[Herpetology • 2025] Leptobrachella batxatensis & L. duyenae • Hidden Biodiversity in the Tropical Rain Forests: Two New Species of Leptobrachella Smith 1925 (Anura: Megophryidae) from Vietnam

Leptobrachella duyenae 

Hoang, Pham, Phan, Do, Bin Wang, Jiang & Nguyen, 2025 

Cóc mày duyên  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0039 

 facebook.com/HoangChung2019

Abstract

Two new species of Leptobrachella are described from Vietnam based on morphological differences and genetic divergences in 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene sequences. The new taxa are distinguished from each other and from other species of the genus Leptobrachella in body size, head width/length ratio, tympanum morphology, dorsal skin texture, the presence/absence of fringes on toes, color of dorsal and ventral body, and iris color. The two new species are also divergent from each other and from other congeners by a 4.14% or greater uncorrected genetic distance. Leptobrachella batxatensis sp. nov. is genetically closest to L. shiwandashanensis and L. wuhuangmontis from China. Leptobrachella duyenae sp. nov. is genetically closest to L. bidoupensis from Vietnam with strong nodal support from both BI and ML analyses (1.0/99%).

Keywords: 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene, Leptobrachella batxatensis sp. nov., Leptobrachella duyenae sp. nov., morphology, taxonomy

Variation of Leptobrachella batxatensis sp. nov. in life.
Dorsolateral view of A: Paratype (IEBR A.5224), B: Paratype (IEBR A.5225), C: Paratype (IEBR A.5226), D: Paratype (IEBR A.5227), E: Paratype (IEBR A.5228); and F: Ventral view of Paratype (IEBR A.5228).

Leptobrachella batxatensis sp. nov. 

Etymology: Specific epithet is an adjective in reference to the type locality, the Bat Xat Nature Reserve of Lao Cai Province. 

We recommend “Bat Xat Litter Frog” as the common English name and “Cóc mày bát xát” as the Vietnamese name.

Holotype of Leptobrachella duyenae sp. nov. in life (IEBR A.5229). A: Dorsolateral view; B: Ventral view; C: Left hand; D: Left food; and E: Cloacal area. Scale bars = 10 mm.
Variation of  Leptobrachella duyenae sp. nov. in life. A: Dorsolateral view; B: Ventral view of Paratype female (IEBR A.5233); C: Dorsolateral view; and D: Ventral view of Paratype male (IEBR A.5230).

Leptobrachella duyenae sp. nov.

Etymolog: The species is epithet, a noun that recognizes Mrs. Duyen Thi NGUYEN, for her understanding and strong support of C. V. HOANG’s research. She also assisted with fieldwork and collected the holotype. 

We recommend “Duyen’s Litter Frog” as the common English name and “Cóc mày duyên” as the Vietnamese name.  

Van Chung HOANG, The Cuong PHAM, Quang Tien PHAN, Trong Dang DO, Bin WANG, Jianping JIANG and Quang Truong NGUYEN. 2025. Hidden Biodiversity in the Tropical Rain Forests: Two New Species of Leptobrachella Smith 1925 (Anura: Megophryidae) from Vietnam. Asian Herpetological Research. 16(2); 169 - 191. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0039 [Mar 6, 2025]

 facebook.com/HoangChung2019/posts/25595701346726900

[Mollusca • 2023] Siamochlamys panhai • A New Limestone Karst‐Restricted Terrestrial Snail (Eupulmonata: Helicarionidae) from Thailand

Siamochlamys panhai Pholyotha, 

Pholyotha, Tongkerd et Sutcharit, 2023. 

DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.23.7.258814 

Abstract

A new genus and new species of helicarionid snail, Siamochlamys panhai, is described from limestone outcrops in Thailand. This new genus differs from all helicarionid genera based on morphological characters of shell, radula, and genitalia. The diagnostic characters of Siamochlamys panhai gen. et sp. nov. are depressed shell, well-polished surface, umbilicus opened, and aperture less covered by reflection of columellar margin. The genitalia exhibit a straight epiphallic caecum and small flagellum but lack a dart apparatus; radula has tricuspid central and lateral teeth and bicuspid marginal teeth. The discovery of this karst-associated land snail increases the knowledge of endemic malacofauna in Thailand, and also suggests that many taxa remain undiscovered.

Keywords: endemic, Indochina, land snail, limestones, taxonomy

Superfamily Helicarionoidea Bourguignat, 1877

Family Helicarionidae Bourguignat, 1877

Subfamily Durgellinae Godwin-Austen, 1888

Living snails and mantle extensions of Siamochlamys panhai gen. et sp. nov. paratype CUMZ14211.
A. living snail during relaxed position showing the expansion of mantles B. alcohol-preserved snailshowingshell lobes and dorsal lobes and posterior body C. dorsal view of mantle extensions (shell lobes and dorsal lobes).

