[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

[Ichthyology • 2025] Hyphessobrycon ribeiroi • A New Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae) from the Central Amazon Basin, Brazil

Hyphessobrycon ribeiroi

Lima, Silva-Oliveira, Oliveira & Faria, 2025

 

Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia. 65;  

scielo.br/j/paz 

Researchgate.net/publication/388856173

Abstract

A new species of Hyphessobrycon is described from the region of the lower rioTapajós basin, state of Pará, and tributaries of the northern bank of the Amazon River from the rio Itapiranga basin westward to the lower rio Negro basin, states of Amazonas and Roraima, Brazil. The new species exhibits a color pattern consisting in a conspicuous single humeral blotch and a conspicuous caudal peduncle blotch, a pattern shared with several congeners. It can be diagnosed from those congeners by some other pigmentary features, and from some of them by maxillary teeth, and/or branched anal-fin rays counts, anal-fin morphology, and fin hooks arrangement in matures males.The new species is most similar morphologically to a non-congener, Hemigrammus schmardae, with which it was found syntopically at the lower rio Negro but can be distinguished from it by some color pattern features. An analysis based on the cytochrome c oxidase I gene indicates that the new species is closely related to Hyphessobrycon ericae.

Keywords: Barcoding; Hemigrammus schmardae ; Hyphessobrycon ericae ; rio Tapajós; rio Negro

Hyphessobrycon ribeiroi, new species, living aquarium specimens, no locality data.

Hyphessobrycon ribeiroi, new species  

 Diagnosis: Hyphessobrycon ribeiroi can be distinguished from most species currently assigned to the genera Hyphessobrycon and Hemigrammus, except He. hyanuary, He. levis, He. melanochrous, He. schmardae, He. vorderwinkleri, Hy. duragenys, Hy. eos, Hy. ericae, Hy. frankei, Hy. langeanii, Hy. santae, Hy. reticulatus, Hy. rutiliflavidus, Hy. tenuis, Hy. tropis, Hy. uaiso, Hy. wosiackii, and Hy. zoe by the presence of single humeral blotch and a caudal peduncle blotch extending into the basis of the middle caudal fin rays (vs. two humeral blotches or absence of a blotch in the humeral region or caudal peduncle). It can be distinguished from aforementioned species, except Hy. ericae and Hy. wosiackii, by possessing a vertically elongated humeral blotch with a posterior backward extension (vs. humeral blotch never presenting a posterior backward extension). The new species can be diagnosed from ...

Etymology: The specific epithet is a homage to Frank Raynner Ribeiro, professor of the Universidade Federal do Oeste do Pará, as a recognition of its contribution to the knowledge of South American Siluriformes and also the fishes from the rio Tapajós basin.

Flávio C.T. Lima, Cárlison Silva-Oliveira, Claudio Oliveira and Tiago C. Faria. 2025. A New Hyphessobrycon (Characiformes: Acestrorhamphidae) from the Central Amazon Basin, Brazil. Papéis Avulsos De Zoologia. 65; e202565011. DOI: 10.11606/1807-0205/2025.65.011

  https://www.scielo.br/j/paz/a/nfFVZnYpfgBPdnt9KBQTJ6H

 Researchgate.net/publication/388856173_A_new_Hyphessobrycon_from_the_Central_Amazon_basin_Brazil

  x.com/PAZ_journal/status/2026326260490678454

[Botany • 2026] Justicia balakrishnaniana (Acanthaceae) • A New Species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India

Justicia balakrishnaniana Parthiban, Rasingam & D. Sandhya Deepika,

in  Parthiban, Rasingam et Deepika, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0102  

  bsky.app/profile/AnBF.bsky.social 

Abstract

Justicia balakrishnaniana Parthiban, Rasingam & D. Sandhya Deepika (Acanthaceae) is described and illustrated as a new species from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. It is morphologically allied to J. ekakusuma due to similarities in the inflorescence and bracteoles, but differs in its decumbent growth habit, stems that root at the lower nodes, 5-lobed calyx, fruits lacking a constriction at the middle and wingless seeds. An identification key to the species of Justicia in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is provided.

