[Entomology • 2025] Layahima qilin, L. pixiu, ... • New Insights into Diversity and Evolution of the Oriental Antlion Genus Layahima Navás, 1912 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), with Description of New Species and new larvae from China

Layahima chiangi Banks, 1941; 
[C] Layahima qilin sp. nov., male, holotype, Weixi (Yunnan); [D] L. haohani sp. nov., female, holotype, Puer (Yunnan);
[E] L. pixiu sp. nov., female, holotype, Hutiaoxia (Yunnan); [F] L. zhitengi sp. nov., female, holotype, Fugong (Yunnan).

Zheng, Tu, Badano & Liu, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.83.e145082

Abstract

Layahima Navás, 1912 is the most diverse antlion genus of the tribe Acanthoplectrini (Myrmeleontidae: Dendroleontinae) endemic to the Oriental region, currently comprising 12 species. However, the species diversity of this genus is still far from completely explored, and its larval stage is poorly known. Here, we describe four new species of Layahima, i.e., L. haohani sp. nov., L. qilin sp. nov., L. pixiu sp. nov., and L. zhitengi sp. nov., from Southwest China. Moreover, we describe the larval stages of three Layahima species, i.e., L. chiangi Banks, 1941, L. lhoba Zheng, Badano, Liu, 2023, and L. yangi Wan & Wang, 2006. The precise distribution of L. chiangi, whose type locality was previously unclear, has now been clarified to be exclusively restricted to the Nujiang dry hot river valley around Cawarong, Xizang. The phylogeny of Layahima by adding new species herein reported was inferred based on molecular data. The L. zonata group, once considered monophyletic, was recovered as paraphyletic within Layahima.

Keywords: Myrmeleontoidea, taxonomy, phylogeny, larva, Oriental region

Distribution map of Layahima spp.

Habitus of Layahima spp. from China, adults:
A L. chiangi Banks, 1941, male, Cawarong (Xizang); B L. chiangi, male, holotype (© D. Grimaldi from AMNH);
C L. qilin sp. nov., male, holotype, Weixi (Yunnan); D L. haohani sp. nov., female, holotype, Puer (Yunnan);
E L. pixiu sp. nov., female, holotype, Hutiaoxia (Yunnan); F L. zhitengi sp. nov., female, holotype, Fugong (Yunnan).

Layahima chiangi Banks, 1941, living photos and its habitat:
 A Habitat, Cawarong (Xizang), B living adult. C Newly hatched first instar larva. D Well-fed first instar larva (photos by Y. Zheng).

Yuchen Zheng, Yuezheng Tu, Davide Badano and Xingyue Liu. 2025. New Insights into Diversity and Evolution of the Oriental Antlion Genus Layahima Navás, 1912 (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae), with Description of New Species and new larvae from China. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny. 83: 543-571. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/asp.83.e145082 [17 Oct 2025]

[Herpetology • 2022] Cyrtodactylus exercitus & C. siahaensis • Two New Cyrtodactylus (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Northeast India

(A, B) Cyrtodactylus exercitus sp. nov.;
(D, E, G, H) Cyrtodactylus siahaensis sp. nov.  

Purkayastha, Lalremsanga, Litho, Rathee, Bohra, Mathipi, Biakzuala & Muansanga, 2022

DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.794.1659

ABSTRACT 

We describe two new species of Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827, each from the Indian states of Meghalaya and Mizoram based on morphology and ND2 gene sequences. The new species are a part of the Cyrtodactylus khasiensis group. Both species represent the highland clade within the south of Brahmaputra clade of Indo-Burmese Cyrtodactylus. Based on ND2 gene sequence, the species from Meghalaya have an uncorrected p-distance of 4.21%–4.25% from a lowland species C. guwahatiensis Agarwal, Mahony, Giri, Chaitanya & Bauer, 2018 and is a sister taxon to C. septentrionalis Agarwal, Mahony, Giri, Chaitanya & Bauer, 2018. The species from Mizoram differ from its sister species C. bengkhuaiai Purkayastha, Lalremsanga, Bohra, Biakzuala, Decemson, Muansanga, Vabeiryureilai, Chauhan & Rathee, 2021 by a p-distance of 8.33%. 

Keywords: Biodiversity, Indo-Burma Hotspot, bent-toed gecko, ND2, systematics

Cyrtodactylus exercitus sp. nov. in life (A. MZMU2542. B. MZMU2543. C. MZMU2545);
Cyrtodactylus siahaensis sp. nov. in life (D. MZMU2443. E. MZMU2444. F. MZMU2445. G. MZMU2446. H. MZMU2449. I. uncollected).

