[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

 

[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

[Fungi • 2025] Collybiopsis latispora, C. subpolygramma, ... (Agaricales: Omphalotaceae) • Four New Species from subtropical regions of China

Collybiopsis subpolygramma; 
Collybiopsis fucata; 
Collybiopsis dentata 

J.Q. Yan, L. Ding, & S.N. Wang, 

in Ding, Zhong, Zeng, Wang et Yan, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.118.155560 

Abstract

Four new species of Collybiopsis, namely C. subpolygramma, C. fucata, C. dentata, and C. latispora, were discovered in the subtropical regions of China. These species were identified based on morphological characteristics and molecular analysis. Morphologically, C. subpolygramma is characterized by its pileal surface, white in color with a light brown center; slender, cylindrical cheilocystidia; and absence of pleurocystidia. C. fucata is recognized by the reddish-brown, hygrophanous pileus; adnate to adnexed lamellae; and relatively broad basidiospores. C. dentata is identified by free lamellae, fusiform to utriform pleurocystidia, and relatively broad basidiospores. C. latispora is distinct by relatively broad basidiospores and a minute, snow-white ring or ruff at the stipe base. In the phylogenetic analysis based on combined ITS and LSU sequences, the four new species formed distinct and stable branches (BI-PP = 1; ML-BP = 100%), respectively. Collybiopsis subpolygramma formed a sister lineage with C. polygramma. The new species C. fucata, C. dentata, and C. latispora were found to be nested within the C. ramealis species complex clade. Detailed descriptions, color photos, and a key to related species are presented.

Key words: Basidiomycetes, new taxa, phylogeny, taxonomy

Collybiopsis subpolygramma. A–C. Basidiomata; D–F. Basidiospores; G. Basidia; H–J. Cheilocystidia; K. Pileipellis; L. Caulocystidia. All microscopic structures were observed in 5% KOH, and 1% Congo red was used as the stain.

Scale bars: 30 mm (A–C); 5 µm (D–F); 20 µm (G); 30 µm (H–I); 20 µm (J); 30 µm (K, L).

 Collybiopsis subpolygramma J.Q. Yan, L. Ding, & S.N. Wang, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. Referring to its similarity to C. polygramma, that pileus is sulcate.

Diagnosis. This species is characterized by its pileal surface, white in color with a light brown center; crowded and occasionally forked lamellae; white to black-brown stipe; slender cylindrical cheilocystidia; basidia mainly 2-spored; and absence of pleurocystidia.

Collybiopsis subpolygramma. A–C. Basidiomata
Collybiopsis fucata. A–C. Basidiomata
Collybiopsis dentata. A–C. Basidiomata 

 Collybiopsis fucata J.Q. Yan, L. Ding, & S.N. Wang, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. Refer to the Latin “fucatus,” meaning “painted”—the lamellae edges are fucata.

Diagnosis. This species is characterized by the reddish-brown, hygrophanous pileus; white lamellae that are adnate to adnexed; reddish-brown stipe with a white apex; basidiospores 3.9–5.2 µm broad; fusiform to utriform pleurocystidia; and cheilocystidia 25–65 × 11–31 µm.

 Collybiopsis dentata J.Q. Yan, L. Ding, & S.N. Wang, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. Refer to the Latin “dens,” meaning “tooth”—the lamellae edges are dentate.

Diagnosis. This species is characterized by white lamellae that are free, basidiospores 3.9–4.7 µm broad, fusiform to utriform pleurocystidia, and cheilocystidia measuring up to 30–71 × 17–29 µm.

 Collybiopsis latispora J.Q. Yan, L. Ding, & S.N. Wang, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. Refer to the Latin “latus,” meaning “broad”—the species having wide basidiospores.

Diagnosis. This species is characterized by white lamellae with a minute, snow-white ring or ruff at the stipe base; basidiospores 4.3–5.9 µm broad; subcylindrical, narrow fusiform, narrow utriform pleurocystidia; and cheilocystidia 16–47 × 13–24 µm.

