[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

[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

[Ichthyology • 2025] Neotrygon romeoi • A New Blue-spotted Maskray Species (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae: Neotrygon) from Fiji

 

Live colouration of Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. from around Fiji:
(a) Lautoka, mixed rocky and sand habitat (©Leon Perrie, observed 1 July 2023, inaturalist.org); (b) Near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (©Jack Crosbie, 17 August 2023,  inaturalist.org); (c) Drawaqa Island, Yasawas on sand flat with some seagrass in ≃18 m of water, (©Robert Macfarlane, 7 January 2024, modified); (d) Suva foreshore, on seagrass in ≃0.2 m of water (©Tom Vierus, observed 24 March 2022, inaturalist.org); (e) Mana Island, over seagrass (©Floyd E. Hayes, observed 27 March 2018, inaturalist.org).

Glaus, White, O'Neill, Thurnheer & Appleyard, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70094

 Researchgate.net/publication/392529313

Abstract

Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. (Dasyatidae), a new species of blue-spotted maskray from Fiji, previously confused with Neotrygon kuhlii (Müller and Henle 1841) or Neotrygon trigonoides (Castelnau 1873), is described based on nine specimens (310–397 mm disc width) from Fiji. Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. is a large maskray with a broadly angled snout, long claspers in adult males and a median row of thornlets extending from the nape to the tail base. Fresh specimens have a brownish dorsal surface with dark mask-like marking covering across and between the eyes (sometimes indistinct), two large brown to black branchial blotches posterior to the spiracles, numerous black pepper-like spots mainly concentrated in masked area and the branchial blotches, and sometimes having small, dark-edged pale blue to whitish spots. The new species is further characterized by ocellated spots in the medial belt usually absent. Molecular analysis based on 570 bp of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrial gene also supports that N. romeoi n. sp. is a distinct species from other congeners. The new species, known only from the Fiji Islands, may thus warrant inclusion in Fiji's Endangered and Protected Species Act.

Keywords: Fiji, endemic, new species, Oceania, South Pacific Ocean, species complex

Live colouration of Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. from around Fiji:
(a) Lautoka, mixed rocky and sand habitat (©Leon Perrie, observed 1 July 2023, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/171357979); (b) Near South Sea Island, rocky reef, (©Jack Crosbie, observed 17 August 2023, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/180044335); (c) Drawaqa Island, Yasawas on sand flat with some seagrass in ≃18 m of water, (©Robert Macfarlane, 7 January 2024, modified); (d) Suva foreshore, on seagrass in ≃0.2 m of water (©Tom Vierus, observed 24 March 2022, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/109579248); (e) Mana Island, over seagrass (©Floyd E. Hayes, observed 27 March 2018, modified, www.inaturalist.org/observations/99347812).

Neotrygon romeoi n. sp. 

 Etymology: The epithet is dedicated to the late Romeo Glaus, the father of the first author, in recognition of his lasting inspiration, enduring support and deep respect for nature. 

Vernacular: Fiji Maskray.

Kerstin Glaus, William T. White, Helen L. O'Neill, Sarah Thurnheer and Sharon A. Appleyard. 2025. A New Blue-spotted Maskray Species (Neotrygon, Dasyatidae) from Fiji. Journal of Fish Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/jfb.70094 [09 June 2025]

 Researchgate.net/publication/392529313_A_new_blue-spotted_Maskray_Neotrygon_from_Fiji

[Paleontology • 2025] Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae • A neornithischian Dinosaur from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the western USA

Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae

Maidment & Barrett, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.242195

Artwork by Bob Nicholls.

Abstract

Although their remains have been known since the 1870s, the small, bipedal ornithischian dinosaurs from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the western USA remain poorly known. The historic type specimens are incomplete and poorly preserved and have recently been designated as nomina dubia. Here, we describe a recently collected, partial but three-dimensionally preserved skeleton of a new small-bodied ornithischian from the Morrison Formation of Colorado, USA, that we name Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae gen. et sp. nov. The skeleton includes substantial portions of the axial and appendicular skeleton and, when scored into a phylogenetic analysis, is shown to be a non-cerapodan neornithischian, whose closest relative is Yandusaurus hongheensis from the Late Jurassic of China. The discovery of Enigmacursor enhances the diversity of ornithischian dinosaurs from the Morrison Formation and provides new information on their anatomy. In addition, it demonstrates that there is additional cryptic diversity of small-bodied Morrison Formation ornithischians, suggesting they were a more diverse component of these Late Jurassic ecosystems than was previously realized.

