[Crustacea • 2026] Lemurophusa empusa & Balssiathelphusa inopinata • Revision of the Southeast Asian freshwater crab Genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae)

Lemurophusa empusa

Ng & Guinot, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema2026v48a18 

 Abstract 

The systematics of the gecarcinucid genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 is revised. Balssiathelphusa has an atypical distribution pattern for a freshwater crab genus, with the four known species recorded from Sumatra, Borneo and Natuna Islands in the South China Sea. The type species, Para-Perithelphusa sucki Balss, 1937 [sic, see infra], is redescribed and figured, and the genus is redefined to include B. sucki, B. cursor Ng, 1986, from East Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo, and a new species, B. inopinata n. sp., also from East Kalimantan. The type locality of B. sucki was reported as southeastern Sumatra, but the available evidence suggests the holotype was actually collected from South Kalimantan in Borneo. Balssiathelphusa natunaensis Bott, 1970, from Natuna Island, is transferred to a new monotypic genus, Natunusa n. gen., while B. phasma Ng & Guinot, 2014, collected from a cave in East Kalimantan, is referred to a separate genus, Lemurophusa n. gen. A new species, L. empusa n. gen., n. sp., is also described from another karst system in East Kalimantan, whereas a juvenile female from a nearby cave in East Kalimantan is treated as Lemurophusa sp. Particular attention was paid to the thoracic sternum and its sutures, to the median bridges between the sternites, as well to the median line, characters often overlooked but that are particularly useful in this group of small gecarcinucid crabs.

KEYWORDS: Borneo, Sumatra, Natuna Islands, Kalimantan, Gecarcinucoidea, freshwater crab, cave crab, new genera, new species 

 

Superfamily Gecarcinucoidea Rathbun, 1904

Family Gecarcinucidae Rathbun, 1904

Genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969

Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969: 364; 1970: 98. — Ng 1986a: 207.

Included species. — Balssiathelphusa sucki (Balss, 1937), B. cursor Ng, 1986; B. inopinata n. sp.

Balssiathelphusa inopinata n. sp.

Etymology. — The name is derived from the Latin “inopinatus” for “unexpected” as it had been previously believed that Nobili's (1903) record was Balssiathelphusa cursor and not a new species.

Natunusa natunaensis (Bott, 1970) n. comb., ♂ 12.9 × 11.3 mm (ZRC 2021.0831), Natuna Island:
A, overall dorsal habitus; B, dorsal view of carapace; C, frontal view of cephalothorax; D, frontal median triangle, antennules, antennae and epistome; E, buccal cavity, anterior thoracic sternum, telson and pleonal somites 5 and 6; F, posterior thoracic sternum and pleonal somites 1-4; G, sternopleonal cavity.

Genus Natunusa n. gen.

 

Type species. — Balssiathelphusa natunaensis Bott, 1970, 

by original designation and monotypy.

Diagnosis. — Carapace quadrate, just wider than long; carapace not high, height to width ratio 0.4; epigastric cristae rugose, low but visible, not cristate; postorbital cristae low, rugose, discernible, not cristate; frontal margin divided into two low lobes; frontal median triangle distinct, with dorsal crista straight; external orbital tooth with outer margin 3.0-4.0 times length of inner margin; epibranchial tooth small, low, separated from margin by small notch; rest of anterolateral margins gently convex; posterolateral ...

Etymology. — The name is derived from the name of the type locality, Natuna Island, in arbitrary combination with -phusa, a common suffix for gecarcinucid genera. The gender of the name is feminine.

Included species. — Natunusa natunaensis (Bott, 1970) n. comb.

Lemurophusa empusa n. gen., n. sp.:
 A, C, holotype, ♀ 24.2 × 18.5 mm (MZB Cru), Kalimantan;
B, D, paratype ♀ 22.2 × 17.2 mm (MZB Cru), Kalimantan.
A, B, overall dorsal habitus; C, D, dorsal view of carapace.

Genus Lemurophusa n. gen. 

Type species. — Balssiathelphusa phasma Ng & Guinot, 2014, 

by present designation.

Included species. — Lemurophusa phasma (Ng & Guinot, 2014) n. comb.; Lemurophusa empusa n. sp.

Diagnosis. — Carapace transversely ovate, wider than long, carapace not high, height to width ratio 0.4; epigastric cristae low, rugose but visible; postorbital cristae low, rugose, just discernible, not cristate; frontal margin divided into two low lobes; frontal median triangle distinct, with dorsal crista medially bent, fused with lateral cristae; external orbital tooth distinct, with outer margin about twice length of inner margin; epibranchial tooth small, low, separated from margin by notch; rest of anterolateral margins ...

Etymology. — The name is derived from the Latin word “lēmurēs” for “spirits of the dead”; in arbitrary combination with -phusa, a common suffix for gecarcinucid genera. This alludes to the cave habitat of the species. The gender of the name is feminine.

Lemurophusa empusa n. sp.

Etymology. — The species is named after Empusa, a demigoddess of Greek mythology. The name is used as a noun in apposition.

