[Paleontology • 2026] Spinosaurus mirabilis • Scimitar-crested Spinosaurus species from the Sahara caps stepwise spinosaurid radiation

Spinosaurus mirabilis

Sereno, Vidal, Myhrvold, Johnson-Ransom, Ciudad Real, Baumgart, Sánchez Fontela, Green, Saitta, Adamou, Bop, Keillor, Fitzgerald, Dutheil,  Laroche, Demers-Potvin, Simarro, Gascó-Lluna,  Lázaro, Gamonal, Beightol, Reneleau, Vautrin, Bertozzo, FGranados, Kinney-Broderick, Mallon, Lindoso, Ramezani & Jahandar, 2026

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.adx5486

Artwork: Dani Navarro

 Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The fossils of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus, a giant sail-backed, fish-eating theropod dinosaur from northern Africa, have inspired competing lifestyle interpretations, either as a semiaquatic ambush predator stalking shorelines and shallows or a fully aquatic predator in pursuit of prey underwater. Its bones and teeth have been found only in coastal deposits near marine margins, a locale potentially consistent with either lifestyle interpretation.

RATIONALE: In the central Sahara, a new fossiliferous area (Jenguebi) was discovered in beds equivalent in age [Farak Formation; Cenomanian ~95 million years ago (Mya)] to those yielding fossil remains of S. aegyptiacus. We describe from this area a new species, Spinosaurus mirabilis sp. nov., which is very similar to S. aegyptiacus in skeletal form but with a much taller, scimitar-shaped cranial crest. Two new sauropods were found in close association with the new spinosaurid buried in fluvial sediments indicative of an inland riparian habitat.

RESULTS: Spinosaurus mirabilis sp. nov. is distinguished by the low profile of its snout, a hypertrophied nasal-prefrontal crest, greater spacing of posterior maxillary teeth, and other features. Its features highlight the extraordinary specializations of both species of the genus Spinosaurus, including interdigitating upper and lower teeth. Principal component analysis of body proportions places spinosaurids between semiaquatic waders (e.g., herons) and aquatic divers (e.g., darters) distant from all other predatory dinosaurs. A time-calibrated phylogenetic analysis resolves three evolutionary phases: an initial Jurassic radiation when their distinctive elongate fish-snaring skull evolved and split into two distinctive designs, baryonychine and spinosaurine; an Early Cretaceous circum-Tethyan diversification when both reigned as dominant predators; and a final early Late Cretaceous phase when spinosaurines attained maximum body size as shallow water ambush specialists limited geographically to northern Africa and South America.

CONCLUSION: The discovery of the tall-crested S. mirabilis sp. nov. in a riparian setting within an inland basin supports a lifestyle interpretation of a wading, shoreline predator with visual display an important aspect of its biology. At the end of the Cenomanian about 95 million years ago, an abrupt eustatic rise in sea level and the attendant climate change brought the spinosaurid radiation to an end.

Sheathed bony head crests in extinct and living dinosaurs. Spinosaurus mirabilis sp. nov., evolved the tallest head crest of any theropod dinosaur, drawing attention to the midline ornamentation that characterizes the cranium and axial skeleton of all spinosaurids. In life, the crest would have been extended to some degree by a keratinous sheath, as in the living helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Visual signaling, as is the case in guinea fowl and other crested avians, was likely the function of spinosaurid cranial crests and trunk and tail sails. Scale bar, 20 cm for S. mirabilis and 3 cm for N. meleagris.

Spinosaurus mirabilis

A single Spinosaurus mirabilis rears over a carcass of the coelacanth Mawsonia on the forested bank of a river some 95 million years ago in what is now the Sahara Desert in Niger. A scimitar-shaped head crest and interdigitating teeth characterize this wading giant, one of the last-surviving species of a spinosaurid radiation some 50 million years in the making.

Artwork: Dani Navarro

Sereno, Paul C.; Vidal, Daniel; Myhrvold, Nathan P.; Johnson-Ransom, Evan; Ciudad Real, María; Baumgart, Stephanie L.; Sánchez Fontela, Noelia; Green, Todd L.; Saitta, Evan T.; Adamou, Boubé; Bop, Lauren L.; Keillor, Tyler M.; Fitzgerald, Erin C.; Dutheil, Didier B.; Laroche, Robert A. S.; Demers-Potvin, Alexandre V.; Simarro, Álvaro; Gascó-Lluna, Francesc; Lázaro, Ana; Gamonal, Arturo; Beightol, Charles V.; Reneleau, Vincent; Vautrin, Rachel; Bertozzo, Filippo; Granados, Alejandro; Kinney-Broderick, Grace; Mallon, Jordan C.; Lindoso, Rafael M.; Ramezani, Jahandar. 2026. Scimitar-crested Spinosaurus species from the Sahara caps stepwise spinosaurid radiation. Science. 391 (6787) eadx5486. DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.adx5486 [19 Feb 2026] 

