[Herpetology • 2025] Dixonius noctivagus • A New Species of Dixonius (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from A Karstic Archipelago in Western Cambodia

 

Dixonius noctivagus 

L. L. Grismer, Sinovas, Quah, Thi, Chourn, Chhin, Hun, Cobos, Ching, Murdoch, Gregory, Nguyen, Hernandez, Kaatz & J. L. Grismer, 2025

Battambang leaf-toed gecko || DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5653.4.3

 

Abstract

An integrative taxonomic analysis was used to delimit and diagnose a new species of Dixonius from a karstic archipelago in western Cambodia. Dixonius noctivagus sp. nov. was recovered as the sister species to an undescribed species from eastern Cambodia and southwestern Vietnam based on 1,396 bp of the mitochondrial ND2 gene. A statistically robust diagnosis was established through multivariate and univariate analyses of morphometric, meristic, and categorical color pattern characters separating D. noctivagus sp. nov. from all other congeners. Although Dixonius is a common and widespread genus, the description herein brings the total number of Dixonius in Cambodia to two—far fewer than the eight species from both neighboring Thailand and Vietnam. This disparity underscores the need for systematic biodiversity surveys in the many understudied regions of Cambodia, particularly focusing on its herpetofauna. The discovery of D. noctivagus sp. nov. alongside recently described Cyrtodactylus and Hemiphyllodactyus species from the same karst formations highlights the urgent need for legal protection of these fragile habitats in the region.

Reptilia, conservation, Gekkota, genetics, integrative taxonomy, limestone, phylogeny, Southeast asia

 Dixonius noctivagus sp. nov.

Battambang leaf-toed gecko 

L. Lee GRISMER, Pablo SINOVAS, Evan S. H. QUAH, Sothearen THI, Phyroum CHOURN, Sophea CHHIN, Seiha HUN, Anthony COBOS, Christian CHING, Matthew L. MURDOCH, Jeren J. GREGORY, Eddie NGUYEN, Alexis P. HERNANDEZ, Amanda KAATZ and Jesse L. GRISMER. 2025. A New Species of Dixonius Bauer, Good, & Branch, 1997 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from A Karstic Archipelago in Western Cambodia. Zootaxa. 5653(4); 501-523. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5653.4.3 [2025-06-30]

[Botany • 2025] Paphiopedilum motuoense (Orchidaceae: Cypripedioideae) • A New Species from Motuo, Xizang, China

Paphiopedilum motuoense  M. N. Wang, F. X. Tang & W. H. Rao,

in Tang, Rao,  Zhang, Wu, M. Wang, Li, Chen, Duan et M.-N. Wang. 2025. 

墨脱兜兰  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.145861 

 Abstract

Paphiopedilum motuoense, a newly discovered orchid from Motuo County, Xizang, China, is described and illustrated. Paphiopedilum motuoense can be distinguished from the related Paphiopedilum species P. qingyongii and P. venustum by several distinctive features: a significantly smaller staminode above the column, a distinct purplish-red lip with purplish-brown veins, pouched with erect and triangular auriculas on both sides of its mouth, and leaves with pale green and pale yellowish-green tessellations. The novelty is also well supported as a new species by molecular phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, the complete chloroplast genome of P. motuoense, 157,218 bp in length, was assembled and annotated. It contains an LSC region of 86,275 bp, SSC region of 949 bp and two IRs of 34,997 bp, with 120 genes, including 76 PCGs, 36 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes.

Key words: China, new orchid species, Paphiopedilum motuoense, plastid genome

Paphiopedilum motuoense and its allies
a1–d1 Paphiopedilum motuoense a1 whole plant b1 leaf c1 flower d1 staminode.
a2–d2 P. venustum a2 whole plant b2 leaf c2 flower d2 staminode.
a3–d3 P. qingyongii a3 whole plant b3 leaf c3 flower d3 staminode.

Images of living plants of Paphiopedilum motuoense 
A whole plant B, C flower (side view and back view) D, E dorsal sepal (front view and back view) F, G synsepal (front view and back view) H, I petal (front view and back view) J–L lip (front view, side view and back view) M lip (vertical section) N ovary and column (with bract, synsepal and staminode) O–Q column (back view and side view) R, S staminode (front view and back view).

Paphiopedilum motuoense
  A whole plant B, C flower (side view and back view) D, E dorsal sepal (front view and back view) F, G synsepal (front view and back view) H, I petal (front view and back view) J–L lip (front view, side view and back view) M lip (vertical section) N ovary and column (with bract, synsepal and staminode) O–Q column (back view and side view) R, S staminode (front view and back view).

