[Crustacea • 2026] Caridina srivijaya, C. takkola, C. tambralinga, ... • A Taxonomic Review of the freshwater shrimp Genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Decapoda: Atyidae) from southern Thailand, with Descriptions of Five New Species

A. Caridina cf. rangoona, from Phang Nga Province, Takuatung District, Khum Mut Stream; B. C. johnsoni, from Surat Thani Province, Mueang District, Phunphin Stream; 

C, D. C. nangroma sp. nov. from Chumphon Province, Lamae District, Lamae Stream;

E, F. C. srivijaya sp. nov., from Surat Thani Province, Phrasaeng District, Bang Sawan Spring; 

G. C. takkola sp. nov., from Surat Thani Province, Mueang District, Phunphin Stream; H. C. tambralinga sp. nov., from Songkhla Province, Ranot District, Thale Noi NHA. 

Macharoenboon, von Rintelen, Klotz, Sutcharit, Siriwut & Jeratthitikul, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1292.193168

Abstract

A comprehensive taxonomic review of the genus Caridina in southern Thailand is presented, integrating extensive field surveys with comprehensive morphological and molecular analyses to document the species diversity. Phylogenetic tree reconstructed from partial sequences of two mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA and COI) indicated 18 distinct lineages, recognized as species in our study, belonging to six species groups, from southern Thailand. Five of these are new to science and are described as Caridina kuehnei sp. nov., C. nangroma sp. nov., C. srivijaya sp. nov., C. takkola sp. nov., and C. tambralinga sp. nov. Including historical records, there are 21 species of Caridina found in southern Thailand of which almost half are endemic to the region. Updated distribution maps and a key to all known species in the region are also provided. Our findings highlight that while morphological identification is challenging due to significant intraspecific variation and interspecific similarity, molecular data is essential for helping taxonomists to delineate species boundaries.

Key words: Amphidromous, crustacean, freshwater fauna, landlocked, Malay Peninsula, molecular phylogeny, Thailand

Living specimens of Caridina species.
 A. C. thai, topotype MUMNH-CAR861-F1 from Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Pak Chong District, Muak Lek Waterfall; B, C. C. gracillima, specimens; B. MUMNH-CAR626-P1 from Trang Province, Mueang District, Trang River; C. MUMNH-CAR631-P1 from Krabi Province, Mueang District, Tha Hindarn Stream; D. C. gracilipes, specimen MUMNH-CAR462-P1 from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Khanom District, Khao Phlai Dam;
E. C. macrophora, specimen MUMNH-CAR800 from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, Bang Khan District, Lam Dang Stream; F. C. peninsularis, specimen MUMNH-CAR633-P1 from Phang Nga Province, Khum Mut Stream; G. C. excavatoides, specimen MUMNH-CAR616-F2 from Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province, Thung Song District, Tha-Luang Stream; H. C. temasek, specimen MUMNH-CAR835-P1 from Pattani Province, Mueang District, Pattani River. Scale bar: 4 mm.

Living specimens of Caridina species.
A. C. cf. rangoona, specimen MUMNH-CAR434-P1 from Phang Nga Province, Takuatung District, Khum Mut Stream; B. C. johnsoni, specimen MUMNH-CAR471-P1 from Surat Thani Province, Mueang District, Phunphin Stream; C, D. C. nangroma sp. nov.; C. paratype MUMNH-CAR404-P1 and D. specimen MUMNHCAR474-P1 from Chumphon Province, Lamae District, Lamae Stream;
E, F. C. srivijaya sp. nov., paratypes; E. MUMNH-CAR502-P1; F. MUMNH-CAR502-M1; G. C. takkola sp. nov., paratype MUMNH-CAR469-P1; H. C. tambralinga sp. nov., specimen MUMNH-CAR489-P1 from Songkhla Province, Ranot District, Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area. Scale bar: 3 mm.

Caridina kuehnei sp. nov. 

