[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtopodion arachnoideum, C. cryptum, C. maritimum, C. oculiplenum, ... • Taxonomic Diversity of Iranian Thin-Toed Geckos of the Cyrtopodion agamuroides-gastropholis Species Complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with Description of Ten New Species

 

Cyrtopodion oculiplenum 

Nazarov, Nabizadeh, Rajabizadeh, Moaddab, Nikolaev, Solovyeva, Melnikov, Ananjeva, Poyarkov & Ratsegar-Pouyani, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2026-33-2-85-168 

  Researchgate.net/publication/408559918

Photo by Roman Nazarov

Abstract 

The thin-toed geckos of the Cyrtopodion agamuroides-gastropholis species complex represent a taxonomically challenging group of geckos whose systematic and phylogenetic relationships remain poorly resolved. A dataset comprising 251 specimens belonging to the agamuroides-gastropholis complex was analyzed, based on material collected over a period of 20 years. A morphological comparison of external features revealed a high degree of species diversity within this group. We present the first preliminary data from analysis of the mitochondrial DNA barcoding (COI). The species delimitation analysis is consistent with the morphologically based species diversification, allowing an estimation of the species diversity within this group. The results of this study have led to the description of ten new species of the agamuroides-gastropholis complex, conditionally placed in the genus Cyrtopodion. The present study also discusses the biogeography, evolution, and speciation of this group. Further revision of the genus taxonomy of these geckos is needed, as well as a more detailed genetic and genomic study.

Keywords: Gekkonidae; Cyrtopodion; South Iran; distribution; taxonomy; cryptic species; barcoding; COI

Cyrtopodion oculiplenum sp. nov., Chabahar-Beris Road, Sistan-Baluchestan Province, Iran. November 6, 2019.

Photo by Roman Nazarov

C. arachnoideum, C. cryptum, C. khaborense, 

C. kuhestanense, C. layazanganense, 

C. maritimum, C. minimum, C. nasrullahi, 

C. oculiplenum, C. orlovi

 

Roman A. Nazarov, Hossein Nabizadeh, Mahdi Rajabizadeh, Marteza Moaddab, Oleg D. Nikolaev, Evgeniya N. Solovyeva, Daniel A. Melnikov, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Nikolay A. Poyarkov, Eskandar Ratsegar-Pouyani. 2026. Taxonomic Diversity of Iranian Thin-Toed Geckos of the Cyrtopodion agamuroides-gastropholis Species Complex (Reptilia: Squamata: Gekkonidae) with Description of Ten New Species. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 33(2); 85-168. DOI: doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-2026-33-2-85-168 [July 8, 2026] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/408559918_Taxonomic_Diversity_of_Cyrtopodion_agamuroides-gastropholis_Species_Complex

 

[Botany • 2026] Adenoscidium omanensis (Apiaceae) • A New Species from the northern mountains of Oman

 Adenoscidium omanensis A.Al Farsi, 

in Farsi, 2026. 

  DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3605

Abstract

Adenosciadium omanensis, a species new to science, is described from the foothills of the northern mountains of Oman. It is closely related to Adenosciadium arabicum but differs in having a reniform leaflet with finely serrate margin, a compact inflorescence, lanceolate bracts and bracteoles with acute tip, a cylindrical fruit (schizocarp) with narrow commissure, oblong-oval terete mericarps with an exocarp covered with long forked hairs, and an emarginate endocarp on the commissural side. Adenosciadium omanensis is illustrated by photographs in its natural habitat. In addition, a comparative morphological analysis is presented that distinguishes it from Adenosciadium arabicum, the single species known in the genus, from southern Oman and Yemen. A distribution map for the two species in Oman is provided.

Keywords: Adenosciadium, Apiaceae, Arabian Peninsula, Eastern Hajar Mountains, Endemic, New species, Northern Oman, Taxonomy

Field photographs of Adenoscidium omanensis A.Al Farsi, sp. nov.
 A, Habitat; B, growth habit; C, leaf shape; D, flowers; E, inflorescence; F, mature mericarps. All photographs taken by A. Al Farsi: B–D, holotype (A. Al Farsi 885); E–F, A. Al Farsi 886.

Adenosciadium omanensis A.Al Farsi, sp. nov.

