[Botany • 2025] Begonia lucivenia (Begoniaceae, sect. Coelocentrum) • A New Species from Guangxi, China

Begonia lucivenia W.G. Wang, R.K. Li & H.C. Xi, 

in Xi, Li, Hu, Shen, Liu et Wang. 2025. 

顯脈秋海棠  ||   taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2126

Abstract

Begonia lucivenia, a new species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. It resembles B. zhuoyuniae but can be distinguished by its rhizome and internodes length, stipules size, petiole length and leaf blade size and indumentum. It also resembles B. porteri but differs in leaf blade shape, color and indumentum, and flower color. Detailed description is provided.

Keyword: Begonia porteri, Begonia zhuoyuniae, China, Guangxi, new taxon, taxonomy

. Line drawing of Begonia lucivenia W.G. Wang, R.K. Li & H.C. Xi.
 A. Plant. B. Stipule. C–D. Adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces showing indumentum. E. Bracts. F–G. Staminate flowers, adaxial and side view. H. Stamens, different views. I–J. Pistillate flower, adaxial and side view. K. Styles and stigmas. L. capsule. M. Dissected ovary, showing parietal placentation.

(Drawn by Yong-Cheng Hu)

. Illustration of Begonia lucivenia W.G. Wang, R.K. Li & H.C. Xi.
 A. Habitat. B. Leaf blade, adaxial and abaxial view. C. Plant. D–E. Adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces showing indumentum. F. Rhizome, stipules and part of petioles. G. Stipule. H. Bracts. I. Staminate flower, adaxial and abaxial view. J. Androecium. K. Pistillate flower, front and side view. L. Pistil. M. Immature capsule. N. Dissected ovary, showing parietal placentation.

Begonia lucivenia W.G.Wang, R.K.Li & H.C.Xi, sp. nov. 

顯脈秋海棠  

sect. Coelocentrum 

Diagnosis: The new species differs from the most similar species Begonia zhuoyuniae (Liu et al., 2020) in rhizome and internodes not elongated, stipules larger, petioles longer, leaf blade larger and adaxially more densely villous.

Etymology: The specific epithet “lucivenia” refers to the bright and clearly visible color of the primary and secondary veins of leaf blade. Chinese name is proposed here as “顯脈秋海棠”.

Hou-Cheng Xi, Ren-Kun Li, Yong-Cheng Hu, Jian-Yong Shen, Shan-Hua Liu and Wen-Guang Wang. 2025. Begonia lucivenia, A New Species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi, China. Taiwania. 70(4); 689-693. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.689 

 taiwania.NTU.edu.tw/abstract/2126 [17 October 2025] 

[Mollusca • 2025] Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii • First Record of the Genus Lagocheilus W.T. Blanford, 1864 (Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoridae) from the northern Western Ghats, India, with the Description of A New Species

Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii

Bhosale, Thackeray, Raheem, Pawar & Khandekar, 2025

Tilari hairy snail ||  Journal of Conchology. 45(4);

Abstract

 We describe a new species of Lagocheilus from Ratoba Point, Tilari Nagar, Kolhapur District, in the northern Western Ghats of Maharashtra, India. Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii n. sp. can be distinguished from its South Indian and Sri Lankan congeners by a unique combination of shell characters: a conoidal shell with a raised spire, a broad base, and narrow umbilicus; a wide aperture with a clearly expanded lip and a distinct angle where the lip joins the parietal wall; shell sculpture of prominent, widely spaced spiral lirae; and, in juvenile and young adults, a thick peri­ostracum with numerous periostracal hairs. We also describe the living animal, operculum, radula and jaw. This is the first record of the genus Lagocheilus from the northern Western Ghats, extending its known distribution range by 540 km north into the Indian Peninsula.

