[Paleontology • 2026] Infernogallus jamesi • Fruit-eating Adaptations in a Late Cretaceous oviraptorosaur (Oviraptorosauria: Caenagnathidae)

 Infernogallus jamesi 

Funston, Dudgeon, Simon, Dufault, Boyd, Fowler, Currie & Evans, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-78343-w

Abstract

The diversification of herbivorous dinosaurs and the rise of angiosperms in the Late Cretaceous are each well established, but the link between them is debated. Broad-scale diversity patterns in the two groups appear not to closely align, and there is no direct evidence of dinosaur adaptation to angiosperm-based diets. Here we describe Infernogallus jamesi gen. et. sp. nov., a diminutive caenagnathid oviraptorosaur, and show that these theropods were specialised herbivores that originated alongside the rise of fleshy angiosperm fruits. The nearly complete, articulated skull of Infernogallus jamesi—the first for the clade—reveals drastic changes to the adductor musculature organisation, unique in non-avian theropods but converged upon by extant frugivorous parrots. These modifications enabled extensive oral processing of soft food using anteroposterior movement of the mandible and occlusion of ridges and grooves on opposed elements. Altogether, this attests to a highly specialised herbivorous diet in caenagnathids, which likely consisted in large part of fleshy angiosperm fruits, which increased in size and diversity in concert with the radiation of oviraptorosaurs. Caenagnathids thus provide one of the strongest candidates for angiosperm-based diet adaptations in dinosaurs, but their role in the Late Cretaceous proliferation of fruit—which shaped early Cenozoic flora—remains unclear.

Systematic palaeontology

Theropoda

Oviraptorosauria

Caenagnathidae

Eucaenagnathinae Clade nov.

Definition. The most inclusive monophyletic group including Anzu wyliei and Elmisaurus rarus, but not Anomalipes zhaoi.

Diagnosis. Eucaenagnathines (meaning ‘true caenagnathids’) are distinguished from other caenagnathids by the morphology of the fused dentaries, with an upturned tomial edge marked with lateral and anterior occlusal ridges, and a midline sulcus bordered by longitudinal lingual ridges separated from the tomial edge by a lingual groove.

Infernogallus jamesi (ROM VP 65050). Photograph (a) and line drawing (b) of ROM VP 65050. c Skeletal reconstruction of Infernogallus jamesi based on ROM VP 65050 and other eucaenagnathines (shaded areas are preserved in ROM 65050). d Palaeohistological thin section of the femur of ROM VP 65050, showing lines of arrested growth (arrows) and an external fundamental system indicative of advanced age and skeletal maturity. cv cervical vertebrae, dv dorsal vertebrae, efs external fundamental system, fe femur, ga gastralia, hu humerus, il ilium, ma manus, pb pubis, pp plane-polarised light, sc scapulacoracoid, sk skull, tb tibia, xp cross-polarised light. Scale bars as indicated.

Cranial anatomy of Infernogallus jamesi gen. et sp. nov.
Photograph (a) and line drawing (b) of the skull of ROM VP 65050 in left lateral view. ...

 Infernogallus jamesi gen et. sp. nov. (Figs. 1–4) 

Etymology. The name comes from the Latin “Inferno” (Hell) and “gallus” (chicken), referring to the Hell Creek Formation and the small, bird-like appearance of the species; “jamesi”, a patronym for James William Boyd, the paternal grandfather of author CAB, who sparked his interest in the field of palaeontology. 

Holotype. ROM VP 65050, articulated partial skeleton including the skull, cervical and dorsal vertebrae, right pectoral girdle and forelimb, partial pelvic girdle, and partial right hindlimb. Paratypes. ROM VP 64193, dentaries; ROM VP 64194, articularsurangular-coronoid complex; ROM VP 88690, left and right pterygoids; NDGS 4351, dentaries. 

Locality and horizon. Hell Creek Formation (late Maastrichtian), Garfield County, Montana; Meade County, South Dakota; and Bowman County, North Dakota, USA. 

Diagnosis. Small (femur length 185 mm; est. 12 ± 3 kg body mass) caenagnathid oviraptorosaur diagnosed by the following autapomorphies: broad jugal with large anterior ascending process and which contacts the squamosal posteriorly; infratemporal fenestra extremely reduced, about 25% the diameter of the orbit; quadratojugal with greatly enlarged, circular posterior process; squamosal with dorsoventrally broad body lacking a depression and ridge for adductor musculature; pterygoids concave dorsally, unfused along the midline, and with a lateral buttress; ectopterygoid–pterygoid bar greatly expanded and extending far ventrally; long axis of vomer oriented ...