Genus Siamochlamys Pholyotha gen. nov.

Etymology.− The name combines ‘Siam’,which is a former name of Thailand,chosen because this snail is restricted to the country as far as we know, and the Greek word ‘chlamys’,meaning “mantle or cloak”. Therefore, the generic name means the land snail with well-developed mantle extensions from Thailand. 

Diagnosis.− Depressed, glossy shellwith open umbilicus, straight epiphallic caecum, short flagellum, no dart apparatus, radula with tricuspidcentral and lateral teeth and bicuspid marginal teeth, andfive mantle extensions well-developed.

Siamochlamys panhai Pholyotha, sp. nov.

Arthit Pholyotha, Piyoros Tongkerd, Chirasak Sutcharit. 2023. Siamochlamys panhai, A New Limestone Karst‐Restricted Terrestrial Snail from Thailand (Eupulmonata: Helicarionidae). Tropical Natural History. Supplement 7;41-50. DOI: doi.org/10.58837/tnh.23.7.258814 

[Botany • 2026] Eriocaulon meghalayense (Eriocaulaceae) • A New Species from Northeast India, the First Report of a cormous Eriocaulon from India

Eriocaulon meghalayense V.Parveen & Nampy,

in Parveen, Nampy, Mumthas, Vaishnavi, Balakrishnan et Arshad, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.763.3.7

 

Abstract  

A new species, Eriocaulon meghalayense V.Parveen & Nampy, is described from the East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, Northeast India. It is most similar to E. cherrapunjianum but differs in possessing a distinct corm and other traits. It also resembles the cormous species E. cormosum and E. xenopodion, yet can be distinguished by its scapes and seed characteristics. A detailed description, photographs, scanning electron micrographs of the seeds, and a comparison of the key diagnostic characters with allied species are provided. The species is known only from a single locality and is provisionally assessed as Data Deficient (DD).

Monocots, East Khasi Hills, Eriocaulon cherrapunjianum, Eriocaulon meghalayense, geophyte, Meghalaya

VAHIDHA PARVEEN A., SANTHOSH NAMPY, LULU MUMTHAS V.K., VAISHNAVI K.P., ARCHANA BALAKRISHNAN and ARSHAD K. 2026. A New Species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae) from Northeast India, the First Report of a cormous Eriocaulon from India.  Phytotaxa. 763(3); 283-291. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.763.3.7 [2026-06-24]

[Herpetology • 2026] Scinax divae, S. galacticus & S. guapore • A Taxonomic Revision of Scinax nebulosus (Anura: Hylidae) with the Revalidation of Scinax cynocephalus and the Description of Three New Species

Scinax nebulosus (Spix, 1824) from Curionópolis municipality, Pará state, Brazil
(A-C) Scinax divae sp. nov. from Ipú municipality, Ceará state, Brazil,
(D-F) S. galacticus sp. nov. from Alter do Chão, Santarém municipality, Pará state, Brazil, 
(G-I) S. guapore sp. nov. from Cotriguaçu municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil 

 Ramos, Fouquet, Roberto, Perez, Ferrão, De Carvalho, Almeida, Gordo, Dantas, Chaparro, De Moura & Ávila, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.26059 

 Abstract  

The Spix's snouted treefrog Scinax nebulosus is one of 13 recognised species in the Scinax rostratus group, distributed from the Guiana region through eastern and southwestern Amazonia to north-eastern Brazil. Previous molecular studies identified up to five evolutionary lineages, raising taxonomic uncertainties. Here, we integrate mitochondrial (16S rRNA, n = 121), morphological (n = 587), and bioacoustic (n = 335) data to test species boundaries within the S. nebulosus complex. DNA-based delimitation recovered seven operational taxonomic units (OTUs), six of which were supported by morphological and bioacoustic evidence and thus recognised as confirmed candidate species (CCS). Two OTUs correspond to the nominal species S. nebulosus and S. constrictus. The lineage from the Guiana region corresponds to Scinax cynocephalus (Hyla cynocephala), which we resurrect from synonymy with S. nebulosus. The remaining three CCS are described as new species, being one from the northern portion of north-eastern Brazil, another from the Xingu-Tapajós interfluve and the region north of the lower River Amazon, and another from southwestern Brazilian and Bolivian Amazonia. Given acoustic divergence among populations from north-eastern Brazil, we suspect the existence of additional species or introgression, which deserves further investigation using genomic data and finer-scale phenotypic examination.

KEYWORDS: cryptic diversity, Integrative taxonomy, Neotropics, Scinax rostratus group, Scinaxini

Specimens of Scinax nebulosus from Curionópolis municipality, Pará state, Brazil (L2, A-C), S. constrictus from Barra do Garças municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil (L3, D-F) and S. cynocephalus from Sipaliwini district, Suriname (L5, G-I) in life.