Key words. Hairy land snail, Japonia, Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii n. sp., taxonomy, Western Ghats

Shell of South Indian and Sri Lankan Lagocheilus species.
 A–C, L. malleatus from the Beddome collection (NHMUK 1875. 03.06.22/1). D–F, L. shiplayi lectotype (NHMUK 20110216/1). G–I, L. shiplayi from the Barnacle collection (NHMUK 20110217/1). J–L, L. binoyae syntype (NHMUK 1958.1.14.26).
M–O, L. occultus syntype (NHMUK 1958.1.14.29). P–R, L. vescus syntype (NHMUK 1958.1.14.13). S–U, Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii n. sp., holotype (NRC-AA-9576).

A–R © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London.

Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii n. sp.
E, male, paratype NRC-AA-9601. F, female, paratype NRC-AA-9600.

Lagocheilus hayaomiyazakii n. sp. 

 Diagnosis. The new species can be diagnosed from its South Indian and Sri Lanka congeners by the following combination of shell characters: a conoidal shell with a raised spire, broad base and narrow umbilicus; a wide aperture with a clearly expanded lip and a distinct angle where the lip joins the parietal wall; shell sculpture of prominent widely spaced spiral lirae; and numerous hairs on the periostracum of juvenile and young adult shells.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latinised patronym honouring Hayao Miyazaki (b. 1941), a renowned Japanese animator, filmmaker, and co-founder of Studio Ghibli; the new species is named after him in recognition of his contribution to animation films. The suggested English common name is Tilari hairy snail.

Amrut Bhosale, Tejas Thackeray, Dinarzarde C. Raheem, Swapnil Pawar and Akshay Khandekar. 2025. First Record of the Genus Lagocheilus W.T. Blanford, 1864 (Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoridae) from the northern Western Ghats, India, with the description of L. hayaomiyazakii n. sp. Journal of Conchology. 45(4); DOI. 10.61733/jconch/4557 [14 October 2025]

  

[Mollusca • 2025] Theobaldius? konkanensis • A New Species of cyclophorid land snail (Gastropoda: Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoridae) from the coastal regions of Maharashtra, India

Theobaldius? konkanensis 

Bhosale, Thackeray, Yadav, Khandekar, White & Raheem, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2025.2462864 

instagram.com/thackeraywildlifefoundation

 

ABSTRACT

We describe a new species of cyclophorid land snail, Theobaldius? konkanensis n. sp., from the coastal and lower elevational region of the northern Western Ghats in Maharashtra, India. Theobaldius? konkanensis n. sp. can be differentiated from other species of Theobaldius Nevill, 1878 by the combination of a conoidally depressed shell with a more elevated spire, a deep notch on the apertural margin overhung by a prominent raised fold, and an operculum with the edges of the whorls conspicuously raised and bearing short spines. We provide a detailed description of the new species, focusing on the shell, operculum, jaw and radula, and the external morphology of the living animal; we map its distribution using recently collected data, and compare it with other species of Theobalidus and other cyclophoroidean genera.

KEYWORDS: Konkan, northern Western Ghats, operculum, taxonomy, Theobaldius?

Theobaldius? konkanensis n. sp.

 

Amrut Bhosale, Tejas Thackeray, Omkar Yadav, Akshay Khandekar, Tom S. White and Dinarzarde C. Raheem. 2025. A New Species of cyclophorid land snail (Caenogastropoda: Cyclophoridae) from the coastal regions of Maharashtra, India. Molluscan Research. 45(2); 157-169. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/13235818.2025.2462864 [11 Mar 2025] 

  instagram.com/p/DHlgCVxtF58/thackeraywildlifefoundation

[Botany • 2025] Telipogon villonacoensis (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae) • A New Species with an unexpectedly wide distribution from the northern and central Andes of South America

 Telipogon villonacoensis M.M.Jiménez, Iturralde & C.Martel, 

in Jiménez, Baquero, Garzón-Suárez, Martel, ... et Iturralde, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.157554 

Abstract

Background and aims – Telipogon is an orchid genus with a main diversity centre located in the tropical Andes. Some small-flowered Telipogon species, formerly classified under Stellilabium, remain poorly known. During recent fieldwork in southern Ecuador, an undetermined species of a miniature Telipogon was recorded and collected. We aimed to taxonomically identify the orchid and understand its phylogenetic relationships.

