[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Pampaluctor calibar • A New sabre-toothed thylacosmilid (Metatheria: Thylacosmilidae) from the Pliocene–Pleistocene of southern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina

 

 Pampaluctor calibar

del Campo, Agnolín, Chimento, Boh, Magnussen & De Cianni, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2026.2727509 

Illustration by Sebastián Rozadilla

 

Abstract

Thylacosmilids are a clade of metatherian predators known from lower Miocene to upper Pliocene strata of South America. They had highly specialized skulls with enlarged canines. Here, we describe remains of a new thylacosmilid taxon from the Argentine Pampas. This specimen comprises a partial postcranial skeleton from the upper Pliocene–Lower Pleistocene Vorohué Formation near Miramar in Buenos Aires Province. It shares several features supporting referral to Thylacosmilidae including a strong neck, robust forelimbs, and a shortened tibia. However, it shows notable differences from more derived thylacosmilids, especially Thylacosmilus atrox, the only thylacosmilid represented by relatively complete postcranium. The Vorohué Formation taxon differs by having a robust atlas, simpler ventral crest in the fifth cervical vertebra, enlarged medial epicondyle of the humerus, less distally projected capitulum, a more developed process on top of the lateral epicondylar crest, an enlarged radial fossa, deep coronoid fossa bordered by a marked ridge, smaller medial epicondyle on the femur, and a straight tibial shaft. These character states support establishment of a new genus and species. Phylogenetic analysis places the Vorohué Formation taxon as the sister of Thylacosmilus atrox. Functional comparisons suggest powerful neck musculature and forelimbs, coupled with low cursoriality—traits typical of ambush predators. The Vorohué Formation taxon is one of the geologically youngest sparassodonts, and shows that thylacosmilids coexisted not only with early North American placental carnivores (e.g., procyonids), but also probably mustelids and foxes.

 

Keywords: Sparassodontapost, cranium, Vorohué Formation, Metatheria, systematic palaeontology, South America

Systematic palaeontology

Class MAMMALIA Linnaeus, 1758

Infraclass METATHERIA Huxley, 1880

Order SPARASSODONTA Ameghino, 1894

Superfamily BORHYAENOIDEA Simpson, 1930

Clade THYLACOSMILIFORMES Suarez, Goin, Montalvo, Acosta, Cadena & Tomassini, 2025

Family THYLACOSMILIDAE Riggs, 1933

Pampaluctor gen. nov.

Diagnosis: Large thylacosmilid differing from Anachlysictis in possessing a more robust and anteroposteriorly elongate atlas with a prominent dorsal spine, anterior articular facets not protruding beyond the anterior margin of the dorsal arch, smaller atlantal foramen groove extending anterolaterally instead of posterolaterally, concave posterior articular facets, and an anteroposteriorly extended ventral tubercle on the intercentrum. Differs from Thylacosmilus in having a more robust and compact atlas, smaller atlantal foramen groove, more robust humerus with an expanded medial epicondyle extending over more than a fourth of the total width of the distal epiphysis, transversely broad lateral epicondyle, enlarged radial fossa in contact with the coronoid fossa, femur with much smaller medial epicondyle and distal extremity, and tibia with a straight diaphysis. Differs from Dimartinia and Patagosmilus in larger size and stratigraphic age; no overlapping skeletal elements are known for these taxa.

Etymology: Refers to the Argentine Pampas, and luctor (Latin), to wrestle.

Pampaluctor calibar sp. nov.

Etymology: Refers to ‘Calibar’, a famous nineteenth-century gaucho who tracked thieves and rescued lost people in Central Argentina (described by the author and politician Domingo F. Sarmiento in 1845).

Holotype: MPH P0730, incomplete postcranial skeleton including atlas, axis, third, fourth, fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae, scapula, humerus, radius, femur, tibia, two caudal vertebrae and unidentified bone fragments.

Type locality, unit and age: Locality ..., near Miramar city, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina; Vorohué Formation, upper Pliocene–lower Pleistocene.

