[Botany • 2025] Alpinia spongioides (Zingiberaceae: Alpinieae) • A New Species from Dinagat Islands, Philippines

Alpinia spongioides Naive, Ruales, Beltran & Rozano, 

in Ruales, Beltran, Rozano, Jumawan et Naive, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04642

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Abstract

Alpinia spongioides Naive, Ruales, Beltran & Rozano, is described here as a new species from Dinagat Islands, Philippines. The species belongs to Alpinia sect. Alpinia subsect. Presleia by having small flowers and quadrilobed labellum. It resembles Alpinia foxworthyi but differs by its puberulent ligule with ciliate margin, longer petiole, calyx, filament, as well as an ecristate anther. This paper provides a detailed description, colour plates, and information on its phenology, habitat and distribution, as well as a provisional conservation status assessment. The discovery of this species through recent botanical surveys in eastern Mindanao brings the total number of known Alpinia subsect. Presleia species in the Philippines to 15.

Keywords: Alpinia zerumbet clade, biodiversity, Caraga Region, subsect. Presleia, Southeastern Philippines

Jeco Jed J. Ruales, Darlo Novo M. Beltran, Ralph R. J. E. Rozano, Jess H. Jumawan and Mark Arcebal K. Naive. 2025. Alpinia spongioides (Zingiberaceae), A New Species from Dinagat Islands, Philippines. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04642

  facebook.com/JecoJedRuales/posts/9273008416129284

[Herpetology • 2025] Rhacophorus medogensis • A New Species of Rhacophorus (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Xizang, China, with A Revision of the Distribution of R. bipunctatus

 

Rhacophorus medogensis  

 Weng, Liu, Li, Yu & Huang, 2025 

Xizang flying frog | 墨脱树蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.142297 

 

Abstract

A new species of Rhacophorus (Anura, Rhacophoridae), Rhacophorus medogensis sp. nov., is described from Medog, Xizang Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. The new taxon can be distinguished from all phylogenetically closely related taxa (R. rhodopus and R. bipunctatus complexes) by the following combination of features: 1) body size medium (adult males SVL 31.6–38.7 mm, n = 17; adult females SVL 50.1–55.7 mm, n = 2); 2) pineal ocellus obvious; 3) toe webbing formula: I1‒1II1‒1.5III1‒1IV1‒1V; 4) irregularly shaped large black spots, white pattern in black spots on flanks; 5) snout pointed with appendage on tip; 6) tongue pyriform, with a deep notch at posterior tip; 7) tibiotarsal articulation reaching eye. In addition, we also discuss the distribution of R. bipunctatus, which is limited to northern India and central-western Myanmar, rather than the traditionally presumed range across South and Southeast Asia.

Key Words: Biodiversity, cryptic species, Rhacophorus medogensis sp. nov., taxonomy

Holotype (SWU 0008699) of Rhacophorus medogensis sp. nov. in situ.

(A) Large habitat at the type locality of Rhacophorus medogensis sp. nov., Didong Village, Medog County, Xizang Tibetan Autonomous Region, China (29.__°N, 95.__°E, elevation 771 m);
(B) macrohabitat of Rhacophorus medogensis sp. nov. (SWU 0008601), Buqun (Xigong) Lake, Medog County, Xizang Tibetan Autonomous Region, China (29.__°N, 95.2__°E, elevation 1361 m).

 Rhacophorus medogensis sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The genus Rhacophorus, also known as flying frogs, is characterized by the following features: 1) body size relatively moderate or large (SVL 30–100 mm, above 40 mm in most species); 2) presence of intercalary cartilage between terminal and penultimate phalanges of digits; 3) terminal phalanges of fingers and toes Y-shaped; 4) tips of the digits expanded into large disks bearing circummarginal grooves; 5) webbed fingers; 6) skin not co-ossified to the skull; 7) upper eyelid projections absent, tarsal projections present in most species; 8) dermal folds along the forearm or tarsus present; 9) pupil horizontal; 10) iris without “X”-shaped marking; 11) white foam nests or jelly-encapsulated eggs produced by 

Etymology: The specific epithet “medogensis” is named after the type locality, Medog, Xizang, China. We suggest “Xizang flying frog” as its English common name and “Mò Tuō Shù Wā” (墨脱树蛙) as its Chinese common name.

