[Arachnida • 2024] Tityus achilles • Biomechanics of Venom Delivery in South America’s First Toxungen-spraying Scorpion

 

Tityus (Tityus) achilles Laborieux, 2024 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae161 

  x.com/LeoLaborieux 

  Researchgate.net/publication/387130480

 

Abstract

Venom is a metabolically expensive secretion used sparingly in a variety of ecological contexts, most notably predation and defence. Accordingly, few animals employ their toxins from a distance, and venom-squirting behaviour is only known from select taxa. In scorpions, species belonging to two genera are known to spray venom when threatened, and previous work in Parabuthus transvaalicus shows that venom delivery depends on perceived levels of threat. Here, I describe Tityus (Tityus) achilles sp. nov., a new species of buthid scorpion from Cundinamarca, Colombia. Remarkably, this species is capable of venom spraying, a first for both the genus and the South American continent. Using frame-by-frame video analysis and ballistic equations, I show that T. (Tityus) achilles sp. nov. employs not one, but two types of airborne defences with dramatic differences in reach and venom expenditure. Further, the new species uses an unusually large reserve of prevenom-like secretion for spraying, as opposed to the costly venom used by other spraying scorpions. In light of these key specializations, I propose that toxungen spraying convergently evolved in response to different selection pressures, laying the groundwork for future investigation.

behaviour, Colombia, evolutionary biology, new species, taxonomy, toxin, toxungen, venom spitting

 Léo Laborieux. 2024. Biomechanics of Venom Delivery in South America’s First Toxungen-spraying Scorpion. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 202(4) zlae161. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae161  

  x.com/LeoLaborieux/status/1869037910496083987

  Researchgate.net/publication/387130480_Biomechanics_of_venom_delivery_in_South_America's_first_toxungen-spraying_scorpion

[Arachnida • 2025] Raveniola fuzhouensis • A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae: Nemesiidae) from Fujian, China

 Raveniola fuzhouensis Zhou, 

in Zhou, Lu, Cui et Xu, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e142264  

Abstract

Background: The genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 comprises 66 species, distributed across regions from East Asia to the Caucasus, with about 20 species recorded from China. According to Zonstein et al. (2018) and Zonstein (2024), members of Raveniola can be identified by the presence of two to three retroventral megaspines arranged sequentially on tibia I in males and paired spermathecae in females, each bearing two-branched heads or a lateral diverticulum.

New information: A new mygalomorph species, Raveniola fuzhouensis Zhou, sp. nov., is described from Fujian Province, China. Detailed description, diagnosis, illustrations and a distribution map of the new species are provided.

Keywords: Asia, biodiversity, morphology, Mygalomorphae, taxonomy

 Raveniola fuzhouensis Zhou, sp. nov., habitus.
A, B male (holotype), C, D female (paratype).
A, C dorsal view; B, D ventral view.

Scale bars: 2 mm (A-D).

Photos of live specimens of  Raveniola fuzhouensis Zhou, sp. nov.
 A male (holotype); B female (paratype). 

Raveniola fuzhouensis Zhou, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species is similar to Raveniola gracilis Li & Zonstein, 2015 (Tian et al. 2020: figs. 1C-D, 2, 3C-D and Li and Zonstein 2015: figs. 9A-C and 10) in the male and female individual abdomen back pattern approximation. The male of the new species can be easily distinguished from R. gracilis by the following: (1) embolus base wider and black (Fig. 3) vs. embolus of R. gracilis dark brown (Li and Zonstein 2015: fig. 9; Tian et al. 2020: fig. 3D); (2) SD base the pipeline smooth down to embolus (Fig. 3B) vs. SD base the pipeline 90° to embolus of R. gracilis (Li and Zonstein 2015: figs. 9B and 10B). The female of the new species can be easily distinguished from R. gracilis by the following: (1) the stalk of the spermathecae is significantly wider (trumpet-shaped), with the basal width approximately same as ...

Etymology: The specific name refers to the type locality, adjective.

Distribution: China (Known only from type locality in Fujian; Fig. 8).

Biology: R. fuzhouensis Zhou, sp. nov. lives in dry soil burrows on loess road cuts or cavities beneath flat stones. The excavation marks inside the burrow indicate their ability to further modify the burrow, rather than passively adapting to the existing environment.

