[Herpetology • 2026] Southern Philippine Forest Frogs (Anura; Ceratobatrachidae: Platymantis) confused with P. dorsalis: Validation and Resurrection of P. jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920), and Description of A New Species: Platymantis habagatan

 

Platymantis jagorii (Peters, 1863);   P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920); 

Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan

Pitogo, Hoskins, Tesfazion, Meneses, Cannon, Supsup, Decena, Sanguila & Brown, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5884.2.3  

  facebook.com/KierPitogo14

 

Abstract

Terrestrial ground frogs of the genus Platymantis exhibit conserved external morphology, resulting in long-standing taxonomic uncertainty concerning the identity of purportedly widespread populations. One such case involves the broad application of the name Platymantis dorsalis (Duméril, 1853) (subgenus Lupacolus; a northern and central Philippine species) to terrestrial ground frogs in the archipelago’s southern Mindanao biogeographic region. In the southern Philippines, earlier names historically applied to Mindanao faunal region populations were later placed in synonymy with P. dorsalis. Here, we re-evaluate the taxonomic status of terrestrial Platymantis populations from the Mindanao biogeographic region, incorporating phylogenetic, morphological, and acoustic data derived from three decades of field-based natural history observations and specimen collections. Our analyses demonstrate that southern populations presently referred to P. dorsalis in the southern Philippines form three distinct evolutionary lineages, are quite distantly related to P. dorsalis (subgenus Lupacolus), and two of which actually fall into a different subgenus (Lahatnanguri). These lineages exhibit pronounced morphological disparity and acoustic divergence from one another (and, unsurprisingly, from P. dorsalis), supporting their recognition as distinct species. Based on accompanying morphological, molecular, and bioacoustic data presented here, we therefore resurrect P. (Lahatnanguri) jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. (Lupacolus) laticeps (Taylor, 1920) from the synonymy of P. dorsalis and describe a new cryptic species, Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan sp. nov. This taxonomic clarification resolves a prolonged misapplication of the name P. dorsalis to populations on Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Biliran, Basilan, Camiguin Sur, Dinagat, and Siargao islands and provides a long-overdue framework for future systematics and conservation assessments of Philippine terrestrial ground frogs, particularly those from the southern portions of the archipelago.

Amphibia, Mindanao, amphibians, taxonomy, Lahatnanguri, Lupacolus, Platymantis dorsalis, adaptive radiation

P. (Lahatnanguri) jagorii (Peters, 1863) 

P. (Lupacolus) laticeps (Taylor, 1920)

Platymantis (Lahatnanguri) habagatan sp. nov. 

KIER MITCHEL E. PITOGO, KREW HOSKINS, FABEN HANA TESFAZION, CAMILA G. MENESES, HAYDEN W. CANNON, CHRISTIAN E. SUPSUP, SYRUS CESAR P. DECENA, MARITES B. SANGUILA and RAFE M. BROWN. 2026. Southern Philippine Forest Frogs (Anura; Ceratobatrachidae: Platymantis) confused with P. dorsalis: Validation and Resurrection of P. jagorii (Peters, 1863) and P. laticeps (Taylor, 1920), and  Description of A New Species. Zootaxa. 5884(2); 271-300. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5884.2.3 [2026-09-28]

  facebook.com/KierPitogo14/posts/29137023565890106

 x.com/kieralreefs/status/2104365976540315669

[Botany • 2026] Mitreola luongii (Loganiaceae) • A New Species from Limestone Hill in northern Vietnam

Mitreola luongii  Moriwak., Tagane & V.S.Dang,

in Moriwak, Tagane, Pham, Souladeth, Vongthavone, Kongxaisavath, Phonepaseuth, Naito, Yamazaki, Lenh et Dang, 2026. 

Tiểu mạo Vương Đình Lương  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.776.2.3 

Abstract

A new species of Mitreola (Loganiaceae), M. luongii, is described from limestone area in Tuyen Quang Province, northern Vietnam. Morphologically, it is most similar to M. crystallina, but can be distinguished by its shrub habit, up to 1 m tall (vs. herb, up to 60 cm tall), having terminal and axillary inflorescences (vs. terminal), shorter internode 1.5–5.5 cm long (vs. 6–8 cm long), shorter peduncles 0.5–1.5 cm long (vs. ca. 6 cm long), smaller leaf size 5.5–10.5 × 2–4.5 cm (vs. 15–20 × 5–7 cm) and longer corolla tube 4–4.5 mm long (vs. 4 mm long).

Eudicots, Du Gia National Park, Flora, Gentianales, hornpods, Indochina, taxonomy

Mitreola luongii.
 A. Habit, B–C. Flowering branches, D. Abaxial leaf surface, E. Terminal and axillary inflorescences, F. Corolla, front view, G. Corolla, lateral view, H. Partly dissected flower, showing stamens, style and stigma. I. Opened corolla, showing inner hairs and stamens, J. Pistil.

