conservation and successful maintenance of this species.     

A new combination in Pseudosymblepharis (Pottiaceae) from South and Central America

Abstract

Trichostomum schlimii Müll.Hal., a neglected Colombian taxon, is transferred to the genus Pseudosymblepharis Broth. as Pseudosymblepharis schlimii (Müll.Hal.) comb. nov. The species, known only from the type locality in Santa Marta, Colombia, is newly reported for the moss floras of Bolivia, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guiana, Peru, and Venezuela. It is described, lectotypified, illustrated, and mapped. Diagnostic characters, and distinction from one closely related American species within the genus are discussed. Trichostomum mollissimum (Broth. ex E.B.Bartram) H.A.Crum and Pseudosymblepharis guatemalensis (E.B.Bartram) B.H.Allen are reduced to the synonymy of Pseudosymblepharis schlimii.     

The phylogeny of the genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928, with redescriptions of three species (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928 is reviewed. 26 species are considered valid. A key for their identification is given, as well as a map showing the geographic distribution. The known range of the genus covers a large area from the central Amazon region to the mountains of Guatemala. The species of Ischioscia have a typical “philosciid” habitus (“runner” type); they can be distinguished from other Neotropical species with similar habitus by the following apomorphies: (1) male pereiopod 1 carpus enlarged to a plate-like extension, (2) scale field on male pereiopod 1 covering entire frontal side of the carpus, (3) male pereiopod 7 ischium with a ventral scale field, (4) dactylus in both sexes with a long inner claw. The groundpattern of Ischioscia is reconstructed, and an analysis of the phylogenetic relations within the genus is made on the basis of morphological data. The species are very similar to each other, most differences are found in the male structures of sexually dimorphic features. Ischioscia sturmi (Vandel, 1972), I. amazonica Lemos de Castro, 1955 and I. bolivari Vandel, 1968 are redescribed in detail.     

Biological diversification in a complex region: a spatial analysis of faunistic diversity and biogeography of the Andes of Colombia

Aim Understanding large‐scale patterns of beta diversity and endemism is essential for ecoregional conservation planning. We present a study of spatial patterns of faunal diversification and biogeographical relationships in the Andean region of Colombia. This region has a great geomorphological complexity, as it is formed by several mountain ranges with different geologic origins. We hypothesize that this complexity results in a high turnover in species composition among subregions. Location The Andean region of Colombia, including the Santa Marta and Macarena mountain ranges. Methods The region was divided into subregions, represented by the eastern and western slopes of each of the three Andean cordilleras, the Cauca and Magdalena valley bottoms, and the peripheral mountain ranges of Perijá, Macarena and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Species lists for five animal taxa (rodents, bats, birds, frogs and butterflies) were compiled for each subregion and similarities in species composition were determined by cluster analysis. To explore biogeographical relationships, species were classified into one of four distributional categories: endemic, tropical Andean, Andean‐Central American and wide continental distribution. Results The highest species richness in the region was found in the Pacific and eastern versants of the Andes, and the lowest in the Cauca and Magdalena valley bottoms. Inter‐Andean slopes were intermediate in species richness. However, when species richness was calculated per unit area, the most diverse regions were the Santa Marta and Macarena ranges, the Cauca Valley watershed and the Pacific slope. Although each taxonomic group had a different branching pattern, dendrograms indicated five common subregional clusterings: (1) Perijá‐Sierra Nevada, (2) the Pacific slope, (3) the eastern Andean slope, (4) the Cauca and Magdalena valley bottoms, and (5) the inter‐Andean slopes. Clustering patterns of inter‐Andean slopes varied among taxa. In birds, bats and rodents, grouping was by opposite slopes of the same valley, whereas frogs were grouped by mountain ranges and butterflies by valleys and their respective slopes. Seventy‐five per cent of species in all taxa were found in less than five subregions. The fauna of the Magdalena and Cauca valley bottoms was composed mostly of lowland species with wide geographical distributions, whereas the cordilleran fauna was mostly restricted to the tropical Andes. Main conclusions The western and eastern versants of the Andes have the highest species richness, but are also the largest subregions. On a per unit area basis, the peripheral ranges (Santa Marta and Macarena) are the richest, followed by the western portion of the Andes (the Cauca Valley watershed and the Pacific versant). Clustering patterns in dendrograms suggest two major patterns of differentiation of the Andean fauna: one elevational (lowlands vs. highlands) and one horizontal (among ranges and/or slopes). Biogeographical affinities of the inter‐Andean valley bottoms are with the lowland faunas of tropical America. In contrast, Andean faunas diversified locally, resulting in the evolution of a large number of endemic species, particularly among the less vagile taxa. Three different main branches of Andean fauna can be recognized, one confined to the Pacific, another to the eastern (Amazonian‐Llanos) versant of the Andes, and the third one composed by the inter‐Andean slopes of the Cauca and Magdalena valleys. The identification of five main biogeographical units in the Andean region of Colombia has important implications for the conservation of the regional biota. Conservation initiatives that seek to preserve representative samples of the regional biodiversity should take into account the patterns of diversification described here, and the evolutionary processes that gave rise to these patterns.     