 Guchun Zhou, Jian Lu, Muqiushi Cui and Jiasheng Xu. 2025. A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) from Fujian, China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 13: e142264. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e142264  

[Mammalogy • 2024] Neodon lhozhagensis • A New Species of Mountain Vole (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Neodon) from south Xizang, China

 

Neodon lhozhagensis Wang & Jiang,

in S.-Y. Wang, Y.-X. Li, Q. Li, Song, H.-J. Wang, He, Onditi, Khanal, X.-Y. Li, Chen et Jiang, 2024.  

Lhozhag mountain vole |  洛扎松田鼠  ||  

DOI: doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2097-3772.2024.011 

Abstract

A survey of small mammals conducted on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in August 2023 yielded a series of specimens of a distinctive and previously unidentified Neodon species from high-altitude shrubland and grassland habitats at elevations of 2800–4000 m in Lhozhag County, Xizang, China. This study employed an integrative approach, combining molecular and morphological evidence to determine the taxonomic placement of the species. Results confirmed that these specimens represent a new species, formally described herein as Neodon lhozhagensis sp. nov. The new species can be distinguished from all other Neodon species based on larger body size, longer tail, five closed triangles in first lower molar, and obvious interorbital crest. Molecular analysis strongly supported Neodon lhozhagensis sp. nov. as a monophyletic clade that diverged from its sister taxon, Neodon tsonaensis, approximately 0.89–1.68 million years ago. Kimura-2-parameter genetic distances of the complete cytochrome b gene between Neodon lhozhagensis sp. nov. and other nominal Neodon species ranged from 9.3% to 12.8%. This discovery underscores the importance of continued efforts to investigate and document the biodiversity of the Himalayan region.

Keywords: Neodon, Small mammals, Taxonomy, Morphology, Molecular systematics

Skull and skin of Neodon lhozhagensis sp. nov. (KIZ042896)
A: Dorsal, ventral and lateral views of skull and mandibles; B: Upper and lower molars; C: Dorsal, ventral, and lateral views of skin. 10 mm (A); 5 mm (B); 50 mm (C).

Photo bySi-Yuan Wang

Neodon lhozhagensis Wang & Jiang, sp. nov.

Suggested common name: Lhozhag mountain vole, 

洛扎松田鼠.

Diagnosis: The M1 of Neodon lhozhagensis sp. nov. possesses five closed triangles anterior to the posterior transverse space, a characteristic shared with N. clarkei, N. bershulaensis, and N. linzhiensis, but distinct from all other known species of the genus. The interorbital crest is prominently developed, differentiating it from N. bershulaensis (Figure 5). Compared to N. clarkei, Neodon lhozhagensis sp. nov. has a longer incisive foramina (5.4±0.3 mm vs. 4.9±0.4 mm) and a wider interorbital breadth (4.2±0.2 mm vs. 4.0±0.1 mm). Additionally, the new species is characterized by a larger body size, including a longer tail and a greater relative tail length (TL=50–65 mm; TL/HB=41.67%–54.17%) compared to N. linzhiensis (TL=27–37 mm; TL/HB=30.00%–35.24%).

Etymology: The specific name lhozhag is derived from Lhozhag County, the type locality of the new species, and –ensis is Latin for “belonging to”.

Distribution: The Lhozhag mountain vole is presently known only from Lhozhag County, south Xizang, China, at elevations of 2800–4000 m a.s.l. It is allopatric with other Neodon species.

Habitat: Bamboo forests, coniferous forests, and shrubs.

 

Si-Yuan Wang, Yi-Xian Li, Quan Li, Wen-Yu Song, Hong-Jiao Wang, Shui-Wang He, Kenneth Otieno Onditi, Laxman Khanal, Xue-You Li, Zhong-Zheng Chen and Xue-Long Jiang. 2024. A New Species of Mountain Vole (Rodentia, Cricetidae, Neodon) from south Xizang, China. Zoological Research: Diversity and Conservation. 1(4); 282-289. DOI: doi.org/10.24272/j.issn.2097-3772.2024.011 

[Mollusca • 2025] Shinkailepas tiarasimia & S. cornuthauma • Integrative Taxonomy of New neritimorph Limpets (Gastropoda: Neritimorpha: Phenacolepadidae) from Indian Ocean Deep-sea Hot Vents shed light on their Biogeographic History

