我關心的是這些龜的下場, 是否會被銷毀或因緊迫死亡?

海關查獲一千餘隻食蛇龜【聯合晚報╱記者謝龍田／即時報導】
2009.08.31 12:55 pm

自高雄機場出口要到香港的一個貨櫃，申報貨名是活龜（斑龜），高雄關稅局昨天晚上開櫃查驗，發現共夾藏1255隻屬2級保育類的食蛇龜，依違反野生動物保育法及海關緝私條例沒入，並追究貨主責任。

【2009/08/31 聯合晚報】

Osteocephalus castaneicola - 一種產自玻利維亞屬亞馬遜的首蛙新種, 其食卵性蝌蚪棲息在被刺豚鼠打開的巴西栗果皮中

文獻來源: Moravec J, Aparicio J, Guerrero-Reinhard M, Calderon G, Jungfer K-H, Gvozdik V. 2009. A new species of Osteocephalus (Anura: Hylidae) from Amazonian Bolivia: first evidence of tree frog breeding in fruit capsules of the Brazil nut tree. Zootaxa 2215: 37-54.

Abstract
A new species of Osteocephalus is described from lowland Amazonia of the Departamento Pando, northern Bolivia. The new species is most similar to Osteocephalus planiceps but differs by its smaller size (SVL 47.8–51.3 mm in males, 47.7–63.3 mm in females), absence of vocal slits, lack of sexual dimorphism in dorsal tubercles, single distal subarticular tubercle on the fourth finger, absence of dark spots on flanks, and by bicoloured iris with fine dark reticulate to radiate lines. The new species inhabits terra firme rainforest, breeds in water-filled fruit capsules of the Brazil nut tree and has oophagous tadpoles. Estimations of phylogenetic relationships within Osteocephalus based on mitochondrial DNA sequences show that the new species is closely related to O. planiceps and O. deridens.

註: 所謂的巴西栗(Brazil nut)又稱巴西胡桃, 乃玉蕊科植物, 是台灣市面上常見的零嘴核果之一.

清除外來種是還好啦, 但是真的不要再"復育"本土種了, 只要把保留棲地就可以了

清除外來種 淨水廠摸魚去【聯合報╱記者吳淑君／即時報導】
2009.08.30 06:52 pm

自來水公司員山深溝淨水廠今天舉辦清除外來種活動，破天荒讓民眾下水圳清水草、摸蛤蜊、抓魚，大家玩得不亦樂乎，自來水公司八區管理處經理王炳鑫說，日後要努力復育本土種，增加生存空間。

宜蘭社區大學講師賴建忠等人，上周二放捕蝦籠到深溝淨水廠水圳誘捕美國螯蝦，但今天收網，並未看到美國螯蝦蹤跡，抓螯蝦比賽只好改為清除外來種水草和摸彩。

【2009/08/30 聯合報】

神明要收容網紋蟒是要餵牠吃菜嗎?

4.5公尺網紋蟒 自投羅網【聯合報╱記者宋耀光／恆春報導】

2009.08.31 02:55 am

屏東縣消防局恆春分局昨天在恆春鎮大平國小後方雞舍，抓到1尾4公尺半長，至少要3個人才抬得動的網蚊蟒。消防局說，這是屏東縣消防局近十年來，捕獲最大的一尾蟒蛇。
記者宋耀光／攝影

屏東縣恆春消防隊昨天抓到一尾長4.5公尺，重35公斤的網紋蟒。分隊長林坤玉說，首批前往捕蛇的2名隊員看到巨蟒，向隊部求援，增援2人才把牠制伏，因巨蟒身上有被網割傷的傷痕，今天將送屏東科技大學野生動物收容中心治療。

林坤玉說，野生的網紋蟒最大能長大到約10公尺，可以吞下一名活人，屬肉食性蛇類，平時以雞、鴨等為主食。這次會被發現，可能八八水災時被洪水流下，誤觸農民放的塑膠網，也不排除曾有人飼養。

消防隊上午接獲報案，指恆春鎮大平國小後方的一處農園，有一尾巨蟒被網纏住，隊員潘冠璋、石川吉即帶著捕蛇工具趕往，當他倆靠近時，這尾網紋蟒張開巨口，還不時吐信要攻擊他倆。