Gregory F. Funston, Thomas W. Dudgeon, D. Jade Simon, Danielle M. Dufault, Clint Boyd, Denver Fowler, Philip J. Currie and David C. Evans. 2026. Fruit-eating Adaptations in a Late Cretaceous oviraptorosaur (Theropoda). Nature Communications. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-78343-w [10 October 2026]

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Megacauda sungei • A Jurassic mammaliaform swimmer and transformation of the mammalian pharynx

 Megacauda sungei 

Y. Li, P. Li, Neander, Zhang, Zhou, Martin & Luo, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-11107-0 

Abstract

The discovery of a well-preserved mammaliaform fossil from the Middle Jurassic period of China reveals evidence on the evolutionary transformation of the feeding apparatus and the ecological diversity of Mesozoic era mammals. Mammaliaforms are evolutionary predecessors to modern Mammalia, and their morphologies provide primary insights into the evolutionary origin of mammals. The rare preservation of a therian-like pharyngeal vault (throat passage) and hyoid skeletal anatomy (throat bones) in this mammaliaform suggests that critical soft-tissue anatomy for therian-like swallowing, drinking and suckling behaviours had evolved in the common ancestors of Docodonta and Mammalia, long before the rise of modern mammals. This fossil exhibits a wealth of features specialized for swimming, filling in a major gap of anatomical knowledge of pelvis and hindlimb for early mammals. It is characterized by highly distinctive canines and pseudo-carnassial sectorial teeth for a faunivorous diet. We interpret that this mammaliaform was semiaquatic, swimming and foraging in water, with a lifestyle analogous to the extant platypus. This species is the largest of Jurassic mammaliaforms. It expands the body size range of docodontans, and adds to a growing body of evidence that multiple docodontans exploited diverse niches with semiaquatic and other ecomorphotypes. Docodontans are an early example of replicated evolution of the semiaquatic and other ecomorphotypes in the Mesozoic ecosystem dominated by dinosaurs, long before the diversification of extant mammals.

Holotype main-part of Megacauda sungei (Docodonta, Mammaliaformes) (PMOL–AM00026A).

Megacauda sungei

Y. Li, P. Li, A. I. Neander, H. Zhang, C.-F. Zhou, T. Martin and Z.-X. Luo. 2026. A Jurassic mammaliaform swimmer and transformation of the mammalian pharynx. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-11107-0 [07 October 2026]

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/uchicago-scientists-reveal-jurassic-otter-could-chew-and-swallow-modern-mammals 

 

[Botany • 2026] Beaumontia laotica (Apocynaceae) • A New Species from central Laos

 

Beaumontia laotica X.D. Ma, H.C. Xi, S. Lorphengsy & J.Y. Shen, 

in Ma, Xi, Lorphengsy et Shen, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0130 

Abstract

Beaumontia laotica X.D. Ma, H.C. Xi, S. Lorphengsy & J.Y. Shen (Apocynaceae) is described as a new species from Bolikhamxai Province, Laos. It closely resembles B. grandiflora, B. murtonii and B. jerdoniana, but differs from them by several features of the leaves, sepals and corolla, and by flowering in November. A full taxonomic description, diagnostic illustration and formal IUCN conservation assessment are presented for the new species. An identification key to all species of Beaumontia is provided.

Beaumontia laotica (from the holotype).
 — A: Branch. — B: Longitudinal section of flower. — C: Style-head and anther, side view. — D: Anther, adaxial view. — E: Anther, abaxial view. — F: Ovary, side view.

Beaumontia laotica (A and B photographed at type locality, 11 November 2025; C–P from the holotype).
— A: Natural habitat. — B: Habit. — C: Branch. — D: Young stem. — E: Leaf, adaxial view. — F: Leaf, abaxial view. — G: Adaxial leaf surface. — H: Abaxial leaf surface. — I: Inflorescence. — J: Bracts, adaxial views. — K: Sepals, adaxial views. — L: Flower, front view. — M: Longitudinal section of corolla showing inner surface and stamens. — N: Pedicel and pistil, side view. — O: Disc and ovary, front view. — P: Ovary, side view.