Cyrtodactylus exercitus sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Cyrtodactylus exercitus sp. nov. is a moderate-sized gecko (adult SVL 48.2–68.0 mm); 9–11 supralabials; 9–10 infralabials; dorsal tubercles are rounded, bluntly conical and feebly keeled in 21–24 longitudinal rows; 32–34 paravertebral tubercles between the level of the axilla and the level of the groin; 35–37 mid-ventral scale rows; 11–15 precloacal pores in males; 16–17 subdigital lamellae under IV toe; no single row of transversely enlarged subcaudal scales; dorsal markings are dark brown, irregular blotches with a distinctive white posterior border; tail with alternating dark and light bands.

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘exercitus’ is used as a noun in apposition in honour of the Indian army. 

Suggested common name: Indian army’s bent-toed gecko.

 

 Cyrtodactylus siahaensis sp. nov.

Etymology: The origin of specific epithet ‘siahaensis’ is derived from the name of the town, Siaha (a district capital of Siaha District) from where the type series was collected. 

Suggested common name: Siaha bent-toed gecko. 

Suggested local name: Khotlia (Mara ethnic language, which means bent-toed geckos).

 Jayaditya Purkayastha, Hmar Tlawmte Lalremsanga, Beirathie Litho, Yashpal Singh Rathee, Sanath Chandra Bohra, Vabeiryureilai Mathipi, Lal Biakzuala and Lal Muansanga. 2022. Two New Cyrtodactylus (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from Northeast India. European Journal of Taxonomy. 794(1); 111-139. DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.794.1659 [2022-02-18]

[Entomology • 2022] Dematotrichus gen. nov., Dematotrichus comatulus, D. hirtus, D. horridus, D. villosus, ... • Integrative Systematic Revision of A New Genus of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) endemic to New Caledonia

 

Dematotrichus gen. nov. 
Dorsal views of the male holotype and one female paratype of Dematotrichus hirtus sp. nov. (a), the male holotype of D. pubescens sp. nov. (b), the male holotype of D. capillaris sp. nov. (c), the male holotype and one female paratype of D. comatulus sp. nov. (d), and the male holotype and one female paratype of D. villosus sp. nov. (e).

Gómez-Zurita. 2022

DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2084471

 twitter.com/GomezZuritaLab

Abstract

The monophyletic group of species around Dematochroma pilosa Jolivet, Verma & Mille is identified in this work by combining information from mitochondrial DNA data and morphological features. A series of defining traits diagnosing this species assemblage from its closest phylogenetic relatives, including the genera Thasycles Chapuis and Atrichatus Sharp, is used to argue for its taxonomic separation and propose a new genus, named Dematotrichus gen. nov. Both Dematochroma pilosa and Montrouzierella hispida Jolivet, Verma & Mille are transferred to the new genus as D. pilosus (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov. and D. hispidus (Jolivet, Verma & Mille) comb. nov., and 11 new species are described: D. capillaris sp. nov., D. capillosus sp. nov., D. comans sp. nov., D. crinitus sp. nov., D. comatulus sp. nov., D. hirtus sp. nov., D. hirsutus sp. nov., D. horridus sp. nov., D. pubescens sp. nov., D. setosus sp. nov. and D. villosus sp. nov. The work includes an identification key for all the species in the new genus.

 

Key words: Dematotrichus gen. nov., Dematochroma, Eumolpinae, island radiation, New Caledonia

  Dorsal views of the male holotype and one female paratype of Dematotrichus hirtus sp. nov. (a), the male holotype of D. pubescens sp. nov. (b), the male holotype of D. capillaris sp. nov. (c), the male holotype and one female paratype of D. comatulus sp. nov. (d), and the male holotype and one female paratype of D. villosus sp. nov. (e).

Dematotrichus gen. nov.

Diagnosis. One particularly remarkable feature of this genus in the context of the diversity of New Caledonian Eumolpinae, which shall help recognizing it right away, is the relatively homogeneous dorsal pubescence, only thinner perhaps on head. Such type of vestiture is not common at all among members of the tribe Eumolpini, although a few other genera or evolutionary lineages of New Caledonian Eumolpinae exhibit some degree of dorsal pubescence. However, these groups can be told apart very easily based on the shape of their pronota. One of the closest relatives to Dematotrichus gen. nov. is the genus Thasycles Chapuis. These genera show some external similarities, including the presence of setae on pronotum and elytra, but in Thasycles they are sparser and not uniform, mostly at sides and apex of elytra, and have a distinctive pronotum, transverse, with flat anterior angles (Gómez-Zurita & Pàmies-Harder, 2022). The species of Taophila Heller have some pubescence on elytra and often on pronotum, but it is also much sparser and/or patchier, and they have an unmistakable body structure, in good part because of the shape of pronotum, as well, narrower than elytra, about as long as wide, narrowing at both ends, and without lateral suture or very finely margined laterally (Platania & Gómez-Zurita, 2022). Tricholapita Gómez-Zurita & Cardoso have more generalized pubescence on both pronotum and elytra, but once again, the pronotum is very different from Dematotrichus (or any other known related genus), showing three and most often two prominent teeth at sides (Platania et al., 2020). Samuelsonia pilosa Jolivet et al., 2007a, S. mayonae Jolivet, Verma & Mille, 2010 (in Jolivet et al., 2009) and a group of undescribed species related to them also have pubescent dorsum, but these are immediately recognizable because of their much smaller size (2–3× smaller), typically greenish or cupreous dorsal shine and pronotum not much narrower than elytra, widened posteriorly. The last known hairy representative of New Caledonian Eumolpinae, Dematochroma doiana Jolivet et al., 2007b, shows the same dense uniform pubescence on dorsum as all the species of Dematotrichus, and the penis has similar appearance, but the pronotum is very different, transverse, with anterior and posterior borders of similar length and anterior angles not compressed at sides of head.