 

 Ling Ding, Ben-Jian Zhong, Hui Zeng, Sheng-Nan Wang, Jun-Qing Yan. 2025. Four New Species of Collybiopsis (Omphalotaceae, Agaricales) from subtropical regions of China. MycoKeys. 118: 289-311. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.118.155560 [11-06-2025]

[Fungi • 2026] Bolbitius fuscopapillatus & B. planoflavus (Agaricales: Bolbitiaceae) • Two New Species and One New Record from northeast China

 

a, b. Bolbitius titubans; f. B. coprophilus;
g, h. Bolbitius fuscopapillatus; k, l. B. planoflavus 

T. Bau & H. Cheng, 

in Cheng et Bau, 2026.

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.140.203173 

Scale bars: 1 cm.

Abstract

A taxonomic study of the genus Bolbitius from northeast China was conducted, based on morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed, based on a combined multi-locus dataset comprising the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), nuclear large subunit (nrLSU) and translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α) sequences. As a result, two new species are described and illustrated: Bolbitius planoflavus, characterised by its distinctly applanate, pale yellow pileus when mature and the presence of occasional 2-spored basidia; and Bolbitius fuscopapillatus, distinguished by its violet-brown papillate umbo and purplish-white margin bearing faint veil remnants. Additionally, Bolbitius bisporus is reported as a new record for China. Detailed morphological descriptions, colour photographs and comparisons with closely-related taxa are provided.

Key words: Bolbitius, multi-gene fragments, morphology, new taxa, phylogeny

Basidiomata of Bolbitius species.
 a, b. Bolbitius titubans (FJAU68133, FJAU68132); c, d. B. variicolor (FJAU68135, FJAU68134); e, f. B. coprophilus (FJAU68139, FJAU68138);
g, h. B. fuscopapillatus (FJAU68142 T, FJAU68143); i, j. B. bisporus (FJAU68137); k, l. B. planoflavus (FJAU68141, FJAU68140 T); T = holotype. White arrows in (g) indicate veil remnants, with an enlarged view shown in the upper right corner.

 Scale bars: 1 cm.

Bolbitius planoflavus T. Bau & H. Cheng, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. “planoflavus” refers to the species’ pileus being both plane and pale yellow when mature.

Bolbitius fuscopapillatus T. Bau & H. Cheng, sp. nov.

 

Etymology. From Latin fuscus (violet-brown) and papillatus (with a small papilla), referring to the violet-brown papillate umbo of the pileus.

 Hong Cheng and Tolgor Bau. 2026. Two New Species and One New Record of Bolbitius (Bolbitiaceae, Agaricales) from northeast China. MycoKeys. 140: 299-316. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/mycokeys.140.203173 [23 Sep 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Annona breviflora (Annonaceae) • A New Species endemic to western Mexico

Annona breviflora Ortíz-Rodr., Hurt.-Rev. & Amancio,

in Rodriguez, Hurtado-Reveles, Amancio et Ochoa-Zárate, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm133.2026.2629 

Drawn by Carlos M. Ochoa Zárate 

Abstract

Background and Aims: In Mexico, Annona is among the most species-rich genera of the family Annonaceae, with 18 currently recorded species. As part of our ongoing revision of the genus in Mexico, we examined specimens from western Mexico that correspond to a previously undescribed species, which is described and illustrated here.

Methods: The new species was recognized based on the unique combination of morphological features, through comparisons with similar species and a thorough review of the literature. Its conservation status was assessed by calculating its Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO), using the GeoCAT tool and following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.

Key results: A new Annona species, Annona breviflora, endemic to western Mexico, is described and illustrated. Based on the criteria established by the IUCN, the species can be provisionally assessed as Endangered (EN B2 ab (i, ii, iii, iv)).

Conclusions: The most similar species to Annona breviflora is A. globiflora, with which it shares small flowers bearing three petals and small leaves that are longer than wide, with 6-10 secondary veins per side. However, A. globiflora occurs in eastern Mexico and exhibits morphological characteristics, such as nearly sessile flowers and glabrous leaves, that clearly distinguish it from A. breviflora.

Keywords: herbarium, floral morphology, Neotropics, taxonomy, tropical dry forest

Annona breviflora Ortíz-Rodr., Hurt.-Rev. & Amancio.
A. habit; B. close-up of the leaf surface showing a dense indumentum of adpressed to ascending trichomes. C. petal, inner view; D. complete flower with three broadly ovate petals rounded at the apex; E. fruit, a syncarp that is somewhat tuberculate, with carpels separated at their tips; F. seed; G. pyramidal to globose floral bud; H. stamen; I. carpel; J. arrangement of stamens and carpels at the center of the flower; K. ovule.