Peter K. L. Ng and Danièle Guinot. 2026. Revision of the Southeast Asian freshwater crab Genus Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Gecarcinucidae). Zoosystema. 48 (18); 557-587. DOI: doi.org/10.5252/zoosystema2026v48a18 (13 July 2026)

Révision du genre de crabes d'eau douce d'Asie du Sud-Est Balssiathelphusa Bott, 1969 (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura, Gecarcinucidae).

Bornéo, Sumatra, îles Natuna, Kalimantan, Gecarcinucoidea, crabe d'eau douce, crabe cavernicole, genres nouveaux, espèces nouvelles

[Ichthyology • 2026] Hippocampus amandavincentae • A New Species of Spiny Seahorse (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) from Indian Ocean, with Redescription of H. histrix and H. jayakari

 

Hippocampus amandavincentae  

Shalu, Short, Raghavan, Ramvilas & Ranjeet, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.4  

 facebook.com/RajeevRAGHAVAN98

 

Abstract

The thorny seahorse, Hippocampus histrix Kaup, 1856, has long been treated as a single, widely distributed species ranging from the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. Morphological and molecular evidence now demonstrate that this broad concept encompasses at least three diagnosable species. Examination of Indian Ocean specimens combined with mitochondrial COI sequence analysis reveals a new lineage herein described as Hippocampus amandavincentae sp. nov., based on material from southeastern India and corroborated by published sequences from Madagascar, Mozambique, the Seychelles, and the northern Red Sea. The new species is diagnosed by a shorter snout, five coronet spines, and spines present on all principal trunk and tail ridges. A published COI sequence from the northern Red Sea places H. amandavincentae in apparent sympatry with Hippocampus jayakari Boulenger, 1900, in that region, indicating that the distributional boundary between these two species requires targeted field investigation. Hippocampus histrix sensu stricto is redescribed and its distribution restricted to the Pacific Ocean, including Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines, based on direct examination of type material. Hippocampus jayakari, described from the Gulf of Oman, is confirmed as a distinct species of the northwestern Indian Ocean, readily distinguished by four cleithral spines with the ventral-most bifurcate, a shorter and deeper snout, and spines confined to alternating tail rings. Together, these three species represent geographically coherent lineages whose delineation resolves over a century of misidentification in museum collections and online databases, stabilises the application of long-used names, and provides a practical framework for regional conservation assessment and future systematic research on spiny seahorses across the Indo-Pacific.

Pisces, barcoding, India, species complex, taxonomy, thorny seahorse

Hippocampus amandavincentae sp. nov.

Hippocampus amandavincentae sp. nov.

Kannan SHALU, Graham SHORT, Rajeev RAGHAVAN, Ghosh RAMVILAS and Kutty RANJEET. 2026. A New Species of Spiny Seahorse, Hippocampus amandavincentae, with Redescription of H. histrix and H. jayakari (Teleostei: Syngnathidae).  Zootaxa. 5862(2); 271-292. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5862.2.4 [2026-08-05] 

  facebook.com/RajeevRAGHAVAN98/posts/10162487911550938

[Entomology • 2026] Caloptilia augeas & C. ceryneia • Two New Species of Caloptilia (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae) from New Caledonia inducing galls on Glochidion billardierei (Phyllanthaceae) and Redescription of C. xanthopharella (Meyrick, 1880)

[4-6] Caloptilia augeas
[11-13] Caloptilia ceryneia 

Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, 

in Guiguet, van Nieukerken, Giron, Gravendeel, Lopez-Vaamonde et Ohshima, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.173885 

Abstract

New Caledonia is a biodiversity hotspot with high levels of micro-endemism, yet its gracillariid fauna remains poorly documented. Here, two new species of Caloptilia Hübner, 1825 (Gracillariidae) are described from Glochidion J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. (Phyllanthaceae) host plants in Parc des Grandes Fougères, New Caledonia: Caloptilia augeas Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov., and Caloptilia ceryneia Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov. Both species induce leaf galls on Glochidion billardierei Baill., co-occurring on the same host species, sometimes even on the same leaf. They exhibit distinct wing patterns, but very similar male and female genitalia, and DNA barcoding supports their status as separate species. These findings provide evidence for potential within-host sympatric speciation, as documented in other gall-inducing insects. The larval biology of C. augeas and C. ceryneia reveals a unique frass disposal behaviour, whereby waste is excreted through a hole and the aperture is subsequently sealed—an adaptation not previously reported in gall-inducing Lepidoptera. Our findings double the known number of gall-inducing species in Gracillariidae, highlighting that this life history strategy may be more common than currently appreciated. We also provide new information on distribution and host plants of Caloptilia xanthopharella (Meyrick, 1880), a leaf roller found on the same host plant, G. billardierei. These findings mark the first records of the subfamily Gracillariinae in New Caledonia. This study underscores the underexplored diversity of New Caledonian gracillariids and emphasises the conservation value of Parc des Grandes Fougères. Further surveys in the Indo-Pacific region may reveal additional yet undescribed Caloptilia species associated with Phyllanthaceae and help clarify the evolutionary mechanisms underpinning their diversification.

Key words: Australia, DNA barcoding, endemism, frass disposal, host plant use, sympatry, taxonomy

Habitus of adult Caloptilia augeas sp. nov. 