Derivatio nominis. The generic name is composed of the same Greek root word for Dematochroma, Demato- (perhaps with the original meaning of bundle or bond; Brown, 1954), combined with a transliteration derived from the Greek word θρίξ or hair, -trichus, of intended masculine gender and in reference to the hairy dorsum of all species known to belong to this genus.

JesúS Gómez-Zurita. 2022. Integrative Systematic Revision of A New Genus of Eumolpinae (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) endemic to New Caledonia: Dematotrichus gen. nov. and its numerous new hairy species. Systematics and Biodiversity. 20(1); 1-28. DOI: 10.1080/14772000.2022.2084471

 twitter.com/GomezZuritaLab/status/1552197512190218240

 

[PaleoMammalogy • 2025] Taotienimravus songi • A New ecomorph of Nimravidae, and the early Macrocarnivorous Niche Exploration in Carnivora

 

 Taotienimravus songi

 Jiangzuo, Lyras, Grohe, Werdelin, Niu, Huang, Li, Jiang, Fu, Wan, Liu, Wang & Deng, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.1686 

 Artwork by Yuefeng Song.

 

Abstract

Here, we describe a new ecomorph of Nimravidae, Taotienimravus songi gen. et sp. nov., from the middle Oligocene of eastern Asia. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that the new species is closely related to Nimravus and Dinaelurus, and it represents a non-sabertooth ecomorph form with initial bone-cracking adaptation—a unique form among Nimravidae. An increase in body size among Nimravidae appears to have coincided with the demise of Oxyaenidae, another carnivorous clade in the Palaeogene. The initial emergence of macrocarnivorous adaptation of Carnivora by a felid-like ecomorph probably reflects competition dynamics. Nimravidae successfully occupied several ecological niches that were not exploited by Felidae, probably owing to the lack of competition within Carnivora during much of their evolutionary history. Our study underscores the role of both abiotic and biotic factors in shaping niche availability for these animals, emphasizing the need for discussions on niche change and evolution to be grounded in these considerations.

Keywords: eastern Asia, Oligocene, Taotienimravus, niche, sabertooth

  Life reconstruction of Taotienimravus songi gen. et sp. nov. in Chinese painting style.

 Artwork by Yuefeng Song.

 Mammalia Linnaeus 1758 

Carnivora Bowdich 1821 

Nimravidae Cope 1880 

Nimravinae Cope 1880 

Taotienimravus songi gen. et sp. nov. 

 

 Etymology: the generic name prefix Taotie is a fierce beast in ancient Chinese legend, referring to the large and robust dentition of the animal; the species name is in honour of the collector of the fossil specimen, Yuefeng Song, who donated the specimen to Yingliang Stone Natural History Museum and made it available for scientific research.

 Distribution and age: so far only known from the Qingshuiying Formation, Ningxia, northern China, late Early or early Late Oligocene, representing one of the youngest members of the subfamily Nimravinae. 

Qigao Jiangzuo; Georgios Lyras; Camille Grohe; Lars Werdelin ; Kecheng Niu; Dongting Huang; Shijie Li; Hao Jiang; Jiao Fu; Yang Wan; Jinyi Liu; Shi-Qi Wang and Tao Deng. 2025. A New ecomorph of Nimravidae, and the early Macrocarnivorous Niche Exploration in Carnivora. Proc Biol Sci. 292 (2059): 20251686. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.1686 [26 Nov 2025]

[Herpetology • 2025] Adhaerobufo wokomungensis • A New Species of Adhaerobufo (Anura: Bufonidae) from the Wokomung Massif, Guyana, confirms A Key synapomorphy in its sister Genus Rhaebo

 

Adhaerobufo wokomungensis

Kok & Means, 2025

 

 DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.25085

 

Abstract  

A new species of toad in the genus Adhaerobufo is described from the Wokomung Massif in the Pantepui region of Guyana, South America. The new species is morphologically similar to – and has previously been confused with – A. nasicus but is unique among Adhaerobufo in lacking a bright, conspicuous white stripe or white spots on the lower lip in adults in life, in lacking visible preorbital and pretympanic crests and in having tubercles between Fingers I-III in males and a small projecting prepollex in both sexes. An updated distribution map for A. nasicus is provided. The colour of parotoid macrogland secretions in Adhaerobufo is reported as a new diagnostic character to distinguish the genus from Rhaebo, its sister taxon.

