[Funga • 2026] Micropsalliota latiumbonata & M. striata (Basidiomycota: Agaricaceae) • Morphology and Multigene Phylogeny reveal Two New Species from Dhofar region, southern Oman

 

[a–d] Micropsalliota latiumbonata;
[e, f] M. striata 

S. Hussain, Al-Nadabi & Al‐Sadi,

in Al-Nadabi, Hussain, Al Sidairi, Al-Zeidi, Al-Raeesi, Al-Badi, Al-Rashdi, Al-Jashmi, Velazhahan et Al-Sadi. 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.137.192271 

Abstract

Micropsalliota is a genus of small to relatively medium-sized saprotrophic mushrooms, with fibrillose-squamulose pileus surface, ellipsoid to amygdaliform or cymbiform basidiospores, usually with capitate cheilocystidia, and encrusted pileus hyphae. In this study, two new species, namely Micropsalliota latiumbonata and M. striata are described from Oman, based on morphology and multigene (ITS-28S-rpb2-tef1-α) phylogenetic analysis. Micropsalliota latiumbonata is characterized by a broadly umbonate pileus disc with fibrillose-squamulose surface, fibrils dark-brown and more or less recurved, cheilocystidia capitate with olivaceous capitulum, broadly fusiform to amygdaliform basidiospores measuring 6.0–7.0 × 4.0–4.5 µm, and occurring gregariously around termite mounds. Micropsalliota striata is another small-sized species with an acute papillate pileus disc with appressed fibrils, striate-appendiculate pileus margins, utriform cheilocystidia without a capitate apex, clavate to subglobose pileocystidia, and comparatively larger basidiospores (6.5–7.5 × 3.7–4.1 µm). Both the new species belong to Clade megaspora. A detailed description, photographs of basidiomata, illustrations of anatomical characteristics, a multigene phylogenetic tree, and morphological comparison with similar species are provided. With the description of these two species, the number of known species in Micropsalliota rises to 108.

Key words: Agarics, clade, megaspora, taxonomy, termite mounds

Basidiomata of the new species of Micropsalliota.
a–d. Micropsalliota latiumbonata. a, b. (CESAR-ASH-007-25, holotype); c. ASH-009-25; d. QRB-14-25;
e, f. Micropsalliota striata (CESAR-ATM-009-25, holotype). Scale bars: 15 mm.

Micropsalliota latiumbonata S. Hussain, Al-Nadabi & Al‐Sadi, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘latiumbonata’ refers to the broadly umbonate pileus disc of the new species.

Micropsalliota striata S. Hussain, Al-Nadabi & Al‐Sadi, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘striata’ refers to the fine striate pileus margin of the new species.

 Hamed Al-Nadabi, Shah Hussain, Ahmed Al Sidairi, Khalifa Al-Zeidi, Ahmed Al-Raeesi, Rahil Al-Badi, Lujain Al-Rashdi, Jumana Al-Jashmi, Rethinasamy Velazhahan and Abdullah M. Al-Sadi. 2026. Morphology and Multigene Phylogeny reveal Two New Species of Micropsalliota (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycota) from Dhofar region, southern Oman. MycoKeys. 137: 317-336.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.137.192271 [28 Jul 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Scymnus tshunsii • The First termitophilous Ladybird Beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Microcerotermes Nests in Thailand

 

  Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii Seki, Liang & Maruyama, 

in Seki, Liang , Hasin, Chiu et Maruyama, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.14411/eje.2026.017  

