[Ichthyology • 2025] Balitora dehouensis • A New Species of Cave-dwelling Hillstream Loach (Cypriniformes: Balitoridae) from the upper Red River, southwestern China

 

Balitora dehouensis  Lei, Pu & Yang,  

in Lei, Pu, Yang, Zhu, Mo, Liu, Wang et Bi, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.157180 

Abstract

A new species of cave-dwelling hillstream loach (Balitoridae, Cypriniformes), Balitora dehouensis sp. nov. is described from a cave in Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China. Balitora dehouensis sp. nov. is confirmed to be a distinct species by morphological and phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) gene as well as the nuclear recombination activating gene 1 (RAG1), interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP), and early growth response protein 2B (EGR2B). Balitora ludongensis is confirmed to be the third cave-dwelling member of Balitora, after B. anlongensis and B. dehouensis.

Key Words: Balitora, Balitoridae, Cavefish, morphology, phylogeny

Family Balitoridae Swanson, 1839

Type Genus: Balitora Gray, 1830.

Genus Balitora Gray, 1830

Comparison of colorations of hypogean and epigean individuals of Balitora dehouensis sp. nov.
A. Lateral view of epigean individual (PXR20241123001); B. Dorsal view;
C. Lateral view of hypogean individual (YHF20230925005); D. Dorsal view.

Morphological characteristics of Balitora dehouensis sp. nov. (Paratype, PXR20241123004); coloration in life.
A. Lateral view; B. Dorsal view; C. Ventral view.

 Balitora dehouensis Lei, Pu & Yang, sp. nov.

 Hao-Tian Lei, Xin-Rui Pu, Hong-Fu Yang, Ming-Xin Zhu, Hao-Lin Mo, Xiao-Yu Liu, Mo Wang and Bao-Liang Bi. 2025. Balitora dehouensis, A New Species of Cave-dwelling Hillstream Loach (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Balitoridae) from the upper Red River, southwestern China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(4): 1569-1584. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.157180 

[Entomology • 2024] Vagitanus venetus • A New Cicada Species of Vagitanus (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from northern and central Vietnam

 

  Vagitanus venetus  Emery & Lee, 2024

[A, B, C, F] male; [D, E] female 

DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.01.003

Abstract

A new species of Vagitanus Distant is described from north and central Vietnam. V. venetus sp. nov. inhabits forested woodland at altitudes of >1000 m. Its distribution currently limited to the coastal areas and hinterland in the eastern provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Binh, Kon Tum and Hue and north in Yen Bai province.

Keywords: Cicadatrini, Cicadinae, Cicadettinae, Vagitanus, taxonomy

 Vagitanus venetus sp. n.
A, holotype male (green form), dorsal habitus; B, paratype male (faded form), dorsal habitus;
C, holotype male, ventral habitus; D, female, dorsal habitus;
E, female, ventral habitus; F, male holotype, abdomen, lateral habitus.

<scale bars: 10 mm (A–E); 5 mm (F)>.

Family Cicadidae Latrielle, 1802

Subfamily Cicadettinae Buckton, 1890

Tribe Cicadatrini Distant, 1905

Genus Vagitanus Distant, 1918

Vagitanus venetus sp.n.

 

Etymology. The species name is derived from Latin for the deep green coloration of fresh specimens of this cicada.

David Lyall Emery and Young June Lee. 2024. A New Cicada Species of Vagitanus (Hemiptera: Cicadidae) from northern and central Vietnam. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity. 17(1); 240-244. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.japb.2024.01.003 [1 June 2024] 

[Botany • 2023] Myrcia tenondeporan (Myrtaceae) • A New Species from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar Mountains, Brazil

 

Myrcia tenondeporan M.F.Santos & E.Barretto,  

in Santos et Barretto, 2023. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.632.1.6 

 Researchgate.net/publication/376852574 

Abstract

Myrcia sect. Eugeniopsis is one of the nine sections of Myrcia (Myrciinae, Myrteae, Myrtaceae) and includes mostly species of the current synonym genus Eugeniopsis. Using fieldwork and the analysis of herbarium collections as a basis, we describe here a new species of this section, Myrcia tenondeporan, which is endemic to the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar Mountains. The new species is related to Myrcia vellozoi and Myrcia multipunctata but differs mainly in the leaf shape and size, inflorescence structure and size of floral buds.

Brazil, Calyptranthes, Marlierea, Systematics, Taxonomy, Eudicots

Myrcia tenondeporan M.F.Santos & E.Barretto, sp. nov.

Etymology:—The specific epithet honours the indigenous territory of Tenondé Porã, which houses about 1,500 Guarani people (Garcia & Barretto 2021). The territory is located in parts of Mongaguá, São Bernardo do Campo,São Paulo and São Vicente municipalities (São Paulo state). The region is heavily urbanised but also has many naturalareas, where the new species is commonly recorded. 