Beaumontia laotica X.D. Ma, H.C. Xi, S. Lorphengsy & J.Y. Shen, sp. nova

Diagnosis. Beaumontia laotica differs from B. grandiflora, B. murtonii and B. jerdoniana by its lanceolate or narrowly obovate (vs. elliptic or obovate) leaf blade; persistent (vs. deciduous) bracts; glabrous (vs. pubescent) sepals; and glabrous (vs. pubescent or puberulent) corolla tube, lower portion ca. 7.4 cm long (vs. 1.5–2.5 cm long), upper portion abruptly expanding to trumpet-shaped, ca. 2 cm long (vs. obconical or campanulate, 6.5–11 cm long). 

Xing-Da Ma, Hou-Cheng Xi, Sengvilay Lorphengsy and Jian-Yong Shen. 2026. Beaumontia laotica (Apocynaceae), A New Species from central Laos. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1), 233-237. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0130  (11 September 2026) 

[Entomology • 2026] Anchiale mabiensis & A. robusta • A Revision of Australian Anchiale Stål, 1875 (Phasmida: Phasmatidae), with the Description of Two New Species

  Anchiale mabiensis Coupland & Emmott, sp. nov. female, in situ

in Jones, Brock, Coupland, Emmott et Lo, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/aen.70096

 (photo by Angus J. Emmott).

ABSTRACT 

The Australian species of the Phasmida genus Anchiale Stål, 1875 (Phasmatinae: Phasmatini) are updated to include five species: Anchiale albopunctata (Kirby, 1896) stat. rev. (removed from synonymy with A. briareus (Gray, 1834)); A. briareus Gray, 1834 (= Ctenomorpha tessulata Gray, 1835 syn. nov.; = A. austrotessulata Brock & Hasenpush, 2007, replacement name for C. tessulata Gray, 1835), A. mabiensis Coupland & Emmott, sp. nov.; A. robusta Brock & Jones, sp. nov.; and A. spinicollis Gray, 1833. Lectotypes are designated for Ctenomorpha albopunctatum Kirby, 1896, C. nigrovaria Stål, 1875 (= A. briareus) and C. tessulata Gray, 1835. These taxonomic decisions are supported by Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses based on the mitochondrial COXI gene fragment of all species except A. spinicollis. Anchiale albopunctata is currently known from mideastern Queensland, A. briareus from north-eastern New South Wales and south-eastern Queensland, A. mabiensis sp. nov. and A. robusta sp. nov. from tropical eastern Queensland, and A. spinicollis from the Northern Territory. A dichotomous key to all Australian species of Anchiale and their eggs is provided.

Keywords: Acrophylla, distribution, DNA, genus, insects, molecular, Phasmida, phylogenetic, specimens, taxonomy

Anchiale albopunctata (Kirby, 1896) stat. rev. 

(removed from synonymy with A. briareus (Gray, 1834)); 

A. briareus Gray, 1834 

(= Ctenomorpha tessulata Gray, 1835 syn. nov.; 

= A. austrotessulata Brock & Hasenpush, 2007,
replacement name for C. tessulata Gray, 1835), 

A. mabiensis Coupland & Emmott, sp. nov.; 

A. robusta Brock & Jones, sp. nov.; 

A. spinicollis Gray, 1833. 

  Anchiale mabiensis sp. nov. female, in situ

 (photo by Angus J. Emmott).

Anchiale mabiensis sp. nov. in situ.
(a) Female holotype (photo by Ross M. Coupland).
(b) paratype male (photo by Ross M. Coupland).
(c) Montane rainforest habitat (photo by Angus J. Emmott).

Anchiale mabiensis Coupland & Emmott, sp. nov. 

Anchiale robusta sp. nov. in situ.
 (a) Male. (b) Female. (c) Female defence display, inset: wings of preserved paratype female. (d) Coastal habitat, Bramston Beach, Qld. (e) Garden habitat, Kuranda, Qld

(all photos by Paul D. Brock).

Anchiale robusta Brock & Jones, sp. nov.

Braxton R. Jones, Paul D. Brock, Ross M. Coupland, Angus Emmott and Nathan Lo. 2026. A Revision of Australian Anchiale Stål, 1875 (Phasmida: Phasmatidae), with the Description of Two New Species. Austral Entomology. 65(4); e70096. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/aen.70096 [21 September 2026]

[Mollusca • 2026] Sitala chorchati • A New Species of the Tiny Tree Snail Genus Sitala H. Adams, 1865 (Eupulmonata: Helicarionidae) from Northeastern Thailand

 

Sitala chorchati Tanmuangpak & S. Tumpeesuwan, 

in Tanmuangpak, Nahok, Chanlabut, Taesuk, S. Tumpeesuwan et C. Tumpeesuwan, 2026. 