Adenosciadium omanensis is closely related to A. arabicum in having a compound umbellate inflorescence, a fruit (schizocarp) with two adjoining mericarps, exocarp with five primary ribs, and single white hairs with forked end covering the surface of the mericarps. However, Adenosciadium omanensis is distinguished from A. arabicum by its perennial polycarpic habit (vs annual), tomentose indumentum (vs pubescent), ...

A. A. Al Farsi. 2026. Adenosciadium omanensis (APIACEAE), A New Species from the northern mountains of Oman. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 83; 1-11

  DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2026.3605 [2026-06-10]

[Botany • 2026] Allium aralii (Amaryllidaceae) • A New Species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum from from Southeastern Anatolia (Türkiye) based on Morphological Characters and Phylogenetic Evidence

 

Allium aralii Balos Köse& Sonay,

in Balos, Köse, Sonay et Tunç. 2026. 

Kaplandağı soğanı  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3390/plants15101574  

 instagram.com/marufbalos

 

Abstract

Allium aralii Balos, Köse Sonay sp. nov. (Amaryllidaceae, sect. Codonoprasum) is described as a new species from southeastern Anatolia, Türkiye. The species is morphologically distinguished from its closest relatives—A. euphraticum, A. turcicum subsp. turcicum, A. turcicum subsp. fusciflorum, and A. yilandaghense—by a unique combination of characters: blackish outer bulb tunics, semi-cylindrical solid leaves exceeding the inflorescence, an extremely long persistent two-valved spathe (4.5–28.0 cm), a lax hemispherical inflorescence (3–4 cm diam., 10–70 flowers), a goblet-shaped perigon with dentate inner tepals, exserted bicolored stamens (white at base and apex, purple in the middle), a reticulate-foveate ovary, and verrucate seed ornamentation with undulate anticlinal walls. Seed micromorphology examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) further supports species delimitation. Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and chloroplast matK sequences place A. aralii within a well-supported clade containing A. turcicum and allied species, corresponding to the eastern Mediterranean lineage of sect. Codonoprasum. ITS genetic distances between A. aralii and its morphologically closest relatives range 0.0632, falling within the typical interspecific range for Allium. The species is known from a single locality in Bozova district (Şanlıurfa) with fewer than 100 mature individuals and is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria. This discovery highlights southeastern Anatolia as an underexplored center of Allium diversification and underscores the importance of integrative taxonomy for species delimitation within this taxonomically complex group.

Keywords: Allium; endemic; sect. Codonoprasum; morphology; taxonomy; phylogeny; seed micromorphology

 Habit and reproductive morphology of Allium aralii.
 (A) With oak trees on Mount Kaplandağı. (B,C) Inflorescences showing lax hemispherical structure. (D) Detail of perigon and pedicel, illustrating tepal arrangement and coloration.

Additional views of Allium aralii.
(A–C) Variation in inflorescence morphology, highlighting density and flower arrangement. (D) Whole plant habit, showing relative proportions of leaves, scape, and inflorescence.

 Allium aralii (From holotype M. Balos 5616).
(A) Habit. (B) Bulb. (C,D) Leaf sheathing and stem. (E) Leaf cross-section. (F,G) Perigon. (H) Close-up view of the outer tepal. (I) Inner surface of open perigon and filament. (J) Outer–inner–outer tepal. (K) Inner surface of open perigon. (L) Outer surface of open perigon. (M) Anther (N) Ovary. (O) Ovary cross-section (P) Scape cross-section. (Q) Capsule. (R) Seed.

Allium aralii Balos, Köse Sonay sp. nov. 

 

Diagnosis: Allium aralii belongs to Allium sect. Codonoprasum and is morphologically distinguished from its closely related species—A. euphraticum, A. turcicum subsp. turcicum, and A. turcicum subsp. fusciflorum—by the following combination of characters: outer bulb tunics blackish (vs. brownish in A. euphraticum and A. turcicum subsp. turcicum, brownish-black in A. turcicum subsp. fusciflorum); bulbs 1.0–1.5 × 0.8–1.0 cm (vs. 1–2 cm in A. euphraticum, 1–2 cm in A. turcicum subsp. turcicum, 1–2 cm in A. turcicum subsp. fusciflorum); scape slender, 16–30 cm long (vs. 14–44 cm in A. euphraticum, 10–40 cm in A. turcicum subsp. turcicum and subsp. fusciflorum); leaves semi-cylindrical, solid, exceeding the inflorescence, 6.5–21.0 × 0.08–0.1 cm (vs. filiform, hollow, exceeding ...