Photos: A by Quoc Trong Pham, B & E by Phetlasy Souladeth, C, D, F–J by Shuichiro Tagane.

Mitreola luongii Moriwak., Tagane & V.S.Dang, sp. nov.  

Diagnosis:—Mitreola luongii is most similar to M. crystallina of China in having light-purple corollas, but can be readily distinguished by its shrub habit, up to 1 m tall (vs. herb, up to 60 cm tall), terminal and axillary inflorescences (vs. terminal), shorter internode 1.5–5.5 cm long (vs. 6–8 cm long), shorter peduncles 0.5–1.5 cm long (vs. ca. 6 cm long), smaller leaf size 5.5–10.5 × 2–4.5 cm (vs. 15–20 × 5–7 cm) and longer corolla tube 4–4.5 mm long (vs. 4 mm long). (Table 1). 

...

Etymology:—The species epithet honors Mr. Vuong Dinh Luong, director of Du Gia National Park, who has made significant contributions to biodiversity conservation in the park. 

Vernacular name:—Tiểu mạo Vương Đình Lương

Hiroki MORIWAKI, Shuichiro TAGANE, Quoc-Trong PHAM, Phetlasy SOULADETH, Thyraphon VONGTHAVONE, Deuanta KONGXAISAVATH, Phongphayboun PHONEPASEUTH, Hanaka NAITO, Kaito YAMAZAKI, Thanh Thuong LENH and Van-Son DANG. 2026. Mitreola luongii (Loganiaceae), A New Species from Limestone Hill in northern Vietnam. Phytotaxa. 776(2); 166-172. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.776.2.3 [2026-09-24]

[Entomology • 2024] Pterotiltus ngoylaensis, P. campoensis, Parapterotiltus bamboutos & Parapterotiltus minimoides • New Species of Pterotiltus from Cameroon, and A New Genus, Parapterotiltus (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oxyinae)

 

[A-D] Parapterotiltus bamboutos sp. nov. and
[E, F] Parapt. minimoides sp. nov.  

Ngoute & Rowell, 2024 

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.33.96043  

Abstract

The genus Pterotiltus Karsch, 1893 currently includes 12 described species from the equatorial forests of West and Central Africa. Here, we describe two new species from lowland forests of Southern Cameroon: Pterotiltus ngoylaensis sp. nov., and Pterotiltus campoensis sp. nov. We further describe two new species and the previously undescribed female of Pterotiltus minimus Ramme, 1929 from the highland areas of West Cameroon. These highland species share a suite of characters that distinguish them from Pterotiltus; these characters include structures of both the male and female reproductive systems, tegmina not completely regressed, and generally smaller size. To accommodate these differences between the species, we erect the new genus Parapterotiltus gen. nov. with P. minimus as the type species and include in it Parapterotiltus minimoides sp. nov. and Parapterotiltus bamboutos sp. nov.

Keywords: Caelifera, Cameroon, grasshoppers, taxonomy, tropical forest

Parapterotiltus bamboutos sp. nov. and Parapterotiltus minimoides sp. nov. habitus.
A, B. P. bamboutos male; C, D. P. bamboutos female, showing both brown and green color forms;
E, F. P. minimoides male; G, H. P. minimoides female.

Order ORTHOPTERA Olivier, 1789

Superfamily ACRIDOIDEA MacLeay, 1821

Family ACRIDIDAE MacLeay, 1821

Subfamily OXYINAE Brunner von Wattenwyl, 1893

Genus Parapterotiltus gen. nov.

Type species.— Pterotiltus minimus Ramme, 1929.

Etymology.— Greek Para, near, close to; Pterotiltus, a genus of oxyine grasshopper, erected by Karsch, 1893.

Diagnosis.— Differs from Pterotiltus Karsch, 1893 only in the following particulars (Table 3): Size generally smaller; males average 12–14 mm in length, females 16–22 mm. Cuticle of fastigium and vertex in head and of thoracic and proximal abdominal tergites, coarsely punctate. Tegmina present but micropterous, barely exceeding the mesothoracic segment, rounded and sometimes brightly ...

 

Charly Oumarou Ngoute and C.H.F. Rowell. 2024. New Species of Pterotiltus from Cameroon, and A New Genus, Parapterotiltus (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Oxyinae). Journal of Orthoptera Research. 33(1): 127-146. DOI: 10.3897/jor.33.96043  

[Entomology • 2025] Digentia viridissima • Review of the African Genus Digentia Stål, 1878 (Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oxyinae)

 

 Digentia viridissima

 Ngoute & Rowell, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.34.126949

Abstract  

The genus Digentia Stål, 1878 currently has four described species from the tropical forest areas of West Central Africa. Here, we describe a new species, Digentia viridissima sp. nov., and its natural habitat in the swamps of the humid forests of southern Cameroon. Additionally, we include a description of Digentia punctatissima (Stål, 1875) and redescriptions of Digentia rufogeniculata (Bolívar, 1911), Digentia fasciata Ramme 1929, and Digentia karnyi Ramme 1929. We also provide a key to identify the species of the genus.