C. nangroma sp. nov. 

C. srivijaya sp. nov. 

C. takkola sp. nov. 

C. tambralinga sp. nov. 

 

 Kongkit Macharoenboon, Thomas von Rintelen, Werner Klotz, Chirasak Sutcharit, Warut Siriwut and Ekgachai Jeratthitikul. 2026. A Taxonomic Review of the freshwater shrimp Genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 (Decapoda, Atyidae) from southern Thailand, with Descriptions of Five New Species. ZooKeys. 1292: 1-126. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1292.193168 [15 Sep 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Neolamprologus labrosus • A New Species of the Genus Neolamprologus (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika

Neolamprologus labrosus

Takahashi, Snoeks & Satoh, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70640  

  x.com/Discusshuki

Abstract

Lake Tanganyika harbours an exceptionally diverse fauna of cichlids that has arisen through explosive adaptive radiation. During a recent survey at Kasenga and Kombe, Zambia, we discovered an undescribed species of the genus Neolamprologus. The new species is readily distinguished from its congeners by its uniquely developed upper lip, which protrudes conspicuously beyond the lower lip, along with several additional morphological characters. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 gene showed that specimens of the new species were not recovered as monophyletic; instead, they formed a clade together with Neolamprologus mustax. Nevertheless, the new species is morphologically clearly distinct from N. mustax despite their sympatric occurrence. This discovery highlights the still underestimated diversity of cichlids in Lake Tanganyika and underscores the importance of documenting its fauna in the face of increasing anthropogenic pressures on the lake's ecosystem.

 Keywords: freshwater, biodiversity, mitochondrial ND2, morphology, phylogeny

Neolamprologus labrosus

Tetsumi Takahashi, Jos Snoeks and Shun Satoh. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Neolamprologus (Cichliformes: Cichlidae) from Lake Tanganyika. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70640 [15 September 2026]

  x.com/Discusshuki/status/2099862874617520532

[Botany • 2026] Gastrodia keyiensis (Orchidaceae: Gastrodieae) • A New holomycotrophic Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, India

  

Gastrodia keyiensis M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar, 

in Khanal, Borah, Sarkar, Gap, Rai et Kumar, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.773.3.7  

 facebook.com/DipuBORAH2

Abstract

Gastrodia keyiensis M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar sp. nov. is described from Keyi Panyor District, Arunachal Pradesh, northeastern India. The new species is morphologically allied to G. putaoensis but differs in having a broadly obovate basal part of the labellum with 6–7 prominent longitudinally thickened structures, and a distinct, thick, strongly incurved, narrowly oblong-ligulate, yellow apical part that is minutely papillate, with the apex rounded to obtuse (vs. an elliptic basal part with 3–5 parallel thickened lines, and a narrower apical part densely covered with yellow hairs, with the apex obtuse and densely covered with red papillae). A detailed morphological description, diagnosis, photographic illustrations, notes on distribution, habitat, phenology, and conservation status, together with comparisons with morphologically allied species, are provided to facilitate its identification.

Monocots, Ghost orchid, Mycoheterotroph, New to Science, Orchid, Taxonomy

Gastrodia keyiensis M.Khanal, D.Borah & Dev.Kumar sp. nov.

MADHUSUDHAN KHANAL, DIPANKAR BORAH, SHUVADIP SARKAR, NEELAM GAP, SANTOSH KUMAR RAI and DEVENDRA KUMAR. 2026. Gastrodia keyiensis (Orchidaceae: Gastrodieae), A New holomycotrophic Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya, India.  Phytotaxa. 773(3); 289-295. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.773.3.7 [2026-09-09]

  facebook.com/DipuBORAH2/posts/28179222161743622

[Paleontology • 2026] Chosha praecursor • Amphibious stem-insect sheds light on Colonization of Land

Chosha praecursor

Tihelka,  Vásquez, Engel, Schram, Lozano-Fernandez & Cai, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10961-2

Abstract

Molecular clock analyses, trace fossils, exceptionally preserved amphibious stem-myriapods and sea scorpions have recently challenged classical assumptions about the timeline of the animal colonization of land, suggesting that terrestrial ecosystems may date back as far as the Cambrian period. However, the early evolutionary history of the most successful clade of animals, the insects, has remained elusive, as the period of their early diversification constrained by time divergence estimates falls within the notorious ‘hexapod gap’ in the fossil record. Here we describe Chosha praecursor gen. et sp. nov. from the Carboniferous period (Late Mississippian epoch, approximately 324 million years ago) Tesnus Formation in Texas. Cross-polarized light imaging reveals that C. praecursor possesses insect apomorphies including an ovipositor and a terminal filament but differs from crown-group insects, most notably with respect to the presence of multisegmented abdominal legs with paddle-like modifications. Our phylogenetic reconstruction recovers C. praecursor as a hexapod, strongly favouring its placement as an early-diverging insect. A revision of three other enigmatic hexapod fossils, the Devonian period Leverhulmia and two undescribed Carboniferous fossils from the Mazon Creek Lagerstätte, demonstrates diverse body organization in Palaeozoic wingless insects. Together, these stem-group fossils represent the earliest uncontested insects and partly reconcile the incongruence between molecular clock estimates and the fossil record. The unusual abdominal gill-like appendages of Chosha suggest a semiaquatic mode of life in at least some stem-insects and revise our understanding of the assembly of insect morphological organization.