Etymology: The species name ‘aralii’ was given in honor of the extraordinary academic achievements of the second author’s son, Aral Köse. Aral is an exceptional student who, after pursuing a dual degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Mathematics at Boğaziçi University, has been awarded a full scholarship for a PhD program at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).

Turkish common name of the new species: Allium is called “Soğan” in Turkish. The author proposes “Kaplandağı soğanı” as a vernacular name for A. aralii according to the guidelines of Menemen et al. [2016].

 Mehmet Maruf Balos,Yavuz Bülent Köse,Veysel Sonay and Fatmanur Tunç. 2026. Allium aralii (Amaryllidaceae, sect. Codonoprasum), A New Species from Southeastern Anatolia (Türkiye) Based on Morphological Characters and Phylogenetic Evidence. Plants. 15(10), 1574; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/plants15101574 [21 May 2026]

 instagram.com/p/DYmM69zAjQh/marufbalos

[Entomology • 2026] Rivetina archibaldi (Mantodea: Rivetinidae) • A New praying mantis from the Zagros Oak Forests of Iran

 Rivetina archibaldi  Kolnegari, 

in Kolnegari, Handal et Khormizi, 2026   

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.174839

Abstract

Iran, the world’s 18th-largest country, harbors a wide range of habitats and a rich diversity of Mantodea. The genus Rivetina Berland & Chopard, 1922 is represented in Iran by several morphologically similar ground-dwelling species. Here, we describe Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. from the Zagros oak forests of Lorestan Province, western Iran. The new species is diagnosed based on external morphology and male genital structures and is compared with congeners occurring in Iran and Iraq. A dichotomous key to the Iranian species of Rivetina is also provided.

Keywords: Ground-dwelling mantis, Lorestan Province, Middle East, Persian Plateau

Head and pronotum of Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. male (A, C) and female (B, D).

Live habitus of  Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (A, C) male and (B, D) female.

Family Rivetinidae Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Subfamily Rivetininae Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Tribe Rivetinini Ehrmann & Roy, 2002

Genus Rivetina Berland & Chopard, 1922

Rivetina archibaldi Kolnegari, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis.— The metazone minimum width is distinctly smaller in Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (mean = 1.78 mm) than in all examined congeners. The new species is morphologically similar to R. dolichoptera but differs in the shape of the pronotum, the shorter supra-anal plate, and distinct features of the male genitalia.

Etymology.— The specific epithet archibaldi is dedicated to Dr. George Archibald, a renowned conservationist who has devoted more than half a century of his life to the protection of wildlife, especially cranes (Aves, Gruidae), around the world. His lifelong efforts have played a central role in saving several crane species from extinction and in promoting the conservation of these legendary and symbolic birds across continents, including in the Middle East and Iran. The name honors his remarkable contribution to avian conservation and his inspiring legacy in global ornithology.

 Mahmood Kolnegari, Elias Handal and Mahdi Zare Khormizi. 2026. Rivetina archibaldi sp. nov. (Mantodea, Rivetinidae), A New praying mantis from the Zagros Oak Forests of Iran. Journal of Orthoptera Research. 35(2): 283-292. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.174839 [12 Jun 2026]

[Botany • 2021] Dionysia jamzadiae (Primulaceae) • A New Species from the Fars Province of Iran

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, 

in Lidén, Irvine, Alvén et Mehregan, 2021. 

DOI: doi.org/10.24823/EJB.2021.396

ABSTRACT

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, from the east Zagros Mountains, Fars, Iran, is described as new to science. It belongs in section Dionysiopsis and is similar to D. oreodoxa Bornm. but differs in, for example, its sparsely glandular hairy or almost glabrous corolla with emarginated lobes (densely non-glandular pubescent with entire lobes in D. oreodoxa). Dionysia jamzadiae is known from two places and is quite abundant at the type locality.

Keywords: New species, Fars, Iran, Dionysia

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, sp. nov.
Brevistylous (A) and longistylous (B) plants in the type locality.

 Photograph: M. Lidén.

 

Dionysia jamzadiae Lidén, M.Irvine, Alvén & Mehregan, sp. nov.