Matheus F. SANTOS and Eduardo H. P. BARRETTO. 2023. 2023. Myrcia tenondeporan, A New Species of Myrtaceae from the Atlantic Forest in the Serra do Mar Mountains, Brazil. Phytotaxa. 632(1); 69-77. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.632.1.6 [2023-12-27] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/376852574_Myrcia_tenondeporan_a_new_species_of_Myrtaceae_from_the_Atlantic_Forest_in_the_Serra_do_Mar_Mountains_Brazil

[Botany • 2025] Thismia dasyantha & T. velaris (Thismiaceae) • Two Species of Thismia sect. Thismia from Sarawak, Malaysia

Thismia dasyantha &
Thismia velaris 

Dančák, Sochor & Hroneš, 

 in Dančák, Hroneš, Sochor, Uvírová, Blažek, Yunoh et Yiing, 2025.

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.715.2.2  

  Researchgate.net/publication/394545435

Abstract

Thismia velaris and T. dasyantha (Thismiaceae), two new species from Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo), are described. Key distinguishing features, particularly in floral structure, are highlighted through comparative morphological analyses accompanied by illustrations. Additionally, phylogenetic relationships are assessed using molecular data, and both newly described species are placed within the broader evolutionary framework of Thismia. Both species, being characterized by vermiform roots and six free tepals of equal shape and size, are classified within Thismia sect. Thismia subsect. Odoardoa. Preliminary conservation assessments, following IUCN Red List criteria, suggest that both species may be at risk due to their restricted distributions and potential habitat threats. Through the discovery of T. velaris and T. dasyantha, the diversity and biogeographical patterns of Thismia in Borneo are further elucidated, emphasizing the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts.

Borneo, Dioscoreales, mycoheterotrophy, rainforest, taxonomy, Monocots

Thismia velaris.
A. Habit of flowering plant. B. Outer view of stamens inside the dissected floral tube. C. Longitudinally dissected floral tube with inner view of stamens, transverse bars and style.

 Drawn by Nela Malá from Dančák & Sochor BOR30/23.

Thismia velaris Dančák, Sochor & Hroneš, 
A–D. Overall appearance showing more (A, C, D) and less (B) common morphotypes. E. Top view of flower. F. Dissected floral tube with colourless transverse bars and showing the position of stamen tube and style with stigma. G. Outer view of stamen with lateral appendage which central part is elongated into membranaceous veil. H. Lateral view of stamen (the neighbouring connective cut off). I. Top of the supraconnective (viewed from inside) with three distinct lobes. J. Style and stigma.

Photos by M. Sochor (A, C, E–J) from Dančák & Sochor BOR30/23 and M. Hroneš (B, D) from uncollected plants recorded at the same locality in 2024.

Thismia velaris Dančák, Sochor & Hroneš, sp. nov. 

 Diagnosis:—Thismia velaris is externally similar to T. malayana but differs by floral tube colourless translucent between veins (vs. brown in the upper half), flat annulus (vs. outer margin of annulus prominently raised), having three triangular lobes on supraconnective apex (vs. five appendages of three different shapes and sizes), and the central part of the lateral appendage elongated into membranaceous veil exceeding the apices of the supraconnective lobes (vs. central part of the lateral appendage without the veil, not exceeding the apex of the supraconnective appendages).

Etymology:—The specific epithet is derived from the Latin word velum (veil, curtain), referring to the unique veil-like structure hanging from the lateral appendage of the stamen.

Thismia dasyantha.
A. Habit of flowering plant. B. View of the flower from the top. C. Dissected floral tube showing outer view of stamens, style and reticulate structure on the inner surface of the floral tube. D. Dissected floral tube showing inner view of stamens, style and reticulate structure on the inner surface of the floral tube.

Drawn by Nela Malá Dančák & Hroneš MDMH2023/32.

Thismia dasyantha Dančák, Sochor & Hroneš, 
A–C. Overall appearance. D. Top view of flower. E. Distinctly verrucose flower bud and dissected floral tube showing position of stamen tube. F. Annulus with a hexaradial figure resembling a stylised outline of a flower on its inner margin. G. Outer view of stamen. H. Inner view of stamens. I. Style and stigma viewed from above. J. Fruiting plant with elongated pedicel and capsule.

 Photos by V. T. Blažek (A, I) and M. Hroneš (B, D, E, G, H) from Dančák & Hroneš MDMH2023/32 and M. Hroneš (C, F, J) from uncollected plants recorded at the same site in 2024.