Termite nests host diverse symbiotic arthropods (termitophiles), many of which exhibit specialized morphological and behavioral adaptations to life within termite colonies. While numerous beetle families include well-known termitophiles, an association with termites has not yet been recorded in the family Coccinellidae (ladybird beetles). Here, we report the discovery of Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii Seki, Liang & Maruyama, sp. n., based on adults and larvae collected from nests of Microcerotermes crassus Snyder, 1934, in Chiang Mai and Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, with additional adults captured at light traps. Although the adult morphology is typical for free-living Scymnini, the larva exhibits a highly unusual, soft-bodied, glabrous body form closely resembling termite workers - an apparent case of convergent evolution also seen in termitophilous rove beetles, scarabs, and phorid flies. The stark contrast between adult and larval morphology suggests stage-specific adaptations, with larvae more intimately integrated into the termite nest environment. Collecting adults at light traps indicates nocturnal dispersal, likely to locate new host colonies. This discovery represents the first confirmed termitophilous ladybird beetle and indicates that termite nests may support previously unrecognized ecological associations within Coccinellidae.

 

Keywords: New species, predators, Scymnini, taxonomy, termite

  Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n.
1 – dorsal view; 2 – ventral view; 3 – lateral view;
4 – alive, lateral view; 5 – alive, ventral view.

Habitat of Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n.
 32–34 – Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n. (32 – adult; 33–34 – larvae); 35 – soldier of Microcerotermes crassus Snyder, 1934;
36 – forest environment; 37 – mound of Microcerotermes crassus Snyder, 1934.

 

Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii Seki, Liang & Maruyama sp. n. 

 

Diagnosis. Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n. is similar in external coloration to many species of Scymnini (e.g., Sasaji, 1971; Chen et al., 2015a, b; Wang & Chen, 2022), but can be readily distinguished by the structure of the genitalia. This species is placed in the subgenus Pullus Mulsant, 1846 based on the combination of the following characters: antennae composed of 11 antennomeres, prosternal process with well-developed lateral carinae, abdominal postcoxal lines recurved and complete, and female genitalia with a distinct infundibulum (Chen et al., 2015a). Chen et al. (l.c.) divided the subgenus Scymnus (Pullus) from mainland China and Taiwan into S. hingstoni, S. subvillosus, S. impexus, S. perdere, and S. sodalis groups. The new species lacks a prominent dorsal keel on the penis guide of ...

Etymology. The species is named after Tshun-Sî, the son of Wei-Ren Liang, the second author. His name, meaning “sowing in spring,” reflects the hope for the flourishing of future studies on termitophily in Thailand following this groundbreaking discovery. 

Distribution. Thailand (Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima)  

Ryōta SEKI, Wei-Ren LIANG, Sasitorn HASIN, Chun-I CHIU and Munetoshi MARUYAMA. 2026. The First termitophilous Ladybird Beetle: Scymnus (Pullus) tshunsii sp. n. (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) from Microcerotermes nests in Thailand. Eur. J. Entomol. 123: 165-174. DOI: doi.org/10.14411/eje.2026.017  [May 14, 2026]

[Entomology • 2023] Austrospirachtha carrijoi • A New Species and Morphological Notes on the remarkable termitophilous Genus Austrospirachtha Watson (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from Australia

Austrospirachtha carrijoi

Zilberman & Pires-Silva, 2023

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.3.8

Abstract

Termitophilous rove beetles in Australia encompass diverse genera and species from several tribes in Aleocharinae. While some taxa have been well-documented, others remain poorly known due to the scarcity of available material. The existing knowledge of Austrospirachtha Watson for instance, is based solely on Austrospirachtha mimetes, described from two specimens collected in an old termite mound. The genus is known for its highly developed physogastry and potential mimicry adaptations. Herein, we present the description of a new species, Austrospirachtha carrijoi sp. nov., representing the second known species for the genus.