Scinax nebulosus (Spix, 1824) (L2)

Scinax constrictus (Lima et al., 2005) (L3)

Scinax cynocephalus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) stat. rev. (L5)

Specimens of Scinax divae sp. nov. from Ipú municipality, Ceará state, Brazil (L1 E, A-C), S. galacticus sp. nov. from Alter do Chão, Santarém municipality, Pará state, Brazil (L6, D-F) and S. guapore sp. nov. from Cotriguaçu municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil (L7, G-I) in life.

 

Scinax divae sp. nov. (L1 East)

Etymology: The specific epithet divae is a noun in the genitive case and a matronym for the herpetologist Diva Maria Borges Nojosa, honouring her pioneering work with the herpetofauna of the brejos-de-altitude, humid highland in the state of Ceará. It also recognises her role as the director of the Núcleo Regional de Ofiologia da Universidade Federal do Ceará (NUROF-UFC), where she made significant contributions to the formation of numerous herpetologists throughout her career as a professor at the institution.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 23.9-31.0 mm, x̄ = 26.3 ± 1.5 in males and 28.3-40.0 mm, x̄ = 35.3 ± 3.1 in females; males have a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or nearly acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being rounded (Ch.3.0), nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding (Ch.3.2) in lateral view; females have a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded head (Ch.1.1) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or nearly acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding ...

 

Scinax galacticus sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet galacticus is formed from the Latin (galactic + Latin adjectival suffix –us), derived from the Greek ‘γάλα’, ‘γάλακτος’ (gála, gálaktos = ‘milk’), meaning ‘galaxy’ or ‘pertaining to a galaxy’. The name is treated as an adjective and refers to the pattern of blotches covering almost the entire inner surface of the thighs and the heavily speckled ventral pattern observed in some specimens, resembling a starry sky.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 21.9-32.4 mm, x̄ = 26.4 ± 2.3 in males and 30.8-40.7 mm, x̄ = 35.9 ± 3.3 in females; males have a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded snout in dorsal view (Ch.2.0), being rounded (Ch.3.0) or nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) in lateral view; females have a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded (Ch.1.1) head with a rounded snout (Ch.2.0) in dorsal view, being rounded (Ch.3.0) or nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) in lateral view; nostrils not prominent in dorsal view (Ch.4.0); pointed tubercle on the snout absent (Ch.5.0) or slight (Ch.5.1) not forming a small proboscis; conical process on the heel indistinct (Ch.12.0) or small (Ch.12.1); females with a compound pectoral fold ...

Scinax guapore sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet guapore is a noun in apposition and a toponym referring to the River Guaporé, one of the main watercourses in the region where the new species occurs. This river also marks the border between Brazil and Bolivia. The name originates from Tupi-Guarani and probably means ‘deserted valley’ or ‘river with waterfalls’.

Diagnosis: The new species is characterized by: SVL 21.3-29.2 mm, x̄ = 25.8 ± 1.9 in males and 31.0-36.3 mm, x̄ = 33.5 ± 2.1 in females; males with a subovoid head (Ch.1.0) with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being protruding (Ch.3.2) or acute (Ch.3.3) in lateral view; females with a subovoid (Ch.1.0) or nearly rounded (Ch.1.1) head with a rounded (Ch.2.0) or acute (Ch.2.1) snout in dorsal view, being nearly protruding (Ch.3.1) or protruding (Ch.3.2) in lateral view; nostrils prominent in ...

 

Antônio R.L. Ramos, Antoine Fouquet, Igor J. Roberto, Renata Perez, Miquéias Ferrão, Vinícius T. De Carvalho, Alexandre P. Almeida, Marcelo Gordo, Silionamã P. Dantas, Juan C. Chaparro, Geraldo J.B. De Moura and Robson W. Ávila. 2026. A Taxonomic Revision of Scinax nebulosus (Anura: Hylidae) with the Revalidation of Scinax cynocephalus and the Description of Three New Species. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 75 (26059), 26059.1-37. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.26059 (29 September 2026)

[Herpetology • 2026] Ololygon cataguas • A New Species of Ololygon (Anura: Hylidae) from the Zona Da Mata Region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil

 

