First record of Isospora amphiboluri in the thorny devil, Moloch horridus.

Poor long-term survival (Mean = 2.16 y; 95% CI 1.68-2.65) was identified in a captive population of thorny devils (Moloch horridus) held at the Alice Springs Desert Park in the Northern Territory, Australia, over a period of 27 years. There was no significant difference in survival time (after acquisition) of wild-caught individuals compared captive born animals, or males compared to females. Limited information was available regarding the cause(s) of death for animals found dead or euthanased. Health of the live population at the time of the study (n = 14) was assessed by clinical history review, physical examination, and faecal examination. Large numbers of coccidian oocysts measuring 20-24 µm in diameter were identified upon faecal examination. Molecular investigation of genomic DNA from these samples identified Isospora amphiboluri based on the sequences of partial regions of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1) and the nuclear small subunit of ribosomal RNA gene (SSU). Isospora amphiboluri was originally described from the bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) and has since been recorded in the inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) and the central netted dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis). The present case expands the host range for I. amphiboluri. Histological examination of tissues was not available, and therefore the potential role of I. amphiboluri in morbidity and mortality of M. horridus is not clear. Further research is required to understand if colonization with I. amphiboluri is pathogenic in this species.

First record of Theloderma pyaukkya Dever, 2017 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) in China, with range extension of Theloderma moloch (Annandale, 1912) to Yunnan.

Theloderma pyaukkya is recorded for the first time in China based on a specimen collected from western Yunnan. Morphologically, the specimen shows good agreement with the original description of T. pyaukkya, and phylogenetically is clustered with the type specimens and holotype of T. pyaukkya from Kachin State (northern Myanmar) with strong support. The taxonomic status of T. pyaukkya from Chin State (western Myanmar) needs further examination. In addition, Theloderma moloch is also recorded in Yunnan for the first time. This brings the number of Theloderma species recorded in Yunnan, China, to seven, namely, T. albopunctatum, T. baibungense, T. bicolor, T. gordoni, T. moloch, T. pyaukkya, and T. rhododiscus.

Reversal of precedence: The oldest available name of the Javan gibbon and a complete synonymy of the species.

Over the course of their long research history, a plethora of scientific names have been applied to the different species of apes (Hominoidea). Although numerous authors, past and present, have attempted to reconstruct hominoid nomenclatural history in detail, it appears that parts of it, mostly concerning the lesser apes or gibbons, still remain overlooked. Here I show that Simia Nanodes Lichtenstein, 1791 is a senior synonym of Simia Moloch Audebert, 1797, otherwise regarded as the oldest binomen applicable to the Javan gibbon. However, since Simia Nanodes failed to enter common usage, these names are subject to a reversal of precedence as defined by Article 23.9 of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Simia Moloch Audebert, 1797 must be maintained as a nomen protectum, resulting in Hylobates moloch (Audebert, 1797) staying the valid name of the species. Simia Nanodes Lichtenstein, 1791 is declared a nomen oblitum. In compliance with this, I provide a complete scientific synonymy of the Javan gibbon and comment on its early research history.

On a new species of titi monkey (Primates: Plecturocebus Byrne et al., 2016), from Alta Floresta, southern Amazon, Brazil.

The taxonomy of the titi monkeys (Callicebinae) has recently received considerable attention. It is now recognised that this subfamily is composed of three genera with 33 species, seven of them described since 2002. Here, we describe a new species of titi, Plecturocebus, from the municipality of Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso, Brazil. We adopt an integrative taxonomic approach that includes phylogenomic analyses, pelage characters, and locality records. A reduced representation genome-wide approach was employed to assess phylogenetic relationships among species of the eastern Amazonian clade of the Plecturocebus moloch group. Using existing records, we calculated the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) of the new species and estimated future habitat loss for the region based on predictive models. We then evaluated the species' conservation status using the IUCN Red list categories and criteria. The new species presents a unique combination of morphological characters: (1) grey agouti colouration on the crown and dorsal parts; (2) entirely bright red-brown venter; (3) an almost entirely black tail with a pale tip; and (4) light yellow colouration of the hair on the cheeks contrasting with bright red-brown hair on the sides of the face. Our phylogenetic reconstructions based on maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods revealed well-supported species relationships, with the Alta Floresta taxon as sister to P. moloch + P. vieirai. The species EOO is 10,166,653 ha and we predict a total habitat loss of 86% of its original forest habitat under a "business as usual" scenario in the next 24 years, making the newly discovered titi monkey a Critically Endangered species under the IUCN A3c criterion. We give the new titi monkey a specific epithet based on: (1) clear monophyly of this lineage revealed by robust genomic and mitochondrial data; (2) distinct and diagnosable pelage morphology; and (3) a well-defined geographical distribution with clear separation from other closely related taxa. Urgent conservation measures are needed to safeguard the future of this newly discovered and already critically endangered primate.

The 'bloody Moloch': Osler and van Helmont on bloodletting.