KEYWORDS: Pantepui, parotoid macrogland secretions, systematics, taxonomy

Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov.  

Adhaerobufo nasicus (in part) Dias et al. 2024: 14

 

Etymology: Named after the type locality, the Wokomung Massif in west-central Guyana; adjective in the nominative case.

Definition and diagnosis: A bufonid of the genus Adhaerobufo as diagnosed based on 1) molecular phylogenetic evidence (Dias et al. 2024; Fig. 5), 2) white parotoid macrogland secretions (see Discussion and Fig. 1), and 3) suctorial tadpole (Dias et al. 2024). Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov. is characterised by the following morphological characters, the combination of which distinguishes it from the only two known congeners (A. ceratophrys and A. nasicus): 1) medium-sized toad with a robust body and a SVL of 41.6-45.3 mm in males (n = 2), 60.9 mm in the only known female, 2) snout pointed in dorsal view, round in lateral view, head slightly wider than long, 3) tympanum indistinct, 4) outer edge of the eyelid with rounded dermal projection, 5) low canthal crest, loreal region concave, 6) underlip lacking a bright, conspicuous white stripe or white spots in live adults, 7) preorbital, pretympanic and parietal crests absent, low supraorbital, low postorbital, low supratympanic crests present, 8) nostrils oval, directed posterolaterally, below the canthus rostralis, 9) single enlarged rictal tubercle absent, 10) choanae medium-sized, ovoid, ... 

Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov. in life.
A) Holotype (IRSNB4223, male, 45.3 mm snout-vent length), B) paratypes in situ, in amplexus (IRSNB4224, male, and IRSNB4225, female),
C) uncollected male, D) white parotoid macrogland secretions produced by the same specimen as illustrated in C. Photos D.B. Means.

Underlip condition in live Adhaerobufo nasicus (A – bright white; IRSNB15678), Adhaerobufo wokomungensis sp. nov. (B – unmarked; holotype, IRSNB4223) and Adhaerobufo ceratophrys (C – bright white; QCAZ55426). Note also the condition of the dermal projection on the outer edge of the eyelid and of the preorbital and pretympanic crests.

Photos P.J.R. Kok (A), D.B. Means (B), and courtesy Diego Quirola-BIOWEB,  https://bioweb.bio (C). Images not at scale.

Philippe J.R. Kok, D. Bruce Means. 2025. A New Species of Adhaerobufo (Amphibia, Bufonidae) from the Wokomung Massif, Guyana, confirms A Key synapomorphy in its sister Genus Rhaebo. Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 74 (25085), 25085.1-10. DOI: doi.org/10.25225/jvb.25085 (11 November 2025)

[Ornithology • 2025] Ptilorrhoa urrissia • A New Species of Jewel-babbler (Passeriformes: Cinclosomatidae: Ptilorrhoa) from the Southern Fold Mountains of Papua New Guinea

Ptilorrhoa urrissia

Woxvold, Gamui, Legra, Yama, Koane & Tulai, 2025

Hooded Jewel-babbler  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1111/ibi.70016

Abstract

Based on distinctive morphological and vocal characters we describe a new species of jewel-babbler (genus Ptilorrhoa) from the forested karst of the Southern Fold Mountains in Papua New Guinea. The description is based on camera trap data and is presented in accordance with ICZN Declaration 45. The new species is currently known only from the type locality at the top of Iagifu Ridge (1335–1400 m above sea level), a limestone anticline isolated from the main body of New Guinea's central cordillera, where it is uncommon. Given the importance of competitive exclusion in determining Ptilorrhoa distributions, and the near ubiquitous occurrence of congeners, we speculate that Iagifu Ridge may support part of a highly fragmented population that occupies isolated low mountains that do not support Ptilorrhoa leucosticta of higher elevations. Potentially suitable sites may be restricted to the area between Mt Bosavi and Mt Karimui in southern Papua New Guinea.

Keywords: camera trap, ICZN Declaration 45, New Guinea, taxonomy

Camera trap images of the holotype and two paratype Ptilorrhoa urrissia, taken during a 3-month sampling period in a high-density array covering 0.5 ha (see Methods). The holotype (a–c, marked ‘h’ in (a)) and one paratype (a and d, marked ‘p’ in (a)), putative adult female and juvenile with female-type plumage, respectively, were photographed together on 1 January 2020; the images shown are part of a sequence of 20 photographs taken over a period of 87 s. The putative adult male paratype (e) was photographed less than 40 m away on 8 March 2020.