Chosha praecursor gen. et sp. nov. 

Erik Tihelka, Carlos Vásquez, Michael S. Engel, Frederick R. Schram, Jesus Lozano-Fernandez and Chenyang Cai. 2026. Amphibious stem-insect sheds light on colonization of land. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10961-2 [26 August 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Craniomandibular osteology of Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda sp. nov. (Therapsida: Anomodontia) from the Manda Beds of Tanzania and new support for a younger age for the alleged oldest dinosaurs

 

Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda

George, Escobar, Moody, Saanane, Day & Larkin, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2692542

Life reconstruction by Gabriel Ugueto

 

ABSTRACT 

Fossils from the Manda Beds of Tanzania have greatly informed on the diversity and evolution of Triassic tetrapods, including on what might be the oldest dinosaurs. Here, a new dicynodont taxon from the Manda Beds is described. It lacks key anatomical traits of known dicynodonts from the Manda Beds, as well as the Sino-African genus Shansiodon to which some of this material was previously referred. The new taxon is referred to the otherwise South American Dinodontosaurus based on the diagnostic presence of frontals with “tab-like” anterior processes and a combination of other traits seen in the genus. This Tanzanian material possesses a predominantly bulbous posterior/median palatal ridge of the premaxilla and a midline groove along the temporal bar, among other traits that are absent in the South American Dinodontosaurus material, indicating it represents a distinct species, here named Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda sp. nov. Phylogenetic analyses conducted with Bayesian estimation and parsimony support the inclusion of this species in Dinodontosaurus. The unique palate of D. isiyavamanda is hypothesized to be related to resource partitioning, representing different adaptations for food processing than coeval dicynodonts. The presence of Dinodontosaurus suggests the mid-to-upper Lifua Member of the Manda Beds is equivalent to the Dinodontosaurus Assemblage Zone of Brazil and the Chañares Formation of Argentina. Consequently, the mid-to-upper Lifua Member, which includes what are possibly the oldest records of dinosaurs globally, can be confidently interpreted as late Ladinian to Carnian in age, supporting recent research questioning its equivalency with the Cynognathus Assemblage Zone of South Africa.

SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY

SYNAPSIDA Osborn, 1903

THERAPSIDA Broom, 1905

ANOMODONTIA Owen, 1860

DICYNODONTIA Owen, 1859

DICYNODONTOIDEA Olson, 1944

KANNEMEYERIIFORMES Maisch, 2001

DINODONTOSAURUS Romer, 1943

Diodontosaurus Tupí-Caldas, 1936 [nomen suppressum].

Chanaria Cox, 1968.

Type Species––Dinodontosaurus oliveirai Romer, 1943 (=Dicynodon tener Huene, 1935).

Diagnosis––Medium- to large-sized kannemeyeriiform (maximum skull length ca. 40 cm) with the following unique combination of character states: frontals with a “tab-like” median anterior process; postorbital bone with elongate, curved suborbital process; elongate caniniform process sharply offset from zygomatic arch; and hypertrophied tusks present in large individuals (taken from Kammerer & Ordoñez, 2021).

DINODONTOSAURUS ISIYAVAMANDA sp. nov.

Ruhuhuungualasaurus croucheri Larkin, 1994, p. 2.

Shansiodon sp. Surkov and Benton, 2004, p. 627.

Shansiodon sp. Surkov and Benton, 2008, p. 1126.

Diagnosis––Can be distinguished from both Dinodontosaurus brevirostris and Dinodontosaurus tener by a premaxillary posterior/median palatal ridge that expands anteriorly into a wide, bulbous morphology (does not retain the ridge-like morphology throughout its length), and extends further anteriorly than the point of eruption of the tusks; a midline groove extending along the temporal bar from immediately posterior to the pineal foramen to the posterior end of the postparietal; and mandibular rami that diverge more laterally. Can be further distinguished from Dinodontosaurus brevirostris by the lack of a ridge along the anterior surface of the mandibular symphysis. Can be further distinguished from Dinodontosaurus tener by a wider interorbital region and snout, and a pineal foramen that is not completely anterior to the intertemporal bar (i.e., pineal foramen is at the same anteroposterior level as the anterior portion of the bar).