Keywords: Coleoptera, physogastry, rove beetles, Corotocina, Termitophily

 

Bruno Zilberman and Carlos M. Pires-Silva. 2023. A New Species and Morphological Notes on the remarkable termitophilous Genus Austrospirachtha Watson from Australia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae). Zootaxa. 5336(3); 424-432. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5336.3.8

  Researchgate.net/publication/373295972_A_new_species_and_morphological_notes_on_Austrospirachtha_from_Australia

www.science.org/content/article/beetle-grows-termite-back-steal-food

[Entomology • 2023] Trichopsenius huaxiensis • Discovery of the Termitophilous Genus Trichopsenius Horn, 1877 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae) from China with Description of A New Species

Trichopsenius huaxiensis 

Jiang, Huang & Chen, 2023

DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1152.99290

Abstract

The termitophilous genus Trichopsenius Horn, 1877 is recorded from China for the first time. A new species, Trichopsenius huaxiensis sp. nov. is described; it was collected in a nest of the termite genus Reticulitermes Holmgren from a dead and flattened pine tree.

Keywords: Guizhou, rove beetles, termites, termitophily, Trichopseniini

Habitus of Trichopsenius huaxiensis sp. nov., male
A dorsal view B lateral view.

Scale bars: 0.5 mm (A, B).

Habitat of Trichopsenius huaxiensis sp. nov.
A, B adults with workers and larvae of Reticulitermes sp.
C environment where Trichopsenius huaxiensis sp. nov. was found.

 Trichopsenius huaxiensis Jiang, Huang & Chen, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis: Body reddish brown with elytra and lateral lobe of tergite IX darker. Pronotum transverse with anterior margin M-shaped at middle. Surface of visible sternites and tergites finely covered with short setae and modified with a row of long setae at posterior margin. Median lobe of aedeagus with apical lobe knife shaped; left paramere with apical lobe thin and strongly sinuous; right paramere with apical lobe curved and weakly sinuous, with a thin seta at base.

....

Etymology: The species is named after its type locality, Huaxi District (Guiyang City, Guizhou, China).

Biological notes: All adults of the new species were collected in November 2022, they were found in a dead and flattened pine tree where host termites were living (Fig. 5). There were obvious communications between the new species and its host termites after laboratory observation, including antennal touch at least. No attack behavior from their host termites was observed.

 

 Ri-Xin Jiang, Xiu-Dong Huang and Xiang-Sheng Chen. 2023. Discovery of the Termitophilous Genus Trichopsenius Horn, 1877 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from China with description of A New Species. ZooKeys. 1152: 35-43. DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1152.99290

[Entomology • 2020] Termitotrox icarus • A New Termitophilous Beetle (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from Myanmar with Observations of Carrying Behavior by Host Termites

Termitotrox icarus 

Kakizoe, Liang, Myint & Maruyama, 2020

DOI: 10.37520/aemnp.2020.27

Abstract

 A new species of scarab beetle, Termitotrox icarus sp. nov., is described from central Myanmar, being the third representative of the genus Termitotrox Reichensperger, 1915 from the Indo-Chinese Subregion of the Oriental Region. The majority of the type series was collected from the walls of fungus garden chambers built in the nests of the termite Odontotermes proformosanus Ahmad, 1965. Termitotrox icarus sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from the known Termitotrox as it possesses wing-shaped trichomes on the elytra, the more elongate habitus shape in dorsal view, the basomedian section of pronotum not protruding backwards, a pair of distinct costae on the pronotal basomedian section strongly developed, a median costa on anterior pronotal margin strongly developed, the elytral striae narrower than interstriae, the lack of trichomes at the base of elytral sutural stria, and a mid-range body length of 1.5–1.9 mm. The ‘carrying behavior’ by the host termites is reported for the first time for Termitotrox and a strategy for the dispersal of flightless termitophilous scarabs is hypothesized.

Key words: Coleoptera, Aphodiinae, Termitotrogini, Blattodea, Termitidae, Macrotermitinae, new species, egg gigantism, phoresy, termite association, Indo-Chinese Subregion, Oriental Region

alive specimen of Termitotrox icarus sp. nov. walking on the wall of fungus garden chamber

Termitotrox icarus sp. nov.