 

Shinkailepas cornuthauma

Gu, Chen, Gao, Zhou & Sun, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae167   

  Researchgate.net/publication/387689752

  x.com/squamiferum

Abstract

Red-blooded neritimorph gastropods in the subfamily Shinkailepadinae are specialists of chemosynthesis-based ecosystems, with the most diverse genus Shinkailepas endemic to deep-sea hydrothermal vents. All described Shinkailepas species have so far been from the western Pacific, despite reports of unidentified Shinkailepas from the Indian Ocean in the literature for decades. Here, we use an integrative approach to characterize and describe these Indian Ocean vent neritimorphs for the first time, based on material collected from the Carlsberg Ridge (CR) and the Central Indian Ridge (CIR). We name two new species: Shinkailepas tiarasimia sp. nov. from both the CR and the CIR, and Shinkailepas cornuthauma sp. nov. from the CR. A combination of shell and epipodial lobe characters reliably separate these new species from their described congeners. A phylogenetic reconstruction of all known Shinkailepas species using 658 bp of the mitochondrial COI gene reveal two separate major clades within the genus, each with an Indian Ocean species—implying two independent colonizations of Indian Ocean vents by separate lineages. Our finding of two new species on the CR, including one not known anywhere else, underscores the unique biodiversity at these vents and strengthens the case for protecting them from potential deep-sea mining activities.

biodiversity, biogeography, COI mtDNA, Gastropoda, Indian Ocean, new species, phylogenetics, taxonomy

 

 

Xinyu Gu, Chong Chen, Kexin Gao, Yadong Zhou and Jin Sun. 2025. Integrative Taxonomy of New neritimorph Limpets from Indian Ocean Deep-sea Hot Vents shed light on their Biogeographic History. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 203(1); zlae167. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlae167  

   Researchgate.net/publication/387689752_Integrative_taxonomy_of_new_neritimorph_limpets_from_Indian_Ocean_deep-sea_hot_vents 

  x.com/squamiferum/status/1875152436861747473

[Ichthyology • 2024] Telmatochromis salzburgeri • Morphological Diversity of the Genus Telmatochromis from the Lake Tanganyika Drainage with the Description of A New riverine Species and the Generic Reassignment of the Malagarasi River lamprologine

Telmatochromis salzburgeri

 Indermaur, Schedel & Ronco, 2024  

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.16042  

Abstract

The lamprologine cichlid genus Telmatochromis was long considered primarily lacustrine and endemic to Lake Tanganyika until an undescribed Telmatochromis species was reported from the Lufubu River (Lake Tanganyika drainage, Zambia). A phylogenomic study in 2021 confirmed the association of Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu” with Telmatochromis along with another riverine species, Neolamprologus devosi (Malagarasi drainage, Tanzania). Here, we quantify the morphological diversity of the genus Telmatochromis and the two associated riverine species using a multivariate dataset combining geometric and classical morphometrics, as well as meristics. We identify three distinct morphological clusters: the “Telmatochromis vittatus complex” with highly elongated bodies and short heads, the “Telmatochromis temporalis complex” with deeper bodies, and the two riverine species with intermediate body elongation and large heads. Further, we formally describe the species endemic to the lower Lufubu River as Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. and reassign N. devosi to Telmatochromis. Telmatochromis devosi comb. nov. differs from all congeners by the absence of bi- and tricuspid teeth in the inner tooth rows of the oral dentition. T. salzburgeri sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other Telmatochromis species by a prominent orange stripe along the base of the dorsal fin and from T. devosi comb. nov. by the relatively smaller size of the lower pharyngeal jaw. Both riverine species differ from all lacustrine Telmatochromis by a lower number of dorsal-fin spines. Additionally, the riverine species can be distinguished from the T. vittatus complex by having larger heads and longer oral jaws, and from the T. temporalis complex by their lower relative body depth. With the inclusion of new riverine members, the genus Telmatochromis is revealed to be more morphologically and ecologically diverse than previously recognized.

