[Mammalogy • 2025] Oreoryzomys huancabambensis • Introduction to the Systematics of Oreoryzomys balneator (Rodentia: Cricetidae) with the Description of A New Species from Peruvian montane forests

[B, D] Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. Llancachahua-Tarqui, Ruelas, Escobar & Pacheco,  
[A, E] Oreoryzomys balneator  (Thomas, 1900)

in Llancachahua-Tarqui, Ruelas, Escobar et Pacheco Torres, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.15381/rpb.v32i4.31354 

 Researchgate.net/publication/398062542

Abstract

Oreoryzomys is a monotypic genus represented solely by Oreoryzomys balneator and has long been considered enigmatic due to the scarce information available since its description more than a century ago. In this study, we present a systematic revision of O. balneator with an integrative approach, focusing on Peruvian populations. We analyzed 73 specimens using morphological methods, complemented with phylogenetic analyses based on two mitochondrial genes. Our results reveal that the Peruvian populations previously referred as O. balneator represent a new and unnamed species. This species is genetically and morphologically differentiated, and geographically isolated from O. balneator sensu stricto (from Tungurahua Province, the type locality) and from the western Ecuadorian populations of El Oro Province. We formally describe this new species which inhabits montane forests from southeastern Ecuador (Zamora Chinchipe Province) to northeastern Peru (Piura and Cajamarca departments), at elevations between 1520 to 2990 m a.s.l. This work represents the first systematic revision of this genus, providing novel insights into its phylogenetic relationships, distribution, and natural history.

Keywords: Andes, Huancabamba Depression, Oryzomyini, Piura Department, Yungas

External comparisons between Oreoryzomys balneator (AMNH 67569, A, C, E)
and Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. (MUSM 10701, B, D, F).

Live specimen of Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. (MUSM 55512, holotype) from Habaspite, Carmen de la Frontera, Piura Department. Note the presence of three commensal staphylinid beetles on the head of the specimen.

Photograph taken by Víctor Pacheco.

Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov.

 A) Panoramic view of the type locality of  Oreoryzomys huancabambensis sp. nov. in Habaspite, Carmen de la Frontera Province, Piura Department, in 2021.
B) Typical habitats within forest patches, and C) low-scale mining activities in the type locality.

Photographs taken by Víctor Pacheco.

 

Daniel Llancachahua-Tarqui, Dennisse Ruelas, Elizabeth Escobar and Víctor Raúl Pacheco Torres. 2025. Introduction to the Systematics of Oreoryzomys balneator (Rodentia; Cricetidae) with the Description of A New Species from Peruvian montane forests. Revista peruana de biología. 32(4): e31354. DOI: doi.org/10.15381/rpb.v32i4.31354 

 Researchgate.net/publication/398062542_Introduction_to_the_Systematics_of_Oreoryzomys_balneator_with_the_description_of_a_new_species_from_Peruvian_montane_forests

[Herpetology • 2025] Hemidactylus kalinga • A New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from the Northern Eastern Ghats, Odisha, India

 

 Hemidactylus kalinga

Mohapatra, Ray, Das, Bhupathi, Sarkar, Mohalik, Nair & Dutta, 2025 

Kalinga rock gecko | DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e175753

Abstract

We describe a new species of large-bodied, rock-dwelling gecko of the genus Hemidactylus from the Eastern Ghats of Odisha, India. The new species is genetically distinct, as already indicated in previous studies, and differs from all other congeners in a combination of morphological characters, such as dorsal scalation of small granules intermixed with large, pointed, trihedral tubercles that form 15–19 fairly regularly arranged longitudinal rows at midbody; 9–11 subdigital lamellae below the first and 12–14 below the fourth digit; 22–26 femoral pores separated by five poreless scales in males; and 11–13 supralabials and 9–11 infralabials. The new species is from the Eastern Ghats clade of large-bodied, tuberculated Hemidactylus and can be readily diagnosed morphologically from the two sister species, H. sushilduttai and H. kangerensis, in having characters such as the second postmental distinct and ~70% of the first postmental; the first postmental touching infralabial I and the second postmental touching infralabials I and II; and one post-cloacal spur on each side. The new species is distributed in the northern Eastern Ghats range of Odisha, inhabiting moist and dry deciduous forests and rock boulders and occasionally entering human habitations.

Key Words: Deccan Peninsula, Eastern Highlands, Hemidactylus kangerensis, Hemidactylus sushilduttai, morphology, taxonomy

Live uncollected specimen of Hemidactylus kalinga sp. nov.
A. Juveniles showing variant colouration; B. An individual preying on Gryllotalpa africana.

 Hemidactylus kalinga sp. nov.