Drawn by Carlos M. Ochoa Zárate based on P. Tenorio et al. 24376 (MEXU).

Annona breviflora Ortíz-Rodr., Hurt.-Rev. & Amancio, sp. nov.

Annona breviflora is morphologically similar to Annona globiflora in the small flowers with three petals, and flower buds pyramidal to globose. However, it is dis-tinguished from it by its broader leaves, 2.5-5 cm wide, sparsely to densely covered with adpressed to ascending hairs below (vs. 1-3 cm wide, glabrous below), and by its longer floral pedicels up to 30 mm long (vs. flowers almost sessile, pedicel up to 3 mm long).

Etymology: the species epithet “breviflora” (from Latin brevis, short) refers to the small size of its flowers, petals and buds.

 

Andrés Ernesto Ortiz Rodriguez, Leopoldo Hurtado-Reveles, Guadalupe Amancio and Carlos Manuel Ochoa-Zárate. 2026. Annona breviflora (Annonaceae), A New Species endemic to western Mexico. Acta Botanica Mexicana. 133; DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm133.2026.2629 [October 1, 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Paludohadros proudlovii • A New iguanodontian Dinosaur (Iguanodontia: Hadrosauroidea) from the Weald Clay Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Smokejacks Brickworks, southern England

 Paludohadros proudlovii 

Sacamoto, Lockwood, Langer, Clark, Barrett, Turner & Maidment, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2726221

artwork by Guilherme Gehr.

 

Abstract

A new genus and species of an early-diverging hadrosauroid dinosaur, Paludohadros proudlovii gen. et sp. nov., is described from the Lower Cretaceous Weald Clay Formation of Smokejacks Brickworks, southern England. This new taxon can be diagnosed by the following autapomorphies and combination of characters: dentary teeth with two secondary ridges and a variable number of accessory ridges on the lingual surface of the crown; surangular with a dorsally projecting lateral process that is offset laterally from the dorsal surface of the anterior process; humerus with a proximally extending ridge on the anteromedial surface of the distal condyle; ischium with a posteroventrally curved shaft, a well-developed ischial boot and an obliquely oriented crest dorsal to the obturator process on the lateral surface of the shaft and a tibia with bosses on the medial and lateral surfaces near the proximal end. Although iguanodontians from the Weald Sub-basin have long been known from older Valanginian strata, represented by Barilium dawsoni, Hypselospinus fittoni and Kukufeldia tilgatensis, the description of Paludohadros proudlovii from the Barremian represents an increase in this diversity of iguanodontians from the Wealden Group, and it is the only valid iguanodontian taxon from the Barremian Weald Clay Formation reported so far. Although broadly contemporaneous, the iguanodontians of the Wessex Formation of the Isle of Wight are different taxa, raising the possibility that the Wessex and Weald Clay formations were deposited at slightly different times.

 

Keywords: Barremian, diversity, Iguanodontia, Lower Cretaceous, Smokejacks Brickworks, Wealden Group

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria Owen, 1842

Ornithischia Seeley, 1888

Ornithopoda Marsh, 1881

Iguanodontia Baur, 1891

Ankylopollexia Sereno, 1986

Styracosterna Sereno, 1997

Hadrosauriformes Sereno, 1997

Hadrosauroidea Huene, 1952

Paludohadros gen. nov.

Etymology. Paludohadros is derived from the Latin word palus (genitive paludis), meaning swamp, reflecting the swampy environment of the Weald Clay Formation during the Early Cretaceous, and that Smokejacks Pit is often very muddy today, and the Greek word hadros, meaning robust or stout, a term frequently used for iguanodontians.

Locality and horizon. UK National Grid Reference TQ 11252 37263 (± 6 m), Smokejacks Pit (also known as Ewhurst Works, and sometimes referred to as Ockley Pit), Ockley, Surrey, UK. Weald Clay Formation, Barremian, Lower Cretaceous. The specimen was found in the same horizon but about 100 m west of the Baryonyx walkeri type locality.

Paludohadros proudlovii gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific name honours the late Mr William Proudlove, former factory manager of Ewhurst Works. Will passed away in 2000 at the age of 35, shortly before the specimen was excavated, leaving behind a young family. He was an important coach and mentor to current manager Tim Burgess, and we name the specimen in his memory here.

