[Botany • 2025] Middletonia tiepiana (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from southern Vietnam

 

Middletonia tiepiana  Luu, X.B.Nguyen-Le & T.Q.T.Nguyen, 

in T. Q. T. Nguyen, H. C. Nguyen, Nguyen-Le, Tran, T. T. Nguyen et Luu, 2025.  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.267.169576 

Abstract

A new species of Middletonia (Gesneriaceae), M. tiepiana, is described from Nui Chua National Park in southern Vietnam. This is the third species of the genus recorded in Vietnam, and notably, the second Vietnamese species with a blue corolla – a trait previously observed in M. evrardii (Vietnam), M. changjiangensis, and M. hainanensis (both from China). Middletonia tiepiana differs from the Vietnamese species by its leaves lacking interpetiolar ridges, shorter peduncles, linear and minute bracts, free glandular anthers dehiscing by apical pores, and from the Chinese congeners by its growth form, distinct leaf morphology, length of peduncles, deep blue-violet corolla with a white base, and absence of staminodes. It grows in sandstone-based soils within coastal semi-arid forest, a habitat not previously associated with the genus. A detailed morphological description, illustration, notes on distribution, ecology, and phenology, and a provisional conservation assessment are provided. A key to all known Middletonia species is also included.

Key words: Blue-violet flowers, endemic, Nui Chua National Park, semi-arid, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Middletonia tiepiana.
A. Plant in situ; B. Leaves, adaxial and abaxial surfaces; C. Leaf, close-up of adaxial surface; D. Leaf, close-up of abaxial surface; E. Inflorescences; F. Bract; G. Flower, front view; H. Flower, dorsal view; I. Flower, side view; J. Stamens; K. Calyx & pistil; L. Close-up of stigma (dried); M. Cross-section of ovary; N. Fruit (immature); O. Cross-section of immature fruit.

 Middletonia tiepiana Luu, X.B.Nguyen-Le & T.Q.T.Nguyen, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Middletonia tiepiana is morphologically most similar to M. evrardii in its short caulescent habit, leaf shape, violet-blue corolla, floral structure, and twisted capsules, but differs by its smaller leaves (3.5–7 × 2.5–4 cm vs. 5–10 × 4–7 cm in M. evrardii), petiole densely brown tomentose and not interpetiolar ridged (vs. glabrescent, interpetiolar ridged), inflorescences with shorter peduncles (8–15 cm vs. 15–30 cm), linear bracts ca. 0.4 mm long (vs. lanceolate bracts 3–4 mm long), much shorter calyx lobes (1–1.4 mm vs. 3–4 mm), a corolla with a shorter tube (ca. 1 mm vs. 2 mm) and smaller lobes (4.6–6 × 3.7–4 mm vs. 6–7 × 5 mm), free and glandular anthers that are dehiscent by apical pores (vs. apically convergent, glabrous, dehiscent by longitudinal slits), smaller fruits (7.5–13 mm vs. 15–20 mm) and occurrence on semi-arid sandstone substrates (vs. moist granite rock).

Etymology. The species is named in honor of Mr. Tran Van Tiep, Director of Nui Chua National Park, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the conservation and stewardship of the park’s unique biodiversity.

 Tran Quoc Trung Nguyen, Hieu Cuong Nguyen, Xuan Bach Nguyen-Le, Cong Luan Tran, Thanh Trung Nguyen and Hong Truong Luu. 2025. Middletonia tiepiana (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from southern Vietnam. PhytoKeys. 267: 361-371. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.267.169576 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Pascua marecoralliensis • A New Species of Goby (Gobiiformes: Gobiidae) from the Central Coral Sea with Validation of the Genus Pascua

 

 Pascua marecoralliensis 

Goatley, Varela, Sellanes & Tornabene, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/fishes10090449 

Abstract

In this paper, we use molecular phylogenetics, micro-CT scanning, and morphological analyses to describe a new species of goby, Pascua marecoralliensis, and demonstrate that the genus Pascua is distinct from Hetereleotris, as supported by five diagnostic characters, including modified basicaudal scales and reduced sensory papillae patterns. Phylogenetic analysis places Pascua as sister to the Gobiodon group, while Hetereleotris forms a separate clade. The new species, P. marecoralliensis, differs from congeners in fin ray counts, cephalic pore patterns, and head morphology and exhibits unique live colouration. Additionally, we reclassify Hetereleotris readerae and H. sticta as Pascua readerae and P. sticta based on shared genus-specific traits. The distribution of Pascua spans the southern Pacific, suggesting a relict lineage or undiscovered diversity in the genus. This work underscores the importance of integrative taxonomic approaches for resolving cryptic diversity in gobioid fishes and highlights the need for further sampling in understudied regions.