Keywords: Africa, Cichlidae, Great Lakes, ichthyofauna, Lufubu River

 

Image series of Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. 
 (a) Underwater pictures of T. salzburgeri sp. nov. (from top to bottom): a dark specimen, a light specimen, a juvenile, and together with the riverine haplochromine Orthochromis indermauri (images by A.I. and F.D.B.S.).
(b) Photograph of a paratype (NMB-6478, ex. UNIBAS-IC-USH1) in light colouration (top image) and the dark holotype (NHB-6475, ex. UNIBAS-IC-USG9), both taken at the field site from living individuals. The lower two images show the preserved holotype and its X-ray radiograph (images by A.I., F.D.B.S., and Aurelia Wolf).
 (c) Images of the lower pharyngeal jaw of a paratype (ZSM-PIS-044282-DRC-3147) based on a computed tomography (CT) scan (images by F.R.).

Overview of the lamprologine cichlid genus Telmatochromis from Lake Tanganyika and the two riverine taxa: Neolamprologus devosi and Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu”.

 Telmatochromis devosi comb. nov.

reassign Neolamprologus devosi to Telmatochromis.

Telmatochromis salzburgeri sp. nov. 

= Telmatochromis sp. “lufubu”

Differential diagnosis: Adult individuals of T. salzburgeri sp. nov. are distinguished from all other members of the genus Telmatochromis by the presence of a prominent orange stripe along the base of the dorsal fin, extending into the dorsal fin and over the dorsum (see Figure 5a,b). Additionally, T. salzburgeri sp. nov. differs from members of the T. vittatus complex (i.e., T. bifrenatus, T. brichardi, T. vittatus, and allies such as Telmatochromis sp. “longola”) and T. brachygnathus by having a larger head (26.96–30.08 vs. 20.4–26.65 HL%SL) and longer jaws (29.18–40.68 vs. ...

Etymology: The species is named in honor of our friend, colleague, and mentor Prof. Dr. Walter Salzburger for his contributions in advancing the field of evolutionary biology and, in particular, cichlid research in Lake Tanganyika. He has supported several projects and numerous field expeditions of all the authors with great enthusiasm, which led, among many other things, to the description of T. salzburgeri sp. nov.

 

Adrian Indermaur, Frederic D. B. Schedel, Fabrizia Ronco. 2024. Morphological Diversity of the Genus Telmatochromis from the Lake Tanganyika Drainage with the Description of A New riverine Species and the Generic Reassignment of the Malagarasi River lamprologine. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.16042  

[Crustacea • 2024] Proasellus abini • A New Species of the Genus Proasellus (Isopoda: Asellidae) from the Abin River Basin, with the preliminary data on the Diversity of the Genus in the southwestern foothills of the Russian Caucasus

Proasellus abini 

Marin & Sinelnikov, 2024

 

https://kmkjournals.com/journals/Inv_Zool

  Researchgate.net/publication/379311343

ABSTRACT 

 A new stygobiotic species of the genus Proasellus Dudich, 1925 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae), Proasellus abini sp. n., is described from the hyporheic habitats and groundwater of the Abin River basin, located in the southwestern foothills of the Caucasian Ridge. The new species is morphologically and genetically close to Proasellus linearis Birštein, 1967, known from the Evstafiev Sсhel (=Ashamba River) near Gelendzhik. Data on phylogeny, ecology and feeding of the species and other SW Caucasian species of the genus are also presented in the paper.

KEY WORDS: Crustacea, diversity, Proasellus, new species, hyporhea, stygobiotic, southwestern Caucasus, Russia.

General view and natural habitat of Proasellus abini sp. n.:
 A — a forest well, Shids, general view; B, C — individuals of the new species on the bottom and walls of the well; D, F — general dorsal view of alive individual of the new Proasellus abini sp.n. and its lateral view (E).

 Proasellus abini sp. n.

 

Marin I.N. and Sinelnikov S.Yu. 2024. A New Species of the Genus Proasellus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Asellidae) from the Abin River Basin, with the preliminary data on the Diversity of the Genus in the southwestern foothills of the Russian Caucasus. Invertebrate Zoology. 21(1); 81–93. 

https://kmkjournals.com/journals/Inv_Zool/IZ_Index_Volumes/IZ_21/IZ_21_1_081_093

  Researchgate.net/publication/379311343_A_new_species_of_Proasellus_from_the_Abin_River_basin_Russian_Caucasus

  x.com/iee_ras/status/1871075641082237437

[Botany • 2025] Colchicum akanii (Colchicaceae) • A New long-necked Species from Turkey

 

Colchicum akanii Sonay, M. Keskin & Balos, 

in Keskin, Sonay et Balos, 2025. 

  instagram.com/MarufBalos

Colchicum akanii Sonay, M. Keskin & Balos (Colchicaceae) from Elazığ, eastern Turkey, is described as a new species. It is morphologically similar to C. balansae and C. macrophyllum, but differs from them mainly by the structure of the corm and outer and inner tunics, cataphyll colour, leaf shape and size, tessellate perigon, filament that is much shorter than tepals, as well as capsule and seed structure. Following the IUCN criteria, we assessed C. akanii to be Critically Endangered (CR).

