[Botany • 2026] Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis (Orchidaceae) • A Review of the Genus Taeniophyllum in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India) with the Description of A New Species

Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis Alappatt,  

in Alappatt, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2026.70.02.06 

Abstract  

A new species, Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis (Orchidaceae) is described from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. The new species resembles T. hasseltii and T. pusillum, but is distinct from both in having mostly terete free hanging roots (versus roots flat, appressed to the substratum), bracts lax (versus bracts close in T. pusillum), lip without any cushions (versus lip with convex cushions in T. hasseltii) and a conical spur (versus globose spur in T. pusillum). In addition, a review of other species of the genus Taeniophyllum reported from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is provided with an identification key.

Keywords: Aeridinae; Orchidaceae; South Andaman; Taeniophyllum; new species

Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis Alappatt sp. nov.
 a. Habit. b. Inflorescence. c. Flower bud with inflorescence rachis of previous year. d. Flower, lateral view. e. Flower close-up, front view. f. Bract. g. Dorsal sepal. h. Petals. i. Lateral sepals. j. Lip. k. Column with ovary. l. column with ovary and spur. m. Anther cap. n. Pollinia. o. Capsule. Photos: Alappatt.

Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis Alappatt sp. nov.,
with Oberonia ensiformis (Sm.) Lindl. to the right.

Photo: Alappatt.

Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis Alappatt, sp. nov.

This species is similar to Taeniophyllum hasseltii Rchb.f. and T. pusillum (Willd.) Seidenf. & Ormerod in having free sepals and petals, distichous bracts, fleshy lip and short anther-beak, but differs from them by its mostly free hanging terete roots and a few roots semi-terete when appressed to substratum (vs. roots flat, appressed to the substratum), bracts lax (vs. close in T. pusillum), comparatively smaller flowers (c. 3 mm across), not opening widely (vs. large flowers, 5–5.5 mm across, opening widely), lip blade without convex cushions (vs. with convex cushions in T. hasseltii), spur conical, being longer than broad (vs. globose, as long as broad in T. pusillum). 

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the collections from Wrightmyo where the species was discovered.

 Alappatt, J.P. 2026. A Review of the Genus Taeniophyllum (Orchidaceae) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands (India) with the Description of A New Species, Taeniophyllum wrightmyoensis. Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants. DOI: doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2026.70.02.06 

[PaleoOrnithology • 2026] Meterchen luti • A Review of Fossil Goose (Anseriformes: Anserinae) Records from the Miocene St Bathans deposits, New Zealand, with the Description of A New Species

 

 Meterchen luti 

Tennyson, Steell, Lubbe, Adams, Greer, Brown, Wilson, Campbell, Dale & Rawlence, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2025.2601236  

  x.com/nic_rawlence_nz

Artwork by Sasha Votyakova

ABSTRACT

The early-middle Miocene deposits of St Bathans, New Zealand, are renowned for their diverse and internationally important avian fossil biota that includes an abundance of fragmentary yet recognisable fossils from the crown bird clade Anseriformes (ducks and geese). We reviewed the taxonomic status of 11 isolated fossil bones previously referred to geese (Anserinae, Anseriformes) from St Bathans. Rigorous reassessment of these specimens using an expanded comparative morphological dataset demonstrated that four specimens can be assigned to the tadornine Miotadorna sanctibathansi and five are probably from a large anatid, potentially the purported anserine Notochen bannockburnensis. A second, slightly smaller, probable anserine is represented by one or possibly two bones, which we name as a new species, Meterchen luti gen. et sp. nov. We did not find any bones that showed a clear affinity with cereopsine anserines, thereby contradicting a previous hypothesis that cereopsines have a long history in Zealandia dating back to at least the early-middle Miocene. Our findings are consistent with current molecular divergence time estimates suggesting that the ancestors of the recently extinct cereopsine Cnemiornis arrived in Zealandia in the late Miocene.

 

KEYWORDS: Altonian, Anseriformes, Bannockburn Formation, Burdigalian, Otago

An artist’s impression of the St Bathans goose Meterchen luti that once lived in New Zealand.

Artwork by Sasha Votyakova/Te Papa Tongarewa, CC BY-NC-SA  

 Meterchen luti gen. et sp. nov. 