Holotype. NHMUK PV R 16396, a partial skeleton ....

 

Diagnosis. Paludohadros proudlovii differs from all other iguanodontians by possessing the following autapomorphies and a unique combination of characters (autapomorphies indicated with an asterisk): dentary teeth with two secondary ridges and a variable number of accessory ridges on the lingual surface of the crown (1); surangular with a dorsally projecting lateral process that is laterally offset from the dorsal margin of the anterior process and separated from it by a shallow groove* (2); humerus with a proximally extending ridge on the anteromedial surface of the medial distal condyle (3); ischium with a combination of a posteroventrally curved shaft, a well-developed ischial boot and a laterally projecting crest on the lateral surface on the proximal portion of the shaft* (4); tibia with a boss on the medial surface of the proximal end (5).

 Paludohadros proudlovii life restoration.

Original artwork by Guilherme Gehr.

Ricardo J. Sacamoto, Jeremy A. F. Lockwood, Max C. Langer, Brett Clark, Paul M. Barrett, Alice Turner and Susannah C. R. Maidment. 2026. A New iguanodontian Dinosaur from the Weald Clay Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of Smokejacks Brickworks, southern England. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 24(2); 2726221. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2726221 [26 Oct 2026]  

[Ichthyology • 2026] Tridensimilis magnus • A New Species of Tridensimilis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Tapajós Basin, Brazil: the Largest translucent Catfish Species of Tridentinae

 Tridensimilis magnus

Colares Canto, Datovo, Ohara, de Pinna & Ribeiro, 2026.  

DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0209 

Abstract

A new species of translucent catfish of the genus Tridensimilis is described from the upper and middle rio Tapajós basin, states of Pará and Mato Grosso, Brazil. In addition, we redefine the taxonomic limits of the genus Tridensimilis and present evidence that questions the current generic placement of Tridentopsis tocantinsi. The new species is distinguished from congeners by a set of morphological features, in combination: number of vertebrae, anal-fin rays, opercular and interopercular odontodes; eyes positioned laterally and oriented ventrally, slightly more visible in ventral than in dorsal view; and basipterygia fused at midline. Live specimens of the new species display ex situ atmospheric air capture at the water surface, resulting in the filling of the digestive cavity with air bubbles, a behavior recorded for the first time in any representative of Tridentinae. The new species is the largest currently known of the subfamily Tridentinae, with analyzed specimen reaching 34 mm of standard length. The new taxon likely increases the list of endemism in the rio Tapajós basin.

Keywords: Amazon basin; Behavior; Biodiversity; Conservation; Taxonomy

 

Live specimens of Tridensimilis magnus:
 UFOPA-I 1773, 29.0 mm SL (A) and INPA-ICT 62042, not mensured (B-D). Arrows indicate swallowed air bubbles in stomach and intestines.

Tridensimilis magnus, new species

Diagnosis. Tridensimilis magnus differs from all other Tridentinae in having the largest body length, reaching 34 mm SL (vs. 27 mm in Tridens, 25 mm in Tridentopsis Myers, 1925, 17 mm in Miuroglanis Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889, 18 mm in Rhinotridens, and 23 mm in Tridensimilis). The new species is further distinguished from all tridentines, except Rhinotridensbritskii, by having 39–41 post-Weberian vertebrae (vs. 34–38 in Miuroglanis, Rhinotridens chromocaudatus, Tridentopsis and Tridensimilis, and 45–52 in Tridens). Tridensimilis magnus additionally differs from Tridensimilisvenezuelae and T. tocantinsi LaMonte, 1939,in having longer maxillary barbels that surpass the opercular odontophore (vs. not extending beyond pupil); externally visible rictal barbels reaching the base of interopercular odontophores (vs. rictal barbels not externally visible or reaching at most one-third of distance from their base to anterior margin of eyes); 7 or 8 dorsal-fin rays (vs. 8–11); and pelvic-fin base vertically aligned with the 13th or 14th vertebra (vs. with the 11th vertebra). The new species is additionally distinguished from T. tocantinsi in having 6 or 7 opercular odontodes (vs. 10); from T.venezuelae by having 7 or 8 interopercular odontodes (vs. 4–6).