Keywords: Caelifera, grasshopper, taxonomy, new species, tropical forest

Habitus of Digentia viridissima sp. nov.
A. Male, lateral view (photo from Ngoyla, Division of Haut-Nyong, Cameroon, 29. 04. 2019, (ONC); B. Male, dorsal view (photo from Ngoyla, Division of Haut-Nyong, Cameroon, 29. 04. 2019, (ONC); C. Female, latero-dorsal view. Photo from Ngutadjap, Division of Vallée-du-Ntem, Cameroon, 07. 04. 2023, (ONC).

 Digentia viridissima sp. nov.

Type locality.— CAMEROON, Division of Vallée du Ntem, Ngutadjap.

Etymology.— From Latin, viridissima, which means “greenest.” Refers to the external habitus of the species, which is the greenest in the genus.

 

Charly Oumarou Ngoute, C. H. F. Rowell. 2025. Review of the African Genus Digentia Stål, 1878 (Orthoptera, Acrididae, Oxyinae). Journal of Orthoptera Research. 34(1): 11-30. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/jor.34.126949

 

[Botany • 2026] Vincetoxicum phucanhense (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) • A New Species from Vietnam

 

Vincetoxicum phucanhense T.T.H. Nguyen & T.H. Bui, 

in Nguyen, Le, D.B. Tran, T.B. Tran et Bui, 2026

 DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.279.203612

Abstract

Vincetoxicum phucanhense (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Vietnam, is described, illustrated, and compared with three morphologically similar species: Vincetoxicum flexuosum (R.Br.) Kuntze, V. harmandii (Costantin) Meve & Liede, and V. tengii (Tsiang) Meve & Liede. V. phucanhense differs from V. flexuosum in having shorter pedicels, very sparsely hairy sepal margins (vs. glabrous), a larger corolla, broadly elliptic pollinia (vs. globose), longer fruits, and longer seeds. It also differs from V. harmandii in having shorter petioles, smaller leaf blades, glabrous adaxial leaf surfaces (vs. hairy), and a larger corolla. In comparison with V. tengii, V. phucanhense can be distinguished by its larger corolla, corolla coloration (yellow, pink, or red vs. greenish), and broadly elliptic pollinia (vs. globose). A key to the 14 species of Vincetoxicum recorded in Vietnam is provided.

Key words: Asclepiadeae, Phu Canh, Phu Tho, Tylophora, Tylophorinae

Vincetoxicum phucanhense.
A. Habitat; B, C. Flowering branches; D. Magnified portion of branch showing one row of pubescence; E. Adaxial leaf surface; F. Abaxial leaf surface; G. Inflorescence.

Photos by D.B. Tran.

Vincetoxicum phucanhense T.T.H. Nguyen & T.H. Bui, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Vincetoxicum phucanhense differs from V. flexuosum by its shorter pedicels (4.0–7.6 mm vs. 14.0–16.0 mm), sparsely hairy sepal margins, larger corolla (7.2–9.6 mm diam, vs. 4.0–6.0 mm), broadly elliptic pollinia, longer fruits (109–123 mm vs. 40–80 mm), and longer seeds (9.2–9.5 mm vs. 6.0–8.0 mm). It is distinguished from V. harmandii by having shorter petioles (3–8 mm vs. 10–20 mm), smaller leaves (9–42 × 4–18 mm vs. 45–75 × 25–45 mm), glabrous adaxial leaf surfaces, and larger corolla (7.2–9.6 mm diam. vs. 4–5 mm). From V. tengii, it differs by its larger corolla (7.2–9.6 mm diam. vs. 5–7 mm) and differently colored corolla, as well as the broadly elliptic rather than globose pollinia.

 Thi Thanh Huong Nguyen, Ngoc Han Le, Duc Binh Tran, The Bach Tran and Thu Ha Bui. 2026. Vincetoxicum phucanhense (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), A New Species from Vietnam. PhytoKeys. 279: 27-34. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.279.203612 [04 Sep 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Niceforonia florezarum • A New Species of Niceforonia (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Colombian Massif, southwestern Colombia

Niceforonia florezarum

Pisso-Florez, Cardona-Giraldo, Ramírez-Chaves, Liévano-Bonilla, Mazepa & Mulder, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.1  

  facebook.com/IZBDLab

Abstract

The genus Niceforonia currently includes 17 species of small, terrestrial, direct-developing frogs distributed from Colombia to northern Peru. In Colombia, 11 species of Niceforonia have been reported, with five of these restricted to high Andean ecosystems, including Páramos. Field surveys conducted between 2017 and 2023, in the Páramo ecosystems of the Puracé National Park and its buffer zone, in southwestern Colombia, revealed a previously unidentified species of Niceforonia. Through an integration of phylogenetic, ecological, bioacoustic, and morphological analyses, we identified unique traits that support the recognition of this population as a new species of Niceforonia, restricted to Páramo and Subpáramo habitats over 3300 m in the Colombian Massif. The new species is sister to Niceforonia brunnea, which occurs 195 kilometers further south in the Department of Nariño of southwestern Colombia and northern Ecuador. With the discovery of this new species, Colombia now hosts 12 species of Niceforonia, six of which inhabit Páramo ecosystems. Our study expands the taxonomic knowledge of the genus and underscores the importance of further exploration in high-Andean ecosystems of southwestern Colombia, where biodiversity remains underexplored.