 

Thismia dasyantha Dančák, Sochor & Hroneš, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis:—Thismia dasyantha is distantly similar to T. pallida but differs in annulus indistinct, flat, with opening ca. 1 mm in diameter (vs. annulus distinct, raised, with opening ca. 2 mm), the opening resembling a schematic outline of a hexamerous angiosperm flower (vs. opening circular), tepals basally connate, 2.5–3 mm wide at the base (vs. free, ca. 2 mm wide at the base), tepal appendages 10–14 mm long (vs. ca. 3 mm long), three appendages (vs. five appendages) on supraconnective apex, the middle appendage being the shortest (vs. the longest), and stigma lobes deeply bifid (vs. shallowly notched).

Etymology:—The specific epithet is derived from the Greek words dasýs, meaning “hairy” and ánthos, meaning “flower”, referring to the prominent verrucae present on the outer surface of the floral tube, ovary and the abaxial side of the tepals, which resemble hairs.

 

Martin DANČÁK, Michal HRONEŠ, Michal SOCHOR, Alena UVÍROVÁ, Vojtěch Tobias BLAŽEK, Siti-Munirah Mat YUNOH and Ling Chea YIING. 2025. Thismia velaris and T. dasyantha, Two New Species of Thismia section Thismia subsect. Odoardoa (Thismiaceae) from Sarawak, Malaysia. Phytotaxa. 715(2); 117-128. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.715.2.2 [2025-08-19]   Researchgate.net/publication/394545435_Thismia_velaris_and_T_dasyantha_two_new_species_of_Thismia_from_Sarawak_Malaysia

[Paleontology • 2025] Kostensuchus atrox • A New large hypercarnivorous Crocodyliform (Mesoeucrocodylia: Peirosauridae) from the Maastrichtian of Southern Patagonia, Argentina

 

Kostensuchus atrox

Novas, Pol, Agnolín, Carvalho, Manabe, Tsuihiji, Rozadilla, Lio & Isasi, 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328561

Abstract

The first crocodyliform specimen from the Maastrichtian Chorrillo Formation (Austral Basin, Patagonia) is here described. The discovery was made about 30 km to the SW of the town of El Calafate (Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina) and consists of a beautifully preserved and articulated skull and jaws, and part of the postcranial skeleton that were preserved encased in a large concretion. This new taxon belongs to the notosuchian clade Peirosauridae, representing the latest and southernmost record for this group of crocodyliforms. The new taxon is recovered as closely related to other robust and broad-snouted peirosaurids that lived by the end of the Cretaceous Period, such as Colhuehuapisuchus from the Maastrichtian of Central Patagonia and Miadanasuchus oblita from the Maastrichtian of Madagascar. The completeness of the new specimen reveals, for the first time, the anatomy and body plan of a large and broad snouted peirosaurid. The new taxon bears large ziphodont teeth, a broad oreinirostral snout that is only slightly longer than 50% the skull length, and a deep adductor chamber in the temporal region and posterior mandibular ramus. The anterior region of its postcranial skeleton is preserved and shows broad scapula and a robust humerus features previously known in large predatorial notosuchians. The new crocodyliform adds to the predatorial component of terrestrial ecosystems at high paleolatitudes by the end of the Cretaceous Period.

Systematic paleontology

Crocodyliformes Hay, 1930

Mesoeucrocodylia Whetstone and Whybrow, 1980

Peirosauria Leardi et al., 2024

Peirosauridae Gasparini, 1982

Kostensuchus atrox gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology. Kosten, refers to the Patagonian wind in Aonikenk language; and suchus, latinized from the Greek Souchos in references to the Egyptian crocodile-headed god (Sebek). The species epithet atrox means harsh in Greek.

Holotype. MPM-PV 23554, articulated skull, jaws, cervical, axial skeleton remains including cervical, dorsal, and sacrals, rows of osteoderms along the vertebral sequence, cervical and dorsal ribs, scapular and pelvic girdles, complete right humerus and partial left humerus, and fragmentary remains of the hindlimbs.

Locality, horizon, and age. Lower section of the Chorrillo Formation, at Estancia La Anita, approximately 30 km SW from El Calafate city (Fig 1). The specimen comes from a concretionary level exposed at the locality “Puma cave” (locality 4, 5), approximately 60 meters from the base of the Chorrillo Formation.