หอยยอดเจดีย์ช่อฉัตร | DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy6040061 

 

Abstract

A new species of the tiny tree stylommatophoran snails in the genus Sitala H. Adams, 1865, is described based on specimens recently discovered in dry evergreen and dry dipterocarp forests on limestone hills and in agricultural plantations near limestone hills in Loei Province, northeastern Thailand. The new species is characterized by a high, pyramid-shaped, thin, and translucent yellowish-brown shell with a sharp peripheral keel. Although its external shell morphology resembles that of Sitala liricincta (Stoliczka, 1871), the new species can be distinguished by its greater number of whorls (9¼). Comparative anatomical analysis further revealed significant interspecific differences in genital organs, particularly in the length and shape of the vagina, and in the proportions of the penis, epiphallus, and penial caecum. This discovery is the first verified record of the genus Sitala in Thailand.

Keywords: shell morphology; radula; epiphallic retractor caecum; leaf inhabitant; limestone hill

Taxonomy

Superfamily Helicarionoidea Bourguignat, 1877

Family Helicarionidae Bourguignat, 1877

Subfamily Durgellinae, Godwin-Austen, 1888

Tribe Durgellini Godwin-Austen, 1888

Genus Sitala H. Adams, 1865

Type species. Helix infula Benson, 1848

Diagnosis of genus. Shell turbinoid, thin and translucent, conic or pyramid in shape, outlines, spire conical, consisting of 5.5–7 convex striated whorls. Protoconch and subsequent whorls covered with spiral sculpture, base convex. Umbilicus minute, partially covered. Aperture lack teeth. Peristome thin, simple and not expanded. Penis, vagina, and spermatheca (gametolytic sac) connect to atrium; Penis long, subcylindrical. Epiphallus short, with a simple epiphallic caecum produce into penial retractor. Vas deferens entering epiphallus laterally. Vagina very short (or absent), depending on the position at which the spermatheca enter the genital tract near the atrium. Free oviduct relatively long. Spermathecal stalk enlarges basally; reservoir elongated and embedded in spermoviduct. Amatorial organ (Sarcobellum) present or absent.

 Live snail, Sitala chorchati sp. nov., paratype NHLRU080.

 Photograph: Kitti Tanmuangpak.

 Shell morphology of Sitala chorchati sp. nov., holotype NHLRU079.
(A), Apertural view; (B), Lateral view; (C), Ventral view; (D), Dorsal view.

Photograph: Kitti Tanmuangpak.

Sitala chorchati Tanmuangpak & S. Tumpeesuwan, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Sitala chorchati sp. nov. is similar in shell morphology to Sitala attegia (Benson, 1859) and Sitala liricincta (Stoliczka, 1871), particularly in having shell conical, high spire shell, thin and translucent. Differing from both species in smaller shell and a greater number of whorls, 4.12–5.28 mm and 9¼ whorls, whereas 5.8 mm and 6½–7 whorls in S. liricincta, and 7–12 mm and 6½–8 whorls in S. attegia (Table 4).

Etymology. The specific epithet “chorchati” is given in honour of Admiral Chorchat Gra-tes of the Royal Thai navy, former Deputy Chief of Defence, an independent conchologist and owner of a private shell collection in Bangkok, Thailand.

 Kitti Tanmuangpak, Benchawan Nahok, Utain Chanlabut, Nonthiwat Taesuk, Sakboworn Tumpeesuwan and Chanidaporn Tumpeesuwan. 2026. A New Species of the Tiny Tree Snail Genus Sitala H. Adams, 1865 (Gastropoda, Eupulmonata, Helicarionidae) from Northeastern Thailand. Taxonomy. 6(4), 61. DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy6040061 [7 October 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Primula octopoda (Primulaceae) • A stoloniferous New Species from western Sichuan, China

 

Primula octopoda W.B.Ju & Q.Huang,  

in Q. Huang, X. Wang, W.-J. Huang, Yang, Pan, Ru, J.-P. Wang et Ju, 2026.

