[Ichthyology • 2025] Tariqilabeo iranicus • A New Species of labeonine fish (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Makran Basin in Iran

Tariqilabeo iranicus 

Esmaeili, Sayyadzadeh, Masoumi, Hashemi & Echreshavi, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5620.3.3

Abstract

A new species of labeonine fish, Tariqilabeo iranicus sp. nov. is described from the Makran drainage basin of Iran. It is distinguished from its closest congener, Tariqilabeo diplochilus, by having a silvery spot on the operculum, and a snout shorter than the postorbital length. It is further distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: 34–36 lateral-line scales, 11–14 predorsal scales, 22–24 total gill rakers on the first branchial arch, 3+8 ½ dorsal-fin rays, 14–16 pectoral-fin rays, 9 pelvic-fin rays, 3+5½ anal-fin rays, 2–3 scales between anal-fin origin and anus, 7–8 scales between posteriormost pelvic-fin base and anus, 2 pairs of small barbels, presence of fringes on the rostral fold, and absence of horny tubercles on snout and cheek in males. Tariqilabeo iranicus sp. nov. is further distinguished from T. diplochilus by a K2P nearest-neighbor distance of 4% in the COI barcode region. A key to the species of Tariqilabeo is also presented.

Freshwater fish, Taxonomy, Labeonine, Gonorhynchus, Crossocheilus, COI, Iran, Pisces

Tariqilabeo iranicus sp. nov.

Hamid Reza ESMAEILI, Golnaz SAYYADZADEH, Amir Hassan MASOUMI, Seyed Hassan HASHEMI and Sorour ECHRESHAVI. 2025. Tariqilabeo iranicus, A New Species of labeonine fish from the Makran Basin in Iran (Teleostei: Cyprinidae).  Zootaxa. 5620(3); 437-450. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5620.3.3 [2025-04-10]

[Arachnida • 2025] Scorpiops bahunetra • In the Rocks: An Integrative Assessment of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) in peninsular India with A Description of A New Species

Scorpiops bahunetra 

Deshpande, Joshi, Ukale, Bastawade, Tang, Gowande, Monod & Sulakhe, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.02.004 

 

Abstract

The genus Scorpiops Peters, 1861 exhibits significant diversity, especially in Peninsular India. From our continued arachnological surveys in the Western Ghats and Peninsular India, we describe a new species based on molecular and morphological data. Furthermore, additional sampling revealed new species with distinct molecular signatures, but future investigation is warranted to gather additional data before species are formally described.

Keywords: 16S, COI, integrated taxonomy, molecular phylogeny, systematics

Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov. male holotype (BNHS SC 401) in vivo habitus (A, B).

Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov. male holotype (BNHS SC 401) under white light:
A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view; C, sternopectinal area; D, metasomal segment V and telson, lateral view; E, chelicera, dorsal view <scale bars: 5 mm (A); 2 mm (C)>.

Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis (♂♀). Total length 50.32-55.82 mm. Base color light brown. Median ocular islet morphology conforms to Type 2 (OI-2). Pectine morphology conforms to type P3; pectinal teeth number 7-8 in both sexes; fulcra reduced to absent. Pedipalp patella with 20-26 (5 eb, 2 esb, 2 em, 6-11 est, 5-6 et) external and 14-16 ventral trichobothria. Pedipalp chela with 4 ventral trichobothria. Chelal trichobothrium Eb3 located in proximal half of manus between trichobothria Dt and Db. Pedipalp movable finger margins strongly undulate in male and weakly undulate in female. Chela length-to-width ratio 3.0-3.2 in males. Total pedipalp length to total tergite length ratio 1.3-1.4 in males. Tarsomere II of legs with 4-6 stout ventromedian ventral spinules. Metasoma I–V with 10-10-10-10-7 carinae. Dorsal lateral carinae on metasoma III-IV ending posteriorly into a moderately developed spine. Telson elongate and smooth, length to depth ratio 2.8-3.2; annular ring weakly developed.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from a Sanskrit word ‘bahunetra’, ‘bahu’ (=many) and ‘netra’ (=eyes). The word is an adjective reflecting the unique feature of scorpions having multiple ocelli.