Material and methods – We conducted field work in diverse parts of Ecuador and Peru, revised material deposited at various herbaria, and records available on iNaturalist. Furthermore, we extracted, amplified, and sequenced DNA sequences to evaluate the phylogenetic position of the undetermined species.

Key results – The unidentified species turned out to be an undescribed Telipogon species, which we describe and name here as Telipogon villonacoensis. It has also been recorded in Colombia and Peru, an unusually wide distribution for a Telipogon species. Telipogon villonacoensis is distinguished by its pale green to yellow flowers, the elliptic petals and lip, minute lobes and red coloration at its basal third. This species appears to have a patchy distribution and specialized habitat preferences, growing as an epiphyte in montane shrublands and forests. Although fewer than 200 individuals have been documented so far, and its habitats face ongoing threats, our conservation assessment indicates the species could be classified as not threatened. Phylogenetic analyses resulted in a well-resolved tree, in which T. villonacoensis is placed within the clade of the South American miniature Telipogon and sister to, but genetically distinct from, T. pogonostalix, though it is morphologically more similar to T. alexii, a species placed in another subclade of South American miniature Telipogon.

Conclusion – Our results highlight the underestimated diversity and distribution range of miniature Telipogon and underscore the need for continued collaborative exploration and conservation in Andean ecosystems. These findings will contribute to a better understanding of orchid diversity and evolution of Telipogon species.

Keywords: Colombia, Ecuador, new taxon, orchids, Peru, Stellilabium, taxonomy

Telipogon villonacoensis.
 A. Habit with a close-up of the floral bract (A1) and apical portion of the leaf (A2). B. Flower in lateral view. C. Dissected perianth. D. Column, lip, and ovary in lateral view with a close-up of the setae (D1), and ventral edge of the column (D2). E. Frontal view of the column. F. Lip with a close-up of the marginal teeth (F1) and the basal, stained region (F2). G. Anther cap and pollinarium.

Plate made by Nadia Lapo-González based on the type specimen (A, C-lip, D, E, F) and on M. Jiménez, G.A. Iturralde & H. Garzón-Suárez 2190 (HUTPL) (B, C-sepals and petals, G).

Individuals of Telipogon villonacoensis from different localities.
 A–B. Type collection near Loja, Ecuador (M. Jiménez 1560 [HUTPL!], in situ). C. Mount Villonaco, Ecuador (F. Werner et al. 2253 [photo-voucher], taken in the lab right after collecting). D. Loja–Zamora road, Ecuador (M. Jiménez et al. 2190 [HUTPL!], in situ). E. Quispicanchis–Cuzco, Peru, in situ. F. Chota–Cajamarca, Peru (J. Chamaya G. s.n. [CPUN!], ex situ). Photos by Marco M. Jiménez (A, D), Gabriel A. Iturralde (B), Florian Werner (C), Carlos Martel (E), James Chamaya (F).

Telipogon villonacoensis M.M.Jiménez, Iturralde & C.Martel, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Telipogon villonacoensis is similar to T. pogonostalix by the miniature, acaulescent habit, pale green to yellow flowers, and oblong and ecallose lip, but the first differs by its lip stained with purple-brown at the basal third, ending abruptly in an almost straight line (vs green-yellow at the base), lateral lobes of the lip ca 0.25 mm long (vs lateral lobes 1.0–1.3 mm long), the pink-purple column (vs white) with 2–7 setae per tuft, 0.2 mm long (vs 9–13 setae per tuft, 0.7–0.8 mm long), dark purple and coralloid setae with bifid to trifid apex (vs white and acicular setae with stellate apex).

Etymology: The new species is named after Cerro Villonaco, one of the highest peaks of southern Ecuador’s western Cordillera of the Loja basin and where the new species was first found. This mountain is home to patches of highly threatened evergreen montane shrub forests which harbour unique species of flora such as Passiflora brachyantha L.K.Escobar and Aphelandra villonacensis Wassh.