Shiyang Weng, Xiaolong Liu, Jianchuan Li, Guohua Yu, Junkai Huang. 2025. A New Species of Rhacophorus (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Xizang, China, with A Revision of the Distribution of R. bipunctatus. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(2): 437-447. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.142297 

  

[Herpetology • 2025] Leptobrachella albomarginata • Morphological and Molecular Evidence for A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura: Megophryidae) from Gaoligong Mountain Range, Yunnan, China

Leptobrachella albomarginata  Wu, Yu, Kilunda, Murphy & Che,   

in Wu, Yu, Yang, Duan, Zuo, Zhang, Kilunda, Murphy et Che, 2025. 

White-lined Leaf Litter Toad | 白缘掌突蟾  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135560 

Abstract

The Gaoligong Mountain Range in Yunnan Province, China, is characterized by its large variation in elevation and topography, together with its wide latitudinal range, resulting in extremely high levels of biodiversity. Studies show that the amphibian diversity of the Gaoligong Mountain Range is largely underestimated, especially in the south. During herpetological surveys in 2023 and 2024, three specimens of Leptobrachella were collected from the mountain at Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve. Subsequent morphological comparisons and a phylogenetic reconstruction revealed that these specimens belonged to a previously unknown and morphologically distinct lineage of Leptobrachella, which we formally describe. Our discovery brings the number of species in the genus to 108, 44 of which occur in China, and seven on Gaoligong Mountain Range. This result confirms the underestimated amphibian diversity of the Gaoligong Mountain Range, especially in Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, where multiple sympatric congeneric species occur, including four species of Leptobrachella, five species and a putative new species of Xenophrys, and three species of Polypedates. These findings also highlight the need for future research to investigate the mechanisms of sympatric and syntopic coexistence.

Key Words: Asian Leaf Litter Toad, frog, Leptobrachella albomarginata sp. nov., sympatric distribution, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve

Holotype of Leptobrachella albomarginata sp. nov. (KIZ 050905) in life.
A. Lateral view; B. Lateral view of head; C. Dorsal view; D. Ventral view.

Photos by Zhong-Bin Yu.

 Leptobrachella albomarginata Wu, Yu, Kilunda, Murphy & Che, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis. Leptobrachella albomarginata sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the following combination of morphological characters: (1) body size small (SVL 26.5 mm in one adult male, 32.5 mm in one female); (2) tibiotarsal articulation reaches the middle eye; (3) tongue with a shallow notch at the posterior tip; (4) heels meeting; (5) toes with rudimentary webbing and narrow lateral fringes; (6) relative finger lengths: I ≈ II < IV < III; (7) reverse-triangle markings and a ˄-shaped marking with a white lining in dorsal view; (8) black and bluish-white marbling all over ventral surfaces of throat, chest and belly; (9) flanks with distinct irregular black spots; (10) iris bicolored, upper 1/3 of the iris being coppery, lower 2/3 silvery gray.

Etymology. The name refers to reverse-triangle markings and ˄-shaped marking with a white lining on dorsum of the new species: the specific epithet “albus” is a Latin adjective which means “white”, and “marginis” is Latin adjective for “border, lining”. We propose the English common name “White-lined Leaf Litter Toad” and the Chinese common name “Bái Yuán Zhǎng Tū Chán (白缘掌突蟾)”.

 Yun-He Wu, Zhong-Bin Yu, Shen-Pin Yang, Zheng-Pan Duan, An-Ru Zuo, Ding-Can Zhang, Felista Kasyoka Kilunda, Robert W. Murphy and Jing Che. 2025. Morphological and Molecular Evidence for A New Species of the Genus Leptobrachella (Anura, Megophryidae) from Gaoligong Mountain Range, Yunnan, China.  Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(2): 449-463. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135560 

[Botany • 2025] Euonymus pushpagiriensis (Celastraceae) • A New Species from the central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India

Euonymus pushpagiriensis N.V.Page & T.U.Thackeray, 

in Page et Thackeray. 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.138418 

Abstract

Euonymus pushpagiriensis sp. nov., an understorey tree species from the montane (Shola) forests of Kodagu District of Karnataka is described and illustrated. The species is morphologically distinct from all other species of Euonymus reported from the Western Ghats and the rest of India, in having sub-sessile, ovate leaves with rounded to sub-cordate leaf base. This species is, so far, known from the Kodagu District of the State of Karnataka.