Keywords: coral reef; cryptic; cryptobenthic fishes; Gobioidei; Hetereleotris; morphology; osteology; phylogeny; tropical; Australia

The three specimens of Pascua marecoralliensis sp. nov. collected from Lorna Cay, Lihou Reef in the Central Coral Sea, Australia.
(a) AMS I.49536-002 (holotype), (b) AMS I.49536-038 specimen 1 (paratype; specimen damaged during description and molecular sampling), (c) AMS I.49536-038 specimen 2 (paratype).

 Christopher H. R. Goatley, Andrea I. Varela, Javier Sellanes and Luke Tornabene. 2025. Pascua marecoralliensis, A New Species of Goby (Gobiiformes, Gobiidae) from the Central Coral Sea with Validation of the Genus Pascua. Fishes. 10(9), 449. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/fishes10090449 [4 September 2025]

 

[Crustacea • 2025] Tropichelura barasu • A New Species of Tropichelura (Amphipoda: Cheluridae) from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan

 

Tropichelura barasu

Tokumori, Kakui & Tomikawa, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2586682

 

ABSTRACT

A new species of chelurid amphipod, Tropichelura barasu sp. n., is described from off Iriomote and Uchipanari Islands, Okinawa, Japan. The genus Tropichelura is known to comprise only two species, both recorded from tropical and subtropical oceans; this is the first record of the genus from Japan. Tropichelura barasu sp. n. differs from its congeners in the shape of antenna 1 and gnathopod 1, the shape and armature of uropods, and the shape and setation of the telson. A key to the species of Tropichelura is provided. In addition, the nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene from a paratype specimen was determined for future studies.

 

KEYWORDS: COI, Corophiida, defensive behaviour, Okinawa, Pacific, taxonomy

Tropichelura barasu sp. n.

 

Daigo Tokumori, Keiichi Kakui and Ko Tomikawa. 2025. A New Species of Tropichelura (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Cheluridae) from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. Journal of Natural History. 59(45-48); 2657-2672. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2586682 [08 Dec 2025]

 x.com/Tanaidologist/status/1997981787457204721

[Crustacea • 2025] Caribodillo martinicensis • A New Genus and Species of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea: Armadillidae) endemic to Martinique

Caribodillo martinicensis  

Kästle, Binder, Jones & Coulis, 2025

  

 sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47/29

 Researchgate.net/publication/397676418

The terrestrial isopods of the family Armadillidae Brandt, 1833 are poorly known in tropical regions, many new species remain to be described and the classification of many already described species requires revision. The aim of this work is to improve our knowledge of the terrestrial isopods of this family in Martinique, an island in the Lesser Antilles archipelago. The species Caribodillo martinicensis n. gen., n. sp. is described, and a genetic barcode (CO1) is provided. Furthermore, the relationship between Caribodillo n. gen., and Venezillo Verhoeff, 1928 is discussed. The species constitutes the second Armadillidae endemic to the Lesser Antilles, the first one being Cubaris depressa (Dollfuss, 1896) from Saint-Vincent. In addition to increasing our knowledge on the invertebrate biodiversity of the lesser Antilles, the description of this new genus will facilitate the taxonomy of Armadillidae species in the region.

Keywords: Caribbean, Lesser Antilles, Neotropics, Venezillo, woodlice, fluorescence, barcoding, new species, new genus

Caribodillo martinicensis n. gen., n. sp. 

 

 

Benedikt KÄSTLE, Stephanie BINDER, Nathan T. JONES and Mathieu COULIS. 2025. Description of A New Genus and Species of terrestrial isopod (Oniscidea, Armadillidae) endemic to Martinique. Zoosystema. 47(29); 721-729. DOI: 10.5252/zoosystema2025v47a29 [14 November 2025]

  sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/47/29

 Researchgate.net/publication/397676418_a_new_genus_and_species_of_terrestrial_isopod_endemic_to_Martinique

[Herpetology • 2025] Adhaerobufo wokomungensis • A New Species of Adhaerobufo (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Wokomung Massif, Guyana, confirms A Key synapomorphy in its sister Genus Rhaebo

 

Adhaerobufo wokomungensis

Kok & Means, 2025

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.25085

 

Abstract  

A new species of toad in the genus Adhaerobufo is described from the Wokomung Massif in the Pantepui region of Guyana, South America. The new species is morphologically similar to – and has previously been confused with – A. nasicus but is unique among Adhaerobufo in lacking a bright, conspicuous white stripe or white spots on the lower lip in adults in life, in lacking visible preorbital and pretympanic crests and in having tubercles between Fingers I-III in males and a small projecting prepollex in both sexes. An updated distribution map for A. nasicus is provided. The colour of parotoid macrogland secretions in Adhaerobufo is reported as a new diagnostic character to distinguish the genus from Rhaebo, its sister taxon.

KEYWORDS: Pantepui, parotoid macrogland secretions, systematics, taxonomy

Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov.  

Adhaerobufo nasicus (in part) Dias et al. 2024: 14

 

Etymology: Named after the type locality, the Wokomung Massif in west-central Guyana; adjective in the nominative case.