In a passage on the treatment of pneumonia, Osler quoted van Helmont's remark that 'a bloody Moloch presides in the chairs of medicine'. This paper explores Helmont's use of 'Moloch' as a term of abuse against the bloodletting of traditional Galenist physicians and his vigorous opposition to the use of bleeding in treating diseases. The possible reasons for Helmont's opposition to the practice of bloodletting are discussed, leading to the conclusion that it arose from his theories of the origin of diseases, reinforced by some observations of its malign effects on a patient who had been bled excessively. The question of whether Helmont knew of Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood is explored and the conclusion reached that, if he did, he ignored it completely. Helmont believed that 'pure' and 'impure' blood coexisted in disease and could be affected selectively by bloodletting which, in effect, concentrated the 'impure' at the expense of the 'pure' blood to the great detriment of the patient.

Modelling Population Viability of Three Independent Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) Populations on Java, Indonesia.

Population viability analysis is a predictive procedure that uses a combination of different modelling approaches to estimate species vulnerability to extinction. Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) are vulnerable to local extinction primarily due to loss of habitat and hunting for the illegal pet trade. Using the modelling software VORTEX, we assessed the status of Javan gibbons in 3 areas (Ujung Kulon National Park, Halimun-Salak National Park, and Dieng Mountains) which hold over half of the remaining estimated number of gibbons on Java. Ujung Kulon and Halimun-Salak are long-time protected areas, whereas Dieng Mountains remain unprotected. For each area, we calculated the probability of extinction over a 100-year time period by testing different area-specific scenarios (e.g., hunting, deforestation, and increase in carrying capacity). Our modelling suggests each of the populations has a high chance of becoming extinct within the next 100 years if hunting and deforestation persist. If these threats are eliminated, the model shows each of the populations are large enough to persist in the long term whilst maintaining high levels of current genetic diversity. We conclude that specific actions should be implemented to develop more inclusive conservation management practices, especially improving awareness regarding the illegal wildlife trade and increased protection of wild populations and their habitats.

Phylogeny of the titi monkeys of the Callicebus moloch group (Pitheciidae, Primates).

Callicebus is a Neotropical primate genus of the family Pitheciidae, which currently comprises 34 recognized species. Based on their morphological traits and geographic distribution, these species are currently assigned to five groups: the C. moloch, C. cupreus, C. donacophilus, C. torquatus, and C. personatus groups, although in the past, alternative arrangements have been proposed based on the analysis of morphological data. The principal disagreements among these arrangements are related to the composition of the C. moloch group. In the present study, we tested the different taxonomic proposals for the C. moloch group, based on the molecular analysis of nuclear markers (Alu insertions and flanking regions) and three mitochondrial genes (16S, COI, and Cyt b), with a total of approximately 7 kb of DNA sequence data. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference methods indicated that the species of the current C. cupreus group should be reintegrated into the C. moloch group. In addition, our results corroborated previous studies suggesting that the species of the current C. personatus group form a distinct species group. We also observed a relatively subtle level of divergence between C. dubius and C. caligatus. While the known diversity of Callicebus is considerable, these findings indicate that the relationships among groups and species may still not be completely understood, highlighting the need for further research into the biological, geographic, and genetic variability of these primates, which will be fundamental to the effective conservation of the genus. Am. J. Primatol. 78:904-913, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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.

Reassessment of age of sexual maturity in gibbons (hylobates spp.).

From studies of both wild and captive animals, gibbons are thought to reach sexual maturity at about 6 to 8 years of age, and the siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) at about 8 to 9 years. However, a review of the literature reveals that in most cases the exact age of the maturing animals was not known and had to be estimated. This study presents seven case reports on captive gibbons of known age. Captive males of the white-cheeked crested gibbon (H. leucogenys leucogenys) and of the siamang (H. syndactylus) can breed at the age of 4 and 4.3 years, respectively. Similarly, hybrid females (H. lar × H. moloch) and siamang females can breed at 5.1 and 5.2 years, respectively. This finding may help to improve the breeding success of captive gibbon populations. It is not clear whether gibbons reach sexual maturity earlier in captivity or whether sexual maturity is also reached by 5 years of age in the wild. Possible implications for the interpretation of group size regulation and of reproductive strategies of wild gibbons are discussed.

Species differences in adrenocortical activity of new world primates: Response to dexamethasone suppression.

The effect of dexamethasone-induced alteration of adrenocortical activity was assessed in two species of New World primates: Saimiri sciureus and Callicebus moloch. Basal and stress levels of corticosteroids were determined following treatment with three doses of dexamethasone (0, 50, or 500 µg/kg). Saimiri showed substantially higher basal levels of corticosteroids than did Callicebus and a greater incremental corticosteroid response to physical restraint. Dexamethasone was found to reduce basal corticosteroids in both species, although this effect was greater for Callicebus than for Saimiri Moreover, the adrenocortical response to physical restraint was reduced by dexamethasone treatment in Callicebus but not in Saimiri. The pattern of results suggests that the species differ in the mechanisms mediating adrenocortical activity.