Ololygon cataguas

 Folly, Assis, Santana, Lacerda, Lourenço & Feio, 2026

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00007 

 Abstract  

We describe a new species of Ololygon from the Ololygon catharinae species group. Ololygon sp. nov. is known only from the Atlantic Forest of Cataguases municipality, Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais state, southeast Brazil. The new species of treefrog is characterized by the combination of the following characters: medium size (male snout–vent length [SVL] 21.7–24.7 mm, female SVL 27.1–33.8 mm); snout rounded with mucronate tip in dorsal view; males with vocal slits present; vocal sac not expanded externally; interocular region with a w-shaped blotch not exceeding beyond the anterior margin of tympanic level; males with hypertrophied forearms; dorsal portion of the iris homogeneously pigmented; males with nuptial pads protruding; males with a developed pair of inguinal glands; in life, inguinal region and hidden surfaces of thigh with irregular dark brown spots on a white or slightly bluish background; in life, overall night coloration beige in males; call duration of 0.17–0.45 s; call composed of 4–10 notes; note duration of 3–28 ms; note emission rate of 16.8–32.5 notes per second; notes composed of 2–14 pulses; call with a dominant frequency of 2.67–4.56 kHz. We also show data about its habitat, natural history, and conservation and suggest a new diagnostic character for some species belonging to the Ololygon species.

KEYWORDS: Atlantic forest, bioacoustics, Scinaxini, taxonomy

Live topotypical specimens of Ololygon cataguas sp. nov.:
(A, B, C) males and (D) female. (E) Recently killed male.

Photos: C.L. Assis and H. Folly.

Ololygon cataguas sp. nov.

Etymology.—“Cataguas” refers to an indigenous ethnic group that lived in the forests of the Zona da Mata of Minas Gerais. Furthermore, the municipality where the type series was collected is called Cataguases. The name is used here as a noun in apposition.

 

 

Henrique Folly, Clodoaldo L. Assis, Diego J. Santana, João V. A. Lacerda, Ana Carolina C. Lourenço and Renato N. Feio. 2026. A New Species of Ololygon (Anura: Hylidae) from the Zona Da Mata Region, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Herpetologica. 82(1); 241-256. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00007  (30 September 2026) 

[Herpetology • 2026] Calamaria flavicollaris • Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New Species of Calamaria (Squamata: Calamariidae) from the Tenasserim Range, Western Thailand

 

 Calamaria flavicollaris

 Aksornneam, Rujirawan, Yodthong, Pawangkhanant, Sung & Aowphol, 2026

 

Tenasserim Collared Reed Snake | งูพงอ้อบ่วงบาศ ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10102 

 Photographed by Parinya Pawangkhanant

Abstract

A new species of Calamaria is described from the Tenasserim Range, Ratchaburi Province, western Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence. Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: 1) rostral scale wider than high; 2) portion of rostral scale visible from above greater than the half the length of the prefrontal suture; 3) prefrontal length shorter than frontal length, not entering orbit and in contact with first two supralabials; 4) five or six scales surrounding paraparietal scale; 5) preocular and postocular present; 6) four supralabials, the second and third in contact with the eyes; 7) eye diameter smaller than eye-mouth distance; 8) five infralabials, the first pair separating the mental scale from anterior chin shields; 9) seven modified maxillary teeth; 10) 180 ventral scales with three preventral scales; 11) 13 divided subcaudal scales; 12) cloacal plate single; 13) tail relatively short (4.5% of the total length), tapering, gradually to a pointed tail tip; 14) dorsum dark brown with eleven dark longitudinal stripes; 15) ventral surface yellow with a median line of dark flecks on underside of tail; and 16) dark collar followed by yellow ring at nuchal region. Genetically, the new species exhibits a pairwise distance of ≥17.56% from all other congeners based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene fragment. Furthermore, we provide cranial osteological description of the new species based on micro-CT scanning. Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. is currently known only from the type locality and represents the fourth species of the genus recorded for Thailand. 

Keywords: cranial osteology; herpetofauna; Isthmus of Kra; molecular; reed snake; Southeast Asia

Holotype of Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. (ZMKU R 01131) in life. A small figure shows the yellow color on the ventral side of this species 

 Photographed by Parinya Pawangkhanant

Head of  Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. (ZMKU R 01131).
A–B lateral view C–D dorsal view E–F ventral view

Holotype of  Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. (ZMKU R 01131)
in preservative. A dorsal view B ventral view C lateral view at the midbody D dorsal view of tail E ventral view of tail

Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters (Tables 3, 4; Suppl. Table 1): 1) rostral scale wider than high; 2) portion of rostral scale visible from above greater than the half the length of the prefrontal suture; 3) prefrontal length shorter than frontal length, not entering orbit, and in contact first two supralabials; 4) five or six scales surrounding the paraparietal scale; 5) preocular and postocular present; 6) four supralabials, the second and third in contact the eyes; 7) eye diameter smaller than eye-mouth distance; 8) five infralabials, the first pair separating the mental scale from anterior chin shields; 9) seven modified maxillary teeth; 10) 180 ventral scales with three preventral scales; 11) 13 divided subcaudal scales; 12) cloacal plate single; 13) tail relatively short (4.5% of the total length), tapering, gradually to a pointed tail tip; 14) dorsum dark brown with eleven dark longitudinal stripes; 15) ventral surface yellow with a median line of dark flecks on underside of tail; and 16) a dark nuchal collar followed by a yellow ring along neck.