Definition and diagnosis: A bufonid of the genus Adhaerobufo as diagnosed based on 1) molecular phylogenetic evidence (Dias et al. 2024; Fig. 5), 2) white parotoid macrogland secretions (see Discussion and Fig. 1), and 3) suctorial tadpole (Dias et al. 2024). Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov. is characterised by the following morphological characters, the combination of which distinguishes it from the only two known congeners (A. ceratophrys and A. nasicus): 1) medium-sized toad with a robust body and a SVL of 41.6-45.3 mm in males (n = 2), 60.9 mm in the only known female, 2) snout pointed in dorsal view, round in lateral view, head slightly wider than long, 3) tympanum indistinct, 4) outer edge of the eyelid with rounded dermal projection, 5) low canthal crest, loreal region concave, 6) underlip lacking a bright, conspicuous white stripe or white spots in live adults, 7) preorbital, pretympanic and parietal crests absent, low supraorbital, low postorbital, low supratympanic crests present, 8) nostrils oval, directed posterolaterally, below the canthus rostralis, 9) single enlarged rictal tubercle absent, 10) choanae medium-sized, ovoid, ... 

Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov. in life.
A) Holotype (IRSNB4223, male, 45.3 mm snout-vent length), B) paratypes in situ, in amplexus (IRSNB4224, male, and IRSNB4225, female),
C) uncollected male, D) white parotoid macrogland secretions produced by the same specimen as illustrated in C. Photos D.B. Means.

Underlip condition in live Adhaerobufo nasicus (A – bright white; IRSNB15678), Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov. (B – unmarked; holotype, IRSNB4223) and Adhaerobufo ceratophrys (C – bright white; QCAZ55426). Note also the condition of the dermal projection on the outer edge of the eyelid and of the preorbital and pretympanic crests.

Photos P.J.R. Kok (A), D.B. Means (B), and courtesy Diego Quirola-BIOWEB,  https://bioweb.bio (C). Images not at scale.

Philippe J.R. Kok, D. Bruce Means. 2025. A New Species of Adhaerobufo (Amphibia, Bufonidae) from the Wokomung Massif, Guyana, confirms A Key synapomorphy in its sister Genus Rhaebo. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 74 (25085), 25085.1-10. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.25085 (11 November 2025)

[Botany • 2025] Gagea kotuchovii (Amaryllidaceae) • A New Species from the Karatau Mountains (western Tian Shan, Kazakhstan) evidenced by morphological and molecular analyses

Gagea kotuchovii  Kubentayev & Levichev,

in Kubentayev, Levichev, Baasanmunkh, Klichowska, Alibekov, Choi et Nobis. 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336223

Abstract

Gagea kotuchovii (Liliaceae) a new narrow endemic species growing exclusively in the Karatau Mountains in South Kazakhstan, is here described and illustrated. It is a unique species within the section Gagea, differing from closely related taxa by the presence of several stolons of different lengths (0.5–8 cm), formed on a single vegetative individual, as well as a unique bulb with a densely woolly sheath. Morphological characteristics, distribution map, and illustrations of the habit and habitats of the new species are presented. We also present phylogenetic analyses based on the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear DNA and SNPs obtained from DArT genome-wide sequencing (Diversity Arrays Technology sequencing), which confirmed the isolated position of G. kotuchovii but also revealed its phylogenetic relation with morphologically similar species. Additionally, our results reveal phylogenetic intergeneric organization of Gagea representatives occurring in Kazakhstan and/or Middle Asia. To facilitate morphological identification of Asian Gagea with stolons, and similar to G. kotuchovii, we present an identification key.

Gagea kotuchovii
 (A) General habit; (B) inflorescence; (C) flower; (D) outer petal of the perianth; (E) inner petal of the perianth (F) perianth petal with a stamen; (G) gynoecium; (H) basal leaf transverse section; (J) peduncle cross-section; (I) stem leaf transverse section; (K) last year’s juvenile bulb; (L) bulb of a vegetative individual with several stolons; (M) vegetative individual (Photo by: S. Kubentayev).

Gagea kotuchovii
Habitats (A); General habit of the species (B)

(Photo by: S. Kubentayev).

 

Gagea kotuchovii Kubentayev et Levichev, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis. From all species of the nominal Gagea section, including the most similar G. turkestanica and G. brevistolonifera, the new species is easily distinguished by the presence of a group of stolons of different length on bulbs of vegetative individuals (Fig 3L, 3M), ending in single bulbs, which, after overwintering, are covered with densely woolly growths (Fig 3K).

Distribution. Endemic to the Karatau Mountains in South Kazakhstan. Currently, it is known only from Khantagi (Fig 6).

Etymology. The new species is named in honour of the eminent florist and taxonomist Yuri Andreevich Kotukhov (lat. J.A. Kotuchov), who greatly contributed to the study of the flora of Kazakhstan and surrounding regions.