Amphibia, amphibians, Andes, Páramo, Puracé National Park, Terrarana

Niceforonia florezarum

 

Gustavo Adolfo PISSO-FLOREZ, Alexandra CARDONA-GIRALDO, Héctor E. RAMÍREZ-CHAVES, Andrés Felipe LIÉVANO-BONILLA, Glib O. MAZEPA and Kevin P. MULDER. 2026. A New Species of Niceforonia (Anura: Craugastoridae) from the Colombian Massif, southwestern Colombia.  Zootaxa. 5881(3); 301-326. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5881.3.1  [2026-09-22] 

 facebook.com/IZBDLab/posts/1853143722328113

 

[Paleontology • 2026] Yujingia glutenotunica • Cambrian Fossils illuminate the ambulacrarian common ancestor

 

Yujingia glutenotunica 

He, Mussini, Han, Reich, Ou, Cheng & Shu, 2026 

胶膜玉净虫  |  DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.053

Highlights: 

• A new early Cambrian ambulacrarian, Yujingia, preserves soft parts and tentacles

• Yujingia possesses pinnate appendages with filter-feeding grooves

• Phylogenetic analyses place Yujingia near the common ancestor of extant Ambulacraria

• The fossils suggest living ambulacrarians evolved from tentaculate suspension feeders

Summary

The origins of ambulacrarians, which comprise the morphologically disparate echinoderms (sea stars and their relatives) and the worm-like hemichordates, are poorly constrained, obscuring the assembly of their exceptionally disparate body plans. We describe Yujingia glutenotunica, an ambulacrarian from the early Cambrian Chengjiang biota (518 Ma). Yujingia combines a simple cylindrical body plan with a crown of specialized appendages, including pinnate arms bearing filter-feeding grooves and alternating side-branches. Phylogenetic analyses recover Yujingia within a grade of tentaculate fossils immediately basal to the last common ancestor of all modern ambulacrarians. These results suggest that ambulacrarians evolved from semi-sessile organisms with complex suspension-feeding adaptations, otherwise only found in crown-group echinoderms and tentaculate hemichordates (pterobranchs). Yujingia fills a key gap in the early deuterostome fossil record, thus challenging the conventional worm-like, pharyngeal filter-feeder models for the ambulacrarian last common ancestor and supporting unexpectedly deep origins for the echinoderm and pterobranch body plans.

Keywords: Ambulacraria, Chengjiang biota, deuterostome evolution

Systematic paleontology

Superphylum Ambulacraria

Phylum, Class, Order, Family indet.

Yujingia glutenotunica gen. et sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name Yujingia refers to the Dharma Vessel held by Guanyin, one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas of Chinese Buddhism, in reference to the fossil’s overall shape. The specific name glutenotunica is derived from the Latin words gluten and tunica, which refers to the optically light body preserved around the visceral mass of the fossil. ...

Kaiyue He, Giovanni Mussini, Jian Han, Mike Reich, Qiang Ou, Meirong Cheng and Degan Shu. 2026. Cambrian Fossils illuminate the ambulacrarian common ancestor. Current Biology. DOI: doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.08.053 [September 16, 2026]

[Paleontology • 2026] Jeanerpeton mazonensis • A New, exceptionally preserved, late Carboniferous amphibamiform from the Mazon Creek Lagerstätte, Illinois, USA

 

Jeanerpeton mazonensis

Sefcovic, Kohlberg, So & Mann, 2026 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2698799 

 

ABSTRACT

The Mazon Creek fossil assemblage has provided the earliest fossil records of several important early tetrapod lineages, including the oldest dissorophoid temnospondyl, Amphibamus grandiceps. Recent systematic efforts have unveiled exceptional diversity of recumbirostran tetrapods at Mazon Creek; however, similar attention has not been paid to the numerous temnospondyl fossils from the site. Here, we provide an anatomical and systematic revision to a uniquely preserved amphibamiform from Mazon Creek, FMNH PR 558, that was previously reported to have the earliest body fossil evidence of lissamphibian-like toe pads in temnospondyls. Restudy of this fossil, with particular attention devoted to the dorsal and lateral skull and the axial skeleton has revealed distinct differences from coeval and other Permo-Carboniferous amphibamiforms, allowing for the designation of the new taxon Jeanerpeton mazonensis, gen. et sp. nov. Based on preliminary observations of varying presacral vertebral counts among Mazon Creek amphibamiform fossils there is more diversity of this group from the Moscovian amongst known material than previously recognized.

