[Herpetology • 2026] Oreolalax wumengmontis • A New Species of Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura:, Megophryidae) from Northeast Yunnan, China

Oreolalax wumengmontis 

X. Li, Z. Li, Jiahan, Liu, Y. Zhang, P. Li, W. Zhang, F. Li, Huang, X. Li & Yuan. 2026

  

DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2026.0014 

Abstract

Based on molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological features, a new species of the genus Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura: Megophryidae) is described from Yunnan Province, China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial 16S rRNA and COI gene sequences indicate that the new species forms an independent clade closely related to Oreolalax omeimontis. The genetic distance between these two taxa was 11.25% based on 16S gene, and 17.61% based on COI. The new species can be distinguished from all other congeneric species by a combination of the following characteristics: (1) moderate body size (SVL of male 49.5–53.0 mm, n=2; female 46.6 mm, n=1); (2) tympanums hidden or slightly visible; (3) absence of vocal sac; (4) rudimentary interdigital toe webbing; (5) narrow lateral fringes; (6) tibiotarsal articulation reaching between the eye and nostril when leg stretched; (7) heel only contact when limbs held at right angles to body; (8) femoral glands large and distinct; (9) abdomen with distinct cloudy spots; (10) male dorsum covered in large and small tubercles, and (11) a dark triangular marking between the eyes.

Keywords: new species, taxonomy, Wumeng Mountain, molecular phylogenetic analyses 

The adult male holotype of Oreolalax wumengmontis sp. nov. (SWU 0005760) in life:
(A) Dorsal view, (B) ventral view, (C) side view, (D) cloacal area, (E) dorsal and ventral view of left hand, and (F) ventral and dorsal of right foot.

Photos by Xianqi Li.

 

Habitats of Oreolalax wumengmontis sp. nov. in the Wumeng Mountain National Nature Reserve.
(A) landscape of subtropical evergreen broadleaved forests habitat, (B) breeding habitat,
(C) O. wumengmontis sp. nov. in the wild SWU 0007062, (D) egg clusters adhere to the bottom of the rock.

Photos by Xiaolong Liu (A, C) and Zengxin Li (B, D).

Oreolalax wumengmontis sp. nov.

 

Xianqi Li, Zengxin Li, Bizula Jiahan, Xiaolong Liu, Yinpeng Zhang, Pengying Li, Wei Zhang, Feiqiao Li, Junkai Huang, Xu Li and Zhiyong Yuan. 2026. A New Species of Oreolalax Myers & Leviton, 1962 (Anura, Megophryidae) from Northeast Yunnan, China. Asian Herpetological Research. DOI: doi.org/10.3724/ahr.2095-0357.2026.0014 [Mar 18, 2026]

[Botany • 2026] Amorphophallus khanhhoaensis (Araceae: Aroidea: Thomsonieae) • A New Species from the coastal area of Central Vietnam

 

Amorphophallus khanhhoaensis  

in Tien, Nguyen, Dinh, Le et Hetterscheid, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.1.5 

facebook.com/DiepDinhQuang

Abstract

Amorphophallus khanhhoaensis is described as a new species from central Vietnam. This species is morphologically similar to and therefore compared with A. cicatricifer (eastern Thailand and Myanmar), A. umbrinus (Vietnam), and A. ferruginosus (Laos). An updated key to the Vietnamese species of Amorphophallus is provided.

 Araceae, Carnose spathe, Central Vietnam, Dien Khanh, Khanh Hoa, nomenclature, phylogeny, pollen, taxonomy, Monocots

 

Amorphophallus khanhhoaensis 

TRAN VAN TIEN, VAN DU NGUYEN, QUANG DIEP DINH, CHI TOAN LE and WILBERT HETTERSCHEID. 2026. A New Species of the Genus Amorphophallus (Thomsonieae, Aroidea, Araceae) from the coastal area of Central Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 750(1); 51-57. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.750.1.5 [2026-03-31]

 facebook.com/DiepDinhQuang/posts/27107559208844765

[Cnidaria • 2026] Rhytisma acoronatum, R. calyaceum, R. karibu, ... • Phylogenomics-guided Revision of the Genus Rhytisma Alderslade, 2000 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Lemnaliidae), with Descriptions of Six New Sspecies

 

(a, b) Rhytisma karibu sp. nov., 

(c, d) R. acoronatum sp. nov. 

(e, f) R. oblongum sp. nov.