Scorpiops bahunetra sp. nov. male holotype (BNHS SC 401) under UV light:
A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view <scale bar: 5 mm>.

 

Shubhankar Deshpande, Mihir Joshi, Sajiri Ukale, Deshabhushan Bastawade, Victoria Tang, Gaurang Gowande, Lionel Monod and Shauri Sulakhe. 2025. In the Rocks: An Integrative Assessment of Scorpiops Peters, 1861 (Scorpiones: Scorpiopidae) in peninsular India with A Description of A New Species. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. In Press. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2025.02.004  [8 March 2025]

[Entomology • 2025] Maladera barasingha, M. onam, Serica subansiriensis, ... • New Species and Records of Sericinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) from India and Nepal

Maladera barasingha, M. champhaiensis, M. lumlaensis, 
 Maladera onam, Neoserica churachandpurensis, Serica subansiriensis

Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5613.2.11 

  facebook.com/ZoologicalSurveyIndia

Abstract

Here we describe six new sericine species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericinae) from India: Maladera champhaiensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., Neoserica churachandpurensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., Maladera barasingha Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., Maladera lumlaensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., Serica subansiriensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., and Maladera onam Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov.. Additionally, we report new records of 28 species including the first state records of Maladera bengalensis (Brenske, 1899) and M. seriatoguttata Ahrens & Fabrizi, 2016 for Goa and Maharashtra (India), respectively. Morphology of the new species is described and illustrated.

Coleoptera, taxonomy, new species, new records, scarab chafers

 

Maladera barasingha Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., 

Maladera champhaiensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., 

Maladera lumlaensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., 

Maladera onam Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov.,

Neoserica churachandpurensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov., 

Serica subansiriensis Gupta, Bhunia, Ahrens & Chandra, sp. nov. 

 

Devanshu GUPTA, Debika BHUNIA, Dirk AHRENS and Kailash CHANDRA. 2025. New Species and Records of Sericinae from India and Nepal (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae).  Zootaxa. 5613(2); 371-385. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5613.2.11 [2025-03-27]

  facebook.com/ZoologicalSurveyIndia/posts/654299350561939

  

[Botany • 2025] Lysionotus calcicola • A New Species from Limestone Karsts in north and central Laos, supported by morphological and molecular evidence [Studies on the Gesneriaceae in Laos II]

 

Lysionotus calcicola Phonep., Soulad. & Souvann.,

in Souvannakhoummane, Phonepaseuth, Souladeth, Lanorsavanh, Tagane et Tanaka, 2025. 

ດອກງາຊ້າງຫີນ  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04620 

  facebook.com/PhetlasySouladeth 

 

Abstract

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Lysionotus calcicola Phonep., Soulad. & Souvann., is described and illustrated based on morphological and molecular evidence. This species is distributed in limestone karsts in the Luangprabang, Vientiane and Khammouane provinces in northern and central Laos. The new species can be distinguished from the hitherto known species in the genus by its deciduous shrubby habit, up to 2 m tall, and oldest stems with 4-rounded edges and longitudinal grooves, but young branches non-grooved, which are considered to be an adaptation to the severe environment in limestone karst and cliffs. ML tree based on ITS showed that the new species form a well-supported clade (94%), sister to the remaining Lysionotus species. Information on its distribution, ecology, phenology, vernacular name, and a provisional conservation assessment are provided.

keywords: Didymocarpoideae, flora of Laos, Indochina, Phou Pha Marn PPA, taxonomy

Lysionotus calcicola Phonep., Soulad. & Souvann.
 (A) Habit, (B) flower lateral view, (C) flower top view, (D) corolla opened out showing stamens and staminodes, (E) stamens and staminodes, (F) calyx, (G) pistil, (H) fresh fruit, (I) seeds.