Key words: Endemic, Euonymus, India, Kodagu, Western Ghats

 

Euonymus pushpagiriensis
A branches with inflorescences borne in the axils of terminal pairs of leaves B dichasial inflorescences showing the four angled primary and secondary peduncles.  
A five-merous flowers with pentagonal disc, five angled ovary and stamens B immature capsule.

Photographs by Navendu Page.

 Euonymus pushpagiriensis N.V.Page & T.U.Thackeray, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Euonymus pushpagiriensis can be distinguished from other species of Euonymus from the Western Ghats based on its sub-sessile leaves (petiole ca. 1 mm long) and ovate lamina with rounded to sub-cordate base. In contrast, all the other species of Euonymus from the Western Ghats of south India exhibit leaves with a distinct petiole (greater than or equal to 3 mm length) and elliptic, rarely ovate lamina with obtuse, acute or cuneate base.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the type locality of species – Pushpagiri which is the name of the second highest peak in Kodagu District and the fourth highest peak in the State of Karnataka and also the name of the Wildlife Sanctuary in which the peak the located. The species is, so far, known only from Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary and its adjacent areas.

 

 Navendu V. Page and Tejas U. Thackeray. 2025. Euonymus pushpagiriensis (Celastraceae), A New Species from the central Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. PhytoKeys. 253: 1-9. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.138418 

[Herpetology • 2025] Amolops spicalinea • A New Species of Amolops monticola group (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam

 

 Amolops spicalinea 

 Nguyen, Tapley,  La & Rowley, 2025

 

 Hoang Lien cascade frog | Ếch bám đá hoàng liên sơn  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.3.3 

 

Abstract

Of the 19 species of Amolops reported from Vietnam, 10 are known to occur in the Hoang Lien Range in northwest Vietnam. During field surveys in the Hoang Lien Range, we collected individuals from a population of Amolops that we could not assign to any known species; morphological and molecular data assign these individuals to the Amolops monticola group and we describe a new species to science, Amolops spicalinea sp. nov., in reference to a line of horny spinules running along the body below the dorsolateral fold in males. The new species is morphologically and molecularly most similar to Amolops bellulus from Yunnan Province, China but is distinguished from A. bellulus and other congeneric species by a combination of the following characters: (1) SVL of adult males 46.6–52.2 mm, N=3; adult females 60.1–63.0 mm, N=3; (2) vomerine teeth in two oblique rows between choanae; (3) tympanic annulus visible; (4) all finger and toe tips expanded to discs with circummarginal grooves present; (5) skin smooth, except for lateral surfaces of head, below the dorsolateral fold, and the area surrounding cloaca where the texture varies from tiny spinules to large tubercles; (6) dorsolateral fold present with horny spinules along the lower half in males; (7) creamy-white lip stripe extending from tip of snout, terminating in a broken, rugose line above axilla; (8) dorsum reddish brown or greenish brown with numerous small black spots; flanks yellowish brown to dark brown; ventral surface of body orange-yellow with small brown spots present on chest and throat; (9) interdigital finger webbing absent; toes fully webbed to discs except on Toes IV where webbing reaches discs as a fringe, webbing formula: I0–0II0–0III0–1+IV1+–0V; (10) outer metatarsal tubercles absent; (11) vocal sac absent in males, and (12) nuptial pad velvety without spines. Our phylogenetic analysis using 16S ribosomal RNA mitochondrial gene and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) genes show that Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. is sister to Amolops bellulus 2 from Yunnan, China. The new species is currently known from only three localities in the Hoang Lien Range between 2288–2493 m asl and is threatened by habitat loss and degradation. This species likely qualifies for being assessed as Endangered in accordance with the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species categories and criteria (B1ab).

Amphibia, amphibians, anura, cascade frog, Fansipan, Nam Kang ho tao, Pu ta Leng

 Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. adult male holotype ITBCZ 3648.
(A) Dorsolateral view in life, (B) ventral view under sedation, (C) view of nuptial pad on first right finger under sedation, and (D), view of cloaca and base of thighs to illustrate glandular character under sedation. Not to scale.

Dorsolateral and ventral view of paratypes of Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. in life.
(A and B) adult male ITBCZ 3649, (C and D) adult male ITBCZ 3652,
(E and F) adult female ITBCZ 3650, and (g and h) adult female ITBCZ 3651.