Systematic palaeontology

Dinosauria (Owen 1842)

Ornithischia (Seeley 1888)

Neornithischia (Cooper 1985)

Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae gen. et sp. nov.

Holotype—NHMUK PV R 39000, a partial skeleton that includes three teeth, three cervical, 11 dorsal, two dorsosacral and five caudal vertebrae, 10 dorsal ribs, five chevrons, right sternum, both scapulae, both humeri, both radii, both ulnae, three metacarpals, left ilium, right ischium, right pubis, both femora, both tibiae, both fibulae, right astragalus and both pedes.

Diagnosis—Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae differs from all other ornithischian dinosaurs in possessing the following unique combination of features and one potential autapomorphy (the latter marked with an asterisk): (1) posterior articular facets offset ventrally relative to anterior articular facets on proximal dorsal vertebrae*; (2) absence of a supracetabular crest on the ilium; (3) femoral head separated from the greater trochanter by a trochanteric fossa; (4) apex of anterior trochanter situated level with the ventral margin of the femoral head; (5) absence of a ligament sulcus on the posterior surface of the femoral head; (6) ventral surface of fourth trochanter straight or slightly convex in medial or posterior view; (7) medially directed, hook-like posterior condyle of the proximal end of the tibia.

Etymology—Enigma, meaning a puzzle or mystery, in reference to the convoluted taxonomic history of small-bodied ornithischians from the Morrison Formation; cursor, from the Latin for ‘runner’, in reference to the cursorial morphology of the elongated hind limb and pes. The species name honours Molly Borthwick, whose generous donation allowed the NHMUK to acquire the specimen.

Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae
a) Skeletal reconstruction of with preserved elements shaded.
b) Life reconstruction. Artwork by Bob Nicholls.

Susannah C. R. Maidment and Paul M. Barrett. 2025. Enigmacursor mollyborthwickae, a neornithischian dinosaur from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the western USA. R. Soc. Open Sci. 12: 242195. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.242195 [25 June 2025]

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2025/june/new-species-mystery-dinosaur-unveiled-natural-history-museum.html

   

[Paleontology • 2025] Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae & P. ironomyiae • Cretaceous Entomopathogenic Fungi illuminate the early Evolution of Insect–fungal Associations

An Cretaceous ant carries a fungus-infected ant pupa 

in Zhuang, Luo, Tang, Araújo, Yu, Zhao, Haelewaters, Nyunt, Zhang, Jarzembowski, Meng, Ran, Liu et Wang, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.0407  

 x.com/joaofungo

artwork by Dinghua Yang

Abstract

Throughout evolution, entomopathogenic (insect-pathogenic) fungi have played a pivotal role in regulating insect populations. However, little is known about ancient entomopathogenic fungi due to the scarcity of fossils displaying typical pathogenic structures on their presumed hosts. Here, we report two new fungi, Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae sp. nov. and Paleoophiocordyceps ironomyiae sp. nov., from mid-Cretaceous Kachin amber (approx. 99 million years old). They share common traits with Ophiocordyceps and are associated with an ant pupa and a fly, respectively. These fossils are among the oldest fossil records of animal-pathogenic fungi. In addition, we performed a divergence time estimation analysis showing that Ophiocordyceps likely originated during the Early Cretaceous. We further compiled the hosts of extant Ophiocordyceps and inferred the evolution of host associations within the genus based on ancestral character state reconstruction. Our results suggest that Ophiocordyceps made a host jump from Coleoptera to Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera during the Cretaceous, and its subsequent speciation was probably related to the increase in diversity and abundance of its moth and ant hosts. Our results not only highlight the ecological significance of pathogenic fungi in Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems, but also provide new insights into the coevolution between entomopathogenic fungi and host insects.