Drawn from Souladeth et al. PPM034(FOF) by K. Souvannakhoummane.

Lysionotus calcicola Phonep., Soulad. & Souvann.
 (A-B) Habitat and habit, (C) 4-angled stem, (D) cross section of stem, (E) arrangement of leaves, (F) flower, font view, (G-H) inflorescences, (I) corolla opened out, (J) stamens and base of corolla tube, (K) calyx opened (L) pistil, (M) young fruit with calyx, (N) seeds.

 Photos from Souladeth et al. PPM034 (FOF). (A–F) and (L) by P. Phonepaseuth, (G–K) by K. Souvannakhoummane, (N) by D. Kongxaisavath.

Lysionotus calcicola Phonep., Soulad. & Souvann. sp. nov.  

Diagnosis: A species similar to Lysionotus chingii Chun ex W.T.Wang of China in having papery leaves, glabrous peduncles, white funnel-shaped corollas, and subulate seed appendages, but distinguished by its 4-rounded-angled and longitudinally grooved stems (versus terete), sparsely puberulent lamina (versus glabrous), corolla sparsely short glandular hairy on both surfaces (versus glabrous on outer surface), and sparsely glandular hairy pistil (versus glabrous). For further comparison see Table 2.

...

Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the Latin word ‘calcicola' meaning ‘growing on calcareous substrate', which is the habitat where this plant is found.

Vernacular name: Dok Nga Xang Hin (ດອກງາຊ້າງຫີນ), proposed here. ‘Dok Nga Xang' in Laos refers to a given name for the genus Lysionotus, and ‘Hin' refers to limestone karst, the type of habitat where this plant is found.

Keooudone Souvannakhoummane, Phongphayboun Phonepaseuth, Phetlasy Souladeth, Soulivanh Lanorsavanh, Shuichiro Tagane and Nobuyuki Tanaka. 2025. Studies on the Gesneriaceae in Laos II: Lysionotus calcicola, A New Species from Limestone Karsts in north and central Laos, supported by morphological and molecular evidence. Nordic Journal of Botany. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.04620 [17 April 2025]

  facebook.com/PhetlasySouladeth/posts/9459722664082169

[Botany • 2018] Astragalus ihsancalisii (Fabaceae) • A New Species of Astragalus Sect. Incani from Erzurum Province, E Turkey

Astragalus ihsancalisii Dönmez & Uğurlu, 

in Dönmez et Uğurlu Aydin, 2018. 

 DOI: 10.3372/wi.48.48309

Abstract

Astragalus ihsancalisii Dönmez & Uğurlu (Fabaceae) is described as a new species from Erzurum province in E Turkey. The new species belongs to A. sect. Incani DC. and is similar and possibly related to A. glaucophyllus Bunge and A. guzelsuensis F. Ghahrem. & al. from Turkey and A. siahcheshmehensis Maassoumi & Podlech from Iran. Astragalus ihsancalisii is clearly distinguished from those three species by flower number per raceme, bract size, pedicel length, standard length and legume beak length, among other characters. Diagnostic characters are given and their taxonomic importance is discussed. Photographs of A. ihsancalisii in the field are presented. In addition, SEM micrographs of leaf and legume surfaces of the new species and A. glaucophyllus and A. guzelsuensis are provided for comparison. The conservation status of A.ihsancalisii is also assessed according to field observations.