 Paphiopedilum motuoense M. N. Wang, F. X. Tang & W. H. Rao, sp. nov.

  Chinese name. 墨脱兜兰

Diagnosis. Paphiopedilum motuoense is similar to P. venustum and P. qingyongii in morphology, but differs from them by having a smaller staminode, petals flushed with purplish red, a purplish red lip with purplish brown veins, pouched with erect and triangular auriculas on both sides of mouth, and leaves adaxially tessellated with pale green and pale yellowish green (Table 1, Fig. 1).

Feng-Xia Tang, Wen-Hui Rao, Ze Zhang, Xin-Yi Wu, Meng Wang, Jian Li, Jie-Shan Chen, Xiao-Juan Duan and Mei-Na Wang. 2025. Paphiopedilum motuoense (Orchidaceae, Cypripedioideae), A New Species from Motuo, Xizang, China. PhytoKeys. 259: 131-144. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.259.145861 

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Barbucca heokhuii • A New Species of loach (Teleostei: Barbuccidae) from central Borneo

 Barbucca heokhuii

 Kottelat, 2025

 

Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73; 

Abstract

 Barbucca heokhuii, new species, is described from the Kahayan drainage in central Borneo. It is distinguished from the other species of the genus by its miniature size (the largest known specimen is 21.5 mm SL), a truncate to rounded caudal fin, an incomplete lateral line, and a distinctive colour pattern made, among others, of five pairs of irregular bars on the flank, narrower than interspaces, many of which may be dissociated into several small blotches. It occurs in syntopy with B. diabolica. Sexual dimorphism is reported for the first time for a member of the family; in males, the 2nd to 4th branched pectoral rays are thicker than the others and with a patch of small tubercles along their posterior edge. 

Key words. Cobitoidei, loach, miniature fish, sexual dimorphism, black water, peat swamp forest

 Barbucca heokhuii, ZRC 66766, 16.2 mm SL; Borneo, Kalimantan Tengah: Kahayan drainage.

(Photographs by Tan H. H.).

Barbucca heokhuii, new species  

 Diagnosis. Barbucca heokhuiiis distinguished from the other named species of Barbucca by having: a smaller adult size (the largest known specimen is 21.5 mm SL, vs. 37.2 in B. diabolica and 34.3 in B. elongata), a deeper body (depth at dorsal-fin origin 17–21 % SL, vs. 14–18 in B. diabolica and B. elongata); a truncate to rounded caudal fin (vs. emarginated); the lateral line incomplete, reaching to below posterior half of dorsal fin (vs. complete); absence of large tubercles on head and body (vs. presence on posterior part of flank, between above the tip of the pelvic fins and the base of the caudal fin); anus about halfway between pelvic-fin base ...

Etymology. Named for Tan Heok Hui (LKCNHM) in appreciation for his work on Southeast Asian fishes, and especially fishes of peat swamp forests and loaches of Borneo, and for the long lasting friendship, collaboration and companionship in the field. 

MAURICE KOTTELAT. 2025. Barbucca heokhuii, A New Species of loach from central Borneo (Teleostei: Barbuccidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73; 54–66.

 Researchgate.net/publication/389338300_Barbucca_heokhuii_a_new_species_of_loach_from_central_Borneo

[Ichthyology • 2025] Sewellia pudens • A New Species of loach (Cypriniformes: Gastromyzontidae) from Dakchung Plateau, southern Laos

Sewellia pudens  

Kottelat, 2025

 

 Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73; 

Abstract

 Sewellia pudens, new species, is described from the Xe Kaman watershed on Dakchung Plateau, Sekong Province, southern Laos. It is distinguished from other species of the genus in having a yellowish brown body; no markings on the fins; in males, a patch of tubercles on the snout divided longitudinally by a deep groove; no modified pelvic-fin rays with dorsal bone extension. The mouth of Sewellia and the tubercles and ornamentation on the fins of several species are described; the ‘pelvic valve’ is figured. 

Key words. Cobitoidei, loach, pectoral fin, pelvic fin, tubercles, bony extensions

Sewellia pudens, MHNG 2799.022, holotype, 49.2 mm SL, male; Laos: Xe Kaman watershed, Dakchung Plateau. Tip of axillary pelvic lobe on left side damaged.