Diagnosis. A large-sized and tuberculated Hemidactylus, SVL up to 105.4 mm (n = 6). Dorsal pholidosis heterogeneous, composed of subcircular granular scales intermixed with enlarged, fairly regularly arranged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles in 15–19 longitudinal rows, extending from occiput to tail base, that are heterogeneous in shape and size; enlarged tubercles on the two most medial parasagittal rows smaller, 27–30 tubercles in paravertebral rows; those on dorsolateral aspect of flank largest, gradually decreasing in size downwards, last two rows on flank marginally larger or equal to medial parasagittal rows, weakly keeled. Ventrolateral folds indistinct; about 32–35 scale rows across the belly. Digits with enlarged scansors, lamellae in straight transverse series, all divided except the apical and 1–3 basal lamellae, 9–12 lamellae beneath first digit and 12–14 beneath fourth digit of manus and pes. Males with 22–26 femoral pores on each side separated by five poreless scales. Tail with much enlarged, strongly keeled, conical tubercles forming whorls; median row of subcaudal plates large, covering almost entire portion of the tail; single postcloacal spur of unequal size on each side that are smooth and much smaller than dorsal tubercles at mid-body. Dorsal coloration rusty-brown with four transversely arranged light bands, edged with black or dark brown, between the occiput and sacrum; head lighter than body in life, with a narrow lighted collar edged by dark brown that is continuous with the post-ocular marking.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a toponym for the Kalinga Ghati, the Eastern Ghats hill ranges in the Kandhamal District of Odisha, and the type locality of the species. Furthermore, the present known distribution range of the species is within the historical “Kalinga Kingdom”, comprising present-day south Odisha. The specific name is a noun in apposition to the generic name.

Suggested common English name. Kalinga rock gecko.

 Pratyush P. Mohapatra, Sumidh Ray, Ashis K. Das, Bharath Bhupathi, Vivek Sarkar, Rakesh K. Mohalik, Manoj V. Nair and Sushil K. Dutta. 2025. A New Species of Hemidactylus Goldfuss, 1820 (Squamata, Gekkonidae) from the Northern Eastern Ghats, Odisha, India. Herpetozoa. 38: 365-378. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.38.e175753 [01-12-2025]

[Ichthyology • 2025] Gambusia nobilis, G. pyrros & G. echelleorum • A Total Evidence Approach justifies Taxonomic Splitting of the Endangered Pecos gambusia (Cyprinodontiformes: Poeciliidae: Gambusia) into Three Species

 Gambusia nobilis (Baird & Girard 1853)

Gambusia pyrros 
Gambusia echelleorum 

 Portnoy, Bretzing-Tungate, Fields, Bean, Smith, Dolan, Blanchard & Conway, 2025 

DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.251025

Abstract

Gambusia nobilis is a federally endangered species found across a fragmented distribution within the Pecos River Drainage of Texas and New Mexico, USA. Drought, human water usage, and potential hybridization and competition with introduced congeners threaten species persistence. Therefore, a population genomics study was conducted to provide critical information for conservation planning. Unsupervised clustering suggested hierarchical structure, with a primary K = 3, and deep divergences were detected among samples grouped into the Leon Creek watershed, the Toyah Creek watershed, and water bodies within the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (F’ST = 0.55–0.76 for putatively neutral data). Phylogenetic analyses showed three distinct clades corresponding to these groups, with divergence times estimated to be in the last 50 000 years. Complimentary morphological analyses detected differences among the three groups, including features of male colour pattern, and the number of caudal-fin rays in both sexes. Taken as a whole, the results indicate that the endangered G. nobilis comprises three species (two of which are named herein as G. pyrros n. sp. and G. echelleorum n. sp.), rather than one, and the study highlights the daunting yet critical task of documenting species diversity during a period of unprecedented diversity loss.

Keywords: Chihuahua desert, genetic drift, taxonomy, Poeciliidae, species delimitation

Subjects:biology, evolution, genomics, taxonomy and systematics

Distribution and relationships of the Gambusia nobilis species complex.
  (a) Map showing distribution of G. nobilis, G. pyrros n. sp. and G. echelleorum n.sp. within Chihuahuan desert ecoregion of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico. (b) Closer view of area surrounded by dashed rectangle (b) in (a), showing location of G. echelleorum samples from Bitter Lake watershed in New Mexio, type locality indicated by black asterisk (*). (c) Closer view of area surrounded by dashed rectangle (c) in (a), showing location of G. nobilis samples from Leon Creek watershed and G. pyrros samples from Toyah Creek watershed in Texas, type localities indicated by black asterisk (*).
(d) Clade equivalent to the Gambusia nobilis species complex from the Maximum Likelihood phylogram based on 5989 loci showing relationships of G. nobilis, G. pyrros and G. echelleorum, numbers above branches represent bootstrap values (full topology available in electronic supplementary material, figure S7). (e) Discriminant analysis of principal components using the unsupervised clustering algorithm, K-means (= 3), using 3502 single nucleotide polymorphism-containing loci and 212 individuals (G. nobilis, n = 63; G. pyrros, n = 79; G. echelleorum, n = 70). Basemap in (a) created with SimpleMappr. Satellite images in (b) and (c) obtained from Google Earth.