 (c) R. inaequale sp. nov., with expanded polyps 

(d) R. calyaceum sp. nov., with partially expanded polyps 

(e) R. sperkolae sp. nov., polyps partly expanded

Samimi-Namin, Benayahu, Durkin, Ekins, Quattrini & McFadden, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1071/IS25068 

Photographs by Y. Benayahu, and M. Ekins.

 

The genus Rhytisma Alderslade, 2000 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Lemnaliidae), formerly comprising four nominal species (R. fulvum, R. fuscum, R. monticulum and R. rubiginosum), is revised using an integrative approach. We combine morphological and phylogenomic data for newly collected and historical specimens. A neotype is designated for R. fulvum and a lectotype for R. fuscum to stabilise the application of these names. Six new species are described from the Indo-Pacific: R. acoronatum sp. nov., R. calyaceum sp. nov., R. oblongum sp. nov., R. inaequale sp. nov., R. karibu sp. nov. and R. sperkolae sp. nov. Species delimitation is supported by discrete combinations of morphological characters – particularly those of the tentacle and polyp sclerites – as well as multi-locus DNA barcoding and phylogenomic analyses of conserved elements (UCE and exon loci). Our findings highlight the diagnostic value of tentacle sclerites and reveal extensive species-level diversity that was previously obscured by insufficient morphological examination. The revised genus currently comprises 10 valid species, many of which display restricted geographic distributions, reflecting patterns of regional endemism in Indo-Pacific octocoral assemblages. These results underscore the importance of integrative taxonomy in uncovering hidden biodiversity.

 

Keywords: biogeography, DNA barcoding, endemism, Indo-Pacific, integrative taxonomy, neotype, soft corals, species delimitation, taxonomic revision, ultraconserved elements

Underwater images of Rhytisma species in their respective type localities.
(a, b) Rhytisma fulvum yellow colour and grey colour morphs, polyps partly expanded
(c) R. inaequale sp. nov., with expanded polyps (d) R. calyaceum sp. nov., with partially expanded polyps
(e) R. sperkolae sp. nov., mat morphology reflects underlying irregular reef substrate, polyps partly expanded. (f) R. monticulum with expanded polyps.

Photographs by (a–c, e) Y. Benayahu, (d, f) M. Ekins.

Underwater images of Rhytisma species in their respective type localities.
(a, b) Rhytisma karibu sp. nov., growing on seagrass blades and reef substrate (c, d) R. acoronatum sp. nov. (e, f) R. oblongum sp. nov. 

Photographs by (a, b, e, f) Y. Benayahu, and (c, d) M. Ekins.

Rhytisma acoronatum sp. nov., R. calyaceum sp. nov., 

R. oblongum sp. nov., R. inaequale sp. nov., 

R. karibu sp. nov. and R. sperkolae sp. nov. 

Kaveh Samimi-Namin, Yehuda Benayahu, Kathleen M. Durkin, Merrick Ekins, Andrea M. Quattrini and Catherine S. McFadden. 2026. Phylogenomics-guided Revision of the Genus Rhytisma Alderslade, 2000 (Octocorallia: Malacalcyonacea: Lemnaliidae), with Descriptions of Six New Sspecies. Invertebr Syst. 40(3); IS25068. DOI: doi.org/10.1071/IS25068   [30 March 2026]

[Entomology • 2026] Ancyroleon, Melanobaliga, Orientaleon gen. n., ... • UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae)

 

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 
Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., ...

in Zheng, Badano, Machado, Tu, U. Aspöck, H. Aspöck, Nel, Winterton et Liu, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040

Abstract

Myrmeleontini is a widespread antlion tribe within the lacewing family Myrmeleontidae, well known for its larvae building cone-shaped pits in sandy soil to trap prey. The monophyly of the tribe is well supported, but the monophyly of many genera within the tribe as well as the definition of the genus Myrmeleon Linnaeus has long been questioned. Here, we present a phylogenomic analysis of Myrmeleontini with emphasis on the Eurasian fauna, using ultraconserved elements (UCE) data. Our results recovered Myrmeleon as a diverse grade, with Baliga Navás, Callistoleon Banks, Euroleon Esben-Petersen, Hagenomyia Banks and Megistoleon Navás deeply nested within it. Based on our sampling of type species of many genera (including those synonymized with Myrmeleon) and detailed morphological comparisons, we provide a new phylogeny-based classification of Myrmeleontini. Accordingly, Myrmeleon s. str. only refers to the formerly recognized M. formicarius group from Palaearctic region. The status of 12 genera that were previously considered as junior synonyms of Myrmeleon is restored (i.e., Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., Bordus Navás stat. rev., Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., Cocius Navás stat. rev., Enza Navás stat. rev., Macroleon Banks stat. rev., Moreyus Navás stat. rev., Morter Navás stat. rev., Neleon Navás stat. rev., Neseurus Navás stat. rev., Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. and Tafanerus Navás stat rev.), while Neohornius stat. rev., previously treated as a subgenus of Myrmeleon, is herein elevated to genus. Additionally, based on comprehensive sampling from the Oriental region, five new genera from this region are described, that is, Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. and Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