巴塘粉报春 | DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74088 

 

ABSTRACT

Primula octopoda W.B.Ju & Q.Huang, a new species of Primula (Primulaceae) in sect. Aleuritia, is herein described and illustrated from Batang County, Sichuan Province, southwestern China. Morphologically, P. octopoda is most similar to P. stenocalyx, but it can be readily distinguished by its dwarf habit, the presence of stolons 2–7 cm in length ending in small rosettes occasionally bearing a single flower, elliptic to broadly obovate leaf blades, a very short or absent scape bearing one or two flowers, and a smaller, annulate corolla with a prominent yellow eye. The complete chloroplast genome of P. octopoda spans 154,164 bp with a GC content of 36.97% and contains 125 genes. Phylogenetic analyses using plastid and ITS data both place P. octopoda within sect. Aleuritia while supporting its distinct species status. Given the current lack of adequate information on its population size and geographic range, the species is provisionally assigned a status of Data Deficient (DD) according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords: molecular phylogeny, morphology, new species, Primula, taxonomy

Habitat of the Primula octopoda.
 (A) Habitat; (B–D) Plants.

Morphology of Primula octopoda.
 (A) Plant; (B) roots; (C) leaves; (D) inflorescence; (E) corolla; (F) bracts; (G) calyx; (H) thrum flower and pin flower; (I) capsule.

Primula octopoda W.B.Ju & Q.Huang, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. The new species most closely resembles P. stenocalyx, sharing narrowly lanceolate bracts, a tubular calyx with similarly divided oblong or lanceolate lobes, stamens and style included within the corolla tube, and an oblong capsule. However, it differs in its shorter stature, the presence of 2–7 cm long stolons each ending in a small rosette and occasionally bearing a solitary flower, elliptic to broadly obovate leaves, a scape up to 2 cm long or absent with 1–2 flowers, and an annulate corolla with a yellow eye and smaller flowers (Figures 2 and 3).

Etymology. The specific epithet of the new species refers to its distinctive feature of producing multiple stout, fleshy stolons that resemble the tentacles of an octopus; hence the name octopoda, which vividly reflects the plant's numerous stolons extending like “eight legs.”

Vernacular Name. Chinese mandarin: “bā táng fĕn bào chūn” (巴塘粉报春), meaning “Batang Farinose Primrose” in English.

 

Qin Huang, Xin Wang, Wen-Jun Huang, Jie-Yi Yang, Hong-Li Pan, Jian Ru, Jiang-Ping Wang and Wen-Bin Ju. 2026. Primula octopoda, A stoloniferous New Species from Western Sichuan, China. Ecology and Evolution. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74088 [27 August 2026]

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Olotimcolobus narokensis & Lemucolobus orkimusei • A Systematic Revision of the Late Miocene Cercopithecid Monkeys From the Lemudong'o Formation, Kenya

 

Olotimcolobus narokensis

Arenson, Gilbert, Yang, Ambrose, Kinyanjui, Manthi, DiMaggio & Hammond, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70317 

ABSTRACT

Objectives: The late Miocene Lemudong'o Formation in southwestern Kenya (6.2–6.0 Ma) samples an important period in Africa when early representatives of modern catarrhine clades (Hominidae and Cercopithecidae) appear. Fossils collected from this formation before 2007 include three species of colobine monkey. However, several new fossils have been recovered, including a partial cranium, calling for a reassessment of Lemudong'o Formation cercopithecid taxonomy.

Materials and Methods: This study describes 79 new cercopithecid specimens from collection years 2007–2016 and 2019–2024. These specimens, together with previously published material from the Lemudong'o Formation, are compared to fossil cercopithecids from other contemporaneous sites in Africa as well as a sample of extant cercopithecids.

Results: New material supports the presence of the three previously identified colobine taxa and identifies a novel fourth colobine species. The novel colobine species is described as Olotimcolobus narokensis gen. et sp. nov., and the previously recognized small indeterminate colobine is here named Lemucolobus orkimusei gen. et sp. nov. Existing hypodigms are refined in light of this new taxonomy. A papionin is also identified from this formation for the first time, adding to the scant late Miocene cercopithecine record.

Discussion: The Lemudong'o Formation is remarkable for its high cercopithecid diversity in the Late Miocene. The predominance of colobines here and at other contemporaneous sites (e.g., Lukeino, Lothagam, Nakali, Toros Menalla) suggests that colobines were more diverse than cercopithecines through the early part of their radiation. Possible ecological factors are discussed in the context of early cercopithecid diversity and evolution.

 Olotimcolobus narokensis gen. et sp. nov.