  Marco M. Jiménez, Luis Baquero, Henry X. Garzón-Suárez, Carlos Martel, James A. Chamaya G., Nadia Lapo-González, Florian A. Werner and Gabriel A. Iturralde. 2025. Telipogon villonacoensis (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae), A New Species with an unexpectedly wide distribution from the northern and central Andes of South America. Plant Ecology and Evolution. 158(3): 392-402. DOI: doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.157554 

[Botany • 2025] Telipogon rojasiae (Orchidaceae: Oncidiinae) • A New Species from relict forests on the western slopes of the northern Peruvian Andes

Telipogon rojasiae C.Martel, A.Diaz & Iturralde,

in Martel, Diaz Hernández, Iturralde et Collantes, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.265.164394 

Abstract

Telipogon rojasiae, from the western Andean slopes of northern Peru, is described as a new species. Telipogon rojasiae is similar to Telipogon montufarianus, which is only known from southern Ecuador, but differs in its cream-yellow flowers heavily stained with red-vinaceous (vs. bright yellow flowers), the sub-rhombic to obovate petals (vs. elliptic petals), the number of veins in the petals (9–10 veins vs. 5 veins) and labellum (26 veins vs. 16–19 veins), and its sagittate callus (vs. widely subcordiform callus). We provide a description, illustrations, photographs, and information about the habitat of this new species. Furthermore, we discuss the identity and occurrence of morphologically similar species. The discovery of this new entity highlights the importance of preserving the relict forests of the western Andean slopes in north-west Peru and south-west Ecuador.

Key words: Ecuador, endemic species, Oncidiinae, Telipogon ecuadorensis, Telipogon frymirei, Telipogon montufarianus

Telipogon rojasiae
A. Habit; B. Flower, ¾ view; C. Dissected flower with expanded perianth (d.sep: dorsal sepal; l.sep: lateral sepal; pet: petal; lab: labellum), all in frontal view except one lateral sepal; D. Expanded labellum, frontal view with details of the apex; E. Callus, frontal view with details of the setae; F. Pedicel, ovary and column, lateral view with details of the ovary cross-section; G. Column, frontal and lateral views with details of the setae; H. Anther cap, frontal and ventral views; I. Pollinarium, frontal and ventral views.

Telipogon rojasiae
A. Habit; B. Floral bract, lateral view; C. Flower, frontal view; D. Dissected flower, frontal view with details of the abaxial side of the sepals and the labellum surface; E. Callus and column, frontal view; F. Pedicel, ovary and column, lateral view with details of the ovary cross-section; G. Column, frontal, top and lateral views; H. Anther cap and pollinarium, ventral and dorsal views. Note that all the floral segments are in their natural position, not expanded.

 Telipogon rojasiae C.Martel, A.Diaz & Iturralde, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Telipogon rojasiae is most similar to Telipogon montufarianus but differs by its cream-yellow flowers heavily stained with red vinaceous (vs. bright yellow flowers), the sub-rhombic to obovate petals, 15–17 × 11–12 mm (vs. elliptic petals, 12 × 8 mm), the greater number of veins in the petals (9–10 veins vs. 5 veins) and labellum (26 veins vs. 16–19 veins), and its sagittate callus (vs. a widely sub-cordiform callus).

Eponymy. Telipogon rojasiae is named after Dr Consuelo Rojas, professor of Botany at the Universidad Nacional Pedro Ruiz Gallo, for her work on biodiversity and plant conservation in Northern Peru.

 Carlos Martel, Alex G. Diaz Hernández, Gabriel A. Iturralde and Benjamín Collantes. 2025. Telipogon rojasiae (Orchidaceae, Oncidiinae), A New Species from relict forests on the western slopes of the northern Peruvian Andes. PhytoKeys. 265: 49-60. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.265.164394 [16-10-2025]