因分隊長林坤玉有多年捕蛇經驗，石川吉即打電話請求支援，由林坤玉率隊員郭正碩趕往。林到達後，迅速將蟒蛇的嘴巴用膠帶綁住，然後剪開纏住蛇的網子，4人合力將蛇帶回隊部，查出該蛇是原生於東南亞，個性兇猛的網紋蟒。

他們為這尾網紋蟒量長度是4.5公尺，重35公斤，當消防隊抓回巨蟒消息傳開後，大平頂一家廟宇的乩童說，神明指示要收容這尾巨蟒，請消防隊送給廟宇。因巨蟒被網纏住時頭部受傷，消防隊今天會將牠送到屏科大治療。

【2009/08/31 聯合報】

虎皮鴨嘴屬的分子親緣關與生物地理格局顯示有一半的物種並非單系群

文獻來源: Torrico JP, Hubert N, Desmarais E, Duponchelle F, Rodriguez JN, Montoya-Burgos J, Davila CG, Carvajal-Vallejos FM, Grajales AA, Bonhomme F, Renno J-F. 2009. Molecular phylogeny of the genus Pseudoplatystoma (Bleeker, 1862): Biogeography and evolutionary implications. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 51(3): 588-594.

Contents
...In the last years molecular genetics approaches have allowed to assess cryptic patterns of diversity within and among remnant populations of threatened and endangered species. Along with inferred levels of current or historic gene flow, and demographic history, molecular data could help planning and executing conservation policies (Vrijenhoek, 1998). This is particularly true with groups of migratory freshwater fishes of high economic value such as some species of the family Pimelodidae, one of the most speciose groups of Neotropical Siluriformes (50–60 genera, 300 species; Reis et al., 2004). Largely distributed throughout South and Central America, this group of piscivorous and carnivorous species contains some of the largest and most important species for commercial and subsistence fisheries. The genus Pseudoplatystoma (Bleeker, 1862) is, in addition, a resource of growing importance for aquaculture (Nuñez et al., 2008). Pseudoplatystoma species are known to undertake complex lateral migrations between rivers, lakes and river floodplains as well as longitudinal movements (300–700 km) along river channels ([Barthem and Goulding, 1997], Loubens and Panfili, 2000 G.P.J. Loubens and J. Panfili, Biologie de Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum et P. tigrinum (Teleostei: Pimelodidae) dans le bassin du Mamoré (Amazonie Boliviene), Ichtyol Explor Freshwaters 11 (2000), pp. 13–34.[Loubens and Panfili, 2000] and [Coronel et al., 2004]). It is worth noting that some Pseudoplatystoma populations are already considered threatened due to overexploitation, hydroelectric projects, mining, deforestation and contamination (Carolsfeld et al., 2003)......

圖片連結: wikipedia (photo credit: Lerdsuwa)

以無足蜥為研究案例探討不確定的親緣關係對分子鐘定年的效應

文獻來源: Lee MSY, Oliver PM, Hutchinson MN. 2009. Phylogenetic uncertainty and molecular clock calibrations: A case study of legless lizards (Pygopodidae, Gekkota). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 50(3): 661-666.

.....The Australasian Pygopodidae (‘‘legless lizards”) is one of the few extant gekkotan lineages with a Miocene fossil record (Gamble et al., 2008). Pygopus hortulanus is based on an anterior lower jaw from 20–22 mya deposits in Riversleigh, northern Australia (Hutchinson, 1998). Based on morphological comparisons, but without explicit phylogenetic analysis, Hutchinson (1998) suggested that this fossil was sister-taxon to living Pygopus. While at the time Pygopus was considered a basal pygopodid grade (Kluge, 1976), subsequent analysis nested it within pygopodids, closely related to Paradelma (Jennings et al., 2003). Thus, P. hortulanus provides a minimum age for the divergence between Pygopus and Paradelma. Subsequent molecular dating studies have used this calibration — sometimes with caveats — to estimate timescales for divergences within pygopodids (Jennings et al., 2003), other gekkotans (Oliver et al., 2007) and even other lizard groups (Smith et al., 2007). However, use of other calibration points both within and outside the geckos (Wiens et al., 2006; Gamble et al., 2008; Oliver and Sanders submitted for publication) has generated younger divergence dates within pygopodids and geckos (e.g. mean age for crown Pygopodidae with calibration 37–39.2 mya, without calibration 23–31.3 mya)......[全文]

圖片連結: moloch05的photobucket

割據分化與海拔梯度共同形塑安地斯高地樹蛙的族群遺傳結構

文獻來源: Guarnizo CE, Amézquita A, Bermingham E. 2009. The relative roles of vicariance versus elevational gradients in the genetic differentiation of the high Andean tree frog, Dendropsophus labialis. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 50(1): 84-92.