Artistic construction of Pampaluctor calibar. 

Illustration by Sebastián Rozadilla, courtesy of E. del Campo

Eric N. del Campo, Federico L. Agnolín, Nicolás R. Chimento, Daniel Boh, Mariano Magnussen and Francisco De Cianni. 2026. A New sabre-toothed thylacosmilid (Thylacosmilidae, Metatheria) from the Pliocene–Pleistocene of southern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/03115518.2026.2727509  [22 Sep 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Beaumontia laotica (Apocynaceae) • A New Species from central Laos

 

Beaumontia laotica X.D. Ma, H.C. Xi, S. Lorphengsy & J.Y. Shen, 

in Ma, Xi, Lorphengsy et Shen, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0130 

Abstract

Beaumontia laotica X.D. Ma, H.C. Xi, S. Lorphengsy & J.Y. Shen (Apocynaceae) is described as a new species from Bolikhamxai Province, Laos. It closely resembles B. grandiflora, B. murtonii and B. jerdoniana, but differs from them by several features of the leaves, sepals and corolla, and by flowering in November. A full taxonomic description, diagnostic illustration and formal IUCN conservation assessment are presented for the new species. An identification key to all species of Beaumontia is provided.

Beaumontia laotica (from the holotype).
 — A: Branch. — B: Longitudinal section of flower. — C: Style-head and anther, side view. — D: Anther, adaxial view. — E: Anther, abaxial view. — F: Ovary, side view.

Beaumontia laotica (A and B photographed at type locality, 11 November 2025; C–P from the holotype).
— A: Natural habitat. — B: Habit. — C: Branch. — D: Young stem. — E: Leaf, adaxial view. — F: Leaf, abaxial view. — G: Adaxial leaf surface. — H: Abaxial leaf surface. — I: Inflorescence. — J: Bracts, adaxial views. — K: Sepals, adaxial views. — L: Flower, front view. — M: Longitudinal section of corolla showing inner surface and stamens. — N: Pedicel and pistil, side view. — O: Disc and ovary, front view. — P: Ovary, side view.

Beaumontia laotica X.D. Ma, H.C. Xi, S. Lorphengsy & J.Y. Shen, sp. nova

Diagnosis. Beaumontia laotica differs from B. grandiflora, B. murtonii and B. jerdoniana by its lanceolate or narrowly obovate (vs. elliptic or obovate) leaf blade; persistent (vs. deciduous) bracts; glabrous (vs. pubescent) sepals; and glabrous (vs. pubescent or puberulent) corolla tube, lower portion ca. 7.4 cm long (vs. 1.5–2.5 cm long), upper portion abruptly expanding to trumpet-shaped, ca. 2 cm long (vs. obconical or campanulate, 6.5–11 cm long). 

Xing-Da Ma, Hou-Cheng Xi, Sengvilay Lorphengsy and Jian-Yong Shen. 2026. Beaumontia laotica (Apocynaceae), A New Species from central Laos. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1), 233-237. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0130  (11 September 2026) 

[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis orlovi • An overlooked Mountain Pitviper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Ovophis) from the Montane Regions of Central Vietnam and Southern Laos

 

Ovophis orlovi  

 Idiiatullina, Ustinova, Bragin, Le, Yuhao, Tierui, Pawangkhanant, Ananjeva, David, Vogel, Nguyen & Poyarkov, 2026

 rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/2315 

facebook.com/tan.sifasv/posts/122268835112144982 

Researchgate.net/publication/415133263

Abstract

An overlooked species of the mountain pitviper genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge and Romano-Hoge, 1981, is described from the highlands of central Vietnam and southern Laos based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining molecular and morphological evidence. Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. has long been confused with O. monticola and, less frequently, O. convictus, but is recovered as a distinct and well-supported evolutionary lineage in mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses, forming the sister taxon to O. anitae. Its distinctiveness is further supported by substantial mitochondrial divergence from its closest relative (cyt b uncorrected p-distance = 8.0%) and by a unique combination of diagnostic morphological characters, including body proportions, scalation, and color pattern. Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. is currently known from montane evergreen forests of the Kon Tum-Gia Lai Plateau in central Vietnam and adjacent montane areas of southern Laos at elevations of approximately 900 – 1,400 m a.s.l. The recognition of Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. resolves a long-standing taxonomic misidentification involving populations previously referred to O. monticola or O. convictus, further demonstrates that species diversity within Ovophis remains underestimated, and highlights the importance of integrative taxonomic studies for uncovering overlooked diversity in the montane regions of mainland Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Ovophis orlovi sp. nov.; integrative taxonomy; molecular phylogeny; morphology; Kon Tum-Gia Lai Plateau; Bolaven Plateau; biogeography

Ovophis orlovi sp. nov.

Variation in coloration of Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. in life.
Vietnam: A, Mang Den, Quang Ngai, VRTC NAP-18718, adult female, holotype; B, Kon Chu Rang NR, Gia Lai, ZMMU R-16315, subadult male, paratype; C, Kon Ka Kinh NP, Gia Lai, ZMMU R-15452, subadult female, paratype.
Laos: Bolaven Plateau, Champasak: D, adult individual; E, F, subadult individual.

Photos by A. M. Bragin (A), N. A. Poyarkov (B, C), and A. Teynié (D – F)

Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Darya A. Ustinova, Andrey M. Bragin, Son Xuan Le, Xu Yuhao, Zhang Tierui, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Patrick David, Gernot Vogel, Tan Van Nguyen and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2026. An overlooked Mountain Pitviper from the Montane Regions of Central Vietnam and Southern Laos (Serpentes: Viperidae: Ovophis). Russian Journal of Herpetology. 33(3); 178-196. http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/2315 [September 30, 2026]

 facebook.com/tan.sifasv/posts/122268835112144982

 Researchgate.net/publication/415133263_An_overlooked_Ovophis_from_the_montane_regions_of_Vietnam_Laos

 

 Ovophis orlovi sp. nov., Mang Den Commune, Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, June 6, 2016. Photo by Andrey M. Bragin

 

[Arachnida • 2026] Charinus paradoxus• A New whip spider Species (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Colombia

 

Charinus paradoxus 

Alvarez-Garcia, Suárez-Martínez, & Torres, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4  

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs

Abstract

The genus Charinus is currently represented in Colombia by four species: C. miskito, C. mocoa, C. rocamadre, and C. santandereanus. In this study, we describe and illustrate a new species, Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the absence of median eyes and median ocular tubercle, the presence of three dorsal spines on the pedipalp femur, the first tarsal article of leg I being considerably longer than the second, and the morphology of the glandular openings of the atrium in the female gonopods, which are button-shaped. Additionally, we provide an identification key for the species of Charinus recorded from Colombia and a distribution map of the genus in the country. With the description of this new species, the number of Charinus species known from Colombia increases to five.

Amblypygi, amblypygid, Colombian Caribbean region, morphology, scanning electron microscopy, taxonomy

Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.

Deivys M. ALVAREZ-GARCIA, Leiner A. SUÁREZ-MARTÍNEZ and Richard A. TORRES. 2026. Charinus paradoxus sp. nov. (Amblypygi: Charontidae), A New whip spider Species from Colombia. Zootaxa. 5886(3); 406-422. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4 [2026-10-05]

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs/status/2107619102122532916

[Arachnida • 2026] Raveniola zhangzongxuni • A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China

 

Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, 

in Li, Liang, Wang et Liu,  2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e211761

Abstract

Background: Prior to this study, only two mygalomorph species from two distinct families had been formally recorded in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province: Calommata jinggangica Li & Xu, 2022 (Atypidae Thorell, 1870) and Conothele jinggangshan Liu, Xu, Zhang, Liu & Li, 2019 (Halonoproctidae Pocock, 1901), indicating that the overall mygalomorph diversity in this region remains far from fully revealed. The family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889, is known from the neighbouring provinces of Jiangxi: Hunan, Hubei, Fujian and Zhejiang. Nevertheless, no systematic surveys of Nemesiidae have ever been conducted in Jiangxi Province, and to date, no species belonging to this family has been formally reported from the region. During a recent exploratory field survey of local microhabitats in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, we collected a series of nemesiid specimens with distinctive morphology. Following morphological examination and preliminary molecular data, these specimens are confirmed to represent a new species of the genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987. This discovery not only provides the first formal record of Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province, but also highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and eastern China remains largely under-investigated, with many potential taxa awaiting discovery.