Colchicum akanii Sonay, M. Keskin & Balos

Keskin M., Sonay V. & Balos M.M. 2025. Colchicum akanii (Colchicaceae), A New long-necked Species from Turkey.  Ann. Bot. Fennici. 62: 11–17. 

  instagram.com/p/DEUXh_liYfO/?img_index=MarufBalos

[Crustacea • 2024] Sipadantonius roihani • A New Genus and Species of Pseudocyclopidae Giesbrecht, 1893 (Copepoda: Calanoida) from the marine cave “Turtle Tomb” of Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia

Sipadantonius roihani  

Boonyanusith, Wongkamhaeng & Azman, 2024

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.133132 

facebook.com/AzmanBAR

Abstract

A new genus and species of the family Pseudocyclopidae, Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov., was described based on specimens collected using a light trap in the marine cave of Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia. The new genus is most related to Pinkertonius, primarily based on the similarity observed in the armament of ancestral segment IV of the male antennules, the armament of the female P5 Exp-3, the segmentation of the male P5, the armament of the maxillular basal exite, and the relative length of the ancestral segment XXVII of the antennules. Nevertheless, it distinguishes itself from Pinkertonius and all other genera of the family by the absence of the lateral seta of the basis of all swimming legs, the presence of an inner seta on the coxa of the female P5, the reduction of furcal setae I and III, as well as the specific armament of the ancestral segment XX of the antennules and the maxillular coxal endite. The female of Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov. has aesthetascs on the ancestral segments IV and XX of the antennules, as well as six setae on the maxillular coxal endite, exhibiting the most plesiomorphic characteristics of the family Pseudocyclopidae. The latter characteristic has not been recorded in the order Calanoida. It was hypothesised that the new species was a particle feeder living in the pelagic zone of the marine cave. The existence of the new species supported the assumption that the regional distribution of the family Pseudocyclopidae exhibited the Tethyan track, which might have been the subsequent result of the colonisation of the habitats prior to the closure of the Tethys Sea.

Key words: Crustacea, Southeast Asia, systematics, taxonomy, Zooplankton

Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov. female:
A habitus, dorsal view B habitus, lateral view C urosome, ventral view D urosome, lateral view E genital double-somite, ventral view F furcal rami, dorsal view G furcal rami, lateral view. Arrowheads indicate integumental pores.

Scale bars: 200 μm (A, B); 100 μm (C, D); 50 μm (E−G).

Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov. photographs of lateral surface of basis of swimming legs, female (A−E) and male (F):
A posterior hyaline process on basis of P1 (indicated by arrow) B P1 C P3 D P4 E, F P5. Arrowheads indicate cuticular windows on lateral margin of basis. Scale bars: 10 μm.

Order Calanoida Sars, 1903

Superfamily Pseudocyclopoidea Giesbrecht, 1893

Family Pseudocyclopidae Giesbrecht, 1893

Genus Sipadantonius gen. nov.

Etymology: Named after the type locality, Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia, in combination with the -tonius stem from the existing generic name Pinkertonius Bradford-Grieve, Boxshall & Blanco-Bercial, 2014, alluding to the similarity of the genus Pinkertonius. The gender is masculine.

 Sipadantonius roihani sp. nov.

Etymology: The specific epithet was conferred in honour of Mr Roihan Han, a Malaysian deep dive record holder (at a depth of 164 m), who also led the Turtle Tomb exploration activity. Consequently, the name is a noun in the genitive singular.