Keywords: biogeography, classification, lacewing, phylogeny, systematics

Banyaleon Zheng & Liu nom. n., 

Bordus Navás stat. rev., 

Callistoleon Banks stat. rev., 

Cocius Navás stat. rev., 

Enza Navás stat. rev., 

Macroleon Banks stat. rev., 

Moreyus Navás stat. rev., 

Morter Navás stat. rev., 

Neleon Navás stat. rev., 

Neseurus Navás stat. rev., 

Myrmeleodes Navás stat. rev. 

Tafanerus Navás stat rev.

Neohornius stat. rev.

 five new genera:

 Ancyroleon Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Baligaptes Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Melanobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n., 

Orientaleon Zheng & Liu gen. n. 

Sinobaliga Zheng & Liu gen. n.

 

Yuchen Zheng, Davide Badano, Renato Jose Pires Machado, Yuezheng Tu, Ulrike Aspöck, Horst Aspöck, André Nel, Shaun W. Winterton and Xingyue Liu. 2026. UCE Phylogenomics improves the Classification of the cosmopolitan Pit-building Antlion tribe Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae: Myrmeleontinae). Systematic Entomology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70040 [27 March 2026]

 

[Arachnida • 2026] Urophonius andinus • First total evidence dated Phylogeny of the Scorpion Genus Urophonius (Scorpiones: Bothriuridae), with New Insights into the Transition to Winter Activity, and the Description of the First highland Andean Species of the Genus

Urophonius andinus 

Ojanguren-Affilastro, Santibáñez-López, Alfaro, Ramírez, Iuri, Mattoni & Pizarro-Araya, 2026. 

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70032

Abstract 

This study presents the first total evidence dated phylogenetic analysis of the scorpion genus Urophonius, integrating 115 morphological characters and five molecular markers (28S, 18S, H3, 16S, COI). Our comprehensive phylogenetic framework provides novel insights into the genus' diversification timeline and evolutionary processes. Additionally, we described Urophonius andinus n. sp. from the central Chilean Andes, a high-altitude species found at 2400 m.s.a.l., representing the highest elevational record for the genus. This new species is placed within the granulatus species group, characterized by a spring–summer activity period.

Keywords: Andes, new species, highland, Scorpiones, total evidence dated phylogeny, Urophonius, winter activity

Urophonius andinus n. sp. 

Andrés A. Ojanguren-Affilastro, Carlos Eduardo Santibáñez-López, Fermín M. Alfaro, Martín J. Ramírez, Hernán A. Iuri, Camilo I. Mattoni and Jaime Pizarro-Araya. 2026. First total evidence dated Phylogeny of the Scorpion Genus Urophonius (Bothriuridae), with New Insights into the Transition to Winter Activity, and the Description of the First highland Andean Species of the Genus. Systematic Entomology. DOI: doi.org/10.1111/syen.70032 [17 March 2026]

 

[Herpetology • 2026] Nyctibatrachus kali • Hiding in plain sight: A New Species of Nyctibatrachus (Anura: Nyctibatrachidae) from the central Western Ghats, India

Nyctibatrachus kali 

Aravind, Ramesh, Naik, Gururaja & Priti, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20895

Abstract 

Frogs belonging to the genus Nyctibatrachus are endemic to the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. They are the second most speciose frogs in the Western Ghats, with 70% of the species having narrow distribution ranges. They are also highly cryptic in nature. In this study, we describe a new species of Nyctibatrachus frog from the central Western Ghats of India. Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov. is described from the Kali River basin of North Karnataka. The new species is distinguishable from all 34 currently recognised Nyctibatrachus species by a combination of morphological, acoustic and phylogenetic analyses. Molecular phylogeny based on two mitochondrial genes (16S rRNA and ND1) reveals that it belongs to the N. sanctipalustris clade. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA, Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov. shows genetic divergence >5% with its congeners, and based on the analysis of ND1, Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov. shows genetic divergence >10% with its congeners. The bioacoustics analyses indicated that the new species differed from their closest congeners based on the dominant frequency of the advertisement calls and the number of notes in each call. For the first time, we observed two distinct advertisement call categories–call notes with low and high dominant frequency in Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov. and its congeners. Our study adds to the rich diversity of frogs from the Western Ghats of India.