Diagnosis. Kostensuchus gen. nov. is among the largest known peirosaurids (dorsal skull length = 49 cm) diagnosed by the following combination of characters (autapomorphies marked by *): skull proportionally shorter, wider and higher than in other peirosaurids (e.g., Hamadasuchus, Lomasuchus, Montealtosuchus); rostrum comprising slightly over 50% the total skull length; sinusoidal alveolar margin of maxilla (shared with Hamadasuchus); completely ossified internarial bar; lacrimal lateral surface faintly ornamented and slightly depressed between antorbital fenestra and orbit*; jugal reaching the ventral end of a circular antorbital fenestra; subtrapezoidal external supratemporal fenestra, occupying close to 70% of skull roof width; absence of anterior floor of supratemporal fossa; flat dorsal surface of parietal in occipital view; distinct step on dorsal surface of the posterolateral process of squamosal; broad palatine anterior margin, forming a bread transversal suture with maxilla; paired parasagittal ridges on the ventral surface of the basisphenoid; convex dorsal edge of surangular and craniomandibular articulation located above the level of dentary toothrow; ziphodont teeth; humerus with vertical orientation of insertion area of M. subscapularis above internal tuberosity; distal end of deltopectoral crest curves medially surpassing the lateromedial midpoint of humeral shaft; anterior surface of distal end of humerus separated from shaft by a distinct step forming a shelf.

Skull and jaw of Kostensuchus atrox gen. et sp. nov.
Photographs in (A) right lateral, (B) dorsal, and (C) ventral views. Interpretative drawings in (D) right lateral, (E) dorsal, and (F) ventral views.

 Abbreviations: ang, angular; ap, anterior palpebral; de, dentary; ec, ectopterygoid; fr, frontal; j, jugal; la, lacrimal; mx, maxilla; pa, parietal; pal, palatine; pmx, premaxilla; pnf, perinarial fossa; po, postorbital; pp, posterior palpebral; pt, pterygoid; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; na, nasal; rarp, retroarticular process; sang, surangular; sof, suborbital fossa; spl, splenial; sq, squamosal; stf, subtympanic foramen. Scale bar 5 cm.

 

 Fernando E. Novas, Diego Pol, Federico L. Agnolín, Ismar de Souza Carvalho, Makoto Manabe, Takanobu Tsuihiji, Sebastián Rozadilla, Gabriel L. Lio and Marcelo P. Isasi. 2025. A New large hypercarnivorous Crocodyliform from the Maastrichtian of Southern Patagonia, Argentina. PLoS One. 20(8): e0328561.  DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328561 [August 27, 2025]

 

[Crustacea • 2025] Caridina baitulong • A New Freshwater Shrimp Species of the Genus Caridina (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Quang Ninh province, Northeast Vietnam

Caridina baitulong 

Anh, von Rintelen, Yen & Tu, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.155668

Abstract

A new species of atyid freshwater shrimps from Quang Ninh province, Northeast Vietnam is described. Caridina baitulong sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a suite of morphological characters such as the rostrum reaching to the middle or end of the second segment of antennular peduncle, stylocerite reaching to the end or sometimes slightly overreaching distal end of basal segment of antennular peduncle, endopod of male first pleopod sub-rectangular, appendix interna of male second pleopod extending about 0.7 times length of appendix masculina. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidae subunit (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S) genes also clearly support the distinctiveness of the new species from all other examined species, while also suggesting high intra-specific divergence.

Key Words: Caridina, distribution, diversity, endemism, Freshwater fauna, taxonomy

Family Atyidae De Haan, 1849

Genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837

 Caridina baitulong sp. nov.

A, B. Live coloration of Caridina baitulong sp. nov. paratypes (IB-FS 012), collected in Quang Ninh Province.

 

 Le Hung Anh, Thomas von Rintelen, Phan Thi Yen and Do Van Tu. 2025. A New Freshwater Shrimp Species of the Genus Caridina (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae) from Quang Ninh province, Northeast Vietnam. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(4): 1601-1611. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.155668

[Entomology • 2025] Dyspessa sudoli • Another New Armenian Species (Lepidoptera: Cossidae: Cossinae: Endagriini)

 

Dyspessa sudoli Saldaitis, Yakovlev, Dobrzański & Prozorov, 

in Saldaitis, Yakovlev, Dobrzański,  Kalashian, Müller et Prozorov, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5659.3.7 

  Researchgate.net/publication/393380875

Abstract

A new species from Armenia, Dyspessa sudoli sp. nov., is described in the present article. It is compared with the Armenian Dyspessa gayane Yakovlev et al., 2025 and Dyspessa daralagezi Yakovlev, 2008b, and occurring closely to Dyspessa stroehlei Yakovlev, 2008a described from Kars Province in northeastern Turkey. Adults of both sexes, their genitalia, map with collection localities, and habitat for the new species are illustrated.

Lepidoptera, biodiversity, Caucasus mixed forests ecoregion, fauna, new taxon, transcaucasia, West Asia

FIGURES 1–6. Adults of Dyspessa spp. from Armenia.
1–2. Dyspessa gayane. 3–6. Dyspessa sudoli sp. nov.
Depositories: 1. WIGJ. 2, 6. ASV. 3. Upper Silesian Museum. 4. GMF. 5. DSL. Scale bars—1 cm.