Sewellia pudens, new species

 

Diagnosis. Sewellia pudens is distinguished from all species of Sewellia by the poorly developed patterning of the body and fins. On the body, black pigments are present in a vague midlateral stripe and 3–8 small saddles on the back, especially on caudal peduncle. Some irregular markings are also present on the body of some specimens, but not forming a clear pattern. The fins of most specimens have no colour marks, except for thin black lining along rays in the dorsal, anal and caudal fins, and, rarely, 1 or 2 faint blotches along lower edge of the caudal fin. The pectoral and pelvic fins ...

Etymology. The Latin adjective ‘pudens’ means modest, humble, reserved, discreet. It refers to the absence of conspicuous pattern on the body and fins (compared to most other species of the genus) and the absence of ostentatious modification on pectoral- and pelvic-fin rays. Pudens is indeclinable.

MAURICE KOTTELAT. 2025. Sewellia pudens, A New Species of loach from Dakchung Plateau, southern Laos (Teleostei: Gastromyzontidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 73; 304–317.

[Ichthyology • 2025] Iago gopalakrishnani • A New Species of Hound Shark, of the Genus Iago (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from the northern Indian Ocean

Iago gopalakrishnani 

Bineesh, Beura, Das, Nashad & Akhilesh, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2025.72.1.152519-03 

Abstract

 Sharks of the genus Iago Compagno and Springer, 1971 (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) that commonly occur in the deep waters of the Indo-Pacific, are an interesting group phylogenetically. Currently, three nominal species of Iago are known globally, namely, Iago garricki, I. omanensis and I. mangalorensis. In this study, we describe a new species of hound shark, Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov. from the deep waters of eastern Arabian Sea, India. Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov. is distinct in its dark chocolate brown to blackish colouration and low fins; pre-oral length 4.7–6% TL, 22.4-25% head length; first dorsal height 5.8-7% TL, first dorsal length 10.6–14.1% TL, first dorsal base length 6.7-9.8% TL, second dorsal length 8.9-10.9% TL and vertebral counts 117-123. Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov. is genetically distinct from congeners. COI based analysis of Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov formed a distinct clade in phylogenetic reconstruction with a genetic distance of 4.5-5.2% when comparing K2P parameters with congeners.

Keywords: Diversity, Genetics, Indian Ocean, Morphology, Sharks, Taxonomy

Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov.
(a) Holotype dorsal view, Reg. No. MBRCF3164, adult female, 447 mm TL.
(b) Paratype dorsal view, Reg. No. MBRCF3165, adult male, 450 mm TL, (c) Paratype lateral view.

Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov.
(a) Holotype, Regd. No. MBRCF3164, adult female, 447 mm TL, ventral view of head.
(b) Paratype 1, Regd. No. MBRCF3165, adult male, 450 mm TL, ventral view of head.

 Iago gopalakrishnani sp. nov.

K. K. Bineesh, Sweta Beura, Moumita Das, M. Nashad and K. V. Akhilesh. 2025. Description of A New Species of Hound Shark, of the Genus Iago (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from the northern Indian Ocean. Indian Journal of Fisheries. 72(1); DOI: doi.org/10.21077/ijf.2025.72.1.152519-03 

[Herpetology • 2025] Scincella montana • A New Species of Scincella Mittleman, 1950; the “Lampropholis” group (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico

   

Scincella montana

 Valdenegro-Brito, Vega-Pérez & García-Vázquez, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00020  

 facebook.com/herpmx

Abstract

We describe a new Mexican endemic species of Scincella in the “Lampropholis” group. It is distinguished from the other species in the group by the following combination of characters: two ventrolateral dark lines below the lateral stripe on each side, which begin on the supralabial scales, pass through the tympanic opening, and disappear at the level of the forelimbs; a thick and strongly defined lateral stripe; reddish hue on the tail; limbs that do not overlap when adpressed against the body; enlarged dorsal scales arranged in 54–67 transverse dorsal rows and 24–28 longitudinal rows at midbody. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences support the distinctiveness of the new species, as well as its sister relationship to a clade composed of S. assata and S. cherriei. This is the 12th species of Scincella in the Americas and is known from pine and pine–oak forests throughout the Sierra Madre del Sur in the states of Guerrero and Oaxaca, Mexico.

