[PaleoIchthyology • 2026] The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus

Phoebodus saidselachus Frey, Coates, Ginter, Hairapetian, Rücklin, Jerjen & Klug, 2019

in Klug, Greif, Pohle, Ginter, Coates, Haouz, Lagnaoui, Pople et Frey, 2026. 

www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html 

Phoebodus was recognized as the earliest elasmobranch known from articulated remains, a group which constitutes most modern cartilaginous fish comprising sharks, skates and rays. Its elongate body, the presence of two dorsal fins with fin spines, and the elongate head had already been described. Based on spectacularly well-preserved fossils, we add new anatomical information on its exact body proportions, the paired and caudal fins, the dermal denticles, the skull morphology, the endocast, and the gill skeleton. These new skeletons from the Famennian (Upper Devonian) of Morocco (c. 367 Ma) permit a much-improved reconstruction of the anatomy of Phoebodus. The new materials comprise the oldest elasmobranch specimens preserving the complete head in three dimensions. Additionally, the new materials yield information about growth and diet and thus position in the trophic network. Despite the newly coded characters, the phylogenetic position of the genus Phoebodus with the oldest teeth dating to the early Givetian remains that of the oldest stem-elasmobranch in the Bayesian analyses.

Key words: Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Famennian, ontogeny, exceptional preservation, Fossillagerstätten

Phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5751, prep. T. Imhof, largest individual, nearly complete. B. PIMUZ A/I 5752, prep. T. Imhof, second largest individual, only caudal region missing; for details of the skull see Fig. 2. C. PIMUZ A/I 5753, prep. M. Greif, anterior half, excellent integument, fins and brachial region. D. PIMUZ A/I 5754, prep. R. Roth, two superimposed chondrichthyans; the skull in the middle is Maghriboselache mohamezanei with further remains; the straight, complete skeleton belongs to Phoebodus; the latter preserves the caudal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 4712, holotype, smallest skeleton, nearly complete, modified after Frey et al. (2019a).

Skeletal reconstruction of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. A. PIMUZ A/I 5754, caudalis. B, C. PIMUZ A/I 4712, posterior and anterior dorsal fins. D. PIMUZ A/I 5752, anterior dorsal fin. E. PIMUZ A/I 5751, caudalis. F, G. PIMUZ A/I 5753, pectoral fin and branchial basket. H. PIMUZ A/I 5752, head. The photos are not to scale. The scale refers only to the drawing.

Systematic palaeontology 

Chondrichthyes Huxley, 1880 

Elasmobranchii Bonaparte, 1838 

Phoebodontiformes Ginter et al., 2010 

Genus Phoebodus St. John & Worthen, 1875

Reconstructions of an adult female and juvenile male of the phoebodontiform elasmobranch Phoebodus saidselachus Frey et al., 2019a, middle Famennian, Upper Devonian, southern Maïder, Anti-Atlas, Morocco. We incorporated the new anatomical details particularly in the proportions and the fin shapes. The juvenile is reconstructed after the holotype.

  

Christian Klug, Merle Greif, Alexander Pohle, Michał Ginter, Michael I. Coates, Wahiba Bel Haouz, Abdelouahed Lagnaoui, Jonathan Pople, and Linda Frey. 2026. The Oldest Shark Face—Anatomy of the Devonian elasmobranch Phoebodus. Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 71 (2), 2026: 399-430 DOI:10.4202/app.01290.2025  https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app012902025.html

Linda Frey, Michael Coates, Michał Ginter, Vachik Hairapetian, Martin Rücklin, Iwan Jerjen, Christian Klug. 2019. The early elasmobranch Phoebodus: phylogenetic relationships, ecomorphology and a new time-scale for shark evolution. Proc Biol Sci. 286 (1912): 20191336. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.1336

[Botany • 2026] Corybas apoensis (Orchidaceae: Diurideae) • A New endemic Species from Mt. Apo, Philippines

  

Corybas apoensis Agad, Tandang, R.Bustam. & Salas, 

in Agad, Mallari, Tandang, Bustamante et Salas, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.766.1.6 

facebook.com: Philippine Taxonomic Initiative

Abstract

Corybas apoensis, a new species of tribe Acianthinae endemic to Mindanao, is described herein. Among the currently recognized species of the tribe, it most closely resembles C. viridisepalus in overall floral morphology, particularly in having upright flowers borne on a slender, cylindric, erect ovary and the flower possessing a dorsal sepal and labellum tinged with conspicuous carmine veins. Both species further share a pilose labellum. However, this notable new species is distinct by having white floral background and a dorsal sepal being densely papillate on the abaxial surface. We also provided a summarized key morphological characteristics that distinguishes our new species from the later.