 

Editor’s summary: Recent descriptions of and debates about the massive, fish-eating dinosaur Spinosaurus have brought this striking predator to the forefront of the dinosaur pantheon. Its huge size and distinctive morphology have stimulated much debate about the degree to which it lived an aquatic lifestyle. Sereno et al. describe a crested fossil Spinosaurus found in northern Africa as a new species. The researchers argue that this group of dinosaurs underwent three phases of evolution with increasing aquatic adaptations and existence in habitats around the Tethys Sea. —Sacha Vignieri

[Arachnida • 2026] Pikelinia floydmuraria • Another Web in the Wall: A New Pikelinia Mello-Leitão, 1946 (Araneae: Filistatidae) from Colombia

 

Pikelinia floydmuraria  

Villarreal, Delgado-Santa, González-Gómez, Rodríguez-Castro, Román, Agudelo & García, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.175423

Abstract

The new synanthropic crevice weaver spider species, from the family Filistatidae, Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov. (male and females) is described from the department of Tolima, Colombia. The female internal genitalia of P. fasciata from the Galapagos islands, Ecuador, is described here for the first time. Additional unidentified species of Pikelinia populations were recorded in the departments of Cauca, Quindío, and Risaralda. Dietary analysis of P. floydmuraria sp. nov. (Tolima) and Pikelinia sp. (Armenia) revealed a predominance of Hymenoptera (~35% of prey), followed by Diptera and Coleoptera. This study expands known diversity and trophic ecology of Pikelinia genus.

Key Words: Crevice weaver, food preferences, Galapagos Islands, Neotropic, taxonomy

Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov., male paratype (MIZA-0105938).
A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Carapace, dorsal view; C. Sternum and coxae, ventral view; D. Left Pedipalp, retrolateral view; E. Left Pedipalp, prolateral view; F. Right leg II, metatarsus and tarsus, prolateral view; G. Right metatarsus II, detail of modified setae, prolateral view; H. Female paratype (CIUQ-026403) Habitus, dorsal view.

Photos: Osvaldo Villarreal (A–C; F–G), Leonardo Delgado-Santa (D–H). Scale bars: 1 mm (A, H); 0.5 mm (B, C); 0.25 mm (D, E); 0.1 mm (F, G).

Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov., from Tolima.
A. Female, habitus; B–D. Male, habitus;
E, F. Juvenile, attacking a cockroach on the web.

Photos: Julio C. González-Gómez.

Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Pikelinia floydmuraria sp. nov. is the most similar and morphologically closest species to P. fasciata, sharing a nearly identical male palpal structure and leg II chaetotaxy. Males are distinguished from P. fasciata by the concolor leg pattern (vs. annulate) and the abdominal pattern of an irregular longitudinal central blotch (vs. two anterior pale spots and five transversal bands). Females are differentiated by the spermathecae with long, slender, S-shaped receptacle necks (vs. shorter, stouter, and C-shaped in P. fasciata).

Etymology. The specific epithet “floydmuraria” is a neologism derived from “Floyd” (honoring the band Pink Floyd) and “muraria” (from Latin mūrus, wall), alluding to both the album “The Wall” and the species’ wall-dwelling habitat.

 Osvaldo Villarreal, Leonardo Delgado-Santa, Julio C. González-Gómez, Germán A. Rodríguez-Castro, Andrea C. Román, Esteban Agudelo and Luís F. García. 2026. Another Web in the Wall: A New Pikelinia Mello-Leitão, 1946 (Araneae, Filistatidae) from Colombia, with notes on its diet and description of the female genitalia of P. fasciata (Banks, 1902). Zoosystematics and Evolution. 102(1): 357-366. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.102.175423 [18 Feb 2026]

[Arachnida • 2026] Titanidiops kolhapurensis • A New Species of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Titanidiops Simon (Araneae: Idiopidae) from western Maharashtra, India

 

Titanidiops kolhapurensis

Gangalmale, Thackeray, Khandekar & Gaikwad, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2603654

ABSTRACT

A new species, Titanidiops kolhapurensis sp. n., is described on the basis of six adult female and three adult male specimens collected from the outskirts of Kolhapur City, western Maharashtra, India. Specimens of both sexes are described in detail and they are distinguished from all other known peninsular Indian congeners of Titanidiops and Idiops in several non-overlapping morphological characters. Notes on natural history, and on intraspecific variation of genital characters, as well as measurements and meristic data of the new species are provided. Additionally, we present preliminary observations on occurrence of the new species and other sympatric habitat specialist taxa in natural and altered/modified habitats from the type locality and nearby localities. We emphasise the urgent need to halt further alteration or modification of the natural habitat of T. kolhapurensis sp. n. and to implement habitat restoration measures to safeguard the new species and other habitat specialists from the imminent risk of local extinction.