Keywords: Bioacoustics, Biodiversity, Cryptic species, Endemic frogs, Freshwater ecosystem, Night frogs

Habitus of holotype (BNHS 6831) of Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov.
 (A) Live individual of holotype; (B) Slow flowing stream habitat of the holotype with female and a clutch of eggs; (C) Dorsal view; (D) Ventral view; (E): Lateral profile of head and trunk; (F): Ventral view of hand; (G): Ventral view of foot; (H): third finger disc without dorso-terminal groove; (I): fourth toe disc with dorso-terminal groove cover notched distally; (J): Schematic view of webbing in hindlimb (black lines represents toes, curved black lines represents webbing, blue circles represents subarticular tubercle and orange circles represents toe discs.).

 Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov. 

Diagnosis: Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis, Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov. belongs to the N. sanctipalustris clade (Fig. 4) and is a sister lineage to N. dattatreyaensis. Hence, we compared Nyctibatrachus kali sp. nov. (both ♂ and ♀ individuals of type specimens) with all the species belonging to the N. sanctipalustris clade (both ♂ and ♀ individuals of type specimens), i.e., N. dattatreyaensis; N. karnatakaensis; N. kumbara; N. sanctipalustris; N. shiradi, N. tunga and N. vrijeuni.

...

Etymology: We name the species as Kali, the river at which the type locality of the species located. The specific epithet is an invariable noun in apposition.

 

C. K. Aravind, Badiger Ramesh, Chandrakanth Rukkappa Naik, K. V. Gururaja and Hebbar Priti. 2026. Hiding in plain sight: Description of A New Species of Nyctibatrachus (Amphibia, Anura, Nyctibatrachidae) from the central Western Ghats, India. PeerJ. 14:e20895 . DOI: doi.org/10.7717/peerj.20895 [2026-03-27]

[Herpetology • 2026] Scincella ngati • A New Skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata: Scincidae) from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam

 

Scincella ngati

A. V. Pham, Do, T. Q. Nguyen, Hoang, M. H. T. Nguyen, M. Le, M. D. Le, Ziegler & C. T. Pham, 2026 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.178070

Abstract

A new species of the genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 is described from south-central Vietnam based on morphological and molecular evidence. Scincella ngati sp. nov. is characterized by a combination of the following characters: size medium (SVL up to 48.3 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven (rarely 8); infralabials six; enlarged nuchals, 0–2; midbody scales in 32–34 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in eight rows across the back; paravertebral scales 68–70, not widened; ventral scales in 64–68 rows; 10 or 11 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 16 or 17 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching the fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with a discontinuous black vertebral stripe, one scale wide, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, two scales wide, interrupted by small pale spots, from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank and tail base. In the phylogenetic analyses, the new species is recovered as an independent lineage with no clear sister taxon and shows at least 11.2% genetic divergence from other species in the genus based on a fragment of the mitochondrial COI gene.

Key words: COI, Krong Trai Nature Reserve, molecular phylogeny, morphology, taxonomy

Holotype of Scincella ngati sp. nov. (IB R.6445) in life, adult male.

Paratypes of Scincella ngati sp. nov. in life.
 A. Dorsolateral view (IB R. 6447, male) B. Dorsolateral view (IB R. 6452, female).

Scincella ngati sp. nov.

Diagnosis. The new species can be distinguished from other species of Scincella by a combination of the following characteristics: size medium (SVL ≤ 48.3 mm); primary temporals two; external ear opening without lobules; loreals two; supralabials seven (rarely eight); infralabials six; enlarged nuchals 0–2 on each side; midbody scales in 32–34 rows; dorsal scales smooth, in eight rows across the back; paravertebral scales 68–70, not widened; ventral scales in 64–68 rows; 10 or 11 smooth lamellae beneath finger IV and 16 or 17 beneath toe IV; toes not reaching the fingers when limbs adpressed along body; dorsal surface of body and tail bronze brown with a discontinuous black vertebral stripe, one scale wide, from middle of neck to tail base; a black stripe, two scales wide, interrupted by small pale spots, running from nostril to eye and extending from posterior margin of eye along upper part of flank and tail base.