Alan J. D. Tennyson, Elizabeth M. Steell, Pascale Lubbe, Amy L. Adams, Liam Greer, Alex H. Brown, Laura J. E. Wilson, Timothy C. Campbell, Tobia C. Dale and  Nicolas J. Rawlence. 2026. A Review of Fossil Goose (Aves: Anserinae) Records from the Miocene St Bathans deposits, New Zealand, with the Description of A New Species. Historical Biology: An International Journal of Paleobiology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/08912963.2025.2601236 [17 Feb 2026]

  x.com/nic_rawlence_nz/status/2028221769396691195

[Herpetology • 2026] Leptobrachium mechuka & L. somani • Abundance in Secret: A Review of the Genus Leptobrachium (Anura: Megophryidae) in India, with Descriptions of Two New Species

Leptobrachium mechuka
 Leptobrachium somani 

  Sarmah, Garg, Tajo, Upadhyaya, Hanken & Biju, 2026 

  

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20397 

Abstract 

Of the 39 currently recognized species in the Slender Armed Frog genus Leptobrachium, four are reported from India, Leptobrachium aryatium, L. bompu, L. smithi, and L. sylheticum. Based on new collections, we review these reported species by integrating molecular, morphological, and behavioral data. Our comparative analyses of external and internal morphology as well as molecular data and acoustic properties reveal two new species-level lineages from the Lower Dibang Valley and Shi Yomi districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India, which we describe here as new species. Phylogenetically, Leptobrachium mechuka sp. nov. and Leptobrachium somani sp. nov. are members of the L. bompu species group, but they are distinct from L. bompu sensu stricto by DNA sequence divergence in the 16S mitochondrial rRNA gene of 3.6–4.2% and 4.5–4.7%, respectively. A population previously identified as L. cf. bompu from Medog County, China, is also assignable to Leptobrachium mechuka sp. nov. Each new species is distinguished from congeners by a combination of diagnostic morphological characters, including in the case of Leptobrachium somani sp. nov., a unique advertisement call comprising two distinct call types; unicolored silvery white iris; moderately large webbing between toes; and ventral coloration. Leptobrachium mechuka sp. nov. on the other hand, is distinguishable by its head length equal to width; nostril equidistant from the snout tip and the eye; internarial distance equal to the distances from nostril to eye and from nostril to snout tip; distance from the tip of inner metatarsal tubercle to the tip of first toe shorter than the length of inner metatarsal tubercle itself; and frontoparietals separated at the midline by a moderate fontanelle. Analyses of multiple new populations representing members of the L. smithi group reveal that L. smithi is absent from the Indian fauna; all previous records attributed to this species from India instead represent L. aryatium or L. sylheticum. These discoveries highlight the prevalence of taxonomic misidentifications in the absence of detailed systematic studies as well as the underestimation of diversity in the genus Leptobrachium, not only from India but across its known range. Our results underscore the need for dedicated surveys that document amphibian diversity in underexplored regions of Northeast India.

Keywords: Amphibia, Arunachal Pradesh, Bioacoustics, Cranial osteology, Integrative taxonomy, Leptobrachium bompu group, Leptobrachium smithi group, Mitochondrial phylogeny, Northeast India, Tadpoles 

Phylogenetic relationships of the genus Leptobrachium and geographical distribution of species in India.

Geographical distributions of five Leptobrachium species herein recognized to occur in India.

Distribution of Leptobrachium bompu and L. smithi species groups in South and Southeast Asia.

Holotype and paratype of Leptobrachium mechuka sp. nov. in life.
 (A–J) Holotype ZSI A16315: (A) Dorsolateral view. (B) Dorsal view. (C) Ventral view. (D) Lateral view. (E) Posterior view of thighs. (F) Dorsal view of thighs. (G) Ventral view of hand. (H) Enlarged view of palmar tubercles on hand. (I) Ventral view of foot. (J) Dorsal view of foot. (K) Referred specimen (SDBDU 2025.6768) Dorsolateral view. (L, M) Paratype (ZSI A16316). (L) Dorsolateral view. (M) Enlarged view of eye. Photographs: T. Tajo.