Abstract
There are two main competing hypotheses (vicariance and vertical ecotones) that attempt to explain the tremendous diversity of the tropical Andes. We test these hypotheses at the intraspecific level by analyzing mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences from 24 populations of the high Andean frog, Dendropsophus labialis (Anura: Hylidae). This species displays geographic variation in a number of phenotypic traits. Most of these traits covary with elevation, while few vary along the horizontal (latitudinal) axis. We found that, both, vicariance and elevation had important effects on the genetic differentiation in this species. We detected two highly divergent clades along the south–north axis using independent information from mitochondrial and nuclear genes, suggesting that this differentiation was the result of long-term barriers to gene flow rather than stochastic processes. We hypothesize mechanisms for D. labialis strong differentiation in light of geological and paleoenvironmental models of evolution in the northern Andean highlands.

圖片連結: Tree of Life

櫛尾蜥的共祖可能起源自安地斯山東側

文獻來源: Torres-Carvajal O, de Queiroz K. 2009. Phylogeny of hoplocercine lizards (Squamata: Iguania) with estimates of relative divergence times. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 50(1): 31-43.

Abstract
Hoplocercine lizards form a clade of 11 currently recognized species traditionally placed in three genera (Enyalioides, Hoplocercus, and Morunasaurus) that occur in the lowlands on both sides of the Andes between Panama and the Brazilian Cerrado. We analyze 11 mitochondrial and two nuclear loci using probabilistic methods and different partitioning strategies to (1) infer the phylogenetic relationships among species of Hoplocercinae, (2) examine amounts of inter- and intraspecific sequence divergence, (3) address monophyly of four species, (4) test previous phylogenetic hypotheses, and (5) estimate divergence times. Our preferred hypothesis places H. spinosus as the sister taxon to all other species of hoplocercines, with M. annularis nested within Enyalioides. Species with multiple samples are monophyletic except for Enyalioides oshaughnessyi, which is paraphyletic relative to an undescribed species of Enyalioides. All previously published phylogenetic hypotheses for hoplocercines are rejected. Monophyly of Enyalioides cannot be rejected and, consequently, the position of Morunasaurus remains unclear. The most recent common ancestor of Hoplocercinae probably occurred east of the Andes; western taxa included in our analyses originated from at least two separate colonizations whether pre- or post-dating vicariance resulting from uplift of the Andes.

圖片連結: The Reptiles Database (photo credit: Pedro H. Bernardo)

馬達加斯加特有之板蜥於古近紀由非洲大陸遷入

文獻來源: Raselimanana AP, Noonan B, Karanth P, Gauthier J, Yoder AD. 2009. Phylogeny and evolution of Malagasy plated lizards. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 50(2): 336-344.

Abstract
The endemic plated lizards (Gerrhosauridae) of Madagascar are one of the most diverse groups of lizards on the island (19 species) and are found in all ecoregions. On an island that presents so many interesting biological questions, plated lizards are an ideal group for examining patterns of diversification due to their high (but tractable) diversity and wide distribution. To resolve the taxonomy and evolutionary relationships of Malagasy plated lizards, and to explore their biogeographic history, we have generated a molecular phylogeny based on >2 kb of both mitochondrial (cob, 1142 bp) and nuclear (NT-3, 419 bp; c-mos, 542 bp) DNA sequences. Phylogenetic relationships and divergence-time estimates indicate Zonosaurinae are monophyletic, arising from a single colonization event, likely from Africa to Madagascar in the Paleogene (Paleocene/early Eocene), with subsequent radiation. Furthermore, our results reveal widespread mischaracterization of species delimitation and assignment based on phenotypic characteristics. Paraphyly of a number of zonosaurine species was strongly supported by our dataset, revealing not only instances of likely cryptic species (phenotypic conservatism) but also phenotypic/genotypic discordance in the delimitation of species (phenotypic variability). These results clearly demonstrate the complex history of biotic diversification on Madagascar and provide novel insight into biogeographic patterns on the island.