KEYWORDS: Anthropogenic pressure, grassland and savanna, habitat loss, morphology, taxonomy, urban biodiversity

 Live habitus of Titanidiops kolhapurensis:
(A) holotype, (NRC-AA-1191) and (B) paratype, (NRC-AA-1196).

Photos by: Akshay Khandekar.

 Titanidiops kolhapurensis sp. n.

Satpal Gangalmale, Tejas Thackeray, Akshay Khandekar and Sunil M. Gaikwad. 2026. A New Species of the Trapdoor Spider Genus Titanidiops Simon (Araneae: Idiopidae) from western Maharashtra, India. Journal of Natural History. 60(5-8); 401-421. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2025.2603654 [28 Jan 2026]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Allohistium anas • Genomic and Phenotypic Delimitation of Species in a Temperate Aquatic Biodiversity Hotspot

 

Allohistium anas Near & MacGuigan,

in MacGuigan, Taylor, Ghezelayagh, Wood, Simmons, Mollish et Near, 2025. 

Cinder Darter  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaf083 

Abstract

Biologists have relied on morphological characteristics to identify, define, and formally describe species for the past 250 years. The advent of phylogenetic species concepts and the introduction of molecular data have spawned new species delimitation methods applicable to a wide range of eukaryotic lineages. However, these approaches heavily emphasize genomic data, often overlooking phenotypic traits. We present and implement a species delimitation approach that utilizes genome-wide markers from ddRAD-seq and meristic morphological traits, which have long been used to identify and delineate fish species. Our methodology employs unsupervised machine learning to analyze morphological data without a priori species assignments, allowing phenotypic patterns to emerge independently from genomic-based species delimitation. We apply our combined genomic and phenotypic methodology to the freshwater systems of Southeastern North America, a biodiversity hotspot where conservation efforts are hampered by an incomplete knowledge of species diversity. Our investigation focuses on the darter clade Allohistium, a threatened lineage comprising two described species. Through phylogenomic, population genetic, and phenotypic model comparisons, we provide evidence supporting the delimitation of a third species of Allohistium, which we formally describe. Our approach shows how unsupervised machine learning can reveal cryptic morphological diversity that might otherwise be obscured by taxonomic preconceptions. This study demonstrates that model testing using diverse lines of evidence yields a more comprehensive, data-driven hypothesis of species diversity.

Darters, ddRAD-seq, methodology, North America, phenotype, species delimitation

Live photographs of Allohistium specimens.

Photo credit to Jon M. Mollish. YPM = Yale Peabody Museum, YFTC = Yale Fish Tissue Collection.

Allohistium anas Near and MacGuigan new species

Cinder Darter

Diagnosis. Allohistium anas differs from Allohistium cinereum and Allohistium maydeni by a higher number of lateral line scales (Supplementary Table S4), modally 43 versus 42 vertebrae (Shepard and Burr 1984), a larger proportion of individuals with greater than 80% of the cheek covered with scales, and more than 50% of the individuals with 10–40% of the nape covered with scales. In addition, Allohistium anas is never resolved as the sister lineage of Allohistium cinereum sensu stricto in mtDNA gene trees (Powers et al. 2004, 2012) or phylogenomic analyses of ddRAD-seq loci (see below). Allohistium maydeni differs from Allohistium anas and Allohistium cinereum in having modally 11 versus 12 dorsal fin spines (Supplementary Table S5; Powers et al. 2012), 12 versus 13 dorsal fin rays (Supplementary Table S6; Powers et al. 2012), and the presence of conspicuous red coloration on the skin covering the upper and lower oral jaws (Fig. 2).

Etymology. The species name anas is from the Latin word for duck, in reference to the distribution of the species in the Duck River system. The common name Cinder Darter is in reference to the common name of A. cinerum, the Ashy Darter.