Four Calamaria species in Thailand:
A Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. from Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi Province B C. lumbricoidea from Than To District, Yala Province
C C. schlegeli from Betong District, Yala Province D C. pavimentata from Kaeng Hang Maeo District, Chanthaburi Province 

Photos by Parinya Pawangkhanant (A–C) and Attapol Rujirawan (D)

Etymology. The specific epithet flavicollaris is derived from the Latin words “flavo” (yellow), “collare” (collar or neck), and the suffix “-aris”, which refers to the appearance of the yellow nuchal ring of this species. 

We suggested an English common name “Tenasserim Collared Reed Snake” and the Thai common name “งูพงอ้อบ่วงบาศ” (Ngu Phong O Buang Bat) for this species.

 Akrachai Aksornneam, Attapol Rujirawan, Siriporn Yodthong, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Yik-Hei Sung, and Anchalee Aowphol. 2026. Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New Species of Calamaria (Squamata: Calamariidae) from the Tenasserim Range, Western Thailand.  Contributions to Zoology. 95(4); 366–410. DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10102 [22 Sep 2026]

งูพงอ้อหัวแดง Calamaria schlegeli; 

งูพงอ้อหลากลาย Calamaria lumbricoidea; 

งูพงอ้อท้องเหลือง Calamaria pavimentata

[Herpetology • 2026] Liolaemus arequipensis • Taxonomic Nightmare: Hard Species Delimitation in Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) Lizards of the Peruvian High Andean Plateau with a Description of A New Cryptic Species

Liolaemus arequipensis 

Huamaní-Valderrama, De la Riva, Salas, Santa-Cruz, Salazar, Sites & Aguilar-Puntriano, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18100588

Abstract

Liolaemus species are the only lizards inhabiting the cold and hypoxic environments of the high Andean plateau. However, delimiting species within the Liolaemus montanus group across this region remains exceptionally challenging. Two taxonomically difficult groups in this area, the L. annectens and L. signifer complexes, comprise valid species and unassigned populations that require extensive taxonomic revision using modern species delimitation approaches. In this study, we perform phylogenetic, single-locus species delimitation and nuclear network analyses on these complexes. Our results show that within the L. annectens and L. signifer complexes, three and one lineages, respectively, are congruent with mitochondrial evidence and at least one haplotype network. L. annectens is supported by mitochondrial evidence but lacks unique haplotypes in both nuclear networks, and L. signifer shows inconclusive support by both mitochondrial and nuclear evidence. Based on these molecular results and morphological analyses, we describe a new Andean cryptic species, Liolaemus arequipensis sp. nov. from southern Peru.

Keywords: phylogeny; integrative taxonomy; single-locus delimitation; morphology; Liolaemus; Peru

 Holotype of Liolaemus arequipensis sp. nov., dorsal (A), ventral (B) and lateral (C) views.

Photographed by C. Salas.

Liolaemus arequipensis sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the Peruvian region of “Arequipa”, where the species was collected. The epithet arequipensis is an adjective in the nominative singular.

Ling Huamaní-Valderrama, Ignacio De la Riva, Cinthya Salas, Roy Santa-Cruz , Esther Salazar, Jack W. Sites, Jr. and César Aguilar-Puntriano. 2026. Taxonomic Nightmare: Hard Species Delimitation in Liolaemus (Squamata: Liolaemidae) Lizards of the Peruvian High Andean Plateau with a Description of a New Cryptic Species. Diversity. 18(10), 588; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/d18100588

[Botany • 2026] Impatiens zayuensis (Balsaminaceae) • A New Species from southeastern Xizang, China

 

 Impatiens zayuensis  S.Peng, G.W.Hu & Q.F.Wang, 

in Yuan, T. Hu, Zhang, Cao, Du, Chen, Cong, G.-W. Hu, Peng et Wang, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.751.2.7

  Researchgate.net/publication/403820090 

english.CAS.cn

Abstract

Impatiens zayuensis (Balsaminaceae), from Cibagou National Nature Reserve in southeastern Xizang, China, is described. Based on molecular evidence, I. zayuensis is assigned to I. sect. Racemosae. Morphologically, it is close to I. margaritifera and I. casseabriae in having spurless flowers, but differs in upper stem with glands, ovate lateral sepals, dentate margin of lateral sepals, sub-dolabriform or oblong lower petal, and oblique mouth of lower sepal. Phylogenetically, the new species does not cluster with the other two similar spurless species, indicating that the spurless character may have evolved several times within the I. sect. Racemosae.