Holotype and paratypes of Leptobrachium somani sp. nov. in life.
 (A–D) Dorsolateral view: (A) Paratype (ZSI A16335). (B) Paratype (ZSI A16336). (C) Referred specimen (SDBDU 2025.6773). (D) Holotype (ZSI A16333). (E–G) Paratype (ZSI A16336): (E) Frontal view. (F) Lateral view of head. (G) Enlarged view of eye. Photographs: S.D. Biju.

Leptobrachium mechuka sp. nov. 

 Leptobrachium somani sp. nov.,

 

 

A.N. Dikshit Akalabya Sarmah, Sonali Garg, Tage Tajo, Radhakrishna Upadhyaya K., James Hanken and S.D. Biju​. 2026. Abundance in Secret: A Review of the Genus Leptobrachium (Anura, Megophryidae) in India, with Descriptions of Two New Species. PeerJ. 14:e20397. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20397 [January 9, 2026]

[Mollusca • 2021] Hemiplecta nemorosa • Systematic Review of the Dextral Hemiplecta Albers, 1850 (Eupulmonata: Ariophantidae) from Thailand with Description of A New Species and List of All the Indochinese Species

A Hemiplecta humphreysiana from Singapore; B Hemiplecta distincta from Saraburi, Thailand;
D, E Hemiplecta funerea from Nan, Thailand D yellow shell form and E dark shell form;
  F Hemiplecta esculenta from Chiang Mai, Thailand; 

Hemiplecta nemorosa  Sutcharit & Panha, 2021

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1047.65735

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Abstract

The genus Hemiplecta is a group of large-sized land snails which have long been used as a food resource by Indochinese people. There are five dextral and four sinistral species currently recognized from Thailand. The dextral group is comprised of two previously recorded species (H. humphreysiana and H. distincta), two newly recorded species (H. funerea and H. esculenta), and one new species (Hemiplecta nemorosa sp. nov.) from northern Thailand is being proposed. We reassessed the diagnostic characters of the genitalia, mantle edge, and radula. Specimens were classified into the genus Hemiplecta on the basis of the penial verge and shell lobe, and on the characters of a bulbous gametolytic sac without a gametolytic duct. A complete species list, together with photographs of the name-bearing types or authenticated specimens and the taxonomic status of Hemiplecta s.l. that are known from Indochina including Peninsular Malaysia and Myanmar, is provided for the first time. In total, this species list contains 39 available nominal species names described from this area. Type or authentic specimens can be located for 37 nominal species names, of which 25 are illustrated herein and the other 12 were recently illustrated. However, two available species-level names could not be traced to any type specimens. In addition, lectotypes of H. funerea and H. pluto are designated herein to stabilize the names.

Keywords: Conservation, edible snails, lectotype, Southeast Asia, taxonomy type specimen

Living snail.
A Hemiplecta humphreysiana from Singapore (width about 45 mm)
B, C Hemiplecta distincta B from Saraburi, Thailand (width about 65 mm) and C mating pairs
D, E Hemiplecta funerea from Nan, Thailand (width about 50 mm) D yellow shell form and E dark shell form (width about 50 mm)  
F Hemiplecta esculenta from Chiang Mai, Thailand (width about 30 mm).

 Chirasak Sutcharit and Somsak Panha. 2021. Systematic Review of the Dextral Hemiplecta Albers, 1850 (Eupulmonata, Ariophantidae) from Thailand with Description of A New Species and List of All the Indochinese Species. ZooKeys. 1047: 101-154. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1047.65735

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[Entomology • 2025] Eilemithuna gen. n., Mithunoconosia gen. n., Mithuna armata, M. bolovena, M. securis, M. thaica, ... • Taxonomic Review of the Genus Mithuna Moore (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), with Descriptions of Two New Genera and Seventeen New Species

Mithuna thaica sp. n. (Thailand), M. securis sp. n. (Vietnam), 
... 
M. ochrocephala sp. n. (Thailand), M. wilemani sp. n. (Taiwan).