The phylogeny of the genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928, with redescriptions of three species (Crustacea: Isopoda: Oniscidea)

The genus Ischioscia Verhoeff, 1928 is reviewed. 26 species are considered valid. A key for their identification is given, as well as a map showing the geographic distribution. The known range of the genus covers a large area from the central Amazon region to the mountains of Guatemala. The species of Ischioscia have a typical “philosciid” habitus (“runner” type); they can be distinguished from other Neotropical species with similar habitus by the following apomorphies: (1) male pereiopod 1 carpus enlarged to a plate-like extension, (2) scale field on male pereiopod 1 covering entire frontal side of the carpus, (3) male pereiopod 7 ischium with a ventral scale field, (4) dactylus in both sexes with a long inner claw. The groundpattern of Ischioscia is reconstructed, and an analysis of the phylogenetic relations within the genus is made on the basis of morphological data. The species are very similar to each other, most differences are found in the male structures of sexually dimorphic features. Ischioscia sturmi (Vandel, 1972), I. amazonica Lemos de Castro, 1955 and I. bolivari Vandel, 1968 are redescribed in detail.     

Prosobranchia aus dem Litoral der karibischen Küste Kolumbiens

Zusammenfassung 1. Im Litoral der karibischen Küste Kolumbiens wurden 145 Prosobranchier-Arten nachgewiesen, die 79 Gattungen und 44 Familien zugehören. Die Arten werden beschrieben und abgebildet.2. Die Aufsammlungen wurden vor allem an den Küstenstreifen von Santa Marta, Cartagena und der Halbinsel Guajira gemacht. Dabei wurden die Biotope Felslitoral, Korallenriff, Sandstrand und Brackwasserlagune erfaßt.

---

Prosobranchia from the littoral of the Caribbean coast of Colombia

145 species of prosobranchs from the littoral zone of the Caribbean coast of Colombia, South America, are described and illustrated. The species belong to 79 genera of 44 families. Most of the species were collected at the coastal areas of Santa Marta, Cartagena and the peninsula Guajira. The biotopes considered are the rocky littoral zone, coral reefs, sand beaches and brackish water lagoons.

     

Two new species of Habracanthus (Acanthaceae) from Colombia

Two new Colombian species ofHabracanthus,H. malacus from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta andH. latifolius from the Sierra de Perijá, are described, illustrated, and compared withH. antipharmacus, their closest relative.     

Beetles that live with ants (Carabidae,Pseudomorphini, Pseudomorpha Kirby, 1825): A revision of the santarita species group

The Western Hemisphere genus Pseudomorpha Kirby 1825 was last revised by Notman in 1925 based on only a few known species (22) and paltry few specimens (73); other authors have added an additional six species represented by 53 additional specimens since 1925. Baehr (1997) assigned three species from Australia to this genus, albeit in a new subgenus, Austropseudomorpha Baehr 1997. A recent study of collections from throughout the Americas (1757 specimens) has revealed numerous new species that can be arrayed across 19 species groups based on a suite of attributes, some used by Notman and others newly discovered. A taxonomic revision of the species contained in one of these species groups, santarita, is provided herein, as well as a distributional synopsis of the remaining 18 species groups. New species described herein are as follows, each with its type locality: Pseudomorpha huachineras p. n., Arroyo El Cocono, Sierra Huachinera, Sonora, México; P. patagonia sp. n., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; P.penablanca sp. n., Peña Blanca Lake, Arizona; P. pima sp. n., Madera Canyon (lower), Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; P. santacruz sp. n., Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona; and P. santarita sp. n., Santa Rita Ranch, Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona.     