Dyspessa sudoli Saldaitis, Yakovlev, Dobrzański & Prozorov sp. nov.

 Habitat of Dyspessa sudoli sp. nov. 

(Photo by X. Dobrzański).

Aidas SALDAITIS, Roman V. YAKOVLEV, Xavier DOBRZAŃSKI, Mark KALASHIAN, Günter C. MÜLLER, Alexey M. PROZOROV. 2025. Dyspessa sudoli sp. nov.—Another New Armenian Species (Lepidoptera, Cossidae, Cossinae, Endagriini).  Zootaxa. 5659(3); 426-438. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5659.3.7 [2025-07-04]

  Researchgate.net/publication/393380875_Dyspessa_sudoli_sp_nov another_new_Armenian_species

[Botany • 2024] Asclepias gordaensis (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) • A New Species from the Sierra Gorda, Guanajuato-Querétaro, México

Asclepias gordaensis L.O. Alvarado & S. Islas, 

in Alvarado-Cárdenas et Islas-Hernández, 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm131.2024.2338

Abstract

Background and Aims: Asclepias is a highly diverse genus within Apocynaceae, with 78 species in Mexico, being the most diverse taxon of the family in the country. Due to its complex morphology and similarities in floral characters, some taxa have been misidentified. In the present work, a new species is described for the genus.

Methods: Individuals were collected in the Sierra Gorda that could not be assigned to known species. National and foreign herbaria, digital databases, and specialized literature were reviewed to compare the collected specimens with similar species. Field expeditions were conducted in 2018 and 2023 to collect and monitor the phenology of the species of interest. The cohesive species concept was proposed as an explanatory hypothesis for the recognition of the taxa treated here. The conservation status was assigned following the IUCN criteria.

Results: A new species of Asclepias is described, known from the states of Guanajuato and Querétaro, distributed in pine, oak, and cloud forests. It differs from similar species by its gynostegial corona with bell-shaped hoods of rounded base, and linear to linear-lanceolate cornicles emerging from the base of the hood. Photographic plates, a distribution map, and a comparative plate between similar species are included, as well as a dichotomous key with similar species and those distributed in the states of Guanajuato and Querétaro. Based on its reduced distribution area and impacted habitat, it is considered a species at risk according to IUCN criteria.

Conclusions: In Mexico, Asclepias includes 79 species, reaffirming the country as a center of diversity for the genus. The new species forms a morphologically complex group with the species compared here, so it has gone unnoticed and been identified erroneously. The detailed review of morphology allowed suggesting these plants as a hypothesis of a species different from the rest.

   

Keywords: Asclepiadeae, endemism, gynostegial corona, horns

Asclepias gordaensis L.O. Alvarado & S. Islas sp. nov.  

 Asclepias gordaensis is morphologically similar to Asclepias pringlei (Greenm.) Woodson by its flowers less than 1 cm long and the presence or absence of horns, but is distinguished by its gynostegial corona with rounded-base campanulate hoods (vs. sagittate-appearing, truncate-based hoods in A.  pringlei), linear to linear-lanceolate horns larger than the hood (vs. subacicular without exceeding the hood) arising from the base of the hood (vs. arising from the middle or top of the hood).

 

Leonardo O. Alvarado-Cárdenas and Carla Sofía Islas-Hernández. 2024. A New Asclepias (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) from the Sierra Gorda, Guanajuato-Querétaro, México.  Acta Botanica Mexicana. 131;  DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm131.2024.2338

facebook.com/ActaBotanicaMexicana/posts/978987597215232

[Botany • 2024] Graffenrieda cardenasii (Melastomataceae: Merianieae) • A New Species from the northern Andes, Caquetá, Colombia, and A Key for the Graffenrieda group with calyptrate flowers

 

Graffenrieda cardenasii Humberto Mend. & Edwin Trujillo, 

in Mendoza-Cifuentes et Trujillo. 2024.

DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm131.2024.2374 

Abstract

Background and Aims: Graffenrieda is a Neotropical genus with more than 70 species, mainly distributed in the Guiana Shield and the Andes. This work describes a new species of Graffenrieda and provides a key to identify all species with calyptrate flowers in the genus.

Methods: The description of this new species was made from collections deposited in the Colombian herbaria JBB and COAH. Measurements of vegetative parts and inflorescence were made from dried material, while floral structures and fruits were measured from fresh material preserved in alcohol. Their conservation status was assessed according to IUCN guidelines. A key for the recognition of all species of the genus with calyptrate flowers, including the new species and Centronia species to be transferred to Graffenrieda is also provided here, for which lists of species in Neotropical countries, collection databases, and literature on both genera were consulted.