4. Resting posture; 5. Paratype, male RMNH.INS.25563; 6. Holotype, male, RMNH.INS.25562.
 

Habitus of adult Caloptilia ceryneia sp. nov.
11. Resting posture, holotype male, RMNH.INS.25650; 12. Paratype, female, RMNH.INS.25565; 13. Paratype, male, RMNH.INS.25564.
Scale bars: 2 mm.

Caloptilia augeas Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov., 

Etymology. The specific name augeas refers to the fifth Labour of Hercules in the Greek mythology. The larval behaviour of frass cleaning in the gall reminds this Labour that consisted in cleaning the stables of king Augeas (Αὐγέας). This name comes from the word “αὐγή” that designates “sun shine” and “reflection of a shiny object” in Classic Greek (Bailly 1899), referring to the bright colour of the adult wings. The epithet is to be regarded as a noun in apposition.

Caloptilia ceryneia Guiguet, Lopez-Vaamonde, van Nieukerken & Ohshima, sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name ceryneia refers to the ancient Greek city of Ceryneia or Keryneia (Κερύνεια), the location of the Ceryneian Hind from Greek mythology, which features in the third Labour of Hercules. The moth’s striking yellow and red wing pattern evokes the golden antlers and bronze hooves of the mythical deer. Its cryptic gall-inducing behaviour also recalls the elusive nature of the Ceryneian hind, which was known for its ability to remain hidden. The epithet is to be treated as a noun in apposition.

 Antoine Guiguet, Erik J. van Nieukerken, David Giron, Barbara Gravendeel, Carlos Lopez-Vaamonde, Issei Ohshima. 2026. Two New Species of Caloptilia (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae) from New Caledonia inducing galls on Glochidion billardierei (Phyllanthaceae) and Redescription of C. xanthopharella (Meyrick, 1880). ZooKeys. 1268: 113-137. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1268.173885 [04 Feb 2026]

[Arachnida • 2026] Kwonkan elatus & K. yorkrakine • Wishbone Spiders of the Genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) in south-western Australia: Redescription of legacy species, Two New Species, and an assessment of agricultural zone diversity

Live spiders and burrows of Kwonkan.
A Juvenile K. eboracum. B Female K. wonganensis C Juvenile K. sp. ‘MYG978’ 
 Burrow entrance morphology of D K. eboracum (open); E K. wonganensis (closed); F K. sp. ‘MYG978’(open) 
G, H Burrow entrance morphology of K. turriger, showing both free-standing (G) and foliage-supported (H) burrow entrances. I Burrow entrance morphology (open) of an undescribed Kwonkan species from near Leinster, W.A. 

in Wilson, Urso, Rix, et Harvey, 2026. 

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.84.e189518 

 Photos: A, C, F, I by J. Wilson; B, E by E. Volschenk; D by V. Cruz Bedón; G, H by M. Harvey.

Abstract

The collar-door wishbone spiders of the genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 are an Australian-endemic lineage of mygalomorph spiders that often construct elaborate burrow entrances, including collars and turrets, and remain poorly documented across their range, despite museum collections indicating high local endemism and substantial undescribed diversity. Much of the existing taxonomy, including nine of the 14 currently described species, was based on limited material and lacked modern morphological or molecular approaches to species delimitation, hindering efforts to document the remaining diversity and address conservation concerns. Here, we redescribe all nine legacy species and review Kwonkan diversity within the south-western Western Australian (SWWA) agricultural region, a highly fragmented and mostly cleared landscape harbouring extensive undescribed diversity and the threatened species K. eboracum Main, 1983. In the process, we clarify species identities, present the first molecular data for several species including K. eboracum, and describe two new species (K. elatus sp. nov. and K. yorkrakine sp. nov.) that were previously attributed to legacy species. In our review of the SWWA agricultural region fauna we identify 29 putative undescribed species and a pattern of extensive sympatry, fine-scale species turnover, and extremely restricted ranges. These findings highlight the need for continued revisionary work and potential conservation listing of additional described species such as K. wonganensis (Main, 1977).

Keywords: short-range endemism, conservation systematics, mygalomorph spiders, south-western Australian biodiversity hotspot, Wheatbelt

Live spiders and burrows of Kwonkan.
A Juvenile K. eboracum from near Kellerberrin, Western Australia (W.A.). B Female K. wonganensis from near Wongan Hills, W.A. C Juvenile K. sp. ‘MYG978’ from the Avon Wheatbelt, W.A.
D Burrow entrance morphology (open) of K. eboracum from near Kellerberrin, W.A. E Burrow entrance morphology (closed) of K. wonganensis from near Wongan Hills, W.A. F Burrow entrance morphology (open) of K. sp. ‘MYG978’ from the Avon Wheatbelt, W.A.
G, H Burrow entrance morphology of K. turriger, showing both free-standing (G) and foliage-supported (H) burrow entrances. I Burrow entrance morphology (open) of an undescribed Kwonkan species from near Leinster, W.A. 

 Photos: A, C, F, I by J. Wilson; B, E by E. Volschenk; D by V. Cruz Bedón; G, H by M. Harvey.