 Anh Van Pham, Dang Trong Do, Truong Quang Nguyen, Chung Van Hoang, Mai Hong Thi Nguyen, Minh Le, Minh Duc Le, Thomas Ziegler and Cuong The Pham. 2026. A New skink of the Genus Scincella Mittleman, 1950 (Squamata, Scincidae) from Dak Lak Province, Vietnam. ZooKeys. 1275: 275-298. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1275.178070 [31 Mar. 2026]

[Funga • 2025] Hydnellum hangzhouense (Agaricomycetes: Thelephorales) • Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny reveal One New Species from Eastern China

 

Hydnellum hangzhouense X.P. Fan, Y.F. Sun & B.K. Cui, 

in Fan, Song, Xu, Sun et Cui, 2025. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.711.1.3  

 Researchgate.net/publication/393904694

Abstract

As ectomycorrhizal fungi, the species in Hydnellum can form a mutualistic symbiosis with plant roots to promote the restoration of forest vegetation and the stability of forest ecosystems. Some Hydnellum fungi also have edible and medicinal values generating considerable economic benefits. In this study, a new species of Hydnellum collected from Hangzhou, eastern China, was described by utilizing morphological and phylogenetic analyses. Morphologically, Hydnellum hangzhouense was characterized by its light-colored and relatively thick pileus, simple septated generative hyphae, and subglobose to ellipsoid basidiospores. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted based on the combined sequences dataset (ITS + nLSU + nSSU + rpb2). The results indicated that H. hangzhouense formed an independent lineage which is closely related to H. crassipileatum and H. chocolatum. The detailed description, illustrations and phylogenetic tree for demonstrating the taxonomic positions of H. hangzhouense were provided.

Key words: macrofungi, multi-gene phylogeny, novel species, stipitate hydnoids, taxonomy, Fungi

Basidiomata of Hydnellum hangzhouense (Holotype, Wu 1679).

 Scale bars: 2 cm.

Microscopic structures of Hydnellum hangzhouense (Holotype, Wu 1679).
 A) Basidiospores. B) Hyphae from context. C) Basidia and basidioles. D) Hyphae from spines. E) Hyphae from the inner layer of stipe. F) Hyphae from the surface layer of stipe.

Hydnellum hangzhouense X.P. Fan, Y.F. Sun & B.K. Cui sp. nov.

 

XIANG-PING FAN, CHANG-GE SONG, YI-HUA XU, YI-FEI SUN and BAO-KAI CUI. 2025. Morphology and Molecular Phylogeny reveal One New Species of Hydnellum (Thelephorales) from Eastern China.  Phytotaxa. 711(1); 43-60. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.711.1.3 [2025-07-22] 

 Researchgate.net/publication/393904694_new_species_of_Hydnellum_from_Eastern_China

[Fungi • 2026] Leucocoprinus roseus (Basidiomycota: Agaricaceae) • Molecular Phylogenetic and Morphological Analyses revealed A New Species from Punjab, Pakistan

Leucocoprinus roseus W. Akram, Saba & Asif,  

in Akram, Saba, Asif, Nawaz, F. Ullah, Samen, Maula et M. Ullah, 2026. 

  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05015

 

Abstract

In this article, we describe a new fungal species, Leucocoprinus roseus, collected in Canal View Park, District Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan. The species is proposed as new based on detailed morphological observations and molecular phylogenetic analysis using nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) sequences. In a phylogenetic reconstruction, L. roseus forms a distinct clade clearly separated from related taxa. It is characterized by small basidiomata, a plano-convex pileus with dark red center becoming pale reddish toward the margins, center covered with squarrose scales, broadly ellipsoid amygdaliform basidiospores and versiform cheilocystidia. A comprehensive description, illustrations, and results of the phylogenetic analysis are provided, along with a comparison with morphologically and genetically related species.

Keywords: molecular phylogeny, Mandi Bahauddin, nrITS, saprotrophic, taxonomy

Macro–Morphological features (a–f) Fresh field pictures of basidiomata of Leucocoprinus roseus.

Photos by: Muhammad Asif and Wajahat Akram.

Leucocoprinus roseus W. Akram, Saba & Asif sp. nov. 