 

Julia L. Arenson, Christopher C. Gilbert, Deming Yang, Stanley H. Ambrose, Rahab N. Kinyanjui, Fredrick K. Manthi, Erin N. DiMaggio and Ashley S. Hammond. 2026. A Systematic Revision of the Late Miocene Cercopithecid Monkeys From the Lemudong'o Formation, Kenya. American Journal of Biological Anthropology. 190(3); e70317. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70317 [27 July 2026]

Descobreixen dos nous gèneres de primats de fa 6 milions d’anys en un jaciment fòssil de Kenya

https://www.icp.cat/index.php/ca/sala-de-premsa-4/noticies-icp/item/3708-descobreixen-dos-nous-generes-de-primats-de-fa-6-milions-d-anys-en-un-jaciment-fossil-de-kenya

[Herpetology • 2026] Calamaria flavicollaris • Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New Species of Calamaria (Squamata: Calamariidae) from the Tenasserim Range, Western Thailand

 

 Calamaria flavicollaris

 Aksornneam, Rujirawan, Yodthong, Pawangkhanant, Sung & Aowphol, 2026

 

Tenasserim Collared Reed Snake | งูพงอ้อบ่วงบาศ ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10102 

 Photographed by Parinya Pawangkhanant

Abstract

A new species of Calamaria is described from the Tenasserim Range, Ratchaburi Province, western Thailand based on morphological and molecular evidence. Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the combination of the following morphological characters: 1) rostral scale wider than high; 2) portion of rostral scale visible from above greater than the half the length of the prefrontal suture; 3) prefrontal length shorter than frontal length, not entering orbit and in contact with first two supralabials; 4) five or six scales surrounding paraparietal scale; 5) preocular and postocular present; 6) four supralabials, the second and third in contact with the eyes; 7) eye diameter smaller than eye-mouth distance; 8) five infralabials, the first pair separating the mental scale from anterior chin shields; 9) seven modified maxillary teeth; 10) 180 ventral scales with three preventral scales; 11) 13 divided subcaudal scales; 12) cloacal plate single; 13) tail relatively short (4.5% of the total length), tapering, gradually to a pointed tail tip; 14) dorsum dark brown with eleven dark longitudinal stripes; 15) ventral surface yellow with a median line of dark flecks on underside of tail; and 16) dark collar followed by yellow ring at nuchal region. Genetically, the new species exhibits a pairwise distance of ≥17.56% from all other congeners based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene fragment. Furthermore, we provide cranial osteological description of the new species based on micro-CT scanning. Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. is currently known only from the type locality and represents the fourth species of the genus recorded for Thailand. 

Keywords: cranial osteology; herpetofauna; Isthmus of Kra; molecular; reed snake; Southeast Asia

Holotype of Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. (ZMKU R 01131) in life. A small figure shows the yellow color on the ventral side of this species 

 Photographed by Parinya Pawangkhanant

Head of  Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. (ZMKU R 01131).
A–B lateral view C–D dorsal view E–F ventral view

Holotype of  Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. (ZMKU R 01131)
in preservative. A dorsal view B ventral view C lateral view at the midbody D dorsal view of tail E ventral view of tail

Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters (Tables 3, 4; Suppl. Table 1): 1) rostral scale wider than high; 2) portion of rostral scale visible from above greater than the half the length of the prefrontal suture; 3) prefrontal length shorter than frontal length, not entering orbit, and in contact first two supralabials; 4) five or six scales surrounding the paraparietal scale; 5) preocular and postocular present; 6) four supralabials, the second and third in contact the eyes; 7) eye diameter smaller than eye-mouth distance; 8) five infralabials, the first pair separating the mental scale from anterior chin shields; 9) seven modified maxillary teeth; 10) 180 ventral scales with three preventral scales; 11) 13 divided subcaudal scales; 12) cloacal plate single; 13) tail relatively short (4.5% of the total length), tapering, gradually to a pointed tail tip; 14) dorsum dark brown with eleven dark longitudinal stripes; 15) ventral surface yellow with a median line of dark flecks on underside of tail; and 16) a dark nuchal collar followed by a yellow ring along neck.

Four Calamaria species in Thailand:
A Calamaria flavicollaris sp. nov. from Suan Phueng District, Ratchaburi Province B C. lumbricoidea from Than To District, Yala Province
C C. schlegeli from Betong District, Yala Province D C. pavimentata from Kaeng Hang Maeo District, Chanthaburi Province 

Photos by Parinya Pawangkhanant (A–C) and Attapol Rujirawan (D)

Etymology. The specific epithet flavicollaris is derived from the Latin words “flavo” (yellow), “collare” (collar or neck), and the suffix “-aris”, which refers to the appearance of the yellow nuchal ring of this species. 

We suggested an English common name “Tenasserim Collared Reed Snake” and the Thai common name “งูพงอ้อบ่วงบาศ” (Ngu Phong O Buang Bat) for this species.