Volynkin & Černý, 2025

 Israel Journal of Entomology. 54; 

ij-entomology.online

Abstract

The Oriental footman-moth genus Mithuna Moore, 1878 is reviewed. Two new genera and 17 new species are described: Eilemithuna gen. n. (type species: Ilema transducta de Joannis, 1930); Mithunoconosia gen. n. (type species: Mithuna clivusa Bucsek, 2012); Mithuna armata sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna atkinsoni sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna bolovena sp. n. (Laos), Mithuna bucseki sp. n. (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam), Mithuna flabellata sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna fletcheri sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna lamdonga sp. n. (Vietnam), Mithuna meghalaya sp. n. (NE India), Mithuna ochrocephala sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna phahompoka sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna pianma sp. n. (China, Yunnan), Mithuna robusta sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna securis sp. n. (Vietnam), Mithuna suthepia sp. n. (Thailand), Mithuna swanni sp. n. (Myanmar), Mithuna thaica sp. n. (Thailand), and Mithuna wilemani sp. n. (Taiwan). Seven new combinations are introduced: Pseudopelosia fuscivena (Hampson, 1896), comb. n., Mithuna bilineata (Bucsek, 2020), comb. n., Eilemithuna dimidilinea (Černý, 2009), comb. n., Eilemithuna transducta (de Joannis, 1930), comb. n., Mithunoconosia clivusa (Bucsek, 2012), comb. n., Mithunoconosia pulverea (Bucsek, 2012), comb. n. and Mithunoconosia strigifera (Hampson, 1900), comb. n. Lectotype is designated for Mithuna arizana Wileman, 1911. Adults and male and female genitalia of all species considered are illustrated.

Keywords: Biodiversity, footman moth, lectotype, Lithosiina, Oriental Region, new combination, South Asia, taxonomy, taxonomy, Lepidoptera

Eilemithuna gen. n. (type species: Ilema transducta de Joannis, 1930); 

Mithunoconosia gen. n. (type species: Mithuna clivusa Bucsek, 2012); 

Mithuna armata sp. n. (NE India), 

Mithuna atkinsoni sp. n. (NE India), 

Mithuna bolovena sp. n. (Laos), 

Mithuna bucseki sp. n. (Thailand, Laos and Vietnam), 

Mithuna flabellata sp. n. (Thailand), 

Mithuna fletcheri sp. n. (NE India), 

Mithuna lamdonga sp. n. (Vietnam), 

Mithuna meghalaya sp. n. (NE India), 

Mithuna ochrocephala sp. n. (Thailand), 

Mithuna phahompoka sp. n. (Thailand), 

Mithuna pianma sp. n. (China, Yunnan), 

Mithuna robusta sp. n. (Thailand), 

Mithuna securis sp. n. (Vietnam), 

Mithuna suthepia sp. n. (Thailand), 

Mithuna swanni sp. n. (Myanmar), 

Mithuna thaica sp. n. (Thailand), 

Mithuna wilemani sp. n. (Taiwan)

Anton V. Volynkin and Karel Černý. 2025. Taxonomic Review of the Genus Mithuna Moore (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae: Lithosiini), with Descriptions of Two New Genera and Seventeen New Species. Israel Journal of Entomology. 54; 113–165. 

https://ij-entomology.online/ojs/index.php/ije/article/view/332

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

 

 Brachycephalus lulai 

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

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

 

Abstract

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

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

Photographs by Luiz F. Ribeiro.

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

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

Brachycephalus lulai sp. nov.

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

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

 

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

[Entomology • 2019] Arctesthes avatar & A. titanica • Review of the endemic New Zealand Genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Larentiinae), with Descriptions of Two New Range-restricted Species

12) Arctesthes avatar, male paratype upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 13) A. avatar, female upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 
14) A. catapyrrha, male underside, Yaldhurst MC; 15) A. siris, male underside, Zero Gully CO; 
16) A. titanica, male paratype underside, White Burn OL; 17) A. avatar, male underside, Denniston Plateau NN.

B. H. Patrick, H. J.H. Patrick & Hoare, 2019

DOI: 10.3897/alpento.3.33944 

Researchgate.net/publication/334624591

Scale bars: 10 mm.