  Serik Kubentayev, Igor Levichev, Shukherdorj Baasanmunkh, Ewelina Klichowska, Daniyar Alibekov, Hyeok Jae Choi, Marcin Nobis. 2025. Gagea kotuchovii (Liliaceae) A New Species from the Karatau Mountains (western Tian Shan, Kazakhstan) evidenced by morphological and molecular analyses. PLoS One. 20(12): e0336223. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336223 [December 5, 2025]

[Herpetology • 2025] Brachycephalus lulai • A New Species of Brachycephalus (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from Serra do Quiriri, northeastern Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, with A Review of the diagnosis among species of the B. pernix group and proposed conservation measures

 

 Brachycephalus lulai 

Bornschein, Pie, Nadaline, Confetti, Blackburn, Stanley, Mari, Alves, Sandretti-Silva, Lima & Ribeiro, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334746

 

Abstract

Brachycephalus are miniaturized diurnal frogs inhabiting the leaf litter of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, mainly in montane areas. The genus includes 42 currently recognized species, 35 of which being described since 2000. This study describes a new species of Brachycephalus from the B. pernix species group discovered at Serra do Quiriri, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Morphological and acoustic comparisons were made with other species in the species group, and high-resolution computed tomography was used for osteological examination. The phylogenetic position was based on partitioned Bayesian analysis of mitochondrial (16S rRNA) and nuclear DNA sequences (β–fibrinogen, ribosomal Protein L3, and tyrosinase exon 1). We collected 32 individuals and recorded 13 calls of the new species. It is distinguished by 18 characters including snout–vent length 8.9–11.3 mm for males and 11.7–13.4 mm for females, general bright orange coloration of the body with small green and brown irregular points, and advertisement call including note groups (two notes per group, with 1–4 pulses per note). Phylogenetic data indicate that the new species is closely related to B. auroguttatus and B. quiririensis, which also occur at Serra do Quiriri. A review of diagnoses among species of the B. pernix group is provided. We propose classifying the new species as Least Concern. Serra do Quiriri experienced semi-arid periods in the Quaternary, with forests likely occurring at lower altitudes. As the climate became wetter, these forests expanded upward as cloud forests, forming patches amidst grasslands, leading to speciation by allopatry (microrefugia) of B. quiririensis, B. auroguttatus, and the new species. This process continues, with recent observations of Brachycephalus colonizing newly formed cloud forests at high altitudes. We propose the creation of the Refúgio de Vida Silvestre (RVS) Serra do Quiriri to protect this and other endemic species, without requiring government acquisition of private land.

Holotype of Brachycephalus lulai sp. nov. (MHNCI 11592), male, in life.
 (A) Anterolateral view. (B) Ventral view. In B, white arrow indicates the presence of the linea masculinea.

Photographs by Luiz F. Ribeiro.

Variation in coloration of paratypes of  Brachycephalus lulai sp. nov.
 Column one and column three show specimens in dorsal view in life and in preservative, respectively. Column two and column four show specimens in ventral view in life and in preservative, respectively. A1–A4 = MHNCI 11612. B1–B4 = MHNCI 11598. C1–C4 = MHNCI 11596.
D1–D4 = MHNCI 11599. E1–E4 = MHNCI 11600. F1–F4 = MHNCI 11594.

Scale bars equal 5 mm. Photographs by Luiz F. Ribeiro.

Brachycephalus lulai sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Brachycephalus lulai sp. nov. is identified as a member of the B. pernix group (sensu Pie et al. [6] and Ribeiro et al. [13]) by having a bufoniform body shape (Figs 1–4), absence of dermal co–ossification, and presence of linea masculinea (Fig 2B). Brachycephalus lulai sp. nov. is distinguished from all of the species in the genus by the following combination of characters: 1) body shape bufoniform; 2) snout shape in dorsal view rounded; 3) SVL 8.9–11.3 mm for males and 11.7–13.4 mm for females (Table 1); 4) proportion of HL/SVL 32.5–41.4% for males and 31.8–34.9% for females; 5) presence of linea masculinea in males; 6) absence of dermal co-ossification; 7) dorsum with smooth texture; 8) sides of the body with densely rough texture; 9) tip of fingers I rounded, II rounded, and III pointed; 10) toe V externally absent; 11) outer metacarpal tubercle present; 12) iris black; 13) general color bright orange with small green irregular dots on sides of the body and belly and sometimes with brown dots on sides of the body; 14) general color in preservative pale cream with small light gray to dark gray irregular dots on sides of the body and belly and sometimes with dark spots on sides of the body; 15) advertisement call including note group; 16) two notes per note group; 17) advertisement call including attenuated notes; and 18) up to four pulses per note. The comparison with our ...