Monocots, Helmet orchid, Rare, Diurideae, Malesia, Taxonomy

 

Corybas apoensis Agad, Tandang, R.Bustam. & Salas, sp. nov.

KIER C. AGAD, ARCHELITO L. MALLARI, DANILO N. TANDANG, RENE ALFRED ANTON BUSTAMANTE and DARYL S. SALAS. 2026. Corybas apoensis (Orchidaceae), A New endemic Species from Mt. Apo, Philippines.  Phytotaxa. 766(1); 84-90. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.766.1.6 [2026-07-07]

  facebook.com/phtaxa/posts/1419584753561021

 

[Botany • 2026] Nymphoides crucioides, N. miniata, N. thailandica, ... • Integration of Cytogenetics and Morphology for the Taxonomic Revision of Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) in Thailand including Five New Species

 

Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph.,

in Suwanphakdee, Nopporncharoenkul et Hodkinson, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2026.104044 

facebook.com: Flora of Thailand

Highlights: 

• A full revision of Thai Nymphoides based on morphology and cytogenetic evidence is provided.

• Cytogenetic and morphological evidence supports Nymphoides species boundaries.

• Ten Nymphoides species are described in Thailand, including five new endemic species

Abstract 

A taxonomic revision of Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) in Thailand was undertaken using cytogenetics and morphology. Specimens were collected throughout Thailand. Cytogenetic analyses were conducted on living collections. The morphological characters used in the descriptions of all taxa were measured from living specimens, which were subsequently maintained for ex-situ conservation. We provide a new generic description, a key to species, and descriptions of all species. Line drawings are provided for the five new species and color photographic illustrations are provided for all taxa. Herbarium voucher specimens were prepared and deposited in Thai herbaria. Ten species are recognized in Thailand, including five new species described in the present study for the first time, namely Nymphoides chumphonense, N. crucioides, N. miniata, N. thailandica and N. thungyaiense. Cytogenetic evidence supports the proposed species boundaries of Thai Nymphoides.

 

Keywords: Aquatic plants, Terrarium plants, Tropical plants, Wetland

Nymphoides chumphonense Suwanph. 

Nymphoides crucioides Suwanph. & Hodk. 

Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph. 

Nymphoides thungyaiense Suwanph & Noppornch. 

 Nymphoides thailandica Suwanph. 

 

Chalermpol Suwanphakdee, Nattapon Nopporncharoenkul and Trevor R. Hodkinson. 2026. Integration of Cytogenetics and Morphology for the Taxonomic Revision of Nymphoides (Menyanthaceae) in Thailand including Five New Species. Aquatic Botany. 207, 104044. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.aquabot.2026.104044 

 facebook.com/100076669068795/posts/1042839654948327

🌸 มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ พบบัวบาชนิดใหม่ของโลก 5 ชนิด จากแหล่งน้ำของประเทศไทย บ่งชี้ถึงความร่ำรวยทรัพยากรพืชของไทย และความสำคัญของงานวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์พื้นฐาน ของสถาบันการศึกษา💚

นักวิจัย มก นำโดย รศ.ดร. เฉลิมพล สุวรรณภักดี จากภาควิชาพฤกษศาสตร์ คณะวิทยาศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ ค้นพบบัวบาชนิดใหม่ของโลกจำนวน 5 ชนิด โดยตีพิมพ์เผยแพร่การค้นพบนี้ในวารสาร Aquatic Botany ฉบับปี 2026 การค้นพบครั้งนี้เป็นการบูรณาการวิจัยร่วมระหว่างหน่วยงานซึ่งประกอบด้วย ดร. ณัฐพล นพพรเจริญกุล นักวิจัย จากองค์การพิพิธภัณฑ์วิทยาศาสตร์แห่งชาติ (อพวช) และ Prof. Dr. Trevor R. Hodkinson จากทรินิตี้คอลเลจ มหาวิทยาลัยแห่งกรุงดับลิน ประเทศไอร์แลนด์ โดยเป็นการบูรณาการวิจัยร่วมทางด้านอนุกรมวิธานพืช สัณฐานวิทยาและเซลล์วิทยา 

.