 

Wajahat Akram, Malka Saba, Muhammad Asif, Ayesha Nawaz, Fahim Ullah, Warda Samen, Fazli Maula and Mohsin Ullah. 2026. Molecular Phylogenetic and Morphological Analyses revealed A New Species, Leucocoprinus roseus (Agaricaceae, Basidiomycota), from Punjab, Pakistan. Nordic Journal of Botany.  DOI: doi.org/10.1002/njb.05015 [28 January 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Labyrinth Morphology of Eunotosaurus africanus in the Context of Semicircular Canal Shape Variation across Amniotes

 Eunotosaurus africanus with in-set labyrinth

in Evers, Panigot, Petermann, Rubidge, Bever et Lyson, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2634330  

Life reconstruction by Andrey Atuchin.

Abstract

The Middle Permian reptile Eunotosaurus africanus is a key taxon for understanding reptile evolution because it has been proposed to be one of the earliest stem turtles, but it could alternatively represent an early sauropsid. Alternative evolutionary interpretations are based on morphological character observations, and comparative anatomy of previously undocumented body parts may yield novel character evidence. Based on a previously unreported specimen of Eunotosaurus africanus, we provide descriptions of its inner ear anatomy, which we compare to a diversity of amniotes including turtles, millerettids and novel segmentations of Youngina capensis and Champsosaurus lindoei. The inner ear of Eunotosaurus africanus has plesiomorphic neodiapsid inner ear features that contrast with turtle ear morphology, including a radius of curvature of the anterior semicircular canal (ASC) that is larger than that of the posterior semicircular canal (PSC), narrow intercanal angles, slender vertical semicircular canals, and a bend in the central section of the PSC. Eunotosaurus africanus shares with turtles a large common crus cross-section and a thickened lateral semicircular canal. We provide a landmark-based comparison of amniote labyrinth shapes, which shows principal differences in the semicircular canals of birds, mammals and turtles as end members of a gradient of semicircular canal geometries. Other extant amniote groups (crocodiles, lepidosaurs), fossil lineages (e.g. sauropterygians, captorhinids, millerettids, younginiforms, varanopids, Eunotosaurus africanus) and stem lineages of extant groups (e.g. pterosaurs, non-avian dinosaurs, phytosaurs, other extinct pseudosuchians, mosasaurs, ‘pelycosaurs’, dicynodonts) show semicircular canal geometries that are generally intermediate between extreme shapes of birds, mammals and turtles, so that the entire morphospace shows gradational morphologies. The observed variation provides evidence of convergent evolution of labyrinth features, but also suggests phylogenetic signal is widespread in labyrinth morphology and that bird, mammal, and turtle labyrinth shapes may have evolved from a plesiomorphic shape that was retained in many reptilian stem lineages.

Keywords: neuroanatomy, inner ears, emicircular canal geometry, amniote phylogeny, turtle origins

Photographs of Eunotosaurus africanus (BP/1/7852). A, dorsal view. B, ventral view. Arabic numerals indicate position of vertebra or rib. Note that the spacing between pre- and postzygapophyses of dorsal vertebra seven in A demonstrates the elongate vertebral centra.

Abbreviations: cor, coracoid; cra, cranium; cvs, cervical vertebral series; d, dorsal vertebra; hu, humerus; icl, interclavicle; man, mandible; poz, postzygapophysis; prz, prezygapophysis; sc, scapula; tr, thoracic rib.

  Life reconstruction of Eunotosaurus africanus with in-set labyrinth

reconstruction by Andrey Atuchin.

 

Serjoscha W. Evers, Eldon Panigot, Holger Petermann, Bruce S. Rubidge, Gabriel S. Bever and Tyler R. Lyson. 2026. Labyrinth Morphology of Eunotosaurus africanus in the Context of Semicircular Canal Shape Variation across Amniotes. Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 24(1); 2634330. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772019.2026.2634330   [30 Mar 2026]

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] The Japanese Archipelago sheltered Cave Lions, not Tigers, during the Late Pleistocene

 a Late Pleistocene cave lion Panthera spelaea overlooking Mount Fuji, Japan. 

in Sun, Peng, Tsutaya, Jiangzuo, ... et Luo, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2523901123 

Artistic reconstruction by Velizar Simeonovski

 