圖片連結: www.enzou.net

平額鱂的親緣地理格局顯示其起源於獅子山至多哥之雨林區並較其它近緣屬具有較好的棲地適應力

文獻來源:Collier GE, Murphy WJ, Espinoza M. 2009. Phylogeography of the genus Epiplatys (Aplocheiloidea: Cyprinodontiformes). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 50(1): 190-196.

Abstract
There are six major genera of aplocheiloid killifishes endemic to West Africa. Five of these are largely restricted to the two major blocks of rainforest. Two are found within the Eastern rainforest block (Nigeria to the central Congo) while three are found within the Western rainforest block (Sierra Leone to Togo). The sixth genus (Epiplatys) has a range that exceeds that of the combined area of the other five genera. Phylogenetically this genus is related to the Western rainforest taxa. Phylogeographic analysis of this genus suggests that it escaped the confines of the Western block by first expanding into lowland habitats exposed after a sea level drop and then dispersed along coastal habitats to the east. One lineage managed to penetrate the interior of the Eastern rainforest block and one derivative of this lineage penetrated the Congo basin. A second route out of the Western rainforest block was to the north through what is now savannah habitat. The greater phylogeographic range of Epiplatys is hypothesized to be due to retention of ancestral morphology related to a greater adaptability compared to the other five genera.

圖片連結: killifishnederland.nl (photo credit: Killi Fish Nederland)

2009-08-29新進動物與魚隻

Corydoras sp. Black Venezuela 黑鼠 x 6 (基本上就是仙草蜜鼠, 體型比上次大, 體型比較好)

Auchenipterus nigripinnis 虎頭沙鮫鯨 x 7 (參考此處)
Auchenipterichthys coracoideus 大口藍鯨* x 9
Trachycorystes trachycorystes 黑魔鯨 x 1
Monocirrhus polyacanthus 枯葉魚# x 8
Ctenops nobilis 諾比飛船# x 5
Xenotoca eiseni 紅尾胎生將 x 8
Girardinus metallicus 黑喉胎生鱂 x 8
Epiplatys dageti monroviae 黃唇五線鱂 x 6
Gnathocharax steindachneri 神風燈 x 5
Scopaeocharax sp. cf. atopodus 寶藍燈 x 1 (日名: チトカラックス・アトポードゥス)
Polypterus ansorgii 安索其恐龍 (=安索奇恐龍) (野生) x 3
Geosesarma sp. Vampire 吸血鬼蟹 x 5
Geosesarma notophorum 陶瓷娃娃蟹 (=橘子蟹) x 8
Parathelphusa pantherina 蘇拉維西豹紋蟹 x 5 (參考這邊)
Syntripsa matannensis 紫紅鬼蟹 x 5 (參考這邊)

本次的主題有三: 那些蘇拉維西的蟹的鑑定, 德國線的鱂魚, 還有東南亞繁殖的安索其恐龍北鼻....[待續]

魚隻來源: 石頭水族 & APT, 台族水族*, 華洋水族#
圖片連結: fischreisen.de, 海水魚　サンゴ　熱帯魚　テラリウム　飼育, rva, www.panzerwelten.de, AQUA TIMES Air, アクアショップ　オレンジ・ベリー, makihoi-AQUA, 樂天市場, Petland Tropical

太田氏攀蜥 (Japalura otai) - 一種產自印度東北的攀蜥新種

文獻來源: Mahony S. 2009. A new species of Japalura (Reptilia: Agamidae) from northeast India with a discussion of the similar species Japalura sagittifera Smith, 1940 and Japalura planidorsata Jerdon, 1870. Zootaxa 2212: 41-61.