Impatiens, New Species, Taxonomy, Phylogeny, Xizang, Eudicots

 Impatiens zayuensis.
 A. habitat; B. inflorescence; C-D. front view of flower; E-F. lateral view of flower; G. dissected flower (a. dorsal petal; b. lateral sepals; c. lateral united petals; d. lower sepal; e. stamens and pedicel); H. capsule and fruit stalk. I. seeds; J. leaves; K. root (Image by YUAN Taohua)

Morphological comparison of Impatiens zayuensis (A1-I1) and I. margaritifera (A2-I2).
A. inflorescences; B. the upper part of the stems (showing glands); C. leaves (showing glands at the base of the leaf blade); D. front view of flowers; E. lateral view of flowers; F. lateral sepals; G. dorsal petals; H. lateral united petals; I. lower sepals

 (1-I1 photographed by YUAN Taohua; B2-E2 by HUANG Wen; F2-I2 by PENG Shuai)

Impatiens zayuensis S.Peng, G.W.Hu & Q.F.Wang

TAO-HUA YUAN, TIAN HU, BEI ZHANG, MING CAO, ZHI DU, XIANG-YUN CHEN, YI-YAN CONG, GUANG-WAN HU, SHUAI PENG and QING-FENG WANG. 2026. A New Species of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) from southeastern Xizang, China.  Phytotaxa. 751(2); 163-175. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.751.2.7 [2026-04-15] 

Researchgate.net/publication/403820090_A_new_species_of_Impatiens_from_Tibet

 english.CAS.cn/newsroom/research-news/202605/t20260507_1158557.shtml

[Herpetology • 2026] Excidobates perplexus • Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador

Excidobates perplexus

Sánchez-Nivicela, Falcón-Reibán, Lituma, Fajardo-Torres, Urgiles, Apunte-Ramos & Ron, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2

Abstract

Poison dart frogs are one of the most studied and charismatic groups of amphibians, yet diversity within small and geographically restricted genera such as Excidobates remains incompletely understood. Until recently, this genus was known to comprise only three species distributed across the eastern mountain ranges of southern Ecuador and northern Peru. Here, we describe a new species represented by two populations in southern Ecuador: one from the eastern slopes of the Andes and another from north of Cordillera del Cóndor. The new species is more closely related to Excidobates mysteriosus, from which it differs by a genetic distance of 2.7–3.5% (16S rRNA gene) and markedly distinctive morphology such as 15.1–18.3 mm on snout-vent length and strongly granular skin. The two populations of the new species differ markedly in color from each other and from E. mysteriosus: scarlet red mottled dorsal coloration on a black background and a red-orange and black reticulated venter in the Central Andean Cordillera population, and green dorsal coloration with inconspicuous yellow spots and a yellow and black reticulated venter in the Cordillera del Cóndor population. Its advertisement call has 24–26 pulses, dominant frequency 4781.3–5062.5 Hz, and 0.51–0.56 s duration. The two populations are separated by 65 km, inhabit different forest types and have a genetic distance of 0.6–0.7%. Despite the marked color and habitat differences, the combined evidence indicates that the two populations represent polymorphic variants of the same species. Because the new species faces severe and imminent threats, including large and medium-scale mining, hydroelectric development, and illegal wildlife trade, we propose to assign it to the Red List category as Critically Endangered. Our findings highlight the rich but still underestimated amphibian diversity of the southeastern Ecuadorian Andes and underscore the urgent need for conservation actions in these regions.

Amphibia, Andes, conservation, Ecuador, phylogeny, taxonomy

 

Excidobates perplexus sp. nov. 

JUAN C. SÁNCHEZ-NIVICELA, JOSÉ M. FALCÓN-REIBÁN, MICHELLE CABRERA LITUMA, JAIME D. FAJARDO-TORRES, VERÓNICA L. URGILES, KATHERINE APUNTE-RAMOS, SANTIAGO R. RON. 2026. Tiny Jewels of the Forest: A New and Endangered Species of Excidobates (Anura: Dendrobatidae) from southeastern Ecuador.  Zootaxa. 5886(2); 193-217. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.2.2 [2026-10-02]

[Paleontology • 2026] New Fossil Material of Chelus colombiana (Testudines: Chelidae) from the Middle Miocene of Peru

 

Chelus colombiana MUSM-920
specimen from the Middle Miocene of Fitzcarrald Arch, Peru.
(A) Shell in anterior (cranial) view. (B) Shell in left lateral view. (C) Shell in posterior (caudal) view, showing both pelvic girdles articulated and sutured to the carapace and plastron. 

in Cadena, Salas-Gismondi, Zamora-Vega, ... et Pérez-García. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2026.201135

  Artistic reconstruction  by Juan Giraldo

Abstract

We describe two fossil turtle shells of Chelus colombiana from Middle Miocene vertebrate localities in the Fitzcarrald Arch and Iquitos regions of Peru. One specimen represents one of the most complete fossil shells of the genus, also one of the largest known, measuring 84.6 cm in carapace length and estimated to have weighed approximately 65 kg. Morphological comparisons confirm synchronous consistency with other C. colombiana specimens from Colombia and Brazil, with only minor variation in the gular and extragular scutes. These new records extend the known geographic distribution of C. colombiana to the southwestern margins of the Pebas wetland system and support a broader pattern of body size gigantism among Miocene South American turtles, likely driven by ecological connectivity rather than climatic factors. However, the absence of associated cranial material remains a major obstacle to fully resolving the taxonomy of fossil Chelus, a problem further explored in this study.