Etymology––From the Manda words ‘isi ya vamanda’ that translate to ‘country of the Wamanda.’ In reference to the Wamanda people, many of whom were crucial to the discovery of the holotype, but whose individual names were not documented and never credited.

two bulky Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda walking through dense vegetation 

Life reconstruction by Gabriel Ugueto

Hady George, Juan A. Escobar, Edmund R.R. Moody, Charles B. Saanane, Michael O. Day and Nigel R. Larkin. 2026. Craniomandibular osteology of Dinodontosaurus isiyavamanda sp. nov. (Therapsida: Anomodontia) from the Manda Beds of Tanzania and new support for a younger age for the alleged oldest dinosaurs. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2692542. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2692542 [15 Sep 2026]

 

[Herpetology • 2026] Cyrtodactylus mursalensis • A New Species of Bent-toed Gecko Genus Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Mursala Island, Indonesia

Cyrtodactylus mursalensis 

Muammar, Martamenggala, Siregar, Pradana, Putra, Hamidy, Smith & Riyanto, 2026

Cicak Jari Lengkung Pulau Mursala | DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.6 

 

Abstract

Here we describe a new bent-toed gecko of the genus Cyrtodactylus from Mursala, a small island adjacent to Sumatra, Indonesia. The new species is easily distinguished from its congeners by its known maximum SVL 100 mm, tubercles present on dorsal surface of brachium, ventrolateral body folds present, 20–22 irregular dorsal tubercle rows at midbody, 34–35 paravertebral tubercles series, 38–42 ventral scale rows across belly, precloacal depression in slit form, single precloacal pore sunken into precloacal depression present in male, absent in female, females with a single large elongated apical precloacal scale, abrupt transition between the enlarged femorals and the adjacent scales on the posterior margin of the thigh, 23–24 subdigital lamellae on fourth toe, and lacking median enlarge subequal scales.

Reptilia, Cyrtodactylus, Mursala Island, Sumatra, endemic

Holotype of Cyrtodactylus mursalensis sp. nov. MZB.Lace15711.
 (A) Dorsolateral view. (B) Dorsal view in head down orientation.

Photographs by Muammar.

Cyrtodactylus mursalaensis sp. nov.  

Recommended English common name: Mursala’s Bent-toed Gecko 

Recommended Indonesia common name: Cicak Jari Lengkung Pulau Mursala

Diagnosis. The following combination of characters distinguishes C. mursalaensis sp. nov. from all other congeners: adult male reaching 99.2 mm SVL and female 100 mm SVL; tubercles present on dorsal surface of brachium; ventrolateral body folds present; 20–22 irregular dorsal tubercle rows at midbody; 34–35 paravertebral tubercles series; 38–42 ventral scale rows across belly; precloacal depression in slit form; single precloacal pore sunken into precloacal depression present in male, absent in female; Females with a single large elongated apical precloacal scale; abrupt transition between the enlarged femorals and the adjacent scales on the posterior margin of the thigh; 23–24 subdigital lamellae on fourth toe; and subequal median subcaudal scales not transversely enlarged.

 Habitat of Cyrtodactylus mursalensis sp. nov. in Mursala Island, Indonesia.

Photographs by Muammar.

Muammar MUAMMAR, Andri I.S. MARTAMENGGALA, Akhmad J. SIREGAR, Tengku G. PRADANA, Chairunas A. PUTRA, Amir HAMIDY, Eric N. SMITH and Awal RIYANTO. 2026. Description of New Species of Bent-toed Gecko Genus Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Mursala Island, Indonesia.  Zootaxa. 5878(4); 573-588. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.6 [2026-09-16]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Opsarius geminus • A New danionid fish (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) from the Western Ghats, India and Revalidation of Barilius papillatus Day 1869

 

 Opsarius geminus

Vijayakrishnan, Nallathambi, Jayasimhan, & Knight, 2026

Barilius papillatus Day 1869

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.7

Abstract

Opsarius geminus, a new species of danionid fish is described from the Krishna River, Western Ghats, India. It can be distinguished from its congeners in the Western Ghats by possessing a combination of the following characters: unique colour pattern consisting of 9–11 blue bars that are 2–3 scales wide; 46–51 lateral-line scales; 20–23 pre-dorsal scales; barbels absent; length of last dorsal-fin ray almost equal to, or greater than length of first dorsal-fin ray; 7 ½–8½ dorsal-fin branched rays and 10½–11½ anal-fin branched rays. Barilius papillatus Day 1869, currently a synonym of Opsarius barna (Hamilton, 1822) is redescribed, based on the syntype and fresh specimens, and a lectotype is designated to fix its identity. Opsarius papillatus can be diagnosed from all its congeners in India, by possessing a combination of the following characters: colour pattern consisting of 7–9 blue bars that are 1–2 scales wide; 39–41 lateral-line scales; 15–18 pre-dorsal scales; barbels absent; length of last dorsal-fin ray shorter than length of first dorsal-fin ray; 7½ dorsal-fin branched rays and 10½ anal-fin branched rays.