Etymology. The specific epithet magnus derives from Latin meaning “large” or “great”, in allusion to the longer length of the species in comparison to its congeners, emphasizing one of the distinctive morphological traits that diagnose the species. An adjective.

 

 André L. Colares Canto, Aléssio Datovo, Willian M. Ohara, Mário C. C. de Pinna and Frank Raynner V. Ribeiro. 2026. A New Species of Tridensimilis (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from Tapajós Basin: the Largest translucent Catfish Species of Tridentinae. Neotropical Ichthyology. 24(02); DOI: doi.org/10.1590/1982-0224-2025-0209  [20 July 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Pseudogastromyzon putienensis • A New Species of Pseudogastromyzon Nichols (Teleostei: Balitoridae) from Fujian Province, Southeastern China

Pseudogastromyzon putienensis 

Chen & Li, 2025

莆田擬腹吸鰍 | DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.22

Abstract

In this study, a new species of balitorid loach from Fujian Province was collected and described herein, namely Pseudogastromyzon putienensis. The new species can be identified by having dorsal fin iii, 7, anal fin ii, 5, pectoral fin i, 17–18, pelvic fin i, 9, lateral line scales 65–71 and vertebrae counts 38–39. For body and fin colourations, male possess greyish brown with metallic sheen, straight pale bars, and conspicuous rows of large dorsal-fin spots while females with ivory base color and distinct Y-shaped or curved bars, and transparent paired and caudal fins with striped rows. The new species was collected from the Mulan River system and is closely related to Pseudogastromyzon fasciatus; comparisons of the two species are provided herein with comments upon the taxonomy of related congeners in southeastern China.

 Pisces, Pseudogastromyzon, Balitoridae, new species, Fujian Province, China 

Pseudogastromyzon putienensis sp. nov.
Fresh coloration of adult male (A, NTOUP-2023-09-001, holotype, 66.7 mm SL), and juvenile (B, NTOUP-2023- 09-003, paratype, 40.3 mm SL) 

Pseudogastromyzon Nichols, 1925 

Pseudogastromyzon putienensis sp. nov.

(莆田擬腹吸鰍)

 I-SHIUNG CHEN and HSIEN-EN LI. 2025. A New Species of Pseudogastromyzon Nichols (Teleostei: Balitoridae) from Fujian Province, Southeastern China.  Zootaxa. 5738(1); 183-189. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5738.1.22 [2025-12-30]

[PaleoEntomology • 2026] Folimantis hyalinala • Mimicry of Mantis and Selaginella from Cretaceous provides New Evidence for the Deep-time Co-evolution of Insects and Plants

 

Folimantis hyalinala

Yang, Chen, Engel, Ren & Gao, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/nph.71619  

  Researchgate.net/publication/415223879

Ecological reconstruction by Xiaoran Zuo

 

Summary

• Mimicry between insects and plants represents sophisticated survival strategies. Their long-term evolutionary interactions led to mutual adaptation, creating a complex ecological symbiosis. However, the deep-time ecological associations of mimicry between insects and plants remain limited due to the scarcity of preserved fossils.

• Here, we report the fossil evidences of mimicry between praying mantis and spike mosses in 98-Myr-old Kachin amber. The new Cretaceous mantis, Folimantis hyalinala gen. et sp. nov., has a rare form of leaf mimicry via abdominal leaf-shaped extensions that resemble contemporaneous vegetative leaves (trophophylls) of Selaginella in shape, size, and pattern of arrangement.

• The new findings provide the earliest direct evidence of the co-associations between mantis and its mimetic plants during the Cretaceous and suggest that the stem-group had already developed distinct structural features that mimic plant leaves during the early divergences of Mantodea.

• A diversification analysis of mimicry between fossil insects and plants from the Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic indicates that, before the rise of angiosperms in the Late Cretaceous, mimicry between insects and gymnosperms, ferns, lichens, and even Selaginella had existed for a long time and that changes in mimicry forms paralleled the evolutionary succession of plant lineages.

Keywords: camouflage, Folimantis hyalinala, insect–plant co-evolution, Mantodea, Mesozoic, Selaginella

Ecological reconstruction of mimicry between Folimantis hyalinala and Selaginella grimaldii

(reproduced by kind permission of Xiaoran Zuo).

