[Entomology • 2025] Nudopeza cura, N. glypha, N. rutilans, N. sirena, N. zostera, ... • Nudopeza, a New Genus of Neotropical Micropezidae (Diptera)

 

  Nudopeza cura 
Nudopeza glypha

Marshall. 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020019

 

Abstract

The Neotropical genus Nudopeza (Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae) is described for a group of 41 species, including Nudopeza tapanti sp. nov. (type species) and Nudopeza pronigra (Hennig) n. comb. for Grallipeza pronigra Hennig 1934, Nudopeza arcuata (Hennig) n. comb. for Grallipeza arcuata Hennig 1934, and the following 38 additional new species: N. cegex sp. nov, N. cura sp. nov, N. duplitheca sp. nov, N. gilli sp. nov., N. glypha sp. nov., N. gracei sp. nov., N. hansoni sp. nov., N. horologia sp. nov., N. laselva sp. nov., N. mephitis sp. nov., N. mexicana sp. nov., N. micromephitis sp. nov., N. nigrivertex sp. nov., N. nigriscutellum sp. nov., N. nudarcuata sp. nov., N. penai sp. nov., N. palenque sp. nov., N. paramephitis sp. nov., N. peruviensis sp. nov., N. quadrivitta sp. nov., N. ruficincta sp. nov., N. rutilans sp. nov, N. sirena sp. nov., N. sumaco sp. nov., N. trinidadensis sp. nov., N. uniseta sp. nov., N. variterga sp. nov., N. venezuelensis sp. nov., N. verpa sp. nov., N. versivitta sp. nov., N. viriola sp. nov., N. viva sp. nov., N. yungasensis sp. nov., N. zarza sp. nov., N. zostera sp. nov., N. zumera sp. nov., N. zygoma sp. nov., and N. zytha sp. nov.

Keywords: new species; new combinations; Grallipeza

Nudopeza New Genus

Type species: Nudopeza tapanti sp. nov., current designation.

  Etymology: The generic name Nudopeza was used informally for many years to refer to species with a bare arista but otherwise superficially similar to Grallipeza. Because the name has been widely used as a manuscript name it is retained and formalized here even though the generic concept is now expanded to include species with a plumose or pubescent arista.

  Diagnosis: Most species of Nudopeza, including the type species, have a conspicuous white or centrally white scutellum, a white postpronotum flanked mesally by a characteristic black spot, an all or mostly black frontal vitta, and an angled black line dividing the fronto-orbital plate into a pale lower (frontal) plate and a variously pigmented upper (orbital) plate (the net effect is usually a black “V” running eye to eye across the black or mostly black frontal vitta). Male terminalia of most species are simple, with the basal distiphallus ending in a broad phallic bulb as in Grallipeza, although a few males have a short (N. verpa group) to moderately long (N. zostera) distal distiphallus beyond the phallic bulb and two species (N. mexicana sp. nov., N. glypha sp. nov.) have an extraordinarily long distal distiphallus extending far anteriorly into the abdomen along with a correspondingly elongate hypandrium. Female N. glypha and N. mexicana have extremely long spermathecal ducts that seem to correspond with the elongate male phallus. The spermathecal complex of most Nudopeza species includes a simple primary spermathecal duct running to a pair of long, characteristically twisted and often ornamented spermathecal stems; the secondary spermathecal duct is usually very small with a single small or entirely atrophied spermatheca, but some species have both the primary and secondary spermathecae and associated ducts strongly developed. A few species, including the type, have two pairs of spermathecae. One unusual species (N. penai sp. nov) is the only known micropezid with five spermathecae.

 Nudopeza cura sp. nov. Costa Rica (MNCR).
(A). Topotypic ♀, habitus. (B). Head and notum. (C). Spermathecae and associated structures. (D). ♂ Terminalia, left ventrolateral. (E). Phallus.

Nudopeza glypha sp. nov. Costa Rica, living flies (DEBU). (A,B). ♂♂. (C). ♀.

 Nudopeza rutilans sp. nov., ♀♀ Peru.
(A). holotype, living (MUSM). (B). Spermathecae and associated structures (DEBU). (C). paratype, living (DEBU).

 Nudopeza venezuelensis sp. nov. holotype ♀, Venezuela (DEBU).
(A). Head and thorax. (B,D). Habitus, lateral and dorsolateral. (C). Spermathecae and associated structures.

 Stephen A. Marshall. 2025. Nudopeza, a New Genus of Neotropical Micropezidae (Diptera, Micropezidae, Taeniapterinae). Taxonomy. 5(2), 19; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5020019 [12 April 2025]

[Botany • 2025] Pleurothallis puyoensis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae) • A New Species of subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae from eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador

Pleurothallis puyoensis Criollo, 

in Cornejo et Criollo-Naula. 2025.

DOI: doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v19.i2.1400 

 Researchgate.net/publication/392973825

 Abstract

Pleurothallis puyoensis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae), a new species from the eastern slopes of Andes of Ecuador in the province of Pastaza is formally described and illustrated, and their relationship to morphologically closely related species is discussed.