Justicia balakrishnaniana.
— A: Habit. — B: Flower. — C: Fruiting twig. — D: Flower bud. — E: Dorsal and ventral view of bract. — F: Dorsal and ventral view of bracteoles. — G: Corolla open. — H: Calyx. — I: Unequal calyx lobes. — J: Stamens. — K: Ovary with style. — L: Capsule. — M: Seeds.

D–M from the holotype; A–C photographed at Munda Pahad region of Chidiyatapu, 1 July 2025.

Justicia balakrishnaniana Parthiban, Rasingam & D. Sandhya Deepika, sp. nova 

Annual, erect or decumbent herbs, up to 30 cm tall; stems angular, 6-ridged, pubescent with strigose or hispid downwards-facing hairs on ridges, rooting at lower nodes; internodes 2–5 cm long, green. Leaves distinctly petiolate, petiole 1–2 mm long, sparsely hairy; lamina ovate to sub-orbicular, rarely elliptic, 0.6–1.5 × 0.4–1 cm, base cuneate to shortly attenuate, margins thickened with scabrous hairs, apex obtuse to rounded, sparsely strigose hairy on both sides; midrib prominent, on both sides with scabrous hairs; secondary veins 3–4 pairs, faint on adaxial surface, prominent on abaxial surface; cystoliths horizontally distributed along margins on adaxial surface. Inflorescence terminal spike, up to 3 cm long or solitary in ...

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Dr. N.P. Balakrishnan, former Regional Botanist of the Botanical Survey of India, who was instrumental in establishing the Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre of the Botanical Survey of India at Port Blair.

Arikrishnan Parthiban, Ladan Rasingam, and Devara Sandhya Deepika. 2026. Justicia balakrishnaniana (Acanthaceae), a New Species from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India. Annales Botanici Fennici. 63(1); 5-8. DOI: doi.org/10.5735/085.063.0102 (30 January 2026) 

 bsky.app/profile/AnBF.bsky.social/post/3mhpq47u3qk2p

[Crustacea • 2026] Caridina tashanica • A New cave Shrimp Species (Decapoda: Atyidae) from Sulphidic Water in southwestern Iran

 Caridina tashanica sp. nov. (both ovigerous females)
from Tashan Cave, Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran.

 Jugovic, Malek Hosseini & Zakšek,

in Jugovic, Malek Hosseini, Fatemi, Flot, Kuntner et Zakšek, 2026. 

DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.184889

Abstract

A new cave species of atyid shrimp of the genus Caridina H. Milne Edwards, 1837 was discovered during a survey of a subterranean habitat in southwestern Iran (Khuzestan Province, Tashan Cave). This is the first record of a cave atyid shrimp in Iran and the first documented occurrence of a Caridina species inhabiting sulphidic groundwater. Phylogenetic analyses and genetic distances support the status of Caridina tashanica sp. nov. as a distinct species, closely related to C. shahrazadae. Morphologically, the new species is characterised by reduced eyes and pigmentation, and by an extremely elongated rostrum with numerous teeth. Males have specific, triangular endopodite of pleopod I, and a rod-like appendix masculina of pleopod II with numerous long setae. Ovigerous females lay relatively large, oval, white eggs, which clearly indicate a landlocked life cycle. This study contributes to the knowledge of atyid shrimps in the Middle East and to the subterranean biodiversity of the sulphidic Tashan Cave ecosystem in Iran.

Keywords: Atyids, groundwater, Middle East, subterranean, sulphidic, Tashan Cave

Photo of two cave shrimps Caridina tashanica sp. nov. (both ovigerous females) from Tashan Cave, Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran.

Photo credit: YF and MJMH, photographed on 8 December 2018.