Keywords: fossil, Mesozoic, host–parasite association, ant, amber

 Paleoophiocordyceps gerontoformicae sp. nov. 

 Paleoophiocordyceps ironomyiae sp. nov.

Yuhui Zhuang, Cihang Luo, Dexiang Tang, João Paulo Machado de Araújo, Hong Yu, Jing Zhao, Danny Haelewaters, Thet Tin Nyunt, Qingqing Zhang, Edmund A. Jarzembowski, Guoliang Meng, Hao Ran, Yu Liu and Bo Wang. 2025. Cretaceous Entomopathogenic Fungi illuminate the early Evolution of Insect–fungal Associations. Proc. R. Soc. B. 292; 20250407. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2025.0407 [11 June 2025]  

  x.com/joaofungo/status/1933220876876452260

https://www.sciencenews.org/article/zombie-fungi-infecting-ants-fossil

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2025/june/origins-of-parasitic-fungi-that-inspired-the-last-of-us-revealed.html

[Mammalogy • 2025] Nagasorex albidens • The Shrew of Nagaland: A Remarkable New Genus and Species from Northeast India, With A Discussion of The Phylogeny and Classification of The Soricidae (Mammalia)

 

Nagasorex albidens 

Hutterer, Swanson, Esselstyn & Heaney, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1206/0003-0090.474.1.1

digitallibrary.AMNH.org

Abstract

A new genus and species of extant shrew, Nagasorex albidens, is described based on a single specimen obtained in Nagaland, northeastern India, in 1950. The new species shows novel characters, such as a total tooth number of 34, not found in any extant genus though they are found in extinct genera such as †Miosorex, †Lartetium, †Pseudotrimylus, and †Domnina. To determine the phylogenetic relationships of the new species, we first analyzed craniodental characters from all extant and many extinct genera of Soricidae. Although statistical support for most nodes was low, the nearest relatives of the new taxon appear to be certain Miocene and Pliocene taxa from Europe and Asia—†Dobenflorinia (new name), †Clapasorex, †Miosorex, and †Crocidosorex—followed by the extant African genera Congosorex, Myosorex, and Surdisorex, all of which we treat as members of the Myosoricinae. We then conducted a molecular phylogenetic study of extant genera using mitochondrial and nuclear genes. Although the genetic data we obtained from the new shrew are limited, our results place Nagasorex as the sister taxon of Crocidurinae (mitochondrial genes), or sister to Myosoricinae + Crocidurinae (nuclear genes). We tentatively place the new genus in the Myosoricinae. Additionally, we replace the preoccupied generic name Soricella with a new name, Dobenflorinia. Based on these results, we present a new systematic arrangement of the Soricidae.

Keywords: Shrews, India, Nāgāland, Classification, Phylogeny, Nagasorex albidens

Order Eulipotyphla Waddel et al. (1999) Family Soricidae Fischer, 1814

Nagasorex, new genus

Type Species: Nagasorex albidens, new species.

Included Species: The type species only.

Etymology: The generic name combines the place of origin (Naga Hills) with the Latin sorex (shrew); the gender is masculine. The specific epithet combines the Latin albus (white) and dens (tooth).

A, Dorsal; B, ventral; and C, lateral aspects of the holotype skin of Nagasorex albidens (FMNH 76197). Total length of specimen is 97 mm. Also shown are photographs of the original field label and subsequent FMNH label.

Nagasorex albidens, new species Diagnosis: A small dark shrew with narrow tail covered by very short hairs (fig. 8); cross section of guard hairs with H-profile (fig. 13); ear conch small, round and almost naked (fig. 8); skull roof with traces of the foramina vascularia (fig. 9); 34 nonpigmented teeth, tooth formula I 3/1 C 1/1 P 3/2 M 3/3 (figs. 10, 11); p4 with a distinct “myosoricine” Y-pattern (fig. 12B); mandibular articulation with upper and lower facets (fig. 11); plus the unique combination of characters described in the following section.