Etymology: The specific epithet honors Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has been elected President of Brazil on three occasions. Through this tribute, we seek to encourage the expansion of conservation initiatives focused on the Atlantic Forest as a whole, and on Brazil’s highly endemic miniaturized frogs in particular.

 

Marcos R. Bornschein, Marcio R. Pie, Júnior Nadaline, André E. Confetti, David C. Blackburn, Edward L. Stanley, Renata de Britto Mari, Gabriel Silveira Alves, Giovanna Sandretti-Silva, Felipe Farias de Andrade Lima, Luiz F. Ribeiro. 2025. A New Species of Brachycephalus (Anura: Brachycephalidae) from Serra do Quiriri, northeastern Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, with A Review of the diagnosis among species of the B. pernix group and proposed conservation measures. PLoS One. 20(12): e0334746. DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0334746 [December 10, 2025]

[Botany • 2025] Ilex inthanonensis (Aquifoliaceae) • A New Species from Thailand

 

Ilex inthanonensis Pruesapan, 

in Pruesapan et van Welzen. 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2025.53.2.10

Abstract

A species of Thai Ilex (Aquifoliaceae), I. inthanonensis, is reported new to science. Ilex inthanonensis is glabrous on most parts except puberulent in the infructescences, leaf blade punctate below, fruiting pedicels shorter than or equalling fruit diameter, calyx 4–5-lobed, pyrenes 4–5 with 3–5(–6)-striae slightly elevated dorsally, not sulcate and laterally smooth. A morphological description is provided, just like photos and a line drawing. The new species is critically compared the most resembling species.

Keywords: Ilex chevalieri, Doi Inthanon, taxonomy, Ilex wilsonii, Pseudoaquifolium

Ilex inthanonensis Pruesapan:
A. Fruiting twig showing upper surface of leaves, the colour and lenticels of branchlet (a1) and twig (a2); B. Fruiting twig showing lower surface of leaves and the colour of unripe fruit; C. Punctation on lower surface of leaf; D. Twig with ripe fruits; E. Infructescence showing lobes of stigmas (st); F. Infructescence showing the character of bracts (f1), prophylls (f2) and pedicel (f3); G. Infructescence showing lobes of calyx; H. Fruiting calyx with hairs on surface and margin; J. Prophylls at middle of pedicel; K. Pyrenes.

A–B photos of Tagane et al. T963; a1, a2 & C from Tagane et al. T963 (FU); D photo of Tagane et al. T963; E & G from Tagane et al. T964 (FU); F, H, J–K from Tagane et al. T963 (BKF). Field photos by Hironori Toyama (A–B, D) and specimen photos by Shuichiro Tagane (a1, a2, C, E & G).

Ilex inthanonensis Pruesapan, sp. nov.

Branches lenticellate. Leaves glabrous, punctatebelow. Infructescences fascicles of pseudoracemes and of pseudopanicles, puberulent. Fruits: pedicel 2.5–4 mm long, shorter than or equalling fruit diameter of 3–4 mm; prophylls at base or at middle on pedicels; calyx persistent, 4–5-lobed; stigmas persistent, thinly discoid, (slightly) 4–5-lobed. Pyrenes with dorsally 3–5(–6)-slightly elevated striae, esulcate, laterally smooth. See Table 1 for comparison with resembling species. 

 

Kanchana Pruesapan and Peter C. van Welzen. 2025. Ilex inthanonensis (Aquifoliaceae), A New Species from Thailand. Thai Forest Bulletin (Botany). 53(2); 76–81. DOI: doi.org/10.20531/tfb.2025.53.2.10 [2025-12-09]

 

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Salwasiren qatarensis • High Abundance of Early Miocene Sea Cows (Sirenia: Dugongidae) from Qatar shows repeated Evolution of Seagrass Ecosystem Engineers in Eastern Tethys

  

 Salwasiren qatarensis 

Pyenson​, Sakal, LeBlanc, Blundell, Klim, Marshall, Velez-Juarbe, Wolfe & Al-Naimi, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20030

Artwork: Alex Boersma

Abstract 

Coastal ecosystems that include seagrasses are potential carbon sinks that require strategic conservation of top trophic consumers, such as dugongs, to maintain their function. It is unclear, however, how long seagrass ecosystems have persisted in geologic time because their fossil record is poor, although the record of their associated vertebrate consumers offers useful proxies. Here we describe an area of dense Early Miocene dugongid remains from Qatar. We documented over 172 sites in <1 km2 from one stratigraphic level, including material representing a new species of fossil dugongine dugongid. This taxon is unrelated to coeval Early Miocene dugongids from India and the Eastern Tethys and it is distantly related to extant dugongs, which occupy seagrass habitats of the Persian or Arabian Gulf (hereafter ‘Gulf’) today. The monodominant assemblage in this area likely reflects a single fossil dugongid taxon and matches the ecological diversity and geospatial distribution of modern-day live-dead assemblages in the Gulf. This fossil site from Qatar shows that the Gulf has repeatedly evolved sea cow communities with different taxa over the past 20 million years and coincides with an Early Miocene marine biodiversity hotspot in Arabia, prior to its eastward shift to the Indo-Australian Archipelago where dugongs continue to thrive today.