Differs from Dionysia oreodoxa Bornm., to which it is most similar, in its sparsely glandular hairy or almost glabrous corolla with emarginate lobes (versus densely non-glandular pubescent with entire lobes).

 

 

M. Lidén, M. Irvine, A. Alvén and I. Mehregan. 2021. Dionysia jamzadiae (Primulaceae), A New Species from the Fars Province of Iran. Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 78; DOI: doi.org/10.24823/EJB.2021.396 [2021-12-02]

Researchgate.net/publication/356756037_DIONYSIA_JAMZADIAE_A_NEW_SPECIES_FROM_THE_FARS_PROVINCE_OF_IRAN

[Crustacea • 2026] Caridina tashanica • A New cave Shrimp Species (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Sulphidic Water in southwestern Iran

 Caridina tashanica sp. nov. (both ovigerous females)
from Tashan Cave, Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran.

 Jugovic, Malek Hosseini & Zakšek,

in Jugovic, Malek Hosseini, Fatemi, Flot, Kuntner et Zakšek, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.184889

Abstract

A new cave species of atyid shrimp of the genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 was discovered during a survey of a subterranean habitat in southwestern Iran (Khuzestan Province, Tashan Cave). This is the first record of a cave atyid shrimp in Iran and the first documented occurrence of a Caridina species inhabiting sulphidic groundwater. Phylogenetic analyses and genetic distances support the status of Caridina tashanica sp. nov. as a distinct species, closely related to C. shahrazadae. Morphologically, the new species is characterised by reduced eyes and pigmentation, and by an extremely elongated rostrum with numerous teeth. Males have specific, triangular endopodite of pleopod I, and a rod-like appendix masculina of pleopod II with numerous long setae. Ovigerous females lay relatively large, oval, white eggs, which clearly indicate a landlocked life cycle. This study contributes to the knowledge of atyid shrimps in the Middle East and to the subterranean biodiversity of the sulphidic Tashan Cave ecosystem in Iran.

Keywords: Atyids, groundwater, Middle East, subterranean, sulphidic, Tashan Cave

Photo of two cave shrimps Caridina tashanica sp. nov. (both ovigerous females) from Tashan Cave, Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran.

Photo credit: YF and MJMH, photographed on 8 December 2018.

Caridina tashanica Jugovic, Malek Hosseini & Zakšek, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Caridina tashanica sp. nov. is the only species of cave shrimp (depigmented and with strongly reduced eyes without pigmentation; Fig. 6) from Iran of the family Atyidae. It is characterised by an extremely long rostrum (Fig. 3) with numerous teeth (13–19+3–5/9–22), uropodal diaeresis with 7–10 spiniform setae and 4–6 pairs of dorsomarginal spiniform setae on the telson of which the distal pair is dorsomarginal-terminal. Propodus of pereiopod III and V bears only 7–14 and 9–18 spiniform setae, respectively, while dactylus of pereiopod V bears ...

 Jure Jugovic, Mohammad-Javad Malek Hosseini, Yaser Fatemi, Jean-François Flot, Matjaž Kuntner and Valerija Zakšek. 2026. Caridina tashanica sp. nov., A New cave Shrimp Species (Decapoda, Atyidae) from Sulphidic Water in southwestern Iran. Subterranean Biology. 55: 137-160. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.184889 [23 Mar 2026]

[Botany • 2025] Psephellus avajiqensis (Asteraceae: Cardueae) • A New Species from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran

 

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh, 

in Rezaei, Saeidi et Negaresh, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0149

 anbf.bsky.social

 Abstract  

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh sp. nova (Asteraceae) is described and illustrated from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran. It resembles P. xanthocephalus subsp. xanthocephalus but differs from it by having a densely greyish-floccose-tomentose indumentum on both sides of leaves; undivided basal and lower cauline leaves; oblanceolate and wider median cauline leaves; hemispherical and wider involucres; denticulate and shiny white appendages; white flowers; shorter central floret; purplish achenes; and longer pappus. The chromosome number of P. avajiqensis, counted from root tips, is 2n = 2x = 30.