Keywords: endemics, Pastaza, Pleurothallis cardiostola-P. lilijae complex, Seikes

 

Pleurothallis puyoensis Criollo.
A. Leaf blade and flower, adaxial view. B. Lateral view of plant. C. Flower at anthesis. D. Lateral view of flower,the tepals detached. E. Pollinia. F. Detached tepals. G. Lip. H. Column and rostellum.

 A–H based on the type. Photos by Dayana Criollo.

Pleurothallis puyoensis Criollo, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis.— Pleurothallis puyoensis is similar to P. lilijae Foldats (1968), but the former new species differs from the later by petals sessile(vs. unguiculate), shorter ovary (2.3–3 mm vs. 5–8 mm long), smaller dorsal sepal (3.3–4 × 3–4.5 mm vs. 7–13 × 7–10 mm), smaller synsepal(4–4.2 × 2.5–3 mm vs. 8–12 × 3.5–5 mm), and lip adnate (vs. erect). 

 Xavier Cornejo and Dayana Criollo-Naula. 2025. Pleurothallis puyoensis (Orchidaceae: Pleurothallidinae): A New Species of subsection Macrophyllae-Fasciculatae from eastern Andean slopes of Ecuador. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas. 19(2); 89-93. DOI: doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v19.i2.1400  

Researchgate.net/publication/392973825_Pleurothallis_puyoensis_A_new_species_from_eastern_Andean_slopes_of_Ecuador

[Botany • 2025] Heteropolygonatum farreri (Asparagaceae: Convallarioideae) • A New Species from the Gaoligongshan in eastern Myanmar and western China

Heteropolygonatum farreri Floden, 

in Floden et Pendry, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2025.2057 

Abstract

A new species of Heteropolygonatum, H. farreri, is described from the easternmost part of Myanmar and western Yunnan in a limestone region of the Gaoligongshan. It is morphologically similar to Heteropolygonatum marmoratum but differs by its shortly scabrous stem, narrowly cylindrical perianth with lanceolate tepals, red-orange fruit, and diploid chromosome count. An illustration of the new species is provided, as is a map of its distribution and that of its closest relative, Heteropolygonatum marmoratum, showing their disjunction. Chromosome counts for Heteropolygonatum farreri (2n = 32) and a second count for H. marmoratum (2n = 4x = 64) are given.

Keywords: Asparagaceae, China, Chromosome, Endemic, Heteropolygonatum, Myanmar

Heteropolygonatum farreri Floden, sp. nov.
A, Habit in the field in Myanmar; B, a leafy stem with fruit; C, the perianth (outer surface; dissected, showing the insertion level of the filaments, and the lengths of the ovary and style; and showing the filament shape and lightly papillose surface ornamentation).

Scale bars in C: 1 mm. All photographs of B.Olsen s.n. (TENN), 

taken by B. Olsen (A and B) and A. J. Floden (C).

A. J. Floden and C. A. Pendry. 2025. A New Species of Heteropolygonatum (ASPARAGACEAE: CONVALLARIOIDEAE, POLYGONATEAE) from the Gaoligongshan in eastern MYANMAR and western CHINA.  Edinburgh Journal of Botany. 82; DOI: doi.org/10.24823/ejb.2025.2057 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Upeneus alama & U. brevianalis • Two New Goatfish Species of the Upeneus sulphureus Species Group (Syngnathiformes: Mullidae), with a Redescription of U. sulphureus Cuvier, 1829 and a Review of Barbel Length in the Genus

(A, B) Upeneus alama: Philippines, Manila Bay, Cavite;

(C) U. brevianalis, Thailand, Andaman Sea, Phuket; 

(D) U. doriae: Persian/Arabian Gulf, Bahrain;

(F, G) U. nigromarginatus: (F) Philippines, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete Citz; (G) Philippines, Panay Island, Tigbauan market near Iloilo City. 

Upeneus sulphureus Cuvier, 1829. (A, B) Thailand, Gulf of Thailand, Prachuab Khiri Khan Province; (C) Philippines, Metro Manila; (D) Vietnam, Ha Long Bay.  

in Uiblein, Motomura, Møller, Sabaj, Boonphienphol, Hoang et Parkinson, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024094 

 Abstract 

For the goatfish genus Upeneus, the new sulphureus-species group is established, which includes five species, U. doriae, U. nigromarginatus, U. sulphureus, and the two new species, U. alama and U. brevianalis. This taxonomic group differs from the other seven species groups and four ungrouped species of this genus in the following combination of characters: 8 dorsal-fin spines, 14–17 pectoral-fin rays, 25–33 total gill rakers, 32–37 lateral-line scales, and lack of bars on caudal fin. Upeneus sulphureus is redescribed based on examination of a large set of morphometric, meristic, and color characters in 211 specimens, which revealed a bimodal distribution in barbel length prompting separation into short- and long-barbel morphs. This bimodality was neither sex-, size-, nor population-dependent, but found in co-occurring individuals of U. sulphureus in many areas of its distributional range from East Africa to Japan. The two new species differ from all other congeners primarily in U. alama, new species, having longer barbels (28–30% SL) and U. brevianalis, new species, having a shorter and shallower anal fin (8.1 and 12% SL, respectively) as well as a broad, dark-brown vertical band along the anterior third of the first dorsal fin. For U. nigromarginatus, new records from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia (West Papua), and three areas of the Philippines north of Mindanao are reported. For U. doriae, U. sulphureus, and Mulloides pinnivittatus, the latter a junior synonym of U. sulphureus, lectotypes are designated. An updated account for the genus Upeneus is provided. The barbel-length data of all 53 species of Upeneus are reviewed, and the finding of a wide range combined with a distinct dimorphism of this character in U. sulphureus is discussed.