Diagnosis. This species is similar to T. cupido and T. venus in having wing-shaped trichomes on the elytral base, but it is easily distinguished from these species because of the following combination of characters: a) the more elongate habitus shape in dorsal view, b) the basomedian section of pronotum not protruding backwards, c) a pair of distinct costae on the pronotal basomedian section are strongly developed, d) a median costa on anterior pronotal margin is strongly developed, e) the elytral striae narrower than interstriae, e) the lack of trichomes at the base of elytral sutural stria, and f) a size intermediate between the two aforementioned species (1.5–1.9 mm) vs. 1.2 mm in T. cupido and 2.4 mm in T. venus.

Etymology. In Greek mythology, Icarus was the son of Daedalus. He is famous for having approached the sun with wings made of feathers and wax, which melted and gradually became smaller, thus eventually causing his falling into the sea. The name refers to the smaller elytral wing-shaped trichomes compared to the other known species of the genus having wing-shaped trichomes (i.e., Termitotrox cupido and T. venus). Noun in apposition. 

Symbiotic host. Odontotermes proformosanus Ahmad, 1965 (identifi ed by Dr. Yoko Takematsu). 

Remarks. In some female specimens, we observed a single giant egg (Figs 21 and 22). We randomly chose 20 females and dissected them, 17 of them had one single egg while the others did not bear any egg.

Carrying behavior by host termite Odontotermes proformosanus Ahmad, 1965 to Termitotrox icarus sp. nov. (observed in laboratory).

Behavioral observations. In laboratory-based observations, we recorded multiple instances of host termite minor workers carrying T. icarus sp. nov. individuals with their mandibles (Figs 18 and 19, and S1). The beetle constantly exposed its antennae and legs and frequently moved its legs. In each instance, the carrying period was about 5 minutes. This behavior was also observed multiple times in the field. However, nutrient exchange (trophallaxis) between the termite and beetle was not observed during either fi eld or laboratory observations. 

Kakizoe Showtaro, Liang Wei-Ren, Myint Khin Mar and Maruyama Munetoshi. 2020. Termitotrox icarus sp. nov. (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae): A New Termitophilous Beetle from Myanmar with Observations of Carrying Behavior by Host Termites. Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae. 60(2); 427-436. DOI: 10.37520/aemnp.2020.27

 twitter.com/tuyamagu/status/1288302054637625344

twitter.com/ActaEntomol/status/1288180013511172103/

kyushu-u.ac.jp/ja/researches/view/476

     

[Entomology • 2019] Genus Cheilonycha Lacordaire, 1842 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae) [Taxonomic and Nomenclatorial Revision within the Neotropical Genera of the Subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn in A New Sense—22]

Cheilonycha auripennis auripennis (Lucas, 1857)

in Moravec, 2019. 

 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.4.9

Abstract

Taxonomic and nomenclatorial revision of the genus Cheilonycha Lacordaire, 1842 with type species Cheilonycha chalybea (by original monotypy), based on Cicindela chalybea Dejean, 1825, is presented. It is concluded here that a subsequent type designation by Horn (1910), who without any explanation mentioned Ch. auripennis (Lucas, 1857) as the type species of the genus, was unjustified and must be considered invalid according to ICZN (1999). Examinations of type specimens have revealed that Cheilonycha auripennis sensu auctorum (sensu Horn 1922 and subsequent authors) is a complex of taxa. As a result, one new subspecies of Ch. auripennis (Lucas, 1857) and one new species of the genus are described and the following taxa of Cheilonycha are recognized and presented here: Ch. chalybea (Dejean, 1825), Ch. a. auripennis (Lucas, 1857), Ch. a. chiquitosiana ssp. nov. and Ch. bucephalauripennis sp. nov. Type specimens of Ch. a. angustedilatata (W. Horn, 1922) based on Odontochila (Chilonycha) auripennis angustedilatata W. Horn, 1922, proved to be fully conspecific with the type specimens of Ch. auripennis based on Cicindela auripennis Lucas, 1857. Consequently, Ch. a. angustedilatata syn. nov. is treated here as a junior synonym of Ch. a. auripennis. The history of the taxonomy of these taxa, their distribution and biology, including photographs of the termitophilous habitat, relevant lectotype designations, descriptions (redescriptions respectively) and illustrations in colour photographs of the habitus, diagnostic characters and variability are provided.