Pisces, new species, Opsarius barna, Krishna River, Mahanadi River, Eastern ghats

 

 

BALAJI VIJAYAKRISHNAN, MOULITHARAN NALLATHAMBI, PRAVEENRAJ JAYASIMHAN, J.D. MARCUS KNIGHT. 2026. Opsarius geminus, A New danionid fish from the Western Ghats, India and Revalidation of Barilius papillatus Day 1869 (Teleostei: Danionidae).  Zootaxa. 5878(4); 589-600. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5878.4.7 [2026-09-16]

  facebook.com/praveenraj.39750121/posts/28655245830753728

[Herpetology • 2026] Eremiascincus erebos • A New banded skink (Scincidae: Sphenomorphini) from sandstone habitats of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

 

Eremiascincus erebos

Zozaya, Lloyd, Budd & Torkkola, 2026

Garrwa Banded Skink | www.TaxonomyAustralia.org.au 

Abstract  

We describe Eremiascincus erebos sp. nov., a new species of banded, crepuscular and nocturnal skink from sandstone habitats of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria region in the Northern Territory, Australia. The species is known to inhabit scree and deep, cave-like crevices in gorges and rock towers. Morphology and genomic sequence data indicate E. erebos sp. nov. is most closely related to E. fasciolatus—with which it shares divided posterior supralabials, a character otherwise absent in Eremiascincus—but differs in having a larger ear opening, no ridges along the dorsal surfaces of the hindbody and tail, and a higher midbody scale row count. Although currently known from only two localities in the north-eastern Northern Territory, E. erebos sp. nov. is likely more widespread across the region south of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Eremiascincus erebos sp. nov. in life and associated habitat:
 (A) MAGNT R36326 (holotype) and (B) MAGNT R36327 (paratype) from Pungalina–Seven Emu Sanctuary; (C) an unvouchered individual from Caranbirini;
(D) typical habitat at Caranbirini; (E) an unsampled individual from Caranbirini observed inside a deep, horizontal rock crevice.

 Photos: R. Lloyd (A–B); E. Budd (C); S. Zozaya (D–E).

Eremiascincus erebos sp. nov. (A) compared with the morphologically similar E. fasciolatus (B), geographically adjacent E. intermedius (C), and sympatric E. isolepis (D). Note that E. erebos sp. nov. lacks the longitudinal dorsal ridges on the posterior body and tail visible in B and C.

Localities: (A, D) Caranbirini Conservation Reserve, NT; (B) Cecil Plains, Qld; (C) Barkly Homestead, NT. 

Photos: S. Mahony (A), W. Read (B), M. Clancy (C), S. Zozaya (D).

 Eremiascincus ereboss sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Can be differentiated from all other Eremiascincus by the following combination of characters: irregular, dark, transverse bands on dorsal surface of body and original tail; dark bands on torso 1–2.5 scales wide; 37–39 MBSR; 8–9 supralabials, the penultimate and/or posteriormost being divided horizontally; ear opening very large (ear height 33–34% head depth) and elliptical; scales on dorsal surface of fourth toe arranged in multiple rows with oblique sutures, with only the terminal and penultimate scale row single; dorsum and tail completely lacking longitudinal ridges; snout rounded in lateral view, not depressed.

 Etymology. From the Greek ἔρεβος (erebos), used by Homer in the Iliad for the dark, gloomy passages between Earth and Hades, in reference to the dark sandstone crevices and caves in which this species is often found. The epithet was intentionally chosen for its phonetic resemblance to the generic name Eremiascincus, with both names beginning with ere- despite deriving from different Greek roots. The name is used as a noun in apposition. Coincidentally—and unknown to us until we compiled the reference list for this paper—the related species E. pallidus (Günther, 1875) was described in The Zoology of the Voyage of HMS Erebus and Terror, which refers to a ship bearing the same name in its Latinised form. 

We recommend the common name 'Garrwa Banded Skink' given that the species' known extent of occurrence falls mostly within Garrwa country. We thank Daphne and Peggy Mawson, Garrwa Elders, for their ongoing support toward understanding the lizard diversity on their country.