KEYWORDS: description, morphology, phylogenetics, taxonomy

Scincella montana

Antonio Esaú Valdenegro-Brito, Anibal H. Díaz De La Vega-Pérez and Uri Omar García-Vázquez. 2025. A New Species of Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Sierra Madre del Sur, Mexico. Herpetologica. 81(2); 171-182. DOI: doi.org/10.1655/Herpetologica-D-24-00020 [8 May 2025] 

  facebook.com/herpmx/posts/1237222524439612

Describimos una nueva especie endémica mexicana de Scincella en el grupo “Lampropholis.” Se distingue de las otras especies del grupo por la siguiente combinación de caracteres: tiene dos líneas oscuras ventrolaterales debajo de la franja lateral en cada lado, una surge en la abertura timpánica y se desvanece gradualmente a la altura de medio cuerpo, la inferior surge en las escamas supralabiales y se desvanece a la altura de la axila; una franja lateral gruesa y fuertemente definida; cola de color rojizo; extremidades que no se superponen cuando se presionan contra el cuerpo; escamas dorsales más grandes y ensanchadas dispuestas en 54–67 filas dorsales transversales y 24–28 filas longitudinales alrededor de la mitad del cuerpo Los análisis basados en secuencias de mtDNA respaldan la distinción de la nueva especie, así como su relación de especie hermana con el clado conformado por S. assata y S. cherriei. Esta especie representa la número 12 de Scincella en América, se distribuye en bosques de pino y pino-encino de la Sierra Madre del Sur en los estados de Guerrero y Oaxaca, México.

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Synodus autumnus • A New Species of Lizardfish (Aulopiformes: Synodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific Region

  

Synodus autumnus  

Furuhashi & Motomura, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1243.147259

Abstract

The Indo-Pacific lizardfish Synodus autumnus sp. nov. (Aulopiformes, Synodontidae) is morphologically distinct from all other nominal species of Synodus, and is described as new. It is characterized by the following combination of characters: dorsal-fin rays 11–13; anal-fin rays 8–10; lateral-line scales 49–51; scale rows above lateral line 3.5; scale rows below lateral line 4.5; vertebrae 49–52; anterior gill rakers 22–29; peritoneal spots 0–5; anterior palatine teeth in a discrete group, longer than posterior palatine teeth; anterior nostril flap long, broad, leaf-like, extending above and behind posterior margin of posterior nostril when laid back; posterior process of pelvic girdle wide; posterior part of preopercle scaled; body with 5 reddish saddle-like blotches; and lateral surface below lateral line with a straight row of brown blotches when fresh. The new species is similar to Synodus binotatus Schultz, 1953 and Synodus rubromarmoratus Russell & Cressey, 1979, but these species differ in having 52–56 and 53–55 lateral-line scales, respectively. In addition, S. binotatus has blotches below the lateral line in a zigzag pattern, and S. rubromarmoratus has anterior and posterior palatine teeth similar in length, 14–25 teeth on the tongue, and 0–5 peritoneal spots. No color pattern differences were apparent between the new species and S. rubromarmoratus, making differentiation between the two species in underwater photographs impossible; consequently, underwater photographs and unsupported catalog records were excluded from the reassessment of each species’ distribution. Examination of specimens reported as S. rubromarmoratus revealed that the true S. rubromarmoratus has been collected only in Australian waters, whereas S. autumnus sp. nov. is widely distributed in the eastern Indian and Pacific oceans.

Key words: Description, morphology, Synodus binotatus, Synodus lobeli, taxonomy, Teleostei

Fresh holotype of Synodus autumnus sp. nov. (KAUM–I. 180000, 54.2 mm SL, Segaura, Kushi, Bonotsu, Minami-satsuma, Satsuma Peninsula, southern Kyushu, Japan).
A. Lateral view; B. Dorsal view; C. Ventral view.

Fresh paratypes of Synodus autumnus sp. nov.
A. KAUM–I. 82280, 58.3 mm SL, Japan; B. KPM-NI 43326, 45.8 mm SL, Japan, photo by H. Senou.

 Synodus autumnus sp. nov.

 New English name: Autumn Lizardfish; 

new standard Japanese name: Iroha-eso

Diagnosis. A new species of Synodus with the following combination of characters: Dorsal-fin rays 11–13; anal-fin rays 8–10; lateral-line scales 49–51; scale rows above lateral line 3.5; scale rows below lateral line 4.5; vertebrae 49–52; anterior gill rakers 22–29; peritoneal spots 0–5; anterior palatine teeth in a discrete group, longer than posterior palatine teeth; ANF long and broad, leaf-like, extending above and behind posterior margin of posterior nostril when laid back; posterior process of pelvic girdle wide; posterior part of preopercle scaled; body with 5 reddish saddle-like blotches; lateral surface below lateral line with a straight row of brown blotches when fresh.

Underwater photograph of holotype of Synodus autumnus sp. nov. (KAUM–I. 180000, 54.2 mm SL) just before collection at a depth of 5 meters off Segaura, Satsuma Peninsula, southern Kyushu, Japan. Photo by M. C. Sato.