Jeanerpeton mazonensis, gen. et sp. nov.

 

Allison J. Sefcovic, Payton J. Kohlberg, Calvin So and Arjan Mann. 2026. Jeanerpeton mazonensis, gen. et sp. nov.: A New, exceptionally preserved, late Carboniferous amphibamiform from the Mazon Creek Lagerstätte, Illinois. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e2698799. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2698799  [24 Sep 2026]

[Herpetology • 2026] Geckolepis bekira, G. spania & G. modesta • Reverse Taxonomy of Fish-scale Geckos (Gekkonidae: Geckolepis) using shotgun sequencing for museomics-based assignment of Historical Names to Genetic Lineages

 

 species and subspecies of Geckolepis
(C) Geckolepis bekira sp. nov.; (B) G. spania sp. nov.

Vences, Glaw, Köhler, Miralles, Preez, Preick, Rakotoarison, Scherz, Hofreiter and Petzold, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/megataxa.21.2.1

Abstract

Fish-scale geckos (Geckolepis), endemic to Madagascar and the Comoro Islands, are nocturnal, arboreal lizards with large, imbricate scales that can be shed and regenerated in their entirety, most likely as an antipredator mechanism. Their species-level taxonomy has remained partly unresolved because morphology alone has proven insufficient to reliably assign genetic lineages to scientific names. Here, we use a museomics approach to extract and shotgun-sequence DNA from twelve liquid-preserved historical and mostly name-bearing type specimens of six historical nomina in the genus, and assemble sequences of the mitochondrial genes for 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and nd4 for ten of these specimens. Despite relatively low coverage, the assembled sequences robustly placed all these type specimens in a phylogenetic tree with 113 ingroup samples collected across Madagascar. Our results demonstrate the efficiency of this approach to recover mitochondrial evidence for taxonomic purposes, but also show its failure to recover reads matching single-copy nuclear genes. We discuss the promise of a renewed focus on nuclear ribosomal genes as complementary nuclear-encoded DNA barcodes for vertebrates, as we found 18S rRNA sequences to be well-represented among the reads of the historical specimens studied here. Based on evidence from the mitochondrial tree, two nuclear-encoded genes (C-MOS, RAG-1), and morphology, we resurrect G. typica var. modesta Methuen & Hewitt, 1913 as a full species, G. modesta, from north-western Madagascar, confirm the current use of the name G. maculata Peters, 1880 for specimens from northern and eastern Madagascar, of G. polylepis Boettger, 1893 for specimens from western and north-western Madagascar, and of G. typica Grandidier, 1867 for specimens from southern and south-western Madagascar. We also recognize G. typica var. anomala Mocquard, 1902 as a subspecies, G. typica anomala, and confirm G. petiti Angel, 1942 to be a synonym of this subspecies. We also describe two new species, G. bekira sp. nov. and G. spania sp. nov. from northern Madagascar. The new classification provides a robust baseline to identify the remaining taxonomic issues in the genus and tackle them, preferably using genomic approaches which are also promising to better understand the molecular mechanisms of scarless wound healing and skin regeneration in these geckos.

Squamata, Gekkonidae, Geckolepis spania sp. nov., Geckolepis bekira sp. nov., Madagascar, museomics, archival DNA, Pisces

Representative photos in life of all species and subspecies of Geckolepis according to the classification proposed herein. All specimens except G. modesta and G. maculata from Manombo correspond to genotyped individuals. Not to scale.

Photos of the preserved holotypes of the two new species described herein,
Geckolepis spania sp. nov. and Geckolepis bekira sp. nov.
 For each species, lateral, dorsal and ventral views of head, and dorsal view of entire specimen are shown.

Photos in life of the holotypes of the two new species described herein.
(A, B) Geckolepis spania sp. nov., holotype, probably a subadult, ZSM 2124/2007 (FGZC 1140) from Ankarana.
(C, D) Geckolepis bekira sp. nov., the adult male holotype ZSM 1523/2008 (FGZC 1971) from Montagne des Français.

Geckolepis bekira sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Assigned to the genus Geckolepis based on molecular phylogenetic relationships and body covered with large, imbricated scales. Based on morphological data of Lemme et al. (2013), characterized by snout–vent length <54 mm, 25–28 scales around midbody, 33–43 ventral scale rows, condition A or B of mental scale, eight supralabials, and usually a dark stripe from eye to ear opening. The new species differs from G. humbloti, G. maculata, G. megalepis and G. modesta by a smaller body size (SVL in these species reaching up to 65–75 mm), from G. megalepis and G. modesta furthermore by more scales around midbody (25–28 vs. 17–25), and from G. megalepis also by more ventral scale rows (33–43 vs. 27–32); from G. typica by a different condition of mental scale (A or B vs. D); from G. polylepis by having fewer ventral scale rows (33–43 vs. 48–55) and more scales around midbody (25–28 vs. 35–38). The new species can be differentiated from all other species and lineages in the genus complex by numerous diagnostic nucleotide positions in the mitochondrial genome. MolD identified for the nd4 fragment a robust diagnostic nucleotide combination of an “A” at site 904, a “C” at site 975, and a “T” at site 1002 (positions relative to the full nd4 gene of Geckolepis).