 Amolops spicalinea sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. is placed within the Amolops monticola group based on the following morphological characters: Finger I shorter than Finger II; true dorsolateral folds present (not formed by incomplete series of glands); skin smooth; lateral sides of head dark, with light-colored upper lip stripe extending to shoulder (jiang et al. 2021; Patel et al. 2021; Stuart et al. 2010; wu et al. 2020). the new species can be diagnosed from congeneric  species  by  the  combination  of  the  following  characters:  (1)  SVL  of  adult  males  46.6–52.2  m, N=3; adult females 60.1–63.0 mm, N=3; (2) vomerine teeth in two oblique rows between choanae; (3) tympanic annulus visible; (4) all finger and toe tips expanded to discs with circummarginal grooves present; (5) skin smooth, except for lateral surfaces of head, below the dorsolateral fold, and the area surrounding cloaca where the texture varies from tiny spinules to large tubercles; (6) dorsolateral fold present with horny spinules along the lower half in males; (7) creamy-white lip stripe extends from the tip of the snout terminating in a broken, rugose line above axilla; (8) dorsum reddish brown or greenish brown with numerous small black spots; flank yellowish brown to dark brown; ventral surface orange-yellow with brown spots present on chest and throat; (9) interdigital finger webbing absent; toes fully webbed to discs except on toes IV where the webbing reaches the discs as a fringe, webbing formula: I0–0II0–0III0–1+IV1+–0V; (10) outer metatarsal tubercle absent; (11) males vocal sacs absent, and (12) nuptial pad velvety without spines.

 

Etymology: Specific epithet “spicalinea” from spica, the Latin word for a point or ear of grain and lineata, the Latin noun meaning line or thread in reference to the line of spinules running along the body, below the dorsolateral fold in males. We suggest common name as Hoang Lien cascade frog (English) and Ếch bám đá hoàng liên sơn (Vietnamese).

habitat of  Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. in the hoang Lien Range.
 (A) Collection site on Mount Nam Kang ho tao, Lao Cai Province, (B) Collection site on Mount Pu ta Leng, Lao Cai Province, (C) Male  Amolops spicalinea sp. nov. in situ ITBCZ 3649 on tree branch, 2.0 m above stream, Mount Pu ta Leng, Lao Cai Province.

Luan Thanh NGUYEN, Benjamin TAPLEY, Toi Van LA and Jodi J. L. ROWLEY. 2025. A New Species of Amolops monticola group (Amphibia: Ranidae) from Hoang Lien Range, northwest Vietnam. Zootaxa. 5594(3); 485-508. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.3.3 [2025-03-03]

[Entomology • 2025] Malaxa chongzuoensis & M. longispina • Two New Species of the Genus Malaxa Melichar, 1914 (Hemiptera: Fulgoromorpha: Delphacidae) from China

 

 Malaxa chongzuoensis Lv & Chen, 

in Lv, Li, Yang, Zhang et Chen, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.143177 

Abstract

Two new species of the genus Malaxa Melichar, 1914 from Southwest China, M. chongzuoensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov. from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and M. longispina Lv & Chen, sp. nov. from Guangdong Province, are described and illustrated. These bring the total number of species in the genus to 13, with nine recorded from China. A checklist and map of all known species of Malaxa are provided, together with an identification key for Chinese species.

Key words: Bamboo host, checklist, Fulgoromorpha, identification key, Oriental region, planthopper, taxonomy, Tropidocephalini

 Malaxa chongzuoensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov., male 2 habitus, dorsal view 3 habitus, lateral view
 Malaxa longispina Lv & Chen, sp. nov., male 4 habitus, dorsal view 5 habitus, lateral view.

Scale bars: 0.5 mm (2–5).

 Malaxa chongzuoensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov.

Etymology. The new species is named after the city in which it was collected (Chongzuo) with the Latin adjectival suffix ‘-ensis’ meaning ‘from’.

Adult of Malaxa chongzuoensis Lv & Chen, sp. nov. resting on the leaf of Indocalamus tessellatus (Munro) P. C. Keng (Poales: Poaceae: Bambusoideae).

Photographed by Xiang-Sheng Chen.

 Malaxa longispina Lv & Chen, sp. nov.

Etymology. The species name is a combination of the Latin word “long-” and “spina” (with the connecting letter “i”, i.e., “long spine”), referring to the ventral margin of the aedeagus with a long spinous process medially. The name is intended to be feminine.