 Jeremy D. Wilson, Arianna Urso, Michael G. Rix, Erich S. Volschenk, Valentina Cruz Bedón and Mark S. Harvey. 2026. Wishbone Spiders of the Genus Kwonkan Main, 1983 (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Anamidae) in south-western Australia: Redescription of legacy species, Two New Species, and an assessment of agricultural zone diversity. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 84: 510-547.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.84.e189518 [08-07-2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Ingerana occidens • A river in between: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the Garo and Khasi Hills, with A Redescription of Ingerana borealis (Annandale) from the Abor Hills, India

 Ingerana occidens 

Naveen, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2656411

 

ABSTRACT

I assessed morphological variation between two populations previously treated as Ingerana borealis, occurring allopatrically on either side of a prominent biogeographic barrier, the Brahmaputra River. Significant morphological differences were found between the population from the Garo and Khasi Hills (south of the Brahmaputra River) and the topotypic population of I. borealis from the Abor Hills (north of the river). Therefore, I provide a redescription of I. borealis based on topotypic material and restrict its distribution to regions north of the Brahmaputra. Based on a 16S rRNA gene fragment (446 bp), this lineage is found to be deeply divergent, showing 23.1–24.6% divergence from some sequences labelled and referred to as ‘true’ Ingerana tenasserimensis and 17.9 to 18.3% divergence from the Ingerana sp. occurring in the Khasi and Garo hill ranges south of the Brahmaputra. The Khasi and Garo hill populations also show 21.8 to 23.2% divergence from I. tenasserimensis and multiple morphological differences. Based on these differences between this distinct population and other known Ingerana species, I describe it as a new species here. The sequences of Ingerana species included in this study were not recovered as a monophyletic group in the phylogeny, suggesting that the genus-level taxonomy of this group may require further revision, or that some sequences may be misidentified. However, given the lack of information for some of these sequences, resolving this issue is beyond the scope of the present study; therefore, all taxa examined here are provisionally retained within Ingerana, following previous studies.

 

KEYWORDS: 16S rRNA, allopatry, Amphibia, biogeographic barrier, Brahmaputra River, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma region, occidens, paraphyletic, systematics

 Ingerana borealis in life.
(A) Female topotype (BNHS 6842); (B) male topotype (BNHS 6844).

Ingerana borealis (Annandale)

Diagnosis: A small-sized dicroglossid frog, distinguished by the following combination of characters: snout–vent length (SVL) ranging from 29.4 to 29.9 mm in adult males (n = 2) and 31.0 mm in a single adult female; head wider than long; supratympanic fold weakly developed; tympanum indistinct; thigh length greater than shank length (SHL/TL = 0.94); fingertips rounded to very small discs; dorsal surface prominently wrinkled; flanks wrinkled; ventral surface smooth; toe tips bearing small, rounded discs.

 Ingerana occidens sp. n. in life.
 (A) Male holotype (BNHS 6845); (B) female referred material (PU RSN A27); (C) female paratype (BNHS 6847).

 Habitat of  Ingerana occidens sp. n. 
 (A) Type locality, a stream near Wari Chora, Agalgre, South Garo Hills; B) A stream near Mawlynnong village, East Khasi Hills.

Ingerana occidens Naveen sp. n.

Definition: SVL 21.5–23.05 mm in adult males (n = 2) and 25.02–26.0 mm in females (n = 3); head wider than long; supratympanic fold well developed; tympanum distinct, circular, elevated in the centre to form a protrusion, more than half the diameter of the eye (VTYD/EL = 0.72–0.91) (n = 4); thigh length shorter than shank length; fingertips rounded to very small discs; dorsal surface weakly wrinkled; flanks wrinkled; ventral surface smooth; toe tips bearing small, rounded discs.

Etymology: 

Ingerana borealis was named borealis based on the Latin word for ‘north’. Although Annandale (1912) did not provide an explicit reason, the epithet likely reflects the species’ range being farther north than the known distribution of the South Indian endemic genus Micrixalus Boulenger, 1888, to which it was originally assigned. And this reasoning also applies to Ingerana, as it remains the northernmost known member of the genus based on currently available data.

The new species described herein is named occidens, derived from the Latin term ‘occidens’, meaning ‘west’, in reference to its range occurring west of the ranges of the two other currently recognised congeners. The distribution of this species thus marks the westernmost known extent of the genus’ range. The specific epithet is used as a noun in apposition.

The recommended English common name is western trickle frog.

 Map showing type localities and records from this study of the two Ingerana species from the Eastern Himalayas, separated by the Brahmaputra River.

 

 

R. S. Naveen. 2026. A river in between: A New Species of Ingerana Dubois, (Anura: Dicroglossidae) from the Garo and Khasi Hills, with A Redescription of Ingerana borealis (Annandale) from the Abor Hills, India. Journal of Natural History. 60(17-20); 1105-1125. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2026.2656411 [27 Apr 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtodactylus nebulicola • A New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) from India with Redescriptions of the holotypes of C. gubernatoris & C. himalayicus

 

Cyrtodactylus nebulicola

Ray, Bhupathi, Chatterjee, Das & Mohapatra, 2026

 

Latpanchar Bent-toed Gecko  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1278.186655  