รศ.ดร. เฉลิมพล สุวรรณภักดี  กล่าวว่า พืชสกุลบัวบา (Nymphoides) วงศ์ Menyanthaceae เป็นพืชน้ำที่มีการใช้ประโยชน์ทางด้านการใช้เป็นพืชประดับ และผักพื้นบ้าน ในประเทศไทยเคยมีรายงาน 5 ชนิด จากการศึกษาวิจัยพบว่า บัวบาของประเทศไทยมีทั้งหมด 10 ชนิด และเป็นพืชชนิดใหม่ของโลก 5 ชนิด แต่ละชนิดมีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้ประโยชน์ทางด้านการใช้เป็นพืชประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ อีกทั้งยังเน้นให้ตระหนักถึงการอนุรักษ์แหล่งน้ำจืด ซึ่งเป็นที่อยู่ของพืชชนิดเหล่านี้ บ่งชี้ถึงความร่ำรวยทรัพยากรพืชของประเทศไทย และความสำคัญของงานวิจัยวิทยาศาสตร์พื้นฐาน 

บัวบา 5 ชนิดนี้ประกอบด้วย 

.

1. สายติ้ง หรือ สายติ่ง Nymphoides chumphonense Suwanph. 

 พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ บริเวณ จ. ชุมพร และสุราษฎร์ธานี  โดยตั้งชื่อตาม จ. ชุมพร สถานที่พบตัวอย่างเป็นที่แรก พืชชนิดนี้มีการใช้ประโยชน์เป็นผักพื้นบ้าน โดยกินสดกับน้ำพริก และมีขายในตลาด ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์ (Endangered: EN) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการรุกรานของน้ำเค็ม อีกทั้งติดผลและเมล็ดได้น้อย

.

2. บัวบาหัวลูกศร Nymphoides crucioides Suwanph. & Hodk. 

 พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ และในนาข้าว บริเวณ จ. ปราจีนบุรี และยะลา โดยตั้งชื่อตามลักษณะดอกที่คล้ายกากบาท  พืชชนิดนี้มีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้เป็นไม้ประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ มีทั้งที่มีฟอร์มน้ำและฟอร์มบก ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการใช้สารกำจัดวัชพืช  

.

3. บาจิ๋ว Nymphoides miniata Noppornch. & Suwanph. 

 เป็นบัวบาที่มีขนาดเล็กที่สุดของโลก พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ และในนาข้าว บริเวณ จ. ปราจีนบุรี โดยตั้งชื่อตามลักษณะดอกที่มีขนาดเล็กที่สุดของโลก พืชชนิดนี้มีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้เป็นไม้ประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ มีทั้งที่มีฟอร์มน้ำและฟอร์มบก ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการใช้สารกำจัดวัชพืช  

.

4. บาสยาม Nymphoides thailandica Suwanph. 

บัวบาที่มีขนาดเล็ก พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ และในนาข้าว บริเวณ จ. ปราจีนบุรี กระบี่ และยะลา โดยตั้งชื่อตามประเทศไทย พืชชนิดนี้มีศักยภาพในการนำไปใช้เป็นไม้ประดับสวนขวด สวนกระจก และตู้ไม้น้ำ มีทั้งที่มีฟอร์มน้ำและฟอร์มบก ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากการสูญเสียแหล่งที่อยู่ และการใช้สารกำจัดวัชพืช  

.

5. ดาวรดา Nymphoides thungyaiense Suwanph & Noppornch. 

เป็นบัวบาที่มีขนาดค่อนข้างใหญ่ พบในแหล่งน้ำจืดตื้นๆ บริเวณ จ. ตาก โดยตั้งชื่อตามแหล่งที่พบ ถูกจัดสถานะใกล้สูญพันธุ์อย่างยิ่ง (Critically Endangered - CR) เนื่องจากพบประชากรเพียงแหล่งเดียว  

[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]

[Crustacea • 2025] Cambarus ocoeensis • A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Ocoee River Basin of Tennessee, USA

 

Cambarus ocoeensis 

 Thoma & Williams, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.1.7  

  Researchgate.net/publication/390392403 

  facebook.com/RogerFThoma

Abstract

Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov. is described from the Ocoee River Gorge area of Tennessee. The species is morphologically most similar to Cambarus hiwasseensis Hobbs, 1981, but differs from C. hiwasseensis in the following ways: first pereopod chelae in general less sculpted, usually with one row of palmer tubercles, if second row present very weakly developed and consisting of six or fewer tubercles, lateral margin not costate, lateral impression weak at most but usually absent; areola length 2.5–4.1 times greater than width, having 5–8 punctations in narrowest part; size at maturity smaller with MI ranging from 21.8 to 30.9 mm total carapace length (24.6–40.0 mm in C. hiwasseensis); and antennal scale broadest at midpoint. It can be distinguished from other morphologically similar species—those with acuminate rostra—from the Hiwassee River basin of northern Georgia, southeast Tennessee, and western North Carolina area in lacking lateral rostral spines/tubercles and cervical spines. Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov. is genetically most closely related to an undescribed member of the Cambarus bartonii (Fabricius, 1798) species complex.