Upeneus sulphureus.
 (A, B) KAUM-I.33094, SBM, 119 mm SL, Thailand, Gulf of Thailand, Prachuab Khiri Khan Province (H. Motomura); (C) USNM 403094, SBM, 105 mm SL, Philippines, Metro Manila (copyright J. T. Williams); (D) KAUM-I.67460, SBM, 90 mm SL, Vietnam, Ha Long Bay (H. Motomura);
(E, F): SAIAB 82237, LBM, 106 mm SL, Mozambique (E: copyright O. Alvheim, F: copyright P. C. Heemstra);
(G, H) KAUM-I.57209, LBM, 91 mm SL, Philippines, Panay Island, Iloilo City (H. Motomura); (I, J) KAUM-I.123161, LBM, 99 mm SL, Japan, Kagoshima, NE of Matsushima (H. Motomura). 

(A, B) Upeneus alama: (A) USNM 466258, HT, 117 mm SL, Philippines, Manila Bay, Cavite (copyright D. Pitassy); (B) USNM 466258, PT, 125 mm SL, same locality (copyright D. Pitassy);
(C) U. brevianalis, ZMUC P49375, HT, 137 mm SL, Thailand, Andaman Sea, Phuket (F. Uiblein); 
(D, E) U. doriae: (D): USNM FIN 31104 (unvouchered photograph), 106 mm SL, Persian/Arabian Gulf, Bahrain (copyright J. E. Randall); (E) ZMB 7056, LT, 104 mm SL, Iran, Persian/Arabian Gulf, Bandar Abbas (copyright E. Aßel);
(F, G, H) U. nigromarginatus: (F) USNM 403319, 159 mm SL, Philippines, Negros Oriental, Dumaguete Citz (copyright J. T. Williams); (G) VNMN-I 1986 (unvouchered image), ca. 70 mm SL, Philippines, Panay Island, Tigbauan market near Iloilo City (F. Uiblein); (H) AMS I.18495-001, 88 mm SL, Papua New Guinea, Madang Province, Broken Water Bay (K. Parkinson).  

Upeneus alama Uiblein and Motomura, new species

Cavite Goatfish

  

Diagnosis.—Dorsal fins VIII + 9; pectoral fins 16; gill rakers 8–9 upper + 20–22 lower = 28–31 total; lateral-line scales 33; body moderately deep; measurements as % SL: body depth at anal-fin origin 25–28; maximum head depth 26; head depth through eye 22; suborbital depth 14; head length 34; snout length 13; postorbital length 14; upper-jaw length 15; barbel length 28–30; barbel width 1.6–1.7; caudal-peduncle length 21–22; second dorsal-fin base length 14; caudal-fin length 28–32; length of anal-fin base 9.8–9.9; anal-fin height 15–17; pelvic-fin length 20; pectoral-fin length 28; pectoral-fin width 5.5–5.9; first dorsal-fin height 24–25; first two or three long dorsal-fin spines protruding; second dorsal-fin height 17; caudal fin without bars; first dorsal fin with black tip, retained in preservative; preserved fish with silvery-whitish head, pale brown body ventrally and dark brown dorsally; fins except for first dorsal-fin tip pale brown, partly hyaline; barbels very long, pale.

Etymology.—The new species name “alama” is used as a noun in apposition and honors the late Mr. Ulysses Banga Alama (1959–2023), who was employed at the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo, Philippines, and manager of the UPVM fish collection, to commemorate his contributions to marine ichthyology.

Upeneus brevianalis Uiblein and Boonphienphol, new species

 Phuket Goatfish

 

Diagnosis.—Dorsal fins VIII + 9; pectoral fins 16; gill rakers 8 upper + 20 lower = 28 total; lateral-line scales 31–32; body moderately deep; measurements as % SL: body depth at anal-fin origin 23; maximum head depth 27; head depth through eye 21; suborbital depth 14; head length 33; snout length 13; postorbital length 14; upper-jaw length 14; barbel length 20; barbel width 1.5; caudal-peduncle length 19; second dorsal-fin base length 15; caudal-fin length 31; length of anal-fin base 8.1; anal-fin height 12; pelvic-fin length 20; pectoral-fin length 26; pectoral-fin width 6.0; first dorsal-fin height 23, first five long dorsal-fin spines slightly protruding; second dorsal-fin height 17; caudal fin without bars; anterior third of first dorsal fin forming a broad, dark-brown vertically oriented band, becoming slightly wider dorsally; head and body pale brown to brown, belly lighter; paired and anal fins pale hyaline; barbels pale to pale brown.