Other Ptilorrhoa urrissia images (a–e), at least some of which may represent the holotype and paratypes. (a, b) Putative adult male and female, respectively, photographed in a single sequence (27 s apart) on 8 February 2020. (c) Male photographed on 15 January 2020. (d) Video still of male delivering the call shown in Figure 6a,b.
(e) Male (background) and probable juvenile with female-type plumage photographed on 1 January 2020, less than 40 m distance from and 2 h before the holotype sequence shown in Figure 3a–d.
(f) Female Ptilorrhoa castanonota shown for size comparison; images (e) and (f) were taken on the same camera 56 min apart.

Ptilorrhoa urrissia, sp. nov.

Hooded Jewel-babbler

Diagnosis: Table 1 compares in detail the morphological features of adult P. urrissia with those of its congeners – P. geislerorum and the locally occurring subspecies of P. caerulescens, P. castanonota and P. leucosticta. Figure 5 shows examples of the compared taxa.

Etymology: The name ‘urrissia’ is a noun in apposition. ‘Uri urrissia’ (= ‘mount urrissia’) is the Namo Me (also known as Fasu) language name applied to Iagifu Ridge by the local Fasol clan landowners.

 

Ptilorrhoa urrissia habitat on Iagifu Ridge. (Iain Woxvold.)

Iain A. Woxvold, Banak G. Gamui, Leo Legra, Samson Yama, Bonny Koane and Salape Tulai. 2025. A New Species of Jewel-babbler (Cinclosomatidae: Ptilorrhoa) from the Southern Fold Mountains of Papua New Guinea. Ibis. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/ibi.70016 [26 November 2025] 

[PaleoOrnithology • 2025] Chromeornis funkyi • A new small-bodied longipterygid (Aves: Enantiornithes) from the Aptian Jiufotang Formation preserving unusual gastroliths

 

Chromeornis funkyi

O’Connor, Wang, Clark, Kuo, Davila, Wang, Zheng & Zhou, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.26879/1589 

Artwork: Sunny Dror

 

ABSTRACT

The Longipterygidae are a diverse group of small to medium sized enantiornithine birds with elongate rostra and distally restricted dentition known from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Lagerstätten. The largest taxon, Longipteryx, is known from dozens of specimens but comparatively little is known about small-bodied taxa, sometimes resolved in a subclade, the Longirostravinae. Here we describe a small longipterygid representing a new taxon, Chromeornis funkyi gen. et sp. nov., with a combination of features present in longirostravines and Longipteryx. Cladistic analysis indicates the new species is a member of the Longipteryginae, more closely related to Longipteryx than other longipterygids. The specimen preserves extensive soft tissue including traces of the eyes, skin, and feathers, as well as an unusual mass of gastroliths preserved appressed against the left lateral margin of the cervical vertebrae. Computed-tomography based comparison with the in situ gastric mill preserved in the sympatric ornithuromorphs Archaeorhynchus and Iteravis strongly suggests these gastroliths are not gizzard stones. The absence of a gastric mill in enantiornithines is consistent with pectoral girdle morphology that indicates limited flight capabilities in Early Cretaceous species suggesting ground take off, a necessity of collecting stones, was energetically costly compared to ornithuromorphs. Increases in body mass due to a large gastric mill may have further impeded volant locomotion resulting in a low cost-benefit tradeoff such that this structure was unlikely to evolve during early enantiornithine evolution.

 Keywords: Longipterygidae; new genus; new species; Jehol Biota; regurgitalite; gastrolith; Aves; Avialae.

Class AVES Linnaeus 1758

Clade ORNITHOTHORACES Chiappe 1995

Clade ENANTIORNITHES Walker 1981

Family LONGIPTERYGIDAE Zhang et al. 2000

Chromeornis funkyi gen. et sp. nov.

  

Etymology. Funky Chromeo bird, in honor of the Chromeo Funklordz P-Thugg and Dave 1, who like many birds, make beautiful music. Pronounced crow-me-OR-niss funk-e e.

Diagnosis. A small (estimated 33.5 g) longipterygid (rostrum ~60% of the skull or greater, distally restricted dentition, premaxillary corpus with elongate imperforate rostral end with parallel dorsal and ventral margins, robust pygostyle longer than tarsometatarsus, coracoid with straight lateral margin, humerus with narrow deltopectoral crest) enantiornithine (cranially forked pygostyle with ventrolateral processes, Y-shaped furcula with dorsally excavated rami, proximal humerus with small convex humeral head separated from the dorsal and ventral tubercles by concavities, minor metacarpal projecting farther distally than the major metacarpal, metatarsal IV reduced) distinguishable by the unique combination of the following characters: dentary straight; sternum with slightly splayed lateral trabeculae with asymmetrical fan-shaped distal expansions and short, straight intermediate trabeculae; hand shorter than humerus; alular digit short with small claw; second phalanx of major digit half the length of first phalanx; femur straight.