KEYWORDS: Astragalus, biodiversity, conservation status, endemic, FABACEAE, Leguminosae, micromorphology, new species, taxonomy, Turkey

Astragalus ihsancalisii Dönmez & Uğurlu

Alı A. Dönmez and Zübeyde Uğurlu Aydin. 2018. Astragalus ihsancalisii (Fabaceae), A New Species from Erzurum Province, E Turkey. Willdenowia. 48(3); 399-404.  DOI: 10.3372/wi.48.48309

 

[Entomology • 2025] Nocticola baiguensis, N. cordiformis & N. appendiculata • Three New Species of the Cockroach Genus Nocticola Bolívar, 1892 (Blattodea: Corydioidea: Nocticolidae) from China

Nocticola baiguensis
Nocticola cordiformis 
Nocticola appendiculata 

Li, Liu, Chen, Wei, Yue & Qiu, 2025  

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1232.136907 

Abstract

Three new species of Nocticola Bolívar, 1982 from Guangxi Province, China are described: Nocticola baiguensis sp. nov., Nocticola cordiformis sp. nov., and Nocticola appendiculata sp. nov. Morphological features associated with the wings, the specialized abdominal tergum, and genitalia of these new species are described and illustrated in detail. A key to the recorded Nocticola species from China is provided in this paper.

Key words: Cave cockroach, epigean, identification key, new species, Nocticola, taxonomy

 

Habitats of Nocticola baiguensis sp. nov. from China 
A, B external environment of the Baigu Cave
C, D N. baiguensis sp. nov. found on stone, surrounded by some animal feces E N. baiguensis sp. nov. found on rotting branch F nymphs of Nocticola baiguensis sp. nov.

Habitats of Nocticola cordiformis sp. nov. from China
A, B habitats of holotype specimen of N. cordiformis sp. nov. C adult of N. cordiformis sp. nov. on wood.
Habitats of Nocticola appendiculata sp. nov. from China
A habitats of N. appendiculata sp. nov. B nymphs and an adult of N. appendiculata sp. nov. on wood C N. appendiculata sp. nov., side view D female and male of N. appendiculata sp. nov. mating.

 Ting-Ting Li, De-Xing Liu, Jian Chen, Xiao-Ya Wei, Qiao-Yun Yue and De-yi Qiu. 2025. Three New Species of the Cockroach Genus Nocticola Bolívar, 1892 (Blattodea, Corydioidea, Nocticolidae) from China. ZooKeys 1232: 267-284. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1232.136907 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Phalloceros mimbi • A New Species of the Phalloceros harpagos species complex (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) from the middle and lower Uruguay River Floodplains

 

Phalloceros mimbi

 Serra, Scarabino, Gobel & Laufer, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.30550/j.azl/2096 

 Researchgate.net/publication/390504997

Abstract

Phalloceros mimbi sp. nov. is described from specimens collected in the floodplains of the middle and lower Uruguay River in Uruguay (Río Negro and Salto Departments) and Argentina (Entre Ríos Province). This species belongs to the P. harpagos species complex and is diagnosed by the following unique combination of characters: 1) presence of a symmetric hood-like structure located immediately anterior to the urogenital papilla in females, 2) absence of large papillae at the mandibular symphysis of large adult females, 3) possession of well-developed hooks positioned in distal portion of gonopodial appendices of males and 4) lateral spot usually present in both sexes. To date, P. mimbi has not been found coexisting in sympatry with other Phalloceros species. The geographically closest species is P. caudimaculatus, who differs from P. mimbi by the absence of hooks in gonopodial appendix in males. Two of the three known populations of P. mimbi are relatively protected from the main threats to the species. However, conservation initiatives should consider its presence and ensure that it receives the necessary attention; considering that its global distribution occupies less than 200.000 km2 and its occurrence area represents less than 10% of the national territory it must be considered a priority for conservation and an Threatened Species for the species list of Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SNAP) of Uruguay.

Keywords: Poeciliinae, freshwater fishes, conservation, Argentina, Uruguay

Phalloceros mimbi sp. nov. 