Caridina tashanica Jugovic, Malek Hosseini & Zakšek, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Caridina tashanica sp. nov. is the only species of cave shrimp (depigmented and with strongly reduced eyes without pigmentation; Fig. 6) from Iran of the family Atyidae. It is characterised by an extremely long rostrum (Fig. 3) with numerous teeth (13–19+3–5/9–22), uropodal diaeresis with 7–10 spiniform setae and 4–6 pairs of dorsomarginal spiniform setae on the telson of which the distal pair is dorsomarginal-terminal. Propodus of pereiopod III and V bears only 7–14 and 9–18 spiniform setae, respectively, while dactylus of pereiopod V bears ...

 Jure Jugovic, Mohammad-Javad Malek Hosseini, Yaser Fatemi, Jean-François Flot, Matjaž Kuntner and Valerija Zakšek. 2026. Caridina tashanica sp. nov., A New cave Shrimp Species (Decapoda, Atyidae) from Sulphidic Water in southwestern Iran. Subterranean Biology. 55: 137-160. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/subtbiol.55.184889 [23 Mar 2026]

[PaleoMammalogy • 2026] Masripithecus moghraensis • An Early Miocene Ape from the Biogeographic Crossroads of African and Eurasian Hominoidea

Masripithecus moghraensis

Al-Ashqar, Seiffert, El-Sayed, Salem, Gohar, El-Saka, Amin & Sallam, 2026

DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.adz4102

nhm.org

Illustration by Mauricio Antón

Abstract

The Early Miocene fossil record documenting hominoid evolution has long been restricted primarily to sites in East Africa, whereas contemporaneous North African sites have only yielded remains of cercopithecoid monkeys. Here, we describe a fossil ape from North Africa, a new genus (Masripithecus) from the Early Miocene (~17 million to 18 million years) of northern Egypt, on the basis of mandibular remains. A combined molecular-morphological Bayesian tip-dating analysis positions Masripithecus closer to crown hominoids than coeval fossil apes from East Africa, thereby filling a phylogenetic and biogeographic gap in the evolution of stem hominoids. This evidence suggests that crown Hominoidea might have originated during the Early Miocene in the underexplored northeastern part of Afro-Arabia, rather than in eastern Africa or Eurasia.

 

Masripithecus moghraensis

Illustration of Masripithecus moghraensis by Mauricio Antón

Masripithecus moghraensis and the dispersal of crown hominoids in the Miocene. The map highlights Wadi Moghra, Egypt (star), which is the discovery site of Masripithecus—the first definitive North African ape—alongside key Miocene hominoid localities (see table S1) across Afro-Arabia and Eurasia. Arrows indicate inferred dispersal routes based on the phylogenetic and biogeographic analyses presented here. The inset phylogeny places Masripithecus as the closest sampled sister taxon of crown Hominoidea. At lower left, a life reconstruction of Masripithecus based on the Masripithecus mandible combined with the facial morphology of the middle Miocene hominoid Pierolapithecus. Illustration by Mauricio Antón

 

SHOROUQ F. AL-ASHQAR, ERIK R. SEIFFERT, SANAA EL-SAYED, BELAL S. SALEM, ABDULLAH S. GOHAR, HOSSAM EL-SAKA, MOHAMED AMIN, AND HESHAM M. SALLAM. 2026. An Early Miocene Ape from the Biogeographic Crossroads of African and Eurasian Hominoidea. SCIENCE. 391(6792); 1383-1386. DOI: doi.org/10.1126/science.adz4102 [26 Mar 2026]

https://nhm.org/stories/meet-masripithecus-newly-described-ancient-ape-fills-gap-evolutionary-history-primates

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Editor’s summary: The vast majority of early hominoid fossil hunting has occurred in East Africa, where a trove of early fossils and lineages have been found. Other regions in Africa have been less explored for various reasons, inspiring the question of whether a focus on East Africa has shaped opinions about where early hominoid evolution occurred. Al-Ashqar et al. now describe a Miocene ape from Egypt with crown hominoid affinities suggesting both that this lineage diverged before entering Eurasia and that a focus on one African region may have shaped our ideas about where hominoids first emerged (see the Perspective by Alba and Arias-Martorell). —Sacha Vignieri

[Botany • 2026] Primulina acutiloba (Gesneriaceae) • A New Species from Northwest Guangxi, China

Primulina acutiloba C.Xiong, J.X.Fu & F.Wen,  

 

in Xiong, Fu, Qin, Pan, Liu et Wen, 2026. 