Key results: Graffenrieda cardenasii sp. nov. is endemic to the southern Cordillera Oriental of Colombia and is characterized by its indumentum of irregular lepidote trichomes on the vegetative parts, leaves with incomplete lateral anisophylly, leafy bracteoles as large as the flower buds, 5-merous flowers, calyptrate calyx and 2-locular ovary. It is categorized as Endangered in view of its endemicity and habitat specificity. A key is provided for 30 species of the genus Graffenrieda that share the character of calyptrate flowers.

Conclusions: This species is named in honor of the Colombian botanist Dairon Cárdenas López, a great collector and connoisseur of the Colombian Amazonian flora. It is so far known only from the type localities. The key to the species with calyptrate flowers included in this article allows 43% of the species in the genus Graffenrieda to be recognized, including four Centronia species.

Keywords: Amazonian foothills, Centronia, endemism, Merianieae

Graffenrieda cardenasii Humberto Mend. & Edwin Trujillo.
A. open flowers in front view; B. open flower in lateral view; C. flowering branch. All photos by Alejandro Zuluaga.

Graffenrieda cardenasii sp. nov. 

Graffenrieda cardenasii is recognized by the dense indument of irregular lepidote trichomes on internodes, petioles and inflorescence, incomplete lateral anisophylly, leafy bracteoles as large as flower buds, flowers 5-merous, calyx calyptrate and opening irregularly, and ovary 2-locu-lar. It is morphologically similar to G. moaensis Wurdack, but the latter has 6-merous, smaller flowers with a 3-loc-ular ovary. It also resembles G. penneysii Michelang. & C. Ulloa, but the latter is characterized by inflorescences with-out leafy bracteoles and 4-merous flowers with a 3-locular ovar y.

Humberto Mendoza-Cifuentes and Edwin Trujillo Trujillo. 2024. A New Species of Graffenrieda (Melastomataceae) from the northern Andes, Caquetá, Colombia, and A Key for the Graffenrieda group with calyptrate flowers.  Acta Botanica Mexicana. 131; DOI: doi.org/10.21829/abm131.2024.2374 

[Mollusca • 2025] Gibbosula sinensis • A New Species on the verge of Extinction of the World’s most Threatened Freshwater Mussel Family Margaritiferidae Henderson, 1929 (Bivalvia: Unionida) from China

 

Gibbosula sinensis Z.-G. Chen, Y.-T. Dai, H. Chen & X.-P. Wu,

in Z.-G. Chen, Dai, H. Chen, Hu, Jiang, Guo, Ouyang, Zhao et Wu, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.166584

Abstract

A new species of freshwater mussel, Gibbosula sinensis Z.-G. Chen, Y.-T. Dai, H. Chen & X.-P. Wu, sp. nov., is described from the lower Lancangjiang River Basin in Yunnan, China based on comparative morphology and molecular phylogeny. The new species can be distinguished from congeners by the oblong, slender, very curved, relatively thin, fragile, and rather smooth shell, the front end of the shell higher than the posterior end, and the special habitat selection. The new species is on the verge of extinction and urgently requires attention and protection.

Key Words: Biodiversity, molluscs, phylogeny, taxonomy

Systematics

Family Margaritiferidae Henderson, 1929

Subfamily Gibbosulinae Bogan, Bolotov, Froufe & Lopes-Lima, 2018

Genus Gibbosula Simpson, 1900

Type species. Mya crassa Wood, 1815, by original designation.

 

Gibbosula sinensis sp. nov.
A. Holotype, NCUMB B2507001; B–E. Partial paratypes, NCUMB B2507002–05;
F. Paratype, NCUMB B2507012, shows the soft anatomy; G. Shows mantle attachment scars.

 Gibbosula sinensis Z.-G. Chen, Y.-T. Dai, H. Chen & X.-P. Wu, sp. nov.

Zhong-Guang Chen, Yu-Ting Dai, Hui Chen, Hong-Fei Hu, Jiao Jiang, Liang Guo, Shan Ouyang, Xing-Xing Zhao and Xiao-Ping Wu. 2025. Gibbosula sinensis, A New Species on the verge of Extinction of the World’s most Threatened Freshwater Mussel Family Margaritiferidae Henderson, 1929 from China (Bivalvia, Palaeoheterodonta, Unionida). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(4): 1613-1620. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.166584

[Paleontology • 2025] Spicomellus afer • Extreme Armour in the World’s Oldest Ankylosaur

Spicomellus afer

Maidment, Strachan, Ouarhache, Scheyer, Brown, Fernandez, Johanson, Raven & Barrett, 2021

in Maidment, Ouarhache, Ech-charay, Oussou, Boumir, El Khanchoufi, ..., Barrett et Butler, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09453-6