Abstract

A new species of the genus Cyrtodactylus Gray is described from the eastern Himalayan region of West Bengal state, India. The new species is assigned to the C. peguensis species group and is readily distinguished from its regional congeners by a unique combination of morphological characters. These include dorsal scalation comprising small granules intermixed with enlarged, feebly keeled, weakly pointed tubercles arranged in 15–22 fairly regular longitudinal rows at midbody; 11–14 subdigital lamellae beneath the first digit and 17–23 beneath the fourth digit; nine precloacal pores and 6–9 femoral pores in males; 10–12 supralabials; and nine infralabials. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) sequence data further support the distinctiveness of the new species, which exhibits 11.8–19.8% uncorrected pairwise sequence divergence from its closest congeners. Specifically, it differs from C. gubernatoris by 11.8–12.0% and from C. bhupathyi by 18.5–19.8%, while showing divergences exceeding 20.5% from other congeners examined. In addition to the description of the new species, detailed redescriptions of the holotypes of two regional congeners, C. himalayicus and C. gubernatoris, are provided based on direct examination. The discovery of this new taxon highlights the underestimated diversity of Cyrtodactylus in the eastern Himalayas and underscores the importance of integrated morphological and molecular approaches in resolving species boundaries within this speciose gecko genus.

Key words: Cyrtodactylus peguensis, Darjeeling, eastern Himalayas, morphology, taxonomy, West Bengal

Live specimens of Cyrtodactylus nebulicola sp. nov.
 (A) uncollected individual, (B) one of the paratypes (ZSI-R-29060).

Cyrtodactylus nebulicola sp. nov.

Suggested common English name. Latpanchar Bent-toed Gecko.

Etymology. The species epithet nebulicola is derived from the Latin words: nebula meaning “mist” or “cloud,” and -cola meaning “dweller” or “inhabitant”, collectively meaning “dweller of the mist”. The name refers to the characteristic mist-laden, cloud-forest habitat of Latpanchar in the Darjeeling Himalaya, where the species was discovered. The epithet is treated as a noun in apposition and does not change with gender.

Sumidh Ray, Bharath Bhupathi, Suvrajyoti Chatterjee, Ritesh Das and Pratyush P. Mohapatra. 2026. Description of A New Species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827 (Reptilia, Gekkonidae) from India with redescriptions of the holotypes of C. gubernatoris (Annandale, 1913) and C. himalayicus (Annandale, 1906). ZooKeys. 1278: 317-338. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1278.186655 [30 Apr 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Yoyetta argentea, Y. longirostra, Y. penetrans, ... • Eight New Species of Yoyetta Moulds (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae) from eastern Australia

 

Yoyetta argentea; Y. longirostra; Y. penetrans; Y. zagona; ...

Popple, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.2.1

Abstract

Eight new cicada species from the eucalypt forests of eastern Australia are described in the genus Yoyetta Moulds, 2012. Yoyetta argentea sp. nov. is found in the central highlands of Queensland; Y. burwelli sp. nov. is widespread in south-eastern Queensland and also occurs in far northern New South Wales; Y. clara sp. nov. occurs in the central highlands and in inland south-eastern Queensland; Y. eastwoodi sp. nov. is found in subcoastal central and south-eastern Queensland; Y. longirostra sp. nov. is restricted to south-eastern Queensland; Y. penetrans sp. nov. is known from coastal north-eastern New South Wales; Y. wrightae sp. nov. is distributed patchily through coastal and inland south-eastern Queensland; Y. zagona sp. nov. occurs in inland southern Queensland, inland New South Wales and north-western Victoria. The new species are broadly all allied to Y. tristrigata (Goding & Froggatt) and males of all species produce simple ticking or clicking songs and generally remain inconspicuous in the canopy. Within each species a description, as well as a section on distinguishing features, distribution, habitat and behaviour, and calling song structures are provided and illustrated where available. A revised key to species for the genus Yoyetta Moulds is also provided.

Hemiptera, Australia, behaviour, cicada, Cicadidae, Yoyetta, distribution, habitat, taxonomy

Yoyetta argentea sp. nov. is found in the central highlands of Queensland; 

Y. burwelli sp. nov. is widespread in south-eastern Queensland and also occurs in far northern New South Wales; 

Y. clara sp. nov. occurs in the central highlands and in inland south-eastern Queensland; 

Y. eastwoodi sp. nov. is found in subcoastal central and south-eastern Queensland; 

Y. longirostra sp. nov. is restricted to south-eastern Queensland; 

Y. penetrans sp. nov. is known from coastal north-eastern New South Wales; 

Y. wrightae sp. nov. is distributed patchily through coastal and inland south-eastern Queensland; 

Y. zagona sp. nov. occurs in inland southern Queensland, inland New South Wales and north-western Victoria.

Lindsay W. POPPLE. 2026. Eight New Species of Yoyetta Moulds (Hemiptera: Cicadidae: Cicadettinae) from eastern Australia.  Zootaxa. 5777(2); 201-241. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5777.2.1 [2026-03-18]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Redefinition of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933) (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae) and Description of Stemonosudis dianea, A New Species from the western Atlantic Ocean

[A-B] Stemonosudis dianea  Ho & Bemis, 2026 
Stemonosudis intermedia  (Ege, 1933)

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70342

 

Abstract

We examined specimens of slender barracudina in the genus Stemonosudis collected from the western Atlantic Ocean. Investigation revealed that seven specimens represent the first adult records of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933), previously known only from juveniles. We redescribed S. intermedia based on the holotype and newly recognized adult and juvenile specimens, and using this ontogenetic series, we document changes in coloration from light-brown juveniles to black adults. We also determined that some specimens from the western Atlantic Ocean previously identified as S. intermedia represent a new species, which we describe herein based on three adults and five juvenile specimens. The new species differs from congeners by having 43–44 anal-fin rays, 117–121 total vertebrae and a pale mouth, gill chamber and gill arches, among a combination of other characters. We also provide information on the lectotype of S. similis (Ege, 1957), which remains known only from the type series.