 

Crustacea, C. hiwasseensis, C. bartonii, C. howardi, Hiwassee River basin, species complex

Type material of Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov.:
 A–C, E, G–I, holotype MI (OSUMC #10897); F, allotypic paratypefemale (OSUMC #10898); D, morphotypic paratype MII (OSUMC #10899).
A–carapace, dorsal view; B–gonopod, lateralview; C–gonopod, mesial view; D–gonopod, lateral view; E–antennal scale, dorsal view; F–annulus ventralis; G–pereopods3–5, right side ventral views; H–epistome; I–right chela, dorsal view. 

Color image of Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov., holotype (OSUMC #10897).

Image captured in lab under artificial light.

Cambarus ocoeensis sp. nov. 

Roger F. THOMA and Bronwyn W. WILLIAMS. 2025. Cambarus ocoeensis, A New Species of Crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the Ocoee River Basin of Tennessee, USA.  Zootaxa. 5618(1); 106-118. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5618.1.7 [2025-04-01] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/390392403_Cambarus_ocoeensis_a_new_species_of_crayfish_from_the_Ocoee_River_Basin_of_Tennessee_USA

  facebook.com/RogerFThoma/posts/10228373600190065

[Botany • 2026] Buchnera hirsutorepens • A New Species of prostrate Orobanchaceae from Zambia and DR Congo, along with a revised description of Buchnera prorepens

Buchnera hirsutorepens  J.K.Gibson & I.Darbysh., 

 Buchnera prorepens Engl. & Gilg, 

in Gibson, Sichamba et Darbyshire, 2026.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10349-x

Summary

A new species of Buchnera L. is described, Buchnera hirsutorepens, from south-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and central and eastern Zambia. Buchnera hirsutorepens is split from Buchnera prorepens Engl. & Gilg, which is also redescribed here, its range now encompassing Angola and Western Zambia. These two species are unique in the genus Buchnera in their prostrate habit and axillary flowers. They can be separated from each other by differences in indumentum of the inflorescence and leaves, bract shape, pedicel length and relative length of the corolla tube to the calyx. A distribution map of georeferenced specimen localities of the two species is provided, along with information on their habitat and ecology, and an evaluation of their conservation status based on IUCN guidelines and criteria.

Key Words: Africa, Red List assessment, Savanna, taxonomy, vicariance 

Buchnera hirsutorepens.
A habit (as on sheet); B stem indumentum; C leaf, adaxial surface, with indication of indumentum; D leaf indumentum; E flower, with bract and bracteole; F trichome, from corolla tube entrance; G petal margin; H calyx tube; J ovary, style and stigma; K corolla tube.

 A – D from D. B. Fanshawe F.1963 (holotype K), E – K from E. Robinson 2580 (K). 

drawn by Andrew Brown.

A Buchnera prorepens, Dec. 2023 in the Western Province, Zambia.
B Buchnera hirsutorepens, Feb. 2022 in Shiwa-Ngandu District, Zambia.

photos: Nicholas Wightman.

Buchnera hirsutorepens J.K.Gibson & I.Darbysh. sp. nov. 

 

John K. Gibson, Mpande Sichamba and Iain Darbyshire. 2026. Buchnera hirsutorepens, A New Species of prostrate Orobanchaceae from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with a revised description of Buchnera prorepens.  Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10349-x [13 May 2026]

[Paleontology • 2024] Cranial Osteology and Paleoneurology of Tarjadia ruthae: An erpetosuchid pseudosuchian from the Triassic Chañares Formation (late Ladinian-?early Carnian) of Argentina

 

Tarjadia ruthae Arcucci & Marsicano, 1998
 

in Desojo, von Baczko, Ezcurra, Fiorelli, Martinelli, ... et Lacerda, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25382 

Reconstruction: Jorge Blanco

 x.com/AnatRecord

 