Abstract

The armoured ankylosaurian dinosaurs are best known from Late Cretaceous Northern Hemisphere ecosystems, but their early evolution in the Early–Middle Jurassic is shrouded in mystery due to a poor fossil record. Spicomellus afer was suggested to be the world’s oldest ankylosaur and the first from Africa, but was based on only a single partial rib from the Middle Jurassic of Morocco. Here we describe a new, much more complete specimen that confirms the ankylosaurian affinities of Spicomellus, and demonstrates that it has uniquely elaborate dermal armour unlike that of any other vertebrate, extant or extinct. The presence of ‘handle’ vertebrae in the tail of Spicomellus indicates that it possessed a tail weapon, overturning current understanding of tail club evolution in ankylosaurs, as these structures were previously thought to have evolved only in the Early Cretaceous. This ornate armour may have functioned for display as well as defence, and a later reduction to simpler armour with less extravagant osteoderms in Late Cretaceous taxa might indicate a shift towards a primarily defensive function, perhaps in response to increased predation pressures or a switch to combative courtship displays.

Spicomellus afer Maidment, Strachan, Ouarhache, Scheyer, Brown, Fernandez, Johanson, Raven & Barrett, 2021

Susannah C. R. Maidment, Driss Ouarhache, Kawtar Ech-charay, Ahmed Oussou, Khadija Boumir, Abdessalam El Khanchoufi, Alison Park, Luke E. Meade, D. Cary Woodruff, Simon Wills, Mike Smith, Paul M. Barrett and Richard J. Butler. 2025. Extreme Armour in the World’s Oldest Ankylosaur. Nature. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09453-6 [27 August 2025]

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2025/august/bizarre-armoured-dinosaur-spicomellus-afer-rewrites-ankylosaur-evolution.html

[Ichthyology • 2025] Triplophysa xiuwenensis • A New cave-dwelling Species of the Genus Triplophysa (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) from southwest China

Triplophysa xiuwenensis Zhu, Zhang & Yuan,

 

 in Zhu, Yuan, Zhang et Zhao, 2025. 

修文高原鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.154380

Abstract

Based on morphological and molecular data, we described a new cave-dwelling species, Triplophysa xiuwenensis sp. nov., from the karst region of southwest China. The new species can be distinguished from its congeners by the following morphological characteristics: body scaleless without pigmentation; eye diameter of HL with 4.6–6.7%; tip of pelvic fin not reaching anus; outer rostral barbel reaching to posterior margin of eyes; 14–15 branched caudal fin rays. Phylogenetic relationships based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cyt b) gene support the validity of the new species. The discovery of the new species brings the number of cave-dwelling Triplophysa species in Guizhou Province to 15, making it the region with the highest number of Triplophysa cave species in the southwestern karst area.

Key Words: Cavefish, karst, morphology, new loach, taxonomy

Live specimen of Triplophysa xiuwenensis sp. nov. 

Triplophysa xiuwenensis sp. nov., holotype, GZNUSLS202306086, 69.1 mm SL. a. dorsal view; b. lateral view; c. ventral view.

 

Triplophysa xiuwenensis Zhu, Zhang & Yuan, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from all other species in the genus Triplophysa by the following combination of characteristics: body naked, without skin pigmentation, lateral line complete; eye reduced, with diameter of HL 4.6–6.7%; anterior nostril with elongated barbel-like tip; long outer rostral barbel reaching to posterior margin of eyes; distal margin of dorsal fin truncate; tip of pectoral fin not reaching to pelvic-fin origin, tip of pelvic fin near anus; dorsal fin 8, anal fin 6, and caudal fin 14–15 branched fin rays; vertebrae 41.

Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality of the new species: Shilin Village, Xiuwen County and the Latin suffix (ensis). We propose the Chinese name ‘修文高原鳅’.

 Ting-Ting Zhu, Feng-Hua Yuan, Ren-Yi Zhang and Ya-Hui Zhao. 2025. A New cave-dwelling Species of the Genus Triplophysa (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from southwest China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(4): 1383-1396. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.154380

[Diplopoda • 2025] Chonodesmus muisca & C. simplex • Two New Species of the Flat-backed Millipede Genus Chonodesmus Cook, 1896 (Polydesmida: Cryptodesmidae: Cryptodesmini) from Colombia with A Redescription of the Type Species

Chonodesmus muisca

Reyes-Peñata, Romero-Rincon, Martínez-Torres & García-Sarmiento, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5659.2.5 

Abstract

The millipede genus Chonodesmus Cook, 1896 has so far been represented in Colombia by C. alatus (Peters, 1865) and C. regularis Cook, 1896 both from Bogotá D.C. and by C. gervaisi Hoffman, 1973 from San Agustín, Huila Department. Two new species are described here: C. muisca sp. nov. from three localities in Cundinamarca Department and C. simplex sp. nov. from Parque Natural Regional Ucumarí, Risaralda Department. Chonodesmus alatus, the type species of genus, is revised, illustrated and with its lectotype is here designed. Chonodesmus regularis is considered as a nomen dubium, being based on an immature male holotype. Both C. alatus and C. regularis may prove to actually represent one and the same species, C. alatus by priority, but a clarification must be deferred pending the discovery of topotypes from Bogotá D.C.