New information: The spider genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 is reported for the first time from Jiangxi Province, China, based on material collected in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve. A new species, Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The discovery provides the first formal record of the family Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province and bridges the known distributional records of the genus in eastern China, enhancing its geographic continuity on the map. The finding highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and adjacent regions remains largely under-sampled and contributes to the understanding of the biogeography of the family Nemesiidae in East Asia.

Keywords: East Asia, mygalomorph diversity, distribution, new record

Raveniola zhangzongxuni sp. nov., photos of living specimen.
 A−C male; D−F female.

Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Differs from Raveniola chayi Li & Zonstein, 2015 by having the dorsal abdominal pattern consisting of numerous darker spots on a lighter background (vs. numerous lighter spots on a darker background), the maxillae with 3 or 4 cuspules (vs. 12–15), the tibial length/cymbial length ca. 2.5 on male palp (vs. > 3.4), the copulatory bulb is relatively broader ca. 1.2–1.5 times as long as wide (vs. 2.5–4 times) and the lateral diverticulum arising from about 1/3 of spermathecal trunk (vs. about the base of spermathecal trunk). The new species also differs from R. gracilis Li & Zonstein, 2015 by the ventral abdominal pattern consisting of some darker spots on a lighter background (vs. pale yellow, without spots), the male PMS absent (vs. present), the maxillae with 3 or 4 cuspules (vs. 4–6), the tibial length/cymbial length ca. 2.5 on male palp (vs. > 2.6), the copulatory bulb is relatively broader ca. 1.2–1.5 times as long as wide (vs. nearly as long as wide) and the lateral diverticulum approximately 0.6 times as long as spermathecal trunk (vs. approximately 0.3 times).

Etymology: The species is named in honour of Zong-xun Zhang, one of the famous figures of the extremely hard and bitter struggle in Jinggangshan; noun (name) in genitive case.

 

 Congzheng Li, Qinlong Liang, Zhongjing Wang and Ke-Ke Liu. 2026. A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 14: e211761.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e211761 [28-09-2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Cranial Anatomy of the Middle Eocene Egyptian crocodylian Herugavialis cairensis provides Nnew Insights into gavialoid diversity in the Mediterranean Region

 

Life reconstruction of Herugavialis cairensis depicted with The Great Sphinx and pyramids of Giza in the background. 

Herugavialis gen. nov.
Herugavialis cairensis n. comb. (Müller, 1927)

in Burke, Spiekman, Salem, Saber, Sallam et Mannion, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.261173

Artwork by Karim Zanaty.

Abstract

Gavialoidea is presently composed of only two extant crocodylian species, the Indian gharial Gavialis gangeticus, and the false gharial Tomistoma schlegelii, both from southeast Asia. However, Gavialoidea displays a rich and near-cosmopolitan diversity in the fossil record, with over 40 species currently recognized. Several of these gavialoids are recovered from Cenozoic deposits in the Mediterranean region, with many assigned historically to the genus Tomistoma. However, recent phylogenetic analyses do not typically recover these species as closely related to the false gharial, with several fossil species in need of taxonomic revision. Here, we present a detailed re-evaluation of one of these species, Tomistoma cairense from the Middle Eocene Mokattam Formation of Egypt, based on the holotype skull and several referred specimens. Supplemented by endocranial anatomy revealed via computed tomography (CT), we identify numerous anatomical differences with T. schlegelii and other gavialoids, including the approximately contemporaneous Egyptian species, Eogavialis africanum and Paratomistoma courti. These differences are reinforced through phylogenetic analysis under maximum parsimony, in which T. cairense is recovered as a gavialoid that does not cluster with T. schlegelii or Mediterranean taxa. We erect a new genus name for T. cairense, with the resultant new combination of Herugavialis cairensis diagnosed by several characteristics, including telescoped orbits. An apparent decline in Mediterranean gavialoid diversity during the Late Eocene–Oligocene is potentially driven by a reduction in habitat, as a result of global cooling and declining eustatic sea level. Warming in the Miocene might have facilitated a subsequent rebound in gavialoid diversity, prior to the extirpation of crocodylians in the Mediterranean region in the Late Miocene, which might have been caused by the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The taxonomic revision of additional Mediterranean gavialoid species should facilitate greater insight into their evolutionary history and demise.