Rainer Hutterer, Mark T. Swanson, Jacob A. Esselstyn and Lawrence R. Heaney. 2025. The Shrew of Nagaland: A Remarkable New Genus and Species from Northeast India, With A Discussion of The Phylogeny and Classification of The Soricidae (Mammalia). Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. (474); 1-72. DOI: doi.org/10.1206/0003-0090.474.1.1 [18 June 2025]

digitallibrary.AMNH.org/collections/7f37d745-a9ae-46d0-9cb9-840b06458c19

[Botany • 2025] Begonia nyishiorum (Begoniaceae, sect. Platycentrum) • A New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India

 

Begonia nyishiorum A. Shenoy, A. K. Soni & Ab. Kumar,

in Soni, Shenoy, Kumar, Anu, Borah et Kabeer, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.3417/2025991

facebook.com: Dipu Borah 

Abstract A new species, Begonia nyishiorum A. Shenoy, A. K. Soni & Ab. Kumar, classified within Begonia L. sect. Platycentrum (Klotzsch) A. DC., is described from East Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. It is allied with B. kekarmonyingensis Taram, D. Borah & M. Hughes. The morphological similarities and differences between the two species are discussed. Notably, the striking petiole indument of B. nyishiorum is highly distinctive within section Platycentrum. The species is assessed as Data Deficient according to the IUCN Red List criteria.

Keywords: Begonia, Eastern Himalaya, Indian Himalayan Region, IUCN, Platycentrum

Begonia nyishiorum A. Shenoy, A. K. Soni & Ab. Kumar,

Ashish K. Soni, Akshath Shenoy, Abhinav Kumar, Misso Anu, Dipankar Borah and Althaf Ahamed Kabeer. 2025. Begonia nyishiorum (Begoniaceae), a New Species from Arunachal Pradesh, Northeast India. Novon: A Journal for Botanical Nomenclature. 33; 83 - 88. DOI: doi.org/10.3417/2025991

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Researchgate.net/publication/392928068_Begonia_nyishiorum_a_New_Species_from_Arunachal_Pradesh_Northeast_India

[Ichthyology • 2025] Bagarius protos & B. dolichonema • A Taxonomic Review of Bagarius Catfish (Siluriformes: Sisoridae) in the Salween and Irrawaddy Rivers, with Descriptions of Two New Species from China and Myanmar

Bagarius protos & B. dolichonema

Zeng & Chen,

in Zeng, Pu, Lei, Oo et Chen, 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.145776

Abstract

The genus Bagarius is a group of large, benthic, predatory catfishes found in South and Southeast Asia. Two new species of Bagarius, B. protos Zeng & Chen, sp. nov., and B. dolichonema Zeng & Chen, sp. nov., are described from the Salween River Basin, Yunnan Province, China, and Irrawaddy River Basin, Myanmar, respectively. Bagarius protos and B. dolichonema both differ from B. vegrandis and B. suchus in their large size and the adipose-fin origin being nearly vertical to the anal-fin origin. Bagarius protos most closely resembles B. lica and B. rutilus in overall morphology but can be distinguished from B. lica by the absence of the brow ridge formed by the lateral margin of the frontal and from B. rutilus by the dark yellow (instead of orange) coloration of the fins in life. It further differs from two other congeners in its short filamentous extensions of the pectoral-fin spine. Bagarius dolichonema is morphologically and genetically most similar to B. bagarius; it can be distinguished from B. bagarius by strong dorsal spines slightly flattened immediately anterior to the adipose fin, distally slender neural spines of the 4th–6th vertebrae, and shorter filamentous extensions of the pectoral-fin spine. This new species further differs from three other congeners by its longer filamentous extensions of the pectoral-fin spine and weak notches in the anterodorsal margin of the first dorsal pterygiophores. Molecular phylogeny based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene also confirms the validity of these two new species. The estimated K2P genetic distances between B. protos and congenerics range from 8.0% to 12.6%, and between B. dolichonema and congenerics range from 5.7% to 12.1%.

Key Words: Cryptic species, phylogeny, Southeast Asia, taxonomy

Living specimens of Bagarius protos sp. nov., paratype. KIZ202410548, 324 mm SL.