 

Wilson Serra, Fabrizio Scarabino, Noelia Gobel and Gabriel Laufer. 2025. A New Species of the Phalloceros harpagos species complex (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae) from the middle and lower Uruguay River floodplains. Acta Zoológica Lilloana. 309–326. DOI: doi.org/10.30550/j.azl/2096 

 Researchgate.net/publication/390504997_A_new_species_of_Phalloceros_from_the_middle_and_lower_Uruguay_River_floodplains

[PaleoEntomology • 2025] Basiceros enana • A Fossil-informed pattern of Body Size increase and local extinction in Basiceros dirt ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

 

 Basiceros enana

Fiorentino, Probst, Richter, Economo & Barden, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2171

Abstract

Basiceros dirt ants are morphologically distinct and widely distributed members of Neotropical communities. These ants possess features that aid in leaf litter camouflage and are larger than other closely related lineages with similar cryptic adaptations. Here, we report the first fossil of this genus group, Basiceros enana sp. nov., from Miocene-aged Dominican amber, which reveals a pattern of body size evolution and disjunct biogeography. The fossil evidences the local extinction of Basiceros in the Caribbean, even as living Basiceros are known from Honduras to Southern Brazil. Using combined morphological and molecular datasets of all closely related lineages, we recover the evolutionary trajectory for body size within the group, demonstrating that body size was initially small in these ants and followed by a rapid expansion of body size in the common ancestor of all living species. Results reflect the capacity for early morphological evolution to influence perceived patterns of body size increase through a mosaic of ancestral legacy and continuous enlargement.

Keywords: fossil, local extinction, ancestral state reconstruction, Caribbean evolution, body size 

Artistic rendition of Basiceros enana preserved in Dominican amber from CT-scan data. Specialized hairs used for picking up dirt can be seen highlighted in yellow covering the ants' legs and head.

Credit: Gianpiero Fiorentino (NJIT)

Basiceros enana sp. nov. 

Gianpiero Fiorentino, Rodolfo Probst, Adrian Richter, Evan P. Economo and Phillip Barden. 2025. A Fossil-informed pattern of Body Size increase and local extinction in Basiceros dirt ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Proc. R. Soc. B. 292; 20242171. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.2171 [16 April 2025]

[Botany • 2025] Santolina razaneae (Asteraceae) • A New steppic Species from Morocco

 

Santolina razaneae Homrani-Bakali, Chamboul. & Léger, 

 

in Homrani-Bakali, Chambouleyron et Léger, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.693.3.4 

Abstract

Based on morphological characters, Santolina razaneae, a new Asteraceae species growing in the steppic habitats of eastern Morocco (Moulouya valley and High Plateaus), is described and illustrated. This species is distinguished from other Santolina species present in Morocco by its unique morphological traits, including elliptic leaflets and pinnate leaves with obtuse lobes, triangular, lacerate, and glabrous paleae, and florets with triangular, pale pinkish lobes. A key to the spontaneous Santolina species occurring in Morocco is provided. 

Compositae, Distribution, Endemics, Morphological traits, Taxonomy, Varieties, Eudicots

 

Santolina razaneae Homrani-Bakali, Chamboul. & Léger sp. nov.

Abdelmonaim HOMRANI BAKALI, Mathieu CHAMBOULEYRON and Jean-François LÉGER. 2025. Santolina razaneae (Asteraceae), A New steppic Species from Morocco. Phytotaxa. 693(3); 235-244. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.693.3.4 [2025-03-14]

 facebook.com/HomraniBakali

www.teline.fr/en/photos/asteraceae/santolina-razaneae

Researchgate.net/publication/389851037_Santolina_razaneae_a_new_steppic_species_from_Morocco

[Crustacea • 2025] Gaillardiellus magiruber • A New Species of Gaillardiellus Guinot, 1976 (Brachyura: Xanthidae) from the coral reefs of the South China Sea

 

Gaillardiellus magiruber 

Yuan, Jiang & Sha, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1234.144026

Abstract

A new xanthid species of Gaillardiellus Guinot, 1976, is described from the coral reefs of the Xisha and Nansha Islands in the South China Sea. The new species, Gaillardiellus magiruber sp. nov., closely resembles G. rueppellii (Krauss, 1843) but can be distinguished mainly by its closer proximity of the outer orbital angle and anterolateral margin, which lacks an accessory lobe, a broader and non-protruding front, and notable differences in live coloration and size. Molecular analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences further corroborates the validity of this new species. An updated identification key for Gaillardiellus is provided.