 Photographs of the counter slab of Chromeornis funkyi gen. et sp. nov. STM7-156.

 Scale bars equal one centimeter.

preserved with over 800 tiny rocks in its throat (visible as the gray mass next to the left of its neck bones). 

Close-up of the mass of rocks in the throat of Chromeornis (the rocks are the gray mass just to the left of the neck bones).  

An illustration showing Chromeornis funkyi gen. et sp. nov.  in life.

Artwork: Sunny Dror

  

Jingmai O’Connor, Xiaoli Wang, Alexander Clark, Pei-Chen Kuo, Ryan Davila, Yan Wang, Xiaoting Zheng, and Zhonghe Zhou. 2025. A new small-bodied longipterygid (Aves: Enantiornithes) from the Aptian Jiufotang Formation preserving unusual gastroliths. Palaeontologia Electronica. 28(3):a56. DOI: doi.org/10.26879/1589 

palaeo-electronica.org/content/2025/5712-longipterygid-enantiornithine-chromeornis

https://palaeo-electronica.org/content/current-in-press-articles/5713-longipterygid-enantiornithine-chromeornis

[Ichthyology • 2025] Gambusia nobilis, G. pyrros & G. echelleorum • A Total Evidence Approach justifies Taxonomic Splitting of the Endangered Pecos gambusia (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae: Gambusia) into Three Species

 Gambusia nobilis (Baird & Girard 1853)

Gambusia pyrros 
Gambusia echelleorum 

 Portnoy, Bretzing-Tungate, Fields, Bean, Smith, Dolan, Blanchard & Conway, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.251025

Abstract

Gambusia nobilis is a federally endangered species found across a fragmented distribution within the Pecos River Drainage of Texas and New Mexico, USA. Drought, human water usage, and potential hybridization and competition with introduced congeners threaten species persistence. Therefore, a population genomics study was conducted to provide critical information for conservation planning. Unsupervised clustering suggested hierarchical structure, with a primary K = 3, and deep divergences were detected among samples grouped into the Leon Creek watershed, the Toyah Creek watershed, and water bodies within the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (F’ST = 0.55–0.76 for putatively neutral data). Phylogenetic analyses showed three distinct clades corresponding to these groups, with divergence times estimated to be in the last 50 000 years. Complimentary morphological analyses detected differences among the three groups, including features of male colour pattern, and the number of caudal-fin rays in both sexes. Taken as a whole, the results indicate that the endangered G. nobilis comprises three species (two of which are named herein as G. pyrros n. sp. and G. echelleorum n. sp.), rather than one, and the study highlights the daunting yet critical task of documenting species diversity during a period of unprecedented diversity loss.

Keywords: Chihuahua desert, genetic drift, taxonomy, Poeciliidae, species delimitation

Subjects:biology, evolution, genomics, taxonomy and systematics

Distribution and relationships of the Gambusia nobilis species complex.
  (a) Map showing distribution of G. nobilis, G. pyrros n. sp. and G. echelleorum n.sp. within Chihuahuan desert ecoregion of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. (b) Closer view of area surrounded by dashed rectangle (b) in (a), showing location of G. echelleorum samples from Bitter Lake watershed in New Mexio, type locality indicated by black asterisk (*). (c) Closer view of area surrounded by dashed rectangle (c) in (a), showing location of G. nobilis samples from Leon Creek watershed and G. pyrros samples from Toyah Creek watershed in Texas, type localities indicated by black asterisk (*).
(d) Clade equivalent to the Gambusia nobilis species complex from the Maximum Likelihood phylogram based on 5989 loci showing relationships of G. nobilis, G. pyrros and G. echelleorum, numbers above branches represent bootstrap values (full topology available in electronic supplementary material, figure S7). (e) Discriminant analysis of principal components using the unsupervised clustering algorithm, K-means (= 3), using 3502 single nucleotide polymorphism-containing loci and 212 individuals (G. nobilis, n = 63; G. pyrros, n = 79; G. echelleorum, n = 70). Basemap in (a) created with SimpleMappr. Satellite images in (b) and (c) obtained from Google Earth.