Endemic Melastomataceae of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta,Colombia

The 16 species of Melastomataceae restricted to the middle and upper slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia, are listed. Included are seven previously undescribed species:Graffenrieda santamartensis, Miconia insueta, Miconia oreogena, Miconia tricaudata, Huilaea kirkbridei, Kirkbridea tetramera, Kirkbridea pentamera. The newly described genusKirkbridea is placed in the tribe Miconieae.     

Thermal ecology of montane Atelopus (Anura: Bufonidae): A study of intrageneric diversity

Harlequin frogs (Bufonidae: Atelopus) are among the most threatened frog genus in the world and reach very high elevations in the tropical Andes and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM). Learning about their thermal ecology is essential to infer sensitivity to environmental changes, particularly climate warming. We report on the activity temperature and thermoregulatory behavior of three high-elevation species of harlequin frogs, Atelopus nahumae, Atelopus laetissimus and Atelopus carrikeri. The first two mentioned live in streams in Andean rain forests, whereas A. carrikeri inhabits paramo streams in the SNSM. We studied the thermal ecology of these species in tree localities differing in altitude, and focused on activity body, operative, substrate and air temperature. A main trend was lower body temperature as elevation increased, so that differences among species were largely explained by differences in substrate temperature. However, this temperature variation was much lower in forest species than paramo species. The Atelopus species included in this work proved to be thermoconformers, a trend that not extended to all congenerics at high elevation. This diversity in thermal ecology poses important questions when discussing the impact of climate warming for high-elevation harlequin frogs. For example, forest species show narrow thermal ranges and, if highly specialized, may be more susceptible to temperature change. Paramo species such as A. carrikeri, in contrast, may be more resilient to temperature change.     

Deprea nubicola (Solanaceae), a new species from northern Colombia

A new species,Deprea nubicola, is described. Although the corolla is similar in some aspects to that ofD. bitteriana, D. nubicola is distinguished by its diminutive leaves, a low density of hairs in the corolla annulus, glabrous filaments, and a distinctive long-pedicellate, subulate-lobed fruiting calyx.Deprea nubicola shares withD. ecuatoriana a fruiting calyx that tightly invests the berry. The distribution ofD. nubicola is limited to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of northern Colombia. A key to the species ofDeprea is provided.     

Gastrointestinal parasites of Howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) inhabiting the fragmented landscape of the Santa Marta mountain range,Veracruz, Mexico

In recent years populations of howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata) in southeastern Mexico have decreased substantially due to the transformation and loss of natural habitats. This is especially evident in the Santa Marta mountain range, Veracruz, Mexico where several studies have evaluated the impact of fragmentation on howler monkey populations in order to propose management programs for their conservation. The conditions generated by fragmentation likely change the rates of parasitic infection and could decrease howler survival. In this study, gastrointestinal parasite species richness, prevalence, and egg density of infection were determined in howler groups inhabiting five forest fragments at the Santa Marta mountain range. Two hundred and seventy‐eight fresh fecal samples were collected between October 2002 and April 2003. Three parasite species were found during the dry and the wet season in all forest fragments sampled: one unidentified species of Eimeriidae; Trypanoxyuris minutus (Oxyuridae); and Controrchis biliophilus (Dicrocoeliidae). Both the prevalence of T. minutus and infection density for all parasites differed between seasons and fragments (the largest fragment consistently differed from other fragments). Host density, distance to the nearest town, fragment size, fragment shape, and total basal area of food trees explained parasite prevalence, but each species had a different pattern. Although parasite richness was lower, prevalence and density were higher than values reported for howlers in conserved forests. These results suggest that the establishment of biological corridors and animal translocation programs must take into account the parasite ecology of each fragment to avoid higher infection rates and preclude potential consequent mortality. Am. J. Primatol. 72:539–548, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.