Psephellus avajiqensis Negaresh sp. nova

Elham Rezaei, Hojjatollah Saeidi and Kazem Negaresh. 2025. Psephellus avajiqensis (Asteraceae, Cardueae), A New Species from West Azerbaijan Province, NW Iran. Annales Botanici Fennici. 62(1); 315-320. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.062.0149 (5 November 2025)

https://bsky.app/profile/anbf.bsky.social

[Herpetology • 2025] Telescopus insularis, T. mazuchi, T. smidi, T. urii, ... • What is revealed from a widely distributed species in Africa and Southwest Asia? The Case of the Telescopus dhara–obtusus species complex (Squamata: Colubridae)

   Telescopus urii,

Telescopus salvadori, 

Telescopus smidi,   

Telescopus forskali  

Ribeiro-Júnior, Koch, Flecks, Campbell, Calvo, Spawls, Vidal & Meiri, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf117 

Abstract

The Saharo-Sindic desert, the world largest arid region, is often treated as having low alpha and beta diversity of reptiles. However, the region is, in general, poorly studied and its biodiversity is likely to be grossly underestimated. Among the species in this region, the Telescopus dhara–obtusus complex has the widest distribution, a long history of controversial species definition, and unstable taxonomic status. We analysed 27 meristic characters, 19 measurements, and 35 osteological characters of this species complex by examining 282 specimens. We also analysed intra- and interspecific genetic structure and differentiation using five mitochondrial and two nuclear genes from 40 specimens. Our results reveal the T. dhara–obtusus complex as paraphyletic, comprising two major species groups: the T. dhara group and the T. obtusus group. The T. dhara group has eight species: T. dhara, T. guentheri (revalidated), T. pulcher, and five new species. The T. obtusus group is formed by 12 species: T. obtusus, T. somalicus, T. tripolitanus, T. variegatus, T. semiannulatus, T. beetzi, T. finkeldeyi, T. gezirae, and four new species. We describe all new taxa, redescribe the senior ones, and provide the first detailed description of a skull for the genus. The total number of species of Telescopus increases from 14 to 25. 

Arabian Peninsula, cryptic species, molecular phylogeny, osteology, Sahara Desert, taxonomic revision

Telescopus dhara group

Telescopus guentheri (revalidated),

Telescopus urii sp. nov. 

Telescopus urii. Coloration in life.
A, Hatseva, Arava Valley; photograph by S. Jamison. B, Judean Desert, West Bank; photograph by G. Haimovitch.
C, D, central Negev Desert, Israel; photographs by S. Jamison (C) and G. Haimovitch (D).
E–G, Gilboa Mountains, West Bank; photographs by S. Jamison (E, F) and B. Shermeister (G).
H, Arava Valley, Israel; photograph by G. Haimovitch.

Telescopus forskali sp. nov.,

Telescopus insularis sp. nov.,

Telescopus forskali. Coloration in life.
A, B, Dhofar, South Oman; photographs by S. Carranza.
C, Oman; photograph by S. Carranza. D, east of Thumrait, Oman; photograph by D. Hegner.

Telescopus salvadori. Coloration in life. A, B, Central Oman; photographs by S. Carranza.
Telescopus smidi. Coloration in life. A, B, near Taif, Saudi Arabia; photographs by S. Carranza.

Telescopus salvadori sp. nov.,

Telescopus smidi sp. nov.,

Telescopus geniezi sp. nov.,

Telescopus reussi sp. nov.,

Telescopus wangariae sp. nov.

 Telescopus crocheti. Coloration in life. A, B, Near Borama, Ethiopia; photographs by D. Hegner. C, Borama, Ethiopia; photograph by T. Mazuch. D, E, Shanshacade Village, Togdheer, Somalia; photographs by T. Mazuch.
Telescopus sp. (Telescopus crocheti and/or T. mazuchi). A, South of Omar Caves, Ethiopia; photograph by M. Largen. B, Meru National Park, Kenya; photograph by A. Childs.