Abstract
A new species of the agamid genus Japalura is described, based on three specimens from Mizoram, northeast India. Japalura otai sp. nov. is most similar to J. planidorsata and J. sagittifera and can be distinguished from all congeners by the following combination of characters: adult size (SVL male 46.4 mm, female 52.2–58.7 mm), tail length/SVL ratio 160.5–187.5%, 10–11 supralabials, 9–12 infralabials, 45–47 middorsal scales, 17–20 lamellae under finger IV, 20–22 lamellae under toe IV, tympanum concealed, axillary fold present, nuchal crest, gular fold and gular pouch absent, enlarged keeled dorsal scales present, body shape subquadrangular in cross section. Japalura sagittifera is here redescribed, a lectotype and a paralectotype designated and photographs of the type specimens made available for the first time. All known localities for these three species are provided. The status of the genus Oriotiaris which was recently revalidated is discussed in detail and again synonymized within Japalura. The currently recognised polyphyletic Japalura is discussed in relation to morphological characteristics.

印第安擬鼠貓是什麼碗糕?

[待續]

新增文章搜尋功能

由於blogspot原本的搜尋功能似乎鳥掉, 有很多文章無法直接藉由以上的搜尋功能找出來, 因此即日起在右上角新增一個搜尋框, 可幫助各位找到過往的文章與出現過的生物.

根據17個核基因與粒腺體DNA序列確認產自圭亞那方山的直接發育型蛙屬於一個新科 - 隱蛙科 Ceuthomantidae

文獻來源: Heinicke MP, Duellaman WE, Trueb L, Means DB, MacCulloch RD, Hedges SB. 2009. A new frog family (Anura: Terrarana) from South America and an expanded direct-developing clade revealed by molecular phylogeny. Zootaxa 2211: 1-35.

Abstract
Three frogs of a new species found in cloud forests on two nearby mountains in Guyana were included in a molecular phylogeny of 17 nuclear and mitochondrial genes (10,739 a ligned sites) that revealed that their closest relative is Terrarana (Brachycephalidae, Craugastoridae, Eleutherodactylidae, and Strabomantidae) and their next-closest relative is Hemiphractidae (marsupial frogs). We place these frogs in a new family, genus, and species which is strongly supported as the basal clade within Terrarana: Ceuthomantidae n. fam., Ceuthomantis smaragdinus n. gen, n. sp. Morphological evidence supports the placement of two other species from the Guiana Highlands, Pristimantis aracamuni (Barrio-Amorós & Molina) and P. cavernibardus (Myers & Donnelly), in the new family and genus. This close phylogenetic relationship of terraranans and marsupial frogs, nearly all of which have direct development, supports an hypothesis that direct development evolved early in the evolution of this huge clade (~1000 species), for which we propose the unranked taxonomic epithet Orthobatrachia.

會"彎脖子"的螈魚

螈魚或稱南乳魚(Lepidogalaxias salamandroides)是一種非常奇怪的澳洲特有淡水魚, 目前也被澳洲列為瀕危且受威脅的生物之一. 牠最著名的特色就是具有類似"頸部"的構造以及能夠"轉頭"的行為, 讓牠看起來根本就像一隻細長的蠑螈. 這在所有的輻鰭魚類都是前所未見的. 由於這種淡水魚的稀有性, 因此網路資訊甚少. 這是Heiko Blecher擺在Aquapress上的youtube影片, 拍攝時間為2009年6月, 提供大家參考.

薩維尼草原蜥的有效名應是Trapelus savignyi (Duméril & Bibron, 1837), 但Trapelus savignyi卻是棒趾守宮(Stenodactylus sthenodactylus)的次同物異名

文獻來源: Wagner P, Crochet P-A. 2009. The status of the nomina Trapelus savignyi Audouin, 1827 and Agama savignii Duméril & Bibron, 1837 and the valid nomen of the Savigny's Agama (Sauria: Agamidae). Zootaxa 2209: 57-64.

Abstract
Herein we clarify the status of the nomen Trapelus savignyi Audouin, 1827 and Agama savignii Duméril & Bibron, 1837
by the designation of a lectotype of the former and a neotype of the latter species.

圖片連結: 飼育・観察・採集みたいな日記, www.enzou.net

印度的小型叉舌蛙以及產自印度西孟加拉省一新種 - Minervarya chilapata

文獻來源: Ohler A, Deuti K, Grosjean S, Paul S, Ayyaswamy AK, Ahmed MF, Dutta SK. 2009. Small-sized dicroglossids from India, with the description of a new species from West Bengal, India. Zootaxa 2209: 43-56.