尖瓣报春苣苔  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.272.178656 

(All photographed by Chi Xiong).

Abstract

A new species of Gesneriaceae, Primulina acutiloba C.Xiong, J.X.Fu & F.Wen, from the limestone karsts of Northwest Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. Morphologically, it resembles Pri. pingguoensis H.S.Ma & B.Pan and Pri. pseudoeburnea (D.Fang & W.T.Wang) Mich. Möller & A. Weber in corolla shape and coloration, particularly in the presence of purple stripes extending from the throat to the lobes. However, it can be readily distinguished by a combination of characters, including the shape of the leaf blades, bracts, and calyx lobes, the length of the peduncle and pistil, and the height of the disc. Currently, only a single population is known from the type locality, comprising approximately 60–80 mature individuals. Following the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the species is provisionally assessed as Endangered (EN C2 b).

Key words: Baise, Guangxi, limestone, new taxon, taxonomy

Primulina acutiloba C.Xiong, J.X.Fu & F.Wen, sp. nov.
 A. Flowering plant cultivated in GCCC; B. Abaxial (above) and adaxial (below) sides of leaf blade; C. Cymes (arrow shows bracts); D. Bracts, dissected; E. Side view of flower; F. Ventral view of flower; G. Dorsal view of flower; H. Front view of flower; I. Sepals, dissected; J. Pistil and disc; K. Stigma; L. Disc; M. Opened corolla showing stamens and staminodes; N. Stamens.

(All photographed by Chi Xiong).

Primulina acutiloba C.Xiong, J.X.Fu & F.Wen, sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Within Primulina, Pri. acutiloba is readily distinguished by its triangular corolla lobes with prominent stripes. In overall corolla shape, coloration, and the presence of purple stripes extending from the throat to the lobes, it resembles Pri. pingguoensis and Pri. pseudoeburnea (Fig. 3). However, it differs from both species in having peduncle 3–8 cm long (vs. 8–16.5 cm in Pri. pingguoensis and 10–19 cm in Pri. pseudoeburnea), elliptic bracts (vs. linear or linear-lanceolate in Pri. pingguoensis and lanceolate in Pri. pseudoeburnea), corolla 25–28 mm long (vs. ca. 16–20 mm in Pri. pingguoensis and ca. 30 mm in Pri. pseudoeburnea), and pistil 21–24 mm long (vs. ca. 11–15 mm in Pri. pingguoensis and ca. 20 mm in Pri. pseudoeburnea).

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘acutiloba’ is derived from the Latin acutus (meaning ‘acute’) and lobus (meaning ‘lobe’), referring to the characteristically acute apices of the corolla lobes.

Vernacular name. jiān bàn bào chūn jǔ tái (Chinese pronunciation); 

尖瓣报春苣苔 (Chinese name).

 Chi Xiong, Jia-Xin Fu, Qi Qin, Bo Pan, Hong Liu and Fang Wen. 2026. Primulina acutiloba (Gesneriaceae), A New Species from Northwest Guangxi, China. PhytoKeys. 272: 11-20.  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.272.178656 [18 Mar. 2026] 

[Phycology • 2026] Lobophora lewmanomontiae, L. ogawae, ... • A Survey along the East Coast of Thailand reveals High Diversity in the Genus Lobophora (Dictyotales: Phaeophyceae): with the Description of Four New Species

 

Lobophora lewmanomontiae A. M. Klomjit, J. Praiboon & N. Muangmai sp. nov.
 Lobophora ogawae A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 
Lobophora thiemmedhii A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 
Lobophora velasquezii A. M. Klomjit, S. G. A. Draisma & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 

in Klomjit, Draisma, Praiboon, Jurejan, Sutti, Sun, Vieira et Muangmai, 2026. 