Abstract

Lions and tigers, as dominant apex predators, likely became competitors when lions expanded from Africa into Eurasia approximately one million years ago (Ma), forming a lion–tiger transition belt from the Middle East through Central Asia to the Russian Far East. At the easternmost edge of this zone, the Japanese Archipelago has long been considered a Late Pleistocene tiger refugium, supported by large felid subfossils traditionally attributed to tigers (Panthera tigris), though their taxonomic identity remained unresolved. To clarify the origin, evolutionary history, and biogeography of Japan’s Pleistocene felids, we analyzed 26 ancient specimens previously assumed to be tigers. Using mitochondrial and nuclear genome hybridization capture and sequencing, paleoproteomics, Bayesian molecular dating, and radiocarbon dating, we found that all ancient Japanese “tiger” remains yielding molecular data were, unexpectedly, cave lions (Panthera spelaea). One specimen from Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, was radiocarbon dated to 36,000-34,891 cal. BP. These cave lions likely dispersed to the Japanese Archipelago between ~72.7 and 37.5 thousand years ago (ka), when a land bridge connected northern Japan to the mainland during the Last Glacial Period. Our findings challenge the long-held view that tigers once took refuge in Japan, showing instead that cave lions were widespread in northeast Asia during this period and were the Panthera lineage that colonized Japan, reaching even its southwestern regions despite habitats previously thought to favor tigers.

Maps showing the possible distributions of lions and tigers in eastern Eurasia and Alaska during different Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) of the Late Pleistocene. ...

Artistic reconstruction of a Late Pleistocene cave lion overlooking Mount Fuji, Japan.

Artwork by Velizar Simeonovski

Significance: Lions and tigers were widespread apex predators during the Late Pleistocene and integral components of East Asian megafauna. Cave lions predominantly inhabited northern Eurasia, whereas tigers were distributed farther south. The boundary between their ranges extended across Eurasia and shifted with climatic fluctuations, such as glacial–interglacial oscillations. Our findings challenge the prevailing view that tigers once took refuge in Japan and that cave lion distribution was limited to the Russian Far East and northeast China. These findings provide evidence that lions, rather than tigers, colonized the Japanese Archipelago during the Late Pleistocene. This finding extends the known range of cave lions in East Asia and refines our understanding of how far south the lion–tiger transition belt shifted during this period.

 

Xin Sun, Lanhui Peng, Takumi Tsutaya, Qigao Jiangzuo, Yoshikazu Hasegawa, Yuxin Hou, Yu Han, Yan Zhuang, Nuno Filipe Gomes Martins, Jazmin Ramos Madrigal, Alberto J. Taurozzi, Meaghan Mackie, Gaudry Trochė, Jesper V. Olsen, Enrico Cappellini, Stephen J. O’Brien, M. Thomas P. Gilbert, Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, and Shu-Jin Luo. 2026. The Japanese Archipelago sheltered Cave Lions, not Tigers, during the Late Pleistocene. PNAS. 123(6); e2523901123. DOI: doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2523901123 [January 26, 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Claea dafangensis (Cypriniformes: Nemacheilidae) • A New Cave-dwelling Fish from the upper Wujiang River, Guizhou Province, China

(A) Claea dafangensis Wang, Luo & Zhou, sp. nov. 

(F) Habitat of C. dafangensis sp. nov.

(B) C. dabryi (E) C. scet (Lei et al. 2025). 

in J.-J. Wang, Luo, M.-Y. Xiao, Xie, Y.-L. Wang, Deng, N. Xiao et Zhou, 2026.  

大方山鳅  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.172325

 Abstract

A new species of the genus Claea, Claea dafangensis sp. nov., is described from Yuchong Township, Dafang County, Guizhou Province, China. This species can be distinguished from its four congeners by a combination of the following characteristics: body pigmentation present; normal eyes with a diameter of 10.9–21.0% of head length (HL); processus dentiformis prominent, covering the lower jaw when the mouth is shut; 8–9 branched pectoral-fin rays; 16 branched caudal-fin rays; caudal-peduncle depth 6.1–8.7% of standard length (SL); interorbital width 23.6–39.0% HL; tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of the eyes; outrostral barbel extending backward beyond the anterior nostrils; and anal-fin base length 4.0–5.5% SL. Mitochondrial Cyt b analysis further supports the distinctiveness of this population, revealing that it forms an independent phylogenetic lineage with a minimum genetic distance of 2.6% from C. wulongensis. The description of this new species suggests that Claea dabryi represents a species complex containing multiple distinct lineages, the diversity of which requires further evaluation.