 

 Stephen M. Zozaya, Ray Lloyd, Elliot Budd and Janne J. Torkkola. 2026. Eremiascincus erebos sp. nov., A New banded skink (Scincidae; Sphenomorphini) from sandstone habitats of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Taxonomy Australia. 130: 1–11.   [2026-09-09] 

 www.TaxonomyAustralia.org.au/ajt/papers/gr5q0xngp9

[Invertebrate • 2026] Polycapus rubrum, Stelletta plana, ... • Four New Demosponges from Alaska and the Designation of A New Genus in Hymedesmiidae (Heteroscleromorpha, Poecilosclerida)

 

Stelletta plana sp. nov.

Polycapus rubrum gen. nov. & sp. nov.

Lehnert, Rooney & Everett, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.2.6 

www.fisheries.NOAA.gov 

 

Abstract

An investigation of Alaska’s extraordinarily rich sponge fauna was conducted utilizing samples retained as bycatch during National Marine Fisheries Service stock assessment bottom trawl surveys in the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands between 1997 and 2021. Subsequent analysis of the samples revealed four new species, which are representatives of four different orders of demosponges: Cladocroce cylindrica sp. nov., Julavis borealis sp. nov., Polycapus rubrum gen. nov. & sp. nov., and Stelletta plana sp. nov.. The new species are described and compared to congeners. Polycapus rubrum was assigned to the Hymedesmiidae but the combination of acanthoxeas and chelae does not occur in any other existing genus within the family which necessitates a new genus. These new collections further highlight the richness of the sponge fauna from the region.

Porifera, new species, North Pacific, Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, Tetractinellida, Axinellida, Haplosclerida, Stelletta, Polycapus, Julavis, Cladocroce, 28S

Cladocroce cylindrica, is a stalked, branching sponge distinguished by a unique spicule framework that forms a complex, web-like network. 

Julavis borealis, grows like a thin mat over organisms. Its presence in Alaska represents a massive high-latitude geographic leap for a group previously found only in warm, tropical environments. 

Cladocroce cylindrica sp. nov.  

Julavis borealis sp. nov.  

Polycapus rubrum gen. nov. & sp. nov. 

Stelletta plana sp. nov.

Helmut LEHNERT, Sean C. ROONEY and Meredith V. EVERETT. 2026. Four New Demosponges from Alaska and the Designation of A New Genus in Hymedesmiidae (Heteroscleromorpha, Poecilosclerida).  Zootaxa. 5857(2); 317-334. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5857.2.6 [2026-07-29]

Nine Species of Deep-Sea Sponges Discovered in Alaska

www.fisheries.NOAA.gov/feature-story/nine-species-deep-sea-sponges-discovered-alaska

[Herpetology • 2026] Lycodon trifasciatus • Neotype Designation for Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Colubridae) and Description of A New Species from Sri Lanka

 

Lycodon trifasciatus

Amarasinghe, Aththanagoda, Ranasinghe, Vogel & Karunarathna,

 in Amarasinghe, Campbell, Seneviratne, Weerakkody, Mata, Kennedy-Gold, Aththanagoda, Ranasinghe, Vogel et Karunarathna, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i2.422

Abstract

We revisit the systematics of Sri Lankan wolf snakes, historically assigned to Lycodon aulicus and describe a new species using an integrative assessment of external morphology (morphometry, meristics, and hemipenial morphology), osteology (microCT), mitochondrial DNA (cytochrome b), and distributional data. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene recovered the L. aulicus group as a strongly supported monophyletic clade that includes five distinct lineages: (i) a Sri Lankan lineage currently referred to as L. aulicus, (ii) L. flavicollis from India, (iii) L. capucinus from the Sundaland region, (iv) L. zawi from Myanmar, and (v) the Sri Lankan endemic described herein as a new species. In our analyses, the new species is placed close to the Sri Lankan lineage currently identified as L. aulicus and to L. flavicollis, although support for some internal relationships is limited. Because the molecular representation of L. aulicus remains geographically restricted (including only a single sequenced Sri Lankan individual and no sequence data from the neotype locality in southwestern India), broader conclusions about the species boundaries, monophyly, and range-wide structure of L. aulicus should be treated as provisional working hypotheses. We do not attempt a range wide revision of L. aulicus sensu lato; we restrict our taxonomic actions and interpretations to (i) stabilizing name usage via type fixation and (ii) diagnosing the description of an overlooked Sri Lankan tri banded lineage.

