Three new sirens!

[FrogEyes]

Sandel M, Roelke C, Makowsky R and Gonstad B*. Phylogeography of the Lesser Siren ([FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Siren intermedia[/FONT][/FONT]) with description of three new species. Prepared for [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Copeia[/FONT][/FONT].

Nope, not published. Paper not yet available. Horrible tease, I know, but I have been waiting for this and just came across this information. Keep in mind that texana and nettingi are existing names, and could be used for species which are not "new". Also, Siren lacertina includes multiple species, and Pseudobranchus likely will need new subspecies and one new species. Information on these changes has been floating around for a while, but was waiting for someone to follow up and do it.

 

[eMax]

FrogEyes, I would really love some updates on this. Have you heard anything new?

 

[FrogEyes]

There is now data which confirms that South Texas sirens are a distinct species, not related to either S.lacertina or S.intermedia. There are hints at three more South Texas species, but too little data to determine yet whether it's more than one species, or one highly variable one. Given what is basically a tropical desert environment, the isolation and evolution of several species in a single complex would not be surprising, although at least two of the 'oddballs' are now sympatric with a more widespread form. It is still necessary to determine what population owns the name "Siren texana" before any revision can occur, and that's a subject of ongoing debate. Knowing that this species isn't related to either of the recognized species might help explain why there is confusion about which "texana" belongs to [answer=neither]

Species Identification and Habitat Assessment of the South Texas Siren

 

[eMax]

Thank you very much for the update, FrogEyes! I look forward to hearing more about the progress on this project.