Folimantis hyalinala gen. et sp. nov.

Hongru Yang, Liang Chen, Michael S. Engel, Dong Ren and Taiping Gao. 2026. Mimicry of Mantis and Selaginella from Cretaceous provides New Evidence for the Deep-time Co-evolution of Insects and Plants. New Phytologist. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/nph.71619 [04 October 2026] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/415223879_Mimicry_of_Mantis_and_Selaginella_from_Cretaceous 

[Paleontology • 2026] Sinojapyx giganteus • Giant Jurassic Hunter: the Earliest dipluran (Hexapoda: Diplura) and Its Implications for hexapod body pattern evolution

Sinojapyx giganteus

Wang, Cai, Sánchez-García, Sendra & Huang, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.1207 

Palaeoecological reconstruction by Jie Sun.

Abstract

Hexapoda comprises the hyperdiverse insects and three cryptic, early-diverging lineages, Protura, Collembola, and Diplura, that are key to understanding the hexapod body pattern but remain extremely rare as fossils. Here, we report the earliest dipluran, Sinojapyx giganteus gen. et sp. nov., from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Biota (approx. 165 Mya). Its ectognathous mouthparts challenge the conventional view that all non‑insect hexapods are entognathous, providing solid evidence that entognathy evolved independently at least three times. The pincer‑like cerci of Sinojapyx are symmetrical and lack denticles, representing a transitional state preceding the sophisticated predatory appendages of extant japygoids. Exceeding 5 cm in body length and equipped with robust mandibles and pincer-like cerci, this giant soil dweller occupied the apex of the soil food web in the Jurassic, filling a niche typically held by scorpions or centipedes today. This discovery not only bridges a major gap in the dipluran fossil record but also offers critical insights into the ancestral body pattern of non‑insect hexapods and soil trophic networks in the Jurassic.

Keywords: diplura, hexapod evolution, mouthpart, entognathy, grasping apparatus

 

General habitus of Sinojapyx giganteus (holotype, NIGP205729) from the Middle Jurassic Daohugou Bed.
(A) Counterpart, inner view of dorsal aspect. (B) Part, inner view of ventral aspect. (C) Line drawing based on the part with reference to the counterpart; scale bar, 5 mm.

Systematic palaeontology

Superclass: Hexapoda Latreille, 1825 

Class: Diplura Börner, 1904 

Superfamily: Japygoidea Lubbock, 1873 

Family: Sinojapygidae fam. nov.

Type genus: Sinojapyx gen. nov.

Diagnosis. Body size gigantic, exceeding 5 cm (more than twice the length of typical extant Japygoidea, which are usually < 2 cm); head nearly triangular; mouthparts ectognathous, robust mandibles with large teeth and laciniae lacking pectinate laminae; maxillary and labial palps multi-segmented; abdominal segment IX strongly elongated; segment VIII−X not more sclerotized than the rest of abdomen, with urosternite X partly fused to the pleurite; pincer-like cerci equal, devoid of teeth and denticles.

 

Genus: Sinojapyx gen. nov.

Type species: Sinojapyx giganteus sp. nov.

Etymology. The prefix, ‘Sino-,’ refers to China. ‘Japyx’ denotes the type genus of the family Japygidae. The gender is masculine.

 

Sinojapyx giganteus sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word ‘gigante’ which means ‘giant.’ The gender is masculine.

Phylogenetic and evolutionary context of Diplura.
(A) Phylogeny of Diplura showing the phylogenetic placement of Sinojapyx giganteus and Ferrojapyx vivax.
(B) Evolutionary context of the cerci in Diplura.

Palaeoecological reconstruction of Sinojapyx giganteus, illustrated by Jie Sun.