Key words: Actaeinae, COI, Gaillardiellus, identification key, morphology, new species, rock crabs, taxonomy

Gaillardiellus magiruber sp. nov., male holotype (5.9 × 4.4 mm) (MBM288133)
A dorsal view of cephalothorax B pleon and telson C outer view of right cheliped D right pereiopod 5 E right third maxilliped F dorsal view of left G1 distal part G ventral view of left G1 distal part H dorsal view of left G2 I ventral view of left G2 J dorsal view of left G1 K ventral view of left G1.

Scale bars: 1 mm (A–E); 0.2 mm (F, G); 0.5 mm (H–K).

Gaillardiellus magiruber sp. nov., male holotype (5.9 × 4.4 mm) (MBM288133)
A overall dorsal view B dorsal view of cephalothorax C frontal view of cephalothorax D thoracic sternites, pleon and telson E outer view of chelipeds. Scale bar: 1 mm.

Gaillardiellus magiruber sp. nov., live coloration
A, B female paratype (9.8 × 7.1 mm) (MBM288134) C female paratype (5.7 × 4.2 mm) (MBM288135). Scale bar: 5 mm.

Gaillardiellus magiruber sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Carapace (Figs 1A, B, 2A, 3A, B, 4A, B) transversely oval, regions clearly defined, short setae present within grooves and between granules, long setae scattered between granules; front not protruding, slightly curved downwards, divided into 2 lobes by broad V-shaped notch; anterolateral margin divided into 4 granular lobes, first lobe small, slightly larger than outer orbital angle, adjacent to latter; posterolateral margin shorter than anterolateral margin, distinctly concave. Thoracic sternum (Figs 1D, 3D) with low granules, sternites 1 to 4 covered with soft setae. Male pleonite 6 (Figs 1D, 2B) with expanded lateral distal angles, wider than long; telson wider than long, terminal end blunt. G1 (Fig. 2F, G, J, K) curved outwards, distal third with small spines, long setae near distal end, terminal lobe slender. Orange-red to vibrant bright red in life (Fig. 5).

Etymology. The new species is named after the fiery Stand “Magician’s Red” from the manga “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”, wielded by the character Muhammad Avdol. This name alludes to the species’ changing flame-like red coloration.

YUAN Ziming, JIANG Wei and SHA Zhongli. 2025. A New Species of Gaillardiellus Guinot, 1976 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Xanthidae) from the coral reefs of the South China Sea. ZooKeys. 1234: 1-17. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1234.144026

[Ichthyology • 2025] Characidium dumonti • A New Species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Iguaçu National Park, Rio Iguaçu Basin, Paraná, Brazil

 

 Characidium dumonti 

Stabile, Reis, Oliveira & Graça, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70035

Abstract

A new species of Characidium is described from the Iguaçu National Park, Brazil. The new species can be diagnosed from the congeners by the absence of conspicuous vertical bars, blotches and spots along the sides of the body, the presence of a scaled isthmus and adipose fin, a series of scales below lateral line and the presence of a thin dark midlateral stripe. The reticulated colour pattern of melanophores along the posterior edge of scales found in the new species is similar to that found in C. xanthopterum, with which it presents 4.2% of genetic distance. Morphological and molecular analyses showed that it is a new species, supported by multiple species delimitation methods (Assemble Species by Automatic Partitioning, the General Mixed Yule Coalescent method, and the Poisson Tree Process and its Bayesian implementation). The new species is a sister group of C. itarare, a species that occurs in the Paranapanema river basin (upper Paraná river). Despite being located within a conservation unit, the new species is known from only two creeks, raising concerns about its long-term conservation.