Male individuals of the three members of the Gambusia nobilis species complex photographed in life against different background and in different views (lateral and dorsal) to document variation in colour pattern.
(a) Left side, lateral view, against light grey background: (i) G. nobilis (TCWC 21102.01); (ii, iii) G. pyrros (TCWC 21103.02, paratypes); (iv) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21104.01, holotype); (v-vii) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21105.01, paratypes). (b) Left side, lateral view, against dark grey background: (i, ii) G. nobilis (TCWC 21102.01); (iii) G. pyrros (TCWC 21103.02, paratype); (iv) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21104.01, holotype); (v) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21105.01, paratype). (c) Dorsal view (background variable): (i, ii) G. nobilis (TCWC 21102.01); (iii, iv) G. pyrros (TCWC 21103.02, paratypes); (v) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21104.01, holotype); (vi) G. echelleorum (TCWC 21105.01, paratype

 Gambusia nobilis (Baird & Girard 1853)

  Gambusia pyrros new species

Diagnosis: A member of the Gambusia nobilis species group (sensu Rauchenberger [1989]) most similar to G. nobilis and G. echelleorum. The characters distinguishing G. pyrros from G. nobilis are listed in the diagnosis of the latter. Gambusia pyrros is distinguished from G. echelleorum by the same characters that distinguish G. nobilis from G. echelleorum, plus: body colour of males orange-red or yellow-orange (figures 1d and 2b(ii); electronic supplementary material, figure S8) (versus yellow-grey to light cream; figures 1d and 2b(iii); electronic supplementary material, figure S8), anal fin of male orange-red at base in life (figure 2d(ii)) (versus orange; figure 2d(iii)), a higher modal number of total caudal-fin rays (29–32, mode 31 versus 25–29, mode 27; figure 2e), a higher modal number of branched caudal-fin rays (12–15, mode 14 versus 9–14, mode 12).

Etymology: From the Greek pyrros, meaning flame-coloured, a reference to the bright yellow, orange and red colours of the median fins of males in life. A noun in apposition. Proposed common name: flame gambusia.

  Gambusia echelleorum new species

Diagnosis: A member of the Gambusia nobilis species group (sensu Rauchenberger [1989]) most similar to G. nobilis and G. pyrros. The characters distinguishing G. echelleorum from G. nobilis and G. pyrros are listed in the diagnoses provided for the latter two.

Etymology: Named for Alice and Anthony Echelle in honour of their work on Gambusia nobilis. A noun in the genitive. Proposed common name: New Mexico Gambusia.

David S. Portnoy; Robert J. Bretzing-Tungate; Andrew T. Fields; Megan G. Bean; Ryan K. Smith; Elizabeth P. Dolan; Rose Blanchard and Kevin W. Conway. 2025. A Total Evidence Approach justifies Taxonomic Splitting of the Endangered Pecos gambusia into Three Species. R Soc Open Sci. (2025) 12 (11): 251025. DOI: doi.org/10.1098/rsos.251025 [26 Nov 2025]

 

[Ichthyology • 2025] Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi • Phylogenetic Relationships and Historical Biogeography of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae), with Description of a New Species from the Orinoco Basin, Colombia

(A) Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi Cortés-Hernández & DoNascimiento, ,
Holotype, IAvH-P 9723, 87.9 mm SL, Colombia, Casanare, Aguazul, río Únete;
(B) C. boquillae, IAvH-P 13552, 62.0 mm SL, Colombia, Quindío, Finlandia, El Membrillal; (C) C. cf. insidiosa, MHNU-I 1159, 59.5 mm SL, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, río Ocoa; (D) C. nasus, CIUA 7809, 68.4 mm SL, Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Ansermanuevo, quebrada el Chanco (photo by José Luis Londoño-López); 

in Cortés-Hernández, Márquez et DoNascimiento, 2025. 

DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025051 

 x.com/IchsAndHerps

 

Abstract

Cetopsorhamdia as currently classified is corroborated as non-monophyletic, based on a comprehensive multilocus phylogenetic analysis, with complete taxonomic representation from northern South America, and including its type species. However, a subgroup of species that agrees with a previous phylogenetic definition of the genus, based on morphology, is recovered as monophyletic and is designated herein as Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto. A new species from piedmont tributaries of the Meta and Guaviare Rivers, Orinoco basin in Colombia, was recovered as sister to remaining cis-Andean species of the sensu stricto concept of the genus and is described here. The new species is distinguished from all sensu stricto congeners by a unique combination of characters: distal end of pectoral fin surpassing dorsal-fin origin, adipose-fin base short (12.9–15.9% of SL), lower lobe of caudal fin longer than upper lobe (31.7–37.3% of SL), body homogeneously brown, and 35–36 total vertebrae. A clear vicariant cis- and trans-Andean pattern is obtained for species of Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto, predating isolation of present Magdalena and Lake Maracaibo basins by orogenesis of the Eastern Cordillera and Mérida Andes, respectively.