Etymology. Scientific and English names of the new species are derived from its body color, which is reminiscent of shrub and tree colors that change in autumn. “Iroha” means the leaves of plants that change color in autumn.

 Ryusei Furuhashi and Hiroyuki Motomura. 2025. Synodus autumnus, A New Species of Lizardfish (Aulopiformes, Synodontidae) from the Indo-Pacific Region, and A Reassessment of Distributional Records of Synodus rubromarmoratus. ZooKeys. 1243: 191-206. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1243.147259

[Cnidaria • 2025] Neoanthomastus stellatus, Anthomastus sphaericus, Pseudoanthomastus ornatus, ... • Mushroom Soft Corals (Octocorallia: Coralliidae) From Seamounts in the Tropical Northwestern Pacific: Morphology and Phylogenetic Analysis Reveal a New Genus and Six New Species

 

Neoanthomastus stellatus gen. et sp. nov., N. elongatus gen. et sp. nov., 
Anthomastus sphaericus sp. nov., A. tongi sp. nov., 
Pseudoanthomastus ornatus sp. nov., and P. applanatus sp. nov.

Y. Li, J. Li & Xu, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1155/jzs/4177670

Abstract

Mushroom soft corals in the subfamily Anthomastinae are among the most remarkable octocorals found in the deep sea, characterized by their capitate or mushroom-shaped red colonies and large autozooids. To date, their species diversity remains largely unknown due to limited research, and their phylogenetic relationships have yet to be explored. Based on samples collected from four seamounts in the tropical Northwestern Pacific, we establish a new genus and six new species within Anthomastinae: Neoanthomastus stellatus gen. et sp. nov., Neoanthomastus elongatus gen. et sp. nov., Anthomastus sphaericus sp. nov., Anthomastus tongi sp. nov., Pseudoanthomastus ornatus sp. nov., and Pseudoanthomastus applanatus sp. nov. We transfer four species of Anthomastus with the siphonozooids extending into the stalk to the new genus Neoanthomastus, and four additional species of Anthomastus to Pseudoanthomastus. A dichotomous key to all five known genera and 43 species of Anthomastinae is provided. Meanwhile, we utilize the concatenated nucleotides of 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs), the full-length coding regions of the mitochondrial MutS gene (mtMutS) and the barcodes of partial mtMutS to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among all the five genera (Anthomastus, Bathyalcyon, Heteropolypus, Pseudoanthomastus, and Neoanthomastus gen. nov.) and available species of Anthomastinae. The phylogenetic trees constructed from the three types of sequences suggest a hierarchical relationship where Neoanthomastus gen. nov. and Pseudoanthomastus form a clade that clusters with Bathyalcyon, which in turn with Heteropolypus, and finally with Anthomastus, all with high nodal supports. We also identify a second species in octocorals that lack the unique mtMutS. The study reveals a high diversity of mushroom soft corals and underscores the need for further systematic and zoogeographic research.

Keywords: Anthomastus, Anthomastinae, deep sea, mitochondrial DNA, mtMutS, new taxa

Morphology of Neoanthomastus gen. nov. and six new species of Anthomastinae.
(A–C) A. sphaericus sp. nov., same specimen in situ (A) and in preservation (B, C). (D, E) A. tongi sp. nov. in situ and in preservation.
(F, G) N. stellatus gen. et sp. nov. in situ and in preservation. (H, I) N. elongatus gen. et sp. nov. in situ and in preservation.
(J–M) P. ornatus sp. nov., same specimen in situ (J) and in preservation (K–M), arrows indicate small autozooids of capitulum margin. (N–P) P. applanatus sp. nov., same specimen in situ (N, O) and in preservation (P). au, autozooids; o, oocytes; si, siphonozooids.

 Scale bars = 10 mm (B, C, E), 20 mm (G, I, K, M), 5 mm (L), and 50 mm (P).

 

Neoanthomastus stellatus gen. et sp. nov., N. elongatus gen. et sp. nov., 

Anthomastus sphaericus sp. nov., A. tongi sp. nov., 

Pseudoanthomastus ornatus sp. nov., and P. applanatus sp. nov. 