Daniel J MacGuigan , Adam Taylor , Ava Ghezelayagh , Julia E Wood , Jeffrey W Simmons , Jon M Mollish and Thomas J Near. 2025. Genomic and Phenotypic Delimitation of Species in a Temperate Aquatic Biodiversity Hotspot. Systematic Biology. syaf083. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaf083 [27 November 2025]

[Botany • 2026] Ditassa scholaris (Apocynaceae) • A New Species from Bahia (Brazil), in honour of a distinguished scholar of “Asclepiadaceae”

 

Ditassa scholaris Rapini & Giul. 

and D. glaziovii E.Fourn.

in Rapini, Bitencourt, Giulietti et Harley, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10276-x

Summary

As part of ongoing taxonomic studies on Brazilian Apocynaceae and floristic inventories in the state of Bahia, Brazil, we describe and illustrate a new species of Asclepiadoideae. Ditassa scholaris Rapini & Giul. sp. nov. is named in honour of Jorge Fontella Pereira, who dedicated most of his life to studying the “Asclepiadaceae” (now Apocynaceae, subfamily Asclepiadoideae), and described over 90 new species, made 95 new combinations and even more synonyms within the group. The new species is known only from the type specimen within the Caatinga dominion, collected in a northern fragment of the Espinhaço range with an Extent of Occurrence of no more than 10,000 km2. It is threatened by anthropogenic pressure and climate changes and is provisionally assessed as Vulnerable [VU B1ab(i,ii,iii) + D2]. Ditassa scholaris is vegetatively similar to Metastelma giuliettianum Fontella, mainly because of the ovate leaves and the hirsute indumentum covering branches and leaves. Its flowers resemble those of Ditassa glaziovii E.Fourn., particularly due to its double corona, with lobes fused at the base and an internally digitiform segment. However, the erect habit of D. scholaris differentiates it from these twining species. Erect growth has evolved independently in several lineages within the Metastelmatinae core group, predominantly comprising twining plants. We provide a key to distinguish D. scholaris from the other erect species of Metastelmatinae in the Caatinga dominion.

Key Words: Asclepiadoideae, Caatinga, Carrasco, Fontella, Metastelmatinae, taxonomy

Ditassa scholaris (A – D, F – L) and comparison with D. glaziovii (E).
A branches with leaves, flowers and buds; B a pair of leaves showing the hirsute indumentum; C an inflorescence with two open flowers; D, E flowers of Ditassa scholaris (D) and D. glaziovii (E) shown at the same scale for direct comparison of size and morphology; F inner portion of the flower, with calyx and corolla removed, displaying the corona with double lobes positioned in front of the anthers and the apex of the style head in the centre; G – J corona lobe, viewed abaxially (G), laterally (H) and adaxially (J); K anther, abaxial view; L pollinarium. A – D, F – L from the holotype Harley & Giulietti 57032 (HUEFS), E from Rapini et al. 1315 (HUEFS). drawn by a. rapini.

Ditassa scholaris (A – C) and comparison with D. glaziovii (D).
Ditassa scholaris: A branches with leaves, flowers and buds; B portion of a branch showing a closer view of leaves and inflorescences; C close-up of a branch, highlighting the flowers, with lobes burgundy towards the corolla base transitioning to green along the lobe margins, white corona lobes and a greenish style head in the centre.
Ditassa glaziovii: D inflorescence.

A – C from the holotype Harley & Giulietti 57032, in Umburanas, State of Bahia, Brazil, 

D from Rapini et al. 1315, in Licínio de Almeida, State of Bahia, Brazil. 

photos: A – C R. M. harley; D A. rapini.

 

 

Alessandro Rapini, Cassia Bitencourt, Ana Maria Giulietti and Raymond Mervyn Harley. 2026. Ditassa scholaris, A New Species of Apocynaceae from Bahia (Brazil), in honour of a distinguished scholar of “Asclepiadaceae”. Kew Bulletin. DOI: doi.org/10.1007/s12225-025-10276-x [05 February 2026]

[Herpetology • 2025] Telescopus insularis, T. mazuchi, T. smidi, T. urii, ... • What is revealed from a widely distributed species in Africa and Southwest Asia? The Case of the Telescopus dhara–obtusus species complex (Squamata: Colubridae)

   Telescopus urii,

Telescopus salvadori, 

Telescopus smidi,   

Telescopus forskali  

Ribeiro-Júnior, Koch, Flecks, Campbell, Calvo, Spawls, Vidal & Meiri, 2025

DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf117 

Abstract

The Saharo-Sindic desert, the world largest arid region, is often treated as having low alpha and beta diversity of reptiles. However, the region is, in general, poorly studied and its biodiversity is likely to be grossly underestimated. Among the species in this region, the Telescopus dhara–obtusus complex has the widest distribution, a long history of controversial species definition, and unstable taxonomic status. We analysed 27 meristic characters, 19 measurements, and 35 osteological characters of this species complex by examining 282 specimens. We also analysed intra- and interspecific genetic structure and differentiation using five mitochondrial and two nuclear genes from 40 specimens. Our results reveal the T. dhara–obtusus complex as paraphyletic, comprising two major species groups: the T. dhara group and the T. obtusus group. The T. dhara group has eight species: T. dhara, T. guentheri (revalidated), T. pulcher, and five new species. The T. obtusus group is formed by 12 species: T. obtusus, T. somalicus, T. tripolitanus, T. variegatus, T. semiannulatus, T. beetzi, T. finkeldeyi, T. gezirae, and four new species. We describe all new taxa, redescribe the senior ones, and provide the first detailed description of a skull for the genus. The total number of species of Telescopus increases from 14 to 25. 