The Telescopus obtusus group

Telescopus crocheti sp. nov.,

Telescopus mazuchi sp. nov.,

Telescopus somalicus (elevated to species status),

Marco A Ribeiro-Júnior, Claudia Koch, Morris Flecks, Patrick D Campbell, Marta Calvo, Stephen Spawls, Nicolas Vidal and Shai Meiri. 2025. What is revealed from a widely distributed species in Africa and Southwest Asia? The Case of the Telescopus dhara–obtusus species complex (Squamata: Colubridae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 205(3); zlaf117. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf117 [06 November 2025]

[Arachnida • 2024] Micropholcus abha, M. bashayer, M. dhahran, M. ghar, M. shaat, ... • Old World Micropholcus spiders, with first records of acrocerid parasitoids in Pholcidae (Araneae)

 

A Micropholcus dhahran Huber, sp. nov., male from ‘Asir, W of Dhahran Al Janub; B M. harajah Huber, sp. nov., female with egg-sac from ‘Asir, SE of Harajah; 
C, D M. alfara Huber, sp. nov., male and female with egg-sac from ‘Asir, S of Al Fara; 
E M. abha Huber, sp. nov., male from ‘Asir, N of Abha; F M. tanomah Huber, sp. nov., male from ‘Asir, NW of Tanomah; 
G M. bashayer Huber, sp. nov., female with egg-sac from ‘Asir, NW of Al Bashayer; H M. maysaan Huber, sp. nov., male from Mecca, NW of Maysaan.

in Huber & Meng, 2024.

DOI:  doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1213.133178 

Photographs Bernhard A. Huber.

Abstract  

Micropholcus Deeleman-Reinhold & Prinsen, 1987 is one of only two Pholcidae genera known to occur both in the Old and New Worlds. However, there are major morphological and ecological differences among geographically separate groups of species, and it was mainly molecular data that have resulted in our current view of uniting all these species into a single genus. In the Old World, only four species have previously been described. Here, current knowledge about Old World Micropholcus is reviewed, redescribing three of the four previously known species, and describing twelve new species, originating from Saudi Arabia (M. dhahran Huber, sp. nov., M. harajah Huber, sp. nov., M. alfara Huber, sp. nov., M. abha Huber, sp. nov., M. tanomah Huber, sp. nov., M. bashayer Huber, sp. nov., M. maysaan Huber, sp. nov.), Oman (M. darbat Huber, sp. nov., M. shaat Huber, sp. nov.), Morocco (M. ghar Huber, sp. nov., M. khenifra Huber, Lecigne & Lips, sp. nov.), and the Philippines (M. bukidnon Huber, sp. nov.). We provide an exploratory species delimitation analysis based on CO1 barcodes, extensive SEM data, and first records of Acroceridae (Diptera) larvae in Pholcidae, extracted from book lungs.   

Key words: CO1 barcode, genetic distances, Morocco, Oman, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, species delimitation, taxonomy

Micropholcus Deeleman-Reinhold & Prinsen; live specimens from Saudi Arabia
A M. dhahran Huber, sp. nov., male from ‘Asir, W of Dhahran Al Janub; B M. harajah Huber, sp. nov., female with egg-sac from ‘Asir, SE of Harajah; C, D M. alfara Huber, sp. nov., male and female with egg-sac from ‘Asir, S of Al Fara; 
E M. abha Huber, sp. nov., male from ‘Asir, N of Abha; F M. tanomah Huber, sp. nov., male from ‘Asir, NW of Tanomah; G M. bashayer Huber, sp. nov., female with egg-sac from ‘Asir, NW of Al Bashayer; H M. maysaan Huber, sp. nov., male from Mecca, NW of Maysaan. Photographs BAH.

Micropholcus Deeleman-Reinhold & Prinsen; live specimens from Oman, Morocco, and the Philippines
A, B M. darbat Huber, sp. nov., male and female with egg-sac from Oman, Dhofar, near Qairoon Hairitti C M. shaat Huber, sp. nov., male from Oman, Dhofar, Shaat sinkhole
D, E M. agadir (Huber), male and female with egg-sac from Morocco, Souss-Massa, Paradise Valley

F M. ghar Huber, sp. nov., male from Morocco, Fès-Meknès, Kef El Ghar G M. khenifra Huber, Lecigne & Lips, sp. nov., male from Morocco, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, near Sidi Ben Daoud H M. bukidnon Huber, sp. nov., male from Philippines, Mindanao, Blue Water Cave.

 Photographs BAH.