Abstract

Tarjadia ruthae is a quadrupedal terrestrial pseudosuchian from the Middle-early Upper Triassic of the Chañares Formation, La Rioja Province, Argentina. Originally, this species was identified as an indeterminate archosaur and later as a doswelliid archosauriform based on very fragmentary specimens characterized by the ornamentation of the skull roof and osteoderms. Additional specimens (including skulls and postcrania) recovered in the last decade show that Tarjadia is an erpetosuchid, an enigmatic pseudosuchian group composed of six species registered in Middle-Upper Triassic continental units of Tanzania, Germany, Scotland, North America, Brazil, and Argentina. Tarjadia ruthae from Argentina and Parringtonia gracilis from Tanzania are the best preserved and more abundant species. Although the monophyly of Erpetosuchidae is well supported, alternative high-level positions within Archosauria have been suggested, such as sister taxon to Crocodylomorpha, Aetosauria, or Ornithosuchidae. In order to improve the knowledge about the erpetosuchids, we performed a detailed description and paleoneurological reconstruction of the skull of Tarjadia ruthae, based on two articulated partial skulls (CRILAR-Pv 478 and CRILAR-Pv 495) and other fragmentary specimens. We analyzed the stratigraphic and geographic occurrence of historical and new specimens of Tarjadia and provided a new emended diagnosis (the same for the genus as for the species, due to monotypy) along with a comparative description of the cranial endocast. The skull of Tarjadia is robust, with a thick and strongly ornamented skull roof, triangular in dorsal view, with concave lateral margins at mid-length that form an abrupt widened posterior region. The external nares are the smallest openings of the skull. The antorbital fossa is deeply excavated and has a small heart-shaped fenestra with both lobes pointing anteriorly. The supratemporal fenestrae are as large and rounded as the orbits, and the infratemporal fenestrae are L-shaped with an extensive excavation along the jugal, quadratojugal and quadrate. The hemimandibles are low, slightly concave on the dentigerous region and strongly convex on the posterior region, conferring them a S-shaped profile in dorsal view. The external mandibular fenestra is small and elliptic, being twice longer than high. The maxillary dentition is restricted to the anterior to mid region of the rostrum. Since the braincase of both specimens is partially damaged, the dorsal surface of the brain could not be entirely reconstructed. As a result, the endocast is anteroposteriorly elongated and seemingly flat, and the cephalic flexure seems to be lower than expected for a suchian. The labyrinth is twice wider than high, the semicircular canals are remarkably straight, and the anterior canal is longer than the posterior one.

Keywords: anatomy, Archosauria, Erpetosuchidae, neuroanatomy, skull

Systematic paleontology

Archosauriformes Gauthier et al., 1988.

Archosauria Cope, 1869 sensu Gauthier & Padian, 1985.

Pseudosuchia von Zittel, 1887–1890 sensu Gauthier & Padian, 1985.

Erpetosuchidae Watson, 1917 sensu Nesbitt & Butler, 2013.

Tarjadia ruthae Arcucci & Marsicano, 1998

Life reconstruction of Tarjadia ruthae by Jorge Blanco.

J. B. Desojo, M. B. von Baczko, M. D. Ezcurra, L. E. Fiorelli, A. G. Martinelli, P. Bona, M. J. Trotteyn and M. Lacerda. 2024. Cranial Osteology and Paleoneurology of Tarjadia ruthae: An erpetosuchid pseudosuchian from the Triassic Chañares Formation (late Ladinian-?early Carnian) of Argentina. The Anatomical Record. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ar.25382 [23 January 2024]

 x.com/AnatRecord/status/1751938238858854832

[PaleoEntomology • 2026] Paleoanomala decapitata • A New lace bug from Lower Cretaceous Spanish Amber informs the Evolution of Forewing Venation in Tingidae (Hemiptera: Miroidea)

Paleoanomala decapitata 

 Davranoglou, Fabrikant, Peñalver, Pérez-de la Fuente, Álvarez-Parra & Delclòs, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70107 

 x.com/ThePalAss 

Abstract

A new lace bug, Paleoanomala decapitata sp. nov. (Tingidae, Tingiometrinae), is described from Lower Cretaceous (upper Albian) amber of Peñacerrada I (Burgos, Spain). The genus Paleoanomala was previously known only from Cenomanian Kachin amber of Myanmar, and the discovery of this new species significantly expands its palaeogeographical range as well as the known diversity of lace bugs from Spanish amber deposits. Furthermore, the description of the new species urged us to undertake a reinterpretation of forewing venation in early lace bugs, finding nearly identical venation patterns in the extinct genera Paleoanomala and Tingiometra (Tingiometrinae), and Hispanocader (Hispanocaderidae). Based on this revised interpretation and other shared morphological characters, the extinct tingid subfamily Tingiometrinae and the family Hispanocaderidae are synonymized with Ebboidae, which is here treated as the subfamily Ebboinae stat. nov. within Tingidae. Additionally, Paleoanomala aptenus Poinar & Vega is recognized as a junior synonym of Tingiometra yuripopovi Golub & Heiss, and the latter species is transferred to Paleoanomala as Paleoanomala yuripopovi comb. nov. The affinities of the male paratype previously assigned to this species remain uncertain and it is tentatively treated as Ebboinae indet. Finally, a synthesis of the palaeobiogeographical affinities of arthropods from Cretaceous Spanish amber suggests extensive faunal connections between Iberia, Myanmar and the Middle East during the Early Cretaceous, reflecting the widespread distribution of resiniferous forest ecosystems across Laurasia.