 Akrachai Aksornneam, Attapol Rujirawan, Siriporn Yodthong, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Yik-Hei Sung, and Anchalee Aowphol. 2026. Integrative Taxonomy reveals A New Species of Calamaria (Squamata: Calamariidae) from the Tenasserim Range, Western Thailand.  Contributions to Zoology. 95(4); 366–410. DOI: doi.org/10.1163/18759866-bja10102 [22 Sep 2026]

งูพงอ้อหัวแดง Calamaria schlegeli; 

งูพงอ้อหลากลาย Calamaria lumbricoidea; 

งูพงอ้อท้องเหลือง Calamaria pavimentata

[Herpetology • 2026] Ovophis orlovi • An overlooked Mountain Pitviper (Serpentes: Viperidae: Ovophis) from the Montane Regions of Central Vietnam and Southern Laos

 

Ovophis orlovi  

 Idiiatullina, Ustinova, Bragin, Le, Yuhao, Tierui, Pawangkhanant, Ananjeva, David, Vogel, Nguyen & Poyarkov, 2026

 rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/2315 

facebook.com/tan.sifasv/posts/122268835112144982 

Researchgate.net/publication/415133263

Abstract

An overlooked species of the mountain pitviper genus Ovophis Burger in Hoge and Romano-Hoge, 1981, is described from the highlands of central Vietnam and southern Laos based on an integrative taxonomic approach combining molecular and morphological evidence. Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. has long been confused with O. monticola and, less frequently, O. convictus, but is recovered as a distinct and well-supported evolutionary lineage in mitochondrial phylogenetic analyses, forming the sister taxon to O. anitae. Its distinctiveness is further supported by substantial mitochondrial divergence from its closest relative (cyt b uncorrected p-distance = 8.0%) and by a unique combination of diagnostic morphological characters, including body proportions, scalation, and color pattern. Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. is currently known from montane evergreen forests of the Kon Tum-Gia Lai Plateau in central Vietnam and adjacent montane areas of southern Laos at elevations of approximately 900 – 1,400 m a.s.l. The recognition of Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. resolves a long-standing taxonomic misidentification involving populations previously referred to O. monticola or O. convictus, further demonstrates that species diversity within Ovophis remains underestimated, and highlights the importance of integrative taxonomic studies for uncovering overlooked diversity in the montane regions of mainland Southeast Asia.

Keywords: Ovophis orlovi sp. nov.; integrative taxonomy; molecular phylogeny; morphology; Kon Tum-Gia Lai Plateau; Bolaven Plateau; biogeography

Ovophis orlovi sp. nov.

Variation in coloration of Ovophis orlovi sp. nov. in life.
Vietnam: A, Mang Den, Quang Ngai, VRTC NAP-18718, adult female, holotype; B, Kon Chu Rang NR, Gia Lai, ZMMU R-16315, subadult male, paratype; C, Kon Ka Kinh NP, Gia Lai, ZMMU R-15452, subadult female, paratype.
Laos: Bolaven Plateau, Champasak: D, adult individual; E, F, subadult individual.

Photos by A. M. Bragin (A), N. A. Poyarkov (B, C), and A. Teynié (D – F)

Sabira S. Idiiatullina, Darya A. Ustinova, Andrey M. Bragin, Son Xuan Le, Xu Yuhao, Zhang Tierui, Parinya Pawangkhanant, Natalia B. Ananjeva, Patrick David, Gernot Vogel, Tan Van Nguyen and Nikolay A. Poyarkov. 2026. An overlooked Mountain Pitviper from the Montane Regions of Central Vietnam and Southern Laos (Serpentes: Viperidae: Ovophis). Russian Journal of Herpetology. 33(3); 178-196. http://rjh.folium.ru/index.php/rjh/article/view/2315 [September 30, 2026]

 facebook.com/tan.sifasv/posts/122268835112144982

 Researchgate.net/publication/415133263_An_overlooked_Ovophis_from_the_montane_regions_of_Vietnam_Laos

 

 Ovophis orlovi sp. nov., Mang Den Commune, Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam, June 6, 2016. Photo by Andrey M. Bragin

 

[Arachnida • 2026] Charinus paradoxus• A New whip spider Species (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Colombia

 

Charinus paradoxus 

Alvarez-Garcia, Suárez-Martínez, & Torres, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4  

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs

Abstract

The genus Charinus is currently represented in Colombia by four species: C. miskito, C. mocoa, C. rocamadre, and C. santandereanus. In this study, we describe and illustrate a new species, Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.. This species can be distinguished from its congeners by the absence of median eyes and median ocular tubercle, the presence of three dorsal spines on the pedipalp femur, the first tarsal article of leg I being considerably longer than the second, and the morphology of the glandular openings of the atrium in the female gonopods, which are button-shaped. Additionally, we provide an identification key for the species of Charinus recorded from Colombia and a distribution map of the genus in the country. With the description of this new species, the number of Charinus species known from Colombia increases to five.