Keywords: COI, conservation unit, freshwater fish, integrative taxonomy, south American darters

Live specimens of Characidium dumonti before fixation, sampled in Córrego Carlos Giovanni, tributary of Rio São João, Rio Iguaçu basin, Lower Rio Paraná.

 Photograph by Natália de Paula Lopes.

  Characidium dumonti, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Characidium dumonti can be distinguished from its congeners, except Characidium bolivianum Pearson 1924, C. chicoi da Graça, Ota & Domingues 2019, C. iaquira Zanata, Ohara, Oyakawa & Dagosta 2020, C. kamakan Zanata & Camelier 2015, C. lanei Travassos 1967, C. nana Mendonça & Netto-Ferreira 2015, C. samurai Zanata & Camelier 2014, C. summus Zanata & Ohara 2015, C. tapuia Zanata, Ramos & Oliveira-Silva 2018, and C. xanthopterum Silveira, Langeani, da Graça, Pavanelli & Buckup 2008 by the absence of conspicuous dark-brown vertical bars, blotches and spots along the sides of body (vs. presence of conspicuous dark-brown vertical bars, blotches and spots along the sides of body in the remaining congeners). Characidium dumonti can be distinguished from C. bolivianum, C. iaquira, C. kamakan, C. lanei and C. summus by the scaled isthmus (vs. scaleless isthmus). From C. chicoi and C. nana by the presence of adipose fin (vs. absence of adipose fin). From C. xanthopterum by the presence of five scales series below lateral line (vs. four). From C. samurai and C. tapuia by the presence of a thin dark midlateral stripe occupying half scale height in vertical through dorsal-fin origin and one scale height on caudal peduncle (vs. broad lateral stripe occupying at least one scale height). The new species can be further distinguished from all congeners except C. xanthopterum by the presence of a reticulated colour pattern, with melanophores along the posterior edge of the scales (vs. absence of a reticulated colour pattern, without melanophores along the posterior edge of the scales) and from C. xanthopterum by the shorter dorsal and pelvic-fin height, 19.1%–23.7% and 12.1%–18.1% of Ls (vs. 24.9%–32.2% and 21.6%–27.4% of Ls), and shorter predorsal distance 44.5%–48.0% of Ls (vs. 49.2%–56.7% of Ls).

Etymology: The specific name dumonti was chosen in honour of Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873–1932), who is regarded as the father of aviation. In 1916, Dumont visited the area around the Iguaçu Falls and worked to convince the government to create a natural park there. His efforts were essential for the establishment of the Iguaçu National Park, a place that protects the type locality of Characidium dumonti and home of many other species. A genitive.

  

Map of the distribution of Characidium dumonti, inside Iguaçu National Park (INP-orange), Rio Iguaçu, lower Rio Paraná basin, Paraná, Brazil. The yellow circles represent localities of paratypes and the red star represents the type locality.

 

Bruno H. M. Stabile, Renan B. dos Reis, Alessandra V. de Oliveira and Weferson J. da Graça. 2025. A New Species of Characidium (Characiformes: Crenuchidae) from the Iguaçu National Park, Rio Iguaçu Basin, Paraná, Brazil. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70035 [09 April 2025]

[Herpetology • 2025] Lycodon latifasciatus • A New Species of Wolf Snake Lycodon Fitzinger, 1826 (Squamata: Colubridae) from China and Myanmar, and New Data on Lycodon gongshan

 

 Lycodon latifasciatus 
(B–C) L. latifasciatus sp. nov. (D–E) L. fasciatus (G–H) L. gongshan 

 Nguyen, Lee, Jiang, Ding, M.T. Chit, Poyarkov & Vogel, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5621.1.1  