Keywords: biodiversity, biogeography, Ichthyology, nomenclature, taxonomy

Stemonosudis dianea sp. nov., fresh coloration.
(a) Holotype USNM 407498, 332 mm SL, photograph by Cristina Castillo.
(b) Paratype USNM 407509, 348 mm SL, photograph by Sandra Raredon.

 Stemonosudis dianea sp. nov.

English name: Diane's Slender Barracudina

Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933), fresh coloration of adults. Right side photographed, reflected to face left. USNM 407096, 277 mm SL. (a) Lateral view of body. (b) Close up of head.

Photographs by Ross Robertson.

Hsuan-Ching Ho and Katherine E. Bemis. 2026. Redefinition of Stemonosudis intermedia (Ege, 1933) and Description of A New Species from the western Atlantic Ocean (Aulopiformes: Paralepididae). Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70342 [30 March 2026]

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/ferocious-predator-and-important-prey-new-barracudina-species-named-smithsonian

[Herpetology • 2026] Back to Basics: Resurrecting Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar & Sanyal, 1985 (Anura: Rhacophoridae) from India

 

Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar & Sanyal, 1985

in Sengupta, Boruah, Jithin, Hussain, Purkayastha, Dutta et Das, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v126/i1/2026/173045

Abstract 

The present study evaluates the taxonomic status of “Rhacophorus namdaphaensis” sensu stricto using morphology, molecular and acoustic tools. Our phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene, morphological examination of type collections, and freshly collected topotypes, along with bioacoustics information, suggest that “Rhacophorus namdaphaensis” sensu stricto is a valid species. We provide the redescription for the species, describe the tadpole morphology and discuss the extended geographical distribution.

Keywords: Bioacoustics, Northeast India, phylogeny, redescription, synonym

Topotypes of Rhacophorus namdaphaensis in live condition.
(A-C) WII-ADA1312, (A) lateral view, (B) dorsal v i e w, (C) front view;
(D-F) WII-ADA1319, (D) dorsolateral view, (E) ventral view with granular belly skin in the inset, (F) lateral view showing groin and flank;
(G & H) WII-ADA1359, (G) lateral view, (H) ventral view; (I) dorsal view of WII-ADA3104.

Rhacophorus namdaphaensis in natural habitat.
(A-D) uncollected males from Namdapha Tiger Reserve; (E, F) uncollected males from Kamlang Tiger Reserve; (G) uncollected male from Tinkupani, Assam; (H) dorsal colour change under stress condition of the individual depicted in (E).

  Saibal Sengupta, Bitupan Boruah, Vijayan Jithin, Bakhtiar Hussain, Jayaditya Purkayastha and Sourav Dutta, Abhijit Das. 2026. Back to Basics: Resurrecting Rhacophorus namdaphaensis Sarkar and Sanyal, 1985 (Anura, Rhacophoridae) from India. Rec. zool. Surv. India. 126(1); 51-74. DOI: doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v126/i1/2026/173045

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[Ichthyology • 2026] Hemitrygon ariakensis • Redescription of Hemitrygon akajei with Description of the cryptic stingray species (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) from the Northwest Pacific

Hemitrygon ariakensis  

 Furumitsu & Yamaguchi, 2025. 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01048-5 

Researchgate.net/publication/398875566

Abstract

We redescribe Hemitrygon akajei (Bürger in Müller and Henle 1841) based on the lectotype and newly collected specimens, and describe Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. from western Japan. Owing to their considerable morphological similarity and sympatric distribution, these two species have been subject to longstanding taxonomic confusion, with one remaining unrecognized as a cryptic species for over 160 years prior to the availability of molecular evidence. The red stingray H. akajei was originally described from six syntypes, including juveniles that likely represented multiple species, including the cryptic one. Species identification in Hemitrygon is complicated not only by interspecific morphological resemblance but also by marked ontogenetic changes between juveniles and adults. Herein, we describe the external morphology of both species across developmental stages to aid in their distinction. Hemitrygon akajei and Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. can be distinguished by the following combination of characters: arrangement of denticles on dorsal surface of disc and posterior part of tail; shape, size, and arrangement of thorns on dorsal tail anterior to caudal spine; presence or absence of transverse groove on ventral surface of disc; coloration of ventral tail fold; shape of outer marginal color band on ventral disc; morphology of clasper and prepelvic processes of pelvic girdle; and number of prespine separate centra. Stingrays are important fishery resources and key mesopredators in Japanese coastal ecosystems, influencing populations of other fishery species. The ability to distinguish these two species will facilitate more accurate ecological research, inform species-specific conservation strategies, and promote effective biodiversity management. Such taxonomic resolution is essential for understanding coastal ecosystem dynamics. 