Chaichat Boonyanusith, Koraon Wongkamhaeng and Abdul-Rahim Azman. 2024. Sipadantonius roihani gen. et sp. nov., A New Genus and Species of Pseudocyclopidae Giesbrecht, 1893 (Copepoda, Calanoida) from the marine cave “Turtle Tomb” of Sipadan Island, Sabah, Malaysia. ZooKeys. 1219: 303-329. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1219.133132

 facebook.com/AzmanBAR/posts/10160711935500986

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

 Begonia pingxiangensis W.G. Wang, F.Y. Nong & H.C. Xi, 

in Xi, Nong, Shen, Ma, Jiang et Wang, 2025.  

凭祥秋海棠  ||  https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2039 

Abstract

Begonia pingxiangensis, a new species from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. The new species resembles B. daxinensis in the leaf blade and flower, but can be distinguished by its leaf blade shape (ovate to broadly ovate vs obliquely ovate to suborbicular), size (4–8 × 3–7 cm vs 10–24 × 10–17 cm), flower color (white vs white or pinkish), smaller staminate flowers (outer two 5–8 × 6–10 mm, inner two ca. 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two 12–19 × 10–16 mm, inner two 12–14 × 4–5 mm) and pistillate flowers (outer two tepals 7–8 × 8–10 mm, inner one 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two tepals 10–15 × 10–12 mm, inner one 5–7.5 × 2–5 mm) sizes. Detailed description is provided.

Keyword: Begonia, Begonia daxinensis, China, Guangxi, new taxon, taxonomy

  Illustration of Begonia pingxiangensis W.G. Wang, F.Y. Nong & H.C. Xi.
A. Cultivated plant. B. Rhizome. C. Stipules. D. Part of petiole. E. Leaf blade, adaxial and abaxial. F. Inflorescence. G. Bracts. H. Part of peduncle. I. Staminate flower, adaxial view and abaxial view. J. Dissected corolla of staminate flower. K. Androecium. L. Pistillate flower, different views. M. Pistil. N. Dissected corolla of pistillate flower. O. Dissected ovary, showing parietal placentation. P. Capsule. Q. Seeds.

 

Begonia pingxiangensis W.G.Wang, F.Y.Nong & H.C.Xi, sp. nov. 

凭祥秋海棠  

 Sect. Coelocentrum 

Diagnosis: The new species resembles Begonia daxinensis T. C. Ku (Wu and Ku, 1997) in the leaf and flower, but can be distinguished by its leaf blade shape (ovate to broadly ovate vs obliquely ovate to suborbicular), size (4–8 × 3–7 cm vs 10–24 × 10–17 cm), flower color (white vs white or pinkish), smaller staminate flower (outer two 5–8×6–10 mm, inner two ca. 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two 12–19 × 10–16 mm, inner two 12–14 × 4–5 mm) and pistillate flower (outer two tepals 7–8 × 8–10 mm, inner one 3–4 × 2 mm vs outer two tepals 10–15 × 10–12 mm, inner one 5–7.5 × 2–5 mm) sizes ...

Etymology: The specific epithet “pingxiangensis” refers to the type locality in Pingxiang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Chinese name is proposed here as “凭祥秋海棠” (凭祥-refer to Pingxiang, 秋海棠-refer to Begonia).  

 

Hou-Cheng Xi, Fu-Yang Nong, Jian-Yong Shen, Xing-Da Ma, Li-Ju Jiang and Wen-Guang Wang. 2025. Begonia pingxiangensis, A New Species of Begonia sect. Coelocentrum (Begoniaceae) from Guangxi, China.  Taiwania. 70(1); 1-3. DOI: 10.6165/tai.2025.70.1 

https://taiwania.ntu.edu.tw/abstract/2039 

[Ichthyology • 2024] Hypancistrus parkateje • A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins

 

Hypancistrus parkateje

 Araújo, Ferreira, Monteiro & Wosiacki, 2024 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15971 