Keywords: Marine mammal, Paleoecology, Seagrasses, Evolution, Fossil record

Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758

Afrotheria Stanhope et al., 1998

Tethytheria McKenna, 1975

Sirenia Illiger, 1811 sensu Vélez-Juarbe & Wood, 2018

Dugongidae Gray, 1821 sensu Vélez-Juarbe & Wood, 2018

Dugonginae Gray, 1821 (Simpson, 1932) sensu Vélez-Juarbe & Wood, 2018

 Salwasiren qatarensis morphology using 3D photogrammetry of μCT of key skeletal elements.
(A–C) holotype cranium including left premaxilla, jugal, and partial braincase; (D–F) referred left incisor; (G–H) holotype left upper M2, in mesial and occlusal views, respectively; (I) holotype incomplete left mandible; (J–M) holotype lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae in anterior views with left ilium (L) in lateral view; and (N–O) holotype right humerus.

Abbreviations: a, acetabulum; ac, anterior cingulum; acv, anterior cingular valley; an, angular process; co, coronoid process; cc, coronoid canal; dc, deltoid crest; f, frontal; gt, greater tubercle; h, humeral head; it, ischial tuberosity; j, jugal; lt, lesser tubercle; mcl+hy, metaconule + hypocone; me, metacone; ns, neural spine; p, parietal; pa, paracone; pmx, premaxilla; pr, protocone; ptp, posttympanic process; so, supraoccipital; sop, supraorbital process; sq, squamosal; tp, transverse process; tr, trochlea; zp, zygomatic process.

Salwasiren qatarensis gen. et sp. nov.

Type locality, horizon, and age: Al Maszhabiya bonebed, Lower Al-Kharrara Member of the Dam Formation, Aquitanian, 23.03–21.6 Ma.

Differential diagnosis: Salwasiren is a dugongine distinguished from other sirenians by the following combination of characters: nasal process of the premaxilla long, thin and tapering at posterior end (c.6[0], 7[0]) as in Crenatosiren olseni and Dugong dugon; supraorbital process of frontal dorsoventrally thick with a weakly developed posterolateral corner (c.36[1]), as in C. olseni and D. dugon; deep and narrow nasal incisure (c.37[1]) as in most dugongines; flat frontal roof (c.42[0], as in C. olseni, Italosiren bellunensis and Bharatisiren indica; supraoccipital wider ventrally than dorsally (c.23[1]) and exoccipitals not meeting along a dorsal suture (c.66[1]), as in Nanosiren spp. and D. dugon; ventral extremity of jugal under posterior edge of orbit (c.85[1]) and flat, thin preorbital process of jugal (c.88[0]), shared with C. olseni and Nanosiren spp.; short zygomatic process of the jugal (c.89[1]), as in Dioplotherium manigaulti and Xenosiren yucateca; ventral rim of orbit that does not overhang the lateral surface (c.90[0]), as in I. bellunensis and Callistosiren boriquensis; mandible with broad, subrectangular symphysis (c.121[3]); I1 alveolus small (c.140[0]) as in Nanosiren spp.; I1 with suboval cross section and enamel on all sides (c.141[0], 142[0]), as in C. olseni and N. sanchezi; pubis prong-like without symphysis (c.215[2]).

Etymology: “Salwa” after the Bay of Salwa, part of the transboundary habitat for dugongs in the Gulf combined with the Latin “siren”, referring to Sirenia. The species epithet honors its discovery in the State of Qatar.

 

Nicholas Pyenson, the curator of fossil marine mammals at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and Ferhan Sakal, an archaeologist who is the head of excavation and site management at Qatar Museums, survey Al Maszhabiya with the fossil ribs of a 21-million-year-old sea cow in the foreground.

photo by Clare Fieseler

An artistic reconstruction of a herd of Salwasiren qatarensis sea cows foraging on the seafloor. In southwest Qatar, fossils of a new species of ancient sea cow, Salwasiren qatarensis, were found in 21-million-year-old rocks along with evidence of extinct sharks, barracuda-like fish, prehistoric dolphins and sea turtles.

Artwork: Alex Boersma

Nicholas D. Pyenson​, Ferhan Sakal, Jacques LeBlanc, Jon Blundell, Katherine D. Klim, Christopher D. Marshall, Jorge Velez-Juarbe, Katherine Wolfe and Faisal Al-Naimi. 2025. High Abundance of Early Miocene Sea Cows from Qatar shows repeated Evolution of Seagrass Ecosystem Engineers in Eastern Tethys.  PeerJ. 13:e20030. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20030 [December 10, 2025]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-trove-of-sea-cow-fossils-in-qatar-reveals-a-new-species-that-munched-on-seagrass-21-million-years-ago-180987820/

[Arachnida • 2025] Asemonea dentis & Colyttus nongwar • Two New Species of Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from Northeastern India

 

Asemonea dentis & Colyttus nongwar 

Sudhin & Sen, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.2.7 

 

Abstract

Two new species—Asemonea dentis sp. nov. (male, female), and Colyttus nongwar sp. nov. (male, female)—are described from Meghalaya state of India. Detailed morphological descriptions, illustrations, and diagnoses of the species are provided along with a distributional map.