Abstract

A new small-sized species of dicroglossid frog from West Bengal is described as Minervarya chilapata sp. nov. and compared to Minervarya sahyadris. It differs from all Fejervarya species by its smaller size, by the presence of a distinct white band on upper lip and by the presence of a rictal gland. The new species is separable from its congener in showing a more pointed snout, smaller tympanum and more developed webbing. Its advertisement call is described and compared to that of M. sahyadris. Generic allocation is discussed. In the Fejervarya lineage, a trend towards small-sized species may exist. The species allocated to Minervarya show an important morphological shift, presumably reflecting occupation of a different adaptive niche which might indicate generic distinctiveness.

櫻桃火燄剛果倒底是什麼碗糕?

目前在市面上被稱為火燄剛果的魚其實有幾個"種". 我們曾經在"火燄剛果"於2008年5月首次進口時稍微說明過"火燄剛果"的屬級歸屬問題, 但是當時的說明仍嫌不足. 這些"火燄剛果"的鑑定有四個疑難:

• 雖然在報價單上這些魚通常以Phenacogrammus或Hemigrammopetersius這兩個屬名標記, 但牠們的鑑定卻將與好幾個屬扯上關係, 如Tricuspidalestes, Petersius, Phenacogrammus, Hemigrammopetersius, Nannopetersius, Alestopetersius以及Rhabdalestes.
• 火燄剛果(或彩虹火燄剛果)還有幾個英名, Red Congo Tetra, Cherry Red Congo Tetra, Super Cherry Red Congo Tetra或Rainbow Congo Tetra, 這些魚名真的特指某一種魚嗎? 或只是非洲的不同出口商對相同或不同商品的一貫稱呼, 然後被玩家"發揚光大並加料"的名稱呢?
• 曾經被拿來對應這些魚的種小名有nigropterus, brichardi與ansorgii. 然而這些魚名真的與市面上的火燄剛果有關係嗎?
• 幾個水族論壇, 例如Petfred.com以及waterwolves上的玩家對網路上流傳圖片的來源爭論不休. 好, 那麼這些魚倒底是誰是誰呢? 進口到台灣的火燄剛果都是同一種嗎?

我們先看看幾篇非洲脂鯉科(Alestidae)的精典文獻怎麼說, 牽涉"火燄剛果"鑑定議題的幾個已命名種如下:

• Alestopetersius nigropterus: 它是Poll於1967年根據薩伊產標本所描述的新種[Revision des Characidae nains Africans. Annales du Musee Royal de l'Afrique Centrale Serie 8 Zoologie 162: 1-158], 有人認為這個種與Petersius leopoldianus Boulenger以及Petersius hilgendorfi Boulengeer可能互為同物異名. 然而亦有研究者認為hilgendorfi是獨立的物種.
• Alestopetersius brichardi: 也是Poll於1967年根據薩伊的Yangambi湖產標本所發表的種類.
• Nannopetersius ansorgii: 它是Boulenger於1910根據安哥拉的Kilungu湖與Cabiri段的Bengo河所採集標本所命名的物種[On a large collection of fishes made by Dr. W. J. Ansorge in the Quanza and Bengo rivers, Angola. Annals and Magazine of Natural History (Series 8) v. 6 (no. 36): 537-561]. 學名組合還有Phenacogrammus ansorgii, Petersius ansorgii, 與Alestopetersius ansorgii.
• "Phenacogrammus" roloffi: 火燄剛果的學名被標記成這樣的說法是來自Petfrd.com上的說法. 不過整個Alestidae只有畢卡索燈的種小名是roloffi, 所以這樣的標記是錯的, 可能來自於火燄剛果尾部橘紅色斑塊的聯想.
  