Yehao Wang; Chenyang Cai; Alba Sánchez-García; Alberto Sendra and Diying Huang. 2026. A Giant Jurassic Hunter: the Earliest dipluran and Its Implications for hexapod body pattern evolution. Proc. R. Soc. B. 293 (2080): 20261207. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2026.1207 [07 Oct 2026]

[Phycology • 2026] Halymenia dracophylla & H. elegans (Rhodophyta: Halymeniales) • Systematic Revision of branched Halymenia from the Philippines

Halymenia elegans Tahil & Showe M.Lin, 

in Tahil, Lin, Dumilag et Liao, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2026.2738911 

 facebook.com/ArkadyTahil

ABSTRACT

Despite early documentation of Halymenia species in the Philippines, the species diversity and phylogenetic relationships of this genus in the region, and its connections to neighbouring areas, have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we used rbcL sequence data to infer interspecific relationships among Philippine and global Halymenia species. Molecular analyses identified at least nine Halymenia species in the Philippines, including two newly described taxa – H. dracophylla sp. nov. and H. elegans sp. nov. – alongside several species commonly found throughout the IndoPacific (e.g. H. durvillei, H. tondoana, H. malaysiana, H. maculata, H. dilatata). Phylogenetic analysis showed that H. dracophylla is a sister species to the H. durvillei complex, but it can be readily distinguished by its thallus bearing numerous strap-shaped, short bladelets and having relatively large carposporophytes (260−380 µm in diameter). Conversely, H. elegans forms a lineage sister to a larger clade of branched Indo-Pacific species and differs from the other species by possessing thin, membranous thallus blades and having smaller carposporophytes (100−115 µm in diameter). The discovery of these two new species, along with the identification of additional cryptic taxa through molecular analyses, reveals that Halymenia diversity in the Philippines is greater than previously recognized. These findings highlight the need for continued investigation into the taxonomy and biogeography of Halymenia in the Indo-Pacific region.

 KEYWORDS: Cryptic species, Halymenia dracophylla sp. nov., Halymenia elegans sp. nov., marine red algae, Philippines, taxonomy

Halymenia dracophylla Tahil & Showe M.Lin sp. nov. 
Fig. 2. Holotype specimen (NTOU002614), a female gametophyte showing densely overlapping bladelets along the thallus margins.
Fig. 3. Isotype specimen (NTOU002618), a tetrasporophyte showing a deeply branched thallus blade arising from a short stipe (arrow).

Scale bars: Figs 2, 3 = 5 cm.

Halymenia dracophylla Tahil & Showe M.Lin, sp. nov.  

ETYMOLOGY: ‘dracophylla’ refers to the thallus blades swinging underwater, resembling flying dragons.

DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT AND SEASONALITY: Only known from the province of Sorsogon in southern Luzon. Plants were found during the late dry season (May) in the Philippines, in deeper subtidal areas (6–8 m in depth), growing on coral rubble and rocks. The fringing reef habitat is characterized by strong water currents and pronounced tidal waves.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Luzon Island: FMB Resort, Sorsogon, coll. J. Dig & C. Pangantihon 7 May 2024 (tetrasporic and female, NTOU-002614–002616).

Halymenia elegans Tahil & Showe M.Lin sp. nov. 
 Fig. 20. Holotype specimen (NTOU002610), a female gametophyte showing a palmate-shaped blade (white arrow) and feathery branches bearing numerous small bladelets (black arrows) with dentate margins.
Fig. 21. Isotype specimen (NTOU002611), a tetrasporophyte showing broad blades bearing irregularly arranged marginal bladelets (black arrows) and surface tiny bladelets (white arrowheads).  

Scale bars: Figs 20, 21 = 5 cm.

Halymenia elegans Tahil & Showe M.Lin sp. nov. 

ETYMOLOGY: ‘elegans’ referring to its showy and beautiful thallus blades.

DISTRIBUTION, HABITAT AND SEASONALITY: Only known from the type locality. Plants were found during the early dry season (January) in the Philippines, growing on shaded rocks in the reef adjacent to an estuary and extensive mangrove area on the island of Sanga-Sanga.

SPECIMENS EXAMINED: Sanga-Sanga Island, Tawi-Tawi: Lakit-Lakit, coll. A. Tahil, 28 January 2024 (tetrasporic & female, NTOU002610–002613).

Arkady A. Tahil, Showe-Mei Lin, Richard V. Dumilag and Lawrence M. Liao. 2026. Systematic Revision of branched Halymenia (Halymeniales, Rhodophyta) from the Philippines, including the Description of H. dracophylla sp. nov. and H. elegans sp. nov. European Journal of Phycology. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/09670262.2026.2738911 [22 Oct 2026]

 facebook.com/ArkadyTahil/posts/1632008041710139

 facebook.com/ArkadyTahil/posts/1633086811602262