Keywords: South America; Neogene; Pebas Formation; Testudines; Pleurodira; paleobiogeography

Systematic paleontology

Order Testudines Batsch, 1788 sensu Joyce et al., 2020a

Suborder Pleurodira Cope, 1865 sensu Joyce et al., 2020b

Family Chelidae Gray, 1825 sensu Joyce et al., 2021

Genus Chelus Duméril, 1806

Chelus colombiana Wood, 1976

 Shell of Chelus colombiana MUSM-920 specimen from the Middle Miocene of Fitzcarrald Arch, Peru. 
(A) Shell in anterior (cranial) view. (B) Shell in left lateral view. (C) Shell in posterior (caudal) view, showing both pelvic girdles articulated and sutured to the carapace and plastron.
 (D) Artistic reconstruction of Chelus colombiana by Juan Giraldo.

Edwin-Alberto Cadena, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi, Camila Zamora-Vega, John Flynn, Pierre-Olivier Antoine, Patrice Baby and Adán Pérez-García. 2026. New Fossil Material of Chelus (Testudines: Chelidae) from the Middle Miocene of Peru. Palaeoworld. 35(5); 201135. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.palwor.2026.201135 [25 May 2026]

 

[Botany • 2025] Polystichum oligodontum (Dryopteridaceae, sect. Sphaenopolystichum) • A New cave fern from Guangxi, China

 

Polystichum oligodontum  Y.Nong, R.H.Jiang & C.Xiong, 

in Nong, Jiang, Xiong, Q.-J. Wei, G.-Y. Wei, Ji, Lai et  H.-J. Wei, 2025. 

稀齿耳蕨  |  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.266.156701

Abstract

Polystichum oligodontum (Dryopteridaceae), a new fern species in P. subg. Haplopolystichum from three karst caves in northwest Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. This species is unique in having pinnae with a shallow or nearly free lobe on the acroscopic base and coarsely toothed distal margins. It resembles P. membranifolium and P. kwangtungense in its reflexed and oblong pinnae with an obtuse or rounded apex, but can be easily distinguished by its remote pinnae bearing a lobe at the acroscopic base. The new species also somewhat resembles P. leveillei in the nearly free basal lobe, but differs by its toothed upper pinna margins. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 56 Polystichum species, based on the rbcL gene, supports the placement of P. oligodontum within P. sect. Sphaenopolystichum, with P. alcicorne as its closest relative. According to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the new species is assigned to the Critically Endangered (CR) category.

Key words: Cave ferns, coarse tooth, karst area, serration pattern

Polystichum oligodontum (from Bama county).
A. Inside view of the cave where the new species was discovered; B. Lower portions of stipes showing scales; C, D. Habits; E. Portions of laminae (adaxially); F. Portions of laminae (abaxially); G. Pinna showing sori; H. Portion of pinna showing indusia.

Polystichum oligodontum (from Fengshan County).
A. Inside view of the cave where the new species was discovered; B, C. Habit; D. Portions of laminae (adaxially); E. Scales from stipes base (bottom), pinna base (middle) and pinna surface (top); F. Portions of lamina (abaxially).

 Polystichum oligodontum Y.Nong, R.H.Jiang & C.Xiong, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Polystichum oligodontum is unique by the pinna acroscopic side with a shallow or nearly free lobe at the base and coarsely toothed along distal margins.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin, oligodontum, meaning “few teeth”, and referring to the number of the teeth on pinna margins.

Chinese name. 稀齿耳蕨 (xī chǐ ěr jué).

 You Nong, Ri-Hong Jiang, Chi Xiong, Qiu-Jun Wei, Gui-Yuan Wei, Xing-Yun Ji, Ke-Dao Lai and Hong-Jin Wei. 2025. Polystichum oligodontum (subg. Haplopolystichum, Dryopteridaceae), A New cave fern from Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 266: 297-310. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.266.156701 [25 Nov 2025]

[Botany • 2025] Polystichum ensiforme (Dryopteridaceae, sect. Cyrtomiopsis) • A New simple-lamina Species from Lingnan Region, China

 

[A-C] Polystichum ensiforme H.Shang & R.H.Jiang;  
[D-F] P. basipinnatum (Baker) Ching

 [A & D] Habit, [B & E] Portion of frond, [C & F] Portion of lamina showing sori

in Shang, J.-L. Li, Z.-Y. Li, SHAO, F.-H. Li, D. Li, Liu et Jiang, 2025. 