Araneae, biodiversity hotspot, Meghalaya, salticid, taxonomy

Asemonea dentis sp. nov. (male, female), 

Colyttus nongwar sp. nov. (male, female) 

PUTHOOR PATTAMMAL SUDHIN and SOUVIK SEN. 2025. Two New Species of Jumping Spiders (Araneae: Salticidae) from Northeastern India. Zootaxa. 5723(2); 281-291. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5723.2.7 [2025-11-25]

[Entomology • 2024] Dolichopoda athosensis, D. dirussoi, ... • Four New Dolichopoda Species (Orthoptera: Rhaphidophoridae) from Greece, One Troglophilus new to Greece and new locality records

 

Dolichopoda dirussoi 

Alexiou, Bakolitsas, Di Russo & Rampini, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e121614 

Abstract

We describe four new species of the genus Dolichopoda from various areas of Greece, namely D. athosensis sp. nov., D. dirussoi sp. nov., D. karoutsosi sp. nov. and D. kotsabasi sp. nov. New locality records for Greece for the genera Dolichopoda and Troglophylus are given, in addition to the presence of Troglophilus brevicauda as a new country record. We discuss the relationship with the already known species of the area.

Key Words: Cave crickets, distribution, faunistics, new records, new species, taxonomy

Dolichopoda dirussoi sp. nov., in copula, cave Geralexis (photo Bakolitsas).

 

 Sotiris Alexiou, Kostas Bakolitsas, Claudio Di Russo and Mauro Rampini. 2024. Four New Dolichopoda Species from Greece, One Troglophilus new to Greece and new locality records (Orthoptera, Rhaphidophoridae). Contributions to Entomology. 74(1): 103-111. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/contrib.entomol.74.e121614 [29 Jul 2024]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Glaridoglanis verruciloba • A New glyptosternine catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) from the Zayul River in southeastern Tibet, China

Glaridoglanis verruciloba  Gong, 

in Gong, Wang, Liu & Li, 2025 

疣叶凿齿鮡  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1262.172819

Abstract

Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov. is described from the Zayul River in southeastern Tibet, China. It has long been misidentified as G. andersonii. This new species is diagnosed by the following combination of characters: an enlarged lower lip bearing 4–7 verruciform lobes on the central-posterior margin; an anus situated close to the origin of the anal fin; the ventral surface at the base of maxillary barbels densely covered with striae; 11 branched pectoral-fin rays; 5–6 branched anal-fin rays; and relatively short mandibular barbels. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences further supported the validity of this new species, which is within a well-supported clade with substantial genetic divergence from G. andersonii.

Key words: Cytochrome b gene, Glyptosterninae, morphological comparison, phylogenetic analysis, taxonomy

Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov., holotype, IPBX F202504001, 147.8 mm SL.

 Glaridoglanis verruciloba Gong, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov. can be distinguished from its two congeneric species by the following combination of characters: enlarged lower lip bearing 4–7 verruciform lobes on the central-posterior margin; anus close to the anal-fin origin; ventral surface at the base of maxillary barbels densely covered with striae; 11 branched pectoral-fin rays; 5–6 branched anal-fin rays; head relatively short (HL 19.1–21.7% of SL); and mandibular barbels relatively short (inner mandibular barbel length 13.9–17.7% and outer mandibular barbel length 29.1–36.4% of HL).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin verruca (= wart) and lobus (= lobe), referring to the verruciform lobes on the central-posterior margin of lower lip. As Glaridoglanis is feminine (fide Kottelat 2013), the specific epithet is treated accordingly. The Chinese common name of this species is 疣叶凿齿鮡 (Yóu yè záo chǐ zhào), which literally means “wart-lobed chiseled-tooth catfish”.

Type locality of Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov.:
a mountain stream flowing into the Sangqu River, the eastern branch of the upper Zayul River (upper left); paratype locality: a mountain stream flowing into the Gongrigabu River, the western branch of the upper Zayul River (right); the mainstem of Gongrigabu River (lower left); and a living specimen (approx. 140 mm SL) photographed in an aquarium.