Male individuals of the three members of the Gambusia nobilis species complex photographed in life against different background and in different views (lateral and dorsal) to document variation in colour pattern.
(a) Left side, lateral view, against light grey background: (i) G. nobilis (TCWC 21102.01); (ii, iii) G. pyrros (TCWC 21103.02, paratypes); (iv) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21104.01, holotype); (v-vii) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21105.01, paratypes). (b) Left side, lateral view, against dark grey background: (i, ii) G. nobilis (TCWC 21102.01); (iii) G. pyrros (TCWC 21103.02, paratype); (iv) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21104.01, holotype); (v) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21105.01, paratype). (c) Dorsal view (background variable): (i, ii) G. nobilis (TCWC 21102.01); (iii, iv) G. pyrros (TCWC 21103.02, paratypes); (v) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21104.01, holotype); (vi) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21105.01, paratype

 Gambusia nobilis (Baird & Girard 1853)

  Gambusia pyrros new species

Diagnosis: A member of the Gambusia nobilis species group (sensu Rauchenberger [1989]) most similar to G. nobilis and G. echelleorum. The characters distinguishing G. pyrros from G. nobilis are listed in the diagnosis of the latter. Gambusia pyrros is distinguished from G. echelleorum by the same characters that distinguish G. nobilis from G. echelleorum, plus: body colour of males orange-red or yellow-orange (figures 1d and 2b(ii); electronic supplementary material, figure S8) (versus yellow-grey to light cream; figures 1d and 2b(iii); electronic supplementary material, figure S8), anal fin of male orange-red at base in life (figure 2d(ii)) (versus orange; figure 2d(iii)), a higher modal number of total caudal-fin rays (29–32, mode 31 versus 25–29, mode 27; figure 2e), a higher modal number of branched caudal-fin rays (12–15, mode 14 versus 9–14, mode 12).

Etymology: From the Greek pyrros, meaning flame-coloured, a reference to the bright yellow, orange and red colours of the median fins of males in life. A noun in apposition. Proposed common name: flame gambusia.

  Gambusia echelleorum new species

Diagnosis: A member of the Gambusia nobilis species group (sensu Rauchenberger [1989]) most similar to G. nobilis and G. pyrros. The characters distinguishing G. echelleorum from G. nobilis and G. pyrros are listed in the diagnoses provided for the latter two.

Etymology: Named for Alice and Anthony Echelle in honour of their work on Gambusia nobilis. A noun in the genitive. Proposed common name: New Mexico Gambusia.

David S. Portnoy; Robert J. Bretzing-Tungate; Andrew T. Fields; Megan G. Bean; Ryan K. Smith; Elizabeth P. Dolan; Rose Blanchard and Kevin W. Conway. 2025. A Total Evidence Approach justifies Taxonomic Splitting of the Endangered Pecos gambusia into Three Species. R Soc Open Sci. (2025) 12 (11): 251025. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.251025 [26 Nov 2025]

 

[Botany • 2025] Balanophora xinfeniae (Orobanchaceae) • A New Species from Xizang, China

Balanophora xinfeniae C.L. Fu, M. Li & B. Xu, 

in Fu, Zhou, Liao, Zhang, Xu et Li, 2025. 

信芬蛇菰 | DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400

 

Abstract

Balanophora xinfeniae C.L.Fu, M.Li & B.Xu, a new species discovered in Xizang, China, is described and illustrated here. Molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons strongly support B. xinfeniae as a new species within the genus Balanophora. The most distinctive characteristic of the new species is its dioecious sexual system, with male flowers having a 3-lobed perianth, opposite leaves with serrated tips, and yellow scapes. Although it shares morphological similarities with B. henryi, B. xinfeniae can be distinguished by its flat spheroid tubers without stellate lenticels, yellow scape, prominently serrated apical leaf margins, and nearly spherical or ovoid-ellipsoid female inflorescences.

Key words: Balanophora xinfeniae, China, holoparasitic plants, phylogeny, taxonomy

Line illustration of Balanophora xinfeniae C.L. Fu, M. Li & B. Xu.
 A. Male individual; B. Male flower; C. Female individual; D. Female flowers surrounding one claviform body.
Drawn by Zi-Heng Yu based on YLZB11691-A and YLZB11691-B specimens stored in CDBI.

Balanophora xinfeniae C.L. Fu, M. Li & B. Xu.
 A, B. Habitats (both male and female; arrows point to female individuals); C. Female individual (upper) and male individual (lower); D. Male individual; E. Female individual; F. Leaves and scape; G. Leaves; H. Tuber; I. Male inflorescence; J. Female inflorescence; K. Female flower and claviform body.

Photos by Meng Li and Chen-Long Fu.

Morphology of Balanophora xinfeniae (A–C), B. henryi (D–F),
B. involucrata (G–I), and B. flava (J–M).
A, D, G, J, K. Male and female individuals; B, E, H, L. Leaves; C, F, I, M. Tubers.

Photos by Meng Li and Wei-Hua Liao.

 Balanophora xinfeniae C.L.Fu, M.Li & B.Xu, sp. nov.