Yang Li, Junyuan Li, Kuidong Xu. 2025. Mushroom Soft Corals (Octocorallia: Coralliidae) From Seamounts in the Tropical Northwestern Pacific: Morphology and Phylogenetic Analysis Reveal a New Genus and Six New Species. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. DOI: doi.org/10.1155/jzs/4177670 [30 March 2025] 

[PaleoOrnithology • 2024] Chloephaga dabbenei • Pleistocene Record of Chloephaga Eyton, 1838 (Anseriformes: Anatidae) in the Argentine Pampas, with the Description of A New Species

Chloephaga dabbenei 

Agnolín, Álvarez Herrera & Tomassini, 2024

sciencepress.MNHN.fr

 Researchgate.net/publication/381626235

The genus Chloephaga Eyton, 1838, consisting of four species that breed in Patagonia, encompasses anatids endemic to South America. Despite their prominence in the present-day avifauna, these species have left behind a limited fossil record. The aim of the present contribution is to describe Chloephaga fossils coming from Middle Pleistocene levels (San José Sequence) cropping out at Bajo San José site, southwestern Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The specimens are referred to three different taxa, including a new species, Chloephaga dabbenei n. sp., a smaller but indeterminate taxon, which is also probably a new species, and the extant species C. picta (J.F.Gmelin, 1789). The newly described species is notably large, falling within the upper size range observed in males of C. picta. The tarsometatarsus is straight-shafted with poorly divergent distal trochleae, features that are correlated with cursorial habits, that are absent in other members of Chloephaga. The co-occurrence of three species of the genus Chloephaga is registered nowadays in the Argentine Patagonia and in the southeast of Buenos Aires Province, when they migrate during the winter season.

Keywords: Sheldgoose, Tadorninae, fossil diversity, Buenos Aires Province, Quaternary, new species

Chloephaga dabbenei sp. nov.

Federico Lisandro AGNOLÍN, Gerardo P. ÁLVAREZ HERRERA and Rodrigo TOMASSINI. 2024. Pleistocene Record of Chloephaga Eyton, 1838 (Anseriformes: Anatidae) in the Argentine Pampas, with the Description of A New Species. Comptes Rendus Palevol. 23(18); 241-255. DOI: 10.5852/cr-palevol2024v23a18 [21 June 2024]

https://sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/comptes-rendus-palevol/23/18

 Researchgate.net/publication/381626235_Pleistocene_record_of_Chloephaga_in_the_Argentine_Pampas

[Herpetology • 2024] Scinax ushiniauae • A New Species of the Scinax cruentomma group (Anura: Hylidae) from the Ucayali River Basin of Loreto, Peru

 

 

Scinax ushiniauae 

Gagliardi-Urrutia, Araujo-Vieira, Padial, Simões, Faivovich & Castroviejo-Fisher, 2024

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5406.3.1

Abstract

We describe a new species of the Scinax cruentomma species group, with a red streak in the iris and a weakly bilobate vocal sac. It is known from oligotrophic soils in the sedimentary basin of the Ucayali River near Jenaro Herrera (province of Requena, Peru) and Río Blanco (buffer zone of the Matses Indigenous territory and reserve). The new species can be distinguished from the other species of the S. cruentomma group by its small snout-vent length, body and iris color patterns, weakly bilobate vocal sac, myological characters, and the number of notes and pulses of the advertisement call. It is morphologically most similar to S. strussmannae, from which the advertisement call, nostril, canthus rostralis, and loreal region can distinguish it.

Amphibia, Amazon basin, bioacoustics, mating call, sp. nov., varillal, taxonomy, white-sand forests

Scinax ushiniauae  

Giussepe GAGLIARDI-URRUTIA, Katyuscia ARAUJO-VIEIRA, José M. PADIAL, Pedro Ivo SIMÕES, Julián FAIVOVICH and Santiago CASTROVIEJO-FISHER. 2024. A New Species of the Scinax cruentomma group (Anura: Hylidae) from the Ucayali River Basin of Loreto, Peru. Zootaxa. 5406(3); 401-420. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5406.3.1 [2024-02-07]

 

Descubren nueva especie de rana en nuestra Amazonía

Importante hallazgo lo hicieron especialistas del IIAP, entidad del Ministerio del Ambiente en la cuenca del río Ucayali.

https://www.gob.pe/institucion/minam/noticias/903945-descubren-nueva-especie-de-rana-en-nuestra-amazonia

[Paleontology • 2025] Cheilophis periplanetes • Another Wanderer from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum? A New Species of the North American Snake Genus Cheilophis Gilmore, 1938 (Serpentes: Constrictores) from the early Eocene of France

Cheilophis periplanetes

Georgalis & Mennecart, 2025

  sciencepress.MNHN.fr 

We here document new snake vertebral material from the early Eocene (MP 10) of Cuis, France, that we describe as a new species of Cheilophis Gilmore, 1938, a genus that was so far exclusively known from the Paleocene and Eocene of North America. The new taxon bears several anatomical features with the type, and so far, only known species of Cheilophis from North America. However, there are also important differences that allow us to recognize it as a new congeneric species. If our identification is correct, this first observed occurrence of Cheilophis from France adds another shared terrestrial vertebrate genus between Europe and North America, reinforcing biogeographic hypotheses about dispersals between the two landmasses around the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM).