Keywords: Taxonomy, New species, Cryptic species, Western Japan, Ariake Bay

Fresh specimens of Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov.
a, b Holotype (FFNU-P-02129, 363.3 mm DW, male, mature); c, d paratype (FFNU-P-02126, 154.4 mm DW, male, immature); e, f paratype (FFNU-P-02141, 545.1 mm DW, female, mature). a, c, e Dorsal view; b, d, f ventral view. Scales indicate 50 mm

Illustrations originally considered Hemitrygon akajei; herein reidentified as Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. based on the morphological characters depicted.
a Original illustration from Bürger’s unpublished manuscript (No. 13; RMNH.ART.256, courtesy of Naturalis Biodiversity Center, CC0 1.0), b illustration from the original description in Müller and Henle (1841), c illustration from the Glover Atlas, illustrated by Hagiwara (1915), in the collection of Nagasaki University Library.

 Keisuke Furumitsu and Atsuko Yamaguchi. 2025. Redescription of Hemitrygon akajei with Description of the cryptic stingray species Hemitrygon ariakensis sp. nov. from the Northwest Pacific (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae).  Ichthyological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s10228-025-01048-5 [19 December 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/398875566_Redescription_of_Hemitrygon_akajei_with_description_of_Hemitrygon_ariakensis_sp_nov_from_the_Northwest_Pacific

[Mammalogy • 2026] Oreoryzomys jumandi, O. balneator, O. hesperus, ... • Mountains of Diversity: A Systematic Revision of the Andean Rodent Genus Oreoryzomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae)

 

(A-E) Oreoryzomys balneator (Thomas, 1900);
(F-J) O. hesperus (Anthony, 1924);
 (K-O) Oreoryzomys jumandi Brito, Vargas, García, Tinoco & Pardiñas, 

in Brito​, Vargas, Tinoco, García, Carrión-Olmedo, Koch, Wistuba, Nivelo-Villavicencio et Pardiñas. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20515

Abstract

The until recently monotypic cricetid genus Oreoryzomys inhabits piedmont and cloud forests, primarily in eastern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Erected following the taxonomic revision of a polytypic Oryzomys complex two decades ago, Oreoryzomys has remained poorly understood, with most references limited to the original descriptions of its type species (O. balneator) and a subspecies (O. b. hesperus). Here, we present an integrative taxonomic revision of the genus, based on new field collections and comprehensive museum-based analyses. Phylogenetic reconstructions from mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences, combined with morphometric and qualitative morphological data, support the recognition of three species: (1) a redescribed O. balneator from central-eastern Ecuador; (2) O. hesperus, elevated to full species rank based on topotypic material; and (3) a new species from populations of the Quijos River Valley, northeastern Ecuador. This revision triples the known species diversity of Oreoryzomys and highlights the genus as a notable radiation of small-bodied oryzomyines adapted to Andean environments. Our findings emphasize the need for systematic revisions of other poorly known Andean rodents to better reveal the hidden diversity of cricetids and the role of the Andes in shaping Neotropical biodiversity.

Keywords: Andes, Ecuador, New species, Oreoryzomys balneator, Oreoryzomys hesperus, Oryzomyini, Peru

 

External appearance of the three Oreoryzomys species (left panels) and details of their feet and hands (right panels).
Top row: (A) live lateral view (O. balneator, MECN 5815); (B–C) plantar and dorsal views of foot; (D–E) palmar and dorsal views of hand (MECN 6140).
Middle row: (F) live lateral view (O. a. hesperus, MECN 4789); (G–H) plantar and dorsal views of foot; (I–J) palmar and dorsal views of hand.
Bottom row: (K) live lateral view (Oreoryzomys jumandi sp. nov., MECN 8278, holotype); (L–M) plantar and dorsal views of foot; (N–O) palmar and dorsal views of hand.

Scale = 10 mm. Photographs (A–J, L–O) by J Brito; (K) by R Wistuba.

Oreoryzomys jumandi new species. Brito, Vargas, García, Tinoco & Pardiñas

 

Jumandi Mountain Mouse, 

Ratón montano de Jumandi (in Spanish)

 

Diagnosis: A species of Oreoryzomys distinguished by the following combination of characters: incisive foramina short, not reaching the anterior margin of M1 (Fig. 6F); frontoparietal (coronal) suture distinctly V-shaped (Fig. 6E); stapedial process of the auditory bulla elongate and pointed, projecting beyond the posterior margin of the alisphenoid (Fig. 9F); median lacerate foramen broad and positioned at a distance from the bulla; M3 with the hypoflexus shallow, forming a lake-like structure; and m2 with a long mesolophid fused to the mesostyle (Fig. 11C).

 

Etymology: Named in honor of Jumandi, a Quijo warrior who led the first indigenous uprising against Spanish conquistadors in the Americas on 29 November 1578 (Santos-Granero, 1992). In recognition of his historical significance, Jumandi was officially declared a National Hero by the Asamblea Nacional del Ecuador in November 2011.