Etymology. The species name is derived from the Malagasy words be (= big) and kira (= scale), referring to the large imbricated scales that distinguish this and other species of Geckolepis from other Malagasy geckos. The species epithet is an invariable noun in apposition to the generic name.

Geckolepis spania sp. nov. 

Diagnosis. Assigned to the genus Geckolepis based on molecular phylogenetic relationships and body covered with large, imbricated scales. Characterized by small body size (but holotype is probably not adult), 26 scales around midbody, 34 ventral scale rows, condition A of mental scale, 7–8 supralabials, and presence of a dark stripe from eye to ear opening. The new species differs from G. modesta and G. megalepis by more scales around midbody (26 vs. 17–25), and from G. megalepis also by more ventral scale rows (34 vs. 27–32); from G. maculata (A+B) by more scales around midbody (26 vs. 22–25); from G. maculata (C) by fewer ventral scale rows (34 vs. 36–42); from G. humbloti by a larger number of supralabials compared to most specimens of that species (7–8 vs. 5–7); from G. typica by a different condition of mental scale (A vs. D); from G. polylepis by having fewer ventral scale rows (34 vs. 48–55) and fewer scales around midbody (26 vs. 35–38); reliable morphological differentiation from G. bekira is not possible at present. The new species can be differentiated from all other species and lineages in the genus complex by numerous diagnostic nucleotide positions in the mitochondrial genome. MolD identified for the nd4 fragment a robust diagnostic nucleotide combination of an “A” at site 876, and a “C” at site 943 (positions relative to the full nd4 gene of Geckolepis).

Etymology. The species name is a latinized adjective derived from Greek σπάνιος (spánios = rare), used in the feminine gender in agreement with the genus name. It refers to the rare occurrence of this species, which is known from a single collected specimen, despite numerous herpetological explorations of its type locality, Ankarana National Park. 

  

Miguel VENCES, Frank GLAW, Jörn KÖHLER, Aurélien MIRALLES, Louis Du PREEZ, Michaela PREICK, Andolalao RAKOTOARISON, Mark D. SCHERZ, Michael HOFREITER and Alice PETZOLD. 2026. Reverse Taxonomy of Fish-scale Geckos (Geckolepis) using shotgun sequencing for museomics-based assignment of Historical Names to Genetic Lineages. Megataxa. 21(2); 207-232. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/megataxa.21.2.1 [2026-09-22]

[Mollusca • 2026] Pagodapalaina euphrosyne • A New open-coiled Microsnail Species of the Genus Pagodapalaina (Caenogastropoda: Diplommatinidae) from Thailand

Pagodapalaina euphrosyne Sutcharit,

 

in Sutcharit, Srisonchai, Maneewan, Jeratthitikul et Annate, 2026. 

หอยกระสวยจิ๋วคลายเกลียวยูโฟรซีน  |  DOI: doi.org/10.1556/1777.2026.00169  

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Abstract

A new species of Pagodapalaina from southern Thailand is described. Pagodapalaina euphrosyne Sutcharit, sp. nov. is characterised by a sinistral, elongate-fusiform shell with an open-coiled teleoconch, well-developed radial ribs restricted to the penultimate and last whorls, and the presence of the parietalis and columellaris. Unlike all other congeners, the detached teleoconch subsequently resumes regular coiling, with the last whorl becoming tightly reattached to the preceding whorl. This previously undocumented developmental pattern raises fundamental questions about current understanding of the developmental constraints governing shell coiling in terrestrial caenogastropods.

Keywords: limestone; endemic species; whorl detachment; ecophenotypic plasticity; micro-CT

A, approximate locations of the type locality of all Pagodapalaina species.
Numbers correspond to: 1) P. acme (Laidlaw, 1949) [= Diplommatina laemsonensis Boonmachai, Bergey & Nantarat, 2023]; 2) P. attenuata (Laidlaw, 1949); 3) P. carinaspinosa (Maassen, 2002); 4) P. diminuta (von Möllendorff, 1891); 5) Pagodapalaina euphrosyne sp. nov.; 6) P. gadutensis (Maassen, 2002); 7) P. hidagai (Panha, 1998a); 8) P. hortulanica Chen, 2025; 9) P. jirasaki (Panha, Kanchanasaka & Burch, 2002); 10) P. karoensis (Maassen, 2002); 11) P. krabiensis (Panha & Burch, 1998); 12) P. lenggongensis (Tomlin, 1941) [= Diplommatina lenggongensis nawawii Davison, 1995]; 13) P. parabates (Laidlaw, 1949); 14) P. pongrati (Panha, Kanchanasaka & Burch, 2002); 15) P. prakayangensis (Panha, 1998b); 16) P. sinistra (Tomlin, 1938) [= Diplommatina prakaiphetensis Boonmachai, Bergey & Nantarat, 2023]; 17.1) P. superba superba (Godwin-Austen & Nevill, 1879); 17.2) P. superba brevior (Laidlaw, 1949); 18) P. suratensis (Panha & Burch, 1998);
B, live snail of  Pagodapalaina euphrosyne sp. nov.