Arabian Peninsula, cryptic species, molecular phylogeny, osteology, Sahara Desert, taxonomic revision

Telescopus dhara group

Telescopus guentheri (revalidated),

Telescopus urii sp. nov. 

Telescopus urii. Coloration in life.
A, Hatseva, Arava Valley; photograph by S. Jamison. B, Judean Desert, West Bank; photograph by G. Haimovitch.
C, D, central Negev Desert, Israel; photographs by S. Jamison (C) and G. Haimovitch (D).
E–G, Gilboa Mountains, West Bank; photographs by S. Jamison (E, F) and B. Shermeister (G).
H, Arava Valley, Israel; photograph by G. Haimovitch.

Telescopus forskali sp. nov.,

Telescopus insularis sp. nov.,

Telescopus forskali. Coloration in life.
A, B, Dhofar, South Oman; photographs by S. Carranza.
C, Oman; photograph by S. Carranza. D, east of Thumrait, Oman; photograph by D. Hegner.

Telescopus salvadori. Coloration in life. A, B, Central Oman; photographs by S. Carranza.
Telescopus smidi. Coloration in life. A, B, near Taif, Saudi Arabia; photographs by S. Carranza.

Telescopus salvadori sp. nov.,

Telescopus smidi sp. nov.,

Telescopus geniezi sp. nov.,

Telescopus reussi sp. nov.,

Telescopus wangariae sp. nov.

 Telescopus crocheti. Coloration in life. A, B, Near Borama, Ethiopia; photographs by D. Hegner. C, Borama, Ethiopia; photograph by T. Mazuch. D, E, Shanshacade Village, Togdheer, Somalia; photographs by T. Mazuch.
Telescopus sp. (Telescopus crocheti and/or T. mazuchi). A, South of Omar Caves, Ethiopia; photograph by M. Largen. B, Meru National Park, Kenya; photograph by A. Childs.

The Telescopus obtusus group

Telescopus crocheti sp. nov.,

Telescopus mazuchi sp. nov.,

Telescopus somalicus (elevated to species status),

Marco A Ribeiro-Júnior, Claudia Koch, Morris Flecks, Patrick D Campbell, Marta Calvo, Stephen Spawls, Nicolas Vidal and Shai Meiri. 2025. What is revealed from a widely distributed species in Africa and Southwest Asia? The Case of the Telescopus dhara–obtusus species complex (Squamata: Colubridae). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 205(3); zlaf117. DOI: doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaf117 [06 November 2025]

[Ichthyology • 2026] Mesoaphyosemion izyarae • A New killifish Species (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae) from southern Equatorial Guinea

Mesoaphyosemion izyarae Ott, Sonnenberg & Van der Zee,

in Sonnenberg, Ott, Rodriguez, Olias, Martinez et Van der Zee, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5759.4.5

Abstract

Mesoaphyosemion izyarae sp. nov., is described from a small left-bank tributary of the Mitemele River in southern Equatorial Guinea. The new species is distinguished from all other described Mesoaphyosemion species by a unique combination of male colouration characters: dorsal fin yellow with red streaks between fin rays; anal and pelvic fins yellow with black or dark red margin, basally light blue, caudal fin in centre black with red streaks between fin rays, broad yellow area on dorsal and ventral margin, body metallic light blue with more or regular rows of red dots on side, posteriorly denser and forming a reticulated pattern. The species status is supported by mtDNA analyses, including nine of the eleven described valid Mesoaphyosemion species.

Pisces, phylogeny, colour pattern, taxonomy, mtDNA, Rio Mitemele, Pleistocene rainforest refuge  

Mesoaphyosemion izyarae.
Male (1) and female (2) from the type locality, Rio Mveň basin, near the village of Efulan, Equatorial Guinea (not preserved). 