Diplopoda, neotropical, new species, taxonomy

 

Liseth Alejandra REYES-PEÑATA, Juan ROMERO-RINCON, Daniela MARTÍNEZ-TORRES and Martha J. GARCÍA-SARMIENTO. 2025. Two New Species of the Flat-backed Millipede Genus Chonodesmus Cook, 1896 (Polydesmida, Cryptodesmidae, Cryptodesmini) from Colombia with A Redescription of the Type Species.  Zootaxa. 5659(2); 223-239. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5659.2.5  [2025-07-03]

 facebook.com/novataxcol/posts/1105453554938233

[Ichthyology • 2025] Forgotten for Decades: Revalidation and Redescription of Raiamas harmandi (Sauvage, 1880) (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) from the Mekong River Basin

 Raiamas harmandi (Sauvage, 1880): (a) subadult, (c) adult;
R. guttatus (Day, 1870), (d) adult 

 in Liu, Xu, Zeng, Oo et Chen, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5030042

Abstract

The genus Raiamas currently comprises 18 valid species, only 2 of which occur in Asia; the remaining 16 are endemic to Africa. Raiamas harmandi was originally described by Sauvage in 1880 as Bola harmandi, which is distributed in the Great Lakes, Cambodia, the Mekong River Basin. It was considered a synonym of R. guttatus by later researchers. In this study, we examined 49 Raiamas individuals from the Mekong, Irrawaddy, and Salween river basins, recording both meristic counts and morphometric measurements. Based on the morphological evidence, we revised the taxonomy of Raiamas in the Mekong River Basin, confirming R. harmandi as a valid species and providing a comprehensive redescription. Raiamas harmandi can be distinguished from R. guttatus mainly by having more predorsal scales (25–28 vs. 21–23) and a different color pattern on the lateral body. Utilizing a total of 44 aligned COI and Cyt b sequences—including eight newly sequenced individuals of Raiamas from three river basins—we reconstructed its phylogenetic relationships. The analysis strongly supported four R. harmandi individuals from the Mekong River Basin forming a distinct clade, which was the sister to the clade comprising five R. guttatus individuals from the Irrawaddy and Salween river basins. Genetic distances between R. harmandi and R. guttatus ranged from 14.0 to 14.9% for COI and 16.1 to 17.0% for Cyt b. Distributionally, R. harmandi occurs throughout the Mekong River Basin, as evidenced by combined voucher specimens and molecular sequence data.

Keywords: Raiamas guttatus; taxonomy; systematics; DNA barcoding; morphology; freshwater fish; Southeast Asia

 Live individuals of (a) subadult Raiamas harmandi, 85.0 mm SL, (b) subadult R. guttatus, 95.0 mm SL, (c) adult R. harmandi, 176.5 mm SL, and (d) adult R. guttatus, 159.2 mm SL.

Raiamas harmandi stat. rev. (Sauvage, 1880)

Diagnosis. Raiamas harmandi can be distinguished from all other Asian Raiamas species by the following combination of characteristics: a distinctive color pattern of numerous small spots irregularly scattered on the lateral body; predorsal scales 25–28; lateral-line scales 45–50; total number of vertebrae 41–44; caudal vertebrae 20–22. It can be further distinguished from the most similar species, R. guttatus, by a proportionally longer upper jaw (57.9–68.6% HL vs. 56.3–61.9% HL).

Etymology. The name of this species, harmandi, is in honor of the French Navy surgeon, naturalist, and explorer François-Jules Harmand (1845–1921), who collected the holotype.

Distribution. Raiamas harmandi is widely distributed in the Mekong River Basin, with records from China (the lower Lancang River), Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia (Figure 1). Species of the genus Raiamas have also been recorded in the Chao Phraya River Basin, Peninsular Malaysia, and South Sumatra, and it remains to be confirmed whether they are R. harmandi.

 Cai-Xin Liu, Yi-Yang Xu, Yu-Yang Zeng, Thaung Naing Oo and Xiao-Yong Chen. 2025. Forgotten for Decades: Revalidation and Redescription of Raiamas harmandi (Sauvage, 1880) (Cypriniformes: Danionidae) from the Mekong River Basin. Taxonomy. 5(3), 42; DOI: doi.org/10.3390/taxonomy5030042 [20 August 2025]

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy in the 21st Century: Celebrating a New Chapter—First Impact Factor Received)