Sha-Sha Lv, Hong-Xing Li, Lin Yang, Yu-Bo Zhang and Xiang-Sheng Chen. 2025. Two New Species of the Genus Malaxa Melichar, 1914 from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Delphacidae, Tropidocephalini). ZooKeys. 1229: 275-287. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.143177 

[Herpetology • 2025] Gracixalus huaping • A New Species of Gracixalus (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from Guangxi, China, with comments on the taxonomy of Orixalus

 

Gracixalus huaping 

Luo, Zhang, Pan & Yu, 2025

 

花坪纤树蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135742

 

Abstract

A new treefrog of the genus Gracixalus, Gracixalus huaping sp. nov., is described based on the specimens collected from Huaping National Natural Reserve, Guangxi, China. Both maximum likelihood analysis and Bayesian inference found that the Huaping population formed a distinct lineage as sister to Gracixalus jinxiuensis. It was strongly supported that Gracixalus consists of four distinct clades. Morphological analysis suggested that the new species can be distinguished from other known congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: size small, SVL 26.6–28.8 mm in males and 29.8–32.8 mm in females; vomerine teeth absent; dorsal surface yellowish brown; internal vocal sac and linea masculina present in males; vocal sac opening oval and rim of the opening dark brown; throat smooth; iris golden brown; flanks granular with white blotch. In addition, we agree that the genus Orixalus is a junior subjective synonym of Gracixalus and consider that more studies are needed to investigate the species diversity and taxonomy of genus Gracixalus.

Key Words: Gracixalus jinxiuensis, species diversity, taxonomy, Treefrog

 

Lateral, dorsal, and ventral views of the holotype of Gracixalus huaping sp. nov. (A. voucher no. GXNU YU000517) and topotype of G. jinxiuensis (B. GXNU YU000813) in life. The linea masculina was highlighted with arrows. Photos by Guohua Yu.

Diagnosis.

The new species is assigned to genus Gracixalus based upon the following set of morphological characters: the presence of intercalary cartilage between terminal and penultimate phalanges of digits, tips of digits enlarged to discs bearing circum-marginal grooves, vomerine teeth absent, inner (first and second) and outer (third and fourth) fingers not opposable, and an inversed Y-shaped dark brown marking on the dorsum (Fei 1999; Yu et al. 2019; Tran et al. 2023).

The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters. (1) SVL 26.6–28.8 mm in males and 29.8–32.8 mm in females; (2) vomerine teeth absent; (3) dorsal surface yellowish brown; (4) few conical tubercles on dorsum; (5) internal vocal sac in males, vocal sac opening oval and rim of the opening dark brown; (6) throat smooth; (7) finger webbing rudimentary; (8) linea masculina present in males; (9) snout rounded; (10) tibiotarsal articulation reaching eye; (11) tibiotarsal projection absent; (12) ventral surface translucent, yellowish-white; (13) belly granular; (14) nuptial pads present on finger I; (15) heels overlapping when legs at right angle to body; (16) iris golden brown; and (17) flank rough with white tubercles.

Etymology. The specific epithet is named for Huaping, Guangxi, China, where the species was collected. We suggested “Huaping small tree frog” for the common English name and “花坪纤树蛙 (Huā Píng Xiān Shù Wā)” for the common Chinese name.

Habitat of Gracixalus huaping sp. nov. at the type locality (a) and eggs of the new species found in open-ended bamboo. Photos by Guohua Yu.

 

Jiaqi Luo, Ben’an Zhang, Yuanqiang Pan and Guohua Yu. 2025. A New Species of Gracixalus (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from Guangxi, China, with comments on the taxonomy of Orixalus. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(1): 369-388. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.135742

[Herpetology • 2025] Notes on the rare Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) (Squamata: Homalopsidae) endemic to Peninsular Malaysia with comments on its taxonomy and a range extension for the species

Pahang Mud Snake Kualatahan pahangensis (Tweedie 1946) 

in Quah, Syafiq, Wood, Grismer, Badli-Sham et Ahmad, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.1.7 

 

Abstract

The Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) is a rare species of homalopsid known only from four specimens. In this study we report on a relatively recently collected specimen from Merapoh, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia, compared with previously collected material. Variations in pholidosis and colour pattern were noted and discussed. The species is morphologically similar in body shape and colour pattern to the sympatric Hypsiscopus plumbeus, for which additional data is presented for Peninsular Malaysian specimens to clarify possible taxonomic confusions. The new record represents a range extension for the species of ~ 47 km to the west and is the third report of the species from the state of Pahang.