Etymology.—The new species name “brevianalis” refers to the short anal fin, an important diagnostic character of this species.

Franz Uiblein, Hiroyuki Motomura, Peter R. Møller, Mark Sabaj, Supasit Boonphienphol, Tuan A. Hoang and Kerryn Parkinson. 2025. Two New Goatfish Species of the Upeneus sulphureus Species Group (Mullidae), with a Redescription of U. sulphureus Cuvier, 1829 and a Review of Barbel Length in the Genus. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(3); 453-486. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2024094 (22 August 2025)  

 

[Herpetology • 2025] Alcalus tongbiguanensis • First Record of the Genus Alcalus (Anura: Ceratobatrachidae) and Describe a New Species from Yunnan, China

 

Alcalus tongbiguanensis Yu, Wu, Li, Wang & Che, 

in Yu, Wang, Chen, Li, Kilunda, Zhao, Y-y. Wu, Yang, Duan, Zuo, Zhang, Murphy, Y.h. Wu et Che, 2025. 

Tongbiguan Dwarf Mountain Frog | 铜壁关小山蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0035

Abstract

The anuran family Ceratobatrachidae is one of the most speciose groups of amphibians, but the geographic distributions of many genera and species await documentation. During the field survey of Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve in southwestern Yunnan Province, China, at the China-Myanmar border region, we collected several frogs that resemble the genus Alcalus, which was previously known from Indochina only. Based on mitochondrial phylogeny, our newly collected specimens are sister to Alcalus fontinalis Boruah, Narayanan, Gerard, Das, and Deepak, 2023 from Northeast India, but it differs from the latter by a suit of characters, including in differences in body size, head length, snout length, tympanum diameter, eye diameter, forearm length, toe webbing formula, relative length of fingers and toes, and dorsal pattern and coloration. Herein, based on the integration of morphological and genetic data, we report the genus Alcalus from China for the first time and describe a new species from China-Myanmar border region. Our study further demonstrates that southern section of the Gaoligong Mountain has a rich diversity of amphibians that warrant continuous survey efforts. Future fieldwork in these mountains is needed to better understand and fully uncover the species richness in this border region.

Holotype (KIZ 053839) of Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. in life.
A: Lateral view; B: Lateral view of head; C: Ventral view; D: Ventral view of hand; E: Ventral view of foot; F: habitat.

 Photos by Zhongbin YU.

Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. Yu, Wu, Li, Wang & Che 

Diagnosis: 

Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. is assigned to the genus Alcalus by having a broad head, wrinkled skins, no vocal sacs, widely expanded toes discs, semi-aquatic microhabitat preferences, nuptial pads present and vocal sacs absent in males, outer metatarsal tubercles absent (Brown et al., 2015).

Alcalus tongbiguanensis sp. nov. is distinguished from its congeners, namely A. baluensis ( Boulenger, 1896), A. fontinalis, A. mariae ( Inger, 1954), A. pullus ( Smith, 1921), A. rajae (Iskandar, Bickford, and Arifin, 2011) and A. sariba ( Shelford, 1905), by a combination of the following characters (Boulenger 1896; Boruah et al. 2023; Inger 1954; Iskandar et al., 2011; Shelford 1905; Smith 1921): (1) medium body-size (SVL 27.7–28.8 mm in two adult males, SVL 29.3–37.7 mm in seven adult females; Table 2); (2) reticulated ridges present on the skin, distinct on dorsal surfaces of head, body, and limbs, as well as on gular and chest, less prominent on abdomen and ...

Etymology: The new species name “tongbiguanensis” is derived from the type locality, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, which has been a hot-spot for new species discovery in recent years. We suggest Tongbiguan Dwarf Mountain Frog as its English common name and “铜壁关小山蛙” (Pinyin: tóng bì guān xiǎo shān wā) as its Chinese common name. For the newly recorded genus, we recommend “小山蛙属” (xiǎo shān wā shǔ) as its Chinese common name.

Zhongbin YU, Kai WANG, Tianen CHEN, Ling LI, Felista Kasyoka KILUNDA, Haipeng ZHAO, Yayong WU, Shenpin YANG, Zhengpan DUAN, Anru ZUO, Dingcan ZHANG, Robert W. MURPHY, Yunhe WU and Jing CHE. 2025. First Record of the Genus Alcalus (Anura, Ceratobatrachidae) and Describe a New Species from Yunnan, China. Asian Herpetological Research. 16(2); 160 - 168. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2024.0035 [May 27, 2025 ]

[Herpetology • 2025] Holaspis ngalangi • The Genus Holaspis (Squamata: Lacertidae) in Angola: A Tale of forgotten specimens and disappearing forests, with the Description of A New Species

 Holaspis ngalangi 

Parrinha, Marques, Gonçalves, Tiutenko, Bauer & Ceríaco, 2025

 SALAMANDRA. 61(1);   

 Researchgate.net/publication/388994950 

 facebook.com/DGHTeV 

Drawing by Arthur Tiutenko.