Mesoaphyosemion izyarae sp. nov., Ott, Sonnenberg & Van der Zee

Diagnosis. Mesoaphyosemion izyarae shares with other species of the genus a combination of the following characteristics in the male: a mostly metallic pale blue, blue or blue-green colouration on the sides; an often variable pattern of red dots on sides, in most species irregularly distributed, in others forming more or less regular stripes or blotches; a latero-ventral red line on the caudal peduncle; unpaired fins without, or with only short, fin extensions, caudal fin nearly straight, slightly rounded or weakly trilobate; no conspicuous markings on ventral side of the head; adults have a yellow snout. Unfortunately, none of these characteristics is diagnostic on its own as they are also known from other nothobranchiid genera or species groups but, in combination, they are significant.

Mesoaphyosemion izyarae is distinguished from all other known Mesoaphyosemion species by a unique combination of colour pattern features in the male: dorsal fin yellow with red streaks between fin rays; anal and pelvic fins yellow with black or dark red margin, basally light blue, caudal fin black in...

RAINER SONNENBERG, HEINZ OTT, ADOLFO GONZALEZ RODRIGUEZ, CARLOS VIZCAINO OLIAS, FRANCISCO PORTAL MARTINEZ and JOUKE R. VAN DER ZEE. 2026.  Description of Mesoaphyosemion izyarae (Cyprinodontiformes: Nothobranchiidae), A New killifish Species from southern Equatorial Guinea. Zootaxa. 5759(4); 453-463. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5759.4.5 [2026-02-18]

[Entomology • 2026] Richtersveldiella sanparkensis, Pentamerica gazella, Nama mirifica, ... • A New Genus and Six New Species of Namaini (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae) from the Richtersveld (South Africa, Northern Cape)

 

Richtersveldiella sanparkensis 

Borovec & Meregalli, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.2.2  

 Researchgate.net/publication/399722863

 

Abstract

One new genus and six new species of Namaini are described: Richtersveldiella sanparkensis Borovec and Meregalli, new genus and new species (type locality: Koeroegab); Pentamerica gazella Borovec and Meregalli new species (type locality: Kodaspiek); Namaquania hirta Borovec and Meregalli new species (type locality: Armmanshoek valley); Nama mirifica Borovec and Meregalli new species (type locality: south of Helskloof Pass); Nama vanwyki Borovec and Meregalli new species (type locality: Armmanshoek valley); Nama armmanshoek Borovec and Meregalli new species (type locality: Armmanshoek valley). Biological notes and comparative remarks are added, along with considerations on their distribution. An assessment of their conservation status is also proposed.

Coleoptera, weevils, taxonomy, new genus, new species, species discovery, Afrotropical region

Richtersveldiella sanparkensis Borovec & Meregalli, sp. nov.

Nama vanwyki Borovec & Meregalli, sp. nov.

Richtersveldiella sanparkensis Borovec and Meregalli, new genus and new species 

Pentamerica gazella Borovec and Meregalli new species 

Namaquania hirta Borovec and Meregalli new species 

Nama mirifica Borovec and Meregalli new species 

 Nama vanwyki Borovec and Meregalli new species 

Nama armmanshoek Borovec and Meregalli new species

Roman BOROVEC and Massimo MEREGALLI. 2026. A New Genus and Six New Species of Namaini from the Richtersveld (South Africa, Northern Cape) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae).  Zootaxa. 5748(2); 193-214. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5748.2.2 [2026-01-13]

 Researchgate.net/publication/399722863_A_new_genus_and_six_new_species_of_Namaini_from_the_Richtersveld_South_Africa

[Botany • 2025] Tessmannia princeps (Fabaceae: Detarieae) • A New rainforest Tree from the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania

Tessmannia princeps A.Bianchi, Tomasi, Mwakisoma, Barbieri & Q.Luke, 

in Bianchi, Tomasi, Mwakisoma, Barbieri et Luke, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.2.1 

 Researchgate.net/publication/389992439

 

Abstract

Tessmannia princeps, a new canopy emergent rainforest tree species from the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania, is described and illustrated. It is a montane, unarmed tree distinguished by its large stature, extensively buttressed bole, and high number of leaflets. Tessmannia princeps shows morphological affinities with another Tanzanian species, T. densiflora, nevertheless the two species can be distinguished by morphological characters as well as by ecology and geography. A diagnostic key to the East African species of Tessmannia is provided. Due to its restricted range and small number of recorded mature individuals, the conservation status of T. princeps is assessed as Vulnerable under the IUCN criteria.

Eastern Arc, Fabaceae, Detarieae, new species, taxonomy, Eudicots 

Tessmannia princeps A.Bianchi, Tomasi, Mwakisoma, Barbieri & Q.Luke, sp. nov. 