Amblypygi, amblypygid, Colombian Caribbean region, morphology, scanning electron microscopy, taxonomy

Charinus paradoxus sp. nov.

Deivys M. ALVAREZ-GARCIA, Leiner A. SUÁREZ-MARTÍNEZ and Richard A. TORRES. 2026. Charinus paradoxus sp. nov. (Amblypygi: Charontidae), A New whip spider Species from Colombia. Zootaxa. 5886(3); 406-422. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5886.3.4 [2026-10-05]

  x.com/LSuarezm_8legs/status/2107619102122532916

[Arachnida • 2026] Raveniola zhangzongxuni • A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China

 

Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, 

in Li, Liang, Wang et Liu,  2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e211761

Abstract

Background: Prior to this study, only two mygalomorph species from two distinct families had been formally recorded in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province: Calommata jinggangica Li & Xu, 2022 (Atypidae Thorell, 1870) and Conothele jinggangshan Liu, Xu, Zhang, Liu & Li, 2019 (Halonoproctidae Pocock, 1901), indicating that the overall mygalomorph diversity in this region remains far from fully revealed. The family Nemesiidae Simon, 1889, is known from the neighbouring provinces of Jiangxi: Hunan, Hubei, Fujian and Zhejiang. Nevertheless, no systematic surveys of Nemesiidae have ever been conducted in Jiangxi Province, and to date, no species belonging to this family has been formally reported from the region. During a recent exploratory field survey of local microhabitats in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, we collected a series of nemesiid specimens with distinctive morphology. Following morphological examination and preliminary molecular data, these specimens are confirmed to represent a new species of the genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987. This discovery not only provides the first formal record of Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province, but also highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and eastern China remains largely under-investigated, with many potential taxa awaiting discovery.

New information: The spider genus Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 is reported for the first time from Jiangxi Province, China, based on material collected in Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve. A new species, Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, sp. nov., is described and illustrated. The discovery provides the first formal record of the family Nemesiidae from Jiangxi Province and bridges the known distributional records of the genus in eastern China, enhancing its geographic continuity on the map. The finding highlights that the mygalomorph diversity in Jiangxi and adjacent regions remains largely under-sampled and contributes to the understanding of the biogeography of the family Nemesiidae in East Asia.

Keywords: East Asia, mygalomorph diversity, distribution, new record

Raveniola zhangzongxuni sp. nov., photos of living specimen.
 A−C male; D−F female.

Raveniola zhangzongxuni Liu, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Differs from Raveniola chayi Li & Zonstein, 2015 by having the dorsal abdominal pattern consisting of numerous darker spots on a lighter background (vs. numerous lighter spots on a darker background), the maxillae with 3 or 4 cuspules (vs. 12–15), the tibial length/cymbial length ca. 2.5 on male palp (vs. > 3.4), the copulatory bulb is relatively broader ca. 1.2–1.5 times as long as wide (vs. 2.5–4 times) and the lateral diverticulum arising from about 1/3 of spermathecal trunk (vs. about the base of spermathecal trunk). The new species also differs from R. gracilis Li & Zonstein, 2015 by the ventral abdominal pattern consisting of some darker spots on a lighter background (vs. pale yellow, without spots), the male PMS absent (vs. present), the maxillae with 3 or 4 cuspules (vs. 4–6), the tibial length/cymbial length ca. 2.5 on male palp (vs. > 2.6), the copulatory bulb is relatively broader ca. 1.2–1.5 times as long as wide (vs. nearly as long as wide) and the lateral diverticulum approximately 0.6 times as long as spermathecal trunk (vs. approximately 0.3 times).

Etymology: The species is named in honour of Zong-xun Zhang, one of the famous figures of the extremely hard and bitter struggle in Jinggangshan; noun (name) in genitive case.

 

 Congzheng Li, Qinlong Liang, Zhongjing Wang and Ke-Ke Liu. 2026. A New Species of Raveniola Zonstein, 1987 (Araneae, Nemesiidae) from Jinggangshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China. Biodiversity Data Journal. 14: e211761.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.14.e211761 [28-09-2026]