 Abstract

 The members of the Afrotropical lacertid genus Holaspis are strikingly specialized lizards, adapted for gliding in forest canopies, with serrated blue tails. Two species are currently recognized within the genus: Holaspis guentheri from West and Central Africa, and Holaspis laevis from East Africa. The currently known southern limits of H. guentheri are in the northern Angolan Guineo-Congolian habitats, which are remnants of forests connecting the country to West/Central Africa. The oldest record of the species in Angola, dating back to the 19th century, is based on a currently lost specimen collected by José d’Anchieta near Caconda, southwest Angola. Caconda is situated on the Angolan Central Plateau, which is part of the Great Escarpment of southern Africa. The loss of Anchieta’s specimen and its geographic context led most authors to disregard it, leaving its taxonomic identity dubious until now. The rediscovery of two additional specimens from Caconda, collected by William John Ansorge in the early 20th century and deposited in the Natural History Museum, London, allowed us to confirm the presence of the genus in the region, prompting targeted surveys and examination of additional material. Our surveys failed to locate any Holaspis near Caconda, with alarming rates of deforestation in the region raising the possibility that this population may already be extinct. The reexamination of the extant Caconda specimens and comparison with H. guentheri and H. laevis revealed consistent morphological differences that suggests that the Caconda population may represent a distinct taxonomic unit. Here we describe the Holaspis from Caconda as a new species, presumably endemic to the Angolan Central Plateau. These findings and their implications are discussed in the biogeographical context of the highlands of western Angola, a recognized hotspot of diversity and endemism for several taxonomic groups.  

Key words. Taxonomy, biogeography, natural history collections, deforestation, highlands.

Illustration of Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. in its putative habitat, with threats such as deforestation represented in the background.

Drawing by Arthur Tiutenko.

Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. 

Defnition: Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. is defned by the following combination of characters: 1) Head, body and tail strongly depressed, with serrated fringes on hindlimbs and tail; 2) frontoparietals fused with interparietal; 3) two series of transversely enlarged vertebral plates along dorsum and tail; 4) dorsum black with three pairs of pale stripes, with paravertebral stripes confned to enlarged dorsal plates; 5) an uninterrupted series of paired, transversely enlarged scales between ventral and precloacal scales (see Fig. 7). 

Diagnosis: Holaspis ngalangi sp. n. can be readily distinguished from both of its congeners, H. guentheri and H.  laevis, by the presence of an uninterrupted series of paired, transversely enlarged scales between the last row of ventral scales and anteriormost precloacal scale (versus last ventral scales and anteriormost precloacal scale separated by at least one row of small granular scales in H. guentheri and H. laevis; see Fig. 7); it can be further distinguished from H. laevis by having a pair of dorsolateral stripes (versus only paravertebral and lateral stripes in H. laevis) and a pair of paravertebral stripes confned to enlarged dorsal plates (versus paravertebral stripes not confned to enlarged dorsal plates in H. laevis). 

Etymology: Te specifc epithet “ngalangi” is a noun in apposition and is given in honor of the Ovimbundu Kingdom of Ngalangi, which dominated northern Huila Province and had its capital in present day Caconda. Te Kingdom of Ngalangi was dismantled by the Portuguese during the Portuguese-Ovimbundu wars in the late 1760s. We suggest “Ngalangi Gliding Lizard” and “Lagartixa Planadora Galangue” as the English and Portuguese common names, respectively.

 

Parrinha, D., M. P. Marques, F. M. P. Gonçalves, A. Tiutenko, A. M. Bauer and L. M .P. Ceríaco. 2025. The Genus Holaspis (Squamata: Lacertidae) in Angola: A Tale of forgotten specimens and disappearing forests, with the Description of A New Species. SALAMANDRA. 61(1); 53-69. 

  Researchgate.net/publication/388994950_The_genus_Holaspis_in_Angola

  facebook.com/DGHTeV/posts/1138667334936081

[Funga • 2025] Ophiocordyceps cephalotiphila, O. jaliscana, ... • Zombie-ant Fungi from western Mexico: Six New Species in the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis complex (Ascomycota: Hypocreales) and A New Host Association with Cephalotes ants

Ophiocordyceps spp.
Zombie-ant Fungi from western Mexico

Ophiocordyceps camponoti-striati C.E. BallesterosAguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos,
O. cephalotiphila C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos,
O. deltoroi C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos,
O. haraveriensis C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, L. Guzmán-Dávalos & T. Sanjuan,
O. jaliscana C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, L. Guzmán-Dávalos & T. Sanjuan,
O. pseudocamponoti-atricipis C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos,

in Ballesteros-Aguirre, Sanjuan, Ramírez-Cruz, Villalobos-Arámbula, Vásquez-Bolaños et Guzmán-Dávalos, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3114/persoonia.2025.55.06 