Keywords: Serpentes, vertebral morphology, dispersals, Paleogene, new species

SERPENTES Linnaeus, 1758

ALETHINOPHIDIA Nopcsa, 1923

CONSTRICTORES Oppel, 1811 (sensu Georgalis &Smith, 2020)

Cheilophis periplanetes n. sp.

Etymology. The new species epithet is from the greek word 'periplanetes', which means “wanderer”, reflecting the potential wandering that occurred during the dispersals among North America and Europe.

 

Georgios L. GEORGALIS and Bastien MENNECART. 2025. Another Wanderer from the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum? A New Species of the North American Snake Genus Cheilophis Gilmore, 1938 from the early Eocene of France. Comptes Rendus Palevol. 24 (16) 317-331. DOI: doi.org/10.5852/cr-palevol2025v24a16 [25 June 2025]

  sciencepress.MNHN.fr/en/periodiques/comptes-rendus-palevol/24/16

This article is a part of the thematic issue: Snakes from the Cenozoic of Europe – towards a macroevolutionary and palaeobiogeographic synthesis.

https://x.com/DrGeorgalis/status/1937876893199478842

[PaleoIchthyology • 2025] Sphyragnathus tyche • A New predatory Actinopterygian from the Tournaisian of Nova Scotia provides insight into the Evolution of Actinopterygian Feeding

 

Sphyragnathus tyche

Wilson, Mansky & Anderson, 2025

 DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2025.2498453

ABSTRACT

The Devonian–Carboniferous transition represents a fundamental shift in vertebrate faunal composition and ocean ecology. Tournaisian-aged outcrops of the Horton Bluff Formation from Blue Beach, Nova Scotia capture this moment and yield a diverse fauna of actinopterygians and other vertebrates. Here, we report an actinopterygian mandible preserved in 3D, representing a new genus and species, Sphyragnathus tyche. This mandible is elongate, deeply curved, and bears a primary dentition of heterodont fangs. Actinopterygian identity is established by the characteristic ornamentation, dentition, and overall mandible construction observed in the specimen. Analysis of the relationship between mandible and body length in Paleozoic actinopterygians establishes S. tyche as a relatively large actinopterygian. Mandible length, curvature, and fang morphology combine to produce a functionally differentiated dentition with distinct regions for prey capture and prey processing. Comparison with modern actinopterygians places S. tyche as a back-fanged macrodont, distinguishing it from front-fanged macrodont actinopterygians of the Late Devonian. This earliest known instance of back-fanged macrodonty in the actinopterygian fossil record provides further evidence of actinopterygian morphological differentiation post-Devonian and implies experimentation in feeding mode. Apparent changes in feeding mode are underscored by analysis of stress distribution across the dentition of Devonian front-fanged macrodont actinopterygians and S. tyche. Although this specimen is compatible with a previous ‘head-first’ model of morphological diversification in early Carboniferous actinopterygians, we argue that a ‘feeding-first’ model is a better fit.

 

  Sphyragnathus tyche sp. nov. 

Conrad D. Wilson, Chris F. Mansky and Jason S. Anderson. 2025. A New predatory Actinopterygian from the Tournaisian of Nova Scotia provides insight into the Evolution of Actinopterygian Feeding. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2498453. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2025.2498453  [18 Jun 2025]

[Mammalogy • 2025] Apomys veluzi, A. crinitus & A. minor • Three New Species of Philippine forest mice (Mammalia: Muridae: Apomys), members of A Clade endemic to Mindoro Island

A: Apomys gracilirostris Ruedas, 1995; 

B: Apomys veluzi; C: A. crinitus; D: A. minor

Heaney, Balete, M. R. M. Duya, M. V. Duya, Kyriazis, Rickart, Steppan & Rowsey, 2025