Keywords: Coleoptera, Cicindelidae, Odontocheilina, taxonomy, Cheilonycha, new species, new subspecies, distribution, termitophilous habitat, Neotropical Region

Cheilonycha auripennis auripennis (Lucas, 1857)

Jirí Moravec. 2019. Taxonomic and Nomenclatorial Revision within the Neotropical Genera of the Subtribe Odontocheilina W. Horn in A New Sense—22. Genus Cheilonycha Lacordaire, 1842 (Coleoptera: Cicindelidae). Zootaxa. 4700(4); 501–534. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4700.4.9

[Entomology • 2018] Corotoca fontesi • New Species and Synonymy in the Genus Corotoca Schiødte, 1853 (Coleoptera, Aleocharinae)

Corotoca fontesi Zilberman, 2018

 DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4434.3.9 

Abstract

Corotoca Schiødte, 1853 is a Neotropical genus of termitophiles beetles, with five species, and its description marks the first record of insects associated with termites. A new species, Corotoca fontesi sp. nov., from Brazil, is described and illustrated, and a taxonomical problem regarding to the identification and nomenclatural status of two species, Corotoca phylo Schiødte, 1853 and Corotoca seeversi Fontes, 1977, is solved. Therefore, Corotoca seeversi is proposed as a new junior synonym of C. phylo, and the material identified as C. phylo housed in the Museum of Zoology of the University of São Paulo, Brazil (MZUSP) is recognized as a new species, Corotoca fontesi sp. nov. New morphological and sexual dimorphism data in the species, and solution of some messy informations about the genus present in the literature are also present.

Keywords: Coleoptera, dimorphism, illustrations, morphology, taxonomy, termitophiles

Bruno Zilberman. 2018. New Species and Synonymy in the Genus Corotoca Schiødte, 1853 (Coleoptera, Aleocharinae, Corotocini). Zootaxa. 4434(3); 547–560. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4434.3.9

[Entomology • 2010] Eocorythoderus incredibilis • A new genus and species of flightless, microphthalmic Corythoderini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) from Angkor Wat, Cambodia, associated with Macrotermes termites

Eocorythoderus incredibilis new genus and new species. 

Top, Adult beetle being carried by a worker termite

Abstract

Eocorythoderus incredibilis, a new genus and new species, of Corythoderini is described. This new species was found in fungus gardens of Macrotermes gilvus (Hagen, 1858) in Angkor Wat, Cambodia. The new taxon is a flightless, microphthalmic species and the first corythoderine associated with Macrotermes Holmgren, 1910. The beetles were observed being carried by worker termites. Eocorythoderus is probably closely related to the genera Corythoderus Klug, 1845 and Paracorythoderus Wasmann, 1918 (also Corythoderini). Some character states shared with the distantly-related termitophilous scarab genus Termitotrox Reichensperger, 1915 (Termitotrogini) are noted, and proposed as convergent. 

Key words: Termitophile, fungus garden, Odontotermes, Oriental region, convergence

Eocorythoderus new genus

Type species. Eocorythoderus incredibilis new species, here designated.

Etymology.  A combination of  Eos, the Greek goddess of the dawn, and Corythoderus, the type genus of 

Corythoderini, in reference to the new taxon having the eastern-most distribution of the genera in the tribe. Gender: masculine.  

Maruyama, Munetoshi. 2012. A new genus and species of flightless, microphthalmic Corythoderini (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) from Cambodia, associated with Macrotermes termites. Zootaxa. (3555): 83-88.

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/list/2012/3555.html

http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2012/f/zt03555p088.pdf