 Reptilia, reptile, Serpentes, Enhydris, conservation, endemic, biodiversity, Herpetology, herpetofauna

Evan S.H. QUAH, Muhamad F. SYAFIQ, Perry L. WOOD Jr., L. Lee GRISMER, Baizul H. BADLI-SHAM and Amirrudin AHMAD. 2025. Notes on the rare Pahang Mud Snake (Kualatahan pahangensis) (Tweedie 1946) (Squamata: Homalopsidae) endemic to Peninsular Malaysia with comments on its taxonomy and a range extension for the species.  Zootaxa. 5588(1); 161-173. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5588.1.7 [2025-02-13] 

  

[Botany • 2025] Boswellia hesperia (Burseraceae) • A New Species from Socotra

Boswellia hesperia Thulin, M.H.Weber & Rzepecky, 

in Thulin, Weber, Mubarak et Rzepecky, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04728

Researchgate.net/publication/389133907

Abstract

The new species Boswellia hesperia Thulin, M.H.Weber and Rzepecky is described, illustrated and mapped. It is a dwarf tree, restricted to westernmost Socotra (Yemen), growing on limestone rocks, in which the usually prostrate stems tend to fill out holes and crevices. It differs from B. nana Hepper, another dwarf tree endemic to Socotra but restricted to the easternmost parts of the island, by having leaves densely pubescent with whitish hairs beneath and by its smaller flowers and fruits.

Keywords: dwarf tree, frankincense, taxonomy, Yemen

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. from mountain ridge above Neet, 5–6 km from the coast, Socotra, 18 May 2021.
(A) plant filling out crevice in limestone rock, leafless, showing reddish white flowers and fruits, (B) leafless plant with flowers and fruits. Photographs by Alain Rzepecky.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. from the type locality above Neet in Socotra, 30 Apr. 2023.
(A) plant showing upper surfaces of leaves and 5- or 4-merous flowers with reddish white petals, (B) flowers, showing calyx and outside of petals, and undersides of leaves with dense indumentum of crisped whitish hairs, (C) plant showing 3-locular fruit. Photographs by Michael Weber.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. from above Neet, Socotra, 17 May 2024.
 (A) plant showing flower and 4-locular fruits, (B) plant showing 4-merous flowers with cream or whitish petals, (C) plant showing 3-merous flower with whitish petals. Photographs by Michael Weber.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov.
(A) flower, top view, (B) detail of petal margin, (C) flower, side view, (D) fruit, (E) pyrene, ventral view, (F) pyrene, dorsal view, (G) leaf from short shoot, upper side, (H) leaf from short shoot, lower side, (I) leaf from long shoot, upper side, (J) portion of plant with leaves, (K) long shoot, (L) seedling, showing lobed cotyledons. Drawing by Alain Rzepecky.

Boswellia hesperia sp. nov., plant filling out hole in limestone rock, showing leaves and reddish flowers; above Neet, Socotra, 31 Oct. 2007. Photograph by Lisa Banfield.

Boswellia hesperia Thulin, M.H.Weber and Rzepecky, sp. nov.  

A dwarf tree similar to Boswellia nana Hepper, but differing by having leaves densely pubescent with ± crisped whitish hairs (versus glabrous or subglabrous) beneath, smaller flowers with petals 3–4 mm (versus 4.5–5.5 mm) long and smaller fruits (5–7 mm versus ca 10 mm long).

Etymology: The epithet ‘hesperia' (Latin, western) refers to the distribution of this species that is restricted to the westernmost part of Socotra.