 DOI: doi.org/10.4490/algae.2026.41.2.2  

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 ABSTRACT

Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae) is an ecologically important seaweed genus in tropical and subtropical marine ecosystems. This alga exhibits cryptic diversity and morphological plasticity, which require taxonomic delineations that primarily depend on DNA analyses, complemented by morphological and ecological data. Species diversity and distribution within Southeast Asia remain understudied compared to well-documented regions such as the Caribbean and the western Pacific. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the genus Lobophora along the east coast of Thailand, integrating DNA-based surveys with morphological analyses. Extensive sampling across the Gulf of Thailand revealed 14 well-supported monophyletic clades of Lobophora. Among these, we described four new species (L. lewmanomontiae sp. nov., L. ogawae sp. nov., L. thiemmedhii sp. nov., and L. velasquezii sp. nov.) and reported three new national records (L. abscondita, L. henae, and L. quangtriensis), thereby bringing the Thai total to 21 species. When combined with previous records, 30 species have now been recorded from Southeast Asia, with 12 of which are endemic to the region. This study also emphasizes the importance of extensive sampling across broader areas, which enhances our understanding of biogeographic distributions and their implications for coastal ecosystem management.

Key words: DNA barcoding; Gulf of Thailand; macroalgae; Phaeophyceae; phylogeny; species diversity; taxonomy

In situ photographs of four new Lobophora species from east coast of Thailand.
(A) Lobophora lewmanomontiae sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2021-0314). (B) Lobophora ogawae sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2021-0310).
(C) Lobophora thiemmedhii sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2022-02470). (D) Lobophora velasquezii sp. nov. (THNHM-P-2022-0237).

Scale bars represent: A, 3 cm; B, 1 cm; C & D, 2 cm.

Lobophora lewmanomontiae A. M. Klomjit, J. Praiboon & N. Muangmai sp. nov. 

Lobophora ogawae A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov.

Lobophora thiemmedhii A. M. Klomjit, C. W. Vieira & N. Muangmai sp. nov.

Lobophora velasquezii A. M. Klomjit, S. G. A. Draisma & N. Muangmai sp. nov.

Ex situ photographs, transversal (Top) and longitudinal (Bottom) section on holotype specimens.
(A–C) Lobophora lewmanomontiae sp. nov.
(D–F) Lobophora ogawae sp. nov.
(G–I) Lobophora thiemmedhii sp. nov.
(J–L) Lobophora velasquezii sp. nov.

Scale bars represent: A, 2 cm; D & J, 0.5 cm; G, 1 cm.

Distribution pattern of Lobophora species along the east coast of Thailand. The black lines on the map represent the geographic borders of Thai province. The marine territories of the provinces where Lobophora species were identified, are highlighted in colors other than blue. The black dots indicated specific locations where Lobophora samples were collected. The numbers in parentheses next to the species names indicate the number of samples identified in each province. The table on the right lists the Lobophora species found in each province, with circles indicating species presence. Provinces ranked left to right by geographic location starting from east to west and then north to south.

Anirut Klomjit, Stefano G. A. Draisma, Jantana Praiboon, Narapat Jurejan, Suttikarn Sutti, Zhongmin Sun, Christophe Vieira and Narongrit Muangmai. 2026. A Survey along the East Coast of Thailand reveals High Diversity in the Genus Lobophora (Dictyotales, Phaeophyceae): with the Description of Four New Species. Algae. 41(1); 77-94. DOI: doi.org/10.4490/algae.2026.41.2.2 [March 15, 2026] 

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