 x.com/Araujoictio

Abstract

The Hypancistrus genus is recognized in the Río Orinoco basin and Rio Xingu in the Guiana and Brazilian Shields, respectively. Some of its species are important in ornamental fishing. Despite this significance, many other undescribed species are still awaiting to be named. Here we describe a new species of Hypancistrus found on bedrock in the Rio Tocantins, representing an extension of the distribution of the genus. Also, a multigene phylogeny is presented to evaluate the taxonomic position of this species concerning congeners. The new species differs from all congeners by (1) hypertrophied odontodes on cheeks reaching beyond the cleithrum, (2) a supraoccipital crest conspicuously elevated, (3) a supraorbital crest slightly convex, (4) oblique bars on the anterior part of the body, (5) a dark E-shaped mark on the snout, (6) three oblique dark bars on the anterior part of the body and horizontal vermicular bars from the pectoral girdle to the posterior insertion of the dorsal fin, (7) a thin light gray bar on the posterior of the head extending across the branchial opening, (8) a tan background color, (9) a developed suspensorium with a diminished appendix in the metapterygoid, and (10) a dentary plate robust significantly fused with the angulo-articular bone. The molecular phylogenetic results show the new species forming a group with Hypancistrus zebra (Brazilian Shield—Rio Xingu) as a clade, a sister group of a monophyletic group consisting of all congeners from the Río Orinoco.

Keywords: armored catfish, molecular phylogeny, new taxon, rheophilic fish

Holotype of Hypancistrus parkateje, 64.5 mm SL (standard length),
Brazil, Pará, Bom Jesus do Tocantins, Rio Tocantins basin.

Hypancistrus parkateje

Felipe Araújo, Marlon Ferreira, Iann Monteiro and Wolmar Wosiacki. 2024. A New Species of Hypancistrus Isbrücker & Nijssen 1991 (Loricariidae, Siluriformes) from the rapids of the middle Rio Tocantins. Journal of Fish Biology.  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.15971

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[Ichthyology • 2024] Horabagrus obscurus • A New sympatric Species of Horabagrus (Siluriformes: Horabagridae) from the Chalakkudy River basin in Kerala, India

Horabagrus obscurus

Kumar, Ravi, Prasoon & Basheer, 2024

https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF

Abstract

We describe a new species of Horabagrus, found in sympatry with H. nigricollaris, from the Chalakkudy river basin in Kerala, South India. Horabagrus obscurus, new species, differs from the two other known species in the genus in its colour pattern, lesser body width at the pectoral girdle, shorter barbels and total vertebral counts. Differences in partial sequences of the mitochondrial COI and CytB genes also serve to distinguish the new species from congeners. The new discovery reasserts the importance of the Chalakkudy river basin as a hotspot of piscine diversity in the Western Ghats.

Keywords: Chalakkudy River, Horabagridae, Western Ghats, Kerala, Mitochondrial CO1

Horabagrus obscurus in life, all from the Chalakkudy River at Vettilappara.
(a) NBFGR/HORHOBS.7, paratype, 248 mm SL,
(b) NBFGR/HORHOBS.4, paratype, 206 mm SL and
(c) NBFGR/HORHOBS.1, paratype, 152 mm SL

Horabagrus obscurus, new species

 Diagnosis: Horabagrus obscurus is distinguished from its congeners by a distinctive colour pattern in life, consisting of a greenish-brown ground colour mottled with black and a small black humeral blotch with a yellow to white region immediately anteroventral to the blotch (vs. a yellow ground colour with a large circular black humeral blotch, larger than eye diameter, ringed with pale yellow to white in H. brachysoma; and a distinct black “collar” covering the humeral region and nape, margined by a pale yellow to white band in H. nigricollaris). Horabagrus obscurus can additionally be distinguished from ...

Etymology: From the Latin obscurus, meaning dark or cloudy, a reference to the colour pattern of the fish. The word obscure in english also means cryptic or ambiguous and refers to the confusion between H. obscurus and the sympatric H. nigricollaris.

Rahul G. Kumar, Charan Ravi, N. P. Krishna Prasoon, V. S. Basheer. 2024. A New sympatric Species of Horabagrus (Siluriformes: Horabagridae) from the Chalakkudy River basin in Kerala, India. Indian Journal of Fisheries. 71(4); https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJF/article/view/146333

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[PaleoMammalogy • 2024] Exposed Weapons: A Revised Reconstruction of the Facial Anatomy and Life Appearance of the Saber-toothed Cat Megantereon (Felidae: Machairodontinae)

 