Left lateral view of (A) Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi, holotype, IAvH-P 9723, 87.9 mm SL, Colombia, Casanare, Aguazul, río Únete;
(B) C. boquillae, IAvH-P 13552, 62.0 mm SL, Colombia, Quindío, Finlandia, El Membrillal; (C) C. cf. insidiosa, MHNU-I 1159, 59.5 mm SL, Colombia, Meta, Villavicencio, río Ocoa;
 (D) C. nasus, CIUA 7809, 68.4 mm SL, Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Ansermanuevo, quebrada el Chanco (photo by José Luis Londoño-López); (E) C. picklei, IAvH-P 11805, 125.5 mm SL, Colombia, Norte de Santander, río Zulia. Scale bar 5 mm.

Cetopsorhamdia ramirezi Cortés-Hernández and DoNascimiento, new species 

Etymology.—The specific epithet honors Hernando Ramírez Gil, for his invaluable contribution to the knowledge and conservation of ornamental and food fishes in Colombia

Miguel Ángel Cortés-Hernández, Edna J. Márquez, and Carlos DoNascimiento. 2025. Phylogenetic Relationships and Historical Biogeography of Cetopsorhamdia (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae), with Description of a New Species from the Orinoco Basin, Colombia. Ichthyology & Herpetology. 113(4), 667-681. DOI: doi.org/10.1643/i2025051 (28 November 2025). 

  x.com/IchsAndHerps/status/1995693220760854554

Cetopsorhamdia como es actualmente clasificado es corroborado como no monofilético, con base en un análisis filogenético multilocus exhaustivo, con representación taxonómica completa del norte de Sudamérica, e incluyendo su especie tipo. Sin embargo, un subgrupo de especies que concuerda con una definición filogenética previa del género, con base en morfología, es recuperado como monofilético y es designado aquí como Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto. Una especie nueva de tributarios de piedemonte de los ríos Meta y Guaviare, cuenca del Orinoco en Colombia, fue recuperada como hermana de las especies cisandinas del concepto sensu stricto del género y es descrita aquí. La especie nueva se distingue de todos sus cóngeneres sensu stricto por una combinación única de caracteres: extremo distal de la aleta pectoral sobrepasando el origen de la aleta dorsal, base de la aleta adiposa corta (12,9–15,9% de LE); lóbulo inferior de la aleta caudal más largo que el lóbulo superior (31,7–37,3% de LE), cuerpo homogéneamente marrón y 35–36 vértebras totales. Un claro patrón vicariante cis y transandino es obtenido para las especies de Cetopsorhamdia sensu stricto, antecediendo el aislamiento de las actuales cuencas del Magdalena y del lago de Maracaibo, por la orogénesis de la cordillera oriental y de los Andes de Mérida, respectivamente.

[Ornithology • 2025] Tinamus resonans • A New Species of Tinamus (Aves: Tinamiformes) from the western Amazon, Brazil

 

Tinamus resonans

 Morais, Crozariol, Godoy, Plácido & Raposo, 2025 

  

 Slaty-masked Tinamou | Sururina-da-serra  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5725.2.6

Abstract

We describe Tinamus resonans sp. nov., a new species of tinamou from the montane forests of the Serra do Divisor, western Amazonia, Brazil. The species is distinguished by a unique combination of plumage pattern, vocal repertoire, and ecological characteristics, including a conspicuous dark slate facial mask, vivid rufous-cinnamon underparts, and a uniform brownish-gray back. Its vocalizations are remarkable, consisting of long and powerful songs that echo strikingly across the steep montane slopes, producing a characteristic resonant effect. The species was documented exclusively at higher elevations within a transitional zone between submontane and stunted forests, where the understory is densely structured by root mats. A preliminary population estimate, based on field detections and spatial extrapolation, suggests approximately 2,106 individuals restricted to the Serra do Divisor massif. Although no immediate anthropogenic pressures were observed within its range, the species may be highly vulnerable to climate change and to proposed infrastructure projects that threaten the integrity of this federally protected region. The discovery of T. resonans highlights the biological uniqueness of the Serra do Divisor, reinforces its status as a center of montane endemism, and underscores the critical importance of maintaining its long-term conservation.

Aves, Amazon rainforest, endemic species, extinction, Tinamidae, Serra do Divisor National Park, Acre

Tinamus resonans sp. nov. 
at Morro Queimado, Serra do Divisor National Park, Mâncio Lima, Acre, Brazil,

photos by Luis A. Morais.

Tinamus resonans sp. nov.