Keywords: Heteroptera, Tingidae, lace bug, fossil, Cretaceous amber, Iberia

Paleoanomala decapitata sp. nov. 

 Leonidas-Romanos Davranoglou, Dolev Fabrikant, Enrique Peñalver, Ricardo Pérez-de la Fuente, Sergio Álvarez-Parra and Xavier Delclòs. 2026. A New lace bug from Lower Cretaceous Spanish Amber informs the Evolution of Forewing Venation in Tingidae (Hemiptera, Miroidea). 

Papers in Palaeontology.  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/spp2.70107 [29 June 2026] 

x.com/ThePalAss/status/2071649975742681465 

[Botany • 2026] Begonia quadricornualata (Begoniaceae, sect. Platycentrum) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Begonia quadricornualata R.Maity, U.L.Tiwari & S.S.Dash, 

in Maity, Tiwari et Dash, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05000 

 

Abstract

A new species of Begonia L. (Begoniaceae) belonging to sect. Platycentrum is described from the Papum Pare District of Arunachal Pradesh, India. This new species is distinguished by its dense, long, red to brown hispid hairs on the adaxial leaf surface of female plants, caducous stipules and bracts, and solitary-flowered female inflorescence. Additionally, it features dense, woolly brown ovaries and fruits, the latter bearing four fully developed wings. This paper includes a detailed description, photographic plate, line drawings, a comparative morphological table and a dichotomous key to distinguish the new taxon from closely allied species.

Keywords: Arunachal Pradesh, Begonia sect Platycentrum, Eastern Himalaya, four-horned begonia, northeast India

  Begonia quadricornualata sp. nov. (female plant).
 (A) General habit, (B) leaf showing red hispid hairs, (C) habit showing open female flower, (D) habit showing position of female inflorescence from side view, (E) bracts, (F) outer tepal, (G) inner tepal, (H) gynoecium, (I) fruit, (J) T.S. of fruit.

Illustration of Begonia quadricornualata sp. nov.

 female plant
 (A) Habit, (B) bract, (C) outer tepal, (D) inner tepal, (E) gynoecium, (F) fruit.

male plant
(A) Habit, (B) inflorescence, (C) male flower, (D) bract, (E) outer tepal, (F) inner tepal, (G) stamen.

 Drawings by D. K. Sah.

Begonia quadricornualata R.Maity, U.L.Tiwari & S.S.Dash sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: A species morphologically allied to B. handelii Irmsch. and B. tessaricarpa C.B.Clarke, but distinguished by its dense, long, red to brown hispid hairs on the adaxial leaf surfaces of female plants (versus glabrescent in B. handelii, and puberulous in B. tessaricarpa), and its significantly longer petioles, measuring 40–50 cm (versus up to 25 cm in B. handelii and 14–31 cm in B. tessaricarpa). It is further characterized by caducous stipules and bracts (versus persistent in both B. handelii and B. tessaricarpa) and male flowers with 40–60 stamens (versus 70–100 in B. handelii, and 12–20 in B. tessaricarpa). Additionally, female inflorescences are solitary-flowered (versus 2–4-flowered in B. handelii and 2–5-flowered in B. tessaricarpa) and the fruit is 4-winged (versus 4-ridged in B. handelii, and 4-horned in B. tessaricarpa).

Etymology: The specific epithet ‘quadricornualata' refers to the unique development of the four ovary horns into four distinct wings on the fruit. The name is derived from the Latin ‘quattuor' (four), ‘cornu' (horn), and ‘alatus' (winged).

Rohan Maity, Umeshkumar L. Tiwari and Sudhansu Sekhar Dash. 2026. Begonia quadricornualata sp. nov. (Begoniaceae) from India. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05000 [07 July 2026] 

[Paleontology • 2026] Uragasaurus kalasinensis • A New mamenchisaurid Sauropod (Sauropoda: Mamenchisauridae) from the Lower Phu Kradung Formation, Upper Jurassic of northeastern Thailand

Uragasaurus kalasinensis

Nilpanapan, Manitkoon, Suteethorn & Lauprasert, 2026

 

อุรคาซอรัส กาฬสินธุ์เอนซิส  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-49822-3

 Artwork by Pakorn Chotchaiyaporn (Jæsica ẞababi: x.com/Peak4651).