Mats Thulin, Michael Weber, Sami Ali Mohammed Mubarak and Alain Rzepecky. 2025. Boswellia hesperia sp. nov. (Burseraceae) from Socotra. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/njb.04728

 Researchgate.net/publication/389133907_Boswellia_hesperia_sp_nov_from_Socotra

[Herpetology • 2025] Minervarya ghatiborealis • Discovery and Description of A deeply divergent Frog Lineage of the Genus Minervarya (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the basaltic plateau of the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India

Minervarya ghatiborealis 

Yadav, Bhosale, Patil, Khandekar & Dinesh, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.1.6 

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Abstract

A new species of dicroglossid frog Minervarya ghatiborealis sp. nov. is described from the Mahabaleshwar region of the northern Western Ghats, India, based on multiple axis of evidences like morphological, acoustics, genetic datasets, and geographical isolation. The new species is phenotypically distinct from its congeners by a combination of morphological characters: body large, robust, with SVL 55.0–59.1 mm (n = 5) in adult males and SVL 67.1 mm (n = 1) in adult female; sub-elliptical snout; rudimentary webbing; dorsal skin glandular with highly ridged folds. Phylogenetically, the new species exhibits sister relationship to the clade containing Minervarya goemchi, M. mysorensis and M. brevipalmata. Genetic distance between the new species and the members of its sister clade varies from 6.5% to 7.2% for DNA sequences of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene. For the nuclear-encoded Tyrosinase gene genetic distance between the new species and its syntopic, large-bodied, congener M. goemchi is 1.4%. Additionally, an advertisement call description is provided to differentiate the new species from its congeners. The importance of the Mahabaleshwar plateau and altitudinal preferences of large-sized Minervarya frogs in the northern Western Ghats are discussed.

Amphibia, bioacoustics, biodiversity hotspot, Fejervarya, integrative taxonomy

Minervarya ghatiborealis sp. nov.

Omkar YADAV, Amrut BHOSALE, Priyanka PATIL, Akshay KHANDEKAR and K.P. Dinesh. 2025. Discovery and Description of A deeply divergent Frog Lineage of the Genus Minervarya Dubois, Ohler & Biju, 2001 (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the basaltic plateau of the northern Western Ghats, Maharashtra, India.  Zootaxa. 5594(1); 136-154. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5594.1.6 [2025-02-27] 

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[Herpetology • 2025] Nidirana shyhhuangi • A New Music Frog (Anura: Ranidae: Nidirana) critically endangered in Taiwan

Nidirana shyhhuangi 

C.-F. Lin, Chang, Matsui, Shen, Tominaga & S.-M. Lin, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.139344  

Abstract

Nidirana okinavana (Boettger, 1895) is a small-sized ranid species belonging to the East Asian genus Nidirana Dubois, 1992. Previous studies have indicated that this species was exclusively distributed on Ishigaki and Iriomote islands in the southern Ryukyus, as well as two extremely small wetland habitats in central Taiwan. Such a restricted distribution makes it one of the most endangered frog species in both Taiwan and Japan. By using molecular, morphological, and acoustic analyses, our study reveals significant divergence between the Taiwanese and Japanese clades, supporting the recognition of the Taiwanese clade as a distinct species, described herein as Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. Compared to Nidirana okinavana sensu stricto from the southern Ryukyus, the Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. is characterized by a significantly smaller and non-overlapping body size, relatively longer forelimbs and hindlimbs, smaller internostril and interorbital distances, with a higher number of cross bands on thigh and shank. Acoustic analyses reveal that the Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. produces calls with a rapid tempo and higher pulse number, with a higher dominant frequency compared to the Japanese clade. Due to the extremely limited distribution of this species to two small sites on Taiwan, and continuing decline in quality of its habitat, we propose that it should be classified as Critically Endangered (CR) under the IUCN criteria. Immediate and comprehensive in situ and ex situ conservation actions are necessary to ensure the sustainable viability of the population.

Key words: Acoustic analysis, Iriomote Island, Ishigaki Island, morphology, Nidirana okinavana

Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. in life
A an adult male with a pale yellowish-brown glandular ridge behind the base of the forelimb, which is diagnostic of the sexes B an adult female, with a more grayish coloration C a first-year juvenile, with a reddish lower iris color D a male calling in the nest showing its subgular vocal sac.

Photographed by Chun-Fu Lin (A–C) and Chunwen Chang (D).

 Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: (1) a small-sized ranid, body moderately slender; (2) SVL of preserved specimens in adult males 31.6–36.5 mm (mean ± SD = 33.8 ± 1.2 mm, n = 15), females 33.7–38.3 mm (35.9 ± 1.9 mm, n = 4); (3) head triangular, slightly longer than wide; (4) snout comparatively long, triangular in dorsal view with a slightly obtuse tip, moderately pointed in profile; (5) canthus rostralis distinct, contacting with the upper margin of nostril; (6) loreal region dark brown, extending posteriorly over eye and beyond tympanum; (7) upper lip pale white, white line extending posteriorly, forming a white stripe from below nostril to base of forelimb; (8) iris golden above canthus rostralis, dark brown below; (9) tympanum dark brown and conspicuous, dark zone extending posteriorly forming a trapezoid shape; (10) males with a single subgular vocal sac; (11) dorsum brown or yellowish-brown, sometimes ...