Proposed Portuguese name: Sururina-da-serra

Proposed English name: Slaty-masked Tinamou

Diagnosis: This species differs from all other Tinamidae by presenting, at least in females (the three individuals whose sex could be determined were female), a distinctive dark slate-colored crown, which extends into a prominent stripe down the hindneck and into the post-ocular region, forming a conspicuous facial mask (Fig. 1 and 2). The ferruginous  coloration  of  the  breast  places  it  near  the T.  variegatus/brevirostris  group,  from  which  it  is  readily distinguished by its uniform brownish-gray dorsum lacking any barring, a condition otherwise shared only with T. soui. It can be further separated from T. soui by its ferruginous breast, neck, and cheeks and the presence of white on the lower belly. Its vocalization is unique and therefore diagnostic among the vocalizations attributed to other Tinamidae. As described below, it is distinguished by its overall structure and note modulation.

Holotype of Tinamus resonans sp. nov. (MN 53848).
Ventral view (A), lateral view (B), dorsal view (C), flanks (D), dorsal surface of the wing (E), ventral surface of the wing (F).

Etymology: From Latin, resonans is the present participle of the verb resonare (“to resound,” “to echo”), used here in its adjectival sense meaning “resounding” or “echoing.” The verb is composed of the prefix re- (“again” or “back”) and the root sonare (“to sound”), which derives from the noun sonus (“sound”). The name refers to the striking echoing effect of the species’ song, which reverberates across the steep montane slopes of its habitat as a result of strong acoustic diffusion. 

The common name “sururina” is an onomatopoeic term used by local riverine people to refer to ground-dwelling tinamous with modulated songs and is commonly applied to several species in the region, including Tinamus soui and T. variegatus. The addition of “-da-serra” (“from the mountains”) highlights the distinct identity and montane habitat of this species, setting it apart from other sympatric taxa.

Luis A. MORAIS, Marco A. CROZARIOL, Fernando I. GODOY, Ricardo A. A. PLÁCIDO and Marcos A. RAPOSO. 2025. A New Species of Tinamus (Aves: Tinamiformes) from the western Amazon, Brazil.  Zootaxa. 5725(2); 279-291. DOI: doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5725.2.6 [2025-12-02]

[PaleoEntomology • 2025] Shaykayatcoris michalskii • A New fossil plesiomorphic Flat Bug (Aradidae) suggests widespread flower visiting in Heteroptera during the Mesozoic

  

 Shaykayatcoris michalskii

Kóbor & Szabó, 2025

  

DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15559-8 

artistic reconstruction by Márton Zsoldos

Abstract 

The phenomenon of flower visiting (anthophily) and the pollination, though becoming prevalent with the rise of flowering angiosperms, hypothesized to have originated from the antagonistic relationship of florivory between insects and gymnosperms in the Upper Jurassic. Though not commonly known, this behaviour has been documented in several instances among the representatives of the suborder Heteroptera, i.e., the true bugs. Here, we describe Shaykayatcoris michalskii gen. nov., sp. nov., the first known representative of the plesiomorphic flat bug (Aradidae) subfamily Prosympiestinae in the Upper Cretaceous Burma Terrane amber fauna (Lowermost Cenomanian, ca. 99 Mya). Besides expanding the knowledge on the heteropteran insect fauna of the Lagerstätte, the discovery of this new true bug provides intriguing insights into the evolutionary history of true bugs. First, the new record corroborates that the subfamily Prosympiestinae is a Gondwanan relict group among the representatives of flat bugs. Second, this insect presents the first known incidence of iridescent colouration in flat bugs with a tentative role of camouflage, suggesting a more exposed lifestyle compared to the apomorphic lineages of flat bugs, which have adapted to live under tree bark. Third, the iridescence and the high amount of pollen among the syninclusions suggest that the insect was likely to be anthophilous. The suspected presence of anthophily in such a specialised heteropteran insect group like Aradidae suggests that anthophily was more widespread among the Mesosoic true bugs than it can be observed in the case of extant taxa.

Keywords: Heteroptera, Aradidae, Fossil, Iridescence, Anthophily

Reconstructions of Shaykayatcoris michalskii gen. et sp. nov.: 
(a) line drawing of the second author (parts of femora visible in dorsal view were omitted), (b) artistic reconstruction by Márton Zsoldos, Hungarian palaeoartist.

Systematic palaeontology

Order Hemiptera Linnaeus, 1758.

Suborder Heteroptera Latreille, 1810.

Infraorder Pentatomomorpha Leston, Pendergrast and Southwood, 1954.

Superfamily Aradoidea Brullé, 1836.

Family Aradidae Brullé, 1836.

Subfamily Prosympiestinae Usinger and Matsuda, 1959.

Shaykayatcoris Kóbor and Szabó gen. nov.