Diagnosis:—Superficially comparable to Tessmannia densiflora, but Tessmannia princeps is a taller tree, growing up to 40 m in height; leaves bear 18–24 pairs of leaflets on a rachis 68–94 mm long; leaflets are opposite to alternate, sub-rectangular or oblong in shape; flowers are white, with sepals and tepals up to 5 mm in length. Tessmannia densiflora is a smaller tree, reaching 20–25 m in height; leaves bear 8–13 pairs of leaflets on a rachis 30–60 mm long; leaflets are sub-opposite to alternate and may be oblong, lanceolate, ovate-oblong, or ovate-lanceolate in shape; flowers are red, with sepals and tepals measuring 10–20 mm in length.

ANDREA BIANCHI, LAURA TOMASI, ALOYCE MWAKISOMA, MATTEO BARBIERI and QUENTIN LUKE. 2025. Tessmannia princeps (Fabaceae), A New rainforest Tree from the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania.  Phytotaxa. 694(2); 109-118. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.694.2.1 [2025-03-20]

 Researchgate.net/publication/389992439_Tessmannia_princeps_a_new_rainforest_tree_from_the_Udzungwa_Mountains_Tanzania

https://news.mongabay.com/2025/03/3000-year-old-trees-in-tanzania-are-new-species/

[Ichthyology • 2026] Hongshuia wangi & H. boulobos • Two New Species of the Cyprinid Genus Hongshuia (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) from the Pearl River Basin, Southwest China, with a Re-evaluation of the Taxonomic Status of H. paoli

 

 (A) Hongshuia wangi; (B) H. boulobos 

Zeng & Zhang, 

 

in Zeng, Tan, B.-L. Zhang et E. Zhang, 2026. 

 https://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/issue.php?id=2047

Two new species of the labeonin cyprinid genus Hongshuia, H. boulobos and H. wangi, are here described from tributaries of the Pearl River Basin, Southwest China. Both share with H. brevibarba the presence of a lower lip with a sector-shaped median lobe (the maximum width positioned at anterior potion of median lobe), distinguishing them from H. microstomata and H. megalophthalmus, which have a roughly rounded median lobe. Hongshuia wangi is distinct from H. brevibarba and H. boulobos in having wider median lobe of lower lip (width 47.8–57.6% of head width vs. 40.5–43.4% in H. brevibarba and 38.5–44.0% in H. boulobos). Hongshuia boulobos further differs from all other congeners in having a lower lip with larger lateral lobes (width more vs. less than one-third of the median lobe width). The study also considers H. paoli as a junior synonym of H. megalophthalmus based on morphological and molecular evidence.

Keywords: Biogeography, Cyprinidae, Morphology, Speciation, Taxonomy

Freshly collected specimen of (A) Hongshuia wangi, IHB 202402146680 and (B) H. boulobos, IHB 202405026699.

Distribution of species of Hongshuia.

Habitat of (A) Hongshuia wangi: the Zhangbu River (the surface section) and

 (B) H. boulobos: the Dongsai Subterranean River (the outlet).

 Hongshuia wangi Zeng & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hongshuia wangi, new species, shares with H. brevibarba and H. boulobos, new species, the presence of a lower lip with a sector-shaped median lobe (the maximum width positioned at anterior potion of median lobe), by which they are separated from H. microstomata and H. megalophthalmus, which have a roughly rounded median lobe of lower lip. It is distinct from H. brevibarba and H. boulobos through a wider median lobe of lower lip (width 47.8–57.6% of corresponding head width vs. ...

Etymology: The specific epithet is derived from the family name of the collector (Guo-Fu Wang), in honor of his contribution in protecting the Zhangbu River and discovering the new species.

 

Hongshuia boulobos Zeng & Zhang, sp. nov.

Diagnosis: Hongshuia boulobos, new species, is distinct from all congeneric species in having a lower lip with larger lateral lobes (width more than vs. less than one-third of the median lobe width). It is similar to H. wangi and H. brevibarba in having a sector-shaped median lobe of lower lip, a character used to separate them from H. microstomata and H. megalophthalmus where the median lobe of lower lip is roughly rounded. ...

Etymology: The epithet, used as a noun, is derived from the Greek words ‘bou-’ (large) and ‘lobos’(lobe), in allusion to the two large lateral lobes of the lower lip. The common Chinese name proposed for the new species is ‘大叶红水鲮’. 