台灣市面上的火燄剛果有兩個來源, 一個是德國Glaser人工繁殖魚, 第二是非洲的野生魚. 根據Glaser的網頁說明, 被稱為Phenacogrammus sp. cf. nigropterus的魚乃是Dieter Bork首次於德國水族雜誌Das Aquarium所引介的, 產地是薩伊(剛果民主共和國)的Lake Mai Ndombe (經常被誤拼寫為Maindombe)(地圖見此). 這條魚在初入缸的時候可能是黃色也可能是淡淡的橙色, 然後在發情的時候各鰭就會顯現亮眼的橘色而且在胸部也出現大黑斑, 但這條魚絕對不會出現側線上的黑線. jjphoto.dk上的魚則是發情的狀況, 台灣觀賞魚協會網頁上的圖則是未發情的成熟雄魚. 華洋水族, 台族水族與石頭水族 & APT分別在2008與2009年由德國引進這條魚, 商品名是Red Congo Tetra. 但是這條魚是真正的nigropterus嗎?

Glaser還有另一條魚, 標記為Phenacogrammus sp. cf. ansorgii (誤拼為ansorgei), 這條魚看起來像是前者的加強版, 身上多了很多看起來像是出血性細菌病的紅斑, 產地與前者一樣, 但我不記得我在台灣看過這條魚, 而這條魚則絕對不是真正的ansorgii (見最上面的圖), 現在歸屬於Nannopetersius.

另一個來源則是非洲的野生魚, 由石頭水族與台族水族所引進. 然而石頭水族曾引進的魚是幼魚且由於沒有存活, 所以無從得知倒底是什麼玩意兒, 然而台族水族所引進的"Cherry Red Congo Tetra"(最下圖)則是另一個物種. 這就是網路論壇上爭論較大的一條魚....由於魚隻的健康狀況, 成熟度, 性別與是否發情, 這條魚的體色變化較大, 剛進口時未成熟魚或雌魚不起眼的體色, 各鰭已延伸但顏色不明顯, 因拍攝角度關係背部的金屬藍變得比較顯眼, 體側黑線不清楚僅呈現各鰭的橘紅色或是rehobothaquatics所拍攝的鮮紅色成熟雄魚(見上圖)都足以令人誤判. 然而這條魚真如論壇上的討論所說是Alestopetersius brichardi仍然有待瞭解, 此魚於2009年9月所進口的魚隻全數由台中利洋水族購買, 其它零售店完全看不到, 因此又稱利洋剛果(見圖).

至於Nannopetersius ansorgii雖然曾經被認為與這些"火燄剛果"有關, 但在查證Poll的原著後我們認為應該是與此議題無關的魚. 然而真正的Nannopetersius ansorgii的活體究竟是什麼樣子? 由於不同的學者有不同的看法, ansorgii的身份則有另一番爭議, 但因此魚尚未在台灣水族市場上見到, 因此暫時不作討論.

圖片來源: 台族水族, GINSUI, プラゼール水生生物研究所, aqualog.de, Aquarium Glaser, rehobothaquatics.com (photo credit: Toyin)

染色體學證據顯示所謂的皇冠虎紋飛刀是一個具有隱藏種的複合種群

文獻來源: Milhomen SSR, Pieczarka JC, Crampton WGR, Silva DS, De Souza ACP, Carvalho Jr JR, Nagamachi CY. 2009. Chromosomal evidence for a putative cryptic species in the Gymnotus carapo species-complex (Gymnotiformes, Gymnotidae). BMC Genetics 9: 85 doi: 10.1186/1471-2156-9-75

Abstract
Background
In this study we examined the karyotypes of morphologically indistinguishable populations of the electric knifefish Gymnotus carapo sensu stricto from the Eastern Amazon of Brazil. These were identified unambiguously on the basis of external morphology, meristics, and pigmentation.

Results
Specimens from one of five localities exhibited a karyotype previously not documented for Gymnotus species in the Amazon basin: 2n = 40 (34M/SM+6ST/A). Samples from the other four localities exhibited a different karyotype: 2n = 42 (30M/SM+12ST/A), which we had previously described. Specimens from all five localities presented constitutive heterochromatin in the centromeric region of almost all chromosomes, including in the distal and interstitial regions. Staining with 4'6-Diamidino-2-phenylindole revealed C-positive banding. In both karyotypes the Nucleolar Organizer Region (NOR) was located on the short arm of pair 20, and Chromomycin A3 stained the NORs. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with telomeric probes showed an Interstitial Telomeric Sequence (ITS) in the proximal short arm of a metacentric pair in the 2n = 40 karyotype.