facebook.com/CesarEBallesterosAguirre

Abstract 

The myrmecophilous hirsutelloid fungi of the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis complex are common in tropical forests around the world. They are known as zombie-ant fungi because they manipulate the behaviour of ants, since infected ants are forced to move to specific sites in the forest, with optimal environmental conditions for the development of the fungus sporocarp or sporome and the release of the spores. Once there, the ants grab to the substrate with their mandibles, die, and their body becomes a source of nutrients for the fungus. Most of the species of the O. unilateralis complex have been described from the Neotropics and the East and Southeast Asia. However, it is likely that there are still many unknown species due to the diversity of their hosts and different specific associations. In this study, we describe six new species of the O. unilateralis complex from western Mexico: Ophiocordyceps camponoti-striati, O. cephalotiphila, O. deltoroi, O. haraveriensis, O. jaliscana, and O. pseudocamponoti-atricipis, based on morphological characters, phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences (18S, TEF1, RPB1, and RPB2), and ecological data. We found the following host associations: one fungus – one ant, two fungi – one ant, and one fungus – two ants. Furthermore, we confirmed the host species of the ant genera Camponotus and Colobopsis (Formicinae) based on morphological characters and COI sequences, but we also found two species of Cephalotes (Myrmicinae) susceptible to fungal attack, challenging the paradigm that the O. unilateralis complex is a specific parasite of Camponotini (Formicinae) ants. This study provides insights into the evolution and host range of the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis complex in Mexico.

Keywords: Camponotini; Myrmicinae; ant pathogens; ascospore germination; extended phenotype; funga; new taxa

 

Ophiocordyceps camponoti-striati C.E. BallesterosAguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos, sp. nov.  

 Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the scientific name of the host ant species Camponotus striatus.

Ophiocordyceps cephalotiphila C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos, sp. nov.  

 Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the fact that this species of Ophiocordyceps has affinity by Cephalotes.

Ophiocordyceps deltoroi C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos, sp. nov.  

 Etymology: The specific epithet is in honour of Guillermo Del Toro, a Mexican filmmaker born in the Jalisco state, famous for his fantastic movie characters.

Ophiocordyceps haraveriensis C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, L. Guzmán-Dávalos & T. Sanjuan, sp. nov. 

 Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the type locality, the Haravéri Botanical Garden.

Ophiocordyceps jaliscana C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, L. Guzmán-Dávalos & T. Sanjuan, sp. nov.  

Etymology: Named after the Mexican state in which it was collected.

Ophiocordyceps pseudocamponoti-atricipis C.E. Ballesteros-Aguirre, T. Sanjuan & L. Guzmán-Dávalos, sp. nov.  

 Etymology: The specific epithet indicates its similarity to the species O. camponoti-atricipis and that it is found on Camponotus atriceps s. l.

  Ballesteros-Aguirre, C.E., Sanjuan, T., Ramírez-Cruz, V., Villalobos-Arámbula, Vásquez-Bolaños, M. and Guzmán-Dávalos. 2025. Zombie-ant Fungi from western Mexico: Six New Species in the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis complex (Hypocreales: Ascomycota) and A New Host Association with Cephalotes ants. Persoonia - Molecular Phylogeny and Evolution of Fungi. DOI: doi.org/10.3114/persoonia.2025.55.06

 facebook.com/CesarEBallesterosAguirre/posts/10238122201412081

[Ichthyology • 2025] Indoreonectes mahadeoensis • A New Species of River Loach (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from headwaters of the Narmada River, India

  

Indoreonectes mahadeoensis

Ghosh, Bhat & Johnson, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5693.4.5

 

Abstract

A new species of nemacheilid loach, Indoreonectes mahadeoensis is described from the Narmada River basin, Central India. Indoreonectes mahadeoensis is distinguished from its congeners by the presence of 8 branched rays in the dorsal fin, 7 branched rays in the anal fin, and by the unique combination of the following characters: nasal barbels reaching anterior border of eye, dorsal-fin origin positioned posterior to vertical line drawn from pelvic-fin origin, and broken bars along lateral surface of body. Further, I. mahadeoensis differs from all congeners, except I. evezardi, in having divided vertical bars on caudal peduncle (vs. undivided bars), but can be distinguished from the latter in having larger eyes (16.5–21.8 vs. 9.8–15.9% HL) and wider gape (40.4–59.1 vs. 24.3–37.5% HL). Analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene sequences revealed high genetic divergence (uncorrected P-distance ranging from 11.2 to 18.6%) between I. mahadeoensis and congeners.

Pisces, Central India, Madhya Pradesh, river loach, taxonomy, freshwater fish

Indoreonectes mahadeoensis, Holotype, WII/NWr/type_F 04, 53.0 mm SL; India: Madhya Pradesh: Satpura tiger reserve: Pachmarhi: Mahadeo stream, lateral view.
Dorsal (A), ventral (B) and lateral (C) head view the holotype. 

Meghma GHOSH, Anuradha BHAT, Jeyaraj Antony JOHNSON. 2025. Indoreonectes mahadeoensis, A New Species of River Loach from headwaters of the Narmada River, India (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae). Zootaxa. 5693(4); 537-550. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5693.4.5 [2025-09-19]

[Botany • 2025] Ceratostema limonensis (Ericaceae: Vaccinieae) • A New Species from the Province of Morona-Santiago, Ecuador

 Ceratostema limonensis  M.M.Jiménez & H.Garzón,

in Jiménez, Iturralde, Pozo, Lapo-González, Kuethe et Garzón-Suárez, 2025. 