Reconstruction of the external appearance of the head of Megantereon in different angles and with different facial expressions

in Antón, Siliceo, Pastor, Jiangzuo et Salesa, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25622 

  facebook.com: Mauricio Anton 

x.com/AnatRecord

Abstract

Megantereon was a widespread saber-toothed felid from the Pliocene and Pleistocene of the Old World and North America, but its rarity in the fossil record makes it complicated to restore its life appearance. Lack of complete specimens makes it necessary to combine information from fossils of different individuals to reconstruct their facial anatomy. In this work, we combine the analysis of skulls and mandibles of Megantereon from various fossil sites with the study of extant carnivorans through dissection, 3D scans, and the observation of live individuals. Megantereon combined very elongated upper canines with mandibular flanges that were not deep enough to match the length of the sabers, as well as a wide maxilla combined with narrow incisor rows and mandibular symphysis. Such features are compatible with the presence of exposed canines in life, because the narrow symphysis allows room to accommodate lips and other soft tissues medial to the sabers, while the protrusion of the tips of the upper canines beyond the mental flanges makes it unlikely that they would be enveloped in soft tissue sheaths, which would dangle with the inherent risk of puncture. Megantereon was transitional between saber-toothed felids with covered upper canines, where saber length fits with mental flange depth, and the derived Smilodon where the upper canines are much longer than the flanges and the lips fit between upper canines and mandible, leaving the upper canine crowns largely exposed in life.

Keywords: anatomy, muscles, Paleobiology, Smilodontini

Sequential reconstruction of the head of Megantereon:
 (a) skull and mandible; (b) deep muscles and other structures; (c) superficial muscles; and (d) reconstructed external appearance.

md, m. digastricus; ml, m. levator nasolabialis; mm, m. masseter; mo, m. orbicularis oris; mp, mystacial pad; mt, m. temporalis; mz, m. zygomaticus; nc, nasal cartilage; orl, outer rim of lower lip; p, platysma; pct, pad of connective tissue; tfl, tongue-like flap of lower lip.

Reconstruction of the external appearance of the head of Megantereon in different angles and with different facial expressions:
 (a) skull and reconstructed head with relaxed mouth in lateral view; (b) skull and reconstructed head with closed mouth in frontal view; (c) skull and reconstructed head with relaxed mouth in frontal view; (d) skull and reconstructed head with relaxed mouth in perspective view; and (e) skull and reconstructed head in perspective view, yawning.

Mauricio Antón, Gema Siliceo, Juan Francisco Pastor, Qigao Jiangzuo and Manuel J. Salesa. 2024. Exposed Weapons: A Revised Reconstruction of the Facial Anatomy and Life Appearance of the Saber-toothed Cat Megantereon (Felidae, Machairodontinae). The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25622 

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[Ichthyology • 2025] Cobitis beijingensis • A New spined loach (Cypriniformes: Cobitidae) from northern China

Cobitis beijingensis  Sun & Zhao, 

in Sun, X.-Y. Li, X.-J. Li, Hao, Sheng et Zhao, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.137363  

Abstract

A new spined loach, Cobitis beijingensis, is described from Beijing, China. The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by a combination of characters: 1) Lamina circularis on pectoral fin of male elongated, posterior margin slightly serrated; 2) possessing 14–18 (mode 15) pre-pelvic myotomes; 3) pelvic fin inserted below 3rd–5th branched dorsal-fin ray; 4) total vertebrae 4+ 36–38 (mode 37); 5) L2 of the Gambetta’s pattern does not exist or is fused with L1. The molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial Cyt b also support C. beijingensis to be a new species.

Key Words: Beijing, freshwater fish, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy

Cobitis beijingensis sp. nov., holotype, ASZIB 240630, 55.0 mm standard length;
A. Lateral view; B. Dorsal view; C. Ventral view; D. Original drawing.

Live individuals of Cobitis beijingensis sp. nov.
A. Holotype, ASIZB 240630, male; B. Uncatalogued, female;
C. Paratype, ASIZB 240682, male, photographed in aquarium.

 Cobitis beijingensis Sun & Zhao, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished by the combination of the following characters: Lamina circularis on pectoral fin elongated, posterior margin slightly serrated; 14–18 (mode 15) prepelvic myotomes; pelvic fin inserted below 3rd–5th branched dorsal-fin ray; total vertebrae 4+ 36–38 (mode 37); the second Gambetta line (L2) does not exist or is fused with the first line (L1).

Zhi-Xian Sun, Xue-Yuan Li, Xue-Jian Li, Jun-Yuan Hao, Dong Sheng and Ya-Hui Zhao. 2025. Cobitis beijingensis, A New spined loach from northern China (Cypriniformes, Cobitidae). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 55-67. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.137363