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Abstract

We describe a new species of wolf snake in the genus Lycodon Fitzinger based on eight specimens collected from the Xizang Autonomous Region of southwestern China and the Sagaing Region of northern Myanmar (Burma). The new species, Lycodon latifasciatus sp. nov., was previously confused with Lycodon fasciatus Anderson and Lycodon gongshan Vogel & Luo but differs from each species by having a dorsal color pattern consisting of broad dark brown and orange crossbands and a higher number of subcaudal scales (90–96). Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences (16s ribosomal RNA, cytochrome b, and recombination activation gene 1) recover Lycodon latifasciatus sp. nov. as a well-supported outgroup to a clade containing five species: Lycodon fasciatus, Lycodon gongshan, Lycodon butleri Boulenger, L. cavernicolus Grismer, Quah, Anuar, Muin, Wood & Nor, and L. sidiki Wostl, Hamidy, Kurniawan & Smith. It is further distinguished from all members of that clade by having uncorrected pairwise distances ranging from 6.65–12.94% (based on cytochrome b sequences), and by a lack of haplotype sharing based on nuclear DNA sequences (recombination activation gene 1). A redescription with new molecular and morphological data of L. gongshan is provided, including confirmation of recent records from Sichuan Province, China and a new record from Kachin State, Myanmar.

mt DNA, nu DNA, phylogeny, systematics, Southeast Asia, Lycodon latifasciatus sp. nov., Reptilia

The paratype of Lycodon latifasciatus - one of the two specimens we found at Zalon Taung, Sagaing.

photo by Parinya Pawangkhanant

Lycodon latifasciatus sp. nov., adult male paratype (ZMMu re-16728) from Ban Mauk District, Sagaing region, Myanmar:
(A) general habitus in life; (B) dorsal, (C) ventral, and (D) right lateral views of the head; (e) lateral view of dorsum at midbody showing general pattern of crossbands.

Photos by N. A. Poyarkov (A) and P. Pawangkhanant (B–E)

Photographs of live Lycodon latifasciatus sp. nov., L. fasciatus, and L. gongshan.
(A–C) L. latifasciatus sp. nov. from Myanmar and China: (A) ZMMU RE-16728 (paratype, adult male) from Ban Mauk District, Sagaing region, Myanmar; (B) ZMMU RE-16729 (immature male), same locality as ZMMU RE-16728; (C) CIB DL.2015.25.52 (paratype, adult male) from Medog County, Xizang Ar, China.
(D–F) L. fasciatus specimens from China and India: (D) uncollected specimen (adult, sex unknown) from Dehong, yunnan Province, China; (e) uncollected specimen (adult, sex unknown) from Daweishan Nr, Pingbian County, Yunnan Province; (F) uncollected specimen (adult, sex unknown) from Aizawl, Mizoram State, India.
(G–I) L. gongshan in China: (G) uncollected specimen (adult, sex unknown) from Tengchong, Baoshan County, yunnan Province; (H) CIB yN201909286 (adult male) from Lushui, Nuijang County, yunnan; (I) uncollected specimen (adult, sex unknown) from Zayu County, Xizang Ar (iNaturalist obs. 191251388).

Photos by N. A. Poyarkov (A), P. Pawangkhanant (B), L. Ding (C, D, g), h. r. gao (E), P. Shinde (F), S. C. Shi (h), and K. ouyang (I).

Lycodon latifasciatus sp. nov.

Tan Van NGUYEN, Justin L. LEE, Ke JIANG, Li DING, May Thu CHIT, Nikolay A. POYARKOV and Gernot VOGEL. 2025. A New Species of Wolf Snake Lycodon Fitzinger, 1826 from China and Myanmar (Squamata: Colubridae), and New Data on Lycodon gongshan Vogel & Luo, 2011.  Zootaxa. 5621(1); 1-51. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5621.1.1 [2025-04-14] 

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