Differential diagnosis: Shaykayatcoris gen. nov. possesses the following synapomorphies shared with representatives of the tribe Prosympiestini: gular area smooth (in Llaimacorini gular area with a shallow longitudinal groove), peritreme situated anteriorly to hind coxa (in Llaimacorini peritreme situated close to the middle coxa). The bristle of the peritreme characteristic of tribe Prosympiestini is not observable, but it may have been broken off when trapped in resin. Shaykayatcoris gen. nov. is macropterous, possessing a triangular scutellum (shared synapomorphy with Prosympiestus Bergroth, 1894; other prosympiestine genera are brachypterous), length of head greater than the width (shared synapomorphy with Prosympiestus, length of head distinctly shorter than width in the other prosympiestine genera), antenniferous tubercle reduced (autapomorphy, antenniferous tubercles well-developed or even produced laterally in other prosympiestine genera), postocular region slightly concave (autapomorphy, postocular region convex or straight in other prosympiestine genera), width of pronotum is 1.3× greater than length (width of pronotum is at least twice greater than length in other prosympiestine genera), scutellum is slightly shorter than pronotum (autapomorphy, scutellum is at least somewhat shorter in other prosympiestine genera), hemelytron with fine, sparse punctuation at claval furrow and along veins of corium (autapomorphy, hemelytron extensively and strongly punctate in Prosympiestus).

Etymology: Generic name masculine. The name of the genus is derived from the Burmese word ရှေးခေတ် (shayyhkayat), meaning ’ancient’ and the Greek κοριός (koriós = coris), meaning ’bug’.

Shaykayatcoris michalskii Kóbor and Szabó sp. nov.

Type locality and horizon: Upper Cretaceous, lower Cenomanian (98.79 ± 0.62 Ma, according to Shi et al.24; from an amber mine in Hukawng Valley, Tanai Township, Myitkyina District, Kachin State, northern Myanmar.

Etymology: The species is named after Artur Michalski, a Polish amber collector (predominantly specialized in Baltic amber) who donated the specimen to the authors for scientific purposes. With the naming, authors intend to encourage collectors and traders to cooperate with scientists to reveal the palaeobiodiversity trapped in amber.

 

Péter Kóbor & Márton Szabó. 2025. A New fossil plesiomorphic Flat Bug (Aradidae) suggests widespread flower visiting in Heteroptera during the Mesozoic. Scientific Reports. 15: 30282. DOI: doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-15559-8 [19 August 2025]

[Entomology • 2025] Tenomaculosa hexapunctata • A New monotypic Genus of the Tribe Tenoderini (Mantodea: Mantidae: Tenoderinae) from the southern Thailand

Tenomaculosa hexapunctata  

Tarapipattanakun & Unnahachote, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.25221/fee.538.1 

 facebook.com: P. Tarapipattanakun

A new genus and species Tenomaculosa hexapunctata gen. et sp. n. of praying mantis (Mantodea) is described from the southern Thailand. The new genus distinguished from related genera by the presence of six distinct black spots on the internal surfaces of the profemur and, in lateral view, by widened posterior part of the pronotum. Additionally, unidentified species of the genus Mesopteryx Saussure, 1870 is found in Thailand for the first time. A key to the genera of the subtribe Tenoderina in the Oriental region is also given.

Key words: Mantodea, praying mantises, Mantidae, Tenoderinae, Tenoderini, Oriental region.

Tenomaculosa hexapunctata gen. et sp. n.:
 A – holotype male in dorsal view; B – head in frontal view; C – inner side of prothoracic leg.

Fore legs of the subtribe Tenoderina genera:
A – Mesopteryx sp.; B – Tenodera cf. fasciata; C – Tenodera aridifolia; D – Tenospilota nova;
E, F – Tenomaculosa hexapunctata gen. et sp. n.

Tenomaculosa hexapunctata gen. et sp. n., male genitalia and terminalia.
A – ventral view of left phallomere; B – ventral view of ventral phallomere; C – ventral view of right phallomere; D – supraanal plate and cerci; E – subgenital plate.

Genus Tenomaculosa Tarapipattanakun et Unnahachote, gen. n.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS. Tenomaculosa gen. n. can be distinguished from Tenospilota by the pronotum being thicker towards the end in lateral view (in Tenospilota, the thickness is equal throughout the entire pronotum). The internal surfaces of the profemur presents six distinct black spots (only one large black spot is present around the tibial spur groove). The forewings without any pattern (with dark patches present in the discoidal areas), and the hindwings are transparent (with five black horizontal stripes patterns on the discoidal area).

ETYMOLOGY. The genus name is a combination of the word “Teno” referring to the related genus Tenodera, which shares some characteristics, and the Latin word “maculosa”, meaning spotted, in reference to the black spots on the profemur. 

Tenomaculosa hexapunctata Tarapipattanakun et Unnahachote, sp. n. 

ETYMOLOGY. The specific name “hexapunctata” is a combination of the word “hexa” meaning six, and the word “punctata” which is a Latin word meaning points. The name refers to the six black points on the inner side of the profemur of a new species.     