Abstract

The genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Geometridae: Larentiinae: Xanthorhoini), endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, is revised. Four species are recognised, including two new species, as follows: Arctesthes catapyrrha (Butler, 1877), A. siris (Hudson, 1908), A. titanica sp. nov. and A. avatar sp. nov. All except A. catapyrrha are restricted to subalpine and alpine localities. Adults and genitalia are fully described and illustrated for all species; larvae of A. catapyrrha are also briefly described and illustrated. Only Arctesthes catapyrrha is widespread; A. siris is restricted to a few mountain ranges of Central Otago; A. titanica is only known from two wetland localities in the Von Valley of the Otago Lakes district, and A. avatar is only known from a few wetlands in a restricted area of north-west Nelson. The two new species are considered of very high priority for conservation.

Key Words: New Zealand, Southern Alps, Geometridae, Larentiinae, Xanthorhoini, new species, conservation

Arctesthes spp. 
12) A. avatar, male paratype upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 13) A. avatar, female upperside, Denniston Plateau NN; 
14) A. catapyrrha, male underside, Yaldhurst MC; 15) A. siris, male underside, Zero Gully CO;
16) A. titanica, male paratype underside, White Burn OL; 17) A. avatar, male underside, Denniston Plateau NN. Scale bars: 10 mm.

Brian H. Patrick, Hamish J.H. Patrick and Robert J.B. Hoare. 2019. Review of the endemic New Zealand Genus Arctesthes Meyrick (Lepidoptera, Geometridae, Larentiinae), with Descriptions of Two New Range-restricted Species. Alpine Entomology. 3: 121-136. DOI: 10.3897/alpento.3.33944 

Researchgate.net/publication/334624591_Review_of_the_endemic_New_Zealand_genus_Arctesthes

 

[Invertebrate • 2021] Magelona brachypalpata • A Review of the Magelonidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) of Northeast America, including A Description of A New Species and re-descriptions of Magelona riojai and M. sacculata

 

Magelona brachypalpata

Mortimer, Blake & Harrendence, 2021

 DOI: 10.2988/0006-324X-134.1.209  

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Abstract

A new species of Magelona is described based on collections from off Long Island, New York that are identical to an undescribed species reported by M. L. Jones (1968) from the vicinity of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. The species is herein named (Magelona brachypalpata, new species) and described. The new species belongs to the ‘Magelona mirabilis group,' possessing a rounded prostomium, lacking prostomial horns, and having specialized chaetae on chaetiger nine. The new species is most similar to M. riojai and M. sacculata, both of which are here redescribed. Additionally, a dichotomous identification key to the known magelonid species of the northeastern American coast and a worldwide pictorial identification key to the ‘M. mirabilis' group of magelonids are provided.

Magelona brachypalpata, new species

Kate Mortimer, James A. Blake and Kelsey Harrendence. 2021. A Review of the Magelonidae (Annelida: Polychaeta) of Northeast America, including A Description of A New Species and re-descriptions of Magelona riojai and Magelona sacculata. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 134(1); 209–242. DOI: 10.2988/0006-324X-134.1.209 

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[PaleoMammalogy • 2024] A Review of the Asian Semigenetta Helbing, 1927 (Carnivora: Feliformia: Viverridae) with A Description of Two New Species, Semigenetta qiae n. sp. from South China and Semigenetta thailandica n. sp. from Thailand

 

Semigenetta qiae

Wang, Jiangzuo, Grohé, de Bonis, Chaimanee & Jaeger, 2024

 Comptes Rendus Palevol. 23(26); 

  Researchgate.net/publication/385609743

Semigenetta Helbing, 1927 is a small genet-like carnivoran in the family Viverridae Gray, 1821. The genus has a modest diversity in the Miocene of Eurasia. With its first documentation going back to 1850s, the European records are relatively continuous with five currently recognized species. Asian records have a much shorter history of studies with its first record, S. huaiheensis Qiu & Gu, being published in 1986. In the present paper, we review the Asian records of Semigenetta from China and Thailand, which so far are represented by three species based on fragmentary jaws and teeth. We recognize two new species, S. qiae n. sp. from the late Miocene (c. 6.2-6.9 Ma) of Lufeng Basin in central Yunnan Province, South China and S. thailandica n. sp. from the middle Miocene (13.4-13.2 Ma) of Mae Moh Basin in Lampang Province, northern Thailand. Zoogeographically, both S. huaiheensis and S. thailandica n. sp. seem traceable to their European ancestors, as independent immigration events. Semigenetta thailandica n. sp. may have given rise to S. qiae n. sp., i.e., S. thailandica n. sp. and S. qiae n. sp., both recovered from lignitic sediments, potentially form a southeast Asian clade. All Asian Semigenetta occur within the Oriental zoogeographic province, and like their European counterparts, presumably prefer warm, humid, and wooded environments. Their relatively conservative morphology and low diversity seem also indicative of a stable environment in subtropical refugia. Semigenetta qiae n. sp. from Lufeng is the last survivor of the genus in Asia.