  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.263.159645 

Abstract

A new species of Ceratostema (Vaccinieae) from south-eastern Ecuador is here described and illustrated. Ceratostema limonensis is distinguished by the singular, subflexuous young branches. The new species is compared to the morphologically similar C. gualaquizensis, which differs by the subterete, longer rachis and shorter corollas with narrower monochromatic corolla lobes. A brief history of the species from the tribe Vaccinieae in Ecuador is provided. Further taxonomic discussions, distribution and conservation status for the new species are provided in this paper.

Key words: Amazon, Andes, premontane forest, rainforest, taxonomy

Lankester Composite Dissection Plate (LCDP) of Ceratostema limonensis.
 A. Lignotuber; B. Fertile branch with a close-up of the node (B1) and rachis of the inflorescence (B2); C. Complete flower with a ventral view of the corolla lobes (C1); D. Flower with a longitudinal section of the corolla showing stamens and the corolla without stamens (right); E. Calyx, pedicel and style with a close-up of the ovary (E1) and the bracteole (E2); F. Stamens with a close-up of the pores of the tubule (F1), anther thecae (F2) and external surface of the filament (F3).

Prepared by N. Lapo-González from photographs of the holotype.

 Ceratostema limonensis M.M.Jiménez & H.Garzón, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Ceratostema limonensis is morphologically similar to C. gualaquizensis, but differs by the longer (4.8–5.1 mm vs. 1 mm long), subterete (vs. obconical) rhachis; the shorter (1.4–1.8 mm vs. 3.4–4.7 mm long), ovate-deltate (vs. narrowly lanceolate) calyx lobes; the shorter corolla (2.9 cm vs. 4.5–4.7 cm long) with narrower lobes (2.3 mm vs. 3.7–4.0 mm wide), that have the same colour as the rest of the corolla (vs. black at the apex and inside); and the shorter (3.1–3.3 cm vs. 4.6–4.7 cm long), pilose (vs. glabrous) filaments.

 Marco M. Jiménez, Gabriel A. Iturralde, Diego Gutiérrez del Pozo, Nadia Lapo-González, J. R. Kuethe and Henry X. Garzón-Suárez. 2025. Ceratostema limonensis (Ericaceae), A New Species from the Province of Morona-Santiago, Ecuador. PhytoKeys. 263: 37-47. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.263.159645 

[Entomology • 2024] Devadatta adii • A New Species of Devadatta (Odonata: Zygoptera: Devadattidae) from Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India

 

Devadatta adii Joshi, Sawant & Kunte,

in Sawant, Joshi, Pawar, Naik, Khan, Nawge et Kunte, 2024.

Golden Grisette  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5519.4.6 

  facebook.com/indianodonata 

 facebook.com/DattaprasadSAWANT1

 Researchgate.net/publication/384806577

 

Abstract  

We erect a new species Devadatta adii sp. nov. based on five males and five females collected from Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The males of the new taxon are unique in terms of having a golden yellow lateral pterothorax, strongly curved cerci and filamentous genital ligula. We also provide illustrations of male thorax and caudal appendages of Devadatta spp.

Odonata, Species discovery, new species, taxonomy, India

Dattaprasad SAWANT, Shantanu JOSHI, Ujwala PAWAR, Pratiksha NAIK, Fahim KHAN, Viraj NAWGE and Krushnamegh KUNTE. 2024. Devadatta adii sp. nov. (Odonata: Zygoptera: Devadattidae) from Upper Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh, India.  Zootaxa. 5519(4); 571-589. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5519.4.6 [2024-10-10]

  facebook.com/indianodonata/posts/924755173011587

  facebook.com/DattaprasadSAWANT1/posts/8474774165904879

 Researchgate.net/publication/384806577_Devadatta_adii_sp_nov_from_Upper_Siang_District_Arunachal_Pradesh_India

[Botany • 2025] Heptapleurum assamicum (Araliaceae) • A New Species From Assam, India

  

Heptapleurum assamicum S. Dey & Barbhuiya,

in Dey, Barbhuiya, Das et Baruah, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70021 

 

ABSTRACT

A new species, Heptapleurum assamicum (Araliaceae), is described and illustrated from Assam, India. It was discovered during floristic documentation conducted in the Kopili River basin, in the Dima Hasao and West Karbi Anglong districts. The species is distinguished by a unique combination of morphological characters. Detailed comparisons with morphologically similar species are provided to support its recognition as a distinct species.

Keywords: Araliaceae, Assam, Heptapleurum, new species, Northeast India

Heptapleurum assamicum S. Dey & Barbhuiya.
(A) Plants in natural habitat, (B) lenticellate exposed roots growing over rocks, (C) portion of stem showing bark, leaf scars, and lenticels, (D) leafy crown with inflorescence, (E) arrangement of leaves on stem, (F) secondary axes of inflorescence, (G) portion of inflorescence showing umbels and stellate axis, (H) opened flower with six stamens, (I) petals falling off from flower, (J) leafy crown with infructescence, (K) portion of infructescence showing developing fruits, (L) infructescence showing ripe and unripe fruits.