Systematics

Superfamily Cyclophoroidea Gray, 1847

Family Diplommatinidae Pfeiffer, 1856

Genus Pagodapalaina Chen, 2025

Pagodapalaina Chen in Chen et al. 2025: 390, 391.

Type species: Diplommatina acme Laidlaw, 1949, by original designation.

Remark: The genus is characterised by a sinistrally coiled, elongate-fusiform shell with tightly to loosely coiled whorls and a shell surface bearing low ridges to prominent and trough-like radial ribs. The internal lamellar system comprises a well-developed columellaris, a parietalis varying from small to well developed, a vertical palatalis that may be absent, and a constriction ranging from weak to strong.

The genus currently comprises 18 recognised species (Chen et al. 2025, MolluscaBase 2026, this study). Of these, three species are known from Sumatra, Indonesia, and nine species, including the new species described herein, are recorded from Thailand. The northern distributional limit of the genus is currently considered not to extend beyond the Isthmus of Kra (Fig. 1A).

Pagodapalaina euphrosyne sp. nov., paratypes CUMZ 14506 from the type locality.
A, B, adult specimens with narrowly expanded lip;
C, juvenile specimen shows an early stage of penultimate whorl, and onset of tall trough-like radial ribs

Pagodapalaina euphrosyne sp. nov. from the type locality.
A, holotype CUMZ 14505, insets show the aperture with columellaris;
B, paratype CUMZ 14506, juvenile with penultimate and last whorl reattached but lip not yet expanded;
C, paratype CUMZ 14506, insets show the protoconch sculpture

Pagodapalaina euphrosyne Sutcharit, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Shell small, sinistral, elongate-conical, fusiform, with ∼6 whorls. Earlier teleoconch whorls solute for about two whorls, with smooth surface. Penultimate and last whorls regularly coiled, tightly attached, sculptured with very tall, trough-like radial ribs, and fine spiral striations throughout. Peristome double, expanded. Aperture rounded, with four barriers: one parietalis, two vertical palatalis and one columellaris.

Etymology: The specific epithet, euphrosyne, is a noun in apposition derived from Euphrosyne, one of the Three Graces (Charites) in Greek mythology, the personification of joy, beauty, and elegance. It refers to the graceful and delicate shell morphology of the new species.

  Chirasak Sutcharit, Ruttapon Srisonchai, Nattaphong Maneewan, Ekgachai Jeratthitikul and Supunya Annate. 2026. A New open-coiled Microsnail Species of the Genus Pagodapalaina (Caenogastropoda: Diplommatinidae) from Thailand. Animal Taxonomy and Ecology. DOI: doi.org/10.1556/1777.2026.00169 [16 Sep 2026]

𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙙𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙖 𝙚𝙪𝙥𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙚 Sutcharit, 2026 หรือ หอยกระสวยจิ๋วคลายเกลียวยูโฟรซีน ค้นพบที่ถ้ำทะลุ อำเภอละงู จังหวัดสตูล โดยตั้งชื่อชนิดตามรูปร่างเปลือกที่ละเอียดอ่อนและสง่างาม เสมือน “ยูโฟรซีน” ผู้เป็น 1ใน 3เทพีแห่งความงามของเทพปกรณัมกรีก 

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[Botany • 2026] Neea myrciifolia (Nyctaginaceae: Pisonieae) • A New Species discovered in central Peru

 

Neea myrciifolia  D.S.Costa & Farroñay,

in Costa, Farroñay, Rossetto, Gonzáles et Giacomin, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10369-7

Summary

Neea myrciifolia D.S.Costa & Farroñay (Nyctaginaceae, Pisonieae) a new species found exclusively in central Peru, in montane forest remnants, is here described, more than 90 years after the last Neea species was described for the country. Images of the morphological structures, a distribution map and a provisional conservation status of the new species, as well as taxonomic notes on morphologically similar species, are provided.

Key Words: endemism, Neotropical flora, Pisonieae, Reserva Comunal Yanesha, taxonomy

Neea myrciifolia.
A – B branches with pistillate flowers and fruits; C – D pistillate inflorescence.
A, C from R. Rojas 5731; B, D from R. Vásquez 36005.

photos by: Rocío del Pilar Rojas Gonzáles & Rodolfo Vásquez.

Neea myrciifolia D.S.Costa & Farroñay, sp. nov. 