Abstract

Mamenchisauridae is a group of long-necked non-neosauropodan eusauropod dinosaurs that were abundant in East Asia during the Middle to Late Jurassic, but their diversity and geographic distribution outside China remain poorly documented. Here we describe Uragasaurus kalasinensis gen. et sp. nov., a new sauropod dinosaur from the Phu Kradung Formation of northeastern Thailand. The new taxon is based on a well-preserved anterior dorsal vertebra exhibiting a distinctive combination of characters, including a unique Y-shaped configuration formed by the intraprezygapophyseal and single intraprezygapophyseal laminae and a camellate internal pneumatic structure within the centrum revealed by computed tomography (CT). Phylogenetic analyses recover the new taxon as an early-diverging member of Mamenchisauridae. This discovery represents the first formally named mamenchisaurid from Thailand and expands the known geographic distribution of the clade in Southeast Asia. The occurrence of this taxon in the Lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation also contributes to understanding faunal succession within the unit, supports an Upper Jurassic age for the lower part of the formation, and improves understanding of sauropod diversity in Southeast Asia during the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition.

Keywords: Sauropoda, Mamenchisauridae, Upper Jurassic, Phu Kradung Formation, Northeastern Thailand

Holotype of Uragasaurus kalasinensis (PRC 460) and associated materials in the quarry map. PRC 460 Anterior dorsal vertebra in anterior view (a), KS 34-581 anterior dorsal neural arch in anterior view (b), KS 34-602a middle cervical vertebra in ventral view (c), KS 34-586 anterior dorsal neural arch in anterior view, attached by KS 34-588 fibula (d), KS 34-587 coracoid in lateral view (e), KS 34-602b right cervical rib in lateral view (f).

Uragasaurus kalasinensis gen. et sp. nov.

อุรคาซอรัส กาฬสินธุ์เอนซิส

 

Holotype: The isolated anterior dorsal vertebra PRC 460 has been housed at the Palaeontological Research and Education Centre (PRC), Mahasarakham University, Thailand. Following standard paleontological protocols, the vertebrae were mechanically prepared using pneumatic tools and fine brushes to remove the surrounding sediment matrix.

 

Locality: Phu Noi Locality, Kalasin Province, northeastern Thailand (16.93298° N, 103.72327° E).

Horizon: Lower part of the Phu Kradung Formation, Khorat Group.

Age: Latest Jurassic, based on regional stratigraphic correlations and the composition of the vertebrate assemblage; precise chronostratigraphic constraints remain uncertain.

Diagnosis: Uragasaurus kalasinensis gen. et sp. nov. is a mamenchisaurid sauropod diagnosed by the following unique combination of characters (autapomorphy is marked by *): (1) anterior dorsal vertebra with prominent, elongated teardrop-shaped pneumatic fossae on the distal portion of the transverse processes*; (2) intraprezygapophyseal laminae (tprl) meeting ventromedially to form a Y-shaped configuration in anterior view, incorporating a single vertical intraprezygapophyseal lamina (stprl); and (3) shallow, subtriangular pleurocoel lacking an internal septum.

Etymology: The genus name “Uraga” originates from the Sanskrit word उरग, meaning “snake” or “serpent”, referring to the distinguished long neck of the family. The term “saurus” is derived from the Greek word saûros, meaning lizard. The specific epithet refers to Kalasin Province, where the specimens are from.

Holotype of Uragasaurus kalasinensis (PRC 460) and associated materials in the quarry map. PRC 460 Anterior dorsal vertebra in anterior view (a), KS 34-581 anterior dorsal neural arch in anterior view (b), KS 34-602a middle cervical vertebra in ventral view (c), KS 34-586 anterior dorsal neural arch in anterior view, attached by KS 34-588 fibula (d), KS 34-587 coracoid in lateral view (e), KS 34-602b right cervical rib in lateral view (f).
Quarry map showing the spatial distribution of the holotype and associated materials from the Phu Noi Locality (g). PRC 460, representing the new taxon Uragasaurus kalasinensis, is indicated in red. Associated sauropod elements include KS 34-586, KS 34-587, KS 34-588, and KS 34-602a–b, highlighted in yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink, respectively. The inset shows a close-up of the excavation grid highlighting the relative positions of the holotype and nearby associated materials. Each grid square represents 0.75 × 0.75 m.

Life reconstruction of a herd of five individuals of Uragasaurus kalasinensis inhabiting a Late Jurassic forest in Thailand, accompanied by a pair of rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs and a metriacanthosaurid theropod.

 Artwork by Pakorn Chotchaiyaporn (Jæsica ẞababi).