 

Zhi-Xuan Zeng, Cheng-Jiang Tan, Ben-Lin Zhang and E Zhang. 2026. Descriptions of Two New Species of the Cyprinid Genus Hongshuia (Pisces: Cypriniformes) from the Pearl River Basin, Southwest China, with a Re-evaluation of the Taxonomic Status of H. paoli. Zoological Studies 65:05. DOI: 10.6620/ZS.2026.65-05

 https://zoolstud.sinica.edu.tw/issue.php?id=2047

[Crustacea • 2026] Ghatiana dhritiarum • A New Species of freshwater crab in the Genus Ghatiana (Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the central Western Ghats, India

Ghatiana dhritiarum  

Pati, Naik & Gouda, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1590/2358-2936e20260586 

Abstract

A new species of freshwater crab, Ghatiana dhritiarum sp. nov., is described from the central Western Ghats of India in the Uttara Kannada District of the Karnataka State. The new species inhabits water-filled holes of tree trunks and laterite boulders in evergreen forests, with an omnivorous diet. Characterized mainly by a proportionately broad carapace, slender eyestalks, and a medially distinctly curved male first gonopod with a relatively long ultimate article, G. dhritiarum sp. nov. also exhibits other unique morphological features and a distinct coloration in life. This new species can be distinguished from its morphologically closest congener, Ghatiana dvivarna Pati, Thackeray, Bajantri and Hegde, 2022, by differences in the distance between the frontal margin and the anterior margin of the epistome, the relative size of the eyes, the shape of the male first gonopod, and the size of the vulvae, as well as live coloration. This discovery raises the total number of known species in Ghatiana Pati and Sharma, 2014, to 14, including seven species from Karnataka, emphasizing the need for continued exploration, especially in the central Western Ghats region.

Keywords: Crustacea; Decapoda; Karnataka; Oriental region; taxonomy; Western Ghats

Ghatiana dhritiarum sp. nov., color in life: A, adult male, holotype (CW 16.4 mm, CL 8.9 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2587; B, adult male, paratype (CW 15.0 mm, CL 8.3 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2589; C, adult male, paratype (CW 14.9 mm, CL 8.5 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2589; D, adult male, paratype (CW 14.5 mm, CL 7.9 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2588; E, subadult male (CW 13.4 mm, CL 7.3 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2591; F, subadult male (CW 9.2 mm, CL 5.3 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2590; G, subadult male (CW 8.9 mm, CL 4.7 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2591; H, adult female, paratype (CW 18.3 mm, CL 9.7 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2588; I, adult female, paratype (CW 18.1 mm, CL 9.9 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2588; J, adult female (CW 17.5 mm, CL 10.0 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2590; K, adult female (CW 15.5 mm, CL 8.4 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2590; L, adult female, paratype (CW 15.3 mm, CL 8.2 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2589; M, adult female (CW 15.3 mm, CL 8.4 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2591; N, subadult female (CW 13.0 mm, CL 6.9 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2591; O, subadult female (CW 9.9 mm, CL 5.4 mm), ZSI-WRC C.2591.
Ghatiana dvivarna Pati, Thackeray, Bajantri and Hegde, 2022, color in life: P-R, not collected.

Ghatiana dhritiarum sp. nov., habitats.
 A, a crab in the tree trunk hole holding the wing of a termite at Hiremane; B, a crab in the hole of a laterite boulder in the open area at Hiremane; C, a crab emerging out of the hole (yellow arrow sign) of a laterite boulder in the well-shaded area at Tarimane. None of these crabs were collected.

Superfamily Gecarcinucoidea Rathbun, 1904

Family Gecarcinucidae Rathbun, 1904

Genus Ghatiana Pati and Sharma, 2014

Type species. Ghatiana aurantiaca Pati and Sharma, 2014,
by original designation; gender of genus feminine.

 

Ghatiana dhritiarum sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Carapace in adult proportionately broad (CW/CL approximately 1.7-1.9), strongly arched (CH/CL approximately 0.7-0.8); lateral margins strongly convex; frontal margin some distance from anterior margin of epistome, exposing antennular fossae (Figs. 1A, B, 2A, B, D, E, 3A, B). Eyes relatively large as compared to orbital space; each eye with relatively slender eyestalk ...

Etymology. The specific epithet "dhritiarum" is formed directly from the personal name "Dhriti" honoring two ladies. First, it recognizes Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, the present Director of the Zoological Survey of India, whose leadership and scholarly work have been instrumental in advancing our understanding of Indian fauna. Secondly, it honors the daughter of one of the authors, G.D. Naik, whose name is also "Druthi" (has the same pronunciation as “Dhriti” in Kannada dialect).

 Sameer Kumar Pati, Gopal Diggya Naik and Sunil Rama Gouda. 2026. Description of A New Species of freshwater crab in the Genus Ghatiana Pati and Sharma, 2014 (Brachyura: Gecarcinucidae) from the central Western Ghats, India. Nauplius. 34; DOI: doi.org/10.1590/2358-29