Keywords: Carnivora, Viverridae, Semigenetta, Miocene, China, Thailand, Asia, zoogeography, new species

 Semigenetta qiae n. sp., IVPP V27106, holotype:
A, lingual view; B, buccal view of left dentary. Scale bar: 10 mm.

Semigenetta qiae n. sp. from the late Miocene (c. 6.2-6.9 Ma) of Lufeng Basin in central Yunnan Province, South China 

Semigenetta thailandica n. sp. from the middle Miocene (13.4-13.2 Ma) of Mae Moh Basin in Lampang Province, northern Thailand

Xiaoming WANG, Qigao JIANGZUO, Camille GROHÉ, Louis de BONIS, Yaowalak CHAIMANEE & Jean-Jacques JAEGER. 2024. A Review of the Asian Semigenetta Helbing, 1927 (Viverridae, Feliformia, Carnivora) with A Description of Two New Species, Semigenetta qiae n. sp. from South China and Semigenetta thailandica n. sp. from Thailand.  Comptes Rendus Palevol. 23(26); 417-432. 

https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/comptes-rendus-palevol/23/26 [06 November 2024]

  Researchgate.net/publication/385609743_A_review_of_Semigenetta_with_two_new_species_from_South_China_et_Thailand

[Diplopoda • 2025] Scaptodesmus manengouba, S. kala & S. vandenspiegeli • Taxonomic Review of the Afrotropical Millipede Genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896 (Polydesmida: Chelodesmidae), with Integrative Descriptions of Three New Species from Cameroon

  

Scaptodesmus manengouba

Scaptodesmus kala

Scaptodesmus vandenspiegeli

Fiemapong, Blandenier, Tamesse & Mitchell, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.3.3 

Abstract

The genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896, is revised based on recent material collected from Cameroon. Three new species are described and illustrated: Scaptodesmus kala sp. nov., S. manengouba sp. nov., and S. vandenspiegeli sp. nov. Additionally, the diagnoses of two old and well-defined species of the genus, S. porati Cook, 1896, and S. granulosus (Attems, 1931), are revised. The species Scaptodesmus dentatus Silvestri, 1909, previously regarded as incertae sedis, is here confirmed as such, since its taxonomic affiliation remains uncertain. An identification key to and a distribution map for all Scaptodesmus species known so far are provided. Barcoding base on COI sequencing was successfully performed for all three new species and compared with previously published sequences from the family Chelodesmidae. The results reveal that the three new species are all genetically distinct from one another. A maximum likelihood phylogenetic tree constructed using the dataset of available species resulted in a well-resolved and well-supported phylogeny. In all cases, barcoding data were consistent with traditional morphological taxonomic classifications. This work highlights the importance of integrated taxonomy in resolving relationships within millipede species groups below the family level.

Myriapoda, taxonomy, COI, DNA barcoding, millipede, Pepodesminae, Afrotropical Region

 

Scaptodesmus kala sp. nov,. female paratype (NHMN-62-4).
A, B & C. Habitus, dorsolateral, ventrolateral and lateral views, respectively. Scale bars: 1.0 mm.

Scaptodesmus manengouba sp. nov., male paratype (NHMN-62-11).
A. habitus, lateral view; B. ventral view, C. dorsal view. Scale bars: 1.0 mm (A, B , C)

Scaptodesmus vandenspiegeli sp. nov., male paratype (NHMN-62-14), habitus, dorsal view. Scale bar: 5 mm.