Resumen: Telipogon rojasiae, de los Andes occidentales del norte de Perú, es descrita como una nueva especie. Telipogon rojasiae es similar a Telipogon montufarianus, la cual solo se conoce de Ecuador, pero se diferencia por las flores cremas amarillas tenidas de rojo vino (vs. flores amarillo brillantes), los pétalos sub-rómbicos a obovados (vs. pétalos elípticos), el número de venas en los pétalos (9–10 venas vs. 5 venas) y el labelo (26 venas vs. 16–19 venas), y el callo sagitado (vs. el callo ampliamente sub-cordiforme). Proporcionamos una descripción, ilustraciones, imágenes e información sobre el hábitat de esta nueva especie. Además, analizamos la identidad y la presencia de la nueva entidad y de especies morfológicamente similares. El descubrimiento de la nueva entidad resalta la importancia de preservar los bosques relictos de la vertiente occidental de los Andes en el norte del Perú.

Palabras clave: Ecuador, especie endémica, Perú, Telipogon ecuadorensis, Telipogon frymirei, Telipogon montufarianus

[Entomology • 2025] Teloganopsis sirindhornae • A New Species of Thai Mayfly (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae) revealed by the Integrative Taxonomy

Teloganopsis sirindhornae   

Buchawongpiwat, Sartori, Boonsoong & Auychinda, 2025 

  

Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8 (2025); 

แมลงชีปะขาวสิรินธร  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266990  

Abstract

In the present study, a new species of the genus Teloganopsis Ulmer, 1939, T. sirindhornae sp. nov., is described based on specimens collected and reared in Thailand. The new species is distinguished from other Thai Teloganopsis species by its abdominal color pattern, which is consistent across all developmental stages. Both morphology characteristics and molecular analysis support its designation as a new species. A concatenated phylogenetic tree based on COI and 28S rDNA confirms its monophyly and clearly separates it from other Teloganopsis species. Additionally, a description of the chorionic structure of Teloganopsis sirindhornae sp. nov., a distribution map of known Teloganopsis species in Thailand and a dichotomous key for both larval and imaginal stages of known Oriental Teloganopsis species are provided.

Keywords: 28S rDNA, COI, Ephemerellinae, Systematics, Thailand

Teloganopsis sirindhornae sp. nov. Life habitus.
A.male imago. B. male subimago. C. male last instar larva.

Nitikarn Buchawongpiwat, Michel Sartori, Boonsatien Boonsoong and Chonlakran Auychinda. 2025. Teloganopsis sirindhornae sp. nov. (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae), A New Species of Thai Mayfly revealed by the Integrative Taxonomy. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8 (2025); 238-257. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266990 [2025-10-14] 💜

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Oreonectes qinae • A New loach Species (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guangxi, China

 

Oreonectes qinae 

Chen, Mo, Du & Zhang, 2025 

覃氏岭鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1255.158447

Abstract

A new species of loach, Oreonectes qinae sp. nov., was collected in December 2024 from Guangxi Gutingshan Forest Park, Liuzhou City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. The new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by a suite of morphological characters, including a dorsal-fin origin posterior to the pelvic-fin origin, a degenerated posterior chamber of the swim bladder, and an incomplete lateral line, with 11–13 lateral-line pores. Phylogenetic analysis based on mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene sequences confirmed its separation, with uncorrected p-distances ranging from 1.4% to 8.7% compared to closely related species. The discovery of Oreonectes qinae sp. nov. reflects the hidden diversity within Oreonectes in the complex karst landscapes of Guangxi and emphasizes the need for further investigation and conservation of these cryptic freshwater species.

Key words: Cavefish, cryptic species, Cytb, karst, Liujiang River, mitochondrial gene, Oreonectes, subterranean, taxonomy

Oreonectes qinae sp. nov. 
A–C. Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of holotype KIZ20240559 (♀); D. Live photo of female, photo by Zhou Jia-Jun;
E–G. Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of paratype KIZ20240564 (♂);
H. Ventral view of head of holotype KIZ20240559 (♀) I. gill rakers.