Jorge Brito​, Rocío Vargas, Nicolás Tinoco, Rubí García, Julio C. Carrión-Olmedo, Claudia Koch, Ricarda Wistuba, Carlos Nivelo-Villavicencio and Ulyses F.J. Pardiñas. 2026. Mountains of Diversity: A Systematic Revision of the Andean Rodent Genus Oreoryzomys (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae). PeerJ. 14:e20515. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20515 [January 9, 2026]

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Lentipes ptasan • A New Species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from the Western Pacific, with A Redescription of L. mindanaoensis

 

 Lentipes ptasan

Jhuang, Nañola, Li & Liao, 2025 

 

紋面韌鰕虎 | Tattooed-face Goby  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70277  

  facebook.com/WeiChengJhuang 

Abstract

Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. is described based on specimens collected from Taiwan and Mindanao Island. It is a large-sized Lentipes species distinguished by several male-specific characteristics, including an upper lip protruding beyond snout obviously, fewer premaxillary tricuspid teeth, two black lines running from the front of the eye through the nostrils to the tip of the snout, a wide brown longitudinal band at the base of the anal fin, and the distinctive nuptial coloration featuring a brown vertical band extending from back to belly on the middle of the body. The complex distribution of Lentipes species and their genetic differentiation may be influenced by sexual selection, historical biogeographic events and contemporary ecological processes. However, due to the recent divergence of Lentipes species, 11 out of 14 species could not be distinguished by the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Furthermore, Lentipes mindanaoensis is redescribed, with L. adelphizonus treated as its junior synonym.

Keywords: amphidromous goby, Sicydiinae, taxonomy, the Philippines, western Pacific Ocean

 

Live photos of Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. from Taiwan and Mindanao islands:
 (a, b) holotype, ASIZP0082286, male, 31.1 mm SL, Taiwan ((a) non-courting individual, photograph by M. T. Zhou; (b) nuptial colour, photograph by M. Hhuang);
 (c) paratype, ASIZP0082288, male, 35.6 mm SL, Taiwan (non-courting individual, photograph by H. P. Liang); (d) paratype, PNM15807, male, 41.9 mm SL, Mindanao (non-courting individual, photograph by H. P. Liang);
(e) paratype, PNM15811, female, 52.5 mm SL, Mindanao (photograph by F. Li); (f) aquarium photograph showing courtship behaviour of a male L. ptasan toward a female, specimens unpreserved, Mindanao (photograph by Z. H. Deng). Yellow arrowheads indicate the orange pattern on the female.

Close-up of the longitudinal band of the anal fin on two Lentipes species:
(a-1) Lentipes ptasan, holotype, ASIZP0082286, Taiwan (photograph by M.-T. Zhou); (a-2) L. ptasan, paratype, ASIZP0082288, Taiwan (photograph by W. C. Jhuang); (a-3) L. ptasan, paratype, PNM15807, Mindanao (photograph by W. C. Jhuang);
 (b-1) L. armatus, specimen not preserved, Taiwan (photograph by M. T. Zhou); (b-2) L. armatus, DOS09187-1, Cagayan (photograph by W. C. Jhuang); (b-3) L. armatus, DOS09891-4, Aurora (photograph by C. C. Yu).

  Lentipes ptasan sp. nov.

Chinese common name: 紋面韌鰕虎.

English common name: Tattooed-face Goby.

  

  Diagnosis: The new species can be distinguished from other congeners by combination of characters and colour patterns: in males, a black spot on second dorsal fin, upper lip protruding obviously, fewer premaxillary tricuspid teeth, two black lines running from front of eye through anterior and posterior nostrils to tip of snout, anal-fin base with a brown wide longitudinal band, and nuptial coloration with a brown vertical bar extending from dorsum to belly at midbody; in females, an orange pattern around anus.

Etymology: The specific name ‘ptasan’ is derived from the Truku language (an indigenous tribe in Taiwan), meaning ‘facial tattoo’. It refers to the dark facial lines of the new species (Figure 7a,b), which resemble the facial tattoo traditions of indigenous peoples in Taiwan and the Philippines. A noun in apposition.

Facial portraits of males in 14 Lentipes species.
(a, b) Two types of Lentipes ptasan sp. nov. ((a) paratype, DOS10026, from Taiwan, photograph by K. H. Chen; (b) paratype, ASIZP0082288, from Taiwan, photograph by H. P. Liang);  (c) L. armatus from Taiwan, photograph by C. C. Yu;
(d) L. bunagaya from Taiwan, photograph by W. C. Jhuang; (e) L. dimetrodon from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (f) L. ikeae from West Java, photograph by H. P. Liang;
 (g) L. kijimuna (DOS09892-3) from Luzon, photograph by C. C. Yu; (h) L. kaaea from Taiwan, photograph by M. T. Zhou; (i) L. mekonggaensis from Sulawesi, photograph by H. P. Liang;
(j) L. mindanaoensis from Halmahera, photograph by H. P. Liang; (k) L. multiradiatus from Seram, photograph by H. P. Liang; (l) L. palawanirufus from Palawan, photograph by H. P. Liang;
(m) L. kolobangara from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (n) L. venustus from Papua, photograph by W. C. Huang; (o) L. whittenorum from Sulawesi, photograph by H. P. Liang. (c–f) and (h–o) Unpreserved specimens.

Wei-Cheng Jhuang, Cleto L. Nañola Jr., Xiao Fei Li and Te-Yu Liao. 2025. Lentipes ptasan, A New Species of sicydiine goby (Teleostei: Gobioidei) from the Western Pacific, with A Redescription of L. mindanaoensis. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70277 [21 November 2025]

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