Armand Richard Nzoko FIEMAPONG, Quentin BLANDENIER, Joseph Lebell TAMESSE and Edward A. D. MITCHELL. 2025. Taxonomic Review of the Afrotropical Millipede Genus Scaptodesmus Cook, 1896 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Chelodesmidae), with Integrative Descriptions of Three New Species from Cameroon.  Zootaxa. 5696(3); 361-384. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5696.3.3 [2025-09-25]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus, H. angusticaudata, H. tangwenai, ... • Review of the southern African Slender Stonebashers, Genus Heteromormyrus Steindachner 1866 (Teleostei: Mormyridae), with Description of Six New Species

Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus, H. angusticaudata,
H. xanekweorum, H. chilembwei, 
H. tangwenai and H. ndauorum 

Mutizwa, Kadye, Bragança & Chakona, 2025

  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70191 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395577925

Abstract

Recent molecular studies have advanced our knowledge of the taxonomic diversity and generic placement of the slender stonebashers, previously placed in the genus Hippopotamyrus, in southern Africa. These fishes were recently transferred to the genus Heteromormyrus whose range encompasses the Kwanza, Kunene, Okavango, Zambezi, Pungwe and Buzi River systems in southern Africa, as well as the southern tributaries of the Congo River system. The present study builds on previous research that identified at least eight candidate species within the Heteromormyrus ansorgii species complex by providing formal descriptions for six new species and redescriptions of Heteromormyrus pauciradiatus and H. ansorgii s.s. The Kwanza River system is peculiar because it currently has five known species in this genus, some of which are co-distributed, whereas the other river systems have only one or two species in this genus. Two of the new species, Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus sp. nov. and Heteromormyrus angusticaudata sp. nov., are endemic to the Kwanza River system. Heteromormyrus xanekweorum sp. nov. is confined to the Okavango River system, Heteromormyrus chilembwei sp. nov. occurs in the Ruo River (lower Zambezi River system), Heteromormyrus tangwenai sp. nov. is endemic to the Pungwe River system and Heteromormyrus ndauorum sp. nov. is endemic to the Buzi River system. Species in this genus exhibit high morphological similarity, but they can be separated by a combination of characters, including scale counts, dorsal- and anal-fin ray counts, vertebral counts, caudal peduncle depth, position of nostrils, head shape and variation in colour pattern. Taxonomic diversity within this genus is likely to be higher than currently known, and future studies, particularly in the Kwanza and upper Zambezi rivers, are anticipated to uncover additional new species.

Keywords: diversity, freshwater, mormyrids, southern Africa, taxonomy

Heteromormyrus dolichorhynchus sp. nov. 

Heteromormyrus angusticaudata sp. nov.

Heteromormyrus xanekweorum sp. nov. 

Heteromormyrus chilembwei sp. nov. 

 Heteromormyrus tangwenai sp. nov. 

 Heteromormyrus ndauorum sp. nov.

The range of colour patterns observed in Heteromormyrus lineages and species from southern Africa. 
 (b) Heteromormyrus sp. ‘K5’ (SAIAB 203161) had a clearly visible dark blotch present near the flexion point of the caudal fin.
(c) Heteromormyrus sp. ‘K3’ (SAIAB 84790) had a clearly visible dark blotch present near the flexion point of the caudal fin and a dark vertical bar just anterior to this blotch.
 (d) Heteromormyrus sp. ‘K1’ (SAIAB 85039) had a series of clearly visible thin curved vertical bars that were more conspicuous in the anterior portion of the flank.

 Scale bar = 1 cm.

 

Tadiwa I. Mutizwa, Wilbert T. Kadye, Pedro H. N. Bragança and Albert Chakona. 2025. Review of the southern African Slender Stonebashers, Genus Heteromormyrus Steindachner 1866 (Teleostei: Mormyridae), with Description of six new species. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70191 [17 September 2025] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/395577925_Review_of_Heteromormyrus_with_description_of_six_new_species

[Entomology • 2025] Eversmannia atromarginata, E. spiralis & E. zhangorum • A Taxonomic Review of the Genus Eversmannia Staudinger, 1871 (Lepidoptera: Uraniidae) from China, with Descriptions of Three New Species and Three New Combinations