  

Diagnosis. Balanophora xinfeniae is morphologically similar to B. henryi, but the two species can be distinguished by several features. The tuber branching shape of B. xinfeniae is characterized as flat spheroid or subglobose, whereas that of B. henryi is irregularly spherical or oblate. The scapes of B. xinfeniae are yellow, in contrast to the red or red-to-yellow scapes of B. henryi. In B. xinfeniae, the apical margins of the leaves are prominently serrate, whereas those of B. henryi are entire. The female inflorescence of B. xinfeniae is nearly spherical or ovoid-ellipsoid, while that of B. henryi is broadly ovoid. The flowering period of B. xinfeniae is from April to May, compared to September to November for B. henryi (Table 2; Fig. 2).

Etymology. The species epithet xinfeniae honors Prof. Xin-Fen Gao (former curator of the CDBI Herbarium), a distinguished botanist who made significant contributions to the taxonomy of seed plants, lycopods, and pteridophytes.

Vernacular name. Chinese Mandarin: Xìn fēn shé gū (信芬蛇菰).

Chen-Long Fu, Jia-Ning Zhou, Wei-Hua Liao, Tong Zhang, Bo Xu and Meng Li. 2025. Balanophora xinfeniae (Balanophoraceae), A New Species from Xizang, China. PhytoKeys. 266: 241-252. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.266.147400 [19 Nov 2025]

[Botany • 2025] Rubus tianmuensis (Rosaceae) • A New Species from southeastern Anhui Province, China

Rubus tianmuensis K. Zhang & Yong F. Yin, 

in Yin, Yi et Zhang, 2025. 

天目悬钩子 | DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.732.2.6

 

Abstract

Rubus tianmuensis, a newly discovered species belonging to the genus Rubus and Rosaceae family, is native to the Tianmu Mountains in southeastern Anhui Province. Genetically, it is related closely to R. chingii; however, several key morphological features position R. tianmuensis apart from R. chingii. Morphological analysis indicated that R. tianmuensis is characterized by persistently pedate leaves (vegetative and reproductive) with differentiated terminal leaflets on distinct petiolules, a trait consistently observed in both wild populations and cultivated specimens under under standard growth conditions. Additionally, the pedicels exhibit dense pubescence comprising short glandular trichomes and recurved prickles. Phylogenetic analysis based on ITS sequences confirmed the distinctiveness of this new species from R. chingii.

Rubus tianmuensis, Flora of China, Rosaceae, Rubus, Eudicots

Rubus tianmuensis K. Zhang & Yong F. Yin.
 A. Flowering branch (showing the flowering leaf shape). B. Vegetative branch (showing leaf shape during the vegetative period). C. Upper part of the pedicel (showing the glandular and pubescent hairs). D. Lower part of the pedicel (showing the prickle). E. Stipules of flowering branches. F. Flower.

Drawn by LiMing Zhang.

Rubus tianmuensis K. Zhang & Yong F. Yin.
A. Habitat. B. Leaf shape. C. Flowering branch. D. Flower. E. Upper part of the pedicel (showing the glandular and pubescent hairs). F. Fruit branch. G. Fruit. H. Seed. I. Stipules on flowering branches. J. Vegetative plant. K. Vegetative branch (showing leaf shape during the vegetative period). L. Local close-up of a leaf on the vegetative branch (showing the petiolule).

Rubus tianmuensis K. Zhang & Yong F. Yin, sp. nov.

 (天目悬钩子)  

 Type:—CHINA. Anhui Province: Jixi County, Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve, at the edge of the hillside forest, 30°__N, 118°__E, alt. 778m, March, 28, 2019, K. Zhang & Yong F. Yin, R190328001 (holotype, ACM! ACM1903280011; isotype, ACM! ACM1903280012). 

Diagnosis:—Rubus tianmuensis differs from R. chingii in several key morphological features. R. chingii has simple, palmately lobed leaves with five deep lobes, whereas the new species has compound, pedately divided leaves, with the terminal leaflet having a distinct petiolule. Additionally, the leaves of R. chingii are either hairy only along the veins or nearly glabrous on both sides, whereas the new species’ leaves are slightly pubescent on both sides. The stipules of R. chingii are linear lanceolate, whereas the stipules of the flowering branches in the new species are lanceolate, wider than those of R. chingii, and distinctly hairy. Furthermore, R. chingii has glabrous pedicels, whereas the pedicels of the new species are covered with distinct hairs, short glandular hairs, and hooked spines. These distinguishing features clearly delineate the two species.

Etymology:—Species name is derived from the mountain Tianmu where Rubus tianmuensis was discovered (天 目悬钩子).

Yongfei YIN, Shanyong YI and Ke ZHANG. 2025. Rubus tianmuensis (Rosaceae), A New Species from southeastern Anhui Province, China. Phytotaxa. 732(2); 193-202. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.732.2.6 [2025-12-04]