  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.1.1 

science.UPD.edu.ph

Abstract

Apomys, a Philippine endemic genus of forest mice, occurs throughout most oceanic portions of the archipelago and is its most speciose mammal genus, with 18 species currently recognized. Recent extensive surveys of mammals on Mindoro Island have produced specimens that document the presence of three genetically and morphologically distinct candidate species of Apomys (subgenus Megapomys) previously unknown. These three, plus one previously described relative from Mindoro, constitute a clade of well-supported, reciprocally monophyletic units based on cytochrome b sequence data, all of which are strongly supported using BPP species delimitation. Data from three nuclear genes show less divergence, but species delimitation analyses are consistent with results from cytochrome b. These four taxa are easily diagnosed on the basis of pelage and cranial morphology. Each of the four species occurs allopatrically, though two occur along a single elevational gradient. In this paper, we formally describe the three new species. We estimate that the common ancestor of the four species arrived on Mindoro from Luzon roughly 4.7 Ma, with initial diversification beginning roughly 2.7 Ma, and increasing to the current four species about 1.3 Ma. The three new species increase the number of mammals currently recognized as endemics on Mindoro from nine to twelve. This is a remarkably high number of endemic mammals from an island of its size, and reflects Mindoro’s status as a geologically old island permanently isolated from other oceanic islands in the Philippines by deep water, while also corroborating Mindoro as the smallest island within which endemic speciation by small mammals is known to have occurred.

Mammalia, Asia, biodiversity, biogeography, diversification, elevation, morphometrics, phylogeny, Rodentia, speciation, surveys

 A: Apomys gracilirostris; B: A. veluzi; C: A. crinitus; D: A. minor

 

Large Mindoro forest mouse, A. gracilirostris Ruedas, 1995

Long-haired forest mouse, A. crinitus

 Small mindoro forest mouse, A. minor

 Veluz's forest mouse, A. veluzi

Lawrence R. HEANEY, Danilo S. BALETE, Mariano Roy M. DUYA, Melizar V. DUYA, Christopher C. KYRIAZIS, Eric A. RICKART, Scott J. STEPPAN and Dakota M. ROWSEY. 2025. Three New Species of Philippine forest mice (Apomys, Muridae, Mammalia), members of A Clade endemic to Mindoro Island. Zootaxa. 5647(1); 1-26. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.1.1 [2025-06-12]

discovery of Philippine forest mice—all belonging to the Apomys genus.

https://science.UPD.edu.ph/up-biologists-help-discover-new-philippine-forest-mice-species-in-mindoro/

[Mammalogy • 2025] Marmosa chachapoya • A New Species of Marmosa (Marsupialia: Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) from Parque Nacional del Río Abiseo, Peru

 

Marmosa chachapoya

Pavan, Abreu, Sánchez-Vendizú, & Voss, 2025

https://hdl.handle.net/2246/7511 

  Researchgate.net/publication/392826622 

 digitallibrary.AMNH.org

Abstract

We describe a new species in the didelphid marsupial genus Marmosa based on a single specimen collected at 2664 m on the eastern side of the Andes in San Martín department, Peru. The new species is closely related to Marmosa lepida (Thomas, 1888) and M. andersoni Pine,1972, in the subgenus Stegomarmosa, but differs from these and other congeneric taxa by mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences and by unique external and cranial characters. Diagnostic morphological traits of the new species include gray-based buffy-reddish ventral fur without a midventral zone of self-whitish fur; a remarkably narrow and long rostrum with a very long premaxillary process; absence of postorbital processes; and presence of diastemata among the canines, first premolars, and second premolars in both upper and lower dentitions. Marmosa chachapoya, sp. nov., is one of several recently discovered new species from the Parque Nacional del Río Abiseo, a protected area with remarkably high mammalian diversity.

 

Keywords: Marmosa chachapoya, Marmosa, Peru, Classification, Opossums

  Dorsal, lateral, and ventral views of the holotype skin of Marmosa chachapoya (MUSM 48770).

Holotype of Marmosa chachapoya (MUSM 48770) illustrating morphological features of the new species, including long and narrow rostrum, reddish brown dorsal fur, tail much longer than combined length of head and body, midrostral fur lighter colored than fur of crown, and dark facial mask not extending posteriorly to contact base of ear. Both photos by Pedro Peloso.

Marmosa chachapoya, sp. nov.
 

Pavan, Silvia E.; Abreu, Edson F.; Sánchez-Vendizú, Pamela Y. and Voss, Robert S. 2025. A New Species of Marmosa (Mammalia, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) from Parque Nacional del Río Abiseo, Peru. American Museum novitates. no. 4037. https://hdl.handle.net/2246/7511 [2025-06-19] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/392826622_A_New_Species_of_Marmosa_from_Parque_Nacional_del_Rio_Abiseo_Peru

  digitallibrary.AMNH.org/collections/cc9989ac-8437-42b9-80a0-83905bf8ab79