 Tarapipattanakun P. and Unnahachote T. 2025. A New monotypic Genus of the Tribe Tenoderini (Mantodea: Mantidae: Tenoderinae) from the southern Thailand. Far Eastern Entomologist. 538: 1-11. DOI: doi.org/10.25221/fee.538.1

https://www.biosoil.ru/FEE/Issues/2025 

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[Herpetology • 2025] Odorrana sudianensis • Unveiling Hidden Diversity in Odorrana (Anura: Ranidae) with Description of A New Species from Yingjiang, China and the First national records of Odorrana heatwolei in Thailand and Vietnam

Odorrana sudianensis Kilunda, Yu, Wu & Che,

in Kilunda, Yang, L. T. Nguyen, Le, Suwannapoom, Stuart, S. N. Nguyen, Zuo, Zhang, Duan, Duan, Yu, Wu et Che, 2025. 

苏典臭蛙  ||  DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.162366

Abstract

Species discovery within Odorrana has gradually increased over the years, establishing a remarkable diversity for the genus. During recent herpetological surveys, we collected specimens from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China with additional samples from Thailand and Vietnam. Based on combined morphological and phylogenetic analyses, we describe a new species Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. from Sudian Town, Yingjiang County, China and report new records of O. heatwolei for Thailand and Vietnam. Phylogenetic analyses, based on the 16S rRNA mitochondrial gene fragment, confirm the new species as a distinct evolutionary lineage with a genetic divergence (p-distance) of 4.6% from its closest sister species O. dulongensis. Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. is morphologically distinguishable from all its known congeners by having a robust medium adult body size, a head length longer than wide, a mottled grass-green dorsum with dark brown blotches on the posterior region, absence of dorsolateral folds and circum-marginal grooves for all finger discs expanded with lateroventral grooves. Additionally, the new species record sequences from Thailand and Vietnam nested within the O. heatwolei subclade with a low p-distance (0.0–0.5%) from topotypic sequences of O. heatwolei. Examined specimen shows morphological congruence with topotypic O. heatwolei in key diagnostic traits. Our new species and new species records increase the number of recognised species of Odorrana to 46 in China, seven in Thailand and 23 in Vietnam. We also address existing taxonomic disputes within Odorrana and provide comments and recommendations on the taxonomy of several species within the genus.

Key Words: Odorrana, Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, new species, new species record, Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov., taxonomy

Morphology and colour patterns of Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. in life (holotype KIZ058904, female).
A. Lateral view; B. Ventral view; C. Ventral view of hand; D. Dorsal view; E. Dorsolateral view of head; F. Dorsal view of tarsus; photos by Shen-Pin Yang.

Odorrana sudianensis Kilunda, Yu, Wu & Che, sp. nov.

 

Diagnosis. Odorrana sudianensis sp.nov. is assigned to the genus Odorrana and differs from its congeners based on the combination of the following morphological characters: (1) Robust medium adult body size (SVL 78.9–85.3 mm, based on two females); (2) head length longer than head width (HL/HW 1.08); (3) iris with intricate golden reticulations forming a circumpupillary ring around the periphery; (4) anterior part of dorsum mottled grass green with mottled dark brown blotches covering the posterior region; (5) dorsolateral folds absent; (6) distinct dark brown crossbands on the dorsal surface of limbs; (7) supratympanic fold obvious, weak and short; (8) dorsal and lateral skin slightly granular; (9) tongue cordiform, deeply notched posteriorly; (10) finger discs significantly expanded; (11) circummarginal grooves for all finger discs expanded with lateroventral grooves; (12) inner metacarpal tubercle, large and elongated, two outer metacarpal tubercles, with outer one larger than medial one; (13) supernumerary tubercles below the base of fingers present and rounded; (14) web on toes entirely covered; (15) inner metatarsal tubercle oval and present, outer metatarsal tubercle absent; supernumerary tubercles below the base of toes absent, subarticular tubercles of toes oval and prominent.

Etymology. The specific epithet “sudianensis” is a latinised name referring to the type locality Sudian Town, where the new species was collected. We propose “Sudian odorous frog” and “苏典臭蛙” (Pinyin: Sū Diǎn Chòu Wā) as the English and Chinese common names, respectively.

Comparison of morphological characteristics with congeners.
A. Dorsal and B. Ventral views of Odorrana sudianensis sp. nov. paratype KIZ058839 (female) in life;
C. Dorsal and D. Ventral views of Odorrana dulongensis holotype (male) in life;

photos by Shen-Pin Yang and Xiao-Long Liu.