Conclusion
The difference between the two karyotypes on the diploid number and chromosome morphology can be explained by rearrangements of the fusion-fission type and also by pericentric inversions. The presence of ITS in a metacentric pair of the 2n = 40 karyotype suggests that the difference in the diploid number of the karyotypes results from a fusion. The consistent 2n = 42 karyotype at four localities suggests an interbreeding population. However, because fusion-fission and pericentric inversions of this nature typically result in reproductive isolation, we speculate that the form with the 2n = 40 karyotype is a different species to that of the 2n = 42 form. Nonetheless, we did not observe evident differences in external morphology, meristics and pigmentation between the two forms, which suggest that they represent cryptic sympatric species in the G. carapo species complex. We speculate that the chromosomal speciation occurred recently, allowing insufficient time for the fixation of other differences following post-zygotic isolation.

雌性鼠魚藉由吞飲精液再由消化道排出以確保有效授精

文獻來源: Kohda M, Tanimura M, Kikue-Nakamura M, Yamagishi S. 2009. Sperm drinking by female catfishes: a novel mode of insemination. Environmental Biology of Fishes 42(1): 1-6.

Abstract
We report on unique reproductive behaviour and a new mode of egg insemination in a small catfish Corydoras aeneus (Callichthyidae). A male courts a female by presenting his abdomen to her. Before releasing eggs, the female attaches her mouth to the male''s genital opening and directly drinks his sperm. The sperm pass through her intestine and are discharged together with eggs into the lsquopouchrsquo formed by her pelvic fins. Thus, eggs are mixed with fresh non-dispersed sperm in an enclosed space, ensuring effective insemination. This mode of insemination is novel to fishes, but is likely not restricted to catfishes of the genus Corydoras.

亞馬遜以南及尼格羅河以西產翡翠蚺(=翡翠蟒)應正名為Corallus batesii, 而真正的C. caninus則跼限於圭亞那地盾區域

文獻來源: Henderson RW, Passos P, Feitosa D. 2009. Geographic variation in the emerald treeboa, Corallus caninus (Squamata: Boidae). Copeia 2009(3): 572-582.

Abstract
The arboreal boa Corallus caninus is widely distributed across northern South America (the Guianas and Amazonia). We examined geographic variation based on examination of 192 specimens from throughout the range, and revised its taxonomy on the basis of quantitative and qualitative analyses of morphological characters (meristics, morphometrics, and color patterns). Based on the high number of lateral blotches on the body and the high number of scales across the snout, populations south of the Rio Amazonas and west of the Rio Negro are identified as a species (or, potentially, a species complex) separate from C. caninus, and the name Corallus batesii is resurrected for those populations. The distribution of Corallus caninus is restricted to the Guiana Shield (north of the Rio Amazonas and east of the Rio Negro).

哥倫比亞所屬安地斯山區產三種箭蛇(美洲鈍鼻蛇科)新種

文獻來源: Passos P, Arredondo JC, Fernandes R, Lynch JD. 2009. Three new Atractus (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) from the Andes of Colombia. Copeia 2009(3): 425-436.

Abstract
Three new species of Atractus are described from the northern Cordillera Central of Colombia. The new species, previously confused with older names, are easily distinguished from any currently recognized Atractus by unique combinations of morphological characters. Additionally, we provide comments on the Atractus diversity and distribution pattern in the Colombian Andes.

巴西馬德拉流域產蜓狀鯰(Acestridium)(綠色直升機)屬之兩新種

文獻來源: Reis, R.E. & Lehmann A., P. (2009): Two New Species of Acestridium Haseman, 1911 (Loricariidae: Hypoptopomatinae) from the Rio Madeira Basin, Brazil. Copeia, 2009 (3): 446-452.

Abstract
Acestridium gymnogaster and A. scutatum are described as new from small tributaries to the middle Rio Madeira, Amazonas, Brazil. Acestridium gymnogaster is most similar to A. discus from which it differs in the number of medial unpaired predorsal plates, the arrangement of chromatophores in predorsal area, and the absence of contact midventrally between the lateral abdominal plates. Acestridium scutatum is most similar to A. triplax from which it differs in having a longer snout and by the shape of the preanal plate. A key to the species of Acestridium is provided.