Recognition. Neea myrciifolia can be easily distinguished from all other species in the genus by a unique combination of vegetative and reproductive characters: opposite leaves with abaxial surface with a verrucose texture covered with sparse, pubescent to tomentose, reddish trichomes, globose 2-branched inflorescences with tubular staminate and pistillate flowers and patent, open, deltoid perianth lobes.

Etymology. The specific epithet "myrciifolia" refers to the vegetative resemblance, e.g. opposite leaves and brochidodromus venation, to the genus Myrcia DC. (Myrtaceae).

Daniel da Silva Costa, Francisco Farroñay, Elson Felipe Sandoli Rossetto, Rocío del Pilar Rojas Gonzáles and Leandro L. Giacomin. 2026. Discovering Neea myrciifolia: the first New Species of Neea from Peru in over 90 years.  Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10369-7 [03 August 2026]

x.com/manuelujan/status/2088201291327488285

[Entomology • 2024] Tembelingiola biaculeata, T. kabili & Pteroplistes silam • New Species of little-known Crickets from the Subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera: Grylloidea) from Sabah and Contribution to their Bioacoustics

  

Tembelingiola biaculeata Tan, Gorochov & Robillard,

in Tan, Gorochov, Japir, Chung et Robillard, 2024. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.2.3 

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my

Abstract

Recent fieldwork in eastern Sabah led to the discovery of new little-known crickets from the subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea). Three new species are described: Tembelingiola biaculeata sp. nov. and Tembelingiola kabili sp. nov. from Sepilok; Pteroplistes silam sp. nov. from Mount Silam. Previously, the calling song of only one species of Pteroplistinae was known. Here, the calling songs of the three new species, as well as that of Pteroplistes lagrecai Gorochov, 2004, are also described for the first time. Therefore, distinctive calling songs for five species and three genera of Pteroplistinae are presently known.

Orthoptera, Borneo, calling song, Pteroplistes, Southeast Asia, sympatry, Tembelingiola

Tembelingiola biaculeata sp. nov. 

Tembelingiola kabili sp. nov. from Sepilok

Pteroplistes silam sp. nov. from Mount Silam.

Ming Kai TAN, ANDREI GOROCHOV, RAZY JAPIR, ARTHUR Y.C. CHUNG and TONY ROBILLARD. 2024. New Species of little-known Crickets from the Subfamily Pteroplistinae (Orthoptera, Grylloidea) from Sabah and Contribution to their Bioacoustics.  Zootaxa. 5506(2); 205-226. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5506.2.3 [2024-09-06] 

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my/resource/research-publication/25

[Fungi • 2026] Akanthomyces infaproensis (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) • A New entomopathogenic Fungus from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Akanthomyces infaproensis  Shahbaz & J.S. Sathiya Seelan, 

in Shahbaz, Cheak, Wasti, Wai et Seelan, 2026.

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.772.2.1  

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my

Abstract

Akanthomyces Lebert belongs to the family Cordycipitaceae (Hypocreales, Sordariomycetes), which is regarded as one of the most important groups of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Despite the high fungal diversity in Sabah, Malaysia, the systematics and phylogeny of Akanthomyces in this region is still lacking. This study aimed to characterize entomopathogenic fungal specimens collected from Sabah using morphological and molecular phylogenetic approaches to determine their taxonomic status. During surveys of entomopathogenic fungi, two specimens infecting lepidopteran host were collected and examined using morphological characterization and molecular phylogenetic analyses. Five genetic markers, including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU), translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF1-α), RNA polymerase II largest subunit (RPB1), and RNA polymerase II second largest subunit (RPB2), were amplified and sequenced to infer phylogenetic relationships. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) based on individual and concatenated datasets (ITS–SSU–TEF1-α-RPB1–RPB2). The analyses consistently recovered the Bornean isolates as a distinct, well-supported lineage. Morphologically, the isolates are distinguished by robust, cream to pale-yellow branched synnemata, smaller perithecia, larger ellipsoidal conidia and filiform, multiseptate ascospores that disarticulate at maturity into cylindrical to slightly barrel-shaped part-spores at maturity compared with closely related species. Based on the combined morphological and phylogenetic evidence, Akanthomyces infaproensis sp. nov. is described from Sabah, Malaysia. The discovery of this new species expands the known diversity of Akanthomyces and highlights the tropical rainforests of Sabah as reservoirs of undescribed fungal diversity.

Fungi, Lepidoptera, molecular phylogeny, Sabah, taxonomy, new taxa

Akanthomyces infaproensis on adult moth

Akanthomyces infaproensis Shahbaz & J.S. Sathiya Seelan sp. nov.

MUHAMMAD SHAHBAZ, CHONG CHUAN CHEAK, IBRAHEM GHANI WASTI, YAP SAU WAI and JAYA SEELAN SATHIYA SEELAN. 2026. Akanthomyces infaproensis sp. nov. (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales), A New entomopathogenic Fungus from Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.  Phytotaxa. 772(2); 101-120. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.772.2.1 [2026-08-28] 

 sabaes.sabah.gov.my/resource/research-publication/36