Apirut Nilpanapan, Sita Manitkoon, Varavudh Suteethorn and Komsorn Lauprasert. 2026. A New mamenchisaurid Sauropod from the Lower Phu Kradung Formation, Upper Jurassic of northeastern Thailand. Scientific Reports. 16: 21205. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-49822-3 [08 July 2026]

 x.com/Peak4651/status/2074902585660919922

[Diplopoda • 2026] Enghoffosoma chiangmaiense, ER. minutum, E. chanabunae • Integrative Taxonomy of the Millipede Genus Enghoffosoma Golovatch, 1993 (Polydesmida: Paradoxosomatidae) in Thailand and Myanmar, with Descriptions of Three New Species

Enghoffosoma chiangmaiense Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn; 
E. minutum Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn; 
 E. chanabunae Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn, 
 

 in Srisonchai, Benchapong, Golovatch, Sutcharit, Panha et Likhitrakarn, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2026.99.4 

   facebook.com/ASRUChula

Abstract

Although comprehensive studies on the Southeast Asian flat-backed millipede genus Enghoffosoma Golovatch, 1993 in Thailand have begun quite recently, in 2014, continuous field surveys have since revealed a steadily increasing species diversity. Based on extensive new material collected from Thailand and Myanmar, three new species are described using an integrative taxonomic approach that combines morphological characters and mitochondrial COI DNA barcoding: Enghoffosoma chiangmaiense Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n. from northern Thailand, Enghoffosoma minutum Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n. from northeastern Thailand, and Enghoffosoma chanabunae Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n. from the Tanintharyi Region, southern Myanmar. COI sequence comparisons, available for E. chanabunae Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n. and E. chiangmaiense Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n., reveal significant interspecific genetic divergences (K2P distances) from their congeners, ranging from 13.53–16.75% and 13.53–18.14%, respectively. While DNA data were unavailable for E. minutum Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n., its distinctive morphological characters, particularly the gonopod structure, clearly support its status as a new species. To provide a clear morphological baseline for comparison, the type species, Enghoffosoma spinipleurum (Carl, 1941), from Myanmar, originally described as Sundanina spinipleura Carl, 1941, is redescribed and illustrated in detail based on the lectotype. With these additions, the genus Enghoffosoma now comprises 21 valid species, confirming its status as a highly diverse and widespread diplopod lineage in the Indochinese region. An updated identification key to all known species and a distribution map are provided.

Enghoffosoma chiangmaiense Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n. 

 Enghoffosoma minutum Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n. 

 Enghoffosoma chanabunae Srisonchai & Likhitrakarn sp. n. 

Ruttapon Srisonchai, Theemaporn Benchapong, Sergei I. Golovatch, Chirasak Sutcharit, Somsak Panha, Natdanai Likhitrakarn. 2026. Integrative Taxonomy of the Millipede Genus Enghoffosoma Golovatch, 1993 (Diplopoda, Polydesmida, Paradoxosomatidae) in Thailand and Myanmar, with Descriptions of Three New Species. Ecologica Montenegrina. 99; 40-71. DOI: doi.org/10.37828/em.2026.99.4 [2026-06-24] 

  facebook.com/ASRUChula/posts/1453689620109096

[Entomology • 2026] Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex • One New Species of the Genus Neophlugiolopsis Pan & Bian, 2024 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from Guangxi, China

 

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex  

 Xiong, Chen & Shi, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5845.1.12 

The genus Neophlugiolopsis was established by Pan & Bian (2024), with Neophlugiolopsis longiprocera Pan & Bian, 2024 as the type species. It resembles Phlugiolopsis Zeuner, 1940, Paraphlugiolopsis Bian & Shi, 2014, Aphlugiolopsis Wang, Liu & Li, 2015, Pseudophlugiolopsis Wang, Zhou & Chang, 2020 and Guangxia An, Chen & Shi, 2023, but can be distinguished from them mainly by the following characters: tegmina reach the middle of abdomen, and posterior area of male tenth abdominal tergite is strongly produced posteriorly into a long process. 

 

In this paper, a new species from Guangxi, China is described and tentatively assigned to the genus Neophlugiolopsis. All type specimens are deposited in the Museum of Hebei University.

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex sp. nov., male:
A–B. head and pronotum: A. dorsal view; B. lateral view; C–F. apex of abdomen: C. ventral view; D. latero-ventral view; E. dorsal view; F. lateral view.

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex sp. nov., male in habitat.

Neophlugiolopsis? nigrivertex sp. nov.

 Chinese name: 黑顶新吟螽 

Etymology. The specific name refers to the black dorsal surface of the vertex. It is derived from Latin nigri-, meaning “black”, and vertex, meaning “top of the head”.

ZIJIAN XIONG, KEDA CHEN and FUMING SHI. 2026. One New Species of the Genus Neophlugiolopsis Pan & Bian, 2024 (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Meconematinae) from Guangxi, China.  Zootaxa. 5845(1); 197-200. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5845.1.12 [2026-07-03]