 Bernhard A. Huber and Guanliang Meng. 2024. Old World Micropholcus spiders, with first records of acrocerid parasitoids in Pholcidae (Araneae). ZooKeys. 1213: 95-182. DOI:  doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1213.133178 [26 Sep 2024]

[Crustacea • 2025] Alpheus sarapis • A New, conspicuously coloured Snapping Shrimp (Decapoda: Alpheidae) from the north-western Indian Ocean

 

Alpheus sarapis 

Anker, 2025 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.008

Abstract

A new, brightly coloured and morphologically distinctive species of the alpheid genus Alpheus Fabricius, 1798 is described based on a single female specimen collected in shallow waters of Masirah Island, Oman. Alpheus sarapis sp. nov. appears to be morphologically somewhat intermediate between the A. leviusculus Dana, 1852, A. edwardsii (Audouin, 1826) and A. paracrinitus Miers, 1881 species groups, although the presence of slight sinuses on the major chela palm suggests that it may be a derived member of either of the former two groups.

Keywords: Caridea, Alpheid shrimp, New taxon, Oman, Indo-West Pacific, Marine biodiversity

Alpheus sarapis sp. nov. 

Arthur Anker. 2025. A New, conspicuously coloured Snapping Shrimp from the north-western Indian Ocean (Malacostraca: Decapoda: Alpheidae: Alpheus). Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia. 65; e202565008. DOI: doi.org/10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.008

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[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Salwasiren qatarensis • High Abundance of Early Miocene Sea Cows (Sirenia: Dugongidae) from Qatar shows repeated Evolution of Seagrass Ecosystem Engineers in Eastern Tethys

  

 Salwasiren qatarensis 

Pyenson​, Sakal, LeBlanc, Blundell, Klim, Marshall, Velez-Juarbe, Wolfe & Al-Naimi, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20030

Artwork: Alex Boersma

Abstract 

Coastal ecosystems that include seagrasses are potential carbon sinks that require strategic conservation of top trophic consumers, such as dugongs, to maintain their function. It is unclear, however, how long seagrass ecosystems have persisted in geologic time because their fossil record is poor, although the record of their associated vertebrate consumers offers useful proxies. Here we describe an area of dense Early Miocene dugongid remains from Qatar. We documented over 172 sites in <1 km2 from one stratigraphic level, including material representing a new species of fossil dugongine dugongid. This taxon is unrelated to coeval Early Miocene dugongids from India and the Eastern Tethys and it is distantly related to extant dugongs, which occupy seagrass habitats of the Persian or Arabian Gulf (hereafter ‘Gulf’) today. The monodominant assemblage in this area likely reflects a single fossil dugongid taxon and matches the ecological diversity and geospatial distribution of modern-day live-dead assemblages in the Gulf. This fossil site from Qatar shows that the Gulf has repeatedly evolved sea cow communities with different taxa over the past 20 million years and coincides with an Early Miocene marine biodiversity hotspot in Arabia, prior to its eastward shift to the Indo-Australian Archipelago where dugongs continue to thrive today.

Keywords: Marine mammal, Paleoecology, Seagrasses, Evolution, Fossil record

Mammalia Linnaeus, 1758

Afrotheria Stanhope et al., 1998

Tethytheria McKenna, 1975

Sirenia Illiger, 1811 sensu Vélez-Juarbe & Wood, 2018

Dugongidae Gray, 1821 sensu Vélez-Juarbe & Wood, 2018

Dugonginae Gray, 1821 (Simpson, 1932) sensu Vélez-Juarbe & Wood, 2018

 Salwasiren qatarensis morphology using 3D photogrammetry of μCT of key skeletal elements.
(A–C) holotype cranium including left premaxilla, jugal, and partial braincase; (D–F) referred left incisor; (G–H) holotype left upper M2, in mesial and occlusal views, respectively; (I) holotype incomplete left mandible; (J–M) holotype lumbar, sacral, and caudal vertebrae in anterior views with left ilium (L) in lateral view; and (N–O) holotype right humerus.

Abbreviations: a, acetabulum; ac, anterior cingulum; acv, anterior cingular valley; an, angular process; co, coronoid process; cc, coronoid canal; dc, deltoid crest; f, frontal; gt, greater tubercle; h, humeral head; it, ischial tuberosity; j, jugal; lt, lesser tubercle; mcl+hy, metaconule + hypocone; me, metacone; ns, neural spine; p, parietal; pa, paracone; pmx, premaxilla; pr, protocone; ptp, posttympanic process; so, supraoccipital; sop, supraorbital process; sq, squamosal; tp, transverse process; tr, trochlea; zp, zygomatic process.

Salwasiren qatarensis gen. et sp. nov.