Key Words: Mitochondrial, morphology, taxonomy, Wujiang basin

Holotype GZNU20241204001 (A–K) of Claea dafangensis sp. nov. in preservative.
 (A) Lateral view. (B) Dorsal view. (C) Ventral view. (D) Dorsal-fins view. (E) Anal-fins view. (F) Pectoral-fins view. (G) Pelvic-fins view. (H) Dorsal view of head. (I) Lateral view of head. (J) Ventral view of head. (K) Anterior chamber and posterior chamber. (Cephalic lateral line system highlighted as yellow dots)

Claea dafangensis Wang, Luo & Zhou, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Comparative data between new species and all four known species within the genus Claea are provided in Table 3. Claea dafangensis sp. nov. can be distinguished from C. scet by the processus dentiformis prominent, covering lower jaw when mouth shut (vs.reduced, not covering lower jaw when mouth shut), body pigmentation present (vs. reduced), eyes normal, with diameter 10.9–21.0% of head length (HL) (vs. eyes reduced, 3.8–5.9% HL); from C. minibarba by tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of eyes (vs. extending to the middle of eye), 8–9 branched pectoral-fin rays (vs. 10), and caudal-peduncle depth 6.1–8.7% SL (vs. 9.5–11.7%); from C. wulongensis by tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of eye (vs. extending to ansterior margin of eye), 16 branched caudal-fin rays (vs. 18), and interorbital width 23.6–39.0% HL (vs. 38.5–43.1%); from C. dabryi (Fig. 6) by outrostral barbel backward extending beyond the anterior nostrils (vs. reaching or beyond to ansterior margin of eye), tip of maxillary barbel reaching the posterior margin of eye (vs. beyond the posterior margin of eye), and anal fin base length 4.0–5.5% SL (vs. 2.8–3.4%).

Lateral view of species in the genus Claea during life and the habitat of the new species.
(A) Claea dafangensis sp. nov. (B) C. dabryi (C) C. wulongensis (Chen et al. 2021). (D) C. minibarba (Zhang et al. 2024). (E) C. scet (Lei et al. 2025). (F) Habitat of Claea dafangensis sp. nov.

Etymology. The specific epithet “dafangensis” refers to the type locality of the new species, distributed in Dafang County. We propose the common English name “Dafang mountain loach” and the Chinese name “Dà Fānɡ Shān Qīu (大方山鳅).”

Jia-Jia Wang, Tao Luo, Ming-Yuan Xiao, Xin Xie, Yu-Ling Wang, Huai-Qing Deng, Ning Xiao and Jiang Zhou. 2026. Claea dafangensis (Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae), A New Cave-dwelling Fish from the upper Wujiang River, Guizhou Province, China. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(2): 519-531.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.172325 [26 Mar 2026]

[Crustacea • 2026] Alpheopsis gorei • A mesophotic alpheid Shrimp (Decapoda: Caridea: Alpheidae) from the western Atlantic

Alpheopsis gorei  Anker, 2026

Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia. 66;  

 revistas.usp.br/PAZ

 Photograph by Sarah Tweedt. 

Abstract

A new mesophotic alpheid shrimp, Alpheopsis gorei sp. nov., is described from several offshore localities in the northern and north-eastern Gulf of Mexico off Texas, Louisiana and western Florida. However, the distribution range of the new species extends to the Atlantic coast of Florida, with a previous record from deep-water reefs off Key Largo, under A. trispinosa Stimpson, 1860. The presently known bathymetric range of A. gorei sp. nov. is 42.1-126.2 m and the species appears to be free-living, mainly among coralline nodules and in crevices of deep coral rubble. The new species is morphologically closest to the eastern Altantic A. africana Holthuis, 1952 and A. azorica Anker, Poddoubtchenko & d’Udekem d’Acoz, 2005, the eastern Pacific A. equidactylus Lockington, 1877, and the Indo-West Pacific A. trispinosa, A. garricki Yaldwyn, 1971 and A. keijii Anker, 2007, differing from each of them by at least two morphological characters.

Keywords: Atlantic Ocean, USA, Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Crustacean, Deep-water shrimp, Alpheidae, ROV, ARMS

Alpheopsis gorei sp. nov., paratype, ov. female, cl 3.5 mm, off Louisiana, USA (USNM 1745065), shrimp alive, dorsal. Photograph by Sarah Tweedt.  

Alpheopsis gorei sp. nov.

Etymology: The new species is named after the decapod taxonomist, marine ecologist and biogeographer, Dr. Richard H. Gore, who first reported it from Florida (Gore, 1981, as A. trispinosus). 

Arthur Anker. 2026. Description of Alpheopsis gorei sp. nov., A mesophotic alpheid Shrimp from the western Atlantic (Decapoda: Caridea). Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia. 66; e202666006. DOI: 10.11606/1807-0205/2026.66.006 [2026-03-03]

  revistas.usp.br/PAZ/article/view/237897