 Zheng Gong, Huanshan Wang, Yanchao Liu and Jianchuan Li. 2025. Glaridoglanis verruciloba sp. nov., A New glyptosternine catfish (Siluriformes, Sisoridae) from the Zayul River in southeastern Tibet, China. ZooKeys 1262: 289-301. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1262.172819

[Entomology • 2022] Dematotrichus gen. nov., Dematotrichus comatulus, D. hirtus, D. horridus, D. villosus, ... • Integrative Systematic Revision of A New Genus of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) endemic to New Caledonia

 

Dematotrichus gen. nov. 
Dorsal views of the male holotype and one female paratype of Dematotrichus hirtus sp. nov. (a), the male holotype of D. pubescens sp. nov. (b), the male holotype of D. capillaris sp. nov. (c), the male holotype and one female paratype of D. comatulus sp. nov. (d), and the male holotype and one female paratype of D. villosus sp. nov. (e).

Gómez-Zurita. 2022

DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2084471

 twitter.com/GomezZuritaLab

Abstract

The monophyletic group of species around Dematochroma pilosa Jolivet, Verma & Mille is identified in this work by combining information from mitochondrial DNA data and morphological features. A series of defining traits diagnosing this species assemblage from its closest phylogenetic relatives, including the genera Thasycles Chapuis and Atrichatus Sharp, is used to argue for its taxonomic separation and propose a new genus, named Dematotrichus gen. nov. Both Dematochroma pilosa and Montrouzierella hispida Jolivet, Verma & Mille are transferred to the new genus as D. pilosus (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov. and D. hispidus (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov., and 11 new species are described: D. capillaris sp. nov., D. capillosus sp. nov., D. comans sp. nov., D. crinitus sp. nov., D. comatulus sp. nov., D. hirtus sp. nov., D. hirsutus sp. nov., D. horridus sp. nov., D. pubescens sp. nov., D. setosus sp. nov. and D. villosus sp. nov. The work includes an identification key for all the species in the new genus.

 

Key words: Dematotrichus gen. nov., Dematochroma, Eumolpinae, island radiation, New Caledonia

  Dorsal views of the male holotype and one female paratype of Dematotrichus hirtus sp. nov. (a), the male holotype of D. pubescens sp. nov. (b), the male holotype of D. capillaris sp. nov. (c), the male holotype and one female paratype of D. comatulus sp. nov. (d), and the male holotype and one female paratype of D. villosus sp. nov. (e).

Dematotrichus gen. nov.

Diagnosis. One particularly remarkable feature of this genus in the context of the diversity of New Caledonian Eumolpinae, which shall help recognizing it right away, is the relatively homogeneous dorsal pubescence, only thinner perhaps on head. Such type of vestiture is not common at all among members of the tribe Eumolpini, although a few other genera or evolutionary lineages of New Caledonian Eumolpinae exhibit some degree of dorsal pubescence. However, these groups can be told apart very easily based on the shape of their pronota. One of the closest relatives to Dematotrichus gen. nov. is the genus Thasycles Chapuis. These genera show some external similarities, including the presence of setae on pronotum and elytra, but in Thasycles they are sparser and not uniform, mostly at sides and apex of elytra, and have a distinctive pronotum, transverse, with flat anterior angles (Gómez-Zurita & Pàmies-Harder, 2022). The species of Taophila Heller have some pubescence on elytra and often on pronotum, but it is also much sparser and/or patchier, and they have an unmistakable body structure, in good part because of the shape of pronotum, as well, narrower than elytra, about as long as wide, narrowing at both ends, and without lateral suture or very finely margined laterally (Platania & Gómez-Zurita, 2022). Tricholapita Gómez-Zurita & Cardoso have more generalized pubescence on both pronotum and elytra, but once again, the pronotum is very different from Dematotrichus (or any other known related genus), showing three and most often two prominent teeth at sides (Platania et al., 2020). Samuelsonia pilosa Jolivet et al., 2007a, S. mayonae Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2010 (in Jolivet et al., 2009) and a group of undescribed species related to them also have pubescent dorsum, but these are immediately recognizable because of their much smaller size (2–3× smaller), typically greenish or cupreous dorsal shine and pronotum not much narrower than elytra, widened posteriorly. The last known hairy representative of New Caledonian Eumolpinae, Dematochroma doiana Jolivet et al., 2007b, shows the same dense uniform pubescence on dorsum as all the species of Dematotrichus, and the penis has similar appearance, but the pronotum is very different, transverse, with anterior and posterior borders of similar length and anterior angles not compressed at sides of head.

Derivatio nominis. The generic name is composed of the same Greek root word for Dematochroma, Demato- (perhaps with the original meaning of bundle or bond; Brown, 1954), combined with a transliteration derived from the Greek word θρίξ or hair, -trichus, of intended masculine gender and in reference to the hairy dorsum of all species known to belong to this genus.

JesúS Gómez-Zurita. 2022. Integrative Systematic Revision of A New Genus of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) endemic to New Caledonia: Dematotrichus gen. nov. and its numerous new hairy species. Systematics and Biodiversity. 20(1); 1-28. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2084471

 twitter.com/GomezZuritaLab/status/1552197512190218240