Type locality, horizon, and age: Al Maszhabiya bonebed, Lower Al-Kharrara Member of the Dam Formation, Aquitanian, 23.03–21.6 Ma.

Differential diagnosis: Salwasiren is a dugongine distinguished from other sirenians by the following combination of characters: nasal process of the premaxilla long, thin and tapering at posterior end (c.6[0], 7[0]) as in Crenatosiren olseni and Dugong dugon; supraorbital process of frontal dorsoventrally thick with a weakly developed posterolateral corner (c.36[1]), as in C. olseni and D. dugon; deep and narrow nasal incisure (c.37[1]) as in most dugongines; flat frontal roof (c.42[0], as in C. olseni, Italosiren bellunensis and Bharatisiren indica; supraoccipital wider ventrally than dorsally (c.23[1]) and exoccipitals not meeting along a dorsal suture (c.66[1]), as in Nanosiren spp. and D. dugon; ventral extremity of jugal under posterior edge of orbit (c.85[1]) and flat, thin preorbital process of jugal (c.88[0]), shared with C. olseni and Nanosiren spp.; short zygomatic process of the jugal (c.89[1]), as in Dioplotherium manigaulti and Xenosiren yucateca; ventral rim of orbit that does not overhang the lateral surface (c.90[0]), as in I. bellunensis and Callistosiren boriquensis; mandible with broad, subrectangular symphysis (c.121[3]); I1 alveolus small (c.140[0]) as in Nanosiren spp.; I1 with suboval cross section and enamel on all sides (c.141[0], 142[0]), as in C. olseni and N. sanchezi; pubis prong-like without symphysis (c.215[2]).

Etymology: “Salwa” after the Bay of Salwa, part of the transboundary habitat for dugongs in the Gulf combined with the Latin “siren”, referring to Sirenia. The species epithet honors its discovery in the State of Qatar.

 

Nicholas Pyenson, the curator of fossil marine mammals at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, and Ferhan Sakal, an archaeologist who is the head of excavation and site management at Qatar Museums, survey Al Maszhabiya with the fossil ribs of a 21-million-year-old sea cow in the foreground.

photo by Clare Fieseler

An artistic reconstruction of a herd of Salwasiren qatarensis sea cows foraging on the seafloor. In southwest Qatar, fossils of a new species of ancient sea cow, Salwasiren qatarensis, were found in 21-million-year-old rocks along with evidence of extinct sharks, barracuda-like fish, prehistoric dolphins and sea turtles.

Artwork: Alex Boersma

Nicholas D. Pyenson​, Ferhan Sakal, Jacques LeBlanc, Jon Blundell, Katherine D. Klim, Christopher D. Marshall, Jorge Velez-Juarbe, Katherine Wolfe and Faisal Al-Naimi. 2025. High Abundance of Early Miocene Sea Cows from Qatar shows repeated Evolution of Seagrass Ecosystem Engineers in Eastern Tethys.  PeerJ. 13:e20030. DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20030 [December 10, 2025]

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-trove-of-sea-cow-fossils-in-qatar-reveals-a-new-species-that-munched-on-seagrass-21-million-years-ago-180987820/

[Botany • 2024] Allium elazigense (Amaryllidaceae) • A New Species of Allium sect. Codonoprasum from eastern Anatolia, Turkey

Allium elazigense Sonay, Gül & E. Bagci, 

in Sonay, Gül et Bağcı, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.061.0128   

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Abstract

Allium elazigense Sonay, Gül & E. Bagci, a new species of sect. Codonoprasum, is described and illustrated from eastern Anatolia, Turkey. It resembles A. chloranthum, but differs from it by several morphological characters. Allium elazigense has a brownish outer tunic that forms a collar on the spiral-shaped spathe valves with a dark brown midrib, greenish-creamy perigon, oblong outer tepals and spathulate-oblong inner tepals, short anthers and a short ovary, a cylindrical-oblong, stipitate capsule, and narrowly semi-cylindrical cymbiform seeds. Based on IUCN criteria, its conservation status is assessed as Critically Endangered (CR).

 

Allium elazigense Sonay, Gül & E. Bagci sp. nov. 

Veysel Sonay, Emel Gül, and Eyüp Bağcı. 2024. Allium elazigense (Amaryllidaceae), a New Species from Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. Annales Botanici Fennici. 61(1), 199-206. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.061.0128  (19 July 2024)

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