 Felista Kasyoka Kilunda, Shen-Pin Yang, Luan Thanh Nguyen, Manh Van Le, Chatmongkon Suwannapoom, Bryan L. Stuart, Sang Ngoc Nguyen, An-Ru Zuo, Ding-Can Zhang, Zheng-Pan Duan, Pei-Wen Duan, Zhong-Bin Yu, Yun-He Wu and Jing Che. 2025. Unveiling Hidden Diversity in Odorrana (Anura, Ranidae) with Description of A New Species from Yingjiang, China and the First national records of Odorrana heatwolei in Thailand and Vietnam. Zoosystematics and Evolution. 101(4): 2337-2356. DOI: doi.org/10.3897/zse.101.162366

[Herpetology • 2025] Arthroleptis mamiwakisaraensis • An Update on the Amphibian Assemblage of the Ukaguru Mountains, Tanzania, with the Description of A New giant Arthroleptis species (Amphibia: Anura)

Arthroleptis mamiwakisaraensis 

Lyakurwa, Liedtke, Mollel, Bittencourt-Silva, Jehle, Loader & Ngalason, 2025

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2025.2561124 

 x.com/Pius_Mollel

 

Abstract

Effective conservation measures require accurate and complete species inventories, which are however often missing for particularly biodiverse regions of concern. The montane forests of the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM) in East Africa represent fragmented relics of unique habitats that harbour remarkable levels of plant and animal diversity, including many endemic and threatened species most of which are poorly known. The present study focuses on the Ukaguru Mountains, an important mountain block in the central EAM, and expands on a recent study that summarized data from 30 years of amphibian surveys. Using systematic sampling (2022–2024) in localities that are less heavily impacted by anthropogenic activities than previously surveyed sites, we increase the number of documented amphibian species from 17 to 19, adding Xenopus cf. victorianus and a newly described species (see below). Among the three Ukaguru-endemic toads which have not been recorded since more than two decades, we re-discovered Nectophrynoides laticeps and N. paulae but failed to record the enigmatic Churamiti maridadi, which according to a dedicated extinction model has an updated probability of only 47.6% of still being extant. Based on genetic, morphological and bioacoustic evidence, we also describe a new large-bodied species of Arthroleptis (Arthroleptis mamiwakisaraensis sp. nov.), shedding further light into the evolution of ‘giant’ congeners which inhabit other mountain blocks in the EAM. Given the rapid deforestation of the EAM for which the Ukagurus are no exception, our findings give rise to concerns regarding current and future extinction risks within unique mountain amphibian assemblages, also affecting species which potentially still await description. 

Key words: Afromontane, biogeography, Churamiti, Eastern Arc Mountains, Nectophrynoides

 Arthroleptis mamiwakisaraensis sp. nov.

 

John Lyakurwa, H. Christoph Liedtke, Pius Mollel, Gabriela B. Bittencourt-Silva, Robert Jehle, Simon P. Loader and Wilirk Ngalason. 2025. An Update on the Amphibian Assemblage of the Ukaguru Mountains, Tanzania, with the Description of A New giant Arthroleptis species (Amphibia: Anura). Systematics and Biodiversity.  23(1); 2561124. DOI: doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2025.2561124 [03 Nov 2025]

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[Herpetology • 2025] Ololygon paulofreirei • Taxonomic Assessment of Ololygon gr. argyreornata (Anura: Hylidae) from northern Atlantic Forest reveals A New Species from the Pernambuco Endemism Centre, northeastern Brazil

Ololygon paulofreirei

Roberto, Ávila, de Lima & Santos, 2025 

 

DOI: doi.org/10.1163/15685381-bja10241

Abstract

The Atlantic Forest in Brazil is a highly threatened biome, recognized as a biodiversity hotspot that hosts numerous endangered species with restricted distributions and facing intense human pressures. The Pernambuco Endemism Centre (PEC), located in Northeastern Brazil, represents one of the most concerning regions within the Atlantic Forest, as it comprises small, fragmented patches of pristine forest harboring several endangered species. Additionally, many species may be threatened but remain undocumented due to a lack of taxonomic studies, particularly within cryptic species complexes. In this study, we assessed the taxonomic status of populations assigned to the genus Ololygon from the state of Pernambuco. This genus presents several cryptic species with subtle morphological differences. Based on morphological, molecular, and acoustic data, we conclude that the populations from the state of Pernambuco constitute a previously undescribed species. Furthermore, we update the geographic distribution of the Ololygon gr. argyreornata species group, providing new morphological and acoustic data for O. skuki from the northern coast of Bahia state, and redescribe the advertisement call of O. argyreornata from Linhares, Espírito Santo.

Keywords: cryptic species; integrative taxonomy; Ololygon skuki; Scinaxinae; vocalization

Ololygon paulofreirei

  Igor Joventino Roberto, Robson Waldemar Ávila, Marcelo G. de Lima and Ednilza Maranhão dos Santos. 2025. Taxonomic Assessment of Ololygon gr. argyreornata (Anura, Hylidae) from northern Atlantic Forest reveals A New Species from the Pernambuco Endemism Centre, northeastern Brazil. Amphibia-Reptilia. DOI: doi.org/10.1163/15685381-bja10241 [23 Oct 2025] 

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