剑叶鞭叶耳蕨  |  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.704.2.5  

 Researchgate.net/publication/392468740

 (photos: Z. Y. Li; W. Q. Wang; X. L. Zhou & K. Ye). 

Abstract

Polystichum ensiforme, a new polystichoid fern species from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, the new species most closely resembles P. basipinnatum but differs in having a generally simple lamina, scattered sori, and leathery lamina texture. Phylogenetic analysis placed it as an isolated clade within P. sect. Cyrtomiopsis. A key to the species of P. sect. Cyrtomiopsis is also provided.

Cyrtomidictyum, fern, phylogeny, taxonomy, whip-like leaves, Pteridophytes

Morphological comparison between Polystichum ensiforme (top) and P. basipinnatum (bottom): A. & D. Habit, B. & E.Portion of frond, C. & F. Portion of lamina showing sori

 (photo credits: A & C by Z. Y. Li; B by W. Q. Wang; D by X. L. Zhou; E &F by K. Ye). 

Polystichum ensiforme H.Shang & R.H.Jiang, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The species epithet is derived from the Latin, ensiform (sword-shaped), referring to sword-shaped fronds of the new species.

Vernacular name:—剑叶鞭叶耳蕨(jiàn yè biān yè ěr jué)

HUI SHANG, JIAN-LING LI, ZHONG-YANG LI, WEN SHAO, FANG-HUA LI, DONG LI, HONG-MEI LIU and RI-HONG JIANG. 2025. A New simple-lamina Species of Polystichum (Dryopteridaceae) from Lingnan Region, China.  Phytotaxa. 704(2); 178-186. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.704.2.5 [2025-06-06] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/392468740_A_new_species_of_Polystichum_from_Lingnan_China

New sword-shaped fern species found in Guangxi

http://english.xtbg.cas.cn/rh/rp/202506/t20250616_1045654.html

[Botany • 2026] Primula octopoda (Primulaceae) • A stoloniferous New Species from western Sichuan, China

 

Primula octopoda W.B.Ju & Q.Huang,  

in Q. Huang, X. Wang, W.-J. Huang, Yang, Pan, Ru, J.-P. Wang et Ju, 2026.

巴塘粉报春 | DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74088 

 

ABSTRACT

Primula octopoda W.B.Ju & Q.Huang, a new species of Primula (Primulaceae) in sect. Aleuritia, is herein described and illustrated from Batang County, Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Morphologically, P. octopoda is most similar to P. stenocalyx, but it can be readily distinguished by its dwarf habit, the presence of stolons 2–7 cm in length ending in small rosettes occasionally bearing a single flower, elliptic to broadly obovate leaf blades, a very short or absent scape bearing one or two flowers, and a smaller, annulate corolla with a prominent yellow eye. The complete chloroplast genome of P. octopoda spans 154,164 bp with a GC content of 36.97% and contains 125 genes. Phylogenetic analyses using plastid and ITS data both place P. octopoda within sect. Aleuritia while supporting its distinct species status. Given the current lack of adequate information on its population size and geographic range, the species is provisionally assigned a status of Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords: molecular phylogeny, morphology, new species, Primula, taxonomy

Habitat of the Primula octopoda.
 (A) Habitat; (B–D) Plants.

Morphology of Primula octopoda.
 (A) Plant; (B) roots; (C) leaves; (D) inflorescence; (E) corolla; (F) bracts; (G) calyx; (H) thrum flower and pin flower; (I) capsule.

Primula octopoda W.B.Ju & Q.Huang, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. The new species most closely resembles P. stenocalyx, sharing narrowly lanceolate bracts, a tubular calyx with similarly divided oblong or lanceolate lobes, stamens and style included within the corolla tube, and an oblong capsule. However, it differs in its shorter stature, the presence of 2–7 cm long stolons each ending in a small rosette and occasionally bearing a solitary flower, elliptic to broadly obovate leaves, a scape up to 2 cm long or absent with 1–2 flowers, and an annulate corolla with a yellow eye and smaller flowers (Figures 2 and 3).

Etymology. The specific epithet of the new species refers to its distinctive feature of producing multiple stout, fleshy stolons that resemble the tentacles of an octopus; hence the name octopoda, which vividly reflects the plant's numerous stolons extending like “eight legs.”

Vernacular Name. Chinese mandarin: “bā táng fĕn bào chūn” (巴塘粉报春), meaning “Batang Farinose Primrose” in English.

 

Qin Huang, Xin Wang, Wen-Jun Huang, Jie-Yi Yang, Hong-Li Pan, Jian Ru, Jiang-Ping Wang and Wen-Bin Ju. 2026. Primula octopoda, A stoloniferous New Species from Western Sichuan, China. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74088 [27 August 2026]