31 Eversmannia atromarginata sp. nov.; Prov. Shaanxi, Yangxian County (Photo by XR. Yang); 32 E. bicaudata comb. nov.; Prov. Yunnan, Kunming City (Photo by YK. You); 33 E. exornata; Prov. Heilongjiang, Huma County (Photo by J. Wu);
34 E. fuscifrons comb. nov.; Aut. Reg. Xizang, Motuo County (Photo by YT. Fu); 35 E. himala comb. nov.; Chongqing City, Mt Simianshan (Photo by C. Zhang);
36, 37 E. spiralis sp. nov.; Prov. Guizhou, Tongren City, Mt Fanjingshan; Prov. Zhejiang, Hangzhou City, Mt Tianmushan (Photo by Z. Peng);
38, 39 E. zhangorum sp. nov.; Prov. Hunan, Liuyang City, Mt Daweishan; Prov. Zhejiang, Ningbo City, Longguan Township (Photo by WX. Jiang and YJ. Hu).

M.-X. Han et H.-L. Han, 2025

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.145353

Abstract

Seven species of the genus Eversmannia Staudinger, 1871 are recognized from China. Among them, three species are described as new species: E. atromarginata sp. nov., E. spiralis sp. nov., and E. zhangorum sp. nov. New combinations are proposed for three species: E. bicaudata (Moore, [1868]) comb. nov., E. himala (Butler, 1880), comb. nov., and E. fuscifrons (Warren, 1896), comb. nov. Eversmannia bicaudata and E. fuscifrons are reported for the first time from China. Adults and genitalia are illustrated, and a key for identifying Chinese Eversmannia species is provided.

Key words: Epipleminae, key, swallowtail moth, taxonomy

Adults of Eversmannia spp. (depositories of 1 in SYSU, 2–14 in NEFU).
1 Eversmannia atromarginata sp. nov., male, holotype (Jiangxi); 2 ditto, female, paratype (Sichuan);
3 E. bicaudata comb. nov., male (Xizang); 4 ditto, female (Xizang); 5 E. exornata, male (Heilongjiang); 6 ditto, female (Heilongjiang);
7 E. fuscifrons comb. nov., male (Xizang); 8 ditto, female (Xizang); 9 E. himala comb. nov., male (Sichuan); 10 ditto, female (Chongqing);
11 E. spiralis sp. nov., male, holotype (Chongqing); 12 ditto, female, paratype (Chongqing);
13 E. zhangorum sp. nov., male, holotype (Chongqing); 14 ditto, female, paratype (Guizhou). Scale bar: 1 cm.

Habitats and field images of Eversmannia spp.
29 Eversmannia atromarginata sp. nov.; Prov. Jiangxi, Mt Jinggang; 30 E. atromarginata sp. nov., E. spiralis sp. nov., E. zhangorum sp. nov.; Chongqing City, Mt Simianshan;
31 Eversmannia atromarginata sp. nov.; Prov. Shaanxi, Yangxian County (Photo by XR. Yang); 32 E. bicaudata comb. nov.; Prov. Yunnan, Kunming City (Photo by YK. You); 33 E. exornata; Prov. Heilongjiang, Huma County (Photo by J. Wu); 34 E. fuscifrons comb. nov.; Aut. Reg. Xizang, Motuo County (Photo by YT. Fu); 35 E. himala comb. nov.; Chongqing City, Mt Simianshan (Photo by C. Zhang); 36, 37 E. spiralis sp. nov.; Prov. Guizhou, Tongren City, Mt Fanjingshan; Prov. Zhejiang, Hangzhou City, Mt Tianmushan (Photo by Z. Peng); 38, 39 E. zhangorum sp. nov.; Prov. Hunan, Liuyang City, Mt Daweishan; Prov. Zhejiang, Ningbo City, Longguan Township (Photo by WX. Jiang and YJ. Hu).

 Ming-Xu Han and Hui-Lin Han. 2025. A Taxonomic Review of the Genus Eversmannia Staudinger, 1871 (Lepidoptera, Uraniidae) from China, with Descriptions of Three New Species and Three New Combinations. ZooKeys. 1251: 275-291. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1251.145353