Keywords: Gavialoidea, Mediterranean, Crocodylia, Tomistoma, neuroanatomy, phylogeny

Eusuchia Huxley, 1875

Crocodylia Gmelin, 1788

Gavialoidea Hay, 1930

Herugavialis gen. nov.,

 

Herugavialis cairensis n. comb. Müller, 1927 

Tomistoma cairense (Müller, 1927).

Etymology: Heru, after the Egyptian god (also known as Horus), is often associated with, and possibly the inspiration for, the Great Sphinx of Giza. The latter was sculpted from the Mokattam Formation, from which the type specimen of H. cairensis was recovered, with both sharing the absence of the anterior tip of their nose/snout. The genus suffix, -gavialis, reflects the relationship of H. cairensis to Gavialis gangeticus within Gavialoidea. Accordingly, the original species epithet, cairense, is modified to cairensis to agree with the masculine gender of Herugavialis.

  

Locality and horizon: The holotype and referred specimens were collected from Gebel Mokattam, east of Cairo, in northeastern Egypt. They were recovered from the Mokattam Formation, which is a nummulitic marine limestone dated to the Lutetian, Middle Eocene.

 Diagnosis: Within Gavialoidea, H. cairensis is characterized by a unique combination of characters: (i) lacrimal with an anteroposterior length more than twice that of the prefrontal; (ii) telescoped orbit formed by raised margins of the lacrimal, prefrontal and frontal; (iii) a squamosal wherein the dorsal and ventral margins do not diverge anteriorly; (iv) the distance between the distal tip of the paraoccipital process and the distal end of the quadrate condyle is greater than the maximum mediolateral width of the latter; and (v) a blunt dural peak on the encephalic endocast.

Life reconstruction of Herugavialis cairensis in left lateral view. Herugavialis is depicted with The Great Sphinx and pyramids of Giza in the background.

 Artwork by Karim Zanaty.

 

 Conclusions: 

The redescription of the holotype and referred specimens of the Middle Eocene crocodylian species ‘Tomistoma’ cairense demonstrates numerous morphological differences from extant T. schlegelii. Coupled with the recognition of several autapomorphies, as well as its phylogenetic separation from T. schlegelii, we erect the new genus, Herugavialis cairensis. Herugavialis can be differentiated from approximately contemporaneous Egyptian gavialoids by numerous anatomical features, exemplifying the diversity of gavialoids in the Mediterranean region during this period. Global cooling and a drop in eustatic sea level during the Late Eocene–Oligocene potentially limited suitable habitat for gavialoids in the Mediterranean region, with subsequent increases in eustatic sea level and temperature potentially facilitating the return to high gavialoid diversity observed in the Miocene. The taxonomic classification of some of these European species awaits re-evaluation, which will facilitate greater insight into the evolutionary history of the Mediterranean gavialoids.

Paul M. J. Burke; Stephan N. F. Spiekman; Belal S. Salem; Sara Saber; Hesham M. Sallam and Philip D. Mannion. 2026. Cranial Anatomy of the Middle Eocene Egyptian crocodylian Herugavialis cairensis provides Nnew Insights into gavialoid diversity in the Mediterranean Region. R. Soc. Open Sci 13 (10): 261173. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.261173 [07 Oct 2026]

[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]

[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)