 Oreonectes qinae Chen, Mo, Zhang & Du, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. This new species can be distinguished from all known species of Oreonectes by a combination of the following characteristics: color pattern present; swim bladder degenerated; black longitudinal stripe from posterior upper pectoral fin to caudal-fin base; dorsal-fin origin posterior to pelvic-fin origin; tip of pelvic fin not reaching anus; caudal fin with irregular black markings; caudal fin rounded; maxillary barbel not reaching posterior margin of opercula; without dark brown V-shaped marking on dorsal surface of head; 16 branched caudal-fin rays; and 12 inner-gill rakers on first gill arch.

Etymology. The species name, qinae, is in recognition of the contributions of Zi-Shan QIN to the collection of the present specimens and dedicated efforts in fieldwork. We suggest the Chinese vernacular name “覃氏岭鳅”.

 Zhuo-Ni Chen, Cai-Huan Mo, Li-Na Du and Li-Na Zhang. 2025. Oreonectes qinae (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), A New Loach Species from Guangxi, China. ZooKeys. 1255: 365-377. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1255.158447

[Entomology • 2025] Debaratania bellula • Debaratania Pinkaew (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae), A New gorgeous Genus from Thailand with Description of its type species

 

Debaratania bellula

Pinkaew, 2025

 

ผีเสื้อกลางคืนเทพรัตน  ||  Tropical Natural History. Suppl. 8; 

DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266747

Abstract

Debaratania gen. nov. is described from Thailand, with Debaratania bellula sp. nov. designated as the type species. The new genus is characterized by its colorful forewing pattern, sexual dimorphism in the shape of both the fore- and the hindwing, and distinctive male hindwing venation, where M3 and CuA1 are short-stalked both proximally and distally, with three distinct anal veins. The male genitalia feature a prominent leaf-like uncus and a large tubular phallus with long, narrow cornuti. In the female genitalia, a conspicuous sclerotized plate with a strongly developed thorn-like process is present at the anterior end of ductus bursae. Living and pinned specimens, wing venation, and genitalia are illustrated. Structural features support placement in the tribe Enarmoniini.

Keywords: Enarmoniini, taxonomy, national park, wildlife sanctuary

Living specimens of Debaratania bellula sp. nov. (holotype).
 A.  dorsal view. B. lateral view.

Adults of Debaratania bellula sp. nov.
 A. male adult, holotype. B. female adult, paratype (np5520).

(scale bars =2 mm)

Family Tortricidae Latreille, 1803

Subfamily Olethreutinae Walsingham, 1895

Tribe Enarmoniini Diakonoff, 1953

Genus Debaratania gen.nov. 

 

Debaratania bellula Pinkaew sp. nov.

Diagnosis.– This new genus is superficially similar to some brightly colored species of Thaumatographa (Hilarographini), and Anthozela (Enarmoniini). However, it is easily distinguished by the sexual dimorphism in the shape of the forewing and hindwing, with the male forewing slightly more subtriangular

Etymology.–The generic name “Debaratania” is a part of name for Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn [Princess Debaratana Rajasuda].

Nantasak Pinkaew. 2025. Debaratania Pinkaew (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae: Olethreutinae), A New gorgeous Genus from Thailand with Description of its type species. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8; 140-148. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.25.8.266747 [2025-10-14]

 

[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] A large lamniform shark from the Aptian of Villa de Leiva (Boyacá, Colombia), based on the first Lower Cretaceous shark specimen preserving both teeth and vertebrae

 

 Protolamna ricaurtei  

in Benavides-Cabra, Páramo-Fonseca, Narváez-Rincón et Pomar, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106211 

artwork by Renzo Garavito x.com/R_o_XIII

Highlights: 

• Protolamna ricaurtei was a gigantic lamniform shark that lived during the Early Cretaceous.

• Not all macrophagous lamniform sharks with large bodies have large teeth.

• Protolamna ricaurtei was a relatively slow but active swimmer who fed on small preys.