Photos by S. Dey, based on living material.

Heptapleurum assamicum S. Dey & Barbhuiya sp. nov.  

 

Santanu Dey, Hussain A. Barbhuiya, Jayanta Das and Deepak Kumar Baruah. 2025. Heptapleurum assamicum (Araliaceae): A New Species From Assam, India. Feddes Repertorium. DOI: doi.org/10.1002/fedr.70021  [27 July 2025]

[Crustacea • 2025] Metaplax pristis • A New Species of the Genus Metaplax H. Milne Edwards, 1852 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae) from Vietnam

 

Metaplax pristis

Hsu, Shih & Ngo, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5693.4.2

Abstract

Metaplax H. Milne Edwards, 1852, is a genus in the family Varunidae H. Milne Edwards, 1853, distributed across the Indo-West Pacific, with 10 described species. Among them, Metaplax crenulata (Gerstaecker, 1856) was previously thought to be present in both the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific (Vietnam). However, our study, based on morphological and molecular evidence, indicates that specimens from the Indian Ocean and Vietnam represent distinct species. Since the type locality of M. crenulata is unknown, we conducted comparative analyses of the syntypes alongside specimens from the Indian Ocean and Vietnam. Morphological examinations revealed that the syntypes closely resemble the Indian Ocean specimens, whereas the Vietnamese specimens exhibit clear morphological differences, particularly in the male suborbital cristae and the proportions of the ambulatory legs. Furthermore, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequence analysis showed a 5.8% genetic divergence between the two groups, further confirming that they represent separate species. Based on these findings, we describe the species from Vietnam as new.

Crustacea, new species, Metaplax crenulata, Metaplax pristis, morphology, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (CoI)

Color in life and habitat of Metaplax pristis sp. nov.
A–C, E, F, male, holotype (44.1 × 33.1 mm) (NChuZooL 17352);
D, female, paratype (43.6 × 32.5 mm) (NChuZooL 17353);
G, juvenile (specimen not examined); H, habitat in T. T. Can Thanh, Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (arrowed).

Metaplax pristis sp. nov.

Etymology. The species is named after Pristis, which is the genus of sawfish. This new species name is derived from the distinctive meri of its ambulatory legs, which have numerous curved spines along the meri margins, resembling the snout of a sawfish.

Jhih-Wei HSU, Hsi-Te SHIH and Xuan Quang NGO. 2025. Description of A New Species of the Genus Metaplax H. Milne Edwards, 1852 (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae) from Vietnam. Zootaxa. 5693(4); 482-500. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5693.4.2 [2025-09-19]

[Herpetology • 2025] Kalophrynus minutus • A New Kalophrynus Species (Anura: Microhylidae) from Sabah, Malaysia [Composition and Distribution of Frogs in Crocker Range Park, Sabah, Malaysia]

Kalophrynus minutus Imbun, Fui Lian, Lakim & Majuakim,

in Imbun, Tan, Lakim et Majuakim. 2025.  

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e157470 

Abstract

Background: We monitored five localities within Crocker Range Park, one of the protected forests administered by Sabah Parks in the Malaysian part of Borneo. The sites selected were at various elevations: lowland sites at 260 m and 499 m a.s.l.; montane sites at 1,216 m, 1,260 m and 1,477 m a.s.l. Forty species were encountered in this study. New discoveries were also found during the course of our three-year period survey (October 2003–October 2006).

New information: The discoveries include amongst others, the Sabah endemics of Meristogenys, two new records for Sabah: Sarawakiphrys dringi (Inger, Stuebing and Tan, 1995), and Pelophryne rhopophilia Inger and Stuebing, 1996, as well as a new species, Kalophrynus minutus sp. nov., described herein. These findings provide evidence of many unknown species still waiting to be discovered. These discoveries also add significantly to our understanding of the distribution of frog species in Borneo as a whole, showing that species formerly thought to be very restricted geographically actually have much greater and more extensive distributions within Borneo.

Keywords: frogs, Kalophrynus, distribution, tropical, protected forest, Crocker Range, Borneo

Colouration and dorsolateral pattern of the type specimen (SP26180) of Kalophrynus minutus sp. nov. in life.
A a large, round, black ocellus is visible in the inguinal region; B–C show a thick X-shaped pattern over the shoulders and a dorsolateral row of white tubercles with black edging. Photographs: Paul Imbun.

Kalophrynus minutus Imbun, Fui Lian, Lakim & Majuakim, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: A small species of Kalophrynus, adults < 25 mm; fourth finger with a single subarticular tubercle, free portion of fourth finger less than length of terminal phalanx of third finger; fifth toe shorter than third; a large black inguinal ocellus.

Etymology: The specific epithet is taken from the Latin adjective minutus for small, in reference to the new species having the smallest maximum body size in the genus Kalophrynus.

 Paul Imbun, Tan Fui Lian, Maklarin Lakim and Luiza Majuakim. 2025. Composition and Distribution of Frogs in Crocker Range Park, Sabah, Malaysia, with A Description of A New Kalophrynus (Anura, Microhylidae) Species. Biodiversity Data Journal. 13: e157470. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e157470