Etymology. The specific epithet of the new species shyhhuangi is a Latinized patronymic noun in genitive case. It is dedicated to Prof. Shyh-Huang Chen, a herpetologist and arachnologist who first discovered this species in the early 1980s. We propose the common name “Yuchi music frog” in English to demonstrate the only two sampling sites of the species in Yuchi (meaning the “fish pond”) Township, or “魚池琴蛙” (pronounced as Yú-Chí-Qín-Wā) in Mandarin for this species.

A type locality of Nidirana shyhhuangi sp. nov. in Lienhuachih (23.__°N, 120.__°E), Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan
B a mud nest with an opening diameter of ~ 0.8 cm. The white arrow indicates the position of the opening.

Photographed by Chun-Fu Lin.

Chun-Fu Lin, Chunwen Chang, Masafumi Matsui, Chin-Chia Shen, Atsushi Tominaga and Si-Min Lin. 2025. Description of A New Music Frog (Anura, Ranidae, Nidirana) critically endangered in Taiwan. ZooKeys. 1229: 245-273. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1229.139344  

[Botany • 2025] Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis (Lamiaceae: Ajugoideae) • A New Species from Sichuan, China

 

Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis C.Liu, F.Zhao & C.L.Xiang,  

in Zhao, Gao, Zhang, Liu et Xiang, 2025.

九寨沟四棱草  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.141697

Abstract

Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis C. Liu, F. Zhao & C.L. Xiang, a new species from north-eastern Sichuan, China, is described, based on both morphological and molecular phylogenetic evidence. Morphologically, the new species is mostly similar to S. terniflora, but can be readily distinguished by its habit, ovate to lanceolate-ovate leaf blades, the presence of 5–8 lateral veins on each side of the mid-rib and distinct characteristics of the floral structure, including oblong upper lip and lateral lobes of the lower lip, with the middle lobe being cuneate. In addition, the nutlets are puberulent and lack reticulate venation. Molecular phylogenetic analyses place the new species at a basal position within the genus Schnabelia. The new species is categorised as Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. A key to all species of Schnabelia is also provided.

Key words: Ajugeae, morphology, new species, Schnabelia, taxonomy

Morphology of Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis.
A, B habitat C leaf morphology D frontal view of inflorescence E lateral view of inflorescence F lateral view of flowers and filaments (Scale bar: 5 mm) G frontal view of calyces (Scale bar: 1 mm) H surface of the nutlets. (Scale bars: 1 mm) (Photo by Cheng Liu).

 Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis C.Liu, F.Zhao & C.L.Xiang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis is most similar to S. terniflora, but can be distinguished by several morphological differences. Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis is a perennial herb (vs. shrub), with ovate to lanceolate-ovate leaf blades, 2–8 × 1.5–4 cm (vs. lanceolate-oblong to ovate, 1.5–4 × 1–3 cm in S. terniflora), the lateral veins on each side of the mid-rib number 5–8 (vs. 3–6 in S. terniflora).The upper lip and lateral lobes of the lower lip are oblong in S. jiuzhaigouensis (vs. broadly obovate in S. terniflora) and the middle lobe is cuneate (vs. subrounded). The corolla is puberulent on the outside, but non-glandular (vs. puberulent and glandular in S. terniflora) and the nutlets puberulent (vs. densely hirsute), with S. jiuzhaigouensis lacking reticulate veins on the nutlets (vs. with distinctly reticulate veins in S. terniflora). The differences between the new species and S. terniflora are summarised in Table 2.

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘jiuzhaigouensis’ is derived from the type locality Jiuzhaigou County.

Chinese name. Jiǔ Zhài Gōu Sì Léng Căo (Chinese pronunciation); 九寨沟四棱草 (Chinese name).

 Fei Zhao, Peng-Wei Gao, Ting Zhang, Cheng Liu and Chun-Lei Xiang. 2025. Schnabelia jiuzhaigouensis (Lamiaceae, Ajugoideae), A New Species from Sichuan, China. PhytoKeys. 253: 21-32. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.253.141697