Abstract

We describe a new specimen of a lamniform shark from the upper Aptian of the Arcillolitas abigarradas Member of the Paja Formation of Villa de Leiva (Colombia). It represents the first lamniform shark specimen from the Lower Cretaceous with both teeth and vertebrae preserved. The specimen consists of several disarticulated but well-preserved teeth and well-preserved partially articulated vertebral centra, denticles and soft tissues. We refer the specimen to Protolamna ricaurtei, a species recently erected from a specimen found in the same formation. It is a lamniform shark characterized by proportionally small tearing-type teeth with small triangular main cusp, two pairs of small triangular lateral cusplets, and massive bilobated roots. The specimen represents a mature individual to be 6.65 m in total length, making it the oldest record of a gigantic lamniform. This specimen is the first evidence that not all macrophagous lamniforms follow the linear function relating crown height to total body length. Our taphonomic analysis indicates that the specimen must have rapidly reached an anoxic bottom, with low benthic activity, gentle currents, and with microbial mats that facilitated the rapid phosphatization of the soft tissues. Based on the preserved anatomy, we propose that Protolamna ricaurtei was a relatively slow but active swimmer feeding in tropical near-shore areas over small preys such as bony fishes, small sharks, squids, and crustaceans.

the taphonomic history of specimen CFSTA090318, from its sinking and burial to its fossilization, along with the remains of an associated turtle.

artwork by Renzo Garavito x.com/R_o_XIII

Protolamna ricaurtei 

 

Cristian D. Benavides-Cabra, María E. Páramo-Fonseca, José A. Narváez-Rincón and Daniel E. Pomar. 2026. A large lamniform shark from the Aptian of Villa de Leiva (Boyacá, Colombia), based on the first Lower Cretaceous shark specimen preserving both teeth and vertebrae. Cretaceous Research. 178, 106211. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cretres.2025.106211 

 x.com/R_o_XIII/status/1970514496184865019

[Paleontology • 2025] Huayracursor jaguensis • A long-necked early Dinosaur from a newly discovered Upper Triassic basin in the Andes

 

Huayracursor jaguensis

Hechenleitner, Martinelli, Rocher, Fiorelli, Juarez, Taborda & Desojo, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3 

Abstract

During the Late Triassic epoch (237–201 million years ago), the terrestrial ecosystems of Pangaea underwent drastic changes that led to the rise and diversification of mammaliaforms, crocodylomorphs and dinosaurs. Although the Carnian sedimentary rocks of South America provided much of the available evidence for understanding the early evolution of these clades, key discoveries have remained restricted to the Ischigualasto-Villa Unión and Paraná basins in Argentina and Brazil, respectively. Here we report a Carnian tetrapod assemblage from the previously unrecognized Northern Precordillera Basin in northwestern Argentina. Discoveries at this basin, in the Quebrada Santo Domingo site, include a nearly complete skeleton of the early sauropodomorph Huayracursor jaguensis gen. et sp. nov., and typical components of Late Carnian faunas, such as hyperodapedontine rhynchosaurs, gomphodontosuchine traversodontid cynodonts, and aetosaurs. Compared to its generally small and short-necked Carnian counterparts, Huayracursor is larger and exhibits an incipient elongation of its cervical vertebrae, representing an intermediate condition for size and cervical elongation between known Carnian and Norian sauropodomorphs. This discovery provides one of the oldest pieces of evidence of increased body mass and neck elongation in early Sauropodomorpha.

Huayracursor jaguensis gen. et sp. nov.

 

E. Martín Hechenleitner, Agustín G. Martinelli, Sebastián Rocher, Lucas E. Fiorelli, Malena Juarez, Jeremías R. A. Taborda and Julia B. Desojo. 2025. A long-necked early Dinosaur from a newly discovered Upper Triassic basin in the Andes. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09634-3 [15 October 2025]

 

[Mollusca • 2025] Georissa chatra & G. principalis • Phylogenetic and Morphological Evidence for Two New Species of Terrestrial Micro Snail Genus Georissa Blanford, 1864 (Neritimorpha: Hydrocenidae) from Central Thailand

 

Georissa principalis  Buathanom & Tongkerd, 
Georissa chatra  Buathanom & Pholyotha,  

in Buathanom, Tongkerd, Jirapatrasilp, Janjai, Mitchueachart, Annate, Panha, Sutcharit et Pholyotha, 2025. 

Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8 (2025): 

Abstract

This paper introduces two newly discovered endemic micro snails, Georissa chatra Buathanom & Pholyotha, sp. nov. and G. principalis Buathanom & Tongkerd, sp. nov., from limestone hills of Uthai Thani and Nakhon Sawan Provinces in central Thailand. These findings expand the number of Georissa species recorded in Thailand to seven. The taxonomic status and species boundaries of these new species were determined through a comprehensive analysis of comparative morphology and mitochondrial genetics. Georissa chatra sp. nov. is distinguished by a conical shell with tall and prominent carinas. Georissa principalis sp. nov. is characterized by an elongate conical or turreted shell with prominent cord-like spiral ridges, and an operculum with two layers. The cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) phylogeny supports the monophyly of both lineages, but the relationships with other congeners remain unresolved. The analysis also revealed interspecific genetic distances among examined species ranging from 6.8% to 18.6%. Additionally, intraspecific genetic distances are surprisingly high, with 6.1% for G. chatra sp. nov. and 7.5% for G. principalis sp. nov. The observed high intraspecific genetic divergences are likely due to the significant endemism and fragmented distribution of populations within karst ecosystems. As a result, the discovery of these two new species significantly advances our understanding of micro snail diversity and represents a crucial first step in establishing a comprehensive DNA barcode reference library for micro snails in Thailand.

Keywords: COI, Endemic, Limestone, Operculated snail, Morphology, Systematics, Taxonomy, Hydrocenoidea 

Subclass Neritimorpha Koken, 1896

Order Cycloneritida Frýda, 1998

Superfamily Hydrocenoidea Troschel, 1857

Family Hydrocenidae Troschel, 1857

Genus Georissa Blanford, 1864

Living Georissa chatra sp. nov. from a limestone hill near Wat Si Uthum Phon, Nakhon Sawan.
A, B.snails in microhabitats on the limestone wall; insets showing close-up views of (A) a snail hiding in a small crevice and (B) a snail on a bare wall. C–F.four different individuals while climbing slowly on moist tissue paper.

Georissa chatra Buathanom & Pholyotha, sp. nov.

Diagnosis.− Shell minute, conical, dark orange, with tall and prominent carinas: one on upper periphery and one on below periphery.

Etymology.− The specific epithet “chatra” refers to a dome or umbrella-like structure sometimes with multiple tiers or layers, which is used in several Asian royal or state ceremonies, reflecting the distinctive shell shape of this new species.

Shells of Georissa principalis sp. nov.
A–C.paratype CUMZ 15273 from Wat Khao Mano, Nakhon Sawan.

Living Georissa principalis sp. nov.
 A.snail in a microhabitat on the limestone wall at Tham Khao Kaji, Uthai Thani; an inset showing a close-up view of a snail among lichen on a bare wall. B–E.four different individuals while climbing slowly on moist tissue paper, (B, C)from Wat Khao Ruea, Nakhon Sawan and (D, E)from Wat Khao Mano, Nakhon Sawan.

Georissa principalis Buathanom & Tongkerd, sp. nov.

Diagnosis.− Shell minute, elongate, turreted, yellow-orange to light brownish, with about six to seven prominentspiral ridges at the periphery, and operculum with 2 layers.

Etymology.− The name “principalis” is derived from the Latin word meaning “chief” or “leader” and is chosen to honor Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for her outstanding leadership in biodiversity conservation in Thailand.

Paniwat BUATHANOM, Piyoros Tongkerd, Parin Jirapatrasilp, Teerangkul Janjai, Bowornluk Mitchueachart, Supunya Annate, Somsak Panha, Chirasak Sutcharit and Arthit Pholyotha. 2025. Phylogenetic and Morphological Evidence for Two New Species of Terrestrial Micro Snail Genus Georissa Blanford, 1864 (Neritimorpha: Hydrocenidae) from Central Thailand. Tropical Natural History. Supplement 8 (2025): 62-78. DOI: 10.58837/tnh.25.8.267040

https://li01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/tnh/article/view/267040