 (A) Lycodon aulicus neotype (NHMUK 1904.10.18.5), an adult male from Kannur City in Kerala State, India; © Photo: GV; (B) adult voucher specimen of Lycodon aulicus (in life) from Rambukkana, Sri Lanka (NMSL 2026.09.04/Field No. DMSSK217); © Photo: SK.
 (C) Lycodon trifasciatus sp. nov. paratype (NMSL 2026.09.01/Field No. DMSSK379), an adult male from Udadumbara, Sri Lanka; © Photo: SK; (D) a hatchling of L. trifasciatus sp. nov. (in life) from Kalutara, Sri Lanka (not collected); © Photo: AKAG.

Dorsal, ventral, and lateral head scalation of (A) neotype of L. aulicus (NHMUK 1904.10.18.5; also, lectotype of L. a. oligozonatus) from Cannanore in the Malabar Coast (now Kannur in the Kerala State), (B) holotype of Lycodon trifasciatus sp. nov. (FMNH 165045) from Anamaduwa, Sri Lanka, and (C) topotype of L. capucinus (UIMZ 0121) from Central Java.

 Illustrations by A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe (not to scale).

Lycodon trifasciatus Amarasinghe, Aththanagoda, Ranasinghe, Vogel & Karunarathna, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Lycodon trifasciatus sp. nov. is distinguished from other congeners by having the following combination of characters (Table 2): adults reach maximum SVL 615 mm; a single preocular; two postoculars; a single loreal scale; divided cloacal plate; nasal scale completely divided by the nostril; preocular in contact with frontal; ventrals 182–184 in 2 males and 192– 195 in 3 females; subcaudals 51–60+ in males and 40–65 in females; 2+3 temporals shorten; nine supralabials with 3rd–5 th in contact with eye; dorsal scale rows 17-17-15; tail length 16.2– 18.1% of total length in males; reddish or dark olive brown dorsum (rarely black) with three (rarely four) white striated crossbands only on the anterior part of the body; crossbands with thickness of 2–4 vertebral scales and 22–28 scales in-between crossbands; 28–33 vertebrate scales between the parietal and first crossband on the body; poorly visible collar mark on the nape; absence of white lip band.

A.A. Thasun Amarasinghe, Patrick D. Campbell, Sampath S. Seneviratne, Sanjaya Weerakkody, Joshua Mata, Stevie R. Kennedy-Gold, Anusha Aththanagoda, Bhanuka Ranasinghe, Gernot Vogel and Suranjan Karunarathna. 2026. Neotype Designation for Lycodon aulicus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Squamata: Colubridae) and Description of A New Species from Sri Lanka. TAPROBANICA. 15(2); DOI: doi.org/10.47605/tapro.v15i2.422

[Paleontology • 2026] Kayrasaurus changliensi • A New therizinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota and ecomorphological patterns among early therizinosaurians

 

Kayrasaurus changliensis  Liao, Freimuth, Zanno & Xu, 2026;

Beipiaosaurus inexpectus; Jianchangosaurus yixianensis; Lingyuanosaurus sihedangensis

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2710287 

Artwork by Kōhei Futaka. x.com/_HETAKA

 

Abstract

Therizinosauria is a highly specialized clade of maniraptoran theropods, notable for a suite of unusual traits in late-branching taxa. These paradoxical anatomical features contributed to the complex taxonomic history of the clade, which remained unresolved until the discovery of early branching taxa. Here, we describe a new early branching species, Kayrasaurus changliensis, based on a nearly complete, skeletally immature specimen (IVPP V 18597) recovered from the Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China. This taxon is notably larger than other penecontemporaneous Jehol therizinosaurians (at least 1.6 times larger than the second-largest taxon, Beipiaosaurus inexpectus) and exhibits a unique combination of features (e.g. extremely small and densely packed teeth, cervical centra markedly longer than dorsal centra, and a dorsally extended ‘lip’ on manual ungual IV). We evaluate the phylogenetic position of K. changliensis using an expanded dataset with increased character and taxon sampling. Our results allow us to revise the diagnosis of B. inexpectus and provide new insights into therizinosaurian evolution, provisionally recovering two subclades within Therizinosauridae that are differentiated by their manual ungual morphology. By integrating morphological traits, body mass estimates, and biomechanical data, we infer the possibility of at least two distinct ecological niches among Jehol therizinosaurians. One ecological group, represented by B. inexpectus and possibly K. changliensis, exhibits features indicative of enhanced bite force and a more robust, less cursorial body plan. In contrast, Jianchangosaurus yixianensis and Lingyuanosaurus sihedangensis display traits associated with greater cursoriality and a reliance on forelimb-based foraging. Kayrasaurus changliensis, together with the results of our phylogenetic analysis, provides new insights into the morphological evolution and ecological adaptations of therizinosaurians in the Jehol Biota. However, further analyses and the discovery of more complete, well-preserved specimens are essential to rigorously test and refine these hypotheses. 