 Bagarius protos Zeng & Chen, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Bagarius protos can be distinguished from congeners by having the following combination of characteristics: eye small (5–8% HL), lateral margin of frontal straight, not forming brow ridge, strongly notched in antero-dorsal margin of the first dorsal-fin pterygiophore, dorsal spine strong (width 10.6–14.4 times its length), filamentous extensions of pectoral-fin spine reaching posterior of anal-fin base, neural spines of 4th–6th vertebrae immediately anterior to adipose fin distally slender, adipose-fin origin at vertical through or very slightly posterior to anal-fin origin, caudal peduncle deep (4.2–5.1% SL).

Etymology. The epithet name “protos” consists of the Greek “protos,” meaning original (at first), referring to the species being in the most primitive position in the phylogenetic tree of genus Bagarius. The suggested common name in Chinese is 原魾 (Pinyin: yuan pi).

Fresh specimens of Bagarius dolichonema sp. nov., paratype, KIZ2024010542, 193.9 mm SL, photo by Tao Qin.

 Bagarius dolichonema Zeng & Chen, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Bagarius dolichonema can be distinguished from congeners by the following combination of characteristics: lateral margin of frontal straight, not forming brow ridge, dorsal spine strong (width 9.9–14.1 times its length), weakly notched antero-dorsal margin on pterygiophore of first dorsal-fin, filamentous extensions of pectoral-fin spine beyond posterior of pelvic-fin base and some reaching anus, neural spines of 4th–6th vertebrae immediately anterior to adipose fin distally slightly flattened, adipose-fin origin at vertical through or very slightly posterior to anal-fin origin, caudal peduncle slender (3.8–4.6% SL).

Etymology. The epithet name “dolichonema” comes from the Greek adjective “dolikhos,” meaning long, and the noun “nēma,” meaning thread or yarn, which refers to the length of filamentous extensions with pectoral-fin spines and caudal fins that are the longest in congeners except for B. bagarius. The suggested common name in Chinese is 长丝魾 (Pinyin: chang si pi).

Yu-Yang Zeng, Xin-Rui Pu, Hao-Tian Lei, Thaung Naing Oo and Xiao-Yong Chen. 2025. A Taxonomic Review of Bagarius Catfish (Siluriformes, Sisoridae) in the Salween and Irrawaddy Rivers, with Descriptions of Two New Species from China and Myanmar. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(3): 1123-1136. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.145776

[Herpetology • 2025] Guibemantis sioka • A New Species of mantellid frog of the Genus Guibemantis (Anura: Mantellidae) from south-eastern Madagascar

Guibemantis sioka

Hutter, Andriampenomanana, Basham, Glaw, Masotti, Lambert & Vences, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.3

Abstract

We describe a new species of arboreal mantellid frog of the genus Guibemantis (classified in the subgenus Guibemantis) from Madagascar. The new species, Guibemantis sioka sp. nov., is morphologically similar to G. depressiceps but differs by a high uncorrected genetic distance greater than 6% in the mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene from all other related species, and by a conspicuous dark-light marbling of the flanks, relatively large hands, and the structure of its advertisement calls from its closest relatives. Single individuals of the new species have been found at each of three high-elevation sites (1210–1650 m a.s.l.) in the Southern Central East and South East of Madagascar (Ranomafana National Park, Ivohiboro Reserve, and Andohahela National Park). If this apparent rarity was confirmed by future studies, it would stand in stark contrast to other Guibemantis which are often observed in large breeding aggregations.

Amphibia, Anura, Ranomafana, Maharira, new species, Guibemantis sioka sp. nov., taxonomy

Guibemantis sioka sp. nov.

 

Carl R. HUTTER, Zo F. ANDRIAMPENOMANANA, Edmund W. BASHAM, Frank GLAW, Matteo D. MASOTTI, Shea M. LAMBERT and Miguel VENCES. 2025. A New Species of mantellid frog of the Genus Guibemantis from south-eastern Madagascar.  Zootaxa. 5647(3); 260-274. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5647.3.3 [2025-06-16]