Keywords: Early Cretaceous, Liaoning, maniraptoran, morphology, taxonomy

four species of therizinosaurids from the Jehol Biota, China: 
Kayrasaurus changliensis; Beipiaosaurus inexpectus;
Jianchangosaurus yixianensis; Lingyuanosaurus sihedangensis

Artwork by Kōhei Futaka.  x.com/_HETAKA

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Theropoda Marsh, 1881

Coelurosauria sensu Gauthier, 1986

Therizinosauria Russell and Dong, 1993

Kayrasaurus changliensis gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Kayra, the god of creation in Turkic Shamanism, is the father of Erlik, the god of death, symbolizing its phylogenetic connection to Erlikosaurus; saurus, Greek for lizard. The specific name changliensis is derived from Changli, a historical place name from the Three Kingdoms period, referring to the provenance of the fossil.

Horizon and locality. Dabangou village, Sihetun Area, near Beipiao City, Liaoning Province, P. R. China; Lower Cretaceous (Barremian–Aptian) Yixian Formation (Chang et al., 2017).

Chun-Chi Liao, William J. Freimuth, Lindsay E. Zanno and Xing Xu. 2026. A New therizinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota and ecomorphological patterns among early therizinosaurians. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 24(2); 2710287. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2710287 [10 Sep 2026]  

x.com/_HETAKA/status/2098404378852102507

[Botany • 2026] Sedum guniuensis (Crassulaceae) • A New Species from Anhui, China

 

Sedum guniuensis Kun Liu, H. J. Ma & J.W. Shao, 

in Wang, Ma, Fang, Ding, Ni, Zhang, Zou, Shao, Li, Liu et Ai, 2026. 

牯牛景天  |  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74120

 

ABSTRACT

A new species of Sedum (Crassulaceae), Sedum guniuensis from the Guniujiang Mountains in southern Anhui, China, is described and illustrated. This new species is similar to S. emarginatum, but can be clearly distinguished by its creeping growth habit and smaller cordate leaves. Additionally, complete chloroplast genomes from six populations of S. guniuensis provide strong molecular evidence for its taxonomic separation from S. emarginatum.

Sedum guniuensis Kun Liu, H. J. Ma & J.W. Shao, sp. nov.
 (A) habitat, (B) habit winter, (C) habit spring, (D) flowers, (E) plants.

 All are photographed by Kun Liu or Haijun Ma.

Sedum guniuensis Kun Liu, H. J. Ma & J.W. Shao, sp. nov. (Figures 4, 5).

Diagnosis: Sedum guniuensis (Figures 4 and 5) is morphologically similar to S. emarginatum, but differs in prostrate stems, cordate smaller leaves (0.5–1.2 × 0.4–1.0 cm vs. 1–2.5 × 0.5–1.2 cm), linear-obovate sepals (2–5 × 0.7–2 mm), and diminutive petals (6–8 × 1.5–2 mm) (Table 2). In sympatry (Figure 4A,B), S. guniuensis has creeping stems and smaller leaves than S. emarginatum.

Etymology: The epithet “guniuensis” is derived from the type locality, Guniujiang mountains, Shitai County, Anhui Province, China. 

The Chinese name given is “Gǔ Niú Jǐng Tiān” (牯牛景天).

Sedum guniuensis (B, D, E, G, I, K) and S. emarginatum (A, C, F, H, J, L),
(A, B) comparison of both species co-occurring in sympatric communities in the wild, (C, D) plants, (E, F) cauline leaves, (G, H) leaf, (I, J) flowers, (K, L) fruits.

All are photographed by Kun Liu or Haijun Ma.

 

Wan-Zeng Wang, Hai-Jun Ma, Hong-Ming Fang, Bai-Lin Ding, Wei-Yong Ni, Si-Yu Zhang, Shi-Hui Zou, Jian-Wen Shao, Nai-Wei Li, Kun Liu and Li-Jiao Ai. 2026. Sedum guniuensis, A New Species of Sedum (Crassulaceae) from Anhui, China. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74120 [29 July 2026]